Tag: State

IMPHAL, Sept 28 NNN: Thokchom Priyokumar who was arrested by police yesterday on a charge of sending threatening notes to the media houses in Manipur is innocent, claimed a local club on Saturday.
Jadumani Ningthoujam, president, Hayen Youth Popular Club, Uchiwa Hayen Ingkhol Lai Umang claimed that two unidentified people suspected to be militants forced Priyokumar to send the threatening notes on email through his laptop to the state media houses and newspaper hawkers after All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) turned down a press note issued by a militant outfit.
Priyokumar, 30, a resident of Uchiwa Hayen Inkhol Lai Umang in Imphal West district, was arrested by police on Friday. Shortly after his arrest, Gaikhangam, who is also the state Home Minister, had claimed to the media here that Priyokumar was one of the suspects behind the recent threat issued to the media houses.
Jadumani also claimed that Priyokumar is a soft spoken man and he has no link to any militant group.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam had claimed that the police had arrested the accused who had repeatedly threatened the newspaper firms and media fraternity including newspaper hawkers in the state recently.
He was nabbed by the police with the help of phone tracking from Kakching Khunou in Thoubal district.
Priyokumar works as a technician with a private company Infra Tel, the Deputy Chief Minister had said, adding further investigation was on to find more clues in connection with the threat.
The threat had caused a serious problem to the state scribes and media houses last month for over two weeks during which publication of newspapers and hawking was stopped for days.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/uchiwa-club-claims-man-held-for-threatening-media-innocent/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 27 : Home Department has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the alleged extra judicial killing of Salam Ajit and Yumnam Binoy Meitei by a combined team of Manipur Police commandos and personnel of 39 Assam Rifles during an encounter that took place at Sekmai in Imphal West district five years back.
A notification to this effect was issued by K Radhakumar Singh, District Magistrate, Imphal West on Friday. Radhakumar has been appointed to conduct the magisterial enquiry.
Any person willing to give oral evidence or material or documents before the enquiry officer in connection with the probe are requested to submit particulars in plain papers addressed to the District Magistrate, Lamphelpat before October 5, informed a statement released by the office of the District Magistrate on Friday.
Salam Ajit, 31, a resident of Thanga Heisnam Leikai in Bishnupur district and Yumnam Binoy, 40, a native of Lamjao Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district were killed by a combined team of state police commandos and personnel of 39 Assam Rifles during a reported encounter at LPG Bottling Plant, Sekmai under Sekmai Police Station on November 7, 2008.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/probe-ordered-into-killing-of-two-by-ar-police/

AIZAWL, Sept 27 NNN: Mizoram State Commission for Women (MSC for W) Chairperson Lalnipuii has voiced concern over the comparatively less participation of Mizo women in affairs of the government, and calls on her fellow women to awake and think over their position. She said that it is about 30 years span already the state has no woman MLA.
She said this today in a meeting held at her office and under her leadership.
The meeting which was attended by representatives of different women organizations in the State, women leaders from different church denominations, and Women Commission Members, discussed over the position of Mizo women in the context of the upcoming assembly elections.
Lalnipuii said that the Women Commission is set up by the government to safeguard and promote the lot of women, such that it is to work cooperatively with the women NGOs and also to be consulted by the government too as regards women issues. This is as per the provision of Women Commission Act, she added.
The several steps taken by the women commission is not to obstruct others, but rather, to enable the women to support the men with all her knowledge and ability. The aim is to make the women more helpful in the family, society and in the state, the women commission chairman said.
The Meeting was attended by various NGOs and 15 women representatives from different churches.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/women-commission-calls-on-mizo-women-for-more-participation-in-govt/

IMPHAL, Sept 25 NNN : Federation of Tribal Youth Club, Manipur (FATYCM) has pointed out that due to the inefficiency of Manipur Remote Sensing Application Centre (MARSAC) under Science and Technology department, government of Manipur, there has been a border controversy in the Indo-Myanmar border. FATYCM then asked the MARSAC to pull up its loin to address the issue and prevent such episodes in future.
“In this advanced era of science and technology how come the state government has failed to enjoy the modern facilities?” asked FATYCM, adding, “Even proper Manipur maps are not found in the state.” According to FATYCM, many villages of the districts are not included in the Manipur map. It then cited ther recent Ukhrul district’s Choro village issue. The tribal youth body then demanded a clear-cut demarcation line between Manipur and Myanmar.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fatycm-on-border-issue/

