The situation in Manipur is far from being normal notwithstanding the proclamations of 'normalcy' by authorities. Failure on the part of the Union government to address the longstanding issues in the Northeast could affect India's territorial integrity.

The government cannot abdicate its responsibilities by shifting the onus on citizens to perform their duty towards nation building.

The situation in Manipur is extremely serious and government must take all measures to bring it under control. The first step towards this is to impose president’s rule there and remove the incompetent and complicit government of Biren Singh.

Satya Pal Malik has confirmed what many security experts said all along – that there was incompetence and failure at every level of India's government and security apparatus at the time.

The government and police leadership need to give deep thoughts to improve the delivery of service by the police rather than waste their energy on perfunctory issues like the uniform. 

All four pillars of democracy in India – the executive, the judiciary, the legislature and the media – are working in conjunction to dismantle the rule of law, either through blatant overreach, or by looking the other way,

All over the country, the police is increasingly brutal in their approach towards common people. Flouting law rather than protecting the rule of law is becoming the norm.

The Sangh parivar is known for its trenchant support to the idea of 'Hindu Rashtra' and for relentlessly demonising Muslims. Mohan Bhagwat has never in the past seven years spoken up against vigilantes involved in lynchings. So what has changed now?

The leaked WhatsApp chats between Republic TV owner and the BARC CEO remind us that not all the facts of the incident are in the public domain, and also that there was hypocrisy involved in the conduct of the main characters.

The events of January 26 are reflective of shrinking patience with a government which is increasingly being seen as insensitive and is blatantly misusing state machinery to curb dissent.

We are witnessing a 'war' on the novel coronavirus' in which action preceded planning, and the self-goal of communalisation will only make matters worse.

That police reforms are essential is beyond question. Police leadership reforms, however, are more important.