Month: September 2013

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 24 : RPF, President Irengbam Chaoren in a message to the people on the 35th Raising Day of the People’s Liberation Army said, “It is a historical fact that our forefathers fought valiantly with all their might against invading British forces in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.
They did fight unto the last even though their defeat was a foregone conclusion. Yet, they fought to the last man to preserve Manipur’s sovereignty and protect the sanctity of its territorial boundary which was drawn and guarded by the blood of our ancestors. It is rather disappointing that the present generation seems nonchalant even as we have been colonised by India for the last 60 years as if we are destined to live under colonial rule for good.
Such complacent and passive nature of the present generation renders our sense of nationalism and patriotism questionable. “Do we have the moral right to pay tributes and sing about the glorious deeds of our forefathers?” It is one pertinent question we need to ask ourselves.
If we ponder for a possible answer to this question, then certainly one can see the true picture of the ongoing revolutionary movement and understand the indispensability of such a movement.
It is a great misfortune that some sections of people rather than studying who are the conspirators tend to blame the revolutionary groups for all social evils and untoward incidents which are genuinely or apparently connected with
the revolutionary movement. This tendency not only undermines the revolutionary movement but would also ultimately ruin the nation which by implication means insurmountable obstacles for future generations. It’s time for all our people to join or lend their support to the historically legitimate revolutionary movement instead of reducing ourselves to the status of pawns and create enemies within ourselves.
Changes and transformations seen in Manipuri society which are engineered and steered by imperialist India and their local agents are too harsh. Corruption, violent race for amassing personal wealth, killings, groupism, inter-communal and intra-communal conflicts has become the order of the day. Large numbers of our youth have given themselves to intoxicating drugs and many unimaginable things and events are happening right before our eyes as a result of adopting the narcissistic and malevolent way of thinking, generally identified with Indians. To correct these social evils and reverse degeneration in our people’s character and ethos would be impossible without a complete revolution.
Herein lies another major reason for the essentiality of the revolutionary movement and its success can only save the nation.

