June 15, 2014 – Page 3

Manipur suspends officials over rape – Calcutta Telegraph

Manipur suspends officials over rapeCalcutta TelegraphImphal, June 15: The Okram Ibobi Singh government suspended the director in-charge of the social welfare department, L. Ibobi Singh, and headmistress of Government Ideal Blind School, W. Binakumari …

Manipur suspends officials over rape
Calcutta Telegraph
Imphal, June 15: The Okram Ibobi Singh government suspended the director in-charge of the social welfare department, L. Ibobi Singh, and headmistress of Government Ideal Blind School, W. Binakumari Devi, for “mishandling” an alleged rape case that took …

Long Memory, Spirit Enlivening and Social Advancement: The continual failures … – KanglaOnline

Long Memory, Spirit Enlivening and Social Advancement: The continual failures …KanglaOnlineOne significant component for this in Manipur society are the various prayers and rituals, which do help in sustaining the expectations of the individuals. Suc…

Long Memory, Spirit Enlivening and Social Advancement: The continual failures …
KanglaOnline
One significant component for this in Manipur society are the various prayers and rituals, which do help in sustaining the expectations of the individuals. Such an option is not available in the case of the social collective, and, if available, like in …

Long Memory, Spirit Enlivening and Social Advancement: The continual failures of Manipur

By Amar Yumnam Maynard Keynes was right when he asserted that in the long run we are all dead. But the individual and social functioning are not all short-sighted. The

By Amar Yumnam

Maynard Keynes was right when he asserted that in the long run we are all dead. But the individual and social functioning are not all short-sighted. The short-run and immediate functions and performances are all oriented to the long term objective of improving individual and social well-being on a lasting basis; the drive for longer term enhancement of life is salient in both individual and social characteristics. But the significance lies in the outcome of the functioning. Every outcome of a functioning and performance leaves a long memory mark at both individual and societal levels.

The point I am trying to drive home is that every action and every outcome at each moment is significant. Occasions do come when a functioning and an outcome are characteristically different from the experienced trend such that these tend to impact on the consequent outlook, functioning and expectations for probable outcomes. When the new and trend-setting functioning and expected outcome are positive, the spirit of the individuals and the society gets enlivened. This is very important. The drive for advancement and the possibility for achievement are strongly dependent on the spirit with which the individual and the society function. Both require and demand spirit enhancing environment, functioning and outcomes. The similarity ends here. The individual and the society operate under different paradigms though they need not be necessarily conflictual. The context and the stimulations are different. There are many moments in an individual’s life where the spirit needs to be enhanced and thus need to search for interventions to do so. One significant component for this in Manipur society are the various prayers and rituals, which do help in sustaining the expectations of the individuals. Such an option is not available in the case of the social collective, and, if available, like in the case of the Lai Haraoba, cannot have the kind of spirit enlivening impact as in the case of the individuals.

The enlivening of the spirit of the society can be achieved only through actions, initiatives and performances which invigorate the collective expectations about positive outcomes in both short-run and long memory. In a modern democratic context, such enlivening can be achieved only through the functioning, performance and performance-based promises of the state and her institutions. An individual or a household may maintain a cattle despite absence of economic returns, but the state cannot and should not do so; the state has to be necessarily driven by the objective of enhancing the collective well-being and affect positive improvements in the collective long memory.

Now the relevant question before us is how has been the character of state functioning and performances in so far as they impact on the collective long memory and collective expectations for future. I would like to talk of two instances here. One is the presentation of the head of the people of Manipur in the pre-Budget discussions with the Finance Minister of India. The second one is the news of the emergence of an Autonomous College in Manipur. Both are significant news items and both have terribly failed to enliven the spirits of the people; the first one in a limited extent and the second in a widespread nature.

It is definitely interesting and important that the head of the people of Manipur was there in a Pre-Budget Discussion of the Finance Minister of India. So far so good. But when the newspapers reported the themes and contents of the presentation of the Chief Minister of Manipur, the whole spirit of positive expectations gets dissipated. We are not to blame the Chief Minister here for these only betray the weaknesses and absence of appropriate understanding of contexts by the bureaucracy of the provincial government. The proposals are perfectly all right if the Chief Minister were interacting with the Finance Commission or the Planning Commission of India. However it was a case of the provincial head interacting with the Finance Minister of India on the national budget. The orientation and issues to be tackled by the national Budget are very different from what the proposals of the province’s Chief Minister desired to be addressed. The concern for macro approach and policy orientation of a national budget should have been digested by the bureaucracy performing the state functions in Manipur and accordingly prepare the proposals of the Chief Minister. There are ample ways to respect the policy orientation of the new government at the Centre and put forth proposals for policy initiatives to address the specific issues of Manipur within a larger framework. Unfortunately, the provincial bureaucracy seems to have confused the institutions and processes of the country, and reduced the intervention of the head of the people of Manipur to a non-starter.

