In Loving and Grateful Memory of Our Irreplaceable Colleague, Valliant Spirit, and Dearest Friend, (Late) Mr. Imna Longchar
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It is with a profound, soul-crushing shock and an almost unbearable weight of sorrow that we, the shattered and grieving family of The Frontier Manipur (TFM), gather our fractured words to mourn the utterly devastating, incomprehensible passing of our cherished brother and esteemed colleague, Mr. Imna Longchar. His sudden departure from this world, this past Saturday, crashes upon us still like an unrelenting, suffocating wave – a tidal force of grief against which we struggle helplessly, gasping for breath, trying desperately, and failing utterly, to reconcile ourselves to the impossible, agonizing truth: his resonant voice, his fiery passion, his unwavering, anchoring presence, is gone. Snatched from our midst in a cruel instant, leaving behind a silence so vast it echoes with pain.
Mr. Imna Longchar was never merely a staff member; he was a foundational pillar of TFM, present from our very first breath in August 2020. He was the beating heart, the very spirit, of this organization’s representative in Nagaland. He embodied TFM’s mission not just with dedication, but with a fervour that exceeded all possible expectation. He treated news reporting not as a mere job, but as the ultimate, sacred calling – a vocation that demanded his very soul, and which he gave willingly, unreservedly, pouring every ounce of his being into the pursuit of truth for the people.
His dedication was a formidable force, both profoundly inspiring and, in its sheer intensity, sometimes gently exasperating. Despite our constant, heartfelt reassurances and reminders that he need not carry the entire crushing burden alone, that his well-being mattered, he was ever ready, ever driven – an unstoppable force compelled to shoulder every responsibility, to file story after vital story, driven by a conviction deeper than duty. Our editorial directive of “no more than one detailed news story in a week” often dissolved like mist before the sunrise of his fierce, unyielding commitment to chronicling the pulse, the struggles, and the triumphs of Nagaland. He delivered far, far more than TFM ever required, because he believed the people, our esteemed readers, needed it, deserved it.
Yes, there were times when our editorial team would engage in passionate, sometimes lengthy, even heated debates with him. “Is this extra story truly necessary, Imna?” we would ask, our voices laced with concern for our strained resources and strategic focus. His counter-arguments, always delivered with quiet intensity, were unshakably grounded in that bedrock conviction: the people had to know. Knowledge was not a luxury; it was a necessity, and he was their conduit, whether one liked his works or not.
Beyond the humble yet relentless TFM correspondent’s role, we will forever, forever cherish Mr. Imna Longchar, the colleague, the confidant, the irreplaceable friend. We cling fiercely to the memory of his remarkable patience, a steady, calming anchor amidst the inevitable, tempestuous storms of professional difficulty and our own relentless struggle to survive in the fiercely competitive digital news world. His calm presence was our sanctuary.
This loss resonates with a uniquely piercing poignancy for our Editor-in-Chief, a wound deepened immeasurably by a bond forged not just within the walls and spheres of The Frontier Manipur, but over an incredible 15 years of shared history, mutual struggle, profound respect, and unwavering camaraderie, stretching back to their memorable days at a leading Dimapur based daily in Nagaland. A chapter closed abruptly, leaving an echoing void.
Dear Imna, your sudden, devastating absence leaves a chasm within our hearts and our newsroom that no cascade of words could ever hope to fill. The silence where your voice once rang is deafening. We will strive to carry your luminous memory forward – etched into the very fabric of the stories we continue to tell, reflected in the fierce dedication you ignited within us all, and enshrined in the profound, everlasting respect we hold for a life lived with such extraordinary passion in the relentless service. Your light illuminated our path.
On your funeral day (June 15, 7 AM), we have only memories to offer.
May your good, restless, and deeply committed spirit finally find the eternal peace you so richly deserved, yet so seldom sought for yourself in your tireless pursuit. May the Almighty embrace your noble soul with infinite, abundant love and boundless blessings, granting you the rest your earthly labours earned.
To his beloved family, who so generously shared this extraordinary man with us, and with the people of Nagaland and Manipur he served so selflessly, we extend our deepest, most heartfelt, and utterly shattered condolences. We share intimately in the crushing, suffocating weight of your grief during this unimaginably dark and difficult time. The magnitude of your loss is mirrored in our own. His towering legacy, both as a consummate professional and a man of profound integrity and warmth, is indelibly woven into the soul of TFM. He will forever be a part of us, a star in our darkest hours. May God grant you strength, solace, and the courage to endure. May His blessings surround you all.
With Unwavering Respect,
Your Grieving Colleagues at The Frontier Manipur
Dhiren A. Sadokpam, Editor-in-Chief, The Frontier Manipur
Paojel Chaoba, Executive Editor, The Frontier Manipur
Nandalal Laishram, Associate Editor, The Frontier Manipur
Victor Chongtham, Columnist and Legal Advisor, The Frontier Manipur