February 20, 2013 – Manipur News

One killed in Dimapur blast

DIMAPUR, Feb 20 NNN : A powerful bomb exploded today near Dimapur railway station killing one person and injured another this morning.
Police have no clue as which group might have been responsible for the act and for what reason.
At around 8 am today, the explosive believed to be an IED exploded near Dimapur railway station killing one Pradeep Thapa who was in his 30s and njured a boy identified as one Zubir Ahmed.
Police said Pradeep Thapa who was said to be working in a workshop called Dimapur Autmobile was heading to his work place in a bike after dropping his two kids to their school when the blast occurred. He died instantly in the spot, the police said.
The bomb was suspected to be planted near the bridge footpath near the railway station.
Reports said Pradeep Thapa hailing from Assam’s Lamding was staying at Thahekhu village.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/one-killed-in-dimapur-blast/

NWU appeals to safeguard children, women

Mail News Service
Imphal, Feb 20 : Violence against Women – such as Rape, Torture, Assault, Humiliation, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Killing etc. have become a daily occurrence said a press hand out issued by Publicity Wing of Naga Women’s Union.
. The situation is aggravating to such an extent that even the minors and disabled are not spared and targeted. In this relation, NWU outraged the gruesome act of violence against women and in the strongest term condemn the incidents of torture, rape and murder that have taken place recently such as:
It reminded of the inhumane torture meted out to a 9 year old girl by the mother son duo – Yitala Horam and Jim Horam on 3rd Feb. 2013 at Viewland, Ukhrul District Manipur. The victim was tortured using hot iron bar and spade apart from thrashing her with sticks and Jim Horam even tried to rape her forcibly. During her five days ordeal from 3rd to 7th February she was confined in the bathroom most of the time. The victim worked as a helper in the culprits’ house since 2010.
It also mentioned about the gruesome act of raped and murder of Preeti Chiru D/o Jamthoi Chiru on 18th February 2013 who hailed from Waithou Chiru Village, Senapati District, Manipur and a student of Class VI studying in Woodland English School, Dimapur by unknown person(s) in the verandah of Lengrijan Community Hall, Aokong Village, Dimapur, Nagaland. The victim was raped and brutally murdered, her head bore a deep wound which must have been caused by a piercing with a sharp pointed object that exited through her cheek.
A 13 years old disabled girl from Hayel Loubuk Idiga Village, Thoubal District who was raped by Md. Kora (70 years old) of Waithou Manak Sangomsang, Lilong on 19th January 2013. Md. Kora who reportedly came begging at the victim’s house took advantage of her parents’ absence in the house and raped the young disabled girl.
In these connection, NWU appealed the concerned authorities to deliver justice to the innocent victims and the families at the earliest in arresting and in taking stringent action against the accused according to the law of the land and compensate the victims.NWU further appealed the society at large particularly the parents of the families which is the “basic units of the society” to impart the dignity of life and admonish their children not to indulge in social evils.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nwu-appeals-to-safeguard-children-women/

TSLD appeals to check orphanage

DIMAPUR, Feb 20 NNN: Tangkhul Shanao Long Delhi (TSLD) or Tangkhul Women Union, said it is quite disturbed to see many ‘orphanages’ in India which lured children from the underprivileged families from their home with the promise of free education, boarding and financial help. Most of these kids hailed from poverty stricken families and orphans of north eastern part of India.
According to the TSLD, these kids often ends up in a small room of an unapproved orphanage that lacked adequate infrastructures where there are no proper sanitation, where there are no enough food to feed the children. In this regards one may recall the incident of rescuing of 76 children hailing from Manipur and Assam from an unregistered orphanage called Bedesta Blessing Home located at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu some years ago.
The State Social Welfare department of Manipur had also rescued 22 children from Kerala Orphanage home in the last part of 2012, these are just two glaring example, the TSLD pointed out.
TSLD then stated that many orphanages are generally run by a couple and/or their relatives. They may have started by taking in a few kids and ended up with an “orphanage.” They have never gone to orphanage school. Many directors are not educated beyond junior high school. It’s sort of an occupation, a means of support. In many cases they will skim off some of the money for their living expenses!
TSLD then said, “We would like to draw the public attention that there are good orphanages and bad ones, honest ones and plain dishonest ones and in most cases you can’t tell the difference, remember, the front door always looks great; it’s the back door that tells the story! In order to avoid untoward problem and misfortune in the future TSLD with genuine concern appeal to all that before sending your kids to such children home please examine their authenticity and reliability. Should you need assistant you may also contact the Tangkhul Shanao Long Delhi (TSLD).”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tsld-appeals-to-check-orphanage/

