Manipur News

IMPHAL, September 10: `The Naga Peace Accord is for everyone. We have made it very clear, it is inclusive. We will take everyone`™s views on board and try to reach a very comprehensive peace. It is not just for one or the other` interlocutor of India-NSCN (IM) peace talk RN Ravi told the waiting media persons soon after landing at the Imphal International Tulihal Airport on a two-day visit today.

The interlocutor arrived in an Indigo flight around 11:45 am today, and left for The Classic Hotel where he will be staying during his visit.

RN Ravi also met the State Chief Minister and representatives of CSOs seperately regarding the prevailing situation in the State following the signing of the peace accord.

Sources said Ravi had also met representatives of the United Naga Council.

He also met representatives of the United Committee Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs Organisation and Committee of Civil Society of Kangleipak around 3:30 pm.

Following the meeting, leaders of the UCM and other CSOs briefed media persons on their meeting.

UCM president Johnson said on receiving an invitation from the interlocutor, representatives of the AMUCO, UCM and the CCSK went to meet him around 3:30 pm.

During the meeting, a six-point memorandum was submitted to Ravi reflecting on the various resolutions arrived at following several consultative meetings among the organisation regarding the Accord he said.

The CSOs have urged the Centre to clear the mystery surrounding the ongoing talk between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) and to provide a white paper on the issue.

The people of the State have a right to know of what the agreement is all about he said.

The memorandum said that the people of Manipur have every right to know the entire peace process going on between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) that might directly or indirectly affect Manipur`™s historical and political status and that the GoI should produce a white paper on the peace process with the NSCN (IM) from 1997 onwards and also the details of accord.

Johnson elaborated the memorandum has also sought that the government of India should respect the distinctive historical identity and political status of Manipur and its multi-cultural pluralistic society based on the principles of co-existence and communal harmony while ensuring integrity of its body-polity.

The memorandum also included that political aspirations and socio-economic advancement of all the ethnic communities of Manipur be ensured and protected with the administrative jurisdiction of Manipur and any culture and administrative arrangement on the basis of ethnicity is unacceptable as it directly tantamount to communal and sectarian demarcation of aspirations and voices of smaller communities in Manipur.

The struggles and sacrifices of the Naga people in Nagaland and the same is expected from the people of Nagaland to the people of Manipur it added.

Meanwhile womenfolk belonging to different CSOs under the Coalition for Indigenous Rights Campaign (CIRCA) Manipur demonstrated against RN Ravi`™s visit, terming it as a mission to conspire hatred and enmity among various communities inhabiting the State.

Hundreds of women holding placards and banners shouted slogans like `Go back RN Ravi` and `Manipur`™s territorial integrity should not be infringed.`

They stood along the Imphal Airport road from Keisampat junction to Churachandpur parking area.

A large number of womenfolk also took out a protest march in the heart of city against RN Ravi. However, police dispersed the womenfolk.

Traffic was halted for half an hour around Kangla traffic circle because of the mass rally.

Protestors held placards reading `Go back RN Ravi,` We don`™t welcome you in Manipur,` Don`™t come back again RN Ravi.`

The womenfolk also announced that the three Khwairamband Keithels will remain shut for the day tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/centres-interlocutor-rn-ravi-in-imphal-on-consultation-visit/

LAMKA, September 10: The 60-hour bandh called by the JAC Churachandpur ended today in a peaceful manner with no major incident of any violence except for peaceful demonstrations at different road intersections by womenfolk including at the Tiddim Road.

At Kanvai Village, womenfolk also crowded the road with womenfolk more than 40 villages demonstrating at one site.

Demonstrations were held at more than 20 places starting from Kangvai to Mata Village along the Tiddim Road.

At Kangvaoite, Molnom Bazar womenfolk shouted anti-government and anti-MLA slogans.

The protestors also burnt effigies of the tribal MLAs, CM and deputy CM.

The protestors also shouted slogans demanding punishment for all those involved in the death of the eight.

They also demanded resignation of the tribal MLAs.

At Molnom Village, protestor burnt effigies and demanded resignation of the tribal MLAs, withdrawal of the bills.

