Imphal, June 16: Shock and disbelief, laced with a sense of betrayal, rather than ire, continue to grip the people of the state after the government emissary K Padmanabhaiah agreed to extend the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India to Manipur.

For many elders, disturbed and apprehensive as they are, the reality is yet to sink in.

the IFP meet some eminent senior citizens for their reaction and assessment of the situation.

Following are excerpts of the interactions: History professor of the Manipur University Prof.N Joykumar said lack of leadership and intellectual light forced us to face this moment.

He said the Central Government cannot be trusted any more and that every step from now on will draw the state towards disintegration.

Regaining state�s lost ground by political means with a united struggle is the only way out, he opined.

Padmashree MK Binodini said this is a very agonizing moment and issue calls for a public debate to find a way out of this mess.

What cruel joke is being played on the people by the central government? She asked.

Manipur politics needs to be brought back on the rail for a solution.

The titular king, MK Sanajaoba Leishemba�s reaction was: Quite perturbing!..

The voices of the people have been ignored.

Manipur has lost its charm during the last 50 years of India rule after the merger.

The loss of Kabaw valley first, and now the territorial boundary is threatened.

Present day politicians need to stand united at this juncture.

Padmashree Pundit Khelchandra: The ceasefire extension, as far as my knowledge is concerned, shows the lack of proper assimilation of the Indian leader in understanding the history of Manipur and �notorious� attitude of the Indian government.

We cannot take this Machiavellian design of the central government lying down.

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