Manipur Mail – Page 34

Table tennis coaching camp concludes

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 16 : The CM of Manipur Shri O. Ibobi said, to bag medals in Olympics, foreign coaches will be invited to teach in some discipline.
The CM was speaking as chief guest at the concluding function of a 21 day residential table tennis coaching camp held at national sports academy’s indoor hall today. The cam was held under the guidance of coach Kim Song Han of North Korea.
The two hostels having capacity of 150 persons each may be completed within December. The govt is paying attention to invite foreign coaches to teach players who will be staying in these hostels so that medals may be bagged in Olympics in 2016 Olympic games and other national competitions.
The govt. is paying more attention to develop sports, cultures and tourism sectors. Besides the govt. is also trying to improve power sector he said and added that the govt. will preserve old assembly hall.
It may be mentioned here that 53 players from NE states took part in the camp which began May 28.
The works minister Kh. Ratan Kumar, M.Prithviraj, Parliamentary sec, sports and tourism, Bijoy Koijam, president MOA, Dr. Kh. Loken, president Manipur table tennis assn. also attended the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/table-tennis-coaching-camp-concludes/

COPTAM against land survey

IMPHAL, June 16 NNN : The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur(COPTAM) is very much concerned about the reported actions of Revenue department officials for conducting a ‘Revenue Survey’ in some hill areas/districts laying adjacent to valley districts.
According to COPTAM, the said Revenue survey is conducted in the sly without the knowledge and consent of the people living in the areas concerned.
“COPTAM has been demanding for years for maintenance of original dristrict boundaries for all the districts in Manipur. However, the state government continues to show its might by deploying several means in one way or the other for the purpose of distorting the original districts boundaries for subsequent encroachment on hill areas/ districts. If the rightful demands of COPTAM are not taken into account by the state government or fails to redress the grievances of the people then the existence of tribal people in Manipur has been reduced to a mere decoration by the state government. Therefore , unless the district bounderies issue is settled, any sort of survey cannot be done in the hill districts. For this, all concerned villagers and hill- based social organisations should always get to abort the evil polices of the state government at any cost,” COPTAM general secretary Thangkam Luphen asserted.
Regarding the alleged enforcement of Panchayati Raj institution in some hill areas under Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), the COPTAM general secretary said the state government has been time and again urged to withdraw the Panchayati Raj in the areas where ADCs are functioning for effective and transparent administration.
There are some villages in Saikul sub- division under Sadar Hills ADCs and some village in Churachanpur district which are still under the Panchayat adminstration. It is learnt that the Panchayat members of these areas are taking up some works / projects in some village with sign-boards putting up in order to show the functioning of panchayat administration in Hill areas. The ADCs are functioning in all the hill districts for any kind of development works and policies pertaning to the hill areas, COPTAM stated.
“In view of the above stated development, the Panchayat/Zilla Parishad members of these areas are informed not to undertake anykinds of activities / project in hill villages were there are ADCs. We are not against development works, but we are totally against the imposition of Panchayati Raj institution in the hill areas. This is for transparent administration and effective governance in our state,” the COPTAM leader added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/coptam-against-land-survey/

Nagaland, Assam border tribes at loggerhead

DIMAPUR, June 16 NNN: Nagas and the people confining in the fringes of Assam are engaging in unending feuds for the last few months.
The Adivasi-Naga tension that was simmering in the first part of this month had calmed down now but the tension between the Rengma Naga and the Karbi community of Assam is heightening.
Rengma Naga community residing in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam are fleeing into Nagaland even as the
Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers (KLPT) are intimidating these Rengma Nagas.
Naga Rengma Hills Protection Force (NRHPF) formed few months ago are operating in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Few days ago, the cadres KLPT came to Rengma Naga dominated area and asked the leaders of these Rengma villages to bring the cadres of Rengma militants along with their weapons by June 9 or else the they would ‘kill’ all the Rengmas in Karbi Anglong district.
Meanwhile, the Rengma Hoho of Dimapur today said the exodus of hundreds of Western Rengmas from their ancestral land, Karbi Anglong (Assam), under the threat of extermination by KLPT ‘extremists’ is totally unacceptable to the Rengma people living in both Assam and Nagaland.
“This is a direct challenge to Rengmas existence as a people and Rengma Hoho Dimapur construes this as an act of ethnic cleansing for which the Government of India and international community is urged to intervene immediately,” the Rengma Hoho Dimapur said. Rengma Hoho Dimapur (RHD) reminds the Karbi people and the government of India that history cannot be denied or even twisted to suit the chauvinistic agenda of a particular people.
“The government of India and Assam government both should understand that Rengmas are indigenous, true sons of the soil of Karbi Anglong having lived in this land for hundreds of years predating Karbis who are relatively late arrivals to the land. By quirk of fate, disease, plague and poison reduced our once proud people-the rulers of Karbi Anglong and Rengma Hills to a minority. If cleansing the land of non-Karbis is the political agenda of Karbis, then the government of India is urged to abrogate the MOU arrived between UPDS and government of India for implementation in 2016/17 and review the whole gamut of the proposed settlement keeping in consideration the interests of minority communities in Karbi Anglong,” RHD added.
Rengmas have suffered enough over the past decades. Developmentally, Western Rengmas are at the lowest rung with basic amenities such as roads, electricity and even schools non-existent. Culturally, Rengma language and way of life is under constant threat and the latest attempt at physical elimination leading to mass exodus is an attack on the principles under which this country was founded, RHD stated.
“The Karbi civil society, intellectuals, church leaders and student bodies are urged to immediately intervene and restore normalcy. Rengma people are willing to have a dialogue with our Karbi brethrens inorder to give peace a chance. Extremist agenda should not highjack Karbi society or else it may not bode well for the future of both our peoples,” the Rengma Hoho cautions.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nagaland-assam-border-tribes-at-loggerhead/

