No one to turn to

Okram Ibobi Singh just doesn8217;t know what he should do these days. The Manipur CM was feeling the political heat with questions being asked about whether he was the problem or the solution to the rampant extortions by militants in Imphal Valley and surrounding regions. In fact, there was talk of 8220;political patronage8221; of militants in some quarters in Delhi. Seeking to deflect the pressure, the Ibobi Government decided to take the bold step of arming some villagers to fight the militants. Within hours the UNLF, one of the militant groups, issued threats against the CM. A beleaguered Ibobi Singh pleaded for more personal protection but was politely reminded that he already had Z-category.