manipur – Page 1200 – Manipur News

Yale students touring State to study agriculture production

IMPHAL, January 14: Five American students from Yale University are touring the State to study agriculture and horticulture production here. As part of their visit, the students today made a tour of Bishnupur district and interacted with farmers. The t…

Ima Keithel : post-earthquake

Photos by Aribam Munindrajit Imphal ,12 Jan 2016: The women vendors of Ima keithel has been left to set up their stalls in the streets after the 4th Jan 2016 Earthquake that left the newly built market shed damaged and unusable. They have been demanding for a temporary shed until a new market shed has

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/01/ima-keithel-post-earthquake/

Foggy evening Imphal City : A view from Cheirao-ching

More than 80 pc voters exercise their franchise in local body polls

IMPHAL, January 11: Voter turnout for the 18 Municipal Councils and eight Nagar Panchayats covering four valley districts which went to polls today was recorded at more than 80 percent, although official statement is awaited. Jiribam sub-division in Im…

Centre serious about National Sangai Project: Prakash Javadekar

IMPHAL, January 9: Union Minister of Forest and Environment in-charge Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, has asked the State to submit a proposal for a National Sangai project to safe Sangai and to develop Keibul Lamjao to National Heritage site. The U…

Sharmila calls for plebiscite on Armed Forces Special Powers Act-1958

IMPHAL, January 2: Irom Chanu Sharmila today said a plebiscite on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 should be held for the people to decide whether the Act should continue or not. Speaking to media persons after she was produced before the court…

Rape and murder cannot be settled by customary laws

Murder of a five years old girl after being rape is a serious matter. And what is more serious is leaving the accused free to walk without conducting any trial as according to the law of the land. Application of customary law to this kind of cases cann…

Ojha Sanajaoba Memorial Lecture

Ojha Sanajaoba Memoria Trust (OSMT) cordially solicits your gracious presence at the Ojha Sanajaoba Memorial Lecture titled “HUMAN RIGHTS AND SELF-DETERMINATION AS PREREQUISITES FOR REAL DEVELOPMENT” to be delivered by

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/12/ojha-sanajaoba-memorial-lecture/

Early closure of ticket counters leads to pandemonium at Sangai Festival entrance

IMPHAL, November 28: Complete mayhem broke out at the entrance of the Sangai Festival at Palace Compound Pureiromba area this afternoon. Visitors mainly women and children jam-packed the entrance as

Sangai visitors especially womenfolk and children jostling with security personnel at the entrance of the Sangai Festival main venue. Photo by: Deepak Shijagurumayum

IMPHAL, November 28: Complete mayhem broke out at the entrance of the Sangai Festival at Palace Compound Pureiromba area this afternoon.

Visitors mainly women and children jam-packed the entrance as there was complete disorder as tickets had already ran out by 2:30 pm. However, the VIPs had no problem as they drove in amongst the crowd with complete ease and it was only the public which was left to fend for themselves to gain entry.

Unlike other days, thousands were seen lined up for tickets at the Pureiromba Khongnang area as the ticket counters had closed down by 2:30 pm approximately. The visitors had stood in queues for more than an hour when it was ultimately announced that the tickets had sold out.

The irate crowd tore down the banner of the Globiz ticketing agency and mobbed the entrance of the Sangai festival.

As a result, the queue broke and the police had to let in the visitors without tickets. There was no proper checking done, resulting to a complete breakdown of security measures.

A Globiz ticket usher told this reporter that they were ordered by a DIG of the Police department to close down the sales when the tickets sale reaches 30,000.

It may be mentioned that the ticket counter closed down by 2.30 pm and one has to assume that the said capacity was reached by the time.

However, there was no dearth of tickets at the peripheral areas, as black marketers sold tickets worth Rs 20 at a rate of Rs 100 and going upto Rs 250.

The tickets which were sold in black were the genuine bar coded ones. Police had even nabbed a person selling tickets and express suspicion that the source may be from the Globiz ticketing agency itself.

The Globiz agency shares the revenue of the ticket sale with the State government: Globiz takes 60 percent and the remaining goes to the government, according to an official of the agency.

It is also learnt that only 10 tickets were sold online today.

This is a clear example that the major chunk of revenue generated from the public goes to a private firm and the State government cannot even handle the task of selling festival tickets.

