Manipur News

IMPHAL, Nov 1: Parents and students who arrived at the DM College of Science- venue for the third Open Mathematics Competition were left frustrated today after finding out that the competition has been cancelled.

The competition was being organised by the United Social and Development Organisation Yairipok Manipur.

Speaking to media persons at a hurriedly called press conference at the All Manipur Students’ Union office later in the day, a visibly frustrated parent said the competition was supposed to be held from 11am to 2pm, however, when he turned up at the venue with his daughter they couldn’t see any preparation for the competition.

The organisers, except for two individuals, were nowhere to be seen, he lamented.

The two were later picked up by the police, he said.

Each student had been charged Rs 150 for the competition and there were around 1000 students, another parent chipped in.

The incident is quite disheartening for the young students, he said while condemning the disappearing act of the organisers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/organisers-disappear-from-mathematics-competition-leaving-students-frustrated/

JIRIBAM, November 1: Kut festival, the premiere post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group, organised by Kuki Inpi, Tamenglong district, Jiri Zone was celebrated with song and dance performances, and cultural programme at Lhangnom (Lentuo), a village located in the Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district.

In the morning session of the function, Tamenglong 10/Phaitoi ADC member Hatlhing Doungel, Tousem sub-division SDO Santikumar and Tamenglong Kuki Chief Association president Paomingthang Singson were the cheif guest, guest of honour and function president respectively.

The Kut festival was flagged off by Pastor Lenkholal UPC with the recitation of the opening prayer whereas Kut 2014 chairman Nehsat Thangeo gave the welcome address and the presentation. Imminent human rights activist Seimang Chongloi, adjudged the Kut-pa of the year, later gave a speech on the significance of Kut.

Speaking as the chief guest, Hatlhing Doungel said we can say that those individuals who belong to the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group but are not interested in joining the Kut festival don’t love their own culture and community. Because who will participate in the festival of our own community if we don’t, she added.

Kut festival is also an occasion where the people of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group can showcase their unity, beauty of their culture and customs.

Paomingthang Haokip, speaking as the president of the function, made an appeal for preserving the tradition of celebrating the festival as their ancestors began the tradition while also elaborating on the ancient lore of the origin of the festival.

Guest of honour Santikumar expressed gratitude on the inclusion of the biggest post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group as a general holiday.

Our learned elders have rendered the festival more appealing by including the Miss Kut contest, he added.

The chief guest Hatlhing Doungel presented shawls and sports equipments and were handed over by Deputy Chief Minsiter Gaikhangam to various village chiefs and the cultural troupe.

In the evening session of the function, 87 CRPF Battalion CO Hengjang Vaiphei, Zomi Tribe Council, Jiri general secretary Kaidoukhup and Lhangnom village chief were the chief guest, guest of honour and functional president respectively.

As a part of the Kut festival, a Miss Kut beauty pageant was also held, participated by ten selected contestants from various locations.

CHANDEL, November 1: The Chin Kuki Mizo (CHIKIM) Communities of Chandel District also celebrated the harvesting festival – Kut 2014 at the campus of Standard English High School, Sugnu Tribal under the theme “Unity through Culture” with Ngamkholet Haokip of H Kotlenphai as the Kut Pa.

The noon session of the festival organised by the district level Kut committee, Chandel was graced by MLA 41 Chandel Assembly Constituency ST Nunghlung Victor; Kishan Morcha BJP Manipur Pradesh president Nabachandra Singh, Chandel DC Ningthoujam Geoffrey, and ex-MLA 41 Chandel A/C Thangkholun Haokip as the chief guest, guest of honour, functional president and chief host respectively.

As the huge crowd who were attired in their respective traditional dresses gathered for the celebration, Kut Pa Ngamkholet Haokip declared the celebrations open.

The celebration began with exhibition of colourful cultural dances performed by troupes from different communities besides a spectacular choreography performed by talented young artists including the students of Eimi Welfare, Manipur University in tuned with the theme – Unity through Culture.

Other highlights of the day were the 1st round of the coveted Miss Kut, 2014 beauty contest and performance of the invited Kut artistes.

Village chiefs, social workers, religious leaders, SDO of Chandel and Chakpikarong, SDPO Sugnu, leaders of civil organisations of the district including Chandel Naga Peoples Organization, Kuki Peoples Forum, Chiefs Association also attended the celebration.

Brig. Gajendra Joshi, DIG 28 Sector Assam Rifles; Janglet Haokip, National Council member, BJP and Manglianthang, President of United Zou Organization GHQ will attend the evening session.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/kut-festival-observed-in-tamenglong-chandel/

LAMKA, November 1: A 14 year old accused of serial raping three minors on October 7 and 19 has been put in the Observatory Home run by Health Integrated Ministry located at Ramther, Churachandpur by a Special Juvenile police unit yesterday evening.

