Manipur News

IMPHAL, August 27: Two more volunteers of Democratic Students`™ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) Thoubal Branch, who launched hunger strike at Thoubal Wangmataba Devi Mandap in support of the mass movement demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the State, have been arrested by police today around 12.15 am.

The two arrested hunger strikers are identified as Moirangthem Roshini Devi, 16 (Class XI science student of Chouyaima Higher Secondary School) daughter of M Ingo of Wangjing Lamding Mamang Leikai and Laisharam Jiranjit singh, 20 (Bsc 5th semester student of Thoubal College/secretary organizer of DESAM Thoubal District Council) son of L Loken of Charangpat Mamang Leikai.

After they were pulled up from the hunger strike venue, another three volunteers of the students`™ body launched the stir at the same venue from this morning around 8.30.

They are identified as Arun Mayengba, 18 (social & culture secretary of Kha Manipur College, Kakching); Naorem Indrakumar, 17 (debate & extension secretary of Chouyaima Higher Secondary School Thoubal) and Waikhom Bidyaswor Singh, 16 (student of Little Star Higher Secondary School Thoubal Haokha).

According to the three new hunger strikers, they launched the fast unto death agitation against the repeated failure of the government to pass an acceptable bill to safeguard the indigenous people from the huge inflow of outsiders into the State.

Saying that the mass movement launched by the people had been sidelined by the government for the past many years despite launching different forms of agitation, the students pledged to carry on the stir till the proposed bill is passed by the government.

Altogether eight volunteers of DESAM Thoubal District Council have been arrested by police for launching hunger strike which started from August 19.

Also, a woman folk namely Heikrujam ningol Sorojini Leima, 50 daughter of Noyol Leima of Yairipok Laimanai, who started launching fast unto death agitation at Yairipok Laimanai Thongkhong endorsing the people`™s demand, has also been picked up by police after her health deteriorated.

She has been admitted to JNIMS Hospital for treatment.

On the other hand, a medical team looking after one Thangjam Memcha Leima, 55 wife of Shayambi Meetei, who also launched hunger strike agitation at SEDO Yairipok Bazaar from August 25 supporting the people`™s demand, has asked Yairipok Police to pick her up as her health condition has worsened.

Thangjam Memcha who hails from Yairipok Bishnunaha Awang Leikai, had launched the stir under the aegis of JCILPS Yairipok Wing.

Mass sit-in-protests are also being held in different parts of Thoubal district demanding introduction of ILPS or equivalent act in the State without further delay.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/another-three-hunger-strikers-pulled-up-more-desam-volunteers-join-stir/

IMPHAL August 27: The North East Dialogue Forum held a one day consultation programme on Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 and International Humanitarian Law at Classic hotel today.

Family members of victims of AFSPA narrated several testimonies of rights violation under the Act including death of minor in a landmine blast, kidnapping by militants, torture of minors by both State and non-State actors, shot death for un-established suspicions.

During their narratives, the families talk about the helplessness of a common man during times of conflict situation when a person`™s life is reduced to collateral damage.

The narratives of the families that were mainly from the very poor sections of the society were full of helplessness, injustice and trauma which have lingered on for even years after the incidents.

The families also highlighted their sadness against the apathy of the State government towards them and their desperation in seeking justice.

The speakers also highlighted several cases of high handedness of the Army under the guise of the AFSPA and the police who people wrongly conceive to be under the Act.

Advocates Nando Elangbam and Laimayum Serananda deliberated on the background context of the AFSPA.

They also cited several reports and observations which points to the illegal imposition and extension of the Act and how it contradicts the International Human Rights frameworks.

The advocates also lucidly explained how the AFSPA 1958 devalues the International Bill of Human Rights.

The International Bill of Human Rights includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights- which are all legally binding for the member States under the United Nations even in conflict situations, said Serananda.

NEDF convenor U Nobokishore explained the relation between AFSPA and the IHL.

He observed both the State and the non-State actors are violating the provisions of the IHL in Manipur.

He further cited several incidents in support of his observation.

He also talked about the attitudes of the Army exercising excess power within the protection of AFSPA 1958.

All such experiences amounts to not merely violation of our rights but also absence of any humanitarian safeguard in our conflict situation, he remarked.

During the convention some well-known personalities like Priyadarsni Gangte, Radhepriya, W Jamini and Sitaram Begum also spoke.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/families-of-afspa-victims-speak-of-helplessness/

IMPHAL, Aug 27: The Co-ordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur endorses the nationwide strike on September 2 imposed by the Central Trade Unions (CTUs) stated L Sotin, secretary AITUC during a press conference held at the Electricity Department, Complaint Room, Keishampat today.

The strike is call against the labour policy of the Union government which will also cover public and private sectors including banking and railways he added.

The NDA government led by Narendra Modi with its anti-labour and anti-people policies victimised the labour, against which the CTU has called a nationwide strike on September 2 he continued.

