A Nation’s Silence on Tragedy

The recent disappearance of Kamal Babu inside the 57 Mountain Division at Leimakhong has captured widespread attention, raising questions about security and accountability within the system. However, this sudden focus appears to have overshadowed another grave incident: the abduction and brutal killing of three women and three minor children, including an eight-month-old infant, by terrorists in Jiribam. This tragedy, though harrowing, has not elicited the nationwide outrage one might expect for such an appalling act of violence against innocent civilians.
The timing of Kamal Babu’s disappearance raises critical questions. Is it merely a coincidence, or a deliberate diversion designed to steer public and political attention away from the heinous act of terrorism in Jiribam? While the mystery surrounding Kamal Babu’s fate deserves a thorough investigation, the disproportionate focus on this issue, compared to the near-silence around the massacre of six civilians, is alarming. It suggests a troubling trend in how the nation prioritizes its attention and empathy.
The barbaric act in Jiribam, where three women and three children were abducted and killed, should have been a watershed moment, sparking outrage and calls for justice across the nation. Instead, the incident has been met with deafening silence from many quarters, including political leaders, mainstream media, and civil society. This lack of a strong, unified response raises uncomfortable questions about how we, as a nation, value the lives of certain citizens.
Are these civilians not Indian enough to warrant nationwide attention? Is their suffering less important because it occurred in a remote region? Such questions highlight the glaring disparities in how tragedies are addressed based on geography, demographics, or political considerations.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken up the Jiribam case, but how long will it take to deliver justice? India’s track record on delivering timely justice in cases involving terrorism and violence against marginalized groups is far from reassuring. Prolonged investigations, bureaucratic delays, and political interference often dilute the impact of justice, leaving victims’ families in perpetual anguish. Justice delayed is, after all, justice denied.
The lack of urgency in addressing the Jiribam massacre also underscores a broader issue: the systemic neglect of terrorism’s impact on ordinary citizens in peripheral regions. This neglect not only undermines the rule of law but also erodes faith in the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
Perhaps the most glaring omission in this entire episode is the absence of a strong, condemnatory statement from the highest levels of leadership. The Prime Minister, who is often vocal about issues of national importance, has not addressed this barbaric act. His silence sends a troubling message: that the lives of the victims in Jiribam are not a priority. Such silence is not just a failure of leadership but also a missed opportunity to unite the nation against terrorism and violence.
Leaders set the tone for the country’s response to crises. When they choose silence over action, they inadvertently signal complacency or, worse, indifference. The Prime Minister’s voice, had it been raised in condemnation of the Jiribam massacre, could have galvanized nationwide attention and expedited efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Terrorism does not distinguish between its victims. It targets the vulnerable, aiming to instill fear and disrupt harmony. The massacre in Jiribam is not just a regional tragedy; it is a national issue that requires a unified response. Civil society, media, and political leaders must come together to demand accountability and justice. The lives of those six civilians should not be relegated to a footnote in history.
Moreover, the systemic neglect of violence in remote or marginalized regions must end. Every Indian citizen deserves equal protection under the law and equal recognition of their suffering. The government and law enforcement agencies must ensure that justice is swift and comprehensive, sending a clear message that acts of terrorism will not be tolerated, no matter where they occur or who the victims are.
The disappearance of Kamal Babu and the massacre in Jiribam are both symptomatic of deeper issues within our society and governance. While one has captured the national spotlight, the other has been unjustly sidelined. This disparity reflects a troubling inconsistency in how we respond to tragedy and injustice.
It is time for India to break this cycle of selective outrage and indifference. The nation must collectively demand justice for the victims of Jiribam and hold its leaders accountable for their silence. Only then can we begin to build a society that values every life equally and stands united against the forces of terror and violence. The victims of Jiribam deserve nothing less.