From around 4 pm onwards, there were huge traffic congestions and the visitors kept piling up on both the Southern and Northern entrances to the main venue of the festival. Despite the tickets running out at around 2.30 pm, thousands came bearing tickets still. When asked where the tickets were from, many of them said that they bought it from the black marketers. As such, the swamping of visitors gave a tough time to the police and both sides faced harassment.

A senior police officer at the gate told this reporter that it is a must for the Sangai venue to be changed from next year.

It may be mentioned that the Shillong Choir also voiced similar sentiments and said that BOAT amphitheatre is too small for musical shows.

Many sections from the public also exclaimed that the venue is overcrowded and there is no feeling of comfort when one goes for a festival seeking healthy entertainment.

“We are coming from Thoubal with our families, our small children to witness the festival. The way we are being treated by the security, and risking life and limb to gain entrance to the Sangai festival is a big insult to the public. It is a simple harassment and incompetency of the State administration” said, Sunita, a visitor.

It was witnessed that many vehicles including commercial vehicles inclusive of diesel autos were found flaunting ‘VIP’’ passes and gaining easy access while the public had to literally risk injury to get in.

Aimols declare `We are not Nagas, Aimol will be Aimol` against Naga monolith

CHANDEL, November 20: A large number of people of the Aimol tribe took out a mass protest rally and staged a sit in protest against the erection of a monolith

Aimol tribe rally in Chandel district against tagging in to Naga NSCN Manipur

Aimol tribe rally in Chandel district against tagging to Naga

CHANDEL, November 20: A large number of people of the Aimol tribe took out a mass protest rally and staged a sit in protest against the erection of a monolith declaring the joining of Aimol into Naga tribe at Pallel Bazar today.

Hundreds of protestors including womenfolk took out the Mass Protest Rally starting from Aimol Ngairong Village and proceeded upto Unapal Lamkhai along the Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway 102 via Pallel Bazar and staged a sit in protest at a waiting shed of Pallel Bazar.

The protestors held several placards decrying `Naga Stone Erection in Aimol Land is not acceptable, We are not Naga, Aimol will be Aimo l- No suffix or prefix to the Aimol Tribe, We the Aimol people protest and condemn a monolith stone erection of Naga Stone in Aimol land, etc.`

Speaking in the sideline of the protest demonstration, Aimol Tribe Union Manipur (ATUM) president Akhel Aimol said that the majority of the Aimol people living in Churachandpur, Sadar Hills, Chandel and other places do not accept the declaration of Aimol as a Naga on April 13 last and subsequent erection of Monolith.

The said declaration and erection of the monolith is a handiwork of some individuals for their own vested interest with the support of just four villages out of 15 Aimol villages in Manipur, he added.

The Tribe`™s president also maintained that Aimol is a unique and indigenous tribe of the State having a distinct custom, culture, tradition and dialect.

The identity of one`™s tribe cannot be changed by mere erection of a monolith. As such Aimol cannot be a Naga by erecting a monolith even hundred times, said the president.

The Aimol Tribe`™s president further maintained that Aimol will remain as Aimol and will peacefully co-exist with other communities as it was before.

Chandel ADC member from 7- Aimol Tampak DCC, Ch Chanthoi Aimol who is also the advisor and a former Tribe`™s president said that despite the people of Aimol unanimously adopting the principle of neutrality in 2001 in which it was resolved that no individuals, tribe`™s president or village chief should dragged the Aimol Tribe into any other community`™s fold but should remain neutral as an Aimol, former president S Munthuireng in collusion with some Nagas declared Aimol as a Naga which is unacceptable to the people.

While condemning the act of selling away of one`™s identity like a goods, the ADC member further said that such act of selling away one`™s tribe for vested interest is unacceptable to all as well as to the people of Aimol.

We the Aimol will remain as Aimol and will be known as Aimol till our extinction, said the ADC member.

Customs destroys confiscated narcotics

IMPHAL, November 6: The Drug Disposal Committee of Imphal Customs Division under the instruction of the Office of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) NER, Shillong today burnt confiscated narcotics worth

Additional commissioner, Guwahati Customs Division consigning the seized narcotics to flame.

The narcotics were seized on different counts since 2012 from different places of the State. The NDPC court had also ordered disposal of the same, informed a source.

