Manipuri art charms Biharis

The people of Bihar’s Rajendra Nagar was spellbound by a Shumang Leela traditional courtyard theatre played by Sangai Artistes’ Association of Manipur which was staged during the National Traditional Theatre Festival Lokavinya held at Premchand Ran…

The people of Bihar’s Rajendra Nagar was spellbound by a Shumang Leela traditional courtyard theatre played by Sangai Artistes’ Association of Manipur which was staged during the National Traditional Theatre Festival Lokavinya held at Premchand Rangashala in Patna Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=6&src=021012

JAC warns of launching stir

Accusing the in laws of N Bidyapati of Thongju Pichu Lampak Laishram Leirak having hands in the death of Bidyapati, the JAC formed in connection with the death of Bidyapati has today demanded that the culprits be punished in public Source The Sanga…

Accusing the in laws of N Bidyapati of Thongju Pichu Lampak Laishram Leirak having hands in the death of Bidyapati, the JAC formed in connection with the death of Bidyapati has today demanded that the culprits be punished in public Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=10&src=021012

International Day of Older Persons held

The International Day of Older Persons IDOP was observed today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal with the theme Longevity Shaping the Future under the aegis of Social Welfare Department Source The Sangai Express

The International Day of Older Persons IDOP was observed today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal with the theme Longevity Shaping the Future under the aegis of Social Welfare Department Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=5&src=021012

Photo Electoral Rolls published

As per a schedule fixed by the Election Commission of India, the draft consolidated and integrated Photo Electoral Rolls PERs of all the 60 Assembly Constituencies of Manipur have been published today by the Electoral Registration Officers EROs con…

As per a schedule fixed by the Election Commission of India, the draft consolidated and integrated Photo Electoral Rolls PERs of all the 60 Assembly Constituencies of Manipur have been published today by the Electoral Registration Officers EROs concerned Source The Sangai Express

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Organic entrepreneurship for organic manure N Noren Focus On Entrepreneurs Of Manipur

In the absence of any big industry worth its name, there is little room for mass employment except Government jobs but almost all Government jobs have steep price tags in this corruption ridden society Source The Sangai Express

In the absence of any big industry worth its name, there is little room for mass employment except Government jobs but almost all Government jobs have steep price tags in this corruption ridden society Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=4&src=021012

CHqs for more teeth to local intelligence

In view of the recent spate of bomb attacks by underground organisations at different places of the State including Government complexes, a meeting of the Combined Headquarters was held today to discuss on how to strengthen local intelligence network …

In view of the recent spate of bomb attacks by underground organisations at different places of the State including Government complexes, a meeting of the Combined Headquarters was held today to discuss on how to strengthen local intelligence network Source The Sangai Express

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Habitat Day Tales of evictions come out

Voices of concern were strongly raised against the displacement eviction of people in the name of development coupled with the demand for payment of fitting compensation to displaced people during the World Habitat Day observance today in the State S…

Voices of concern were strongly raised against the displacement eviction of people in the name of development coupled with the demand for payment of fitting compensation to displaced people during the World Habitat Day observance today in the State Source The Sangai Express

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180 Assembly contract employees given marching orders

Altogether 180 staff of Manipur Legislative Assembly who were recruited on contract basis fraudulently have been released from their job Source The Sangai Express

Altogether 180 staff of Manipur Legislative Assembly who were recruited on contract basis fraudulently have been released from their job Source The Sangai Express

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6 UGs held

Following the arrest of two PREPAK pro cadres along with a cache of explosives, three more cadres of the outfit including two women cadres, were arrested along with bombs and explosive materials by a combined team of Imphal East district Police and t…

Following the arrest of two PREPAK pro cadres along with a cache of explosives, three more cadres of the outfit including two women cadres, were arrested along with bombs and explosive materials by a combined team of Imphal East district Police and troops of 28 AR yesterday Source The Sangai Express

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Villagers decry land acquisition move

Residents of Maha Kabui Namching have intensified agitation against the Government’s attempt to acquire land for use as firing range for the Assam Rifles Source The Sangai Express

Residents of Maha Kabui Namching have intensified agitation against the Government’s attempt to acquire land for use as firing range for the Assam Rifles Source The Sangai Express

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“World Habitat Day” observed

