Month: November 1999

The question that haunts many in Manipur today is undoubtedly: which way Manipur? For many the hunt for the answer verges on despair. The fact is there seems to be too many answers but not a single clear cut one. There are too many unsettled issues of awesome magnitude, their problem potential accentuated and amplified further by the fact that they seem to share no point of confluence. Our mainstream established politics is totally in a mess; our society has no clear focus on any particular goal; our civil society is so hopelessly divided that it is questionable if there is anything that can be termed as civil society at all; reciprocal to this division is also the underground politics, multiple-fractured and threatening to tear Manipur along the many fault-lines they have introduced on sectarian lines; law breaking has ceased to be the preserve of those who consider themselves out of the purview of the law of the land, but also the law enforcer as well. It is aptly a situation in which anarchy has spiralled out of control of any centralized command. 

Nothing moves, and nothing can move in any positive direction in such a situation. Because the society is so badly divided, there will always be somebody or the other who will not be happy with any decision meant for everybody. Take the controversy that the recent downsizing of the oversized ministry has evoked. It is sad to know that it did not need to be so bitter had the chief minister been a little more sensitive about regional representation or else acted by a definite, neutral formula. He introduced an arbitrary element in his choices for reasons that are matters of speculation. Since the administrative division of the state into its nine districts has little to do with administrative convenience, but are more in the nature of drawing ethnic (communal) geography, the chief minister should have realized there is a certain inevitability about ensuring an even, district-wise representation in his ministry to the extent possible. Unless the criteria was picking legislators with proven integrity and merit alone, there could have been little other reason than personal for him to have thought of giving two to some and nil to others.

Take again the question of territorial integrity. There is no point in ignoring the fact that the term is being interpreted in diametrically opposite ways by the hill population, in particular the Nagas, and the valley, in particular the Meiteis. It is another matter what history and politics say, but the urgent point of concern is, there is a great divide in the present times with extremely grave implications for everybody, and all of us, in the hills as well as in the valley, should be worried about this. The same divide is there in almost every other issue in the state. We have seen the ugly sectarian controversy even on the selection process for MBBS studies. We have seen the binary division on the issue of the Timapmukh multipurpose dam; we have seen similar friction on the construction the Sana Keithel; we have even seen imminently avoidable controversies on the manner the Kangla was proposed to contest for inclusion as a world heritage site. On the last issue, it is of relevance to note that while Manipur debated on whether the British colonial legacy imprinted inside the Kangla should be preserved or destroyed, it missed being included in the UNESCO’s list of new sites this year, unlike two other sites in India including the Victoria Railway Terminus in Mumbai. Now that the Assam Rifles has vacated the fort, there should be more hope for it to enter the UNESCO’s list. The question is who is pushing the issue, or is it being pushed at all still after the initial flutters.

We need to disentangle all the entanglements first before we can hope to find an answer to the onerous question, which way Manipur? This disentanglement, we are convinced, can come about only across the negotiation table around which the different sections of our divided society sit and thrash out a common denominator on which to build all our future social arbitration mechanisms. Each section must realize that the only choice we have before is this common denominator or continued anarchy and mayhem. The choice, to borrow a catchy advertisement line for a soft drink, should be clear.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/A-j8yyTLgpM/

IMPHAL, June 15: A One day state consultation on ‘An Initiative Encouraging Responsible Tourism by Engaging Stakeholders in Manipur’ will be organized jointly by Eriema Gender Empowerment & Resource Centre for People’s Concern in collaboration with Impulse, Shillong supported by UNIGIFT (UNODC) with an objective to elaborate on a responsible tourism policy that will be implemented by all states in the Northeast at the Manipur Press Club tomorrow at 10 am.

The proposed consultation programme is a part of the ongoing efforts of the Impulse, Shillong to spread awareness to the common people of the region on the negative impacts and issues on environmental degradation in terms of exploitation of women and children in the process of development of tourism sectors in the region.

