Manipur News

IMPHAL, September 29: The Assam Sanmilitia Mahashangha (ASM), a confederation of Indigenous Communities of Assam has said that considering the validity of Coalition for Indigenes`™ Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur demand for the restoration of Pre-Merger Special Political Status of Manipur, it supports CIRCA in its movement.

A statement of the confederation said Manipur`™s Maharaja Boddha Chandra was coerced to sign the Merger Agreement by VP Menon, advisor to the Home Ministry under the strict instruction from the then Home Minister of India Sadar Vallabhai Patel at Assam`™s Shillong House on September 21, 1949.

The statement issued by its working president Matiur Rahman here in Imphal today said it was not right for India to have forced the merger of Manipur into its Union without seeking the mandate of its people who had already had a Constitution of their own with an elected Parliament in the form of Assembly.

Rahman further stated that a `Manipur Peoples`™ Council` with representatives of all its indigenous ethnic communities as members, now being raised by CIRCA, Manipur as a demand, must be considered and realised by the authorities. Then there will be permanent peace in the state as everybody will feel secured and protected under such a constitutional set-up, it said.

On the other hand, Rahman deplored India government for restricting the people from their right to meet the renowned human rights activist Irom Chanu Sharmila without the approval from the Manipur State Police which requires submission of an application 30 days beforehand.

Rahman also claimed that he had approached the State police authorities to meet Irom Sharmila Chanu on September 24, but his request was not accepted as he had not submitted his application 30 days beforehand, he regretted. .

He also vehemently opposed the process stating that Irom Chanu Sharmila is not a criminal but a human rights activist.

Such a type of restriction should not be imposed on her, he added stating that he had even gone on hunger strike for 11 hours supporting her cause at Dispur, the capital of Assam, in 2011.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/assam-organisation-supports-circas-demand-for-premerger-political-status-in-manipur/

IMPHAL, September 29: Renowned judge (retd) of the State Chanambam Upendra died in an unfortunate incident this early morning at his Sagolband Moirang Leirak residence.

The District and Session Judge Manipur (retd) who headed the Commission of Inquiry ordered by the State government in the Thangjam Manorama case of 2004 was 85 years old and is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.

Sources said he was electrocuted while trying to fix a domestic water pump around 5:30 am and that it was his wife who found him lying unconscious near the pump.

His wife informed the other family members who rushed the retd judge to the RIMS, however, doctors at the hospital declared him dead, informed sources.

The retired session and district judge was born on September 11, 1929 to Chanambam Ibomcha Singh and Laishram (n) Maipakpi Devi of Sagolband Moirang Leirak Imphal West.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/renowned-district-and-session-judge-retd-chanambam-upendra-passes-away/

CHURACHANDPUR, September 29: Protestors of the three bills passed by the State Assembly this evening burn and effigy of Henglep MLA T Manga Vaiphei at Kangvai Village demanding his resignation.

The protestors mostly womenfolk shouted slogans demanding the MLA resign before September 30 which is the deadline set by the protestors for their resignation.

Manga Vaiphei is also the chairman of the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, ex-servicemen of Churachandpur district also took out a protest rally in support of the JAC Churachandpur. The rally started from Tuibuang Peace Ground and concluded at the KKL complex.

Chandel: In Chandel, a consultative meeting on the three bills was held yesterday at the district headquarters attended by members of various CSos, senior citizens, advocates and Members of District Council (MDC) attended the meeting.

Convener of NPMHR (S) Dr Gina Shangkham said in a press statement, the meeting discussed the bills and its implications in length and later resolved to reject the bills as they were seen clearly infringing the rights of the tribal people especially traditional land rights.

It said the meeting extended support to the framework agreement between the GoI and the NSCN (IM) and impressed upon the two entities for sincere and honourable settlement and also urged the Naga people to work together to realize the peace process.

The meeting further resolved to extend all possible support to all groups of people who work for the advancement of the Tribal martyrs and the bereaved family.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/antibills-protests-continue/

IMPHAL, September 29: Commemorating the 119th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot, the Chaokhat Khongthang Lup, Chingamakha conducted a cleanliness drive today in the surrounding area of the organisation`™s office.

A press release signed by its secretary Kh Suresh said that all the members of the lup along with the locals of Chingamakha participated in the drive.

As part of the observation, the organisation will also distribute rice to local residents tomorrow.

Our Bishnupur Correspondent adds: Live and let Live Organisation and PEDWA club organised the 6th Local level Painting, Symposium, Recital & Dance Competition 2015 at the Kha-Potshangbam Mamang Community Hall in observance of the 119th birth anniversary of Jananeta Hijam Irabot today.

Retd DI Zone IV Bishnupur Thokchom Juge, SDC Churachandpur Potsangbam Damu, Bishnupur Zilla parishad member Thiyam Bilip Meitei, Nachou Gram panchayat pradhan Laishram Nirmala Devi, Nachou GP uppradhan Thoudam Imo, Kha Potshangbam GP ward member Ningolleima Devi, Kha Potshangbam GP ward member Thokchom Damudor, Bishnupur AC nominee Kangabam Phajaton Devi, ex-uppradhan Nachou GPPukhrambam Bijen as presidium members.

The symposium was held on the topic `development of local village`™ and the dance and recitation were held on the themes `Nationalism and patriotism`™.

As for the painting competition, the young painters were made to paint pictures of the freedom fighter.

The competition was participated by around 100 students.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/state-observes-lamyanba-irabots-119th-birth-anniversary/