Health and awarness camp

IMPHAL, April 9: 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division organized a rural health and awareness camp at Saidon village for the people of Thingchom Tuitophui… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 9: 27 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division organized a rural health and awareness camp at Saidon village for the people of Thingchom Tuitophui and Saidon in CC Pur district on 07 Apr 2011. The medical camp was inaugurated by Col JS Mundi CO, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles. The village chief Mr Thanga thanked the Army for conduct of the medical camp for the villagers. The aim was to provide free medical cover and educate the local population on the importance of hygiene & sanitation. Over 580 locals were treated and provided with free medicines during the camp. The Army also adopted the area for guiding and creating social awareness among the children. The populace of the area appreciated the efforts of the medical camp and suggested that more such camps be organized.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/REPeTOMUheI/

Governor`s Cup Invitation Polo Tournament

IMPHAL, April 9: The XXI Governor`™s Cup Invitation Polo Tournament will be conducted from April 10 to April 15 organised by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association at Mapal… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 9: The XXI Governor`™s Cup Invitation Polo Tournament will be conducted from April 10 to April 15 organised by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association at Mapal Kangjeibung.

Eight best polo teams from the recently concluded 2nd 57 Mountain Division Polo Tournament will participate in the polo tournament. This was stated by S. Budhachandra Singh, Chairmnam of the organizing committee of MHRPA in a press release today.

The champion will get the running winner trophy and cash prize of Rs. 15000 and the runner up will get the running runner up trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 10000.

The release further mentioned that it is pertinent that Sagol Kangjei (Polo) is the state game of Manipur and it is now known throughout the world that the present day polo originated from Manipur. It is only in our state that polo is still played on the Manipuri pony, the original pony.

The opening ceremony of the tournament on April 10 will be graced by Dr. Thokchom Meinya, member of parliament (Lok Sabha), Bijoy Koijam, Deputy Chairman, Manipur State Planning Board & Hony president, Manipur Olympic Association and R.K. Nokulsana, Sr. Advocate & social worker as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

The closing function of the tournament on April 15 will be graced by His Excellency Gurbachan Jagat, the Governor of Manipur, I. Hemochandra Singh, Honble Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly and Dr. S.N. Puri, Vice-Chancelor, Central Agricultural University as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

An incentive to the ardent spectators during the tournament, a free draw will be held on the closing function and one lucky winner will get 54 cm clolur television. Free tickets will be given everyday to the spectators, the release stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/YDPaHmfuOUI/

House burnt

IMPHAL April 9: One wooden building caught fire at Sagolband Salam Leikai Mamang Leirak, today at around 8.30 pm. The residence belongs to one Akhom Amen, 45,s/o Manihar. Amen told… Read more »

IMPHAL April 9: One wooden building caught fire at Sagolband Salam Leikai Mamang Leirak, today at around 8.30 pm.
The residence belongs to one Akhom Amen, 45,s/o Manihar. Amen told media persons that he had lighted a candle and left it unattended as there was no power supply at that time.

The candle is suspected to be the cause of the fire. Property including jewellery, currency notes, and other household items were lost. Adjoining house of one Salam Santa,57,was singed by the flames.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/zfqfFk8CEvY/

U 19 cricket coaching camp

IMPHAL, April 9: The team of the state left Imphal to participate in the under 19 cricket coaching to be held at Shillong from April 10 to April 19 yesterday…. Read more »

IMPHAL, April 9: The team of the state left Imphal to participate in the under 19 cricket coaching to be held at Shillong from April 10 to April 19 yesterday. Namoiam Lokeshwar is the team coach and Potsangbam Krishnan the physical trainer of the team stated a press release by H. Birmangol Singh, Hony Secretary of the Manipur Cricket Association.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/juunAZDCleA/

AZSU call 48 hrs. bandh in Zeliangrong inhabited areas

IMPHAL, April 8: The All Zeliangrong Students`™ Union, Assam Manipur and Nagaland (AZSU-AMN) has called a 48 hours total bandh in Zeliangrong inhabited area in Manipur with effect from April… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 8: The All Zeliangrong Students`™ Union, Assam Manipur and Nagaland (AZSU-AMN) has called a 48 hours total bandh in Zeliangrong inhabited area in Manipur with effect from April 17 midnight to April 19 midnight.