They also shouted `dy CM Gaikhangam Who are you, down down,` `Pungzathang: Tonsing, don`t sold our rights, T Manga Vaiphei open your mouth and eyes for your people,` `Vungzagin Valte, don`™t play with the blood of your people,` `Chaltonlien, betrayer of the tribal people,` `Speaker of Manipur Assembly don`t grab our land,` `TN Hàaokip don`t sold out our ancestors land` and `Down Down Manipur government.`

A protestor also told IFP that they will try to block the present MLAs from contesting the election again, let alone vote for them.

`I will never vote for these cowards and traitors of tribal rights, interest and land,` she said.

`I will urge more people not to have sympathy for them and call for social boycott of these politicians`™ said the women who was leading protesters at Koite area with seriousness writ on her face.

Meanwhile a team of five ADCC members led by it`s chairman Langkhanpau Guite are in Delhi to appeal the Centre on the issue in the State.

It is also learnt that a sit in protest as staged by the Zomi Inkuan at USA in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington DC and a petition submitted to the Indian Ambassador.

They also said that they will knock the doors of the UN.

The Churachandpur District Diesel Auto Owners`™ Association has also released a press handout stating that the association will take out a protest rally on August 11 to show their resentment against the security forces and condemnation of the three bills passed on August 31 starting noon tomorrow from Kawnpui Village Public ground.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/jac-churachandpur-bandh-concludes/

IMPHAL, September 10: Urging to make any accord/pact/framework for peace transparent by putting the same in the public domain and be engaged in dialogue and wider consultation with a wider constituency and all stakeholders, the North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The memorandum stated that NEDF welcomes any peace initiative undertaken for restoring peace and normalcy and peace accords or peace pacts or framework toward lasting peace agreed upon between Government and one or more groups.

Since peace concerns and impacts other stakeholders of a larger homogeneous community in a State or more in the North East region, there is a need to make such accords/pacts/framework for peace transparent. Only then, peace can become realistic and workable at grass root level and all will put their heads and hearts together to promote and maintain peace at all cost, it said.

It is estranged to the people of North East and in particular Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh about the peace process which is in negotiation without a white paper since 1997 and before and after this year. Therefore, it is the dilemma for the people in this region to effectively contribute to the official peace negotiation. Government of India should be honest and sincere in its approach for long lasting peace in the region not piece meal approach, it mentioned.

Calling upon all the concerned in official peace negotiation to make the peace process transparent and keep space for people to take part in the process, the memorandum expressed fear that violent among or between ethnic communities may occur which is part of the ethnic clinching and crime against humanity.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/nedfs-memo-bats-for-transparent-peace-process/

IMPHAL, September 10: With the 7th Camp held at Wangjing Hodamba assisted by United Progressive Sporting Club on September 9, SKY Group of Hospitals, Manipur concluded the month long free medical and flood relief camps for people living along the course of Wangjing River which caused devastated flood recently.

These camps were conducted on request from the local clubs and public. The other six camps were held at Wangjing Heitupokpi assisted by Wanjing Heitupokpi United Progressive Union and Palli Bazar, Thoubal Sangaiyumpham assisted by Muslim Student Development Organizations on August 7, Wangjing Sokhai Leikai assisted by Youth Volunteer Association and Lamding Model School assisted by Enhancement Education Organization, Lamding on August 13, 2015, SSA School, Lamding Yelang Leikai assisted by Social and Cultural Association, Lamding on August 23 and Khangabok Part 3 assisted by Rising Union Club on September 2.

Altogether 1,953 patients were seen and free medicines were also distributed to them. In addition 1,222 families were provided with 3,000 kg of rice, 550 kg of dal, 22,000 litre of drinking water, 150 kg of cooking salt and 1,000 chlorine tablets.

Dr Lairikyengbam Shyamkishore, Chairman of SKY Group of Hospitals, who personally supervised these camps, asserted that he will continue providing such free medical and relief camps in other areas of the State on request from local clubs / NGO or public under the Corporate Social Responsiblity (CSR) of the hospital.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/monthlong-free-medical-flood-relief-camps-conclude/

IMPHAL, Sept 10: The UNC has said that it had declared severance of political ties with the State governemnt thereby demanded alternative arrangement pending the Indo-Naga political settlement.

A statment of the organisation replying to a statement of the Manipur deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam that the UNC had neither sponsored nor oppsoed the three bills and is kicking furore without understanding the three bills, said the UNC had neither been correspondent nor talking with the communal Government of Manipur.

