Manipur News

IMPHAL, September 10: Urging to make any accord/pact/framework for peace transparent by putting the same in the public domain and be engaged in dialogue and wider consultation with a wider constituency and all stakeholders, the North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The memorandum stated that NEDF welcomes any peace initiative undertaken for restoring peace and normalcy and peace accords or peace pacts or framework toward lasting peace agreed upon between Government and one or more groups.

Since peace concerns and impacts other stakeholders of a larger homogeneous community in a State or more in the North East region, there is a need to make such accords/pacts/framework for peace transparent. Only then, peace can become realistic and workable at grass root level and all will put their heads and hearts together to promote and maintain peace at all cost, it said.

It is estranged to the people of North East and in particular Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh about the peace process which is in negotiation without a white paper since 1997 and before and after this year. Therefore, it is the dilemma for the people in this region to effectively contribute to the official peace negotiation. Government of India should be honest and sincere in its approach for long lasting peace in the region not piece meal approach, it mentioned.

Calling upon all the concerned in official peace negotiation to make the peace process transparent and keep space for people to take part in the process, the memorandum expressed fear that violent among or between ethnic communities may occur which is part of the ethnic clinching and crime against humanity.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/nedfs-memo-bats-for-transparent-peace-process/

IMPHAL, September 10: With the 7th Camp held at Wangjing Hodamba assisted by United Progressive Sporting Club on September 9, SKY Group of Hospitals, Manipur concluded the month long free medical and flood relief camps for people living along the course of Wangjing River which caused devastated flood recently.

These camps were conducted on request from the local clubs and public. The other six camps were held at Wangjing Heitupokpi assisted by Wanjing Heitupokpi United Progressive Union and Palli Bazar, Thoubal Sangaiyumpham assisted by Muslim Student Development Organizations on August 7, Wangjing Sokhai Leikai assisted by Youth Volunteer Association and Lamding Model School assisted by Enhancement Education Organization, Lamding on August 13, 2015, SSA School, Lamding Yelang Leikai assisted by Social and Cultural Association, Lamding on August 23 and Khangabok Part 3 assisted by Rising Union Club on September 2.

Altogether 1,953 patients were seen and free medicines were also distributed to them. In addition 1,222 families were provided with 3,000 kg of rice, 550 kg of dal, 22,000 litre of drinking water, 150 kg of cooking salt and 1,000 chlorine tablets.

Dr Lairikyengbam Shyamkishore, Chairman of SKY Group of Hospitals, who personally supervised these camps, asserted that he will continue providing such free medical and relief camps in other areas of the State on request from local clubs / NGO or public under the Corporate Social Responsiblity (CSR) of the hospital.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/monthlong-free-medical-flood-relief-camps-conclude/

IMPHAL, Sept 10: The UNC has said that it had declared severance of political ties with the State governemnt thereby demanded alternative arrangement pending the Indo-Naga political settlement.

A statment of the organisation replying to a statement of the Manipur deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam that the UNC had neither sponsored nor oppsoed the three bills and is kicking furore without understanding the three bills, said the UNC had neither been correspondent nor talking with the communal Government of Manipur.

It said on July 29, the UNC had on July 29 submitted a representation to the Prime Minister informing him that ` no issues or demands raised by other community(s) living in the present State of Manipur affecting or tending to affect the Naga position on Land, identity, history, culture, time honored institutions and political aspirations will be tolerated under any circumstances and urged the Government of India to expedite the Indo-Naga Peace Process with political will to its logical conclusion for lasting peace in the region`.

`We will neither compromise nor negotiate with our adversary that is going to affect the established position of the Nagas and also decided to struggle collectively till we achieve our long cherished political aspiration,` it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/unc-replies-to-dy-cms-statement/

KANGPOKPI, September 10: Dissented over the alleged `anti-tribal`™ Bills passed on August 31 by the State Assembly and the atrocity of State security force in gunning down nine tribal youths in Churachandpur, citizens of Kangpokpi area held a gargantuan rally today at Kangpokpi.

Around 5000 people from different parts of Kangpokpi area gathered this morning at Brig. Thomas Ground to hold one of the largest ever rallies in the area which was organized jointly by Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kuki Women Union Kangpokpi Block and Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization.

The rally began at around 11 am from Brig. Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi which tagged along the Trans Asian Highway and proceeded towards old Petrol Pump via IT Road and budged back towards upper Kangpokpi Bridge along the same route.

