April 30, 2012 – Page 2

TKS joins in ‘justice call’ for Richard Loitam

The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong TKS has also joined in the cry for justice for late Richard Loitam while vehemently condemning the murderous act committed against him, and demanded that the Manipur government to leave no stone unturned in the case So…

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=7&src=010512

Award of excellence to Sainik School cadets

MNS: Cdt Lalruatkima (Under 14 yrs category) and Cdt Limminthang Chongloi (Under 17 yrs category) of Sainik School Imphal have been selected for award of scholarships of Rs 10,000/- and Rs 20,000/- respectively by Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society for their outstanding performance during the 52nd Subroto Mukerjee Cup Football Tournament which was held from […]

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/award-of-excellence-to-sainik-school-cadets/

Rich tributes to Khandu on first death anniversary

Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), April 30 NNN: The people of Tawang paid rich tribute to former Arunachal Pradesh chief minsiter Dorjee Khandu on his first death anniversary by marching 7 km from Tawang Monastery to his cremation ground at Famla. Khandu in Arunachal Pradesh today who had died in a chopper crash on April 30 last year.
Some 9,000 people gathered at Tawang monastery at 9.30am and participated in the march. The number swelled as they marched through different points in Tawang town. All along the route, the atmosphere was filled with a medley of prayer chants and the aroma of incense.
Earlier, the abbot of Tawang Monastery, Guru Rinpoche addressed the mammoth gathering and urged them to remember Khandu’s visionary deeds that ushered in an era of prosperity in the State. He later joined the monks of the monastery to offer prayers for early rebirth of Khandu in Monyul or land of Monpas, the community that dominates Tawang district.
At the cremation ground, monks and mourners lighted 108 butter lamps as per Buddhist tradition in honour of Khandu. Goleng Monpa, Khandu’s elder brother, extended gratitude to the people on behalf of the Khandu family.
It can be noted that last year, on the fifth day of searching the missing chopper carrying Dorjee Khandu and four others, the wreckage of the chopper the chief minister was traveling in, was found at Luguthang, 30 km north of Sela Pass and 60 km east of Tawang bordering China.
Dorjee Khandu, born on March 3, 1955, is one of very few school dropouts to become chief minister of an Indian state. He dropped out after the eighth standard, but his schooling was in a bhoti, the Buddhist equivalent of an Islamic madarsa.
Hailing from Gyangkhar village in Tawang district, Khandu belonged to the Monpa tribe. He was in the Indian Army Intelligence Corps and worked there for more than seven years. He received a gold medal for meritorious intelligence services rendered during Bangladesh War. He subsequently switched to social activism and politics.
He won his first assembly election from Mukto constituency in 1990 and became minister (cooperation) for the first time in March 1995. He handled various ministries including veterinary, power and mines before replacing Gegong Apang as chief minister on April 9, 2007.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rich-tributes-to-khandu-on-first-death-anniversary/

