Manipur News

IMPHAL, June 2: With the motive to encourage economic empowerment among the women folk of Keirao assembly constituency, one of the few constituency left unaffected by the local self governing economic generation system `Self Help Group`™ (SHG), a one day Awareness Programme on Self Help Group for the assembly constituency was held today at the premises of the Langdum community hall.

All together names of 69 newly formed SHGs were submitted to the official of the Institute of Co-operative Management (ICM) during the awareness campaign.

Hundreds of women from different parts of the constituency took part in the awareness programme jointly organized by the NCUI-Women Co-operative Education project, ICM and Keirao Kendra Self Help Group Coordination Committee, formed by social worker and aspiring politician, MI Khan.

Delivering his speech the ICM chairman, Kh. Borkeshor Singh, maintained that there were about 5000 SHGs being distributed by the ICM under the micro finance pilot project funded by the NABARD. However even in the wake of the booming trend of SHGs in the state, Keirao, remained one of the few constituency unaffected by the trend, he said.

He also pointed out that the reason behind the failure was due to lack of awareness among the people and most importantly lack of guidance from a leader.

He revealed that there were times when the ICM officials could not find a competent authority to approach, adding that the forming of the Keirao Kendra Self Help Group Co-ordinating Committee will mark the beginning of economic empowerment in the constituency.

Borkeshor also assured that 100 SHG would be provided with the loan from the ICM along with a 9 months training course very shortly.

Former militant leader turned social worker, MI Khan, while addressing his chief guest speech, maintained that women plays a vital role in shaping up the society adding it is with the motive that he observed the need to empower women.

The boost in SHGs will emancipate the conditions of the women from doing odd jobs besides upgrading their knowledge of economic generation programme, MI Khan observed.

He claimed that respecting, developing and upholding women rights, is the key to build a society and a nation. And, asserted that the people especially has been deprived of the basic rights and assured to expedite the process of availing with the loans by July.

While giving a wake up call to leave behind all the misery and worry, he urged the gathering to move forward and work with unity, sincerity and conviction.

In the meantime time, the former militant leader also announced that a SHG will also soon be introduced for men folk including jobless youths at the earliest.

The programme was also attended by D.K Sagolsem Singh. chairman, Manipur Fruit Processing and Cold Storage Co-operative Soceity Limited, H. Suresh Singh, Pradhan, Chanam Sandrok, members of local clubs etc.

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By: G.S.Oinam
Stop rejecting people; try to accepting people to bringing them on your side so that you can own the entire world. How soon the world had changed when you remained so proud, egoistic and fallen into illusion`”experiences tell you. Learning without reflection is a waste, reflection without learning is dangerous. Another resurrection means they got extra power and has confidence to defeat their rival. The Ramayana (epic) tells-how two brothers`™ Raja Sugriva and Bali fights and how Lord Ram had favour whom and why? Do you believe in god? If you don`™t believe in god `“ there is no god. God is within the heart of believers. Believers know the rules of prayer. God was anger when hills people says `eikhoi khangba ngamdre; yam ware` (we can`™t bear the pains; suffering is out of limit.) and poor women vendors falls tears on their eyes. Why you make them cry and why don`™t you rush when dear needs? You always neglected small, small words of poor people. God loves poor and weaker sections of the society and women and children! So, god wants to give you a small punishment for stupid mistake and to control your ego and pride! But, god still loves you!

