Manipur News

IMPHAL, June 20: The June 4 incident of the alleged gang rape and murder of a minor from Oktang Village will be resolved through the customary law and the final verdict of the Oktang Village Authority will be announced on June 27, said the village chief BT Achou today.

A team of Centre for Development and the Women Action for Development accompanied by media persons visited the village today in an effort to bring justice to the case.

According to the village chief, he had talked with the Tamenglong police on the phone regarding the incident and informed them that the case would be resolve according to their customary law.

Since then no police have come to investigate into the June 4 incident, he said.

On June 4, Shangrila (name changed) a 17 year old student from Oktang Village in Tamenglong district was raped and later killed allegedly by three persons all identified to be minors.

Her mutilated body was found hanging inside a deserted house by children who went to play there the next day on June 5.

The villagers have ever since apprehended all three accused.

The main accused was apprehended on June 6 from Senapati while the two other accused were apprehended on June 5 from the village itself.

However, all accused are kept in their own homes awaiting the announcement of the village authority’s verdict on June 27.

Speaking to the team, the victim’s father said Shangrila was a student of class VIII.

He said around 7pm of June 4, Shangrila was about to go to sleep with her mother when one of the accused called her out.

As her mother was already asleep, she managed to sneak out of the house, the father said.

About 50 meters from their house there is a deserted house where she met the main accused who was there with two other friends including the one who called her out.

The father also said that Shangrila was allegedly having a relation with the main accused since January this year.

He continued the main accused have already confessed before the village and said that Shangrila claimed she was pregnant with his child during their meeting on June 4.

This angered him and in his fit of rage raped her and then allowed his other friends to do so. They then hanged her inside the deserted house with a muffler, the father who was with the village chief recounted the confession of the three accused.

The main accused had also punctured the girl’s body with a 6mm iron rod.

The next day on June 5, some village children had gone to the deserted house to play and finding the girl hanging came out shouting.

This gathered the villagers who managed to nab the two co-accused but found the main accused missing from the village, he said.

The main accused was nabbed from Senapati the next day on June 6, he continued.

According to the village chief, the villagers angered by the heinous crime destroyed the house where the crime was committed.

He said as per a meeting held on June 7 of the Oktang Village Authority and attended by Inpui Wunion, Women Union, Inpui Students Union, youth leaders and elders of the village the three accused will be fined Rs 15,00,000 and expelled from the village. However, the verdict will be announced on June 27 and the accused will be given four day from the day the verdict is announce to leave the village, he continued.

The father also claimed that his family being poor could not even afford a post mortem of their daughter’s body.

Meanwhile, WAD member laitonjam Bijaya said proper justice should be brought to the case and it is unfortunate that he Tamenglong Police decided to remain silent on the issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/village-authority-to-expel-three-accused-in-gang-rape-and-murder-case-from-locality-police-stay-off-the-case/

IMPHAL, June 20: The 16 members of Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) including its president who were arrested by police for assaulting a computer science teacher of St Joseph School, Sangaiprou, have been released on bail bond today.

Addressing a press meet at its office here today following the release, president of DESAM M Angamba said that the incident in which the computer science teacher Gurumayum Rupachandra Sharma was assaulted at their office was unfortunate as the students’ body highly regards teachers.

He claimed that a student of the school namely Shytam was beaten by the teacher in his hand and other parts of his body 51 times using stick.

He admitted that the teacher was called by the student’s body at its office to hold a talk on the incident following a complaint filed by parents of the student over the corporal punishment meted out by the teacher to the student.

But unfortunately, the talk ended up with the teacher getting beaten by members of the students’ body, which could have been avoided, he said.

Appealing to all who are in teaching profession to pardon the students’ body for assaulting the teacher, he urged the government to look into the rampant violation of student rights in the State.

Many of the teachers in private schools are not DIET and B Ed pass. Misunderstanding may occur between teachers and students if teachers are not properly trained and strictly adhere to their ethics, the president of DESAM pointed out.

Quoting RTE Act, he said that a teacher cannot enter classroom with stick and beat student.

He expressed gratitude to those schools, colleges and organizations for ensuring that the 16 members of the students’ body are released at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/arrested-desam-members-released/

IMPHAL, June 20: The Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker today adjourned the next hearing of all four ongoing disqualification cases against Konthoujam MLA Konthoujam Sharat Singh and Langthabal MLA K Shyam Singh till July 16.

The hearing of the four cases began at 10:30am before the Tribunal Court of the Speaker and after a brief break from 1:15pm to 2pm continued till 4pm.

The first case to be taken up by the tribunal was disqualification case no 7 of 2014 – Th Shyamkumar Singh, MLA vs K Sarat Singh, MLA.

During the hearing petitioner of the case, Th Shyamkumar was represented by senior advocate HS Paonam, advocate L Ashini Kumar, advocate S DIjeswar, advocate Ksh Harichhaya, advocate N Bipin and advocate S Gunabanta., whereas the respondent K Sarat Singh was represented by advocate N Jotendro, advocate H Maipaksana and advocate Babita Thoudam.

