Day: November 9, 2015

IMPHAL, Nov 9: Zeliangrong Union; Inpui Union; Zeme Council; Liangmai Council and Rongmei Council jointly observed Rani Gaidinliu’s Birth Centenary at ZU Head Office at Kakhulong, Paona Bazar on November 6.

Informing this in a press release, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) maintained that Rani Gaidinliu movement for independence from the British Empire, 1928 to 1932 was impressed by the then Congress Government of India.

It recalled that Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India gave the title ‘Rani’ in 1937 out of love and respect for the cause she stood for.

A two-minute silent prayer was observed to pay respect and homage to the departed soul of Rani Gaidinliu.

After the observance function, the leaders of the organizations had a consultative meeting and minutely discussed on the formation of a single apex body and its modality for the Zeliangrong people of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.

The meeting also verbally agreed that the apex body should be federal in structure in order to strengthen the bond of unity and integrity of Zeliangrong people.

It further re-affirmed to fulfill the vision of the farsighted forefathers for re-unification and development of Zeliangrong people living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.

The consultative meeting ended with a closing prayer from president of Rongmei Council, Manipur Thongkubui Pamei.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/rani-gaidinlius-birth-centenary-observed/

IMPHAL, November 9: Anti-AFSPA crusader Irom Chanu Sharmila who recently completed 15 years of fasting against the Act was produced before the court of the CJM Imphal West at Chierap Court today.

Sharmila was however made to wait for some hours due to the absence of the CJM I/W RK Memcha who has already been promoted to Grade I of Manipur Judicial Service. The charge of the CJM I/W is presently held by CJM I/E A Noutuneshori who is also reported to be out of station.

Eventually, the hearing was transferred to Judicial Magistrate First Class, (JMIC) Imphal West.

In the process, Sharmila who was brought to the court complex around 10:35 am had to wait for more than a few hours in the Cheirap Court complex.

The case hearing was conducted by JMIC Alek Muivah, who due to other case hearings at the Lamphel Court, arrived at the Cheirap Court around 2pm.

The delay in the court hearing for which, the anti-AFSPA crusader was made to wait for long also drew much flak from several organisations who condemned it as an act of negligence on the part of the court authorities.

Speaking to media persons, the Iron Lady also regretted the incident.

She reiterated her movement which she had initiated 15 years ago is for the general public and not for her individual self.

She also charged the Centre of playing an inhumane game by not listening to the demand to repeal the AFSPA.

Condemning the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs to meet activists like herself, Sharmila said such guideline is a dark law and will further hamper the freedom of activists.

It may be mentioned that the MHA guideline says that anyone willing to meet an activists in jail like Sharmila would have to deposit Rs one lakh as security.

Sharmila meanwhile lauded the defence witnesses who made themselves available near her during the whole process.

Vice president of the All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers & Pullers Association L Gojen who was present at the court premise as a defence witness said the association supports Irom Sharmila and her movement and further lamented that she has been charged under u/s 309 (Attempt to suicide).

He said the charge is not correct and that the court has released her unconditionally on repeated occasions.

Organisations like the Kabui Mothers’ Association and Women Action for Development that were also present in the court complex showing solidarity the Iron Lady Irom Chanu Sharmila also condemned the negligence of court authority.

Advocate Anand Prasad from Rajasthan and a research scholar from the University of Chicago Sayanthan Saharoy were also present at the court complex.

Irom Shamrila will further be produced before the court on November 23.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/absence-of-judges-made-sharmila-wait-for-case-hearing/

IMPHAL, November 9: A Business Development meeting was organized in the premises of newly built Parcel Centre located in the Imphal HPO for making mega customers aware about the new services of the department of posts.

Addressing the group of representatives from various organizations, Vinod Kumar, Director (Posts) Manipur said that India post is touching lives of all people by providing different services.

He asserted that with the world largest network India post address communications needs of the people of India by providing last mile connectivity from Ladhak to Kanyakumari and from Manipur to Gujarat every corner is touched by the department of posts.

The Director intimated that speed post service is the fastest service offered by India post. Speed Post which is the market leader in the domestic express industry, is providing time-bound and express delivery of letters and parcels weighing up to 35 kg between specified stations in India. In the past 28 years, it continues to be the market leader in the express industry with monthly volumes of almost four crore articles, he maintained.

While explaining premium services like Business post, logistics, express parcel and describing Media post and direct post services, Vinod Kumar said that during festival season all shopkeepers, manufacturers, retailers and traders can advertise their product among public at very less price through dept of posts.

He also threw light on the social security scheme and laid stress upon Sukanya Samridhi Yojana and advised all people of the State to gift their girl child with Sukanya account on this festive season as it can open way to her bright future.

He announced that keeping in view of festive season, special arrangements have been made to make this service is available in all post offices under Manipur Division.

The Director informed that if any member of public faces any kind of problem in opening of Sukanya account, she/he can directly contact to mobile number 8132822602, 8974894286 and 9612977706 in the office of the Director Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/postal-dept-gears-up-for-festive-season/

CHURACHANDPUR, November 9: The leadership of the Joint Action Committee against anti-tribal bills met the Chief Minister today and submitted a charter of demands.

