January 11, 2015 – Page 2

ImphalMandalay bus service IndoMyanmar joint survey commences

A joint team of India and Myanmar officials would commence a field survey from here tomorrow for the proposed Imphal Mandalay passenger bus service, said Transport Secretary M Laxmikumar Source The Sangai Express

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Moyon Women Orgn celebrates diamond jubilee

Women folk of Moyon, one of the least populated tribes of Manipur, celebrated diamond jubilee of their body Bujuur Shanuw Ruwrkheh BSR or Moyon Women Organization at Kapaam village in Chandel district Source The Sangai Express

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Dr Irungbam Deven honored with 2nd HL Literature Award 2014

Noted writer Dr Irungbam Deven was honoured with the 2nd Hueiyen Lanpao Literary Award 2014 by Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publications for his book of poems titled ‘Numit Ama, Punsi Ama’ during a solemn function held at the Literary Hall of the daily at S…

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Wooing global investors, Modi promises to make India easiest place

Wooing global investors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday promised to make India the easiest destination to do business with a stable tax regime and a predictable, transparent and fair policy environment Source The Sangai Express Press Trust…

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Conference held

Community Party of India CPI , Keirao Local Council held its 28th Conference on January 10 with Comrade K Maimu presiding over it Source Hueiyen News Service

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Assam Adivasi killings NDFB S platoon commander killed in encounter

An NDFB S platoon commander, allegedly involved in the recent attack by the outfit on Adivasis, was killed in an encounter in Assam’s Kokrajhar district on Saturday, police said Source The Sangai Express Press Trust of India

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Thang-ta, an indispensable component of Manipuri history, art & culture – E-Pao.net

Thang-ta, an indispensable component of Manipuri history, art & cultureE-Pao.netImphal, January 11 2015: If one does not know the entwining of history with Thang-ta and Lai Haraoba, he or she could not claim to know the culture and history of Manip…

Thang-ta, an indispensable component of Manipuri history, art & culture
E-Pao.net
Imphal, January 11 2015: If one does not know the entwining of history with Thang-ta and Lai Haraoba, he or she could not claim to know the culture and history of Manipur, said L Joychandra, former director of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.
Former Arts and Culture commissioner seeks more government assistance to …KanglaOnline

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Former Arts and Culture commissioner seeks more government assistance to promote Thang-Ta

IMPHAL, January 11: It is of utmost importance that the State government provide some financial assistance to promote the cultural discipline of Thang-Ta on a much larger scale, said former

IMPHAL, January 11: It is of utmost importance that the State government provide some financial assistance to promote the cultural discipline of Thang-Ta on a much larger scale, said former commissioner Arts and Culture, IAS (retd) P Bhorot Singh today.

He was speaking as the chief guest while inaugurating the festival of Thang-Ta at the complex of the Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association.

Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal, a constituent unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi in collaboration with Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association, Irilbung, Imphal East is organising the festival as part of its year-long diamond jubilee celebration.

The inaugural function of the three-day long festival was also attended by JNMDA (retd) director L Joychandra Singh as president.

The State, Bhorot observed, has a rich and vibrant culture which is being showcased at numerous cultural festivals in the State as well as outside the State.

He also lauded the JNMDA for including the Thang-Ta festival in its diamond jubilee observation.

Thang-Ta is one cultural exponent of the State which has been much appreciated by people from outside the State, he continued urging the State government to come forward and put more efforts to promote the Thang-Ta which is one of the oldest art form of the State.

The art form is today being preserved and supported by NGOs and professional artists and it is time for the government to atleast allocate one percent of the State fund to assist in the efforts, he continued.

He further observed that regularising a uniform costume and rule and regulation of the art form would help much in putting it on a universal platform.

Gurus of different institutes teaching Thang-Ta were also felicitated during the programme.

Indian and Myanmar delegates for survey work of Imp-Mandalay bus service arrive in State

IMPHAL, January 11: Delegates from the Centre and Myanmar government who will be jointly surveying the route for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay international bus service have both arrived today at Imphal,

A highly official source has informed that a 10 member team of the Myanmar government arrived at Imphal passing along the Asian Highway 1 (Moreh-Imphal), whereas the Indian delegate arrived by flight today.