Frightening kidnapping spree

Imphal, April 30 NNN : The spate of kidnappings, abductions and disappearance of teenage boys from different parts of Manipur and also the crimes committed against women, and the brutal murder of a Manipuri student in Karnataka have left everyone speculating as to where all of these crimes are leading to.
One thing is sure; if the government is not sensitive to the aspiration and the pulse of the people, the trouble is going to escalate in the state and the climax is not something one would like to witness.
It is speculated and suspected by many that the hands of underground outfits are involved in the kidnappings and abductions of young boys for the purpose of recruitment to their outfits and/or monetary demands. But there has been no clear proof or evidence to confirm this theory so far. The kidnapping and abductions of children have been observed from time to time in the state in the past
too. But sadly there has been no concrete step from the side of the government to investigate into the matter and find out the real reason/culprits, which has led one to believe that the police department lacks the expertise and will to probe into the crime affecting the society of the land. Isn’t there a crime branch in the Manipur police department which looks into such crimes occurring in the state? Or, perhaps, nobody is interested because such investigations are not lucrative. Maybe it is because of such attitude from the side of the government who is supposed to look after the safety and welfare of the people, not being responsive and sincere that people appeal to those “concerned” to help them out whenever there is a problem which is out of their power of fighting.
The disappearance of young boys started to re-occur on April 7 with the disappearance of three boys from Sairemkhul under Lamsang police station of Imphal West district. The three boys have been reportedly missing since they had gone out from their homes to watch a football match in the neighboring village at about 11:00 A.M. of April 7.
Fortunately, the three boys from Sairem village have been found by their families from Moreh town, near the Indo-Burma border and they have been brought home safely after about 20 days.
Besides these three boys, another two boys from the same village have also been reportedly missing since April 11.
A woman from the same village was arrested on April 20 who had reportedly admitted that she was working for an outlawed organization in recruiting young boys to work for the organization.
Another case of disappearance of young boys has been reported on April 21 in which a student of Don Bosco high school, Chingmeirong, Imphal West district has gone missing after school hours. The boy, Takhellambam Rahul, was staying in the hostel of the school and his disappearance was realized only after his roommates reported that he was missing.
It has come to light that the abduction of Rahul is connected to a monetary demand made by an outlawed organization to the school authority in which Rahul was studying.
This abduction of a school student by an outlawed organization has been strongly condemned by student organizations in the state as well as the people from different parts of the state.
The latest case of abduction has been reported on April 24 in which a young boy was kidnapped and held captive in a van for about 3 hours before being released.
Adding to the crimes committed against women, a woman, Jangthailiu Kamei was abducted and gang raped by four persons on March 22, while another woman, Premila was called out from her home and burnt beyond recognition at a secluded hill top.
The culprits involved in the rape of Jangthailiu Kamei have been arrested but they have not yet been tried for their crimes.
The latest crime which has shocked the people of Manipur is the murder of Richard Loitam, a second
semester student of the Acharya NRV School of Architecture at Soladevanahalli, Karnataka. Friends and family of Richard are saying that the death of Richard is the result of being brutally assaulted on the night of April 17 by some of the students of the hostel where Rahul was staying.
There have been sit-in protests in Imphal demanding appropriate punishment to the murderers of Richard, and protests are also being held at Bangalore and Delhi.
In connection with all these cases, the response of the state government has been found to be inadequate by the people of Manipur. The government may have been engrossed with the expansion of the ministry
for the last few weeks, but now that the expansion of the minister is over, it is high time that the government pay serious attention to these recent crimes and book the culprits quickly before the situation develops into something none of us would like to witness. A stitch in time saves nine.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/frightening-kidnapping-spree/

Missing student reportedly found

Imphal. April 30 NNN: Missing Don Bosco School student Takhellambam Rahul was reportedly found in Japhou Bazar of Chandel on Monday afternoon.
According to unconfirmed source, Rahul was about to board an auto rickshaw when two of his seniors spotted him and reported to elders of the area who in turn took the student to Chandel police station.
Till the time of the filing of this story, it was learned that parents along with the JAC members of the missing student had rushed to Chandel to fetch Rahul.
Takhellambam Rahul was reportedly abducted by a faction of KCP for a ransom.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, many students organisations have threatened to lock up government offices of different departments from May 8, if the state government does not take up appropriate steps timely to book the culprits of the murder of Richard Loitam and the kidnappers of Takhellambam Rahul.
This was stated in a joint press meet of All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Democratc Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Manipur Students Federation (MSF), Kangleipak Students Association (KSA), Students Welfare Association of Kangleipak (SWAK), and Students Union of Kangleipak (SUK) by the president of AMSU, Th. Suresh at AMSU head office, D.M.College campus, Imphal.
The students’ organizations accused the government of Manipur of not pressing the Karnataka government to take up quick and suitable steps to book the culprits involved in the death of Richard Loitam, who was a student of Architecture studying in the Acharya NRV School of Architecture, Bangalore.
Richard reportedly died on April 18 after being brutally beaten up on the night before his death by some of the students of the hostel in which Richard was staying over an insignificant matter. There has been no arrest made so far in connection with the death of the Manipuri student, as Karnataka police is claiming that the death of Richard is due to injuries received in an accident a few days ago by the victim.
The government of Manipur has also been accused of not making necessary effort to track down Takhellambam Rahul, a student of Don Bosco School, Chingmeirong, who had gone missing since April 21.
The six students’ organization will launch a series of agitation, starting with a sit-in protest on May 4 by school students in all the districts of Manipur, and a human chain will be made the next day on May 5 to demand prompt steps from the government of Manipur to solve the problems, stated the president of AMSU.
A mass students’ rally will be organized on May 7, and if no positive response is visible from the side of the state government till then, the six students” organizations will start locking up offices of the government in the state, added Th. Suresh.
The general secretary of DESAM, A. Thoithoi said that the state government has totally failed in addressing the problems and grievances of the students. He added that the kidnapping of Rahul and demanding of ransom for his release is a terrorist act which should be condemned by all, and appealed to all the students and civil societies of the state to support the agitation of the students’ organizations.
Now that the people know that Kangleipak Communist Party (Ningomba), an armed outlawed organization of Manipur, is responsible for the kidnapping of Rahul, the people of Manipur should boycott them and declare them as a terrorist gang, said Thoithoi.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/missing-student-reportedly-found/

