HL report on Sobita evokes Samaritan act of Manaobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 20 2014 : In a humanitarian gesture, Sarangthem Manaobi, who had contested the last Lok Sabha elections on Trinamool Congress ticket from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, has extended a monetary aid of Rs 10,000 to Naoroibam Sobita, who lost one of her legs in indiscriminate firing by CRPF personnel at protestors during the June 18, 2001 uprising against extension of the ceasefire agreement signed between Government of India and NSCN (IM) to Manipur.

Moved by a news report published by Hueiyen Lanpao on its June 19 edition in connection with the unenviable condition in which Sobita is living today, Manaobi , who retired from service as an IPS officer, rang up the office of Hueiyen Lanpao on its customer care number without giving his name and identity.

He wanted to know where Sobita lives and expressed his desire for extending some monetary assistance.

Sarangthem Manaobi with Sobita

Accordingly, Manaobi visited the house of Sobita at the Porompat Home Guard quarters here in the afternoon today and handed over Rs 10,000 to Sobita.

The surprise visit and the help extended by Manaobi brought tears in the eyes of Sobita, who cried out, saying, "It would have been better for her to die along with the others in the June 18 incident instead of living in her present condition.

There is no more pain and suffering for those who have died" .

After listening to the heartbreaking complaints of Sobita, Manaobi said that he would always be there for her to help in whatever she needs.

Encouraging Sobita, Manaobi went on to say that all the people should be proud of Sobita and help in whatever way they can.

"Even in religious scriptures, it is said that one-third of whatever income we earned should be donated to the poor and others who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting their motherland," he pointed out.

Recalling the June 18 incident, Manaobi said that at that time, he was serving as the CO of Ist Manipur Rifles and he defied the order given for opening fire at the people who were coming out to protect the territorial integrity of their motherland.

For this, he was not only posted from one place to another but also kept confined within the battalion as if he was being kept under house arrest.

Manaobi also assured to make necessary arrangements for Sobita to stay in some old age home as she had conveyed her desire to Hueiyen Lanpao.