Manipur News

BISHNUPUR, September 18: Reacting against an alleged assault of some students of Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School on September 17 by a group from Moirang, a sit in protest was staged today at Kwakta Bazar.

The students and locals participating in the protest also took out a rally demanding punishment of the culprits and resignation of the school principal charging that the incident occurred inside the school premises.

The rally was taken along the Tiddim Road from Kwakta Bazar and returned to the bazar area.

Sources informed that yesterday after the second class of the day, a group in civilian dress led by a person identified as Ajit came to the school to meet a candidate of the school students’ union election.

Ajit and his group stopped a group of students coming towards the urinal and started asking questions, and when the group of students failed to properly reply to his questions, the group slapped one of the students, informed a source.

Later Ajit and his group were seen enjoying a Vishwakarma puja celebration at Moirang Lamkhai bus parking.

Meanwhile, the group of students returned at Moirang Lamkhai in an auto while some of their family members came in a car and fought with Ajit and his group, sources said.

By-standers who tried to intervene were also injured in the fight, Moirang OC S Surjaboro told media persons.

On the other hand, a JAC formed at Kwakta in connection with the incident said after the incident near the school urinal, the group of students had gone inside their class, however, Ajit and his group came back in an inebriated manner and shouted that they are waiting for the students.

The JAC also alleged that the group had assaulted several students at Moirang Okshongbung near Citizen Club resulting in many of them being hospitalised at Churachandpur District Hospital.

One of the injured was later referred to Shija hospital, the JAC said.

The JAC has demanded that the school should be closed down until an amicable solution is brought to the incident, the government should bear the medical expenses of the injured and the school election should be postponed.

Unless the demands are met by September 22, the JAC will launch severe forms of agitations from September 23, the JAC warned.

Meanwhile, Moirang OC Sujaboro also said that four persons of whom three turned out to be minors have been picked up by the police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/sit-in-protest-at-kwakta-against-students-assault/

IMPHAL, September 18: The people of Thanga have groomed themselves to the ways of rural tourism as an alternative means of survival ever since the State government started dismantling and evacuating fishers dwelling huts on Laktak Lake.

Encouraging this trend, the Loktak Eco-Tourism Development Organisation, Thanga is organising a four-day training programme on “Home stay and destination tourism development.”

The programme was inaugurated today at the Yuva Hall, Thanga Ngaram.

The training will be conducted by Held Tourism, Kolkata director Supratim Raj Basu and Shishir Adhikari Guwahati as trainer.

Speaking at the inaugural function as a special guest, social worker RK Shivachandra said rural tourism is a viable alternative means of survival for the people of Thanga who have survived on fishing.

Since cleansing of phumdis started in the lake, fishing is no longer a viable option for the people, he said.

Now, this has opened up an opportunity for the people in rural tourism, he said.

Every tourist or visitor of the State never leaves without a visit to the Loktak Lake, he elaborated.

If the people of Moirang and Thanga are unable to cash in on this, then it would mean the people are unable to take benefit of India’s Look East Policy, he said.

It seems that the government is unable to realise that the beauty of Loktak Lake lies in the phumdis and clearing up the phumdis by spending such huge amounts of money is unfortunate, he said.

Shivachandra opined that before taking up such process, the government should have closely observed how beautification process of such fresh water lakes is conducted in the neighbouring countries.

He observed, the Inland Lake of Myanmar is beautiful because of its phumdis and even 5-Star hotels are built on the Lake, making it a main tourist attraction.

By encouraging rural tourism, the people can promote our culture, tradition and heritage, he said.

Loktak Eco-tourism Development Organisation, Thanga general secretary Ak Biren said since the clearing up of the phumdis and dismantling of fishers’ dwelling huts, the number of fishers in the lake has gone down by more than 30 percent.

Many of the former fishers have started working as hired labour for their daily bread, he said.

The rural tourism scheme of home stay has given new hopes to the people of Thanga, he continued.

During the training programme, locals will be taught on hospitality, manners to treat the tourist and how to welcome people, he said before expressing that there is no other option than rural tourism for the people of Thanga.

Supratim Raj Basu said the basic points to be ensured in a village to promote rural tourism is that the village should be plastic free-zone, intoxication free and locals should promote eco-tourism.

He said like rooms are properly managed in 5-star hotels, the villagers should also be able to managed 50 houses for 50 tourists.

The village should be attractive to the tourist and the houses should be hygienic and clean, he said.

People from big countries will be come to absorb the culture and scenic beauty of Manipur and its Loktak Lake, once word goes out, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/thanga-public-find-alternative-to-fishing-in-rural-tourism/

IMPHAL, September 18: Many have condemned the September 17 evening bomb blast at Ukhrul town which left two dead and others injured.

The United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union and the All Naga Students’ Association have issued a joint press release condemning the blast.

Sosonao Tangva, daughter of Wungpam and AS Dinah, former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long, both of Nungbi Khullen were killed in the blast.

Ukhrul had been recently in the news over a series of violent incidents starting from the killing of ADC member Ngalangzar Malue near Finch Corner, Ukhrul leading to the arrest of NSCN (IM) cadres and imposition of CrPC Sec 144.