European women band to perform in Imphal

IMPHAL, June 16 NNN: As a campaign to improve the women image and to empower them, a noble way of doing it by all-women band from five European and American countries has reached Imphal today.
Seven female artists from Israel, Denmark, Canada, Holland and USA arrived today here and they will be displaying dances, choreography and other artistic displays.
“Our acts are for the empowerment of female image through art,” said one of the artists. What prompt them to choose Manipur as their destination?
It is reported that one Suraj from Manipur came to know of these artists campaigning in Himachal Pradesh. Suraj contacted them and that is how these artists landed up in Manipur. The artists are on world tour. During their short stay in Manipur they will show different forms of artistic display. And in the same time, the visiting artists will also attempt to learn the various forms of art of Manipur including Thang-Ta ( Manipuri art of Fencing) which will in turn be shown to other countries.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/european-women-band-to-perform-in-imphal/

All Manipur entrepreneurs’association feels industry neglected

President AMEA S. Rishikumar said, ‘Manipur, a state with rich natural and human resources can be utilised in a positive way to boost up state economy but due to the negligence in the Industrial sector over last 6 decades, because of this Manipur still remain industrially backward. It is matter of discouragement that only one percent of the Gross Domestic Product of Manipur is accounted for by the contribution of registered industrial units. The above mention contribution is due to various factors including lack of infra-structures and geographical land lock. The Industrial sector became stagnant and unable to accelerate which affects the whole development scenario of the state i.e. in the field of income, unemployment and also in upbringing the new entrepreneurs. So the State Government should take stronger plans to develop new entrepreneur by strengthening all its wings including its state finance corporation and infra-structure development agencies. New entrepreneurs or educated potential youths are unable to get loan and other benefits since long back. Up growing entrepreneurs are hesitate to take risk as the State is thoroughly exhausted by insurgency, bands, blockades, etc. As entrepreneurs are the creator of the wealth, it is highly needed that the youth should be encouraged to become entrepreneurs and more number of entrepreneurs to set up their own enterprises in different tracks. Opportunities should be given to our young entrepreneur by giving loan facilities. The one and only state finance corporation, Manipur Industrial Development Corporation (MANIDCO) has defunct for over more than 2 decades and stop financing to entrepreneurs since 1991 which results to the degeneration of the industrial development and also discouragement of the entrepreneur. The big ones have been close while the small ones are getting crippled. So revival of MANIDCO is the need of the hour for development of industries and to boost the state economy. The state government should take initiative and immediate action with a strong political will to developed industries in the State. MANIDCO has due to pay 5 Crores to SIDBI and 2.95 Crores to IDBI. So due to the non payment of the dues since long back SIDBI/ IDBI has stopped financing to MANIDCO therefore, State Government should arrange fund for payment of SIDBI’s outstanding Rs.5 crore without further delay, so that, SIDBI/ IDBI may start release of fund further more for refinance of our entrepreneurs through MANIDCO’.

Water supply scheme inaugurated

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 16 : The Heitroipokpi Yairipok improved water supply scheme was inaugurated today. I. Hemochandra minister PHED, K. Meghachandra parliamentary secy. IPR, WL Hanshing IAS principal secy PHED, M. Ibomcha chief engineer PHED, Th. Nokul chairperson Yairipok Nagar Panchayat and A. Subhash Zilla Parisad graced the occasion as chief guest, president and guests of honour.
I.Hemochandra addressing the occasion said that to provide the healthy drinking water to the people of Yairipok is the duty of PHED department. We should not forget that water is life. The govt. of India is continuing to provide drinking water to the people of rural areas under different schemes and water treatment plants. We should properly use such water schemes as they are our assets.
The minister is for the whole state and he should not think for only his constituency. The minister should do what he promised to the people. He appealed the public to keep need and clean the source of water and to pay the tax of water regularly.
K. Meghachandra said that the water supply scheme can solved the shortage of water at the area. The Itok dam of Yairipok will finish soon. The said dam if completed will provide enough water to the water supply schemes and water plants and will use at double cropping. The Yairipok Singa water supply scheme under multi sectoral development programme is under progress. It should be completed soon. There will be the problem of water at Yairipok. The above schemes provided water to the three localities of Yairipok namely Khoirom, Leirongthel and Kekru. The above schemes were started construction on Decemeber 2006 under the national rural drinking water project and completed on April 26, 2013. It costs Rs. 69.47 lacs. It can provide drinking water to the 7667 people and can provide water to the 10,000 people by 2021. The reservoir capacity is 2.7 lacs of litres per day. The main source of water is Thoubal river and Thoubal main canal. Two electric pumps of 25 HP and 15 HP will use for the water plants.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/water-supply-scheme-inaugurated/

