Tag: Top Stories

var addthis_product=’wpp-252′;var addthis_options=”Google+1″IMPHAL, July 31: The Federation of College Teachers’ Associations, Manipur (FECTAM) will launch cease work strike from August 1 in…

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IMPHAL, Aug 21: All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) is going to observe the 46th Hunger Marchers’ Day on August 27 in remembrance of the dedication of lives of four students during the protest against the then government in the state on August 27, 1965 for causing artificial scarcities of the essential food items in the state.

According to a release of AMSU, during the students protest against the causing of artificial food scarcities on August 1965 four students identified as Promodini Devi, Chaobhal, Nabakumar and Nillamani were killed during the excessive security atrocities during their demonstrations.

The release further mentioned that, the union in order to observed the very day on August 27 appeal all sections of societies and common public to extend assistance to the AMSU by donating good or kinds for the successful observation of the day.

And the various district level committee of the union have also started their campaigns for the ensuing hunger marchers’ day observation in order to make conveniences for the students of various educational institutions and well wishers and common public of different districts of the state on August 27, the release added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/amsu-all-set-to-observe-hunger-marchers-day/

IMPHAL, Aug 25: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has today reaffirmed in the Assembly House that the recent bomb blast at Sangakpham Bazar was a handy work of NSCN (IM) targeting the elected members of autonomous district councils.

Chief Minister stated this while replying to a calling attention motion raised jointly by senior opposition MLA Okram Joy and MLA RK Anand today on Sangakpham blast which occurred on August 1 in which five persons including two minor schools girls were killed and eight others were wounded.

Ibobi further stated that one of the persons killed in the blast was a cadre of NSCN (IM), identified as Anthony Kamei from Churachandpur. He died while planning to attack the chairman of Senapati ADC, R.S. Henry whose convoy was passing the site of the blast on that day, he asserted.

The cadre was waiting for the convoy with a scooter fitted with the powerful IED. The bomb exploded due to some technical failure, Chief Minister stated.

“Police arrested a rifleman of 4th IRB, named J. Kamei who was also involved in the bomb plan and also a relative of the deceased Anthony Kamei. The personnel is a member of the security escort party provided to the ADC chairman and he passed on information about movement of the chairmen to Anthony. He is now in judicial custody after he was arrested by the police from near SBI Secretariat branch”, stated Chief Minister.

Despite of NSCN (IM) denial of involvement in Sangakpham blast, Ibobi claimed that the parents of Anthony confirmed he was a cadre of NSCN (IM) and he came to home two/ three days back before the blast.

Though the NSCN (IM) did not say anything about its opposition to ADCs, some Naga bodies were strongly against the constitution of district councils.

Ibobi further maintained that investigations revealed NSCN (IM) was planning to attack the elected members of the ADCs.

He also blamed NSCN (IM) for the attack on the convoy of MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing in which eight persons including six personnel of Manipur Rifles were killed in April this year.

“During my last trip to Delhi I raised the issue of terrorist activities of NSCN (IM) before the Prime Minister and Home Minister. I urged both the leaders to let the NIA investigate into the NSCN (IM) activities,” Chief Minister Ibobi said. He further stated that the Centre has taken serious note of the activities of NSCN (IM) and assured him the NIA to probe the recent activities.

“If such terrorist activities are carried out by the outfit, the ongoing peace talks will have no meaning,” Chief Minister contended.

Raising the matter, opposition members Okram Joy and RK Anand accused the Centre of creating havens for NSCN (IM) on the garb of peace talks.

“The state government should declare NSCN (IM) as a terrorist organisation and take actions against those involved in terrorist activities. The outfit had even killed a couple recently,” Okram Joy demanded.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/cm-reaffirms-involvement-of-nscn-im-in-sangakpham-blast/

IMPHAL Sept 8: Condemning the bomb blast at gate number 5 of Delhi High Court yesterday in which twelve persons were killed and several others were injured, the members of High Court Bar Association, (HCBA), Manipur abstained from court works today.

Speaking to media persons at the office of the association at Gauhati High Court Complex, senior advocate and president of the lawyers’ body N Kumarjit stated that such wanton acts of terror should be condemned. The demand of the terrorist group Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami (HUJI) which perpetrated the bombing to revoke the death sentence of one of their cadres, namely Afzal Guru is unreasonable and unjust.

“The Judicial system cannot discriminate between people. Let the person be a minister or a beggar, rights of the citizens from all walks of life are redressed. The court gives its verdict by deliberating cases through trials and such an act of terror on the judiciary is an intolerably grave act and a barbaric one’, he averred.

He added that bomb threats have been witnessed inside the GHC, Manipur twice.

“We will make representations to the Chief Justice of the GHC and concerned state authorities to provide adequate security arrangements for the court also”.

He mentioned that it was due to the security measures carried out before entering the Delhi High Court that the terrorists could not detonate the bomb inside court premises.