103 militants lay down arms to CM

Mail News Service
Imphal, Apr 30: A total of 103 cadres of various underground groups surrendered with arms and ammunitions before Manipur Chief Minister Shri O. Ibobi Singh today.
In a surrender ceremony held at HQ IGAR (South) at Mantripukhri Imphal today, the 103 cadres (UNLF 22, PULF 20, KYKL 9, PREPAK 14, KNLF 8, KCP 10, PLA 9, UNPC 4, NSCN (IM) 2, NSCN (K) 1, UPPK 1, KRPA 1, KRF 2) laid down their arms and decided to return to the main stream.
Altogether 103 numbers of weapons including AK-47s, M-16s, Carbines and pistols were surrendered.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said, it is extremely unfortunate that many young people have felt compelled to take up arms while society needed them as builders of the nation. The younger generation has been disappointed due to lack of job opportunities and other avenues. These young people have chosen the path of violence out of compulsion than a choice, he added.
While several armed groups have been in peace dialogue with the government, many of the armed groups still choose to remain silent, the Chief Minister said.
Citing that the peaceful democratic movement of Aung San Suu Kyi has met a great success in Myanmar, the Chief Minister said that the wave of democracy has been getting stronger and stronger across the world. People world over have shown growing desire for freedom, democracy and peace. Non-democratic regimes and movements are now symbols of backwardness, he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated that peace and development go hand in hand and peace is rather a pre-requisite for development. Those perpetrating and advocating violence are the biggest hindrance to the path of development. The nations that have embraced progressive ideas are the ones that have developed rapidly, he further said.
He further said that Manipur has a huge social wealth in terms of its population of younger age-group having tremendous potential. But unfortunately we have not been able to harness it, he added.
“My government has remained committed to the cause of peace and development of Manipur,” the Chief Minister said and added that it would focus on certain crucial sectors of public interest like electricity, road infrastructure and water supply and appealed to the people for their support and cooperation.
The Chief Minister lauded the IGAR (South) and his troops for their commendable job in bringing back various UG outfits to the main stream of the society.
The event was one of the largest surrender ceremonies by UGs in the history of Manipur. It is evident from such large numbers of surrenders that the people of the state abhor violence and are desirous of leading a peaceful and prosperous life. While Manipur has been facing the scourge of terrorism for the past several decades, it is the general public who are bearing the burnt of problems due to the presence of such militant outfits who indulge in senseless killings, extortion and anti social activities.
The endless efforts made by Assam Rifles to get misled youths back to mainstream with the support of State govt has shown a remarkable impact in present improved security situation of Manipur state. Conduct of fair and smooth Assembly election in recent past coupled with spurt in surrenders as signified by the second such ceremony in Mantripukhri, is a pointer to fast pace of return of normalcy and disenchantment of the youth with violence. It is believed that this Home coming ceremony would have far reaching implications leading to chartering a new course of peace, prosperity, harmony and would sound death nail of the insurgency.
The militants and specially their family members who were carried away by emotions conveyed their sincere thanks to Assam Rifles for guiding them towards the right path and giving them the opportunity to join the main stream.
Home Minister Shri Gaikhangam, Chief Secretary, Manipur Shri DS Poonia, DGP Manipur Shri R. Baral, Major General U.K. Gurung, IGAR (South) and Jawans of Assam Rifles were also present during the surrender ceremony.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/103-militants-lay-down-arms-to-cm/

Jessami-Meluri impasse

IMPHAL, April 30: Talks were held on Monday between authorities of Phek district of Nagaland… more »

IMPHAL, April 30: Talks were held on Monday between authorities of Phek district of Nagaland and Ukhrul district of Manipur to bring a long lasting solution to the frequent clash and tensions erupted between the villagers of Jessami and Meluri.

