Day: October 9, 2017

IMPHAL | Oct 9

Struggle Committee Manipur (SCM) said that the Manipur’s tradition of siblings’ love carnival, Ningol Chakouba will be celebrated on October 21 at Ema Keithel and invited ningols and women to come and take part in the big event.

Co-convener of the committee, Chongkham Ibohal told reporters at the office of Socialist Students’ Union of Manipur (SSUM) at Leisom Leikai, Keishampat that Ningol Chakouba is one of the most special festivities of Manipur. In this festival, he urged that tradition should be re-embraced and that gifting also should be done like traditional ancient times.

Ningol Chakouba is a celebration where ningol (sisters) come to their maternal home and pay their love and respect to their brothers and parents, their brothers in turn give gifts.

“Hiyangei gi neenee panba Ningol Chakouba” is made famous under the reign of Meidingu Chandrakirti and is practised till now with great participation from women from Meitei to Meitei Pangal to tribal communities.

IMPHAL | Oct 9

The proscribed PREPAK (Progressive) on the occasion of its 41st rising day of Red army has extended revolutionary salute greetings to the people of Manipur, revolutionary members, leaders of like-minded revolutionary parties of the WESEA region and respects to all the departed souls in the course of the liberation struggle.

The chairman of the outfit, L. Paliba in his message said Northeastern communities are endlessly being discriminated against by mainland Indians and various forms of criminal activities including murder are being perpetrated against the people.

Sometime back many communities fled en masse from many parts of Indian states because of atrocities and threats, which were even highlighted in many media as akin to that of the infamous mass exodus of India-Pakistan partition, it said. 

The release continued that anti-Indian feelings are implanted in this region by India itself.

Even though many European thinkers and leaders foreboded the balkanization of the so called unified India, Indian leaders are proud that the prediction did not come true as India is not breaking up, which successfully completed 70 years with the principle of Unity in Diversity, it said, adding nevertheless movement of the Maoist/ Naxalite in the backbone central states of India, Kashmiri people’s movements are rising more and more, revolutionary struggle in WESEA regions are strengthening, even some states are demanding separate flags of their own.

The chairman further asked why did not Indian government respond to plebiscite demand of UNLF (Manipur) in 2005?

Further it said India is a sub-continent, many independent nations, countries must be formed which would safeguard the different cultures, languages, religions and faiths; it should not be under one single government.

It will tantamount to the dismantling of democratic values and swallowing up of minority indigenous communities if India tries to make it one nation, one language, one faith and one culture, the message read.

The characters of inhumanity, rigid classification of people and social stratification are inherently ingrained in Indian blood for thousands of years, it said, adding sheer apathy of the Indian society can be seen when a poor man was forced to carry the dead body of his wife on his shoulder for 10 kilometers from hospital to his home, 30 children were allowed to die due to lack of oxygen in a hospital.

THOUBAL | Oct 9

Re-poll of the 5th general Panchayat election for Thoubal was held peacefully today at four polling stations under tight security where votes were cast at the rate of 91.725 percent. The poll ended peacefully with no untoward incidents.

Re-poll was conducted at the areas namely, Sangaiyumpham Part-II, Makha Leikai Polling Station number 6/20/7, Cherapur Muslim Mathak Leikai, Polling Station number 6/20/10, Sangaiyumpham, Cherapur Muslim Polling Station 6/20/11 and Irong Thokchom, Polling Station 2/3/16.

In order to conduct the re-poll in a peaceful manner, security personnel had started taking measures since yesterday. The voters stood in queues since early morning today for the polling which began at around 8 am.

There were tight security measures. Vehicles and gatherings were not allowed at proximity of 100 metres from the polling area. Moreover, the voters were made to stand in a queue outside the schools where the polling booths are installed.  

SP, Thoubal, K. Meghachandra inspected the polling areas and gave directions to the security personnel. After the polling completed the presiding officers, polling officers and security personnel who went to perform their duties, returned back at Thoubal DC complex safe and sound.

The ballot boxes which will decide the fate of 10 zilla parishad members, 27 pradhan, and 223 members have been kept at the strong room of DC complex. The locking up of the room was conducted by deputy commissioner L. Nabakishwar in the prescience of RO, Thoubal, RO, Lilong and election agents.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 9

The hearing of a petition challenging the appointment order of the new chairperson of Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) began today at the single bench of Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, High Court of Manipur.

The petition (No. WP (C) 739 of 2017) was filed by advocate S. Syamacharan Singh, who is also one of the members of the MCPCR on October 3 at the court challenging that the appointment has violated the rules under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. 

Advocate S. Rajeetchandra represented the petitioner while the advocate general (AG) of represented the respondent (Government of Manipur).

In today’s hearing, both the counsels submitted their arguments before the bench pertaining to the rules for the appointment of the chairperson of the MCPCR.

The petitioner’s counsel pleaded the court to pass an interim order to stay the appointment order contending that the authority concerned has violated the norms.

According to the petitioner, under Section 18 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 any vacancy for the post of chairperson or member shall be given wide publicity through open advertisement in at least four national daily newspapers before appointing the chairman.

