Manipur News

LAMKA, July 19: A Road Opening Party of 7 AR found an IED this morning around 7:20 along the NH 150 in Tolbung Bangla in Churachandpur.

According to a source, the bomb was found properly fitted in a container and found from the roadside.

The IED was later detonated at a safe location in Situ area after a bomb squad of the Army arrived around 11:45 am.

Meanwhile, traffic along the busy Imphal-Churachandpur road was stopped for some time.

Villagers also said that they had not seen any suspicious movement in and around the area this morning, and they came to know about the incident only after a huge security personnel including the CO 7th Assam Rifles and the Churachandpur additional SP arrived to take stock of the situation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/ied-found-in-ccpur/

IMPHAL, July 19: The indefinite curfew imposition in Imphal West and Imphal East district from 4 pm of July 8 by orders of its District Magistrates will be relaxed for 14 hours tomorrow from 5 am to 7 pm.

The curfew was clamped in the districts in view of the volatile situation following the death of a student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy during staging a protest demanding introduction of Inner Line Permit System in the state on July 8.

The curfew was also relaxed for 14 hours today from 5 am to 7 pm.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/curfew-relaxed-for-14-hrs-today/

LAMKA, July 17: An important and strategically located bailey bridge upon the Laimatak River was inaugurated today next to the power house of the Loktak Hydro power plant.

The bridge will help directly more than 10 immediate villages. More than 40 more villages will also get benefits of the bridge once the road extension is complete.

The bridge also known as the Tumjangphai Bridge will be fed by motor-able roads.

The bridge constructed under SPA funding has taken almost 10 years with the concern EE saying that the amount used in the construction has crossed Rs 3 crores

The 150-feet long bridge on the Leimatak River in Henglep sub-division was inaugurated today by Manipur Tribal Development Corporation, chairman and local MLA Manga Vaiphei in the presence of local MDC Demmang Haokip, MDC Khaipau and Paulal Haokip.

Churachandpur DC Lunminthang Haokip was also present at the inaugural function.

PWD EE Nenhkhampau Guite and staff of the Churachandpur PWD, village chiefs and other villagers were also present.

The bridge will be act as a corridor and improve road connectivity of the neighbouring villages.

MLA Manga Vaiphei said the day is a great day of accomplishment.

He further congratulated the PWD for the completion of the bridge construction and said hopefully more such bridges will be inaugurated before the yearend to improve road connectivity.

The MDC also expressed happiness on the inauguration of the bridge and urged the public to consider it as their own property and not just a government property.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC said the bridge will help improve road connectivity and help students in attending their schools.

The improvement in road connectivity and the district administration`™s proposal for a banking facility in the area made during the last DLO meeting, people could hope for all round development in the area in the near future, he said.

The EE urged the people to protect and take care of the bridge.

He further thanked the NHPC for all the help provided during the construction of the bridge which help in expediting the construction.

The Laimatak area`s Chief Association also expressed their gratitude to their MLA, PWD etc. and showed it by presenting tradition shawls to them including the CE of NHPC VK Karan.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/bailey-bridge-over-laimatak-river-inaugurated/

IMPHAL, July 17: The Manipur People`s Party decided to miss the all political parties meeting initiated by the Congress government because of its non-transparent handling of the ILPS issue, party president Nongmeikapam Sovakiran told media persons today.

Sovakiran said it took the political parties committee on ILPS more than six months to prepare the recommendations to be used in the previous bill which was passed in the March session of the Assembly.

However, the Congress government brought out an entirely different bill without incorporating the recommendations of the political parties committee during the Assembly session which was passed, he said.

Now this time also, the Congress is only trying to divert the attention from the core demands of the people, he claimed.

At the end, if there is any mistake or thing that fails to please the public, the Congress might blame the other political parties, Sovakiran alleged.

And so the MPP decided not to attend the meeting, he said.

The MPP has no desire to take political mileage from the ILPS issue, he said.

The government`s lack of transparency in dealing with the issue has only aggravated the tension in the State, he continued.

MPP senior advisor Dr Chandramani said unfortunately, the government has brought out a bill which is almost 90 percent different from the recommendations of the political parties committee, JCILPS and other experts.