IMPHAL, Sept 25 NNN : Several Kuki based organisations have urged the state government of Manipur and the ‘concerned authority’ to look into the Chandel district episode where a Kuki militant outfit had threatened certain Kuki organisation leaders.
Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), Chandel, Kuki Chiefs Association (KCA), Chandel, Kuki Peoples Forum (KPF), Chandel and KWHR have said today that they were prompted to issue this joint press communique following the statement of KNLF which appeared in local dailies that civil organisations in Chandel district were not threatened.
“It is clarified that the KNLF which is the signatory of Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Central government and the state government had recently threatened all the presidents of KSO (Chandel), KCA (Chandel) and Kuki Women’s Human Rights (KWHR),” said the joint statement of the Kuki organisations and warned, “The civil organisations will not remain mute if any untoward incident happens to our leaders.”
The Kuki bodies then said the case is a serious one and appealed the concerned authorities to address the matter at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/threat-by-kuki-militants/

IMPHAL, Sept 25 NNN : The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Manipur unit has expressed its shock to learn about the incident occurring since last few days at the only institute of technology in the state, Manipur Institute of Technology (MIT). The NSUI-Manipur Unit also expressed its sadness on the security force personnel allegedly misusing their power to disperse the students staging a democratic way of protest demonstration at the institution premise.
NSUI, Manipur unit general secretary M.J Haokip said the NSUI-Manipur intervened into the matter to minimise the burning incident.
“Therefore, NSUI-Manipur had faxed a message regarding the issue to Mr. Rohit Chaudrary, national NSUI president for his intervention into the matter in the interest of the students’ welfare in the state,” claimed MJ Haokip.
Further, MJ Haokip said that he would like to extend his great gratitude on behalf of the NSUI to Yengkhom Leirak Club, Yengkhom Leirak Coordination Committee for Development of NH-37 Road and its surrounding and N. Nilakumar, Convener Minority Cell, MPCC for their valuable contributions to minimise the tension at the moment.
“Notwithstanding, the NSUI-Manipur would like to appeal the concern authority to remove the trouble creator teacher from the institution in the interest of the concerned students,” the NSUI leader demanded.
The MIT students have been demanding the removal of the Principal incharge of the institute.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nsui-condemns-assault-of-mit-students/

IMPHAL, Sept 24 NNN : Irked by the non-compliance of the state government of Manipur towards its demands, the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has decided to resume its suspended agitation under the code name ROTO (Reckoning of Others) after October 12.
In its marathon meeting today at its office here participated by ATSUM executive council, its members of assembly affairs and the students’ body advisory members, the tribal students’ body said on October 12 it will hold its first assembly sitting and obtain endorsements from its units officially to resume the suspended agitation.
“Today’s meeting was held at the backdrop of all the happenings including the pandemonium over border fencing issue, rampant killings, the demand to include the Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list etc., etc.,” said ATSUM leaders. “We have discussed these issues too in our today’s meeting,” added the ATSUM leaders.
However, the proposed agitation of the tribal students’ body will be on the issues of the setting up of setting up of a separate commission for the Scheduled Tribe in Manipur which was demanded by the tribal students’ body and assured by the state government; securing the proper functioning of Hill Area Committee (HAC) under Article 371(C); healthcare and education.
“This time our agitation will be strong enough to spilt over to New Delhi and elsewhere in the country,” warned the ATSUM leaders, adding, “It is going to be the peoples’ movement.”
According to the tribal student leaders, Article 371 (C) exists but it has not been implemented in letter and spirit in the five hill districts of Manipur. “It has been systematically suppressed by the state through bureaucratic manipulations,” alleged the ATSUM leaders.
Citing an example, the ATSUM leaders said that the Village Authority Act under the Hill areas’ Autinomous District Council (ADC) Act of 1971, has not been in use.“In modern society we need to have rule of law and for that we have been steadfastly demanding administrative autonomy,” they said.
ATSUM demands the setting up of a separate state Commission for the Scheduled Tribe in Manipur. It also demands that the reservation policy is strictly maintained.
“It will be in the best interest of all that the issues be raised by ATSUM, are addressed sonner than later. It is the universal desire,” the tribal student leaders added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/atsum-prepares-for-another-stir/

