Month: September 2014

Public mourn mayhem, TSL responds with 12-hour bandh

UKHRUL, September 18: Former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), the apex Tangkhul women organisation, AS Dinah and her college-going niece were killed while a shopkeeper and his son were grievously wounded in a powerful bomb blast that rocked Ukhrul town’s busiest marketplace Viewland Bazaar on Wednesday evening.

Described as the cruellest explosion ever in the town, the powerful bomb blast occurred after suspected cadres of a certain militant outfit reportedly hurled a hand grenade inside a gunny bag containing nails that was kept at the entrance of M/S Nitu Glass, a hardware store located at Viewland in Ukhrul town around dusk on Wednesday.

Eye-witnesses said that around 5:20 pm proprietor of the store identified as Rajendra Chaudhary, 56 and his son Gudu Chaudhary, 35 were standing at the store entrance and removing goods to close the shop for the day when the bomb went off critically injuring Rajendra, his son Gudu and AS Dinah, 52 and her niece Lansophy Tangva, 23 who were passing by at that time.

The four were immediately rushed to the Ukhrul District Hospital for first aid treatment where Lansophy Tangva succumbed to severe head injury around 6 pm.

After first aid treatment, AS Dinah was referred to Imphal while Rajenrda and his son were shifted to CHRSC, a private clinic in Ukhrul for further treatment. The father-son duo who sustained injuries on legs and chest, are now stated to be out of danger.

However, after departing from UDH at around 8 pm, AS Dinah succumbed to multiple injuries she sustained all over her body and legs while on the way to Imphal soon after crossing Lambui on the Imphal-Ukhrul road around 9:30 pm.

Both victims AS Dinah and her niece Lansophy Tangva daughter of T Wungpam are said to be from Nungpi Khullen/Hirei village in Ukhrul district.

Lansophy was a second year BA student at William Pettigrew College in Ukhrul.

Soon after the blast, Ukhrul police and Assam Rifles rushed to the spot and inspected the spot after cordoning off the area.

No arrest has been made in this connection though. Police have claimed that the explosive device used by the miscreants in the attack could be a Chinese hand grenade hurled from a short distance.

Ukhrul police have registered a case in this connection.

No group or party has so far claimed responsibility for the Wednesday blast. And the motive behind the bomb attack could not be ascertained although sources have said that monetary demands to the hardware store could be behind the attack.

Meanwhile, decrying the heinous crime of bombing killing innocent lives, Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) imposed a 12-hour shutdown from 6 am till 6 pm in Ukhrul town on Thursday bringing normal life to a grinding halt. All sorts of vehicles stayed off the road while all business establishments and educational institutions remained closed for the day.

In response to the bandh call, most people also stayed off the road till 3 pm when the Tangkhul Frontal Organizations had slated for a condolence service for the two victims at the Tangkhul Naga Long Assembly Hall. However, the programme was delayed on account of delay in the conduct of post mortem on the two bodies which were brought from Imphal.

The condolence service was attended by representatives and leaders from Tangkhul Shanao Long, United Naga Council, NPMHR, Naga Women Union Chandel, Tangkhul Shanao Long Imphal, Hunphun chief, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul, Tangkhul Leihsak Long, Raphei Katamnao Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long and Tangkhul Naga Long, among the hundreds of public members.

During the service, the gathering crowd paid their last respect to the two departed souls. Various speakers expressed their condolences while exalting the magnificent service rendered by (L) AS Dinah to the public in the capacity of president as well as general secretary of the Tangkhul Shanao Long.

AS Dinah had served as general secretary of TSL for two consecutive terms from 2001 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2007.

Thereafter, she went on to become president of the apex Tangkhul women organisation and served the community from 2007 to 2010.

Soon after the conclusion of condolence service at around 6:40 pm, the mortal remains of the two victims were transported to their native place Nungpi Khullen/Hirei village for the last rites.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/two-including-former-tsl-president-killed-in-devastating-ukhrul-blast/

IMPHAL, September 18: Preliminary talks with the State on the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State will be conducted tomorrow at 2pm, said JCILPS co-convenor Ibotombi Khuman today.

A team of 12 members of the JCILPS will meet government representatives tomorrow at 2 following an official invitation from the Chief Minister for discussion on the ILPS.

There will be a series of talks on the issue, he said.

This comes after the unconditional release of 47 members arrested by the State police in connection with the ILPS movement, he said.

The members were today formally welcomed at the Manipur Press Club, late in the evening around 7.

