Manipur News

IMPHAL, January 30: A member of the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council (ADC) today escaped a life attempt bid this morning at Langol Game Village.

The ADC member has been identified as S Thangjamang Kipgen, 45, of Bongbal Khullen, Senapati district and presently staying at Langol Game village quarter zone-III (type 4).

He was shot at from point blank range but miraculously escaped with minor injuries.

Reports said that Kipgen was coming out to see off a guest after a brief meeting inside his quarter, however, as they reached the gates of his quarter, the guest whose identity could not be established at the moment, drew out a handgun and shot him several times.

A bullet chipped Kipgen`™s right shoulder before hitting his Bolero stationed nearby, while another bullet hit the front door of his residence.

Police reportedly recovered two live rounds and some empty cartridges of 9mm ammunitions.

Meanwhile, a team of Imphal West police led by the SP rushed to the area to take stock of the situation.

Members of Sadar Hills ADC have also vehemently condemned the attack on Kipgen and appealed to all concerned to shun violence and to solve any misunderstanding through peaceful negotiation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/sadar-hills-adc-member-escapes-lifebid-miraculously/

By Alex Guite

Lamka 29 January: An ANM nurse at the Post Partum Centre Family Welfare, Churachandpur for Maternal Termination of Pregnancy attached with the CCpur District Hospital had been actively counselling and convincing helpless women particularly on issues relating to abortion of unwanted pregnancy.

The nurse Mrs.Biaklun has been counselling women who come for abortion and convincing them to abort their plan and at the same time facilitated a shelter for the unwanted or unfortunate child on many occasions.

It has been found that a woman named Boicha had recently come to the hospital to abort her seventh pregnancy as she was already overburden and can`™t feed another baby as her husband was already dead.

Mrs Biaklun had after consultation with the DFWO Dr VC Pau Tonsing had convinced the woman to deliver the baby and even arranged for a home for the unborn child. This is but one of the six occasions when she has helped women specially patients of MTP.

The nurse also received an appreciation certificate due to her work and dedication from the DC Churachandpur Lunminthang Haokip during the recent 66th Republic Day celebration held at the Hiangtam Lamka public ground.

Colleagues of Biaklun also said that she has been actively volunteering herself in rendering service to the people like attending to the recent dog bite vaccination programme which often run till late in the night and also providing medicine on credit from her pharmacy to the needy people

Speaking to this correspondent, Biaklun said it is routine duty and her interest to help women in distress.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/ccpur-nurse-on-a-mission-to-save-unborn-infants-from-abortion/

DIMAPUR, Jan 30 (NNN): The arrest of PLA cadres revealed that the outfit had attempted to carry out serial blasts in Dimapur.

The Dimapur police said today that the bomb blast of January 5 in Dimapur was committed by Manipur based Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the culprits are now in the custody of the Dimapur police.

It said the two co-accused involved in the incident are active members of the PLA insurgent organization of Manipur. With the assistance of Manipur police, the two co-accused identified as Maibam Biren Singh, s/o M.Tomba from Sabungkhkok Makha Leikai, PO/PS- Lamlai, Imphal East (Manipur) and Katuncha @ M. Jiban Singh, s/o Priyo Kumar from Sabungkhkok Makha Leikai, PO/PS- Lamlai, Imphal East (Manipur) have also been arrested from Manipur and brought to Dimapur.

According to the police, the arrested accused persons revealed that the IEDs were meant for three locations in Dimapur `“ (1) the garbage collection area at Burma camp below fly-over, (2) the garbage collection area opposite Hotel Senti and (3) the DMC dustbin at Eros Lane junction (the P.O) where different dates were marked in the three IEDs, viz `“ 26/01/2015, 25/01/2015 and 06/01/2015.

In that bomb explosion at at Eros Lane junction near Wotsami Complex Dimapur one person was found lying injured. On conducting thorough examination of the place of occurrence, about 14 (fourteen) numbers of splinters were seized and one suspicious vehicle, Maruti 800 bearing registration number MN1A-4462 was found abandoned near the crime scene. During safety drill by BDDS Special Branch and Bomb Disposal Squad of the Indian Army 2 (two) nos of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) weight approx 3 Kgs each were found concealed in a plastic container with rice in the abandoned car. On the direction of superior officers and order of destruction from the District Magistrate, the seized IEDs were neutralized by the army and Dimapur police.

The injured accused person was identified as one Longjam Ojit Meitei (30 yrs) S/o L.Joykumar Meitei, P/A. Sabungkhok Makha Laikai, P/O. Lamlong, P/S. Lamlai (Manipur). On questioning, the accused person revealed that he is an active member of PLA, a banned organization of Manipur, and working under the command of one Nungthomba Ingo @ Krishna, SS Captain of PLA. He confirmed that he along with co-accused, one Maiban Biren Singh had come to Dimapur under the direction of SS Captain Krishna of PLA organization with 3(three) nos of IEDs to be planted at Diampur with an objective to disrupt the Republic day celebration but before the IEDs could be planted properly one of the IEDs exploited accidently injuring him seriously. He stated that after the blast his partner disappeared from the crime scene.