Clarifying on imposition of the bandh the students`™ body in a press statement issued by its general secretary, Nchaheing Kompoing, stated that the decision was taken to pressure the government to translate their demands into action. It recalled that a memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister and Home Minister of India against the high handedness of the 11 Assam Rifles at Tamenglong head quarter and other security forces in Zeliangrong inhabited areas in Manipur.
It said that the bandh covers both national and international projects including the railway however medical service, electricity, religious function and water supply is exempted from the purview of the bandh, it said.

It pointed out that the charter of demands mentioned in the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India and Home Minister includes immediate withdrawal of AFSPA 1958 from North East Regions, immediate transfer of 11 Assam Rifles from Zeliangrong inhabited areas, removal of all Indian army check post/gates on highways and district highways and befitting punitive action against high handed colonel Chonkar of 11 AR.

The statement lamented that Zeliangrong people in particular and Nagas in general have been victimized by the Indian security forces for more than 60 years on the pretext of Law and Order under the aegis of AFSPA.

It questioned the relevance of AFSPA imposition in Naga habited area today when the whole Naga areas have been covered by the Indo-Naga peace process. This reflects insincerity on the part of the government of India, it decried.

Thousands of Naga people have been living with indelible physical scars, psychologically and emotionally due to excessive torture by the Indian armed forces. At the same time, it questioned the intention of 11 AR under colonel Chonkar for trying to disrupt a time valued peace process between the GOI and Naga.

It appealed all the general public and all authorities concerned to extend co-operation to make the 48 hour total bandh a success.

It also informed that any untoward incident arising out of the defiance of the bandh would be the responsibilities of the defaulter concerned.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/l9uFgAUYkEs/

Seminar

IMPHAL, April 8: The Bharat Sevak Samaj Manipur state branch, Imphal is organizing 2 days seminars programme on Preserving Indian Folk Song and Dance on April 12 this month at… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 8: The Bharat Sevak Samaj Manipur state branch, Imphal is organizing 2 days seminars programme on Preserving Indian Folk Song and Dance on April 12 this month at Mass Hotel Conference hall.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/YtKZpLnoHE8/

Rationalization of Recruitment is need of the hours

Leader Writer: Sukham Nanda Over all Strength of the state security forces under State Home Department have crossed over double the of the strength of the employees of the various… Read more »

Leader Writer: Sukham Nanda
Over all Strength of the state security forces under State Home Department have crossed over double the of the strength of the employees of the various respective major departments of the state which have reached 24646 includes 10310 Civil police, 13518 MR/IRB, 39 CMTW, 516 Wireless Staffs, 11 FSL, 66 Medical Staffs and 186 Ministrial Staff against the total sanctioned post of 33503, which is above 30% of the existing employees strength working at Manipur Secretariat and other engineering departments of the state.

It may be mentioned that, existing SPF government considering the main cause of the disturbances in the affairs of the state administrations due to uncontrollable situations of violence activities during the course of insurgency movements by the various insurgents groups operating in the state, state government from time to time took decision for the strengthening of the state security forces to control over the violent actions and activities of the insurgent groups and enhancing the Counter Insurgency Operations with implementation of the centrally added project of state police modernization. So far multiple recruitment of 9 phases to the state security forces have been completed after obtaining special permission from the Centre despite of having banned in direct recruitment since last eight years in the state and more manpower of state force are also planning to raise by the government.

On the other hand, it has matter of concerned for the people of the state on part of failure that despite of having being deployed a large numbers of state security forces in very nook and corner of the Greater Imphal areas and other parts of valley districts, letting armed militants to attacked civilians by the guns and bombs on the broad daylight everyday shows the lack of sensitivities and failure in intelligence networks of the state police department which state government need check immediately.

In the meantime, the concerned have also been felt by various head of departments of the state at present as many major and minor departments of the state have been functioning by under staffs since last many years caused by the prolonged failure to fill up the posts which are lying vacant after retirement of many employees as result the departments are now facing serious concern while delivering for a sound and active administration of the respective department as directives have given to do so by the government. Time has come for the state government to reopen with creative policies so as to enable the existing departments to work and deliver the services for the welfare of the state after maintaining an adequate staffs and which could be the part of policy to solve the existing problems of educated unemployed of the state.