For the second time, SPF cabinet decision is outdated. Please change your advisors. SPF and Naga body have scored draw. Politically, both sides have win-win situation. Naga bodies have had the same feeling and pains when they had defeated to ADC election. Does your political party fear to fight assembly election against NPF? We all know how the non congress Naga MLAs got declared elected in the past and under whose influences. There is no any sea change and the change is only the name and banner of party `“NPF. Mr. Rios (CM Nagaland) coming in Manipur is not a threat; if he speak seductive, communal and against integrity-then it is called a threat, you can book him and put to jail according to law. Read what he had spoken at meeting from video footage. Tripartite talk is non sense- everybody can read ADC manuals. Ministry of Panchayati Raj will open their rules book. State government will support it and DoNER ministry will talk about development project `”that is all. Nagas are also having thinking capacity; intelligence and they have educated. But your rules book have no empathy- do you mean go and request to those men (ADC members) for my help who were protested and burnt their home for standing against the Naga body decision? Please give them life lines and support lines without hurting their ego`”every thing will cool down. Manipur has forgotten that Naga body took decision to stop highway blockade after publication of my article in this local daily and websites `“ but the promises made for development couldn`™t be filled up by the government in time. So how can I say them twice? I am nothing but a lay man. Naga integration is a good idea. Idea must be fight by better idea only. Small nation `“ Britons came and conquered India. Hills people of Manipur are saved change your fear attitude- the problem is for valley people. Article 371C Special provision with respect to the State of Manipur provides safety of hills people and formation of Hills Area Committee in the state assembly. The Governor shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report to the President regarding the administration of the Hill Areas in the State of Manipur and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to the State as to the administration of the said areas. Meitei (valley) was/were khas Hindu (conservative Hindu) in the timing of legal framework- nothing more special interest for valley people are seen on special provisions of article 371(C). Please see-Article 371A Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland`”includes many provisions like`” no Act of Parliament in respect of -(i) religious or social practices of the Nagas, (ii) Naga customary law and procedure,(iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law,(iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources, shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides;(b) the Governor of Nagaland shall have special responsibility with respect to law and order in the State of Nagaland for so long as in his opinion internal disturbances occurring in the Naga Hills-Tuensang Area immediately before the formation of that State continue therein or in any part thereof and in the discharge of his functions in relation thereto the Governor shall, after consulting the Council of Ministers, exercise his individual judgment as to the action to be taken. no Act of the Legislature of Nagaland shall apply to Tuensang district unless the Governor, on the recommendation of the regional council, by public notification so directs and the Governor in giving such direction with respect to any such Act may direct that the Act shall in its application to the Tuensang district or any part thereof have effect subject to such exceptions or modifications as the Governor may specify on the recommendation of the regional council.

Constitution has given special provisions in the state of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jamu Kashmir, Sikkim; Mizo etc etc are the common parlance. But, the constitutional special provision article 371(C) for Manipur valley people is just plain`”they are dealing in the manner of Khas Hindu (in the category of intellectual conservative Hindu.)
When I spoke about women vendors disperses from Imphal market- somebody wants to throw me out of the public domain. To protect the rights of poor and weaker section of society and the rights of women and children is your UPA-II`™s common agenda. Don`™t I have the rights to speak about Manipur? Because I don`™t know Manipur insurgency problem, right? If you are hurt, I am sorry; I will not speak but I have the rights to speak. I have a superior theory`”`world class citizen`. I want to kick starts from Manipur`”my birth place for which I have spent many years, money and labour on study. But I threw it out before my presentation to you because of your vision 2020. But, I am not disappointed- I agree your vision 2020. If any like minded person comes into power, I will make change Imphal city into Godown. Thangal bazaar, Paona bazaar structure is suitable for godawn. Market prize tags of average Rs.2 crore per plot will be reduce to Rs.50 lakhs per plot.

Connecting world through media`”I bet I won and I master the skills. I speak it for your understanding. Please read carefully how my articles communicate living people of the world, media (local, national and international), and officials through writing. My attachment of Hindi words and Manipuri words are called `Punch` in writing. Super hit Hindi songs have Arabic tune and words, lyrics never translate or modify the Arabic tune in the song`”this is because of punch on the theme but not alien culture. Example- `Chingda lanmei chakpa nate, Ahingda nongthang kupa nate; Officer singe thamoida chakpane; Singapore da Manipur officers singee thawai leihaure`” yam haiberoida, Singapore chamelei chilakpara yengkhege` translation will lost original theme. That is why my broken English was listening patiently and interestingly by the people not only in India but also world communities. I was the mirror but you want to break mirror- so you will not see how beautiful your face is! Unless you try to improve your writing skills your connecting world will be finish. Do you think that my writing was sponsoring by somebody else? It is ridiculous. I know many other perfect skills and still learning new skills but I never misused my skills and also, I respected somebody skills. One skill is enough for my earning and survival anywhere in the world. I don`™t fear for job lose or job less. Writing and analysis are dead arts for me `“ I gave up early 5-6 years ago. My mind is free and independent- I am the boss of my own. But, my skills are your skills- I hope I will able to teach you one day.

