Manipur News

IMPHAL, July 31: Pledging to continue the ongoing mass movement for safeguarding the indigenous people till an acceptable bill to restrain the unchecked influx of outsiders into the state is passed by the government, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has categorically stated that the committee and public only want implementation of effective bill to serve the purpose nothing else.

A statement of JCILPS said the constitution of the Drafting Committee by the government has nothing to do with the committee and public, while reiterating that the committee representing the people had submitted a five-point memorandum to the government to be included in the proposed bill.

However, the government came up with the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 which only favours outsiders instead of a bill acceptable to all sections of the people. The controversial bill was withdrawn only after witnessing public outcry. The ongoing mass agitation by the public is due to the apparent failure of the government to pass a bill to safeguard the indigenous people, it pointed out.

The MRVT & MW Bill was passed in the Assembly despite holding series of talks between the government and committee and convening meeting of all political parties to pass an acceptable bill. This clearly shows that the government is working against the wishes of the people, it said.

Stating that JCILPS welcomed the constitution of the Drafting Committee, the statement said that the resignation of three MLAs from the Drafting Committee is a well orchestrated political game staged by the government, which the people are well aware.

The unwarranted remarks of MLA Ng Bijoy that the Drafting Committee is still waiting for submission of the five-point recommended by JCILPS to be included in the proposed draft bill has proved that the insincerity of the Drafting Committee, it claimed.

The statement wondered how come the government and Drafting Committee do not know the five-point recommendations which were adopted during a public consultation held on July 23 last.

Reiterating that the five-point recommendations to be included in the proposed draft bill will not be altered at any cost, the statement reaffirmed that the committee and public will not fall prey to the delaying tactics adopted by the government on the proposed bill.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/resignation-of-three-mlas-from-drafting-committee-a-political-game-jcilps/

MOREH August 1: Four villages lying near the Manipur-Myanmar border near moreh Town have been cut off after an iron bridge connecting the villages with the border town was washed away last night by the strong river current.

The iron bridge on the Lokchao/ Minal River near the Haolenphai Village along the DC Road connecting Moreh Town with the four villages collapsed last night in the torrential rain cutting off any connect between the border villages and Moreh or other parts of the State.

Now with the bridge washed away, it would be impossible to import any construction materials from the Myanmar side. At the same time two Assam Rifles post guarding the border in the area will find it difficult to move around.

However, till today there is not much drop in the water level of the Lokchao River.

Meanwhile, additional DC N Gojendro visited the area to take stock of the situation.

He had also met Myanmar officials and urged them to help in the movement of the residents of the cut off villages until a new bridge is constructed.

At the moment several houses on the Myanmar side are also flooded due to overflowing of the Lokchao River.

Meanwhile, locals of Moreh are appealing to the government to make the Imphal-Moreh highway free as there is no other way for them to rush to whenever there is an emergency. People have also complained that they are facing numerous hardships including shortage of essential commodities since the highway was cut-off due to the torrential rainfall over the past few days.

It is been two days since the important highway has been cut off, cutting off the border town from other parts of the State.

The Moreh to Pallel stretch of the highway has caved in and witnessed landslides at more than 11 places since the arrival of this monsoon.

Even two-wheelers are unable to pass through at several places along the highway at present. This has resulted in stranding of several persons along the route.

It is also reported that people who are in emergencies are travelling from Moreh to Pallel on foot. Several mudslides are also reported in between Moreh and Lokchao and at Kwatha Lamkhai about 10 kms from Moreh.

A massive mudslide stretching for about 50 meters is also blocking the highway near the Khudengthabi Village.

People have appealed to the highway division of the PWD to clear the highway to enable communication along the highway possible once again.

It is also learnt that the highway has been cleared till Khudengthabi. However, several passenger vehicles are stranded at Khudengthabi.

Around 50 heavy and light vehicles are also stranded on the highway and there has been no electricity in the Moreh sub-division since the past five days.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/bridge-collapse-cuts-off-border-villages-from-other-parts-of-state/

LAMKA, July 31: The elected members of the Autonomous District Council Churachandpur have elected Langkhanpau Guite as the leader of the council today with 16 voting for him.

The ADC Churachandpur was formed today with the election of Guite as the chairman.

His opponent Khaipau Haokip got five votes while two were declared void. Another member acting as the polling officer didn`™t vote.

The new chairman designate thanked his colleagues from the Hill People Alliance for electing him.

Guite also thanked his sole opponent describing him as a close colleague from the last council.

Speaking on the occasion, Guite said `as we are at the dawn of constituting a new council, let us resolve to work more closely in unison, harmony in the interest of our district.`™

`Due to lack of staff, the few who are there have to work extra in our offices today. Posts vacant due to death or superannuation are still lying vacant.`

He urged the elected members to work for the protection of the district boundary, secure sixth schedule in the hills and work in cooperation with the local MLAs.

He further exhorted the elected council members to work sincerely for the interest of the district.

Meanwhile, reacting to reports appearing on local dailies about the Hill Area Committee deciding to endorse the granting of sixth schedule to the hills of the State but on the condition that the ADC Act 1971 and ML&LR Act should be amended, he said he had talked to the HAC chairman who has clarified against making any such decision.

