Day: February 13, 2013

Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed with three Manipur based militants today at 1st Manipur Rifles banquet hall. Okram Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister graced the function as Chief Guest and Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam presided over the function. Cabinet ministers, senior government officials attended the function.
The MOU was signed by Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (NE), Ministry of Home Affairs on behalf of Government of India and Dr. J. Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary (Home) on behalf of State Government. On behalf of United Revolutionary Front (URF) Khwairakpam Gopendro Singh @ Lanheiba (Chairman), Puyam Mangiyamba Meitei @ Ruhuni Meitei (Secretary, Home Affairs) and Ngangom Soviet Meitei @ Chingkheiganba Metei signed the MOU. On behalf of Kangleipak Communist Party KCP (Lamphel) Naorem Brojen Meitei @ City Meitei (Chief of Army) and Taibanganba @ Dilip (Joint Secretary) signed the MOU. On behalf of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup KYKL (MDF) Maisnam Athouba (President) and Laimayum Ronel Sharma @ Achouba (General Secretary) signed the MOU.
A total of 197 cadres laid down arms with 138 weapons.
Three AK-56 rifles, 12 AK-47 rifles, three 9mm rifles, one .32 rifle, 11 9mm carbines, 35 9mm pistols, 34 7.65 pistols, eight .32 pistols, one 9mm revolver, eight lethod guns, seven SBLs, one air pistol, one shot gun, three RPGs, two M- 16s, two M-04s, one SLR and five grenades.
Those who laid down arms included 90 cadres of URF , 40 of KCP and 67 of KYKL MDF. The following groups have come forward for peace process.
a) United Revolutionary Front (URF) which was constituted with KCP (Lanheiba), KCP (Chingkheiganba) and KCP (Sunil Meitei) factions.
b) KCP (Lamphel) which was constituted by merging KCP (Lamphel), KC) (City Meitei) and KCP (Taibanganba)
c) KYKL (MDF) with its two factions namely Athouba group and Achouba group
As per the MOU signed with the leaders of these groups, they will bring all their cadres along with weapons within 90 days of signing of the MOU.
Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh speaking on the occasion said he does not consider those who have agreed to sign agreements as people who had gone to the wrong path. Let us forgive and forget and start a new beginning he appealed to them.
He assured them that the government will ensure their safety and they are properly rehabilitated. Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said with the signing of the agreements a ray of hope and peace have come and the nation will march forward.
Lalheiba, Chairman of URF said, “there is peace within every soul, let us try to gift peace to others”. City Meitei, Chairman of KCP said people now want peace that is why he decided to come out for talks. Chairman of KYKL MDF Athouba said if talks are not held properly and necessary steps taken up the cadres may go back to their previous life hence government should honestly implement the schemes.
The leaders and cadres who have joined the peace process will be rehabilitated as per the Rehabilitation Policy notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs and approved by the State Cabinet. These groups will be temporarily stationed with Army or Assam Rifles camps and later shifted to the Designated Camps, which will be constructed. The cadres will get a monthly stipend of Rs.4,000/- for a period of two years. They will also be paid an amount of Rs.2,50,000/- per cadre for rehabilitation purpose. This amount will be kept in fixed deposit in the name of the cadre and will be paid with interest to the cadre after a locking period of two years. The cadres will be provided vocational training and training in art of living. If the cadre wishes to seek self-employment before the expiry of locking period of deposit, the State Government will facilitate loans from banks against the amount deposited in fixed deposit. Government will make efforts to employ the cadres in paramilitary forces subject to their eligibility.
The cadres of these groups should not involve in any anti-social or anti-national activities. If they are found involving in criminal activities, they will be dealt as per the law. The State Government will provide security to the cadres at the designated camps.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tripartite-agreements-signed-with-three-militant-outfits/

