Manipur News

IMPHAL, 06 May: The United Committee Manipur has condemned yesterday`™s Pallel shooting incident stating that such act of targeting a religious procession is an act of sin.

Speaking to media persons, UCM organisation secretary Yk Dhiren said the incident was very unfortunate.

The press meet was held at the committee`™s office located at Lamphel.

He also said that the ugly aftermath of the incident is also regrettable. The UCM has taken stock of the situation during a visit to the area and met with the elders of the surrounding villages, he added.

The UCM team had also met with the Aimol Satu village chief in charge Khupler who has assured to cooperate in finding the culprit at the earliest, he continued.

The UCM, at the same time, appeal to the concern authorities of the State government for timely intervention to avoid any communal disharmony, he stated.

Dhiren also said that the committee shares the grief of the victim`™s family and injured individuals.

All Manipur United Clubs Organisation has also condemned the incident and stated that it will support all demands put forth by the JAC formed in connection with the unfortunate incident.

Speaking to media persons at the organisation`™s office at Kwakeithel this evening, AMUCO president Mani Khuman said AMUCO along with the United Peoples`™ Front, MAPI Council, Macha Leima, Discovery Manipur and NIPCO will support the charter of demand issued by the JAC to produce the culprits by tomorrow to bring normalcy in the area.

Condemning the act, he put pressure on the State government to book the culprit according the law of the book and said the incident has created an air of uneasiness among the people of the State especially in the Pallel area.

He further continued that the culprits should themselves surrender voluntarily before the law in order to avoid any communal outrage.

Mani further appealed to all communities to respect the sentiments of each and every community and to maintain peace and harmony.

The Umanglai Kangba Apunba Lup (UKAL) has also warned of collective action under `Nat and Chatnabi`™, if the government fails to arrest the culprits behind the indiscriminate shooting at a religious group last night at Pallel by 5pm of May 7.

Unidentified miscreants had opened indiscriminate firing at a group of people taking part in Lai Chingdokpa of Nongpok Ningthou and Sekmai Ningthou Lai Haraoba at a place between Pallel and Aimol village killing one and injuring four. The injured are presently undergoing treatment at RIMS and another at Raj Medicity.

Speaking to media persons at the UKAL office, Lailup & UKAL convener Matum Nganba said we condemn such attack on peaceful religious proceedings and demand immediate justice from the government.

He further declared that the victim of the shooting incident `Moirangthem Gopal`™ has been accorded the `Umang laigi Athoiba Mapari title and his death anniversary will be observed as `the day the Meitei Culture was challenged.`

Matum Nganba also urged all `Laiharoaba`™ celebrations to observe a 10-minute of condolence for the victim.

Meanwhile, the All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation (AMESCO) has also strongly condemned the Pallel incident.

A press release of AMESCO has said that it also condoled the demise of Moiranthem Gopal of Pallel Mayai Leikai who was killed during the firing and also shared the grievances of the family members of the deceased.

All sections of the society should condemn the incident and the perpetrators should be arrested and punished according to the law, it said.

It has further appealed to the security forces posted along the highway to remain vigil against such crimes instead of just patrolling the highway.

AMESCO has also demanded that the perpetrators be arrested at the earliest, and compensations be paid to the victim as well as those injured at the earliest.

The government should also ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future, it said.

At the same time, a women-based organisation of the Aimol tribe Aimol Numeivar today staged a sit in protest decrying the killing of a devotee and injuring four others in the unfortunate incident of miscreants shooting at a religious procession at Pallel yesterday.

The demonstration was staged at the Aimol Tampak Waiting Shed in Chandel district.

A large number of women were seen holding placards condemning the unfortunate incident.

Speaking to the media persons, president of the organisation, Ch Leena Aimol said that the association strongly condemned the unfortunate incident and also shares the grief of the victim`™s family as well as the injured persons.

The people of Aimol also have no dispute and objection against the villagers of Pallel in organising such religious rituals at Laithokching, she added.

While assuring to extend all possible assistance in booking the culprit (s), she also clarified that the unfortunate incident could be committed by miscreants who were intoxicated.

She further appealed to the perpetrators to consider the hardships faced by the villagers and surrender themselves voluntarily at the earliest.

