Manipur News

By N. Arunkumar
A leader is one who, out of madness or goodness, volunteers to take upon himself the woe of the people. There are few men so foolish, hence the erratic quality of leadership in the world.

You`re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn`t lose it. DU dictum!

Yes. It is official now. The DU cut off of 100% is downright absurd, ridiculous, insensitive and discriminatory to the rest of the country. Is the DU the preserve of the elite and the favoured who can garner such ridiculous marks that put them right at the apex of the marks tally in the public examinations? How can a student get 100% marks in languages? India or rather Delhi is the only place on the planet perhaps, where students can score a cent percent mark in language, it seems. The government’s assurance of the right to education bill has been scorned at fair and square by this bizarre decision by the DU to peg the ceiling at such a target.

Now, this brings into focus the marking standards in the country’s premier educational board’s right from the CBSE to the State Boards as they stand. If the CBSE students can score such absurd marks in the public examinations, then why lay stringent standards for other state boards to follow and adhere to rigorously? Most state educational boards are still languishing in the age old correction methods, which make it next to impossible for students to get fair marks, other than those who are again at the elite strata of the state’s social ladder. A few rare exceptions are there no doubt, though those cases are few and far between. Most often, it is apparent that the students coming from well – to – do ambience manage to outclass their lesser privileged brethren in the educational race by a distant margin.

This happens due to a number of factors, ranging from nepotism to preferential treatment of certain institutional corruption of the educational field by unscrupulous elements from within the society. When we find a few institutes doing well on a regular basis, we begin to wonder what is going on behind the scenes. There has to be something that is incorrect here, as it is most likely that a few people indulge in malpractices to wrest superiority over others. If the premier institute in the country goes to such extents as to allow only students of cent percent calibre into their corridors of educational merit, it will create another annoyed class of people, and it will plainly further widen the gap between the have and have not’s in this country. Don’t we already have enough of this gap amidst us that is giving us sufficient headaches? These are of course mere speculations that are brought up front by myself as a matter of concern to me and perhaps others like me.

Why is the bureaucracy in the country living in Utopia? What kind of role do they think they are playing in developing the talent pool in the country by resorting to such absurd practices of discrimination among the students who had burned the midnight oil to achieve something of a dignified status in their examinations? Isn’t there something really unnatural about such illogical decisions by the educational bureaucracy to the needs of the students of the country? Or, shall we say that there is a coterie already in place indulging in a new scam to divide and rule and make hay while the going is good for them? Do we need another expose of the murky goings on in the corridors of the universities of the country who are resorting to such practices that are downright unethical to the very noble intentions of education?

I think there is something very fishy about the whole thing at the moment and there is a time bomb ticking, and waiting to be brought out into the open. Not everything looks rosy in the educational field of the country today, folks. The education minister meanwhile is busy fighting the Ramdev’s, Hazare’s etc who are trying to bring the corrupted leaders to book. He is a lawyer first and lawyers are forever, remember that. An erudite spokesman who brings all his years of experience in fighting high profile cases at a hefty fee is now a leader of the downtrodden? The joke of Indian politics and the Indian politicians cannot get eerier than this! It is more than preposterous, and we fade away to the distant horizon, in the haze of scams, scandals and siphoning of money from the common man’s pocket with typical insouciance. The silliness of such inconsistencies is just too comical for us to ignore.

The Robin Hood factor is a reality in our political circles today. People like Digivijay Singh and sometimes even the other voices of the Congress are indulging in mudslinging with those who are uniting together to bring the corrupt politicians to the altar of justice. The language being used by these leaders leave much to be desired and are downright in poor taste. They should realize that they are playing to the media gallery and are under the scrutinising glares of the world when they appear on TV. However, it appears that they have lost all respect for the sentiments of the educated people in this country and indulge in phrases which are of very poor quality. Calling names at such figures like the Baba and even Anna Hazare is not acceptable to the common people, and they seem to overlook this.

So, how can poor students expect justice in such a murky atmosphere? Who will listen to their grievances? Should we have to fight out this stupidity again in the courts? For every simple thing if we are to go to the courts for our rights, then when are we going to go ahead with the business of living in this country? Each passing day is making the situation more and more complicated for us to find our rights in an ordinary way. Our politicians and so called leaders call our civil societies as ‘so called civil society’ and we are merely the ‘so called janta’ of the country. We are as good as cattle for them who are enjoying the heady reins of power over us and allowed to determine our quality of life. The only precondition to it is that it should not interfere with their quality of life…I mean our ‘so called’ leaders’ quality of living that is.

