Day: September 28, 2015

CHANDEL, September 28: A team of Kuki Students`™ Organisation, KSO Chandel on Sunday inspected the Imphal-Moreh highway at Pallel and found many loaded heavy vehicles violating a ban of the Public Works Department, National Highway Division on heavy vehicles commuting along the highway from Pallel towards Moreh.

The plying of loaded heavy vehicles along the route has hampered road repairing along the route, the team said.

The team which was accompanied by the media persons witnessed 10-wheeler trucks and Shaktiman plying along the highway despite the official ban.

Several Shaktiman trucks were found transporting wood planks from Moreh to Saivom and Senam Village to be transported towards Imphal by bus, the student body said.

The portion of sinking road along Imphal – Moreh Section of National Highway 102 in between Tengnoupal and Chahmol was also sunken deeper due to continue plying of heavy vehicles.

Lhunminlal Haokip, Secretary of Health and Environment, KSO Chandel also told that following the deteriorating road condition of Imphal-Moreh road particularly the sunken portion of the road near Tengnoupal due to the recent heavy rainfall, the student body has decided to enforce immediate ban on movement of heavy vehicles including ten wheelers along the section of highway till the road is fully repaired.

He also said that if heavy vehicles continue to ply along this road uncheck, the border town will be totally cut off for many days as there is no alternative by pass road for the sinking portion in between Tengnoupal and Chahmol.

And all commercial vehicles including Shaktiman truck carrying goods weighing more than eigth tonnes will also came under the purview of the ban, he added.

While appealing to all the traders, vehicle owners or associations and the general public to extend co-operation in this regard, the student leader also warned that the student body will take up befitting action if any one defies and violates the ban on heavy vehicles.

Sibong Khudengthabi Village chief Ch Pachoh Kom who is a former MDC said the Imphal-Moreh Highway is a life-line of not only the people of Moreh and its surrounding villages, but also for the whole people of the State.

The road from Heirok to Moreh via Leibi is only the alternative road of the Imphal-Moreh Highway, he added.

He also maintained that now we have to depend solely on Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway 102 as some portions of Heirok to Moreh road were also washed away by the recent landslide in the state.

However, the sunken portions of road along the Imphal-Moreh road near Tengnoupal and Kwatha Lamkhai were also sunken deeper as heavy vehicles continue to ply along the Highway. As such, the people of Moreh and surrounding villages were apprehension of being remain cut off from the rest of the state, added the Village Chief.

While appealing the State government and social organisaton to check movement of Heavy vehicles, S. Khudengthabi Chief also expressed that he along with his villagers resolved to enforced ban of heavy vehicles along the road.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/kso-chandel-imposes-ban-on-heavy-vehicles-along-imphalmoreh-road/

IMPHAL, September 28: The recent developments in Manipur especially after the Manipur Assembly had passed three bills for the protection of the indigenous people call for serious scrutiny and introspection by all concerned, the Senior Citizens for Society Manipur said today.

A statement signed by the president of the organisation said the anger and impulsive uprising of the people in Churachandpur and Sadar Hills that had cost nine valuable human lives was indeed an unfortunate part of the story.

It said `We, the members of the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur express our deep sense of shock and sorrow at the sad demise of the 9 people in the unfortunate incident and pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls.`

It said the Senior Citizens believe that now is the time for healing the hurt sentiments of the people by fulfilling our human duty of sharing and caring with each other in times of the distress and agony.

`At this critical juncture of our society if our Chief Minister as the guardian of the people of Manipur could pay a visit to Churachandpur at least to console the bereaved families of the nine deceased people it would give a healing touch to the hurt sentiments and feelings of the people and pave the way forward for mutual understanding and solidarity.`

`We, the Senior Citizens are old enough to dispassionately introspect the past without bias and we understand that the upheaval in Churachandpur was not devoid of reasons.`

It continued, the people of Churachandpur and Sadar Hills were perhaps deeply hurt by some irresponsible statements of some fringe elements who seemed to be unaware of the age old composite history of this ancient land.

It said unfortunately these fringe elements with no public support or mandate are played into the hands of those who wanted to break the centuries old integrity and composite social fabric of the State.

The statement also said that it is also aware that following the passing of the bills some damage has been done to the centuries old bonding of trust and amity that existed among our communities especially between the Meiteis and Kukis.

From our experience we believe that the social fabric that has been built through ages is too precious to be broken.

