Moral Policing on Rise in Imphal Valley: Where is Law?

Ever since the radical groups have taken control of the Meitei dominated valley of Imphal after the violence erupted in Manipur, moral policing has been on the rise in the Meiteis’ ancestral land of Kangleipak.

Despite the repeated claims made my Meiteis in media that there is no law in the Kuki dominated areas, the reality is different as many would be seeing the happenings in valley areas wherein the people have taken the law into their own hands. Several videos have been circulating on social media platforms wherein the radical groups especially the Arambai Tenggols have been seen punishing men and women who according to them are acting against the social standards of the Meiteis.

Earlier, there had also been videos wherein people who uploaded social media posts or made statements against the Arambai Tenggol and their actions were intimidated or beaten black and blue.

The residence of a former police officer of Manipur also came under attack after she made a statement against the Arambai Tenggols and she was forced to clarify later. There were a few similar incidents which could be seen on social media.

In one of the latest videos circulating on social media, a group of men and women could be seen interrogating and thrashing/ torturing a woman though the exact reasons as to why she was punished was not disclosed in the video.

In the video, a male voice can be heard telling the women, “We are confused whether to go on war with the Kukis or to discipline people like you.”

The man asked the women whether she had consumed alcohol the night before and warned her that he would be forced to use stick if she failed to give response.

After the woman refused to utter a word, she was forced to lay down on the floor in prone position. Four women who were a part of the interrogating team could also be seen holding the woman’s hands and legs. Thereafter, she was thrashed with sticks several times on her back, some slapping her body and the woman can be heard screaming in pain.

The incidents of moral policing in the valley indicate the complete failure of law and order under the incpmpetent Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The Meitei populace have been ruled over by the so-called vigilante groups of Meira Paibis and private militia groups of Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun.