Day: January 16, 2012

IMPHAL, Jan 16: The manifesto of the Manipur State, Janata Dal (United) wasreleased today at its Manipur office at Paona Bazaar by the JD (U) North EastGeneral Secretary Arunkumar Srivastav in a simple function.

The function was attended by M. Tombi President JD (U) and General Secretary JD (U), LianGangte.

The 18 point manifesto includes safeguarding the state’sterritorial integrity; repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers’ Act; to takeup steps for eradicating poverty from the state; to develop a strong healthcare system, promote Art and Culture and sports and to develop road andcommunication systems. The manifesto also mentioned that the party would striveto erase corruption from the state.

Lian Gangte, JD (U) General secretary said on the occasion todaythat its party candidates are yet to be given security cover, thereby leadingto difficulties. He also added that party candidates for the assembly electionsare facing various threats leading to a feeling of fear in conducting electioncampaigns. Lian Gangte further appealed for adequate security cover for thecandidates of the JD (U).

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/jdu-releases-18point-poll-manifesto/

IMPHAL, Jan 16: Two security personnel were killed and two others wounded when suspected militants ambushed a patrol of the Assam Rifles near Jhoukhonom village in Churachandpur district on the Myanmar border this morning.

According the police the militants snatched away one weapon from the soldiers after the attack.

The incident happened when troops of 39th Assam Rifles on patrol came under attack from heavily armed militants near border pillar No. 46 close to Jhoukhom village under Singhat police station.

There was a gunbattle thereatter which lasted for half-an-hour, police said.

In the exchange of fire, two AR jawans were killed and two others wounded.

The attackers took away one AK rifle after killing two AR soldiers.

Details are still awaited.

Meanwhile, a press release from the Co-ordination Committee (CorCom) of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF, UNLF and UPPK has said that three constituent members of CorCom: PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF were behind the ambush of the security personnel of the 39th Assam Rifles near Gihingtam Khunou under Singhat sub division in Churachandpur district.

The statement signed by H. Poirei, Media Co 0rdinator CorCom said that a combined team of MPA, PLA and Red Army (PREPAK (Pro) ambushed a foot patrol of 39 AR following causing death and injury to the Assam Rifles.

The statement further said that two weapons along with some equipment and other important items have been rounded up.

No casualties were sustained on the side of CorCom and those who took part in teh attack have returned safely to base, the  release said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/corcom-ambushes-ar-patrol-two-weapons-taken-away/

Newmai News Network
DIMAPUR, Jan 16: Two days after the fiasco near Camp Hebron with the Assam Rifles, the NSCN-IM accused New Delhi of violating the ceasefire ground rules.

NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and the outfit`s general secretary Th. Muivah were prevented by the Assam Rifles personnel from visiting Swu`s home town Zunheboto (in Nagaland) with the directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday.

Expressing anger over the Saturday development, NSCN-IM leader V.S Atem in a press conference in Dimapur today said the act of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was nothing but a violation of the ceasefire ground rules. “The Government of India wants to solve the Naga political problem. The Nagas want the solution. However, if we don`t meet our people for consultation how can we move forward in solving the problem?” fumes V.S Atem, a former `military chief` of the NSCN-IM.

On Saturday, Muivah and Swu were on their way to Zunheboto from their camp Hebron in the large entourage consisting of about 70 vehicles but were stopped by the waiting Assam Rifles at Bade village led by an Assam Rifles brigadier at around 9:30 am. Bade village is located at about 20 kilometres from NSCN-IM`s Hebron camp.

The Assam Rifles asked Muivah and Swu not to go ahead with their visit to Zunheboto without obtaining a permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. At around 3 pm the Ministry of Home Affairs had reportedly allowed Muivah and Isak Swu to visit Zunheboto but with certain conditions.

One condition of the MHA for the NSCN-IM leaders`s tour to Zunheboto is that Muivah and Swu will travel without weapons. The second condition of the MHA to the NSCN-IM leaders is that personal security guards shall not carry weapons even in concealed manner.

The third condition has been that the number of vehicles not to exceed twenty  and the NSCN-IM leaders will not hold any public meeting or press conference.

Meanwhile, V.S Atem did not mention anything about the proposed visit of the NSCN-IM leaders to Zunheboto.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/nscnim-furious-with-delhi/

NEW DELHI,  January 16: In an unprecedented move, Army Chief Gen V K Singh on Monday moved the Supreme Court against the government’s rejection of his claim on his date of birth.

In writ petition, he is believed to have questioned the government’s decision to treat his date of birth as May 10,1950 instead of May 10,1951 as claimed by him on the basis of his matriculation certificate and other documents.

This is the first time that any Service chief has dragged the government to the court of law.

The petition has been filed and senior advocate U U Lalit will represent Gen Singh before the apex court.

In his petition, Gen Singh has said the matter related to his “honour and integrity” as he headed a force of 13 lakh personnel.

