Day: December 14, 2011

NEW DELHI, Dec 14 (agencies): Concerned over the recent 100-day economic blockade in Manipur, the Union Home Ministry has sought urgent strengthening of a highway which could be used as an alternative route to the State in case a similar strike takes place in future.

Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghatowar said Union Home Ministry has asked for urgent strengthening of NH-37 between Imphal and Badarpur in Assam to blunt capabilities of militant groups to stop supply of essential commodities to Manipur.

“It has been informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs that NH 2 is prone to frequent bandhs and economic blockades. Therefore, urgent strengthening of NH 37 between Imphal and Badarpur, as an alternative Highway has become essential,” he told Lok Sabha, replying to a question.

The United Naga Council had lifted its 100-day economic blockade of the national highways on November 28.

The blockade had caused severe hardships to people of the State and resulted in skyrocketing prices of essential commodities as the supply chain was blocked.

The UNC had launched the blockade on August 21 to protest against signing of an agreement between Manipur Government and Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) under which the government agreed to grant Kuki-majority Sadar Hills in Naga majority Senapati district the status of a full-fledged revenue district.

About transport infrastructure projects in the region, Ghatowar said the government was working on several projects to upgrade road, rail and aerial connectivity to the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/centre-seeks-alternate-highway-to-manipur/

NEW DELHI, Dec 14 (agencies): Concerned over the recent 100-day economic blockade in Manipur, the Union Home Ministry has sought urgent strengthening of a highway which could be used as an alternative route to the State in case a similar strike takes place in future.

Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Paban Singh Ghatowar said Union Home Ministry has asked for urgent strengthening of NH-37 between Imphal and Badarpur in Assam to blunt capabilities of militant groups to stop supply of essential commodities to Manipur.

“It has been informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs that NH 2 is prone to frequent bandhs and economic blockades. Therefore, urgent strengthening of NH 37 between Imphal and Badarpur, as an alternative Highway has become essential,” he told Lok Sabha, replying to a question.

The United Naga Council had lifted its 100-day economic blockade of the national highways on November 28.

The blockade had caused severe hardships to people of the State and resulted in skyrocketing prices of essential commodities as the supply chain was blocked.

The UNC had launched the blockade on August 21 to protest against signing of an agreement between Manipur Government and Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) under which the government agreed to grant Kuki-majority Sadar Hills in Naga majority Senapati district the status of a full-fledged revenue district.

About transport infrastructure projects in the region, Ghatowar said the government was working on several projects to upgrade road, rail and aerial connectivity to the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/centre-seeks-alternate-highway-to-manipur/

NEW DELHI, Dec 14 (agencies): The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) may have missed the Christmas gift of a hammered out solution but Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah today did not rule out relief in the New Year.

The NSCN general secretary, along with chairman Isak Chishi Swu and their aides, called on Union home minister P. Chidambaram this afternoon.

This is a pre-Christmas meeting before Swu and Muivah leave for Nagaland to spend time for at least a few weeks and hold meetings with tribal organisations.

They leave for Dimapur and onward to the NSCN’s Camp Hebron on December 17.

Speaking to The Telegraph after the meeting, Muivah conceded that there have indeed been some “confusion” in the recent past but added it has been “thrashed out”.

“Misunderstandings have been thrashed out. There is better understanding, that is all I can say,” he said after the 42-minute meeting in North Block. But he ruled out any “Christmas gift”.

About the possibility of an interim solution in the New Year, he said: “There can be expectation, though it is difficult to say.”

He, however, refused to reveal the nature of the solution.

Interlocutor for Naga talks, R.S. Pandey, who also attended the meeting, said: “There is nothing to announce yet.”

Following reports on the “special status” which suggested special rights for Nagas in states where there was Naga population, there were protests in Manipur valley which perceives threat to its territorial integrity.

Prime Minister Singh assured Manipur during his December 3 visit to Imphal that the state’s territorial integrity would be protected.

That, in turn, peeved the NSCN (I-M) which seems to have thought that its proposal of “shared autonomy” has again fallen flat.

It was to clarify some of these road blocks that Isak and Muivah had proposed to meet Singh who was occupied in the winter session of Parliament. Hence, the meeting with Chidambaram.

Emerging from the meeting, the Naga leaders appeared contented. The concept of shared autonomy was presented by the NSCN (I-M) at the meeting of reconciliation at Chiangmai in Thailand in November. This was, however, not accepted by the other groups like National Naga Council and NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) which participated in the negotiation sponsored by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.

