Manipur News

IMPHAL, Nov 17: Cross Examination of Prosecution Witness (PW) no. 48 in connection with the ongoing trial against the UNLF chairman, RK Meghen alias Sanayaima was held today at the Special Court of the NIA in Guwahati.

The PW, Superintendent of NIA SP Satya Prakash Panir, also the last Investigation Officer of the case, deposed before the Court yesterday by submitting an eleven pages statement before the Court.

Senior Advocate, H Chandrajit Sharma, conducted the cross examination of the PW.

The UNLF leader along with his associates, also physically appeared before the Court.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/pw-crossed-examined-in-meghens-case-2/

IMPHAL, November 17: Ambassador of Norway to India, Ambassador of China to India, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, a Minister and a first Secretary from the Japanese Embassy and a Minister Counsellor from Indonesia have given their confirmation to attend the upcoming Sangai Festival.

Informing this to media persons at a press meet held this afternoon Chief Secretary O Nabakishore further said cultural troupes from Thailand, two artisans from Sri Lanka and president of Rajabhat University of Surin province in Thailand have also given their confirmation to attend the festival.

DoNER secretary Naveen Verma has also confirmed to visit Manipur during the fest. He will come on November 23 and will return the next day, he said.

Commerce secretary Rita A Teaotia will also visit here on November 24 and will return back the next day.

Some new items in the list which have been added this year include the huts showcasing the lifestyles and culture of various ethnic tribes of the State, an International Film Festival at MFDC and Shumang Leela programmes at Iboyaima Sumang Leela Sanglen, the Chief Secretary said.

Shillong Choir from Meghalaya; Tetseo Sisters from Nagaland will also be performing during Sangai fest, he said.

In the exhibition gallery, artifacts and photos of the World War II will also be displayed.

Nabakishore said chief secretaries of all the North Eastern States of India have been invited on November 24. There will be a conference on how to develop trade between India and Myanmar on this day, he added.

Teams from USA, UK, Australia and Thailand will play in the International Polo tournament which will commence from November 22.

The Governor of Manipur will be the chief guest of the inaugural function of Sangai Festival on November 21 and Chief Minister of Manipur will be the chief guest of the closing function, he said.

He also informed that Sanjenthong will be inaugurated tomorrow morning.

Tourism secretary Nidhi Mani Tripathi supplementing to the Chief Secretary said there will be theatre festival at Maharaj Chandrakirti Auditorium from November 22 to 28 where Manipur’s dance drama the dancing dear known as Keibulamjao will be displayed.

There will be cultural programme exhibiting in the main campus at Hapta Kangjeibung during day time from 2 pm to 4:30 pm.

There will be around 286 stalls, out of which 38 stalls have been dedicated as food stalls, 15 to 20 stalls have be allotted to the government departments and sponsors who are partnering with the Tourism department, she informed.

There will be a cycle rally tomorrow or day after tomorrow for publicity under the theme “Go Green,” she added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/national-and-foreign-dignitaries-have-confirm-attendance-at-sangai-fest-cs-2/

IMPHAL, Nov 17: The All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) appeals to RIMS authorities to avoid corruption in selection of certain posts which are called by the medical institute recently.

A press release by the Unions publicity secretary L Surbala mentions that RIMS needs to streamline its workings for better administration and helping the public effectively. Some individuals who are close to the top officials of the Institute are working for their personal profits and forgetting that RIMS is a hospital in the first place. Stating that the recent selection of audio – visual technician, dark room assistant, carpenter, junior technical assistant, plumber, assistant electrician on November 5 and 6 last, was a farce and the selection has been made entirely on how much the candidates are offering as bribe.

Such practices are rampant in the Institute’s administration and this needs to be checked by the incumbent director and medical superintendent , it said. Asking whether the rules laid down in the selection process as per directive made on October 7 last, notice number B/2287/2012/2012-RIMS is followed remains to be seen and AMSU will scrutinize the results. If any malpractice , favouritism is found in the selection, then the Union will take up stringent measures against the officials of RIMS, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/amsu-issues-rider-to-rims-regarding-selection-process-2/

IMPHAL, November 17: Chief Secretary O Nabakishore today appealed to the people and all concerned against imposing undue bandhs, blockades and bans on national and other development projects in the State as this hinders development in the State.

The Chief Secretary today flagged off the Indian delegate for the 2nd BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar) Economic Corridor Forum from Old Secretariat. The ceremony was organised by the North East Federation on International trade (NEFIT).

The Economic Corridor Forum will be held from November 23 to 25 in Chengdu at Sichuan Providence, China.

The team comprises of 13 members and will be travelling by bus all the way to Mandalay, Myanmar from where they would enter China through the Muse-Ruili Border Point and travel to the city of Baoshan in Yunnan province.

The theme of the forum for the year 2015 will be “Strengthen the Co-operation of Intercity Economic and Trade, Promote the Prosperity of the BCIM Economic Corridor”, which was organized by North East Federation on International Trade (NEFIT).

