Day: August 30, 2015

IMPHAL, August 30: The first martyrdom anniversary of Mayopam Ramror and Ramkasing Vashi was observed today at Tangkhul Naga Long Ground, Ukhrul with Naga public leaders from across the State paying solemn homage to the two departed souls at the Martyrdom Memorial Graveyard.

Various Naga tribe leaders led by United Naga Council (UNC) president Gaidon Kamei pledged to carry forward the Naga political struggle undeterred by the oppressive tactics of the State government.

Ramror and Vashi were amongst the thousands of people rallying to demand immediate revocation of 144 CrPC promulgated at Ukhrul town for more than a month and withdrawal of the police commando from the district on August 30 last year. These demands followed the killing of one ADC member and pre-dawn raid on the office of NSCN (IM) at Ukhrul. They died on the spot and several others were injured when the police fired at the crowd.

In his welcome address, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) president V Weapon Zimik applauded the courage of the two young martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Nagas. He reiterated the chronology of Naga movement and the ceaseless collective struggle of the people till date.

UNC president Gaidon Kamei unveiled the Martyrdom Monumental Tombstones erected at TNL Ground in honour of late Mayopam Ramror and Ramkasing Vashi who were shot dead by Manipur Police commandos during a mass peace rally at Wino Bazaar in Ukhrul on August 30 last year.

Thousands became teary with emotion and the two young widows wept inconsolable when one of the Christian`s most solemn and emotional songs `Nearer to thee` began to rent the air at TNL Ground as leaders from different Naga organizations and tribe Hoho leaders of Manipur laid wreaths at the tombs of the two UNC martyrs.

Wives of the two martyrs also offered floral tributes to their respective departed husbands. Rossetina wife of late Mayopam Ramror and Chonmiwon wife of Ramkasing Vashi were both pregnant with their first child at the time when their husbands were shot dead.

Giving the Martyrs Day message, UNC President Gaidon Kamei in his address said that Ramror and Vashi will be remembered forever in the history of the Nagas for their solemn sacrifice.

He further said that the subjugating force of Manipur government will never be able to suppress the Nagas`™ right to self determination. He then expressed vehement condemnation of the killing of the two innocent rallyists.

Kamei also reiterated the pledge to take forward the Naga struggle with unity and oneness, while urging all factional Naga national leaders to forget past mistrust and come together for the collective Naga cause.

Leaders and representatives from ANSAM, NWU, CNPO, NPMHR, NPO and ZB delivered solidarity messages. A two-minute silence was also observed during the observance in remembrance of the two departed martyrs.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/1st-martyrdom-anniv-of-mayopam-ramror-and-ramkasing-vashi-observed/

IMPHAL, August 30: Yet another three volunteers of Democratic Students`™ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) Thoubal Branch, who had launched hunger strike at Thoubal Wangmataba Devi Mandap demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System or equivalent act in the State, have been arrested by police yesterday around 11.50 pm.

The arrested hunger strikers are Arun Mayengba, 18 (social & culture secretary of Kha Manipur College Kakching); Naorem Indrakumar, 17 (debate & extension secretary of Chouyaima Higher Secondary School) and Waikhom Bidyaswor (student of Little Star Higher Secondary School, Thoubal Haokha).

After they were picked up from the hunger strike venue, another six volunteers of the students`™ body came out and launched the agitation at the same venue from today morning around 7.30.

They are identified as Thokchom Radharani Devi, 12 (Class VI student of Lalit Madhop Sharma High School, Khongjom) daughter of Th Tombi Devi of Khongjom Mamang Leikai; Ningombam Sanathoi Devi, 14 (Class IX student of Eureka High School, Khongjom) daughter of N Bijoy of Sapam Mayai Leikai; Lisham Joyratna Chanu, 17 (Class XII student of Chouyaima Higher Secondary School) daughter of L Premchandra of Thoubal Kiyam Leikai; Mayengbam Malemnganba Singh, 14 (Class VIII student of Eureka High School) son of M Robin of Langathel Thingel Leikai; Laishram Rabikanta Singh, 14 (Class IX student of Eureka High School) son of L Kuber of Sangaikhong Sabal Leikai and Nepram Anand Singh, 14 (Class IX student of Eureka High School) son of N Jugeshor of Langathel Thingel Leikai.