The second major development is the news of a college in Manipur attaining the status of an Autonomous College. The news per se is definitely a positive news. But the question to be answered is: Did this news enliven the spirit of the people of Manipur in so far as higher education is concerned? Without mincing words, we can say that it did not. By any yardstick, it definitely was not a First Best choice decision of Manipur. It definitely did not have the spirit-enlivening impact it could have if it were the D. M. College or the Imphal College. To this extent the challenge before the new Autonomous College is definitely heightened, and we do wish the institution rises to the occasion. Here a brief on what has happened to higher education in Manipur would be of relevance. The late 1960s and the entire period of 1970s were the heyday of expansion of facilities for higher education in Manipur. Unfortunately, this quantitative expansion was not followed by qualitative improvements as required by institutional enhancement and social progression. The social outcome today is that higher education in Manipur is in absolute shambles; the decline is visible daily. Today we may not worry, but two or so decades from now the society would pay the price in terms of lack of competitiveness and inability to face the challenge of compression of space and time; the long memory impact has much to worry about.

Rains and blocked drains

For quite a long spell this year, Manipur was reeling under an intense heat wave without any rains, the kind of which has not been seen earlier. The situation was

For quite a long spell this year, Manipur was reeling under an intense heat wave without any rains, the kind of which has not been seen earlier. The situation was long overdue given the nature of growing urbanization, depleting green cover, rising pollution levels and terrible civic sense with our tendency to litter places with plastic and plastic made materials. But what it also showed was that concerned Government authorities and departments do not have any strategic measures outlined for catering to the needs of an urbanized population. During that rainless period, the buzz was on the lack of drinking water even as private water carriers made a killing by hiking up their rates with no guarantee that the water they were giving to their customers was safe for drinking. The scrutiny over the water levels in the Singda dam has been forgotten and kept aside, now that short spells of rain have made its presence in parts of the state while bringing on another headache of water logging.

For all the talks of using foreign technologies of clearing siltation from rivers and unblocking drainages, not much action has happened on the ground. With the sewerage project yet to see the light of day, the piling up of garbage on roads and river banks have only aggravated the situation. There are a few private agencies operating garbage pick up services but without a holistic plan in place with regard to garbage disposal, these services have mostly ended up as being too little in terms of scope and reach, too inadequate in terms of service regularity and too inefficient in terms of making it work. Poor civic sense of the larger public has compounded the situation day by day. This last bit can be seen in the way private homesteads and individuals encroach upon public areas, thereby leaving narrower drains; people using roads and lanes as holding places for their construction materials which in turn lead to clogging up drains and usurping the space meant for public movement etc.

Many road stretches from Pishumthong to Keishamthong, the Uripok main area after the over-bridge and Nagampal area along with many other areas including the Secretariat area in Imphal West and in Imphal East are often inundated by flash floods brought on by water logging. While the initiative of the Government in widening the main roads of the town is note worthy, the spectacle of road side drains being raised much beyond the surface of the roads means that water logging stays on the main roads every time there is a downpour. Lost in the hoopla over widened roads, the powers that be have forgotten to put in drains in a manner that water even if it accumulates on the roads can seep down and flow its course. The basic idea of liquids flowing down from a higher level to a lower one has been turned around, by our learned engineers. It is not clear what purpose this serves but the after effects can be seen in almost all parts of Imphal in the aftermath of any rainfall burst.

Waterlogged areas with clogged drains does not really augur well for the hygiene and sanitation of people living around the said places. It can be a harbinger of diseases and water borne infections, not to mention the risk of contaminating water bodies and pipes carrying drinking water. Also, given the condition of most roads in Imphal with gaping potholes being a common hazard, the risks of accidents in places where water and slush has collected on roads is indeed heightened. But even as the concerned departments and Government authority seem to be unaffected with the water-logging and the flash flooding from drains on the roads and lanes, the common man too seems to be barely concerned beyond having to bother about how they will maneuver the roads they must commute in their day to day lives. If each household were to take the lead and responsibility in cleaning up the drains in their immediate surroundings and invest in water harvesting initiatives, the free fall of rain water and the amount of spill-over would be cut down in some measure. There can be no one single manner of addressing a seasonal occurrence such as water logging or flash flooding as an urban nuisance and characteristic. It tells us that along with the Government agencies, the common man will have to join in by giving more serious attention to the environment around him.

