Manipur News – Page 14116 – www.manipur.org/news

HC passes interim order on blockade, directs State to provide adequate security to stranded vehicles

IMPHAL, November 4: The High Court of Manipur today directed the State government to provide adequate security for movement to the vehicles stranded due to the economic blockade and that

IMPHAL, November 4: The High Court of Manipur today directed the State government to provide adequate security for movement to the vehicles stranded due to the economic blockade and that adequate steps should be taken up by November 6.

A double bench of Chief Justice of Manipur High Court LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotiswar Singh had passed the interim order today regarding a PIL moved by one Raj Kumar Joysana Singh of Moirangkhom Sougaijam Leikai.

The court further directed the case to be put up after four weeks.

The PIL was filed against 10 respondents namely The Union of India, Ministry of Home Affairs through secretary home; Chief Secretary of Manipur; DGP of Manipur; IGP law & order and IGP Intelligence government of Manipur, GOC Mountain Division, IGAR (South) BRO Commandant 83 RC Lamphel, United Naga Council through its secretary S Milan and the All Manipur Working Journalist Union through its president W Samjai.

The petitioner said that the PIL has been made against the unconstitutional and illegal 10-day economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council Manipur from the midnight of November 2 on the National Highways protesting against actions of the Government of Manipur regarding the three bills and two resolutions passed by the Assembly.

He had further urged the court to direct the All Manipur Working Journalists Union Manipur not to publish/ broadcast such news of calling bandhs, economic blockades by any organisations, associations and unions.

The petitioner further prayed for an appropriate interim order directing the State government and the Union government machineries to take up immediate appropriate actions to prevent illegal and unconstitutional economic blockades, bandhs, general strikes on the two National Highways passing through Manipur.

And if required appropriate order be issued to shoot at site order against person or persons who prevent or obstruct while imposing economic blockade or bandh or general strike on the two highways, he prayed before the court.

In his prayer, the petitioner further urged the court to direct the State and Central governments to declare or announce the said UNC as unlawful council in view of their frequent criminal acts of crime against humanity and unlawful activities against the people of Manipur.

It further urged to direct the government machineries to safe guard the life and liberty of the people of the state by taking up adequate and appropriate action for preventing the economic blockade, bandh, general strike on National Highways 2 and 37.

Why civic citizenship

In multi-ethnic, multi-religion Manipur, nobody will doubt why the need to have citizenship and their administration defined and characterised on civic terms is vital. As in the history of the

In multi-ethnic, multi-religion Manipur, nobody will doubt why the need to have citizenship and their administration defined and characterised on civic terms is vital. As in the history of the emergence of the notion of secularism, which in the ultimate analysis came to mean separating religion from politics, or in the classical European idiom, separating the Church from the State, secularism and civic citizenship in places like Manipur, should be about relegating not just religion, but also ethnicity, into the private spheres and disallowing it to colour or overtly influence the pursuit of public policies. Sadly however, the reality on the ground so far has been directly the opposite. Every community has been hankering for the creation of their exclusive enclaves in which all others are aliens and therefore have little or no rights. While it is true that democracy should not be just about numbers, or of trusting in the ultimate justice the free market economy or the laissez-faire is supposedly capable of delivering, and instead should also be about guaranteeing a lift for the lame and slow, there must also be a counter guarantee that policies of positive discrimination do not result in social segregation. Consequently, there must also be a civic definition of who is weak and slow and who is not. For indeed, these are dynamic, and therefore perennially changing equations, where it is not impossible for those who were once lame and slow to become fast and fit, and vice versa. This civic definition should also be designed to ensure social mobility and entitlements remain as per the dictum of “to each according to his need, and from each according to his ability”. It should not matter this slogan originally belonged to the Communists. Let it be recalled that even the famous outlaw Robinhood’s maxim of robbing the rich to feed the poor in mediaeval England, has today been adopted by modern democratic states to sublimate and made to mean “tax the rich to subsidise the poor”.