The joint team will leave Imphal for Kaliwa in Myanmar around 7:30 am of January 12, and according to their tentative schedule they will travel upto Mandalay via Yargyi the next day, the source said.

On January 14, they will leave Mandalay for Kalimyo via Pale Gangaw from where the Indian team will return to Imphal on January 15.

The State government had received prior information from the Ministry of External Affairs BM Division of Myanmar regarding the arrival of the country`™s delegation for the proposed joint survey mission, the source said.

It is also learnt that the Myanmar team is led by U San Aung, DG Rail Transport and includes U Than Toe Aung, U Kyaw Kyaw, U Aung Soe, U Kyaw Thu Zaw Superintending Engineers of Sagaing Region, Public Works Ministry of Construction, Myanmar.

The Indian team is led by an official of the Ministry of External Affairs Government of India and accompanied by two superintending engineers from the Ministry of Road and Transport. However, there names were not available.

Corruption in the state has reached alarming level says CPI leader Dr Nara

IMPHAL, Jan 11: Corruption in the state has reached the highest level. The news of Rs. 6 lakh bribe tag to be selected as a constable in the state police

IMPHAL, Jan 11: Corruption in the state has reached the highest level. The news of Rs. 6 lakh bribe tag to be selected as a constable in the state police department by candidates is still fresh in our minds and now we are hearing the news of Rs. 7 lakh bribe tag to get the post of fireman in the Manipur fire service. This is not what the elected representative should do.

This was said by Manipur State Council, CPI secretary Dr M Nara Singh speaking at the 42nd Annual Conference of Kumbi Local Council Communist Party of India (CPI) at Kumbi Ibudhou Sandhong Community Hall today.

He further said that CPI will take the role of an opposition considering the many problems faced by the people of the state including corruption.

`We know that the Congress party is losing in most parts of the country and BJP led NDA is gaining its momentum. However it will not happen in the case of Manipur as the state BJP is led by a person who spent a long period in the Congress earlier before joining the BJP and everyone is aware of that,` he said.

And also the NDA government has failed to meet the expectation of the people and CPI believes secularism will become the leading force for the people, he added.

In today`™s meeting, Communist leader N Mangi Singh, who had been an elected representative of the Kendra, announced 18 point statement to be submitted to the government in favour of Kumbi Kendra.

The first point says that the Khuga Multipurpose Project does not serve the people at all. The project completely failed to provide water to the paddy fields. The project was inaugurated by AICC president Sonia Gandhi however the construction of right canal is still not complete.

The today`™s meeting also formed the Kumbi Local Council, CPI which has 63 members and nominated Jayentakumar Salam as the secretary of the council.

Probe into multi-crore Loktak scam is party`s first priority: Th Chaoba

IMPHAL, January 11: Pressuring the NDA government at the Centre to initiate investigations on the Loktak Lake scam in the State is our first priority, claimed State BJP chief Thounaujam

IMPHAL, January 11: Pressuring the NDA government at the Centre to initiate investigations on the Loktak Lake scam in the State is our first priority, claimed State BJP chief Thounaujam Chaoba.

Talking to media persons at the BJP office in Nityaipat Chuthek, he said a BJP team led by him has recently inspected the condition of the NH-37, Imphal-Jiribam road. A detailed report on the condition of the road will be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Defence Minister and the Road Transport Minister after reaching Delhi on January 15, he added.

In the meeting, he said, he will mount pressure on the Union government to complete the development of the road by coming March before the rainy season, adding `we should be ashamed about the abysmal condition of the NH-37 before the people of other States.`

It is unfortunate that leaders of the State chose to visit district headquarters by helicopters to avoid the ground reality. Such practices can`™t be found in other places, he lamented.

Shifting focus on the Loktak Lake Phumdi clearance scam involving Rs 222 crores, the State BJP chief said his party won`™t remain a silent spectator in the near future reminding that the scam was first brought to light by the BJP in 2010. The BJP has conducted several spot inspections in the Loktake Lake and is still protesting against the government and their policies in the interests of fishermen and farmers in the lake.

The State BJP chief said the party has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the scam and book those involved during his recent visit in the State to attend the Sangai Festival where he spent half an hour at the party office. Expressing optimism that the PM will soon start investigations against the Loktak Lake Scam as assured to the people of Manipur, Thounaojam Chaoba said not even a single rupee was misused during the PM`™s campaign in last February.

