Manipur News

IMPHAL, Nov 6 NNN: A team led by the United Naga Council (UNC), including the Naga Women’s Union, the All Naga Students’ Association and the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) visited Tamenglong district Headquarters on a good will mission on November 3 and 4 in view of the violent armed clashes between Naga groups that has claimed several lives in the recent past. Apart from meeting cross sections of the society the team also held a public meeting at the Indoor Stadium on November 4 which was attended by local church leaders, frontal organisations which included the Zeliangrong Baudi (Manipur Zone) and the Zeliangrong Pui Baudi and the general public. After the addresses by members of the good will mission, a spoken mass prayer was offered by the participants for an end to the violence that has engulfed Tamenglong, for God’s blessings on the upcoming 5th ‘tripartite talk’ on the demand for “alternative arrangement” and early settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.
A declaration was also adopted by a unanimous voice vote on the conflict situation at the end of the public meeting, the substance of which included that the public meeting registered its serious concern over the prevailing situation in Tamenglong.
The meeting strongly urged upon the “factions/political groups” (Naga militant groups) to withdraw from the violent path in the spirit of Naga reconciliation which is the clarion call of all the Nagas across the land.
The meeting also urged all political, social, church and other organisational leaders to discourage propaganda, rumours, incitements and instigations for narrow and personal interests and to thereby create space for trust, goodwill and rapprochement among the people at large.
The meeting then requested the media to play a proactive role for transformation of the present conflict through their reportage and coverage and to tone down the negative elements in the public discourse in the media.
It urged the Assam Rifles to be non partisan and to refrain from siding or encouraging any one party in the conflict and to secure the vital public confidence and trust as a neutral force till the return of normalcy.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ngos-tour-tamenglong/

The RPF today condemned fake encounter killings. T. Leisemba, Secy. Publicity Revolutionary People’s Front said on November 2 from Andro Kharam Leikai Dam area Hijam Babu was nabbed by Imphal East Police commando and 28 AR personnel. Babu was later killed in a fake encounter at Lunghar khul , Ukhrul he said. State sponsored terrorism should be checked as propounded by the Supreme Court he added.

The RPF today said Union Home Minister, Shinde’s order to probe network of RPF and to entrust the work to NIA will be futile. T. Leisemba, Secy. Publicity, Revolutionary People’s Front said it is operating for years and faced various agencies of India . NIA is an infant and it will be just a clash between an egg and stone he said. Agencies of India are seen as mere percentage collectors he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rpf-condemns-fake-encounter-killing/

IMPHAL, Nov 6 NNN: Government’s lackadaisical attitude with apathy and lack of concern writ large on the wall of the government and total neglect towards the Tamenglong people have triggered off a storm, after the Joint Forum for Transport Welfare of Tamenglong district imposed an indefinite bandh on the 38 km long Tamenglong to Khongsang road from today.
The organization formed in the wake of governmental‘s indifference, has protested against the non-maintenance of the road and urged for smooth transportation facilities to be extended to the district.
The road was handed over to BRTF in September this year, hoping for better care of the situation but it never transpired. However, the only road which is the only link to the state capital Imphal is in total disrepair, the organization charged.
The organization has warned that any untoward incident arising out of such events rest solely with the government and said that they would not be responsible. There was no untoward incident today, vehicular movements were unseen and the lives of the people totally disturbed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tamenglong-khongsang-road-bandh/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Nov 6 : The Hornbill Express Senapati is celebrating its first Foundation and Thanksgiving Day and organizing One Day Workshop in Media Awareness on November 7 with P.K.Jha, Deputy Commissioner, Senapati as Chief Guest, Witoubou Newmai, Editor, Newmai News Network and Along Longkumer, Editor, The Morung Express, Nagaland as the main speakers.
The vision of the Hornbill Express is that it understands that its strength lies in active engagement with the PEOPLE. The PEOPLE are the inspiration to The Hornbill Express. The People are its guardians. The PEOPLE are its motivation Today and Tomorrow.
As such, The Hornbill Express will dedicate itself to the full service of the people, fully aware that without such dedication it loses its very raison d’être and that without placing the PEOPLE at the centre of all its activism, it loses its very sense and ceases to exist. But, for, with and in the PEOPLE, The Hornbill Express believes that its mission for truth, justice and peaceful coexistence will be brought to fruition.
The Hornbill Express is an English Local Daily based at Senapati (Tahamjam) and it is aimed at bringing about a paradigm shift in making the print media a vigorous source of change in our society. It is a ‘call to action’ and the Daily derives its founding principles from social, ethical, developmental and political issues. The Hornbill Express had begun its journey on 7th November 2012 in the backdrop of many unrests and turmoil prevailing in the society to carry forward the voices of the mass.
In one year journey, The Hornbill Express has learnt many valuable lessons and taking this to account, it has also felt the need to improve its standards and still have miles to go to realize its vision.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/hornbill-express-completes-one-year/

