Manipur News

IMPHAL, June 16: The UNLF has alleged that the surrender ceremonies held by the Assam Rifles are a hoax and the recent expose of Tehelka magazine regarding the surrender of PULF cadres at IGAR South, Mantripukhri on July 14 bears testimony.

The expose has reveal the underhanded and corrupt practices of the security forces and the Chief Minister, and has exposed to the general public that the surrendered cadres are mostly daily wage earners from Thoubal district and had been lured by touts promising a better future and made to take part in the surrender drama.

Omar Farooq is also sheltered at Mantripukhri IGAR(S) from before and it was also reported that he along with other cadres identified as one Angom Ibochouba of KCP (MC) Lamyanba Khuman tried to abduct a state official, but were arrested by the police, however the matter was also hushed up by the DGP, it said.

Further, the expose has shed light on the matter that the Assam Rifles have been propagating some anti social groups to further create havoc and to extort from the public to meet their own ends.

The expose by Tehelka bearing self evident photos of the July 23 Khwairamband Bazar incident is another example of the brutal atrocities of the state police and the DGP had lied that the photos were fake, which shows the utter shamelessness of the state high officials, it said.

The double standard remarks of the CM regarding the plebiscite issue also describe his true nature of not caring for the democratic rights of the citizens. The human rights violations and the killings perpetrated by the IOF are supported by the CM and the DGP and their names will go down in infamy in the history of the State, it said.

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Absolute faith is absolute surrender to an amazing grace. A lot many people do not like the idea of surrender, but it is a fact that a lot many who felt there never was a need to surrender, did ultimately surrender – albeit a surrender not in humiliation, but in humility. In legendary singer and poet, Bob Dylan’s words: “You may be the heavy weight champion of the world, but someday you gonna have to serve somebody.” This amazing grace however does not have to be in the direct sense of Almighty God, but often manifests in the shape of what many poets have referred to as “hope”. TS Eliot’s “Four Quartets” comes to mind, an extended poem that followed his earlier one of a similar genre “The Wasteland”, which, after a lengthy tour of the spiritually barren landscape of modern life, ends with the chant Shanti, repeated three times. In the end, all that matters is peace, but peace, as a physical condition as well as a mental state, is illusive. Nobody would know this better than those of us in Manipur. Its quest has also never been easy. In a very paradoxically way, those who have found it are those who have surrendered – in the most sublime cases, surrendered their individual wills to the will of the “Amazing Grace”.

Many, if not most religions actually say this. Earthly life in this interpretation is a punishment, and transition from this temporal existence to the divine is the ultimate meaning. In the Semitic religions (including Christianity) the original sin is what condemned life to earthly existence. Otherwise it would have been an eternity in Eden for the original parents and nobody else. As to how attractive this idea is, is a matter of opinion. The original mother, Eve, probably thought it was a bore so she ate the forbidden apple, out of what is described as a feminine weakness. If not for her original sin, we all probably would never have seen daylight, or moonlight for that matter. It is difficult to say if we should deride what she did or else be thankful. Another paradox of life we suppose – another overwhelming question of “to be or not to be”. To be happy with a secure vegetative life, or else look for happiness in choosing to face challenges even if it means exposure to trouble and misery. The non-Semitic religions say very much the same thing, but in a different way. Take Buddhism for instance, or Hinduism for that matter. Rebirth is perpetuated by individual sins, implying that this cycle will end when sin is banished. As in other religions, earthly nonexistence here becomes bliss. The lure of this bliss, it has been explained, is also what gives suicide bombers the fanatic courage which makes them able to do what they do.

But the Amazing Grace manifests in another more tangible and comprehensible form – hope. To paraphrase Eliot’s “Four Quartets” this amazing grace is like the faith of a passenger in a subway train that stops and becomes stranded for hours in pitch darkness in the middle of a tunnel deep down below the surface of the earth because of a sudden power failure, that power would be ultimately restored and the train would again begin moving. That at the end of even the darkest tunnel, there would be light. Put another way, it is like a test of faith of a child in her father’s love for her and her belief that he would never abandon her, come what may. In pitch darkness where she cannot see anything, in the event of an emergency if she is required to jump from the window of her first floor room, and her father implores her to do so from below with the assurance that he can see her and would catch her, would she jump? She would if she had enough faith in her father. Such faiths give hope. Such hopes salvage. The amazing grace is that way too. For some inscrutable reason which you cannot explain but all the same feel, you know that this amazing grace would not let you fall. Come to think of it, Manipur has been stranded in the middle of a deep, dark tunnel for decades. Yet it has held together, despite all the centrifugal forces threatening to tear it apart. It is reasonable to believe hence that despite all its inherent contradictions, a faith in itself has given it the strength and hope that there would one day be light. What a time to recall the miracle of this Amazing Grace in this auspicious and festive season of a great religion of the world.

