Day: July 26, 2015

IMPHAL, July 26: As in others part of the country, the `Kargil Vijay Diwas 2015`™ was observed at the Banquet Hall of 1st MR today in honour of the brave Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting against the Pakistani intruders in 1999.

Speaking at the observance function as chief guest, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the Kargil Bijoy Diwas has been observed to commemorate the Operation Vijay of 1999 in which a large number of armed Pakistani intruders were flushed out by the brave Indian soldiers from its territory.

He asserted that the people are well aware why the Kargil War between India and Pakistan broke out and how India bravely won the war though many soldiers lost their lives fighting against the Pakistani intruders.

The CM recalled that seven soldiers from the state namely Lance Nike Kuleshor from Imphal East, Sipoy Charles Nicolas Moyon from Chandel, Sipoy Beningvir Moyon from Chandel, Lance Naik Birneithang from Chnadel, Sipoy Zamkholai Vaiphei from Churachandpur, Sepoy Kapani Asuli from Senapati and Sipoy Daikho Mao from Senapati were amongst the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the war.

Stating that the seven brave soldiers from the state have found their place in the history of martyrs of the country, he said that the people of the state should always remember the undeniable sacrifice made by the soldiers born in the state which is known for bravery and perseverance.

The CM called upon the people to jointly safeguard the territorial integrity of the country from any external threat.

Deputy CM Gaikhangam who presided over the function hailed the immense bravery shown by Indian soldiers in the Kargil War in which a large number of Pakistani intruders were flushed out from the Indian soil.

He acknowledged that the state of Manipur is always in the lead not only in sports, art & culture but also in safeguarding the territorial integrity.

Maintaining that the Kargil martyrs will be always remembered by the people of the country for their sacrifices for the sake of the motherland, the Dy CM called upon the people to collectively safeguard the integrity and identity of the country.

Several high ranking government officials were also present at the observance function.

BJP Manipur Pradesh also observed the Kargil Vijay Diwas at its office wherein president of the party Th Choaba and several other office bearers attended.

During the function, the dignitaries paid floral tributes to the portrait of the seven brave soldiers from the state, who laid down their lives in the war.

Speaking on the occasion, Chaoba said that the Indian soldiers fought the Pakistani intruders with courage and bravery which led to the victory in the war.

He also said that the seven state soldiers who lost their lives in the infamous war will be always remembered by the people.

The observance function was also attended by the vice-president of BJP Manipur Pradesh Dr RK Ranjan; Md AR Khan; I Mangiton; core committee member Prof S Tiken; spokesperson RK Shivachandra; president of BJP Yuva Morcha O Malesh; media general secretary L Basanta Sharma; president of Mahila Morcha RK Pramodini; general secretary organisation of Mahila Morcha L Bobby Devi and several other leaders of the party.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/state-pays-fitting-tributes-to-martyrs-on-kargil-vijay-diwas-observation/

IMPHAL, July 26: The onset of monsoon and subsequent blocking of the Mapithel dam has unfolded more miseries for settlements in both the upstream and downstream area off late.

After engulfing Chadong village, resulting in an involuntary displacement of many household, the Louphung Tangkhul and Nongdam Kuki villages that had already been re-settled on the eastern side of the reservoir has been reportedly asked to shift again to safer places.

In addition to that the villagers at the immediate downstream are spending sleepless night following the seepage from earth dam since the past few days. Fearing that the dam will collapse these villagers had set up relief camps to spend night rather than their homestead.

Louphung Tangkhul and Nongdam Kuki villages were completely displaced in 1991 after payment of mere 3000-10,000 rupees per family.

As an immediate measure, the two villages re-settled nearby the dam site with the help of the authority concerned who reportedly provided GI sheets, tarpaulin etc for the temporary settlements.

Moreover, they were also reportedly assured with maximum rehabilitation package.

However, the villagers strongly felt that they have been betrayed by the Government.

According to Kh Vareingam, village secretary of Louphung, the two villages were amongst the first villages to have been displaced by the construction of the dam and their original location of the villages sits at the bottom of the reservoir.

Despite having re-settled without zero resistance for 24 years they asked to vacate from their places for their settlement areas lies in the sinking zone (about 40-50 metres away from the Dam reservoir).

Moreover, they also deplored the step-motherly treatment meted against with regards to rehabilitation and resettlement packages when compared to other villages which technically is in the list of submerged and displace area.

He said that so far the Government had provided with a little over two lakhs rupees per family as higher relief till 2007 when other villagers under the same category (submerged and displace) are getting over 15 Lakhs rupees under Rehabilitation and Re-settlement package which included enlisting every 18 years of a family as separate family.

`We fully co-operated with the Government and never resisted or confronted since the beginning of the project yet in return they deceived us`, lamented Vareingam.

