Manipur News

IMPHAL July 9: Chief Minister who holds the charge of Finance tabled Rs 61,45,65,000 under Demand No. 38- Panchayat.

Opposition MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi Singh MLA, L Ibomcha Singh MLA, Th Shyamkumar MLA and K Shyam MLA moved motions for disapproval of policy cut on account of absence of complete decentralization and devolution of power to PRI; Inability to pay salaries to elected members of the Zilla Parishad and Pradhans of PRI commensurate with that of ADCs; Failure to declare result of the written test for appointment as Panchayat Secretaries; Failure to appoint Panchayat Secretaries in PRIs in Manipur; Failure to demarcate Panchayat and Autonomous

District Councils; Failure to implement MGNREGS.

MLA K Shyam supplemented on the failure to implement MGNREGS alleging that 30 to 40 % of the Material Component is siphoned by the implementing officials.

He claimed to have this factual information and implore the Minister to go beyond rhetoric and translate the concepts of the programme by developing mechanism to monitor the implementation.

The concern RD &PR and Eco & Statistics Minister Francis Ngajokpa informed the house that only 255 crores were received for the whole State last financial year.

However 746 crores have been approved for the current financial year and 60 crores have already been received.

60 % of this amount has been transfer to the districts accordingly.

He stated, `Earlier this was a 90:10 funding of the centre and the state but now it is a fully centre funded programme`. He invites complaints with facts to rectify the anomalies in the implementation of MGNREGS.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/opposition-mlas-raise-cut-motions-against-demand-for-panchayat/

IMPHAL, July 9: Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Lokeshwar Singh had to adjourn the House for 10 minutes during its ongoing 11th Session today after one of the ruling MLAs named an opposition MLA repeatedly over the death of a student during a protest staged yesterday demanding withdrawal of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 and its replacement by another stronger bill.

Opposition MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi Singh and Th Shyamkumar Singh moved a calling attention motion in the House while discussing the ongoing agitation launched by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), withdrawal of Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 and implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the state.

The calling attention motion was raised by the two MLAs on `to call the attention of Deputy Chief Minister on the death of a student in the tussle between the student agitators and police personnel and subsequent imposition of curfew`™.

Along with admitting the motion by the House, the Speaker gave approval for discussion on motion raised by the MLAs.

While the two MLAs were deliberating on the motion, MLA N Biren from the side of the ruling government intervened and appealed to the Speaker to make the motion as `short duration discussion`™ stating that the death of the student is a serious issue concerning the state.

Following his intervention, the Speaker converted the motion into `short duration discussion`™ after taking consent of the House Members.

Taking part in the discussion, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh reiterated that the House had adopted three resolutions regarding ILPS implementation in the state.

He pointed out that the bill passed by the House does not include the six points recommended by the All Political Party Committee on ILP.

As such, the bill should be withdrawn taking into account of the wishes of the people. The public are in tension following the death of the student. It will be a wise step to convene a special session in the House to discuss the matter, he said.

MLA Th Shyamkumar said that he had pleaded the House to put the bill under a Select Committee of the House before it get passed but the bill was passed without thorough discussion.

Appealing the House to enact a fresh bill in place of the earlier one, he said that police personnel lack training when it comes to controlling student agitators.

He also said that curfew is the solution to diffuse outcry of the public over the demand for ILPS implementation in the state.

MLA L Ibomcha contended that the bill was framed by three Officers whom he does not want to name in the House.

He said that the present public outrage over the ILPS implementation should not be taken lightly by the House.

MLA N Biren while mourning the death of the student appealed for an enquiry into the incident.

During the discussion held under Rule No 71 of Rule of procedure and Conduct of Business, MLA Ng Bijoy referred to the statements made by MLA Th Shyamkumar during a press conference held yesterday, which was published in some local dailies.

MLA Bijoy by holding Xerox copies of the statements made by the MLA in his hands, which was published in four local dailies repeatedly named the MLA in the House.

Immediately MLA Shyamkumar himself, Dr I ibohalbi Singh and Samuel Rison intervened and appealed to the House to stop the comment of MLA Bijoy.

They claimed that there was nothing wrong in the statement made by MLA Shyamkumar, which was published in local dailies.

As the Speaker refused to accept their plea, the three opposition MLAs began shouting in condemnation of the comment made by MLA Biren, creating brawl in the House.

Following the chaotic situation, the Speaker adjourned the House for ten minutes.