IMPHAL, Sep 24 MNS NNN: Imphal West district police commandos have arrested three RPF/PLA and a PREPAK-Pro militants during separate operations here yesterday.
According to Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, three militants belonging to Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Revolutionary Army (RPF/PLA) and another one belonging to People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak-Progressive (PREPAK-Pro) were apprehended from Uripok Laikhurembi Auto Parking, western side of Loklaobung bridge (New Thumbuthong) and near Usha Cinema in Paona bazaar here on Monday.
The SP in a statement identified the arrested RPF/PLA militants as Kharibam Robi, 41, Ngangbam Rishikesh, 22, both hailing from Kadangband Part-I in the district and Jiribam Chandrapur, Imphal East district resident Yumlemba Joykumar alias Chaoba, 32, while the PREPAK-Pro militant was named as Telem Boy alias Priyobarta, 40, a resident of Keishampat Aheibam Leikai in Imphal West district.
It further said one 9 mm pistol was recovered from the possession of Ngangbam Rishikesh.
Two powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were detected in two incidents by troops of 18 Sikh Regiment at Khumbong Laingam Khun and Moidangpok along National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam road) in Imphal West district today.
The first bomb planted at Khumbong Laingam Khun was found by the troops who were patrolling on foot around 7 am while the second one was discovered at Moidangpok about 3 km from the earlier spot around 11 am, police sources said.
A bomb squad from the 18 Sikh Regiment, which is attached with Patsoi Police Station, retrieved the bombs and later defused them.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/four-militants-nabbed-3/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 23 : A medical camp was organised by 40 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR(S) at Maha Kabui village of Senapati district. The medical team of 40 Assam Rifles treated about 45 civilians and also provided them with medicines. Brig M K Das, SM**, VSM Commander 9 Sector Assam Rifles graced the occasion as chief guest and interacted with villagers. He also presented chairs and other items to the villagers.
In a similar endeavour, 6 DOGRA under the aegis of HQ 26 Sector Assam Rifles of HQ IGAR(S) organised medical camp at Molcham village in Chandel district on 22 Sep 2013. A total of 155 patients from Molcham and neighbouring villages were given free medication and health counselling. 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) also organised a Lecture on Health & Hygiene at Shaibol Village on 22 Sep 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/medical-camp-2/

Imphal Sept.23 UNA : Three persons who went to Senapati yesterday were caught and allegedly beaten severely after they were blind-folded and their hands and legs were tied with a rope by unknown persons suspected to be NSCN-IM yesterday evening.
They were released later late night at around 9:30 pm with the initiatives of Senapati Town Committee near traffic point Senapati bazar just in front of the Senapati Police Station.
Kanggui Town Committee members including its Chairman Chonkam Kipgen and Kanggui Women Welfare Organization members went to pick up them and admitted the three at CHC, Kanggui at around 10:30pm but they were referred to Kanggui Christian Hospital commonly known as Mission hospital at around 12 midnight since they did not show any improvement even after they were administered proper medical treatment.
They were identified as Thangvanglen Misao (22), s/o Thangtinlal Misao, Kanggui Ward No.6, who is a III Semester student of Kanggui College, Ginkhomang Hangshing (27) s/o Thangdou Hangshing of Kanggui Ward No.6, who is a Butcher by profession and Mangminlal Sitlhou (29) s/o Mangchon Sitlhou of Kanggui Ward No.11, who is a Mistry/Jugali by profession.
According to them they went to Senapati yesterday at around 12 noon and have a drink at one liquor vendor at Senapati bazar.
After the drink they met with one Senapati bound passenger bus owner who is known to one person among them and request him to offer more drink they continued. When they got in one bus to return back to Kanggui some unknown persons caught them from behind and asked them to move down of the bus. Later they ordered them to move down the Old Road and when they reached there, they(the unknown persons) blind-folded us and tied our hand and brought them in one house ans started beating them.
There were several tortured mark in most part of their.
In the meantime, Kanggui Town Committee, Kanggui Women Welfare Organization and Kanggui Youth Union jointly condemned the unfortunate incident in the strongest term.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/three-beaten-up-at-senapati/

IMPHAL, Sept 23 MNS/NNN: The Manipur People’s Party today slammed the O Ibobi led Congress Government accusing it of taking Rs 5,08 lakh from the Centre in a deceitful manner to use in the upcoming 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
MPP president N Sovakiran alleged that the Congress Government of Manipur has recently taken Rs 5, 08 lakh from the Centre on the pretext of giving compensations to the villagers of Manipur’s Chandel district affected by Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing.
“But, the ruling Government will use this money in contesting the next Lok Sabha elections,” the MPP leader accused while addressing a joint meeting of non-Congress parties held at the Community Hall, Keishampat Lairembi here.
Contesting election by selling state’s border lands will invite hue and cry from the people and it is better that the Congress stop such a fraudulent move, he said.
The meet once again called upon both the state and Central Governments for an immediate halt to the current erection of fencing on Indo-Myanmar border and to redress the border issue by October next month.
It demanded that the new stilted fencing erected by Myanmar inside Haolenphai village in Manipur’s Chandel district be dismantled immediately.
The joint meeting was attended by leaders of MPP, Pangan Political Forum (PPF), Manipur state units of BJP, JD-U, NCP, CPI, CPI-M, JD-S, All India Forward Block (AIFB), Naga People’s Front (NPF), Naga People’s Party (NPP), Trinamool Congress, Seva Sena and Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP).
NPF general secretary Athon Abonmei said the Congress Governments of both the Centre and state have not taken any concrete step to resolve the three-month-old border issue of the two neighbours, leaving the people in utter dismay and confusion.
He alleged that the state Government is taking more serious on rice and kerosene than border lands and ridiculed the Food Security Act that the Congress Government is preparing to introduce in the state.
MI Khan, spokesman, PPF urged all the NGOs, other social organizations and political parties to visit New Delhi and gherao the Parliament over the border issue.
Saying that the Myanmar has not grabbed the border lands on Manipur side of Indo-Myanmar boundary, but these have been ceded by the state Government to the neighbour because of casualness, alleged Manipur BJP spokesman Y Nilamani.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/opposition-parties-slam-government-on-border-issue/