Executive member of HCBA, advocate Khaidem Mani also added that the act carried out to the judicial institution is a gross act of terrorism and should be condemned in the highest.

“We share the sorrow of family members of the deceased persons and those injured.As a token of condemnation, we did not attend court proceedings after a meeting resolve of the HCBA today morning”.

The press conference was also joined by vice president Ch Dhananjoy,secretary M Roshini Piba and joint secretary H Genanda of the HCBA, Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/high-court-lawyers-protest-delhi-blast/

IMPHAL April 26: The 2 day Multimedia campaign on the achievement of SPF government and flagship programmes concluded at the Trade Centre conference hall today. The function was organized by district information officer of Chandel.
The inaugural function held yesterday saw Lunminthang Haokip,ADC of Moreh as chief guest and A Balkrishna , joint director of DIPR as president. Various community leaders and other officials attended the function.
The chief guest in his speech voiced the need for the Moreh residents to be well informed about the various developmental schemes and projects provided by the centre, such knowledge will go a long way in benifiting the populace. Moreh can become a tourist hub if development takes place and if the schemes are properly implimented,he said.
In the technical session ,retired DIO of Chande and Ch Ibungo,DI of Chandel,medical officer Dr.Priyokumar among others briefed the gathering in regard to the different falgship programs undertaken by the government.
The community  leaders present at the function voiced dissapproval regarding the absence of some officials who would throw more light on the subject and further requested that such another program aimed at delivering information to the masses regarding the public benifit schemes should be held in future soon.

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IMPHAL May 10: The apex scribe body of the state, the All Manipur Working Journalist’s Union (AMWJU) has decided to boycott all news relating to the two day state visit of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.The resolve was taken this evening at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul in an emergency meeting presided by AMWJU president, editors and senior correspondents.A press release by AMWJU general secretary stated that the journalist awaited the arrival of Chidambaram at Tulihal Airport today afternoon. The media persons wanted a vantage point to take photographs and for news coverage, which was denied by the police personnel at first, as the SDPO stationed at the airport was approached by the media for requesting permission from the concerned police superintendent, the SDPO told that he was acting under orders from the SP himself and repeatedly asked the media to leave the vantage point. Obliging the police personnel, the journalist also left and tried to cover the news from another spot, which proved impossible. Following the circumstances, the reporters left the airport.The conduct of the officials of the home department was discussed at length at the scribes meeting today and further decried the high handedness of the police personnel.It was resolved that such unbecoming conduct of the personnel of the home department clearly indicates that there is no need for the media to cover the news of Chidambaram’s visit.The scribes also condemned that such an important visit of Chidambaram, obviously related with the law and order situation was denied news coverage, and the meet resolved not to carry the news about the home minister’s visit.

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IMPHAL May 24: The examination results of the first semester under graduate examinations that were conducted during the month of December under Manipur University has created a major concern, expressed Moirangthem Angomba Meitei, general secretary of the Democratic Students`™ Alliance of Manipur, in a press conference held at Manipur press club today.

The semester system was introduced for undergraduate courses from last year; however, on comparing with the examination result of previous years, the ratio of pass percentage has declined considerably, the general secretary said.

All together 5385 candidates from science, 6520 candidates from arts and313 candidates from commerce had appeared for this year`™s under graduate examination, however, only 2383 from science, 4098 from arts and 71 from commerce were declared pass that is sharply contrasting from the previous years, Angomba stated that the results were very unfortunate as it vividly shows that the new system needed timely revaluation.

Apprehensive about the new system introduced by MU for under graduates, Angomba Meitei, talking to media persons, appealed the concerned authorities to initiate an immediate attention to improve the higher education in the state from further deteriorations.

The general secretary said that DESAM would initiate serious monitoring of colleges where pass percentages are low. He also appealed the teacher to give full cooperation to their students towards achieving positive goals.

He mentioned that various factors are affecting the academic atmosphere of the student, Adding to this, the delay in the declaration of examination results has caused another setback for the students, he added.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Assam government has ordered an enquiry into the accident.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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IMPHAL June 2: Calling for new changes in the state, Th. Chaoba ex- union minister, while addressing a One day political conference at Thoubal Charangpat Mamang Leikai community hall under Wangkhem A/C stated that the state is facing an acute hardship as a result of the congress government. He further mentioned that in the forth-coming general election, MPP will form an alliance with like minded political parties other than NPF to overdraw the Congress led government.

Accusing the Chief Minister of being associating with family politics, Th. Chaoba termed the present O.Ibobi led Congress government will have the same fate as that of Karunanidhi led government in Tamil Nadu.

The One day political conference was organized by the Youth Front of Manipur Peoples Party to address on various present issues of the State.

Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, president MPP, L. Kunjabihari, district president MPP, Th. Chaoba, , L. Jatra, ex-MLA, M. Maniton Mangang, president Youth Front MPP graced the function as chief guest, president and guests of Honour respectively. The function was also attended by other office bearers, members and invitees.