Ruling MLA RK Anand, Dr Kh Ratankumar, Y Irabot Singh and K Meghachandra Singh also took part in the heated discussion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/house-adjourns-for-10-mins-after-uproar-over-ilps-issue/

IMPHAL, Jul 9: The highhandedness of the police has led to the death of a young student participating in a protest rally demanding implementation of the ILPS, said CPI Manipur State Council secretary Dr M Nara today.

Speaking to media persons on behalf of the five Left parties in the State including CPI, CPM, RSP, All India Forward Bloc and CPIML (liberation) at the Irabot Bhawan today, he said there is a police raj in the State.

He further condemned yesterday`™s incident and said the current State government has defied the real meaning of demoncracy.

It is not democracy to fire rubber bullets and smoke bombs against agitators without so much as trying to disperse them through other means peacefully, he observed.

Party leader n Mangi condemned that there is a dictatorial style of administration in the State.

Sharing the grievances of the family members of the deceased students, he has appealed to all concerned against repeating such act.

If the State government had intervened on the issue in time, the incident could have been avoided he said and further urged the government to take up measures to safeguard the indigenous communities of the land.

He further lamented that the CPI members were denied curfew passes when requested on July 8 evening.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/police-highhandedness-led-to-the-death-dr-nara/

IMPHAL, July 9: The JAC formed in connection with the death of Sapam Robinhood alias Thoi has declared him a martyr who sacrificed his life for the indigenous inhabitants of the state and named him as `Yelhoumi Kanbagi Lamjing Meira.`

This was announced by the JAC during a press conference held this evening at Lairik Yengbam Leikai.

The JAC formed today also strongly condemned the brutal killing of the innocent student and said people of the State and the family members of Sapam Robinhood has decided not to claim his body.

Raghubir Salam, JAC convener said that the JAC, as Sapam Robinhood has sacrifice his priceless life for the people of the state, JAC appealed to all the students, women organisation and several civil society organisations to support during the mass agitation on June 10 he added.

Raghubir Salam further said that the JAC will also endorse the demands made by the JCILP and further intensify the agitation until the demands are met he added.

The convener also lamented that the present government under the leadership of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi is a criminal government who killed students and remain a mute spectator over the issue.

`It is time that the people of the state join hand and fight against the government in making them realise that Inner Line permit system is very necessary to implement at the earliest before the people become the slave to the increasing influx`.

It might be mention that the body of Sapam Robinhood son of S Ramesh of Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, a class XI Sc student of Ananda Singh Academy Higher Secondary School who died of police action is kept at JNIMS Morgue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/jac-refuses-to-take-home-robinhoods-body/

IMPHAL, July 9: A day after police action to control a student rally in the State capital resulted in the death of a student of the Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School, the Manipur Police has come under heavy criticism from all sections of the society.

The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has resolved to take up a Suo moto case on the incident of firing by the Manipur police which led to the death of Sapam Robinhood, a class XI student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School.

A press release of the MCPCR said the commissioner express serious condemnation of the unfortunate incident of firing by the Manipur Police which led to the demise of the student.

It said the police firing leading to death and injury of students is a clear cut case of violation of child rights, especially their right to life and dignified survival, as guaranteed by the Constitution of India and the UN Convention on Rights of the Child.

The decision to take up the suo moto case was arrived at during an emergency meeting held at its official premises, according to the press release.

It continued, the commission has also written to the director general of police to furnish details of the incident, the particulars of the personnel involved in the firing.

It has also sought details of any action taken including filing of criminal cases against those police personnel involved in the firing and has also informed the National Commission on the Protection of Child Rights of the firing incident for necessary action.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) said it condemns the `brutal killing of a student while protesting against the government in Manipur.`

According to the statement, hundreds of NEFIS activists gathered and gheraoed the Manipur Bhawan in New Delhi in protest against the police action and demanded an immediate and independent inquiry into the incident.

NEFIS also met the Resident Commissioner of Manipur and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Manipur demanding immediate suspension of the police personnel responsible for the death of the student.

It said today a large number of students from different regions of North-East, led by NEFIS protested against the high-handed crackdown of police on peaceful protesters in Manipur.

The police brutality on people was once again demonstrated on Wednesday, when a student was killed while demonstrating against the Government, it said.

The class XI student was fatally wounded when to scatter the protesters, a tear gas shell fired from close range hit him, it said.