Therefore we, the Senior Citizens, urge all sections of people of the Hills and the Valley not to indulge in any activity that may aggravate the situation. We also fervently appeal to all politicians, legislators, CSOs, media persons to refrain from making any provocative statements, it said.

Finally, we earnestly urge upon our Civil Society Organisations in the hills to come forward with open mind and sit across the table with the State Government to thrash out everything and arrive at an honourable settlement of the problem. We believe we can overcome all differences soon. God bless you all and may peace prevail in our society.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/senior-citizens-for-society-manipur-deeply-concerned-by-recent-developments-in-state/

IMPHAL, September 28: The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has appreciated and thanked the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for recognizing and hailing freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu.

A statement of the outfit said the Indian government is celebrating Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary yearlong.

`Many awards and acknowledgement has been paid to the only lady tribal freedom fighter of North-East India,` it said.

The release further lauded three Indian leaders namely first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for giving the title of `Rani` in 1937 to the freedom fighter, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who conferred the title `Tamrapatra` meaning freedom fighter in 1972 and Narendra Modi for introducing coins of Rs 100 and 5 commemorating Rani Gaidinliu`™s birth centenary on August 24, 2015 in New Delhi.

It further said the outfit will not forget Nagaland Governor PB Acharya who walked the extra mile to honour the Naga lady who fought the British from a young age.

Rani Gaidinliu`™s sacrifices towards preserving and protecting her land, culture and indigenous religion from the hands of the alien forces have led the Zeliangrong people this far, it continued.

Rani Gaidinliu, the ZUF statement said, relinquished her life for the Zeliangrong and kindred tribes to come under a single administrative unit and raised her voice demanding a separate State for the Zeliangrong people.

Yet, the Zeliangrong people are made minorities in the three States of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland all under the Indian administration, it claimed.

The outfit also claimed that the sacrifices of the martyrs Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu struggle to bring the Zeliangrong people under a single administration has not been fulfilled till date.

`The progenies of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu longs to realize the cherish vision of the past freedom fighters,` it said adding that the ZUF carries the same vision of Rani Gaidinliu demanding a separate state for the Zeliangrong people.

The ZUF also claimed that cadres of the outfit have been hunted every now and then by combined teams of the NSCN (IM) and the Indian Army/ Assam Rifles, even though the Central government is celebrating Rani Gaidinliu`™s centenary.

Several and repeated memorandums submitted to the Prime Minister Office and other concerned authorities of the Indian government have turned to deaf ears till date, it said.

It further charged the AR of giving protection and a free hand to the NSCN (IM) to roam around with arms and ammunitions around the local villages.

It said the hunting and operation against the ZUF that follows Rani Gaidinliu is `incongruous.`

The ZUF has also charged the NSCN (IM) of working hand in glove with the AR and other security forces and suppressing the voice of the Zeliangrong people.

The NSCN (IM) in a double standard manner has been stopping the Zeliangrong people`™s demand for separate State while giving a free hand to other communities, it said.

It further charged local politicians like deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio of using the AR and the Dogra Regiment in bringing terror in Zeliangrong areas especially in Tamenglong.

The ZUF has warned that it will not remain silent if the Indian security forces continue with their policy of suppression in connivance with some local politicians on one hand and with the NSCN (IM) on the other.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/zuf-appreciates-centres-recognition-of-rani-gaidinliu/

IMPHAL, September 28: `The dream of those who are trying to break Manipur into pieces will never come true.`

This was stated by United Committee Manipur president Elangbam Johnson speaking on the sideline of `Heitha Leithaba` here at Kekrupat today.

He said the UCM has been observing the `Heitha Leithaba`™ on `langbandgee ahanba purnima numita`™ (of the Meitei lunar calendar) remembering the 18 brave souls who laid down their lives to save the territorial integrity of Manipur.

UCM has been observing this day every year since 2002.

Speaking on the present issues in the State, he further said some people who have the intention to break Manipur are playing the communal card or ethnic card among the communities to create hatred among each other without considering the harm it could do.

He said UCM is closely monitoring the moves of these people.

He further appealed to the general public to remain calm and act responsibly to save the unity and integrity of Manipur.

Manipur has a very long history of various communities whether small or big residing together and considering the history of the land we are confident that no power on earth can break the integrity of Manipur, he maintained.

`Their dream of breaking Manipur into pieces will never come true. It is impossible,` he reaffirmed.

`We (UCM) also appeal to the people of Manipur to be cautious and stand united against these people who are trying to break the integrity of Manipur,` he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/breaking-manipur-impossible-ucm/