Day: January 15, 2014

IMPHAL, January 15: Despite the intense security measure taken up by state police in various parts of the state capital, unidentified persons triggered a medium Intensity Improvised Explosive Device at the residential gate of Nameirakpam Loken, a member of Legislative Assembly from Nambol Assembly Constituency at Sangaiprou maning Leikai this early morning around 4.

The MLA is also a former minister holding the social welfare, veterinary and animal husbandry portfolios during the ninth Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The IED was placed close to the gate near the foot of the sentry post. The blast damaged a portion of the gate and a wall opposite to the MLA’s residence.

The MLA was present inside his residence during the time of the explosion of the bomb.

Soon after the blast, high ranking officers of the state soon arrived at the spot and inspected the blast site.

According to reliable sources, the bomb threat might have been carried out in connection with some monetary demands served by an underground organisation to the MLA.

Later at around noon, Sangaiprou locals staged a sit in protest decrying the attack.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the a sit-in-protest, a woman said that they condemned the bomb attack in a congested residential area and appeal against the perpetrators not to repeat such attacks.

She further demanded clarification from all concerned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/vip-security-breach-ied-blast-at-mlas-gate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vip-security-breach-ied-blast-at-mlas-gate

IMPHAL, January 15: Removal of AFSPA from Manipur will no longer be an issue if all the 60 MLAs stand together and raise the demand, stated BJP state unit president.

Addressing a press conference held at the party’s office at Nityaipat Chuthek, the former Union minister said if the legislatures seriously aspire to save anti-AFSPA activist Irom Sharmila by ending her 13-year old fast then they should demand the revocation of the disturbed area status from the entire districts of Manipur.

Remembering the introduction of the Act and expansion of areas under its ambit, Chaoba said it was initially imposed in Mao and Tamenglong areas in 1961, three years after the Act was passed by the Parliament. Later, during the tenure of RK Dorendro as chief minister the Act became applicable in all areas in the state, he added.

The Jeevan Reddy Commission in its report had contended that the AFSPA needs a review or repeal and even the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had pledged to replace it with a more humane law during the handing over of Kangla, he added. But unfortunately the Act is still in place and the Army chief of India had declared that they do not support withdrawal of the Act from arm conflict areas like the north-east region or Jammu and Kashmir.

Chaoba claimed that his party has always stood against AFSPA and will demand its removal from the state. In Nagaland, the disturb areas status is more or less defunct due to the efforts of the state government there, he added. If the legislatures in Manipur show the determination to remove the disturb area tag it will be definitely possible, he stated. He said that it will take a mammoth effort from the legislatures to remove the Act imposed through the Parliament and save Sharmila. However, if there is good governance in the state then AFSPA will be removed automatically, he added.

State BJP leader M Bhorot said the party has always been clear about its stand against AFSPA and the state leaders have hold several rounds of discussion and submitted applications to Central leaders  including Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj, he stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/chaoba-echoes-central-leaders-says-good-governance-can-remove-afspa/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chaoba-echoes-central-leaders-says-good-governance-can-remove-afspa

JIRIBAM, January 15: In an ambush by the suspected rival faction at Leingangpokpi, the three men including chairman of the United Tribal Liberation Army (SK Thadou), a SoO signatory was injured and another cadre death.

Meanwhile, the UTLA in a press release while condemning the attack has said that the attack killed two SK Thadou cadres and injured two others.

The incident took place at around 2 pm when SK Thadou was driving a Maruti car (AS 24 – 7633) towards Jiri Bazaar and he was attacked by the suspected rival UTLA Robert Singson with sophisticated weapons. There were six persons in the car.

One cadre named private Kailun alias George of Cachar Lalpani was dead on the spot while chairman SK Thadou sustained a bullet injury at his chest and one cadre name Jetlee injured at his hand. They were rushed to Jiribam Community Health Centre for treatment. After having given necessary treatment there, they were then referred to Silchar for better treatment.

On receiving the news of the incident, the Jiri police commando and 27 AR rushed to the spot and helped them to get medical treatment at Jiribam. One cadre who was coming in the car said that the UTLA Robert faction of around seven persons had ambushed them and they somehow managed to escape from the spot.

Meanwhile, the United Tribal Liberation Army has condemned the attack on the SK Thadou group at Leingangpokpi near Jiribam, by its rival faction.

Condemning the act, the UTLA in a press release has said that the attack killed two SK Thadou cadres and injured two others.

The release further said that the KNO/UTLA organization had no knowledge about the incident and that the organization is not involved in such activities, instead, expressed the feeling of pain for the bereaved family and for the injured cadres.

The organization firmly stands for peace and harmony in the region obtaining the SoO ground rules, as it is solely the stronghold of the KNO/UTLA.

The organization performed customary peace talk (MoU) with them last year and it further urges that such unwanted activities should not happen again in the area.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/01/sk-thadou-injured-cadre-killed-in-ambush-by-rivals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sk-thadou-injured-cadre-killed-in-ambush-by-rivals