Chaoba said he is sure that investigations will be started to expose the multi-crore scam but he can`™t tell when it will be initiated by the Central government while requesting people to wait for some more time.

After uncovering the Loktak Lake scam, several other scams involving the MDS will be subsequently exposed in a series. For such expose`™, the BJP has already several leads that will help uncover the scams and is already preparing for such a line of action, the State BJP chief said.

`Even though the BJP is bereft of a single MLA or MP, it will ferret out the corruption culture in government offices as well as those perpetuated by powerful individuals. The BJP will not rest for a single moment until the fight against corruption is taken to every nook and corner of the state. It will not spare anybody found guilty of practicing corruption whether they happen to politicians or any top ranking bureaucrats of the state`, Thounaojam Chaoba said.

BJP don`™t believe in corruption, nepotism or favouritism and if anybody is found guilty inside the party of indulging in such practices he too will not be spare, he said, urging people to inform the party office if they come across corrupt practises whether be it in the Chief Minister`™s Office, Secretariat or any government department.

For the convenience of people, a complaint box is going to be placed at the gate of the BJP office from tomorrow. All the complaints will be delivered to the Central government and befitting actions against the culprits will be taken up, the BJP chief assured.

Spokesperson of the BJP Manipur Pradesh, RK Shivachandra said PM Narendra Modi was aware of the multi-crore Loktak Lake scam before being sworn-in as the Prime Minister.

The BJP is now united and will collectively face any allegations made to our leaders from this moment onward.

The BJP workers have contributed a lot to reach this present state by facing various problems. Recently, some individual try to malign our party president Chaoba by accusing him of indulging in corrupt practices during the replacement of the former RIMS director but the party stands united and will face such charges collectively.

Muslim body seeks compensation for 1993 Meitei-Meitei Pangal riot victims

IMPHAL, January 11: The State should take the initiative and recommend to the Prime Minister to compensate the victim families of the unfortunate May 1993 Meitei-Meitei Pangal riot, said Pangal

IMPHAL, January 11: The State should take the initiative and recommend to the Prime Minister to compensate the victim families of the unfortunate May 1993 Meitei-Meitei Pangal riot, said Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) Political

Forum Manipur spokesperson MI Khan during a press meet at the Manipur Press Club today.

He said that the government compensation provided to the victim families during the time was only in namesake.

The organisation would have to take the help of the law in case the government fails to listen to the demand he warned.

In an unfortunate riot between the two communities ignited by a simple mistake in 1993, 140 people were killed including three whole families and 25 others were injured he said.

The riot was controlled only after the intervention of several civil organisations of the State MI Khan said.

Many of the victims of the riot are still surviving under difficult conditions he asserted.

The NDA government had last month provided Rs 3 lakhs and Rs 5 lakhs monetary assistance to the victims of the 1984 Punjab riot, MI Khan observed strengthening the organisation`™s demand.

As the government has provided the compensation to the Punjab riot it is only pertinent that the victims of the Meitei-Meitei Pangal riot are also compensated, MI Khan continued.

General secretary Abdul Jabar said victim families of the 1993 riot should come forward and contact the Hatta office of the organisation before January 30 as it is trying to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the State Chief Minister after listing out the names of the victims.

Meanwhile, PPF women`™s wing president Leina Shahani also warned of serious agitation in case the demand is not fulfilled.

Are there Mass Graves in Manipur?

By Dr Roy Laifungbam & Deben Bachaspatimayum The discovery of eight human skulls and other bones in the compound of a former high school in the heart of Imphal impels

By Dr Roy Laifungbam & Deben Bachaspatimayum

The discovery of eight human skulls and other bones in the compound of a former high school in the heart of Imphal impels us to make a conscious attempt to be inquisitive and at the same time be skeptical about the objective facts and circumstances around this last Christmas surprise. This is not to challenge or debunk the views held by the victim families of recorded cases of involuntary disappearance and human rights defenders in Manipur but for the justice we are all hunger for by choosing a less travelled road `“ looking at things from adversary`™s point of view. The internationally accepted general definition of a mass grave, which says that it can also be one that is not related to any war crime or act of genocide but of burials of those who were casualties of natural calamities buried with full honour and human dignity that the dead deserve – does encourage one to think the other way round. This precisely, of late, not only seems to be the views of the Govt but also attempt to let pass the discovery as anything other than war crime related burial site. It is, therefore, necessary to press the Govt to prove their point, by a credible investigating agency following transparent and evidence-based scientific methods by taking the burden of proving as it alone has all the powers and resources, and obligations by the mandate of the people and law. While the Cabinet decision to rope in CBI is a step forward, pressures must be built on for transparent and speedy process lest this rare opportunity also should pass like another incident.