It should be noted that the people who were protesting were innocent school students of different educational institutions, the NEFIS said.

It is shameful that police could not tolerate even a peaceful protest by students and shockingly tried to disperse the protesters using reprehensible means, it continued.

NEFIS has also demanded an immediate stop on any mode of repression on peaceful Democratic movements and said it will take the issue to national level, if the demands are not immediately heard.

The Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup, AMKIL has also condemned the police action.

A statement of the organisation said the use of brute force by the police to control the students is condemnable and the government should punish the involved personnel at the earliest.

It has also demanded the police to stop such repressive actions.

The Ereipal Enaat Chanura Loinsinlon has also condemned the incident.

A statement of the organisation said it also shares the grievances of the family of the dead student.

EECHAL has also expressed concern for the other students who were injured in police action.

It has also said that EECHAL will support the movement of JCILPS.

The Pangal Students`™ Organisation has also condemned the incident and criticized the government action of using brute force to contain the movement demanding safeguard of the indigenous people.

It has further demanded that in case the government is unable to properly govern the State, they should step down on moral grounds.

If in a democracy, democratic form of agitation is stopped using force, the very meaning of democracy is defeated, it said.

The PSO has also demanded termination of all personnel involved in the incident.

The All Manipur Gorkha Students`™ Union have also strongly condemned the killing of the student and injuring dozens others in police action and demanded the government to punish the involved police personnel.

The All Manipur Muslim Development Organisation and Manipur State Council All India Youth Federation have also condemned the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/manipur-police-comes-under-heavy-criticism-for-students-death/

IMPHAL, July 9: Amid indefinite curfew imposed in the State capital soon after the death of student in police firing yesterday, the agitation demanding withdrawal of the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 intensified today with protestors defying the curfew and imposing road blocks in several parts of the State capital.

Protestors were seen confronting the police using catapults even as the latter fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets to disperse them.

Road blocks were imposed by burning tyres, placing stones and tree branches.

Meira paibis of Soibam Leikai and Khalabung were seen burning effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his wife MLA Landhoni at Porompat Road.

Agitators came out in full force in several areas of Imphal East including Soibam Leikai, Nongmeibung and Khurai Lamlong and imposed road blocks. Two police personnel also suffered injuries during clashes with the protestors.

At Lamlong Bazar a huge number of agitators came out and imposed a road block resulting in a fierce confrontation with the police.

Police fired tear gas shells, and even blank fired from SLRs and pistols as the protestors fired catapults and pelted stones.

Police also arrested seven agitators from along the Imphal Ukhrul road who were later handed over to the Porompat Police Station.

Two protestors were also injured in the confrontation. They were hit by tear gas shells.

Local youth and meira paibis of Lairikyengbam Leikai also staged a silent sit in protest near the Salanthong. The protestors had tied black clothes over their mouths and held placards reading `I Support ILP don`™t You, Manipur Government?, Repeal ILP or Kill Us, We Eager to Sacrifice for ILP bill, and We Will Not Tire, We Will not Falter and we will not fail` etc.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that around 8pm, supporters of JCILPS set on fire three two-wheelers at Mayang Imphal Konchak about 200 meters south of Mayang Imphal Police Station.

Police have also rounded up three suspects involved in the incident, informed a source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/ilps-agitation-intensifies-amid-curfew-agitatorspolice-faceoffs-reported-at-several-places/

IMPHAL July 9: Opposition MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi Singh and Th Shyamkumar moved a Calling Attention Motions on the issue of Inner Line Permit System today during the Assembly session, which was accepted by the Speaker of the House.

However, Congress MLA N Biren citing the issue to be of a serious nature proposed to convert it into a short duration discussion so as to enable all members of the House to participate.

The discussion continued for more than three hours with MLAs from both the ruling and the Opposition parties participating.

During the discussion, the deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio expressed deep condolence to the student who was killed in the police action.

He said every citizen of the State desires to safeguard the State.

The Governor has reserved the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants & Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 for the assent of the President of India, he said.

At the same time, public agitation has intensified with the potential to disrupt the ongoing Assembly session, he said.

He added that being the first of its kind, there is no reference to pool ideas from and hence the Bill was conceived with earnest effort of all political parties represented committee.

Gaikhagnam also read the incident report to the house which detailed about various student groups marching towards the assembly from various points and police action to stop them.

According to the Minister, the protesting students turn violent and started pelting stones and the police resort to tear gas shells to disperse them.

