Day: June 10, 2015

IMPHAL, June 10: The Women Action for Development (WAD) along with its allied organizations (COWF, CSD, WEJ, Serviours Forum Manipur, DWC-UNM, M I/E) has drawn attention of all the concerned Departments/authorities to the increasing crimes against humanity in Manipur for more than ten years.

A press release of WAD has said that crime against humanity and crime against women and children are the most common crimes happening in Manipur. People of Manipur have been experiencing the grave of human rights violation since the unsolved conflict has been in process.

Although many bills have been passed for the protection of the vulnerable groups in the parliament, crime against women and children and other forms of human rights violation are increasing at a rapid rate and the existing policy which failed to protect the same as the present and the existing government are enjoying the absolute political power which are for the protection of the people. During the last five month (January to May 2015) the total number of recorded cases of crime against humanity is 207 which covered all the cases existing in the nine Districts of Manipur.

The total number of recorded bomb blast cases in the last five months of 2015 is 96. All the existing situation clearly spoke that Manipur has become `A Land of Dead” in which the people felt more insecure to live in. Manipur is brutally ruled by the hand of the Army with the deadly draconian law AFSPA since 1958 in the so called greatest democratic country in the world, it said.

In the light of the above facts and circumstances the Prime Minister of India is requested to ensure speedy Justice in line of following charter of demands.

The demands are, Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958, to Constitute a special investigation team to make sure that perpetrators of crimes against women and children are brought to justice, Direct the Government of Manipur to start functioning of State Human Right Commission, Initiate the Fast Tract Court in all 9 districts of Manipur within 6 months, Establish a separate Department and Budget to deal with Gender based discrimination, Direct the Government of Manipur to fill up two Judges of Manipur High Court which remain lying since full flagged High Court, Direct the Government of Manipur to investigate the gang rape and murder of Rebika of Heirok properly and sincerely, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/wad-concerned-by-increasing-crimes-against-humanity/

IMPHAL, June 10: The ambush by heavily armed insurgents, near Paralon village in Chandel district on June 4 last led to 18 soldiers of 6 DOGRA being martyred and some soldiers also being injured.

A press release of PRO IGAR (S) said the ambush was violently countered by the personnel of 6 DOGRA, killing at least two militants and injuring others. The escaping militants were pursued and reserve columns rushed in to block their routes of exfiltration, towards the Indo Myanmar border.

It further said that there have been concerns expressed by various segments of the civilian society advising the Indian Army against retributive violence. There have also been reports that the locals had vacated the area fearing reprisals from the Assam Rifles. Four villagers who had gone hunting unaware of the ambush were reported by the media as having gone missing due to Security Forces operations in the area.

It clarified that it is far from true because there has been no retribution of any kind and these persons have finally returned safely. Hence, fears about retribution are unfounded and unnecessary. The Security Forces are aware of their responsibilities towards the civilian population and contemplating such a course of action is against the ethos of the Armed Forces. The Indian Army is, and will always remain, a people`™s army, working ceaselessly for the safety and security of the people. All counter insurgency operations of the Army are intelligence based surgical operations causing minimal inconvenience to the people, it said.

In the current operation too, in spite of severe provocation and highly agitated emotive state of the soldiers, care was taken not to round up or otherwise trouble villagers. The operation was focussed only on pursuit of the fleeing terrorists without exposing civilians to danger. The villagers are advised to return and live peacefully. To reinforce this spirit of friendship and to provide necessary immediate support, Assam Rifles will be organising medical camps and will also be taking other measures to help ameliorate the hardships that these innocent civilians were exposed to, due to gruesome acts by insurgents operating from Myanmar, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/no-retribution-by-ar-even-after-gruesome-ambush-at-paraolon/

IMPHAL June 10: The counting of votes in the recently concluded ADC election are nearing completion. Results are pouring in, but far from complete even at midnight. The INC and NPF are putting up a strong show, though the BJP is still within striking distance. The following are the results declared so far.

Senapati: The NPF leads with 11 seats in its bag. Four of these were won uncontested. The BJP has a total of eight seats including one seat which it won uncontested. Independents have bagged four seats while INC is left to be content with one seat.

Sadar Hills: The INC is the front runner here having already bagged 17 seats including two uncontested ones. The BJP is behind with four seats, and the NPF is third with two seats, while one seat went to an Independent candidate.

Churachanpur: Unlike in the other districts, here Independents are in the lead with 12 seats in their bag already. The INC is second with five seats and the BJP was left with only a single seat at 11.16pm. More results are expected by 1pm.

Ukhrul: NPF is the front runner here with 12 seats. Independents have garnered four, the BJP one and the INC is still to open account at 11.15pm.

Chandel: INC leads by a respectable margin of 11 seats including the 5 uncontested seats. NPF follows with four, Independents together have garnered four and the BJP has managed only two so far.

Tamenglong: Out of the total of 24 seats in Tamenglong INC has bagged 10 seats, followed closely by NPF with eight seats. Fresh entrant BJP managed five seats and a single seat went to an Independent candidate. Ten sitting District Council members retained their seats in all, five did not contest again and another nne lost. This leaves the new District Council with a total of 14 new members.

It might be mentioned that 12 seats out of the total 144 were won uncontested. District Council Election for remaining 132 seats were held on June 1, followed by repolls on June 4 to 6.

Repoll was conducted in 74 polling stations on June 6 following complaints of misconducts involving all the parties.

KOKO HRANGBUNG adds from Chandel: The INC has emerged leader in Chandel. Some of the INC candidates whose results are already declared are: M. Morungson, 1-Khoibu DCC, Ch. Meshil Maring, 3-Langol DCC, Ngamkholal Baite, 22-Sugnu Hill Area Constituency, Khupkholen Haokip, 23- Sajik Tampak and Ginkhojam, 24-Tolbung.

From the NPF, the winners include: MK, Kopham, 4-Kangoi DCC, KSM Matthew Maring, 5-Rilram Centre DCC and Warngam Nula,19-Chakpikarong.

From the BJP: Ch. Chanthoi Aimol and T Seikhothang Haokip of BJP won 7- Aimol Tampak DCC and 18-Songjang DCC respectively.

Independent candidates: Kh. Morung Maring, elected from 2-Machi DCC and Dy. Holngam from 21- Toupokpi.

Today`™s counting was held at the District DRDA conference hall from 8:00 in the morning under tight security.

There are no reports of untoward incidents at the time of filing this report.

It may be mentioned that 5 of INC candidates including the former ADC Chairman Lhukhosei Zou have already been elected unopposed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/inc-leads-npf-by-narrow-margin-bjp-third-so-far/