Teeth for a tooth, eyes for an eye
Gabriel T Haokip *
The Kwakta incident is unexpected and unfortunate. It is unexpected because on the process raised many eyebrows. I could not understand as to why innocent villagers are targeted for no fault of theirs.
It reminds us of the Kandhamal violence in Orissa earlier this year. One can draw parallels on the separate incidents though occurred at poles apart.
The murder of the notorious Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Lakhsmanananda by Maoist for his anti-social activities led to the targeting of Christian community far up till Bangaluru, who in no way had any connection with the proscribed organization.
The same happened here too. It is unexpected because what the world considered as barbaric, gruesome and hideous is repeated in Manipur.
It is unfortunate because hand-nabbing of a woman by two militants led to such a gross violation of human rights.
The revolver shot of a man who tried to overpower armed-assailants led to the killing of one of the perpetrators, charring to death of an innocent middle-aged man, severely beating up of other two, torching of several houses, dislodging of the whole villagers in the night when they are supposed to have good night rest and pointing every finger of blame, yet, to the victims.
The alleged assailants are not in any way connected to the Ukha Tampak villagers except that they belong to the same community. Attacking the entire village out of mere suspicion is a point to reconsider. It is unfortunate because a petty issue has broken the age-old ties and tolerance between the two neighboring villages.
If the Kwakta people are law-abiding citizens, they should have thought twice, if not thrice, before committing the blunder. They should interrogate the alleged assailant once they caught instead of the instant cold-blooded execution.
If they are justice-loving people, they should have fought according to the law of the land. Let them fight legally, if they so will.
Why did they resort to such an inhuman manner? They took two lives, razed several houses to the ground, banished the whole villagers in the night, injuring other two after severely beaten up and point fingers in exchange of a minor bullet injury of their villager who tried to overpower armed men.
Now that they'd done in their beastly instinct, they may go happy men. They took teeth for a tooth and eyes for an eye.
Are they satisfied with the retaliation on the wrong people?
Were their thirst quench with the casualty they brought to the innocent Ukha Tampak villagers?
Do you call yourself a man by attacking helpless people?
Don't they ever know the value of life?
Attacking someone for being a soft target is an utmost violation of human rights and prejudice. Though I don't vindicate the gunmen, the barbaric retaliation by Kwakta people is highly reprehensible.
Every right-thinking, peace-loving and justice- seeking citizens should spare a thought on this. Whilst we fought against inhuman Acts as AFSPA-1958 for its human rights violation, we are the first to violate.
Whereas we cry for communal harmony and peaceful co-existence, we per se are the first to flare up petty issues into communal.
Let us show our responsibilities and tolerance in our deeds not merely in conscience.
* Gabriel T Haokip, a resident of Langol Housing Complex, Imphal, writes to e-pao.net for the first time . You can contact the writer at gabrielhaokip(at)gmail(dot)com . This was webcasted on January 02nd 2009 .
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