JD(U) breaks its 17-year-old alliance with BJP in Bihar

Patna, June 16 (ANI): Putting an end to all the speculations, the Janata Dal (United) on Sunday finally announced that there would not be any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Bihar government.
Addressing a press conference here, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav said that the developments in the last six months had made things difficult for them to work together with the BJP.
“We were in the NDA for 17 years and we had a national agenda that was formed with Atalji and Advaniji. We have tried to stick to the framework of the NDA but for the past 6-7 months situation has changed,” he said.
“Any alliance runs by friendship and trust – we tried our best to run the alliance,” he added
Earlier in the day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Governor D Y Patil following the Cabinet meet called by him, that was skipped by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers.
Talking to media after meeting, Nitish Kumar said that he had sought fresh vote of confidence to prove his majority in the House, and had requested for a special Assembly session to be convened on June 21.
“We will show we have majority support in the Assembly,” said Nitish Kumar.
Earlier in the day, BJP’s eleven ministers in the Bihar cabinet skipped an emergency meet called by Nitish Kumar.
“What is the point in us being there unless the Chief Minister clarifies his stand on the alliance?” asked Mangal Pandey, a senior leader of the BJP.
The BJP had earlier asked Nitish Kumar to quit and seek a fresh mandate if the ruling BJP-JD-U coalition splits.
JD (U) has 118 MLAs in 243-member Bihar assembly and needs the support of only four more MLAs to have a majority.
There are 91 MLAS from BJP, 21 from RJD and one each from LJP and CPI in the state assembly.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jdu-breaks-its-17-year-old-alliance-with-bjp-in-bihar/

Third front will be detrimental to the well being of the country

Third front will emerge. That’s definite. Real challenge Congress will face will be in tackling the growing strength of third front. The nation will suffer if third front comes to power at the centre. Instability will be the hallmark of the administration. What we saw during Chandrasekhar regime in the past when India mortgaged even gold to buy American dollar may be repeated. The foreign exchange reserve was almost nil. It went down below 4000 crore, which was fit for buying one week’s food for one billion people. There will be internal bickering among the parties. Like the demons devouring everything they can lay hands on the country’s wealth will end up being shared by cronies. If that is the change 2014 Lok Sabha elections want to bring, why should voters waste precious time and energy analysing the merits and demerits of the political parties. Two party systems does wonderful job in the largest democracy of the world America. It is also doing well in UK. Congress led UPA confronting with BJP led NDA is far better than the addition of another front. Then there is Left Front, which cannot ally with any of these groups. Remember too many cooks spoil the broth. India is a sub continent. It requires a powerful Government at the centre to keep all united. The Government at the centre cannot be kept under the mercy of the Chief Ministers spread across the country. That will set a bad precedent. What is happening in BJP also sounds funny. Chief Minister of a state leading the campaign committee setting aside other central leaders of the party, does not it reflect the ever dwindling image of the party? Yes after the election Modi can be projected as Prime Minister of the party in the event of BJP sweeping the polls. That’s an ominous start. His projection has paved way for mushrooming of another front, which was unheard of one week back. Amazingly Modi does not realise the harm he is doing to his party. If he quits the post, NDA will remain intact and the possibility of third raising its head is ruled out. In the recent past when the union railway minister Trivedi was removed on complaint by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Bannerjee, who is boss of party it sounded incongruity with the policy of the UPA. Federal forum envisaged by these Chief Ministers will break pan India character. Crushing this federal forum should be taken up as a strong challenge both by Congress, BJP and the Left Front.

