The brutal murder, yes, it was plain murder of a defenseless innocent citizen of this state by the police over an innocuous traffic incident has raised so many questions on the State's security personnel.

It is common knowledge that security personnel, public leaders and so called VIPs of our state flout all traffic norms most of the time. They are known to speeding with horns blazing, ear-piercing sirens at full blast in the most busiest stretches of traffic and ignore one-way rules with impunity. So it is quite natural that many innocent lives have been nipped in the bud in the past by this rash and reckless behaviour.

In other civilized states and countries it is the police and the leaders who lead by example. Even presidents ot State are known to stop at red-lights, and wait for pedesterians to cross at crossings, the opposite is true for Manipur where even some junior most functionry go about in a grand cavalcade.

Well, it is understandable that there are certain emergencies at times when it is the norm to give way to the police, fire-brigade and Ambulances etc. But it is another matter when these people are out shopping or dropping their gold-bedecked wives to some social ceremony.

Coming Back to the incident, the police seems to have forgotten that their first line of duty is protect life and public property; who gave them the omnipotent power to shoot and kill at will. Again it is beyond comprehension how 3-4 highly trained police personnel could not overpower and restrain an unarmed civilian or at least disable/maim him even with firepower, are they not versed with the "Laws of Engagement."

It is also not very clear how an officer on probation be in-charge of such a sensitive post.

Where was she when her personnel were literally ramming then raining lathis and finally shooting the poor man to dead?

Are not commanding officers responsible for the acts of their subordinates during their command?

Why shouldn't Officers be also made accountable?

This also confirms the fear in the minds of the public that whether the Armed Forces Special Powers act is removed or not, innocent blood will still continue to be shed all the time in this God-forsaken state. The CM, who is also in-charge of Home Ministry, should react promptly or this may lead to another spell of mass unrest, as was the case in the killing of Kumari Manorama.

The police Dept also needs a shake-up from top to bottom ranks, as they are made to look just like Khaki-clad desperados - good for only raising their hands on the innocent and helpless while wanton killings like which happened in the heart of the Imphal city, Paona Bazar recently and other subversive activities continue unabated under their very noses.

Finally, let justice be done, bring the culprits to book and hand them the severest punishment that they deserve.

And, although any amount of compensation would not fill the void left by the late RK Sanajaoba, the govt should extend a handsome compensation to the bereaved family treating this is an extraordinary case.

PS: This article was written after "Policemen kill unarmed civilian over traffic argument: Sangai Express" - 21st Oct 2004. Read the news here