IMPHAL, Feb 13 NNN: Manipuri theatre Shumang Leela is not only an entertainment but it also plays a great role in changing the society by staging the terrible events of life, Chief Minister O Ibibi said today.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing the closing ceremony of the 9th Shumang Leela Ningtham Kumei at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen in Palace Compound here.
The winter Shumang Leela festival was organized by Manipur State Shumang Leela Council (MSSLC). The festival commenced last December at Iboiyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.
Lauding the MSSLC for its role in preserving Shumang Leela and promoting it in the state, the Chief Minister assured that he would consider whether the MSSLC could be given grant-in-aid like other literary societies in the state.
He also assured that the Department of Art & Culture, Manipur would be consulted pertaining to allotment of land where the Shumang Leela Shanglen is presently located.
Later, Ibobi handed over Rs 1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund to MSSLC.
Earlier, the Chief Minister gave away prizes to the winners of best production, second best production and best discipline of the Leela festival.
Play “Ee Mari” of the Sanaleibak Nachom Artistes bagged the best production prize, the Sangai Artistes’ Association won the second best production prize for its play “Nungshiba
Mapum Puwari Machet” and the best discipline prize by Naharol Khongthang Artistes’ Association.
MLA K Ranjit, former minister also attended the function. He also distributed other prizes to the artistes.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shumang-leela-movement-will-be-supported-cm/

SENAPATI, Feb 13NNN: Senapati District Physically Association Manipur (SDPAM) has decided to oppose the proposed 72 hours Manipur hill districts bandh by All Tribal Disables Union, Manipur (ATDUM).
SDPAM has denounced the said bandh as “irrelevant and imposed by one self-styled president Momo Tantanga”.
Accusing Momo of taking the whole hill districts for ransom and defaming the ATDUM for personal gain and vested interest with the so called baseless 72hours bandh called from February 17 midnight, the SDPAM has called the general public to boycott the said bandh.
Sending out a warning to Momo, the SDPAM has warned that, he should immediately cease all activities related to ATDUM and its hill districts units or face serious disciplinary actions. It has recalled that, the ATDUM has disassociated with Momo Tantanga since June 2012, for which it has no reason to interfere and work with ATDUM activities.
“Therefore, Momo has no right to misuse the ATDUM issues for his personal greed and interest by calling a bandh and confusing the general publi,” SDPAM said.
The SDPAM then categorically appealed to all the ATDUM units, public transports, NGOs and civil bodies to boycott the self-styled one man 72 hours bandh. It also strongly warned Momo to immediately withdraw the statement, failure which the SDPAM in collaboration with ATDUM units will initiate action.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/atdum-bandh-opposed/

IMPHAL, Feb 13 MNS: The United Naga Council acknowledged support of the Naga people for the 5th round of tripartite talk held with the Government of India(GoI) and the Government of Manipur (GoM) on Feb 12.
Government was urged to respond to the postulates of the alternative arrangement submitted by the UNC in the 4th round of tripartite talk held on the 31st August, 2012 at Delhi. It was replied by the GoI that in a federal system of government the concerned state has to be consulted. GoM representative maintained that it was not mandated to discuss political issues which can be taken up at the political level and presented details of development programmes and policies of the GoM that was in the pipeline for the development of tribal areas.
It was asserted by UNC that it was not development deficit but the demand of alternative arrangement which will protect our identity, land & resources, traditional institution and customary practices and ensure a life with dignity and honour for our people. It was clearly stated that the worsening social divide on account of the forced union could result anytime into large scale confrontations. It was questioned as to why GoI, as the custodian of the Indian constitution was not intervening in such a serious situation and on the merits of the issue that had been presented by the UNC in all the meetings.
It was submitted by the UNC that the next round of talk should go deeper into the core issue which has been postulated and should be held without inordinate delay. The talk concluded with the GoI requesting for continuation of the dialogue process and assurance that the sentiments expressed by the UNC would be taken back to the political leadership according to a press hand out issued by United Naga Council.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-not-interested-in-development-but-aa/