FCI appeals to make aware of public distribution system

There is always gap between the Food Corporation of India and the people of Manipur in regards to the public distribution system. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) allocates the required food grains like rice, wheat, sugar etc in good quality enough for the people of Manipur monthly. People living in far flung areas of Manipur have not aware of what the Food Corporation of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is doing for them.
Construction works of FCI godown in Manipur have been delayed due to non-finalisation of land by the State Government for over two years. The FCI has already proposed to construct 10000 MT capacity godown at Sawombung in Imphal East, 5000 MT at Bishnupur, 2500 MT at Chandel, 5000 MT at Tamenglong, 10000 MT at Jiribam and 2500 MT at Thoubal for storage of sufficient essential commodities for the people. Out of the two constructions at Senapati (5000 MT) and Churachandpur(2500 MT), the godown at Senapati has been completed.
Existing godowns at Sangaiprou (13090 MT), Ukhrul (5000 MT), Jiribam (5000 MT) and Koirengei on hiring (7000 MT) are not sufficient to meet the stock of the whole population of Manipur.
Due to non-finalisation of land for construction of godowns in Manipur, the FCI has recently taken decision for construction of godowns under Private Entrepreneur Guarantee (PEG) scheme.
At present, the FCI allocates 7887 MT rice and 1106 MT wheat and 1470 MT sugar every month to the State Government for the people of Manipur. It is not known whether it has been reached to the beneficiaries or not. There is no any designated fair price shops in Manipur which are regularly distributing these essential items to the people. As per record, there are 2465 fair price shops in Manipur.
The FCI has appealed to the people of Manipur to make aware of the public distribution system of the Central Government by going through its concerned websites and contacting the Department of Food and Consumer Affairs, Government of Manipur and the Deputy Commissioners concerned regularly.
As per an order issued by the Union Ministry of Consumer, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India on October 10 last year for constitution of State/Union Territory level Consultative Committees for the Food Corporation of India to protect the interests of the producers as well as the consumers and to advice the Food Corporation of India on various matters relating to procurement, storage and distribution of food grains; the State Level Consultative Committee of FCI for the state of Manipur was constituted with Shri Thangso Baite, Member of Parliament as Chairman.
The State Consultative Committee will soon visit the Fair Price Shops in Manipur to inspect the distribution of food grains in good quality or not as decided in a meeting held at Imphal recently.said Huidrom Nabakumar Singh, Member, Consultative Committee of FCI for Manipur.

Abstract of the book-Tintong Haokip, Laijangpa by Vumkhoneh Haokip

MNS: Son of Limhel Haokip, Tintong Haokip was born on 1872 at Lamlap village,Tamenglong District of Manipur. When he was only 25 years old he established a village called Laijang ( now re- named as Tamenglong Town) and became a great chief of the region.
The imposition of the colonial rule and forced raise of labour corps by the then British Government forced Tintong Haokip and Kukis to take up arms in the defence of their rights and land.
In the Kukis chiefs Meeting at Jampi village (March 1917) Tintong was appointed as Commander in chief and Enjakhup Kholhou Deputy Commander of the Kuki army.
Tintong and Enjakhup raised and trained Kuki sepoys in different villages of Manipur,Nagaland and Assam to fight against the mighty British by using their self made Muzzle loading gun and laying different deadly traps in the jungles of Manipur during 1917-1919.
A Meitei man Chinga kham Sanachauba Singh and his followers were collaborator with the Kukis in burning down the the Ithai forest station in 21st December 1917.
The war between Kukis and British was so intense that Robert reid,the then Governor of Assam termed it as”the most serious event in the history of Manipur”.
According to L.W Shakespears 86 Kuki villages were burnt down,112 villages surrendered and 15 villages were abandoned and
altogether 1570 guns were captured from the Kukis of Manipur and
Burma.On the British side 80 sepoys,2 British officers and 28 Assam Rifles were killed by the Kuki sepoys.And 18 Government rest houses were also burnt down by the Kukis.About 478 persons died from different injuries and infections. Tintong’s own village Laijang was also burnt down and 28 of his villager and sepoys killed by the British troop in the battle of Laijang.
Tintong was later captured and imprisoned in Imphal, Kohima and Sadiya(Assam) jails by the British Government.
On his released from Sadiya jail Tintong settled at a village
called Saioh which is about 35 Kms from Imphal in the Imphal- Jiibam road.There he died in the year 1939 and was buried in simple Kuki Traditional way.
A village named after him”Tintong Laijang” has been established at Imphal-Jiribam Road and his Grandson Doumang Haokip took chiefship of the village.
Recently an autonomous District Council(ADC) Constituency has been also opened after the village which is called “Tintong Laijang constituency” in the, Senapati Dristict of Manipur.