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IMPHAL, June 15: The owner of the ill fated Tata Winger which was set on fire allegedly by a UG poser in the early morning of June 13, has this evening clarified that there has been no previous threat or monetary demands imposed upon him or his family members.

Clarifying on the issue, the owner identified as Khundrakpam Loken, of Uyal Makha leikai Thoubal district today convened a pres conference at the Manipur Press Club, this evening.

Speaking to the attending mediapersons, while confirming that there has been no imposition of threat or monetary demands on him or any members of his family, he added that his vehicle was bought with the help of a loan from the MGT motors, in the year 2010.

While quoting his driver, Loken stated that the individual who had set his vehicle ablaze, before identifying himself as a cadre of RPF had simply provided non cooperation from the owner’s side as the reason behind the setting of the vehicle on fire.

He has further requested the concerned party or organization to clarify on the issue.

According to the owner, his Tata Winger has been plying on the Imphal-Dimapur highway since June 11 under one DI counter located at North AOC.

One individual who identified himself as Basanta of Nambol had booked the said vehicle through the DI ticket counter on June 12.

Meeanwhile it may be mentioned that the passenger vehicle was allegedly set on fire by the individualwho identified himself as a RPF cadre early morning of June 13 at Tabungkhok Makha Leikai, under Patsoi police station, Imphal West district.

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The question that haunts many in Manipur today is undoubtedly: which way Manipur? For many the hunt for the answer verges on despair. The fact is there seems to be too many answers but not a single clear cut one. There are too many unsettled issues of awesome magnitude, their problem potential accentuated and amplified further by the fact that they seem to share no point of confluence. Our mainstream established politics is totally in a mess; our society has no clear focus on any particular goal; our civil society is so hopelessly divided that it is questionable if there is anything that can be termed as civil society at all; reciprocal to this division is also the underground politics, multiple-fractured and threatening to tear Manipur along the many fault-lines they have introduced on sectarian lines; law breaking has ceased to be the preserve of those who consider themselves out of the purview of the law of the land, but also the law enforcer as well. It is aptly a situation in which anarchy has spiralled out of control of any centralized command. 

Nothing moves, and nothing can move in any positive direction in such a situation. Because the society is so badly divided, there will always be somebody or the other who will not be happy with any decision meant for everybody. Take the controversy that the recent downsizing of the oversized ministry has evoked. It is sad to know that it did not need to be so bitter had the chief minister been a little more sensitive about regional representation or else acted by a definite, neutral formula. He introduced an arbitrary element in his choices for reasons that are matters of speculation. Since the administrative division of the state into its nine districts has little to do with administrative convenience, but are more in the nature of drawing ethnic (communal) geography, the chief minister should have realized there is a certain inevitability about ensuring an even, district-wise representation in his ministry to the extent possible. Unless the criteria was picking legislators with proven integrity and merit alone, there could have been little other reason than personal for him to have thought of giving two to some and nil to others.

Take again the question of territorial integrity. There is no point in ignoring the fact that the term is being interpreted in diametrically opposite ways by the hill population, in particular the Nagas, and the valley, in particular the Meiteis. It is another matter what history and politics say, but the urgent point of concern is, there is a great divide in the present times with extremely grave implications for everybody, and all of us, in the hills as well as in the valley, should be worried about this. The same divide is there in almost every other issue in the state. We have seen the ugly sectarian controversy even on the selection process for MBBS studies. We have seen the binary division on the issue of the Timapmukh multipurpose dam; we have seen similar friction on the construction the Sana Keithel; we have even seen imminently avoidable controversies on the manner the Kangla was proposed to contest for inclusion as a world heritage site. On the last issue, it is of relevance to note that while Manipur debated on whether the British colonial legacy imprinted inside the Kangla should be preserved or destroyed, it missed being included in the UNESCO’s list of new sites this year, unlike two other sites in India including the Victoria Railway Terminus in Mumbai. Now that the Assam Rifles has vacated the fort, there should be more hope for it to enter the UNESCO’s list. The question is who is pushing the issue, or is it being pushed at all still after the initial flutters.

We need to disentangle all the entanglements first before we can hope to find an answer to the onerous question, which way Manipur? This disentanglement, we are convinced, can come about only across the negotiation table around which the different sections of our divided society sit and thrash out a common denominator on which to build all our future social arbitration mechanisms. Each section must realize that the only choice we have before is this common denominator or continued anarchy and mayhem. The choice, to borrow a catchy advertisement line for a soft drink, should be clear.

