Day: December 7, 2014

IMPHAL, December 7: `It is unfortunate that there is not a single cultural study centre in Manipur, though the place is famous for its richness in culture. I feel sad that the present generation as well the authorities concerned are not showing keen interest in cultural studies`.

This was stated by Aribam Syam Sharma, noted film maker while delivering a talk today, aimed at creating awareness of the importance of art & culture, organised by the Dynamic Manipur at Hotel Imphal, North AOC. Today`™s programme was the 5th episode of a series of talks.

Continuing his deliberation, the octogenarian film maker said that the fate of Manipur`™s rich cultural heritage is gloomy in the present juncture of globalisation, and it cannot sustain and grow by itself without serious effort into its studies at the university level. He lamented that Manipur University do not have a cultural studies department, which is badly needed. He said in other parts of the world, universities have cultural studies centres.

Further emphasising that performing arts like Pena, Khongjom Parva and the ritual performances of Lai Haraoba, including Nat Sankirtan and Ras Lila are nowhere to be found in other parts of the world, he said it is the duty of the younger generation to enrich it further by studying them.

He maintained that it is unfortunate that art forms have been quantified into `marketable products`™ and cautioned that it should not be reduced into `cheap entertainment`™. He also narrated his long journey of associating with music, theatre and films to the audience, followed by an interaction session.

The second speaker of the day was Lin Laishram, who shared her modelling experience. She said `I feel most beautiful when I am strong and confident`, admitting that it was sheer luck that she got into the world of modelling. There is always a need to perspire if we want to achieve good things in life, she said.

Lin continued that she is actively engaged in theatre, besides modelling and acting in films. She said she is a qualified Yoga instructor who loves to engage in physical activities.

The last speaker was film maker, Oinam Doren, who has participated in several International Film Festivals with his award winning film, `The Songs of Mashangvah`™.

Doren claimed that the local media has shadowed him till date and today is his first invitation to speak in his home town. He candidly shared his transition from a shy and quiet introvert, testing his creativity in various mediums till he settled as a film maker.

`I have experience the glamour world, living in 7star hotels, luxury cars and mingling with famous people. But my inner artistic calling was different`, he said.

He shared about collecting scribe writing materials from libraries and self-learning struggles, inspirational readings and ultimately the bliss and happiness of being an artist. He said film making is an addiction and he has several ongoing projects at present as he juggles between his travels.

`I am still young and have big dreams. Film is a blending of so many aspects. Creativity is a process; I want to make more feature films and musical films. I hope to travel to every cities of the world with my film`, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/present-generation-neglecting-their-own-culture-is-unfortunate-says-syam-sharma/

IMPHAL, December 7: Tunnel no 10 of the under-construction rail line at Okoklong lying in between Jiribam and Tupul was attacked twice yesterday by suspected hill-based militants wielding sophisticated arms.

In the first instance, around 12:15pm yesterday, the suspected militants fired several rounds from their weapons at the tunnel work site which is guarded by personnel o the 6 IRB.

The attack prompted the IRB personnel to return fire resulting in a gun-fight lasting some minutes, sources informed IFP.

The suspected militants soon took cover of the dense bushes and fled from the scene, sources added while adding that no injuries were reported on the side of the IRB personnel and workers at the construction site.

It is also learnt that later around 9pm, the militants fired again at the work site from above the hills on the Kambiron side which is about one and a half km away from the tunnel to which the security personnel had also reiterated.

Sources also informed that no one was injured in the second skirmish as well.

Mentioned may be made that armed UG cadres had attacked the rail line construction work several times earlier.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/suspected-hill-based-militants-attack-tunnel-no-10-of-jiribamtupul-rail-line-twice/

LAMKA, December 8: In continuation of its country wide membership drive in the State, the Churachandpur mandal of Bharatiya Janata Party held a membership drive today at Sangaikot Village under Singhat A/C, 30 Km from Lamka.

The membership drive was held at Sangaikot TD Block center community hall.