He said the talk between the JCILPS and the government has been delayed due to an action of additional SP Victoria.

JCILPS student wing convenor, Angamba who was amongst those released today said they were brutally tortured by additional SP Victoria.

He alleged that it is unfortunate that the State government has failed to understand the students’ sentiments.

Meanwhile, the JCILPS co-convenor lamented that no-local students of NIT were assaulted at its Langol campus.

The incident was unfortunate and it was not related to the ILPS in any manner, he said.

The incident, however, could have tarnished the movement, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/arrested-members-released-jcilps-to-hold-talk-with-govt-today/

IMPHAL, September 18: The High Court of Manipur, has directed the Manipur government and Union of India, represented by Home secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, the respondents in two fake encounter cases, to pay compensation of Rs. 5 lakhs each to the petitioners.

The petition was lodged by, N Brojen and N Dolen Singh, brothers of the deceased N Gopal Singh.

Speaking to media persons, the counsel of the petitioners of the two cases, Advocate Khaidem Mani, recalled that on December 23, 2008 in the evening about 3.25 pm, late Ningombam Gopal Singh had gone to a local tea shop located at Heirangoithong Makha Leikai Bokul Makhong run by one Maibam Ongbi Gambhini Devi.

When the deceased was served with tea, two unknown persons suspected to be police in civil dress with small fire arms rushed inside the tea shop and asked the deceased to come out of the shop for talk, he said.

The deceased was over powered by the arm miscreants and dragged out from the shop and taken towards a Santro car which had been parked on the road. Despite being resisted, he was put into the car and driven towards the Manipur University side.

Local women folk witnessed the incident and tried to intervene but in vain. After a short while, a maruti gypsy of Manipur Police commandos followed the Santro car towards the Manipur University, continued Khaidem Mani.

The same night around 9pm, a local cable television reported that a member of PREPAK (GS) was killed in an encounter with Manipur Police commando and 32 Assam Rifles along the inter village road between Heinoupok and Sadokpam Village. A case in this connection was also lodged by a subedars of Manipur Police Commando with the officer-in-charge of the Lamphel Police station that a member of PREPAK (GS) was killed in an encounter.

In consideration of the claim of the petitioner and respondents, the court directed an enquiry to be conducted by the district & session judge, Manipur East. Subsequently, the report was submitted on April 30, 2012 maintaining that N Gopal was killed by the combined force of Manipur Police commando and 32 Assam Rifles in a fake encounter at the inter village road between Heinoubok and Sadokpam village.

Having accepted the report, a double bench of chief justice, L.K Mohapatra and Justice N Koteswar Singh, High Court of Manipur directed the respondents, state of Manipur and 32 Assam Rifles, to pay compensation of 2.5 Lakh each to the petitioner of the case.

Advocate Khaidem Mani, counsel of the petitioner prayed for payment of compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs referring to the decision of the Supreme Court in two similar cases of fake encounter. The Court suggested that if the petitioners are not satisfied with the amount of compensation, to approach the competent civil court to establish a case for higher compensation.

Similarly, the double bench of chief justice, L.K Mohapatra and Justice N Koteswar Singh, High Court of Manipur, directed the State of Manipur to pay a compensation Rs. 5 lakhs to the petitioner of a fake encounter case which killed Longjam Uttamkumar Singh.

The Court directed the compensation be paid within a period of four months from the date of communication of the order.

Longjam Uttamkumar Singh, was killed in alleged encounter with personnel of Manipur Police commandos on March 29, 2008 at about 3.30 pm at Keishamthong Longjam Leirak.

Following his death, the father of the deceased, Longham Shanti Singh, alias Boyai Singh filed a petition claiming that he was killed by police commandos in cold blood.

As per the petitioner, he was survived by a daughter and a wife, and sole earner of his family.

It said that after finishing diploma in civil engineering the deceased started working in different private establishments for earning his livelihood and to support his poor parents. He was working as Sales Executive in “G.N.I Modi Xerox” a private firm till his death.

He was shot dead in a fake encounter by the police commandos in civies at his courtyard.

But, the respondent claimed that he was killed during retaliatory fire in an encounter and levelled many charges at the deceased.

Having heard claims and counter claims from both the counsels, High Court directed the district judge, Manipur East to conduct an enquiry and submit a report.

The report was submitted on July 4, 2012 wherein it maintained that Uttamkumar was killed in cold blood by the personnel of Manipur Police commandos and no encounter took place between the deceased and the commandos as been reported.