According to them, they will continue the hunger strike stir till an acceptable bill to safeguard the indigenous people from the unchecked influx of outsiders in the State is passed by the government.

Male and women vendors at Thoubal Market are manning the student hunger strikers.

A total of 19 volunteers of DESAM Thoubal Branch have been pulled up by police for launching hunger strike agitation since August 19.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/police-clampdowns-on-hunger-strikers-continue-three-more-pulled-up/

IMPHAL, August 30: Even as the death anniversary of Haipou Jadonang Malangmei is being widely observed in different part of the north-eastern region every year, the freedom fighters`™ final resting place at his native village Puiluan (Kambiron) under Nungba Sub-division of Tamenglong district apparently has been rendered insignificant due to the government`™s apathy.

Though the State government observed the 84th death anniversary of the leader in grand scale on last Saturday with unveiling of his bronze statue at Keishampat, his native village Puiluan remained in dark without electricity for over two months now.

The fact of living without electricity however failed to deter the villagers from keeping alive the spirit of Jadonang`™s historic sacrifice.

The Jadonang Memorial Trust Puiluan also observed the death anniversary of the late freedom fighter with much fervour.

Marking the day, villagers from different parts of the districts visited the burial site and gave offering in traditional ways. A formal function was also organised at the Jadonang Memorial Hall wherein entertainment programme like traditional dances, musical performances were organised till late in the evening with electricity supplied by the NF power company.

Speaking to media persons, Pounamgai Kamei, former president of Jadonang Memorial Trust, rued the way Puiluan village has been left on their own mercy.

He continued that Puiluan village in every aspect is lagging behind, adding that the only community hall in the village was also built by the village with contribution from various sources.

`Puiluan is a historic place for the fact that it is the birth place of Haipou Jadonang Malangmei yet the government has done nothing significant for this village especially to preserve the elements relating to Haipou Jadonang`, Kamei lamented.

The burial site of Haipou Jadonang and its surrounding located around 2 km atop Puilon village is lying in sorry state.

Cracks have appeared on stone plaque built on top of Jadonang`™s grave besides remains surrounding the burial sites relating to Jadonang are gradually reclaimed by nature.

It has been informed that the resting place mostly remained isolated from rest of the world due to the rugged landscape.

The road is accessible by foot or four-wheeler vehicle but during raining seasons, it can be accessible only by foot.

According to RK Athuan, they have already approached the government requesting to restore the only legacies of Haipou Jadonang in 2006 yet nothing has been done so far.

He further appealed to the government to help in restoring the sites before there are nothing left to preserve.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/haipou-jadonangs-final-resting-place-rendered-insignificant/

KANGPOKPI, August 30: Several tribal student organizations namely the Kuki Students`™ Organization (GHQ); All Naga Students`™ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and both the ATSUM groups have jointly called a 12 hour bandh in all the hill districts of the State with effect from 6 am of August 31.

A joint statement signed by Seiboi Haokip, general secretary of KSO-GHQ; Alexander Huten, general secretary of ANSAM; Maun Tombing, president of ATSUM and Joseph R. Hmar, acting president of ATSUM said that the 12 hour bandh was called against the introduction of the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, 2015; Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shop & Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the special session of the State Assembly on August 28.

It pointed out that the bills have overlapping of Article 371 C and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act, 1947 and reiterated that various tribal organizations had apprised the government of their stands in this regard.

While holding the State government and the Hill Areas Committee responsible for any problematic circumstances arises out of the bandh, the tribal student bodies in the statement made it clear that the tribal people will not remain silent spectators when their rights are threatened by such way of systematic infringement.

Mention may be made that various tribal bodies including KSO, ANSAM and ATSUM have released several press statements separately in the past few days voicing their total resentment over the three bills introduced in the Assembly on August 28 following an agreement between the State government and JCILPS on August 25.

The tribal bodies claim that the bills will directly or indirectly affect the tribal interest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/tribal-student-bodies-call-12hr-bandh-from-6-am-today/

IMPHAL, August 30: The number of hunger strikers in the state demanding implementation of the ILP System or similar act to safeguard the indigenous people is still rising.

The total as of today has reached 157. This includes those who had been arrested by concern authorities but are still hunger-striking.