The charter of demand was submitted to the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his cabinet ministers excluding the tribal MLAs.

It has also been submitted to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Centre’s interlocutor for the talks with NSCN (IM) RN Ravi, special secretary Ministry of Home Ashok Prasad and joint secretary in charge North East MA Ganapathy.

The team which also included leaders of the ATSUM JPO demanded that for talks to be initiated, the government must first ensure that the three bills are recalled within five days from now.

The demands also include that both the State government and the Ministry of Home should give in writing within five days that the talks will be held in the presence of some representation who is not lower than the joint secretary rank from the MoH.

The JAC has also demanded the State government to give ‘Luangman’ or the price of killing for the nine dead, and ‘Etkolna/ Kepna’ for those injured during the recent agitations so as to fulfil the tribal customary law and traditional practice as the government has already performed Hiamkham on November 2 acknowledging that it was wrong.

The JAC has also included in its four page charter of demand that the government should cancel any such previous orders made between February 22, 1962 to November 14, 1978 regarding the Manipur Land Revenue and Revenue Act. 1960 currently extended to villages under Autonomous District Council, mainly the five points that include 89 villages in Churachandpur Sub Division , 92 villages in Jiribam, 14 villages in Sadar Hills of Mao Sub Division, Makhau Tampak of Churachandpur district and 809 Hectre of land in Khoupum village of Tamenglong district.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/ccpur-jac-apprises-cm-of-demands-for-talks-to-be-initiated/

IMPHAL, November 9: A one-day public discussion on peaceful co-existence amongst the ethnic people of Manipur was jointly organized by United People’s Administrative Council (UPACO) Manipur, National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO); Thoubal Ima and Meeyamgi Thoudang Club (MTC) Sugnu at Ching Tam Community Hall, Sugnu today.

Khunyamba of Sugnu Moirangthem Babuchand Meitei; vice-president of Thoubal Ima Elangbam ongbi Ibecha Devi; chief of M Monpi village Haokip; ex-president of People’s Council Ngamkhulet Haokip and chief of Makhao Tamoak village Kontang Haokip attended the discussion programme as presidium members.

Speaking at the occasion as a resource person, convener of JCILPS Khomdram Ratan asserted that the rich art and culture of various ethnic communities, unique existence of hills, lakes, rivers, roads and bridges in different parts clearly implies that different ethnic people of the State cannot separate from each other.

He maintained that people of hills and valley have been jointly protecting integrity of the State since time immemorial.

Products of the hills are used in valley. Likewise products of the valley are used in the hills. This is a clear indication of the peaceful co-existence amongst the people of the hills and valley since time immemorial, he observed.

Calling upon the communities to shun sense of disintegration and alienation from others, the JCILPS convener noted that such separate thoughts will hamper peace and tranquility in the State which in turn will threaten existence of the indigenous people.

He also mentioned that ever since Manipur annexed to India, the State has fallen prey to divide and rule policy of the latter.

Being a victim of divide and rule policy, the State has not able to become self-reliant mainly in daily needs, Kh Ratan said.

Reiterating that the three bills passed by the State Assembly were for the whole people of the State not for a particular community, he expressed grave concern on the increasing influx of outsiders which has threatened existence of the indigenous people.

He clarified that JCILPS could not visit families of the nine civilians killed in Churachandpur incident due to time factor.

However, the committee will visit the bereaved families in a favorable time, the JCILPS convener added.

Addressing the gathering as one of the resource persons, advisor of UPACO T Rameshwor said that the origin of the hills and valley is same and that the fact is clearly mentioned in approved textbooks.

Secretary of Human Resource Development, United Committee Manipur (UCM) and advisor of UPF BM Yaima were also present at the public discussion as resource persons.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/meet-underlines-peaceful-coexistence-amongst-ethnic-people-of-state/

IMPHAL, November 9: The 71st birth anniversary of Chingsubam Akaba was observed today in a solemn function at Thoyee Village in Phungyar AC of Ukhrul district.

During the observation the 2nd foundation day of the relaunched ‘Pandam’ a bilingual eveninger which was launched in 1980 by Chingsubam Akaba was also held.

The function was organised jointly by the Luchingpurel Chingsubam Akaba Ningsing Lup (LUCANIL), Thoyee Village Authority and Management Board of Pandam.

Titular King of Manipur Leisemba Sanajaoba attended the function as the chief guest.

The function was also attended by former minister RV Mingthing, Tangkhul Naga Wungnaolong president Sweeten Rahing, retd IPS P Dhanakumar Singh, R Suisa Trust vice chairman Mathankui Zimik, life-time secretary of Manipur State Sumang Lila Council Sougrakpam Hemanta, Organizing Committee convenor and also the executive editor of Pandam daily Namoijam Tomba and Thoyee Village Authority headman Ng Khathing as presidium members.

Delivering his speech at the function, titular king of Manipur Leisemba Sanajaoba said ‘Oja Akaba’ was a man who always worked to maintain the good relationship of hill and valley people.

He further said considering the present scenario of Manipur, we need to find a solution to bridge the gap between the hill and valley people soon.