Finding the respondents claim inconsistent, the High Court accepted the report of the district and session Judged and directed the respondents to give the compensation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/hc-directs-state-centre-to-pay-for-fake-encounters/

IMPHAL, September 18: Following the unfortunate incident at the hostel mess of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Langol on September 11, two high ranking Bihar government officials who arrived in Imphal yesterday interacted with students hailing from outside the State at around 7.30 am today.

The two officials – IGP Bihar Special Branch (Intelligence) JS Gangwar and Bihar principal secretary (Vigilance) C Lalsawta – are here in Imphal to make observations on the incident.

During their interaction with the non-local students, students from outside the State made some demands to the officials and asked of their immediate fulfilment.

The non-local students told the officials that they would leave the NIT hostel and return home if their demands are not immediately met.

The officials advised the students to refrain from leaving the hostel campus and the institute, and to concentrate on their careers instead.

Later, the officials took stock of their demands and assured them of meeting their demands.

After meeting the students, the officials discussed the situation with the NIT director at his office.

Before leaving the institute, the officials from Bihar inspected the class rooms, hostel and the security measures taken at the institute.

Meanwhile, NIT director S Birendra said many of the demands of the students were quite normal. Among them are, inclusion of non-locals in the teaching staff, protection by the Central security forces, a standard canteen, making Hindi newspapers and magazines available and a non-local warden etc.

These demands will be fulfilled seriatim and some of the demands have already been fulfilled, he added.

He also said that the institute was trying to meet the requirements of all the students.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/bihar-govt-officials-meet-non-local-students-advise-them-to-concentrate-on-career/

IMPHAL, September 18: The truce signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Union government some years ago cannot be extended to the State even if the Naga outfit has spread a wrong message to the people in the hill areas that it is valid here also to create disharmony and break the integrity of the State.

This was stated by Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council secretariat member Sotin Kumar at the CPI office in Irawat Bhawan Complex today.

He was briefing media persons at a press conference where he stressed that robbing and monetary demands from passengers travelling on the Imphal-Dimapur, Imphal- Jiribam and Imphal- Moreh routes by various outfits are commonplace throughout the year.

The State government must redress this issue, he said.

He further condemned the bomb blast in Ukhrul on September 17 that killed two Tangkhul women and left two non-locals injured.

The bomb blast has dispelled any notions of the law and order’ situation having improved in Ukhrul  and proves how wrong the government is in its decision of recalling the State security forces, he emphasised, accusing the government of trying to draw a rosy picture quite contrary to the ground reality.

The decision of the State government to recall the State security forces without the law and order situation in Ukhrul having improved was wrong, he said, adding that it will be better to deploy them again to control the law and order situation there.

CPI is of the opinion that the State government took the ill-advised decision of recalling the State security forces at the behest of an organisation, he observed.

Speaking to media persons, State executive Kh Surchand said that the details of the talks between NSCN (IM) and the Union government are not disclosed and the people of the State without being aware of what is being discussed are groping in the dark.

Veering to the subject of the upcoming by-poll in the Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency, he said the CPI will not field a candidate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/truce-between-nscn-im-and-union-govt-is-not-valid-in-the-state-cpi/

BISHNUPUR, September 18: Reacting against an alleged assault of some students of Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School on September 17 by a group from Moirang, a sit in protest was staged today at Kwakta Bazar.

The students and locals participating in the protest also took out a rally demanding punishment of the culprits and resignation of the school principal charging that the incident occurred inside the school premises.

The rally was taken along the Tiddim Road from Kwakta Bazar and returned to the bazar area.

Sources informed that yesterday after the second class of the day, a group in civilian dress led by a person identified as Ajit came to the school to meet a candidate of the school students’ union election.

Ajit and his group stopped a group of students coming towards the urinal and started asking questions, and when the group of students failed to properly reply to his questions, the group slapped one of the students, informed a source.

Later Ajit and his group were seen enjoying a Vishwakarma puja celebration at Moirang Lamkhai bus parking.

Meanwhile, the group of students returned at Moirang Lamkhai in an auto while some of their family members came in a car and fought with Ajit and his group, sources said.

By-standers who tried to intervene were also injured in the fight, Moirang OC S Surjaboro told media persons.

On the other hand, a JAC formed at Kwakta in connection with the incident said after the incident near the school urinal, the group of students had gone inside their class, however, Ajit and his group came back in an inebriated manner and shouted that they are waiting for the students.

The JAC also alleged that the group had assaulted several students at Moirang Okshongbung near Citizen Club resulting in many of them being hospitalised at Churachandpur District Hospital.