Public domain is not a place to advertise individual`™s character`”good or bad. Here, we can talk for more important issues about policy, programme and performance of dutiful public authorities. Of course -who are you? What are you? These questions are often asked from Imphal to Kolkata. Farther, no one cares `who are you and what are you`™. Take it or leave it as you wish, my writing does not force anybody to act nor had my writing hurt anybody`™s personal characters? Certainly, writers must be read the laws of defamation (whole book). That is what people want, and that is why people accepted it. Bhagavad Geeta says`your right is to work only and never to the fruit thereof; be not instrumental in making your actions bear fruit, nor let your attachment be to inaction`. Good ideas are most welcome by everybody, and even your enemy will respect you. Please don`™t look at me, I am not celebrity or hero or villain or politician to deserve your attention; I am not big man like you neither beauty nor powerful nor rich like you. Simply proud to be just a lay man, neither jail birds nor VIP. Of course, one unknown angry person was enquired about my writing and office where I was working last year but I don`™t think as threat, and I think he was satisfied my answer. The entire world is listening to unknown man`™s words but why your words are rejected despite of having power, wealth and many followers? Do you know the reason why? These entire questions come from your substandard pronouncements and nuisance.

Somebody ask me personally `Are you close with P. Chidambaram, Union home minister or home ministry?` I was surprise! Never- I never ever met them before in my life and I have no work and connection with home ministry at any ground; also, I am not central government employee. I write for them from my assessment reports from various interactions with people, media reports and their activities and performance. I like the coordination of these two gentlemen (G.K Pillai and P. Chidambaram)-that is all. Please let me speak freely and frankly. What the hell is going on this planet`”appreciate for known and helpful persons and rejected for unattached good person?

Second, people like to remove AFSP Act from the state of Manipur. I agree when people raise slogan but I disagree when local media reported. Your editorials will write about deteriorating law and order problems in the state for two three days continuously and on the next day will write to remove AFSPA. (Please check you editorials) How a man seating outside state can judge about your reports? Local media may please be check or review at least once in a month for what you had written in the month`”any good suggestions to improve law and order, any cooperation to security personals on duty, crime and progress report, ground reality between greater Imphal (AFSPA removed area) and the rest?`”you will understand what is the weakness on reporting. Local media will publish cartoon indicating law and order are not improving in the state once P. Chidambaram speak about law and order has improved in the state. If you don`™t have the integrity and understanding you should no criticize anybody. Media is respected because of integrity and not for your criticism. Journo are simply laymen. Please accept it then everybody will love media. Only few people can use media as a weapon. For them, any objects can be use as weapon. Everybody knows how and why AFSPA law comes into enforced in the state, is to control law and order and why it is extended for every year. Well, there is Justice Jeevan Reddy commission reports to remove AFSPA. But, what is the priority- control law and order or remove AFSPA; stop misusing AFSPA, stop atrocities to people, stop brutality after arrest? Because, there are more serious laws `“ Unlawful Activities and Preventive Act, TADA etc is applicable in the state. Why people and security personals are all cynic on AFSPA other than more serious law? And, why every past and present government had remained silent on AFSPA? Because, preceding governments are weak- they have no capacity to run government without AFSPA- and which has become a weapon to control law and order, political power and people as well. Shouting will not serve any purpose; instead, co operates your state government to improve law and order to remove AFSPA from the state. They are your elected members and people voted for them to form government. UPA alone can`™t remove AFSPA at the present juncture. You have to speak to opposition parties like BJP. Will pay fine for speaking truth? Today, Anna Hazari has spoke about fasting lady Sharmila`™s causes and removal of AFSPA from the state. Please do appreciate.

Third, government policies are framed by dude babus (IAS officers) sitting at the secretariats and ministries. And finally, cabinet will approved the policy. Policies are changes from time to time and government to government. Your state commandoes, SSP are not policy makers. Their duty is to obey command and enforce law to control law and order in the state. Certainly, they must be asking assessment reports and your newspaper reports, experts comment etc may be considering before framing policy. I am not policy maker babu but I was studying policies- anybody can study policy if you can spare time, money and labour. I have one reason to study policy- to prepare new development projects. Of course, I was providing consultancy to NGOs (reputed) and reknown institutions.

Fourth, from my experience, my work and my learning I saw a beautiful Manipur`”that I have confidence and certainly can give a hope to the people. Change is chains with continuity. Nobody can stop changes. But how the leaders give direction for the changes is the only question. ATM machine can be own by private even you are not banker. Rajesh Jethpuria doesn`™t own a bank, but that didn`™t stop him from buying an automated teller machine (ATM) to celebrate Dhanteras, becoming India`™s first individual owner of an ATM. RBI has liberalization policy to own private ATM machine. Manipur problems of ATM money transaction can be solving by you. If anybody interested I can help to write business communication letters. If any institutions (including media and DIPR) in Manipur want to establish knowledge/ information management unit, I can provide consultancy.

