Indifference bordering on arrogance : Deafening silence
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 03 2019 -

Can the Government afford to remain indifferent any longer ?

This poser is raised not so much because of the 48 hours bandh called by the JAC Against the Custodial Killing of Manjur Ahmad, Police Constable from 6 am of April 3 to 6 am of April 5, but due to the deafening silence maintained by the State Government so far.

It is this indifference which is hard to stomach.

Died on March 30 and this means Manjur Ahmad died more than 48 hours back but still the Government has not come out with anything substantive other than the Magisterial Inquiry and the suspension of some cops who come lower down the pecking order.

What is stopping the Government from handing over the case to the CBI ?

A free and fair probe would be the first stepping stone to nail the guilty, if any in the case.

But so far the Government has not responded to the demand raised by the JAC and it is this indifference that is hard to stomach.

And the death of Manjur Ahmad cannot be seen in isolation of the escape of Th Nando from the JN Security Ward on March 26 and this is where the conspiracy theory that emerges cannot be ruled out.

The natural question that follows is, was Manjur Ahmad done to death to silence a voice that could throw light on the nexus between the escape of Th Nando and some men in khakis ?

This suspicion can only be confirmed or rubbished after the death of Manjur Ahmad is thoroughly probed by an independent agency and this is what the JAC is demanding.

Or is it a case of the Government not wanting to let the skeletons come tumbling out ?

Custodial death. This is central to the voice of dissent that has been raised and the 48 hours bandh called by the JAC should be seen within this parameter.

Let the CBI or any other Central agency probe the custodial death of Manjur Ahmad call is not an outlandish demand by any stretch of the imagination and the least the Government can do is give a hearing to the voice of anger raised by the people.

Indifference can only work to the disadvantage of the Government and indifference can soon morph into arrogance and this is something which the BJP led Government should try to stay clear from.

The Delhi Association of Manipur Muslim Students (DAMMS) has a point in bracketing the death of Manjur Ahmad with the series of alleged custodial killings in the State and for which a case is currently underway at the Supreme Court.

The Government need to demonstrate that it emphatises with the sentiments of the people, particularly the JAC which has called the bandh and see how it can move forward towards solving the case.

A sympathetic ear to the demand put up should not be too tough for the Government which is there to serve the interests of the people.

And for this the deafening silence has to go .