The police release said tat thorough interrogation was conducted and during which it was learnt that the three IEDs were received by Maibam Biren Singh from one unidentified lady of around 25 years of age and a man of around 45 years of age in an open ground near Saijang village, Manipur. The three IEDs were concealed in a black bag covered with cauliflower and mustard leaf vegetables. On January 5, around 5 am, accused persons Longjam Ojit Meitei and Maibam Biren Singh hid the IEDs in the tool box of one Tata truck and proceeded for Dimapur. However, the truck broke down near Lairouching under Senapati district and so they called up one Katuncha @ M. Jiban Singh , who was also an active member in the civil set up of the PLA to arrange for another vehicle, the police added. Accordingly, Katuncha @ M. Jiban Singh accompanied by a Mr. Elangbam Basanta brought the Maruti car bearing registration number MN1A-4462. The IEDs were were loaded in the Maruti car concealed in a plastic container covered with some rice and Longjam Ojit Meitei and Maibam Biren Singh proceeded to Dimapur. At around 8.30 pm, they reached Eros Line junction and Longjam Ojit Meitei took out one IED . When he was planting the IED inside the dustbin, he slipped and fell down and the IED exploded inflicting serious injury to Longjam Ojit Meitei in the explosion. Maibam Biren Singh tried to start the car, but not knowing how to drive, he could not start it. So, he came out of the car and checked his friend lying on the ground in the pool of blood and seeing people starting to gather he ran away. The same night, he caught a night bus and returned to Manipur, the police added.

Meanwhile, regular case has been registered vide Dimapur East PS C/No. 04/2015 U/S 121/120 B IPC R/W 3/4/5 Explosive Substance Act and further investigation is on.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/pla-cadres-held-for-attempting-serial-blasts-in-dimapur/

IMPHAL, January 30: The State government observed the Martyrs Day today commemorating the 67th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Memorial Hall.

However, the observation was led by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam in the absence of both the Chief Minister, who is said to be Delhi, and the Governor who too is out of station currently.

Gaikhangam led other ministers MLAs and State officials in offering floral tribute to the father of the nation.

Sirens or `warning signal`™ was sounded from 10:50 am till 11 am and again from 11:02 till 11:03 am.

Everyone attending the observation stood still and observed silence during the sounding of the sirens.

Gaikhangam told media persons on the sideline of another observation of the day at the Congress Bhavan, BT Road that the reported harassment of commuters in the name of risk to security forces at the Tengnoupal check post along the Imphal-Moreh highway is unfortunate.

It is their duty to check and frisk commuters, however, they cannot harass people, the State Home minister said.

In order to minimise the inconvenience of the commuters, the government, he said is planning to procure and install two X-ray Inspection Systems for security checking of transport and passenger vehicles along the highway.

He said the equipments would be installed once the government receives fund approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Gaikhangam also said that the Martyrs Day is being observed as a show of obeisance and respect to the father of the nation.

This will help in spreading Mahatma Gandhi`™s message of peace and unity to the masses, he said adding that the Mahatma was also a crusader of non-violence.

Mahatma Gandhi also crusaded for equality, Gaikhangam continued.

Meanwhile, Gaikhangam also reiterated his earlier stance that there have been no security lapses in the State despite of the recent blast series. He was replying to media queries on the law and order situation in the State.

He said all the blasts during the Republic Day observation were attempts of the armed outfits to make their presence felt.

Nevertheless all such violence are condemnable and regrettable, he said adding that the attack on AR personnel is also condemnable.

He further appealed to all to shun violence.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also observed the day at the Manipur Congress Bhavan today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/deputy-cm-leads-martyrs-day-observation-in-absence-of-both-governor-and-chief-minister/

IMPHAL, January 30: Reports of a mysterious disease having claimed the lives of 300 cows and 200 buffaloes in Senapati district published in various dailies proved to be unfounded after a team from the Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry conducted a spot enquiry, stated Dr Saidokhum Joute, the director of the Animal and Husbandry department. Speaking in a press meet at his office today, he said the investigative team was led by principal investigator Dr Ng Ibotombi and Pathologist Dr T Dorendrojit who went to various spots to investigate about the matter along with the help of various farmers, village chiefs and chairmen.

The director said the investigative team with the help of the Senapati veterinary joint director Dr K Gopal Singh looked for any traces of the disease at several areas but didn`™t come across any of the cattle because the farmers had sent off their cattle deep inside the hills and expected them to be back only in April. The investigative team also enquired about the carcass of any of the dead cattle so that they can collect blood samples for investigation but the farmers were unable to provide any dead cattle, he added.