Fifth, there shall be no change of government in the state on the next term. Congress lead muli party collation government (khechari sarkar) will come into power from the study of the present political scenario in the state`”but, the government will not stabilized and have little progress because of multi party government. However, you have time, you can make change the scenario`”we want progressive and stabilized government and changes.

Most of our problems appear that way because of the way we look at them. You get back what you give. Twice as much! Is someone being rude to you? Maybe you need to change the way you behave with them. And no, don`™t wait for them to change; you need to change first! At work too, if you go in to work, hating every moment, it`™s unlikely that you`™ll do a great job. If you don`™t contribute, don`™t expect to get paid a fat salary. You get what you give. Resolve today then to change. Love your job and give it everything you have!

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

IMPHAL June 1: In order to disseminate complete knowledge on science to the students of Manipur, the Internship Science Camp, 2011 was organized in Manipur University expressed Prof. Papiya Nandy, director of Jagdish Bose National Science Talent search, Kolkatta, while addressing her speech as the guest of honour during the inaugural function of the First Science camp held in the Senate Hall of Manipur University. She further mentioned that apart from the Internship science camp 2011inaugurated today, other such science camps will be organized within this month of June at different places.

Various scientist and learned academicians from different scientific fields will participate during the said camps she further mentioned.

She also added that the main object of these camps is to impart added knowledge on science and its related subjects.

The Internship Science Camp was organized by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India under its unique programme `Innovation in Science pursuit for Inspired Research or in short `Inspire` for the first time in Manipur for attracting the young talents towards advanced studies and research in basic sciences.

The present camp was aimed towards providing a forum for intensified stimulating and brainstorming interaction between the participating young minds and a galaxy of scholars through lectures, lab experiments, lap visits, fun with experiments and field works. The Internship Science Camp 2011 which was inaugurated today will continue till June 5. Dr. T. Meinya, M.P., Prof. H. Nandakumar Sarma, V.C. (acting) M.U. and Prof. I.S. Khaidem, former V.C.M.U. graced the inaugural function as chief guest, president and the other guest of honour respectively.

The inaugural function was attended by many academician, scholars and participants of the 5 days camp. Various media persons from different local dailies were also present during the function.

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GAUHATI, June 1 (AP): Mahendra Nath Das was convicted of a murder so gruesome India`s courts gave him a rare death sentence and the president rejected his plea for clemency. Only one thing is keeping him from the gallows: There is no hangman.

More than two decades have passed since any convict was executed in Assam, and with no qualified executioners remaining, officials in this northeastern state are scouring the rest of the country for a candidate.

In all of India, where the death penalty is only by hanging and imposed only in the “rarest of rare” cases, there have been only two hangings in the past 15 years.

Das` conviction for publicly decapitating a victim with a machete could make his the third.

“We have started the process of putting up the gallows,” said Brojen Das, the jailer of the prison at Jorhat, 190 miles (300 kilometers) east of Gauhati, who shares a common regional surname with the condemned man.

But it is unclear when an executioner will be found to use it.

Prison authorities have written to their counterparts in the states of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal searching for a hangman, but have so far gotten no response, said S. Thakuria, Assam`s top prison official.

Qualified executioners `” who know how to prepare the rope and tie the knot so as to cause a swift death `” are scarce in India. The last hanging took place in 2004, when a security guard was hanged in a Kolkata jail for the rape and murder of a teenage girl.

Nata Mullick, India`s most famous hangman, came out of retirement at age 84 to carry out that execution, earning $435 and a job for his grandson as a maintenance worker at the jail.

A third generation hang man, Mullick executed 25 of the 55 people who died on the gallows since India gained independence in 1947.

He would run repeated dry runs, using sandbags the same weight as the condemned prisoner. He waxed the rope with soap and ripe bananas and tied it with five knots, hoping his preparations would keep the pain to a minimum and ensure the prisoner`s head was not severed during the drop from the gallows.

“It`s an art: Your skills need to be honed,” Mullick said in a 2007 interview.

But Mullick died in 2009. With the hangman`s job a far from glamorous profession, and the work so sporadic, few have risen to take his place. Local media said there might be one or two hangmen still around nationally, including Mullick`s son, Mahadeb.

The search could have implications for other death row prisoners, including Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman from the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, and Afzal Guru, who was convicted in the 2001 attack on parliament that killed 14 people.

Mahendra Das` crime traumatized Assam.

On April 24, 1996, he snuck up behind Hara Kunta as the rival official in the local transporter`s union sipped tea at a shop in a busy market in Assam`s capital, Gauhati.

