In the annals of violence and crime, cold-blooded killers show no remorse for the killing and agony caused by the killings. Their killings always had a purpose and a twisted logic justifying the killings. In times of war also, soldiers do not have the luxury of showing remorse for enemies killed and maimed in combat. Even then, targeting the civilian population is considered a war crime. But common folks including the leaders joining the chorus of celebrations after merciless killings of innocent people including women and children sometimes followed by justification of the killings are certainly a cause for concern.
The recent statement of the upstart Kuki MLA Paolienlal Haokip with regard to the Jiribam killings of women and children is a case in point. In an interview with Karan Thapar, the MLA seemingly justified the recent killing of three women and three children in Jiribam as an act of revenge or retaliation by the Kuki community for the brutal murder of a Hmar woman a few days earlier. It was indeed uncalled for, and not expected from an elected people’s representative. Making political statements or voicing the aspirations of his constituents or community is okay. But it cannot be the same with regard to violence and crime. The same is not expected from responsible persons and CSOs alike.
The day an MCS police officer was killed at Moreh by a bullet from a sniper rifle fired by suspected Kuki militants, the social media was awash with justifications while blaming the state government for sending in state forces to the border town despite their objections. Kuki CSOs did not shed a single tear for the two teenagers who were kidnapped and suspected killed near Joujangtek near Old Cachar Road. Instead, they blamed the teenagers for venturing in Kuki areas.
When the photos of the teenagers alive and supposedly killed afterwards became viral on social media, there was not a condemnation from the Kuki leaders and intelligentsia. They would flood the social media platforms with photos of a mutiliated David Theik, but they would remain silent when videos of Kuki militants slicing off the head of a Meitei village volunteer became viral.
When CBI began investigations and manage to arrest a few accused persons from the area, they cried foul and questioned the swiftness of CBI action. They also called into question the swift action by NIA in arresting Seiminlun Gangte, an accused in the Kwakta bomb blast. They claimed that Seiminlun was a school teacher while accusing the central agencies of dilly-dallying with investigations in which Kukis are victims. Condemnations from the CSOs in the valley when the video of naked parade became viral followed as they were shocked by the images and as they had a sense of humanity left in their hearts and minds even with the deadly clashes going on.
On the other hand, they celebrate the burning of Meitei settlements and even posed for group photographs. When the rape of a Meitei housewife in Churachandpur came out on media, they mocked and projected it as a pack of lies. The social media became their weapon of choice as funds are being poured in from sources unknown and blasted the world with their one-sided narratives.
As they continue to burn Meitei settlements in Kuki dominated areas and attack villages in the periphery of the valley, they lobbied hard in international forums and foreign countries projecting themselves as victims of Meitei atrocities and oppression. As Meiteis retaliated, they cried foul and they even murdered some Meitei village volunteers inside a church. As the state tries to maintain their writ in Moreh, they object to it. They have managed to run off most of the Meitei population and burned their homes and properties. While even a semblance of humanity is missing in their actions and words, they are still projecting themselves as victims.