As the Impulse had conducted a series of consultation under separate themes including “Talks for change for making Tourism Sustainable, Equitable and Just’ Regional Consultation on Responsible Tourism in the North Eastern States of India’, which was held on August 26 and 27 last year at Gangtok, Sikkim which was supported by UNGIFT and technical support was provided by EQUITIONS, brought forward the follow up state consultation programmes which was organized at Sikkim on Jnauray 22 this year, on January 24 at Assam, on April 19 at Nagaland and on April 29 at Meghalaya.

It could be mentioned that, until the summer of 2010, various policies including the Look East Policy have promoted tourism as holding the potential to bring development to the North Eastern region.

As a result, many of the North Eastern states have developed tourism and ecotourism policies in the last few years. While all policies speaks of the economic benefits of tourism, little is spoken on its negative impacts and issues on environmental degradation and none of these policies have clauses on responsible tourism regarding exploitation of women and children.

In the meantime, the state consultation meeting tomorrow will discuss on how various stakeholders such as tour operators, hostellers, NGOs, law enforcing bodies, government departments such as labour, education, forest and environment, social welfare and tourism can play a role to carry forward in implementing a responsible tourism policy and making it workable.

On the other hand it is learnt from the organizing committee that the main objective for organizing such state consultative meeting is to elaborate a responsible tourism policy that will be implemented by each state in the Northeast, adapt and incorporate the Indian government Code of Conduct for safe and honourable tourism in every tourism policy and lobbying for it to be signed by every stakeholder and to elaborate, implement and monitor a training plan on human trafficking for tourism industry professionals.

Tour operators, hotel personnel, drivers, guides etc, will be trained to be able to react quickly if suspicion arises in certain situations. They will be able to transmit information on human trafficking to domestic and international tourists, who will be in a better position to make better choice, the source added.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/0fwvoHezR-4/

IMPHAL, June 15: Three cadres of the Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), including a Myanmarese national, have been apprehended yesterday (Tuesday) by 29 Assam Rifles in a frisking and checking operation at Sita junction about 75 km from Imphal on Indo-Myanmar section of NH 39, said a police source. 

The arrested NSCN (K) cadres have been identified as “second lieutenant” Atho, 28, s/o Yaba of Somra village in Myanmar, H Lightson, 46, s/o Ngazekwung and Khampankhul, 20, s/o Yinmin, both of whom from Chingai village in Ukhrul district of Manipur.

The three were arrested yesterday at about 11:30 am. However, it could not be ascertained if they were traveling to or coming back from Moreh.

They were handed over to Imphal police station Wednesday by 29 Assam Rifles but the police station transfered the case to Tengnoupal police station as the arrest spot falls under the jurisdiction of Tengnoupal police station in Chandel district.

Mention may be made that on June 11 two NSCN (IM) cadres were arrested by 17 Assam Rifles along with five assault rifles in Ukhrul district.

In unrelated news today, a Tata Winger bought on loan has been set afire at Patsoi by a person who identified himself as a member of People’s Liberation Army/Revolutionary People’s Front.

The 45-year old owner of the vehicle Khundrakpam Loken of Uyal Makha Leikai in Thoubal district said that he has not received any threat or extortion demand from any organization and has asked for explanation why his vehicle was targeted.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/RJUewCjxiLU/

IMPHAL, June 15: Weeks have past since the blast occurred at the ADC office Khuman Lampak leaving three women of a family injured however the ill-fated family has been left on their own without a single financial or physical help from the government.

The victims, Neichin Singson along with her mother, Holdim alias Boinu Singson and elder sister Lucy were rushed to the JNIMS after bomb splinters inflicted injuries when a powerful bomb ripped through the campus of the ADC office at Khuman Lampak on May 28.

Even as the condition of Boinu (mother) and Lucy are stated to be stable, Neichin’s condition is far from improving.

