Loose Memoirs of a Drunkard
- Part 1 -
Prologue to June 18

By Homen Thangjam *

I still remember the day, June 18, 2001.

Black swirling smoke greeted us in the morning. At first I mistook them to be clouds and sign for the long awaited seasonal rain.

Since the day, the Union of India declared to extend cease fire to the Naga inhabited areas of Manipur in its agreement with NSCN-IM at Bangkok, there had been apprehension in minds of the people about the 'possibility' of disintegration of Manipur's territory.

The black swirling smoke turned out to be signs of discontent and protest as people started burning down anything available at hand in defiance against the 'possible' disintegration of Manipur.

I looked impatiently at my paddy field and headed towards the culvert at Ayang Palli, at the edge of Mutum leirak that leads to our sleepy village at the bank of the Kongba River.

This is the usual place where we sit at night, steal few drinks of local liquor, shielded by the dark night, away from prying eyes and sing away our blues with friends.

On that day, as usual most of my friends have gone to work - one to lay bricks for a new house which does not belong to him, another at a carpentry workshop and another to gather fodder for cattle and so on.

My rickshaw puller friend and barber friend were not so lucky; they could not carry out their usual business.

But somehow none of them were to be seen anywhere. Those in the BSF and the Indian army have not returned on a vacation. It was going to be boring day for me I thought.

There were columns of people - old and young - heading towards the heart of Imphal. Few from my neighborhood started burning old tyres and Moreh chappals on Ayang Palli.

Commandos in brand new Gypsies skidded by us but never prevented us from shouting slogans or burnings old materials.

Jobless as I was, I sat on the culvert to 'enjoy' the sight of violence or gossip with some willing souls who could offer me few drops of liquor, and, as usual, laugh at the world.

On that fateful day, I was present in the midst of a huge human traffic but was not inclined to join the protest movement.

I believed, first of all, I needed to resolve the confusion raging within me, comprehend and find a 'rationale' for the protest and resort to action.

to be continued ...