Manipur News

IMPHAL, October 21: Heingang MLA Nongthombam Biren has appealed to the people to know and understand the changing political dynamics which is threatening the peace, harmony and integrity of the State.

The Congress MLA said politicians have an important role to play in safeguarding the State`™s integrity for which the public have to choose their right representatives.

He was speaking at the closing function of the 3rd Waikhom Gambhini Memorial Kang Championship today at the Laijing Ningthou Shanglen.

For many years, the NSCN (IM) has been trying to break Manipur but failed this long. However, the outfit is said to be recruiting more cadres in the State as part of a new strategy, he said.

At the same time, the signing of the accord between the NSCN (IM) and the Central government has not helped things and it is only likely to bring many changes in the State, the MLA said.

He said Zomi outfits are also demanding a separate homeland.

Elaborating further, Biren said some people have renamed Churachandpur which was named after Churachand Maharaj as Lamka. This is unfortunate, he added.

Meanwhile, the MLA further lauded the organisers of the Kang championship for promoting and encouraging the indigenous game of Manipur.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Joytin Waikhom said the championship is being organised in memory of his mother with the aim of promoting and developing the indigenous game.

The championship was won by Keishamthong club defeating the Konthoujam club by 16-14 scoreline.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/mla-biren-calls-on-the-public-to-understand-the-threats-to-manipurs-territorial-integrity/

IMPHAL, October 22: The First International Bamboo Conference cum Workshop was inaugurated today at the auditorium hall of the Oriental College (Autonomous), Takyel today.

Delivering the speech at the inaugural function, Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam said 1/3rd of Manipur is covered by bamboo plant.

Japan, he said, has expressed interest in buying bamboo shoot from Manipur and the government will look forward to satisfying this interest.

He said bamboo can also be used for handicrafts and the finished products can be exported outside.

If the craftsmen are able to produce items in large numbers, they can supply even the international market, he observed.

And as such, the State government has keen interest in the promotion of bamboo and bamboo products, he said.

He continued the State has much potential in bamboo and its products.

Speaking in the function, Social Welfare and Cooperation minister Ak Mirabai Devi said that bamboo is associated with the people of Manipur starting from birth till death.

Urbanisation has forced us to depend on other material, but we have now come to know that bamboo has many roles, she said.

She added that experts are of the opinion that the dangers posed by climate change can be control by a global propagation of bamboo.

Manipur is globally known for its field of games and sports as well as handloom and handicraft which have their origin out of a skilful use of bamboo, she said.

Some decades back most of the items of daily use on the State were made out of bamboo. Looking through this matter, a close revival of these items is needed and through mass production, these items made from bamboo can be made available cheaply, she added.

The minister also said bamboo plays an important role in providing lots of food items mainly `Soibum or fermented bamboo shoot` which is a local delicacy and if efforts are channelled into it, it can be a base for industry in the State, she added.

Unemployed youths of Manipur can employ themselves profitably if they are able to exploit the latent potentialities of bamboo, she said.

The responsibility of turning Manipur into a bamboo manufacturing hub lies with the people of our state and the State Government has the potential of creating Bamboo tourism, she added.

The function was attended many foreign delegate. Around 60 stalls of different varieties will be showcase; however, in today`™s inaugural function around ten stalls opened.

Chairmen governing body of Oriental College, Prof H Tombi Singh also attended the function as guest of honour.

The conference cum workshop on bamboo is being organised by the Oriental College (Autonomous), Salai Holding Pvt. Ltd in association with Bamboo Forum of India Dev Bamboo Industry & CREDO.

It will continue till October 26.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/japan-interested-in-manipurs-bamboo-shoot-minister-govindas/

IMPHAL, Oct 22: A JAC formed in connection with the death of a man who was found unconscious at Tangjeng area has pointed a finger of suspicion towards the police in the death of the man.

It may be mentioned that SInam Tomboy Singh, 43, son of Sinam Kula Singh of Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Laithagol succumbed yesterday at the Shija Hospital where he was admitted after being found unconscious at Tangjeng area.

JAC conver Mutum Ingo Singh said during a press meet at the Manipur Press Club that according to the police Tomboy was found unconscious at Tangjeng after being injured in an accident.

Ingo said the JAC is suspicious of police involvement in the incident.

However, during a visit to the place where the alleged accident occurred, there were no signs of accidents, he said.

And a medical report indicated nine broken rib bones, he said.

On October 18, Tomboy`™s friend Ningthoujam Ranjit from Waithou had called out the victim on the telephone following which Tomboy left in his black Honda Activa moped, he said.

He said later, Ranjit had informed Tomboy`™s family that Tomboy met with an accident and has been admitted to the Thoubal District Hospital.