Let ethnicity remain as private convictions, just as religion is, but let it not at any time become the fuel, much less engine, of public administration or politics. Politics and public administration must ensure these different private convictions are not unfairly hurt but politics itself must remain above them. One example will illustrate. Politics has been rightly described as a contest first and then exercise of state power. Democracy refines this exercise by offering an effective though not fool-proof civic mechanism for all sections of the citizenry to share this power. Ordinary adult citizens are hence given equal power of a vote each to elect their representatives. This franchise right equates everybody, men and women, rich and poor, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliations. However, in societies which have not internalised the values of liberalism, ethnicities and religions tend to cluster and form vote banks, defeating the one man one vote principle in spirit, if not in letter. The world has seen how even established nations can splinter on account of this. The former Yugoslavia is just an example. India, and on a smaller canvas, and more intensely too, Manipur are not alien to such dangerous frictions.
This is why a fresh civic agenda to define politics and power sharing is vital. This civic agenda should not be about homogenising by flattening out all ethnicities and their uniqueness. It should be on the other hand about ensuring a creative balance in which ethnicities remain intact and each gets their share of power but none gets to colour or monopolise state power. Towards this end, one of democracy’s features could be to encourage to the extent possible, mixed constituencies. This will ensure that even if very small ethnicities cannot have leaders from among them elected to the democratic legislative bodies (at least until such a time liberalism becomes everybody’s intuition), the leader from whichever community they elect cannot ignore them without cost. As for instance, a legislator from Wangkhei cannot slight the Nagas from Nagaram, or a legislator from Thangmeiband or Uripok cannot ignore the Bazar community etc. It obviously cannot happen overnight, but ideally, in the decades ahead, most or all constituencies in the state should have this characteristic to the extent possible, though only to the extent it does not begin to threaten the sense of security of any particular community.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/why-civic-citizenship/

RN Ravi hints at ‘some autonomy’ for NSCN (IM) framework agreement

IMPHAL, November 4: Centre’s interlocutor in its talks with the NSCN (IM) RN Ravi who had arrived on a two day visit yesterday has left the State today. Soon after

IMPHAL, November 4: Centre’s interlocutor in its talks with the NSCN (IM) RN Ravi who had arrived on a two day visit yesterday has left the State today.

Soon after landing at the Imphal Airport yesterday, Ravi had held talks with several CSOs from both the hills and the valley and officials of the State government.

Ravi had also met a seven member delegation of the newly formed Citizens Committee, Manipur led by its chairman Radhabinod Koijam and assistant convenor Roshan Maisnam today at the Hotel Classic Grande.

The meeting which began at around 9am and concluded at around 11 am was also attended by senior advocate Khaidem Mani, Prof W Nabakumar Singh, BB Sharma, Khelen Thokchom (correspondent, The Telegraph) and Ksh Santa.

Speaking to IFP after the meeting, Mani said on being questioned about the details of the framework agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM), the Centre’s interlocutor maintained that it is not feasible to divulge the details at present although, it will not include anything which will affect the geographical boundary/ territorial integrity of Manipur.

Ravi however, expressed desire to accord ‘some sort of autonomy’ inside the Indian Constitution under the Framework Agreement, although the type of autonomy is yet to be settled, he said.

Stating that he had wanted to consult the people of Manipur before any finalisation, Ravi had told the team that his second visit to the State was to seek public opinion, Mani said.

He further said that RN Ravi during the meeting also categorically expressed that there is no more demand for sovereignty from NSCN (IM).

During the meeting, the CCM team apprised the interlocutor about the extortion and atrocities committed by NSCN (IM) along the National Highways even after entering peace talk with the Government of India, Kh Mani said, adding that Ravi was also informed on the frequent imposition of economic blockade in the State.

Mani also said that the interlocutor gave assurance that he will try his level best to pressurize the concerned organizations not to impose economic blockade along the NHs and that Central leaders will be apprised of the outstanding issues pertaining to the State.

The CCM team cautioned interlocutor RN Ravi against bringing any agreement and development based on ethnic line as the State is inhabited by 40 different ethnic communities.

During the important meeting, the team viewed that it will be a right step to bring an amicable settlement to the framework agreement after seeking opinion from the different communities, he said.

Kh Mani went on to say that the team also expressed desire to convert the framework agreement or bilateral talk into multi-lateral system.