In its ruling the tribunal said “Pursuant to the order passed by the Tribunal on June 6, 2015, the respondent has filed an application dated June 19, 2015 thereby submitting the status report in regards to WP (c) no 436 of 2015 now pending before the High Court of Manipur, coupled with a prayer for adjournment of the case for at least six weeks or till the final disposal of the case whichever is earlier.”

The ruling continued “Respondent is to satisfy this Tribunal as to whether pendency of a case before the High Court will bar this tribunal from taking up further proceedings in the absence of any stay order from the High Court.”

“In this regard, the learned counsel for the respondent prays for sometime which is not objected by the learned counsel for the petitioner. Prayer is allowed. List the matter on July 16 for further proceedings.”

The tribunal court than took up three disqualification cases against Langthabal MLA K Shyam Singh case no 14 of 2014, case no 15 of 2014 and case no 16 of 2014.

The petitioners of the three cases are K Sharatchandra Sharma, N Momon Meitei and Kh Vimal Singh respectively and were represented by advocate S Rupachandra and advocate S Gunabanta.

MLA Shyam Singh who is the respondent was represented by advocate Khaidem Mani, advocate S Shyamcharan and advocate Th Jugindro.

In his ruling for case no 14 of 2014, the tribunal said “Petitioner has filed an application dated June 19 praying for two weeks time for bringing certain vital documents on record considered the prayer in the interest o justice, prayer is allowed. As agreed by both the parties, list the matter on July 17 for further proceedings and the petitioner may file the documents as prayed for on or before July 14.”

The ruling in case no 15 of 2014 says “Petitioner has filed an application dated June 19 praying for two weeks time for bringing certain vital documents on record. Considered the prayer in the interest of justice, prayer is allowed. As agreed by both the parties, list the matter on July 17.”

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/speakers-tribunal-adjourns-mlas-disqualification-cases-hearing-to-july-16/

IMPHAL, June 20: The Kuki (Khulmi) Development Council Demand Committee Manipur has submitted a memorandum for the creation of Kuki (Khulmi) Development Council comprising of Churachandpur, Chandel district and Sadar Hills to the Chief Minister on October 15, 2010 as the final political solution with Kuki UGs under SoO.

According to a release of the committee, so far no positive gesture has been visible from the side of the government.

It said the committee and the Kuki-Mizo-Zomi (Khulmi) public are constraint to think whether the government is interested in solving the problem with UGs under SoO.

The political settlement with hill based UGs will be achieved only when the 6th Scheduled of the Indian Constitution is extended to all the existing 6 Autonomous District Council viz., Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Sadar Hills and Churachandpur with full Legislative, Financial and Executive powers, it said.

The committee has further said that the government should invite civil organisations both from Kuki and Naga sides for the issue. Similarly, it should also invite all the hill based UG Groups across the table to exchange views and opinions in order to bring the problems to its logical end.

It also inquired on why the government is reluctant to implement the 6th Scheduled in the hill areas of Manipur which will not fructify its own objective but also bring permanent political solution to all the tribals without hurting the territorial integrity of Manipur despite the government’s expression of equal development for both the valley and hills of Manipur, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/kuki-body-seeks-creation-of-kuki-development-council/

IMPHAL, June 20: A 20 Days Children Theatre Workshop cum 2 Days Children Theatre Festival organised by the Forward Artistes Centre En-Camped with financial assistance of Ministry of Culture (CFG), concluded today at the Manipur Dramatic Union.

The valedictory function was attended by director of Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy L Upendro Sharma as chief guest and chairman of FACE L Iboyaima Singh as president.

Addressing the gathering, L Upendro Sharma hailed FACE for coming up with te festival solely for children.

He said that art cannot be learnt like general education, it has to be grasped from childhood stage.

To bring out the hidden talents of a child, teachers should nurture their confidence, he continued.

L Iboyaima Singh appreciated the role of culture and theatre organizations in developing and preserving the rich art and culture of the state.

As part of the programme, children performed Maibi Dance, MIME play titled ‘Freedom’ and a short play titled ‘Khambana Puru San Senba’ (Khamba Takes Care Purum Bull).

The short play ‘Khambana Puru San Senba’ is based on Moirang Sayon Epic.

A total of 20 children including 16 girls participated in the workshop cum theatre festival.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/workshop-cum-theatre-festival-for-children-concludes/

IMPHAL, June 20: The BJP, Manipur Pradesh has questioned the NSCN (1M)’s role in the recently held 6th Autonomous District Council Elections in Naga-dominated  areas of Manipur.

A press release of the party has maintained that the entire electoral process was completely “rigged and mutilated” to ensure victory of the NPF candidates, backed by NSCN(IM) and, in effect, “defeating the people.”