Veterinary and Animal Husbandry minister Govindas Konthoujam also enquired to know how far the reports were true from the department as well as the local MLA Dr V Alexander Pao. However, the MLA also didn`™t have any knowledge of the veracity of the report but mentioned the deaths of four cattle due to the foot and mouth disease to the minister, he said.

He appealed to the farmers that if they detect any traces of illness by their cattle than as a first step they should report to the concerned department for treatment while also adding that preventive measures will be put in place by organising vaccinations programmes in the area.

According to principal investigator Dr Ibotombi, the investigative team rushed to the spot and met the farmers along with several village chiefs and chairmen to enquire about the deaths of many cattle from a mysterious disease reported in several newspapers.

He said they asked about any such instances at several areas in the district in the last few days but the farmers were not aware of any such cases in their villages. Dr Ibotombi also said the team gave the vaccination to prevent their cattle from any common diseases.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/reports-of-cattle-deaths-unfounded/

Kuki bodies raise collective voice against 8 Assam Rifles

IMPHAL, January 30: The post mortem examinations of the two killed in an alleged encounter by 8 Assam Rifles at Kadangband on the evening of January 28 have been conducted today as unclaimed bodies at the RIMS morgue in the presence of an executive magistrate with full video coverage.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the KSO General Headquarters have said in a joint statement that the two bodies condemn the Kadanban killing incident in which one civilian and 4 KNF cadres were shot dead by personnel of 8 AR on the night of January 28.

It said the 8 AR by blatantly labelling both the deceased as UGs is not telling the truth.

One of the victims, Khupneilal Neihsiel son of (L) Lallam Neihsiel of Kangchup Chingkhong was an innocent civilian, it said adding that he was the village authority secretary of his village and also the vice president of Kuki Inpi Twibul Lhang, and is known to everybody as an upright social leader.

The four KNF cadres had threatened him to drive them to their destination as he was one of the few people in the area who owned a vehicle, the statement said.

The other deceased, Robert Hesei Kipgen was the CAO of KNF which is under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the State and Central government, the statement said adding that his killing by the AR personnel, without any provocation on his part or from his men, is strongly condemnable.

The Kuki Inpi and the KSO support the stance of the JAC and urge the government to come into terms with their demand for the sake of truth, justice and peace, it said.

Our Kangpokpi Correspondent adds: Kuki civil society organisations in Sadar Hills including Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills today condemned the brutal killing of Khupneilal Neihsial and Robert Hesei allegedly by the 8 Assam Rifles at Khadangban on January 28 and conveyed their endorsement of JAC constituted against the killing.

Speaking to media person this evening at Kangpokpi Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills general secretary Sehjalien Gangte in the presence of Kuki Inpi Gunhom Lhang, Kuki Women Union Sadar Hills and Kuki Students` Organization Sadar Hills said that people of Sadar Hills are not happy with the killing of Khupneilal Neihsial and Robert Hesei by the AR while adding that all Kuki Civil Society Organizations condemned the unconstitutional act of the AR in the strongest term.

He continued that the Kuki CSOs in Sadar Hills endorsed the Joint Action Committee (JAC) constituted in connection with the alleged killing of Khupneilal Neihsial and Robert.

While urging the state Government and the authority concerned to take up speedy measures towards the magisterial enquiry demanded by the JAC so as to ensure delivery of justice on acceptable time.

The people of Sadar Hills will endorsed any further steps taken by the JAC in connection with the unsolicited killing he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/post-mortem-examination-of-kadangband-alleged-encounter-victims-conducted/

KANGPOKPI, January 30: All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) today asked MEELAL to promote and develop Meitei Mayek with positive intention.

Speaking to media persons at Kangpokpi, ATSUM president Emboi Serto said that we respect the noble efforts and struggle of MEELAL in developing Meitei Mayek.

However, we want MEELAL to take laudable measures in their efforts to develop Meitei Mayek so as to ensure that it is acceptable by all and nothing communal took birth in the development, Emboi added.

Coming straight to the point Emboi Serto further said that MEELAL should not make implementation of Meitei Mayek compulsory in Hill districts and to all tribal vehicles.

ATSUM is not against the efforts of MEELAL in developing the script said Emboi while cautioning that if any hill district vehicles or tribal vehicles face problems in valley for not using Meitei Mayek in their vehicles nameplate ATSUM will be compelled to restricted entry of any Meitei Mayek written nameplate in hill districts.

We asked MEELAL to make sure that their activists or volunteer do not disturbed the hill district or tribal vehicle while trying to develop the script in valley so as to avoid unsolicited atmosphere appeal Emboi.

Let the efforts and struggles of MEELAL in developing Meitei Mayek be positive not negative said ATSUM.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/atsum-asks-meelal-to-promote-meitei-mayek-with-positive-attitude/