Campaign launched to seek justice for Richard, Awungshi

MNS:- Over 1150 people covering all section of communities of NorthEast India have signed for submission to the elected Members of Parliament to make significant steps to bring immediate justice to many victims like Reingamphy Awungshi and Richard Loitam and seriously deal with prejudice that have allowed these crimes to happened and then become a huge obstacles towards justice including even toward registering a FIR and manipulation of forensic study.
The letter says, “We the undersigned would like to bring to your attention some very serious concerns relating to recent tragic death of Reigphamy Awunshi.
We strongly believe that the circumstances that lead to the death of the beautiful daughter of Ukhrul and many insensitive and humiliating incidences following the death are a result of many attitudes and attributes that has been formed through the years.
Sir/ Madam, it is great pain to that many of her loving friends and well wishers have to fight to even register a FIR. Worse is the investigating police officer had total disregard and disrespect even for the death that we were told that we are spa working people and it was reason for such incidences of ‘death’ happens.
We wonder how in the face of such attitude which has strong humiliating and degrading attitude towards the people of NorthEast India, Reignphamy Awungshi can even have a unbiased investigation leave alone justice.
Many of us believe there are very strong evidences of homicidal signs and even possibility of sexual assault leading to the death.
Sir/ Madam, we believe one of most important factor that have lead to these ever increasing of negative attitude towards us, that even disrespect us in death is the absence of voices and solidarity of our own people.
We are deeply hurt and angry that our leaders seem to have left us and ignored us during such challenging and tragic times especially aggravated by a biased investigation and non-coverage by the many institution because of our racial origin.
We wish to request you to please exercise your full responsibility and power bestowed by the people who have elected yourself as leaders and make strong initiatives and actions to bring about justice to Reigamphy Awangshi and take punitive actions against those officials and professionals who have made skewed opinions and decision heavily affected by our racial origin.We would like you to please take notice of the continuing coverage or wilfully undercoveraged in the national media of many such tragic incidences involving people from our north eastern region, which we believe is because of racial prejudice.
We would like to summarise to please share your words of condolences and help Awungshi and help prevent the fate that poor Awungshi have to experience even in death.We urge to acknowledge the presence of the dangerous racial stereotyping and prejudice that have not only dehumanise and degraded the life of many but also cause many physical and emotional trauma and even have lead to death .
We would be very grateful to you if you Sir/ Madam could exercise your responsibility and power and held those heinous people accountable and herald a new glorious moment in the history of humanity of Manipur and in NorthEast India in general.
Members of Parliament should make significant steps to bring immediate justice to many victims like Reingamphy awungshi and seriously deal with prejudice that have allowed these crimes to happened and then become a huge obstacles towards justice including even toward registering a FIR and manipulation of forensic study. A Justice4Richard Initiative
(http://change.org/reingamphi)”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/campaign-launched-to-seek-justice-for-richard-awungshi/

Mt Everest Summiteers honoured

Mount Everest expedition team felicitated by C.M

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 15 : : Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today gave cash award of Rs 10 lakhs each to all those who climbed Mt Everest and team leader. Chief Minister, O Ibobi said Sport is a major strength of Manipur. Our boys and girls have excelled in many fields of sports and have brought laurels and medals. They have made our Country and State proud. We must nurture the talents of our youths.
The 1st North East India Expedition to Mount Everest – 2013 was sponsored by the North Eastern Council and organised by Manipur Mountaineering & Trekking Association and supported by Planning Department. Shri D.S Poonia, Chief Secretary, Manipur was the Chef De Mission of the Expedition.
The Expedition Team has made several records. We have the youngest summiteer from North East India, Shri Chingkheinganba Meitei, the 16 years old boy from Manipur. He broke the record of being the youngest summiteer of India on 18th May 2013. His record was only later broken by climbers from Himachal Pradesh on 21st May 2013.
He congratulated W Bidyapati Devi, first Women Summiteer of Manipur. He congratulated Puyamcha Mohon, Summiteer and Deputy Leader of the Expedition. Among the Team members, Ms Wanshuk Myrthong from Meghalaya is the first woman to scale the Mount Everest. Shri Tarun Saikia from Assam and Shri David Zohmangaiha are the first Summiteers of Assam and Mizoram respectively. Ms Anshu Jamsenpa , who is a mother of two children from Arunachal has created history by being the first mother to have successfully scaled the Mount Everest, thrice. He congratulated the entire Team and Team Leader Dr L Surjit.
He extended gratitude to the Sherpas, whose guidance and contribution to the success of the expedition was vital. They have guided and taken care of our youths and brought them back home safe.
In recognition of the extra ordinary achievements of these brave people and the honour and pride, which they have brought to our State, the state Government has decided to give them financial awards. He awarded Rs10 lakhs to each summiteer and Team leader and Rs2 lakhs to each member from Manipur of 1st NE Expedition to Mount Everest 2013 as a token of acknowledgement for your achievements. Rs10 lakhs cash award is also given to Ph. Bidyachandra Singh and Chirom Shangkar Singh, summiteers of NCC cadets from Manipur, who were part of First NCC Expedition to Mount Everest 2013 organised by National Cadets Corps.
Rs 10 lakhs cash award is also given to Suraj Singh Nongmaithem, the first summiteer of Manipur, who was a member of Sikkim Amateurs Mountaineering Association (SAMA) Mount Everest Expedition- 2008.
Minister DoNER has agreed in principle to consider a proposal of Manipur Mountaineering & Trekking Association for establishing a Regional Institute of Adventure at Lamdan. State government will extend all support required from the state Government for funding the project from Ministry of DoNER/ NEC. I am happy to announce that State Government has also agreed to enhance annual grant to MMTA from Rs7 lakhs to Rs10 lakhs.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mt-everest-summiteers-honoured/