IMPHAL, Nov 6 NNN: Saying that if Tokay Gecko does not belong to endangered group this reptile species should be put up for sale by issuing licenses to boost the State economy, stated Uttam Chand, Director, Department of Science and Technology, Manipur on Tuesday.
Speaking at the concluding function of the 1st State Level Aquarium Exhibition cum Flower Show held at DM College campus here, Uttam Chand encouraged entrepreneurs in the State and talked in length about finding ways and means to develop the State economy.
Plants or animals which are found in Manipur are increasingly demanded by other states and countries and one of them is Tokay Gecko which has high medicinal values, he said. It has become one of the most attractive items of many interested buyers from outside the State and the fact is now well known by the people, Chand who attended the function as chief guest, added.
He suggested that instead of imposing ban on selling either medicinal plants or animals available in Manipur it is better to promote them and allow selling after issuing proper licenses if they do not fall under the category of endangered groups.
“If we can export Tokay Gecko whose demand is on the rise it would significantly help boost the State economy,” he further asserted and maintained that such business is carried out in other countries like Malaysia.
The 1st State Level Aquarium Exhibition cum Flower Show organized by MASTEC started from November 3. The concluding function of the exhibition was attended by Ng Brajakumar, Principal, DM College of Commerce and Th Surendranath, Director, MASTEC as president and guest of honour respectively.
Altogether 69 aquarium tanks and three flower forums participated at the 4-day long Aquarium Exhibition cum Flower Show.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tokay-gecko-an-endangered-species/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Nov 6 : A team of National Service Scheme (NSS) Programme Officers and volunteers of Manipur has left Imphal on 5th November to attend the North East Youth Festival-2012 to be held at Itanagar during 7-9 November.
The team led by two Programme Officers namely K. Kiranjit Singh of Moirang College and Dr. M. Ranjana Devi of Standard College, Kongba comprising of 40 NSS volunteers had been flagged off by M. Chandrakumar Singh, SLO, NSS Cell, Government of Manipur and Dr. Ch. Ibohal Singh, Programme Co-ordinator, NSS Cell, Manipur University from North AOC yesterday.
The volunteers representing from Manipur University, Manipur College, Moirang College, Imphal College, GP Womens’ College , Naorem Birahari College, Standard College and Secondary Schools namely International Modernised Academy, TG Higher Secondary , Ram Lal Paul Higher secondary, CC Higher Secondary and Chaoyaima Higher secondary Schools will take part in different events to be conducted during the Festival.
The items in which the Manipur team is expected to take part include: “Youth Convention, Quiz, Beauty Contest, Debate, and a number of cultural items. This 3rd North East Youth Festival-2012 is being oraginised under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, New Delhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-nss-team-leave-imphal/

IMPHAL, Nov 6 NNN: A 13-year-old girl was rescued on Tuesday by volunteers of FREINDS from an alleged crook non-Manipuri boy who was trying to take her to Bihar taking advantage of her young age.
A class 5 student and a resident of Churachandpur Thangra Leirak in Churachandpur district was rescued by volunteers of Federation of Regional Indigenous Society from North AOC when Bijaykumar Shah, 21, hailing from Bihar’s Vaishaly district, attempted to take the minor girl to Bihar after eloping her for two days, FREINDS organization secretary, Pebam Premkumar told a press conference held at the society’s office here.
Volunteers of FREINDS managed to rescue the girl after the society was informed by North East State Winger Transporter Union (NESWTU) that a non-Manipuri along with a minor girl was buying bus ticket from Misao Travels on a suspicious manner to travel to Dimapur from where they were supposed to head for Bihar, Premkumar said.
The duo has been handed over to Imphal Police Station for further questioning. They had eloped on November 4 and stayed at the residence of one Ningam at Chandel DC Lamkhai in Chandel district till November 5. Bijaykumar was earlier working with Ningam who is stated to be an automobile workshop owner.
FREINDS also appealed to the people to help trace criminal like Bijaykumar and sought support in its efforts to check such crime. It also thanked NESWTU for the information it provided to the society.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/13-year-old-girl-rescued/