Day: December 9, 2012

IMPHAL, Dec 9 NNN: The Chadong villagers who have been affected by the Mapithel dam construction have pledged to put all out effort to stop the ongoing work of the multi-purpose project if the government fails to release the compensation amount by December 20.
In a meeting held at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, the Chadong villagers who are in the list of Rehabilitation and Re-settlement (R&R) strongly condemned the act of the government for delaying in releasing the compensation money till today though the State Cabinet had approved for the release of the money (R&R) on September 13 last year.
The participants of today’s meeting resolved that they would prevent the ongoing work of the project if their demand is not met by the set deadline. They further resolved that any untoward incident thereafter, be held responsible by the government. The villagers then resolved that they would also go to the ‘higher authority’ and apprise the matter if the government does not pay the compensation by the deadline set by the villagers today.
Sitting chairman of Chadong village K.S.Upson, village secretary Solomon Kasar, advisor to those affected peoples Wungnaoshang Kasar and several other leaders of Chadong village participated in today’s meeting.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chadong-villagers-to-stop-dam-work/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 9 :  The 66th birth anniversary of  Sonia Gandhi president of AICC was observed today at Congress Bhavan. O. Ibobi chief minister and G. Gaikhangam dy. Chief minister graced the occasion as chief guest and president. Some ministers, MLAs and congress workers were attended the occasion.
Later gifts like rice, onion, dal, mustard oil and other eatable foods were donated to the short stay home Khongnang Devi aged home, Nongmeibung Purana Bazar.
The aged home is run by All Manipur women assn. G. Gaikhangam dy. CM. And AK Mirabai Devi minister social welfare graced the occasion as the chief guest and president.
Supporters and admirers of Congress President Sonia Gandhi assembled outside her residence in New Delhi on Sunday to celebrate her 67th birthday.
A large number of supporters gathered outside Gandhi’s residence with bouquets and banners hoping to catch a glimpse of their leader.
The activists were seen dancing with joy and fervour and were beating drums to mark Gandhi’s birthday.
Talking to the mediapersons, a congress activist Rajesh wished Sonia Gandhi a good health and prosperous life ahead.
“People across India are celebrating the birthday of Sonia Gandhi with great joy and fervour. Though, Sonia Gandhi has asked us not to celebrate it. The activists of Congress party are excited and the reason behind that is the recent victory of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). The activists of Congress are celebrating the birthday of Sonia Gandhi on the lines of the victory of FDI under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,” said Rajesh.
Reportedly, a number of party leaders wished Sonia Gandhi on the occasion.
Meanwhile in Lucknow, Congress activists were seen cutting the cake in the office and also distributed fruits among children.
Talking to the reports, a Congress activist Suraj gave best wishes to Sonia Gandhi. “On behalf of state Congress party, we all have gathered here to celebrate the birthday of President of Congress Sonia Gandhi, we just pray that may god bless her long life” said he.
Born Antonia Edvige Albina Maino in Lusiana, a village in Veneto, Italy on December 9, 1946, she married to Indian former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1968.
After his assassination in 1991, she was invited by the Indian National Congress to take over the Congress but refused and publicly stayed away from politics amidst constant prodding by the Congress. She finally agreed to join politics in 1997. In 1998, she was elected as the leader of the Congress.
Since then, Sonia Gandhi has been the President of the Indian National Congress Party. She has served as the Chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance in the Lok Sabha since 2004. In September 2010, on being re-elected for the fourth time, she became the longest serving president in the 125-year history of the Congress party.
She is also the chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/66th-birthday-of-sonia-gandhis/

IMPHAL, Dec 9 NNN: The United Naga Council (UNC)’s awareness campaign on Naga issue continues in full swing which kick-started since November 30.
The UNC leaders along with the village heads and church leaders carried out its campaign at Machi in Chandel district and Haochong in Tamenglong district on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
At Machi and Haochong UNC president L Adani informed the public about the status of the last (fourth) ‘tripartite talk’ held on August 31. He also told the gatherings that the next (fifth) round will take place anytime from now in one of the hill districts.
The UNC leader then informed the Naga public in both the meetings that the Naga solution would be based on the ‘uniqueness of the Naga history and situation’ and at the same time it would be ‘out of the box’.
“The Prime Minister himself had expressed the willingness to walk an extra mile and the Union home minister had said that the talks would be a time-bound one. This the message we would like to convey it to you,” said L Adani to the Nagas gatheting in both the programmes on Saturday and Sunday.
UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei and many leaders also spoke on both the occasions.
Meanwhile, there were mass prayers programmes yesterday and today in Naga churches praying for the success of the next tripartite talks. Another prayer point has been for the good health of NSCN-IM leaders Isak Swu and Th Muivah.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-campaign-at-chandel/