Other villages included in the list of submerged villages (upstream) included Lamlai Khunou, Lamlai Mongbung, Chadong, Lamali Khullen and Phayang.

Unfortunately, Phayang (having around 23 household) and Lamlai Mongbung (having around 86 household) unlike the other villages could not re-settle and extinct today since the displacement and coupled with the Kuki-Naga ethnic clash.

Leaving aside the disparity in the RR package of the Mapithel dam, many right activists are surprised and questioned by the definition of the affected area under the RR package.

It has been brought to notice that four villages including Maphou Kuki, Nongdam Kuki, Nondam Kuki and Bethelphai villages which have been buried by the earth dam were not provided with any rehabilitation packages as they were not categorised in the list of displace/submerged villages due to the construction of the dam.

Similarly, the settlements in the downstream are also demanding for `Special Economic Rehabilitation Package`.

Meanwhile, to take the stock of the situation a team of AMUCO led by its president Mani Kuman, visited the area and interacted with the villages.

Drawing the attention Government with regards to the plight of the affected villages, the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) had urged the Cabinet to approve and take up necessary with regards to the grievances of the people within 30 days time.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/mapithel-dam-blockage-creates-miseries-for-villagers/

IMPHAL, July 26: The burning ILP issue can be addressed and resolved within the state itself by passing an ordinance through the State legislature as an immediate measure after taking Governor`™s assent without infringing the Constitution of India considering the gravity of situation and raging people`™s demand for immediate introduction of ILPS in the state, president of BJP Manipur Pradesh Th Chaoba has stated.

He was addressing media persons at the office of the party located at Nityapat Chuthek here today.

Chaoba informed that a high level committee formed by the party members have drafted and submitted a set of suggestion on the proposed drafting of a new bill to the State Law Minister-led Drafting Committee constituted by the government in the wake of public outcry over the demand for enactment of a new bill to check the incessant influx of outsiders into the state.

The suggestions from the side of the party on the proposed enactment of a new bill acceptable to the people was submitted to the Drafting Committee today after having a thorough consideration during a meeting of the core committee of the party, he added.

He said that the people`™s demand for enactment of a fresh bill can be met in the state level without reaching the Parliament, which would be a time consuming to pass the proposed bill.

However, Chaoba declined to respond when asked whether the party would extend winning support to lobby the Central Government to pass the proposed bill if the new bill incorporates the five points recommended by JCILPS that excludes deportation of non-locals who resided in Manipur after 1951 though he said that the matter can only be said when time comes.

Referring to the proposed enactment of a new bill which is the collective wishes of the people, he said that it is permissible under the State concurrent list which will simply regulate the influx of non-local by establishing a competent authority and imposing certain conditions in selling or buying of land to non-residents.

The president of BJP Manipur Pradesh asserted that the party`™s suggestions include the clause of `public order`™, `land`™ and `peace & good governance`™ in the interest of the local population including the Schedule Tribe to suggest the government to implement a comprehensive regulation within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

The press conference was also attended by party vice-president Prof S Tiken; spokesperson RK Ranjan and RK Shivachandra and media state general secretary L Basanta Sharma.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/bjp-submits-recommendations-to-drafting-committee-on-enactment-of-new-bill/

IMPHAL, July 26: The United Development Association, (UDA), Khangabok organised a one-day seminar on `ILP System and Mass Movement in Manipur`™ today at Manipur Press Club with president of AMBA Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani attending as moderator.

Editor of Naharolgi Thoudang Kh Loyalakpa; retired MU Professor A Lokendra Singh and social scientist Dhanabir Laishram acted as speakers on the topic.

Addressing the gathering, Professor A Lokendra Singh stated that the ILP issue does not crop up suddenly as it is related to the existence of the Foreign Department during the rule of King, which used to monitor the influx of outsiders into the state.

He recalled that the department used to give permit to the outsiders for a certain period and recover tax from them.

When democratic constitution of Manipur was drafted, Hamant Singh who was the first Chief Commissioner of the state dissolved the permit system, he claimed.

Dhanabir Laishram said that all the educational institutions in Greater Imphal were closed down by an order of the government in view of the tense situation following the death of a student during a protest staged demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the state.

He also said that normal class in the educational institutions should be resumed at the earliest otherwise students may resort to launch agitation which in turn will further deteriorate law and order situation.

The government should tackle the participation of students in ILPS movement in appropriate manner and ensure that their education is not affected at any cost.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/seminar-on-ilp-system-and-mass-movement-in-manipur-held/

IMPHAL, July 26: Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar today alleged that the government is playing foul and trying to divert the people`™s attention from the raging issue of demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur.

The MLA regretted that the government is only now conceding to the demand for instituting a judicial inquiry into the death of a 16 year old student, Sapam Robinhood, after facing agitation on the streets, and not before, exercising its good judgment.

