Manipur News

IMPHAL, June 28: One alleged thief was killed in a mob furry while his companion has been admitted at the JNIMS with serious injuries, this early morning at Mantripukhri area.

According to local source, the incident happened this early morning at Mantripukhri, when the two thieves were nabbed by the locals while they were trying to enter a workshop.

The source also added that the locals thrashed the two alleged thieves meanwhile a team of the Heignang police arrived at the scene and controlled the mob.

However one of the thieves who is yet to be identified succumbed on is way to the hospital while his companion identified as Okram Manglemjao, 30, s/o late Thambou of Pangei Okram Leikai is fighting for his life at the JNIMS.

The dead body of the alleged unidentified thief has been deposited at the JNIMS morgue.

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The news item that Hollywood movies are making their way back in the cinema theatres in Imphal came as a pleasant surprise. After more than a decade of their abrupt withdrawal from the state cinema together with Bollywood movies following a ban on the latter by the underground Revolutionary People’s Front, RPF, the pleasurable tradition of going for these movies in Imphal’s then growing number of movie theatres had begun to seem like a distant memory. It may be recalled, the RPF had banned Hindi film saying they are a dangerous tool for advancing culture hegemony from mainland India in the immediate wake of the killing of one of their top leaders, allegedly in custody by the security forces towards the end of the 1990s. The story at the time was, national film distributors, probably under covert official pressures, had set the condition to Imphal movie theatres that if they did not screen Hindi movies, they would not be entitled to have English movies either. In the end, both were dropped and movie theatres in the state had to find other means of survival.

Thankfully, this was the time the digital age was not only burgeoning but as is the case with all modern technology, becoming cheaper by the day. Understandably the vacuum left by the sudden withdrawal of Hindi and English movies created a stir in the fledgling Manipuri film industry, and had it not been for the much cheaper and easier digital technology available, the vacuum perhaps never would have been filled. This is not to say it has been filled completely or adequately, but the fact is, it was not left a complete vacuum. Something good did come out of the bad situation. The necessity of the moment pulled the tottering Manipuri film industry up and forced it to stand on its own legs. A new crop of enterprising and talented young film makers came forward to take on the mantle from their forerunners who worked on the celluloid medium. While the former managed to bring out movies at the rate of at the most one every two or three years, their inheritors the digital film makers of today, especially the commercial oriented ones who are interested only in using well established formula melodramas, bring out several each every year. In the absence of competitors from infinitely bigger, richer, resourceful and experienced film makers from the giant industries of Hollywood and Bollywood, they had the entire field to themselves to experiment and also not be mauled into total submission by flops, therefore not be afraid to experiment further. They also helped at least a good percentage of the cinemas theatres to sustain their businesses. At the time of the withdrawal of Hollywood and Bollywood films, there were 11 theatres in Imphal city alone. Some are still very much around, but some others have had to convert their infrastructure to other more sustainable businesses.

We do hope that screening of the Hollywood film “Fast and Furious” at Usha Cinema last Friday is the beginning of a new era of openness in the state. Though movie fans did continue to still see Hindi and English releases on private video facilities and TV, seeing them in the theatre is an altogether different experience. We also hope theatre owners would also take the necessary steps to upgrade their theatres to make them fit for the new age films made on radically transformed technological platform. To underscore the point, what is more important is the atmosphere of openness and freedom which only can guarantee the foundation on which good art can grow. Manipuri film industry benefitted from the decade long hiatus of films from outside, but now it certainly has its own legs and should face no danger of being pushed away into insignificance by the formers’ re-entry. The pressure of having to live up to a higher standard should also do the home industry good in the long run, provided the people behind the enterprise are ready to meet the new challenge. We are confident and optimistic they would be able to do this with courageous aplomb, for they have indeed carved out an unmistakable niche for themselves amongst theatre goers in the state. This confidence is writ large in the large hoardings at vantage positions all over the Imphal city. The same confidence is also equally evident in the gleams on the faces of the Manipur film industry’s ever growing number of star actors and actresses.

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IMPHAL, June 27(Newmai News Network): The GPRN/NSCN has alleged that the outfit was compelled to impeach and then expelled its supremo S.S Khaplang from the outfit as he was steadfastly against the holding of political dialogue with the government of India. The outfit also alleged SS Khaplang is against the Naga reconciliation process initiated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR).

Mentionably, GPRN/NSCN was also known in the media as NSCN-K before the outfit got split early this month.

Meanwhile, informing over phone from Dimapur on behalf of the outfit, deputy kilonser (minister) M.A. Felix said though SS Khaplang had rendered his valuable services to the Nagas, “his stand against the holding of political talk and Naga reconciliation process is not going to serve any good for the future of the Naga political movement.” Felix also said that as per agreement made among the Naga revolutionary organisations, it had been inked that Naga outfits should not maintain nexus with non-Naga militant outfits. “However, SS Khaplang continues to harbour non-Naga militant groups, ” said Felix while adding,” This was another reason why our outfit expelled him.”

On the recent purported statement of the so called “Naga Crusaders”, M.A Felix said the statement was issued by vested interest attempting to derail the `tripartite talk` of June 30. He said such organisation called “Naga Crusaders” does not exist. “It is a fictitious outfit,” dismissed M.A Felix. He then said that there is no followers of SS Khaplang in Zeliangrong Region. “Those people who issued press statement in the name of Zeliangrong Region of the NSCN-Khaplang are self-styles without peoples mandate,” accused Felix.

