Day: January 22, 2013

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 22: The UNLF today said the PIB(DW) statement about killing of four UNLF cadres at Singhat Sub division on Jan 21 was concocted. There was no encounter and those killed could have those who were either in their custody or to hide the recent surrender drama fiasco.
Ksh Yoihenba, Senior Publicity Officer of UNLF today said in a statement that on Jan 14 last four cadres of MPA 292 Bn ran away from their post. They were identified as L Cpl Pukhrambam Wangooba son of Ningthemchandra of Wangoo Sabal Mamang Leikai, Kumabam Sindamba son of Babu of Moirang Kumam Leikai, Mutum Ihultamba son of Ibocha of Waithou Sangomsang Leikai and Irom Chingahal son of Babumacha of Langthabal Mantrikhong Makha Leikai.
The statement asked the parents of the four persons to verify if their children were involved in the incident. The four did not take away arms when they fled. They could have been arrested and killed to earn some medals it was added.
Meanwhile the dead bodies of the four slain suspected militants were brought to RIMS and one of the slain has been identified as Pukhrambam Kanta alias Ningthemchandra of Wangoo Sabal Leikai.
According to the family members, Kanta had not come back home after he left to join UNLF around 15 years ago.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unlf-refutes-encounter-statement/

Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, Jan 22: BJP today wished Happy Gaan Ngai and Emoinu to the people of the state. Let the festivals bring happiness, prosperity among the people of the state it was added.The All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU), Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur (ZSUM) and ZSU, Imphal Area,extend heartfelt greetings to all heralding the festival “Chakan-Ganh-Ngai which commences on January 25 and continues for 4 to 7 days.
Ganh-Ngai-Ngai signifies victory over evils with discovery of sacred fire to light the dark world of ignorance from the Zeliangrong mythology Lord Amangh, said the Zeliangrong students’ bodies.
Meanwhile, these students’ organisations said that the 98th birth anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu shall also be observed on January 26 during the festival to be held at Ramgailong-Laimanai, Langol Imphal at 1 pm.

“It is an earnest appeal to all for observing the solemnity of ritual events as well as traditional dress code befitting the age wise be kind to monitor the rightful conduct of the traditional practices,” they added.
It is also appealed that any bandh or blockade and agitation may kindly be set aside as to ensure free and fair celebration of a cultural traditional festival, they appealed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gaan-ngai-emoinu-festivals/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 22: Talks were held to settle the Naga issue and after more than 15 years of the peace process, a settlement of the complex issue is impending UNC today said in a statement.
The demand for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur outside the Government of Manipur(GoM), pending settlement was registered in the 1st July, 2010 . The 14 political parties delegation to Delhi did not include the NPF nor the it was stated. The reported assault of Momoko by Livingstone, an NSCN cadre has merited discussions in the State Assembly, condemnation by political parties and civil societies and also occasioned the much hyped delegation to Delhi. But other issues related to tribals were not raised it was stated.
CM Ibobi has reportedly cited the fair representation of Tribal IAS, IPS and MCS officers in the State Government to convince the Government of India(GoI) that Meiteis are left far behind and are in an unfavourable situation. These tribal officers enter into their services through competitive exams or seniority and meritorious service records and not by depriving non tribals it was clarified.
As on 31/3/2007 the total number of ST employees should have been 20,031 but they are actually only 15,489. With regard to ADC teachers recruited in 1999, 2006 and 2010, large number of non tribals were stealthily recruited by the GoM, while it maintains that there is no quota here for the Meiteis.
That non tribals cannot own land in the hills but tribals can do so in the valley is granted by an act of Parliament to protect disadvantaged tribals The rights of the tribals will never be upheld nor protected
under the GoM. Rishang Keishing was Chief Minister and Mr. Gaikhangam is Deputy Chief Minister not because they are Nagas but through party decisions in Government
formation. Naturally they do not uphold the interest of the tribals and worked in the party interest only, fitting very well into the GoM’s scheme of things.
The statements of Ibobi and the GoM over the last few months harps on ensuring equal development in the hills and by this very admission, it indicates that the tribals have been denied their rights to development. But in Delhi, with maps and selected but irrelevant statistics Ibobi has projected that tribals in the state have more than their share.
Ibobi says that the opinion of the people of Manipur matters the most. Who are the people of Manipur and does it include the Nagas and tribals in Ibobi’s vocabulary. If so the Nagas and tribals want alternative arrangement outside the GoM, which are already established positions, and the opinion of the people of Manipur must include the same.
Nagas are not communal and ours is a political issue. What we do not wish for is for any communal conflagration to take place because of the inability to accept the inevitable and the logical conclusion of the Naga peoples’ movement for their political aspirations rooted in their history and situation. What we wish for is the peaceful parting of ways and the securing of good neighbourliness for all times to come.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-on-peace-talks/

IMPHAL, Jan 22 NNN: The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) has firmly opposed exploration of oil in Churachandpur and parts of Tamenglong districts of Manipur, claiming that they are the ancestral land of the Kuki people.
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India today, KNO, one of the two umbrella organisations of the Kuki militant outfits claimed that Churachandpur and parts of Tamenglong districts are the integral part of Kuki ancestral lands. Kuki National Organisation firmly resolves to oppose the current process of oil exploration in these regions.
Giving the reasons, the KNO said Kukis are a deprived people. “In the state of Manipur, apart from economic and political exploitation, discrimination and outright deprivation at the hands of the Meitei people dominated state Government, our people have also suffered immense atrocities at the hands of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak & Muivah) and the valley-based Meitei insurgent groups,” the KNO alleged.
“Our cries for justice and intervention by the Centre as well as by the state Government have been categorically ignored. Neither the Centre nor the state have initiated a single attempt to address the plight and needs of the Kuki people,” the KNO memorandum signed by its president PS Haokip added.
It then said rather than give cognizance to the Kuki people’s plight, a people who are victims of NSCN (IM)-led genocide from 1992-1997, the Government have given preference to the oppressor and engaged with them in political dialogue since 1997. This has provided Nagas an advantage and opportunity to air their grievances to Government, while categorically denying the same opportunity to Kukis to project theirs. Hence, Kukis are a relegated tribe and an undue imbalance exists: Kukis do not figure in the national landscape as other major tribes of the Northeast prominently do, the KNO stated.
“KNO signed the 5th extension of suspension of Operations on August 31, 2012, which at the whim of the state government was only for three months rather than the usual annual extension since 2008. Upon signing the three-month extension, KNO declared in the national media as well as in the state media that if Government does not begin political dialogue before the existing extension, which expires on 22 November 2012, SoO would be automatically abrogated. The centre and the state would then be solely held responsible for a breakdown of law and order in the Kuki hills, an unenviable condition which had been at bay during the seven years of SoO (2005-2012). Clearly, peace, a huge dividend of SoO, which should be sustained through dialogue to achieve an amicable political settlement for the Kukis is not desired by Government. It is amply apparent that the centre and the state do not even want to hold talks with Kukis,” the KNO rues.
KNO however said it appreciates government’s commitment to begin political dialogue and so have given written assurance on November 13, 2012, prior to the ASEAN car rally passing through Moreh. “However, till date Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have not invited KNO to sign extension of SoO). More crucially, the government of India has not started dialogue with KNO.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kno-opposes-oil-exploration/