It is a matter of serious concern that there are around 30 revolutionary groups in Manipur at present. If one studies how such a large number of groups came into being and who bred them, one cannot help implicate the Government of India. Birth of so many revolutionary groups through promotion of communal divide among the indigenous people of Manipur, nurturing pseudo revolutionary groups and then vitiating relationship among revolutionary groups to create rivalry and conflict are all parts of the Government of India’s policy aimed at de-escalating the liberation movement of Manipur. Countering such malignant policy demands certain roles from the ruling class of Manipur. The Government of Manipur, in the interest of the people, need to work sincerely to neutralise all pseudo revolutionary groups set up at the behest of Indian agents, and control their activities aimed at projecting genuine revolutionary groups in bad light. The Government of Manipur also need to work towards eliminating all sense of communalism deliberately cultivated and encouraged by the Government of India. At the same time, there is an urgent need for leaders of well established revolutionary groups to work relentlessly towards organising and mobilising all revolutionary groups having same goals and objectives so that all these groups which now appear scattered and drifting can struggle together under one common leadership. CorCom need to accept this momentous responsibility and strive to translate it into action.
Denial of freedom, rampant violation of rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the resultant misery being endured by the people of Manipur are consequences of entrusting political power to a select group of people who would readily dance to the tune of New Delhi and the situation is quite similar to the British period where the king nominated by them was put on the throne as nominal head of state. In addition to these miserable colonial situations, our people have started facing newer but equally grave threats under the Indian colonial rule. In another word, our people are now confronted with an all pervasive, risky situation associated with neo-imperialism.
Killings, arbitrary detention, harassment and all kinds of repressive measures unleashed upon the people of Manipur by the Indian military in the name of counter insurgency operations are classic characteristics of colonialism. These are threatening realities of colonialism and the scourge of neo-imperialism is equally grave. Rendering a nation or country economically dependent, dilution and assimilation of indigenous culture and traditions, abolition of indigenous religious practices and languages, posing challenges to indigenous identity are all not so vocal instruments of neo-imperialism but they are potent enough to eliminate an entire nation. We have heard many stories about extinction of several nations or some nations struggling on the verge of extinction on account of neo- imperialism’s merciless onslaught.
Here arises one pertinent and crucial question. How would we fight back the onslaught of neo-imperialism? It’s high time our civil society, scholars, intellectuals, media and students take up the issue vigorously. Perhaps, because of the series of fake encounters, unaccounted killings, rape and murder cases, bandhs and blockades, multiple challenges to national integrity, imminent loss of Manipur’s territory due to border fencing and numerous cases of human rights violation, our people can spare little attention to the devastating forces of neo-imperialism. The ever rising numbers of immigrants who originated from India are mostly workers. But their mode of exodus can be seen as an element of neo-imperialism. Perhaps, the immigrants themselves may not understand that they are acting as agents of neo-imperialism. Yet, it is easily discernible Government of India encourages continuous exodus of their people to Western South East Asia (WESEA). By using their poverty-stricken people as a tool, Government of India has been plotting to obliterate and ultimately vanish the indigenous culture, religious practices, languages and identity of the people of WESEA. The current of permanent exodus from India to WESEA including Manipur is not a recent phenomenon. It has been going on since many decades back and there is no sign of cessation until all the indigenous peoples of WESEA are assimilated or gobbled up completely. This is, in fact, India’s demographic invasion on WESEA, one of the many potent instruments of neo-imperialism.
India’s Look East Policy, Indo-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, proposed India- European Union Free Trade Agreement and Asian Highway-I (which would pass through Manipur) are all elements of neo-imperialism. The recent offer of Asian Development Bank to invest substantial amount of money for construction of roads in Manipur should not beguile our people. It does not mean ADB intends to build roads in Manipur for the people of Manipur. The truth is, ADB is interested to build standard highways on behalf of big companies in view of Manipur’s strategic location to facilitate trans-national trade and business activities. Given such a scenario, India would no longer be the sole agent of neo- imperialism vis-a-vis WESEA. Apart from India, many multinational companies, global financial institutions and other capitalist guilds would soon start exercising their influence over the region. Exploration of petroleum in Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Jiribam is an obvious move to exploit and loot Manipur’s natural resources by MNCs in connivance with the Government of India. There is nothing our people would gain from this intrusion by MNCs and India. Since the time of British colonialism, petroleum drilling has been going on in Assam, one of our immediate neighbours but it has benefited the people of Assam very little. Assam’s tea is known all over the world. Many landlords and capitalists turned extensive areas into tea farms. But it does not provide any significant benefit to the people of Assam. Rather, large numbers of Adivasis were imported from India and they were engaged in tea plantations. Now the population of Adivasis in Assam has swelled to such an extent that they have become a cause of communal conflict. For all these reasons, our people, by keeping all these imminent challenges in view, need to prepare ourselves so that we can overcome these challenges and save the nation from the unavoidable onslaught of neo- imperialism.
Last but not the least, one natural instinct of mankind is the desire to live freely. Even if imperialist India strives most cleverly with all its might and resources, it will never succeed to extinguish our people’s instinct for freedom. With imperialist countries unable to suppress freedom movements of indigenous peoples, many colonised nations have achieved independence. For instance, in 1945 one-third of the world’s population (750 million) were living in dependent territories. This figure came down to around 60 million in 1960. More than 60 per cent of today’s United Nations member countries were either colonies or Trust territories in the past. Unfortunately, the puppet government of Manipur has been rather welcoming the elements and policies of colonization and neo-colonization devised by India.
Divergent perspectives and concepts harboured by different communities in Manipur and the rising level of distrust is one bitter reality that came into being only after Manipur was annexed by India. Even today the colonial regime, taking advantage of a few faulty events recorded in history, has been consistently working to divide the people of Manipur on ethnic lines. People who are seeking alternative arrangement and those demanding Kuki state are all indigenous people of the land who lived and grew together. Divergent and contradictory political movements based on parochial ethnic interest and aspirations witnessed in Manipur at present are all aimed at achieving some material benefits from India. But these community based movements can never redress the common problems and sufferings being endured by all the indigenous communities. The misery of suppression and deprivation can be redressed only when all the indigenous people of Manipur are freed from the yoke of Indian imperialism. To defeat India’s policy of fragmentation on ethnic lines, all the indigenous communities need to join hands and build up our collective strength.
No community of Manipur can live happily in isolation. A plural society is the only way which can deliver a dignified life to all our indigenous people. There was/is no nation in the world comprising of a single ethnic group or community throughout its history for it is impossible. Our people need to abandon the wild theory of “one community, one nation”. At the same time, the concept of nation building based on the aspirations of majority community is now obsolete in a plural society. Given all these facts and realities, I would like to call upon all our people to reinforce our sense of unity and fight India, our common enemy collectively, and make Manipur, our common homeland, a pluralistic, progressive and egalitarian society.”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rpf-chiefs-message-on-eve-of-plas-foundation-day/