Pilot campaigns at Nagaland

DIMAPUR, Feb 20 NNN: Union minister od State for Corporate Affairs, Sachin Pilot said today that the Congress party can only fulfill the aspiration of the Nagas. He also said it is only the Congress party that can bring solution to the vexed Naga political problem.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur today, Sachin Pilot said he had come the state for the election campaign and that it was not proper to comment much on the Indo-Naga peace talks. He however expressed that the talks between the government of India and the NSCN-IM is on positive note.
Accusing the Naga People’s Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government of indulging in immense corruption, the Union minister said there has been a ‘chronic capitalism’ in Nagaland. “Funds after funds have been sent to Nagaland by the Centre for the developmental activities but the money had already been misused,” accused Sachin Pilot. The minister then said the NPF led government had failed to deliver goods. “Everybody wants change and it is only the Congress party that can bring the change,” Sachin Pilot expressed.
The Union minister then said the roads in Nagaland are the worst in the entire North East region. “It was not that we did not send money. Funds for the development have been misappropriated by the present government so you are suffering,” pointed Sachin Pilot.
Later in the afternoon, Sachin Pilot addressed a gathering near Durga Mandir in the heart of Dimapur campaigning for Congress candidate S.I Jamir who is contesting from Dimapur-II assembly constituency.
He appealed the people there to vote for the Congress and assured to bring all round developments in the state.
Also addressing the gathering was AICC secretary K Jayakumar.
He said during the last 20-day of his campaign in Nagaland the only gift he got from the state was back-pain, neck-pain and muscle pan due to bad road conditions. “Kindly vote for Congress party and we will bring development,” appealed K Jayakumar.
He then said continuous rulinng by regional parties will invite dictatorship.
ANI adds, electioneering for the Nagaland assembly polls has reached its peak as campaigning comes to an end tomorrow.
Almost all the political parties have roped in their national leaders to campaign for the polls and are trying to reach the maximum voters through rallies and visits.
The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) led by the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is busy in wooing the electorates throughout the state.
The Congress Party, which is also leaving no stone unturned in garnering people’s support to return to power, is being led by the Congress Legislature Party leader. Tokheho.
To boost up the party’s morale, the Congress has so far brought several prominent and influential central leaders, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, to campaign here.
The BJP till yesterday has brought in leaders like the National President Rajnath Singh and others, all with one common aim, to pursue the maximum support of voters for their respective parties. The ruling NPF is fielding candidates in all the 60 seats while Congress has set up 57 candidates, the NCP 15, BJP 11, JD (U) 3, RJD 2, UNDP one and Independent 39.
Altogether there are 188 candidates, including two women aspirants in the fray for the polls to be held on Saturday. In 2008 election, Nagaland Peoples Front won 26 seats; Indian National Congress won 23 seats. And BJP and Independent parties won 2 and 7 seats respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pilot-campaigns-at-nagaland/

IGAR (S) flags in NIT

Mail News Service
Imphal, Feb 20 : Major General U K Gurung, AVSM, YSM, IGAR (South) flagged in the 15 days long National Integration Tour organised by 30 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under the aegis of HQ IGAR(S) to Delhi and Dehradun. The tour comprised of 25 students and three teachers from various parts of Imphal East and West Districts in Manipur.
44 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) distributed furniture and books to Government High Secondary School, Phungyar sub division, Ukhrul district on 20 Feb 13. Commandant, 44 Assam Rifles inaugurated the event and distributed these items to students and teaching staff of Government High Secondary School.
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 Medical team of 35 Assam Rifles of 28 sector under HQ IGAR (S) organised veterinary camp at Sajik Valley on 18-19 Feb 13. After analysing the situation, Assam Rifles Medical officer contacted the State and District Veterinary Department and arranged for a Vaccination programme at Sajik Tampak. The Joint Director (Veterinary), Dr Y Rajendran Singh, Chandel alongwith his team visited the location and carried out Vaccination against Black Quarter and Swine Fever for Cattle’s and Pigs respectively. The veterinary team and 35 AR assured the locals for continuation of Vaccination till the epidemic is controlled.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/igar-s-flags-in-nit/