President of Churachandpur BJP mandal, J Haokip who presided the function said that ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, there has been rapid increase in membership of the party in few months`™ time. It is certain that Modi wave has also reached the State, he added.

`We are poor people who are deprived of so many things, we cannot even afford to construct memorial stone for our beloved`, he said. `But that is going to be a thing of the past with the BJP in power. The present State government is not going to survive long as it is totally cut off from the grass roots`, J Haokip asserted.

He continued that the mass enrolment campaign through the mobile phones will continue to achieve its target. The function was also attended by State executive members of the party. Alongside, president of district Mahila Mandal, Nuneih; functionaries of youth Morcha Chungsei, George Neihsial and district leader like Pauliankhup Guite with other members.

J Haokip expressed his happiness over the presence of MDC and ADC members of Churachandpur District, namely Tongmithang, Thangmand and Lalditsang, who are the only elected representatives of the party in the State. He also lauded the presence of one time dissident group of the district mandal working jointly in the membership drive.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/ccpur-bjp-unit-takes-out-membership-drive-at-sangaikot/

KANGPOKPI, Dec.7: Chairman of SoO signatory group KNO/KRA (U) was shot dead by unknown miscreants this morning around 7:30 am near Khengjang cemetery under Gamnom Sapormeina Police Station.

The chairman has been identified as Paokhothang alias Thangboi Chongloi (38), s/o (L). Thangkhosei Chongloi of Khengjang Village.

According to family sources, on learning that a villager from neighbouring village K Lhangnom, had died last night, Paokhothang had gone to pay homage to the departed soul.

He was returning back after reaching the village and learning that the deceased will be buried at his temporary residence at Sapormeina, when he was shot at by some unknown miscreants, according to the family sources.

The chairman, however, managed to escape and reached the local cemetery from where he was rushed to the hospital by villagers but unfortunately died on the way they added.

Later, the Gamnom Sapormeina police took the body and deposited it at the RIMS morgue for post mortem, this morning.

In the meantime, another body was found near Koubru Leikha at around 12:35 this afternoon with a bullet exit point on the backside of his head.

Later, the body was identified by family members at the police station as that of Kamminlal Chongloi, 36, son of (L) Limsat Chongloi of K Lhangnom village but temporary residing at Sapormeina.

Interestingly, the man is said to be the person for whom the KNO/ KRA (U) chairman had gone to pay homage at K Lhangnom.

According to Kamminlal`™s wife Chochong, three unknown persons came in an auto yesterday at their temporary residence and took away her husband stating that their leader wanted to talk to him.

`When he did not return till late night I have been inquiring every possible means which have turned futile,` said Chochong while adding that this morning at around 11 she received a message from an unknown number stating that her husband`™s body was lying in between Sapormeina and Koubru Leikha near the national highway.

She continued that she has no idea as to who could be responsible for her husband`™s death and further demanded the reason behind the killing.

She also asked those involved in the killing to come out in the open.

Meanwhile, another unconfirmed source suspected the body found near Koubru Leikha to be that of a cadre of KRA (U), a SoO signatory under UPF, although it cannot be confirmed till the filing of this report.

Later, the dead body was deposited at the RIMS Morgue for postmortem by the Gamnom Sapormeina police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/knokra-u-chairman-shot-dead/

IMPHAL, December 7: Eliza`™s death two days after delivering a son through Caesarean section at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences is a great loss and an injustice committed against her, lamented her mother Irom (o) Manju mother today at her Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai residence.

Speaking to a team of the Women Action for Development, WAD volunteers accompanied by media persons during their visit to her home as part of the organisation`™s International Fortnight Observation protesting violence against women, Manju said her daughter who was married to Wangkhem Dinachandra, 28 S/o W Ibotomba of Langol Ningthou was admitted to the RIMS for a delivery case on May 9, 2014.

The next day Eliza was operated upon and delivered a son, however on May 13, the doctor concerned announced that she has kidney failure, Manju lamented.

