Month: August 2017

IMPHAL | Aug 2

President of Kangleipak Students’ Association, M. Luxman today demanded passing of the reservation bill for eight Assembly constituencies. Addressing a press conference he said if the chief minister is committed to protect the indigenous people as he had told the Assembly the bill should be passed. He threatened to continue the agitation till the demands of KSA are not fulfilled.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 2

All Liangmai Students Union Assam, Manipur and Nagaland demanded justice to the victim of alleged 14 –year-old rape victim of Senapati within two days.

In a press meet held at Manipur Press Club’s execution and statistics secretary, Th. Masanbou urged all the student associations of hill and valley to join them in their demand for justice. He informed that the union is all set to agitate in a various ways if government fails to deliver justice.

That minor was found half naked in an unconscious state of mind in the evening at a river bank. She went out to fetch the water in the evening.

She is in critical condition and is now undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.

 The Zeliangrong Student’s Union (ZSU), Senapati zone also strongly condemned the rape and attempt to murder of one girl in Senapati by unknown person on August 1.

A release said, an executive council meeting was held at Senapati district headquarter, where the union decided to take its own course of drastic action if the authority concerned and law enforcing agency of Manipur government fail to arrest the culprit.

The arrest should be made within the stipulated time from the day and time of FIR lodged to the police station by one of the victim’s brother, it added.

The ZSU, Senapati zone also appealed to all the right thinking people particularly in Senapati district and Manipur as a whole to join hands with the victim’s family to fight punish the culprit.

IMPHAL | Aug 2

All Club, Organisation, Association and Meira Paibi-Lup (ACOAML) slammed the state government for failing to implement Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991 effectively.

A release said the act had never been implemented properly since the day it was instituted. The release further maintained that the prohibition of alcohol in the state has been never effective.

An Amendment Bill of the act was passed by the state government in 2002, which lifted the Act from five hill districts of Manipur.

Moreover, the prohibition of liquor has never been done for some communities which claimed that brewing of liquor is their traditional practice. These communities both in hills and valleys are making money out of it, the release said.

The inequality in the region wise ban of liquor in the state has also made the black marketers more convenient in doing their business, it said, adding the regulation is counter-productive and it could further polarise the ethnic communities.

The useless act which brings division among the people in the state should rather be removed, said ACOAM in the release.

IMPHAL | Aug 2

A team of Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) led by its chairperson K. Sobita Devi conducted a spot enquiry at Andro police station today regarding the death of Mutum (O) Indira Devi, who was found hanging inside the toilet of the police station.

A release said, the visiting team met IO of the case, Amarjit Singh of Andro police station, where the IO stated that Lokhi of Andro Khuman Leikai filed a missing report of his wife Sunibala on July 24.

Suspecting involvement in the missing person, the police team picked up Indira Devi, wife of M. Ibohanbi Singh of Andro Khuman Leikai for questioning on July 31.

Indira was found hanging from the window bar of the women police toilet using a piece of cloth around 4:50 am of August 1, it added.

The commission team visited the residence of Thiyam Rajen Singh of Lilong Nungei Mayai Leikai to ascertain the death of her daughter Thiyam Ichan Devi, who was found dead hanging at her residence on July 27.

The team further went to residence of Waikhom Sobhachandra Singh of Thoubal Pakhang Khong Leirak to enquire about the death of his wife Waikhom (O) Bina Devi, who was found dead by consuming acid at her residence on July 27.

According to the IO of the case, the husband of the deceased along with in-laws lodged an FIR for further investigation at Thoubal police station. The commission team advised the respective IOs to submit a status report in connection with the death.

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Aug 2

The total shutdown called by JAC against the killing of Thangkhanlun Taitom passed off today with no untoward incident in Churachandpur town. Shops and markets were closed in the area from Kangvai to New Lamka with vehicles staying off the road.

The bandh was collectively called by different organisations from different tribes in the district in protest against the excess of some UG cadres, who are in SoO with the government.

ZRO/ZRA has stated in an official notification last week that the political dialogue with the government has nothing to do with the incident of killing. The outfit stated that they have ordered the five cadres to appear in person to the organisation’s director (OPS).

In the afternoon, the SP and DC of Churachandpur called a press conference at the DC’s residence where the SP clarified on the rumour in social media that the combined team of police and AR had raided Songtal village, HQ of ZRO/ZRA.

The SP further said that there is no reason to conduct a raid and AR is not involved in the investigation of the crime but were called for operations when the need arises.

ZRO/ZRA is not involved in the crime but their cadre, a town commander and other four had been involved individually, added the SP.