Rahul at Meghalaya

SHILLONG, Feb 20 NNN: Wooing voters to support the Congress in the forthcoming February 23 assembly elections, All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice president, Rahul Gandhi while pledging to work for a “progressive” Meghalaya today said that youngsters are the only hope to change politics in the country.
If we really want to change politics, then we have to bring youngsters into the political system. Youngsters who are sensitive to the views of the common man, youngsters who feel the pain of the poor persons, youngsters who suffer when they see a bad road, youngsters who suffer when they see that their people do not have the medical facility they need,” he said while urging the youths to join the party.
The last of the star campaigners of the Congress was addressing a rally of over ten thousand people at Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills district on Wednesday.
“It is only when we open the doors of politics, and bring in these youngsters, that politics will really change,” he said even as he added that though he is in politics for many years, he is not happy with the way politics works.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rahul-at-meghalaya/

Militants kidnap forest dept employees

AIZAWL, Feb 20 NNN: As many as five employees of Mizoram Forest Department engaged in Dampa Forest Reserve in the departmental work were kidnapped by National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) yesterday morning at 4:30 am, police sources said today.
The abducted employees are identified as Nelson Vanlalruatkima (28) S/o K.Thanzama (L), Hunthar Veng, Aziawl, JCB operator and his younger brother Lalrinmawia (Mawitea), helper; Vanlalfaka Riang (30) S/o Kimthanga, Damparengpui; Lalsangmawia (32) S/o H.Vanlalsanga, Bethlehem, West Phaileng and Lalliansanga (42) S/0 Zomuana (l), Teirei Forest village. The kidnapped employees were believed to be taken to the NLFT camp at Thangnang, Bangladesh, sources further added. It is believed that the NLFT thinks that the forest departmental works in Dampa Forest Reserve is a contract work and they kidnapped the workers for demanding the ransom to the contractor. But, no demand has been made by the kidnappers till now, police informed the media.
Mizoram Police rushed to rescue the kidnapped workers soon after being informed about the news. Search operation was immediately started led by Lalchunglura, Additional SP, Mamit and staff of 4th IRB personnel along with the Teirei Forest employees to lead them. The operation is now being intensified.
Meanwhile, H.Ramthlenlian SP CID (SB) went to Tripura to seek the co-operation of Tripura Police. Sources said that the kidnappers are not Bru; they are NLFT (Bishwa Mohan Faction) and one of the kidnapped worker is a Bru. In this connection Mizoram Police asked the people to wait for the step taken by them, said the official sources today.
Meanwhile, a press communiqué issued today by the Centre Of India Trade Union Mizoram (CITUM) stated that they strongly condemned the act of the National Liberation Front of Tripura who kidnapped the five workers in Dampa Forest Reserve yesterday. CITUM demanded that the government rescue the kidnapped workers safely.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/militants-kidnap-forest-dept-employees/

Bomb blasts at Luwangsangbam

IMPHAL, Feb 20 MNS/NNN: A powerful remote control IED exploded near a BSF Battalion headquarters in Imphal East district’s Luwangshangbam Haotabi along Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2 early morning Wednesday, police said.
The bomb planted at a trash site near Haotabi Primary Health centre by suspected militants exploded around 6:15 am, but no human casualties were reported in it, they said. The explosion took place about 200 metres from the BSF Battalion Headquarters at Haotal.
A team of Heingang Police Station rushed to the site and carried out massive operation, but the police were unable to make any arrest, they added.
Meanwhile, an Imphal based evening daily has reported that the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) claimed to have triggered the IED at Haotal on Wednesday. The outfit also claimed that the bomb was triggered by one of its demolition teams. Heingang Police has filed a case in connection with the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bomb-blasts-at-luwangsangbam/

