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The swift work is acknowledged yet at the same time one cannot help but wonder at the politics of arrest and silence, the politics that determines what should be let out for public consumption and what should not be. Just a day after the police informed Manipur, via a media conference, that intensive search operations have been launched at Sunurok area following the killings of three woodcutters, came the information that three suspects have been rounded up. The good job and swiftly at that is acknowledged, but important to note that other than divulging that three suspects have been rounded up in connection with the case, the police did not disclose anything further, such as whether they belong to any armed outfit. Keep them incognito, is apparently the line that has been maintained and one cannot help but note the ‘high level’ of politics that is at play here. To the people, that section of people who ultimately matter, this level of politics would not come anywhere near addressing their concern or addressing the sense of outrage felt. Since the politics of arrest and the politics of identity and antecedents has been rolled out, one cannot help but question whether this politics would result in the absence of any follow up action after this arrest. Would Manipur be kept informed on any development ? Development such as to which outfit they belong to and if at all they were really involved in the murder of the three woodcutters ? If yes then for how long have they been keeping a tab on the movement or activities of the unfortunate people once they come to the forest to collect the woods ? Or if the past is any indication, is Manipur going to see another round of the ‘politics of silence’, with no one really knowing about the progress of the case ? This question should be understood in the context of what has happened to the abduction and later butchering of the six Naga men from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13. No one seems to know what has happened after the arrest of some suspects. The Government should take note. The killings itself was abhorrent and came about even as Imphal has been crowing about free movement and peace and normalcy having started to return to Manipur, never mind the fact that the hills have been in flames for months and many have been killed. And now this, a case wherein the arrest of three suspects have been announced, but nothing about those arrested have been spelt out. Contrast this with other cases of arrest when the police had gone all out to disclose their identities, their addresses, even the names of their parents and the politics at play here is there for all to see. One also wonders when the different designated SoO camps were last inspected. Not the first time this poser is being raised, but it should be clear why this question has been raised. Do something to instil confidence is the line that the doctor would prescribe to the Government and perhaps the first thing towards this would be to break the politics of silence and keep Manipur updated on the progress of the case, now that three suspects have been pulled up.
For far too long Manipur has had to stare at a blank wall after some initial hope. One can still recall how some suspects in the murder of Hijam Linthoingambi and Phijam Hemanjit were reportedly rounded up, with even one being arrested at Pune. This was in 2023 and fast forward to 2026, there has been no report of any development in the case and the bodies of the two young children remain missing. The point is, the investigation in the case cannot and should not end with the arrest of three suspects. Delve deeper and establish some basics. This is the job of the investigating agencies concerned and this is the time for the Government to demonstrate that it means business and no one would be allowed to walk free under the pretext of so and so peace pact or dialogue. Those who pulled the triggers of the guns are killers, murderers and there should be no two ways about it. And as noted here, now is the time for the Government to instil confidence in the people and the first task is to demonstrate that the investigation in the case would not be allowed to come under the dust of politics. The politics of selective silence is not the way to go about it.