Reason for raising this unusual question and approach is also that we don`™t have another untouched grave waiting in the public domain to prove out point. The only one we have stumbled over for the first time is also one that has been badly disturbed and dislocated from its original location rendering it unfit for archaeological investigations. We have only the skulls and bones to tell the truth, not any another grave to tell us how they were buried and what type of grave it was. Alternately, one could also imagine the dangers of pushing the government on victims`™ terms to investigate the case only to finally conclude that it was not a mass grave or for that matter none of the victims`™ families are related to skulls by DNA tests! It is highly likely that this may happen especially when Manipur State does not have any extraordinary Constitutional safeguards or provision to self-determine in certain areas of critical importance. Moreover, Manipur`™s special status, of being the 90% grant-in-aid state also seems to weaken elected Govt in taking any tough social and political high ground against the central security forces for the Rights and Justice of its people! For these reasons, the case of the grave will be simply lost, forever, even before it is fought and the Government will be the winner of all such potential cases.

This makes the case all the more imperative to ensure that a thoroughly scientific investigation is swiftly conducted by proven experts in this field, and in accordance with established international guidelines and protocols. What is most important, apart from the rising clamour of human rights activists and victims, is the need to have professional associations of forensic scientists, anthropologists and archaeologists to make an informed presentation to our government to do what is necessary as responsible citizens of a democratic country. There is a reason to be hopeful if the approach to the issue is with open mind.

Govt of India has finally recognized the existence of 2700 Mass graves in Kashmir and investigations are going on by an international expert group called, International People`™s Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Indian-Administered Kashmir (IPTK). This is the first time Mass grave has been discovered and officially recognized in India, and the ensuing post-partition armed conflicts over Kashmir. The stories of unmarked mass graves were uncovered only in 2011 following decades of internal armed conflicts having taken heavy tolls of youth population in the state. Despite all efforts to withdraw the infamous AFSP Act 1958 under which the counter-insurgency operations are going on by the elected Govt of J&K the Act continues to be operative in the state. However, the State Government has prevailed over the Army in J&K to allow the international expert team at work to secure and protect all of those identified unmarked mass grave sites for proper scientific investigations. The Government of India is also allowing the investigations going on. Since expert teams are at work, all these identified sites have been secured and protected by law.

AFSPA 1958 has been enforced in the state to counter the growing insurgency and cross-border terrorism. Much earlier, the black military law was imposed in the Naga Hills and some areas of Manipur to counter growing secessionist Naga nationalism. By 1980, the entire territory of Manipur state was also declared disturbed and AFSPA extended. Over the last three decades, more than 10,000 youth have been killed in counter-insurgency operation which included more than 1500 recorded cases of alleged extrajudicial killings and 21 cases of recently recorded enforced or involuntary disappearance.

Based on these facts, it is theoretically possible to find a mass grave in Manipur. It is premised over the existence of an organization called the Families of Involuntary Disappearance Association, Manipur (FIDAM), the Extrajudicial Execution Victims Family Association, Manipur (EEVFAM), police records filed by aggrieved families and the recent Supreme Court`™s judgment which recognized extrajudicial killings in Manipur. Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur (CSCHR) `“ a collective of human rights defenders and civil society organizations, takes the discovery of eight human skulls along with other skeletal remains and human artifacts at the compound of the former Tombisana High School on 25th Dec 2014 as a case of uncovering a mass grave in Manipur. But the Government`™s indifference towards the sentiments and views of civil society is apparent in their efforts to continue the excavation works at the site for the construction of a huge market place until AMSU, a student body intervened. Earth moving works, using heavy machinery, continued for next five days after the human skulls and other skeletal remains were scooped out by a JCB earth remover and dumped at another place in Mantripukhri area, about 3 KM from away, for filling another site. It is extremely pertinent to note that, according to reports of persons who were conducting the excavations, at least seven (7) of the skulls emerged in a single scoop of the JCB while another skull appeared in another scoop. These are grounds to suspect that the dead bodies were buried in close contact with each other.