ZRO summon

The defence director (OPS), Zomi Re-Unification Organisation/Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRO/ZRA), TK Zomi said in a press release that Romeo and other four ZRA cadres who are absconding after allegedly killing Thangkhanlun Taitom, must report to the defence director in person between August 2 to 6. The decision was taken as per the cabinet meeting held on August 1, it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 2

“My son said that he was tortured by the police and forced to confesse that he is the murderer of the Soram (O) Lakhipriyari and Soram Monica” charged Hitler’s mother Kh. Dhaneshwori.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal Dhaneshwori said that the government used his son as a scapegoat to prevent public outrage against the killing of the mother and the daughter.

She said Monica and her mother were once threatened by one Naoba from Ghari who eloped with Monica’s sister as they married the sister to another person.

Framing of Hitler as a murderer by Monica’s father S. Tomba just for seeing him passing their gate is not fair, said Hitler’s mother.

The real murder will be known after investigating the fingerprint, footprint, knife, long hair found in the murder scene, she added.

Dhaneshwori asked, “Why the police did not take Hitler to court for taking his statement? What is the agenda behind?”

In order to give justice she asked the authority concerned to investigate the scene using technology of forensic science and to produce his son before the court for hearing his statement.

IMPHAL | Aug 2

General secretary of Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF), Tonglenlal alias Lalmawi Haokip was shot dead today by unknown person around 7 pm at Tuibong Bazar.

A bomb was thrown at him first and later he was shot. Police took the dead body of the KNLF leader at the district hospital morgue. Sources said post mortem of the deceased will be done tomorrow.

KNLF is one of the arm wings under KNO, based in Chandel district.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Aug 2

The mudslinging between the TR Zeliang camp and that of the Dr Shurhozelie intensifies even as the latter group suspended Neiphiu Rio again from the primary and active membership of the Naga People’s Front (NPF).

Interestingly, former chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio was ‘selected’ by 36 legislators supporting TR Zeliang as the ‘interim’ president of the NPF on July 31.

Today’s decision of the DR Shurhozelie group of the NPF came a day after Neiphiu Rio had said he “was humbled by the decision of the NPF Legislature Party led by chief minister TR Zeliang for electing him as the interim president of the NPF party”.

Meanwhile, in an emergent meeting of the central office bearers of NPF led by Dr Shurhozelie said that the actions of the governor in installing the TR Zeliang government “without proper application of mind and by violating all norms and parliamentary procedures such as his hasty summoning of the House without giving reasonable time for Dr Shurhozelie to prove his majority”.

The meeting also observed that the Speaker in accepting the whip of the legislators and ignoring the legitimate whip issued by NPF chief whip Kiyanilie Peseyie whose appointment as the party’s chief whip on November 14, 2014 is still valid; and acting like he is the leader of the new dispensation led by expelled NPF member TR Zeliang, are unbecoming on the part of the governor who is expected and regarded as the custodian of the Constitution of India.

The Dr Shurhozelie led NPF meeting “vehemently condemned the biased” manner of the Speaker who “violated” all Constitutional norms to “ensure” that his brother-in-law sailed through the floor test on July 21 by accepting an “expelled” member of the NPF as the official whip of the party from which he is expelled, “and demands that he clearly explain to the people since when the appointment of the chief whip of the NPF party had been rescinded/ cancelled by the NPF party”.

He should also explain to the people as to when the chief whip of a political party is appointed by the legislators, and not by the political party as required by the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the NPF said.

The meeting then resolved to stand steadfast behind the leadership of ”party president” Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and his team of office bearers as decided in the general convention of the NPF party on November 26, 2014 and reiterated at the special general convention of the party held on April 30, 2015 through the directive of the Election Commission of India.

It also “vehelently condemned the expelled/ suspended and few NPF legislators” in appointing Neiphiu Rio as the “so-called” Interim President of the NPF party and serving an ultimatum to the NPF party President Dr Shurhozelie to step down, and reminded these legislators that as per Constitutional provisions of the NPF Party, they, the legislators are not authorised to make any appointment including any active or primary member of the NPF party, least of all, an office bearer, leave alone the party President, Interim, ad hoc or work charged.

The meeting also resolved to endorse the decision of the party leadership in expelling 20 NPF legislators from the party and to place 12 members in suspension including suspension of Neiphiu Rio as recommended by the Disciplinary Action Committee, and further authorise the party leadership to take all measures required to maintain discipline, unity and integrity of the NPF party in the days to come.

 “In this connection, considering that all the NPF MLAs in the present camp of expelled TR Zeliang had violated the Whip issued by the NPF chief whip Kiyanilie Peseyie on the floor of the Assembly on July 21, the central office bearers recommend to the DAC to expel/ suspend the remaining dissident MLAs who have not been covered/ touched till date, as deemed fit”, the Dr Shurhozelie group said.

