Manipur News

Protest against killing is not anti-development: Babloo
IMPHAL, June 25: Coming down heavily on the recent report of the Intelligence Bureau which said that activities of foreign funded NGOs are anti-development and have stunted the GDP growth of the country, a joint representatives of NGOs functioning in the state briefed the media this afternoon at the conference hall of HRA, Kwakeithel Imphal.

Present during the briefing were Debabrata Roy L, convenor, Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur, U. Nobokishore of NE Dialogue Forum, OJ Meitei of United NGO Mission and Joy Chingakham of FRIENDS.

“Narendra Modi is indebted to pay back the money which he had used during his election campaign. His money was funded by the giant multinational companies. Otherwise, how could he effort his frequent flying during the campaign” Babloo Loitongbam of HRA said during the briefing.

Babloo alleged that Modi is going to pay his debts by selling off the country to the MNCs. He said, the IB report is to silence the dissent voices of the NGOs, who have been protesting against the onslaught of the MNCs in the interest of the people. He said, HRA along with other organisations have challenged the extra-judicial killing in Manipur at the Supreme Court. He questioned, “How could that bring down GDP growth?” Our protest against killing of innocents by security forces is not anti-development, he added.

NGOS in Manipur have been taking a constructive role, said Nobokishore. He maintained that every organisation has constitutional memorandum, which is legal. He cited the example of the then NGO’s who have contributed either directly or indirectly in the formulation of the present day Social Welfare Department of the govt. of Manipur and the CAU.

OJ Meitei added that there is no evidence to prove that the NGOs are responsible for the GDP decline. “We need a debate with the govt on the matter to thrash out the facts”, said Joy taking jibes on the IB report and its charges.

A joint statement condemning the IB report signed by a host of activists, scholars, journalists, filmmakers-artist-writers and lawyers, which includes names like Prof Romilla Thapar, Dr Mallika Sarabhai, Prof KN Panikkar and Aruna Roy etc, was also handed out to the media during the briefing. The statement said the IB report is a slander campaign, to clear grounds to benefit the Indian and foreign MNC’s interests, it said.

The statement alleged the IB of using dubious methods to discredit many social activists in the country, committed in social action for years. It said, the activists have questioned the destructive path of development India is following.

Maintaining that the document report was classified as ‘secret report’, but was release by the IB itself to the media with an agenda to malign, scandalize and create a character assassination of credible activists in the country, we strongly condemn such dubious methods, the statement said.

Signatories of the statement further demand immediate action on all those officials undertaken for executing criminal behavior and misusing their official powers. Alleging that the report is a politically motivated instrument of the vested interests in the country, the statement appeals all members of the civil society to condemn the IB report, and strengthen the people’s movements for they are the only source and hope for the survival of the future.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/ib-report-a-slander-campaign-to-serve-political-interest/

IMPHAL, June 25: The JAC formed in connection with the killing of SI Krishnadas supported by the locals of Mayaikoibi and the surrounding villages imposed a bandh from 8am to 4pm in the locality, however after the authorities failed to arrest and produce the culprits by the set deadline, the protestors have imposed an indefinite total bandh in the Patsoi constituency from Wednesday 6am.

The protestors have been demanding the arrest of all those involved in the killing of the SI and had set 4pm of Wednesday as the deadline.

All Inter Village Roads in the locality were blocked by the JAC and bandh supporters since early this morning.

Protestors argued that the police have failed to arrest the culprits even after four days have passed since the sub inspector ofBishnupur police was found dead.

All schools located in the Mayaikoibi and its surrounding villages including Millinium Institute of Sciences, Sishu Nistha Niketan Mayaikoibi, St Joseph School, Sangaiprou and Glory School Sadokpam remained closed for the day.

The bandh also affected movement of the FCI vehicles in the locality.

Bandh supporters had placed hard objects and burnt tyres in the middle of the road disturbing vehicular movement.

Speaking to the media, JAC convenor K Mehendra warned to impose an indefinite total bandh of Patsoi Assembly constitution from Thursday 6am if the government fail to arrest the culprits by 4pm, Wednesday.

Meanwhile, later in the afternoon, police resorted to firing tear gas shells as the bandh supporters started damaging local brew vendors in the locality. However, there were no reports of any injuries in during the police action.

Local MLA Mirabai also visited the locality to pacify the enraged protestors.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/jac-against-si-killing-revs-up-agitation-calls-indefinite-patsoi-bandh/

Imphal, June 25: The Kadangband Village committee has contested that the Kangchup Water Supply area falls under their village, and not a reserved forest land according to the revenue department recorded map of 1959-60.

Spokesperson of the committee, Soibam Ibohal, said the claim made by PHED and Forest department that the said water supply is under the Forest jurisdiction is a cover up to dug out earth for commercial purposes.

He further alleged that the recent dismantling of water pipelines in the area is because of the digging activities.

He urged the concerned department to produce valid documents to prove that Kadangband is under the forest area.

If at all the village is under the forest area, when did it come into effect without the consent of the villagers, he questioned. If the officials fail to produce any documents, the Village will take legal course of action, he warned.

What about the neighbouring five villages which is under Saitu Assembly Constituency of Senapati District? Ibohal countered.

Refuting allegation that the leakage of 450 mm water pipeline, which could affect water supply in Imphal area was handiwork of the villagers, he said it was caused because of earthwork by PHED.

He said there could be many reasons of the pipe breakage.

Since the water level in Singda has raised much above the capacity after the rains, the old pipes could have bust from pressure. Two pipelines burst on the same day June 22 around noon, at the main gate area, he said while adding that the villagers cannot simply break the pipes.

The allegation made by officials of PHED and Forest department that the villagers are responsible for the incident is misleading, he claimed.

He further charged the government of its negligence of the families evicted from Singda.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/kadangband-villagers-rebut-singda-pipeline-breakage-charge/