Various definitions of mass graves have been put forward by forensic scientists and archaeologists. Each definition employs or emphasises different qualifiers such as the minimum number of individuals buried, different formation and transformation processes, the physical relationship between buried bodies and the specific micro-environment it creates, societal, political and legal aspects of the killing or the creation of the grave, and so on.

According to Dr. Mark Skinner, an archaeologist who has worked extensively on the field recovery of (semi) skeletonized human remains from crime and non-crime contexts internationally, a mass grave contains many (at least half a dozen) individuals, while another expert, A.K. Mant, is more modest regarding numbers: two or more bodies in contact with each other suffice to define a mass grave. Yet other archaeologists, like Haglund, Connor and Scott, state that `Mass, of course, means a large quantity or aggregate, usually of considerable size`. All three definitions recognise a most important characteristic of the mass grave `“ the human remains being in close contact. Contrary to the situation in multiple burials where the bodies are laid out parallel to one another reflecting a general concern for the dignity of the deceased, in mass graves they are placed indiscriminately, tightly together and with no reverence for the individual. To this definition Skinner has later added murder being the manner of death and concealment on the part of the perpetrator during times of war or civil conflict being the origin of the feature.

The final report of the United Nations Commission of Experts to the former Yugoslavia defines a mass grave as any site intended as a place of permanent interment from which the bodies are prevented from being moved by natural elements, and which contain two or more bodies.

Another definition focusing on legal aspects is that of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Bacre Waly Ndiaye `“ defining a mass grave as a location where three or more victims of extra-judicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, not having died in combat or armed confrontations are buried. This definition is used by The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Like the Experts Commission`™s definition it allows for other types of features than actual graves, like village wells and natural ravines.

However, a mass grave can also be found where dead bodies caused by natural calamities are buried together, most often in an orderly manner and with the dignity the deceased deserved. By the definition, it is important for any investigating team to establish that the bodies were found in a single small area or pit, very close to or in contact with each other. Experts who have worked in this field for long, however, distinguish between the criminal mass grave from the accident-related mass grave, and the type of mass grave that requires medico-legal investigation from the type that does not (mostly a matter of chronology setting off modern mass graves from ancient ones). The criminal mass grave is containing the remains of a group of individuals (meaning more than one) who share `some common trait that justified their assassinations in the eyes of the perpetrators`. It has been pointed out that, although mass graves originating from war crimes, genocide or crimes against humanity are often designated clandestine graves implying secrecy and lack of knowledge, always somebody knows about their existence even if unable to point out their exact geographical location. He also points out that in many instances the party creating the mass grave is not the one responsible for the killing, giving as a reason that at the time of the crime perpetrators needed not fear reprisal. The need for concealment often comes only later.

For these reasons, it is extremely important to undertake an expert forensic-archaeological examination of the site itself. The in situ examination of the human remains becomes extremely crucial to establish the nature of act or acts that led to the death of the persons found in a mass grave. In the case of Manipur, there seems to be nothing left on the ground at the original site to prove existence of a mass grave, least to qualify that it may have been attributable to a war crime or genocide. Victims of involuntary or enforced disappearance must now rely majorly on a thorough and expert osteological and dental investigation along with DNA matching between any of one of more of the skulls and surviving families of the reported cases of involuntary disappearances. Examination of other artifacts and human clothing, jewellery also would play an important role.

This is easier said than done. The government has to agree to such a thorough expert and impartial investigation of international standard. The government has no official records of involuntary disappearances in the state. Some documentation done by few human rights defenders exist but this is far from being an exhaustive one. Many such cases remain hidden. Some studies on involuntary or enforced disappearance around the world found that many victims`™ families try to disassociate themselves from the disappeared person or choose to remain silent for the fear of reprisals and further persecution. Such cases never appear in any report. Not all of the 21 families documented as cases of involuntary disappearance in Manipur have been able to register a FIR at the police stations or file a habeas corpus petition in a court of law. Finally, the intention of the government will greatly influence the case. If the present government supports the victims of involuntary disappearance with a serious intent to deliver fair justice to its people it can do a lot. But if the recent extension of disturbed area declaration under section 3 of AFSPA 1958 for another year is any indication then the Govt will not / cannot do anything that could demoralize the operating troops for the security of the nation. But such a view would necessarily have to be weighed against India`™s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law and ends of justice for its citizens.