As stated by RN Ravi, it may prove to be the right decision to opt for ‘Re-Packaging’ the system of Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the State, he said.

Though RN Ravi hinted for ‘some sort of autonomy’ under the framework agreement to solve the long standing Naga issue which the Government of India has not finalized yet, the interlocutor made it clear that there is no clause of 6th Schedule in the agreement.

Through the team, the visiting interlocutor appealed to the people to hold talk with other UG groups operating in the State.

According to Kh Mani, RN Ravi also categorically mentioned that there is no three-month time frame or countdown to meet the framework agreement signed between GOI and NSCN (IM).

The interlocutor reminded the team that the framework agreement is on its consultation process.

Chaoba confident of party’s win in bye-election

IMPHAL, November 4: BJP candidate for Thongju Assembly Constituency Th Bishwajit filed his nomination paper for the bye election today at the office of the returning officer SDO Porompat. Bishwajit

IMPHAL, November 4: BJP candidate for Thongju Assembly Constituency Th Bishwajit filed his nomination paper for the bye election today at the office of the returning officer SDO Porompat.

Bishwajit submitted two nominations at around 11:08am and 11:14am.

Soon after the filing of nomination, BJP Manipur president Th Choaba who accompanied the candidate exuded confidence of Bishwajit’s win in the November 21 bye-election.

He elaborated, Bishwajit had emerged winner among five candidates from different political parties in the last election.

The people of Thongju had defeated the Congress party then, he said.

He continued this time the muscle and money power of the Congress will be unable to mislead the people of Thongju.

BJP, he said is on a mission to eradicate corruption from the State and focus only on development.

The 13 long years of the Congress has only resulted in widespread corruption, he added.

There has been no development in the hill districts creating a large gap between the hills and the valley, he claimed.

Candidate Bishwajit said the Congress has ruled the State for more than a decade however, there is no development in any field in the State.

He said during his brief tenure as the MLA of Thongju for three years, he had utilised his MLA Local Area Development fund properly.

On the other hand, Bijoy Koijam who was the local MLA for more than 10 years has done nothing, he claimed.

Bishwajit also said that he wants to be the first to open BJP account in the State by defeating the Congress.

He was also accompanied bby BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary (Administration) M Asnikumar, general secretary (Media) L Basanta Sharma and former minister Moirangthem Hemanta.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/chaoba-confident-of-partys-win-in-byeelection/

KIM, UNC and ATSUM discuss conditions for talks with govt

Imphal, November 4: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), United Naga Council (UNC), Coordination Committee ATSUM (All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur), Kuki Senior Citizen and All Bible Christian Forum convened a consultative meeting at Kuki Inn here in Imphal today under the initiatives of Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the anti-tribal Bills.

The consultative meeting was held after the Government of Manipur on November 2, 2015 carried out a tribal customary law called ‘Hemkham’ (seeking forgiveness) before the JAC and families members of the nine persons who were killed during the agitation on August 31and September 1, according to sources.

During the meeting a pre-condition for talks with the State government was discussed, as the government has proposed November 7 for the first round of talks with the JAC and civil organizations, even though the JAC is yet to confirm whether they will attend the meeting on the day fix by the government or not, informed the sources.

The joint consultative meeting decided, that the JAC and various Inpis and Councils of Churachandpur will be entrusted to decide the conditions for talks with the government.

Only after the talks with the Govt. of Manipur, the JAC and Inpi’s/Council will decide to whether claim the bodies of the nine tribal martyrs or not.

Protest rally in Delhi over Manipur bills – Business Standard

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Protest rally in Delhi over Manipur bills
Business Standard
Tribal people from the hills of Manipur living in the National Capital Region staged a protest rally here on Wednesday in continuation of their agitation demanding the repeal of three controversial bills passed by the state’s assembly ostensibly to …
Manipur protests: How police and army bullets catalysed a movement for tribal …Scroll.in

all 3 news articles »

Scroll.in

Protest rally in Delhi over Manipur bills
Business Standard
Tribal people from the hills of Manipur living in the National Capital Region staged a protest rally here on Wednesday in continuation of their agitation demanding the repeal of three controversial bills passed by the state's assembly ostensibly to …
Manipur protests: How police and army bullets catalysed a movement for tribal …Scroll.in

all 3 news articles »