The injured was first taken to in the vicinity and later shifted to Rajmedicity where he was declared dead at 3.30 pm.

He said the case is registered at Parompat Police Station under FIR No. 205(7)2015 under section no. 147/148/149/353 IPC.

Following which 144CRPC was imposed since 4 pm of July 8 in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

He said, if police excess is committed, we will conduct a departmental enquiry against the concern personnel and initiate action accordingly.

He further appealed to the JCILPS to stop using students in the agitations and implore them to understand the constraints of the government involving the legal implications to design the collective proposal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/house-discusses-ilps-issue/

THOUBAL, July 9: Demanding enactment of a fresh Bill in place of the controversial Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 during the ongoing Assembly session and strongly condemning the death of a student in police action against a protest staged in pursuit of the demand yesterday, irate students and woman folk of Thoubal district attempted to strom the residences of Chief Minister O Ibobi and MLA of Wangjing-Tentha Paonam Brojen today.

Students of Progressive English School, Lamding and women folk of Wangjing area staged a sit-in-protest at Wangjing Keithel till around 1 pm.

They then stormed the residence of MLA Paonam Brojen at Wangjing Wangkhei resulting in a scuffle between them and security personnel guarding the MLA`™s residence.

After they failed to storm the MLA`™s residence, the protestors blocked Wangjing Keithel road by burning tyres.

On the other hand, a large number of students of KM Blooming Higher Secondary School, New Public Higher Secondary School and Wisdom Foundation, Khangabok took out a protest rally and marched towards the DC Thoubal Office.

However, they were stopped near the gate of the DC Office by a team of police after which they blocked half of the road at Thoubal Athokpam Leikai and shouted slogans demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State without further delay.

Later, the student protestors tried to storm the residence of Chief Minister at Thoubal Athokpam Mayai Leikai were prevented from doing so by the security personnel guarding the CM`™s residence.

Additional forces led by SP Thoubal also rushed to the area and dispersed the students who were made to retreat back to their respective schools.

Even as they were forced back to their schools, the incensed students came out again and joined in blocking the Arong Thong road with other protestors from Thoubal Athokpam.

There, they shouted slogans demanding stringent action against the police personnel involved in the killing of a student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy during a protest staged yesterday.

Members of SWC Khangabok Khulakpam Leikai, UYC Khangabok Meisnam Leikai and Lainingthou Club Khangabok Mayai Leikai also took out a rally at Khangabok demanding strict action against the police personnel involved in killing of the student.

In pursuit of the demand, volunteers of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ Wing prevented movement of vehicles and commuters in different parts of Kakching. Shops at Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel area were closed during the protest.

Joining in the protest against the killing of the student in police action, students and teachers of Padma Ratna English School, Kakching staged a sit-in-protest in front of the school.

Sit-in-protests were also held at Wabagai Lamkhai Keithel, Wabagai Hiyanglam, Lamjao and Heirok condemning the killing of the school student and demanding enforcement of Inner Line Permit System in the state at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/students-attempt-to-storm-cms-residence-against-robinhoods-death/

IMPHAL, July 9: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said that the State Governor had not given his assent to the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants & Migrant Workers Bill, 2015, which was passed during the 10th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

He further sought cooperation of the people and suggested to hold a discussion after the ongoing Assembly session with experts, representatives of the JCILPS to consider whether to withdraw the Bill or frame a new one.

The Chief Minister was speaking during today`™s sitting of the 11th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

He said there is no conflict of opinion in the desire to safeguard the indigenous people of the land.

The Bill was extensively recommended following a detailed discussion for more than five months, the Chief Minister who is also the leader of the House observed.

There may have been some recommendations of the All Political party Committee on ILPS which were nor incorporated in the Bill and with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System, he continued.

This was in apprehension of whether the Governor would give his assent or not, Ibobi said before continuing that however, a few days before the start of the present Assembly session, the Bill failed to receive the assent of the Governor and has been kept as `Bill is reserved for consideration of President.`

He further suggest to discuss whether at this stage the Bill can be withdrawn by the House and not send it to the President of India with all concern.

He said, if required the All Political Party on ILPS would have to be consulted again and talks will also be held with the JCILPS.

He further expressed his profound grievances on the death of a student yesterday and said if any police excesses are found, due action will be taken against the personnel involved.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/cm-seeks-consultation-on-whether-to-withdraw-bill-or-frame-new-one/