(Dr. Roy Debabrata Laifungbam, is a Public Health Physician, and is the President of CORE and Convener of Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur, Deben Bachaspatimayum, (PhD) in Social Anthropology and Convener of People`™s Development Initiatives (PDI), a constituent of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur.)

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/are-there-mass-graves-in-manipur/

Repair road or we will collect road taxes to do it, govt told

IMPHAL, January 11: Koirengei Awang Chaokhat Thourang Committee has set an 11 days dateline to the government for repairing the road from Koirengei Bridge to Sekmai Awang failing which it

IMPHAL, January 11: Koirengei Awang Chaokhat Thourang Committee has set an 11 days dateline to the government for repairing the road from Koirengei Bridge to Sekmai Awang failing which it has warned that it will soon start collecting the taxes which is collected from various commercial vehicles by the Forest Department in order to construct the road.

Briefing media persons at the Manipur Press Club today, Committee advisor, Nandalal Angomcha said the road which is 7.5 km long passes through various places such as Leikinthabi, Wabagai, Awang Potsangbam Khullen and Awang Potsangbam Khunnou. The road is a lifeline for many people and, above all, many heavy loaded trucks ply on it, he added.

Nandalal said the road was given a black topping in 2013 and its potholes were filled up in the last two months but the concerned authorities did it for namesake as the road now is back in a deplorable condition, adding that the committee will wait till January 26 for the road repair and if they failed to do so, the committee will start collecting the taxes from January 27.

He mentioned that the Koirengei Bridge which was constructed in January 26, 1965 is in an abysmal condition because it hasn`™t been repaired for many years whereas other bridges such as Sanjenthong, Salanthong, Heingangthong, Khuraithong, etc build on the same year have been newly constructed.

The Heingang A/C MLA has also assured for the construction but till date nothing has been done and the construction will likely take two to three years. So, the committee will impose certain restrictions to prolong the utility of the bridge and to save it from destruction, he said.

Nandalal also highlighted that the Rs 4.22 crore Sekmai Dam Project which was started in 2010-2011 under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council remains unfinished and that its construction is being done in haphazard manner. He added that the width should be 15 feet in order to give proper irrigation at the end of the dam and must be completed at the earliest.

Winter Showers

One of the most obvious indicators of the fact that a major part of the creative instinct of our people in general is withering away, is that our land which

One of the most obvious indicators of the fact that a major part of the creative instinct of our people in general is withering away, is that our land which falls in the belt that receives one of the heaviest rainfall in the world, is also prone to droughts. Manipur is touched by the rain laden South East Monsoon winds as well as the less cloudy North West Monsoon winds, and hence receives very heavy rainfall during most of summer, and a good one month during winter as well. In the life cycles of the tropical vegetations of the place, the valley as well as the hills, both these wet seasons are very important. The summer rains are life sustaining, but the winter-end rains, also known as Wakchingi Nong (winter showers) has a touch of mystery and plenty of poetry about it. It seizes the winter temperature just as it begins showing signs of letting up, driving everybody home to the warmth of their family hearths, charcoal briars or electric heaters, as the case may be, but more than these obvious outcomes, it is also the time when elders with farming instincts have their antennas sticking out for signs to predict the next harvest. These rather brief but chilly showers must wet the soil but not to the extent of making it muddy. It must be just enough to be the wakeup call for tubers and seeds in their winter hibernation deep in the top soil that spring is round the corner, but not drown them in their somnolent states. With little or no major artificial irrigation facilities available, these signals from nature are very much still relied upon. But because the circumstances and contextual backgrounds have altered in these times of deforestation and concretization, they are proving increasingly inadequate, and this is where any functioning and imaginative government is expected to intervene and evolve methods to meet modern needs and contingencies. This is also sadly where Manipur has found itself most wanting in all these years.