As Eliza`™s health deteriorated, the family wanted to shift her to the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, which was denied by the RIMS authorities declaring that it would be Leave Against Medical Advice, LAMA, she claimed.

However, after much persuasion, Eliza was transferred to the SHRI on May 29, but died on July 15 there, she continued.

She said the family blamed the doctor operating on Eliza at RIMS for the death and urged for an explanation, and at the same time had turned down an offer of Rs 30 lakhs to bring an understanding from an unknown woman who claimed to be an emissary of the hospital authority.

A visibly distraught Manju, who broke into tears while narrating the story said her daughter`™s body was not claimed in order to bring justice to her and book the responsible doctor according to the law.

She further claimed that her daughter`™s husband W Dinachandra has married another woman. She also said that she had heard of Dinachandra settling Eliza`™s case with the doctor by accepting Rs 18 lakhs.

She also lamented that doctors are today trying to cover up their faults with money power, and the general public has to kneel and beg for justice.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/elizas-death-in-childbirth-an-injustice-laments-mother/

By Yambem Laba
IMPHAL, December 7: The last Lok Sabha elections saw a major paradigm shift in the preference of the electorate who chose transparency to scams, and the Congress was reduced to its all time low in its history, while the BJP swept the elections riding on Modi Tsunami wave. However while they made substantial inroads into neighbouring Assam, Modi Tsunamai could not cross the nine ranges that surround Manipur and the Congress won hands down winning both the State`™s seats comfortably. It appears the Congress has now made the Lok Sabha seats their ancestral property with Dr.Th.Meinya Singh winning for the third time in a row and Thangso Baite winnig for the second time.

At first appearance it would appear that it was the tactics and strategy of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh that had ensured a Congress victory but upon further scrutiny it has become apparent that it was the BJP`™s own skullduggery that had ensured its own defeat and prevented the Modi wave from reaching Manipur.

This has become apparent from a vital document which has come to my hands. A document which could have been responsible for the defeat of the BJP`™s candidate R.K.Ranjan, the amiable academician and well-known social activist, who had to rest content with a distant third in the race.

It is a well known and established fact that all national political parties spend much more on their candidates than as stipulated by the Election Commission of India. In fact there are always two accounts for poll expenditures `“ one de jure meant for submission to the Election Commission, and one de facto meant for internal consumption. The latter is always sent through Hawala transactions managed by business houses here in Imphal with mainland connections. According to BJP sources the money was sent through some top functionaries of the party in the State.

The fact of the matter is that while we do not know if Prof.Gangmumei Kamei the BJP`™s candidate for the Outer Manipur constituency also received his full due earmarked for him by the party, it is definite that R.K.Ranjan, the party`™s candidate for the Inner Manipur Constituency, did not receive a single paise from the otherwise reported generous largesse which the BJP headquarters were doling out to their candidates nationwide.

It was after addressing a `meet-your-candidate` show organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyathi Parishad at the Manipur Press Club sometime in April just before the elections that he was approached by a BJP party functionary, Shamurailatpam Dayanda Sharma, who is the younger brother of the party`™s general secretary organization, S. Premananda. Dayanda was accompanied by another BJP office bearer in this mission.

Ranjan was shown a demand Letter of the Coordination Committee of six major underground groups in Manipur namely the UNLF,RPF/PLA,KYKL,PREPAK(Pro) and PREPAK and the KCP, more popularly known by its acronym, the CORCOM.

The letter although addressed to R.K.Ranjan was said to have been delivered to the general secretary organization at his house. The demand asked for contribution to the CORCOM`™s collective effort to liberate Manipur from the `colonial yoke of India` and the amount demanded was Rs. 6 crores. The demand note was signed by Ksh. Laba Meitei, Convenor Fimance Affairs Committee of the CORCOM.

This gentleman Laba, according to informed sources is also known as Noyon of KCP. Ranjan refused to accept the letter on grounds that it was not delivered to him directly. Then the matter according to BJP sources went to the BJP state president Th. Chaoba who insisted that the same be delivered to Ranjan.