The seized narcotics included 3,771.8 kg of Ganja and 2500 strips and 4000 loose tables of illegal drugs.

The disposal of the narcotics was led by additional commissioner, Guwahati Customs Division JP Singh with asst commissioner Imphal Customs Division Gaikhonlung Panmei; superintendent anti-smuggling (AS), Imphal Customs Division Gyan Singh; superindentent STS (Statistics), Imphal Customs Division.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/customs-destroys-confiscated-narcotics/

Police conduct search operations at North AOC

IMPHAL, November 5: Police conducted a drive at North AOC today morning around 11 am. The area near the traffic island to some sections along the road leading to

People lined up for verification during a search operation. Photo – IFP

IMPHAL, November 5: Police conducted a drive at North AOC today morning around 11 am. The area near the traffic island to some sections along the road leading to Minuthong was cordoned off by police personnel.

Later, more than 70 persons including some women were rounded up by police from different houses and makeshift shops. The said area is notorious for housing commercial sex workers and drug addicts frequent it for getting different kinds of narcotics inclusive of heroin powder.

The drive lasted for nearly half an hour and the suspects were hauled to Imphal Police Station and released after proper verification. The team was led by additional SP Th Vikramjit. The drive is taken up as security measures ahead of the upcoming Sangai Festival. The drive included other police officers inclusive of officer in charge of Imphal West district commando, Inspector Potsangbam Sanjoy Chenglei and Inspector Sachi Soibam.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/police-conduct-search-operations-at-north-aoc/

India’s promise of shared sovereignty to Nagaland may herald an Indian perestroika for a good reason

Raj Singh Toronto, Canada The reformative vision and philosophy of Prime Minister Modi ushered a new era of change in India which has been welcomed as “Modi-fication”. His fresh

Raj Singh

Toronto, Canada

The reformative vision and philosophy of Prime Minister Modi ushered a new era of change in India which has been welcomed as “Modi-fication”. His fresh attempt to understand India’s north-east and his actions to solve its chronic socio-political and economic problems have a whiff of sincerity. The shared sovereignty he reportedly promised to Nagaland in the “framework agreement” signed on August 03, 2015 may be a new modality to replace the repressive measures India has so long been deploying in the region to subdue nationalistic ambitions.

It is true that the British left an unfinished job of deciding the fate of many weak nations/principalities in the north-east India under their suzerainty when they left India in 1947. The tribal territories of the Nagas, Mizos, Kukis and Khasi etc. they won during various expeditions during the nineteenth century were left as autonomous districts of the province of Assam. The Kingdoms of Assam, Tripura and Manipur were merged with the new India while kingdom of Sikkim was allowed to opt out to remain independent. Many cases of the merger especially that of Manipur allegedly were expedited against the will of the people.

Around the same time in 1944, the small Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia were forcibly put under the Soviet Union led by the big and powerful Russia. With these, seven other smaller states in Central Asia and East European region of Soviet Union remained unhappy in the union for four decades as they were subjugated by the powerful Russia. These states became free in 1991 when Gorbachev experimented a large scale socio-political reformation called, “Perestroika”.

When the small states asked for restoration of their pre-merger nationhood as a rightful demand, Russia, instead of repressive measures proposed an instrument of regional organization called, “Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)” to benefit the dissociated states and an agreement, “Alma-Ata Protocol” was signed. The results in the after years were – diffusion of ethnic tensions, collective economic progress in the segregated states and the ending of the dangerous cold war between the Soviet bloc and the Western Nations.

In the game of geo-politics, powerful nations always remain watchful of socio-political weak points in others’ territories for a chance to covertly intervene and destabilize the adversary. The insurgency infested north-east may be India’s Achilles’ heel in the eyes of other countries. What entails therefore is that the insurgency in India’s north-east needs to be ended to protect India from the evil eyes of geopolitical players.

India will gain a lot from peaceful solutions of the insurgency in the north-east by fulfilling their political aspirations. It can stop the huge resource and reputation drain in excessively militarizing the north-east to fight insurgents in the difficult hill terrains. It can save its international image by repealing the notorious Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and avoiding the numerous charges of human rights violations and extra-judicial killings in army action. It can establish its image as a world leader in the advocacy of special provisions for weaker ethnic groups and indigenous populations that are suffering in the hands of stronger groups in many parts of the world.

