Month: May 2015

KANGPOKPI, May 29: Few days before Kangpokpi AC MLA Nemcha Kipgen called for mass participation in the upcoming 5th ADC Election, and today she called for the people to be strong and courageous enough to exercise their fundamental rights on June 1, which according to the MLA is the keystone for a democracy.

The Kangpokpi MLA was speaking today at a public meeting at Dr Kharel English School, Kalapahar and yesterday at Kotlen village, Chalwa village, Gelnal village and Tujang Waichong village respectively where she along with the sitting ADC Sadar Hills chairman Haokholal Hangshing had a marathon public meeting for the concerned Congress candidate for the upcoming ADC Election.

MLA Nemcha Kipgen while stressing on the importance of mass participation in the upcoming ADC Election asserted that unity is your power and your power is your vote.

Therefore, do not hesitate to exercise your fundamental rights which is very much concerned with your local self governance and the people itself, the MLA added.

`Be strong and have enough courage to exercise your franchise rights in the upcoming ADC Election`, motivated MLA Nemcha Kipgen while adding that unity is your strength and no one can do anything if you are united.

The MLA also appealed to all the concern for a free, fair and transparent election where the people could decide their representatives without fear free.

Former Mahila Congress president Priyomala said many development programmes of the Congress government in the State are in the pipeline.

She also expressed that the Congress will form the next government in the State as well as winning majority in the local body elections.

It will be only wise for the people to side with the ruling Congress and avail the development facilities which are in the pipeline, he said.

Stressing on the importance of the Autonomous District Council in Sadar Hills, Haokholal Hangshing said as in the governance of the Congress government, there is also no such division in the administration of the ADC Sadar Hills.

He also said that every community enjoyed maximum rights under the Autonomous District Council, Sadar Hills administration.

Meanwhile, MLA Nemcha Kipgen yesterday along with sitting ADC Sadar Hills Chairman Haokholal Hangshing accompanied by Tujang Waichong DCC INC candidate Seikhosat Kipgen and Chonkam Kipgen, Chairman Kangpokpi Town Committee held a public meeting at four locations along IT Road under Tujang Waichong DCC.

The first meeting was organized at Kotlen village under Tujang Waichong DCC at the village community hall participated by the village chief and its surrounding area chiefs where more than 300 people participated.

They also held a similar meeting at Chalwa public hall with the area chiefs and the general public numbering around 170 before having similar meeting at Gelnal at the residence of the village chief where more than 70 people took part.

At Tujang Waichong the public meeting was convened at the chief`™s residence where more than 100 people participated.

Another public meeting at Kalapahar was also attended by Congress candidate Milan Pradhan uncontested Congress candidate of Tujang DCC Lamkholen Kipgen, Irang Part-1 and Part-II candidate Pratiman Kadariya and Bhumi Prasad Basnet as well former Mahila Congress Manipur President Priyomala.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/mla-nemcha-urges-public-to-participate-in-the-adc-election/

IMPHAL, May 29: Manipur has seen 10 Chief Minister till date of which the 10th Okram Ibobi Singh is an expert in corruption and has become infamous as the most corrupted person in India, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba alleged during a one day political campaign today.

The campaign was held in connection to the ADC election at Khulmi Lentoul Molnoi Area 7-Aimol Tampak under Tengnoupal constituency, Chandel.

He said the past nine Chief Minister were all honest and none were corrupted individuals. Many of them had worked and sacrificed for the people of the State, he asserted.

Many of the past Chief Ministers`™ families are struggling today as normal citizens as they had not amassed property during their stint as Chief Minister of the land, he claimed.

However, the present Chief Minister is an expert in looting the people`™s money and corruption has increased manifold during his present tenure, Chaoba continued.

The Ibobi led Congress government has been ruling over Manipur for more than 13 years now, but the only visible achievement of the government is selling of government jobs at prices which go as high as several lakhs of rupees, he said.

Chaoba claimed no development is visible in the State today, except for the government waiting to loot public money or siphone off funds meant for schemes and infrastructure sanctioned by the Centre.

Now that the BJP has come to power in the Centre ousting the Congress led UPA government, it is time to punish Okram Ibobi Singh for his deeds, he said.

The people of Manipur have awakened to the Modi wave and very soon the Lotus will bloom in the hills of the State in the aftermath of the ADC election, he claimed.

He continued that the people are all waiting for judgment day when Ibobi will be brought to justice.

Chaoba also charged the Congress government in the State of not including a single rupee for the development of hills in the 2014-15 State budget.

He further charged Education minister Moirangthem Okendro of violating the election code of conduct by announcing to set up a Hill University in Churachandpur district while campaigning for a Congress candidate.

Replying to an allegation made against him by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam earlier this week, Chaoba said during his time as State Revenue minister and Union Minister at Delhi, he had managed to preserve the Hapta Kangjeibung which is now being used by the State government to hold the Manipur Sangai Festival.

The Congress, he said, is today like a patient waiting to die in the ICU.