As his condition deteriorated, Tomboy was shifted to the Shija Hospital on October 21 and he succumbed the same day, Ingo said.

He said the parliamentary secretary K Meghachandra and other police officials have assured to look into the matter and find the truth and punish the culprits if there is any.

Meanwhile, following the assurance, the JAC has suspended the road block and served October 26 as deadline for the concerned authorities to find the culprits.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/jac-points-suspicion-towards-manipur-police-involvement-in-a-mans-death/

IMPHAL, October 22: A man has accused Manipur Police Commandos of abducting, assaulting and looting him of Rs Rs 6 lakh on Ocotber 21.

The man identified as Md Atawer Rahman, 30 son of Alhaj Yusuf Ali of Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi identified himself himself as a small time businessman running a shop `AR Enterprises`™ at Lilong Bazar.

Speaking from his hospital bed at Noor Hospital and Research Institute, Lilong said on October 21 morning on learning that economic blockade has been imposed on the national highways, he rushed to Thangal Bazar to buy some materials for his shop and clear dues of his earlier transaction.

`I went to the bazaar alone holding Rs 6 lakhs in a bag, riding a diesel auto. I got down infront of Johnstone Higher Secondary School gate and walked towards DK Steel, Thangal Bazaar passing the Old Assembly Road.`

Near the Tombisana School compound, he said he saw three-four police commandos conducting a checking and called him when they saw him.

`First they asked me where I was going to which I answered that I am going to DK Steel, Thangal Bazaar and I am from Lilong.`

He said he usually buys iron rods from DK Steel, Thangal Bazar and cement from AU Brothers, Mantripukhri for his shop.

`They started using abusive language and called me names,` he said.

He said when he replied back that he was only a small time businessman, the police commandos became angry and slapped him.

`Soon after they found the money in my bag and accused me of being a UG cadre who had collected the money from Paona Bazar as party fund,` he said.

He said he replied that the money were to get new materials and clear his dues at DK Steel, Thangal Bazaar and AU Brothers, Mantripukhri.

He continued, disregarding his statement, the police Commandos continued to slap him and enquired about his party.

Then they took out a mobile phone and started recording asking him to confirm that he was a UG cadre, he said.

`I denied and told them that I had never involved in any illegal activities in my whole life.`

He said then the police commandoes blind folded him and made him to sit on a motorcycle.

`I was then taken to a place. After climbing a stair, my blind fold was removed.`

`I tried to look around but they pushed me inside a room holding my neck.`

`They tied my hand and feet and forced a pill inside my mouth.`

`After sometime I slept of.`

`When I woke up my cell phone inside my pocket was ringing. I pushed my hands to my pocket and manage to remove the phone. I dialled the first number in my dialled list which happens to be a close friend from my locality.`

He said his friend answered the call but before he could provide any detail information the police commandos came and snatched away his cell phone.

`They started beating me, kicking me with their boots and used a stick to roll on my back muscles which was very painful. I scream for help but they make fun of it.`

`After sometime they blind folded me again and put me in a four-wheeler.`

After driving for around 15-20 minutes, he said he was first released a hillock.

`Firing two shots by my side they told me to run. But I did not run.`

`I prayed for my life to them again and again.`

`That time I saw that the car was a (Maruti) A-star but the colour was not sure as it was dark.`

As he did not run the police commandos put him back to the car blind folded, hands and legs tried and mouth sealed with a handkerchief, he said.

`They drove for around 20 min again according to my calculation.`

After releasing his hands and legs, and removing his blind fold, he said he was kicked out of the car telling him that the place was near the shop he wanted to go.

`I realized that I was infront of (former chief minister) Rishang Keishing`™s residence at Mantripukhri near an oil pump.`

`I tried to note down the registration number of the car but there was no registration number plate on it. However I saw the colour of the car by the flash light of a vehicle behind. It was a Silver colour car.`

`I walked and crawled towards AU Brothers shop at Mantripukhri and from there my family members were informed,` he said.

He said his family members first took him to JNIMS where he was administered pain killers and first aid.

He was discharged from JNIMS at round 1 am but after reaching home he started complaining of breathlessness, exhaustion and muscle pain so he was readmitted at Noor Hospital and Research Institute, Lilong.

He said he saw the nameplates of three police commandos, James, Ratan and Bishorjit.

Two of them were holding pistols, and two of them were holding AK Rifles, and they were all wearing police uniforms, he said.

Four people were actively involved in this crime, he added.

Meanwhile, in connection with this incident a public meeting was held today at Lilong Bazaar where a JAC was formed.

