Category: Manipur Mail

SENAPATI, Aug 25 NNN: The Naga People’s Organization (NPO), the apex civil society organisation of Senapati district, in a meeting yesterday had expressed its shock over the recent decision of the State Government of Manipur to conduct another random Census re-verification exercise for 48 villages in three sub-divisions of Senapati district for “Abnormal population growth”.
“It is questionable of the hidden motive of the State Government to conduct such exercise even as similar re-verification process had been done for three days in 2011 in the presence of RGI officials, district administration and State Census Operation Director Y. Thamkishore,” the NPO pointed out.
The Naga body then said that, the repeated rejection of the Census of Senapati district since two decades directly implies that, the district is not part of the State and that, any consequences arising out of the present Census issue will solely lie with the responsibilities of the present State Government. The NPO then warned that, it is ready to invest any resources or take up its own course of action in the coming days to achieve the justice and ‘rights denied’ to the people for consecutively two decades.
On August 22, 2013, the Chief Minister had convened a high level meeting to jointly verify the 3 sub-division of Mao-Maram, Paomata and Purul census 2011 which faced a major criticism from the people of Senapati. The NPO noted that, the decision of the Government surprised the people of Senapati after all revalidation as per the order of the deputy commissioner on February 1, 2011. Physical re-verification has been carried out on May 9, 2011 till May 11, 2011. Despite sincere support and cooperation extended to the census of 2011 at all levels, the chief minister of Manipur had sought another re-verification of 2011 censes.
“Is the policy and attitude of the Government towards the 3 sub-divisions meant that the population must tally the fixed estimation as per the wish of the State Government at any cause,” the NPO posed.
The NPO further questioned whether a government official or an individual has the authority to just fix an estimation of the growth of the demography and the reason for the Census survey that deploys heavy human resource and finance. The then Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Kesarwani, IAS also the Principal Census Officer revealed that 46 villages out of the 138 from the 3 sub-divisions, were suspected to have had ‘abnormal growth’ and consequently re-verification of the population enumeration was conducted from 9/05/2011-11/05/2011,” the NPO said.
“The State government’s motive of repeated re-verification and estimation of the population is strongly detested by general public of the three sub-divisions as there is no provision in the Census Act of 1948. The NPO in despair also decried that the district of Senapati was/is part and parcel of Manipur but the motive of the state Government is highly suspected as it pursues the policy of alination of the Nagas. While the banners of the election carries integration of state, but it is a direct intimidation that threatens the co-existence within the state,” the NPO stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npo-against-census-work/

Imphal Aug 25 UNA : As rape cases has been increasing in the state the (KCP) has formed a task force to counter a rape cases in the state.A press release signed publicity secretary, Sanakhomba Meitei of KCP stated that the numbers of rapes cases has been increasing day by dayafter the rapists of U Morok rape case has been awarded life timeimprisonment.
After the verdict of the U Morok cases has been closed, seven new cases of rape occur in the state. It clearly indicates that they (rapist) don’t bother such judgments in the state so due to this the party decided to intervene in such cases added the release.
It also says that the party will take public advice and decide the mode of punishment to be given to the culprit following a thorough investigation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kcp-to-intervene-in-rape-cases/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 24 : The Government of India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has allocated Pre-Republic Day Parade Camp-2013 to NSS Regional Centre, Kolkata for the Kolkata, Guwahati and Bhubaneshwar Regional Centre.
The Camp is being conducted during 21-30 October, 2013 at Salt Lake Stadium Kolkata. In this connection, all the NSS Programme Officers of different NSS Units of Manipur are hereby intimated to conduct Unit Level Camp for selecting one volunteer each, either male or female. The volunteer to be selected should be unmarried and should not be below the age of 16 years.
He/she should have participated in one Special Camp. The volunteer to be selected also should be culturally sound and medically fit. The Unit level selection should be finalized as early as possible and the list of the selected volunteer should be submitted on or before 2nd September, 2013 to the Programme Coordinator, NSS Cell, Manipur University for the colleges and to the State Liaison Officer, NSS Cell, Govt. of Manipur for the + 2 levels.
The State Level Selection Camp will be conducted during the 2nd week of September, 2013. For further details, NSS Units can contact, NSS Cell, Manipur University and State NSS Cell, Govt. of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pre-republic-day-parade-camp/