Chandramani also strongly condemned an FIR filed against students taking part in the June 8 rally during which Sapam Robinhood was killed.

He said this could only aggravate the situation in the State.

The one month time to prepare a new bill is also a long period, he continued.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/congress-handling-of-ilps-issue-nontransparent-mpp/

IMPHAL, July 17: After an emergency sitting of Manipur Legislative Assembly convened on July 15 in the wake of public outcry resolved to withdraw the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 and replace it by another new one, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh convened a meeting with 12 legal experts of the State on preparation of a new bill acceptable to the people.

Sources informed the IFP that the legal experts were formally invited by the Chief Minister for the meeting which has been seen as an important development following the withdrawal of the controversial MRVT & MW Bill, 2015.

The marathon meeting that lasted for more than two hours was held at the Conference Hall of the CM`™s Office at Babupara at 4 pm.

The 12 legal experts are from All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA, High Court Bar Association Manipur (HCBAM) and Bar Council of Manipur (BCM).

AMBA was represented by its president advocate H Chandrajit Sharma; general secretary Supriya Devi; Khaidem Mani and S Lakhikanta Singh while the HCBAM was represented by its president advocate N Binoy; I Lalitkumar; N Jotindro and advocate Jotindro.

The BCM was represented by its chairman advocate N Ibotombi Singh; RK Nokulsana Singh; RS Reisang and L Shyamkishwar.

Apart from the CM, Deputy CM Gaikhangam; Minister of Law & Legislative Affair Thoudam Debendra Singh; Minister of Labour & Employment I Hemochandra Singh; Minister of Commerce & Industries Govindas Konthoujam and Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar Singh were present at the meeting on behalf of the government.

The meeting discussed at length about preparation of a new bill for Inner Line Permit System implementation in the State within the provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India, sources informed.

In this regard, all the 12 legal experts gave their opinions.

The meeting also had a threadbare discussion on inclusion of certain terms in the proposed bill as desired by the government following the pressure from the public.

They opined that inclusion of certain terms in the bill body is permissible, according to the sources.

The meeting also discussed on defining the terms legitimately and how far the Constitution supports it, according to the sources.

The opinions gave by the 12 legal experts were not officially recorded by the government.

Further according to sources, the experts, pledged that they will be extending all possible helps to the government in drafting and checking the new bill from the legal view.

A team of government to be led by the CM may hold more rounds of talk with the legal experts on the issue, the reports added.

Mention may be made that following the withdrawal of the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 on July 15, the government headed by the Chief Minister held a meeting with representatives of all political parties yesterday on drafting of a new bill to safeguard the indigenous population.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/governmentlegal-experts-meet-deliberates-on-preparation-of-new-bill/

Reson Haobijam still in serious condition

IMPHAL, July 17: The United Committee Manipur and the June 18 martyrs families visited the family of Late Sapam Robinhood at Lairikyengbam Leikai and donated some cash amount in recognition of the student`™s sacrifices for the ILPS movement.

They also visited several injured persons who are presently undergoing at JNIMS and RIMS including Ch Imobi of Khurai Thangjam Leikai and Reson Haobijam of Khurai Konsam Leikai.

The team also provided some financial help to the injured individuals for their treatment.

Speaking to media persons following the visit, UCM president Johnson Elangbam expressed deep concern against the police conduct during the recent ILPS movement.

He said young students who were participating in the democratic agitations were assaulted in such inhuman manner and inflicted with serious multiple injuries.

He further appealed to police personnel to carry out their crowd control exercise according to the trainings they had received instead of using so much violence.

He further appealed to the Chief Minister to expedite the process of drafting the new bill and complete it at the earliest.

`All political parties and representatives of JCILPS should also be consulted and their suggestions should be incorporated too, in the larger objective of saving the indigenous population of the State`™ he said.

Reson Haobijam, 17, son of H Mani and Sanatombi was admitted in a critical condition with multiple injuries at RIMS after a mock bomb exploded near him during one of the many protests.

A mock bomb splinter was infact taken out from one of his four wounds sustained in the explosion.