IMPHAL, Oct 1 NNN: Joining hands in marking “World Habitat Day” across the globe, the Human Rights Alert for the first time observed the day here today at Manipur Press Club. Ksh. Onil, Campaigner of Human Rights Alert stated that “World Habitat Day” observation was started from 1978 under the initiative of United Nations Habitat […]

IMPHAL, Oct 1 NNN: Joining hands in marking “World Habitat Day” across the globe, the Human Rights Alert for the first time observed the day here today at Manipur Press Club.
Ksh. Onil, Campaigner of Human Rights Alert stated that “World Habitat Day” observation was started from 1978 under the initiative of United Nations Habitat for the people who have evicted from their houses in the name of giving compensation and resettlement and added that the day is being observed in more than 11 countries since then.
” The Human Rights Alert has been demanding to the concerned authorities to pass the bill of Land Acquisation and Resettlement Bill, 2002 and to address the woes of the people effected by eviction.
In Manipur itself there are around 4000 victims of eviction”, he added. Maibam Nganbi, a widow of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai whose house had been evicted on June 16, 2011 said that she is still to get any compensation and resettlement facilities from the government even though 1 year have been passed. We have been living in the area from the last 40 years but the government without giving prior notice evicted from our houses along with 14 families from the locality, she rued.Recalling another incident, V.S. Meena, Chairperson of Naga River Colony Women Society said families from the region was forced to evict despite of stiff opposition from the people in the name of building a five star hotel in the colony saying that they have been living in the area peacefully from the last 40 years along with 10 different communities.During the function, an 11 minute documentary film entitled “People Before Profit”, a film based on the issues of development driven eviction in different countries produced by WITNESS, a New York based organisation in collaboration with Human Rights Alert and partners was also released to mark the observation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/world-habitat-day-observed/

AR reaches out to Kwatha victim

Mail News Service Imphal, Oct 1: Assam Rifles and the villagers of the Kwatha, Chandel district have condemned the explosions carried out by UNLF on September 28, at Kwatha village that led to killing of Ningthoujam Sananjao,age 55yrs activist of Kwatha, besides injuring two innocent families. The villagers conducted a Peaceful protest against the action […]

Mail News Service
Imphal, Oct 1: Assam Rifles and the villagers of the Kwatha, Chandel district have condemned the explosions carried out by UNLF on September 28, at Kwatha village that led to killing of Ningthoujam Sananjao,age 55yrs activist of Kwatha, besides injuring two innocent families. The villagers conducted a Peaceful protest against the action s, along the NH 102 on September 29 and also have also called for a 24 hour Bandh along the NH 102 on 01 October.
It was alleged that the villagers have always been used as shields by the inconsiderate who never gave a second thought before killing and injuring the innocent villagers, and also have been claiming the incident with conviction, considering it as an act of valor. The militants have shown total disregard to reverend temple of Raja-Rani of Manipur at Kwatha it was alleged.
Meanwhile, the cremation of the deceased Mr. Ningthoujam Sananjao Singh, was carried out with full rituals in the village on September 30. During the rituals, the Assam Rifles provided security to the villagers. The post commander of the Kwatha Post attended the cremation rituals and monetary assistance was provided to the relatives of the deceased to meet urgent expenses, besides grocery and other items to meet their immediate short term daily needs.
On the other side, Angom Kaboklei, who was injured seriously in the explosions and is being treated in the ‘Shija Hospital’ was visited by Brig Upendra Dwivedi, Commander, 26 Sector and Col S K Goswami, Commandant 24 Assam Rifles provided monetary help for her present condition.
The officers inquired about the well being of the lady and assured her and her relatives that they will always find Assam Rifles standing by them in all adverse circumstances.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-reaches-out-to-kwatha-victim/

Expired goods given to Anganwadi centres

IMPHAL, Oct 1: The Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Anganwadi centres, Saikul Block, Senapati district has now been charged by Saikul Project Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association (SPAWHA) of distributing grocery items and medicines that have ceased to be valid to use. The Saikul block has a total of 223 Anganwadi centres and each […]