Manipur farmer preserves traditional varieties of rice in his organic field – Mid-Day

Manipur farmer preserves traditional varieties of rice in his organic fieldMid-DayImphal: When farmers across India are grappling with weather woes and poor yields, Devakanta, a resident of Manipur, has succeeded in adopting smart and eco-friendly meth…

Manipur farmer preserves traditional varieties of rice in his organic field
Mid-Day
Imphal: When farmers across India are grappling with weather woes and poor yields, Devakanta, a resident of Manipur, has succeeded in adopting smart and eco-friendly methods of farming to ensure the harvest is satisfactory every year. Like thousands of …

and more »

Headmaster lynched for ‘stealing cow’; shutdown call in Manipur – Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

Headmaster lynched for ‘stealing cow’; shutdown call in Manipur
Hindustan Times
A Muslim organisation’s refusal to bury a madrasa headmaster lynched on Monday for allegedly stealing cattle has put the Congress-led Manipur government in a fix. The organisation has also sought the centre’s intervention in what it calls a Dadri-style …
Reshuffle in MJSE-Pao.net

all 5 news articles »

Hindustan Times

Headmaster lynched for 'stealing cow'; shutdown call in Manipur
Hindustan Times
A Muslim organisation's refusal to bury a madrasa headmaster lynched on Monday for allegedly stealing cattle has put the Congress-led Manipur government in a fix. The organisation has also sought the centre's intervention in what it calls a Dadri-style …
Reshuffle in MJSE-Pao.net

all 5 news articles »

Manipur farmer preserves traditional varieties of rice in his organic field – Business Standard

Manipur farmer preserves traditional varieties of rice in his organic fieldBusiness StandardWhen farmers across India are grappling with weather woes and poor yields, Devakanta, a resident of Manipur, has succeeded in adopting smart and eco-friendly me…

Manipur farmer preserves traditional varieties of rice in his organic field
Business Standard
When farmers across India are grappling with weather woes and poor yields, Devakanta, a resident of Manipur, has succeeded in adopting smart and eco-friendly methods of farming to ensure the harvest is satisfactory every year. Like thousands of farmers …

and more »

Madrassa Headmaster Accused Of Cow Theft Killed In Manipur – Huffington Post India

Oneindia

Madrassa Headmaster Accused Of Cow Theft Killed In Manipur
Huffington Post India
IMPHAL — The body of the headmaster of a government primary madrassa was found at Keirao Makating village in Manipur’s Imphal East district early today, the police said. The body, belonging to Md Hasmad Ali, was found five km away from his house.
Manipur shocker: Madrassa headmaster killed for stealing cowOneindia
Manipur: Madrassa headmaster killed for stealing cowIndia.com
A ‘Dadri-styled’ mob justice in Manipurthenortheasttoday.com (press release)
NorthEast Today –Deccan Herald
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Oneindia

Madrassa Headmaster Accused Of Cow Theft Killed In Manipur
Huffington Post India
IMPHAL — The body of the headmaster of a government primary madrassa was found at Keirao Makating village in Manipur's Imphal East district early today, the police said. The body, belonging to Md Hasmad Ali, was found five km away from his house.
Manipur shocker: Madrassa headmaster killed for stealing cowOneindia
Manipur: Madrassa headmaster killed for stealing cowIndia.com
A 'Dadri-styled' mob justice in Manipurthenortheasttoday.com (press release)
NorthEast Today –Deccan Herald
all 23 news articles »

Manipur protests: How police and army bullets catalysed a movement for tribal … – Scroll.in

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Manipur protests: How police and army bullets catalysed a movement for tribal …
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In Manipur’s tribal areas, custom dictates that family members keep vigil with the dead until they are buried. Local philanthropic organisations support the bereaved with money and other kinds of assistance. But in Churachandpur, a ritual that should …

Scroll.in

Manipur protests: How police and army bullets catalysed a movement for tribal …
Scroll.in
In Manipur's tribal areas, custom dictates that family members keep vigil with the dead until they are buried. Local philanthropic organisations support the bereaved with money and other kinds of assistance. But in Churachandpur, a ritual that should …

