Imphal, April 22: To revive and give a fresh breathe of life to the State Central Library, a large number of philanthropists and book lovers of the state have responded overwhelmingly to the appeal to donate books from their home collections.

Moreover, contrary to earlier speculation of over 1.35 lakhs books and important documents destroyed in the April 13 act of vandalism, a large number of partially burnt books have been recovered and segregated for reuse after re-binding and proper management of the burnt portion.

Even as the departmental inquiry headed by Art and Culture Commissioner P Bhorot is nearing completion, a large number of books have been contributed from various circles especially from book lovers from their own collections and home libraries, said sources.

According to Chief Librarian H Devendra the appeal of the library authorities to donate books so as to revive the Central Library has evoked positive response with 15 individuals donating about 283 books so far.

The contribution includes rare books including Meetei script texts, said Devendra while listing some of the enthusiastic donors as Imphal East SP Ch Chandramani, former dean of law, Gauhati University, Professor N Sanajaoba and Imphal correspondent of the Statesman Yumnam Rupachandra.

Manipuris settled abroad are likely to chip in with their mite through monetary contributions in reviving the Library, expressed the Chief Librarian while adding the staffs of the burnt library are working overtime to segregate the partially burnt books currently counted at around 30,000.In addition to roping in services of experts from Kolkata for re-binding and cutting processes of the partially damaged books, 14 labourers are being engaged bundling such books.

�I have talked to the experts over phone and they are kind enough to help in reviving such books,� Devendra said while adding �we would extend all out efforts to revive the destroyed books�.

To a query, he conveyed of shifting the Library at the top floor of the State Archives building soon after completion of construction activities, Devendra said.

On the other hand, official source informed of the departmental inquiry at the finishing stage as the inquiry officer had completed recording statements of almost the entire Library staffs.

In related development, Judicial Magistrate First Class Imphal had yesterday remanded two persons, arrested for their involvement in setting fire the Library, to judicial custody till May 8.The two Th Anandkumar and L Surjit were rounded up soon after the burning incident from near the Library office complex.

Both are alleged to be Meetei Mayek activists.

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