The newly segregated small nations with shared sovereignty in India’s north-east will also get a new leash of life with progress in all fronts concomitant with identity-associated dignity, increased sense of responsibility, self-reliance, peace and unity. Six decades of India’s rule with negligence, indifference, marginalization and repression has been blamed for various social malaise like serious loss of work culture, rampant corruption, parochialism and ethnic disharmony, economic backwardness and ecological degradation in the region. They need to be freed from these malaise. As free nations with shared sovereignty with India, these nations will provide an excellent buffer zone of protection to India’s frontier.

Granting “shared sovereignty” to Nagaland by acknowledging the “Uniqueness” of the Naga ethnicity makes a lot of sense to all the people of oriental stock inhabiting the north-east. This uniqueness goes primarily along the anthropologic distinction of the north-east as the starting point of oriental habitat that has contiguity with the far-east. It is for the same reason that India respected Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim (in the beginning) as sovereign countries with special arrangements of sharing responsibilities similar to CIS of Russia and its breakaway small nations.

Granting sovereignty to Nagaland in isolation without a holistic consideration of the insurgency in the north-east will be India’s folly. This will be a stark evidence of India’s myopic vision of dealing with the north-east problems through appeasing the more violent groups. History has recorded how India traded statehood with violent Nagas and Mizos in 1962 and 1986 respectively to buy peace. For consideration of sovereignty as a matter of right, former kingdoms like Sikkim, Tripura, Assam and Manipur logically appear above Nagaland in the priority list. Alfred Lyall (1908), a British civil servant described Manipur as “an oasis of comparative civilization amidst the barbarians”. This was how Manipur stood out historically as a nation in the region with all paraphernalia like – its two millennia old chronicled history, its classical culture, its language with script, its elaborate governments etc.

Perestroika was a vigorous process which needed a visionary leader like Gorbachev and a horde of thinkers to agree with him. Mr. Modi has all the promises of a different genre in Indian politics. He exudes integrity and pragmatism. He will still need an enormous political will to overcome glitches to bring this overhaul. This hope is built on a ‘historic accord” which later on was reduced to a “framework agreement” the contents of which still remain a secret. Nevertheless, we see boldness and spirit in its face value.

The north-east people – the separatist demand groups, the civil society organizations, the think tanks, the social engineers, the political scientists and the politicians, regardless of their creeds will need to prepare a common ground for them to stand together and voice the same demand. This looks a big challenge when we look at the countless competing and conflicting organizations operating in the region. There is also a serious lack of political will and discipline in the region. To cause a Perestroika, the separatist demand if rightful should be voiced also by the regional politicians. There is nothing unconstitutional in a political demand. If they ask for the right thing they will get the thing right for them. The same applies when they ask for the wrong thing. Let prudence guide India and the north-east.

What the framework of the accord would be? – B. Angousana Sharma

The term Framework of an Accord has logic of understanding with a proposal inciting to do with an intention of second party and acceptance of the existing Body; which need

The term Framework of an Accord has logic of understanding with a proposal inciting to do with an intention of second party and acceptance of the existing Body; which need to implement the theory to practical. To the same course of act of NSCN (IM) and Government of India’s (GOI) Accord underwent, though unlikely to the people of the three states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh has been silent for three months. But the act of speculating result of the concealed thunder would be worse as the extravaganza of recruitnient of forces lauded in Nagaland. Rather it will not be healthy administration in the NDA Government.

The exposure of the intention of the Central Government by promoting Community Regimental Force (CRF) in the name of a particular community had to have second or third thoughts before commencement of the Accord and implementation, for that, the representation of the three states which neighbouring to the Nagaland should have been involved and should also have taken into confidence of the neighbouring states.

Hence, the norm to establish a CRF shall not finalise by a two party decision. Rather, the United Nations sanction and parliamentary debate over the enhancement of CRM would be necessary. Also, the Force should establish in the interest of the Nation, not in favour of a particular community. If necessary, Para-Military Force could be considered to establish in the Nation with mixed communities presentations, as 99 and 100 Bn. BSF of Nagaland was brought to participation.