A public rally was held on August 30 to protest the enforcement of the town by State security forces, during which two protestors were killed in police firing. This was followed by indefinite blockades and two simultaneous ambushes on State security personnel returning from Ukhrul killing one personnel and injuring two others.

The joint statement of the Naga bodies said, “A young girl, full of plans and promises for the future and a valued member of the community, who had given leadership to society in her time have fallen prey to an act of terrorism, which is alien to Naga culture and way of life.”

Any form of terrorism, be it by State or no-State actors is most condemnable, it said.

The statement further made “a clarion call for collective vigilance and the conscientious involvement of each and every Naga to weed out such destructive acts and perpetrators from our society.”

The UNC, NWU and ANSAM reach out through this joint public statement to the bereft parents, siblings, children, relatives and friends of the dear departed Sosonao and Dinah with our heartfelt sympathies and condolences, it said.

The United NGOs Misssion-Manipur has also condemned the blast and said it sincerely extend its solidarity to the departed souls and bereaved family members.

During the last couple of months, during to an ensuing conflict, altogether seven persons have been killed in Ukhrul district alone, it said.

While asserting that planting a bomb at a public place is extremely serious concern for all, it said a bomb does not know who their targets are.

Amy casualty of civilians amounts to crime against humanity and liable to be investigated under the International Humanitarian Law, it said.

Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Scholars’ Association has also condemned the blast.

“What happened is horrible, abominable and disgusting act. Such act of cowardice has no place in civilised society and no justification whatsoever for this act.”

Meanwhile, the Centre For Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur has also vehemently condemned the bomb blast in the evening of September 17 at around 5:30PM in front of Neetu Hardware Store, Viewland in Ukhrul under Ukhrul district in Manipur as an outright act of cowardice, terrorism and crime against humanity.

CORE believes that this brutal situation is too much to bear any longer and the intent all too questionable, it said in a press release.

It further condole the deaths of A S. Dinah, former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long, and her niece Lansophy Tangvah.

Coming close on the heels of an extended period of hardship and violence from July till early September, the peoples of Ukhrul are hardly out of mourning and bereavement, it said before adding that planting of a bomb in the middle of a town where civilians have only recently been able to pursue their normal activities speaks volumes of an inhuman conspiracy where innocent lives are considered expendibles and intensification of almost seven decades of conflict and human rights abuses of indigenous peoples in Manipur as unavoidable collaterals.

“CORE urges everyone, particularly government, to desist from actions that can only lead to further escalations in a vexed situation, and constructively and sincerely engage with all sections in the polity towards a lasting peace in Manipur and the region,” it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/many-condemn-and-condole-ukhrul-blast/

IMPHAL, Sept 18: State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi SIngh strongly condemned yesterday’s Ukhrul blast.

A statement from the LO (press) to the Chief Minister said the Chief Minister strongly condemned the tragic incident involving killing of two innocent persons and injuring two others caused by bomb explosion at View land, Ukhrul District headquarters as an inhuman and cowardly act. It said the government views this attack on innocent civilians very seriously and those responsible for this criminal action will not be spared and taken to task as per the law of the land at the earliest.

The government also announced Rs 5 lakhs as ex-gratia to the next-of-kin of deceased persons and financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh, per person for grievous injury and Rs 20,000 per person for simple injury in the incident as per the norms, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/cm-condoles-ukhrul-blast-announces-rs-5-lakh-ex-gratia/

IMPHAL, Sept 18: The by-poll election of the 38-Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency has been rescheduled for October 17, announced chief electoral officer O Nabakishore today.

The Hiyanglam seat was left vacant after the demise of sitting MLA Maibam Kunjo.

The CEO called a press conference at his office chamber and said the by-poll was scheduled for October 15 as announced in an earlier notification of the Election Commission of India, but has been rescheduled on October 17 following a request from the State government.

He said his office has already initiated preparations for the by-poll under the ECI set guidelines.

Nabakishore said the model code of conduct has also come into effect with the announcement of the election schedule on September 12.

Notification for the by-election will be issued on September 20, the last date of filling for nomination will be September 27 and scrutiny of nominations will be done of September 29, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/hiyanglam-by-poll-rescheduled-to-october-17/

IMPHAL, September 18: The Library and Information Science Students’ Association Manipur (LISSAM) has said that a one day discussion on conditions of libraries at educational institutions and uses of libraries will be held on September 21 at 10 am at Tribal Research Institute, Chingmeirong.

According to a release of the association, the discussion will be attended by experts, academicians, members of concerned departments, social scientists, leaders of student organisations and leaders of teacher organisations. It has been appealed to those interested to attend the discussion on time, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/discussion-on-library-on-sept-21/

IMPHAL, September 18: The Yangbam Kumar College Students’ Union has demanded the implementation of ILP in the state and the release of the members of the student wing of JCILPS without any condition.

According to a release of the Union, strong actions will be taken up if the government failed to comply with their demands. It has also been demanded that the government must hold responsibilities for any incidents that may occur.

Furthermore, it also condemned the actions taken up by Additional SP Victoria and the Manipur Police regarding the arrest of the members of JCILPS, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/ilp-implementation-demanded/