Manipur News

Not due to lapses of Home dept, Chief Minister clarifies

IMPHAL, May 29: Atleast two persons were killed and 15 others injured when a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded this evening at a crowded mini market shed of Singajamei Chingamakhong right at the foothill of the 40th Assam Rifle occupied Chinga (hillock).

Sources said that the blast occured around 5.15 pm.

All the injured have been rushed to various hospitals in Imphal a majority of them at RIMS hospital.

With the conditions of the injured reported to be critical the death toll is expected to rise.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had also visited the injured at RIMS.

He was accompanied by PHE minister Hemochandra, Commerce and Industry minister Govindas Konthoujam, IFC minister Ngamthang Haokip, DGP Manipur and other top police brass.

Soon after the blast, a team of Imphal police led by Clay Khongsai IG Law and Order, I K Muivah DIG Range I, Dr Ak Jhalajit Superintendent of Police Imphal west and other police officer of Imphal west district rushed to the blast site and inspected the area.

Singjamei MLA, I Hemochandra and Govindas Konthoujam minister Commerce and Industry also visited the blast site.

Hemochandra strongly condemned the attack terming it an act of cowardice.

The deceased have been identified as one Syamsankar Rai, 31, son of (L)) Ram Shinha Rai and Arvind Rai, son of Chakaldip Rai, 20 both hailing from Mujafarpur district, Bihar.

Out of the 15 injured persons 8 persons were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, the injured persons have been identified as Bolendra Roy, 32, son of Guni Roy, Sanjoy Roy son of Jayenta Roy, Arun Mate, 38, son of Bangali Mate and Papu Shah 25 son of Gula Saha all hailing from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur.

Others who are admitted in the RIMS hospital include Meisnam Manisana, 55, wife of Bono of Singjamei Chingamathak Meisnam Leikai, Chanam Bimol, 27, son of Iboyai of Ngairangbam Awang Maning Leikai, Thounaojam Shyamkanhai, 51, son of (L) Babu of Singjamei Chingamathak and Thongram Bimol, 57, son of (L) Shamu of Singjamei Waikhom Leirak.

Five other injured were admitted at the Advance Hospital, two other at the Iboyaima Hospital and two other at the JNIMS.

Their identities could not be ascertained however, till the filling of this report.

Speaking to media persons at the hospital, the Chief Minister termed the attack as an act of coward that should be condemned by one and all at the strongest term.

“The government will not spare the perpetrators and have alerted all the police stations”, asserted the Chief Minister.

When queried whether the attack could possibly be targeted at the non-locals, the Chief Minister did not ruled out the possibility and cited that the area is often crowded with non-locals.

However, he did not draw a conclusion to the theory and rather added that the motive could be ascertained only after proper investigation and apprehension of the perpetrators involved.

At the same time, the Chief Minister clarified that incident cannot be construed due to lapses of the home department adding that the Government cannot give security for everyone.

Yet, the government has been trying their best to prevent such incident in areas especially where AFSPA has been lifted.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/two-killed-scores-injured-in-chingamakhong-blast/

IMPHAL, May 29: “Lets’ pray that the government understands the hardships faced by the people under AFSPA, and repeals the Act at the earliest, Irom Sharmila told the State media soon after touching down at the Imphal Airport.

She arrived this morning after her appearance before the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House, New Delhi Wednesday.

She said her stay at the national capital was short and much to her dismay; she failed to meet newly sworn in Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to his busy schedule.

Irom Sharmila said she had written a letter and a poem addressed to Modi. “I will definitely meet him if I get the chance.”

The constitutional rights are there in the first place for the welfare of the people, however, the Indian government continues its violation by not letting the citizens of the North East enjoy the full benefits, she lamented.

If the citizens are against an incumbent government, then the government needs to understand the needs and hardships faced by the former, she expressed before adding after all it is the public who gave power to the government.

When asked if she would like to reach out for the UNO and plead her case, in case the Indian government fail to solve the issue, she said if the authorities concerned, intellects, public support her, she will definitely plead the issue before the UNO.

However, I cannot do much alone as I am powerless and do not have much knowledge, the anti-AFSPA crusader told the media.