Sources in the ministry of home affairs iterated that any proposal that affected a particular state cannot be taken forward unless the state in question is taken into confidence.

Therefore, in case of a solution to the Naga problem, Assam and Manipur need to be consulted before the Centre signs on the dotted line.

Delhi, on the other hand, continues to tread on a tightrope as it needs to balance the aspirations of communities living together in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/muivah-hints-at-2012-relief-from-centre/

IMPHAL, December 14: Normal traffic along the Imphal-Yairipok road was today disrupted due to the five hour bandh imposed by the Joint Action Committee of chowkidar Ibomcha and Yaikhu Kanba Lup which came into effect from 10 am and lasted till 3 pm today.

Bandh supporters today came out on the street of Irilbung bazaar and started blocking vehicles. With the motive to prevent vehicles from plying along the route the bandh supporters also piled up logs and burnt tyres.

On receiving the disturbances caused to commuters a team of Irilbung Police led by its SDPO-Birbabu, rushed to the area.

The police team swung into action of clearing the road to ensure smooth passage for commuters. Police also resorted to firing tear gas shell to disperse the bandh supporters who show no respite on blocking the road. 

However no untoward incident was reported during the process.

It may be noted that Ibomcha and Yakhu, father and son, were reportedly abducted from Irilbung water supply scheme, where Ibomcha (the father is currently serving as the chowkidar) by miscreants identifying themselves as KCP militant cadres on December 7 around 9:30 pm. The victims remained traceless since then.

Aggrieved with the failure to trace the victims the JAC formed in connection with the abduction imposed the 5 hours bandhs with the motive to mount pressure on the government to take effective measures to rescue the abducted victims unharmed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/imphalyairipok-bandh-concludes-peacefully/

IMPHAL, December 14: Normal traffic along the Imphal-Yairipok road was today disrupted due to the five hour bandh imposed by the Joint Action Committee of chowkidar Ibomcha and Yaikhu Kanba Lup which came into effect from 10 am and lasted till 3 pm today.

Bandh supporters today came out on the street of Irilbung bazaar and started blocking vehicles. With the motive to prevent vehicles from plying along the route the bandh supporters also piled up logs and burnt tyres.

On receiving the disturbances caused to commuters a team of Irilbung Police led by its SDPO-Birbabu, rushed to the area.

The police team swung into action of clearing the road to ensure smooth passage for commuters. Police also resorted to firing tear gas shell to disperse the bandh supporters who show no respite on blocking the road. 

However no untoward incident was reported during the process.

It may be noted that Ibomcha and Yakhu, father and son, were reportedly abducted from Irilbung water supply scheme, where Ibomcha (the father is currently serving as the chowkidar) by miscreants identifying themselves as KCP militant cadres on December 7 around 9:30 pm. The victims remained traceless since then.

Aggrieved with the failure to trace the victims the JAC formed in connection with the abduction imposed the 5 hours bandhs with the motive to mount pressure on the government to take effective measures to rescue the abducted victims unharmed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/imphalyairipok-bandh-concludes-peacefully/

IMPHAL, Dec 14: Manipur is known to the world for its various internationally recognized indigenous games such as Polo and Thang-Ta, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi during the inauguration of 57th National School Games, 2011 (Football and Thang-Ta) at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal.

The competition is being organized by state Youth Affairs and Sports Department under the aegis of School Games Federation of India. Altogether 20 states and union territories are taking part in the competition which will be held till December 19.

Chief Minister further maintained that the state government is trying to uplift the status of games and sports by introducing various schemes and programmes.

The inaugural function was also attended by YAS minister DD Thaisii and Manipur Olympics Association president Bijoy Koijam as the president and guest of honour respectively.

In today’s matches of U-17 girls’ football, Tamil Nadu defeated Maharashtra by 2-1, Manipur defeated Delhi by 5-0, Gao defeated Punjab by 11-0 and Nagaland defeated Madhya Pradesh by 12-0.

In the match between Manipur and Delhi, the goals for Manipur were scored by Th Romi (two goals), S Jinnia (two goals) and Th Purnima (one goal).