Of the 157 hunger strikers, 41 are juvenile. Another 36 girls and 35 boys are fasting in the Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts. Among them one man is 80 years old.

While the DESAM Thoubal district unit had 10 new volunteers including three girls this morning at 7.30am, replaced their earlier hunger strikers who were arrested at 1 in the morning.

The new volunteers are identified as Class VI Lalit Madhop Sharma Higher Secondary School Thockchom Radharani 12, daughter of Th Tombi; Class IX Eureka High School Ningombam Sanathoi 14, daughter of N Bijoy; XII Chaoyaima Higher Secondary School Lisham Joy Ratana Chanu 17, daughter of L Premchandra Meetei; Class VIII Eureka High School Mayengbam malemnganba Singh 14, son of M Robin; Class IX Eureka High Svhool Laishram Rabikanta 14, son of L Kuber and Class IX Eureka High School Nepram Anand 14, son of N Jugeshor Singh.

A Class VIII student of Nongpok Maheikol Brahmapur Aribam Lekai launched hunger strike at Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai waiting shed. The student was identified as Sapam Subolchand Singh 12, son of S Sushilkumar, he started hunger strike from 7 am onwards after the earlier faster 80 years old Aribam ongbi Sanahanbi was arrested by police today morning 5.30 am.

On the other hand, in the round-the-clock relay hunger strike of Thangmeiband another 7 new strikers including three woman strikers replaced yesterday`™s group today from morning 10 am.

The new strikers were identified as Sagolsem Tembi Devi 65, wife of Late S Surchandra Singh; Oinam Manileima Devi 65, wife of Late O Maimu; Nongthombam Dina Devi 52, wife of N Robin Singh; Maimom Ashis Meitei 21, son of M Chaoba Meitei; Suraj Sougaijam 22, son of S Rajen; Thiophil Maibam 21, son of M Boby and Bikram Wangkheirakpam 22, son of W ongbi Kabita Devi.

Another two faster also launched hunger strike after earlier fasters were arrested by police today evening 1 pm at Khongman Mangjil Oriental Club.

The two new faster were identified as Takhelchangbam Kishan 17, son of T Bokulchandra Sharma and Takhelchangbam David Sharma 17, son of T Brajmani Sharma of Brhamapur Mangjil Mamang.

Altogether 13 new hunger strikers are fasting for the ILP System to be implement or similar act in the state.

31-Aug-2015 / Our Staff Reporter / 0 Co

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/ilps-hunger-strikers-number-rises-to-157/

IMPHAL, August 30: Truckers stranded along the National Highway-37 due to a defect of the Bailey bridge over the Barak River have strongly deplored the sluggish nature of repair work carried out by the BRTF.

Meanwhile, official source from BRTF informed that the repairing work will be completed within 20 days at least.

Over 100 trucks are still stranded on both sides of the Barak Bridge and are waiting for the completion of the bridge.

Speaking to media persons, one of the stranded truck drivers revealed that they have been stranded for over five days waiting to cross over. However, they are seeing almost no progress, he said.

He further revealed that even as workers came to the bridge, the work actually last just few hours without much progress.

Since the bridge encountered the problem on August 26 afternoon, the workers only able to strap two metal chains to hold the damage part of the bridge.

According to Chanchal Sarkar, Junior Engineer of BRTF, they are trying their best to repair the bridge and added that it could probably be over within 20 days.

Claiming that the damage inflicted to the bridge was due to passing of overloaded trucks, he further revealed that this was the second time that the bridge had encountered technical difficulties since its opening November last.

This time the damage was inflicted by a truck and 12-wheeler truck carrying 600 cement bags altogether weighing 30 tons, he contended.

It is worth noting that the capacity of the current Bailey bridge is only 24 tons officially.

The truckers expressed disappointment over the failure of the State government to intervene into the matter till date.

According to the transporters, the government has officially sanctioned only 25 tons for ten-wheeler trucks and 31 tons for 12 wheelers when the capacity of the bridge is only 25 tons.

`It is like we are not allowed on this bridge`, said the driver on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, with the tense situation prevailing in the State in the wake of various issues, the transporters are transferring their goods with the help of labours from one end to the other.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/stranded-truckers-deplore-sluggish-repair-work-by-brtf/