IMPHAL, August 24 MNS/NNN : A powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded close to Lamphel DC Office Complex in Imphal West, leaving three hurt early Saturday morning.
Reports suggested suspected militants triggered the bomb targeting a CRPF convoy at Naoremthong Laishram Khullem Leikai, around a hundred yards from Lamphel DC Office around 5:45 am, injuring three civilian pedestrians.
The injured were taken to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
The bomb fixed at the foot of a electric transformer went off as the convoy of 143 CRPF Battalion overtook the spot, eye witnesses said. The convoy included a bullet proof vehicle and a water carrier vehicle.
The injured were identified as Laishram Nimai, 33, residing in Naoremthong Laishram Leikai, Sanasam Jiten, 49, a resident of Lamphel DC Offfice Maning Leikai and Lovejoy, 30, hailing from UKhrul district’s Chingai, presently staying at RIMS Quarter, Lamphel.
Meanwhile, a Chinese hand grenade was found at the residential gate of Additional Chief Engineer of PWD Mechanical/Electrical Division at Khoyathong ABC Godown here around 5:30 am Saturday.
The engineer has been identified as Mutum Thaimol, 59.
A police bomb squad retrieved the bomb and later defused it at the Langol dumping site around 10 am.
The police are looking into the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/three-injured-in-bomb-blast-2/

IMPHAL, August 24 NNN : Manipur Cabinet today decided to clear the air of chaos regarding the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing with the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing Committee all sets to visit the border area next Monday for a spot assessment.
A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was held at the Cabinet Hall here. It decided to send the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing Committee headed by Principal Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu to the border area to oversee the fencing works on August 26, state Government spokesperson and Education minister M Okendro told reporters at his office after the Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet decision comes against the backdrop of the media reports here that certain portions of Manipur section of the Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district have been ceded to the neighbouring country due to the fence construction, including the reported bid by Myanmar army to set up a temporary platoon base camp at the disputed Holenphai village.
He said the Cabinet also decided to take appropriate steps to safeguard the Manipur’s territory in the border area after the committee submits its report on the visit.
Meanwhile, an official source said that Manipur Governor Ashwini Kumar is likely to visit Chandel district to oversee the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing on August 27.
Reaffirming its earlier stance on cancellation of holding of PMT for Manipur, the Cabinet further decided that the state nominees for MBBS/BDS courses would be selected from the National Entrance Eligibility Test (NEET) merit list, Okendro said.He also announced the number of allocated seats of MBBS/BDS for Manipur from the Central pool quota for the academic session 2013-14 as 22.
The 22 seats include 20 for MBBS and two for BDS, he said, adding the state nominees will be admitted to 16 different medical colleges in the country.
The minister also said a total of 137 MBBS/BDS seats—85 at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and 30 at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences will be allowed for the session 2013-14.
Okendro further informed that the Cabinet meeting also decided to acquire 104 acre of land in Heingang in Imphal East district for construction of a large pony house to preserve and promote the endangered Manipuri horse.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cabinet-decides-to-send-delegation-to-probe-border-dispute/

AIZAWL, Aug 24 NNN: Assembly poll preparations both by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the state government and the political parties are in full swing in Mizoram.
Though the ECI is yet to announce the date for the poll, there has been a strong indication that the assembly poll will be held in November.
Meanwhile, officials from the Election Commission of India are currently stationed in the state capital Aizawl meeting representatives of social organisations and other concerned authorities for a smooth conduct of the forthcoming assembly election.
The visiting Election Commission of India officials include Director General PK Dash, Director General Akshay Rout, Director General Ashish Srivastav, Secretary SK Rudola, Secretary Sumit Mukherjee and Secretary NN Butolia. These ECI officials are now constantly collaborating with Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashawani Kumar, Jt.Chief Electoral Officer H.Lalengmawia and other officials.
The visiting ECI officials appealed the NGOs and media fraternity to extend full cooperation in order to ensure that a peaceful and a fair Mizoram Legislative Assembly election is held. The ECI officials also asked the NGOs as well as the media persons to assist in ensuring that all the voters in the State exercise their franchise in the forthcoming poll.
Meanwhile, the ECI officials are also imparting training to all the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police regarding the election model code of conduct, strong rooms and vote counting besides scrutiny of nominations and other essentials.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/election-campaign-in-mizoram/