A vein on his right hand was cut open and he has been given five units of blood so far since his operation.

Meanwhile, the father of the injured boy said doctors have told the family that one of the boy`s ear drums is damaged and that he would have to undergo a CT Scan examination

However, since the CT Scan machine in the hospital is not functioning and since Reson cannot be taken out of the hospital due to his condition, getting the CT Scan done is getting delayed, he said.

Reson is still in a very serious condition and had another blood transfusion today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/ucm-visits-robinhoods-family/

IMPHAL, July 17: Sit in protests and rallies demanding the enactment of a law to safeguard the indigenous population and condemning the death of Sapam Robinhood due to police firing during a student rally continued today in the State although witnessed on a much lesser extent than a few days back due to the Idul Fitr and the Rath Yatra both of which fall on July 18.

Sit in protests were staged at Sagolband, Moirangkhom, Wangkhei Tokpram Leikai, Kakwa Naorem Leikai, Kongba Nandeibam Leikai.

AMMIK also organised a similar protest today.

A torch rally was also taken out at Toubul, Bishnupur District yesterday.

Meira Paibies and clubs jointly organised the rally which was participated by around 300 participants who shouted slogans like `We support ILP, Long live the indigenous people and we condemn the killing of Robinson.`

The rally concluded with a resolution that the villagers of Toubul will strongly co-operate with the steps taken up by the JCILPS, informed a statement of the TYDA, Toubul.

The All Wangjing Meira Paibi Lup; FUC Wangjing Tekcham Leikai; SEMDYC and YVA Wangjing SK Leikai took out a torch rally at Wangjing, Thoubal district yesterday.

The rally which passed through several places at Wangjing also strongly condemned the decision of the government to draft a new bill to monitor the rampant entry of outsiders into the state within three months.

Placards which read such as `Enforce ILPS in Manipur`, `Save the indigenous peoples`, `Resign Ministers and MLAs for failing to implement ILPS in the state`, `Punish those police personnel involved in the killing of Robinhood, etc used by the protestors during the rally.

Later, the protestors gathered along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Moreh Road) where they chanted slogans against the failure of the government to implement the system in the state despite taking much time.

In solidarity to the collective demand, a torch rally was also taken out at Tentha wherein a large number of protestors including womenfolk and students participated.

Torch rallies were also taken out by womenfolk, clubs and organizations at Waikhong, Thounaojam, Yangdong, Thongjao and Elangkhanpokpi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/sitins-and-rallies-continue-in-demand-of-ilps/

IMPHAL, July 17: A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the High Court of Manipur demanding immediate restoration of academic atmosphere of all educational institutions located within Imphal area by quashing of the official orders imposing temporary closure of all education institutes in Imphal areas.

According to the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, its deputy secretary Education and Academic Affairs Nameirakpam Edison Meitei has filed the PIL today with the State government through principal secretary (Education) and deputy secretary (Education S) and deputy secretary (Hr & Tech Education) as respondents.

In the PIL, the petitioner has said that on July 8, there was a protest made by a group of students of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy therey demanding introduction of the ILPS in Manipur and while controlling the said protest, a student was killed by the Manipur Police when firing a tear gas shell towards the protestors.

It said in order to control any untoward incident in and around Greater Imphal areas, indefinite curfew was imposed.

The PIL said the same day, deputy secretary (Education S) issued an order stating that the government has noted with deep concern the disturbances of the normal functioning of schools in Imphal by the resurgent agitations demanding ILPS in Manipur and in consideration of the physical safety and security of the students of all educational institutions located in Imphal area, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to order the temporary closure of all educational institutions in greater Imphal areas.

It also claimed that the same day, deputy secretary (Hr & Tech Education) also issued another order imposing temporary closure of all higher and technical educational institution in Greater Imphal areas.

It continued that on July 11, the deputy commissioners of Imphal West and East lifted the curfew partially during day time. However, even after lifting of curfew during daytime, all the educational institutions in Imphal West and Imphal East area have remained closed without any justifiable reason, which is hampering the academic atmosphere of the students of both the districts drastically, the petitioner said in his PIL.