BJP national executive member Tapir Gao said under the leadership of Ibobi and Gaikhangam, the Congress is playing a divide and rule policy between the hills and the valley people.

The people should elect the BJP in order to take revenge against the Congress government, he continued.

Tapir also said that the ban on beef in some States is totally the States`™ concern, and the Centre can do nothing.

The campaign was also attended by M Asnikumar general secretary Administration, Laimayum Basanta Sharma general secretary Media Affairs and senior member of the party S Tiken and Oinam Malesh president BJYM.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/chaoba-launches-allout-attack-against-cm/

IMPHAL, May 29: Three delegates of AMWJU who attended the 8th Plenary Session of Indian Journalist Union held at Odisha, Bhubaneshwar was warmly received today at Manipur Press Club today. Among the three AMWJU team, the vice president Ratan Luwangcha was selected among the six national secretaries from all over the Nation. Sonia Sorensangbam of Poknafam was also selected as member of the National Gender Team of IJU. Sonia is the first from the northeast to be representing the gender cell.

General Secretary of AMWJU, Jit Ningomba who attended the function voiced that the Union has been warmly received at the IJU for its progress in the last two years. It may be mentioned that AMWJU was formerly affiliated to Indian Federation of Working Journalist (IFWJ) but shifted it affiliation to Indian Journalist Union. The three members were warmly received by AMWJU President, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, DIPR Director; Salam Somorjit and DIPR Editor Th Shyamo.

According to director Somorjit, the media community is a small one but however a resilient one. The scribes face problems and pressure from all quarters .Despite the low wages, our journalists continue to strive forth to expose the truth. He urged the scribes to emphasize on investigative journalism objectified to expose the flaws in our society. `The true role of the media will emerge then,` he said . Somorjit gave assurance that he will help in establishing a Press Academy which is in the pipeline.

Adding to the statement , AMWJU President said that there was scant development in the media community being affiliated to IFWJ. `Our Union took the right step in being affiliated to IJU, we have progressed much now, specially after being registered under the Labor Act and as a Trade Union,` He also voiced concern raised by Director Somorjit that reporters need to investigate more.

Sonia Sorensengbam , Gender Cell convenor also mentioned that the gender issue must be acknowledged and addressed. She mentioned that the women in the journalistic occupation must be given the proper reservations and benefits in the media houses. `We should not be kept confined nor should we be sent to places which does not suit women journalists,` she added that women should not be afraid to voice their problems and stand strong against any discrimination. She said that all complaints from women journalist will be taken up by her through AMWJU and referred to IJU if necessary.

Vice President of AMWJU and IJU National Secretary, Ratan Luwang detailed on his initiative to affiliate the union to IJU. `We would not have come so far, if we were not with IJU, the last decades, we have scant development being associated with the IFWJ which is nearly defunct,` he added that the IJU addresses the problems affecting scribes almost immediately. The activities of AMWJU in the last two years has been significant enough that one scribe for Manipur has been recognized to be worthy of the National Secretary ship.

It may be mentioned that AMWJU under the aegis of IJU has carried out interactive sessions, held NEC meet, upgraded pension benefits, developed infrastructure of Press Club, availed discounts from hospitals for members ,taken up journalist widow benefit schemes etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/investigative-journalism-needed-dipr-director/

IMPHAL, May 29: For the second consecutive day following the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker passing a judgment disqualifying three Trinamool Congress MLAs including Thongju MLA Thongam Bishwajit, locals of the constituency today came out to the streets decrying the judgment and burning effigies of the Speaker.

Locals of Mongkhang Lambi led by the Mongkhang Lambi Meira Paibi Lup took out a protest rally in their locality against the judgment and later burn an effigy of the Speaker at the bridge connecting the locality to Singjamei Waikhom Leikai.

The protestors also raised slogans condemning the Speaker`™s decision to disqualify the three Trinamool MLAs.

Speaking to the media on the sideline of the protest, president of the meira paibi body, Th Bino said we don`™t know what type of a man Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar is.

Demanding a clarification from the Speaker as to on what ground the MLA was disqualified, she further asked whether the MLA had conducted any undemocratic actions which led to his disqualification.

In case the Speaker fail to clarify on the issue at the earliest, the people would have to consider him as an irresponsible Speaker, she said.

At the same time, the people will re-elect Bishwajit as the local representative in the fresh polls and defeat the decision, she continued.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/thongju-continues-protest-against-mla-disqualification/

IMPHAL, May 29: In an exercise aimed at building better relation between the police and the public, the City Police Station has installed a Public Address System which was inaugurated at its station premises today by additional DGP LM Khoute.

The PA system has been installed at 32 different spots within the jurisdiction of the police station.

LM Khoute said a pre-recorded message aimed at spreading public awareness on various issues including cleanliness will be relayed from time to time through the PA System, and in case of any emergency announcing mikes will also be made available.

As the project is in its initial stage the loud speakers have been installed in Thangal Bazar and its surrounding areas, he said.

He further called for co-operation from the public in building better relationship between the police and the public.