Sand Sculpture in solidarity with Irom Sharmila’s struggle for Repeal AFSPA

CUTTACK, November 4: A sand sculpture in solidarity with Irom Sharmila’s struggle for Repeal AFSPA was made by famous sand artist Himanshu Shekhar Parida at Cuttack, Orrisa. The sand sculpture

CUTTACK, November 4: A sand sculpture in solidarity with Irom Sharmila’s struggle for Repeal AFSPA was made by famous sand artist Himanshu Shekhar Parida at Cuttack, Orrisa. The sand sculpture was made on the call of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign where the campaign is observing a nationwide protest to mark 15 years of hunger protest by Irom Sharmila.

Himanshu is a young artist and trained in fine arts with his passion in sand sculptures. He is also associated with various voluntary activities for social cause and has volunteered for Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign.

Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign is continuously raising its voice to repeal AFSPA from North East and J&K since last many years. On November 1 and November 2, SSSC along with other organisations also organised a Convention on Repeal AFSPA at New Delhi and various other protests at many other cities.

On the recent decision of Meghalaya High Court where the court directs Centre to impose AFSPA on Garo Hills, SSSC appealed all civil society organisations and political leaders to come forward and to appeal to court to review its directions and not to make common people victims of state violence with unchecked and unlimited powers of AFSPA.

Kuki Inpi Manipur Meets RN Ravi – NorthEast Today

NorthEast Today

Kuki Inpi Manipur Meets RN Ravi
NorthEast Today
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kukis, met RN Ravi, who is also the interlocutor of Indo-Naga peace talks at Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong Imphal on Tuesday. A four member delegate of KIM including its president Thangkhosei …
KIM warns Centre on appointment of interlocutor for talks with KNO, UPFE-Pao.net
KIM apprises Centre’s interlocutor of Kukis’ stand on Peace AccordKanglaOnline

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NorthEast Today

Kuki Inpi Manipur Meets RN Ravi
NorthEast Today
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kukis, met RN Ravi, who is also the interlocutor of Indo-Naga peace talks at Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong Imphal on Tuesday. A four member delegate of KIM including its president Thangkhosei …
KIM warns Centre on appointment of interlocutor for talks with KNO, UPFE-Pao.net
KIM apprises Centre's interlocutor of Kukis' stand on Peace AccordKanglaOnline

all 5 news articles »

28 hours bandh effects normal life at Jiribam

Jiribam, Nov 3: Normal life was effected by 28 hrs bandh called by Jribam District Demand Committee (J.D.D.C) against the failure of government to declare Jribam as a full

Jiribam, Nov 3: Normal life was effected by 28 hrs bandh called by Jribam District Demand Committee (J.D.D.C) against the failure of government to declare Jribam as a full fledged revenue district though after signing a memorandum in 2011 between the representatives of State Government of Manipur and Jribam District Demand Committee.
All the business establishment, shops, markets were closed at Jribam in response to the bandh. Passenger vehicles, autorikshaw were off the road but some private vehicles were seen plying for the emergency purposes.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/28-hours-bandh-effects-normal-life-at-jiribam/

Garo Hills must come forward to appeal not to impose AFSPA

3 NOV 2015, New Delhi With the recent announcement of Meghalaya High Court to direct Centre to impose AFSPA in the Garo Hills area is very unfortunate. Save Sharmila Solidarity

3 NOV 2015, New Delhi

With the recent announcement of Meghalaya High Court to direct Centre to impose AFSPA in the Garo Hills area is very unfortunate. Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, with due respect to honorable high court of Meghalaya, appeals the high court to review its decision. SSSC also appeals to centre, not to impose AFSPA at any other place and to avoid making common people victims of such harsh laws.

SSSC also see that it is the same time when numerous protests and events were going on in India and abroad to mark 15 years of heroic struggle of Irom Sharmila, it should also be noted that it is 15th anniversary of Malom massacre where justice has not been delivered till yet. Not only these, but even many other cases are still under jurisdiction of law and waiting for justice in differenmt courts of North East as well as in Supreme Court. All these cases tell a history of atrocities that had happened in the veil of AFSPA because of unchecked unlimited powers.

