Manipur News

IMPHAL, August 8: `Indigenous peoples must survive first before they can fulfill their development aspirations,` the Centre for Organisation Research & Education said today.

A statement of the CORE signed by president of the Elders`™ Council issued on the International Day of the World`™s Indigenous Peoples said this truism is a most critical and relevant issue in Manipur today.

The CORE called upon the governments of Manipur and India to take concrete actions to respect, recognize, protect and promote our collective rights as affirmed by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007.

It said UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon had stated, `The interests of the indigenous peoples must be part of the new development agenda in order for it to succeed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/respect-recognize-protect-and-promote-indigenous-people-core/

IMPHAL, August 8: Commemorating the one month death anniversary of young student Sapam Robinhood who died due to police action on July 8 during an ILPS rally, more than 200 two-wheelers took out a rally around the State capital.

Showing solidarity to the late student`™s family and the ILPS movement, the rally commenced from Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai and after passing through Khurai Lamlong and Ayangpalli Road and continuing till Khagempalli returned to Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School.

People attending the rally offered floral tributes to a life-size picture of Robinhood at his former school.

The rally was participated by mostly women in their mourning clothes who shouted slogans demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar act and waved black flags.

It was organised by the JAC formed in connection to the death of the class XI student.

Later womenfolk of Nongmeibung area and students also staged a sit in protest in front of the Ananda Higher Secondary School by blocking the road.

Sit in protests were also held at various places including at Wangkhei Meihoubam Lampak, Palace Gate, Khurai, Singjamei, Canchipur, Yumnam Leikai.

In the evening the whole valley districts were illuminated as people lit candles in front of their gates remembering Sapam Robinhood.

Torch rallies were also taken out at several places in the State capital voicing demands for the ILPS or a similar act later in the evening.

NNN adds: Commenting on the rather-late action of the government in the suspending police personnel, the JAC formed in connection to the death of Sapam Robinhood opined that the suspension of only some low-ranking personnel is an attempt to eye-wash the people of Manipur and an effort to forcefully slow down the momentum of the ongoing widespread agitation.

It, instead, demanded action to be taken to those police officers who ordered the firing that resulted in the death of Robinhood.

If the government fails to punish the police officers who are the actual culprits, the JAC announced that it will not withdraw its agitations.

Also, thousands of locals of Khurai side came out in the streets at Lamlong area and blocked the Imphal Ukhrul road for a while. At 2.55 pm exact, the timing when Robinhood died on this day last month, the protestors observed two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul of Robinhood. They also shouted several slogans demanding implementation of ILP system, protection of indigenous people of Manipur and also hailing the good soul of Robinhood.

Showing solidarity to bereaved family of Sapam Robinhood and supporting ILP demand, all the houses in valley districts lighted candles in their respective as a mark of respect.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/robinhoods-onemonth-death-anniversary-marked-with-rallies-and-sit-in-protests/

IMPHAL, July 14: The All Manipur Recogninsed Private Schools Welfare Association conducted a joint meeting on the ongoing demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State.

The meeting was held at the Gandhi Memorial Hall.

Later the the meeting also resolved three points which includes that the private schools in Manipur will stand for and support all movements taken up by JCLIPS; private schools will be reopened on August 17 if the government do not pass the important ILP Bill in the Assembly before August 15; submission of memorandum without delay to the government demanding implementation of ILP system and demand for an early solution to the woes and cries of the people.

Former president of the association Doren Khanganba said in the meeting that it is the right time for all indigenous communities to come out and unite in demanding implementation of the ILPS or a similar act in the State.

He said the act is not only for the meiteis, and will be beneficial for all indigenous communities living in the State.

The government`™s act of neglecting the demand is condemnable he observed.

He said if the State leaders are willing to implement the ILPS or a similar Act in the State, they would have taken up some concrete steps towards fulfilling the demand instead of using delaying tactics and fooling the people of the State.

He concluded by appealing to the people of the State to support the demand for implementation of the ILPS and said that if the present movement dies out, it would be difficult to start again.

Social activist, Mutum Churamani said the people must remain cautious and demand the government not to implement an Act just for namesake, but to implement it in letter and spirit.

He continued the present agitation seem to be diverting on a different course with reports of agitators harassing staff of the essential services including the media persons and medical staff.

There is an urgent need to spread awareness on such issue and a leader who could lead from the front at the moment, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/all-manipur-recognised-schools-welfare-association-resolves-to-reopen-schools-from-august-17/