So, poor students of unfortunate states and humble backgrounds can now forget the DU, as it is formally declared accessible only to the real crème – de – la crème of the society in the country. The rest may go pleading to the private colleges who are ever ready to welcome you as long as you pay them the hefty fee that they demand from you anyway. So, is a nexus coming to light here? A faint ray of this nexus is already in the vanguard, don’t you think so? Nonetheless…God help our aspiring students from beyond the NCR.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/65DWaMlJyHk/

IMPHAL, June 17: Desperate evicted families of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai stayed in the Lamphel Police custody briefly after their temporary sheds and shelters were yet again evicted by the Police.

A team of the Lamphel police as a part of their continued drive of eviction today ransacked the temporary makeshift sheds and shelters this evening around 3 pm, put up at the road side between the Lamphel Employment Exchange office and office of the Chief Electoral Officer by the affected individuals of the eviction that was carried out on June 6 at Lamphel Yaipha Leikai.

About 10 individuals including two children forcefully climb on board the Police vehicle contending that they have no more shelters due to the further eviction of their only sheds and shelters.

After staying in custody of the police for a brief period the displaced residents later walk away from the police station late in the evening.

The police were compelled to take the aggrieved residents along with them till the police station following their adamant act.

The displaced residents have been putting up temporary sheds and shelters in the area since the eviction. Moreover they were left in the agitating mood for only 14 houses were affected by the eviction leaving behind some houses nearby.

In the meantime, even as the concerned MLA offered a place at the vicinity of Lamphel for relocating the displaced residents the offer however was rejected by the residents owing to the lack of security over the land and the unfavorable condition for habitation.

It has been reported that the alternative relocation is a marshy area at the same time temporary for three months only.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/pzP1CCoDEJg/

IMPHAL, June 17: Desperate evicted families of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai stayed in the Lamphel Police custody briefly after their temporary sheds and shelters were yet again evicted by the Police.

A team of the Lamphel police as a part of their continued drive of eviction today ransacked the temporary makeshift sheds and shelters this evening around 3 pm, put up at the road side between the Lamphel Employment Exchange office and office of the Chief Electoral Officer by the affected individuals of the eviction that was carried out on June 6 at Lamphel Yaipha Leikai.

About 10 individuals including two children forcefully climb on board the Police vehicle contending that they have no more shelters due to the further eviction of their only sheds and shelters.

After staying in custody of the police for a brief period the displaced residents later walk away from the police station late in the evening.

The police were compelled to take the aggrieved residents along with them till the police station following their adamant act.

The displaced residents have been putting up temporary sheds and shelters in the area since the eviction. Moreover they were left in the agitating mood for only 14 houses were affected by the eviction leaving behind some houses nearby.

In the meantime, even as the concerned MLA offered a place at the vicinity of Lamphel for relocating the displaced residents the offer however was rejected by the residents owing to the lack of security over the land and the unfavorable condition for habitation.

It has been reported that the alternative relocation is a marshy area at the same time temporary for three months only.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/pzP1CCoDEJg/

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba

Recently a friend came back from abroad, after spending some weeks here. I was given a detail on how things which are supposed to be mandatory for a civilized society are much at lacking even in the State capital itself.

One at the foremost was the erratic power supply issue, the public is more than aware of the present status, sometimes it becomes a task to charge one’s mobile phone, carrying a mobile charger has become routine and to look at other localities or offices whether if power is there. All these just to charge a phone, the myriad ways that the commercial enterprises must be suffering are left to one’s imagination.

The effectiveness of the Power Department recently concluded drive also fails to address the woes of the public. The drive carried out had disconnected scores of lines of the defaulting consumers and arrested several persons for illegal connections, tariff were collected to the tune of several crores. But ,despite the supposed all out effort of the State Power Department has yielded but naught and the supply remains erratic as ever.

If we dig deeper and the concerned officials are approached for their departments non performance, the reason is always pointed towards one thing only,i.e. the prevailing law and order situation of the state.

It is observed that most of the top executives of the State may ride in fancy cars, have fabulous mansions and have numerous bank accounts with bulging balances, but they lack the air of a contented person. Most have a worn out and apprehensive look, truth be told, they cannot sleep with their gates open nor travel without security escort. And the blame for their condition is still on the law and order, the scare tactics and threats of the UGs.