AIZAWL, Sept 24 NNN : Union Minister of State for DoNER, Paban Singh Ghatowar today visited Lawngtlai in Mizoram where he laid the foundation stone for construction of 49 School buildings within Lai Autonomous District Council.
Speaking on the occasion, the DoNER minister said that while Mizoram being one of highest ranking states in India in literacy rate, Lawngtlai district in the meantime stands at the bottom among Mizoram districts in term of literacy rate. While acknowledgement of this poor performance of the district the central government has initiated a plan to uplift Lawngtlai District in education, the Union Minister said.
It is in pursuance of this central government plan that the buildings for 49 schools in the district- 27 Primary Schools and 22 Middle Schools, are to be renovated which shall cost Rs. 11.09 crore, the DoNER Minister said, adding the initiative this time is in fact the second phase in execution of the central plan.
The visiting DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar on the occasion highlighted the various projects undertaken by Mizoram government under NEC. He mentioned that work has been done for 127 Projects so far, of which 67 projects completed and 64 projects being on, and also 67 new projects yet to initiate. Among the ongoing projects also include those within Lawngtlai District which are: construction of Lawngtlai College at estimated cost of Rs 13.09 crore; upgradation of Lawngtlai town at estimated cost of Rs. 11.82 crore; construction of Parva to Chimenosora Road at estimated cost of Rs.11.52 crore; construction of Lawngtlai Bypass Road at estimated cost of Rs. 10.29 crore; construction of Lungpuighat Road at estimated cost of Rs. 15.45 crore; Greater Lawngtlai Water Supply Scheme at estimated cost of Rs.14.50 crore; and construction of Lai Hostel in Aizawl at estimated cost of 5.75 crore, the DoNER Minister mentioned.
Within a few years from now, Lawngtlai district will have immense progress, said the DoNER Minister, who also expressed his happiness over visiting Lawngtlai for the second time.

Accompanying the DoNER Minister during his visit to Lawngtlai, Mizoram Finance Minister, H. Liansailova, thanked the people of Lawngtlai in advance saying it has been heard that they will provide their land free of cost for the proposed Lawngtlai Bypass road. Adding that working in full cooperation with the people is often fruitful, H Liansailova shared his hope that when the Look East Policy is materialized, Lawngtlai district will benefit a lot from it even to the extent beyond their expectation. New Land Use Policy (NLUP) also enhances immense development to the State, and for its continuation too, there is enough fund, the minister said.
Besides H. Liansailova, Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo, Tourism Minister S. Hiato and Lok Sabha MP CL Ruala also accompanied the DoNER Minister, and from DoNER Ministry Jt Secretary V.B Pathak and Director Uma Kant were also there.
On his arrival at Lawngtlai Helipad, the DoNER Minister was received by Lawngtlai DC J. Hmingthanmawia, Lawngtlai SP BK Singh, LADC CEM C.Ngunlianchunga and other top officials.
The function for foundation laying function held in front of LADC Building was presided over by Lawngtlai DC, while LADC CEM delivered short speech, and Hmunhre, LADC Planning Board Vice Chairman delivered Vote of thanks
The DoNER Minister returned to Aizawl after the programme. As reported earlier, the DoNER Minister is here on a 2-day visit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/doner-minister-lay-foundation-stone-for-49-school-buildings/

Gurgaon, Sep 24 (ANI): Clarifying his ‘J&K ministers paid’ remark, former army chief General V.K. Singh on Tuesday said the money paid to Jammu and Kashmir politicians wasn’t bribe, but to win the people’s hearts.
“I would also state very categorically that all that I talked of when I said money was given to politicians or to NGOs was never for their political purpose, for their individual purpose, for lining their pockets, for bribes to them,” General Singh told media here.
“It was meant solely and wholly for certain stability events which were organised by the intelligence units under the overall umbrella of ‘Sadbhavana’ to win the hearts and minds of people and to get people away from separatists propaganda, to get people away from separatists activities so they can ensure that they contribute towards the development of the state and support the government,” he added.
Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde earlier today said the former chief should name the ministers to whom money had been given from a secret defence fund for social schemes.
“He should name the ministers to whom money has been given. We can probe if details are given,” he said.Reacting to accusations that he had funded a Jammu and Kashmir politician to topple Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government, he said those who levelled these allegations were anti-nationals.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/money-paid-to-politicians-v-k-singh/

