Month: November 1999

IMPHAL, June 27(Newmai News Network): The GPRN/NSCN has alleged that the outfit was compelled to impeach and then expelled its supremo S.S Khaplang from the outfit as he was steadfastly against the holding of political dialogue with the government of India. The outfit also alleged SS Khaplang is against the Naga reconciliation process initiated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).

Mentionably, GPRN/NSCN was also known in the media as NSCN-K before the outfit got split early this month.

Meanwhile, informing over phone from Dimapur on behalf of the outfit, deputy kilonser (minister) M.A. Felix said though SS Khaplang had rendered his valuable services to the Nagas, “his stand against the holding of political talk and Naga reconciliation process is not going to serve any good for the future of the Naga political movement.” Felix also said that as per agreement made among the Naga revolutionary organisations, it had been inked that Naga outfits should not maintain nexus with non-Naga militant outfits. “However, SS Khaplang continues to harbour non-Naga militant groups, ” said Felix while adding,” This was another reason why our outfit expelled him.”

On the recent purported statement of the so called “Naga Crusaders”, M.A Felix said the statement was issued by vested interest attempting to derail the `tripartite talk` of June 30. He said such organisation called “Naga Crusaders” does not exist. “It is a fictitious outfit,” dismissed M.A Felix. He then said that there is no followers of SS Khaplang in Zeliangrong Region. “Those people who issued press statement in the name of Zeliangrong Region of the NSCN-Khaplang are self-styles without peoples mandate,” accused Felix.

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IMPHAL June 27: The different communities of Naga river colony, also known as Kabow Leikai who will be affected by the proposed expansion of the Imphal Hotel and subsequent land acquisition, related their grievances to the national fact finding team led by Dr. John Dayal, member of National Integration Council, New Delhi, this morning.

The team had arrive in the state on a mission to find out about the decision taken by Manipur government to convert Imphal Hotel up to five star category by acquiring Naga river colony.

After today’s visit at the colony, the fact finding team held a press conference at the Manipur press club situated at, Imphal. The meeting with residents of the colony today gave various points for the government to ponder upon.

According to Dr Dayal the finding of the team is that the government of Manipur has learnt no lessons from the evolving situation in various parts of the country from Orissa, Bengal, Maharastra to Delhi, Noida and Hariyana on issues of land acquisition.

Many governments have now agreed that they will not interfere as procurers of land meant for the private or joint sector and will let the entrepreneurs to negotiate directly with the landowners and residents.

He further added that it is quite clear from the narrative of events that the government has been in undue haste in the entire process of acquiring land, issuing notifications even before assessment of the hotel’s needs were available. This gives credence to the apprehensions of the villagers that there are malafides in the government’s intentions and the entire exercise may be just for the benefit of some unknown rich and politically powerful persons.

The colony with a population of 500 in 32 houses consist of all major religions including Hindus , Muslims and Christians who are in majority. Ethically, the finding said that they represent as wide a diversity including Meiteis, Nepalese and various tribes of Naga and Kukis.

There are three churches, one temple and several graves. Demolition of the churches and graves will be desecration and will violate the freedom of faith guaranteed under the constitution, he added.

Villagers are also apprehensive that the tension in the area and the heavy police presence as the area is under section 144 may aggravate the situation and may in future become communal and ethnic issue with outsiders becoming involved. The villagers are firm that they do not want to leave the village, both for sentimental reasons and for economic reasons, including employment. The villagers fear that the authorities may forcibly confiscate their pattas to rob them of their legal rights on the land, he added.

Further the team has recommended that the Chief Minister must call the villagers for face to face discussions to respond to their apprehensions. Section 144 must be revoke and there must be no effort to stop free movement of the citizens in the area. There is sufficient land in the hotel and in the nearby government properties to suit even really huge luxury hotels. It may once again be stressed that modern luxury hotels throughout the world including those in New Delhi are in less land than currently under Hotel Imphal, he aded.

Public Private partnership models must not be for benefit of a few. In future, effected people must be given an opportunity to be part of the PPP with guarantees of profit sharing, employment and other befits that may accrue. Livelihood, security, and community life must not be disrupted. Prima facie, there does not seem to be any need to acquire the village land to make a luxury hotel. Hotel Imphal expansion and its upgradation can be fruitfully done on existing land under its ownership.