IMPHAL, Oct 1: The Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Anganwadi centres, Saikul Block, Senapati district has now been charged by Saikul Project Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association (SPAWHA) of distributing grocery items and medicines that have ceased to be valid to use.
The Saikul block has a total of 223 Anganwadi centres and each centre was distributed 1 litre of mustard oil, 2 packets of salt, 5 kg of dal and 2 bottles of vitamin by the CDPO, Saikul Block on September 28 last but the expiry dates of all the grocery and medicine items were found to be all beyond acceptable specifications, SPAWHA alleged.
It said the CDPO of Saikul Block had distributed items such as Dhara oil, dal, salt and medicines to the workers and helpers of Angawadi centres in the block but unfortunately the said items were detected as expired.
The Anganwadi workers and helpers, therefore, had rejected the items and returned them all to the concerned CDPO,the statement said and urged the concerned authority to look into the matter seriously and urgently to redress the grievances of the children in the block in particular.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/expired-goods-given-to-anganwadi-centres/

New paper at Ukhrul

A new periodical newspaper has hit the newspaper stands today edited by Rehoboam Lester Makang published from Phungreitang West in the heart of Ukhrul district headquarters. The new newspaper christened as Ukhrul Observer is a bilingual-English and Tangkhul-to be published on every Monday and Thursday. “The paper which will be printed in a unique tabloid […]

A new periodical newspaper has hit the newspaper stands today edited by Rehoboam Lester Makang published from Phungreitang West in the heart of Ukhrul district headquarters.
The new newspaper christened as Ukhrul Observer is a bilingual-English and Tangkhul-to be published on every Monday and Thursday.
“The paper which will be printed in a unique tabloid format in part colour that will cater for both Tangkhul and English readers. It will attach special importance to happenings and events in Ukhrul district so as to help foster better understanding amongst the denizens of the district through proactive role of the print media,” stated editor Rehoboam Lester Makang.
“While people here depend only on out-of-town papers, we need one of our own”, feels the Ukhrul Observer editor who is also the publisher of the newspaper while adding, “ we recognize a niche for an alternative .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/new-paper-at-ukhrul/

Trade with Southeast Asia progressing: Ghatowar

Mail News Service New Delhi, Oct 1: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that over the two decades, economic and strategic connections with Southeast Asia has increased manifold. He said this while addressing the 158TH […]

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Oct 1: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that over the two decades, economic and strategic connections with Southeast Asia has increased manifold.
He said this while addressing the 158TH Annual General Meeting of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry Kolkata on 28th September, 2012. Shri Ghatowar said that India’s trade and economic links with Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have experienced rapid progress. The total trade between India- ASEAN has grown up from $21.29 billion in 2005-06 to $57.89 billion in 2010-11, clocking compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.14 %. The Minister hopes that there is the strong possibility of existing economic linkages expanding even more. And this is where the integration of the North Eastern Region (NER) with Southeast Asia is significant, the Minister added.
In another meeting of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry on the subject- “Look East – North East and Beyond (Expectations from West Bengal)”, he referred to the North East Vision 2020 document released by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2008, which recommends a structural transformation of the region in terms of development to catch up with the rest of the country with an increasing average growth rate of 12.95 % in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) per annum from the present 7.5 %. The Vision 2020 was the result of a collaborative effort of all the States under the aegis of North Eastern Council which aims at achieving various development goals, including : Poverty eradication ; Maximising self-governance ; Harnessing resources for people’s benefit ; Building capacity in people and institutions ; Strengthening infrastructure ; Creating a centre for trade and commerce, etc.
At Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) meeting, Shri Ghatowar expressed his views on emerging business opportunities in Bangladesh with focus on East and North East India. He observed that the NER can become the main hub of India’s economic bonding with both Bangladesh and Southeast Asia because of the contiguous land borders between the two regions. Land connectivity through establishment of transport links between India’s Northeast and Bangladesh would go a long way in facilitating movements of goods and people on both sides. He opined that while physical connectivity by expanding infrastructure capacities is one key issue, the NER also expects such connectivity to provide several new opportunities for the region. Being a landlocked region, the NER is deprived of some natural advantages of economic geography, which are enjoyed by coastal areas. But it is hopeful of collaborating with Bangladesh on various projects for securing mutual benefits. He cited examples of proposed establishment of Border Haats, development of seven Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on India – Bangladesh Border and generous market access by India for Bangladesh imports, at zero basic customs duty for all items except liquor and tobacco.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/trade-with-southeast-asia-progressing-ghatowar/

