Day: November 27, 2014

IMPHAL, Nov 27: The Coordination Committee, a conglomerate of valley based outlawed organisations namely KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF condemning the proposed visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur has declared 24 hour curfew.

According to a statement of the convener of the Publicity Committee of the group, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed from the midnight of November 30 in connection with the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on the final day of the ongoing Sangai Festival.

The statement recalled the speech of Modi, which he had made in the East Asia Summit held on November 12 to 13 at NayPyiTaw, Myanmar. The statement quoted the relevant paragraph of Modi`™s speech as: `In a world of interdependence and globalisation, there is no option but to follow international laws and norms`¦ for this reason, following international law and norms is important`.

Further, it continued that on the other hand, the Indian State has been subjugating Manipur and other regions of WESEA by imposing draconian law like the AFSPA. Irom Chanu Sharmila, the Iron Lady has been struggling against the draconian law but the Indian State has been turning a blind eye to the protest, the statement added.

The statement said that Modi is a colonialist representative of the Indian State, which is good in divide and rule tactics. CORCOM has been relentlessly fighting against such divisive policies and the struggle will still go on, it said.

In view of the inhuman crime meted out towards the people of Manipur by the colonial Indian State, the proposed visit of the PM to Manipur on November 30 is a bad omen to its people, it said.

This being the case, a 24 hour curfew has been imposed by the group from the midnight of November 30. However, the curfew will be relaxed for medical emergencies, fire emergencies and media, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/corcom-imposes-24hour-curfew-on-day-of-pms-visit/

IMPHAL, November 27: The office chamber of Manipur state BJP unit president will be considered as that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for half an hour on November 30.

The Prime Minister of India, who will be attending the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival, has confirmed to stop by the BJP office Manipur situated at Nityaipat Chuthek.

Following the scheduled visit, the SPG team who has been camping here in the state, has inspected the state BJP office this morning.

SPG, SIB, State Intelligent, State security force, electricity and PDW etc have been deployed starting from today.

Meanwhile, the state BJP unit is now also fully prepared to welcome its party leader.

The SPG reportedly restricted limited seats for the reception of Prime Minister. As per the instruction the state executive members of BJP Manipur Pradesh, National executive members, National Office Bearer, Morchs presidents, Cell Convenors, Districts Convenors, Ex-Ministers, Ex-MLAs, ADC Members Councillors and some selected invitees from among BJP workers are to be allow to attend in the reception function.

The Prime Minister is expected to reach the BJP office at around 4:30 pm after attending the Manipur Sangai Festival. During his short stay in office (Temporary office) the Prime Minister is expected to have a short discussion with the BJP state president, three state general secretaries and two ex-candidate of last LS poll.

Later, a formal function for reception will start with welcome address by the general secretary Administration M Asnikumar followed by presentation of gifts to honour the Prime Minister by various communities of the State.

As part of the function the Prime Minister is expected to give 10 to 15 minutes follow by presidential speech from Chaoba, president of state BJP and votes of thanks by general secretary Organisation, Premanada.

The Prime Minister will leave BJP office by 5 pm for Nagaland.

A BJP official told IFP that during the PMs halt, it would submit a memorandum highlighting important issues and challenges which needed to be addressed.

The memorandum will prioritise the construction of National Highways in the state especially the Imphal-Dimapur, Moreh road construction connecting South East Asia Countries in view of the Look east policy.

The memorandum will include setting up of a Highway protection force in the state and to speed up the construction of National Sport University in the state, besides urging the need to establish National Film Institute in Manipur.

The memorandum also further reflect to provide special sport incentive for sport persons of Manipur in the form of monthly stipend to medallist of International and National games. Not only this, it will seek the Prime Minister`™s attention to give one time grant for those sporting bodies which have been producing talented sport persons in football and other games.

Drawing the PM`™s attention the memorandum urged for a special monitoring of the work done by the LDA for cleaning of Phumdi in Loktak Lake and also include three other fresh water lakes including Pumlen Pat, Khoidum Pat and Loktak Pat in the conservation and compensation action plan.

It would also press for expediting the plan of Imphal-Mandalay bus service besides speeding up the establishment of regional Passport office in Imphal, development of Keibul National Park as National Project with community involvement, to check the factor of demography imbalance create by the illegal influx of foreign migrant to Manipur etc are among the charters of demand in the memorandum.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/state-bjp-draws-up-detailed-list-of-action-plans-to-be-submitted-to-pm/

IMPHAL, November 27: The 12-hour State-wide bandh called by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (Emboi Serto group) since 6 am today affected vehicular traffic along the Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal Tamenglong (NH-37) road.

All passenger vehicles and goods truck stayed off the roads along these routes however no untoward incident was reported during the bandh period.