IMPHAL | Aug 2

Chief minister, N. Biren assured in the House today during Zero hour that the government will examine the feasibilities of removing AFSPA from the state. He was answering to a query raised by the Opposition MLA, K. Ranjit.

The House on the 12th day of the ongoing session of the Manipur legislative Assembly unanimously passed four Demands for Grant amounting to Rs. 7,670,878,000 after thorough discussion and voting.

The demand passed today were Demand no.17 – Agriculture (Rs.215,96,89,000), Demand no. 26 – Administration of Justice (Rs.98,78,06,000), Demand no.30 – Planning (Rs.426,93,08,000) and Demand no.39 – Sericulture (Rs.25,40,75,000) respectively. 

Replying to a motion for disapproval of policy cut raised by the Opposition, agricuture minister, V. Hangkhanlian clarified that the agricultural land is still protected by the Manipur Conservation of Paddy land and Wetland Act, 2014.

He said in order to protect the agricultural land coordination between revenue department and agriculture department is a must. On the inability of the government to ensure availability of paddy seeds and saplings to flood affected farmers, the agriculture minister further clarified that the government has already taken up steps to distribute high yielding varieties of paddy seeds to the recent flood affected farmers.

Further Hangkhanlian assured the house that an alternative measure will be taken up if the inundated areas of the recent flood do not recede by August. He also assured to adopt a separate policy of the agricultural land of the hill areas at the earliest.

The motion was raised by MLA Khundrakpam A/C, Th. Lokeshwar Singh, MLA Wangkhem A/C, K. Meghachandra Singh, MLA Sugnu A/C, K. Ranjit Singh, MLA Tipaimukh A/C, Chaltonlien Amo and MLA Khangabok A/C, Surjakumar Okram on Demand no.17-Agriculture.

The minister further said that the Rice Research Station at Wangbal will be looked into for improvement of infrastructure and staff strength, adding that the government is considering implementing a suitable policy to start double cropping method.

To a query raised by MLA Khangabok A/C Surjakumar Okram, chief minister, N. Biren Singh assured the house that cold storage project will be taken up to check wastage of agricultural products.

During the demand discussion on Demand No. 39 Sericulture, the CM said that small schemes and projects have been implemented to developed sericulture in the state.

The Chief Minister clarified that the constitutional obligation will be looked into especially for equal developments of hills and the valley to a query raised by MLA Ukhrul A/C Alfred Kanngam Arthur.

While discussing on Demand no. 26 – Administration of Justice, Law & Legislative Affairs minister L. Jayantakumar Singh clarified that at present there are altogether 12 vacant judicial post and all the courts in the state are computerised except for the newly established four courts in Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal East amd Impphal West districts to a policy cut raised by MLA Sugnu A/C K. Ranjit Singh.

By Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG | Aug 2

 With an aim to preserve and keep alive the beautiful tradition and culture of the Zeliangrong community the Zeliangrongpui Naga Customary Arts & Culture Research Society Tamenglong organised the 5th ‘Pukpha’ festival at Shekinuh Inn, Tamenglong district headquarters.

 The programme was attended by K Sushila, director arts and cultures government of Manipur as the chief guest of the celebration.

 In her speech as chief guest, K Sushila said that the customs and tradition practiced by forefathers were same in hills and valley.

 She also mentioned that with the coming of Christianity the beautiful culture of forefathers has been at the verge of extinction in hills. She also thanked the Zeliangrongpui Naga Customary Arts & Culture Research Society Tamenglong for keeping alive such beautiful culture.

 She pointed out the importance of preserving custom and tradition and arts practiced by our forefathers. Ones must have a heart to preserves the culture, custom, tradition and identity despite following different types of religion, she said.

Highlighting the importance of ‘Pukpha Ngai’, KC Ramkhundiyang, member of Zeliangrongpui Naga Customary Arts & Culture Research Society Tamenglong said that Pukpha Ngai” is a pre-harvest thanks-giving festival practiced by forefathers of the Zeliangrong and Npui tribes.

 He said that even if we became Christian, our old culture should be kept alive. Ramkhundiyang further said that festival is an occasion for the farmers to unwind themselves.

 “As farmers, we begin the year with many activities such as collecting firewood, seed-sowing, nurturing young paddy plants, removing weeds from paddy. But now we have paddy. It is time to celebrate and thank god for guiding us throughout the year”, he said. 

A customary practice rice beer was served to all the participants of the colourful festival. Folk songs, sharing of folk tales were the main highlights of the festival. Elders coming from different villages of the district and cultural troupes took part with pomp and gaiety in the celebration.