IMPHAL, Dec 9 NNN: Four days after having met the government representatives in New Delhi, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), one of the two umbrella organisations of the Kuki militant outfits has warned of the “possibility of unwarranted and tragic incidents” if the government of India continues to ignore to the aspiration of the outfit as “Suspension of Operation (SoO) has technically expired on November 22.”
KNO today throws some bad lights on Joint secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Sambhu Singh (in-charge of North Eastern states) saying there is every possibility that the latter had not convey the KNO message to the Union home minister.
KNO had requested for a written assurance from the Central government to start a political dialogue when during the ‘tripartite talks’ in New Delhi on December 5.
“The Joint Secretary’s response to KNO’s request was- ‘I cannot make a decision for a written commitment for dialogue’”, said the KNO.
“We are aware the Joint Secretary (Sambhu Singh) cannot make a decision regarding dialogue as he does not have the mandate; however, he may convey the KNO’s request to the Union home minister. If a written assurance is given, KNO would sign extension of SoO on December 6, but for three months only. As there was no communiqué on 6 December 6, KNO delegates returned home the next day,” the KNO said.
“It may be assumed there is no response from the government because the honourable Union home minister has not yet decided, or because the Joint Secretary (MHA) has not informed the KNO’s request to the Union minister. Logical deduction would suggest the latter reason, and not the first case,” the KNO stated today while adding, “The Union minister has deliberately been kept in the dark concerning KNO’s simple request”.
“There is a potential room for mishap in the lacuna that exists. The honourable minister being kept uninformed could bear serious consequences reminiscent of the Joupi massacre by NSCN (IM)-led Nagas on September 13, 1993 in which 90 innocent Kukis were barbarously butchered to death. Prior to the ill-fated incident, the NSCN (IM) in a notice to the Kuki people of Joupi in Tamenglong district to quit the village by September 15. Fearful for the worst, the Joupi village folk left on September 13, two days before the deadline. In the two days preceding the deadline, had the deputy commissioner of Tamenglong taken responsible administrative action to deploy security forces, the tragic event would have been successfully averted. Please note that the deputy commissioner of Tamenglong district was Shambu Singh, the present Joint Secretary (MHA). Similarly, in today’s situation while KNO is waiting for a reply from the honourable minster, which is owing to a lapse of administrative propriety on the part of Joint Secretary (MHA), i.e. not informing the Hon’ble minister of KNO’s request, the possibility of unwarranted and tragic incidents such as at Joupi could be repeated as SoO, technically expired on November 22, 2012.
“In such an eventuality, the Joint Secretary (MHA) is entirely to blame, but would he care? Should such a calamity be permitted on account an arrogant and self-glorified bureaucrat? Before it is too late, the government of India needs to adopt extreme pre-emptive measures to avoid any serious eventuality,” the KNO cautions.
Meanwhile, the KNO reveals the ‘status quo, post November 22 saying the ground rules (of SoO) ought to continue as KNO has neither abrogated SoO (as GoI issued verbal commitment to begin dialogue communicated unofficially by an emissary), nor signed the 6th extension (of SoO) because response to request for written commitment from government of India, as presented earlier is awaited’.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kno-warns-of-tragic-incidents/

IMPHAL, Dec 9: On the eve of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Imphal, an IED blast planted by suspected militants has triggered a powerful IED apparently attacking the moving BSF convoy injuring two jawans at Koubru Leikha under Sapermeina police station, Sadar Hills in Senapati district today.
Reports said, the IED planted in a Maruti van exploded at around 12:30 pm near Shiv Mandir along the National Highway 2 which some 25 kilometres from the state capital Imphal.
The convoy of 13th BSF post of Koirengei, Imphal was moving towards Dimapur side when the incident happened. The injured BSF jawans have been identified as one Abdul Rajak and one Anand Raj. Abdul Rajak was wounded in the abdomen while Anand Raj was injured in his left knee. Reports said the Maruti van has been damaged very badly.
Meanwhile, soon after the blast, security forces including the Manipur police commandos rushed to the spot and carried out an intense search operation.
Meanwhile a PIB (DW) release said an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast aimed at a BSF convoy, which was moving on the National Highway took place at 12:40 PM on National Highway 2 at Kobru Laika, Senapati District.  The IED was placed in a white coloured Maruti Van which was parked on the National Highway and activated by using a remote control.
On getting an input regarding possibility of placement of an IED, troops of Assam Rifles of the Red Shield division launched three Quick Reaction Teams.  Two members of PLA who activated the IED were trying to escape in an unregistered Maruti Gypsy when they were apprehended by troops of Assam Rifles. The two have been identified as T Suronjoy Singh, 38 yrs and T Somendro Singh, 37 yrs r/o Imphal East. The apprehendees have been handed over to Police Station Imphal West.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-bsf-jawans-injured-in-blast/

IMPHAL, Dec 9 UNA: Security in Manipur, particularly in Imphal city including Hapta Kangjeibung where AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi would open a convention of elected local bodies (panchayats) have been stepped up ahead of scheduled visit of the Lok Sabha MP in Manipur.
Apart from intensifying frisking and checking operations at all the main roads to Imphal city to check infiltration of anti-social elements, patrolling has also been stepped up across the city area, a police officer supervising the security arrangements for the visit of Rahul Gandhi disclosed.
Personnel of the Manipur Rifles and IRBns were called out to assist the police in taking up security measures. They have been detailed at every nook and corner of the city and main roads leading in Imphal city from this afternoon.
The state security forces where assisting the Imphal East district police in taking up security measures at Hapta Kangjeibung where Rahul Gandhi will address an opening function of a state level convention of elected local bodies’ members, local self governance on 16-points flagship programme of UPA.
The officer, however, maintained that there was no input regarding militants’ threats to disturb the visit of the youth icon of the Congress.
AICC general secretary and star campaigner of the Congress will be arriving at Imphal tomorrow for a brief two-hour visit in the state. Gandhi will inaugurate a State level convention for local self Government and UPA’s flagship programmes at Hapta Kangjeibung.
He will arrive at Imphal around 11 am and will leave the state capital after the inauguration of the convention.
During his brief stay in the state capital, state government will also apprise on different issues being facing by the state apart from holding interaction with around 200 volunteers of the State Youth Congress and NSUI near the convention venue.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rahul-gandhi-arriving-today/