The ATSUM led by Embroi Serto called the 12-hour state wide bandh over the State government`™s failure to fulfil demands listed in the MoUs signed with the students leaders on several occasions during the last eight years.

CHANDEL: The 12-hour total bandh also affected vehicular movement along NH 102 (Chandel-Pallel road).

All shops in Japhou bazaar remained closed during 10am to 12 noon, while Tata Sumos and DIs staying off the road.

Briefing media, Forest and Environment Secretary of the student body Sk Joseph warned that ATSUM will be compelled to take up the issue at higher levels and other forms of protests would be initiated if the government fails to act upon the MoUs signed with the ATSUM.

He also thanked the Japhou Bazar Board Chairman Js Angam, Chandel District Bus Owner Association President Kl Franky, and Tata Sumo & DIs Owners`™ Association president SS Rocky and the general public for the cooperation extended during the bandh.

KANGPOKPI: The ATSUM bandh only partially affected the Imphal-Dimapur highway.

The bandh ended peacefully without any unwanted incidents today at 6 pm.

Though inter-district and state passenger buses and essential commodities vehicles were off the road, private vehicles make the national highway along Imphal-Dimapur hectic enough for the day.

In the meantime, Hemang Haokip, secretary Finance of ATSUM informed that the 12 hrs total bandh imposed by the student body ended peacefully while articulating gratitude to all transporter including inter district buses owners/drivers and interstate buses/wingers for fully cooperating and endorsing the bandh.

He continued that ATSUM stands for the tribal cause and it will continue to do so and if the Govt. still remain adamant to the demands of ATSUM, which directly for the cause of all tribal people more intense form of agitation will be initiate sooner or later.

While urging the general public particularly the tribal people to support and render cooperation toward ATSUM any movement for welfare of all tribal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/atsum-bandh-disrupts-traffic-along-highways/

IMPHAL, November 27: The bereaved family of mother and daughter duo Chanbi and Menaka of Phayeng continue to hope for justice three years after the two were found dead in a field near their house in 2010.

A team of the Women Action for Development accompanied by media persons today visited the family of Chanbi and Menaka who were allegedly killed after being raped.

WAD secretary Sobita Mangsatabam had earlier announced that the association will be visiting the homes of 16 victims of VAW identified from across five districts of the State as part of its fortnight long observation of the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25 to December 10) under the theme `Way to speedy justice.`

The bodies of 38-years old Angom Chanbi, wife of (L) A Khommei and their 16-years old daughter Menaka were found from an open field at Sampha Loukon, Phayeng Ching Khunou on January 23, 2010 after they went missing during the intervening night of January 12-13, 2010.

The mother and daughter were reportedly called out from their home during the night by some persons on the pretext that Chanbi`™s eldest son who had joined a UG group wanted to meet her.

It may be mentioned that their bodies were recovered by a man tending to his cattles about a km from their house. The bodies were found about 20 feet apart and although post mortem report had showed enough evidences of gang rape of both, the family has been denied justice till date.

Angom Amuthoi, 80 year-old father in law of (L) Chanbi said, `I want justice for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter before I die, but I am helpless in this corrupt system.`

The accused continue to remain scot free as the police are yet to file any charge-sheet and no further investigation has been conducted, he added.

Amuthoi is half paralysed and his wife Manitombi, 60, continue to look after their three grand children and her husband by selling vegetables and without any assistance from the government.

During the visit it was also learnt that the two have not received any old age pension from the government.

The team later visited the Lamsang Police, during which the police said one of the accused in the case was arrested but got out on bail and an arrest warrant is in the process of being issued against another accused.

Meanwhile, Sobita Mangsatabam said the objective of the campaign is to demand speedy justice for the victim`™s family and also to control such crime against women and children in the State.

She also strongly appealed to the government to take up such cases in a speedy manner so that justice is given to the victims.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/family-of-mother-and-daughter-murdered-in-2010-continues-to-yearn-for-justice/

IMPHAL, Nov 27: The proscribed United National Liberation Front of Manipur has claimed responsibility of various attacks carried out against the security forces in the November month.

According to a statement, it has claimed that under the code name `Operation Araaba`™, the group had successfully launched attackes against the security forces on November 2, 2014 at the camp of 165 Territorial Army at Koirengei.

It continued that the group had also carried out attacks on November 11 against 26 AR of Behiang post under Churachandpur District; on November 17 against 24 AR at Tengnoupal check post under Chandel District, on 18 of the same month at AR transit camp, Minuthong Imphal.