One of the injured was later referred to Shija hospital, the JAC said.

The JAC has demanded that the school should be closed down until an amicable solution is brought to the incident, the government should bear the medical expenses of the injured and the school election should be postponed.

Unless the demands are met by September 22, the JAC will launch severe forms of agitations from September 23, the JAC warned.

Meanwhile, Moirang OC Sujaboro also said that four persons of whom three turned out to be minors have been picked up by the police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/sit-in-protest-at-kwakta-against-students-assault/

IMPHAL, September 18: The people of Thanga have groomed themselves to the ways of rural tourism as an alternative means of survival ever since the State government started dismantling and evacuating fishers dwelling huts on Laktak Lake.

Encouraging this trend, the Loktak Eco-Tourism Development Organisation, Thanga is organising a four-day training programme on “Home stay and destination tourism development.”

The programme was inaugurated today at the Yuva Hall, Thanga Ngaram.

The training will be conducted by Held Tourism, Kolkata director Supratim Raj Basu and Shishir Adhikari Guwahati as trainer.

Speaking at the inaugural function as a special guest, social worker RK Shivachandra said rural tourism is a viable alternative means of survival for the people of Thanga who have survived on fishing.

Since cleansing of phumdis started in the lake, fishing is no longer a viable option for the people, he said.

Now, this has opened up an opportunity for the people in rural tourism, he said.

Every tourist or visitor of the State never leaves without a visit to the Loktak Lake, he elaborated.

If the people of Moirang and Thanga are unable to cash in on this, then it would mean the people are unable to take benefit of India’s Look East Policy, he said.

It seems that the government is unable to realise that the beauty of Loktak Lake lies in the phumdis and clearing up the phumdis by spending such huge amounts of money is unfortunate, he said.

Shivachandra opined that before taking up such process, the government should have closely observed how beautification process of such fresh water lakes is conducted in the neighbouring countries.

He observed, the Inland Lake of Myanmar is beautiful because of its phumdis and even 5-Star hotels are built on the Lake, making it a main tourist attraction.

By encouraging rural tourism, the people can promote our culture, tradition and heritage, he said.

Loktak Eco-tourism Development Organisation, Thanga general secretary Ak Biren said since the clearing up of the phumdis and dismantling of fishers’ dwelling huts, the number of fishers in the lake has gone down by more than 30 percent.

Many of the former fishers have started working as hired labour for their daily bread, he said.

The rural tourism scheme of home stay has given new hopes to the people of Thanga, he continued.

During the training programme, locals will be taught on hospitality, manners to treat the tourist and how to welcome people, he said before expressing that there is no other option than rural tourism for the people of Thanga.

Supratim Raj Basu said the basic points to be ensured in a village to promote rural tourism is that the village should be plastic free-zone, intoxication free and locals should promote eco-tourism.

He said like rooms are properly managed in 5-star hotels, the villagers should also be able to managed 50 houses for 50 tourists.

The village should be attractive to the tourist and the houses should be hygienic and clean, he said.

People from big countries will be come to absorb the culture and scenic beauty of Manipur and its Loktak Lake, once word goes out, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/thanga-public-find-alternative-to-fishing-in-rural-tourism/

IMPHAL, September 18: Many have condemned the September 17 evening bomb blast at Ukhrul town which left two dead and others injured.

The United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union and the All Naga Students’ Association have issued a joint press release condemning the blast.

Sosonao Tangva, daughter of Wungpam and AS Dinah, former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long, both of Nungbi Khullen were killed in the blast.

Ukhrul had been recently in the news over a series of violent incidents starting from the killing of ADC member Ngalangzar Malue near Finch Corner, Ukhrul leading to the arrest of NSCN (IM) cadres and imposition of CrPC Sec 144.

A public rally was held on August 30 to protest the enforcement of the town by State security forces, during which two protestors were killed in police firing. This was followed by indefinite blockades and two simultaneous ambushes on State security personnel returning from Ukhrul killing one personnel and injuring two others.

The joint statement of the Naga bodies said, “A young girl, full of plans and promises for the future and a valued member of the community, who had given leadership to society in her time have fallen prey to an act of terrorism, which is alien to Naga culture and way of life.”

Any form of terrorism, be it by State or no-State actors is most condemnable, it said.

The statement further made “a clarion call for collective vigilance and the conscientious involvement of each and every Naga to weed out such destructive acts and perpetrators from our society.”

