Day: October 6, 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 6

The All Manipur Student’s Union (AMSU) today shutdown the director’s room and museum of the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Imphal.

Speaking to media persons AMSU vice-president, Laishram Peter said that the N. Pikeshwor got selected in the MPSC examination for the deputy director of TRI and has also completed the police verification and medical fitness test.

But tribal affairs and hills, commissioner, T. Panmei did not give the appointment order to Pikeshwor, instead he is trying to appoint his relative, one Gaikhamsin Riamei who did not even appear in the said examination, he added.

Moreover, the commissioner has created two posts (administrative officer and research officer) and has given them to two individuals who are very close to him, he added.

The vice-president said regarding the appointment of TRI deputy director, AMSU has already asked and given ultimatum till October 5 to review the appointment of the post and issuance of the appointment letter to Pikeshwor. However, till now the department has not taken any step, he charged.

Such action of the commissioner is against the public and also to tarnish the image of the present government, which is “truly working” for the welfare of the public, added Peter.

He said director’s room and museum will be closed until the department reviews the appointment of deputy director and issuance of appointment letter to the eligible candidate, announced the vice-president.

IMPGHAL | Oct 6

The president of Aimol Tribe Union, Manipur (ATUM), S. Munthuireng denied the false propaganda created in local newspapers and media houses by one self-proclaimed president named RT. Akhel Aimol about the present scenario of Aimol villages and Pallel areas of Tengnoupal district.

A release said, there have not been any sort of alleged criminal activities like, demands, extortion or ransom upon the villagers of the areas. The claim by RT. Akhel about Aimol villagers being employed in NSCM (IM) is totally baseless. The propaganda is just to put the lives of innocent Aimol villagers at risk, it added.

Aimol community has its own union office at Aimol Tampak with complete staff and election commission. The person, R. T. Akhel was elected as vice-president of Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) on May 17 and he has no relation with Aimol community, said the release.

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Oct 6

A vehicle was burnt down yesterday after an altercation occurred amongst the workers of two candidates, prior to the 5th general panchayat election to be held tomorrow. 

According to police sources, the incident took place at Salungfam Mamang Leikai, Soibam Leirak under Heirok Police Station.

Around 10: 50 pm yesterday, some workers of the candidate Kangabam Bobby from Aripat, who is a candidate for Lourembam zilla parishad, came by a Bolero at Salungam village campaigning for the election.   

They were stopped by the workers of Sapam Manihar, a candidate from Salungfam for the reason campaigning must not be carried out at the wrong time. An altercation took place between the two parties which led an angry mob to burn down the vehicle in which the workers of Bobby came by.

A case has been filled by Heirok PS regarding the incident.

Next round of talk on Nov. 10, Imphal venue proposed

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 6

The fourth round of tripartite talks on district creation issue was held today at DRDA hall Senapati district headquarters between the government of India, government of Manipur and United Naga Council (UNC).

During the talk the UNC raised their objection to the constitution of boundary commission by the state Government. The state Government representatives agreed to place the objection raised by UNC, before the state government for further consideration.

The boundary commission was constituted in June following objections raised by the UNC.

It was also agreed that the previous proceedings will be upheld by the party concerned.

Today’s talks was chaired by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India while the state Government was represented by agriculture, veterinary and animal husbandry minister, V. Hangkhanlian, tribals and hill areas development and fisheries minister N. Kayisii and education and Labour minister Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Dr. J.Suresh Babu and Commissioner (Works), K. Radhakumar. The 11-member UNC side was led by its President Gaidon Kamei.

The next round of tripartite talk will be held on November 10.

Additional chief secretary, Dr. J. Suresh Babu, Commissioner (Works), K. Radhakumar and joint secretary (NE), MHA, Government of India were the official representatives of the Government.

UNC was represented by its president Gaidon Kamei, general secretary, UNC, S. Milan, President, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur and President, Naga Women’s Union, Asha Wungnam.

Leaders from various civil organizations of Nagas were also present in today’s Tripartite Talk.

In a related development Indrakumar Soibam, secretary general of Siva Sena state unit, said that the tripartite talk is suspicious and seems to have a hidden agenda.

“UNC has clear agenda that there is no rollback of their stand on newly created districts. UNC has links with NSCN-IM and it knows about the framework agreement. Even the central government knows. Then what is the use of state government participating in this talk,” he asked.

The next talk should be held only between the state and the central government, he reiterated.

Meanwhile, Pherzawl District Development Committee (PDDC) has said that the creation of seven new districts in Manipur is a milestone in the history of Manipur and the people of Pherzawl district appreciate the government for the creation and steps to develop it.

A statement issued by its chairman, H.K. Joute said that PDDC which was formed to spearhead the demand for the development of Pherzawl district fully understands the sentiments and emotions behind the stand of the United Naga Council (UNC) on the seven new districts.

It said that PDDC is well aware of the issues concerning the current stand of UNC with regard to apparently “haywired” political structure and environment structure in the state.

“However, in spite of understanding fully the issues and concerns of the Naga peoples of Manipur as voiced by its apex body, we ask the UNC to tune in to the sentiments and aspirations of the people of the newly formed Pherzawl district”, it added.

It further said, “While there is no question that the UNC is genuinely concerned about the welfare and protection of tribal rights, it is also to be understood that consensus needs to be taken from all tribal communities. As often happens, while intentions may be good, outcomes necessarily are, especially when all stakeholders’ aspirations and views are not in tandem.”

“Whilst many of the newly formed districts may surprise many, the people of Pherzawl district on the other hand have been strongly demanding a district and as such came as no surprise. It is in fact the crux of our aspirations and as such, we have no cause for complaints for better or for worse”, it added.

It further appealed to all dry and sundry to desist from including Pherzawl district in their demands for rollback.   

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 6

Tamenglong and Longmai Districts Citizens’ Welfare Forum has called a bandh on October 11 from 6am to 6pm along the national highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) and halt to all national projects working along the highway.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal the forum’s president, Rangam Thoitak said that the Tamenglong Autonomous District Council (ADC) is currently in defunct.

He said a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister N. Biren on September 24 and the forum’s ultimatum yesterday.

But till today the government has not taken up any action so the forum has decided to call 12 hour bandh on the national highway-37, added the president.

Thoitak said the delay in making a full fledged ADC has caused immense sufferings to the public indirectly or directly.

He added since the local-self government is not there the public cannot approach any of their representatives for their problem.

There is the issue of fuel adulteration, shortage of LPG in Tamei area as benefits of PMUY schemes are not made available to the people of Tamei and frequent accidents on national highway-37 are taking place, continued Thoitak.

Mentioning yesterday’s accident that took place between Khongsang and Rengpang that cazused injuries to two persons, the president said that the forum extends its full support to the Nungba Area Joint Committee to book the culprits at the earliest and rectify the negligence of the highway task force.

He asked “who will receive the chief minister when he visits Tamenglong if there is no local self governance in Tamenglong?”

The forum warned of shutting down of all government offices beginning from district administration if the government still fails to redress the exigency of the burning public issue.

Longpi village chairman, Kailal Gangte who attended the press meet appealed to the government to hand over the NFSA agent of Longpi area to the Longpi Area Chiefs’ Association.