Otherwise. such unconstitutional decision would be taken serious by Meitei Nationalist Party of India. Because, to-upgrade Naga Forces and threatening Meitei community in the Implial valley with the intention to discriminate communities in Manipur with the division on of hills and valley is taking serious in Manipur.

Therefore, to follow the constitutional as well as international norms of laws for forming up of a Community Force should be announced for implementation of such act would be coming into force.

On the other, it is also necessary to consider upon Manipur, the geographically isolated state of India, where lots of disturbances prevailed due to uncomfortable communication, while crossing over the hills, where also, necessary to upgrade the local force to the Regiment in Manipur. The Forces of MR were existed since the time of Royal Kingdom of Manipur. But, today, MNP appeal to upgrade Manipur Rifles to the Manipur Regiment.

Hence, Manipur is more vulnerable than the other states of India. Therefore, if it been discussed, rather sanction been made to upgrade Naga Regiment Force, there should not hesitate to upgrade MR to Manipur Regiment.

Hence, to deal with the diplomatic cult in India Manipur should be No.1 as Manipur fought the wars with Burma, China and Japan to protect Manipur, as hell as India, at that time there was no force input to fight the wars from the other parts of India. Keeping into consideration of the integrity of the border territories of the East, the Government of India may consider to include Manipur wherever, whenever any convention would necessary to institute in connection with involvement of territorial integrity so that the people of Manipur may feel ownness. Otherwise, by neglecting Manipur may cause a civil war like the war of 1903 and 1939, which of the act may result to immense destruction. For which, both of the Government either of state or of centre shall be held responsible. But, the loss of lives and loss of properties of the nation may occur.

Dynamic Manipur concludes Dynamic Startup Event successfully

IMPHAL, Oct 12: Aspiring entrepreneurs who came up with the business ideas like Taret Foods, Kangla Incense and Sangbrei Hairoil won the top three positions of Dr Amuchou Soraisham Aspiring

IMPHAL, Oct 12: Aspiring entrepreneurs who came up with the business ideas like Taret Foods, Kangla Incense and Sangbrei Hairoil won the top three positions of Dr Amuchou Soraisham Aspiring Entrepreneur Award in the Dynamic Startup Event held on October 11 at MIMS, Manipur University, said a press release by Dynamic Manipur.

It said, the top three toppers were awarded a cash prize of Rs 5000, Rs 4000 and Rs 3000 along with mementos, and the selected budding entrepreneurs will be provided with facilities like guaranteed Private Investments for Validated Business Ideas, 6 Months Business Mentoring at the Incubation Center managed by GLOBIZS and WOL media and 12 Ads Credits from Manipur Times when their product is ready to go out to the market.

The Startup Event was organized with support from the sponsoring Partners like Marina Spring, Shija Hospitals, Babina Diagnostics, FRANCHISE India, Hotel Classic, Imphal, Globizs Web Solutions, Manipur Creations, HVS Constructions Materials Pvt. Ltd with a view to boosting up the aspiring local entrepreneurs as well as help validating their business ideas by using the scientific tools like Business Canvas, Lean Canvas, Javelin Board etc, said the press release.

It said, the first episode of “Dynamic Startup” was organized by Dynamic Manipur in association with MIMS, MU, Globizs and WOL Media on October 10 and October 11 after conducting two Lean Startup Workshops in the months of March and May this year.

The aspiring entrepreneurs were coached by Keshorjit Sororkhaibam, Faculty, MIMS, MU, Roshni Kumar Yambem, MD, Globizs Web Solutions Pvt Ltd, James Mayengbam, MD, WOL Media, and their business ideas were judged by Dr Dhabali Thangjam, Chairman, Babina Healthcare & Hospitalities Pvt Ltd, Koijam Vasunraz, MD, Manipur Creations and Hanjabam Shubra Devi, MD, Meira Foods, said the press release.

It said, as the endorsing partners, MIMS, Manipur University, Korea Manipuri Association (KMA), North American Manipur Association (NAMA), Green Biotech, Likla-Thangjam Agro Industries Pvt. Ltd., Imphal and WiseWorld Immigration and Education Consultants, Toronto, Canada extended support in successful conduct of the event, while WOL Media, Siroi Offset Printers, Thoubal, Globizs Web Solutions, E-pao, Impact TV, Manipur Times and The Peoples’ Chronicle were the Advertising, Printing, Technology and Media Partners.