Questions government`s move

He questioned why the government had chosen to “change” his date of birth after he had spent 36 years in service and promoted throughout the career.

Gen Singh’s action caps months of tussle between him and the Ministry of Defence during which he made two statutory representations to the Ministry.

Defence Minister A K Antony had recently rejected his statutory representation which ended all the internal appeal options on the subject for the General.

By this decision of the government, Gen Singh will have to retire on May 31.

He has been contending that May 10, 1951 should be treated as his actual date of birth as it was mentioned in his matriculation certificate but the Defence Ministry has rejected it as May 10, 1950 is the date entered in his UPSC entrance form for National Defence Academy (NDA).

`Kept his options open`

Interestingly, at a press conference on Friday last, the Army Chief had kept his options open on the issue without disclosing the strategy.

Asked if he was contemplating resignation, he had said, “Please leave it to my judgement what do I want to do. It is an issue that concerns me. Let me decide on some action after I get time to think about myself.”

Queried if he was not ruling out resignation, he said “let me find time time to think about myself.”

Gen Singh, who took over as the Army Chief on March 31, 2010, has been maintaining that the issue related to his “integrity and honour“.

He had said that he tackled the issue in “organisational interest“.

A para-commando and veteran of 1971 Indo-Pak war succeeded Gen Deepak Kapoor.

Mr. Antony, while rejecting Gen Singh’s statutory representation, had sent a letter to him expressing full confidence in his leadership.

Home Minister P Chidambaram, a member of the Appointments Committee of Cabinet, last week told a press conference that the age issue of Gen Singh had been dealt with “fairly and justly“.

“We hold the Army Chief in great respect. He is a fine soldier. He has done remarkable service to the country. We are unhappy that the controversy should have erupted but I am hopeful that that controversy will be resolved,” Mr. Chidambaram had said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/army-chief-moves-supreme-court-in-age-row/

From John K. Kaping
UKHRUL, Jan 16:  DC Ukhrul and observers and assistant observers of the three assembly constituencies of the district held a series of meetings on different aspects of the forthcoming assembly elections at the chamber of the returning officer here today.

The marathon session deliberated on various issues related to election expenditure accountings, security aspects, electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ‘worry list’ trainings.

The high-level meeting was attended by Sahail Ali, General Observer, Harsh Prakash, Expenditure Observer, Alok Kumar, Security Observer, assistance observers RK Sanjaoba and Standhope A Shatsang along with the top police officers including Ukhrul SP.

A reliable source disclosed that with a view to ensure free and fair poll in the district, the meeting took up the ‘worry list’ that included precautionary measures to subside or abrogate any unwanted elements leading to the public apprehension or derailing peaceful and democratic elections. Other highlights were discussions on stopping proxy voting or impersonation, drill on the rules advocated in the election code of conduct, new EC order on photographing of voters in all the polling stations.

Also, strong security cover for the candidates, agents, workers and the pubic voters was discussed and worked-out during the meeting. In this regard, residents of Ukhrul district have been told to assist and co-operate with election officials.

The public have also been asked to refrain from organizing or participating at any sort of political rally without the prior permission of the district administration.

With regards to the matter of election expenditure, the source added that a brief but thorough examination of the candidates’ accounts took place. Further, the deployment of the Central Para Military Forces across the district was okayed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/ukhrul-holds-series-of-poll-meets/

By Chitra Ahanthem
IMPHAL, Jan 16: Elections in Manipur which have been synonymous with much noise and fanfare have undergone a major change with strict election guidelines being enforced through the directives of the Election Commission of India (ECI). “There is a lot of appreciation for the lack of noise pollution this time. Our supervision has ensured that poll related expenses remain low,” said P.C. Lawmkunga, Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur to IFP today. The CEO further mentioned that surveillance and monitoring teams to keep track of political parties and their candidates are being dispatched to every district in the state.

“These teams are made of officials from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) who along with a team of external observers, are keeping an eye on poll related expenditures,” said Lawmkunga. He further added that surveillance was also being done at Imphal airport to keep track of cash surplus being brought it.

The strict monitoring on the lead up to the state assembly elections may well have led to the disappearance of huge roadside hoardings in prime locations around Imphal. Earlier, the hoardings at Nityaipaat Chuthek and those along BT road had huge pull outs of the Congress President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh along with Sri O. Ibobi and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President, Shri Gaikhangnam. A lone hoarding of the Manipur People’s Party (MPP) featuring party President Nimaichand Luwung and the late, Shri Alimuddin put up on BT road has also been taken down.

Political parties have cut down visibly on the scale of political meetings and rallies in the state. While flag hoisting, nomination filing or even press meets were marked earlier by large presence of vehicle cavalcades, long lines of flag waving supporters, the current election scenario has come to resemble a very muted presence with political parties being wary of being caught on the wrong foot.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/01/poll-related-expenditures-have-come-down-ceo-manipur/