IMPHAL, Aug 24 NNN : The observation of the 65th Anniversary of the ‘Martyrs’ Day’ will be organised by the Mao Council under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) at Mao Gate on August 27 at 11 am.
According to the concept paper on the matter, in September 1946, the Naga National League (NNL) was organized to consolidate the Nagas of Manipur in order to bring together the Naga people separated by colonial boundaries.
“The Nagas of Manipur were independent of the Manipur Raja before the advent of the British. Even after the British came, they were administered by the political department of the British Crown. The Manipur Raja and his darbar administered only the valley area till August 15, 1947. After that day, when the paramountcy was transferred to the Maharaja of Manipur without the consent of the hill people, the NNL stated the Nagas of Manipur will not remain with the Meiteis since the latter had never conquered the Nagas and declared that it would be impossible for the Nagas to preserve the best of their culture, tradition, customary laws and political practices should the Naga people and their land be split up and placed under different influence and politics,” the concept paper issued by United Naga Council (UNC) stated.
It then said the NNL expressed their strong desire to merge with the Naga Hills District of Assam through the BOYCOTT of the preparation of electoral rolls in Naga areas. The first General Election under the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947 was held in June 1948. The Nagas in Manipur boycotted the election.
“They thereafter, launched the “NO TAX CAMPAIGN” when Maharaj Kumar Priyobrata Singh was the Chief Minister of Manipur. The Campaign was spearheaded by Mr. A. Daiho(Mao) and Mr. N. Modoli(Poumai), President and Secretary respectively of the NNL. The Nagas in Manipur refused to pay the annual House Tax to the Government of Manipur and instead submitted their annual house tax to Charles Pawsey, D.C. of Naga hills of Assam at Kohima,” it added.
It was an act of defiance against the Authority of the State, under which the Nagas of Manipur had been placed without their consent. It was also a means of putting pressure on the Indian Government for securing the merger of the Nagas in Manipur with the Naga hills district.
The Manipur Maharaja, Budh Chandra sent a combined force of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police to arrest A.Daiho and other leaders. Equipped with machine guns the Assam Rifles took position in and around Mao Inspection Bungalow in war like fashion and indiscriminately fired at the volunteers/ students of the Mao-Maram Tribal Council (now Mao, Maram, Poumai, Thangal and Upper Zeliang) who were blocking the road leading to the residence of A. Daiho.
Asiisii Hepuni of Punanamei village (a volunteer), Mahriili Lohrii of Kalinamei village (a student) and Modo Kholi of Kalinamei village, also a student) were killed on the spot while Daikho Hesho of Chowainamei khullen village (a volunteer) and Obow Adani of Punanamei village (a volunteer) succumbed to injuries. Kaisii Mathibo of Punanamei village (a volunteer) and Obow Ashiho of Punanamei village were hurt critically.
Kaisii Mathibo passed away on August 12, 2013 while Obow Ashiho is still alive.
“Many other male and female volunteers and students received injuries from bullets, rifle butts, lathis, and boots of the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police on that day,” the concept note alleged.
According to the concept note issued by the UNC, the indiscriminate firings and use of violent force finally succeeded in dispersing the demonstrators and the two leaders viz. A. Daiho of Song Song village and N. Modoli of Tungam village along with Kaikho Dili of Tadubi and Athikho Sibo of Song Song were finally arrested. The arrested leaders, all the dead bodies and injured persons were herded away to Imphal in the Assam Rifles convoy. After being kept at Imphal Central Jail, A. Daiho and N. Modoli were shifted to Dum Dum(now Kolkata) Central Jail as political prisoners, the note said.
“In memory and honour of those who suffered and made the ultimate sacrifice for the integration of all Nagas, sixty-six years ago, the Mao Students’ Union has perpetuated this day in memory by observing it as
“The Martyrs’ Day”. As the event is a landmark in the history of political movement of the Nagas in Manipur, the observation is being organized this year by the Mao Council under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC),” the concept note said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/martyrs-day-on-august-27/

IMPHAL, August 24 NNN : Autonomous District Council (ADC), Ukhrul has insisted in a memorandum to the Union Home Minister on Saturday that the border village of Choro in UKhrul district of Manipur should not be ceded to Myanmar to barter land between the neighbouring country and India.
The memorandum says ADC members and the public of Ukhrul in the interest of the people of the state oppose the process for inclusion of Choro in the land exchange process between the two countries.
Both Manipur and Central Governments purportedly intend to give away the Choro village to Myanmar for the purpose of the current Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing.
In the representation to Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, ADC, Ukhrul says both Manipur and Central Government are taking steps to cede Choro village in exchange of Myanmar’s land at Manipur’s Moreh in Chandel district.
It says Choro is a hill village that pays house tax and it is inhabited by Manipuris who have been safeguarding the boundary since time immemorial.
Border village of Choro was wisely saved from losing to Myanmar (Burma) when the Kabaw Vallley of Manipur was given to the neighbouring country, says the memorandum.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ukhrul-villagers-against-ceding-of-manipurs-land-to-myanmar/

IMPHAL, Aug 23 NNN : Kukis in Manipur have intensified their statehood demand movement by spreading out their programmes to various parts of the North East India region.
Apart from participating in the ongoing indefinite hunger strike underway at Kokrajhar in Assam jointly carried out by the Bodos and leaders of the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) demanding the creations of Bodoland in Assam and Kuki state in Manipur, series of consultative meetings involving Kuki intellectuals, Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) leaders, Kuki scholars and student leaders will be organised in Guwahati, Shillong and Churachandpur (south Manipur) in the coming days.
The Kuki State Demand Committee(KSDC) and some social organisations based in Guwahati and Shillong will be organizing a one-day consultative meeting at Guwahati on August 25 and another such programme at Shillong on August 26 with leaders of Kuki Welfare Association.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kuki-join-hands-with-bodo-to-demand-state/