SSSC believe that though the concerns are genuine, but not the remedy. imposing AFSPA can have more grave effects on the situation. At present, common population is affected with anti-state insurgencies, but with imposing this act, there is a possibility of happening the same , though may be lesser ways, by centrally deployed forces.

Convener of Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, Ravi Nitesh said ‘ We also appeal to high court that it must ask to State of Meghalaya to take responsibilities in more serious ways and to take action in this regard through direction to state government to deploy more numbers of security personals as well as to resolve the issues through all possible ways. On the other hand, we also appeal that even if situation seems out of control, paramilitary forces should be first choice instead of having full deployment of army with an act like AFSPA. We also appeal common people and peoples’ representatives, local political leaders and civil society organisations to come forward to appeal for the same.’

Manipur to revive the essence of Kabaddi Nov 4, 9:12 am – ANINEWS

Manipur to revive the essence of Kabaddi Nov 4, 9:12 amANINEWSManipur, Nov 04 (ANI): After 15 years of staying away from professional Kabaddi, the six teams from Manipur are now gearing up to make a foray at the national and international Kabaddi. Four…

Manipur to revive the essence of Kabaddi Nov 4, 9:12 am
ANINEWS
Manipur, Nov 04 (ANI): After 15 years of staying away from professional Kabaddi, the six teams from Manipur are now gearing up to make a foray at the national and international Kabaddi. Four men and two women teams from the state have recently …

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Solidarity to Irom Sharmila’s 15 years hunger strike against AFSPA

I am obliged to serve for the just cause of those who would like to live without being killed. I am stubborn and firmed with this belief. My cry for

I am obliged to serve for the just cause of those who would like to live without being killed. I am stubborn and firmed with this belief. My cry for justice, like a child’s cry to its parents, is being repeatedly forwarded to the leaders and policy makers who would at present not listen to my prayers. I firmly believe that the issues that I raised are not meant to be dealt with sticks. I would like to see that the root cause of my prayer is being discovered and addressed with softer and healing touch. I shall never give up my stand without fulfilling my demand.

Excerpt from the Statement of Sharmila
Jantar Mantar, Delhi, 6 October 2006

Comes the 5^th of November 2015; it adds another year to Irom Sharmila’s non-violent fight for justice against the culture of impunity enjoyed by the Indian army under the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958). In the ‘Indian sub-continent’ where the ruling regime indulges in crimes against humanity and where Gandhian Ahimsa doesn’t hold the grounds, though eulogizing reminiscence of anti-colonial Satyagraha prevails; Sharmila uses her body as the weapon in the fight for justice and becomes a political prisoner. To recall, the immediate spark of this steadfast was the Malom massacre of 2^nd November 2000 that killed ten innocent lives by the armed forces in Manipur.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act is a notorious instrument of State terrorism, humiliations, prolonged detentions, tortures, killings, destructions, traumas, deprivations and disturbances; the logical culmination is unrestraint widespread culture of impunity by the law enforcing forces. This Act serves the agenda of creating a category of suspects and ‘disturbed areas’ to be oppressed at will; to suppress democratic voices against oppressive political regimes, exploitative market forces and destructive projects. The Act is symptomatic of an undeclared war trajectory superimposed on a category of subjected peoples, whose political aspirations and democratic rights are marginalized in the name of India’s security. The brutality of the colonial rule that British India had faced in the 1940s; identify it with any political jargon, we are today experiencing it in the ‘disturbed areas’.

Section 1 of AFSPA empowers the Governor of a State or the Government of India to construe any area or territory as disturbed or dangerous, thereby empowering any commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or any other person of equivalent rank in the Armed Forces to exercise powers prescribed by AFSPA. Section 4 of the Act empowers the concerned officer to ‘suspect’ and consequently act on ‘his’ suspicion to arrest anyone without warrant, to search any premise without warrant, destroy, and “fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, against any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order for the time being in the disturbed area prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons or the carrying of weapons or of things capable of being used as weapons or firearms, ammunition or explosive substances.” Section 5 of the Act empowers the concerned officer to detain any arrested person with the least possible delay and does not stipulate any time frame of the detention. Section 6 of the Act defends guilty personnel as “no prosecution, suit or legal proceeding shall be instituted, except with the previous sanction of the Government of India against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act.