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At its crux, there are only two known ways of resolving a conflict of interest. One is to crush the weaker of the two with brute force and the other to reach a democratic consensus. The civilized norm of the modern world being the latter option, the need is to explore its possibilities, wherever conflict has come to stay, at least until a more perfected mechanism is evolved. For the moment, we can only foresee all putative future conflict resolution mechanisms as derivatives of the democratic system, the latter being known for its resilience and almost infinite accommodative capacity. But it must be acknowledged that often the most vocal advocates of democracy have regressed into the logic of an atavistic past where only force mattered. The objectionable interventions in the Middle East and West Asian have said this eloquently. It is a matter of pessimism that war still seems unavoidable even in the days of democracy. A qualification needs however to be added here. In the UNDP Human Development Report, HDR, 2002 with the theme “deepening democracy in a fragmented world”, one of the many interesting patterns of national behaviors that evolved from empirical data on wars in the second half of the 20th Century is, no two democracies have ever gone to war with each other. Quite obviously, these nations have discovered an alternative ground on which to thrash out vexed issues. The indication is also, democracy is a versatile medium for this meeting of minds and resolution of conflicts.Even in our situation, there have been very strong tendencies on very many occasions to return to the former method of conflict resolution, which basically has a one-line philosophy made famous by Joseph Conrad’s fictional character, Kurtz in Heart of Darkness – exterminate the brute. But, as in this story, the scale to decide which is the “civilized” and which the “brute” between the exterminator and exterminated, becomes extremely blurred. But the values of democracy, with its insistence on giving each and every one a say, regardless of numerical or physical strength, have generally managed to keep this tendency in check. There have been occasions when this inner moderation snapped, as in the case of the Naga-Kuki feud, Meitei-Meitei Pangal mayhem, and Kuki-Paite fratricide, but it would be reasonable to presume that many more would have been prevented by this inner cord. For indeed although our society seemed at certain junctures to have reached points of explosive of ethnic violence, nothing so catastrophic have happened so far. This however does not mean the dark forces of violence have been successfully subdued for all times. We still continue to sit on a dormant volcano which can with provocation come alive again. And provocations there have been and there will be by those who either do not understand or believe in the healing power of accommodation and mutual respect that democracy recommends.There have also been plenty of talks of a dialogue between the civil societies of the different communities that are at loggerheads. This is welcome, but a dialogue devoid of a willingness to accommodate can possibly lead nowhere. A dialogue or a discourse is not simply about convincing the opposing party to surrender to the will of the other party, but of discovering, or rediscovering as the case may be, of common grounds on which to build the foundation of the future together. This spirit has never been conspicuous in all the vociferous claims for the need for understanding and good neighbourliness. By democracy we do not necessarily mean only the number game. This is a necessary ingredient, but it is far from being a sufficient condition. Equally important, it is also about justice, and in evolving this understanding of justice, the premium must be on reason and creative insights into what is common good. Here concept of freedom is also important. Without individual freedom, the aggregate of which is what constitutes freedom of larger social grouping, including the nation, there can be no democracy. But again, as philosopher Isaiah Berlin said, freedom cannot be without any conditions. Absolute freedom for the wolves translates into death for the lambs. Freedom then can make meaning only if it is moderated by reason and a commonly legislated rational law.

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By A Staff ReporterIMPHAL, June 6:  A high level official team of Ministry of Department of Northeast Region (DoNER)  led by DoNER secretary Jayati Chandra and includes joint secretary PK Patnaik and directors of the ministry Dr. Udal Sankar and PR Mishra besides Dr. MC Mehenathan, director ministry of home affairs (Northeast in-charge), Vandita Kaur, director (PF-1) ministry of finance and SN Bromho Choudhuri, advisor planning commission have arrived state capital this afternoon and conducted official inspections and review development works which have been funded by non-lapsable central pool of resource (NLCPR).
 According to the source, the purpose of the visit of the high level team is to inspect various development works being initiated with funds from NLCPR. The visiting team will visit and inspect work sites of various developmental projects with state officials beginning tomorrow morning. Later at 3 pm on the same day, a high level meeting will be convened at the conference hall of Manipur secretariat here, added the source.The officials from the state will be led by chief secretary DS Poonia in the high level meeting tomorrow.
The official source informed that the visiting dignitaries held a meeting with the state transport department in the afternoon today moments after their arrival.The discussion in the meeting mostly centered on traffic problems and shrinking parking space in Imphal and the possibility of the introduction of the newly acquired and much awaited low floor public transport buses, added the source.