IMPHAL, Sep 23 NNN : Around 55 students of Manipur Institute of Technology, Takyelpat have taken shelter at a community hall in Tera Yengkhom Leirak here after the Principal in charge of the institute forced them to leave the hostel yesterday.
A total of 145 MIT students, including many from outside the state are now on stir for over a week demanding removal of the institute’s Principal in charge Th Kulachandra.
Yesterday, several students of the institute who were staging a sit-in protest on the demand at the MIT complex were injured when police used tear gas and lathi charged them.
Coordinating Committee for Development of NH-37 and its Surrounding Important Roads and Tera Yengkhom Leirak Development Committee are now looking after the pushed out MIT students since yesterday.
Tera Yengkhom Leirak Committee secretary Monoranjan urged the concerned authorities to take immediate steps to end the standoff so that the students can return to their hostel and resume normal classes.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mit-students-evicted-taking-shelter-at-hall/

IMPHAL, Sep 23 NNN : Most of the packaged drinking water manufacturing units in Manipur have turned out to be dangerous as they produced hazardous products that could result in fatality.
T Brojendro Khaba, Deputy Food Safety Commissioner, Directorate of Health, told NNN unsafe packaged drinking water could claim life so the higher authority should look into it with seriousness.
Cases of toxic materials found in such bottled water have been continuously appeared in various local dailies since early part of the current year however nobody has ever tried to lodge a complaint in this regard to the Directorate till date.
He appealed to the public to come to the Directorate if any food item or packaged drinking water is found mixed up with poisonous particles, saying the Food Safety authority of Manipur Government has the exclusive right to ban such manufacturers after the state Government sends its proposal to the Directorate to this effect.
Earlier, media reports had revealed about containing of toxic particles in bottled drinking water.
Machineries used by these units are all given ISI recognition by the Bureau of Indian Standards, but it is doubtful that if these units are buying ISIs through bribing, he said.
Khaba also said these units in the state need to follow a long procedure to produce packaged drinking water and it is not known whether they are actually maintaining it.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unsafe-packaged-drinking-water/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 22 : Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) surrendered to the state government and accordingly the home coning ceremony was held on the 9th September 2013 at 1st Bn. Manipur rifles, Imphal. Although the previous press statements of KNLF are contrary to their recent surrender ceremony, UKLF expressed its happiness for their joining the peace process. Indeed, the KNLF had time and again openly blamed SoO groups of Kuki UGs for joining the peace process and even dubbed them as traitors and betrayers but their action as of now is not in line with their previous statement. Anyway, accepting peace process is always good for all and UKLF appreciated them.
JM.Thadou, Info& Publicity Secy. UKLF said their present action of threatening social leaders of Chandel district like Kuki Pepoles Forum (KPF), Kuki Students Organization (KSO), Kuki Chief Association (KCA), Kuki Women Human Rights (KWHR) and Kuki Inpi Manipur(KIM) is much against to their acceptance of peace term.
It asked KNLF leadership to withdraw their action of threatening and harassing public immediately otherwise we (UKLF) will not remain a silent spectator. The UKLF believed and accepted that revolutionary groups are formed for the cause of the people and, hence, we shall be compelled to take up any step to protect and safeguard the public and restore peaceful atmosphere which is our primary duty.
UKLF also appealed to the state government (Home Deptt.) to look into the matter and do the needful before things goes out of hands.
On the day of their home coming ceremony , Chief Minister of Manipur, O Ibobi Singh clearly stated and laid down some dos and don’ts to be followed by the surrenderees but the KNLF started unruly actions just after hardly five days of the ceremony which is much against to their acceptance of peace with the government.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/uklf-will-not-tolerate-those-who-harrass-public-leaders/