The blame game is open to both sides, the officials on their part stating that the UG interference and extortion have affected the workings and proper implementation of many schemes aimed at public welfare, whereas the UGs also in their circulars charge the official of high corruption and the blame game continues.

It is pertinent to mention that the factionalism trend of the UG outfits still continues unabated and the extortionist approach sometimes gives the benefit of the doubt to the state officials.

It is heard in many occasions for the insurgent groups need to come under an administrative umbrella as they all have a common objective. A united front if emerged into reality would be beneficial to all. Their struggle for independence would gain momentum and it may be easier for the government to address a political solution which may come in the form of a plebiscite or otherwise. Moreover, public servants cannot blame their shortcomings to a vague splinter organization.

The State government also needs to come clean in addressing the insurgency issues and the recent surrender of PULF cadres which according to Tehelka Magazine was a farce is factually evident by the series of events in itself. If a media house based on its sources announces that a jailbreak will occur and so many prisoners including a high profile convict will escape on a particular date, and later if the jailbreak occurs. It clearly shows that the media house knows about the system working inside the jail and the weaknesses and covert schemes of the concerned jail authorities. Quoting a line from Reggae music legend Bob Marley, “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time” should be acknowledged from all quarters that if the public stands up for their rights, then there will be no stopping them and they are not afraid to lay down their lives for the just cause. A significant example is the observation of the Great June Uprising Day which falls today. The 18 martyrs are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice neither for money nor independence but for the real love of the land.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/3amwWWuYIpk/

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba

Recently a friend came back from abroad, after spending some weeks here. I was given a detail on how things which are supposed to be mandatory for a civilized society are much at lacking even in the State capital itself.

One at the foremost was the erratic power supply issue, the public is more than aware of the present status, sometimes it becomes a task to charge one’s mobile phone, carrying a mobile charger has become routine and to look at other localities or offices whether if power is there. All these just to charge a phone, the myriad ways that the commercial enterprises must be suffering are left to one’s imagination.

The effectiveness of the Power Department recently concluded drive also fails to address the woes of the public. The drive carried out had disconnected scores of lines of the defaulting consumers and arrested several persons for illegal connections, tariff were collected to the tune of several crores. But ,despite the supposed all out effort of the State Power Department has yielded but naught and the supply remains erratic as ever.

If we dig deeper and the concerned officials are approached for their departments non performance, the reason is always pointed towards one thing only,i.e. the prevailing law and order situation of the state.

It is observed that most of the top executives of the State may ride in fancy cars, have fabulous mansions and have numerous bank accounts with bulging balances, but they lack the air of a contented person. Most have a worn out and apprehensive look, truth be told, they cannot sleep with their gates open nor travel without security escort. And the blame for their condition is still on the law and order, the scare tactics and threats of the UGs.

The blame game is open to both sides, the officials on their part stating that the UG interference and extortion have affected the workings and proper implementation of many schemes aimed at public welfare, whereas the UGs also in their circulars charge the official of high corruption and the blame game continues.

It is pertinent to mention that the factionalism trend of the UG outfits still continues unabated and the extortionist approach sometimes gives the benefit of the doubt to the state officials.

It is heard in many occasions for the insurgent groups need to come under an administrative umbrella as they all have a common objective. A united front if emerged into reality would be beneficial to all. Their struggle for independence would gain momentum and it may be easier for the government to address a political solution which may come in the form of a plebiscite or otherwise. Moreover, public servants cannot blame their shortcomings to a vague splinter organization.

The State government also needs to come clean in addressing the insurgency issues and the recent surrender of PULF cadres which according to Tehelka Magazine was a farce is factually evident by the series of events in itself. If a media house based on its sources announces that a jailbreak will occur and so many prisoners including a high profile convict will escape on a particular date, and later if the jailbreak occurs. It clearly shows that the media house knows about the system working inside the jail and the weaknesses and covert schemes of the concerned jail authorities. Quoting a line from Reggae music legend Bob Marley, “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time” should be acknowledged from all quarters that if the public stands up for their rights, then there will be no stopping them and they are not afraid to lay down their lives for the just cause. A significant example is the observation of the Great June Uprising Day which falls today. The 18 martyrs are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice neither for money nor independence but for the real love of the land.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/3amwWWuYIpk/

IMPHAL, June 17: The United Committee Manipur and the All Manipur Clubs Organization are set for their separate observation of the June 18 incident wherein 18 martyrs had laid down their lives during the agitation in June, 2001 in protest against the extension of the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) without territorial limit.