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By Professor N. Mohendro Singh
Former Member, Steering Committee, NER Vision, 2020
Well, it is good that the 60th plenary session of the North Eastern Council to be held on 16th and 17th June at New Delhi has been meaningfully designed to give effect to the NER Vision, 2020 signed on 13th May 2008 at Agartala after exhaustive preparation of three years. The development initiative marks a turning point to get down to the ground realities. In fact it is a Bible of Development for the entire North Eastern Region with the Transfer of Development Rights in the wake of challenges of globalization and imperatives of liberalization which was set in motion in 1991. Regional imbalance continued to pose a tantalizing headache for the planners in the country. The performance of economic planning in the country for the last 58 years fails to address the issue of regional imbalance. Curiously, to the dismay and disappointment, the North Eastern Region was found lagging 30 per cent behind the rest of the country. It was therefore essential to prepare the roadmap and guiding framework for a structural
change and responsive trajectory of growth.
In order to catch up with the rest of the country the North Eastern Region should be prepared to achieve annual average growth rate of Gross State Domestic Product of 13.17 per cent and Manipur 13.25 per cent by 2012-2017 as against the national average of 9 per cent. This is a new development challenge.

Any exercise has, therefore, to be made keeping this reality in view not merely the routine exercise of a few projects not carefully worked out to ascertain the accurate multiplier effect on the growth acceleration and stimuli released by way of externalities. In this connection we have to identify four major issues:
1 Where do we stand now i.e. by 2011-12?
2 Where to go (economic destination)?
3 How to go (potentials/priorities/strategy)?
4 How soon (time frame/time line)?

In the course of preparation of the Vision Document we suggested six components of strategy
a. Empowerment of people
b. Creation of Development Opportunities
c. Developing sectors with comparative advantage
d. Capacity Development of people and institution
e. Creating hospitable investment climate
f. Investment by both public and private sectors

It could be fair and equally convincing if the projects prepared by the Government of Manipur for the plenary session touch on and are derived from the components of the strategy. Of course, one should not ignore the abject ground realities in the state.

Well, it could be necessary to reiterate the fact that any major development initiative neither preceded nor accompanied by sufficient social empowerment invites inequality, imbalance and instability in due course. The very purpose of inclusive growth gets defeated. A sound strategy demands that Development and Empowerment should go together. Look at the impact of heavy projects of high capital intensity. The lion’s share of the intervention goes to the wealth-to-do rich contractors, companies and suppliers. The poor and unorganized sector remains a mere marginal beneficiary with a spill-over of daily wages.

Secondly we also identified crucial roles of social capital and social entrepreneurs to implement, run and maintain the economic projects. In this connection, once in a meeting of the Steering Committee, SHREE MANI SHANKAR AIYAR, former Honourable Minister, DoNER, in reply to my strong argument on Investment Gap in Manipur said “Professor Mohendro, please don’t worry about money. I will give you enough money for any project but who will look after the project? I know maintenance remains an unsolved problem in Manipur”. Even today plan for plan maintenance remains criminally ignored as a result of which many assets to-day remain half-completed, idle or underutilized. We suggested Administrative Reforms before any policy initiative. What we need in Manipur today is bureaucratic machinery with commitment rooted in domestic institutions not merely so-called refresher programmes.

One should not expect good governance without a fair knowledge on what to do and not to do. In fact confusion begins withjack of fair knowledge and firm commitment. Right now the bureaucratic apparatus in the state, by and large, fails to appreciate the historical necessity of Plan Culture not merely the so-called work culture. The compendium of a few schemes cannot substitute the planned works born out of a series of economic relationships.

It is really surprising that we are harbouring the false notion of inefficiency of District Planning while the whole world has accepted the principle of decentralization of planning and development as cornerstone of inclusive growth. Even to-day we do not have District Resource Inventory, District Perspective Plan and District Annual Plan. We have schemes but not plans. The Hill Development Strategy should necessary be part of the long term District Perspective Plan based on District Resource Potentials. To-day the development process in the hill areas gets distorted and remains visibly insensitive.

Lastly, yes, participation in the 60th plenary session is important;— but more important is the WAY the preparation is made and much more important is the SPIRIT with which you participate. The burden of heavy involvement in the gigantic task of the production of Vision Document remains a reminder of seriousness and thoroughness with which the action plans have to be prepared in order to initiate a directional departure.

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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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IMPHAL, June 19: A joint official team of the Imphal East district administrator, officials of PWD and state settlement department will be conducting an official assessment and valuation of the standing properties at the village No. 25A Kabaw Leikai Nongpok, North AOC, in and around Imphal Hotel under Imphal east district tomorrow morning under tight security arrangements in regard to the land acquisition meant for the expansion of the Hotel Imphal into a 5 Star Hotel.

According to an official source the formal assessment and land valuation of the standing properties of the said area will start from 9 am tomorrow, in this regard an official notification was issued by the District Magistrate Imphal East yesterday, in view of the assessment and valuation of the standing properties tomorrow there will be detailing of tight security from the Imphal East district police led by the Addl. SP and comprising of civil police, women police, VDF and commando teams to prevent any form of disruption from any section of the society during the official conduct of assessment.

