Revisiting the life of Lamyanba NK Sanajaoba

Sh. Ajit *

From the 1970s till the mid-1980s, the talk of town was dominated by the writings and rebellious tone of NK Sanajaoba at the Manipuri periodical, 'Lamyanba'.

He was always in a revolution mode both by practice and ideals, a revolutionary who had the vision of lucidly seeing the goal beyond the prevailing system, who took great risk without any concern for personal safety and fought war to end the contradiction and disparity between haves and have-nots.

His sole vision was oneness of Manipur free from all forms of exploitation and inequalities. He was a true lover of people of Manipur, a true believer of secularism who had looked beyond the sectarian ideology of religion, revivalism, tribalism and clannish ideologies and parochial mindset.

"Eigi Dairidagi" a personal memoir of Late Nongmaithem Pahari written by himself reveals that when United National Liberation Front (UNLF) which is still one of the largest and oldest revolutionary groups in Manipur was formed in November 24, 1964, and Nk Sanajaoba was one of the founding Central Committee members who played a key role.

He was born on 30 December 1936 in an ordinary family at the eastern bank of Imphal River at Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai, Imphal. No one, at that time, knew that a revolutionary had been born. He was not the son of a noble family.

NK Sanajaoba was born at a time when Manipur was disturbed with storms from all directions and in the prevailing dark rainy sky he would rise as a shining star, overshadowing the clouds. He grew up amidst the political atmosphere of interlocking storm of confusion over formation of new Manipur and the continuity of feudal-colonial rule. He was known to his friends for his witty comments on the administrative and political events taking place at that time.

Pan Manipuri Youth League (PANMYL) was founded by progressive and radical youths of Manipur at Guwahati University in the month of December 1968. NK Sanajaoba was one of vital key actors in the establishment of PANMYL.

He became the first editor of PANMYL's mouthpiece monthly publication; Lamyanba in 1969.He was the driving force behind this publication. His publication stood out for its critical observation on Manipur's administration, which was a Part C State with Territorial Assembly after she lost her sovereign status in 1949.

Why did NK Sanajaoba take so many risks in his life?

Lamyanba Journal brought out the corruption, nepotism and the malpractices that went on in post-merger Manipur tirelessly. His keen observations on corrupt practices of political leaders, administrators and bureaucrats of Manipur created a bunch of enemies against him.

Still he wanted to show the people of Manipur that corruption became an inherent quality of the political system which the people suffered. He was hated by those who were toeing the line of the political system which was based on inequalities and which generated further inequalities.

His fearless expression of truth became a model for the educated youths of his day. But the government, unsurprisingly, tried to suppress his views in Lamyanba. His home was raided by the police.

The talk of town

The language of well educated literary persons is not strong enough to fight corruption in the political and administrative circles. He saw that people needed a new language to fight haabijabis ,thok-mok , youkhalmarum of the men in power and the system which legitimize haabijabis.

Young generations are still inspired by his works and words; new generations still hear the historical echoes of the great Athou LichaHeppa, Thayang Konda Lonbasing, Pathou Minglen Hanmoibasing, Porei Ta Fathibasing, Nakhoi Mar Khongulbu, NingnaTannaLeijarakay.

Lamyanba Nk Sanajaoba struggle for justice and national liberation found a medium of expression, without any fear, in the monthly publication of Pan Manipuri Youth League (PANMYL) mouthpiece Lamyanba.

And he is the first investigative journalist in the North East India during that time who by his deeds had shown the magnanimity and courage to fight for free Manipur from all forms of inequalities and to fight back all the injustices done on the people of Manipur.