He was handed over to the police unit by civil organisations.

Getting news that the accused is in the observatory home, families of the victims breathed sighs of relief, while others expressed concern that law enforcers had insisted on fulfilling protocol before filing an FIR in the case and viewed that it was wrong on the part of the law enforcers, considering the gravity of the crime and the situation.

Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that the MACR- CCpur had visited a relative of the three victims on October 29 and taken up the case.

On the other hand the police filed an FIR on the case yesterday only.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/juvenile-accused-in-ccpur-minor-rape-case-in-observatory-home/

JIRIBAM, November 1: Highlighting the contribution of Jiri Development Organisation to people between 2013 and 2014, JDO general secretary W Dinesh Meitei pointed out the efforts made by the organisation to deliver Patas to the people of Lamtai Khunou and its adjoining areas in Barak Circle also known as Bekra; the establishment of a JDO branch in Borobekra; the conduct of two programmes jointly with former Jiribam ADC Y Iboyaima; the attempts made to find out about PHED by filing an RTI report and the taking up of various undertakings along with PHED; and assisting 30 families to populate Babukhal, a place popularly known as Chingo Pung. He was speaking in a press meet at the JDO office at around 3.30 pm where he was joined by JDO president M Hemanta, Vice-president RK Nobinsana, Information and Publicity secretary M Biken and Advisor Th Brojen.

Replying to queries put forward by media persons, he said JDO is the convenor of Jiribam District Demand Committee and a representative of the committee has mounted pressure on the Chief Minsiter to upgrade Jiribam into a district in a meeting at November, 2013.

JDCC is not sitting idle and there is big politics involved, he told the media persons.

Talking about the collapse of a Hall constructed under UGC at Jiribam College, he said JDO and civil societies in Jiribam have handed over the issue to students but the civil societies would not sit idle either.

JDO vice-president appealed the local MLA and the concerned authorities to pay attention to the deteriorating condition of the only tea estate in the State located in Jiribam and prevent the land encroachment there.

Meanwhile, JDO president M Hemanta drawing the attention of the concerned authorities on the still unfinished 100 bed hospital at Uchatol, the ITI in Kadamtala, the Super Market Complex in Babupara and the pitiable conditions of the inter village roads in Jiribam appealed for its quick redressal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/jdo-appeals-govt-to-expedite-unfinished-projects-in-jiribam/

IMPHAL, Nov 1: The Youths’ Club Brahmapur has threatened to block the road connecting Brahmapur Aribam Leikai to New Thumbuthong approach road in case the government to continue to overlook to repair it.

A statement of the club said repeated appeals have been made to the government for the repairing of the said road stretch but to no avail.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/youth-club-threatens-to-block-road/

IMPHAL, November 1: Irom Chanu Sharmila today questioned the silence of the people against the continued imposition of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958.

Upon her arrival at the Imphal Tulihal Airport following her appearance before a Patiala Court in Delhi spanning two days, the anti-AFSPA crusader demanded how the people who have suffered much due to the draconian Act continue to suffer silently.

Sharmila touch down at the Tulihal Airport in Indigo Flight no 127 around 11:16 am amidst a tight security arrangement.

Speaking to media persons, Sharmila said there are many victims of the Act in the State. Security forces, who are given sweeping impunity under Act, have committed severe human rights violations like torture, harassment, rape and killing, she added.

She said she continue to demand complete repeal of the Act from the State.

However, a collective effort is needed to realise the demand to repeal the Act, she said before declaring that her effort alone is not enough.

Sharmila also came out strongly against the public leaders of the State including the Member of Parliament charging them of remaining oblivious to the grievances of the people.

She also expressed apprehension that the army seem to have an upper hand over the government although we have a democratically elected government.

Although living in a democratic country, the people of the North Eastern region are not enjoying their rights living under the draconian AFSPA, Sharmila said.

She also asked why the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission report on AFSPA has not been made public till date.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/sharmila-questions-peoples-silence-against-afspa/

LAMKA, November 1: A body of man allegedly kidnapped last night by unknown miscreants was retrieved from the Sialmat Reserve Forest Area of Lamka, Churachandpur by a police team led by OC of Churachandpur Police inspector MA Salam around 6:50am today.

The death body is being kept at the Ccpur District Hospital morgue where a post mortem was conducted. A police case has also been registered in connection with the incident.

The man has been identified as Khupneilun Kom, 35, son of Thangtinlien Kom of Saikul Bazar under Senapati district.

Sources said he is suspected to be a member of the United Komrem Revolutionary Army and killed by unknown miscreants.

It is also learnt that Kom was allegedly kidnapped last night by unknown miscreants from the Lighthouse area along the Tiddim Road, Lamka.

Meanwhile, police said that no firearm or any weapon was found from the body.

Family members have accepted the body after post mortem was conducted today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/kidnapped-man-found-dead/