Leader Writer: Chitra Ahanthem

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/rains-and-blocked-drains/

Chief Minister’s Thoubal residence burgled

Media restrained from taking pictures or querying too far THOUBAL, June 15: In what could be described as amazing and at the same time shocking, robbers gained entry into the

Media restrained from taking pictures or querying too far

THOUBAL, June 15: In what could be described as amazing and at the same time shocking, robbers gained entry into the private residence of the State’s Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh at Thoubal Athokpam Makha Leikai and decamped away with several valuables and household items.

Sources said, the burglary came to light only around 1pm today.

Soon after the incident came to light, DGP Shahid Ahmad led a State police team including top officials to the burglary site to take stock of the situation.

The State forensic team also arrived and examined the crime scene.

On the other hand, top police officials restricted the media from taking pictures of the scene and disuaded them from publishing the report.

According to local sources, no one stays at the house and is kept locked for most of the times.

The locks are opened only when family members come for a visit, sources said. The immediate neighbour on the northern side of the three storeyed building is the Chief Minister’s younger brother Okram Ibotomba.

Around 30 personnel of the 3rd IRB are deployed round the clock at the northern main gate of the building; however, the southern main gate was unguarded, informed the sources.

It is also believed that the robbers could have entered the house from the southern side taking advantage of the absence of security.

It is also learnt that the Chief Minister’s wife and Khangabok MLA Okram Landhoni had come to attend a prize distribution function for meritorious students. Before the start of the function, the MLA wanted to rest for some time at the house.

The burglary came to light only when the MLA entered the house and found the locks of the other rooms all broken and the house ransacked.

However, it is not known, when and how the burglary was carried out.

Only the rooms on the third floor were burgled, and the estimate of the items burgled or what was missing from the house could not be confirmed, informed the source.

Meanwhile, local eyewitnesses said that soon after receiving the news of the burglary, a huge contingent of the police arrived and surrounded the area.

Suspecting that explosives could have been planted inside the house, the bomb expert and the forensic team were called to inspect the house, further added the source.

It is also learnt that a ladder suspected to be used by the burglars was recovered and some fingerprints detected from around the window sills.

It is also believed that the burglars could have climbed from a storehouse near the southern gate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/chief-ministers-thoubal-residence-burgled/

MPTC crisis could end with Speaker’s intervention: Joykishan

IMPHAL, June 15: The crisis inside the Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress can only be decided by the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker’s decision, said Thangmeiband MLA Khumukcham Joykishan who has been

Addressing media persons today at the official quarter of party MLA Maibam Kunjo, the Thangmeiband MLA claimed the disqualification of six party MLAs issued by the Andro MLA is unofficial.

He continued that a letter had already been sent to the Speaker regarding Shyamkumar’s “unofficial order” and further apprising that as recommended by the party’s disciplinary committee which was also endorsed by the executive committee meeting on June 10, 2014 at the residence of M Kunjo Singh who is the legislature leader of the MPTC, MLA Th Shyamkumar had been expelled from the primary membership of the party for six years with effect from June 10, 2014 for his anti-party activities.

He said the Andro MLA will be treated as “Un-attached members of the House immediately.”

Confusion over the party’s president could be cleared only after either Th Shyamkumar or the remaining six other MLAs of the party are announced ‘un-attached to the party’ he said.

The MPTC is still an independent party and a State party, he claimed.

“We don’t entertain the order of the general secretary of AITC, Mukul Roy,” he said.

In case the Speaker is unable to decide on his own, he can consult and take advice from ECI, he said.

Hand grenade planted at COHSEM chairman’s house

IMPHAL, June 15: Even as people staged a sit in protest condemning yesterday’s blast at Moirangkhom, unidentified miscreants left a hand grenade at the residential gate of well-known veteran singer

IMPHAL, June 15: Even as people staged a sit in protest condemning yesterday’s blast at Moirangkhom, unidentified miscreants left a hand grenade at the residential gate of well-known veteran singer Dr Hamom Naba.

Dr H Naba is the present chairman of the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur.

Family members of the singer found a polybag containing a grenade along with a teddy bear this morning around 8.30 hanging on their residential gate at Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai residence of the singer.

Meanwile, local club members and meira paibis of Moirangkhom Sougaijam Leirak also staged a sit in protest against yesterday’s IED blast at a laundry shop in the locality today around noon.

Two persons were injured in the blast.

Speaking to the media, one of the meira paibis strongly condemn the blast.

Further questioning the rationale behind the placing of such a powerful bomb in a residential area, the protestors claimed that such acts could be carried out by only senseless people who have no concern for the innocent public.

The protestors further questioned who would take responsibility for any loss of civilian live in such violence.