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IMPHAL, June 15: A One day state consultation on ‘An Initiative Encouraging Responsible Tourism by Engaging Stakeholders in Manipur’ will be organized jointly by Eriema Gender Empowerment & Resource Centre for People’s Concern in collaboration with Impulse, Shillong supported by UNIGIFT (UNODC) with an objective to elaborate on a responsible tourism policy that will be implemented by all states in the Northeast at the Manipur Press Club tomorrow at 10 am.

The proposed consultation programme is a part of the ongoing efforts of the Impulse, Shillong to spread awareness to the common people of the region on the negative impacts and issues on environmental degradation in terms of exploitation of women and children in the process of development of tourism sectors in the region.

As the Impulse had conducted a series of consultation under separate themes including “Talks for change for making Tourism Sustainable, Equitable and Just’ Regional Consultation on Responsible Tourism in the North Eastern States of India’, which was held on August 26 and 27 last year at Gangtok, Sikkim which was supported by UNGIFT and technical support was provided by EQUITIONS, brought forward the follow up state consultation programmes which was organized at Sikkim on Jnauray 22 this year, on January 24 at Assam, on April 19 at Nagaland and on April 29 at Meghalaya.

It could be mentioned that, until the summer of 2010, various policies including the Look East Policy have promoted tourism as holding the potential to bring development to the North Eastern region.

As a result, many of the North Eastern states have developed tourism and ecotourism policies in the last few years. While all policies speaks of the economic benefits of tourism, little is spoken on its negative impacts and issues on environmental degradation and none of these policies have clauses on responsible tourism regarding exploitation of women and children.

In the meantime, the state consultation meeting tomorrow will discuss on how various stakeholders such as tour operators, hostellers, NGOs, law enforcing bodies, government departments such as labour, education, forest and environment, social welfare and tourism can play a role to carry forward in implementing a responsible tourism policy and making it workable.

On the other hand it is learnt from the organizing committee that the main objective for organizing such state consultative meeting is to elaborate a responsible tourism policy that will be implemented by each state in the Northeast, adapt and incorporate the Indian government Code of Conduct for safe and honourable tourism in every tourism policy and lobbying for it to be signed by every stakeholder and to elaborate, implement and monitor a training plan on human trafficking for tourism industry professionals.

Tour operators, hotel personnel, drivers, guides etc, will be trained to be able to react quickly if suspicion arises in certain situations. They will be able to transmit information on human trafficking to domestic and international tourists, who will be in a better position to make better choice, the source added.

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IMPHAL, June 15: Three cadres of the Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), including a Myanmarese national, have been apprehended yesterday (Tuesday) by 29 Assam Rifles in a frisking and checking operation at Sita junction about 75 km from Imphal on Indo-Myanmar section of NH 39, said a police source. 

The arrested NSCN (K) cadres have been identified as “second lieutenant” Atho, 28, s/o Yaba of Somra village in Myanmar, H Lightson, 46, s/o Ngazekwung and Khampankhul, 20, s/o Yinmin, both of whom from Chingai village in Ukhrul district of Manipur.

The three were arrested yesterday at about 11:30 am. However, it could not be ascertained if they were traveling to or coming back from Moreh.

They were handed over to Imphal police station Wednesday by 29 Assam Rifles but the police station transfered the case to Tengnoupal police station as the arrest spot falls under the jurisdiction of Tengnoupal police station in Chandel district.

Mention may be made that on June 11 two NSCN (IM) cadres were arrested by 17 Assam Rifles along with five assault rifles in Ukhrul district.

In unrelated news today, a Tata Winger bought on loan has been set afire at Patsoi by a person who identified himself as a member of People’s Liberation Army/Revolutionary People’s Front.

The 45-year old owner of the vehicle Khundrakpam Loken of Uyal Makha Leikai in Thoubal district said that he has not received any threat or extortion demand from any organization and has asked for explanation why his vehicle was targeted.

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IMPHAL, June 15: Weeks have past since the blast occurred at the ADC office Khuman Lampak leaving three women of a family injured however the ill-fated family has been left on their own without a single financial or physical help from the government.

The victims, Neichin Singson along with her mother, Holdim alias Boinu Singson and elder sister Lucy were rushed to the JNIMS after bomb splinters inflicted injuries when a powerful bomb ripped through the campus of the ADC office at Khuman Lampak on May 28.

Even as the condition of Boinu (mother) and Lucy are stated to be stable, Neichin’s condition is far from improving.