It may be mentioned that various sections of the society and residents of the Kabaw Leikai had initiated their agitation against the state government plan to set up a 5 Star hotel after acquiring the lands presently occupied by the pattadars of the area.

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By Amar Yumnam
The author is celebrating his 25 wedding anniversary today and we wish him many happy returns of the day

To an academic, a semInar is a success if it scores at least on forcing us to ponder on the issues of the seminar not only during the seminar but even after the seminar as well. This is one ground on which I would award a high grade to the recent seminar on the Loktak organised jointly by the Loktak Development Authority and the Loktak Brigade. There are other additional reasons on which the seminar should be valued to which I would turn.

The Tragedy: The Loktak Hydro Electric Project based on the Ithai Barrage is no doubt one of the biggest development wrongs in India and the biggest tragedy for Manipur. The poor foundation of the rationale of the project is getting unfolded increasingly. Almost all the developmental tensions and moves and counter moves at least in and around the adjoining areas of the lake relate to the fall-outs of this ill-conceived project. Today the efforts to address these negative fall-outs have to be necessarily a State-wide one so that any sustainable solution can be achieved.

While searching for solution to the negative impacts of the Loktak Hydro Electric Project, it is no longer feasible to bomb and blast the Ithai Barrage. We have to look for solutions in interventions in areas and aspects other than the project itself. It is in relation to this issue that the recent seminar has turned attention to in a positive way.

Public Good and Development: Intervening into the First Nature in order to create a Second Nature according to our needs always produces shocks, positive and negative. But in the case of the Loktak Hydro Electric Project the negative ones have dominated over the positives, and the impacts linger.

Here it must be mentioned that lakes usually are public goods entry to which is free, unrestricted and non-excludable. Being so, there is usually the problem of over exploitation and free-riders; most of the people living on the lakes tend to extract maximum in the shortest possible time without contributing to their development. But the fall-out of the Ithai Barrage and the years of non-regulation after the commissioning of the hydro project have only aggravated this problem of free-rider associated with the Loktak being a public good. But this is not a sustainable situation for the people as well as the lake. Some regulation and some pricing have to be put in place so that the free-riding is avoided. The present tensions surrounding various policy interventions relating to the Loktak basically relate to this.

The articulations in the seminar by the representatives of the people in and around the lake make subtly clear the desires of the local population. They have enjoyed the benefits of the public good over a period of time, and naturally they would like to revert to the period before the commissioning of the hydro project or at least the absence of the recent legislation by the government and the various interventions through the Loktak Development Authority.

The conflict today is between protecting the interests of the people in and around the lake and the need for regulation to address the various ecological issues. While the important interests of the people are basically local, the ecological issues are necessarily State-wide and global. The challenge before us is striking a balance between these two interests, and thus take the well- being of the people forward.

The Loktak Development Authority has done a good job in straightway organising the Seminar in situ and taking their views to the public. Now there are certain things to be done on the side of the Loktak Development Authority itself.

First, it should not project itself as an implementing agency of programmes envisaged by the government only. We should remember that it is not a department of the government. It should be able to project itself as an agency fully involved in articulating and protecting the interests of the people as well, particularly of those living in and around the lake.

Secondly, the agency itself is in urgent need of empowering further. The dimensions of issues to be attended to by it are so huge that the present nomenclature does no longer do justice to the responsibilities. It should now be renamed as something like the Lake Regulatory Authority with additional powers for intervention in forests, fisheries and of course water.

Third, in order to do justice to the second, the agency should now be broadened with active in-house presence of social scientists and environmentalists. The agency can and should no longer function as stooges of any external authority; it should possess in-house capability to at least address major issues in so far as first round implications are concerned.

Fourth, now that the concerns and resistance of the people in and around the lake a resilient the agency should now be applying its mind on addressing the issues. There is a big collective action issue involved here, and the objective should be to channel this collective action energy towards the goals that serve the interests of the local population while not compromising on the ecological aspects.

There are certain other considerations where the application of the individual as well as collective mind of the local population is paramount. To begin with, we must accept the fact that the practices before the contemplation and adoption of recent interventions were not satisfying the sustainability principles both for the ecology and the people. It is true, whenever certain changes are introduced in any prevailing atmosphere and accompanying set of practices, the interests of some people would invariably be affected adversely. Having said this, I must add that it by no means imply tolerance of decline in well-being of any set of population; no this simply is not acceptable. The issue is adopting certain kinds of policies and programmes whereby the well-being of the adversely affected set of population is ensured at least at the level before the current interventions were put in place. This is where the Loktak Development Authority should be working closely with the local population, and evolve a dynamic package of schemes attuned to the emerging needs of the population.

