Imphal: In Manipur, the government has agreed to arm residents against militants. It has decided to give the people of Heriok and Chajing villages 500 rifles to defend themselves. And if they die doing so, their families will get Rs two lakh.
The residents said after all they have gone through, they would prefer to take charge of their security instead of relying on the government.
All the victims of violence, over and over again, said they have had enough. It's the militants or them.
",We want arms. If the government doesn't give them to us, we will get them ourselves,", said Dhanvir, Heirok village.
",Militants will be crushed. We will do it,", said one of the victim's brother.
A failed government has quickly agreed. 500 residents of these two villages will be armed but not everybody thinks that's wise.
",You cannot fight insurgency this way. Now, civilians and militants will fight and the government will watch. It's childish,", said Manikanta, one of the victim's brother.
On one hand, it may be rational to demand for licensed arms to protect yourself when the government has utterly failed to protect its citizens. On the other, it may set off a dangerous and irreversible trend.
But the most important aspect of this peoples' uprising is that it's the first time in Manipur and the signs are already visible as in Heirok village some of the militant slogans are already being erased from the walls.