Dr. Dayal, who is also one of the members of National Integeration council, during the press meet, said that the subsequent copy of the finding will be submitted to the Governor, CM, and other concerned heads of state minority department and also to national level leaders.

Calling for transparency in government procedure works, he disclosed that no facts could be obtained from the government’s side in this issue.

The fact finding visit was joined by Madhu Chandra – spokesperson of Northeast India support centre & helpline and public relation officer of All India Christian Council along with many other social activists and human rights activist from different parts of Manipur.

The National Fact finding Team is an amalgamation of various NGOs and civil society that works and voice for the betterment and welfare of the society from the violation of human rights. The team has been involved in many major national issues since the last several years, he added.

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IMPHAL June 27: Armed USRA insurgents presently at SoO with the government is disturbing the peace at Kanvai and Torbung area which comes under Bishnupur district along the Tiddim road, United Committee Manipur (UCM) alleged in a press release.

It said that a public meeting was held at Torbung community hall yesterday and attended by UCM functionaries and public of the area including Panchayat members of the area.

At the meeting residents of Torbung voiced that Phoukakchao, Ikai, Torbung, Bangla, Waikhurok areas of Bishnupur borders Churachanpur district, the villagers are living apprehensively and developments are left wanting at the areas, the release added.

Further, an unwanted incident had happened on June 18, the diesel autorickshaws plying between Moirang and Torbung have been allotted parking space by the Torbung Area Development Committee, and for development of parking area have been collecting Rs 5 from the passenger vehicles, however on June 24 the USRA threatened the villagers and the parking association that the parking fees should be given to the outfit, the release added.

It further alleged that the villagers, Pradhan and taxis have also been warned not to proceed beyond Kangvai from today if the demands are not.

Further, the cadres have assaulted drivers, wrecked the autos and have even resorted to firing from their weapons under the command of USRA area commander s/s Johnny, violating the ground rules of the SoO, the release alleged.

UCM questions whether the violence perpetrated by the USRA cadres have been given permission to do so by the state government and has Torbung area been handed over to the USRA.

At the meeting, UCM president Y Dilipkumar stated that the motto of the organization is to bring about peace, unity and integrity in the state and has been striving towards the goal since 2001.

Dilip further stated that the central government is carrying out communal politics to disturb the congenial atmosphere of the state and the communities should unite to stand against such dubious agendas.

Further, the state government should avoid the tripartite talks scheduled on June 30 at Senapati, as it is an endeavor to bring disintegration of the state, it added.

It also stated that the USRA cadres should refrain from carrying out anti social activities and adhere to the SoO ground rules, the state government must also check such perpetrations and the concerned SPs of Bishnupur and Churachanpur must keep their jurisdictions under constant vigil to prevent the unwanted activities. The 119 batallion of BSF should also maintain alert in the issue, the release said.

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IMPHAL, June 27: The various Kuki underground outfits operating under the recognized Kuki National Organization, (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) that are also signatories of the Suspension of Operation with the government will be pressurizing the government regarding various demands including completion of construction of approved designated camps and other benefits for its cadres. 

According to a high official source, another round of talk between the groups and representatives of both the state government and the centre is scheduled to be held at the 1st MR Banquet Hall on July 1 at around 11 am.

The source further maintained that the scheduled talk will categorically discussed the demands of the SoO signatory militant outfits including the completion of the construction of all designated camps as assured by the government in all the previous SoO talks, clearance of the cadres monthly stipends and the finalization regarding the issue of Id cards for the cadres of all outfits incorporated by the KNO and the UPF.

The talk will be attended by representatives of both the army and the para-military forces who are engaged in the counter insurgency operations in the state, the source added.

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By Rongreisek Yangsorang
The present Manipuri society is certainly and greatly alarmed at the poorly managed government schools with wild rumour painted in the darkest colours that the local education system will be unnecessarily discredited. It is feared that the mounting pressure of hostile public opinion about the schools which are unable to rise to the mark may render closure of government schools. In the HSLCE/11, there are, of course, quantitative gains, the percentage of pass in government high schools rising by some degrees, though continuously falling standards. The sentiment of the guardians on the heated issue of failure is becoming frenetic by the day. The one thing sadly lacking is support—whose or what support? It is the supportable base encircled by a team of bureaucrats of clean image and a few selfless law makers in the state legislative assembly who have a vision of a glorious future in the education sector. Whether the state has men of such stature to revive the unproductive educational institutions? Surely, it does have.

