Getting battered left, right and centre : Bastardisation of patriotism
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: December 17 2011 -

Angry protestors at Irilbung protesting the killing of kidnapped father and son by militants :: December 16 2011 :: Pix - David M Mayum

Our senses continue to get battered. Left, right, centre.

If it is not a bomb blast then it is abduction for ransom. If it is not abduction then it is a bullet, which may come in the form and shape of a fired shot or gift wrapped and handed over to the recipient.

If it is not any of these cases then it could be a threatening call to shut shop or an ‘invitation’ for a talk.

All these acts come camouflage under certain ostensibly acceptable terms and jargons which should by now be familiar.

Shift gear to a higher plane and the bomb blast could mean triggering an explosion in a public place, the abduction could mean an act for a ransom, the wrapped gift of lead could mean a bullet in the head or somewhere fatal.

The father-son duo who were found killed after being abducted some days back will yet be another figure added to the story of an abduction story ending in the most of gruesome killing.

Move to a bigger theatre which comes under the ‘socially acceptable’ realm of political demands and one could be staring straight into the face of a life crippling economic blockade or a marathon bandh which may include closure of educational institutions.

And how long have the people of Manipur been condemned to live in such a state of uncertaintly where the life of a human being has become dirt cheap ?

And what have been the steps taken up to infuse a sense of security amongst the harassed and terrorised citizens?

Yet another gruesome murder. Yet another of those stories where nothing makes sense and where the Government and its machineries have been caught on the wrong foot.

Yet another case of civil society organisations not knowing how to raise their voices against such culture of abducting and then killing for reasons which no one seems to know.

Killing and abducting for ransom is not unique to Manipur. It happens in other parts of the country as well as in other parts of the world.

However what adds that degree of uniqueness in Manipur is that such killings are carried on with impunity under a well rehearshed and well scripted formula by elements who have been given the impression that they can do anything as long as they can cook up a name, which sounds uncomfortably ‘patriotic’.

It is this bastardisation of patriotism that has become the biggest bane in today’s Manipur.

The presence of a Government which knows how to make its presence felt only when it wants to throw its weight around and harass the common people has only helped these elements to bloom in all its glory.

A nexus between some of these elements and the political class is something which cannot be ruled out either.

The hushed whispers and barely audible comments did not materialise from thin air. Politicisation of the uniformed services and please note the plural, has only gone to make things worse.

Entering into a peace pact or a suspension of operation with the Government has only meant a long rope for some of these elements to continue with their agenda of making quick money.

It suits both sides, the Government agencies and these self anointed sons of the soil.

Give up arms, enter into a peace deal and at the same time coin the name of a new outfit and start operating.

For the Government agencies it could mean endless round of back patting and congratulating each other for earning peace and hence lead a more relaxed life.

Today a father-son duo has been added to the figure of those killed by unidentified gunmen or abductors and by all means the latest incident will only go on to raise more questions than answers.

And of course the least bothered will be the Government.

It is not going to result in the loss of power for anyone and so it does not matter, is the most likely unstated but most audibly clear response from the rulers of the land.