The senseless killing of a 57-year-old Maring woman in Imphal by a mob has brought to the fore, the primal urges or predatory instinct which otherwise lay dormant in each and every human being as rekindled by the present violence all around us. It lays bare the alarming level of hatred and animosity flowing from a misdirected passion, a state of mind bereft of reason and human compassion. In short, irrationality and mob psychology had taken over.
We did warn of reaching such a plateau if things are not brought in control by those in positions of authority and leadership. Just as the Kukis are pushing for a separate administration in the wake of war on drugs and illegals from across the border, an assertion of Meitei identity not seen before has come to the fore as a result of the conflict. Even politics have become so polarised that politicians and MLAs are forced to form groupings under ethnic identities.
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Not only the politicians or representatives, even the civil society organisations are coming under the radar of public anger. In view of the charged atmosphere, nobody dares to speak of peace or against the ethnic assertions. The ghosts that vested interests had unleashed in pursuit of their aims and objectives had taken control now and as such nobody is willing to stick their necks out for the cause of peace between the warring camps or even to reason with the mob as the situation has reached a point where angels fear to tread.
As we said before, it is inevitable for mob fury to take over from the saner elements in any public movement. One remembers the fury of the mob when leaders of Committee of Tribal Unity (COTU) announced the withdrawal of highway blockade on NH 2. We also remember the tense situation when village volunteers from the frontlines took over a public convention organised by COCOMI to discuss a future course of action. Such a situation had happened in the past during the anti-AFSPA movement and the June 18 uprising wherein not only the political leaders but movement leaders also found themselves in trouble.
Remember the June 18 incident when the state assembly building was razed to the ground and MLAs hounded by the general public while an MLA narrowly escaped death but with third degree burns. Once again, that kind of fury is building up. The houses of some MLAs including a minister were vandalised in the present conflict while attempts are being made on others also.
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On the other hand, the various incidents of violence and attacks in several areas where Kuki militants are pitted against Meitei villagers while Kuki settlements were targeted in Imphal. These incidents have inflamed passions and communal fervour is running high everywhere. Another incident of mob psychology at work was when two Meitei women were assaulted on the suspicion of helping the other side some time back in the same general area where the Maring woman was killed.
First and foremost, the killing of the Maring woman needs to be condemned by one and all. The swift action of the state police in identifying and arresting nine people including four women involved in the case is commendable. The investigation and trial of the said accused persons must be fast-tracked. We must also understand that, public action should go beyond condemnation and all must work towards the prevention of such senseless violence and killing everywhere in future.