The various officials of state government departments have observed that, the policy of the state government can never be denied by the employees but the failure on the objectives despite of increase in the strength of the state forces to control over excessive activities of the insurgent in terms threat perceptions related with momentary demands and other issues could not be solved by the state government till today as and it has a matter of big concern for all employees of the state have been increasing day by day.

Obviously it has also another serious concerned for the various department on arising complicacy on the shortages of man powers in various essential departments like, Medical, and Health care, education at present but the failure of state government to consider appointment of the required staffs in these essential departments can never solved the existing lapses of the departmental administrations.

Considering the existing problems of facing by the state departments due to the under staffs, the state policies for rationalization in the recruitment of the employees of various department are immediately require in the state if the state government really wanted to maintain an effective and responsible administrations in the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/fNIoAKDq8CM/

Army recruitment rally

IMPHAL April 8: An army recruitment rally will be held at Senapati beginning from 18 to 24 April. The rally will be conducted at the Football ground,Senapati . The recruitment… Read more »

IMPHAL April 8: An army recruitment rally will be held at Senapati beginning from 18 to 24 April. The rally will be conducted at the Football ground,Senapati . The recruitment will be open for unmarried male candidates for Soldier General Duty for youth belonging to all districts of Manipur only and soldier clerk/store keeper technical, soldier technical/soldier nursing assistant for all NE states. Re-enrolment into DSC category for ex-servicemen will also be carried out. The screening of candidates will commence at 6:30 AM on each day commencing from 18 April, further details can be had from PIB(DW) at M sector, an army press release states.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/52LUyPwlDWY/

Accident

IMPHAL, April 30: In a freak accident two freight trucks carrying wheat were burnt after a high voltage transmission wire suspending above them snapped and fell on them after another… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 30: In a freak accident two freight trucks carrying wheat were burnt after a high voltage transmission wire suspending above them snapped and fell on them after another truck knocked down an electric post while trying to go backwards near the FCI godown, Sangaiprou.

Fortunately all the crew of the trucks escaped unharmed.

Reports said that the incident occurred around 11 in the morning while the two trucks were waiting for their turn to unload its goods, when truck carrying rice accidentally knocked down an electric poll supporting the wire.

The sparks from the wire ignited a fire however timely intervention of the fire department put off the fire in time and only the left portions of the trucks were damaged by the fire.

The registration numbers of the two ill fated trucks are identified as NL07A-1579 and NL 05D-6959.

The truck that knocked down the electric poll is identified as NL01V-1646.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/EZgcZb4guGk/

Admit cards for Women Civil Defence Demonstrators

IMPHAL, April 8: The Directorate of Civil Defence, Government of Manipur has informed that, the admit card for the written examination for the recruitment to the post of Women Civil… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 8: The Directorate of Civil Defence, Government of Manipur has informed that, the admit card for the written examination for the recruitment to the post of Women Civil Defence Demonstrator shall be isuued from April 11 to April 15 this month from Room No. 150, Ministers`™ Block, New Secretariat, Imphal from 10 an till 4 pm.

The official notification issued by the staff officer of state Directorate of Civil Defence, mentioned that, those candidates, who have not yet submitted two passport size photographs attested by a gazetted officer should immediately do so, failing which admit cards shall not be issued to them and the written examination shall be held at Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) Examination hall, North AOC, Imphal from 10 am till 12 on April 16 this month, the official order added.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/lb8a_aibb8A/

Large number of water birds spotted in Loktak

By Sobhapati Samom Imphal,April 8: A recent day long study by a team of local experts in association with the Non-Government Oganisation(NGO) representatives in Manipur`s Loktak lake has spotted 57… Read more »

By Sobhapati Samom
Imphal,April 8: A recent day long study by a team of local experts in association with the Non-Government Oganisation(NGO) representatives in Manipur`s Loktak lake has spotted 57 different kinds of water birds.

The other water birds recorded or spotted during the study include 23 are local waterbirds,18 are migratory,12 are waterfowl(nganu) birds.

The study was conducted by states environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou led team in some section of the lake under the sponsorship of state forest department on February 2 this year.The other team members include ornithologists K Jugeshor Singh and RK Birjit.