Subsequently, the appointment should be conducted following the recommendation of the selection committee which shall consist of the chairperson of the committee who is the minister in-charge of the department (social welfare) and three members of the commission.

But, in total violation of the selection norms, as per the petitioner, the concerned authority issued appointment order of the chairman on September 29 signed by K. Bono, deputy secretary (Social Welfare), appointing one Sumatibala Ningthoujam of Mayai Leikai of Heirok part-3.

The same day, another order signed by the secretary was also reportedly issued terminating the S. Sarat Sharma as chairperson of the MCPCR, following completion of his term.

In response, the respondent’s counsel (AG), reportedly submitted that there was no separate set of rules for the MCPCR in that matter thereby bringing forth the question on the selection procedure conducted earlier while appointing the two previous chairpersons of the commission.

Having heard both the counsels, the single bench fixed the next hearing on October 13 before maintaining the status quo of an earlier directive issued by the acting chief justice, N. Kotiswar Singh on October 4 which ruled that “if the private respondent has not taken over the charge of the office the chairperson of MCPCR, status quo be maintained as on today”.

In the meantime, the respondents will also submit relevant documents before the bench on the procedure earlier adopted by the authority during the appointing of two previous chairperson of the commission.

IMPHAL | Oct 9

The proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), on its 40th foundation has offered revolutionary salute to all the indigenous people of the hills and valley who have been living together as brothers, to all comrades of the party, member parties of CorCom and leaders of revolutionary organisations of WESEA.

A release signed by acting chairman, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, Kh. Sathy said when Kangleipak becomes an independent and sovereign country, she will be able to advance herself through all round development and stand as a distinct nation in the world.

PREPAK firmly believes that with self-determination and self-governance, we can make Kangleipak a prosperous and egalitarian nation, it said.  So in order to restore the lost independence of Kangleipak, and to bring self-rule, it’s the primary duty of every citizen to root out the colonial rule of India, it added.

To defeat India, we need to take the struggle for liberation to the international level, politically and make it known to the world community, and our brave revolutionaries should carry on the struggle with more dedication and sacrifice, it said.

Therefore, time has come for all our fellow countrymen to join the united struggle for liberation, it continued. To do this, we need to think of better ideas and strategies which are relevant with the modern times, it further said.

India has been trying not only to break into pieces the age-old boundary but has also been playing divisive games amongst the indigenous communities to divide them, it said adding as a result, mean and selfish thoughts have emerged amongst the Kanglei people who have lived together with love and brotherhood for 2000 years.  

This is itself India’s “divide and conquer “policy, it said. Since all means of survival had been removed, the close affinity and dependency on each other that used to prevail since the early times has also almost disappeared, brotherhood has been almost forgotten, and people have been forced to consider the outsiders as friends, it added.

The hostility and mistrust that emerged among the people of the hills and the valley, who have coexisted for thousands of years, had been created in a short span that is only after India forcibly annexed Kangleipak on 15 October of 1949, the release further said.

In this regard, it’s necessary for hills and valley people to sit together and thrash out the differences amicably, it said.  In issues such as ‘Separate State’ or ‘Alternative Arrangement’, ethnic identity, extent of participation in administration, resources, question of land ownership, etc will have to be discussed, it added

Causes of conflict amongst the communities, manner and proportion of participation in administration, mode and extent of using resources, ethnic identity and question of land ownership, etc are all creations of the Constitution of the colonial government, it said.

For this, our educated experts, intellects and civil society leaders need to have far-sighted visions beyond the Constitution of the colonial masters, it further said. PREPAK firmly believes that if these issues are discussed beyond the colonial Constitution, a situation and a solution could be found for all the communities to co-exist as before, it continued.

But as of now, all the communities are bound by the Constitution of colonial India that doesn’t suit the soil of the region; it said adding it will never be possible to bring a new social order, new political and economic system as long as we remain as colonized part of India. This is where restoration of independence of all the indigenous communities becomes the most important agenda in order to have a government as all Kanglei people desire, it added.

Education in our society has not been able to rise above the colonial level and has not been able to produce fit people who love their motherland, it continued. Nobody seems to be able to produce one’s own ideas, it said. The nation that once did not have to depend on others for survival has been reduced to the level of a beggar who can’t live without begging for everything, it added.

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | Oct 9

Policies and programmes undertaken for the welfare of the weaker sections of the society must be implemented with a sincere approach by the government officials and empowering the rural population is vital to achieve the dream of a developed Manipur.

This was stated by consumer affairs, food and public distribution and revenue minister, Karam Shyam at the inaugural function of the 10th Regional Saras Fair. The 10-day SARAS fair is organised by Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM) to promote marketing of rural products and improve the livelihood of the rural poor.

He said in Manipur women shoulder the major responsibilities in a family structure, which is why the economic empowerment of women is a necessity to achieve overall economic development.

Shyam urged the people of the State to avail the benefits of the various programmes and directed the officials and representatives to assist and guide them.