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By RS Jassal
The recently held seminar on the subject as above organised by the Loktak Brigade & LDA in conjunction opened with many angles but definitely closing on one that is locals, LDA authorities were lacking desired closeness in interaction, short falls in achieving target on part of LDA and a third angle, local community leaders blurred perception about the ‘role of Army’ or call it SFs i.e., why so many including CRPF, IRB and at far ends of lake the deployment of BSF too are there. This seminar was vividly marked by straight thoughts from all angles in a relaxed atmosphere.

LDA/ Ithai Barrage had started with very high hopes and aspirations for the Government & the people so far water management and power generating perceptive is concerned. To give full quantum of water backup into the reservoir, Irang river waters were supposed to be tunneled into Loktak. In initial stages, limited category of people were allowed to avail trolleys to go inside deep into huge well as part of curiosity and adventure, but steadily hampered & progress retarded thereafter by the UG activities, unsocial elements & vested interests is the story well known to everyone till 2004-2005 set in with SFs operations started with code name ‘All Out Clear’. Army officer as a speaker that too CO of a Battalion from the area was well thought of and it clarified many hither-to-fore not too well known facts to the locals. Loktak & Thanga, Khodrak areas were undeclared ‘Liberated Zones’ used for the rendezvous of various categories of people for various purposes. In fact revelation by Col. N. Bhardwaj gave fillip to the job of DPIR, Govt. of Manipur who could hardly enter those areas then, forget about the awareness campaigns which the Deptt or LDA authorities were expected to do. As regards to exposing Acts & Regulations connected with management of LDA affecting locals around were well brought out by the speakers. It appeared some of them needed incorporation into LDA’s latest regulations; but all were in existence independently whether effective or otherwise. The vision 2015 Loktak projected by Ibobi Singh Director LDA Project stood tall in its own stand. He exhorted locals to take it as their welfare project & to take interest more than, the Army is doing. They need coming forward to take LDA effort forward. Locals especially fishermen stood mired in their conviction that most of the developmental activities were to up root them or affect their hereditary claims to cultural livelihood. Another aspect argued was on Phumdi clearance which was considered as disturbing ecology resultant to extinction of a large variety of fish culture & non acceptance of invitation by the migratory birds (now) due to climate change. However none of the speakers attributed change in environs due to activities of various groups of undergrounds which invited military action. One speaker attributed disturbance to the fishes & Sangai, state pride animal to the high decibels of noise pollution being created by the three hovercrafts inducted into the lake for fighting insurgent activities & but ignored sounds of aircrafts which start lowering down at Tulihal airport everyday so on so forth. Whatsoever emanated from the speakers rostrum, all were true in their own respects and details.

Based on above, author feels that;
(a) Ignoring recent past & two decades of inter and intra connectivities disturbed by insurgent activities & LDA developmental slow activities, LDA project needs to be strengthened. AS Ho’nble MLA, Shri Ratan said on ‘sideline of the seminar’ that K.Pro & LDA did suffer due to lack of coordination among themselves and K Pro’s infrastructures could not reach on time as planned.
(b) People of the lake & LDA must endeavour to have more connects. People must see of realistic advantages accruing out of well completed project underscoring initial discomforts of the fishermen. They will still be there on their holdings in one way or the other. They must eye on eco tourism to follow. So many more openings on Forestry, horticulture etc will come up.
(c) Govt. of Manipur is fully equipped with dedicated Depts. of Fishery, Forestry, Horticulture and Ecological Environs and Tourism. They can work in tandem with LDA but maintaining clear independence from Manipur Loktak Lake (Protection) Act 2006. If all such Depts. area if added with LDA it will make LDA management encumbersome. Their main job is to generate Power & Water management resultant out of this. If tunneling could not be holed successfully for channelising water of Irang then and there is no hope of its happening now. LDA may explore means to channelise waters down streams from nearby hills for waters flow into Loktak as additional WATER quantum is essential for producing electricity. There is no doubt if LDA succeeds as per their initial inducting onto mission and Govt. of Manipur determinately puts up Tipaimukh Hydro project through, these two water cities in the offing will have positive changes as Light House of Manipur – which will be adhesive and integrative of people than current divisive scenario Where there is sunshine, clouds also have to follow. One sub head is second session in this seminar; on why various groups of UG had selected LOKTAK as saviour to carry their mission ahead which failed. LDA objective too and excessive difficulties from media in reflecting motive of Op “All Out Clear’” and frontal onslaught by frontal organisations to turn every single mistake of the Govt. and SFs in linkage to HR violation so on & so forth; would have done completed job of DIPR also.

In fine: Seminar was great success as it brought affected people, LDA and Security Forces Perspective into one line of accommodating one another rather finding faults with any system. To this end Brig. Laove Verma, Ritesh Kumar WISA, New Delhi, Th. Ibobi Singh, Project Director LDA and Hemamcha Sobha of Moirang Thangjing Yangeirol deserve congratulations. Retd VC (MU) Dr. H.Tombi Singh and Prof. Amar Yumnam of MU gave sterling touch to the moderation part of both the sessions. We hope to see such similar collective Seminars/ Workshops in future to come. To my reading this seminar has definitely established its relevancy which was required.