Arms, ammunitions recovered

IMPHAL, June 15 NNN: Security forces today seized huge cache of arms and ammunition from a location in the village of Sinam Kom Sanjenlok in Imphal East district, Manipur besides nabbing one militant belonging to the Kuki National Front (KNF-N), who was involved in the recent killing of a KNF (P) cadre and the bomb attack on the residence of the IFCD minister, during a separate operation.
Displaying the seized weapons and the arrested militants at his office before the media, the district Superintendent of Police Kamei Angam Romanus said that the large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered while chasing two suspected militants around 8 am in the village of Sinam Kom Sanjenlok.
The operation was conducted by a joined team of the district police commandos and a column of 16 Assam Rifles posted at Sagolmang under his supervision, he said.
He said that the suspected militants were pursued by the combined security team, but they managed to flee from the site and then the security forces unearthed the weapons during an extensive search carried out in the village.
The seized weapons include four lethod (shells), one number each of 7.65 mm, 0.22 mm and 9 mm pistol with one magazine each, two number each of new and old magazines of M-16, three magazines of 7.65 mm pistol, 112 live rounds of AK rifles, six live rounds of 0.22 mm, 10 live rounds of 9 mm and one live round of WRA 53, 85 empty cases of SLR ammunition, 10 5.56 mm, 21 7.62 mm, four empty cases of 9 mm, seven empty cases of WRA 53, 100 9 mm bullets and one Carbine with one magazine.
Romanus added that further in a separate operation carried by the district police commandos, one Kuki National Front (N) militant was arrested in Kongpal Khongkham Leikai at 11:30 am.
Identifying the arrested as self styled pvt Letginhao Haokip, 28, a resident of Moreh Tinnumunjang, the SP further claimed that Haokip was involved in the killing of one self-styled camp commander Seipao from KNF (P) group on May 23 at Sapermeina.
He added that Haokip was also involved in the grenade attack that took place at the residence of IFCD minister Ngamthang Haokip in Chasad Avenue here on April 26.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/arms-ammunitions-recovered/

Manipur Mail 2013-06-15 21:11:15

IMPHAL, June 15 NNN : The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) while countering the Assam Rifles’ version that the latter was the one that had seized the huge consignment of liquor on June 13 along the Imphal-Ukhrul road, has said that the claim made by the Assam Rifles was totally wrong.
The apex body of Tangkhul students said volunteers of TKS in collaboratiion with other civil organisations have been on drive against drugs and other intoxicants from being transported to Ukhrul district. “On the fateful day (June 13), the volunteers of TKS and the civil organisations were checking at Lambui area when they stopped two vehicles and found the vehicles loaded with liquor in huge quantity. The volunteers were interrogating the occupants of the vehicles when the Assam Rifles personnel and snatched the liquor and had taken away towards Ukhrul,” alleged the TKS while adding, “On learning about the incident, large number of people from the frontal organisations conglomerated in the Hundung area and intercepted the vehicles carrying liquor.” According to the TKS, the people then set the vehicles loaded with liquor on fire.
The TKS then alleged that deputy commissioner of Ukhrul R Sudan had even asked the volunteers of the civil bodies at Lambui area as to what authority they had that they were stopping vehicles and checking. The Tangkhul students’ body expressed its unhappiness over the attitude of the deputy commissioner who even took photos of the volunteers by himself in his own camera and went away. “Since the concerned authority are not living upto the expectation we have no other option but to carry out drive against liquor,” quipped the TKS.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/18929/

Statehood demand

The demands for statehood as in India are extremely vocal and is unparallel in the global scenario. The twenty-eight states and seven union territories emerged out of history. After the British Empire left India most states were formed based on ethnicity and languages. Considering the numbers of ethnicity and languages in our country we sometimes feel if the the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was on the right path or not. Formation of new states have continued based on the demands and necessity. The new millennium was also marked with formation of new states in 2000 like Chhattisgarh , Uttarakhand and Jharkhand. There is a race for development, needs of the people are increasing while the state has failed to meet the demands of the people. The demands for statehood are linked with development and politics. Development is the core issue. Administration should not confine to the periphery of the headquarters and the farther the distance administrative exercises fade out. It seems true in the entire country. Overall growth and development and opportunities have to be delivered otherwise there will be more demand for statehood. The north eastern region though small has witnessed demands for new states and the Darjeeling politics is age old. Even a former Chief Minister of UP aired the need of dividing UP into four states. What it really means is the failure of the state to deliver administrative responsibilities. If the political visionary can not see far and think wide similar demands will keep rising. Now the Telangana issue is on the limelight. Political parties like TRS, BJP and CPI have joined the fray. Such is the pitch of the agitation that the government even declared holiday and made the capital a fort. Such stir we will continue to see if we do not fortright start a new politics where there is equal opportunity and facilities throughout the country. Development process is slow in our country. It took over 60 years to slowly start allow foreigners visit Manipur and other north eastern states. Judicial process is slow, only this year Manipur had its own High Court. People of north east have to go to Guwahati personnally to get a passport. Government facilities should be available everywhere only then will people stop making headaches to the political class.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/statehood-demand/