Shortly afterwards, Ranjan received another set of visitors at his residence who had come to deliver the same letter, only this time it was led by Shamurailatpam Ongi Satyabhama Devi, Vice-President of the BJP and wife of the late Saheed Shamurailatpam Madhumangal Sharma, mother of Premananda and Dayanda.

Again Ranjan refused to accept the demand letter on the same grounds that it was not delivered to him in the first place.

Thereafter she left his house and never came back. I showed Ranjan a copy of the demand letter and he confirmed it to be the same as the one that was attempted to be delivered to him first by Dayanda and then later by his mother Satyabhama, which he refused to accept each time.

According to highly placed sources, the CORCOM is said to have made it understood that they have no stake in the Lok Sabha elections although they did not come out openly with this stance as they did during the General Assembly elections in 2012. Does this mean they did not issue the demand letter?

There are more question that now arises: Why did CORCOM decide to deliver the demand letter to Premananda instead of their established practice of delivering it directly to the person concerned? Or was the CORCOM`™s demand letter forged by somebody else? Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Ranjan never received any monetary assistance extended to him for poll expenses by the BJP central command. Did the money return to the BJP central command or was it paid to the CORCOM? Or did the money simply do the disappearing act?

Around the same time, one RSS cadre told me that one of the persons who went to deliver the letter to Ranjan told him `Ibungo Ranjan se Paise Lou haiba Yadare` (Ranjan has refused to take the money). Where then is the money from the BJP central command?

Shortly after the poll results were out, a party bigwig is alleged to have purchased landed properties near Langjing with an estimated market value of approximately Rs.1 crore.

Will the CORCOM please clarify on this matter as to whether they had issued a demand letter to R.K.Ranjan asking him to contribute Rs.6 crores? If so what is the amount they finally received from Ranjan? And if not will they remain a silent spectator to the whole drama of money making in their name by a few unscrupulous characters who were out to make a fast buck while the sun shone?

And on the other hand will the National Investigation Agency the NIA who are known to have swooped down on petty contractors for having given monetary help to the militant groups in Manipur decide to grant immunity to bigger players siphoning off bigger money?

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/did-the-state-bjp-play-a-fraud-on-the-corcom-in-the-last-ls-elections/

THOUBAL, December 7: State deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today inaugurated the State`™s first solar energy run river lift irrigation pump and laid foundation of a village with 300 houses named `Ningshing Khul`™ during the 20th Remembrance Day observation of former State cabinet minister Moirangthem Ibotombi.

The day was observed at the late leader`™s Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai Memorial Complex and was organised by the Moirangthem Ibotombi Memorial Trust, Heirok under the theme `Nupi amasung angangda chat-thatba miot minei leihandaba.`

Gaikhangam also led others including ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs, civil and police officials in offering floral tributes to a portrait of the late leader who was elected as the local representative from 1972 to 1990.

During the main function held at the Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai Polo ground, Gaikhangam said the number of insurgent related crimes have been minimised over the past one-two years, while the number of homicidal cases including brutally killing each other, violence between families and neighbours, violence against women and children have much increased. This is unfortunate, Gaikhangam who is also the State Home minister added.

He said although the human population may be in billions, with groups divided by colour, caste, race, religion, the whole human population can be divided into only two groups- the good who thinks violence is a crime and the bad who cannot survive without committing a crime everyday.

All the violence committed in the world is only between these two groups and the late leader Ibotombi became a victim of the second group, he said.

He was shot dead because he supported unity, development and peace in the State, Gaikhangam said.

Today Manipur is slowly becoming a peaceful and developed State, which the late leader had dreamt of, he continued.

Gaikhangam also said that a healthy society is possible only when we start to respect each other and become united.

On the other hand, there is a group of people who seem to detest development and continue to commit untoward crimes and violence against women and children which has degraded the human race further, he said adding that crimes committed against women and children is crimes against humanity.