What a cursed profession teaching in government schools has become and what a thankless job it is——laments a head mistress of repute of Imphal city area. At a time when the responsibilities and functions of Head Masters of Government High Schools have become greater, they are placed in a pitiful grade following the implementation of new pay scales which have completely demoralized them. They have felt deceived and their status in the society withdrawn. They are not demanding what shouldn’t be theirs. They are only demanding that the pre-downward revision scale of pay of Rs.7500 with a corresponding Grade Pay of Rs.4800 PM should be restored at once as is in the case of their equivalents in the same department. Why is this discrimination? In every revision, injustice of every sort has been done to them. In fact, the existing head masters are occupying their posts after clearing tiers of departmental promotion and after having put in more than thirty years of service on an average, quite unlike those officers in other government departments. Straight away, I can say that it is their lifelong achievement in the profession.

It is difficult to believe that the downgraded head masters of government high schools in Manipur will contribute extra stamina to give a face-lift to school education in the state. The grade pay of Rs.4400 meant for them is one hundred rupees less than that of senior trained graduate teachers which is in sharp contrast to central pay structures. It is nothing but a step further for abolition of the posts of head masters of high schools in Manipur. Can we expect a better education without head masters in our society? It is impracticable. Manipur alone will be the state in the country to downgrade head masters without justification. Let us recall the status and pay scale of head masters in the past. Also, as per the modified Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008: dated 12.3.2009, trained graduate teachers are placed in PB-3 with a Grade Pay of Rs.5400 PM.

In the most unlikely manner, the recent orders of the Finance Department (PIC) of Manipur: dated 9-6-2011 has not covered the head masters of high schools in Manipur. It is really saddening. The dictum that performing employees deserve better pay scales will have no rationale and merit. There are many departments whose officers with bulky pay are failing in many respects, and are unable to provide the basic needs of the people. Why to blame only teachers, not those who have destroyed the very foundation of educational structure for poor performances of students in the Board Examinations? There are various factors responsible for it. One factor—High School Teachers are often called out for different Governmental assignments while teaching in the schools. While private high schools are generally able to perform better, overt commercialization of education has greatly affected the quality of education. It is important to note that the rot in the government schools has also spread to private schools. Despite charging hefty fees, the corresponding input in teaching cannot be achieved. Invariably, students have to resort to private tuition to attain proficiency and the ability to appear in examinations. Education of that fashion is beyond the means of low income groups. In most of the two hundred government high schools in Manipur, there are no clerks, and no head masters. Some sixty high schools have headmasters of their own while the rest of them have none. There are schools which have no mathematics teachers.

Over a hundred posts of head masters have been lying vacant in the department for so long with no arrangement in sight to fill the said posts as well. In the early 2013AD, two-third of the head masters out of sixty will retire from service on superannuation. At the same time, more than a hundred posts of assistant head masters of high schools cannot be filled in the absence of seniority list as yet. There will be no assistant head masters who can be promoted to the posts of head masters of high schools in that year. In this way, a large number of govt. high schools in Manipur will be head masterless in 2013. Under the circumstances, it is hard to imagine the overall set up of those schools by that time. A thousand graduate teachers of different streams may be appointed in the years to come without having to bother for promotion of teachers to higher posts. The school education department will not attract talented persons to become teachers when there is no planning or arrangement for promotion of teachers to higher posts in spite of a fat budget for big spending with the allocation for school education in the state budget estimates for 2011-12 being more than Rs. 613 crores.

On helpless head masters: They are having a hard time in the schools and find it difficult to cope with the situation whenever erratic teachers revolt for their own conveniences flexing their muscles. Head masters are not allowed to function freely in the management of school affairs due to disturbances from different quarters worsened by growing student indiscipline as a chronic malaise. Becoming the soft-targets of of any bloc, they work only on the diktats of political heavy-weights and ultras. They have suffered a lot and have become sacrificial lambs at the hands of the “many.”In my enquiry, I have found that the existing Head Masters and Head Mistresses hardly have the backing of strong men in the Council of Ministers or the State Bureaucracy to strengthen their platform. That’s why their position looks utterly feeble and awkward. With the advent of electronic media in everyday life, responsibilities of head masters have compounded. They are occupied with huge works. Their primary objective is to improve teaching and learning in the schools, but due to shortage of teachers and without adequate infrastructure like computers, they are handicapped and are all helpless to move forward. At this juncture, the attention of the head of the department may be drawn that a head master is not supposed to prepare pay bills of the employees and go to treasury offices to negotiate with, every time. Besides, they are to be conversant with computerization of data, data-bank and websites when the gadgets are not easily available in most of the government high schools. The department of school education of Manipur seems to be unfazed by these increased work-loads of head masters.