The blast left Neichin’s abdomen open exposing her intestine. Doctors had to operate on her for about 7 hours. Her mother sustained splinter injury on her head and Lucy on her right shoulder.

Talking to IFP Lalboi Singson, a fourth grade employee of the PWD, said that a team of cabinet ministers which included DD. Thaisii, K. Ranjit, L. Jayenta Kumar and MPCC president Gaikhangam visited the family on the ill fated day. During their visit they assured the family not to worry as the government will give necessary assistance without any failure.

But no help of any form from the government has been received by the family, he said.

“My youngest daughter Neishi has been complaining of pain and wanting to have solid food, on the other hand the doctors said that my wife should be operated again for a metal piece is still embedded inside her head”.

“I don’t know what to say, I feel so lost since the incident occurred”, said Lalboi Singson with a sigh.

Our family has been victimized between a war of the government and anti-government elements but we are left to handle this like our personal problem, lamented Lalboi drawing the attention of the government to look into the grievances of the family.

Lalboi is the sole bread earner of the family of eight members including 6 children.

The family have so far received monetary help of rupees 19,000 from the pocket money of the minister who visited them, 10,800 rupees from the St. John School, New Lambulane, where Neiching and Lucy is studying and a sum of Rs 20, 000 each from four ADC members.

The family has spent around 70,000 rupees in the treatment of the three injured members with what ever is with them. Besides human casualty a Kawashaki bike was also damage beyond redemption, said Lalboi.

It may be recalled that a powerful bomb exploded in the campus of the temporary office of ADC located at Khuman Lampak on June 28 morning around 9:45 am. Police claimed that the bomb was fitted in car. However the motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained as no individual or organization has so far claim responsibility for the attack.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/0zrDbbJ3x6E/

IMPHAL, June 15: Decrying the land acquisition of Kabo Leikai located under the Wangkhei assembly constituency in connection with the expansion of the Hotel Imphal into a 5 star hotel, the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) organized a press conference at the Manipur Press Club this afternoon and demanding the government to shift the construction to another location which will not affect the general public.

Speaking to media persons at the press club president AMCO Rev. S. Prim Vaiphei has termed the land acquisition notice served to the inhabitants of Kabo Leikai in North AOC area in Imphal East district as “discriminatory” and “undemocratic” and has appealed to the Governor of Manipur to issue immediate order for its withdrawal.

He has further stated that the state government has set apart the areas which are adjacent to hotel Imphal such as MPSC, Government Oil Depot and Tourism Directorate Office and instead are attempting to take over the land of the poor people residing at Kabo Leikai.

Such action of the government is amounting to discrimination and also a direct confrontation to secularism, he added.

He further mocked the Christian MLAs accusing them of trying to convert Christian churches into a luxury hotel and added that Christian MLAs have forgotten their election promises and the oath taken in the name of God to do work for justice enshrined in the Constitution of India.

The constitution of India protects the rights of the Christian minority, but here in Manipur such rights have come under tremendous threat from the government, it said, and has pledged that it will continue to strive for well being, communal harmony, peace and co-existence in the state.

One resident of the area who identified herself as Bina present during the press conference also said that the Kabo village located under the assembly constituency of Wangkhei has around 300 voters with 50 houses. And the total area is about 1.50 acre.

She further said that the village is settled by nine different communities since a very long time back.

She also added, “We do not want money, we love our land”. “We are unwilling to receive the said compensation of the government for the land and properties and we will fight until we die”, she added.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/EfKG0tjyrPI/

IMPHAL June 14: The JAC of All Manipur Trade Unions Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees Organization(AMGEO) has stated that the employees and pensioners of the State are liable to take up agitations against the government soon.

A press release of the JAC has stated that the underhanded tactics of the Congress led government to the employees still continues as it has been more than a year since the JAC has been demanding payment of 6th pay scale in totality. The demand of the JAC has fallen on deaf ears, it said.

Despite the acknowledgement from the government that the 6th pay would be awarded, the same has not been carried out and the pay anomaly from the 5th pay commission have not been worked out.