Let`™s start thinking of all women as our mother, sister, daughter and pledge today to combat crimes against women and children which has become a global phenomenon today, he said.

While announcing the solar river lift irrigation pump at Champrathong, the deputy Chief Minister also laid the foundation of Ningshing Khul `“ a village with 300 houses to be constructed on a site measuring 90 acres near the Heirok Sanatorium area.

He said social service includes giving asylum to the weak and needy and helping the poor and constructing a village with 300 houses for the poor and the needy is definitely social service.

He said while the Prime Minister had recently instructed the MPs to adopt a model village each, the local MLA has constructed a model village in Heirok.

Speaking at the observation, Education minister Moirangthem Okendro, son of the late leader and president of the Moirangthem Ibotombi Memorial Trust said the day is observed every year with the main objective to encourage peace and development in the State.

He said the observation has today achieved some success as people have today started to consider December 7 as Peace Day.

He said the solar river lift irrigation pump inaugurated today will help many farmers.

He further assured to set up such pumps in other part of the constituency and to complete the construction of the 300 houses for the Ninghing khul within six months.

He further said that the houses will be provided to four selected families from each of the 75 wards of Heirok constituency.

He said the project has been undertaken with the MLA Local Area Development Fund and with help from the other local bodies including municipal council and ZP members.

Meanwhile, the minister representing the trust also handed over Rs 50 thousand each to two students of the constituency who had succeeded in the Medical Entrance exam.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/gaikhangam-inaugurates-solar-energy-powered-irrigation-pump/

IMPHAL, December 7: The Naga People`™s Front, NPF Chandel unit has reacted against the charges of Thadou Students`™ Association, TSA of the same district that the NPF has `narrow-minded intention`™ and the party has been trying to politicise the issue regarding the site for construction of 2500 MT FCI warehouse in the district.

According to a statement, NPF is trying to uphold the basic principles to protect and safeguard the interest of the Chandel District. It charged that TSA has been acting at the behest of politicians in power.

It continued that TSA is invited to fair discussion on matter regarding the welfare and benefit of the district. It also urged that the TSA leadership not to exercise divisive policy at the behest of others. As the TSA belongs to the same district, it must first fight to restore what belongs to the district, it said.

Further it urged upon all right thinking public to discourage blame game in the future.

It added that the TSA also must know that, any land acquisition under Village No. 52 – Pallel including the assume FCI site at Molnoi has to be initiated by Thoubal Revenue District. While the FCI site Selection Committee is upholding the norms and guidelines for construction of FCI Godown for each Revenue District in Manipur, the official process for construction works in other districts has been in good progress through various agencies, it said.

The statement continued that whereas, a particular site under Wangkhem Assembly Constituency is already proposed for Thoubal Revenue District; this is the reason that Thoubal Revenue District cannot have two FCI warehouses.

It said the issue of FCI site selection for construction of 2500 MT storage for Chandel District had started in 2010 which is a well-known fact. The incumbent minister CAF & PD knows well the reason for dropping the site for FCI at Molnoi. There are adequate survey reports and official communications that the assumed FCI site at Molnoi falls under Village No. 52 – Pallel, Thoubal Revenue District, it added.

This fact itself is the hindrance which the State government of Manipur is not rectifying the necessary constitutional acts for transferring all hill areas land records to their parent districts, it said.

In this context, the FCI site Selection committee along with CAF & PD representatives has started exploring feasible sites and conclusively approved the site at Liwa Khullen which is the only suitable site among the various proposed sites for land acquisition under Chandel Revenue District, maintained the statement.

Further it clarified that as per the statement of the TSA carried in media, the question of FCI 5000 MT storage site at Molnoi has nothing to do with the FCI 2500 MT storage site at Liwa Khullen.

With this entangled issue at hand, as citizen of Chandel District, the NPF appealed all to avoid politicising the issue and urged especially the students` organisations to cautiously desist from politicking, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/npf-reacts-against-tsas-charges-on-warehouse-construction-of-fci/