Nation wide strike affects life

Mail News Service /Agencies
Imphal, Feb 20 : : On day-one of the 48-hour nationwide strike by 11 Central trade unions on Wednesday, Manipur also felt the impact of the stir.
The trade unions have imposed the countrywide bandh alleging that the Indian Government’s economic policy supports only the corporate houses while it lets the poor to bear the brunt of recession.
In Manipur, inter-state bus service, including public transport service were off the road due to the general strike. Both private and Government educational educations were also closed. Attendance record in most of the private and Government establishments was low.
Most of the major markets, including the Kwairamband bazaar in Imphal were also closed due to the strike. Both private and public financial institutions and fuel stations also remained closed.
However, private vehicles were seen moving in the city as usual and shops in most places of the district did not down shutters.
Meanwhile, employees of the State Bank of India (SBI), Imphal under the aegis of United Forum of Bank Unions, Manipur (UFBUM) chanted slogans in the complex of the bank in support of the stir by All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). Later, UFBUM also organized a meeting which discussed a range of issues.
AITUC national vice president Dr M Nara also took part at the meeting.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Nara claimed that the two-day countrywide strike was successful up to now, saying that about 120 crore people in India are taking part in the stir for the rights of the poor in an unprecedented manner.
The two-day nationwide strike called by eleven major trade unions today, turned violent in some parts of Noida, adjoining national capital.
According to some TV reports, around thousands of trade union workers protested and pelted stones at some factories that had opened and burnt vehicles in Noida Sector 82.
Some policemen have been injured during the clash when they baton charged to disperse the restive crowd.
The strike has impacted banking services and crippled public transport in major cities.
In Punjab and Haryana, the impact of the strike was felt on public transport services as a majority of state owned buses plying on inter-state routes remained off the roads.
Services in public sector banks have been hit with both bank employees and officers taking part in the two-day strike in protest against banking reforms and outsourcing etc.
These trade unions have put forward a charter of ten demands before the government such as urgent steps to control price rise, strict enforcement of labour laws in all places of work, social security net for workers in the unorganised sector, end to disinvestment in PSUs and raising minimum wage to Rs.10,000 a month.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nation-wide-strike-affects-life/

Government stand hailed

Congress Government as it decides to hand over drug seizure case to the CBI for thorough and conclusive investigation indicates it does not intend to protect the unknown owner of the drugs seized from Imphal airport. The state Government even appealed to the Civil Aviation ministry to take strict measures to ensure that aeroplane is not used by smugglers for carrying contraband drugs. Earlier Manipuri youths used heroine number four. In the past the powder was smuggled into the state through the porous border areas. The lackadaisical routes of the state in particular and the NE region as a whole were used for exporting the powder, which were available abundantly then to other neighbouring countries. Like the animal, which faced extinction, Manipuri youths almost crawled, the face sunken deep like the skull, could not move properly. Drug addicts indulged in thieving. There were lots of thieves in the past. Nothing could be kept outside the house. Even the mother’s phanek was stolen for puffing or injecting a small piece of heroine number four. Small babies wearing gold ear rings were done to death by the addicts. That situation has gone now. Yet many young boys are resorting to tablets, which are sold clandestinely at different areas of the state. These sellers cannot be caught. Their modus operandi too cannot be known as no serious attempt is made by the law enforcing agencies to arrest the drug paddlers. The state Government has now realised that the future generation cannot be left at the mercy of the pitiless paddlers. Now serious attempt is being made to arrest the king pin. Investigation by the CBI will expose the nexus if any between the high and the low in this illegal trade. The amount of money involved in this trade is really big, which works out to eight figures. Can petty thieves manage such a huge amount of money? Surely the illegal business might have been done by the big shots. It seems the state police are handicapped to touch the gang involved in this trade. Moreover the state police have limitation it cannot go beyond the boundary of the state. CBI having jurisdiction across the country will be able to conduct a thorough investigation into the crime. But the question arises will the CBI, which has its hands full with lots of work be able to take the task assigned to it. Moreover CBI in Manipur is like a toothless tiger. Too many cases were handed over to the central agency. But so far nothing noteworthy came out of the investigation. Nevertheless the Government as it gives stern warning to the illegal traders indicating it will spare nobody found involved in the illegal trade has been able to show to the masses it stands to cleanse the society of the evils, who are lingering in our midst wearing the garb of gentlemen. We need to do more to save our youths. The king pin will be caught, we are confident about it. Because there is a saying where there is a will there is a way. The commitment that the Government has shown to cleanse the society of the evil doers will not go to waste. Do more.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/government-stand-hailed/

Transporters and Drivers’ Council TDC suspends stir

The agitation of Transporters and Drivers’ Council TDC to put a halt on plying of all commercial vehicles along the National Highways has been called off following an understanding with the State government today Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=35&src=210213

Training programme for SHGs concludes

A two day training programme on marketing management and micro finances for SHGs concluded today at St Paul Retreat House, Mantripukhri Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=18&src=210213

Villagers round up auto lifterbrothers

Residents of Ngairangbam Leikai in Manipur’s Imphal West district helped police to nab two brothers who were attempting to sell out a stolen diesel autorickshaw last night Source Hueiyen News Service NNN

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=33&src=210213

National Integration Camp begins at Thoubal

A week long National Integration Camp was inaugurated today at the Counting Hall of DC office, Thoubal Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=17&src=210213

PREPAK greets on International Mother Language Day

While greeting the people on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, the proscribed outfit, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak PREPAK has observed that mother language plays an important role in bringing about development in a comm…

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=31&src=210213

Day: February 20, 2013