The blast left Neichin’s abdomen open exposing her intestine. Doctors had to operate on her for about 7 hours. Her mother sustained splinter injury on her head and Lucy on her right shoulder.

Talking to IFP Lalboi Singson, a fourth grade employee of the PWD, said that a team of cabinet ministers which included DD. Thaisii, K. Ranjit, L. Jayenta Kumar and MPCC president Gaikhangam visited the family on the ill fated day. During their visit they assured the family not to worry as the government will give necessary assistance without any failure.

But no help of any form from the government has been received by the family, he said.

“My youngest daughter Neishi has been complaining of pain and wanting to have solid food, on the other hand the doctors said that my wife should be operated again for a metal piece is still embedded inside her head”.

“I don’t know what to say, I feel so lost since the incident occurred”, said Lalboi Singson with a sigh.

Our family has been victimized between a war of the government and anti-government elements but we are left to handle this like our personal problem, lamented Lalboi drawing the attention of the government to look into the grievances of the family.

Lalboi is the sole bread earner of the family of eight members including 6 children.

The family have so far received monetary help of rupees 19,000 from the pocket money of the minister who visited them, 10,800 rupees from the St. John School, New Lambulane, where Neiching and Lucy is studying and a sum of Rs 20, 000 each from four ADC members.

The family has spent around 70,000 rupees in the treatment of the three injured members with what ever is with them. Besides human casualty a Kawashaki bike was also damage beyond redemption, said Lalboi.

It may be recalled that a powerful bomb exploded in the campus of the temporary office of ADC located at Khuman Lampak on June 28 morning around 9:45 am. Police claimed that the bomb was fitted in car. However the motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained as no individual or organization has so far claim responsibility for the attack.

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IMPHAL, June 15: Decrying the land acquisition of Kabo Leikai located under the Wangkhei assembly constituency in connection with the expansion of the Hotel Imphal into a 5 star hotel, the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) organized a press conference at the Manipur Press Club this afternoon and demanding the government to shift the construction to another location which will not affect the general public.

Speaking to media persons at the press club president AMCO Rev. S. Prim Vaiphei has termed the land acquisition notice served to the inhabitants of Kabo Leikai in North AOC area in Imphal East district as “discriminatory” and “undemocratic” and has appealed to the Governor of Manipur to issue immediate order for its withdrawal.

He has further stated that the state government has set apart the areas which are adjacent to hotel Imphal such as MPSC, Government Oil Depot and Tourism Directorate Office and instead are attempting to take over the land of the poor people residing at Kabo Leikai.

Such action of the government is amounting to discrimination and also a direct confrontation to secularism, he added.

He further mocked the Christian MLAs accusing them of trying to convert Christian churches into a luxury hotel and added that Christian MLAs have forgotten their election promises and the oath taken in the name of God to do work for justice enshrined in the Constitution of India.

The constitution of India protects the rights of the Christian minority, but here in Manipur such rights have come under tremendous threat from the government, it said, and has pledged that it will continue to strive for well being, communal harmony, peace and co-existence in the state.

One resident of the area who identified herself as Bina present during the press conference also said that the Kabo village located under the assembly constituency of Wangkhei has around 300 voters with 50 houses. And the total area is about 1.50 acre.

She further said that the village is settled by nine different communities since a very long time back.

She also added, “We do not want money, we love our land”. “We are unwilling to receive the said compensation of the government for the land and properties and we will fight until we die”, she added.

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IMPHAL June 14: The JAC of All Manipur Trade Unions Council (AMTUC) and All Manipur Government Employees Organization(AMGEO) has stated that the employees and pensioners of the State are liable to take up agitations against the government soon.

A press release of the JAC has stated that the underhanded tactics of the Congress led government to the employees still continues as it has been more than a year since the JAC has been demanding payment of 6th pay scale in totality. The demand of the JAC has fallen on deaf ears, it said.

Despite the acknowledgement from the government that the 6th pay would be awarded, the same has not been carried out and the pay anomaly from the 5th pay commission have not been worked out.

It further questioned why the pay structures of some government officials have been raised whereas it has remained the same as before for other employees, which the release of the JAC has termed as a divide and conquer policy of the government .

The pay of judicial employees, IAS, IPS,IFS are in accordance with the 6th pay and the salary of MLAs was increased recently, however the other government employees have been left high and dry, it alleged.

The JAC further mentioned that the order of the recent cabinet decision to award 6th pay to the teachers should be revoked as it does not adhere to the norms of the pay commission but is more of a state manufactured scheme to fool the employees. The JAC demands the payment of the 6th pay in totality otherwise agitations will most likely be carried out in near future.

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