The two apex bodies will be observing the day at separate locations. While UCM will be observing the day at Kekrupat under the theme the Great June Uprising, AMUCO will be observing it at Thangmeiband Atheletic Union ground as the Unity Day as in the past years.

A floral tribute to the Matyrdom of the 18 located at Kekhrupat will marked the opening of the both the observation tomorrow and is likely to be attended by ministers, MLAs, state officials and people from all corners of the state.

Meanwhile, the state government is also all set and prepared to prevent any untoward eventuality during the June 18 observation of the United Committee Manipur and the All Manipur United Clubs Organization tomorrow.

State forces and central para military forces of CRPF including its Mahila Bn have already been deployed at identified vulnerable points in and around the Greater Imphal area starting from this evening.

The state police after in consideration of a peaceful observation tomorrow, a new traffic regulation have been made for greater Imphal areas which will enforce from the early morning tomorrow.

An official notification issued by the Superintendent of Police Imphal West district has imposed temporary parking arrangements and changes to ensure smooth traffic regulation during the observation of the June 18 Uprising.

The statement mentioned has specified separate location for parking of normal vehicles and vehicles carrying people to attend the June 18 function.

It said that vehicles coming from Thoubal side shall be diverted from Singjamei Bazar towards Kongba road and Wangkhei side via Singjamei Bridge and park at Palace compound.

The vehicles coming from Mayang Imphal side shall be diverted at Khagempalli crossing and Kwakeithel Bazar toward Lamphel Bus parking via Tera Bazaar, Naoremthong. Uripok Canteen Leirak and Lamphel Sanakheithel for parking. On their return journey- the vehicles shall follow the same route, it said.

The vehicles coming from Tiddim side shall he diverted towards Lamphel Bus parking from Kwakeithel via Tera Bazaar, Naoremthong , Uripok Canteen Leirak and Lamphei Sanakeithel. On their return journey the vehicles shall follow the same route.

The vehicles coming from Sagolband road shall be parked at Moirang Leirak Machin Bus parking. The vehicles coming from Uripok Kangchup road shall be parked near JAS petrol Pump, Uripok.

The vehicles coming from Sekmai and DM road shall be diverted at Khongnang Ani

Karak, towards Inter state Bus Terminus. Vehicles coming from Pangei side shall park infront of Lamlong girl high School, vehicles coming from Ukhrul and Sawombung side shall be parked at Northern side of Lamlong, vehicles coming from Tinsid road shall parked at Northern side of Tinsid road at Lamlong bazaar and vehicles coming from Yairipok and Andro sides shall be parked at Andro parking.

While specifying allocation of parking of vehicles carrying participants of June 18 observation, it said that Peoples coming to Kekrupat shall be allowed only from Minuthong and Khuman Lampak side and no one shall be allow to come to Kekrupat via Keisampat-Sanjenthong.

The vehicles coming from Thoubal side carrying people to attend the function shall be diverted at Singjamei bazaar via Singjamei bridge towards Kongba road, Wangkhei & towards New Checkon road.

The vehicles coming from Mayang Imphal side will proceed to Stadium complex via Keishampat – Kwakeithel Bazaar – Tera Bazar – Naoremthong- Uripok Canteen Leirak-Lamphei Sanakeithel – Watham Leirak – Lilashing Khongnangkhong – Khongnang Ani Karak and enter Stadium complex at the Northern central gate and park at the area around the main stadium.

The vehicle coming from f Tidim side shall get diverted from Kwakeithel Bazar toward Main Stadium via Kwakeithel Bazar-Tera Bazar-Naoremthong- Uripok Canteen Leirak-Lamphel Sanakeithel-Watham Leirak – Lilashing Khongnangkhong-Khongnang Ani Karak and enter Stadium complex at Northern Central Gate and park at the area around the main stadium.

The vehicles coming from New Cachhar road will proceed to Stadium complex via Tera Bazar – Naoremthong – Uripok Canteen Leirak – Lamphel Sanakeithel – Watham Leirak Lilashing Khongnangkhong – Khongnang Ani Karak and enter Stadium complex at the Northern Central Gate and park at the area around the main stadium.

Vehicles coming from Uripok – Kangchup Road will proceed to Stadium complex via Uripok Canteen Leirak – Lamphel Sanakeithel – Watham Leirak – Lilashing Khongnangkhong – Khongnang Ani Karak and enter Stadium complex at the Northern Central Gate and park at the area around the main stadium.