Govt contemplating law against violence on doctors on duty: Chief Minister

IMPHAL, October 10: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that government is contemplating a bill to enact a law in the State to prevent violence against the doctors by the

CM Ibobi lighting candle at the inaugural function of Annual Conference of the Associations of Surgeons of India Manipur State Chapter – ASIMANICON 2015 at RIMS

IMPHAL, October 10: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that government is contemplating a bill to enact a law in the State to prevent violence against the doctors by the patient party.

The Chief Minister said this while inaugurating a 2-day 20th Annual Conference of the Associations of Surgeons of India Manipur State Chapter `“ ASIMANICON 2015, under the theme `Early Diagnosis and Treatment` at the Jubilee Hall of RIMS, Imphal today.

Ibobi said while he would have little to contribute to a scientific conference like this one, there is absolutely no doubt that problems related to health have a critical impact on the development and prosperity of this country, therefore the need for the role of the government.

`The problems are also complex and interlinked. However, while policy-makers are aware of the seriousness of the problem, there is very little awareness of its different dimensions among the broader category of opinion makers and the informed public.` He said.

A kind of pressure can be generated by creating a broader awareness of the problem which generates pressure to bring about corrective action and also sufficiently broad based understanding of the problem to make corrective action politically acceptable, the chief minister added.

He recalled the United States policy on affordable healthcare which has resulted in a number of publications on how to improve medical coverage, healthcare and reduce healthcare costs across the world.

`I note with appreciation that the Association has brought together leading specialists from the public and private organizations to share knowledge and skills with a view to providing quality healthcare in the country`, he said.

He further added that in the health sector our goal is to bring “a long and healthy life for all our citizens”.

Our key objective is to increase the life expectancy of our citizens and ensure that all people have access to healthcare, he added.

The key outputs in this regard are to reduce the mortality rate, reduce the impact and prevalence of HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases, and to ensure an effective health care system, he said.

To achieve these outputs, our key activities include ensuring a well-coordinated health system with special focus on communicable and non-communicable diseases, he said.

Speaking on the burden of diseases due to poverty, inadequate resources, lack of equipment and infrastructure, he said inspite of all limitations, our surgeons have been relentlessly working towards providing quality surgical services to our people.

`It is heartening to learn that our surgeons, with whatever limited resources and technologies available, have been able to perform many advanced and complicated surgeries`, he praised.

`Here, let me assure that I will do whatever is possible in my capacity to ensure that shortage of infrastructure and technologies do not come in the way of providing quality healthcare to our people,` he reassured adding, the state government is dedicated to ensure a better healthcare system for our citizens and we focuses on Health Insurances to citizens, Financial assistance to poor people, enhancing the infrastructure facilities at District and sub-district level Hospitals, use of technologies like tele-medicine to reach to the remotest corners of the State etc.

The Chief Minister also said even as India is becoming an important centre in the aspect of Health Tourism, he would like to place on record that Manipur also has its goal to serve in this sector to the neighbouring country like Myanmar.

`I am sure this will take us in long way in delivering quality service not only the people of our country but also to neighbouring country` he said.

Also present on the dias were Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing as a guest of honour. He appealed the doctors to help the government in bringing peace and harmony in the state.

Prof. S. Rajendra Singh president ASI Manipur State Chapter who presided over the function drew the attention of the state government to create the infrastructure for the organ transplant facility in the state.

Re-Imagining Manipur: Post-Churachandpur Narrative – Sira Kharay

As the deadly flames in the hills of Manipur refuse to die down, Manipur this time is surely confronting a decisive battle of political metamorphosis. Manipur never before has witnessed

As the deadly flames in the hills of Manipur refuse to die down, Manipur this time is surely confronting a decisive battle of political metamorphosis. Manipur never before has witnessed such enormity of tribal awakening since the history of its accession into the Indian Union. While the consciousness of the hill tribals is rapidly shaping into an ominous narrative of concrete ethnic political assertion, Imphal valley is still patching up its bits of imagination as to where it must redirect its idea of Manipur. For better or for worst, the overall political content of the simmering agitation is likely to recast the idea of Manipur forever.