With a swing of his machete, Das decapitated Kunta. Then he carried the bloody head by the hair to a nearby police station screaming, “I have killed him.”

Courts ruled that the public nature of the killing, combined with Das` horrifying walk through the streets, warranted the death penalty.

Last month, President Pratibha Patil agreed, refusing a plea for clemency, and condemning Das to be the first person to be executed in Assam since a prisoner convicted of three murders was hanged in 1990.

Though there are no legal options left, his family continues to appeal for mercy.

“My son has already spent 15 years in jail, why kill him now,” Mahendra Das` 75-year-old mother, Kusum Bala, told a local newspaper.

The victim`s family is impatient for the execution.

“There is no point showing sympathy to a killer like him,” Hara Kanta`s daughter-in-law Sarada Das said.

If no professional hangman can be found, prison rules would allow a convict to volunteer to carry out the execution, said Brojen Das, the jailer. No one has yet come forward, he said.

For now, Mahendra Das, 45, spends his days in a 6 foot by 12 foot (1.8 meter by 3.7 meter) prison cell, where he will stay until an executioner can be located, Brojen Das said.

“He is hoping against hope that somehow he can be saved,” he said.

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Manipur did not take the Santosh Trophy, the country`™s top most inter-state football championship, going down 1-2 to Indian`™s football powerhouse, Bengal, in the final played at the floodlit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Guwahati on Monday. The consolation however is, this small impoverished state always manages to put together teams year after year which no other team, even the best reputed and groomed, can take for granted. The fact that Manipur entered the final of this most prestigious national tournament is itself a feat, and this is only the second time Manipur has made it to the final of this tournament. This year too, although beaten, the young Manipur side visibly shook up the Bengal veterans considerably, the later having to resort to the cynical tactics of time wasting in the second half so as to hang on to the final whistle with the narrow margin they held by virtue of a goal each scored in each of the two halves. Manipur`™s relentless pressure in the second half ultimately broke through the Bengal defence and scored one to reduce the margin to 1-2. The pressure continued and if not for a number of missed chances, Manipur probably would have emerged on top. Even if Manipur managed one more goal in, which on so many occasions they nearly did, and the match was extended to extra time, the bet would have been overwhelmingly on Manipur to carry the day, for they were definitely the physically fitter and agile side. Bengal it must be said were the more experienced and it was experience which got them to keep the margin, though precariously, till the end. All in all it was a good match, and Bengal for whom it was the 31st time winning the trophy, deserved the win, although the losers Manipur too earned respect for the valiant fight they put up. Our congratulations go out to the Manipur team, and gratitude too, for earning the state another proud reputation.

We write also to raise an alarm. Football is no longer so much of a routine sight on the playgrounds of Imphal and indeed the entire state. The power of television being such, they are being usurped by cricket. Worse still is, it is not even the standard cricket, for Manipur`™s version is generally played either with tennis ball or else plastic look alike of the real cricket balls. This is good for toddlers, but no player who grows up on a diet of these versions of the game can ever make it to the top of what is virtually not just the national game of India, but also the national obsession. These versions can only be light recreation and never be fodder for future champions to emerge. The worry then is, this cricket placebo may end up as the dog in the manger, diverting focus from what the state is good in, but not replacing the space it usurped with new champion material. That would be such a loss. The blame can only go to the television media, and the monopoly over sporting glamour so wilfully given to cricket and at the cost of all other games in the country. It needs no reminder that it is not cricket but hockey which is the national game officially. No wonder India IS seldom of any reckoning in any other game apart from cricket on the international arena. This imbalance must be set right on a national scale, but most immediately for Manipur, the game must not be allowed to take away the focus from other games more suited to the genius of the place.

But the lopsided attention to cricket, and the near total neglect of other games was most prominently displayed on the day of the final. Major private news channels of the country did not even think the news of the final was worth even a short mention in their news bulletins for the day. Only Doordarshan the government owned channel did the needful faithfully and gave the match equitable coverage. On the other hand all the private channels flocked to, and gave extended coverage to a function honouring cricketers for their World Cup feat. While the attention cricket is good, what is lamentable is the manner in which all other games are ending up ignored. It is unlikely this attitude would change in the near future, for it is also the market which is determining it. Advertisers flock to cricket thus compelling the media to oblige the advertisers`™ needs and a self perpetuating spiral is thus created in which the advertisers and the media whet each others`™ appetite. Manipur must resist this temptation. Its sporting reputation were earned from a varied number of sports, it must remain so. If cricket is to be played, so be it, but with the media biases so pervasive, it must take care this new trend does not result in a cricket monoculture as in much of the rest of India.

