Month: September 2015

IMPHAL, Sept 1: Ching Tam Apunba Nupi Lup Pallel; YDO Pallel and JCILPS Pallel Wing jointly staged a sit-in-protest yesterday at Pallel Bazar demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System or equivalent act in the State.

The South Eastern Sporting Union (SESU) Kakching Sumak Leikai and DESAM Kakching Zonal Council also staged a sit in at Kakching Sumak Leikai Community Hall wherein locals and students of Grace Cottage Academy Kakching and Victory High School participated. A human chain was also formed during which slogans demanding ILPS were shouted.

Sit-ins were also held at Hiyanglam Lai Pangalba New Market Shed; Wabagai Awang Leikai; Hiranmei; Keirak and Lamjao during which slogans like `Convert the bill passed in the Assembly into an act to monitor them influx of outsiders`™, `Territorial integrity of the State must not be put in jeopardy`™, `Long Live Manipur`™ etc were chanted.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/sitins-pressing-for-ilps-continue/

Imphal, September 1: The All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur has said it is appalled and perturbed by the `unbecoming militarisation of State forces in Churanchandpur.`

It has further condemned the `State sponsored terrorism` claiming that nine persons were killed and more than 20 injured in the course of random indiscriminate firing.

`ATSUM will fight any oppressive force to crush genuine democratic expressions,` it said.

`The social anarchy arising for, introduction of ILP in Manipur vis-à-vis the mobility and policing of the state forces does not match when taken into consideration the furiousness and irresponsibility of the State forces,` it claimed.

It is very unfortunate that all tribal MLAs were brain washed by the majority representatives on a sound pretext that the two bills have nothing to do with the Hills areas.

`It is not that we are against introduction of any bill in the Assembly that benefits the valley people but ours is simply to protect and safeguards the provisions enshrined under Article 371C of the Constitution of India,` it claimed.

`Any bill that infringes or overlaps our guaranteed rights is a doom. To this end, the HAC have made known by this Union ahead of time.

As such, ATSUM demands HAC to make their stance very clear or else they shall be held responsible for the entire calamity that befalls on the tribals.

Governor has been earnestly prayed to secure the proper functioning of the Hill Area Committee and not to give his assent for approval of bills passed in the Assembly as it infringes the rights of the minorities it said.

The ATSUM once again gives a clarion call to all the Tribal brethren to rise up and stand firm in unison for whatsoever circumstances in the offing said the release issued by Mikah Kamei secretary Information and Publicity ATSUM.

From Our Kangpokpi Correspondent: Naga People Organization general secretary D Dailord Pao said `All the three bills passed during the `Special Session`™ on August 31 were targeted against the tribal`™s of Manipur by the alleged communal government`,

He said that in case of any eventualities or consequences arising out of these three bills, the tribal sitting ministers and MLAs should be held solely responsible.

Naga civil society organizations including NPO, SDWA and SDSA had a joint consultation meeting along with other civil organizations in the district with eminent personalities, ex-officials of frontal organizations at the district Head Quarters today and deliberated the matter relating to Manipur Legislative Assembly Special Session of August 31.

The joint meeting vehemently condemned the Manipur Legislative Assembly act of passing the bills namely the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015; The Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops & Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill 2015.

The meeting also condemned MLA K Ranjit for his statement, `There is no Nagas in Manipur` in the August house said D. Dailord Pao while adding that it is very unfortunate for the stature of People representative to give such unbecoming statement in the house.

The joint meeting also demanded MLA Ranjit to withdraw his statement publicly and tender apology to the Naga People of Manipur through media added NPO General Secretary.

The Naga civil society organizations also condemned the death of tribals`™ youth in Churachandpur yesterday night.

The United Naga Council (UNC) has also claimed that the three bills passed on August 31 are anti-tribal Bills and drastically condemned it.

`Such bills are only in the interest of particular community and not in general interest`, the UNC said in its press statement.

The UNC also condemned the killing of seven persons and injuring many in Churachandpur in the strongest terms.

It also said that the present turmoil triggered by anti-tribal government has proven the fact that, the tribals and majority community cannot live together and that, force union of the two different entities has reaped more division and hatred among the different communities of the State.

Therefore, the UNC reiterates by its statement that, the Tribals in Manipur seeks `peaceful parting` and `live as peaceful neighbors`™ to achieve harmony and peace.