It further questioned why the pay structures of some government officials have been raised whereas it has remained the same as before for other employees, which the release of the JAC has termed as a divide and conquer policy of the government .

The pay of judicial employees, IAS, IPS,IFS are in accordance with the 6th pay and the salary of MLAs was increased recently, however the other government employees have been left high and dry, it alleged.

The JAC further mentioned that the order of the recent cabinet decision to award 6th pay to the teachers should be revoked as it does not adhere to the norms of the pay commission but is more of a state manufactured scheme to fool the employees. The JAC demands the payment of the 6th pay in totality otherwise agitations will most likely be carried out in near future.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/TbojoHvw4rY/

IMPHAL June 14: United NGOs Mission, Manipur has appealed to the Chief Minister and the Governor of the State to make immediate alternative arrangement for the evicted families of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai at the earliest.

A press release of the secretary of the organization U Nobokishore stated that the conditions of the fifteen evicted families are now in a deplorable condition. As the families are left without proper shelter and living in makeshift shelters, the aged persons and the children are suffering from starvation and water borne diseases, the children are also not able to attend school, it maintained.

The press release further thanked the organizations and individuals for partaking in the protest rally and public meeting held on June 12 addressing the escalation of crime against women and children.

Meanwhile sources stated that the makeshift shelters constructed anew along the Lamphel roadside have also been removed by security persons.

Local MLA W Brajabidhu is also reported to have met the evicted families and told them to shift to another adjoining area, but the families have stated that the area is unfeasible as the said place is a marshy area.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/C7Aqg_mskM0/

NEW DELHI, June 14 (MIC): Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Bijoy Krishna Handique here today announced the launch of a programme called ‘Youth on the Edge’ by Ministry of DoNER through the North Eastern Council for encouraging adventure activities in the North Eastern Region. 

Shri Handique said, “We have devised -‘Youth on the Edge’ with the primary objective of encouraging movements of youth from the rest of India to the Border Areas of the North Eastern States to participate in structured adventure activities thereby furthering the cause of national integration and mainstreaming. The participants would get a chance to learn about the cultural heritage and local traditions of the Region. In addition Intra-North East exchanges of youth will benefit the local youth who will also be involved in the process”.

“As part of the programme, we also plan to send selected representatives from the Region to visit the rest of India. A talent scouting process will be done to identify prospective talents in adventure tourism who will be sent for specialised training in the National Mountaineering Institutes. This year we plan to start a Pilot Project and subsequently from the next year we will try to bring the programme under the 12th Plan,” he added.

This is the first time that the Ministry of DoNER has taken up a programme to attract youth from other parts of India.

In the Pilot Project, three trekking trails, two from Arunachal Pradesh and one from Mizoram will be finalized after consultation with the State Governments and necessary ground recee. The types of adventure activities are of Land Based like Mountaineering, Skiing, Trekking, Rock Climbing; Water Based like Sailing, Rowing, Water skiing; and Aero Based like Para Gliding, Hand Gliding, Microlite Flying. Each of these trails will be used to organize activities for 15 batches consisting of 555 youths during the three months. The batches will consist of 37 youth including seven representatives from the North East and National Service Scheme volunteers.

As part of the programme, around 200 youth from the North Eastern Region along with 6 escorts will also be sent to visit the rest of India. Also, to create skill development and self employment opportunities in future for local youth from NER, a few selected ones having an aptitude for adventure tourism will be sent to different National Mountaineering Institutes for specialized training. The total beneficiaries under this programme will be 1885 youths.

The Ministry of DoNER will fund Rs.2.86 Crores for this pilot programme and subsequently the programme will be put up for inclusion as a full-fledged scheme under the 12th Plan. The pilot scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports under the aegis of the Ministry of DoNER in coordination with respective state governments.