He said argument of the valley people against the idea of breaking Manipur is that Manipur had existed as a nation state for thousands of years with the hill and valley living together with love and care so why should we break it now.

On the other hand the hill people’s argument is that the hill people have been suppressed for too long now and due to the suppression they can no longer compete as equal with other, he observed.

There has been no development in the hills and their lives are filled with incompleteness and disappointment all around. So they want to start making their own fate now, he said.

Both arguments have their own merits, however, if the people continue to be rigid in their stand what could be the State’s fate, Sanajaoba observed.

This is the time for educated youth and the wise elders of both the hills and the valley come together to find a solution so that peace and prosperity prevail in the land, he said.

Instead of sitting together to find the solution, if we continue to shout at one another standing on opposite sides, there will be no peace and prosperity in the land, he added.

We are all Manipuris first and then Meiteis, Kuki, Naga, Tangkhul, Kabui, Anal, etc. he said.

The titular king also recalled that he had met NSCN (IM) leader Th Muivah some time back.

He said “Ipa Muivah” is like a father figure to him and that they share a good rapport.

Quoting the NSCN (IM) leader, Sanajoaba said Muivah had told him that the hill and the valley can never be separated and neither the hills nor the valley alone can make Manipur a whole.

When the people of the valley cries, the hill cannot remain aloof and vice versa, he said quoting Muivah.

Tangkhul Naga Wungnaolong president Sweeten Rahing said the gap between the people was created after the valley people were converted to Hindus under the influence of Santidas Gosai.

The importance of “Tangkhul Saba” in Meitei Laiharaoba and the importance of “Leirung Phee” in Meitei weddings and other similar rituals show the close affinity among the Meitei and Tangkhul, he observed.

Renowned comedian Sougrakpam Hemanta said there is no tension between the common people of the hill and the valley, all the reported tensions are among the leaders.

He elaborated the actual ground reality is much different from what is being reported as the media mostly reports the statements of the leaders and not the general voice of the people.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Luchingpurel Chingsubam Akaba Ningsing Journalist Award 2014-15 were also presented to the award winners at the function.

Editor of Poknapham daily Aribam Robindro Sharma was presented with the Editor Award, Reporter Award for print media was presented to chief reporter of Hueiyen Lanpao Manipuri edition Maisnam Karnajit and Reporter Award for electronic media was presented to news reporter of ISTV Network Pritam Laishram.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/unity-of-hill-and-valley-stressed-upon-during-71st-birth-anniversary-of-chingsubam-akaba/

IMPHAL, November 9: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh praised Dr Thangjam Dhabali for his feat of creating world class enterprises in the fields of healthcare and hospitality.

Ibobi was speaking on the inauguration of the Hotel Classic Grande at East Chingmeirong which coincides with the of 40th anniversary of founding of Babina Clinic.

Dr. Dhabali’s entreperneurial spirit has today created more than 750 direct jobs and another 250 or so indirect ones, according to a fact sheet presented to the audience of the function today at the Hotel Classic Grande’ conference hall.

The Classic Hosipitality undertakings and Babina healthcare enterprises, today accounts for nearly Rs. 2 crore taxes, including Rs. 55 lakh income tax paid to the government annually, the same fact sheet said.

Ibobi praised these stupendous efforts and said everybody in the state need to encourage such entrepreneurship, saying only a rise in entrepreneurship can solve the state’s unemployment problem, besides augmenting the state’s GDP.

He said he laments that Manipur is still caught in the bandh-blockade culture, which is standing in the way of the rise of entrepreneurship in the state, observing that during the nearly three months of bandhs and strikes called by the JCILPS, the Classic Hotel was on the verge fo closedown because of a drastic drop in tourists and other visitors to the state and therefore hotel occupancy.

He said the state has to correct its ways.

He also praised Dr. Dhabali for the contribution he is making to the government by generating tax revenue observing that in advanced countries, Government keeps strict vigil to tax liabilities of private enterprises, but clears all hurdles before them. Dr Dhabali is showing the way for everybody in this regard too, he further said.

Endorsing Dr. Dhabali’s proposal, the Chief Minister also said Hotel Imphal is likely to be upgraded to 5-Star status in the coming years. this will be under the Public-Private Partnership model the mode of which is still to be discussed and sorted out.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam, who the guest of honour heaped rich praises on Dr. Dhabali and joked that though he has never ever visited a foreign country, he was getting a sense of what it is like from every visit to The Classic Hotel as well as the Babina Clinic. He further joked that as a state leader and politician he was wary of invitation to functions, but this was one he was truly excited about.

In his address, the Chairman & MD of Babina Groups of Companies Dr Th Dhabali Singh MD FAIMS said that his venture started way back November 9, 1983 as a small diagnostic setup at Roop Mahal Tank.

He continued that in the year 1995 he was able to enact full fledged diagnostic centre at RIMS road.

He said that with determination and support from his colleagues he could achieve what he has now.

He revealed that he is the second biggest service tax payer in the state after BSNL, having more than 750 employees under his line of companies in the state and beyond.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/cm-dy-cm-laud-classic-hotel-chain-and-babina-healthcare-urge-all-to-emulate-founders-work-culture/