Speaking to media persons on the sideline, Nabakishore said the delegates are mostly businessmen and entrepreneurs from different States.

He said that the benefits of opening the Trans Asian Highway and Kunming-Kolkata Project which is on the pipeline, will top the agenda of the forum adding that these projects if successful would open whole new business opportunities.

Nevertheless, he observed that the people must find ways to grab the opportunities that would eventually come along with the international projects.

Assistant secretary, Manipur Chamber of Commerce Thokchom Jotin said that the Indian team will be participating for the first time under the aegis NEFIT. The team will move along Moreh-Tamu (Indo- Myanmar) road and will travel till Mandalay.

From there they will travel to Muse and Sino- Myanmar border and later enter into China through the Muse-Ruili border point and travel all the way to the city of Baoshan.

This initiative will be supported by the Municipal Government of Baoshan, said the secretary and added that NEFIT has planned this initiative in line with the “Act East” policy of the Government of India.

The opening up of the land routes connecting India to the South East Asian nations will play an important role in turning the region into a business hub, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/cs-appeals-against-bandhs-and-blockades-2/

IMPHAL, November 17: With the aim to ease traffic congestion during the much awaited Manipur Sangai Festival 2015 from November 21 to 30, the Transport director has imposed certain traffic regulations and declared parking lots in and around the main Venue of the festival at Kangjeibung.

The traffic regulations will be with effect from November 19 and continue till November 30.

According to an official order, Lamlong Bridge will act as entry and exit point for both commercial and private/ public vehicles, whereas at Minuthong and Old Thumbuthong only two wheelers and Light Motor Vehicles will be allowed entry and exit (excepting Sangai festival related vehicles viz transportation of stall materials, SLF Ferry buses and security vehicles, etc at Minuthong).

The Sanjenthong, which will be inaugurated tomorrow ahead of the festival, will be one-way traffic system for LMVs and two-wheelers with vehicles allowed to move from west to east (excepting VVIP/VIP and emergency service/ security vehicles).

The New Thumbuthong (Loklaobung) and the Singjamei Bridge will act as entry and exit for both commercial and private/ public vehicles, the order said.

In Imphal East, heavy vehicles including passenger transport service vehicles will be diverted from Kongba Junction towards Ayangpalli Road or Kongba Nandeibam Leikai, Singjamei Road; from Yonglan Leirak East junction towards Kongba or Porompat sides along Ayangpalli Road; from Porompat Traffic point towards Kongba side or Lamlong side along Ayangpalli road; from Lamlong bazar towards Lamlong Bridge, Dingku Road or Ayangpali Road.

In Imphal West, heavy vehicles including passenger transport service vehicles will be diverted from Moirangkhom Bazar Traffic Point towards Singjamei side or Krishna Premi Oil City, Moirangkhom side; from North AOC towards Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak, Lamlong Bridge; from Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak towards Lilashing Khongnangmakhong, Watham Leirak Thanqmeiband side.

Both sides of the roads between Sanjenthong to Thangal General Statue Traffic Island, between Thangal General Statue Traffic Point to. Minuthong and along the lane from Advance Hospital to Harikhagok Makhong Crossing will be no parking zones.

Parking lots have been identified at Andro parking (subject to reservation of parking space for SLF Ferry Buses), Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi, NSK Club, Wangkhei road, Archaeology plot on Wangkhei Road, Ningthem Pukhri Mapal whole circle, Ramji Prabhu School, Ningthem Pukhri mapal, RDS School and Wangkhei Girls H/Schooi (New Model School).

The MFDC complex and the MB College campus will act as parking space for security officials and the City Convention Centre and CC Higher Secondary School campus will act as parking for official and media (with valid car passes).

Parking for VVIPS like chief guests, high dignitaries, delegates etc will be at the Western Lane of Hapta Kangjeibung from north to south along BOAT shall be used for parking since they will be driving inside upto the BOAT. If required, the campuses of Iboyaima Shanglen as well as that of Art and Culture Auditorium may be used, it said.

Further according to the order, only vehicles of additional CS and above ie Governor, Manipur CM, Manipur Deputy CM, all ministers/ parliamentary secretaries, MLAs, official delegates shall be allowed entry from Lamyanba Pakhangba for proceeding to BOAT.

Intermediate public transport vehicles including Diesel Autos should take right turn from the main road (Kangla Road) and on entering M-Sector’ by lane proceed towards Governor Road/Paona Bazar via Fire Bridge Road as part of traffic arrangement in connection with the International Polo Tournament 2015 (Nov 22 to 29 excepting Nov 28).

Further no parking of vehicles other than VVIPs/VIP, Organisers and invitees etc (with Car passes) will be allowed at Pologround Maning parking, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/traffic-regulations-imposed-to-ease-vehicular-congestion-during-sangai-festival-2/

IMPHAL, November 17: Atleast one personnel of the Assam Rifles was killed and two others grievously injured in a militant ambush in Old Samtal area of Chandel district.

The ambush comes just five months after the deadly June 4 Paraolon ambush which left 18 Assam Rifles personnel dead and several injured.