This came to light when Dr Shamungou shared their study experiences during the concluding session of the Forest department sponsored 3 day capacity strengthening training programme on Bird conservation and management at Keibul Lamjao National park inspection bunglow,around 55 km south of here in Bishnupur district,today.

Interestingly two of water birds namely Nganu Mitngoubi(Ferrigunous pocchard) and Ura-Linmanbi(Darter) were listed as near threatened species by International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN).

Weve recorded a sharp decline in the number of migratory birds visiting our lake(Loktak),states environmentalist Dr Kh Shamungou said.”The unpredicted rain and changes in the Loktaks hydrology would be some of the reasons for the decline”,he reasoned and added, “Thus the number of migratory birds visiting Loktak Lake has been declined unlike the previous year”.

The environmentalist also admitted that a small number of Nganu Thoidingnum(Gadwall ) were spotted unlike the past.Similarly they also hard to spot birds such as Kaksu(Glossy Ibis) or while Ibis in their recent study which was conducted through 27 spots.

However resource persons from Bombay Natural Historical Society (BNHS) who had been imparting new techniques in waterbirds conservation expected that the number of waterbirds in the lake might be increased once the area of water bodies are expanded.

Dr S Balachandran, assistant director of BNHS is expecting that the number of migratory birds would be increased once the phumdis(biomass) are removed from lake.

According to Range Officer Kh Hitler of Keibul Lamjao National Park,altogether around 30 officers of the state forest department,Loktak Development Authority and NGO representatives participated in the training program which was held to create more awareness on state`s forest and wildlife particularly the water birds.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/MseGOdej7ZE/

MOBC scholarships

IMPHAL, April 8: The Directorate of Minorities and Other Backward Classes, (OBC) Manipur has informed to all students applicants/Head of institutions etc. who were selected in phase-I under Pre and… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 8: The Directorate of Minorities and Other Backward Classes, (OBC) Manipur has informed to all students applicants/Head of institutions etc. who were selected in phase-I under Pre and Post-Matric scholarship 2009-10 and also phase-II funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi that cheques distribution function of those selected students./institutions for both phase-I and Phase-II will be held on April 13 this month at the conference hall of Hotel Imphal from 10 am to 4 pm and therefore, all concerned students/heads of institution are requested to collect their cheques along with identification/authorized documents and APRs of previous receipts if availed earlier without fail, the official order added.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/U1gY2VSRxP8/

Landhoni health deteriorates

IMPHAL April 8: The condition of Moirangthem Landhoni who is into the 33rd day of hunger strike is stated to be serious. The woman has been in protest of her… Read more »

IMPHAL April 8: The condition of Moirangthem Landhoni who is into the 33rd day of hunger strike is stated to be serious.

The woman has been in protest of her detainment by the NIA authorities for alleged links with the outlawed UNLF after she went to meet her husband at Guwahati on August 18 last year, has been undergoing a hunger strike protest since March 8 last.

Sources said that she is presently under medical treatment as her health condition began sinking. Her blood pressure is said to be alarmingly low.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/kBYxhj0riBg/

DESAM appeal to KCP (Maoist)

IMPHAL April 7: DESAM in a press release by the publicity and propaganda secretary LC Bobisana appealed the KCP(Maoist) to lift the ban imposed by the outfit to RDO nursing… Read more »

IMPHAL April 7: DESAM in a press release by the publicity and propaganda secretary LC Bobisana appealed the KCP(Maoist) to lift the ban imposed by the outfit to RDO nursing institute. The release states that DESAM has no right to intervene between MLA W Brajabidhu and the outfit ,but is suggesting that the future of the students will be bleak if the imposition continue.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/BIyABpkw2sw/

Killing Spree In Manipur

B.A. Sharma The former Prime Minister Shri Rajeey Gandhi the young political child used to address the public in his maximum deliveries as HAM DEKHENGE, DEKHRAHE HAIN and DEKHUNGA (we… Read more »

B.A. Sharma
The former Prime Minister Shri Rajeey Gandhi the young political child used to address the public in his maximum deliveries as HAM DEKHENGE, DEKHRAHE HAIN and DEKHUNGA (we are looking, being turn to look the matter and I will see) But, he could not do but seeing the scenarios.