The UNC also directly attacked the irresponsible statement of MLA K. Ranjit of Sugnu constituency who declared in Manipur Assembly that, `There are No Nagas in Manipur`.

Such provoking and communal statement of an elected member truly endorses the same language of valley based civil bodies, MLAs and social leaders who has been vocally propounding that, civil war and bloodshed between among the people is imminent, the UNC said.

The UNC warned that, any consequence and eventualities of the statement made by such communal MLA will be sole responsibilities of the same and Manipur government.

Seeking the immediate intervention of the Center Government into the present law and order situation of Manipur particularly CCpur incident, the UNC blamed the State Government for creation of present political and social unrest in the State.

It mentioned that, the rights of the Tribals cannot be diluted in any form during the arrangement made for particular community at the expense of the Tribals.

The UNC will uprightly protect the interest of the Tribals at any cost and that, the communal force of the State Government will not be allowed to undermine the people`™s interest, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/tribal-organisations-condemn-newly-passed-bills-as-antitribal/

IMPHAL, September 1: Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur volunteers are continuing their hunger strikes in front of the student body`™s office seeking a proper dialogue from the government on the death of Sapam Robinhood.

The new DESAM volunteers who started their hunger strike since 7pm of August 31 are identified as secretary games and sports DESAM H/Q Oinam Subhaschandra, 27, son of O Mangi; BA 3rd semester student of Manipur College Abujam Micheal, 19, son of A Imo; BA 5th semester student of Naorem Birahari College Koijam Jiten, 20, son of K Sanamatum; class XII Sc Wangoi Higher Secondary School student Phisubam Nazir Ahamed, 17, son of Ph Nazirudin; B Sc 5th semester student of DM College of Science Nilakanta Longjam, 20, son of Longjam Ibomcha and Yumnam Naoba, 24, son of Yumnam Ango of Khurai Sajor Leikai.

Meanwhile, DESAM Thoubal district council has suspended their hunger strike.

However, its last phase hunger strikers were picked up by the concern authority on August 31.

The volunteers are identified as class VI student of Lalit Madhop Sharma Higher Secondary School Thokchom Radharani, 12; class IX student of Eureka High School Ningombam Sanathoi, 14; class XII students of Chaoyaima Higher Secondary School Lisham Joy and Ratana Chanu 17; class VIII student of Eureka High School Mayengbam Malemnganba Singh, 14; class IX student of Eureka High School Laishram Rabikanta, 14 and class IX student of Eureka High School Nepram Anand, 14.

Meanwhile, students of the JN Nursing School Porompat also staged a sit in protest at the DESAM HQ hunger strike venue.

The 24-hour rally hunger strike at Thangmeiband THAU ground opposite waiting shed is also continuing.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/desam-continues-hunger-strikes/

IMPHAL, September 1: The State government has reiterated that The Protection of Manipur Peoples`™ Bill 2015, Manipur Land Revenue & Land Records (seventh Amendment) 2015and the Manipur Shop & Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 do not infringe on the existing rights of the tribal community settled in the state of Manipur and also do not impinges on the provision of Article 371 C.

The State government has also appealed to all stakeholders that any differences may be discussed and settled across the table.

The State cabinet today convened an emergency meeting following the present unrest in the Hill districts especially in Churachandpur following the passing of three bills.

According to an official statement issued by the secretary to the State Chief Minister N Ashok Kumar, the State cabinet, in its emergency meeting held today chaired by the Chief Minister and subsequent meeting with Hill Area Committee, has reviewed the present law and order situation arising out of the violent incidents leading to arson and destruction of residences of ministers and Members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in hill areas which also led to the death of seven persons.

The agitation has been launched against the passing of the three bills by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, in a special sitting, on the perception that these bills are anti tribal and violates the provision of Article 371 C and the Manipur State Hill People Regulation, 1947, it said.

The statement said it is to clarify that these three bills do not infringe on the existing rights of the tribal community settled in the state of Manipur and also do not impinges on the provision of Article 371 C and the subsequent Presidential order of 1972 which provides for Scheduled areas and matters as also the Manipur State Hill People Regulation, 1947.

It is also clarified that the present amendment of MLR&LR Act which was passed in the Assembly does not extend to the Hill areas and in no way will affect or alter the present status of Tribal land.

The official statement said that there seems to be misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the provisions of the bills leading to the tragic incidents of yesterday and today causing tremendous losses including human lives.