The Modi government during its one year in office is making the rich get richer and the poor poorer, he said citing that labour laws were being amended to empower the employers with unfettered rights to `hire and fire.`™

The life of the workers, labourers, farmer`™s right to livelihood are being drastically curbed and curtailed he lamented.

`We are working for the welfare of the workers and we stand for the workers`™ stated Sotin.

It may be mentioned that the demands of charter submitted to the union government has been backed by 11 trade unions including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, TUCC, UTUC, AICCTU, BMS, HMS, AIUTUC, SEWA, LPF and All India Federation of Banks, Insurance, Defence Railway, Central and State government`™s employees and other services establishment.

The demands submitted to the Union Government include repeal of labour law amendments, positive action on 10-point charter of demands put forth by trade unions, minimum wage of Rs 15,000 to workers from unorganized sector, an end to contract system, equal benefits to contract workers on a par with permanent workers and mandatory benefits like bonus, PF, gratuity to workers from all segments, a ban on FDI in railway, defence, power and Insurance sector and other public sector enterprises and more fund allocations for MGNREGA, to regularize the contract basis workers and also to increase honorary bonus for the workers, should give social security for the workers and also to construct proper road connecting the neighboring states.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/trade-unions-of-manipur-endorse-nationwide-general-strike-on-sep-2/

IMPHAL, August 27: Five student hunger strikers including four volunteers of the JCILPS Student Wing and one from DESAM Thoubal Unit escaped this morning around 11 from the Children Home Shamaram Khongjom where they were kept under observation after being picked up by the concerned authorities for launching fast onto death agitations demanding ILPS in the State.

Soon after reaching Imphal the four JCILPS SW volunteers joined other hunger strike volunteers in front of the Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School, while the DESAM volunteer identified as class XII Sc student of Francier Higher Secondary School Moirangthem Arundash Singh son of M Sarat Singh joined the hunger strike in front of the DESAM office.

The four volunteers of the JCILPS Student Wing are identified as class X student of Lamlong Higher Secondary, Thongam Malemnganba Meitei son of Th Amuba; class IX student of Eastern Ideal School, Thingujam Ricky Singh, son of Th Dhiren Singh; class XII Sc student of Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Irom Jotinkumar Singh, son of I Dinachandra and class XII Arts student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, Shamurailatpam Sushil son of Sh Khogendro Sharma.

Speaking to media persons one of the student volunteers said they were kept at the Khongjom Home and escaped by jumping down from the first floor.

He said after walking on foot for about six kilometres, they were helped by a man to reach Imphal.

Meanwhile, around 300 women of Lairikyengbam Leikai staged a sit in protest demanding implementation of the ILPS and punishment of the police involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood.

Meanwhile, residents of Nongmeibung area today caught a man around 8pm today for suspiciously moving around the Ananda Singh Academy School where student volunteers were on hunger strike.

The man identified as Kh Tompok Singh, 44, said to be the secretary of the All Backward Classes and Economic Development Organisation and NGO running the Khongjom Home from where the student volunteers escaped this morning.

Speaking to media persons, Tompok said around noon today, he found five students, who were put in his Children Home by the authorities, missing.

And when he informed the families of the student volunteers he was told that the students were at the Ananda Higher Secondary Academy continuing their hunger strike.

He then informed the Social Welfare department and reported the missing students to the Thoubal Police, he claimed.

After that he had come to check on the students when he was grabbed by the public.

Meanwhile, Fasting Students Protection Committee treasurer L Hemochandra said he will be handed over to the police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/more-student-hunger-strikers-escape-from-children-home/

IMPHAL, August 27: BJP Manipur Pradesh has submitted a memorandum to the State government to take a resolution on the demand for restoration of Scheduled Tribe status for the Meiteis, Meitei pangals, Meitei Bamols and others, according to its president Th Chaoba.

Chaoba told media persons that the Centre had already asked the State government to submit its decision on the matter, which the State has failed to do so for the last three months.

He said the BJP Manipur Pradesh is ready to provide all assistance in pushing for the demand if the government takes a resolution on the demand in the State Assembly.

Once the demand gets a nod from the State Assembly and moved to the Centre for approval, the BJP Manipur Pradesh is ready with all assistance, he said.

Any objection to the process of restoration of ST status to the communities of Manipur would be a violation of the Indian Constitution, he continued.

He said authentic documents like the Census of India 1891 a general report, Census of Assam 1901 volume-I, Census of India 1931 volume-I, Imperial Gazette of India Provisional Series, Eastern Bengal and Assam 1909, Descriptive Ethnology of Bengal 1872, the India Census Ethnography 1901-1931 and the North and North-Eastern Frontier Tribe of India mentioned extensively about Manipuris as a tribe.