The meeting strongly condemned the inaction of the Police Department even after knowing the names and whereabouts of the four personnel.

The meeting demanded dismissal of the four police commandos involved in the alleged incident and government to return the 6 lakh to the victim in hand by October 23.

If the demands are not fulfilled from October 24 onwards Lilong Bazaar road will be blocked and various forms of agitations will be launched, the JAC said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/man-claims-police-manipur-commandos-of-looting-him-of-rs-6-lakhs/

IMPHAL, October 22: People of Khoupum are still unaware of various welfare schemes taken up under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Mahila Morcha general secretary (organisation) L Boby Devi said on Tuesday.

She was speaking at an observation of Raj Mata Vijaya Raje Scindia Jayenti Diwas at Thanagong Khoupum on Tuesday.

She had said although deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, the local MLA, is very popular in other parts of the State, it is unbelievable to find his own constituency so backward.

The deputy Chief Minister has represented Nungba Constituency throughout his entire political career, however, it is disheartening to look at the deplorable road conditions of the constitution, she said.

She continued there is no regular electricity, no proper infrastructure nor proper drinking water in Khoupum area.

She lambasted Gaikhangam saying that he is never interested in the development of his native village Khoupum.

It is shocking to learn that the woman of the village still have no knowledge of banking and bank accounts, she said.

In today`™s scientific world, the village has suffered much due to a a bad leader, she continued.

Boby further encouraged the women folk of Khoupum to have baby girls, as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched schemes for the welfare of the women and girls, like the Save the girl child, Educate girl child (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana) and Sukanya Sameiddhi Scheme.

While Chief Guest of the function Khadgre Tamang state secretary BJP and in-charge Tamenglong said that Raj Mata Scindia like Rani Ma Gaidinliu who sacrificed for Zeliangrong people, also fought for her people against the government during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi`™s reign.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/bjp-mahila-manipur-general-secretary-attacks-deputy-cm/

IMPHAL October 22: The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum and Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization jointly organized a consultation on `Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples Rights in Manipur`™ at Manipur Press Club today.

Jiten Yumnam, secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur, expressed concern regarding the pursuance of unsustainable development processes, mega dams, oil exploration and other extractive industries in Manipur.

It has led to destruction of forest, agriculture land and worsen the climate crisis and impacted on the indigenous peoples`™ rights, he said.

He also expressed concern with the false climate change solutions pursued in Manipur, such as the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, which strives to seek carbon credits and profits from CDM from its controversial 105 MW Loktak Hydroelectric Project in Manipur despite multiple violations.

Dr RK Ranjan, senior environmentalist shared about how climate change has led to environmental devastations and undermined food sovereignty in Manipur.

Dominic Kashung, chairman, Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers Organization shared about how the State government has made false promises to communities affected by Mapithel Dam and forced people to suffer in the name of development.

`The Mapithel dam has submerged more than 2000 acres of forest and agriculture land, led to multiple health hazards and directly threatened the livelihood of indigenous peoples`™ he said.

Oinam Rajen, secretary, All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen Union narrates about the rapid loss of wetlands and forest in Manipur since the commissioning of 105 MW Loktak Project by the National Hydroelectric Power Project.

He blamed the State government for the destruction of forest and wetlands.

`The construction of mega dams, for instance is primarily responsible for loss of forest in Manipur. The Ithai Barrage of the 105 MW Loktak HEP should be decommissioned`™ he said.

Dr Debabrata Roy Laifungbam, president, Elders Council, Centre for Organization Research and Education (CORE) explained how infrastructure based development affects the sustainable management and use of land and resources.

Aram Pamei, ex-president, Naga Women Union, shared how indigenous peoples`™ rights continued to be infringed in the name of development.

She stated that all climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in response to climate crisis need full recognition of indigenous peoples`™ self-determination over their land and resources.

Phulindro Konsam, chairman, Committee on Human Rights shared how the upcoming negotiations of COP 21 of UNFCCC in Paris in December 2015 should recognize Indigenous Peoples right to self-determination and right to participation in determining climate change mitigation and adaptation policies.

He suggested, all States and parties to the UNFCCC, should resist from adopting false solutions to climate change that can impinge Indigenous Peoples`™ Rights.

Panti Gonmei, president, Rongmei Lu Phaum shared how Khoupum dam led to loss of agriculture land in Khoupum Tamenglong District.

Several resolutions towards safeguarding the Indigenous People Rights to resources under the framework of the UNDRIP were adopted unanimously by the participants. A documentary film titled `Wall of Injustice: Mapithel Dam`™ was also screened on the occasion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/climate-change-consultation-discusses-manipurs-unsustainable-development-processes/