It said the State Government appeals to all section of the society to maintain peace and calm in the state of Manipur and any differences may be discussed and settled across the table. Manipur deserves peace and tranquillity for its people, especially the children and youth.

`It is requested to all stakeholders to come forward for discussion with government to bring a solution to the present situation prevailing in the State.`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/government-appeals-for-calm-says-differences-could-be-settled-through-talks/

LAMKA, September 1: Churachandpur continued to burn for the second day today with the protest against the passing of the Protection of Manipur Peoples`™ Bill 2015, Manipur Land Revenue & Land Records (seventh Amendment) 2015and the Manipur Shop & Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 refusing to die down.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Innpi CCpur (KIC), the Hmar Innpui and the Zomi Council (ZC) and the respective frontal organisations convened a meeting jointly chaired by UPF and KNO and appealed to all that the unfortunate incidents should not be taken on communal lines and further appealed to all sections of the society to desist from any sort of violence.

Although there was no formal declaration of a bandh, people came out in the morning and burned the belonging of a family for allegedly sheltering the Army. There are also rumours doing the rounds that the firing yesterday which killed a supporter was from valley based UGs as the cartridge recovered were not of government supply.

People have also alleged that the IRB posted in Churachandpur had used knives against the mob that attacked them with stones and any available crude object leading to three more deaths today.

The dead included a 12 year old boy identified as Khaizamang, son of (L) Haokhothang of Bizang.

With reports of several injuries including some critical and some being operated upon the number of casualties may still increase.

The dead persons have been identified as Thangzalian son of Zelzamung of Hiangtam Lamka; Paulianmang, 23, of Dorcas Veng; Pauanlian, 19, from Vengnuam; Henlalson, 18, from HQ Veng; Khamthianmuan, 22, son of Kamkhenthang of Pearsonmun; Zamminthang Valte, 27, son of (L) V Vungkhozam of College Veng; Khaizamang, 12, son of (L) Haukhothang of Bizang and.

Meanwhile, early this morning, the Autonomous District Council Churachandpur members called a press conference at the ADCC chairman Langkhanpau Guite`™s New Lamka residence.

Guite said the present situation wherein people have died is sad.

Their sacrifice will be remembered by the people, he said.

Expressing anger, the ADC chairman also claimed that rubber bullets and tear gas shells are being used in other areas to disperse protestors while real bullets are used in Churachandpur district yesterday.

The chairman, flanked by the vice chairman and the EM, further claimed that the ADCC who is the autonomous body of the district was not consulted on the three bills before they were passed by the Assembly.

He said the ADC Churachandpur will use all the resources under their disposal including pressuring and appeal to the Governor to block the bills from becoming Acts.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Innpi CCpur (KIC), the Hmar Innpui and the Zomi Council (ZC) and the respective frontal organisations convened a meeting jointly chaired by UPF and KNO representatives and deliberated on the issue confronting the tribal people of Manipur.

In a joint declaration to the press today, the organisations said the meeting unanimously condemned the three bills passed by the Manipur Assembly on August 31 citing that the bills are anti-Tribal which impinged on the traditional tribal land rights and land reform.

The meeting further lamented that the baseline for identification of the people of Manipur being fixed in the year 1951 is a `mockery of historical fact` and the manner in which the bills are passed `unanimously` without discussion or debate on the floor of the House is undemocratic and unparliamentary.

The organisations also stated that the Hill Areas Committee should at the earliest convened a meeting and take appropriate steps to either repeal the bills or insert exceptional clauses in the bill within 10 days.

The meeting also appealed that the unfortunate incidents should not be taken on community line and further appealed to all sections of the society to desist from any sort of violence.

The organisations also expressed their deep sorrow and condolences to the precious lives lost for the cause of the tribal while also condemning the security personnel responsible for causing the death and resolved that appropriate ex-gratia should be given to the deceased and compensation to those injured and all properties loss/destroyed.

The joint sitting and their declaration also took a resolution stating that the `The current imbroglio is a manifestation of the age old political grievances of the tribal of Manipur and as such the gathering resolved that the Union government should immediately intervene to find a permanent political settlement for the tribal of Manipur.`

Meanwhile, a team of the All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union arrived in the district on a fact finding mission.

The team was also held up by an encounter between security forces and stone throwing protestors.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/death-toll-rises-to-seven-in-ccpur-civil-organisations-appeal-against-giving-incident-communal-tone/