Manipur News

IMPHAL November 23: The Kuki Movement for Human Rights has requested the United Naga Council to consider the sufferings of the public and to lift the economic blockade with immediate effect.

A press statement by the chairman of the body T Lunkim has stated, “The session of Christmas should be free from any kind of disorderliness in the family, village and the state for the preparation of the joyous celebration of the birth day of Lord Jesus Christ”.

It has further mentioned that for whatever reasons whether disintegration of state territory, Southern Nagaland, alternative arrangement and countering the Sadar Hills District, the matter can be settled through negotiations for bringing peace and social harmony.

It has further added that all should remember that in the hill areas in particular, the Kukis and Nagas have been living together as neighbours since time immemorial. When the British wanted to colonize the land, the tribals including the Kuki Inpi fought back and saved the ancestral lands. Further, there are no watertight areas which one particular tribe should claim as its own land, it added.

“We own the land together in peace. Any misunderstanding of this ownership right by individual’s with vested interest would rather endanger the undisturbed ownership, and therefore communal interest has to be given up forthwith”, it said.

“Whatever the future holds, you are respectfully requested to lift the economic blockade for the sake of the Christmas season so that we may all celebrate by singing Joy to the world the Lord has come”, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/kuki-human-rights-body-appeals-to-unc-to-lift-counter-economic-blockade/

IMPHAL, Nov 23: The Zeliangrong Union-Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, while expressing its deep concerned over the continued armed conflict between the two Naga armed groups, NSCN-IM and ZUF in Nungba areas particularly Khoupum valley, has appealed to the armed groups to shun violence for the sake of the aggrieved public.

In a statement issued by K. Poushinglung, general secretary of the union, asked the “Chaguat Phom” (Zeliangrong Elders Forum of Peace Brokers) to initiate and move into the affected areas to do the needful for restoration of peace between the two armed groups stating that the said groups are still camping at Khoupum area till date.

Moreover, the most of the villagers are displaced due to the prevailing situation in the Khoupum Valley.

It also appealed the armed groups to shun any armed clash immediately in the interest of the people to maintain conducive atmosphere in view of the approaching school annual exam, Christmas and progress being made in the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talk.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/nscnim-zuf-conflict-worries-zuamn/

SHILLONG, Nov 23 (NNN): The Minister of State for DoNER, Paban Singh Ghatowar informed the Lok Sabha on November 22 that a total sum of Rs.368.09 crores has been released to the North Eastern states under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme during the year 2011-12.

The funds utilised under NLCPR during the same year is Rs.305.85 crores in the NE states. The total amount of outstanding utilisation certificate (UCs) & unspent balances with the state governments as on June 30, 2011 with the NE states is Rs.748.27 crores under NEC releases.

Ghatowar informed that the main reasons that result in delayed full utilization of released funds to North East Region in a particular year are shorter working season, inclement weather, shortage of professionals, geographical disadvantages, etc.

The Minister informed that the Planning Commission is involved in the finalisation of the annual plans of the NE States.

Grant-in-Aid to NE state governments are also released under the NLCPR scheme by the Ministry of DoNER. In addition, 52 non-exempted Central Ministries earmark 10% of their gross budgetary support for the NE states.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/rs-36809-crores-released-to-ne-states-under-nlcpr-doner-minister/

IMPHAL November 23:The Saikot Sub-Division Demand Committee, (SSDDC) and Saikot T.D Block Village Authority Welfare Association (SVAWA) under the umbrella organisation the Saikot Sub-Division Demand Joint Action Committee (JAC),has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister today urging him to upgrade the Saikot T.D.Block to the level of SDO circle.

The memorandum has mentioned that, as per the cabinet meeting held on October 29, 2011, the government of Manipur had taken a cabinet decision to upgrade some TD Blocks such as Tuibuong T.D Block and Sangaikot T.D Blocks to the status of sub-division (SDO) circles in Churachandpur district.

“These upgraded T.D Blocks were created along with Saikot TD Block. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond our comprehension, Saikot TD Block has been left out in the process of upgradation, for which we are deeply shocked and disturbed. We feel that Saikot TD Block has been shown a step-motherly treatment even though Saikot TD Block by all accounts is the most deserving block worthy of elevation to the SDO circle” it stated.

Further, it has mentioned that, while waiting patiently for many years for the government’s positive measures to improve the functioning of the Saikot T.D Block at par with the other T.D Blocks, the state government, applying the spirit of nepotism inequitably left out Saikot T.D Block in the recent elevation and upgradation of its counterpart such as Tuibuong and Sangaikot Blocks in to the status of sub-division level .And that, it is considered a step-motherly treatment and we are being denied justice, it said.

It further mentioned that, Saikot T.D Block has a population of 19256 consisting of 3222 households and with 39 villages and is a strategic location with important government offices and institutions such as primary health centre, Nursing Training centre, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Government High Schools, fairly developed state highway (Sugnu Road) and public transports, post offices with speed post and saving account facilities. Saikot T.D Block is also agriculturally a self-sustained economy with many other added advantages because of its strategic location. We are fully confident that, if objectively assessed, Saikot TD Block will meet the requirements for elevating TD Block to SDO circle.

Conclusively it has requested the government of Manipur to re-examine the genuine case of Saikot T.D Block with sincerity and for the interest of all and in the greater interest of the people of Saikot. The memorandum was submitted by Chairman of the JAC, Timothy Z Zote and secretary R Lalkaisanga.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/saikot-bodies-demand-upgradation-of-saikot-to-sub-division/