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IMPHAL, June 1(Newmai News Network): The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) said the outfit will oppose strongly to the proposed construction of the Tipaimukh Dam in the conjoined of Barak and Tuivai rivers by the NHPC, SJGN and the government of Manipur.

The ZUF is a militant outfit formed to protect the Zeliangrong community`s interest, according to the outfit.

In a press communique, ZUF chairman Kamson said once the Tipaimukh Dam is constructed 275.50 square kilometres of land in Manipur will be affected. The ZUF also said that around 16 villages will be submerged by the dam. The ZUF also said that over 15,000 indigenous people will be rendered homeless and become “refugeees”. It further stated that all the tourist spots such as the Zeilad lake and Barak water-fall are going to be affected once the dam is constructed. “Fauna and flora too are bound to be affected by the dam,” rues the ZUF, adding with a caution, ” Tipaimukh dam is going to be a damgerous project for the Zeliangrong community.” Giving a reason why the dam is going to be a deadly project, the ZUF predicted there will be frequent occurrence of earthquake one a dam like the proposed Tipaimukh is completed.

The ZUF then said several NGOs in Manipur have been opposing the construction of the dam because of its negative impact. It said organisations such as the Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM), Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), ZORO, Mizo Zirla Pawl, NESO and other influential bodies are opposing the construction of the dam.

Warning to take up drastic step in the event of the authorities going ahead with the construction of the Tipaimukh dam, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) pledged, ” We are ready to strike if the concerned authorities refuse to understand our sentiment.”

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IMPHAL, June 1: The ZILLAI (Vaiphei Students`™ Association) Imphal Block has observed its 72nd Zillai Day today at their block office at Sanjenthong, Imphal.

During the formal observation this morning, Genneikhup Vaiphei ex ADC member and advisor of the association, Lalliathang Vaphei, Asst. Prof. MU and P Mawia Vaiphei, Police Inspector while participating as special guest of the observation this morning exhorted the students to devote their valuable time in their studies with the aim to become effective leaders.

Remarkably, the formal observation of the meet today was marked by the paying of rich tributes to the departed leaders of the community by delegates, well wishers and students who were presence in persons in the observation and observation of one minute silence to honors the leaders.

The very meet today was ended with a prayer with dedication and thanks giving by the Rev. Latingen, which was followed by a great community feast.

On the other hand, the same event was also reportedly held at different places, at EFCI Centenary Hall Shillong along with a seminar to mark the occasion likewise the event was also organized in Delhi at SSS Auditorium JNU, New Delhi with the theme, `Profile of Zillai` during which Kh Ginlalchung, Sr. Exe. Asst Parliament and Ninglunhanglal, Journalist presented seminar paper on the occasion.

The source from the Association also mentioned that, the Zillai Churachandpur Block also observed of the oldest Students`™ Organisation of the state, Zillai Day today bu visiting Vungzagen High School at Mata village and the representatives of the student organization have distributed sweets to more than 500 students and Lalblkthuami head mistress and Siammung Asst. Head master of the said school were honoured with presentation of traditional shawls to show their appreciation to their contributions and commitment in the administration of the school, Minlian MDC Haupi Range and Kh Benlian, editor Nisin Thuhiltu also participated in the function today. Further the similar observation of Zillai day was also reportedly held at Haflong NC Hills.

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IMPHAL, May 31: A possible petrol price hike from June 1, remains unsure even as different speculations have been doing the rounds.

According to the news channel CNN-IBN, state-owned Indian Oil Corporation, the nation`s largest fuel retailer, on Tuesday announced that petrol prices will go up by Rs 1.35 per litre with effect from June 1.

The IOC says the May 15 hike in petrol prices by Rs 5 is not enough to cover the cost of crude oil and refining it.
According to the news chaneel, “Even after the hike, we are losing Rs 4.58 per litre. After including VAT, the desired increase at retail level comes to Rs 5.50 a litre,” IOC Chairman RS Butola said in New Delhi.

The IOC says this is because the Government doesn`t compensate the company for selling petrol below market rates.
The channel has further stated similarly, on domestic LPG India Oil is losing Rs 380.57 per cylinder and Rs 25.85 a litre on PDS kerosene.

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is likely to meet on June 9 to consider raising prices of the three controlled commodities — diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene, according to the news channel.

