Finally- the people of the state have found a flicker of reason to hope, albeit gingerly, with the admission of the Deputy CM on the increasingly acute menace of mob justice in Manipur. Much has been talked and discussed about the worryingly emerging trend that is threatening to throw the socio-legal system into chaos. The show of concern by the Home Minister while airing his views on the floor of the state assembly has validated the growing uneasiness being felt by the public. But taking note of the seriousness of the issue alone will not suffice. It is rather to be viewed as the starting point in a long and arduous journey towards establishing and maintaining a society where the rule of law prevails and is respected rather than feared. Vigilantism, kangaroo courts and mob justice may very well be regarded as a manifestation of the frustrations and deepening distrust of the public with the prevailing system of dispensing justice and the maintenance of law and order, or the failure thereof. The deterioration of the state machineries established and authorized to uphold the law of the land is more often than not, the main factor attributed with spawning of the social aberration we termed mob justice. It is imperative to try and understand the underlying cause of the genesis for the acute frustrations and collective attitude of vengeance by the general public. Is it really a manifestation of the growing anger and simmering discontent being felt by the public for a long time? Or is it an indication of the diminishing regard for the law and order in the state- a sign of the increasing opportunistic psychology being increasingly adopted and nurtured by various prominent individuals in the public domain in the state? Historically speaking, mob mentality has proved to wreak havoc and mindless destruction rather than positive outcome. Distorted facts and judgments based on emotions rather than facts often preludes mob activities and often present an opportunity for individuals with suppressed antisocial mentality to vent their irrational behaviors and destructive streaks. What is more important than, is for the state machineries to take a rigid stance to look into the genesis of the outbreak of public emotion and take immediate remedial legal measures according as per the provisions of the law to pacify the tension, as well as to pull up those individuals who are responsible for inciting such public mayhem and deal with their actions so that a strong message is sent out which states in no uncertain terms that the state administration does not tolerate any trouble mongers, while dispensing justice without delay to show the public that the law and order machinery is alert and functioning at its optimum level. All said and done, action speaks louder than words, but delaying the action will only invite a hue and cry from the public which will definitely drown out the voice of reason.