The eruption was inevitable. The hills have long been simmering with deep sense of historical injustice against institutional bias and oppressive majoritarian politics at the whims of the valley. The hurried passing of the three controversial ILP Bills bypassing the mandate of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972 ignited the spark. Thereafter, the shocking use of live bullets in the hills and rubber bullets in the valley leading to the outrageous killing of 9 tribal civilians at CCPur enraged the hill tribals to the point of no return. It has already attracted national as well as international attention and the intensity of the agitation has turned even more dramatic with the Young Paite Association public boycotting and banishing its tribal MLAs.

While the State Government is still reluctant to come up with any groundbreaking concession to resolve the issue, the assertion of the hills is no longer so much about the amendment of the three controversial ILP Bills now and no degree of amendment whatsoever is likely to quell the unleashing strive. Total separation from the valley has become the rallying cry of the hills with the renewed assertion of ethnic Northeast “will” for distinct identity as the ideological subtext, i.e. Northeast may be in India but only without actually being Indian. The driving perception is that Imphal valley will someday come up again with its demands for Hill State and ST status and thus the possibility for co-existence has altogether disappeared.

Amidst this political turmoil, as Imphal valley grapples with its lack of regional imagination and continues to articulate its ethnic interest in a hyperbole adversarial to other ethnic communities, Manipur is fast isolating itself from the rest of Northeast ethnic communities. Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, Former Lok Shaba Speaker PA Sangma and Nagaland Chief Minister T. R. Zeliang joining the chorus against the Government of Manipur is critical. In the backdrop of this emerging regional implication, the need of the hour is drastic policy rethink rather than indulging in a petty political spat. However, like Assam, Manipur seemed to have already sold its pulse of Northeast sense to political puppetry.

What is problematic is not in what the valley asserts in reclaiming its indigenous identity, but in the banality of defining the idea of Manipur on the basis of territory rather than from its historical memories and ethnic imageries. In other words, Manipur’s pathological inability to define its interest without upsetting and appropriating the rights of other communities is construed as anti-Northeast in the context of the larger Northeast-common-interest narrative. Be that as it may, Imphal valley’s obsession with the physical “post-accession Manipur” remains a challenge to common Northeast quest for re-righting the past historical injustices.

Manipur needs to be reminded that the widening ethnic rift between the hills and the valley is particularly a post-Indian-accession experience. Ethnic conflict characteristically for that matter is not Northeast but a post-independent Indian construct. At the root of this festering problem is the arbitrary appropriation and misappropriation of ethnic communities in the carving of the Northeastern States. It is nobody’s question that Northeast was forcibly annexed. The Sixth Schedule and autonomy provisions in the Constitution have proved insufficient to quench this feeling of subjugation as the existing boundaries essentially attempt to supplant the historical identities of the subjects therein with an artificial territorial being devoid of sociological meaning and reality.

Nagas consequently have been staunchly resisting this existing political map and to them, integration of Naga ancestral territory is a non-negotiable right. Kuki-Zomi communities likewise have been demanding their own autonomous district/state and the claim gets even louder. Manipur, thus, cannot actually exist but by suppressing the rights of the Naga-Kuki-Zomi communities. However, this much is clear that ethnic harmony in the troubled Manipur would remain an elusive dream until the Nagas are freely allowed to be integrated and the demands of the Kuki-Zomi communities are fully accommodated.

It is against this backdrop that the ILP Bills per se are not the actual concerns of the hills. The Bills are merely seen as a spark – as another testimony that the hills and the valley cannot co-exist. It is about time Manipur admits its unavoidable fate for its own existential interest and more so because Manipur may risk losing Manipur itself in the long run by further clinging to the delusive idea of perpetuating the status quo. The moot question is will the existing ethno-demographic and power structure of Manipur remain the same forever? Given the sheer size of the hills and the nature of demographic unpredictability, it is more likely that the hills would sooner than later reduce Imphal valley to a mere minority.

Manipur surely must be able to comprehend this foreseeable eventuality. Resurgence of Manipur then lies not in Manipur but in Kangleipak. Manipur’s imagination must thus go back to the midnight of 28^th August, 1947 when the Dragon God Pakhangba Flag of Manipur was hoisted at Kangla and reclaim its historical identity as in consonance with the cognate narratives of its other Northeast kinsfolk.