In today’s matches of U-14 girls’ football, Chandigarh defeated Tamil Nadu by 1-0, Maharashtra defeated Punjab by 3-2, Mizoram defeated Gujarat by 12-0 while Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were tied in 1-1 draw.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/indigenous-games-are-face-of-manipur-o-ibobi/

IMPHAL, Dec 14: Manipur is known to the world for its various internationally recognized indigenous games such as Polo and Thang-Ta, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi during the inauguration of 57th National School Games, 2011 (Football and Thang-Ta) at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal.

The competition is being organized by state Youth Affairs and Sports Department under the aegis of School Games Federation of India. Altogether 20 states and union territories are taking part in the competition which will be held till December 19.

Chief Minister further maintained that the state government is trying to uplift the status of games and sports by introducing various schemes and programmes.

The inaugural function was also attended by YAS minister DD Thaisii and Manipur Olympics Association president Bijoy Koijam as the president and guest of honour respectively.

In today’s matches of U-17 girls’ football, Tamil Nadu defeated Maharashtra by 2-1, Manipur defeated Delhi by 5-0, Gao defeated Punjab by 11-0 and Nagaland defeated Madhya Pradesh by 12-0.

In the match between Manipur and Delhi, the goals for Manipur were scored by Th Romi (two goals), S Jinnia (two goals) and Th Purnima (one goal).

In today’s matches of U-14 girls’ football, Chandigarh defeated Tamil Nadu by 1-0, Maharashtra defeated Punjab by 3-2, Mizoram defeated Gujarat by 12-0 while Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were tied in 1-1 draw.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/indigenous-games-are-face-of-manipur-o-ibobi/

IMPHAL, Dec 14: The state government has imposed ‘dies-non’ order on the striking 658 employees and 42 officers of Manipur Secretariat Services with effect from December 13, 2012.

The dies-non from February 18, 2008 to May 3, 2008 which was withdrawn earlier would also be revived in case of employees who are on cease work strike from December 13, 2011.

Meanwhile, the second day of indefinite cease work strike of Manipur Secretariat Services Association and Manipur Secretariat Drivers` Association in collusion with the JAC of AMTUC & AMGEO was conducted successfully.

A release of the association stated that the whole functioning of the state government was paralysed.

It said that instead of solving the issues with the government administrative skills, issuing the orders of threatening the striking employees with dies-non is quite unreasonable and not incredible on the part of government’s administration.

The employees’ association further appealed to the state government to solve the issue at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/govt-imposes-diesnon-on-striking-employees/

IMPHAL, Dec 14: The state government has imposed ‘dies-non’ order on the striking 658 employees and 42 officers of Manipur Secretariat Services with effect from December 13, 2012.

The dies-non from February 18, 2008 to May 3, 2008 which was withdrawn earlier would also be revived in case of employees who are on cease work strike from December 13, 2011.

Meanwhile, the second day of indefinite cease work strike of Manipur Secretariat Services Association and Manipur Secretariat Drivers` Association in collusion with the JAC of AMTUC & AMGEO was conducted successfully.

A release of the association stated that the whole functioning of the state government was paralysed.

It said that instead of solving the issues with the government administrative skills, issuing the orders of threatening the striking employees with dies-non is quite unreasonable and not incredible on the part of government’s administration.

The employees’ association further appealed to the state government to solve the issue at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/govt-imposes-diesnon-on-striking-employees/

IMPHAL, December 14: A state cabinet meeting held this evening has approved the  acquisition of land for the development of exhibition ground/city haat/urban recreation centre/public utility in Greater Imphal.

Further according to a reliable source, the meet has further approved the acquisition of land belonging to Aru Ahen pisciculture Co-op Society, Wangkhei Khunou, Imphal east to be used for public utility Service and extension and regularisation of two lecturer (flute and violin) in the Manipur Government Music College will be the other agendas to be taken up during the December 14 cabinet meeting, the source further informed.

The state cabinet has also approved the revision of rate of honorarium for the elected representatives of MAHUD &RD and the regularisation of staffs of DIET under SCERT under the education (s) department, the source informed.

Other agendas approved during the cabinet meeting include the extension of service N Naorem Singh, director of Manipur Fire Service for one year on superannuation and extension of service of N Shamungou Singh Sr Scientific officer of Manipur Remote Sensing Application Centre for one year on superannuation, the source further informed.

Regularisation of officiating appointment of W Jadumani Singh Inspector, HC and N Dhanachandra Singh Inspector SSI was also approved.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/cabinet-approves-acquisition-of-land-for-city-haat/