Hyderabad, Sept 24 (ANI): YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy walked out of the Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad on Tuesday, after being granted bail in a disproportionate assets case a day before.
Thousands of supporters and party workers gathered outside the jail to greet their leader.
Jagan Reddy, who was arrested on 27th May last year by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), spent 16 months in jail on corruption charges.
The CBI has accused Reddy of getting huge investments from various individuals and firms into his businesses as quid pro quo for the favours granted by the Andhra Pradesh Government that was headed by his father and former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy before his death in a helicopter crash in September 2009.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jagan-reddy-walks-out-of-jail/

Aizawl, Sept 24 NNN : Mizoram corruption watch-dog People’s Right to Information and Development Implementing Society of Mizoram (PRISM) has decided to hold a discussion platform called ‘14 Mizoram Watch’ in the last week of October in order to study the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC)’s Election manifesto of 2008 assembly elections and to have critical evaluation of how far the Congress government in Mizoram has implemented its manifesto. Simultaneously, the PRISM also resolved to conduct a programme for the comprehensive study of different political party manifestoes by comparing and contrasting the same in view of 2013 assembly elections.
Like in the previous 2008 assembly elections, the PRISM in its executive meeting today declared that as soon as the date and time of 2013 state assembly elections is declared, it will have temporal halt on its ‘Anti Corruption’ campaign but will start an exclusive study of the background of different candidates in different respects and exposed the same before the public. In case of any faulty or wrong information in the nomination paper (self declared affidavit) filed for the assembly election, PRISIM decided to take stern measure against the illicit candidate to bring right judgment over the case.
PRISIM further requested any interested person to report himself/herself to PRISIM office if he/she wishes to talk about the status of implementation of election manifesto by the present government.
Earlier on September 1, PRISM had issued ‘Peoples’ Manifesto’ to eight different political parties in Mizoram for the upcoming Mizoram assembly elections due in either October end or November.
The manifesto contains 20 chapters in which there are 87 duties and obligations where any political party that comes to power after the poll must implement them. Of the 87 duties, 43 are to be done within a specific time, while the other 44 duties do not have a time limit.
As stated in the manifesto, the Chief Minister ( whoever he may be) should not hold the office of any department designed for developmental works. One point of the manifesto said salaries of ministers or MLAs should be reduced. Besides, plans will be prepared for land utilization and administrative reform and land reform that should be undertaken. “It is expected to check corruption thereby bringing transparency and accountability in the administration,” the manifesto stated.
If the manifesto is implemented by the government, families none of whose members are employed in government departments will also be benefitted.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-body-to-discuss-manifesto-of-2008/

New Delhi, Sept. 24 (ANI): Congress Party leader Jagdambika Pal on Tuesday said his party faces no threat if the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) joins the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, and added that the alliance would prove the theory that Chandrababu Naidu’s party bases its politics on opportunism rather than on principle.
“Chandrababu Naidu is getting ready to join hands with the BJP. Till now, he was also talking about the Third Front, and meeting Sharad Yadav. Thus, it is clear that he is not planning his future based on principles, but instead based on opportunism—depending on where he will gain the most,” Pal said.
“Their alliance will not make any difference to the Congress Party. Even in 2004, when the TDP was part of the NDA, we won the elections and have been in power ever since. This is the same old story, and will play out the same way,” he added.
Pal also demanded answers from the BJP, if the alliance was to go forward, as their party position has maintained its support for the creation of Telangana—which is in direct opposition to the TDP’s demand.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party will have to answer on what basis the TDP will be, once again, part of the NDA. The TDP is against Telangana, while the BJP is for it, which puts them in complete opposition of viewpoints. So, will the Bharatiya Janata Party change its stand once Naidu comes in?” Pal said.
After the TDP walked out of the National Integration Council (NIC) meeting on the Telangana issue, party chief Chandrababu Naidu on Monday criticized the apathy of the Centre towards the agitation of the ‘burning’ state of Andhra Pradesh.
“One state is burning, virtually, because of your political gain you have done so many things in that state. More than two years Telangana, now Seemandhra, so far no action has been taken, you are not calling anybody, you (Central government) are not discussing it with anybody,” Naidu said.
Earlier, the TDP chief had met with President Pranab Mukherjee and political leaders in the national capital to seek an amicable solution to the division of Andhra Pradesh and, with it, the creation of Telangana.
Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had earlier said that the process for the formation of the new state of Telangana would take about five to six months as per constitutional norms.
“The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has passed a resolution and further procedure will be done according to the Constitution of India. Telangana will be formed by following all the procedures and it would take five to six months,” he said.
He also added that Telangana was being formed because it was the oldest issue and the people of that region have been agitating and demanding the formation of a separate state since 1956.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tdp-will-return-to-nda-congress/