IMPHAL, Sept 22 NNN: The Manipur unit of NCP is not happy the way the government of India deals in connection with the Indo-Myanmar border issue. The NCP said issues pertaining to international boundaries should be dealt by the Union government but that is not the case here.
NCP legislator L Ibomcha Singh while talking to the reporters said it so happens here that the state government of Manipur needs to constantly press the Central government to bring a tangible solution regarding the missing or displaced border pillars and for proper demarcation of Indo-Myanmar border.
According to the NCP legislator, in the year 2002, he had raised in the state legislative assembly in connection with the missing border pillars and had sought clarifications from the state government. “In his reply, the chief minister had furnished that border pillar numbers 101, 66, 78 and 79 were found missing,” said L Ibomcha, but the reasons for the missing of the border pillars were not known by the state government that time. The NCP MLA then said to ascertain the facts, a joint survey team comprising representatives from India and Myanmar 11 years ago.
“Now, we are interested to know whether the reports of that joint survey team were submitted to the Union government,” demanded L Ibomcha. He also demanded to know as to what extent the state home department had pursued the matter to the Union home ministry.
According to L Ibomcha, the chief minister had informed assembly then that the state home department had apprised the matter relating to the border pillars missing to Surendrakumar Singh, the then joint secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs incharge of North East. The NCP legislator suggested that the outcome of that apprisal be made public.
L Ibomcha then suggested that advanced satellite imaging techniques with Global Positioning System (GPS) will be able to determine the exact border line.
Meanwhile, appealing all the poitical parties and civil society organisations to shed their differences and come forward in addressing the border issue. He also said all political party meeting will be convened in the near future to discuss the issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ncp-wants-better-dealing-on-border-issue/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 22 : The 24th September, 2013 is’ the 44th Foundation Day of the National Service Scheme (NSS). It is a DAY to be remembered and observed by all the NSS functionaries. All the NSS functionaries of the state are asked to observe the day making it mandatory. From this year onwards, the NSS Cell, Manipur University has decided to carry out a number of NSS related activities collaborating with a number of NSS functionaries of the State by observing NSS WEEK w.e.f.24th September-30th September. NSS matters, in some institutions of the state, are found to be neglected. Even some of the Programme Officers of the different NSS Units could not carry out NSS activities because of many reasons. They are found to be assigned additional responsibilities by the authority of the concerned Institute also other than
NSS. If we observe for a week, NSS Units can carry out some activities either of the day during the week. The significance of the NSS in the society needs to be made known to the student volunteers, community and adopted villages. During the Week, as such, NSS Units can do something for the betterment of the society. In fact there is no area in which NSS cannot be a part of it. Mass Tree Plantation as a part of the Mission GO GREEN, an Initiative of the NSS Cell,MU , Sanitation Programmes, Campus Cleaning, Basic Philosophy on NSS, Special Camping Programmes, Blood Donation Camp, Vivekananda Lecture Series, Life Skill Training, First Aid Training Camp, Awareness Programmes on Disaster Management, etc are expected to carry out by the NSS functionaries during the Week.
The service rendered by the NSS volunteers is not for the sake of volunteers only. NSS is a Social Service for the cause of the welfare of the society. Our NSS volunteers have to go a long way to bring peace, communal harmony, all round development in the society. The role of the youth of the country which constitute almost 40% of the total population of the same need to be rejuvenated in different aspects so as to contribute in the nation building process. This can be done by rendering community development service through a number of activities.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nss-week-observance-from-sep-24/

IMPHAL, Sept 21 NNN : The Tangkhu lShanao Long, Delhi (TSLD) said it is saddened to learn about the killing of Jonathan Kashung, who was not just a leader but a father of 4 children, a husband, a son and a brother.
Jonathan Kashung (49), one of the presidential candidates of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul tribe, was abducted by unidentified armed men from Phungreitang area in Ukhrul town on September 13 at around 9:40 am apparently in connection with the TNL presidential election. Since then he was traceless.His decomposed body was found late September 17 evening at Tolloi Junction, around 4 km north-west of Ukhrul district headquarters.
“We wish to state that there is no rationality in claiming lives of people, no matter what charges and allegations are leveled against the person. We express our hurt and anger against such act of violence,” the TSLD said.
It also said that as women who have been striving to work for peace and justice we strongly condemn this senseless act and “we implore upon our people to help stop such in future so that our families and children can grow in a society free from fears”.
The TSLD then shares the grief of the family and express our deep condolence especially to his wife and children.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/killing-of-jonathan-condemned/