That too I remember the promises of the leaders and follow – on actions of the promises. When the time rolled – on the people become easy and normalized the cities of the seriousnesses for example.

1. The shoot upon the Advocate General Shri Koteswar Singh, the recent past incident, is now relaxed. And thus how many cases have been curtained out the senses of the people, would be in innumerable.

But, the 20th March shoot out from the gun of the immature son of the Minister of the State of Manipur has claimed the degree of homicidal character. It was day brought light incident, with intention to kill a person in conscious state with a licensed gun; which held cold blood murder.
But the question is the license issued to whom and how a license of a gun was used by a young boy since the boy who used the gun could not hold license of a revolver pistol, because, to issue a revolver under Arms/Ammunitions Act would not cover the criteria to issue a license for a gun, to purchase a revolver according to the capacity of the person whosoever the young boy used a gun.
Probable questions arising in the circumstances that; perhaps the license could be issued to a matured person whose capacity of service to the society is accountable to issue a gun, indeed his own safeguard is necessary indeed to issue a license to hold a short barrel gun would not cover the required conditions to the son of Shri Biren Singh the Honourable Minister.

That, to kill a person with enmity also does not cover the conditions to issue a license to hold a short barrel gun, does not interpret a license to kill. This is the society where we are suffering or will be suffering due to unexplained prologue of the text of the apostle of legal construe is always governed by the unlearned guardians.

Therefore, if comes to the conclusion that :
1. Killing does not licensed but licensed does issued to hold a gun
2. The killing of 20-03-2011 was purely cold blood murder. It was not a defensive.
3. The Killer has the strength of five whereas, the killed was not found holding any lethal weapon and the killer has the gun, in his name. If the legality is exist in the state the boy should not have the license, but the license and gun might belong to a responsible person. Even the utmost necessity of the gun might consider with the responsibility of the person to whom a license being issued.
4. That, even been issued the license of a gun to an immature, irresponsible person what course of action been taken up by the existing Govt.

Because, the killer is the son of an honourable Minister whose responsibility is clearly visible to be fit to come down from the chair of the responsible post on moral ground. Hence the Honourable Chief Minister might have asked the Honourable Miniter for resignation on moral ground if the Honourable Chief Minister was sitting on the opposition bench. BuJ: today he is trying to subdue the circumstances by imposing 144 CRPC in the Imphal East Dist. Because he does not want to bring the situation exposed to turmoil.

Thus, Rajeev`s epistle is imitating by the word DEKHRAHA HUNG but DHEKNA HAIN has two senses of SEEING OR LOOKING, though we found looking more than seeing the matter for action in the circumstances. Of such enormity and torturous blows to the innocent people of Manipur the existing Govt. is showing more dictatorship instead of showing sorryness and effort to solve the problems.

Manipur is the smallest states of the country though highest rate of killing spree in the name of the armed revolutions. Many are killing and innumerable have been killed and in turn the state forces are hunting and killing as licensed to kill. There is no human right in the state; there is no power to consider about right and wrong. I shall beat you, I shall kill you is the language of the youths of the state. Quarreling spirit is exist in the society not only in ignorant the same fighting spree is adorned in the police force also. The meaning of police is now invisible in Manipur. The duty of a police is to pacify the situation of a particular location, police should not create another problem in the society.

And above all the democrats are more unconscious, rather selfish and irresponsible. As and when the state is in trouble the democrats in the state kept silent of the same opposition leaders shouted in the public. The ruling leaders are on waiting of the opinion of the Chief Minister. Thus ethics of the democrats so called leaders of the state and of the nation are found to be down graded and pulling down.