Photos of ‘UFO sightings’ in Manipur goes viral

We have heard of many Unidentied flying objects (UFOs) stories and sightings for decades now. The often buzzing of our world by extraterrestrials in the form of flying saucers or

UFO sightings in Manipur

We have heard of many Unidentied flying objects (UFOs) stories and sightings for decades now. The often buzzing of our world by extraterrestrials in the form of flying saucers or alien visitors seems to have become a part of our culture, that they purportedly share the friendly skies with us.

In an astonishing UFOs sighting, A man named Lincoln Liba have claimed that a group of boys from a nearby students hostel located at Mantripukhri Colony in Manipur’s capital city Imphal saw and took several images footage of a strange transparent circular object hovering over the neighbourhood on Wednesday’s afternoon, reported IB Times

The photographs of this mysterious large disc-shape UFO were then uploaded on social media. Interestingly, the round, see-through object is seen just above the residential buildings. One of the pictures even has a rainbow in the backdrop. It appears to be a genuine photo and not photoshopped as a person is seen pointing at the object in one of the photographs.

Source: Sevendiary

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/photos-of-ufo-sightings-in-manipur-goes-viral/

Fire destroys properties worth lakhs in Chandel

CHANDEL, October 9: Local residents and fire tenders in Chandel were busy battling a blaze that broke out inside the kitchen of a dwelling house in Lambung Village in Chandel

CHANDEL, October 9: Local residents and fire tenders in Chandel were busy battling a blaze that broke out inside the kitchen of a dwelling house in Lambung Village in Chandel Thursday morning.

Sr Wanghring Anal, elder brother who lived next door to the house said his younger brother a Subedar of 3rd Naga regiment Sr Elvenson Anal`™s wife (owner of the house) Alony and their three sons were inside the house when the fire broke out from unknown source in the kitchen at about 1:29 am.

However, none of them suffered any injuries, he said.

Chandel fire brigade was called to the scene around 2am as the locals had already started battling the fire.

The flames had engulfed the entire house and destroyed properties worth Rs 20, 84,000 as told to police by Wanghring in his report.

There is no word yet on what may have caused the fire.

The Chandel police led by Ts Anghring, in the early morning visited the spot and registered a general diary for investigation under GD No.16/cdl/PS/2015.

Later, speaking to media persons, SR Wanghring said his sister- in-law Dy Alony alerted him after spotting a fire that broke out from the kitchen at about 1:29 am.

He said he alerted the neighbours following which neighbours gathered to douse off the fire.

Even though the fire was put under control with the help of the neighbours, fire brigade and the Assam rifles, the house turned to cinders thereby destroying properties worth Rs 20, 84,000.

Wanghring on behalf of his brother, thanked the locals, well-wishers and relatives, fire brigade, police, Assam Rifles and the Lambung village chief St Ngamrung for their timely help.

AMAND Press Release on Social Outreached Program 2015

AMAND Social Outreached Programme

As a part of ongoing Social Outreached Program, the Association of Manipuri Diaspora (AMAND), Pune which is a registered non-profit, non-government community organization formed by the Manipuri professionals working in /retired from the Central Government or Maharashtra Government or other reputed Institutions based in and around Pune, has organized a Social Outreached Program under the banner “Meeyamgi Thougal –Spirit of Social Upliftment’ at the SOS Children’s Village, Pune on Friday, the 02nd October 2015. This Orphanage, where about 200 orphans are housing under its care, is a model village under the aegis of the non-government, International SOS Children’s Villages working to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of under
privileged children globally.

As a part of this outreach program, an interactive session based on the ‘Communication Skills Development Program’ for the senior level students of this village was conducted by a senior member of AMAND Pune, Dr. Kh. Somorendro Singh, Former Director, Institute of Co-operative Management (ICM), Imphal & Associate Professor, VAMNICOM, Pune who is an eminent soft skills communication cum management trainer by profession. About 50 students were attended the session. The interaction was very lively and vibrant with an overwhelming response from the students. Further, Dr. Singh motivated the students to dream bigger and cultivate necessary skills and competencies to translate the dreams into a grand fulfilling reality. The half day program was concluded with a Tree Plantation Program in and around the homes of SOS Children’s Village campus at Pune by the members of AMAND and students of junior classes of this SOS Children’s village.
This program was co-ordinated by Shri Th. Premkanta Singh.