One of the protestor, Ln Romila told media persons that the people of the area also regretted the unwanted incident and that it would be unjust to hide such perpetrators. The villagers will extend whatever necessary assistance they could to book the culprits, she added.

While seeking the support and co-operation from all sides to book the culprit, she also maintained that the women organisation has resolved to banish the perpetrators from the area once their identities are decided.

The Molnoi Area Welfare Council (MAWC) and Kuki Chiefs`™ Association (KCA), Tengnoupal have condemned in the strongest terms the attack on Lai Haraoba devotees at Pallel on the fateful night of April 5 that led to the killing of a devotee and injuring four others.

In a joint statement, the bodies viewed the incident as the handiwork of anti-social elements aimed at destroying social harmony and peaceful co-existence in the area and appealed to not put the blame on tribals of the area or the whole Aimol population especially to the villagers of Aimol Satu and Aimol Chingnunghut in the interest of peace and harmony.

Culprit (s) must comply with the demands of the victim families/JAC by paying ex-gratia and adequate compensation at the earliest in order to diffuse the crisis. Molnol Area Welfare Council and Kuki Chiefs`™ Association are ready to assist the victim parties in any possible way, the statement said.

It also appealed to the government to promptly intervene and bring a lasting solution to the problem in the interest of the common people.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/csos-demand-arrest-of-lai-haraoba-firing-perpetrators/

IMPHAL, May 6: A joint meeting of locals of Pallel was convened at Ibuthou Sengmai Ningthou and Nongpok Ningthou Shanglen on May 5 at 11 pm in connection with the unprovoked firing on a crowd who were performing Lai Lamthokpa for Lai Haraoba on May 5 night killing a man besides injuring four others.

The meeting presided over by Up-Pradhan of Pallel Gram Panchayat adopted certain resolutions regarding the incident.

It unanimously resolved to form a 13-member Joint Action Committee christened as `JAC Against the Killing of Moirangthem Gopal and Other Victims`™ in connection with the incident of firing.

The meeting also resolved to call a state-wide general strike on April May 6 and impose indefinite bandh on Aimol road along National Highway 102 to condemn the fatal firing.

To not accept the dead body of the deceased, compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the deceased and Rs 5 lakh for the injured victims, urge the government to bear medical expenditures for the injured victims, compensation of Rs 15 lakh for halting the Lai Haraoba mid-way, to send written statement to all the cultural organizations about the incident etc are some of the resolutions adopted during the joint meeting

Meanwhile, subsequent upon its formation, the JAC has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi urging to take up necessary action against those involved in the killing of M Gopal Singh son of Late M Gourachandra, who lost his life when some unidentified persons opened fire on a group of people while they were taking out Lai Haraoba procession at Pallel Lai Lamthokching on May 5 around 8.30 pm.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/pallel-jac-imposes-indefinite-bandh-along-nh-102/

IMPHAL, May 6: A group of former cadres of the KYKL, PLA and UNLF who had surrendered before the government has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on May 5 seeking implementation of their rehabilitation scheme, which they said had been assured to them during their surrender programme.

Speaking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club today, they threatened to resort to legal recourse if the government fails to consider their appeal.

`The Government has befooled us with false assurance of government jobs and normal mainstreaming but till date we are left high and dry without any avenues for survival and protection forthcoming` lamented Wahengbam Premananda Singh alias Ranjan alias Ipu during the press meeting.

Another member Ningthoujam Thoiba alias Gopen said, `An SDPO had wooed us into giving up arms and with great risk we had surrendered before the government trusting that the government will safeguard us and provide us a livelihood.`

Eight of us from KYKL surrendered with four pistols, however, till date the government has not given us any incentive even for these small arms, said Akoijam Bashanta Meitei alias Fighter.

He continued, `We face a lot of discrimination in society; as such our livelihood options are narrowed. Our mobility is also constrained by the threats from our former groups.`

Wahengbam Premananda stated, `In dire state I had gone to earn as a casual labourer in Wangoi but I was rearrested by Thoubal Police. I was released some seven months back and yet I am ordered to report every Sunday.`

They said they had surrendered in June 2012, January 2013, March 2013 and April 2013 in small groups during lavished celebrations hosted by the State government and were promised of jobs and protection, but now most of us work as masons.