Therefore, the duties and responsibilities of a leader is the carrier of the personality. Ethics is real appearance of the leader to the public. Therefore, this time in Manipur the people demands morality of the leaders, ethics of the leadership and presentation of leaders since the state is in trouble due to inhuman hunting of the young boy Mr. Rozer.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/Nz4mg81zxk8/

KCP (MC) refutes claim

IMPHAL April 7:The KCP (MC) assistant secretary of military affairs Korouhanba in a press release states that the two persons namely one Nepolian and Tongbram Robindro arrested by Delhi police… Read more »

IMPHAL April 7:The KCP (MC) assistant secretary of military affairs Korouhanba in a press release states that the two persons namely one Nepolian and Tongbram Robindro arrested by Delhi police on charges of drug smuggling are not related with the outfit in any way. It further states that the outfit is surprised on the drug runners being connected with the outfit as per reports in the media. The outfit condemns the alleged link as a means to tarnish the image of the outfit and states that drug trafficking is a menace and should be checked.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/AAbN5dV23M8/

BSF observes World Health Day

IMPHAL April 7: A blood donation camp was organized by SHQ BSF CI (Ops) Koirengei on the occasion of World Health Day today. The program was inaugurated by DIG Sh… Read more »

IMPHAL April 7: A blood donation camp was organized by SHQ BSF CI (Ops) Koirengei on the occasion of World Health Day today.

The program was inaugurated by DIG Sh Angom Shamoo,RK Mishra, commandant 13 Batallion BSF and was the first blood donor out of more than 50 personnel including officers, subordinate officers and jawans A press release states.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/z0Zvoq9BQKk/

Police transfer and postings

IMPHAL, April 7: Transfer and postings of two IPS officials and three MPS officials have been allocated today by the state government. In this regard an official order was issued… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 7: Transfer and postings of two IPS officials and three MPS officials have been allocated today by the state government.

In this regard an official order was issued by the Joint, Secy. DP, Government of Manipur, and as per the official order, Kamei Angam, IPS, Additional SP L/O Bishnupur has been transferred as Additional Sp Ops, Imphal East, L Mangkhogin Haokip, IPS, Additional SP Kangpokpi as Addl. SP. L/O Bishnupur, M Rajen Singh, MPS, Addl. SP Ops Imphal East was transferred as Addl. SP. Churachandpur, N Manimohon Singh, MPS, Addl. SP Churachandpur as Deputy Commandant 2nd MR and Khamjapao Ngaite, MPS, Addl. SP MPTC was transferred as Addl. SP Kangpokpi the official order added.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/mwMAtNQsq3M/

Traditional Institution and the Manipur Municipality Community Participation Act, 2010

Ningthoujam Irina It is an accepted premise in theory and practice that `Local Self-Governing Institutions`™ play an important role in effectively running a village or a residential locality. These institutions… Read more »

Ningthoujam Irina
It is an accepted premise in theory and practice that `Local Self-Governing Institutions`™ play an important role in effectively running a village or a residential locality. These institutions can be either traditional or modern rational based formal and informal institutions. In addition to the institutions of Panchayati and Municipal Council of local self-government, for Northeast India, the vision document North Eastern Region Vision 2020, acknowledges the presence of a strong tradition of local self-governing institutions in the region through `Traditional Institutions (TI)`™. It is through these institutions that people participate in the democratic governance of their own life by actively engaging in the decision making processes of making choices and implementation of those decisions. In this regard, here is an attempt to review how traditional institutions in Manipur are recognised vis-à-vis the state position in the recently enacted `The Manipur Municipality Community Participation Act, 2010`.

The North Eastern Region Vision 2020 document, consequently, expresses the desirability and the necessity to ensure a harmonious relationship between the constitutional institutions of local governance and the `Traditional Institutions (TI)`™ for better governance of the people and for the region at large. The document also mentioned that `a top-down development planning strategy has not involved people in designing and implementing the strategy and, not surprisingly, the relationship between public spending and service delivery outcomes has been tenuous. The various public investment projects in the region have not yielded commensurate benefits. Lack of people`™s involvement has robbed the system of a sense of belonging and led to inefficient and wasteful resource allocation on the one hand and a lack of social accountability on the other.` That is to say decentralized governance with active participation of the people is an end in itself as it reaffirms the universal value that all men are equal and the right to decide his/her own future lies within the individual self.

Leikai and Leikai club
In the valley areas of Manipur, TIs include various clubs, associations and peoples`™ organizations. Ubiquitous among them is the Leikai Club, the prominence is reflected in the document also when it said that `while designing local planning approaches, care must be taken to harmonise the functions and rights `¦. the Clubs of the Manipur valley`¦. with institutional mechanisms designed for modern development and service delivery.` There are as many clubs as many Leikai (a helmet/locality/Mohallah) in Manipur.

