Imkong Walling
Fear, as opposed to the negativity associated with it, is an evolutionary intuition. It comes naturally to all animals, including a primate species called humans. In the evolutionary scheme of things, it is a primal instinct, enhancing the chances of survival.
But this rather advantageous impulse can cause as much harm in relation to a modern human community setting, where it can mutate into widespread psychosis.
Some 12-13 years back, a sizeable portion of (undivided) Dimapur district came under the grips of a fear, the cause of which could never be established. The public anxiety was over a terrifying myth about gangs of people on the prowl for human organs. The rumour, told in graphic detail, was that they operated in small groups and even had surgeons among them, preying on vulnerable people for the kidneys and eyes. It had people in jitters, even organizing community vigil.
No one could convincingly tell how and where the rumour originated with not a single incident or evidence surfacing meeting the description. The police got no missing reports; neither could the villages or neighbourhoods, where the rumour ran its course, able to provide any tangible account. A common response of people interviewed at the time was, “Heard it from someone else.”
The rumour eventually died after a few weeks but not before some unfortunate incidents. In one incident, one person was apprehended and assaulted on suspicion by wary residents at NH 29. He was rescued by the police before things turned for the worse. It turned out that he was a traveller waiting for a night bus on the highway.
In another incident, as narrated by a labourer at a brick-kiln, there was a commotion one night after an alarm was raised about an alleged break-in at the sleeping quarters of the labourers by people armed with knives. As told by the narrator, the alarm was likely raised by some labourers disturbed by the rumour about organ-snatchers. Villagers, who gathered at the scene after hearing of the commotion, could find no evidence or signs of breaking-in.
In the present day, reminiscent of what happened a decade or so ago, unverified reports about child kidnappers has been making the rounds on social media, which, if not contained, has potential to go out of hand. That time, through word-of-mouth alone, rumour could still spread wide. But today, with the internet and social media, the damage potential has increased manifold.
Upper Assam has already reported one tragic incident, in which a person, suspected of being a child-kidnapper was lynched by a mob. Four years back, two lives were lost in Karbi Anglong under similar circumstances— a result of vigilantism fed by rumour spread on social media.
It would be only prudent to exercise caution and consider the tragic consequences before ‘forwarding’ a seemingly informative but unverified piece of content.
The writer is a Principal Correspondent at The Morung Express. Comments can be sent to imkongwalls@gmail.com