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IMPHAL July 6: Minister of Commerce and Industries, Y Irabot in a press meet held at the Khadi Village and Industries Board, Lamphelpat today clarified that the charges alleged against him by the vice chairperson of the Board A Sharat are unfounded.

The minister stated that under the PMEGP programme, there is a project for hosting six hoardings. He said that the hoardings have not been erected as of yet and the contract is done by someone from his constituency.

Refuting the allegation of favoritism by the minister in providing contract works to RK Khogen who has been alleged as a relative of the minister, he said that the contractors Rk Khogen and Rk Gokulchandra are not related with him nor has he done any favor for them. The charges of favoritism as alleged by the vice chairman are baseless, the minister maintained.

He will also entertain the resignation tendered by Sarat also, he stated.

It may be mentioned that vice chairman of KVIB, A Sharat was appointed by the minister himself and sanctioned proportionate powers relating to controlling of employees on behalf of the chairman and to sanction expenditure for workings of the office and other financial matters.

Meanwhile Sharat had alleged that the minister was propagating corruption and trying to misappropriate public money as one RK Khogen had submitted a fraud bill in relation to the flagship program of the PMEGP. As per agreement six hoardings had to be displayed whereas only three were displayed, and Sarat had disapproved the bill and submitted a resignation letter.

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NEW DELHI, August 20 (MIC): Jamia Halima Aziz Educational Trust, Manipur organised Al-Ramzanul Mubarak Iftar Party at the Royal Plaza, Connaught Place here this evening. Lok Sabha Member Dr. T. Meinya who attended the function, said the Ramzan month is the Holy month of Islam communities. Narrating the history of Meitei Pangals, he said the Meitei Pangals were relative to Meiteis. He wished to all Meitei Pangals for peace and happiness to bring a strong secularism.

Rajya Sabha member Ahmed Patel  who was supposed to the attend the Iftar Party could not participate due to an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister of India. However, he conveyed his best wishes to all Muslims in Manipur for dedication their services to the welfare of poor people.

Shaikh Riazuddin, Director of Jamia Halima Aziz Educational Trust explained the objective of the Iftar Party as an effort for peace, unite the people, to serve sincerely for minority and helpless people of the World during the Ramzan.

Dua gathering prayer by Imam Sahib was conducted at the Iftar Party.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/jamia-halimia-aziz-trust-manipur-organizes-iftar-party-at-ryal-plaza-new-delhi/

IMPHAL, Aug 25: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has assured to bring a concrete solution at the earliest to the prevailing imbroglio arising out of demand for Sadar Hills at the Assembly House today during the second day of 11th session of 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

He said this will be without any bias towards any community.

The Chief Minister was replying to a short duration discussion motion moved by opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam which was also participated by MLAs from both ruling and opposition benches.

Further, Chief Minister Ibobi stated that the government cannot succumb to pressures, which he observed would create room for violent activities in the future by other groups or organizations in echoing their demands.

Government’s decision will be based on ‘administrative convenience’ and not harm any single community’s interest, he contended.

“Taking final decision on the issue based on community favoritism is not a wise thing”, said Chief Minister, O. Ibobi Singh. He urged all communities not to bring up issues or demand as Kuki’s, Naga’s or Meitei’s land which he said would come in the way of the principle of‘administrative convenient’.

He appealed to the agitating SHDDC and UNC to co-operate with the government in its venture.

Ibobi said, “No government wants to solve a problem at the cost of creating another problem”.

Further referring to the term ‘our land’ as used by different communities, he asserted that it was unfortunate and ignorant. According to him, all land in the state belongs to the government of Manipur.

Clarifying on his recent statement for granting districthood to other districts that invited criticism from the SHDDC alleging his statement was an attempt to divert the Sadar hills issue, the Chief Minister maintained that the government is seriously considering the feasibilities to provide the Sadar hills at their level best.

The Government has discussed feasibilities on forming of neutral committee headed by members outside the state, forming a cabinet sub-committee but these committees could take times longer than expected and not less than a year. The best option before is the ‘District Reorganization Committee on Administrative and Police District Boundary’ which will he headed by chief secretary and assisted by DGP, commissioner RD and PR etc. the committee is intended to submit their report in three months time, further said the Chief Minister.

While opening the discussion opposition leader, Radhabinod Koijam, termed the demand of the Sadar hills district demand committee as genuine but said that the demand is full of ramification and a consensus decision must be taken. He further observed that none persistent in projecting of issue as another factor for the delay in granting for the last few decades.

The opposition leader said the delay in granting the prolonged demand by successive governments has turned the issue ‘cancerous’ and to avoid any fatality he urged the need to find a way out now for the sake of the integrity of Manipur.