The North Eastern Region has attractive Himalayan mountain ranges with Sikkim and Arunachal having popular peaks like Kanchenjunga, Kabru Massif, Kangto, Nyagi Kangsang and Gaurichen. A number of wild unexplored rivers like Siang, Syom, Subansiri, Dibang, Lohit etc., are a big attraction for adventure seekers.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/pQBfQDmV2C4/

Every profession has its moral codes, some written but most of the time unwritten. Journalism is no exception and indeed this is a question that has continued to haunt the profession since its inception. This is particularly so because journalism’s best practices also are determined by a notion of objectivity that would have the journalist be simple observers and reporters of events and not be their participants. The troubling question is, to what extent can this journalistic definition of objectivity, especially in situations of human tragedies, remain ethical. Two powerful images should put this argument in perspective. One is of a certain freelance photojournalist, Kevin Carter, who won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for photojournalism in 1994 for his photograph of a severely famished, virtually dying, Sudanese girl toddler crawling towards a UN food centre some distance away, during a famine in this conflict torn nation, even as a vulture stalked her as if ready to pounce on her if she drops dead. The picture was first published in the The New York Times and it shocked the entire world, so much so that this prestigious newspaper had to issue an unusual editorial comment in a subsequent edition that the girl did make it alive to the UN food centre and that Carter chased away the vulture before leaving the scene. But the scene, and probably his inadequate response to the human situation apart from his journalistic instinct of making headline news of the event, haunted him so much ever after that he went into a depression he never recovered from. According to his father he was often found crying alone inconsolably. Carter ultimately committed suicide the same year he won the coveted prize.

The second image conveys a totally different picture of journalistic responsibility. Seventy five years after his death near the summit of Mt. Everest, on May 1, 1999, George Leigh Mallory’s body was discovered during another one of numerous search expeditions spanning seven decades to find his, and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine’s, bodies. Bad weather however prevented a closer examination of the body on the day. On May 16, two men in the expedition, Andy Politz and Thom Pollard, carrying with them a tent and some supplies, returned to the spot for a closer look after lasting out a bout of bad weather at the expedition base camp. Pollard, had writing assignments including numerous offers for a book at the time. The two had with them a metal detector to try and locate the camera that Mallory was known to have taken along, and Kodak Company was of the opinion that the exposed film in the camera still could be processed as it would be well preserved by the perennial subzero temperature, and because the film in it was black and white, hence less prone to chemical degeneration. When they came to the body, Pollard’s reaction was in his own words: “The sight of Mallory’s foot protruding from the end of the rocks was the most powerful and humbling site of my life. It brought tears to my eyes.”

Then the two proceeded about trying to detect Mallory’s camera. In the process, Pollard came face to face with Mallory. From Pollard’s description, the likeness of Mallory was well preserved with calm but closed eyes. He had a golf ball size wound in the forehead with two shards of bones protruding out of it confirming he died instantaneously when he fell. Then the thought occurred that Pollard had a camera with him. But on second thought, and in consultation with his expedition partner Andy Politz, they decided it would be wrong to take a picture of Mallory’s face, and so today the only picture of the dead legend’s face, a man who possibly reached the summit of Mt. Everest three decades before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay did but could not return to tell his tale, is what Pollard carried back in his memory. Politz did not even want to see the face and be burdened with the responsibility to tell what he saw. Here were two men who overcame the pulls of their careers and professional ambitions even at a moment they found the elixir to reach the pinnacle to keep within what they thought was the demand of human decency. But beyond the instant glory and material endorsements they would surely have received had they been less scrupulous, they earned something else. Respect and gratitude of the sane world, away from the maddening crowd of instant wealth and instant success seekers.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/hcSJFP0vrUc/

IMPHAL, June 13 (Newmai News Network): Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur unit will exert pressure on Central and state governments to initiate political dialogue without any precondition with underground outfits of the state to resolve the insurgency problem, said the party’s outgoing general secretary Langol Iboyaima. 