“This unimaginable and unheard of electoral feat in the annals of democratic elections is the direct outcome of open and blatant rigging of the entire electoral process in the form of open proxy voting; booth capturing, kidnapping of BIP agents & supporters under violent threat and intimidation,” it stated adding that all such disturbances were handiworks of NSCN (1M) cadres under the direct control and supervision of one Lt. General (Retd.) Markson.

It continued that the Manipur Unit of the BJP also seriously view the lack of responsefrom the concern authorities despite several reminders.

The act of hooligan and criminal activities that tantamount to humiliation, intimidation and the third degree torture towards their workers and leaders cannot be taken in a light vein, it said.

In fact, citizens of the hill districts of Manipur were debarred from practising their franchise during the recent ADC election, it said.

It is also a fact that the workers of BJP Manipur Pradesh prepared for the democratic process for participating the ADC election in a free and fair atmosphere, it said adding that two months before the party switched to political awareness campaign among the people of ADC areas.

However on the eve of the election, NSCN 1M and its frontal band NPF workers threatened and tortured their workers and candidate in the Naga inhabited areas and it did not spare the village chieftains and Headsmen either, it said.

It is therefore, urged the central leadership to intervene immediately with effective remedial actions, so that it does not repeat again in the same old arena.

”People have been demoralised and the party has been let down and in the given scenario nothing short of surgical treatments of the cancerous trends that eating into the vitals of the party will improved. A remedial measure is the need of the hour and this action will help, retrieve and regain the loss of image of the BJP Manipur, it said.

Meanwhile, speaking to media persons, BJP Manipur Unit president Th Chaoba said the BJP Manipur Pradesh has opened a unit office in Tamenglong district in preparation for the State Assembly election in 2017.

Speaking at a press conference in the party office today, he said party officials including the Tamenglong district president, party candidates of the ADC election in Tamenglong district among others had convened a meeting to review the just concluded ADC election.

The meeting reviewed reasons behind the defeat of party candidates despite the BJP executing some good works in the hill district during the past two three months, he said.

Chaoba said the defeat of the party candidates have been mainly because of the money and gun power flex by the Congress and UG groups based in the hills, however, the election has been a success of sort for the party as inspite of all the hindrances and threats, the people of hills supported the party helping it to win 21 seats.

This means that the party has support in the hills and that the Congress has been defeated as it managed to win only 26 seats from 103 sitting members, he said.

Now, the workers of the party in Tamenglong have decided to work for the people with help from the Centre, he added.

Soon, a team of BJP leaders will leave for Delhi to apprise the Central leaders of the issue and at the same time put pressure on issues like the Dzuko Valley land dispute, bandhs and blockades, he said.

BJP Manipur general secretary Media L Bashanta Sharma said this time, either the Governor or the chief justice of the High Court should administer the oath taking and swearing in ceremony of the ADC elected members.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/bjp-questions-nscn-ims-interference-in-adc-polls/

KANGPOKPI, June 20: Triumphant Congress candidate of 10-Gamnom Sapormeina district council constituency Lunthang Haokip has today celebrated his victory in the recently concluded 5th ADC Election 2015 at the Church Hall in L. Khomunnom village.

Presentation and passing on good wishes to the candidates apart from thanksgiving and blessing were the main highlight of the function which was attended by various chiefs, social workers and church leaders where Rev. Mangpithang Haokip, Pastor, KBC Circle No.4 graced the occasion as Blessing Minister.

Visibly excited Lunthang Haokip while speaking at the function has said that the recently concluded ADC election was much tougher than the previous one while a lot have been initiated by the state Government in exercising the people’s franchise rights in the election competition which has been much more democratic than in the previous election.

“It is the blessing of God and secondly the love and trust of the people as well as the party humble support and cooperation which gave me success in the election”, said the INC candidate who was re-elected for the term in the constituency.

Earlier, Lunthang Haokip was elected uncontested from 10-Gamnom Sapormeina and inducted into Executive Member of ADC Sadar Hills with a responsibility of Medical and Vety. Department.

The jubilant INC candidate continued that he has no enmity towards the people who voted for him and who have not because of his main ideology in election is principally based on party system and now it was his humble duty to work for the people as a whole during his tenure.

The INC candidate also thanked the election committee apart from many others individuals who physically, mentally and in prayer helped him succeed in the competition.

Ecstatic as well as emotional Hatnu, wife of the triumphant INC candidate while expressing her gratitude towards the people for their support and cooperation made an offering for the thanksgiving and blessing ceremony of the function.

Three polling stations under 10-Gamnom Sapormeina DCC where INC got the highest votes were awarded handsomely according to wish of the candidate.

Kuki Gospel artiste Jenny Touthang, Boikim Haokip, Neopi and Chonminlal Doungel including Male Voice Team, Salem Sapormeina enthralled the crowd during the function with their melodious voice.

A jubilant feast marked the occasion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/congress-candidate-celebrates-victory/