Since the matter is of great public importance, the BJP Manipur requests the State government to get a resolution of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on the issue, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/bjp-manipur-supports-st-restoration-demand/

IMPHAL, August 27: The ongoing movement demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in the State has witnessed 68 hunger strikers including student volunteers from Imphal West district alone.

Imphal East has witnessed 31 volunteers launching similar strikes.

In Thoubal district, 11 volunteers have undergone hunger strikes, three in Nambol, seven in Yairipok and one in Moirang.

Eight new volunteers also launched their strikes today.

At Thangmeiband Waiting Shed opposite to THAU ground, the three hunger strikers Shamurailatpam Dhananjoy Sharma, 43, son of (L) Sh Gourachandra Sharma; Aribam Ibomcha, 25, son of (L) A Brajamani and Salam Arun, 48, son of S Jugeshwor suspended their strike with 29 local clubs deciding to hold relay hunger strike at the venue.

After the three suspended their strike, two new strikers identified as Senjam Manitombi Devi, 75, wife of (L) S Iboyaima Singh of Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai and Hajarimayum Lika Devi 25, daughter of (L) H Indramani Singh of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai came out this morning around 10 to continue with the strike.

They will be conducting their strike for 24 hours after which they will be replaced by another set of hunger striker.

At Chingmeirong, Manju Moirangthem, daughter of M Gojen and Binica Lourembam daughter of Bhogen Singh who had started their strike since August 24 were picked up by the concern authorities today following which Assem Gomti Devi 50, wife of A Romeshwor Singh of Chingmeirong Maning Leikai came out to replace them around 4:30pm today.

Takhellembam Lenin 19, son of (L) T Dhamendra Singh and Aheibam Premchand Meitei 11, son of A Muhindro Meitei also launched hunger strikes at Takyel Kolom Leikai today.

Three DESAM Thoubal unit volunteers also launched hunger strikes this morning.

The three are identified as BA 1st semester student of Kha Manipur College Arun Mayengbam, 18, son of M Rajen; class XII student of Chouyaima Higher Secondary School Naorem Indrakumar Singh, 17, son of N Mani and Little Star Higher Secondary School student Waikhom Bidyashwor Singh 16, son of W Sanatomba.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/thangmeiband-clubs-begin-joint-relayhunger-strike/

Chandel, Aug 27: Anal Students`™ Union Chakpikarong branch has appeal for construction of a suitable bridge in place of the RCC bridge, which collapsed in the heart of Chakpikarong Bazar, that would join the two sides of the town which in turn would helped address not only problems of the suffering students who are unable to attend their schools but also problem of the general public, that has been afflicting the residents since July 31 when the Bridge was damage in the flood.

President of the Union Ruwngwar Wangshol while talking to this reporter informed that due to the collapsed of the bridge several school students have been severely affected because there is no other alternate route to be taken to reach their respective schools.

He said that even though locals had raised a temporary link made of bamboos and woods, all kinds of vehicle including bicycles cannot cross it. Saying it was also not traversable for the school going kids or children, the president appeal the state government to initiate immediate action in the interest of the general public in general and student`™s community in particular.

He also informed that the locals without any assistance from the government have started to construct a motorable/truckable road to connect the two sides of Chakpikarong bazaar, by utilizing two JCB and more than 10 trucks.

The president also extended gratitude to all individuals and organisations for extending help in cash and kinds to the flood affected people of Chakpikarong area.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/lack-of-bridge-deprives-students-of-going-school-body-appeals/

IMPHAL, August 27: The All Manipur Students`™ Union- one of the oldest student body in the State observed the 50th Hunger Marches Day popularly known as the `Chaklam Khongchat`™ today reminiscing the August 27, 1965 mass movement and protest against an artificial famine like situation in the State.

The day`™s observation began since early morning with hymns in the name of the four martyrs who lost their lives during the movement being offered at the memorial site at Pishum (Ching Macha).

Later during the formal observation, a large number of people including students offered floral tributes to the portraits of the four at their memorial site.

As part of the observation, a huge public meeting was also organised at the Multipurpose Hall of Manipur College, Imphal chaired by former president AMSU L Sharatchandra, with AMSU president S Subhaschandra, associate prof Economics, Manipur College L Gojendro and North East Students`™ Organisation general secretary S Prakash attending as president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking on the sideline of the event, secretary general AMSU Manjit Sarangthem said the artificial famine like situations have been witnessed twice in the State- the first instance in 1939 before independence and the second in 1965 after independence.

He said the hunger marchers`™ day is observed to commemorate the incident of 1965 during which four persons lost their lives.

He continued, although we could have learnt from the past instances, we are yet to become selt-reliant and self-dependent.

The State still hasn`™t achieved status of being self-sufficient of food grains, he added.

Whenever, there are blockades on the two national highways which are acting as lifelines of the State, we face food constrains, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/hunger-marchers-day-observed/