It further stated that vehicles coming from Sekmai side and D.M. road side shall enter Stadium complex via Dingku Road and drop the passengers at Central Plaza and then come out at Dingku Road via Pandol Road and park at the Central Bus terminus.

The vehicles coming from Pangei side shall be diverted at Lamlong Bazar towards Minuthong via Telipati and after dropping the passengers will park in the area, available near Hafiz Hatta Road.

The vehicles coming from Ukhrul and Sawombung side will proceed towards Minuthong via Lamlong Bazar. After dropping the Passengers at Minuthong they shall proceed towards Lamlong via Checkon crossing and Ayangpalli Road and park at Lamlong Bazar along Ukhrul Road.

Vehicles coming from Tinsid road shall be diverted from Lamlong Bazar towards Minuthong where the passengers will be dropped. From there, they will- proceed to Lamlong via Checkon crossing and Ayangpalli Road and park along Timid Road, it said.

The vehicles coming from Yairipok and Andro sides will proceed to Minuthong where the passengers will be dropped from there, they will proceed and park near Hafiz Hatta.

The vehicles for the 18 victims shall be allowed to go across Khoyathong LIC crossing towards North AOC and park front Cinema.

It stated that Earmarked vehicles of UCM to come to Kekrupat via Khongnang Ani Karak and Earmarked vehicles of AMUCO will be allowed to come to THAU ground via Khoyanthong.

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IMPHAL June 17: The week long observance of the 13th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party observed by the Manipur Pradesh NCP concluded today at Ima Khunthoknganbi Sanglen today.

The anniversary observance was attended by state NCP president MLA Radhabinod Kiojam,MLAs Th Nandakishore, Salam Joy and Doukhomang Khonsai among other party officials.

Taking digs at the Congress led SPF government, opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam said that the Congress has become unscrupulous and is leading the people on a wrong path. Stating that the insurgent issue needs to be addressed at the foremost and that necessary initiatives has to be taken to bring the misguided youths back to the mainstream. He said that talks must be held between the state and non state actors so as to bring about a congenial atmosphere in the State as there can be no development without peace.

He further said that the NCP believes in upholding the territorial integrity of the State and will never compromise on the issue, he also reminded the fact that Irom Sharmila has been fasting for more than a decade for removal of AFSPA from the State, yet her endeavor has been largely ignored by the state government. He added that if she expires then the State will burn in protest.

MLA Doukhomang in his speech stated that NCP will contest for 25 assembly constituencies in the upcoming elections and will win at least 15 seats. He also said that the next government will have a coalition with the NCP.

MLA Salam Joy also stated that the State is going backwards in development as the Congress believes in doing politics by using money, muscle power and sheer gundaism. Such attitude of the Congress will never be successful in bringing development to the State. He added that the NCP believes in bringing communal harmony and acts with a sacrificing and sincere outlook.

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IMPHAL, June 16: The UNLF has alleged that the surrender ceremonies held by the Assam Rifles are a hoax and the recent expose of Tehelka magazine regarding the surrender of PULF cadres at IGAR South, Mantripukhri on July 14 bears testimony.

The expose has reveal the underhanded and corrupt practices of the security forces and the Chief Minister, and has exposed to the general public that the surrendered cadres are mostly daily wage earners from Thoubal district and had been lured by touts promising a better future and made to take part in the surrender drama.

Omar Farooq is also sheltered at Mantripukhri IGAR(S) from before and it was also reported that he along with other cadres identified as one Angom Ibochouba of KCP (MC) Lamyanba Khuman tried to abduct a state official, but were arrested by the police, however the matter was also hushed up by the DGP, it said.

Further, the expose has shed light on the matter that the Assam Rifles have been propagating some anti social groups to further create havoc and to extort from the public to meet their own ends.

The expose by Tehelka bearing self evident photos of the July 23 Khwairamband Bazar incident is another example of the brutal atrocities of the state police and the DGP had lied that the photos were fake, which shows the utter shamelessness of the state high officials, it said.

The double standard remarks of the CM regarding the plebiscite issue also describe his true nature of not caring for the democratic rights of the citizens. The human rights violations and the killings perpetrated by the IOF are supported by the CM and the DGP and their names will go down in infamy in the history of the State, it said.