Till the late 70s, Govt.aided high schools were better managed, and working discipline was very much intact. By the missionary zeal of the efficient teachers appointed for the 109 high Schools taken over by the state govt. of Manipur in August, 1978, the capacity of the students was enhanced through internal assessment, constant counseling and other similar techniques. In my vivid memory, Head Masters of High Schools of yester years were pivotal earning respect from their colleagues, and teachers too were committed to the profession. Their advantage was that the department of that time did not adopt an over centralized approach. In other words, a cordial working relationship was evolved between the directorate and the head masters.

Today, however, the shape of education if to refer to govt. schools has drastically changed and enough is already known relating to the failure of the system when the underprivileged class mostly ends up in these institutions. Due to unabated political interference, inappropriate recruitment of teachers without filling the vacant posts for years together, adding of more teachers to the overstaffed schools and lack of essential facilities, a sizeable number of such schools have now been reduced to mere enrolling offices. Or there is every chance of Govt. High Schools becoming dead-wood as students can make a choice to switch over to ever expanding private high schools in Manipur. There are scores of pressing issues that require a quick overhaul. Will it be a pipe dream to reform the system—-fighting a lost battle?

Born a minority in the ocean of major communities here in Manipur, I have no political backing, and mine is of a poor background. The only wealth I am in possession of is the legacy of my semi-literate dad’s spirit whose dedication to the spread of modern education in a hill hamlet remains worthy of introspection. In 47, among the prominent political figures in Manipur then was a liberal thinking Toijam Heitonbi Singh of Nambol in the Imphal valley whose teaching as a leader was inspirational for my father to start a vernacular school. Later, the leader was elected to the territorial assembly of Manipur. Let my investigation, my passion for innovative ideas, and still what could be the fearless spirit but not in any spirit of boastfulness fire the imagination of many a student and teacher in Manipur—–to save government schools from decay for the sake of children of poor parents and those who have no money in their purses otherwise poor students of the present and the coming generation will find themselves at the ultimate losing end. It is a caution for all.

Lastly, the centralized edifice of decision-making in which even minute procedural matters to be directed by the department will hinder every scheme of school education. It is only fair if the department reconsiders its over-centralized approach and allows heads of institutions to execute their functions without too much strictures. The head of the department may skillfully employ different meters to suit the fast changing educational scenario in Manipur. A good head of the department, who is convinced of the imperfection of human nature, must be conscious of the great liability to error in managing the affairs of the vast education sector which is like a mini empire: and therefore he will be anxious to afford to every individual the readiest means of bringing to his notice whatever may require his intervention. To secure this selective objective, he will never be one-sided to distribute sweets among his employees equally. The kind of venture initiated by a high profile officer of high grade will be always rewarding.

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IMPHAL, June 27: At a glittering inauguration ceremony presided over by Maj Gen DS Hooda, a football ground dedicated to the memory of C Kipgen, IAS (retd) was inaugurated at village Pansang.  

According a release of PIB, the football ground has been constructed under the military civic action program by 9 engineers regiment, to provide sports and recreational facilities to the villagers of Pangsang, the village of C Kipgen who was the first IAS lady of Manipur and was called the “Pride of Manipur”.

The function began with the unveiling of a statue of C Kipgen, followed by the inauguration of the C Kipgen Football Ground by Gen Hooda.

Speaking on the occasion, the general said that Kipgen is an example for all to emulate and shows how incase one has a desire; it can be achieved by hardwork and dedication.

He further added that there are large number of opportunities for all to work and achieve the maximum. He concluded the address by stating that the Red Shield division would be happy to make more such football grounds so that sports enthusiasts can get a further fillip in the state added the release.

The function was attended by a large number of important dignitaries which included TS Kipgen husband of C Kipgen, Thangminlen Kipgen, MLA, brigadier AK Narula, commander 59 Mountain Brigade, col Ajay Chowdhry, PRO (Imphal), col AD Sharma, CO 43 Assam Rifles, col Abhijeet Sharma, CO 9 engineers and T Kipgen, chief of Pangsang cillage, added the release.

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