The talks, which began at 10 am, were held at Matikhru village in Phek district where ADC, Meluri, village chairman, Citichu and secretary represented the Nagaland side, and Dhananjoy, ADC, Jessami, SDPO, Officer-in-charge, Jessami, M Joel, chairman, Jessami Village Council and Akhwe, secretary, Jessami Village Council represented on the Manipur side.

The two sides agreed that noboey would be allowed to enter the village of Kadzumbudah with deadly weapons to work there. The meeting also decided to hold another round of meeting between Tangkhul Naga Long and Potchuri People’s Forum on May 3 on the strained relations of the two border villages.

At the same time, the Jessami Village Council also submitted a report on the damages caused by Meluri villagers yesterday to the police during the meeting.

As of now, the border is relatively calm after the meeting, M Joel, chairman, Jessami Village Council said.

Notably, prior to the Monday’s talks, 144 CRPC had been imposed in and around Tebumomelu village of Jesami since April 21 following unrelenting tense situation in the villages of Jessami and Meluri.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/jessamimeluri-impasse/

M`laya CM on `discrimination` against NE students

NEW DELHI, April 30 (Agencies): Chief minister of Meghalaya Mukul Sangma has demanded a more… more »

NEW DELHI, April 30 (Agencies): Chief minister of Meghalaya Mukul Sangma has demanded a more thorough investigation, “stringent follow-up”, integration of the nation and finally, fresh legislation to deal with “instances of discrimination and cases of atrocities” against students of the northeast. He said on Monday that he intends to use the case involving his niece, Dana S Sangma, 23, who committed suicide after she was allegedly humiliated by the staff of Amity University, where she was student, to address the larger issues pertaining to the treatment of students from the northeastern states.

Sagma demanded a law that will act as a “deterrent” for all those with “limited knowledge of the huge diversity of the nation.” “I have already written to the HRD minister and will be taking up the same issue with other chief ministers,” he said. “The present situation demands a larger engagement of all the stakeholders or putting in place a system that will deter the tendency of discrimination and atrocities in institutions/universities by insensitive administration,” says his statement. Dana Sangma had been hauled up by an invigilator for having a switched-on mobile phone in her pocket during an exam.

Sangma argues that his family chose to not seek exemption from post-mortem because officials from Meghalaya house, sent by Sangma, found “some indication that was obvious” that there was more to the suicide story. Sangma says he made enquiries and found that his niece was “sitting in the first row in a small examination hall with two invigilators” – implying that cheating would have been difficult in those conditions — and added that her phone was confiscated by the authorities.

Sangma also insisted that his interest in the welfare of students from the northeast is not a sudden one brought on by his niece`s death. He says he`s been involved with student politics for long and would have reacted the same way “if it had been any other student from

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/mlaya-cm-on-discrimination-against-ne-students/

One killed in accident

IMPHAL, April 30: One person was killed while two others injured after the Chevrolet Beat… more »

IMPHAL, April 30: One person was killed while two others injured after the Chevrolet Beat car they were travelling in fell down a deep gorge at Kesinam village under Saparmeina PS along the NH 53.

The car was coming towards Imphal from Noney when the tragic accident happened this afternoon at 2pm.

The dead victim has been identified as Kadilui Panmei, 67 of Thangmeiband Namthanlong, while the two injured have been identified as Titus Riyamei, 40 Khoipum and at present staying at Chingmeirong Khongnang ani karak and RK Toni, 42 of Uripok Cheirap.

The two are stated to be undergoing treatment at RIMS.

Meanwhile, some 40/50 people who were perched on a suspension bridge over the Imphal river, watching locals fishing in the river fell down when a wire of the bridge collapse this evening around 5:30pm.

The bridge built across the Imphal river connects Chirai village with Irang Cheishaba under Mayang Imphal PS.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/one-killed-in-accident/

UG groups greet people on May Day

IMPHAL, April 30: Three militant outfits in Manipur in separate statements on Monday have greeted… more »

IMPHAL, April 30: Three militant outfits in Manipur in separate statements on Monday have greeted the people of the state in general and the working class in particular on the occasion of May Day 2012.

The banned RPF /PLA said in its message that. the more the capitalism expands its grip, the standard of living of the proletariat would decreased day by day. In the early part of the 19 century, the living status of the labour class was at the lowest level because of lack of policy to fix the working hour and the capitalists paid scanty wages to them, says RPF/PLA .