Speaking at a press conference at Irawati Bhawan Monday, the CPI Manipur outgoing general secretary said that the party has unanimously resolved on five resolutions during the 20th state conference in the presence of its national general secretary AB Bardhan. The three-day-long state conference that started on June 10 concluded Sunday.

The state unit of the party will exert pressure on Central and state government for the repeal of AFSPA from the soil of Manipur, according to the resolutions adopted at the conference, while also resolving that the party will attempt at forming a left and democratic alternative government in the forthcoming general assembly election due early next year, said Mr Iboyaima.

CPI Manipur has been fighting to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state since its inception in 1948 and will continue to do so into the future, inform the outgoing state general secretary about the other resolutions.

The nature of distribution of power between Centre and state as informed by the Constitution of India is unitary in character, and CPI has resolved that the Constitution should be amended to usher in federal polity, he said, while adding that Manipur should be given a special status by the Central government.

Besides the resolutions, the conference also demanded from the Central government the fast tracking of process for the establishment of separate High Court for Manipur and the raising of highway protection force.

It also demanded the handing over of maintenance work of National Highway 53 and 39 to state Public Work Department from BRTF as also public declaration of assets of ministers and MLAs.

During the conference, the state CPI elected Dr M Nara as its new general secretary while L Koireng and Th Nabakumar as its assistant secretaries.

At the press conference, Dr M Nara said that the era of coalition politics is here to stay and the party needed to change its paradigm and strengthen its stand.

A very strong coalition government is indispensable in Manipur in order to solve the problems besetting the state, he said.

Touching on the formation of the state unit of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the ex-minister said that the party does not agree with the “divisive ideology” propounded by NPF which, he said, is bound to have adverse political ramification for the state. CPI national general secretary AB Bardhan had also publicly articulated his reservation on the formation of NPF in Manipur few weeks ago.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/iliSxq1Rqq8/

IMPHAL, June 13 (Newmai News Network): Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur unit will exert pressure on Central and state governments to initiate political dialogue without any precondition with underground outfits of the state to resolve the insurgency problem, said the party’s outgoing general secretary Langol Iboyaima. 

Speaking at a press conference at Irawati Bhawan Monday, the CPI Manipur outgoing general secretary said that the party has unanimously resolved on five resolutions during the 20th state conference in the presence of its national general secretary AB Bardhan. The three-day-long state conference that started on June 10 concluded Sunday.

The state unit of the party will exert pressure on Central and state government for the repeal of AFSPA from the soil of Manipur, according to the resolutions adopted at the conference, while also resolving that the party will attempt at forming a left and democratic alternative government in the forthcoming general assembly election due early next year, said Mr Iboyaima.

CPI Manipur has been fighting to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state since its inception in 1948 and will continue to do so into the future, inform the outgoing state general secretary about the other resolutions.

The nature of distribution of power between Centre and state as informed by the Constitution of India is unitary in character, and CPI has resolved that the Constitution should be amended to usher in federal polity, he said, while adding that Manipur should be given a special status by the Central government.

Besides the resolutions, the conference also demanded from the Central government the fast tracking of process for the establishment of separate High Court for Manipur and the raising of highway protection force.

It also demanded the handing over of maintenance work of National Highway 53 and 39 to state Public Work Department from BRTF as also public declaration of assets of ministers and MLAs.

During the conference, the state CPI elected Dr M Nara as its new general secretary while L Koireng and Th Nabakumar as its assistant secretaries.

At the press conference, Dr M Nara said that the era of coalition politics is here to stay and the party needed to change its paradigm and strengthen its stand.

A very strong coalition government is indispensable in Manipur in order to solve the problems besetting the state, he said.

Touching on the formation of the state unit of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the ex-minister said that the party does not agree with the “divisive ideology” propounded by NPF which, he said, is bound to have adverse political ramification for the state. CPI national general secretary AB Bardhan had also publicly articulated his reservation on the formation of NPF in Manipur few weeks ago.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/iliSxq1Rqq8/