Sharmila said before her Court appearance, she was kept in a police station and made to wait for several hours.

In order to avoid the media waiting for her at the Court premises, she was taken inside the Courtroom through the back door, she resented.

Sharmila left Imphal on May 27, for her Court appearance accompanied by a doctor, a nurse of the JNIMS and a personnel each from the Jail and Manipur Police.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/sharmila-maintains-faith-of-afspa-repeal-under-modi-government/

LAMKA, May 29: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights, Churachandpur Chapter (MACR-CC) organised a one day consultative meeting on Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act, Substance Abuse Act and the role of media in relation to the laws.

The district’s SP, Kabib, while speaking as a resource person said that the children are safeguarded by the law and in this regards, the police have special justice units led by SI/ASI rank officers, particularly women personnel.

The role of the society and the media on the issue are very important, he said before appealing to all to take active roles.

The SP said it is a sensitive issue, any victim or accused, i.e juvenile in conflict with the law, need to be handled with utmost care.

He said a police shouldn’t be in his official uniforms rather should be in civvies, while handling the victims or accused.

Woman police are more preferred during such cases, he said and added the personnel should act according to the convenience of the child.

And even if such an accused is found guilty, he or she should be put in an observation home and not in one run by the police.

IFP Group Editor, Pradip Phanjoubam speaking on the topic ‘role of media’ said the media persons need to be committed in their work, as competition is high.

He said the impression that the media/ press know it all is a wrong conception and further suggested organising of periodical refresher courses.

He also said that the practice of printing the details and pictures of juveniles is wrong and call for stern actions.

The other resource person, Pishak, head of the New Life Foundation and the secretary of MACR and a noted activist of child rights said the public need to be more aware of the JJ Act, and learn more of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

MACR- CC rev Dr Nicky said substance abuse is one root cause of disorder in the district, and all should be part of the fight to eradicate such evils.

Retrospection, introspection and action are the need of the hour, he expressed.

He further lauded all those who are attending the meeting and commended the Khuga Company Station of the Red Shield Division and its CO Colonel Anil.

Secy info and pub, MACR-CC Alex Guite gave the vote of thanks, and express thankfulness to the participant media persons, and then the resource persons.

He further thanked Khuga Company col Anil for his help in organising the meeting, DC PK Jha for allowing the use of the District Training Centre and others.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/consultative-meet-on-jj-act-details-finer-points-at-ccpur/

IMPHAL, May 29: A day after the recovery of the partly decomposed bodies of two missing URF cadres from inside their designated camp at Loitang Khunou, residents of the neighbouring villages today demanded the immediate removal of URF designated camp from the area.

The locals had convened an emergency meeting at Mini Market Shed Loitang Khonou and decided to demand the immediate removal of the URF designated camp from Loitang Khunou Spinning Mill at the earliest.

As a mark of protest, the locals also took out a silent protest rally at Khurkhul Lamkhai this afternoon.

Today’s emergency meeting was attended by locals of Loitang Khounou, Senjam Chirang, Moibung Khunou, Khurkhul, Loitang Khulen, Senjam Khounou, Phumlou, Mayang langjing and locals of Loitang Senjam.

Speaking to the media, one of the Meira Paibi leaders, revealed that during the meeting, the villagers deliberately discussed the several anti-social issues involving URF cadres ranging from burglary, slaughtering of livestock of the villagers during the past few months including the recovery the two dead bodies of URF cadres.

The URF is presently a signatory of the Suspension of Operation with the government is lodged at its designated camp at Loitang Khunou, Spinning Mill. Two of its cadre who went missing during the intervening night of March 18-19 earlier this year were recovered yesterday buried inside the storeroom of the camp.

She continued, the militants under SoO have become a nuisance lately for the villagers.

The villagers have lodged several complaints against the URF cadres earlier with the concerned Sekmai Police, she added.

Moreover, the frustrated villagers have also staged various forms of protests against their (URF) act, she asserted.

A memorandum is expected to be submitted to the Chief Minister and Home minister soon.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/remove-urf-locals-demand-after-bodies-recovered-from-its-camp/