The message further says in the 1850s, labourers across the world started to raise voice to protect their dignity and they proposed the working hour to be fixed at eight hours. Likewise, movements were launched in many parts of the world to abolish capitalism owing to which the rulers and capitalists treated the working class with more abhorrence.

In 1884, a joint meeting of Federation of Organized Trade and Labour Union held at Chicago decided to fix the working hour at eight hours and to launch mass movement on April 1 every year to fulfill the demand. On May 1, 1886, conventions and mass ralies were organized in America. In Chicago, more than 40,000 labourers protested over the demand by leaving their works.

On May 3, the movement pitched up and many were hurt in police actions. On the following day, people took out at Hay Market Square and shouted slogans against the ruler and capitalists. However, the peaceful demonstration ended with bloodshed as the police opened fire on them, leading to the deaths of many and many others were hurt, thus May 1 has been observed as Labour Day since the bloody incident.

Furthermore, giving the message, RPF/PLA also urges the farmers/labourers in Manipur to cooperate so as to focus on a bright future and lay the foundation of a stronger society.

PREPAK also greeted the people of Manipur on the occasion of May Day 2012. The outfit in its message says the condition of working class in both public and private sectors in the state are worrisome. It says the status of most of the labourers in the private sector should be improved and further blamed that the colonial government has exhausted the human resource of educated youth in Manipur as it cannot provide jobs to them.

PREPAK also says it pays respect to all farmers/labourers and workers in the state and appealed for unity of all the labourers of the world together to understand the strength of the working class.

PREPAK (PRO) in its message to the people says the outfit honours the farmers/labourers in Manipur on the occasion of May Day 2012.

There is a big role of the working class of Kangleipak (Manipur) in developing the society as well as individuals, in bringing change in financial sector and in establishing self-reliance and gaining independence, PREPAK says, while adding that let us strive to become a tolerant society with sacrificial spirit and work harder with our strength so as to enable ourselves to join the development pace of the world.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/ug-groups-greet-people-on-may-day/

Body claimed

IMPHAL, Apr 30: Family today claimed the body of Nongthombam Bhubaneswor who died under mysterious… more »

IMPHAL, Apr 30: Family today claimed the body of Nongthombam Bhubaneswor who died under mysterious circumstances in the early hours yesterday.

The family and JAC formed in connection with the death claimed his body after completion of autopsy at JNIMS.

Bhubaneswor, 38, was a mason, who had engaged in the construction work of Porompat Electricity Office building at Porompat in Imphal East.

Earlier, the JAC and his family had refused to take his body, saying that the culprits involved in the alleged murder of Bhubaneswor should be booked first.

However, they claimed the body on Monday following the contractor of the construction work and head mason assured them to pay Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin for the purpose of his last rites and ritual ceremonies.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/body-claimed/

Pay compensation by May 3: JAC

IMPHAL, April 30: The JAC formed against the beheading of one Moirangthem Mohan Singh of… more »

IMPHAL, April 30: The JAC formed against the beheading of one Moirangthem Mohan Singh of Napat Mayai Leikai, local meira paibis of the area and family members today convened a press conference announcing May 3 as the deadline for the government and accused Ibocha’s family to provide compensation to Mohan’s family and end the issue there.

Speaking to media persons during the press conference held at the Manipur Press Club, spokesperson Y Memcha secretary Napat Mayai Leikai Meira Paibi Association while announcing the deadline stated that Ibocha’s family had already been intimated about paying compensation to Mohan’s family considering the sorry plight of Mohan’s wife and two children, however, Ibocha’s family had refused to do the same.

She continued that the government and the accused’s family should pay the compensation by May 3 and end the issue or the JAC and the local meira paibis will launch stern agitation from the following day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/pay-compensation-by-may-3-jac/

Police transfer

IMPHAL, April 30: In another major shake-up of the police administration, IPS and MPS Grade-II… more »

IMPHAL, April 30: In another major shake-up of the police administration, IPS and MPS Grade-II officers are transferred and posted.

In an order issued by the Director General of Police, Manipur today, 34 officers will relieve their post immediately with direction to report to their new place of posting on or before May 2, 2012.

