Inefficacy writ large
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 11, 2013 -

It was not long back when the UNC came out with a press statement deriding the State Government for not taking up appropriate actions against misbehaving with a girl.

Again the UNC lashed out not only the Government and protesters but the whole public for allegedly pursuing communal agenda. They went in records saying those found guilty should be punished regardless of the accused being an officer of NSCN-IM.

All these statements centred around the December 18 incident in which one actress was assaulted and molested, apart from firing at two other male artistes.

The public as well as several civil society organisations were demanding befitting punishment of Livingstone Anal according to law.

The Government responded as expected saying that they were not sitting idle. Even though there was no official statement, the Government indicated in no uncertain terms that it was unable to round up Livingstone.

It was on January 9 when Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that the Government has been working to pull up Livingstone though it is unsuccessful so far.

On account of the criminal activity of self styled Lt Col Livingstone of NSCN-IM which is under cease fire pact and political dialogue for the last 15 years with the Government of India and subsequent public uproar, three persons including a journalist have lost their lives.

In addition, properties worth several crores have been destroyed besides causing untold misery to all sections of the society.

What is rather interesting is the Government's idea of releasing Livingstone's photographs after a reward of Rs five lakhs was declared on the head of the accused almost 20 days back.

This is nothing but full, frontal exposure of the Government's sheer inefficacy.

It needs no reminder for a Government to pull up and punish a guilty person according to the gravity of his wrong act.

But the case of Chandel outrage which deeply hurt sentiments of the mass apart from causing fatal casualties and loss of properties worth several crores and subsequent Government measures to pull up the accused are indicative of the inefficacy of the Government or its total absence.

Just like the UNC stated, it is questionable as to why the Government failed to take some concrete measures in time to pull up the accused.

Mere rhetoric like a case has been registered, Assam Rifles and security forces have been instructed, search operations conducted, Centre has been urged to round up and hand over Livingstone to the State Government would not be very meaningful in such volatile and tense situation.

After declaring Livingstone as a wanted man with a reward of Rs five lakhs to any one who can provide information leading to his arrest, the State Government released the wanted man's photograph only today.

It would be definitely difficult for the Government to give any rational reply if the people questions its sincerity in tackling the particular issue.

It appears that the Government has nothing to say to the UNC's continuous tirade which called it communal right in its face.

It is only normal to face criticisms if the Government is acting out of compulsion while dealing with criminal elements and public issues rather than discharging its duty honestly.

It is another thing if the Government admits that it is helpless.

All the explanations that the accused had absconded, the Centre has been urged to pull up and hand over the accused to the State for NSCN-IM is under a dialogue process with the Government of India etc can never convince the mass.

The response of the Government to the issue is really shameful.

If the State continues to grope in such directionless motion, it would not be surprising if the people question the very presence of a popular, democratically elected Government in the State.