AIZAWL, Sept 23 NNN : The meeting on border issue has agreed to carry out border patrolling in a frequent manner along the boundaries of Assam, Tripura and Manipur.
Mizoram Chief Secretary L. Tochhong and officials of the Assam Home department today held an interactive coordination meeting in Aizawl discussing over security and other related concerns in connection with the upcoming Mizoram assembly elections.
Assam representatives who came for the coordination meeting included Mahananda Hazarika, Jt. Secretary and DIG Binod Kumar, while, Ashwani Kumar, CEO, H. Lalengmawia, Jt. CEO, senior officers of Home Department and Mizoram Police, representatives of BSF and Assam Rifles represented Mizoram government.
Mizoram Chief Secretary L. Tochhong said in the meeting that the neighbouring states are crucial in ensuring peaceful elections in the forthcoming assembly elections in Mizoram. She expressed her hope that the help and support required from the neighbouring states on security concern would be fulfilled.
She also expressed her happiness over the prevailing peaceful relation between Mizoram and its neighbouring states.
The coordination meeting held today was in pursuance of the direction of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to organize coordination meeting on security concerns with neighboring three states – Assam, Manipur and Tripura which shall be part of preparation for the forthcoming Mizoram assembly elections.
Home Departments of Tripura and Manipur were expected to attend the meeting today but unable to do so due to inconvenience in flight services in the case of Manipur and in the case of Tripura, its Home Secretary had another important programme to attend.
Tripura Government, however, has communicated the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Mizoram in writing and assured its readiness to extend support to Mizoram regarding security concern as well as in other needs in the forthcoming Mizoram election.
The meeting today decided that the district administrations–deputy commissioners and SPs may be informed to hold as many coordination meetings as possible with their counterparts in the neighbouring states on security concern.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-to-cooperate-with-neighboring-states-over-security-along-boundary-lines/

AIZAWL, Sept 23: NNN Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), who arrived today here in Aizawl for a two-day stay, laid the foundation stone for Aibawk Water Supply Scheme.
Laying the foundation stone for the water supply scheme, DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar congratulated the people of Aibawk for being selected for the scheme while other localities are also there in waiting. He expressed his hope that under the supervision of PHE Department, the work would be completed within stipulated timeframe.
The central government is caring much for the needs and progress of the people of Mizoram, the visiting Union Minister said, adding, DoNER Ministry has also been advised to take fast steps in this regard.
Under peace and tranquility, Mizoram is moving along the path of progress, said the DoNER Minister, and lauded the state government for carrying out different schemes successfully and profitably.
Highlighting the various steps taken so far and being taken by the DoNER Ministry for the progress of Mizoram, the Union Minister said plans are on for big projects to enhance power sufficiency. He mentioned that 100 crore rupees has been sanctioned by DoNER for
Tuirial Hydro Electric Project, and will also sanction another 200 crore, which will enhance power sufficiency and enable Mizoram to supply power even outside the State too.
The people of Mizoram are peace-loving and God-fearing people, commented the Union Minister, adding, Mizoram, under a strong state government, also continues to be most peaceful and progressing among others States in India.
Aibawk Water Supply Scheme will feed 3 villages- Aibawk, Sateek and Phulpui. Water will be drawn from Tuirivang River by about 33km long pipe, and 4 reservoirs will be constructed. Rs. 9.98 crore is estimated for the scheme and is expected to complete within 2 years time.
The visiting DoNER Minister is accompanied by V.B.Pathak, Joint Secretary, DoNER and Umakant, Director, DoNER.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/doner-minister-lays-foundation-stone-for-water-supply-scheme/