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Absolute faith is absolute surrender to an amazing grace. A lot many people do not like the idea of surrender, but it is a fact that a lot many who felt there never was a need to surrender, did ultimately surrender – albeit a surrender not in humiliation, but in humility. In legendary singer and poet, Bob Dylan’s words: “You may be the heavy weight champion of the world, but someday you gonna have to serve somebody.” This amazing grace however does not have to be in the direct sense of Almighty God, but often manifests in the shape of what many poets have referred to as “hope”. TS Eliot’s “Four Quartets” comes to mind, an extended poem that followed his earlier one of a similar genre “The Wasteland”, which, after a lengthy tour of the spiritually barren landscape of modern life, ends with the chant Shanti, repeated three times. In the end, all that matters is peace, but peace, as a physical condition as well as a mental state, is illusive. Nobody would know this better than those of us in Manipur. Its quest has also never been easy. In a very paradoxically way, those who have found it are those who have surrendered – in the most sublime cases, surrendered their individual wills to the will of the “Amazing Grace”.

Many, if not most religions actually say this. Earthly life in this interpretation is a punishment, and transition from this temporal existence to the divine is the ultimate meaning. In the Semitic religions (including Christianity) the original sin is what condemned life to earthly existence. Otherwise it would have been an eternity in Eden for the original parents and nobody else. As to how attractive this idea is, is a matter of opinion. The original mother, Eve, probably thought it was a bore so she ate the forbidden apple, out of what is described as a feminine weakness. If not for her original sin, we all probably would never have seen daylight, or moonlight for that matter. It is difficult to say if we should deride what she did or else be thankful. Another paradox of life we suppose – another overwhelming question of “to be or not to be”. To be happy with a secure vegetative life, or else look for happiness in choosing to face challenges even if it means exposure to trouble and misery. The non-Semitic religions say very much the same thing, but in a different way. Take Buddhism for instance, or Hinduism for that matter. Rebirth is perpetuated by individual sins, implying that this cycle will end when sin is banished. As in other religions, earthly nonexistence here becomes bliss. The lure of this bliss, it has been explained, is also what gives suicide bombers the fanatic courage which makes them able to do what they do.

But the Amazing Grace manifests in another more tangible and comprehensible form – hope. To paraphrase Eliot’s “Four Quartets” this amazing grace is like the faith of a passenger in a subway train that stops and becomes stranded for hours in pitch darkness in the middle of a tunnel deep down below the surface of the earth because of a sudden power failure, that power would be ultimately restored and the train would again begin moving. That at the end of even the darkest tunnel, there would be light. Put another way, it is like a test of faith of a child in her father’s love for her and her belief that he would never abandon her, come what may. In pitch darkness where she cannot see anything, in the event of an emergency if she is required to jump from the window of her first floor room, and her father implores her to do so from below with the assurance that he can see her and would catch her, would she jump? She would if she had enough faith in her father. Such faiths give hope. Such hopes salvage. The amazing grace is that way too. For some inscrutable reason which you cannot explain but all the same feel, you know that this amazing grace would not let you fall. Come to think of it, Manipur has been stranded in the middle of a deep, dark tunnel for decades. Yet it has held together, despite all the centrifugal forces threatening to tear it apart. It is reasonable to believe hence that despite all its inherent contradictions, a faith in itself has given it the strength and hope that there would one day be light. What a time to recall the miracle of this Amazing Grace in this auspicious and festive season of a great religion of the world.

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IMPHAL, June 15: The owner of the ill fated Tata Winger which was set on fire allegedly by a UG poser in the early morning of June 13, has this evening clarified that there has been no previous threat or monetary demands imposed upon him or his family members.

Clarifying on the issue, the owner identified as Khundrakpam Loken, of Uyal Makha leikai Thoubal district today convened a pres conference at the Manipur Press Club, this evening.

Speaking to the attending mediapersons, while confirming that there has been no imposition of threat or monetary demands on him or any members of his family, he added that his vehicle was bought with the help of a loan from the MGT motors, in the year 2010.

While quoting his driver, Loken stated that the individual who had set his vehicle ablaze, before identifying himself as a cadre of RPF had simply provided non cooperation from the owner’s side as the reason behind the setting of the vehicle on fire.

He has further requested the concerned party or organization to clarify on the issue.

According to the owner, his Tata Winger has been plying on the Imphal-Dimapur highway since June 11 under one DI counter located at North AOC.

One individual who identified himself as Basanta of Nambol had booked the said vehicle through the DI ticket counter on June 12.

Meeanwhile it may be mentioned that the passenger vehicle was allegedly set on fire by the individualwho identified himself as a RPF cadre early morning of June 13 at Tabungkhok Makha Leikai, under Patsoi police station, Imphal West district.

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