Opinion on Arming Citizens
Between militants & faltering forces, why jeopardise civilians further? IF Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh commits himself to a joint action committee’s suggestion that civilians be allowed arms in defence against militants, it will amount to a tacit admission that his government has failed in the duty it promised to fulfil in the first place. It was only in March, following the killing of two girls and a man by militants at Heirok during Holi celebrations, that the committee came into being, and its demand, apart from asking for the supply of 300 arms, include better electrification of areas surrounding localities and the installation of loudspeakers. It probably has in mind something on the lines of a village resistance group or citizens’ protection committee. Which means its volunteers will have to be trained to handle arms. In which case, given militant sophistry, can the government afford the responsibility of equipping civilians with sophisticated firearms? It is wel...