The newly transferred officers are Sh Jugeshore Sharma, MPS from AC/1st MR to AC/8th IRB, H Gyaneshore Singh, MPS from AC/1st MR to AC/6th MR (Detached from MPTC), S Ashokumar Singh, MPS from AC/1st to AC/5th IRB, Md Abdul Latif, MPS from AC/2nd MR to DSP/Jail, S Meghachandra Singh, MPS from AC/2nd MR to AC/5-MR, I Chitaranjan Singh, MPS from AC/2nd MR to AC/6th MR,KSH Rajendro Singh, MPS from AC/2nd MR to AC/7th MR (Detached from MPTC), Th Sarat Singh, MPS from AC/8th MR to AC/2nd MR, K Ajitkumar Sharma, MPS from AC/4th IRB to AC/2nd MR, P Binodranjan Singh, MPS from AC/7th MR to AC/3th IRB, S Nandakeshor Singh, MPS from AC/7th MR to AC/4rd IRB, Md Tombi, MPS form AC/3rd IRB to AC/5th MR, Mangkhojang Kipgen, MPS from AC/4rd IRB to AC/6th IRB, S Punyaban, MPS from AC/1th IRB to AC/7th MR, S Touthang, MPS from AC/HG(VA) to AC/1st IRB, Y Rajendro Singh, MPS from AC/8th to AC/2nd IRB, S Ingo Singh, MPS from AC/2nd IRB to AC/8th MR, Thangboi Kuki, MPS from AC/6th IRB to AC/HG(VA), Akhuba Kabui, MPS from AC/2nd MR
(Attached with CDO 8th IRB) to Detached from CDO-8th IRB, Th Bijanada Singh, MPS from AC/6th MR to AC/6th IRB, A Willabou, MPS from SDPO/Jessami to SDPO/Nungba, John Lokho, MPS from SDPO/Nungba to SDPO/TML, SY Lumason THL, MPS from SDPO/SPT to SDPO/Jessami, Ch Adani, MPS from SDPO/TML to SDPO/SPT, Y Dhananjoy, MPS from DSP/CID(SB) to DSP(Reserve), IW, S Muhindro Singh, MPS from DSP Reserve (IW) to DSP/CID(SB), RK Khomdon, MPS from DSP/Ops-IE to SDPO/PRT, L Deben Singh, MPS from SDPO/PRT to DSP/Ops-IE, Ksh Manihar Singh, MPS from AC/5th IRB to DSP/CDO-IE, David Piaklian, MPS from SDPO/CDL to SDPO/CCP, Lunkhomang Khongsai, MPS from SDPO/CCP to SDPO/CDL, K Meghachandra, MPS from SDPO/Lamlai to SDPO/YPK, P Goulungmuon Singsit, IPS from SDPO/YPK to SDPO/Lamlai, P Manjit Singh, MPS from DSP/CAR-TBL to DSP/CDO-IE.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/police-transfer/

UCM general assembly

IMPHAL, Apr 30: General assembly of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) will be held on… more »

IMPHAL, Apr 30: General assembly of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) will be held on May 3 at the head quarters of the committee at Lamphel Traffic island at 10:30 am.

A new central committee will be elected during the meeting as the three-year term of the committee beginning March 2009 has ended in March 2012, the committee informed in a release on Monday.

UCM also appealed to all organizations and individuals not to cause any kind of disturbance on May 3.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/ucm-general-assembly/

KCP faction demand Rahul`s release

IMPHAL, April 30: Saying that the revolutionary movement will be successful if all the UG… more »

IMPHAL, April 30: Saying that the revolutionary movement will be successful if all the UG groups, frontal organizations, scholars are united and work under one common platform, the banned KCP appealed the KCP faction to release Takhellambam Rahul.

Rahul, a class seven student of Don Bosco, Chingmeirong was allegedly abducted by a KCP group on April 21. (Rahul was released today at Chandel)

A statement jointly issued by its senior member, Lamphel Luwangcha, commander-in-chief, Taibanganba and chief advisor, City Meitei, the KCP appealed the KCP faction to free Rahul from its custody in consideration of the student community, public as well as the ethics of revolutionaries.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/kcp-faction-demand-rahuls-release/

Students chalk out agitation – Calcutta Telegraph

Calcutta TelegraphStudents chalk out agitationCalcutta TelegraphImphal, April 30: A day after cities and towns rose as one to seek justice for Manipuri student Richard Loitam, students' organisations in the state today chalked out a course of actio…

