Manipur News

IMPHAL, September 23: Several organizations and individuals came together to celebrate the upcoming reaffirmation of UN`™s 193 member countries commitment to 17 international development goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at Nupee Lal Memorial Complex today.

As the UN General Assembly adopted the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development” with the objective of saving the people and the planet on September 25, the civil society in welcoming this monumental moment celebrates across the globe. In India, 15 cities including Imphal celebrated the commitment today.

The celebration held under the theme `Light the Way- Manipur`™ was meant to spread the awareness and the significance of these goals which will determine the priorities of the governments for the next one and half decade.

RK Imo Singh, MLA of Sagolband A/C and S Saratkumar Sharma, Chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights graced the function as chief guest and guest of honor respectively.

All the participants partook in lighting of the candle to symbolize the hope of prosperity and development.

The celebration was adorned with Violin Recital by Kabigailiu, Joana Gangmei, M. Anshakla, W. Lillian, Yumnam Jinet and R.K. Deepika, of Indigenous and Contemporary Music Studies Institute (ICMSI); Guitar Duet by Khawaish and Parash of ICMSI and a Musical Concert by Bulu Maishnam and Jack.

Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director, Human Rights Alert in his keynote address said, `SDGs are about our lives. It targets ending poverty and hunger, improving health and ensuring quality education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting our oceans and forests etc. by the year 2030`™

He said, “™We want the people of Manipur to know the significance of the SDGs and also realize them. Civil society representatives from Manipur are already in New York to be part of this historic process in the UN Head Quarters. In Imphal too we are putting together a cultural afternoon to welcome the SDGs and to urge our leaders to Light theWay`™`™.

R.K. Nolinikanta shared about the significance of the celebration and the need to monitor the 17 goals in the next 15 years. `The accountability of these dreams will mark the upliftment in our lives and on this planet`™ he said.

The event was organized by Human Rights Alert, Big Sisters`™ League in partnership with Community Network for Empowerment (CONE), Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM), Extrajudicial Execution Victims Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) Indigenous Perspective (IP), Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Sustainable Livelihood Forum Manipur (SLFM), United Voluntary Youth Council (UVYC) various other civil society groups and individuals.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/importance-of-sustainable-development-goals-stressed/

BISHNUPUR, Sept 23: Altogether seven residential houses at Macha Ibema Khudi Thibi Leikai, Ningthoukhong Ward No 3 in Bishnupur district, were dismantled in an eviction drive conducted by the government officials in the locality using two JCB vehicles on September 21.

Guarded by personnel of Loktak Police Station and VDF, the eviction drive was led by SDO/SDM Bishnupur L Radhakanta and several other government officials.

According to family members whose houses were dismantled in the drive, the SDO/SDM Bishnupur issued an eviction notice under Manipur Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1978 on September 18.

They said family members who received the eviction notice had thought of meeting the SDO/SDM Bishnupur at his office on September 19 and 20 but could not do so as the days were holidays.

But all of a sudden, the SDO/SDM accompanied by government officials and guarded security forces arrived at the locality yesterday morning and started dismantling the houses without giving any chance to the family members to accommodate themselves in some other places.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/houses-dismantled-in-eviction-drive/

TAMENGLONG, September 23: Due to the 96-hour chakka bandh clamped in Tamenglong district from the midnight of September 19, many loaded trucks coming from Jiribam have been stranded at Khongshang area.

The bandh was imposed by the Joint Forum for Transport Welfare Association, Tamenglong demanding repair of the 39.5 km Tamenglong-Khongshang Road which is lying in deplorable condition.

Bandh supporters reportedly damaged a vehicle at Irang. All types of vehicles stayed off Tamenglong-Khongshang and Tamenglong-Tamei Road for the last three days due to the bandh.

It may be mentioned that a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) dated August 6 from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways was sent to M/S Woodhill Infrastructure Limited, Ghaziabad asking to take up `Temporary Restoration Works`™ of Tamenglong-Khongshang Road.

The total sanction amount for the restoration work is Rs 13, 23, 91, 325. It is said that the restoration works of the road will be commenced after the end of the monsoon season.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/loaded-trucks-stranded-due-to-tml-96hr-bandh/

IMPHAL, Sept 23: The Maring Uparup Assembly (MUA) has refuted the news reports published in a local daily on September 19 by one Medun Maring, president of NIPCO wherein he stated that the three bills passed by the State Assembly on August 31 do not affect the tribal.

In a press release, the MUA asked the person to clarify his statement at the earliest and said that Maring apex body does not know who Medun Maring is.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/maring-uparup-assembly-rebuffs-report/

IMPHAL, September 23: The United Naga Council (UNC) has extended utmost appreciation to Lalthanhawla, Chief Minister of Mizoram; TR Zeliang, CM of Nagaland and PA Sangma, former Speaker of Lok Sabha and other political leaders and parties for their bold decision and supporting the tribal people of Manipur and urging the President of India, Prime Minister and Governor of Manipur not to give assent to the controversial `anti-tribal`™ bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.

In a statement, the UNC also appreciated Thangso Baite, Outer MP and Khekiho Zhimomi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Nagaland for their solid support to the tribal cause.

While the whole nation is condemning the most controversial `anti-tribal`™ bills and resolutions, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has been defending both the bills and resolutions just to fulfil his selfish end by selling out his own flesh just to secure his personal position, it alleged.

It also welcomed the bold step of MLA Chandel A/C Victor Nunglhung, MLA Karong Alexandra Pou, MLA Mao L Dikho and MLA Ukhrul Samuel Risom of NPF in resigning themselves from the membership of Manipur Legislative Assembly for the tribal cause and in protest against the passing of the controversial bills and resolutions.

All Naga Ministers and MLAs should follow the same immediately in order to protect and defend the land, identity, history, culture and time honored institutions, the UNC in the statement said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/unc-applauds-nagaland-mizoram-cms-and-exlok-sabha-speaker/