Day: February 15, 2013

IMPHAL, Feb 15 MNS NNN: PLA cadres attacked a convoy of Assam Rifles exploding a powerful roadside bomb on Friday at Heibongpokpi Salam Pandon village under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal West district, Manipur, but the explosion did not cause casualties on the side of the AR troopers.
Police sources were saying the attack happened around 3:35 pm when a convoy of 10 AR numbering about four vehicles was returning to its Kangchup Post from Imphal.
The attack was carried out by PLA Special Warfare Group according to Roben Khuman, Secretary Publicity Revolutionary People’s Front.
The explosion was caused by an IED, they said.
Shortly after the explosion, a team of Lamsang police, including commando personnel swooped down on the spot and carried out operation in the surrounding area, but no arrest was made, sources said.
Meanwhile, another bomb explosion that took place at the Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner bungalow last night partially damaged the eastern side gate of the complex, police said.
The police said the local made bomb exploded around 8:40 pm. However, no human casualties were reported in the blast.
The bomb exploded near the fencing wall of the official residential quarter. Police suspect that the cadres of Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) or VIPN may be behind the attack as there was a threat to the DC from the group alleging the DC of indulging in clearing bills for contract works in the district without executing the work.
A second driver of a laden truck sustain bullet injury, Ukhrul district DC official bungalow attacked by launching a bomb and Assam Rifles escaped IED blast during the last 24 hour here in Manipur. Two unknown gunmen extorted a sum of Rs 10,000 from a truck loaded with timber in Ukhrul district after an indiscriminate firing which occurring to injure the second driver of the vehicle said a police source.
Police source said that two gunmen opened fire at the truck bearing registration no. MN04-4359 which was transporting timber at a place located between Kasom Kullen and Mawai village of Ukhrul district yesterday evening around 6 a clock.
The injured second driver was identified as one Panganbam Manihar (20) of Phamjangkhong village has been admitted at Shija hospital here in Imphal with bullet injury in his right arm. The driver escaped unhurt.
After injuring the second driver, the two unknown gunmen took away Rs 10,000 from the driver before leaving the place said a police report.
Police who rushed to the spot recovered four empty cases of AK series rifle from the spot, the source added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pla-cadres-attack-ar-convoy/

IMPHAL, Feb 15 NNN: Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) in its executive meeting today in Churachandpur has seriously deliberated the issues and problems of the hill districts and its people. The meeting also castigate the state government of Manipur for its indifferent attitude towards the ‘genuine and reasonable demands’ of COPTAM. After a several hours deliberation, COPTAM has taken five resolutions.
The first resolution has been on the demand made by a valley-based Committee for inclusion of Meiteis in the Sheduled Tribe (ST) list . “Since the demand is unreasonable and illogical, COPTAM would staunchly oppose the demand for the inclusion of the Meiteis in the ST list. It is nothing but an overt attempt to expand the settlement of valley people in the hill areas of Manipur,” COPTAM stated.
The meeting demanded that the state government rectifies the lapses on its part by correcting the over- lapping villages in the Panchayat election at the earliest time. The meeting also resolved that all land records should be transferred to the respective district at the earliest time.
The meeting also resolved that hill villages should not be included or incorporated in the valley districts in the name of police district boundary or on security reasons.
“Regarding those people who had contested or involved in last year’s Panchayat elections, COPTAM executive resolved that since the repeated date-lines given to them are being neglected by those involved, they are taken as anti-tribal people and COPTAM will no longer take responsibility over these persons for failing to comply with COPTAM’s notification,” it added.
State government should look into the demands of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and also empower the ADCs at the earliest. “ As per the laws and acts of the ADC, it is the only institution of the tribal or hill people for the development and protection of tribal people’s lands and their rights,” COPTAM noted.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/coptam-discusses-tribal-issues/

MNS: 18 SIKH of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) distributed solar street lights to the Mayang Imphal Municipal Council for lightning up the main bazaar of Mayang Imphal under OP SADBHAVNA on 15 Feb 13. The Solar Street Lights were distributed by Brigadier MK Das, Commander 9 Sector Assam Rifles in a function organised at Mayang Imphal Bazar in presence of many civil dignitaries, enthusiastic residents, Pradhan and other prominent personalities of Mayang Imphal . Solar Street Lights distributed will be installed at village will be a first step towards resolving their long standing problem. Brigadier MK Das, Commander 9 Sector Assam Rifles while addressing the villagers on the occasion urged people to come forward and move progressively towards peace and prosperity and assured them of full support and cooperation of Assam Rifles in achieving it. In another occasion 30 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) distributed stationary and sports equipment to the Leishem Emba Mahikul school at Sawombung village under MCA project under “Op SAMARITAN” on 15 Feb 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-distributes-solar-lights-2/