The locals have also demanded all involved to clarify on the issue at the earliest, while declaring that the people want peace.

Around 8.30am, family members of veteran singer and chairman COHSEM Dr H Naba found a grenade hanging from a temporary gate.

Later the bomb was safely picked up by the police around 9.30 am and registered a case regarding the incident.

Locals of the Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai under the aegis of the local meira paibi and AMMIK staged a sit in protest decrying the grenade threat.

Condemning the act, a local said such threat creates a fear psychosis amongst the public.

She further demanded clarification all those involved in the act.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/hand-grenade-planted-at-cohsem-chairmans-house/

KCP KK Nganba chairman arrested

IMPHAL, June 15: Security forces have a arrested the self styled chairman of proscribed outfit KCP (KK Nganba) identified as Chongtham Manglemjao alias KK Nganba from Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak. He

IMPHAL, June 15: Security forces have a arrested the self styled chairman of proscribed outfit KCP (KK Nganba) identified as Chongtham Manglemjao alias KK Nganba from Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak.

He was arrested following a follow up action to the arrest of other cadres of the outfit on June 14.

According to a PRO Police press release, a combined team of Bishnupur District Police commando unit and a column of 6 AR conducted search operation in and around Moirang Bazar area on June 14 last.

During the search, an active cadre of the proscribed outfit KCP/KK Nganba identified as Naorem Ibomcha Singh, 38, son of N Kulachandra Singh of Tentha Khunjao was arrested, it said.

Following his disclosure, the commando unit of Bishnupur District Police rushed at RIMS road near Babina Diagnostic Centre and arrested two cadres of said KCP groups identified as Aheibam Dijen Singh alias Ahanmacha, 63, son of (L) A Shyamkishor Singh of Lilong Chajing, a self styled captain of KCP (KK Nganba) group and Chongtham Ibomcha Singh, 40, son of (L) Ch Mani Singh of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, it said.

Investigation revealed that Aheibam Dijen Singh alias Ahanmacha had served demand letters of the said outfit to general public and different Government employees, it said in a press release issued by PRO Police.

On further follow up action, Chongtham Manglemjao alias KK Nganba alias Koi alias Irabot, 62, son of (L) Ch Mani Singh of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, the self styled chairman of KCP (KK Nganba) group was also arrested from Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, it said.

It said further stated that the same commando unit conducted search operation at Thangmeiband Tarung Village on June 13. During the search operation, one active member of KCP/Nando faction identified as Romeo alias Jackson alias Kanba alias Rosan Rongmei, 33, son of Lorence Rongmei of Thangmeiband Tarung village was arrested from his house.

Investigation revealed that he was involved in serving demand letters of KCP/Nando and extortion of money from the general public of Imphal areas, it said before adding that during follow up action, another cadre of KCP Nando faction identified as Aureng Shi Soprang, 48, son of (L) Aureng Shi Pulingba of Loukhong Village was also arrested from Loukhong Village.

Investigation revealed that he was involved in transportation of arms and ammunition of the outfit, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/kcp-kk-nganba-chairman-arrested/

ATDUM demands Mirabai’s resignation

IMPHAL, June 15: The All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur has demanded the Social Welfare minister Ak Mirabai to resign on moral grounds over the alleged rape of a 13 year

IMPHAL, June 15: The All Tribal Disabled Union Manipur has demanded the Social Welfare minister Ak Mirabai to resign on moral grounds over the alleged rape of a 13 year old blind girl.

The union has also demanded life conviction of the accused Him Bahadur Thapa alias Khansa.

Instead of just suspending the director and the head mistress of the school, they should be terminated from their respective posts, and a departmental enquiry ordered, asserted ATDUM president during a press conference at the union’s office today.

A 13 year old blind student was alleged raped by the chowkidar of the Takyelpat Government Blind School on April 14.

ATDUM president Momo Tatanga alleged that the incident was direct fallout of negligence on the part of the authorities concerned and not a one off incident.

A woman was also raped by the same accused last October, he observed.

Momo Tatanga declared that the union will be sending a letter to the All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam and the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment seeking action against minister Ak Mirabai.

He said the minister has been neglecting the needs of the physically challenged persons.

He said the funds for the disabled have not been released since last year, and the commissioner’s post for the Social Welfare department remains empty, although the minister had herself assured during an Assembly Session in 2012 to fill the vacancy within three months.

The government need to provide for the victim’s future, he said.