Lamenting over the lack of information regarding the various policies and programmes undertaken by the government, the minister said each and every individual must take the responsibility to spread awareness of more than 110 schemes undertaken by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Urging the bureaucrats and officials to be cooperative and empathetic in helping the beneficiaries, the minister said support from each and every quarter of the society will help in accelerating growth and development in the State. Let us work together to become one of the most advanced state in the country, he added.

Also speaking on the occasion, M.H. Khan, principal secretary (RD&PR) said rural development is the backbone of development and Self Help Group (SHGs) is one of the most important constituent in the development process.

Pradip Chandren, State mission director, Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM) said that 189 stalls have been opened for the fair including stalls from Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He appealed to the public to visit the stalls and purchase the products to encourage the artisans.

Minister Shyam along with officials of MSRLM and RD&PR visited the stalls. During the interaction, many stall owners expressed their grievances to the minister and the officials.

MSRLM is currently implemented in Machi and Tengnoupal blocks of Tengnoupal district and in the Imphal East-I and II Blocks since 2015. The mission is planning to expand to another 12 blocks in the current financial Year.

There are 906 Self Help Groups (SHGs) covering 10,000 households. Rs 57.45 lakhs have been disbursed in revolving fund and Rs 95 lakh in Community Investment fund for 383 SHGs in May 2017.

The fair is held at the Shumangleela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal and is organised by Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM) department of RD&PR, government of Manipur under the sponsorship of ministry of rural development, government of India.

IMPHAL | Oct 9

The Mapithel Dam Affected Village Organization has come down heavily against the latest move of the water resource department government of Manipur to inaugurate Mapithel dam in November.

A release signed by Dominic Kashung, chairman of the organisation said it is quite irrational for the project to be inaugurated at this stage as the project proponent is yet to conduct detailed impacts assessment covering loss of livelihood sources, socio-economic, socio-cultural, health, safe drinking water and safety measure of the affected villagers of both the upstream and downstream.

MDAVO maintained the commissioning plan is absurd as the state still fails to rectify the violations of Forest Rights Act (FRA, 2006) and Forest Conservation Act (FCA, 1980) the same still lies unresolved before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

It said the commission plan of the Mapithel dam project is despite serious violation of right to life of the affected indigenous villagers who have been victimised by forced inundation of land, forest, river and livelihood means etc. without rehabilitation and resettlement being properly implemented.

The current target of commissioning the Mapithel dam is quite irrational as the same is despite non-completion of the fundamental components of the project except earth fill-up of the dam, it added.

The release further said the statement of works minister to take up construction of Heirok branch canal from Mapithel dam as misleading.

The commissioning plan is absurd as water supply component of the project still lies incomplete, it said; adding tunnel drilling still runs about 55 percent as per report of the Coastal Project Ltd.

Pointing out that recently there has been incident of uncovering poor quality of the dam that featured several leakages and occurrence of earth fissures and appearance of massive mud siltation, the release contended that the development pose danger to the dam water reservoir.

Further it maintained that forced commissioning of the dam will be a serious violation of indigenous people’s rights as outlined in the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples and also the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteurs on Indigenous Peoples.

It urged the state government to desist the commissioning of Mapithel dam before the controversial issues such as RR are resolved amicably and key components of the project completed in the interest of welfare, humanity and justice.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 9

Forest and environment minister, Th. Shyamkumar today urged the people particularly youths to spread the message on the importance of saving wildlife, maintaining a world without wildlife would inevitably lose its ability to sustain all forms of life due to the complex balance of nature and the inter-dependency of species on one another.

Speaking at the grand finale of 62nd Forest Wildlife Week Celebration today at Manipur State Film Development Society Hall, Palace Gate Shyamkumar said humans cannot survive without wildlife.

He expressed the unhappiness that people are trying to destroy nature by poaching wild animals and birds. “When people heard a sound of birds or animals in they wild they try to hunt them for food and sale,” he said.

The minister said people should be aware of the importance of wildlife.

Expressing his happiness that people started conserving state bird “Nongin” after realising its importance he appealed to the people to stop killing of wild animals and birds as it disturbs ecological balance.

Mass awareness programme is needed especially in hilly regions of the state, to conserve wild animals and birds, Shyamkumar added.

President of the function, additional chief secretary (forest and environment), Shambhu Singh said in the last few decades many wild animals and birds were killed for food and game. But recently in some parts of Senapati and Tamenglong the activity for conservation of wildlife has gained momentum.

He said Manipur-Myanmar border is notorious for smuggling of wildlife parts especially pangolin scales and bile of bear. People should stop smuggling wild animal parts to conserve the wild animals and saving the wildlife should start from the students level, Shambhu added.

Prizes were distributed to the winners of slogan writing and wildlife photography competition. Prizes were also distributed to organisations and individuals for their valuable contributions in conserving the wildlife. A book entitled ‘An Inventory of Animals of Manipur’ co-authored by Dr Kh Samungnou and Dr Gyaneshwori Devi was also released at the function. A short film – ‘Rides of Wildlife’ was screened and collection of photographs on wildlife was also exhibited as part of the function.