We deserted our respective underground groups with the assurance of the government to support our mainstreaming but we are shocked at their total apathy to our deplorable situation. Such indifference with discourage others to surrender in future, said Khangembam Joychandra alias Joyradha alias Mangalpiba.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/former-militants-threaten-legal-recourse-against-state/

IMPHAL, May 6: Prime Minster Narendra Modi headed BJP Government of India had already assured that the Alternative Arrangement will work out within a time frame but if the assurance turns out to be a delaying tactics, different forms of agitation will be launched in consultation with the tri-council, said president of United Naga Council, Gaidon Kamei.

He was speaking during the 5th death anniversary observance of Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshuo who were killed by bullets of security forces during a rally.

The observance held today at Martyrs Park, Mao Gate was jointly organized by Mao Council; Naga Students`™ Association Manipur; Mao Students`™ Union under the aegis of United Naga Council.

Family members and other paid floral wreaths at the park.

Gaidon further said that seven rounds of talk have been held with the UNC regarding the demand for Alternative Arrangement while reiterating that the Government of India during the last round of talk had given commitment to translate the Alternative Arrangement into a reality.

`Government of India should expedite the peace process (Alternative Arrangement) on time bound manner otherwise it is not possible to live together in the State of Manipur under the communal forces and there is no scope for future for Nagas. The history, land, culture, and identity of Naga is not safe in the hand of communal government`, he said.

Pointing out that that the Indo-Naga peace process has now reached 17 years without any settlement, the president of UNC said that failure to bring a settlement to the peace process is due to the lack of political commitment on part of the Government of India.

The Naga people are still hopeful for a final solution soon though considerable amount of time had been passed, he added.

He also mentioned that unity amongst Naga people especially those residing in `South Nagalim`™ regarding Alternative Arrangement demand has further strengthened following the death of the two persons.

`Without Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur which is still pending, there is no other option for the Nagas in Manipur. The Government of India should pay maximum attention to bring a solution to the long standing demand`, he said.

He recalled that general secretary of NSCN GPRN Th Muivah who is also the chief negotiator cum atokilonser of the outfit was given permission by the Government of India to visit his native village at Somtal but his journey was halted at Mao Gate by Government of Manipur.

In its attempt, the Government of Manipur sent a large number of security forces who disrupted the peaceful rally and killed the two persons besides injuring several others, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/unc-cautions-stir-over-aa-demand/

THOUBAL, May 6: The perpetrators of last night`™s firing incident at Pallel will be expelled from their respective villages, it they are found to be from Aimol Satu or any other Aimol villages, declared Aimol Satu village church member L Simon today.

Speaking to media persons, Simon said the incident is unfortunate.

Since sometimes back, women of the villages have been keeping vigil at night due to some land disputes between Aimol villages, he said.

Allegations that yesterday`™s crime at Pallel was perpetrated by people from the Aimol tribe could be an attempt of some miscreants to create communal disturbances, he claimed adding that anyone from the village if found involved in the crime would be expelled from the village for life.

At the same time, the village condemns the police action of trying to arrest an Aimol youth without any proper evidence, he continued.

The police cannot arrest anyone without any proper evidence and proof, he observed.

At the same time, the village will provide all possible help to punish the perpetrators, Simon said adding that the police cannot however arrest anyone based on hearsay.

Meanwhile, the Aimol Tribe Union Manipur has also strongly condemned the incident.

According to the statement signed by Union president S. Munthuireng Aimol, the Aimol community and Pallel Meitei community have been loving each other and extended cooperation to one another for the last many decades. The Aimol Tribe still supports and undisturbed the Laiharaoba rituals.

It further stated that the Aimols are not only unaware of the incident happened last night and it does not instigate anyone to do so. While terming the incidence as `unfortunate`™ for all community, it wanted the Culprit to be booked at the earliest and further stated that the Aimol tribes will extend fullest cooperation to the concern authority in booking the culprit.

Meanwhile, reacting on the newspaper report published in some local dailies regarding the diktat of some militants in connection with the ensuing ADC elections, the Aimol Tribe Union Manipur has appealed for holding free and fair elections.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/aimol-villagers-involved-in-shooting-incident-will-be-expelled-from-village/