Kick life into the idea of a people friendly police : From Feb 10 to Feb 16
- Sangai Express Editorial :: February 18, 2014 -

This is not a threat or a warning, but a word of caution.

As a responsible media establishment, The Sangai Express does not believe in the line, ‘Anyone who violates the bandh or blockade should be responsible for any untoward incident,’ but as the fourth pillar of a democracy, it is within us to prod the Government of the day.

This is election year and our suggestion to the Government is to get their acts together and nail the people who opened two rounds of fire at the residence of a journalist on February 16.

Not jumping the gun, but then again it may be not altogether be right in dismissing it as a mere co-incidence.

The journalist in question here was physically assaulted by a team of IRB men near Minuthong in the dead of the night on February 10 with the leader of the pack threatening him that if a complaint is lodged he would be shot dead !

Five days down the line and unidentified persons opened two rounds of fire at the residence of the said journalist.

A co-incidence with no connection between what happened on February 10 and February 16 or is it something more ?

Remember, the said IRB man, who led the team has been put under suspension after the journalists fraternity of Manipur rose as one and stood shoulder to shoulder to condemn the issue and bring it to the notice of the whole world.

As said before, security personnel as security personnel go in Manipur, can be rogues of the lowest kind.

This is where the word of caution comes in.

This is election year and if the Government drags or appears to drag its feet over the matter, then nothing would stop the media fraternity from not only boycotting the Government but also the political party in power, which happens to be the Congress.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, this is not a threat nor a warning, but a word of caution.

A few questions are in line here.

Fine, the said IRB man has been put under suspension, but is he allowed to leave station and move about freely ?

With the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union deciding to take the matter to the Court, will the State Government spring to the defence of the IRB man, under the pretext of protecting the morale of its men or will it leave it to him to fight the legal battle alone ?

Do not forget he is under suspension, a sure indication that the Government did find something wrong with his conduct on February 10.

Agriculture Minister Md Nasir has already gone on record and through his personal assistant has announced that he would drag the IRB man to Court for dragging in his name in the whole ugly episode of February 10.

This was one or two days after the assault and three or four days after the announcement nothing has been heard.

Has the Minister started consulting lawyers on how to proceed with the case or will it end as another case of trying to soothe frayed nerves and let the matter die on its own ?

The Sangai Express would be keenly watching and keeping a close tab on the promise or assurance from the Minister.

This was not the first time that a journalist has been at the receiving end of the law enforcers and given the situation here, it will not be the last either.

But this is no reason for the Government to play with time and dole out promises without any concrete steps taken up at the grass root level.

On assuming office as the Home Minister of Manipur, Mr Gaikhangam walked the extra distance to sell the idea that he is here to ensure a people friendly police.

But an idea, when not translated into action is nothing more than a still born child.

Kick life into the idea which the Home Minister had sold to the people via the media in the last many, many months.

Investigate the case with the merit it deserves and see if there is a link between what happened on February 10 and February 16.

Things cannot be allowed to go on like this or else the Government will be scripting an anarchy.