Fifteen years of Sharmila’s fasting and political imprisonment, victim peoples’ protests, and ‘institutional’ recommendations from within India and beyond have done lots of symbolic damages to the legitimacy of AFSPA. However, the State holds on AFSPA dearly, as it act as a surrogate in militarily engagement with certain political conflicts arising out of the neoliberal structural constraints. At the same time, the agencies such as the military establishment and the corrupt personnel operating on the ground uphold AFSPA, in the name of counter insurgency, as it serves certain extra-institutional personal interests. The struggle against AFSPA, therefore, remains relevant inasmuch as it targets not only the instrument of oppression but also the regime in power that suppresses democratic rights. In this context, Sharmila’s fifteen years individual steadfast is commendable as it contributes to the collective struggle for justice and democratic rights. We express solidarity to the sky lantern demonstration against AFSPA to be organized by the Manipur Students’ Association Delhi on 5^th November, 2015.

All Naga Student’s Association – Press Release on Sadar Hill

The passing of the three legally flawed and controversial Bills―the Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015; Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (seventh amendment) Bill 2015; and Manipur Shops and

The passing of the three legally flawed and controversial Bills?the Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015; Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (seventh amendment) Bill 2015; and Manipur Shops and Establishment (second amendment) Bill 2015)?provided a good reason for the indigenous/tribal peoples of Manipur to come together and stand up for their just cause. The Bills are bias and not motivated by universal human rights and democratic principles. It is for this reason that the indigenous/tribal peoples in Manipur arose in solidarity for their just cause.

The indigenous/tribal organizations and communities have emerged as having the capacity to unite for a right cause. However, one must not forget that having come together is only the beginning of a journey to address the historically rooted injustices and a search for peaceful co-existence firmly founded on a vision for just-peace. This implies that coming together of indigenous/tribal peoples in Manipur must translate into a solidarity movement guided by their quest for truth and justice. No movement can solidify overnight and no movement can withstand divisive forces of a state if it is not driven by their thirst for truth and justice. A solidarity movement can only emerge victorious if it is clear of the principles it must be founded upon. It is only then that a solidarity movement will be able to establish a mutually acceptable fair terms of political and social cooperation.

True healing of past wounds can occur only in a genuine solidarity movement firmly grounded on universal principles of human rights and humanity. It is only through a solidarity movement that one can build up common sympathies and begin to truly share their pains and pride, or even regrets together. And transform their histories of conflict into one of mutual understanding and social and political cooperation. This is what will propel indigenous/tribal peoples in Manipur to a higher ground of peace and justice. Reverting to positions and demands that are fragmented and not based on democratic principles and of justice for all will not deliver us from the cycle of conflict sustained by the state.

On this account, All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) appeals to all the indigenous/tribal organizations and communities to be vigilant of the divisive forces and be conscious of the basis for a solidarity movement. The demand for a full-fledged Sardar Hills District is not based on the principles of justice for all and laws of nations. It will only reopen the wounds of the past and will become a thorn in the flesh of our solidarity movement. Because the creation of a full-fledged Sardar Hills District is not a political solution and the political future of our Kuki brothers and sisters. The need of the hour is to focus on strengthening and solidifying our solidarity movement for our common future.

ANSAM would also like to remind the government of Manipur of the various Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed between ANSAM, NSF (Naga Students’ Federation) and other Naga organizations (in 1981, 1992, 1996 and 1998) with regard to the creation of a full-fledged Sardar Hills District. Abrogation of the MoUs will be viewed with all seriousness and as a continuing ploy of the state to weaken the indigenous/tribal organizations and communities’ solidarity.