In fact the idea of community is embedded and built in a space of `Leikai`™ with regard to the Meitei community of the Imphal valley. The space of a Leikai is an imagined space. It has a structural and behavioural value which can be understood through its system of kinship, pseudo-kinship, social norms and rituals. This can be seen as a kind of self that is being embedded into a bigger collective. People are bound by social obligation in terms of behaviour obligation and etiquette. A lot of activities right from the rituals of birth to death or any local festival are done with support from the community members. So, it is mandatory to invite or inform the member of the community for every event, that`™s the reason the society, has tradition of `leikai varton chatpa`™.

Further, the interrelationship and cooperation between one another is manifested in the form of many existing traditional institutions of Singllup or the informal micro-credit Marup institution. They play a dominant role in the collective imagination and existence as a Leikai. Though, it appears that present day solidarity has shifted from the core belief of collective existence to a material base or a more individualised economic base solidarity. `Capital as solidarity`™ for the want of a better expression. The foundation of solidarity in Manipur society is the sharing and understanding built through the above collectives. This is the reason why people impose an obligation on the self to go and share the pain and joy of others. A Classic example is the tradition of asi-hangba chatpa. For this people did not need a formal invite or the capital do not determine the sharing of the others world. It is through such sharing that a common world is established that is recognisable to each other.

At the same time, it is also an undeniable reality of our time that the forces of capital and material has started determining our ways of life and renders the society and people to a commodity of the `modern`™ world. Yet, the present day `club`™ since early 1940s`™ has been an evolutionary form of a Leikai collective mechanism to participate in activities of collective goods or to face any crisis collectively in the space of a Leikai. As any organisation has its own history of good, excellent and bad times, Clubs are no stranger to this universal phenomenon. But, they in one way or the other contributes to sports, education, crisis management, local developments etc. in the Leikai. The recognition of their activities has also been registered in State/National administrative reports since Independence.

Manipur Municipality Community Participation Act, 2010
The opportunity of recognising and institutionalising these roles of Leikai Club or any other equally important TIs could have taken place in this recently enacted `Manipur Municipality Community Participation Act, 2010`. But sadly, the enactment of such an Act astonished everyone. This Act has come through `Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)`™, to achieve the United Nation Millennium development Goals (UNMDG) by 2015. In fact, every programme and mission under UNMDG emphasised to achieve the community participation. JNNURM is a programme for the development of urban infrastructure which is funded by the World Bank which demands the enactment and modification of Municipalities Act institutionally and structurally. One of the objectives of the scheme is to assist the select Urban Local Bodies to institutionalize key urban reforms. As a safeguard mechanism one of the proposed stakeholders indentified is the ward development committee to strengthen local governance.

This ward development committee under the `Community Participation Law`™ (CPL) is to be passed within 6 months of the signing of the Memorandum of Association under the Mission and submitting a copy to the Ministry of Urban Development. The states must also abide by and implement some conditionalities including privatization of water and sanitation services, repeal of the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act (ULCRA) and implementation of public-private partnerships (PPP).

Manipur is also not immune to this development and `Manipur Municipality Community Participation Act, 2010` was enacted by the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Under the influence of global capital and neo-liberal ideas `“ promotion of particular type of civil society and less role of state and privatization of delivery of services is sought to be promoted. As a party to it Government of Manipur, in the Act, defines Civil Society as
any non-government organization or association or persons, established, constituted, or registered under any law for the time being in force and working for social welfare, and includes any community based organization, professional institution and civic, health educational, social or cultural body or any trade or industrial organization and such other association or body as the state may decide

