Rogue elements threatening hard-earned peace
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 07, 2022 -

THE arrest of a man, who is in his early 40s, on the charge of molesting a girl student while she was on her way to tuition, within 24 hours after committing the crime underscores vigilance of Manipur police and their adeptness in use of information technology.

While installation of close circuit television cameras at different locations, including in the residential areas, proved handy in cracking the molestation case and nailing the culprit but there is no doubt about competency of the police officers and personnel involved in identifying and rounding up the accused person.

The molestation case has also demonstrated that the decent usage of the social media platforms could not only expose the wrongdoers but also aid in the investigation of the law enforcement agency.

As there had been numerous cases of superfluous utilisation of the advancement in information technology, it is heartening to learn that the police launched investigation into the latest case of molestation after a video went viral on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram that showed the man groping a girl student and speeding away in a two-wheeler.

Had those who captured the crime not posted the video clip under the perception that the police should handle the case of their own, then it is quite possible that the perpetrator could be still at large and commit similar outrageous acts.

Nevertheless, the police investigators responsible for arresting the culprit deserve all the accolades for their swift and diligent actions ultimately led to cracking the case.

The incident is both shocking and alarming for people of Manipur have started to realise what tranquillity really means after decades of facing insurgency-related violence and restive situations.

That the state is currently passing through one of the most peaceful times could be comprehended from businesses being conducted hours after dusk unlike some 8-10 years back, and decades before, when shops downed shutters and market places wore deserted look before the sun set.

As such it is imperative that the police remain ever vigilant to prevent social crimes like the one that happened on October 4.

Considering the fact that the crime was committed in a densely populated area and in broad daylight, it is feared that similar disruptive elements might be on the prowl and pounce on girl students, many of whom attend classes at tuition centres both in early morning and in the evening.

Regardless of semblance of peace and stability in the state at the juncture, sporadic reports of violence perpetrated against young girls and women imply that responses by communities, religious institutions and government authorities as well as existence of stringent legislations and punitive measures are not enough to contain the menace.

While there might be different factors for the perpetrators to target the softer targets, it wouldn't be presumptuous to state that an insensitive and lenient justice delivery system have failed to deter various forms of crimes.

Therefore, it is hoped that perpetrators of all forms of outrageous acts are dealt with stringently so as to help foil devilish intentions of rogue elements.