The UNC, NWU and ANSAM reach out through this joint public statement to the bereft parents, siblings, children, relatives and friends of the dear departed Sosonao and Dinah with our heartfelt sympathies and condolences, it said.

The United NGOs Misssion-Manipur has also condemned the blast and said it sincerely extend its solidarity to the departed souls and bereaved family members.

During the last couple of months, during to an ensuing conflict, altogether seven persons have been killed in Ukhrul district alone, it said.

While asserting that planting a bomb at a public place is extremely serious concern for all, it said a bomb does not know who their targets are.

Amy casualty of civilians amounts to crime against humanity and liable to be investigated under the International Humanitarian Law, it said.

Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Scholars’ Association has also condemned the blast.

“What happened is horrible, abominable and disgusting act. Such act of cowardice has no place in civilised society and no justification whatsoever for this act.”

Meanwhile, the Centre For Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur has also vehemently condemned the bomb blast in the evening of September 17 at around 5:30PM in front of Neetu Hardware Store, Viewland in Ukhrul under Ukhrul district in Manipur as an outright act of cowardice, terrorism and crime against humanity.

CORE believes that this brutal situation is too much to bear any longer and the intent all too questionable, it said in a press release.

It further condole the deaths of A S. Dinah, former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long, and her niece Lansophy Tangvah.

Coming close on the heels of an extended period of hardship and violence from July till early September, the peoples of Ukhrul are hardly out of mourning and bereavement, it said before adding that planting of a bomb in the middle of a town where civilians have only recently been able to pursue their normal activities speaks volumes of an inhuman conspiracy where innocent lives are considered expendibles and intensification of almost seven decades of conflict and human rights abuses of indigenous peoples in Manipur as unavoidable collaterals.

“CORE urges everyone, particularly government, to desist from actions that can only lead to further escalations in a vexed situation, and constructively and sincerely engage with all sections in the polity towards a lasting peace in Manipur and the region,” it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/many-condemn-and-condole-ukhrul-blast/

IMPHAL, Sept 18: State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi SIngh strongly condemned yesterday’s Ukhrul blast.

A statement from the LO (press) to the Chief Minister said the Chief Minister strongly condemned the tragic incident involving killing of two innocent persons and injuring two others caused by bomb explosion at View land, Ukhrul District headquarters as an inhuman and cowardly act. It said the government views this attack on innocent civilians very seriously and those responsible for this criminal action will not be spared and taken to task as per the law of the land at the earliest.

The government also announced Rs 5 lakhs as ex-gratia to the next-of-kin of deceased persons and financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh, per person for grievous injury and Rs 20,000 per person for simple injury in the incident as per the norms, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/cm-condoles-ukhrul-blast-announces-rs-5-lakh-ex-gratia/

IMPHAL, Sept 18: The by-poll election of the 38-Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency has been rescheduled for October 17, announced chief electoral officer O Nabakishore today.

The Hiyanglam seat was left vacant after the demise of sitting MLA Maibam Kunjo.

The CEO called a press conference at his office chamber and said the by-poll was scheduled for October 15 as announced in an earlier notification of the Election Commission of India, but has been rescheduled on October 17 following a request from the State government.

He said his office has already initiated preparations for the by-poll under the ECI set guidelines.

Nabakishore said the model code of conduct has also come into effect with the announcement of the election schedule on September 12.

Notification for the by-election will be issued on September 20, the last date of filling for nomination will be September 27 and scrutiny of nominations will be done of September 29, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/hiyanglam-by-poll-rescheduled-to-october-17/

IMPHAL, September 18: The Library and Information Science Students’ Association Manipur (LISSAM) has said that a one day discussion on conditions of libraries at educational institutions and uses of libraries will be held on September 21 at 10 am at Tribal Research Institute, Chingmeirong.

According to a release of the association, the discussion will be attended by experts, academicians, members of concerned departments, social scientists, leaders of student organisations and leaders of teacher organisations. It has been appealed to those interested to attend the discussion on time, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/discussion-on-library-on-sept-21/

IMPHAL, September 18: The Yangbam Kumar College Students’ Union has demanded the implementation of ILP in the state and the release of the members of the student wing of JCILPS without any condition.

According to a release of the Union, strong actions will be taken up if the government failed to comply with their demands. It has also been demanded that the government must hold responsibilities for any incidents that may occur.

Furthermore, it also condemned the actions taken up by Additional SP Victoria and the Manipur Police regarding the arrest of the members of JCILPS, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/ilp-implementation-demanded/