Why irrigation water alone, even drinking water is in short supply in this land of the cloud king (one northeastern state is even referred to as Meghalaya). The irony is, almost to the point of reducing the plight of the place to a cruel comedy, even as the people prepare to shriek helplessly for assistance to overcome the annual drought, the monsoons would thunder down flooding their homes and crops, forcing them to change the tune of their wails, and seek flood relief instead. Fans of the increasing number of extremely well produced nature TV channels today will agree that life, not necessarily human life alone, is all about adapting, adjusting, controlling, harnessing`¦ the forces of nature. Our societies have been doing precisely this for aeons, but somewhere down the line in the modern times, just as our economies have seemingly received a dangerous and retarding impulse, we too have stopped any effort to be resilient to the elements. Rather than generate the ingenuity from within to meet the challenges thrown up by times, we have come to simply expect deliverance to come to us from without. This incidentally is the perfect definition of two terms most would hate and even dread `“ parasite and impotence.

Why for instance have not our irrigation and flood control department, IFCD, in all these years been able to come up with any project to effectively control floods and droughts. Our rivers aren`™t as awesome as China`™s sorrow Huang Ho or Assam`™s Brahmaputra. Even laymen would understand that flood water diversion through well thought out river linking, dykes and dams to regulate water flow etc, should be of help. We do believe well conceived dams and dykes can be catalysts in ushering prosperity and mitigating unnecessary hardships. Why also cannot our science and technology department device easy and inexpensive contraptions for domestic harvesting, filtration and storage of rainwater. That would be an achievement indeed, although maybe not as interesting as a lazy afternoon of ludo or wool knitting.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/winter-showers/

Oinam village committee dissatisfied with awarding PMGSY work contracts to lowest bidders

IMPHAL, January 11: The 14-Village Development Committee of Oinam Assembly Constituency has warned that the committee will not allow any work of the Phase X of Prime Minister Gram Sadak

IMPHAL, January 11: The 14-Village Development Committee of Oinam Assembly Constituency has warned that the committee will not allow any work of the Phase X of Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana, PMGSY Scheme which has been reportedly awarded to contractors bidding lower than the government fixed tender rates.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of the committee, JK Khuman said the people of the constituency are not satisfied with any of the work undertaken during the previous Phase I to VIII and so the people cannot allow any compromise in quality in works to be undertaken under Phase X.

Works under Phase IX are still continuing at various places, he said.

At this juncture the government has awarded the works to contractors who have bidded below the government rate, which is unacceptable he said appealing to all contractors against trying to bid the lowest in government tenders.

Convenor Oinam Chaoba said the Manipur State Rural Development Agency is presently undertaking works under Phase IX.

All works undertaken under Phase I to VIII are unsatisfactory he said pointing out that the present condition of the main IVR road in the constituency is in a deplorable condition.

Citing a poorly undertaken work under the PMGSY Phase IX, he alleged that the contractor who was awarded the construction of the 40 km long IVR from Keinou to Kamong which included blacktopping and slab culvert construction under package 129 had bid 16 percent lower than the government fixed rate.

And now the contractor has completed only two-kms of the road from Leimaram to Kamong, he added.

Another work under package 130 of the Irengbam road which includes laying of 12 slab culverts, WBM and blacktopping had been awarded to the contractor who had bid 10 percent lower than the government fixed rate, he said while stating that the no diversions have been provided from the culverts as such anyone going to the nearby fields had to pass along other fields creating much hindrances to local farmers.

All these irregularities have angered the people and the committee, he said stating that the committee has decided not to allow works to be taken up under the Phase X scheme in the constituency unless the works are awarded to those bidding higher than the government fixed rates.

He further appealed to the concerned minister, chief engineers and officials to look into the issue and award the works to those who are bidding above the government fixed rates.