Chandel cultural tableau

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 14 : A tableau exhibition depicting the rich cultural heritage of Chandel Dist and traditional Dance fiesta was organized at Pallel by 26 Sector Assam Rifles under HQ IGAR (S) on 13 Jun 2013. Maj Gen Rajeev Chopra, IGAR (S), Rashmi Chopra, President ARWWA, IGAR (S), Brig Rajiv Mankotia VSM, Sect Cdr, 26 Sect AR, N Victor, MLA Chandel, DC Chandel, SP Chandel and other important civil and military dignitaries graced the occasion. The cultural function commenced with dance from a troupe of Chandel Dist along with a song showcasing the rich cultural heritage of various tribes of Chandel. Various stalls depicting the life style and routine of different communities were show cased and appreciated by all. The dance showcased the rich cultural heritage of Moltuk, and it was followed by Tamil Sangam, Bamboo Dance from Tegnoupal Region, Kabi Dance from Moreh, Chothe Cultural Dance from Chandel, Joulei Kon Dances from Moltuk Region, Aimol, Tarao and Maring dances from Chandel and Pupalam and Kanamjem dances from Khengjoi Region. Maj Gen Rajeev Chopra, IG AR (S) and all the respected dignitaries appreciated the dances presented by different cultural troupes and encouraged them to uphold the cultural and traditional values of Chandel District

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chandel-cultural-tableau/

SP lambasts Maoists

New Delhi, June 14 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Aggarwal on Friday dubbed the Maoists as ‘militants’ and one of the biggest internal threats to the country.
“To me, they (Maoists) are worst than terrorists because in the name of having social reforms and trying to fight for the injustice of the tribal areas they have taken arms and are openly working against the government,” said Aggarwal.
“I personally feel the Central Government and State Governments should tackle this issue on the war footing,” he added.
Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Atul Kumar Anjan said that social, economic and political issues related to Maoists need to be addressed in detail.
“The Maoist insurgency has increased and both the State and Central Governments have not been successful in containing it. There are certain social, economic, political and psychological issues which have been ignored and now need to taken into account while dealing with the Maoist insurgency,” he said.
Three people, including one RPF jawan were killed and six others injured when Naxals attacked the Dhanbad-Patna Intercity Express near Jamui railway station in Bihar yesterday. Over 100 odd Naxals fired indiscriminately on the train between Bhalui and Kundra railway stations in Jamui district.
Meanwhile, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Pranay Sahay said that Maoists started melting soon after the team reached the spot, diverting the train to a safer station. “My two companies with the commandants and the quick action team had reached the place at precisely at 2:10 pm, within 40 minutes of the occurrence they had reached. In fact, because of our troops reaching there, they (Maoists) started melting away and leaving the place,” said Sahay.
Jharkhand Police has sounded an alert in Giridih and Dhanbad districts following yesterday’s Maoist attack.
The RPF has increased the number of personnel to 12 to be deployed in every train passing through the Naxal affected areas. Security vigil has been tightened and reports suggest that one company of CRPF has been deployed at the Bihar-Jharkhand border areas.Earlier on June 10, an all-party meet held at Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s official i emphasized that there can be no compromise in dealing with the Naxal violence.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sp-lambasts-maoists/

Huge consignment of drugs seized

AIZAWL, June 14 NNN: Banned drugs worth crores of rupees have been seized while transporting to Myanmar from India through Manipur and Mizoram in the past few months.
After the series of drug seizures in Manipur including that of the incident where an army colonel was transporting the banned drugs worth Rs 24 crore to Myanmar in Manipur, security personnel are also performing commendable jobs by seizures the banned drugs in Mizoram and Assam that were being transported to Myanmar in recent time.
On Thursday, acting based on a specific information provided by BSF, a special joint operation was conducted by the joint team of Sector Headquarter BSF Aizawl with Special Narcotic Bureau (Police) Aizawl during which the combined team intercepted one mini truck carrying banned drugs worth Rs 38 lakhs on Champhai road near temple of Pushpak (Aizawl) at about 2 pm on which was plying from Bhaga Bazar of Silchar (Assam) towards Aizawl(Mizoram).
On being searched the vehicle, the joint team recovered five packets of polythene bags containing 84 kgs of loose tablets of Pseudoephedrine value Rs. 38,34,600 hidden under the bags of cements of the vehicle. Joint team apprehended one courier Zothlamuana (20 years) s/o Rothangpuia from Khawbung village, P.O Khawbung, Vaphai police station in Champhai district of Mizoram.
The apprehended person and the seized Pseudoephedrine tablets were handed over to Aizawl police station for further investigation and taking legal action.
BSF spokesperson S C Budakoti, Deputy Inspector General, Frontier Headquarter BSF Mizoram and Cachar informed that earlier on March 8, BSF in association with other agencies had seized approximately 1700 kg of Pseudoephedrine substance and 42 kg of Ketamine substance worth Rs. 44 crore and 71 lakhs near Kathigorah patrol pump on NH- 44 under Cachar district of Assam and further on March 15 they had seized 663 kg of Pseudoephedrine substance worth Rs 16 crore and 65 lakhs near Dholai Taxation Office on NH- 54 (Silchar – Mizoram road) under Cachar district.
Again, on April 10 BSF had seized 76 kg of Pseudoephedrine tablets worth approx Rs 1 crore 90 lakhs in general area of South Krishnapur Part-II (on NH – 54, Silchar – Mizoram road) PS- Silchar&distt- Cachar (Assam). Again, on 09th May 2013 BSF seized 3,25,000 tablets of loose Pseudoephedrine worth approx Rs. 52 lakhs near ITI World Bank road, Aizawl (Mizorm). Reportedly, the seized Pseudoephedrine substance was to be smuggled out later on to Myanmar through Mizoram.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/huge-consignment-of-drugs-seized/