By defining through an act, Kakchingtabam Naresh in `Democracy and Civil Society: Absence of the sovereign in Northeast` observed that the government has used civil society as an instrumental tool for the production of labour in its relationship between the government and the individuals for the production of a new set of socio-economic relationships. Further, the act disregards the importance of the democratic role that is being played by traditional Institutions in the development and sustenance of a locality or residential area in the Manipuri society. Thus the act doesn`™t include any of the traditional institutions or address the issue of gender inclusiveness. That is to say, the Act is no different from any other government bureaucratic organisation as it mentions the composition of the ward development committee as
a) The Councillor of the ward, who shall be the Chairperson of the Ward Development Committee,
b) Two persons to be elected from the ward,
c) Two persons representing the civil society from the ward, nominated by the state Government.
This has raised basic questions on the democratic character of the committee since it is not mentioned how far is this act of nomination of two persons by the state going to be democratic so do the constitution of ward finance committee and ward information and statistical committee through nomination by the state. Instead of democratization, what the act actually does is bureaucratization by opening a widow for vested interest to operate. It needs to be emphasised again that the very purpose of 73 rd and 74thAmendment is neither administrative decentralisation nor mere devolution but to establish an `institution of self Government` in rural and urban areas. This is even in total inconsistency with the real objectives of achieving community participation of MDGs. Along with this it is a complete unawareness on the proposed recommendations of the vision document North Eastern Region Vision 2020.

In addition, by fixing the responsibility of addressing the grievances of the people on the chairperson, who is a part of the same structure, the act does not address or failed to take into account the mechanisms of accountability by the people in a democratic way. This also raises questions of how the idea of community and participation is conceptualised by the policy maker of the state. Where do the local community stand in the allocation of resources in democratic planning? Are the local community organisations given due space in such exercise of allocation of resources.

Surprisingly, the information of the Manipur Assembly passing the Act came in July last year through a local newspaper. But, in complete disregard to all democratic norms, the government of the day did not consider it worthy to publish in the media to receive people`™s comments and suggestions before passing such an important Act. In contrast, the neighbouring states of Nagaland and Meghalaya, the Act were put in the public domain inviting suggestions and comments. It`™s no wonder that the enactment of the Act was preceded by the suspension of democratically elected or constituted constitutionally mandated public body the Imphal Municipality Council (IMC) that was made redundant by the successive governments of Manipur by not decentralising its constitutionally mandated functions. For example 19 such municipal functions in City Development Plan, such as water supply, urban amenities are not performed by the IMC but by other State departments such as Department of Town Planning, Department of Public Health and Engineering, Department of Fire, Planning and development Authority, etc.

In the state of Meghalaya, though their State Community Participation Act is still being challenged and questioned by the Traditional institution leaders, their ward development committee includes the representatives of Durbar/Council/traditional. Along with this, 3 (three) women either from Seng Kynthei/women organization/ individuals who are the eligible voters of the concerned Ward are also to be nominated by the Government in the Ward Committee. Such is the sensitivity of the state unlike our state Manipur which has active women collectives like Meira Peibies.

Conclusion
Therefore before the state start implementing this ward development committee, every concerned citizen/Local Club executive must think and debate over such behaviour of the state planning and policy making process. The state`™s policy and Act must not be at the cost of our own people and its aspiration. It should be sensitive enough to consider its social and cultural complexities. It is not just the lack of governance but the very act of planning and institutionalising the structural mechanism that is not democratic in nature which will impede translate effective and accountable governance. It is the need of the hour to question the understanding of the political elites of Manipur towards their own citizens while framing such important Acts of the state.
irina.ning@gmail.com

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/zEDU8dc9kHc/

TRUGPU lifts Manindra Memorial tournament

IMPHAL, April 7: TRUGPU beat SSU to lift the 1st edition of M. Manindra Memorial Invitation Football Tournament held at Moirang Mu;ltipurpose Higher Secondary School by scoring a solitary goal… Read more »

IMPHAL, April 7: TRUGPU beat SSU to lift the 1st edition of M. Manindra Memorial Invitation Football Tournament held at Moirang Mu;ltipurpose Higher Secondary School by scoring a solitary goal in the final match played today.

TRUGPU`™s lone goal was scored by N. Dhananjoy in the 61st minute of the match. The score leveled 0-0 at half time. TRUGPU`™s N. Dhananjoy was awarded the best player of the tournament. Fair play team goes to Sagolband United.

Winners of the tournament TRUGPU got a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 while runners up team SSU got Rs. 25,000.

Health and Family Welfare Minister L. Jayentakumar Singh , presided the closing function of the tournament. Works and Transport Minister K. Ranjit, M. Prithiviraj, MLA, Col. MC Ayappa, CO, 16 MLI, A. Santoshkumar Singh, President, AMFA and M. Lokendro Singh, Chief Engineer were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honours respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/z-H-QMrCO5k/