Calcutta Telegraph

Students chalk out agitation
Calcutta Telegraph
Imphal, April 30: A day after cities and towns rose as one to seek justice for Manipuri student Richard Loitam, students' organisations in the state today chalked out a course of action to demand punishment for the culprits.
Student bodies line up agitationsKanglaOnline

all 2 news articles »

Mixed response to bandh – E-Pao.net

Mixed response to bandhE-Pao.netImphal, April 30 2012: The 12-hour Manipur bandh called on Monday by Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council) to boycott the visit of Union Additional Secretary of Home Shambhu Singh had a mixed response in the stat…

Mixed response to bandh
E-Pao.net
Imphal, April 30 2012: The 12-hour Manipur bandh called on Monday by Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council) to boycott the visit of Union Additional Secretary of Home Shambhu Singh had a mixed response in the state. The visit of Shambhu Singh to …

and more »

Arrest of minor boy

IMPHAL, April 30: The militant outfit Maoist Communist Party, Manipur (MCP) said N Bobbit or… more »

IMPHAL, April 30: The militant outfit Maoist Communist Party, Manipur (MCP) said N Bobbit or Bobby was involved in picking up of a minor boy in the absence of his parents whom the Lamsang police were suppose to arrest from their residence branding them to be cadres of MCP.

Taking responsibility of the child, Bobby let the Lamsang police to pick him up when nobody was present in his residence as the police team led by OC Sanjoy threatened that the child would not be released until his parents were handed to them, MCP said in a statement signed by its secretary, publicity and propaganda, comrade Nonglen Meitei on Monday.

It further said, later the parents of the child went to the police station along with Bobby and some family members as they trusted OC Sanjoy. On the contrary, the OC arrested the couple branding them to be members of MCP only because they provided shelter to the cadres of the outfit, MCP added.

Saying that the act of Bobby was offensive to the people and that it was a wrong step, MCP further stated that the outfit would not award him serious punishment this time, but would not spare him if he continues to do so in future.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/arrest-of-minor-boy/

Celebrating workers

American thinker and linguist Noam Chomsky recently wrote, ‘People seem to know about May Day… more »

American thinker and linguist Noam Chomsky recently wrote, ‘People seem to know about May Day everywhere except where it began, here in the United States of America. That`s because those in power have done everything they can to erase its real meaning. … May Day started here, but then became an international day in support of American workers who were being subjected to brutal violence and judicial punishment.’ Successive federal governments have tried to prevent May Day processions in various parts of the country. They interpret it as the celebration of the May 1 riots. May Day’s origins has been traced to the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, when police fired on workers during a general strike for the eight hour workday, killing several demonstrators and resulting in the deaths of several police officers, largely from friendly fire. Like several other countries, May 1 is an official holiday in India also. But, it is not confined only to the left parties; several labour groupings celebrate it, including Manipur. Several functions are organized on May 1. Yet, we do not a sense of celebration for the workers who have endured hardships to achieve success. It would have been more appropriate if the labour unions had identified successful hard workers and feted them, in the presence of other workers. Like for example, the recent development of new work culture among the Manipuris specially among the Meiteis is something which we should celebrate. Groups like the KEDO and Workers Union, Manipur and their leaders should be feted. As such celebration would lead to the grounding of the new work culture. Besides, new resolves with regard to facilities in workplaces should be put in place, instead of high sounding speeches full of jargons. On this day, we need to revisit the plight of our workers in both organized and unorganized sector. In the unorganized sector, there is a phenomenal increase in women workers mostly in the construction sector and at stone-crushing units and brick kilns. The recent incident of a brick kiln owner and a woman worker found in unsavory conditions in a dark restaurant speak volumes about the plight of woman workers. Instead of public humiliation before the flashing lights of photo journalists and subsequent publication of the humiliation, it would have been more prudent if the groups had investigated how the illicit relations had developed between the two. It is not only about loose morals. We have already spoken about the restaurant drives and lack of socially sanctioned spaces for teenagers. But here and now, an investigation as to how the illicit relations developed between the two married persons. The man is the owner of the brick kiln while the woman is a worker there. Was she a victim of circumstances or was she forced in that condition by her employer who holds the purse strings? We all have heard of sexual harassment in workplaces. We think the social welfare department needs to move swiftly into action before the evidences are shoved under the rug. Sexual harassment at workplaces has become a serious issue in recent times. The recent restaurant incident could have been the tip of the iceberg, and there might have been several such cases which are not reported for fear of reprisal. A pro-active action in this regard by both the state government and the labour unions could be this May Day’s new resolve. Another important issue is the plight of underpaid household workers who are exploited day in day out. One area of serious concern is the sliding fall in the agricultural sector, where agricultural workers are being weaned away by the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), which is seriously affecting the work culture in the rural areas.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/celebrating-workers/