He also suggested that government can seek opinion and advice from all political parties along with the major civil bodies in the state. Terming the frequent blockade imposing along the highway for any issue as unfair for the general populace in the valley, he appealed all the blockade sponsors to lift it before frustration grip the peoples mind.

Senior opposition MLA, O. Joy Singh said “it is quite unfortunate if somebody claim this is our land”. While acknowledging the demand for Sadar hills, he asserted that government should only focus on ‘administrative convenience’.

The senior opposition MLA also observed the need for creation of more districts given the situation of the growth level of the state and suggesting the constitution of a ‘commission’ into the Sadar hills issue.

He also appealed the blockade sponsors to relax the blockade and urged all section to refrain from violence.

MLA, Morung Makunga, also suggested for permanent solution to the issue.

Kangpokpi MLA cum chairman HAC, Thangmilien Kipgen maintained that Sadar hills issue has become “Political football”. Citing the sentiments of the Sadar hills people triggered due to prolonged delay, he urged the immediate need to declaring Sadar hills into full fledged district and suggested conducting of re-organization and exclude all inconveniences places after the declaration. Haokholet Kipgen also strongly urged for declaring the district hood to Sadar hills without any delay terming it as “legitimate demand”.

Many MLAs from both ruling benches also acknowledged the creation of Sadar hills as genuine and draws the attention of the government to resolved the issue as per ‘administrative convenience’.

In the meantime, Phungyar MLA, Wungnaoshang Keishing also drew the attention of the house not to concede only to pressure in the wake of the demand for separate districthood for Phungyar.

The government will draft a report as conclusion of the discussion tomorrow incorporating all the sentiments.

Other MLA’s who took part in the discussion includes Dr.Ng. Bijoy, RK. Anand, N. Mangi, V. Hangkhanlien, Shyamkumar.

 

 

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IMPHAL, Sept 8: Manipur Information Commission today ordered the then state public information officer (SPIO) of Manipur Pollution Control Board, Imphal to pay a fine of Rs.25,000 for delay in providing the information under the RTI Act.

The order was passed by the state chief Information Commissioner, RK Angousana Singh in connection with a case filed by the appellant Tourangbam Netrajit Singh s/o of T Thambal Singh of Uripok Tourangbam Leikai to the Manipur Information Commission on the refusal of the SPIO to provide the information sought under the provision of RTI Act, 2005.

The applicant Tourangbam Netrajit Singh, submitted an application on September 20 last year to the state public information officer, Manipur Pollution control board, Imphal under the RTI Act, 2005 requesting to furnish the information in respects of the financial Aids provided under the letter F.No G-27017(IV)/20045-CPW Government of India Ministry of Environment & Forest, New Delhi, dated 21-3-2005 regarding Ground Water Quality Project/Scheme in respect of Thoubal area and also requested to furnish the name of the staff (project Assistant), their salary/ mustered rolls paid one wages etc in respects of the said scheme, provision of bills, cash memos, photocopy in respect of the chemical, glasswares procured in connection with the same project, furnishing of copy of the stock register containing the particulars of the items which were received in full, transportation charges in respect of this project, name of the coordinator and furnishing the copy of progress report, utilization certificates, statement of expenditures submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forest in respect of the said project.

It is also officially mentioned that having not received any response from the SPIO within the stipulated time, the applicant filed an appeal to the appellate authority (member secretary) Manipur Pollution Control Board on October 20, last year but the latter did not respond it. Subsequently the appellant preferred the present appeal to this commission on April 8 this year, on the basis of which a show cause notice was served on the SPIO on April 25, last.

The official information further revealed that the present case was taken up as an appeal case under section 19 of the RTI Act, 2005 and heard on June 9, July 11, August 9 and August 19 this year after given due notices to the parties.

It is also mentioned that the above information sought by the complainant is not within the excepted category under the RTI Act, over and above this, the disclosure of the information is in the public interest, therefore the SPIO is duly bound to provide the information to the appellant the judgment of the commission observed.

On the other hand its has been officially observed that, it is a fact that the SPIO has failed to furnish the complete information even after a lapse of seven month (from 20-9-2009 to 27-4-2011) therefore, the SPIO for a maximum fine of Rs.25,000, personally for the said delay. Further, because of the non furnishing of the information during the above period the appellant has to approach the commission for redressal of his grievances and has to attend the Commission, many times, thus causing detriment which needs to be compensated under the provision of the RTI Act, 2005.

Considering all these facts the Commission further directed the SPIO, Manipur Pollution Control Board, Imphal, to deposit the amount in the form of Challan under the Major Head of Account 0070, other Administrative Services within fifteen days from the received of the said official order, through the concerned Treasury Officer, under intimation to this Commission.

It is also further ordered that, the concerned appellant can approach the Commission within a month from today if he has any grievances.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/mpcb-official-fined-rs-25000-under-rti-act/