The Fall of a Star, and the Rise of Thousands !!!

By Ramananda Nongmeikapam, Bantee Singh Konthoujam *

The gruesome killing of Dr. Thingam Kishan Singh, SDO of Kasom Khullen, an MCS cadre of 2007 Batch along with two of his faithful associates is highly deplorable.

It's a heinous act. He was such a well-qualified person who resolved to bring a change in Manipur. His love for his fellow citizens aggravated him to put his unending efforts to clean this dirty society.

How malicious is the killing? Its inhuman, deeply appalling!!! Gone are the days when early man hunt in jungles and killed animals mercilessly.

Have 'they' forgotten that we are rational human beings?

It's important to note that there exist numerous ferocious animals who pretend to be human, but actually not. It's such a traumatic moment to glimpse at the picture of the dead body with blood spread all over the face; it was lying like a prey in jungle left unnoticed.

Its beyond our reach to visualize his head being hit by a spade like a hammer hitting a stone hard to break into pieces. Don't 'they' have their own kins, kids et al???

Is this the penalty awarded to Dr. Kishan for his truthfulness and sincerity? Is this the way our society shows gratitude to whom who loved us so much? If people are punished with death for being truthful, where can we find truth and light of development?

He was a promising social reformer and a true protagonist who dreamed to change this badly-needed-change-Manipur. He, not just merely dreamed, but transformed into actions- he was really a man of institution in himself. Apparently, the society of today is being dupe.

The situation of Manipur has become so worse that people no longer enjoy the freedom to even earn their day-to-day livelihood and eventually we are bound to remain indoors. The Right to freedom stated in Article 22 as per the Constitution of India to move freely and settle in any part of India seems to be absurd in Manipur.

Are we really living in 21st century??? When a Star rose up to enlighten this dungeon, he was being concealed. It is being claimed that a controversial Naga militant organization has admitted that one of their cadres was the mastermind for the killing of Dr. Kishan and his associates. Even though they declared the main accused will be given the severest form of punishment, its common knowledge to all that he will be granted with impunity for sure.

Needless to say, in our society, there are many people who really love our motherland and do their duties sincerely in the fields of arts, sports, government jobs, etc. Unfortunately, there are lots too who openly proclaimed of their patriotism towards Manipur and they will die for the cause of people, but in reality they do nothing worthy.

Day by day, situation in Imphal area is becoming tensed. And the more badly affected are those in hilly areas. The hilly areas are being bombarded with armed rebellions, kidnappings, lootings, mass killings, etc. As a result, lives of the common people are amidst panic and uncertainties.

Eventually, many offer not to get posted in hilly areas. Be it DC, SP, SDO, SDC, or high government officials, they are feeling pensive of getting posted out there. The people of hilly areas feel they are looked down upon and ultimately tend to remain isolated. As a result, the feeling of unity and solidarity become void.

We don't mean to say that they should be blamed for every loathsome happening. There are many who go out early in the morning and return back late night just to earn their daily bread. There exists such a simple and serene lifestyle that never bothers of materialistic world. In this context, we are wrong to blame them. People of hilly areas and those of valleys are inseparable; there has been a mutual bond since ancient times.

Nevertheless, there are people who create troubles and misunderstanding among us and ultimately resort to communal violence. We need to eliminate those people. This is not the first; unaccountable similar incidents had happened before.

We just let it go easily. How long these protests will continue? How long and how far the government will be cautious of the rampant situation? It's just a matter of few months, it would merely be vanished.

Though most of us are not known to Dr. Kishan personally, he strongly inspired and instilled in us the spirit of flag-bearer for the future generations to surmount obstacles in our society fearlessly with pure heart.

So, what we should do?? Isn't this the time to act?

My dear Fellow Manipuris! Though one Kishan has departed, why can't we become Kishans? Yes, we can!

We can become Kishans by cultivating his wisdom deep in our heart. One bright star has fallen down, our dark sky needs Kishan-like stars, let's rise up in the sky and shine well.

Let's join hands together and follow the path trodden by Him and let's prove together that truth triumphs in the long run. Let's consider the incident an eye-opener for every one of us.

This is not the time to fear, this is the time to gather and choose hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. Let's proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.

Let's wake from our recluse and fight against every social troublemaker with our ultimate mission to realize the dream inspired by our leader. If we dream, we have a hope! If hope prevails, peace will be on our way.

"A revolution is not a bed of roses. A revolution is a struggle between the future and the past." ~ Fidel Castro