Senior citizens to be taken care of : Mirabai

Imphal, Oct 1 MNS/ NNN: Manipur also today observed the ‘International Day of Older Persons’ (IDOP) like in other parts of the world under the theme ‘Longevity:Shaping the Future’ here at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound organised by Social Welfare Department of Manipur Government. The day was observed in all the nine districts of […]

Imphal, Oct 1 MNS/ NNN: Manipur also today observed the ‘International Day of Older Persons’ (IDOP) like in other parts of the world under the theme ‘Longevity:Shaping the Future’ here at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound organised by Social Welfare Department of Manipur Government.
The day was observed in all the nine districts of the State. The observance held at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen was the state function with the state Social Welfare minister AK Miraibai, MLAs— RK Anand, E Chand and Kikhonbau Newmai—gracing it as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
AK Mirabai said the observance was held by her department as part of the various welfare programmes that have been persistently taken up by it for the elderly people of the State, informing that the department has great respect for such section of people of the society and that it has continuously implementing different programme and schemes to uplift them.
Under these, Old Age Pension Scheme, Maintenance of Parent for Senior Citizen, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are being taken up properly and besides these, other welfare programmes are also included for disabled persons and girls as well as women, Mirabai added.
The minister, however, expressed deep regret over the widespread cheating in drawing of Old Age Pension in the State where the benefit is often claimed by persons who are not actually old, assuring she will make an all out effort to make it reach to all the original pensioners at the earliest.She also asked for sincere and good suggestions as well as plans from elderly persons for the department.
Miraibai was of the view that now parents are mistreated and victimised by their children though they have got good and higher education even as parents are beaten up by them out of disliking. She pointed out that relationship between parents and children are often turns out to be soar for the simple reason that they get education from outside resulting in a long time separation.
However, the minister said children should take proper care of their elderly parents and support them in every single sphere of their lives, saying it is considerd quite necessary to show them love and care than to give them sweets. “Hence, the Government is also trying hard to nurture older people under the Senior Citizen Act.”
The Government also runs homes like Old Age Home and Day Care Centres for all the needy older people in the country, she said and appealed to all the downtrodden and and needy aged people to come straight to Social Welfare Department if they think they are in need of support.
At the function, some one hundred older persons were presented with gifts including shawls by the Social Welfare Department. The occasion was also attended by officials of the department.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/senior-citizens-to-be-taken-care-of-mirabai/

Apex Court admits petition on extrajudicial executions

Mail News Service New Delhi, Oct 1: NeenaNingombam, SECRETary, extrajudicial execution vicitm families association, manipur addressed the media in New Delhi today. She said today a bench consisting of Justice AftabAlam and Justice Ranjana Desai of the Supreme Court has admitted our petition requesting for a special investigation team to investigate the cases of extrajudicial […]

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Oct 1: NeenaNingombam, SECRETary, extrajudicial execution vicitm families association, manipur addressed the media in New Delhi today.
She said today a bench consisting of Justice AftabAlam and Justice Ranjana Desai of the Supreme Court has admitted our petition requesting for a special investigation team to investigate the cases of extrajudicial executions in Manipur. The Court has appointed Advocate MenakaGuruswamy as the amicus curiae and the matter will be decided on 4 November 2012.
Today’s development here in New Delhi is a result of a long journey. She said, “For me, this journey started on 4 November 2008 after enjoying a family lunch, my husband Nongmaithem Michael, went to a friend’s helping him to set up his father’s shradha ceremony. Around 3 p.m. he got a phone call and left the place. At 3.32 p.m. I received a call from him saying that he was apprehended and told me to inform his sister who is well connected to the Police to secure his release. I cannot believe what he had said and I call him again to confirm. But he didn’t pick up; instead somebody else picked it up. When I enquired about my husband he told me that he was in the toilet. I ask him where they were and he told me that they were near our residence.
I informed his sister and our family members. They tried to locate him in various police stations but in vain. In the 9.00 p.m. ISTV news I saw the lifeless body of my husband is showed as “militant”/”terrorist” killed in an encounter with a hand grenade by his side. I was shocked to see how they could murder my husband and frame him as a “terrorist”. I immediately inform my family members. My brother-in-law worried that my mother-in-law might see the news telecast pulled down our cable wires. My younger brother-in-law rushed to the morgue and confirmed that it was indeed Michael’s body.
The next day the local community staged a sit in protest in the heart of Imphal condemning the killing. After conducting postmortem Michael’s body is brought home and consigned to flames according the Manipuri customs.
Our family submitted memorandum to CM of Manipur and the DGP pleading them to take action against the killing of my husband and the false charges leveled against him after he was killed. But no action was taken. I started attending public meetings testifying how my husband was extra-judicially executed.
On the advice of human rights activist I petitioned the Guwahati High Court. The High Court ordered the district judge Manipur east to conduct an inquiry into the matter on 10 November 2009.
We have to do much persuasion and request for the eye witnesses to dispose before the court. After much personal request to him as well as his family members an old man who actually saw my husband whisked away by the police commandos in their Gypsy finally agreed to dispose before the court. After almost three years of an uphill struggle the District Court finally wrote its findings on 12 July 2012 and concluded that:
In the result, I have decided that the husband of the petitioner, Nongmaithem Michael Singh, was killed by the personnel of Manipur Police Commando, Imphal West on 04-11-2008 at around 4.45 p.m. at Yenkaobung, Kameng and not from the exchange of firing or encounter between the husband of the petitioner and personnel of Manipur Police Commandos, Imphal West.
The report is forwarded to the registrar of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench and we are awaiting the final decision of the High Court on my case.
I could at least manage to extract the truth behind my husband’s killings, but there are hundreds of young widows generated every year as their husbands are arbitrarily executed in Manipur.
Many of them are in a lot worst situation than me. It was a glimmer of hope when some human rights activist started organizing these widows. On 11 July 2009, some thirty of us got together, shared our stories and cried the whole day on each other’s shoulders.