On July 13, the respondents had convened a meeting and decided to re-open the educational institutes from July 16, however, till date no public notification has been issued for opening of educational institutions and resumption of normal classes.

The petitioner has alleged that the respondents have failed to implement the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which has been enacted by the Parliament for securing free and compulsory education to the children and that the prolonged closure of educational institutions of Imphal West and Imphal East Districts of Manipur has caused untold hardships to the bonafide students and their parents.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/pil-filed-against-closure-of-educational-institutes/

IMPHAL, July 17: The Congress government in the State has no clear stand on how to implement a legislation to safeguard the indigenous people of Manipur, claimed BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba today.

Speaking to media persons today at the party office, Chaoba demanded the government to step down if it is unable to enact the law.

The BJP, he said is not interested in having a cup of tea in the name of the all political parties meeting at the Chief Minister`™s bungalow.

The ILPS issue is a state issue and the government needs to take public opinion, and the State government should initiate public seminars to discuss the issue, Chaoba claimed.

And if both the Congress and the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System are unable to organise such a public seminar, the BJP will do and all regardless of political party affiliation would be welcome to attend the seminar, he said.

The BJP didn`t participate in the all political parties meeting because it doesn`t believe the Congress government, he said.

The issue of migrants and labourers fall in the union list and the State government cannot infringe on the list, and the BJP wants the new bill to be under the ambit of the Indian Constitution, he said.

The BJP also strongly condemned the death of Sapam Robinhood due to police firing at a student rally, he said.

At the same time it is also more unfortunate that the government has decided to remain silent on the issue, he said.

The government has failed to even institute a judicial inquiry and the police personnel involved are yet to be identified, he claimed.

Instead the authorities have registered a FIR against the innocent students who were participating in the July 8 rally, he lamented.

The BJP consultative committee on ILPS will be submitting its recommendations to the State president and if required to the State government, informed general secretary administration Asnikumar.

BJP minority morcha president Nasir Russel said that Muslim community also endorses the ILPS demand in state.

He further appealed to all concerned organisations to relax curfew or bands for the coming three days as the Muslim community will be celebrating the Idel Fitr.

The festival may bring peace and tranquillity among the various communities of Manipur, he said.

Chaoba also wished the people of the State on the occasion of the festival.

Meanwhile, a BJP press statement has informed that the party president has directed the State unit to open 21 departments for the smooth functioning of the party in the State for which the departments have been opened.

The departments include Good governance, Policy, Planning and Research (including New Schemes of NDA government, Media Relation of BJP, Training department, Politial feedback and response, National Programme and Meeting, Documentation and Library of BJP, Sahyog and Disaster Officer, Tours and programme, Publicity Literature, Cordination of Trust/NGOs, Election Commission, Legal Affair department among others

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/bjp-trashes-governments-handling-of-ilps-issue/

IMPHAL, July 17: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Student`s Wing has demanded immediate unconditional release of the seven students`™ leaders who were arrested by police for taking part in protests demanding enforcement of Inner Line Permit System in the state.

The arrested students` leaders are advisor of AMSU Thokchom Suresh who is also a member of JCILPS Student`s Wing; vice-president Dhanajit Kangabam; president of AMSU Bishnupur District Committee Thiyam Kabichandra; organization secretary Khangembam Shining; finance secretary in-charge Konjengbam Premkanta; joint secretary Ningthoujam Robin and member Somokanta Soram.

In a statement, the JCILPS Student`s Wing said the government is not committed to bring an effective bill which could check the rampant entry of non-locals into the state though the controversial Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 has been withdrawn.

Pledging that it will continue to launch onslaught of intense agitation till the proposed new bill is passed by the government within 15 days as set by JCILPS, the students`™ wing asked non-locals staying in different parts of the state to stay inside their rooms and not to get out.

Taking strong exception to the FIR filed against the deceased student Sapam Robinhood as reported in local dailies today, it demanded befitting action against the police personnel involved in the killing of the student during a protest demonstration on July 8.

It appealed to the people especially students to extend full support to the ongoing mass movement of ILP spearheaded by JCILPS.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/unconditional-release-of-arrested-student-leaders-demanded/