During the two hours long rally, all business establishments in the town were closed. Traffic movement was also halted till the rally was culminated.

The all-embracing rally yelled, `Ibobi Government `“Down, Down`, `Tribal MLAs-Shame, Shame`, `We condemn- the three Bills` throughout the rally in the town till it culminated at the relay sit-in-protest site in the heart of the town.

A public meeting held before the mammoth rally at Brig. Thomas Ground deeply mourned the tribal martyrs who died during the Churachandpur incident and observed a minute silence for them while strongly denouncing the alleged brutality of the State security force.

The huge mass also conveyed heartfelt condolence and share sorrows and pain of the bereaved families and injured victims who were inflicted injuries during the alleged justifiable protest against the anti-tribal bills.

Calling the tribal martyrs the `Tribal Heroes` a visibly emotional mother Themlhing, vice- president of Kuki Organization for Human Rights commented `Tribal heroes, you gave your today for our tomorrow`, while adding that the blood they shed is not in vain, it has painted our land with a colour of unity.

JAC Sadar Hills Convener and Co-Convener called for community unity in the public meeting while earnestly appealing to coordinate and streamline as well as success of the present movement headed by the tribal apex bodies through collective efforts.

The public meeting also hardheartedly deplored in the strongest terms the alleged deliberate and sinister design of the Manipur Government in attempting to forcefully invade and alienate the tribal ancestral lands.

It also solemnly agreed to endorse and reiterate the decisions taken by the tribal apex bodies.

Various speakers including several Sadar Hills CSOs leaders, social workers, church leaders, chiefs, etc. strongly opposed the three alleged `anti-tribal`™ bills while soberly condemning the Manipur Government for allegedly trying to annihilate the tribal`™s rights and privileged.

The rallyists holds placards reading, `Wake up Ibobi there are nine Robinhoods in the Hills`, `Rubber Bullets for valley and Real Bullet for Hills`, `Ibobi Govt. is Anti-Tribal`, `Ibobi Stop- Shoot, Kill & Invite for Talks policy- we know you inside out now`, `Tribal Heroes, You gave your Today for our Tomorrow`, `Memories of your sacrifice will never cease to linger in our minds`, `The blood you shed is not in Vain, it has painted our Land with a Colour of Unity` etc.

Speaking to media persons, Hahat Touthang, general secretary of KWU Sadar Hills lamented that during the ILPS agitation in Imphal for nearly three months only rubber bullets, tear gas and water were used to control the protestors but live bullet was used to control the tribal protestors in the hill districts of the state.

`Why live bullet was used to control the tribal protestors in the Hills?` asked a visibly frustrated Hahat.

The tribal mothers are restive and upset in all the hill districts of the State over the vindictive attitude of the Manipur Government, averred Hahat Touthang, adding that the tribal mothers are now fully prepared to protect and safeguard their children, land and rights.

The mammoth rally ended with a prayer.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/kangpokpi-rallies-against-antitribal-bills/

IMPHAL, September 10: Womenfolk of Poreikhongjil and nearby villages took out a protest rally led by the Poreikhongjil Apunba Nupi Lup today protesting the delay in rewarding punishment to the murderers of (L) Ibemhal.

The womenfolk who numbered more than 500 went upto Yairipok Bazar and later stormed the Andro Police Station demanding why the police have delayed delivering justice on the case although four accused have already been arrested.

Speaking to media persons, P Chaoba secretary of the JAC formed in connection with the alleged killing of Ibemhal said 66-year-old Kangbam (o) Ibemhal`™s dead body was found from inside her residence at Yairipok Poiroukhongjing Village under Andro Police Station on August 18 morning.

He identified the four accused arrested as Kangbam Taso, Ramkumar, Nilabira and Kangbam Birachandra alias Bera.

However, what is creating suspicion among the people is that the police are yet to identify the main accused of killing Ibemhal and at the same time the police have not released all the four arrested till date.

It is also unfortunate that reports are saying that families of the accused are trying to get bail for them.

On September 3, the court had remanded the accused to police custody, but they are still being lodged in the jail he lamented.

Meanwhile, the womenfolk of the area demanded life imprisonment for all involved in murder of women.

A public meeting was held later at Thambanu Market.