On the other hand pouring out our pent up emotions and finding that we not alone was such a relief, we all felt considerably light at the end of the day. We wanted to build on this collective strength and fight for justice together. This is how Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) was born!
EEVFAM is an organization of widows and mothers of those killed by police and security forces. We are discriminated as young widows and also as families of the “terrorists”. We cannot access the basic schemes for widows namely widow pension given by the Social Welfare Dept. because they had not attain the age of 40 years. We cannot access the ex-gratia given by the State Government because our husbands are killed in “encounters”. We also cannot access the children’s education support under the National Foundation For Communal Harmony given by the District Commissioner because they were meant only for children killed by “non-state actors”.
Having nowhere to go we decided to help each other. We meet every second Saturday and share our day to day problems and stories – happy ones as well as our sorrows. We contribute a little amount of money to save as our organization fund. We formed some self-help group and take loan from Just Peace Foundation in low interest. The loanee uses the money according to her own choice and convenience to improve their lives. Some are doing business in clothes, some weaving, some are running small grocery shops, yet others are farming or making detergents, etc.
EEVAM has given us the strength to be who we are and face the world in our own terms with dignity and grace. The mental and emotional support that we draw from this collective can hardly be over stated. Besides pursuing the cases of our husbands individually we are now collectively fighting for justice. With the help of Human Rights Alert, we are petitioning the Supreme Court of India, we have placed 63 cases with detailed documentation from 2007 to 2012 and also a list of 1528 cases of extrajudicial executions compiled by theCivil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN demanding:
1. Setting up ofa special investigation team to investigate the cases.
2. Conducting disciplinary proceedings in all the cases listed and to facilitate the giving of evidence by the family members and other eyewitnesses to punish the guilty.
3. Paying compensations to the families of the victim.
4. Declaring that the sanction under section 197 Cr.P.C and section 6 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 or any other similar provision in any other law is not necessary to be obtained in cases of fake encounters. “

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/apex-court-admits-petition-on-extrajudicial-executions/

Mahatma’s Historic Visit to Jammu and Kashmir

O. P. Sharma Mahatma Gandhi, a symbol of non-violence, truth and moral values paid a 4-day historical visit to strategic and sensitive Jammu and Kashmir State during a crucial period in first week of August, 1947 and played a pivotal role. This was his life’s first and the only short visit in Kashmir which gave […]

