Manipur News

IMPHAL, Jun 26: All Manipur Women`™s Social Reformation and Development Samaj (Nupi Samaj) celebrated its 39th Foundation Day today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound.

The function was attended by president of Nupi Samaj Keisham Taruni Leima; advisor of Nupi Samaj Hidangmayum Brojeshwari; president of Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL) Phanjoubam Shakhi Leima and president of All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi APunba Nupi Lup (Tammi-Chingmi) Soibam Momon Leima as presidium members.

Addressing the gathering, general secretary of Nupi Samaj Thokchom Ramani Leima stressed on the need for enactment of a policy by the government which will curb the ever rising crime and violence against women and give befitting punishment to perpetrators so that no one will dare to commit such act in future.

She said that Meira Paibis have been engaging in pertinent social issues and trying to protect the youths from wrongdoings which could create adverse affects in the society.

It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard innocent women and children who are the victims of the rampant crime and violence. Many women are forced to become prostitute to sustain livelihood of their families. The government should intervene into the issue and provide suitable job to them so that their modesty are not outraged in the society, she said.

As part of the programme, participants paid floral tribute to the deceased leaders of women`™s organizations, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/39th-foundation-day-of-nupi-samaj-celebrated/

IMPHAL, June 26: Imphal West district police commandos have arrested four cadres of the KCP-Mangal faction including the president of a powerful women organisation of the State during a counter insurgency operation conducted yesterday.

Several belongings of the outfit including a Chinese made hand grenade were also recovered following their disclosure, informed police sources.

The sources said, the militant cadres were arrested following a tip off about the presence of the KCP militants at different places.

According to police sources, the four have been identified as Universal Mothers Organisation president Moirangthem Sorojini Leima, 68 of Kangpokpi near Police Station and at present staying at Tampha Yumpham Lamboi Khongngangkhong; s/s covenor Yumnam Budhi Meitei, 55, son of (L) Y Mangal of Pallel Leima-ngai Chinghing; Hingdangmayum Premila, 40, wife of O Bige Sharma of Utlou Awang Leikai at present staying at Tampha Yumpham Lamboi Kongnangkhong and Arambam Sajan Meitei, 27, son of (L) A Kullamani Meitei Singh of Chingmeirong Lie-Ingkhol.

It is learnt that they were all arrested from Singjamei around 5:30pm yesterday.

The same source also said that police have recovered a computer set, a Chinese made hand grenade, seventeen letter heads of the outfit and three mobile handsets following their disclosure.

The items were recovered from different places at Pallel, Lamboikhongnangkhong and Keishamthong, informed the source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/umo-president-among-arrested-kcpmangal-cadres/

IMPHAL, June 26: The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture under the theme `Right to Rehabilitation, RTR` was held today at the Manipur Press Club.

The observation was jointly organised by the Women Action for Development (WAD), North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF), United NGO`™s Mission (UNM-M), Human Right Initiative (HRI) Domestic Violence Survival Forum (DVSF), Conflict Widow Forum (COWF) in collaboration with Community Based Organisations (CBOs).

Speaking at the function WAD secretary, Sobita Mangsatabam stated that the persistent rise in number of victims of torture by the armed cadres both of State or non-State actors is not a sign of good governance.

It is also clearly highlighted in International Humanitarian Law that the civilians are to be protected in any circumstances by both the parties but the situation is totally different in Manipur, she added.

Uncountable numbers of people have become victims of torture in many forms like assault, taking into custody, torture, forced starvation, etc, she said.

Victims continue to be haunted by the trauma they had faced during such torture, hampering their growth for life, Sobita continued.

However, till today the government authorities have failed to look into the grievances of such victims or come out to help them, she lamented.

There is no proper channel for delivery of justice to such victims, no financial aid, no proper facilities to rehabilitate them in the hospitals, no psychologists trained to help them, she continued.

She said that it would be a good idea for both the State and Central governments to look into the issue in a more serious manner and provide psychological counseling to the victims of torture.

She also added that until incidents of torture is completely checked; development could not be achieved in any form.

Sobita also called for such victims to come out and join hands with the others and fight for justice to overcome their obstacles.

Delivering the keynote address, WAD member Binita Soraisam said on December 12, 1997, the UN General Assembly had proclaimed June 26 as the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

This is the day where the people all over the world pay respect to those who have endured unimaginable torture, to speak up against the unspeakable and also a day dedicated in remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world.

The observation was also attended by Senior Citizen for Society Manipur president L Lalit Singh and North East Dialogue Forum, member, Kh Norendro Meitei.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/international-day-in-support-of-victims-of-torture-observed-in-state/

IMPHAL, June 26: An Improvised Explosive Device exploded, this early morning, inside a building located in the high security zone Governor Road which is guarded round the clock by State commandos and three companies of the 109 BN CRPF.

The blast which occurred at 5am damaged parts of the second floor and third floor of the building.

The IED, planted under the stairs connecting the second and third floors of the building, was fitted with a timer device.

The blast damaged the walls of the office of the M/S Shyama Power India Ltd which located next to the stairs and broke the building`™s window panes facing the Raj Bhawan.

The building is located opposite of the Raj Bhawan on the Governor`™s Road facing the Raj Bhawan walls.

Although, no one in the building were injured in the blast, a water tanker driver who was standing near the building was hit by broken glass on his right wrist.

The driver is identified as Thokchom Ibung Singh, 21, son of Th Sobha Singh of Itam Nungoi Mayai Leikai.

On the other hand, around 3pm today another IED was found planted near the gate of the MM Higher Secondary School, Wangkhei Wangkheimayum Leirak.

The IED planted inside a tin-fish can and placed inside a black plastic bag was found on the left side of the school gate.

According to the secretary of the school, he was also present inside the school campus with the teachers at the time, but came to know of the presence of the explosive only after media persons arrived with information of the explosive`™s presence.

The reporters said they were also informed on the phone about the IED, he continued.

With today`™s incident, there have been two such incidents of bomb threats made to the school, he continued.

The secretary also said that the school has not received any monetary demand from any UG group and it seems that it was an act to drive away students from getting admission in the school.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/ied-explodes-inside-governor-road-building/