Traffic Congestion in Imphal City: Mismanagement

By Rajkumar Bobichand Recently the problems of traffic in Imphal have been widely debated in… more »

By Rajkumar Bobichand
Recently the problems of traffic in Imphal have been widely debated in media circles in Manipur and other social networks particularly Facebook. With the restriction of vehicular movement in Khwairamband Keithel, introduction of two low floor buses and declaration of the Khwairamband area as pedestrian zone, the government of Manipur particularly city managers and traffic control police seem consider the problem as if it is solved.

However, the reality is that the traffic situation in Imphal city gets worse than before. The worst is the unnecessary traffic congestion created by mismanagement on special occasions. The traffic problem in Imphal city still persists.

We all know that traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles slows the speed of the traffic stream, this results in some congestion. As demand approaches the capacity of a road or of the intersections along the road, extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles are fully stopped for periods of time, this is colloquially known as a traffic jam or traffic snarl-up.

The parts of the Imphal city where most of the traffic stuck are Nityaipat Chuthek, the part of the National Highway popularly known as Secretariat Mamang, Keishampat Junction, Wahengbam Leikai, Nagamapal, Khoyathong, Sanjenthong, Kopnung Mamang, New Checkon.

The generally considered causes of traffic congestion are – the breadth of the road is too narrow to accommodate the demand of vehicles; Shortage of off-road parking which means people park on the roads and so increase congestion; People not using public transport- either it is less convenient, too expensive or not available; and more people own and use cars.

Although almost all these general causes of traffic congestion are applicable in case of Imphal city, common people experience the worst traffic congestion when the city managers and the State Home Department particularly the Traffic Police take too much care and concern for the so called VIPs only totally neglecting the convenience and welfare of the common people for whom the VIPs exist. The most recent experience of unnecessary traffic congestions were on the days when the Oath-taking and Swearing-in-ceremonies of the new ministry of Manipur were conducted at the Raj Bhavan.

When such occasions occur where few people participate, the easiest way of traffic regulation carried out the by the authority is the blockage of entry at select points like Moirangkhom, Keishampat Junction, Wanghengbam Leikai, Nagamnapal Machin, Khoyathong or Kangla Park Gandhi Avenue Machin, Konung Mamang. This is just like the Reserve Area during British colonial rule.

Some questions crop up. Is it not possible to ensure the security and movement of those who would participate in such occasions and provide their parking lots without causing inconveniences of such traffic snarl-up to the common people? How school going children are riding costly motorbikes speeding up and overtaking from either side as they like in crowed roads? When they appear their Secondary and Senior Secondary examinations, they must be hardly 15 to 17 years old? And what are their ages in their driving licence? What is wrong with the ministers and bureaucrat officers coming from north towards south to take the turn at Moirangkhom and enter Secretariat without stopping the common people who are going towards north along the National Highway?

The traffic congestion on special occasions is very different from the traffic congestion in Imphal city in normal conditions. Without construction and development of roads and its network and development of public transport system, changing the attitudes, behaviour of the persons who drive particularly those the bigger and costlier vehicles owned by those people who become rich overnight. They want to go faster even though there is no space to overtake on all sides. This applies to the diesel run autorikshaws and Magic Tata vehicles who ferry commuters as the government fails to provide other public transport system. Although some traffic police really work hard braving the heat of the sun, rains and dusts, some of the personnel on duty in market areas don’t bother about proper regulations, instead they will wait for opportunity to take bribe from those who violate traffic rules. Some of the police vehicles which belong to the police department speed up as if they are in emergency even though it is not on duty. Sometimes they are without registration numbers.

The traffic education needs to be given properly. The authority needs to learn from others like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. They also should take the help of the experts in this field. The traffic regulation in Imphal city needs to be handled holistically after a systematic research and analysis. The mindset considering Khwairamband and VIP area only Imphal city needs to be changed.