It said on July 29, the UNC had on July 29 submitted a representation to the Prime Minister informing him that ` no issues or demands raised by other community(s) living in the present State of Manipur affecting or tending to affect the Naga position on Land, identity, history, culture, time honored institutions and political aspirations will be tolerated under any circumstances and urged the Government of India to expedite the Indo-Naga Peace Process with political will to its logical conclusion for lasting peace in the region`.

`We will neither compromise nor negotiate with our adversary that is going to affect the established position of the Nagas and also decided to struggle collectively till we achieve our long cherished political aspiration,` it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/unc-replies-to-dy-cms-statement/

KANGPOKPI, September 10: Dissented over the alleged `anti-tribal`™ Bills passed on August 31 by the State Assembly and the atrocity of State security force in gunning down nine tribal youths in Churachandpur, citizens of Kangpokpi area held a gargantuan rally today at Kangpokpi.

Around 5000 people from different parts of Kangpokpi area gathered this morning at Brig. Thomas Ground to hold one of the largest ever rallies in the area which was organized jointly by Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kuki Women Union Kangpokpi Block and Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization.

The rally began at around 11 am from Brig. Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi which tagged along the Trans Asian Highway and proceeded towards old Petrol Pump via IT Road and budged back towards upper Kangpokpi Bridge along the same route.

During the two hours long rally, all business establishments in the town were closed. Traffic movement was also halted till the rally was culminated.

The all-embracing rally yelled, `Ibobi Government `“Down, Down`, `Tribal MLAs-Shame, Shame`, `We condemn- the three Bills` throughout the rally in the town till it culminated at the relay sit-in-protest site in the heart of the town.

A public meeting held before the mammoth rally at Brig. Thomas Ground deeply mourned the tribal martyrs who died during the Churachandpur incident and observed a minute silence for them while strongly denouncing the alleged brutality of the State security force.

The huge mass also conveyed heartfelt condolence and share sorrows and pain of the bereaved families and injured victims who were inflicted injuries during the alleged justifiable protest against the anti-tribal bills.

Calling the tribal martyrs the `Tribal Heroes` a visibly emotional mother Themlhing, vice- president of Kuki Organization for Human Rights commented `Tribal heroes, you gave your today for our tomorrow`, while adding that the blood they shed is not in vain, it has painted our land with a colour of unity.

JAC Sadar Hills Convener and Co-Convener called for community unity in the public meeting while earnestly appealing to coordinate and streamline as well as success of the present movement headed by the tribal apex bodies through collective efforts.

The public meeting also hardheartedly deplored in the strongest terms the alleged deliberate and sinister design of the Manipur Government in attempting to forcefully invade and alienate the tribal ancestral lands.

It also solemnly agreed to endorse and reiterate the decisions taken by the tribal apex bodies.

Various speakers including several Sadar Hills CSOs leaders, social workers, church leaders, chiefs, etc. strongly opposed the three alleged `anti-tribal`™ bills while soberly condemning the Manipur Government for allegedly trying to annihilate the tribal`™s rights and privileged.

The rallyists holds placards reading, `Wake up Ibobi there are nine Robinhoods in the Hills`, `Rubber Bullets for valley and Real Bullet for Hills`, `Ibobi Govt. is Anti-Tribal`, `Ibobi Stop- Shoot, Kill & Invite for Talks policy- we know you inside out now`, `Tribal Heroes, You gave your Today for our Tomorrow`, `Memories of your sacrifice will never cease to linger in our minds`, `The blood you shed is not in Vain, it has painted our Land with a Colour of Unity` etc.

Speaking to media persons, Hahat Touthang, general secretary of KWU Sadar Hills lamented that during the ILPS agitation in Imphal for nearly three months only rubber bullets, tear gas and water were used to control the protestors but live bullet was used to control the tribal protestors in the hill districts of the state.

`Why live bullet was used to control the tribal protestors in the Hills?` asked a visibly frustrated Hahat.

The tribal mothers are restive and upset in all the hill districts of the State over the vindictive attitude of the Manipur Government, averred Hahat Touthang, adding that the tribal mothers are now fully prepared to protect and safeguard their children, land and rights.

The mammoth rally ended with a prayer.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/kangpokpi-rallies-against-antitribal-bills/