Meanwhile, a headline in the web portal of the Hindu reads, `Oil firms unlikely to hike petrol prices on Wednesday`.

The news report states that wth the international crude oil prices showing signs of softening, the oil marketing companies (OMCs) are unlikely to undertake any further hike in petrol prices during their fortnightly review on June 1.

An indication to this effect was given by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) chairman, R.S. Butola, who said that the common man had already been burdened with a Rs. 5 per litre hike recently and there was no move to increase the burden further.

`Unlike the past weeks, our under recovery from petrol should be around Rs.1.10 per litre which is a bit comfortable than what we suffered in the past. We are certainly not looking at any kind of hike on June 1, and would review the situation next fortnight,` he added, stated the report.

Mr. Butola said the company was still losing Rs. 4.58 per litre on petrol even after the steep hike of Rs. 5 per litre from May 15. However, from June 1, the under-recovery is likely to come down to around Rs. 1.15 per litre.

Ruling out any kind of mechanical reaction to the fluctuation in crude oil prices, Mr. Butola said: `Ours is a dynamic economy. If losses again become unbearable, we will take the appropriate decision,` he said.

The newspaper has also maintained that ever since the Centre deregulated the pricing of petrol from June last, the State-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been fixing the petrol price as per market rate. But in the wake of Assembly elections in five states, the petroleum ministry had given `unwritten` instruction to OMCs not to effect any hike in petrol prices despite the rise in global crude oil price. Officials in the Petroleum Ministry said the OMCs have been given an `oral direction` not to hike petrol prices any further, despite them being decontrolled in June last year.

`The Empowered Group of Ministers, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, is scheduled to meet on June 9 to take a decision on these three petroleum products. We are keeping our fingers crossed,` a senior Ministry official remarked.

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IMPHAL, May 31: The Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organization has appealed to the chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to intervened into the plight of tribals affected by the Maphithel Dam.

In a letter sent to the national commission signed by its chairman, the organization has appealed for the commission to intervened and suspend the construction of the dam until the rehabilitation and resettlement programmes of the affected villagers are implemented.

The letter has stated that the Mapithel Dam (Thoubal Multipurpose Project) was approved by the planning commission in 1980 and construction of the dam commenced in the 1990s. However the letter further maintained that the dam will affect as many as 11 tribal villages directly`”with some of them completely submerged.

It has also stated that a Memorandum of Agreement was signed on June 19, 1993 between some of the affected villages and the government of Manipur (GOM) wherein the GOM agreed to pay certain amounts of compensation to the affected villagers within a stipulated time. However, the GOM reneged on the agreement by not paying the compensation within the stipulated timeframe.

It has further stated that the state government had prepared a series of rehabilitation and resentment programmes for the oustees without consulting the affected villagers which had resulted the various rehabilitation and resettlement plans suffered from various defects and limitations.

It also maintained that the affected villagers had submitted several representations to the concerned authorities, to constitute an Expert Review Committee (ERC) tasked with the responsibilities of reviewing the rehabilitation and resettlement programmes for those affected by the construction of the dam.

According to the letter sent to the chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, the demand for constitution of the ERC had been taken up at the Chief Minister level as early as 2004. This fact is borne out by the letter of Wungnaoshang Keishing, MLA dated 26 March 2006 to the Chief Minister wherein it is clearly stated that the `Chief Minister had assured the delegation of the affected area that all possible assistance would be provided by constituting an Expert Review Committee.

However despite of the assurance, the ERC was not constituted, it stated and added that it was only after numerous reminders and democratic forms of protest that the GOM came out with a notification in January 2008 to the affect that it is constituting an ERC to `examine the rehabilitation and resettlement programmes of the affected villagers as a result of the construction of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project.`

In this regard, the Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO), in the 1st Meeting of the ERC on January 18, 2008, had submitted a document proposing Terms of Reference (TOR) for consideration by the ERC within which the ERC should function. The same document was also forwarded to the Chief Secretary, GOM for consideration and information.

In this regard, the GOM responded on 11 April 2008 that the State Cabinet has decided to refer the matter to the ERC for detailed examination of TOR.

Despite this assurance, the ERC had not arrived at any decision regarding the TOR submitted by MDAVO. The ERC in its last meeting on February 11, 2011 resolved that after re-examining the TOR submitted by MDAVO, it would submit its findings to the Government for obtaining approval, it maintained.