New Delhi, Aug 23 NNN: Tribal student leaders from Manipur have arrived here in the national capital last evening seeking audience in connection with the tribal peoples’ cause in Manipur.
President of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) Muan Tombing, its general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang and others are now camping in New Delhi meeting leaders of All India Tribal Students Federation (AITSF), Manipur Tribal Rights
Forum, Delhi and many other civil organisations based in New Delhi.
“Except the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), no welfare laws are working in Manipur,” said ATSUM president Muan Tombing and its general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang in New Delhi while talking to Newmai News Network this evening, adding, “The AFSPA is strictly implemented in Manipur for several decades now inspite of strong opposition from the people both in the hills and the valley.”
“Harping continuously by the successive state governments to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur but failed to address the plights of the hill people in Manipur, have angered the tribal people of the state,” expressed the ATSUM leaders, adding, “It is in this kind of political climate that we, on behalf of the tribals of Manipur is taking the movement to the national capital.”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tribal-students-to-lobby-in-delhi/

IMPHAL, August 23 MNS NNN: Normal life in Manipur was paralysed due to the dawn to dusk state wide bandh given by the Joint Action Committee for driver Okram Gyanendro killing on Friday with the JAC announcing a further indefinite general strike after the state Government refused to give any response to it in connection with the death.
Shortly before the Friday strike was about to end at 6 pm, the JAC, which has been putting pressure on the state Government to bring the culprits to justice, announced another state wide indefinite bandh from 6 pm Friday. The JAC said the Government is not responding to its demands.
It has demanded the Government to nab the culprits involved in the van driver killing.
Meanwhile, the 13-hour strike imposed by the JAC affected normal life in the state. However, the bandh was by and large peaceful.
More than 40 women bandh supporters were detained by City Police after they forced shops in Khwairamband market to close down. However, they were later released.
Inter-district passenger service was halted due to the strike, but the inter-state bus service was normal. Most of the educational institutions were also closed for the day. Government establishments were also recorded low attendance.?
Gyanendra aged 35, was reportedly shot dead inside his own passenger van by unknown persons on August 18 in the Naran Konjin Palli area under Wangoi Police Station in Thoubal district. He was a native of Singjamei Okram Leikai in Imphal West district. He left behind his wife and two children.?
Meanwhile, the JAC said the dead body of driver Gyanendro now lying at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) mortuary, Imphal will be taken tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/strike-against-killing-of-gyanendro-affects-life/

Imphal , Aug 23 UNA : The Students’ Union Presidency College Motbung stir came to and an end after Memorandum of Understanding signed between the student body and the Joint Director, Directorate of Tribal Affairs & Hills, Govt. of Manipur Friday.
The Students’ Union PCM Secretary Nemneithem Kipgen said, with the initiative of Joint Director, TA&H a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed and subsequently our agitation has been put to an end this morning.
Some of the agitating studentsdismantled one of the College classrooms but we prevent them to causedfurther damage”, added Nemneithem Kipgen.
She continued that, the Directorate of Tribal Affairs and Hills,Manipur intimated us that due to inadequate fund release by theMinistry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India all the eligible ST students of inside and outside the state of Manipur from different colleges could be awarded with the Post Matric Scholarship during the year 2012-13.
“They also intimated that the department is currently seized with the same problem and is in the process of detecting actual number of ST students who have been left out during the year 2012-13 for submission of a proposal to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt.of India requesting release of funds during the current year 2013-14”, she further added.
“The TA&H Department will seek adequate fund from the Ministry of Tribals, Govt. of India for clearing all backlog ST students of 2012-13 and also of 2011-12 at the earliest”.
TA&H Department shall give priority in clearing the due payment of Post Matric Scholarship of the Presidency College, Motbung and the Student body shall cease all sorts of agitation.
The Memorandum signed between the two parties has been signed by the Joint Director, TA&H, Manipur on the part of the Government while the Students’ Union PCM representatives who signed in the MoU are Nemneithem Kipgen, Lamkam Kipgen and Lhingneihoi Haokip.
The Students’ Union Presidency College, Motbung appeals particularly the TA&H department officials and staffs and the Government to make the MoU accomplish accordingly.
In the meantime, Students’ Union PCM stated that regular class has been made compulsory in the College and the teaching staffs, lecturers attend their duty regularly and faithfully up to the satisfaction of the students as well as parents/guardians

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/presidency-college-students-call-off-stir/