The operation was carried out as part of the 50th anniversary observation of the group to remind the Indian Occupation Forces that the fight against colonialism will go on until Manipur is liberated from its clutches, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/unlf-claims-successful-attacks-under-operation-araaba/

IMPHAL, November 27: The newly completed Barak Bridge situated along the National Highway 37 Imphal-Jiribam road became operational from today.

As a trial run all loaded trucks coming from Jiribam crossed the newly completed bridge.

The Barak Bridge considered to be one of the most important bridges along the NH-37 has been constructed by the 83 RCC BRTF Rengpang.

Although the bridge was completed few months back and made operational, it was closed shortly after it was press into service, following a technical snag.

Meanwhile, a press meet was also conducted by truckers today at the Manipur Press club lamenting the condition of the highway.

Speaking to media persons, secretary of the Highway Truck Owner`™s Welfare Organisation (HITWO), Laishram Ratan Khuman, demanded the Government to change the name of the NH-37 to Manipur Local road, dropping the grand National Highway tag, if it has no intention of developing the road.

He said that Erang, Makru and Barak bridges are important sections of the Highway, yet they remain most unreliable.

Not only the bridges, the approach road to the bridges (from both ends) are also in deplorable conditions he continued adding that the 6km stretch from Makru towards Jiribam are really pathetic that mounds of earth as much as two feet high form during the dry season and large pools of mud in monsoon season.

The HITWO secretary revealed that in collaboration with Manipur Driver`™s Welfare Organisation (MDWO) it conducted an inspection of the road along with a team of media on November 7 and on their return on November 14, a memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister with regards to the condition of the road.

A copy of the memorandum was also sent to Union Home Minister, Defence Minister, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Chief Minister of Manipur, Works Minister DG BRO, Project Puspak and 765 BRTF, he added.

In response to the memorandum, a superintending engineer from the Ministry of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, came to Manipur and inspected the road on November 22, he claimed.

It further drew the attention of various section of society CSOs, students`™ organisation etc to pressure the Government to develop the road which is one of the lifelines of the state.

It alleged that in 1998-99 the Union Government had sanction a sum of Rs. 41 crore to the BRO for developing the road and bridges along of the NH-37 yet no visible work is seen till date.

Under the given circumstances the two transport bodies lost faith in the BRO it said, adding that it demand the work to hand it over to PWD of Manipur.

A memorandum with regards to the demand will be submitted to the Prime Minister during his visit in Imphal, said HITWO general secretary.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/new-barak-bridge-opened-but-truckers-say-there-are-lots-more-to-do/

IMPHAL, November 27: The State unit of the Communist Party of India will also stage a protest rally to show solidarity to the call for a rally of trade unions and left parties as part of the nationwide stir on December 5.

Speaking to media persons at the Irawat Bhawan this evening, trade union leader Sotin Kumar said that the trade unions of the NE States will be meeting on December 4 one day ahead of the rally in the State.

The CPI rally is expected to draw around 60,000 individuals including employees from both the private and public sectors and labourers under the trade unions, he said.

The rally participants will start off from their respective work places and head towards THAU ground where a mass public meeting will be held after the rally, he said.

Sotin Kumar said, the new NDA government at the Centre seems to be pro-corporate and anti-workers.

Meanwhile, speaking on the issue pertaining to the construction of a Sports University in the State, Loumi Marup Manipur president N Mangi said people of Koutruk and the nearby areas are offering a vast area of land for the Sports University and at the same time the government has a vast land reserved in Moirang area. Unfortunately, the government has insisted on constructing the Sports University at Yaithibi Loukon despite much opposition, he continued.

He said the people of Moirang will welcome the construction of the university in their area and at the same time, the present Congress government in its previous term had already acquired 420 acres of land for a proposed sports academy at Moirang Kangjeibung. The said site is historic and lies near the Water Sports complex at Takmu, he said.

He said the NDA government has reduced the wage component of the MGNREGS which was implemented by the Manmohan Singh led UPA-I which the CPI had also supported in the hope of providing some benefits to the rural populace.

He said during the Lok Sabha election, the BJP had included repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 195 from the State in its manifesto, however, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who is also a former president of the party recently said that there is no plans to withdraw the AFSPA for now.

Now this could mean that the people have to face more killings and torture in the State by Indian security forces under the Act, he said.

Meanwhile, during the Prime Minister`™s visit to the State on November 30, the Loumi Marup Manipur will submit a memorandum to look into the failure of national projects taken up in the State including the Khoupum Dam, Singda Dam and Ithai Barrage project, Mangi who is a former minister of the State said.

He said the party will demand probes into all such national projects. At the same time, the party will also urge the Prime Minister to complete construction on the Thoubal Multipurpose project and Dolaithabi Multipurpose Project within 2015.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/state-trade-unions-to-join-nationwide-stir-on-dec-5/