The letter further reminded that the GOM has announced, in response to a starred question (Starred Question No. 577 dated March 11, 2011) during a Manipur legislative assembly session that the Mapithel Dam would be commissioned on March 31, 2012. As one of the legitimate demands of MDAVO is that all processes and implementation of rehabilitation and resettlement programme should be completed a year before the commissioning of the dam to ensure that the needs and requirements of affected villagers are taken care of, this attempt of the GOM to commission the dam before the completion of the rehabilitation and resettlement programme would adversely impact the affected villagers. And particularly in light of the fact that the ERC, which was constituted to review the rehabilitation and resettlement programmes for those affected by the construction of the dam, is yet to submit its report, it maintained.

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IMPHAL, May 31: `A Working Women`™s Hostel for those hailing from the North Eastern states will be inaugurated in the month of June, 2011 at New Delhi. This will greatly help the working women from the region in terms of safety and comfort`, said Bijoy Krishna Handique, union minister of DoNER at New Delhi today.

According to an emailed statement, the 500 seater working women`™s hostel in Jasola is funded by the ministry of DoNER through the North Eastern Council (NEC) in association with the ministry of Women and Child Development.

According to the statement, the total cost of the project is Rs.17.44 crores wherein the share of NEC is 25%. Land cost for the hostel has been shared between NEC and ministry of Women and Child Development on a 50-50 basis. The minister has been in touch with Krishna Tirath, minister of State for Women & Child Development to make the hostel functional at the earliest.

Handique also said that construction works have progressed to a major extent for another hostel named Rajiv Gandhi Girls Hostel to accommodate 500 Tribal Girl Students from the NER at the Delhi University Campus at a total cost of Rs.23.33 crores jointly shared between NEC and ministry of Tribal Affairs on 60:40 basis. It is likely to be completed within this financial year. It is located at Dhaka Housing Complex, University of Delhi; Banda Bahadur Marg, New Delhi. NEC has already released Rs. 11.50 Crores towards this hostel project, the statement maintained.

Apart from these two hostels, there is already a fully functional 500 seater girls hostel at Delhi University North Campus wholly funded by Ministry of DoNER, the statement added.

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Guwahati, May 31 (IANS): At least 32 people were killed in Assam when a bus plunged into a gorge and petrol tanker turned turtle and exploded, officials said Tuesday.

Twenty-eight people were killed and 10 had a miraculous escape when a bus, carrying a marriage party — the bridegroom, his family and friends, plunged into a gorge after hitting a wooden bridge around 11 p.m. Monday near Charabari village in Kamrup district, about 30 km from Assam`s main city of Guwahati.

The dead included the groom, his father, and other friends and relatives.

The bus was on its way from Guwahati to the bride`s house at Tihu in Nalbari district.

`The marriage rituals at the bride`s home in Tihu were to take place early Tuesday and the bus was on its way with the groom when the accident took place,` police official A. Das said.

`Initially, it was believed there were 43 people on board, but now after verification from the groom`s family it was found there were 38 people in the bus. Rescue workers and locals fished out 28 bodies, while 10 survived and are now in hospital,` Assam`s Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after visiting the accident site.

According to witnesses, the driver failed to notice the wooden bridge without any railings or signposts and then straightway plunged into a deep gorge, about 40 feet from the road.

The Assam government has ordered an enquiry into the accident.

`We have already ordered an enquiry to find out as to why the wooden bridge had no railings or signposts alerting drivers about the bad condition of the bridge,` Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

`Immediate steps are being taken to make a concrete bridge, besides statewide alert sounded to look for such vulnerable bridges that need urgent repair or attention,` he said.

Gogoi also announced Rs.100,000 for the next of kin of each of those killed and Rs.50,000 each to the six injured.

Local residents, however, alleged that district civil and police authorities failed to react urgently following the accident.

`The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was informed around 11 p.m. and they arrived at the accident site only around 7 a.m. Tuesday saying they don`t have night vision equipment and hence they came in the morning,` local community leader Bhabesh Bora told IANS.

`It is a shame the NDRF and other civil and police officials failed to react to such disasters.`

In the other incident late Monday, four people were burnt to death and 12 critically injured when a petrol-tanker turned turtle and exploded on a highway near Bokakhat in eastern Assam, about 250 km from Guwahati.

`After the tanker skidded off the road, there was a massive fire with several houses along the highway set ablaze with sleeping villagers charred,` police official B. Bora said.

Four people were charred beyond recognition, while 12 people were admitted to hospital with third degree burn injuries.

The fire raged for more than 10 hours and was brought under control around 10 a.m. Tuesday.

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