Nagaland News: Chizami Za (Day) celebrated amid fanfare

CHIZAMI (Phek), Jan 11 (NEPS): For the first time, a grand Chizami Za (Day) has been celebrated with pomp and gaiety on January 8 here at the Chizami Local Ground

Chizami Za celebration picture. Chakhesang Tribe of Nagaland

CHIZAMI (Phek), Jan 11 (NEPS): For the first time, a grand Chizami Za (Day) has been celebrated with pomp and gaiety on January 8 here at the Chizami Local Ground under Phek district. Around four thousand villagers and families of those who married to other non-Chizamians attended the spectacular “Chizami Za” celebration organized under the theme “Recognizing history, celebrating the present, inspiring the future.”
Rich traditional songs and dances, cultural items, Music, Indigenous Games, Sports, Education and Religious Ceremonies, war preparation show and other cultural items like Lorhi Ketshe and Makru Kefu dominated the Chizami Za celebration. There were also highlights of colorful extravaganza of Arts and Crafts, Food, Flowers, Attires, and Sales during the celebration.

Chizami Za celebration picture. Chakhesang Tribe of Nagaland

Speaking on the occasion, Lhiwepelo Mero, Retd Director, Agriculture, urged the people of Chizami to learn how to live on their own feet. “Let us not be beggars or depend on others to live,” he said and further asserted that nothing was too small to do.
Calling emphatically upon the Chizamians to work to be independent, Mero also stated that they should not depend for everything on politics. “Give your best in whatever field you are by putting your full trust in God,” he added.
He called upon the Chizami men to love their wives, while encouraging the Chizami women married to non-Chizamians to love their husbands. “So that together we can make Chizami a model village,” he added.

On behalf of all the in-laws, Oken Jeet Sandham, Editor of the NEPS News and president of Muaythai Federation of India, who married a Chizamian, delivered greetings on the occasion. He called upon the Chizamians that they should give up the hedonistic lifestyles and must learn not only how to live independently but also try to know what their counterparts had been doing and how the world was going on. “We must know how to choose a good and capable leader in order to bring changes in the village,” he said. “Politics can never thrive when we remain aloof from the people and grassroots people.”
Oken Jeet Sandham also assured the Chizamians that wherever they were, they would always see that the welfare of the people of the Chizami would be given top priority in whatever capacity they could.

Chizami Za celebration picture. Chakhesang Tribe of Nagaland

In his welcome address, Kewepelo Tsuhah, Chairman, Village Council Chizami, said the Chizami Za was a time to inspire the future and called upon the people to give their best to the younger generation who would be their future pillars.
The significance of Chizami Za is to preserve, promote and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and social dynamics of Chizami Village. It is also to renew and build family ties, friendships and unity through bringing together every Chizami citizen, in-laws and well-wishers settled across the State and beyond.
For visitors it means a closer understanding of the people and culture of the village in particular and Chakhesang Nagas at large, and an opportunity to experience the food, songs, dances and customs of its people.

Chizami Day has been organized under the aegis of the Chizami Village Council and it will be celebrated after every 5 years.

Are there Mass Graves in Manipur? – KanglaOnline

Are there Mass Graves in Manipur?
KanglaOnline
This is not to challenge or debunk the views held by the victim families of recorded cases of involuntary disappearance and human rights defenders in Manipur but for the justice we are all hunger for by choosing a less travelled road `“ looking at …

Manipur-bound truck catches fire in Kohima – Eastern Mirror

Manipur-bound truck catches fire in KohimaEastern MirrorA Manipur bound goods-laden truck (NL01-G 7734) caught fire near Classic Island, Kohima on NH-29 Sunday afternoon at around 1.30 pm. The truck was coming from Dimapur and was on its way to Imphal….

Manipur-bound truck catches fire in Kohima
Eastern Mirror
A Manipur bound goods-laden truck (NL01-G 7734) caught fire near Classic Island, Kohima on NH-29 Sunday afternoon at around 1.30 pm. The truck was coming from Dimapur and was on its way to Imphal. The driver of the truck narrated that he initially …
Truck partially burnedNagaland Post

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Andro village in Manipur turns tourist hotspot – The Hans India

The Hans India

Andro village in Manipur turns tourist hotspot
The Hans India
“Andro itself is one of the best places in Manipur in relation to historical facts .If it comes up to be tourist place, it will be very nice. I have seen the water reserve area, Santhei Natural Park and I liked it very much. Many people from India and …

and more »

The Hans India

Andro village in Manipur turns tourist hotspot
The Hans India
"Andro itself is one of the best places in Manipur in relation to historical facts .If it comes up to be tourist place, it will be very nice. I have seen the water reserve area, Santhei Natural Park and I liked it very much. Many people from India and …

and more »