Wanted: A responsible Govt
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 27 2012 -

No doubt, NSCN (IM)'s Lt Col Livingstone Anal, who reportedly molested and assaulted film actress Momoco in full public view during a musical concert at Chandel district headquarters in the evening of December 18 and also opened fire at two other male artistes when they came to the rescue of Momoco, is the man most wanted by everyone, irrespective of their social background, in Manipur today.

But the wanted tag on Livingstone announced by the State Government with assurance of cash reward of Rs 5 lakh to anyone who could arrest or provide information leading to his arrest has come as the most unwanted move that the angry public could expect from an elected government.

It is funny that after almost a week of the despicable incident which has shaken the conscience of all the people both in the hills and the valley districts, the Home Department came up with an official notification on December 24 declaring Livingstone as a wanted man with a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head.

What is even more funnier behind the decision of declaring Livingstone as a wanted man was that it has come about despite the earlier tall claim made by the Home Minister himself that the authorities of Assam Rifles and police have been given necessary instructions and the accused would be arrested for taking up necessary action in accordance to the laws of the land.

'A criminal is a criminal'. Wasn't it the catch-phrase that the Home Minister mouthed so proudly?

In its notification, Home Department categorically stated that the Assam Rifles and the police have not been able to track down Livingstone in Chandel district, thus indicating the abject failure not only of the State Government but also of the Assam Rifles and the State Police authorities to arrest Livingstone, the main accused in the Chandel molestation case.

Of course, the abject failure of arresting the accused was only expected from the kneejerk reaction given by the State Government to the incident when it first came to light.

After brushing aside the issue on alleged ground of lack of evidence and following its old habit of wait and watch for three days, it was ridiculous on the part of the State Government to press the service of a combined force to conduct a manhunt for Livingstone in and around the venue of the musical concert.

Does the Government actually think that Livingstone would be waiting there for the combined force to arrest him?

If it thinks that way, then we have got nothing to say, if not, then why all these dramas?

This is a question that the State Government and more particularly, the Home Minister should reply to the people.

After conceding alleged failure of the Assam Rifles and the State Police to arrest Livingstone, announcing cash reward to anyone who can provide information leading to his arrest, is simply obnoxious, something not at all expected from an elected Government.

It shows that the State Government has relinquished its duty and responsibility.