Manipur, April 27 -- In the 80s and 90s, local daily newspapers had a steady flow of revenue from 'Sendokchaba', a sort of clarification to the general public for one's wayward behaviour or indulgences. These clarifications were very popular among newspaper readers then. After partaking the daily dose of crime and violence, readers would scan the dailies for these 'Sengdokchaba' column. Those issuing such clarifications are drunkards, drug abusers and anti-social elements, in which they pledge that they would not repeat the 'offence' again.

Yet, there were many repeat offenders. Those were the days when local goondas had begun their exit from the social space and giving way to the 'Naharols' as the insurgents or revolutionaries were comm...