A.B. Bardhan meets Mulayam, talks of ‘Third Front’

New Delhi, June 14 (ANI): Amid talks of a federal front and the Janata Dal (United) planning to end its 18-year alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI) leader A.B. Bardhan met Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence here on Friday evening and discussed the ongoing political situation in the country.
“We talked on how to form a non-Congress and non-BJP front for the next elections. We discussed each other’s opinions and assessments on it. We held discussions on all these aspects,” Bardhan told mediapersons after the meeting,
“I believe the meeting remained positive,” he added, when asked to comment on the meeting.
CPI leader Atul Anjaan, who accompanied Bardhan, indirectly hinted that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should end his party’s alliance with the BJP.
“He (Nitish Kumar) is an experienced person. He has been running the government for eight years now and he has his own experiences regarding that. He has lost a few thing, and has also gained others. Can the people of Bihar gain anything by allying with communal forces? He has to decide it,” he said.
Nitish Kumar earlier on Thursday did not rule out the possibility of a ‘federal front’ mooted by his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee.
He said that there is a need to develop a new and joint strategy to deal with the problems confronting the under-developed and backward states of the country.
“Mamataji spoke over the phone. She is of the opinion that the problems of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Bengal should be kept in mind and should be thought upon commonly. I also said that we should be in favour of each other’s problems. Our problems are common and there are some important problems,” ` Kumar told mediapersons in Patna.
“As in West Bengal, there is a heavy burden of debt. Our problem is that we are a development deficit state and demanding a special category status. In Odisha also Naveen babu (Naveen Patnaik) has demanded a special status for the State. Similarly, Jharkhand also has some problems. So, if we all unite and find a common approach to tackle each other’s problems then it will be very good,” he added.
The Bihar Chief Minister, however, said the emergence of a ‘federal front’ is at a very initial stage now.
Nitish Kumar, who has given string indications of snapping ties with BJP, is planning to create a ‘federal front’ of three Chief Ministers, that of Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar.
Mamata Banerjee earlier on Wednesday said that she had spoken to both Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the formation of a ‘federal front’.
“When they will respond in a positive way, I will let you know. But discussions are going on. We are friends and we can talk,” she told mediapersons outside her office in Kolkata.
The Janata Dal (United), which is said to be upset over Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s elevation as the chairman of campaign committee for 2014, is planning to end its alliance with the BJP.
JD (U) has 118 MLAs in 243-member Bihar assembly and needs the support of only four more MLAs to reach the magic figure.
There are 91 MLAS from BJP, 21 from RJD and one each from LJP and CPI in the state assembly.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/a-b-bardhan-meets-mulayam-talks-of-third-front/

House discusses land, liquor issues

Imphal, June 14 NNN: Opposition in Manipur assembly today demanded that instead of destroying seized liquor and ganja (cannabis) in the state they should be sold to the Defence.
Taking part in the policy cut during discussion on various demands in the House, Opposition party NCP MLA L Ibomcha said the Government should not allow burning and destroying of seized liquor and ganja in the state but they should be rather put up for sale to the Defence.
He suggested all the state officials be kept their mind busy by opening a resource mobilization cell and admitted that the state is not taking a single provision tax saying it charges VAT.
Ibomcha said the Government does not get revenue because it does not take service tax suggesting the Government that it could take service taxes from varies sources like big clinics, workshops and big chicken centres, apart from MLAs and ministers in the state.
The MLA also urged the ruling party not to build dams in any place where it is not needed.
Observing that gambling pays tax, Ibomcha said the Government must also impose tax on housie (tambula game) and lotteries in the state.Manipur Revenue minister Th Devendra has said computerization of the record of Settlement and Land Reforms Manipur in respect of Imphal West district will be completed by March 31, 2014.
MLA Nandakumar raised a question in the House on the computerization of Settlement and Land Reforms Manipur. This survey was started from two villages in Imphal West during 1986-87
In another question raised by Nandakumar, Chief Minister and leader of the House O Ibobi Singh, also holding the charge of Power, said that the average durability of all the High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) wires, and electric poles fitted in Manipur is 25 years.
These wires and poles were installed in the valley during 1930-31 while in the hill the installation was done during 1965-66, Ibobi informed.
All these were later replaced by new ones in a phased manner so their durability is still continuing.
Chief Minister later in the House tabled the ‘Annual Report of the Manipur Public Service Commission for the year 2012-13.’

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/house-discusses-land-liquor-issues/