Defying the ‘night curfew’ imposed by the Army and Assam Rifles since mid October along the highly porous Myanmar border to check militant activities, a patrolling party of the 3 Assam Rifles was ambushed today in the interior area of Chandel district near old Somtal by heavily armed insurgents.

Sources said the attack occurred at around 3 pm and continued till late night, leaving one Assam Rifles personnel dead and two others grievously injured.

There may be more injuries, but reports on the number of injured remain sketchy at the time of filing this report.

It is learnt that the Assam Rifles troopers were conducting a detailed patrolling in the area between border pillar number 59 and 60 at around 3 pm today.

The patrol party numbering around 40 personnel were moving amidst the thick jungle terrain, when all of a sudden, automatic gunfire broke out aimed at the front of the patrolling party.

The 3 AR party was heavily ambushed by well armed militants using sophisticated weapons including grenade launchers, according to the source.

As the Assam Rifles personnel also took cover, there was heavy exchange of gunfire between the two sides which continued for hours.

As the said area is located more than 8 hours from the Assam Rifles headquarters, moving in swift additional reinforcements to the attack spot was logistically un-feasible, according to a source.

It is learnt that the two injured Assam Rifles personnel are being brought back along the jungle track which is not motorable.

It is also learnt that the attackers later retreated into the jungle and crossed the Myanmar border afterwards.

At the moment, there is no claim from any particular insurgent group but the area of operation is mainly dominated by some valley based underground organizations and NSCN (Khaplang).

The Paraolon ambush was carried out by a joint team of the NSCN (K), KYKL ad KCP which are members of the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW).

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/militants-defy-nightcurfew-kills-ar-trooper-in-chandel-ambush-2/

IMPHAL, Nov 17: The Tribal Research Insitute, Manipur is organising the 4th State Level Tribal Cultural Festival on November 18 and 19 at its office complex, Chingmeirong Imphal.

The inaugural function will be attended by Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam and Parliamentary Secretary, Victor Keishing, as the chief guest, president and guest of honour.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/4th-state-level-tribal-cultural-fest-from-nov-18-2/

IMPHAL, November 17: The Assam Rifles had written the letter to the editors of five media houses of Nagaland on October 24, highlighting the fact that NSCN (K) has been notified as an Unlawful Association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and amplified some of the clauses of the Gazette Notification which have its own legal implications.

A copy of the MHA notification was enclosed with the letter, according to a press release of the IGAR (N).

Assam Rifles in no way have issued any “gag order” on the press.

The Editors were requested to publish articles of NSCN(K) in consonance with the Act quoted above, it said.

Publishing an “Extortion Notice” of a “Banned Organisation” against business establishments is akin to abetting the “Banned Organisation” in collection of funds which will be used to carry out subversive activities against the govt agencies and Security Forces, it said.

If Media Houses feel it is correct to issue them to public through their medium it’s their call, and answer the Press Council of India for violation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.

The Media Houses are free to publish any article about the NSCN(K) organisation which would add to the Peace Process, air their opinion about the Security Forces and their conduct of operations. At no stage has the Media been asked to dilute their free reporting. The contents of the advisory making the Media Houses aware of the MHA Notification and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act are being deliberately misinterpreted.

The intent of the letter was to prevent contact of NSCN (K) with the public for conveying their “Extortion Demands” or “Extortion Threats” through a medium of mass communication, it said.

The sequence of events over the past couple of days appears to be a well-conceived plan by vested interests to use the press and muzzle the voice of the Assam Rifles, which is the only organisation having faced the full brunt of terrorist actions and achieved tangible results against a terrorist organisation, it said.

Even today, as in the past, the editors are free to publish any press release they receive from NSCN(K), however, it would not be possible for them to feign ignorance of the MHA notification declaring NSCN(K) a banned terrorist organisation and any consequent legal repercussions leading to it, it said.

It is their moral call to unleash “Extortion Demands” and “Self Proclaimed Killings/ Threats” of NSCN(K) to the Naga civil society from their esteemed Media Houses, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/ar-replies-to-nagaland-editors-statement-2/

IMPHAL, Nov 16: MLA of Langthabal constituency Karam Shyam has said that there will not be considerable development in the State if helpless and differently abled persons are brought into politics.

He was speaking during inauguration of the 10-day 5th Differently Abled Residential Cricket Coaching Camp organized by Disable Development Association Manipur at Sawongbung Awang Leikai today.

Karam Shyam asserted that differently abled persons should not be victimized instead they must be provided with the benefits and schemes they deserved for equality in the State.

He appealed to the differently abled person to put up their demands and raise the issues confronting them in the coming winter session of Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Differently abled persons who confined in houses due to social stigma should be encouraged and brought in the mainstream like any other normal person. The Social Welfare Department should come up with initiatives to uplift differently abled persons, the MLA continued.

Social worker from Wangoi, Kh Loken and Captain of 12 Bihar Regiment, Prasant Kuri attended the inaugural function as president and guest of honour respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/mla-karam-shyam-bats-for-upliftment-of-disabled-persons/