He said that the situation with regards to the demand for ILPS got beyond a point of no return only after the killing of a protester Sapam Robinhood. Thereafter, he said it was the State Home Department which messed everything up with its drama, confusing the people.

Shyamkuamr further said that on the faithful afternoon of July 8, the student agitators were taking out a peaceful rally though amid the prohibitive orders of CrPC 144 issued by the district magistrate. This being the case, he had said that the police personnel had orders to take action to control the mob, he said.

If this statement hurt any civil society body, he said he would willingly tender his apology for he did not mean to hurt anybody`™s sentiment.

He said instead of carrying out their orders normally, the police personnel used extreme measures and shot tear gas shells, rubber bullets and mock bombs directly at the crowd. Unfortunately, police action resulted in Sapam Robinhood shot dead.

He said the State Home Minister in a statement in the Assembly, clearly mentioned there was no fault of the police in the incident and no action would be initiated for the death of Robinhood.

However, now the State Government has decided to conduct a judicial inquiry into the killing of Robinhood.

The question is that why did the State Government not take any positive step immediately instead of waiting for the public to take to the streets, asked Shyamkumar.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/shyamkumar-peeved-by-govt-delay-in-initiating-action-in-student-killing-case/

IMPHAL, July 26: The All Manipur College Teachers`™ Association (AMCTA) has expressed their condolence on the death of Sapam Robinhood who died in the hands of the police during the struggle for implementation of ILPS in the state and also condemned the barbaric action of the police as well during an emergency meeting held on July 26.

According to a release of AMCTA, the association demanded punishment to be given to the police personnel involved in the incident and inclusion of all the points rtecommended by JCILPS in the proposed new Bill.

AMCTA also demanded reopening of all schools and colleges in all greater Imphal areas at the earliest and fulfillment of the demands made by the association regarding the fresh notification of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) and to terminate appointments of irregular Principals, it said.

The unit colleges of the association under the government will also join in the Nation Wide Cease Work Strike called by All India Federation of University and College Teachers`™ Organisation (AIFUCTO) from August 7. A team led by President of AMCTA, M. Lokendro Singh will also take part in the hunger strike of Office Bearers to be carried out at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi from August 7 onwards, it said.

The demands of the AIFUCTO are immediate constitution of VII Pay Review Committee, AHRD approval of UGC decisions on 3rd Amendments of UGC Regulations-2010 and Ph.D Regulations 2009, Minister-HRD appointment to AIFUCTO-FEDCUTA to discuss the long standing professional demands, Scrapping of API, Roll backed choice based Credit system and CU Bill 2013, extend dates for RC and OC upto December 2015, UGC Pay Scales for all Categories of Teachers, Stop commercialisation of higher education, reject Pension Scheme-2004 and Consult Teachers`™ organisations on Education policies, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/amcta-to-join-nationwide-cease-work-strike/

IMPHAL, July 26: A national seminar on `Perspective and Realization on the Issues of Smaller States in India`™ will be held in New Delhi on August 11, which will be attended by more than 1000 participants including all the stake holders of the smaller states demanding groups, heavy weight politicians, noted activists, scholars, eminent writers and academicians of the country.

The seminar is to be jointly organised by All Bodo Students`™ Union (ABSU); Peoples`™ Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement (PJACBM); Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC); National Federation for New States (NFNS); Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP); Vidarbha Rajya Agdhi (VIRRA); Indigenous People`™s Front Tripura (IPTF) and Dimasa People`™s Council (DPC).

A joint press release of the organizations stated that the seminar is to be organised in order to collectively consult on perspectives, challenges and realization on smaller states issue of India by proving a common platform to widely exchange ideas, views, opinions, suggestions, recommendations and to cooperate in finding effective and meaningful pathways and strategies for contributions towards finding solutions over the national issue.

The successive Government of India, particularly the NDA Government considering the peoples`™ genuine aspirations and legitimacy took bold historic political decisions and created three new states namely Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Chattisgarh in the year 2000 which have sent a positive signal to other smaller states demanding groups across the country, it said.

The NDA Government which envisioned first that with the creations of smaller states in the country the faster growth and development in all fronts could be achieved is back to power with the promises of faster growth and development, protection of identity and culture, proportionate distribution and utilization of resources, removal of regional disparity, social justice and equal dignity, redesigning the country with creating rationally smaller states etc.

So as a major stake holders of the smaller state demanding groups do strongly feel that it is the right time to renew the legitimate demands and carry out peaceful democratic exercises to remind the present NDA Govt to take favourable and time bound appropriate steps to fulfil our longstanding continued demands of smaller states, said the press release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/smaller-states-demanding-groups-to-hold-national-seminar/