The JAC also decided to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister on the issue tomorrow. In case justice is not delivered at the earliest, the JAC with support of several organisations will launch various agitations, Chaoba said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/poreikhongjil-residents-demand-justice-in-ibehal-killing-case/

IMPHAL, Sept 10: Ram Muivah has joined as Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong today, according to an official statement of the NEC.

A Post Graduate in Management from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, Muivah belongs to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) 1985 batch and has worked in various capacities both in the Central Government as well as in State Government for 30 years., it said

In the Central Government, he has worked in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Urban Development as Director and later as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services from 2001 to 2006 and Joint Secretary and CVO, CPWD, Ministry of Urban Development from 2006 to 2008, it said.

It said in the Ministry of Finance, Muivah was responsible for supervision of management of Public Sector Banks and Financial Institutions; He served on the Board of Directors of United Bank of India and Indian Bank during 2001 to 2006.

In 2008, Muivah returned to Manipur where he held a number of positions including Principal Secretary Works, Transport, Health & Family Welfare, Agriculture, etc, it said.

He participated in the World Bank Conference on Credit Bureau Development in South Asia in Colombo, Sri Lanka from May 10 to 11, 2004 and presented a paper entitled `Credit Information & Banking Environment in India`. He has delivered talks at the National Institute of Finance & Accounts, New Delhi and at the National Institute of Entrepreneurship, NOIDA on financial inclusion and micro finance. His main areas of interest are finance, infrastructure, health, agriculture, education and development issues.

He received professional training on Policy Formulation in London 1999, Economic Development at the European Institute of Public Administration, Barcelona in 2000, Banking Crisis at IMF Institute, Singapore 2002 & 2004, Financial Industry Information Systems at FISC, Tokyo 2002 and Mid Career Training of IAS Officers in New York and Washington, 2014.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/ram-muivah-joins-as-nec-secretary/

IMPHAL, September 10: The MIP-NSCN/GPRN has said that the outfit is sure that the Nagaland Governor PB Acharya is totally misinformed or ignorant of the framework agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN on August 3. In a rejoinder to an earlier statement of the Governor of Nagaland and Assam PB Acharya said the Framework Agreement is the foundation upon which the edifice of solution will be built.

The agreement says that India and Naga will co-exist as two entities and that the question of merger of one with the other does not arise, it said.

`The Nagas are not looking for status in par with other communities within the parameter of Indian Constitution. Ours is not a domestic/law and order problem of India.`

`The agreement says it is a political problem that calls for political solution.`

It also says that the history and the situation of the Nagas is unique, which means Nagas have never been a part of the Union of India either by conquest or by consent, the rejoinder said.

The outfit`™s rejoinder said much against the spirit and letter of the agreement he also reiterated `no areas of other States will be lumped with Nagaland.`

`We believed he has made the statement without a second thought.`

`The Nagas have never ever grabbed even an inch of land from their neighbors rather our land has been divided into a number of pieces and taken by our neighboring States against the wishes of the Nagas,` it claimed.

`Division of Naga territory is one of the causes of the resistance movement. Peaceful and honorable solution will never be there so long as Nagas are kept divided. Territorial integration of the Nagas is a natural necessity, not a choice or demand,` it said.

It further retorted the statement of the Nagaland Governor that says `NSCN has given up the demand for a sovereign Nagaland.`

`The framework agreement says that according to the universal principle sovereignty lies with the people, not government. Therefore, the sovereignty of India lies with the Indian people and the sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people.` `However, there will be sharing of sovereign power for enduring peaceful co-existence of the two entities.`

`The Nagas will never accept any agreement that betrays their principle.`

`Seeking solution by suppressing the right of the Nagas is the seed of war, not solution.`

The representatives from all sections of Naga people wherever they are have unanimously approved and endorsed the framework agreement in their consultative meeting held on August 25, it said.

The following day on August 26, NSCN authorities and 60 members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly along with the two Members of Parliament (MP) had a historic open interaction on the August 3 framework agreement where they (NLA Members) too gave their high appreciation and support, it continued.

`The Nagas are now entering a new era where they will live with India and other neighboring people and nations on the basis of harmonious interdependent relationship. This is the era of the Nagas. No evil policy or deception strategy or coalition forces of the aggressors or power of the enemies of the Nagas will prevail anymore,` it concluded.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/nagaland-governor-misinformed-of-framework-agreement-nscn/