National Unity Day at Jiribam

Jiribam, October 31: National Unity Day organized by 27th Assam rifles is being observed at Jiribam. As a part of the function, “Run for Unity” has been organized at around 6:00am

Jiribam, October 31: National Unity Day organized by 27th Assam rifles is being observed at Jiribam. As a part of the function, “Run for Unity” has been organized at around 6:00am starting from the Irawat Statue, Babupara to Chandrapur. Numbers of School students, VIPs, Assam Rifles, members of All Jiribam Sports Assn. and members of All Jiribam Walking Association also participated in the Run.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/national-unity-day-at-jiribam/

NEFIS observes collective hunger strike across the country to mark 15 years of Irom Sharmila’s heroic struggle

PRESS RELEASE Pan-India sit-in protest and hunger strike against Armed Forces Special Powers Act. NEFIS receives huge support for the 12-hour hunger strike across the country. North-East Forum for International

PRESS RELEASE

Pan-India sit-in protest and hunger strike against Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

NEFIS receives huge support for the 12-hour hunger strike across the country.

North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS), in discussion with Irom Sharmila, organized twelve-hour hunger strikes and collective sit-ins at various places of the country to mark the 15^th year of her heroic struggle against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), yesterday on 2^nd of November. It is to be noted that on 2^nd November 2000 a terrible tragedy shook the state of Manipur when 10 civilians were shot dead by paramilitary forces at a local bus-stop in Malom, Manipur. Among the deceased was an 18-year old National Bravery Award winner. The massacre triggered angry protests across Manipur and led to Irom Sharmila going on her epic fast a few days later. Justice, however, continues to be denied in the case of the Malom massacre and many other such cases. Meanwhile, Irom Sharmila continues to be heckled by cases filed against her and periodic arrests. NEFIS has hence pledged to take forward the nation-wide struggle against the draconian and anti-people Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

NEFIS Units successfully organized the twelve-hour hunger strike across various cities, among which were Delhi, Gwalior, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Kokrajhar (Assam), etc. In Delhi, the sit-in protest along with the hunger strike was organized at Jantar Mantar where large numbers of NEFIS members, North East students, as well as representatives from various progressive and democratic organizations collected to condemn the enforcement of the long abused Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Eminent Human Rights Activist, Babloo Loitongbam and Women Rights Activist Maya John, ensured their presence to extend their solidarity to the hunger strike/collective sit-in. Babloo Loithongbam highlighted the dastardly way in which Indian State continues to justify AFSPA and force-feed Irom Sharmila citing reasons of prevention of suicide. Maya John termed AFSPA a draconian law which serves just as a ploy to curb the democratic rights of people in so-called ‘Disturbed’ regions without any compunctions or fear of being implicated in a judicial probe. The hunger strike and sit-in in Chandigarh, was organized at Student Centre of Panjab University. This was followed by a huge rally around the campus. In Assam, hunger strike was organized at Kokrajhar and Karbi Anglong, which was attended by massive number of students representing different communities. Professors of various colleges too showed their support by being present at the venues. The students called for a collective struggle against this draconian law. The North East students and activists of NEFIS organized hunger strike at Gwalior, which saw a large presence of students from other parts of India, supporting the struggle against AFSPA. At various other places across India too, the activists of NEFIS and students organized hunger strikes and observed 15^th year of Irom Sharmila’s struggle in various forms.

It should be noted that AFSPA has been enforced in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in the North East states where it is serving as a useful weapon for the Indian State to curb the democratic rights and freedom of the people of these regions. Under the draconian provisions of AFSPA the government’s judgment on why an area is found to be ‘disturbed’ is not subject to judicial review. Similarly, there can be no prosecution, suit or any other legal proceeding against anyone acting under this law, except with the sanction of the Central Government. Moreover, this controversial law provides dangerous impunity to the armed forces for detaining, using lethal force and entering and searching premises without warrant. Since armed soldiers trained in combat and in war have no training in civilian law or policing procedures, atrocities under AFSPA are inevitable and are growing. Hence, NEFIS demands that AFSPA should be repealed at the earliest from all states, thereby ending the miseries of the people.

AFSPA has been condemned nationally and internationally by all democratic and justice loving people. Even certain government-appointed commissions (including the recent Justice Verma Committee) and human rights organizations have pressed for the withdrawal of the Act. The continued enforcement of the Act has ensured continued protests. This is why NEFIS’ call for a hunger strike on 2^nd November elicited a phenomenal response. At its sit-in protests and hunger strike across the country, NEFIS called upon all the different communities of the North East, as well as people across the country to raise a unified struggle against AFSPA.