O. P. Sharma
Mahatma Gandhi, a symbol of non-violence, truth and moral values paid a 4-day historical visit to strategic and sensitive Jammu and Kashmir State during a crucial period in first week of August, 1947 and played a pivotal role.
This was his life’s first and the only short visit in Kashmir which gave some turning points to course of events on the eve of Independence as well as thereafter by providing much-needed healing touch to the people in this sensitive and strategic border State.
The Father of the Nation always had his hand on the pulse of the people and his gospel of non-violence, truth and sincerity of purpose had already won the hearts of masses in Jammu and Kashmir as elsewhere in the country.
The visit was at a very momentous period on August 1-4, 1947 and had much historic importance for Jammu and Kashmir as well the entire country. It was a significant event then in 1947, but a spotlight on it now is also of much relevance for the people in this part of the country. Gandhiji’s message of peace and harmony has always stood the test of time and is so still very much relevant in our time now.
Historical Visit
The Indian National Congress leadership: Gandhiji, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel and other stalwarts had been source of inspiration and ideology during the movement in Jammu and Kashmir for attainment of responsive and democratic governance in place of the monarchy. The struggle in Kashmir was spearheaded by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who stood by the high principles of peaceful method and uphold the Hindu-Muslim unity at all cost. The Sheikh was imprisoned at the time of the Mahatma’s visit.
On August 1, 1947, Gandhiji reached Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir State, to an affectionate welcome and grand reception by Begum Akbar Jehan wife of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and about 500 women social and political activists. He freely met the masses in Kashmir then. The Mahatma did not address any public rally during his three days stay in Srinagar but held two prayer meetings during which he gave expression to his ideas, impressions and idealism and at the same time highlighted the supremacy of the masses.
Significant Observations
Gandhiji made some famous observations which assumed historical significance: First, the Amritsar Treaty of 1846 under which Kashmir was given to Maharaja Gulab Singh was termed by him as “a sale deed”. He admired the masses for their exemplary role during the freedom movement as also in maintaining exemplary Hindu-Muslim unity at a time when there were dark clouds of strife and observed that he saw “a ray of hope” in Kashmir despite communal frenzy elsewhere on the sub-continent. Gandhiji also frowned on illumination when strategic Gilgit area was reverted back by the British to the J&K ruler and curiously observed and prophesied that Gilgit area will be ultimately “snatched”. His word proved true in less than a year as Gilgit was annexed by Pakistan.
Complex Situation
After enactment of Indian Independence Act by British Parliament on July 17, 1947, the Paramount powers of the Crown over rulers of Indian States was to lapse from August 15, 1947 and Lord Mountbatten called upon the princely States to join either of the Dominions- India or Pakistan- by deadline of Independence Day (August 15, 1947). There was pressure on the ruler from Muslim League led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah who propounded two-nation theory while the people of Kashmir led by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah totally rejected the two-nation theory. The Maharaja of J&K State was unable to take decision in this complex situation.
The J&K State’s then Prime Minister, Ram Chand Kak, was removed within a short while after Gandhiji’s meeting with Maharaja Hari Singh during the visit.
Mahatma Gandhi was all praise for the tallest leader of Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for his adherence to communal harmony, deep concern for down-trodden masses, democratic aspirations and nationalistic views. The Sheikh and his party, while firmly rejecting the two-nation theory, had consciously sided with the ideals of peace, progress, democracy and secularism.
During this visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja, Hari Singh and Maharani Tara Devi, cordially invited Gandhiji to the Palace and had an elaborate meeting. He was affectionately accorded traditional welcome with Arti and tilak by the Royal couple and also then young prince, Dr Karan Singh. Later, the details have been recorded by Dr. Karan Singh in his book titled “Heir Apparent”. Gandhiji during his visit also had met a number of delegations and preached his ideas and ideology both in Kashmir and Jammu..
Mahatma Gandhi wrote one report on this visit and sent it to Pt Jawaharlal Nehru with a request to show it to Sardar Vallabbhai Patel as well.
Subsequent events have amply proved Gandhiji right in many respects. The relevance of Gandhi’s message and teachings still have much relevance and significance for tackling the real problems still facing the people. By adhering to Gandhian ways, the solution to all issues can be found and permanent peace, progress and prosperity attained. Mahatma Gandhi’s 4-day visit on August 1-4, 1947 to Jammu and Kashmir forms a proud chapter of our history.
The Indian people are without Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, for the past 65 years but Gandhiji’s ideals still are like beacon light for not only the nation but the entire world.
On the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, it is time to re-dedicate ourselves to the lofty ideals and high principles of moral values for making the country including Jammu and Kashmir, a strong, secular country based on socio-economic justice.
(PIB Features)

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mahatmas-historic-visit-to-jammu-and-kashmir/