Guite said the council takes strong objection to the report.

He further appealed to all to attend to their posting places including the SDOs and the SDCs so that the medical staff, police and teachers would follow suit.

Guite also called on the need to invite the ADC leaders as chief guest in important functions like the Independence Day celebration which would be a step forward in the empowering of the ADCs.

Meanwhile, the DC Lunminthang Haokip who also attended the function briefed the newly elected council members about the status of the finance and different schemes undertaken in the district.

Elaborating on the status of IAY scheme in the district, the DC said funding is awaited as the paper work is already completed.

The other members of the council also expressed appreciation of the new chairman and made suggestion for improving ADC Churachandpur.

Meanwhile, it was informed that the election for the vice chairman will be held on August 3 following which the chairman will appoint five executive members.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/hill-peoples-alliance-forms-adc-churachandpur/

IMPHAL, July 31: Agitations demanding action against the police personnel involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood and introduction of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar legislation in the State continued at several places in the State today.

Protestors braved the incessant rain which has been non-stop since morning to come out to the streets and stage sit in protest supporting the movement.

Sit in protests were held at Pishumthong Oinal Leikai organised by the local meira paibi lup at the Pishumthong Waiting Shed.

Speaking to media persons, Memcha member of the POLMP demanded the government to acknowledge the interest of the people and fulfill their demand at the earliest.

Instead of going forward towards prosperity, the State seems to be going backward and through a lot of hardships, she said.

The students are losing their valuable time and those surviving and feeding their families through their daily wages have been hit hard by the government`™s lack of concern for the people, she added.

The present turmoil in the State could have been prevented only if the government was concern with the welfare of the people, she continued.

Memcha also demanded that the police personnel involved in the death of class XI student Sapam Robinhood should be punished at the earliest.

She continued the Pishumthong Oinam Leikai Meira Paibi Leikai will also support the JCILPS until the demand for introduction of the ILPS or a similar legislation is fulfilled.

Womenfolk of Khobghampat Awang Leikai, Khongampat Mantri Leikai, Khongampat Mayai Leikai also staged a sit in protest in their locality today.

Similar sit-ins were also witnessed at Singjamei, Uripok, Khurai, Kakwa among other places.

Placards demanding implementation of the ILPS and action against the police personnel involved in the death of class XI student Sapam Robinhood were also exhibited during the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the Imphal East United Clubs`™ Organisation has demanded the Congress government to bring a proper solution to the present demand for the introduction of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar legislation in the State.

It stated any delay in finding a solution to the issue would only add fuel to the anger among the public which would result in more uprisings in the State.

It urged the government to prepare the draft of a bill and at the earliest and discuss it with the people.

The organisation further pointed out that the government employees of the State have failed to come out and support the ongoing movement till date.

It further appealed to the employees to join in the movement.

The organisation has also demanded suspension of the police personnel involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood at the earliest.

The statement continued that the organisation strongly supports the movement spearheaded by the JCILPS.

Sit in protests were also staged at Kakching Khunou Bazar by the Kakching Khunou,Umathel,Thongam meira paibee, at Charangpat Nongpokp Sekmai by Charanagpat club and meira paibee Thokchom Lamkhai by Thokchom Lamkhai meira paibee and at Wabagai Lamkhai by Hiyanglam Lamjao,Wabagai meira paibee.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/ilps-agitations-continue/

IMPHAL, July 31: Claiming that insincerity of the government is clearly palpable with the resignation of three MLAs from the Drafting Committee which has been entrusted with the responsibility to draft an acceptable bill to safeguard the indigenous people, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has accused the government of trying to appease the people and committee by making false promises that an acceptable bill to do the needful will be drafted at the earliest.

In a statement signed by Assistant Media Co-ordinator of JCILPS Md Kheiruddin Shah Mojinmayum, the committee which is leading the mass movement for enactment of a new bill to monitor the incessant entry of outsiders into the state said the resignation of the three MLAs from the Drafting Committee came at a time when the government is assuring the people and the committee that a bill acceptable to all sections of the people will be drafted within the set deadline.

Following the resignation of the three MLAs from the Drafting Committee, the government`™s lackadaisical attitude towards drafting of the proposed bill which is the collective wishes of the people has come to the fore, it stated.

Saying that the ongoing mass movement for enactment of a fresh bill needs to be intensified as the government remains ineffective to the collective wishes of the people, the statement vowed to continue with different forms of agitation along with the public till an acceptable bill is passed by the government.

The government cannot easily fool the committee and public by inviting for talk on the proposed enactment of a new bill that also through the media. What the public want from the government is good governance nothing else which they have failed to deliver, it said.

Stating that the committee is closely monitoring the sudden resignation of the three MLAs from the Drafting Committee, it asked the political parties and government to desist from indulging in electoral politics by taking advantage of ILPS issue.

The ongoing legitimate movement for enactment of a new bill is solely for safeguarding the indigenous people, the statement said, appealing the people to intensify the ongoing agitation which the government is trying to suppress.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/jcilps-snubs-credibility-of-drafting-committee-pledges-to-continue-stir/