He said a rally is being organised against such heinous crime and further appealed to all to participate in the said rally.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/atdum-demands-mirabais-resignation/

AAMSU felicitates meritorious students, literary Awardee

SILCHAR, June 15 (JNN): The All Assam Manipuri Students’ Union (AAMSU) organised a felicitation function of meritorious students who secured first division marks in the HSLC examination and Sahitya Akademy

The chief guest of the function O Churamani Singha retired Principal of GC College inaugurated the felicitation function by alighting the inaugural lamp while the Debate Secretary of AAMSU Wahengbam Modhusudhan welcomed the gatherings.

Giving his key note address of the function, the General Secretary of AAMSU Pangambam Nilkanta expressed that the Assam Manipuri students need help and cooperation from the general public.

During the function, O Churamani Singha retired principal of GC College Silchar, Seram Herajit Singh president of AAMSU and Nilotpol Choudhury Executive Director of Dainik Jugashanga, K Atan Singh Chairman of OBC Development Board, S Kamalakanta Singh ex-president of AAMSU and principal of DNNK High School, RK Gopalsana deputy director of Design Irrigation Zone, Thiyam Nresh Singh president AMSU Imphal were on the dais as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Fathers’ role reflected on Father’s Day

UKHRUL, June 15: Reflection on fathers’ role, prayer for the sick, distribution of gifts to fathers and devotion marked the observance of Father’s Day here on Sunday. Held in a

UKHRUL, June 15: Reflection on fathers’ role, prayer for the sick, distribution of gifts to fathers and devotion marked the observance of Father’s Day here on Sunday.

Held in a simple yet significant manner, the Ringui Longnao Fellowship, Ukhrul today brought the warmth and fervour of the day by reflecting on the role of an ‘ideal father’ who counts upon the Lord’s wisdom to lead his children and family to true path of life at its service held today at Phungreitang.

The programe also focused on prayer for the sick while also distributing free token gifts to fathers among the congregation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/fathers-role-reflected-on-fathers-day/

“Turel Nangdi” gets State Literary Award

IMPHAL, June 15: The 6th Manipur State Ward for Literature 2013 will be presented to Birendrajit Naorem for his collection of poems “Turel Nangdi”. Subsequently, the Department of Language Planning

IMPHAL, June 15: The 6th Manipur State Ward for Literature 2013 will be presented to Birendrajit Naorem for his collection of poems “Turel Nangdi”.

Subsequently, the Department of Language Planning and Implementation, Government of Manipur is organising the sixth Annual Award Distribution Ceremony at the Auditorium of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy Imphal on June 17, 2014 at 3 pm.

The Governor of Manipur, Education minister of the state and Prof Elangbam Dinamani Singh, eminent Manipur writer will grace the Award Presentation Ceremony as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/turel-nangdi-gets-state-literary-award/

Manas Meisnam won the “Special Jury Appreciation” award in cartoon competition

KanglaOnline congratulates Manas Maisnam for his Special Jury award. KanglaOnline’s cartoonist Manas Maisnam has been awarded with “Special Jury Appreciation Award” for his cartoon on the Tarun Tejpal episode. The

KanglaOnline congratulates Manas Maisnam for his Special Jury award.

KanglaOnline’s cartoonist Manas Maisnam has been awarded with “Special Jury Appreciation Award” for his cartoon on the Tarun Tejpal episode. The award distribution function of Maya Kamath Cartoon Competition 2013 was held on 14^th June 2014 at Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC), Midford House, Bangalore.

The cartoon was featured on the Facebook group ‘CartoonWatch’ in November 2013 and following are the list of prize winners in the competition:

First Prize: Tanmay Tyagi (Tehelka, New Delhi)
Second Prize: Manoj Chopra (Panjab Kesri, Jammu)
Third Prize: Alok Nirantar (Sakal, Nagpur)

Special Jury Appreciation Awards:
Biswajith Balasubramanian, Chennai
Manas Maisnam, Imphal, Manipur

Manas Maisnam’s cartoon on Tarun Tejpal episode as displayed in the exhibition

The cartoons on display at IIC gallery

The Certificate received by Manas Maisnam

(Photo are taken and shared by: Mr. Khongbantabam Esund)

This competition is organized by the Indian Institute of Cartoonists (IIC) for every year in memory of late Maya Kamath (1951-2001) who was a prominent female cartoonist of the country. The 100th Exhibition of cartoons by IIC was also opened on the event, cartoons from 101 well known cartoonists including legends like R.K. Laxman, Mario Miranda, Abu Abraham and Pran etc. has been put on display. The exhibition will continue till 24^th August, 2014.

We may recall that Manas Maisnam had also won the similar award two years before for his famous cartoon “Petrol Pump Queue” which was featured in KanglaOnline website in 2011. Cartoons by Manas Maisnam are featured in KanglaOnline under the title “On the Skew”.