In Biren's Manipur, Partially is the New Norm Even for Public Employees, Carrot for Meitei but Sick For Kukis

Is penalty on one but pardon on the other for the same offence just and fair? The suspension order of Mr. Siamlalpaul by the Churachandpur SP took everyone by surprise, as the government and the police department of Manipur have been continually sending out the message since 3rd May 2023 that it gave the green signal to public employees that they can take sides in ethnic violence because on multiple occasions there are evidences of Meitei police being enablers and participants to murder, arson, physical and verbal assault, rape and other crimes committed against the Kuki in the Meitei genocide pogrom to ethnically cleanse the Kukis but they are not held accountable. Why is then someone held accountable for believing rightly what the government has so far sent the signal to the public employees? Or is the message/green signal only for Meitei public employees?

Article 16 of the Indian constitution states there shall be equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. This constitutional provision serves as the bedrock for fair and non-discriminatory practices in matters of public employment. It guarantees that all citizens have an equal chance in employment matters, covering aspects like recruitment, promotions, suspension, termination, salary, and more. Why can’t the state police force in Manipur be treated with the same yardstick? On what intelligible differentials are Meitei and Kuki- Zo employees differentiated, that one can commit genocide but the other can’t protect Indians against terrorists whose goal is to annihilate and oppress his community? Was it not the government that gave the green signal to the police forces that they could take sides in the ethnic violence by not holding the Meitei police forces accountable? Why carrot for Meitei but stick for the Kuki-Zo?

Where is the suspension and termination order for those police who arsonned schools and homes at Moreh? There, giving a clean cheat didn’t whitewash their crime as there is CCTV footage evidence of their crime. Where is the termination/ suspension order for Mairembam Romesh Mangang, who after beheading David Theik later roamed around with the head? Ain’t his viral photo enough to be evidence? Where is the investigation against commandos and police forces the victims of the genocide have filed complaints about? Ain’t wearing their official uniform in their official vehicles enough proof to initiate an investigation? Why is no investigation initiated against police stations that surrender their vehicles and guns to Arambai Tenggol? Ain’t videos of Arambai Tenggol leaders and cadres of them commuting freely in police vehicles with looted guns enough evidence? What amounts to enough evidence to prosecute and initiate an investigation and actions against Meitei public employees and the police force? And where is Article 16 or has it been murdered to protect Meitei public employees?

Who shall give an explanation for the evidence left behind in the form of the box of 10 cartridges of 7.62 mm with the serial number 31A-12-09 by attackers at Saibol in Chandel districts? Such precise numbering and packages are available only to the State government. Will the Biren government accept their involvement or still hide their involvement by citing it as being a part of the looted arms and ammunition? The fact however remains that the looting of such an enormous amount of government armoury cannot happen without government support. If the state government themselves are not held accountable by the central government, why the pro-activeness by Churachandpur SP? Aspiration for promotion or call from Imphal? Either way, his action is just immature and insensitive to the situation prevailing in the state. A civil servant who wants peace won’t resort to such measures, for he/she knows it will be seen as another oppression by the oppressed citizens.

Partial fairness is simply unacceptable. It’s rather discriminatory and an oppression. The more frightening threat is if public employees can be oppressed and discriminated against, what of the common citizens? If laws themselves are used as a tool for suppression and oppression against a particular community, then state involvement in the suppression and oppression pogrom is the naked truth. If the state’s involvement in the oppression and suppression is the reality, then

ain’t democracy and constitution under threat for a country that called itself the Mother of Democracy? If they are under threat, what stops the central government from declaring there is a constitutional breakdown in the state? Or does India itself surrender to the communal and secessionist element that spearheaded the pogrom? Or is the existence of the BJP government more important to Delhi than the injustice upon lakhs of its citizens?

Manipur presently is a sensitive state. If the same yardstick is not employable, turning a blind eye like the other side does is the mature way of dealing with it, else you are taking sides. Presently by their partial activism to bring law and order in the Kuki- dominated area while surrendering themselves to mobs and militia in the valley dominated by the Meitei, the government and its agencies are proving themselves to be a typical bully who fears the strong but bullies the weak. If India still fears Meitei in Manipur, are India’s aspirations to become a global leader achievable, is the question?

Lastly, if the majority community’s whims and fancies are the de facto Law of the Land, why does India call itself a constitutional democracy? Why does it prescribe laws and penalties that can’t be enforced against the tyranny of the majority? To penalise, discriminate and oppress the minority is the only answer.