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IMPHAL June 27: The different communities of Naga river colony, also known as Kabow Leikai who will be affected by the proposed expansion of the Imphal Hotel and subsequent land acquisition, related their grievances to the national fact finding team led by Dr. John Dayal, member of National Integration Council, New Delhi, this morning.

The team had arrive in the state on a mission to find out about the decision taken by Manipur government to convert Imphal Hotel up to five star category by acquiring Naga river colony.

After today’s visit at the colony, the fact finding team held a press conference at the Manipur press club situated at, Imphal. The meeting with residents of the colony today gave various points for the government to ponder upon.

According to Dr Dayal the finding of the team is that the government of Manipur has learnt no lessons from the evolving situation in various parts of the country from Orissa, Bengal, Maharastra to Delhi, Noida and Hariyana on issues of land acquisition.

Many governments have now agreed that they will not interfere as procurers of land meant for the private or joint sector and will let the entrepreneurs to negotiate directly with the landowners and residents.

He further added that it is quite clear from the narrative of events that the government has been in undue haste in the entire process of acquiring land, issuing notifications even before assessment of the hotel’s needs were available. This gives credence to the apprehensions of the villagers that there are malafides in the government’s intentions and the entire exercise may be just for the benefit of some unknown rich and politically powerful persons.

The colony with a population of 500 in 32 houses consist of all major religions including Hindus , Muslims and Christians who are in majority. Ethically, the finding said that they represent as wide a diversity including Meiteis, Nepalese and various tribes of Naga and Kukis.

There are three churches, one temple and several graves. Demolition of the churches and graves will be desecration and will violate the freedom of faith guaranteed under the constitution, he added.

Villagers are also apprehensive that the tension in the area and the heavy police presence as the area is under section 144 may aggravate the situation and may in future become communal and ethnic issue with outsiders becoming involved. The villagers are firm that they do not want to leave the village, both for sentimental reasons and for economic reasons, including employment. The villagers fear that the authorities may forcibly confiscate their pattas to rob them of their legal rights on the land, he added.

Further the team has recommended that the Chief Minister must call the villagers for face to face discussions to respond to their apprehensions. Section 144 must be revoke and there must be no effort to stop free movement of the citizens in the area. There is sufficient land in the hotel and in the nearby government properties to suit even really huge luxury hotels. It may once again be stressed that modern luxury hotels throughout the world including those in New Delhi are in less land than currently under Hotel Imphal, he aded.

Public Private partnership models must not be for benefit of a few. In future, effected people must be given an opportunity to be part of the PPP with guarantees of profit sharing, employment and other befits that may accrue. Livelihood, security, and community life must not be disrupted. Prima facie, there does not seem to be any need to acquire the village land to make a luxury hotel. Hotel Imphal expansion and its upgradation can be fruitfully done on existing land under its ownership.

Dr. Dayal, who is also one of the members of National Integeration council, during the press meet, said that the subsequent copy of the finding will be submitted to the Governor, CM, and other concerned heads of state minority department and also to national level leaders.

Calling for transparency in government procedure works, he disclosed that no facts could be obtained from the government’s side in this issue.

The fact finding visit was joined by Madhu Chandra – spokesperson of Northeast India support centre & helpline and public relation officer of All India Christian Council along with many other social activists and human rights activist from different parts of Manipur.

The National Fact finding Team is an amalgamation of various NGOs and civil society that works and voice for the betterment and welfare of the society from the violation of human rights. The team has been involved in many major national issues since the last several years, he added.

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IMPHAL June 27: Armed USRA insurgents presently at SoO with the government is disturbing the peace at Kanvai and Torbung area which comes under Bishnupur district along the Tiddim road, United Committee Manipur (UCM) alleged in a press release.

It said that a public meeting was held at Torbung community hall yesterday and attended by UCM functionaries and public of the area including Panchayat members of the area.

At the meeting residents of Torbung voiced that Phoukakchao, Ikai, Torbung, Bangla, Waikhurok areas of Bishnupur borders Churachanpur district, the villagers are living apprehensively and developments are left wanting at the areas, the release added.

Further, an unwanted incident had happened on June 18, the diesel autorickshaws plying between Moirang and Torbung have been allotted parking space by the Torbung Area Development Committee, and for development of parking area have been collecting Rs 5 from the passenger vehicles, however on June 24 the USRA threatened the villagers and the parking association that the parking fees should be given to the outfit, the release added.

It further alleged that the villagers, Pradhan and taxis have also been warned not to proceed beyond Kangvai from today if the demands are not.

Further, the cadres have assaulted drivers, wrecked the autos and have even resorted to firing from their weapons under the command of USRA area commander s/s Johnny, violating the ground rules of the SoO, the release alleged.

UCM questions whether the violence perpetrated by the USRA cadres have been given permission to do so by the state government and has Torbung area been handed over to the USRA.

At the meeting, UCM president Y Dilipkumar stated that the motto of the organization is to bring about peace, unity and integrity in the state and has been striving towards the goal since 2001.

Dilip further stated that the central government is carrying out communal politics to disturb the congenial atmosphere of the state and the communities should unite to stand against such dubious agendas.

Further, the state government should avoid the tripartite talks scheduled on June 30 at Senapati, as it is an endeavor to bring disintegration of the state, it added.

It also stated that the USRA cadres should refrain from carrying out anti social activities and adhere to the SoO ground rules, the state government must also check such perpetrations and the concerned SPs of Bishnupur and Churachanpur must keep their jurisdictions under constant vigil to prevent the unwanted activities. The 119 batallion of BSF should also maintain alert in the issue, the release said.

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