The police officer also said that through this system the presence of suspicious items in the area, cleanliness drive and other issues will be addressed.

It is a step forward towards the police-public partnership, LM Khoute asserted.

The inaugural programme was also attended by IG Clay Khongsai, DIG IK Muivah, SP I/W Dr AK Jhaljit, SP I/E Kamei Angam Romanus, Addl SP (Ops) I/W Th Bikramjit, Adl SP (Traffic) Lalboi Haokip, Adl SP (Prosecution) Victoria, SDPO Imphal PS GA Ghanashyam, DSP (Traffic) H Sanghamita and OC City PS Sudhir Kr.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/city-police-installs-pa-system/

KANGPOKPI, May 29: In a suspected act of warning, the residence of a Congress worker was torched by unidentified miscreants suspected to be NSCN-IM militants yesterday night at Panikheti under Irang Part-II DCC of Kangpokpi AC.

The Congress worker has been identified as Dhananjoy Basnet, working for Bhumi Prasad Basnet alias Vikas, intending Congress candidate from Irang Part-II DCC.

The house was burned down to ashes yesterday and the act is suspected to be carried out by NSCN (IM) militants as a warning for supporting and working for the Congress candidate, a reliable source informed.

With the house, his entire properties and belonging were also turned to ashes in the violence, the source added.

Mentioned may be made that the Congress candidate of Irang Part-II Bhumi Prasad Basnet`™s rival is NPF candidate Jonah Chawang of Tapon Naga who is allegedly recommended and supported by NSCN-IM.

Another source also informed that, before the public meeting of Bhumi Prasad Basnet at Panikheti Junior High School on May 23, suspected NSCN-IM militants allegedly threatened the Nepali community of Irang Part-II to avoid the public meeting.

It also added that suspected NSCN-IM militants threatened to make the Gaon Bura sink their teeth into a live bullet as a punishment if they happen to participate in the Congress public meeting.

It is worth mentioning that on that fateful day of the Congress`™ public meeting at Panikheti no participant turned out for the meeting till 12 noon while the local MLA and other dignitaries were already present at the venue even before 10:30 am.

The public meeting began only after 1 pm in the evening on the day at Panikheti.

Another unconfirmed source also informed that Irang Part-I INC candidate Pratiman Kadariya too received several threats from suspected NSCN-IM militant in relation to the upcoming ADC Election.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/suspected-nscnim-militants-torched-cong-workers-house/

IMPHAL, May 29: The chief agent of BJP candidate for 18-Longmai DCC, Tamenglong district has lodged a complaint with the State Election Commissioner today over a foiled BJP rally allegedly by State force and Congress party at Noney on May 28 evening.

In his complaint letter to the State Election Commissioner, the chief agent of the BJP candidate, Lungthaorei Kamei wrote that the incident occurred at Longmai (Noney) Police Station on May 28 around 5pm.

He said the election rally of the BJP candidate of 18th Longmai DCC Pouthaogai was abruptly disrupted and detained for about an hour.

Kamei further alleged that the rally was foiled intentionally by two Congress workers identified as Dailin Kamei who is an asst teacher of the Tamenglong ADC and brother of Zino Kamei, the Congress candidate and TK Lanthuigong.

The duo acted in collusion with Phllip Jangailung, SDC Nungba Head Quarter and TP Kiukamlakpou SI, 2nd OC of Longmai (Noney) Police station Tamenglong District Manipur, he alleged.

He further demanded the State Election Commissioner to look into the incident and take necessary stern actions against the erring officials and check their unwanted activities which were in violation of the election code of conduct.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/bjp-charges-cong-workers-of-foiling-election-rally/

KANGPOKPI, May 29: Three suspected cadres of Kuki National Front (Nehlun) have been reportedly apprehended by a combined team of 25 AR Kangpokpi post and Kangpokpi Police personnel this evening at around 6:30.

The suspected militants were identified as Lulun Kuki, son of Ngamjang of Maojang, Saikul; Haothang Kipgen, son of Paokhoseh Kipgen of Hengbung, Kangpokpi and Lhunkhomang Kipgen son of Jamlet Kipgen of Phoibung, Kalapahar.

Source informed that personnel of 25 AR Kangpokpi Post and Police personnel of Kangpokpi PS led by Inspector SM. Hussain, Officer in-Charge of Kpi PS conducted a search operation at Chawangkining around 15 km West from Kangpokpi PS along IT. Road this evening.

It was at that moment the three suspected militants were travelling in a white Maruti Van bearing registration no MN01X-7915 along the road.

The combined security force stopped the vehicle and on checking and frisking they found two 9 mm pistols along with 12 live rounds from their possession.

On further interrogation, it has been established that Lulun Kipgen is the Public Relation Officer of the outfit while the other two were lance corporal, added the source.

It further added that they were involved in all the recent kidnapping of the laborers along the Imphal – Tamenglong road.

However, family members of Haothang claimed that he went out of the house for distributing wedding cards and flatly denied his involvement with the militant outfit.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/suspected-knf-n-cadres-apprehended/