Big Gesture, Little Action
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 23 2015 -

The personal gesture of the Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio over the recent brutal attack on Willar Leimapokpam, a staffer of this Daily by police personnel should be critically appreciated.

If one goes by his statement made while visiting the Hueiyen Lanpao staffer who was lodged at a city private hospital, a police departmental inquiry has been initiated against five police commandos involved in the case.

He has also extended monetary assistance to Willar Leimapokpam for his medical treatment.

According to him, the all the police personnel reportedly involved in the incident have been immobilized and prohibited from discharging their duties.

However, the quantum of punishment to be given to them will be known after the inquiry report as stated by the Home Minister.

With this, Gaikhangam has exhibited some “visible” action on fulfilling parts of the demand made by All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) within 48 hours.

However, the Deputy Chief Minister should note that all the names of the guilty personnel are yet to be made public as demanded by AMWJU.

Moreover, the details of all actions taken so far have to be officially made public to assuage the diminishing faith in the police administration.

The same have to be conveyed to the media fraternity and the public.

At the end of the day, all efforts made by the State Government on the issue are means to restore confidence of the media fraternity whose members in the past too had undergone similar traumatic experiences.

While acknowledging the fact that violence committed against media persons around the world is not a new phenomenon, the issue of brutal assault on Willar Leimapokpam cannot be brushed aside as “one of the many incidents” kind of attitude.

As mentioned elsewhere, no forces can condone the incident and also the fact that the police forces engaged by the State Government have shown scant regard for the sanctity of the media houses operating in the State.

There are enough instances worth recalling from the past and also enough promises made by the Government. However, all that one knows is most of the actions assured by the State Government have not been able to act as deterrent.

Asking the Government to be responsible is not a command but a duty to be accomplished if justice has to prevail.

As of now, no one seems to be clear even on the status of the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the victim.

All should note that the Government by attempting to sweep the issue under the carpet is only bringing disrepute to the entire democratic set-up.