To Fight Revolutionaries or Mafia?
Arming citizens to fight their own people fraught with danger:
By Baba
There has been an increasing frustration of the people of Manipur to the violence and extortion perpetrated by the underground elements. I feel that for some time now the wanton killings of innocent citizens have exceeded the trigger happiness of security forces.
Even as we do not accept trampling of civil liberties and killing by security forces under draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Power Act, we can not also remain as mute spectators to mindless violence by our so-called brethren.
The writing on the wall is becoming clearer day by day. The protests by Imphal auto rickshaw drivers, by doctors and nurses of RIMS, by the councillors of Municipal Committees and Nagar Panchayats, shutting down shops in Awang Sekmai – all against extortion by the UGs, the demand to the state government by the JAC formed after the killing of 52-year-old Haorambam Robi Meetei of Lilong and by the people of Heirok to issue them guns to protect themselves from the UGs are clear indications of up to what level the frustration and helplessness of the people against insecurity of their lives have reached.
The outside world knows little that all sections of Manipuri society ranging from auto rickshaw drivers to businessmen and government employees pay "taxes" to the militants, a sort of "hafta" of Hindi films. Even families of top police officers received "demand letters" – two words which have permeated the common vocabulary of the Manipuri people.
"Are you a revolutionary or mafia", which was written on the placards of protesting Imphal auto rickshaw drivers on April 25 hit the nail and reminds me of the joke by elders that "I will make sure one of my sons become a UG to be a rich man".
The level of tolerance by the people of the daily violence has to reach a saturation point. But, the question here is: Should the citizens also react irresponsibly and at the heat of moment? Is issuing guns to citizens a solution?
The exact demands of Heirok and Lilong people to provide arms are not still clear though newspaper reports say Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has agreed to provide 100 to 200 guns to Heirok people under trial basis.
A central team headed by Union Cabinet Secretary which visited the state on April 25-26 has also taken note of it and suggested forming of village defence committees or village guards to wield the weapons.
The modalities can be work out of how under a law people trained to handle arms can defend themselves and their fellow citizens, say in an area, but it should not be conceived as something that a large number of citizens are armed to fight the UGs.
The chief minister's reported move is very dangerous and will have serious repercussions if it is implemented without framing stringent measures/rules to ensure that the weapons are not used for wrong purposes. Perhaps the central team’s idea is a better one to start with.
Image courtesy: thesangaiexpress.com
By Baba
There has been an increasing frustration of the people of Manipur to the violence and extortion perpetrated by the underground elements. I feel that for some time now the wanton killings of innocent citizens have exceeded the trigger happiness of security forces.
Even as we do not accept trampling of civil liberties and killing by security forces under draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Power Act, we can not also remain as mute spectators to mindless violence by our so-called brethren.
The writing on the wall is becoming clearer day by day. The protests by Imphal auto rickshaw drivers, by doctors and nurses of RIMS, by the councillors of Municipal Committees and Nagar Panchayats, shutting down shops in Awang Sekmai – all against extortion by the UGs, the demand to the state government by the JAC formed after the killing of 52-year-old Haorambam Robi Meetei of Lilong and by the people of Heirok to issue them guns to protect themselves from the UGs are clear indications of up to what level the frustration and helplessness of the people against insecurity of their lives have reached.
The outside world knows little that all sections of Manipuri society ranging from auto rickshaw drivers to businessmen and government employees pay "taxes" to the militants, a sort of "hafta" of Hindi films. Even families of top police officers received "demand letters" – two words which have permeated the common vocabulary of the Manipuri people.
"Are you a revolutionary or mafia", which was written on the placards of protesting Imphal auto rickshaw drivers on April 25 hit the nail and reminds me of the joke by elders that "I will make sure one of my sons become a UG to be a rich man".
The level of tolerance by the people of the daily violence has to reach a saturation point. But, the question here is: Should the citizens also react irresponsibly and at the heat of moment? Is issuing guns to citizens a solution?
The exact demands of Heirok and Lilong people to provide arms are not still clear though newspaper reports say Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has agreed to provide 100 to 200 guns to Heirok people under trial basis.
A central team headed by Union Cabinet Secretary which visited the state on April 25-26 has also taken note of it and suggested forming of village defence committees or village guards to wield the weapons.
The modalities can be work out of how under a law people trained to handle arms can defend themselves and their fellow citizens, say in an area, but it should not be conceived as something that a large number of citizens are armed to fight the UGs.
The chief minister's reported move is very dangerous and will have serious repercussions if it is implemented without framing stringent measures/rules to ensure that the weapons are not used for wrong purposes. Perhaps the central team’s idea is a better one to start with.
Image courtesy: thesangaiexpress.com