Ukhrul District Manipur

Cabinet decides NIA investigation in ADC killing, Ukhrul ambush

IMPHAL, Sept 12: The State cabinet has today decided to hand over the case of the assassination of Ukhrul ADC member Ngalangzar Malue, who was killed by unidentified persons in

IMPHAL, Sept 12: The State cabinet has today decided to hand over the case of the assassination of Ukhrul ADC member Ngalangzar Malue, who was killed by unidentified persons in Ukhrul and also the killing of Thotyo Kashung, Manipur Police commando personnel in an ambush, to the National Investigation Agency, NIA.

The meeting was held with the Chief Minister in chair this evening at the secretariat building.

M Okendro, Minister of Education and CAF & PD department, who is also the spokesperson of the government speaking to media, stated that the cabinet decided to hand over the cases to the NIA in order to take up concrete actions regarding the incidents by the State government.

It may be mentioned that ADC member Ngalangzar was killed by armed unidentified persons on July 12, at Finch Corner under Ukhrul District. Ngalangzar’s driver and his nephew sustained injury in the said incident.

In another incident on September 9, heavily armed unidentified persons led two ambushes on State security forces. It may also be recalled that the security personnel were returning to Imphal after stationing at Ukhrul town on the said day. Rifleman of 5 IRB, Thotyo Kashung, who was attached to Imphal West District Police commando was killed in the ambush. Two other personnel sustained injuries.

M Oken added that in this regard, the State government will approach the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. He said the Cabinet has also decided to give Rs 5 lakh to the deceased’s family as ex-gratia, and Rs 1 lakh each to those injured personnel.

Blockade affects normal life in Ukhrul

By R Lester Makang UKHRUL, September 6: With the Tangkhul Frontal Organizations (TFOs) tightening its grip on enforcement of the United Naga Council (UNC) -sponsored ongoing indefinite ban on

By R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, September 6: With the Tangkhul Frontal Organizations (TFOs) tightening its grip on enforcement of the United Naga Council (UNC) -sponsored ongoing indefinite ban on vehicles movement on national and state highways in Naga areas, normal life in Ukhrul district headquarters has been disrupted as town taxis stayed off the road since day second while NH-150 continue to wear a deserted look.

The move to clamp strictures on movement of town taxis has been made to strengthen the ban call in the heart of the town as well, informed a TFO source this evening, adding that, acordingly, town taxis have been informed not to ply in the town except for two hours from 8-10 am in the morning and 2-4 pm in the evening which is strictly in consideration of the public hardships in meeting exigencies.

The town’s thoroughfare which is normally cramful of taxis, consequently, has experienced a sparse traffic movement since yesterday adding to the thinning of traffic volume due to the highways ban.

At the same time, the NH-150 along the Imphal-Ukhrul route continued to look deserted as all sorts of vehicles kept off the road, despite the strategic deployment of paramilitary forces like Assam Riffles along the highway.

A team of Assam Riffles personnel led by a commandent could also be seen patrolling along the road today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/blockade-affects-normal-life-in-ukhrul/

Govt to lift CrPC Sec 144 in Ukhrul on trial run

IMPHAL, September 5: A high level committee comprising the Union additional secretary (Home) Rajiv Gauba, Joint secretary (North East in-charge) Sambhu Singh and Special secretary (Internal Security) Prakash Mishra arrived in the state to take stock of the situation here after the Ukhrul incident and left at around 5.30pm today.

This was stated by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at a press conference in his office chamber today evening.

The Central government is ready to help the state government under any circumstance, he said.

CrPC Section 144 which is now being imposed in Ukhrul will be lifted tomorrow from 6am to 6pm as a trial run and if the law and order situation improves it will be removed completely, said Gaikhangam.

Relaxing Section 144 for a day doesn’t mean that the government is scared or acting under pressure from the Centre, it is only being lifted as a mark of good gesture like parents do to placate children when they throw tantrums for some demands, he added.

The representatives met the Chief Minister, Governor and other officials, the deputy CM said, adding that a series of meetings were convened to improve the situation and arranging security for bringing in essential commodities with officials of the paramilitary forces and state forces today.

The Central government representatives have arrived as a result of the meeting between the CM and deputy CM with the Union Home Minister recently during which they informed the Union Home minister about the ground reality in Manipur.

The State government has taken all possible steps to provide all the essential communities like fuel, LPG etc even during the bandh called by UNC which began on September 4, Gaikhangam said.

Continuing that the State forces will be deployed along with the Assam Rifles and the Army for security purposes, he said all the essential goods will be provided during the bandh without any shortages.

He also appealed the public to refrain from calling frequent bandhs which affects the public.

Gaikhangam said the assassination of an ADC member, (L) Ngalangzar Malue, on July 12 was not the first incident as many people have been killed in ambush attacks in the past. More than 200 civilians have been killed, he added.

The government deployed the State security forces to bring peace and control the law and order condition in Ukhrul because the government could not remain a mute spectator when people broke law with impunity, said the deputy CM.

He added that many people appreciated the state government for its bold actions.

The unfortunate incident on August 30 broke out only after the purported peaceful rally turned violent and the protestors started thrashing five Manipur police personnel including an SDPO and snatched their service guns and burn down government vehicles, the deputy Chief Minister said, adding that the police personnel remain calm under the extremely tense situation and refused to be provoked but had to act in self defense.

If police personnel had acted in a cavalier manner, many more lives could have been lost with more several injuries, he said.

He further said that the government is trying to bring an amicable solution but is aware that a big organization is behind the mess in Ukhrul.

Ukhrul readies for indefinite highway ban

By R Lester Makang UKHRUL, September 3: As announced earlier by the United Naga Council (UNC) in its 1 September, 2014 Declaration, the Tangkhul Frontal Organizations (TFOs) are readying to

By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, September 3: As announced earlier by the United Naga Council (UNC) in its 1 September, 2014 Declaration, the Tangkhul Frontal Organizations (TFOs) are readying to enforce an indefinite ban on movement of all vehicles along the highways, particularly NH-150 in Ukhrul district with effect, as in other Naga areas, starting from 6 am of Thursday.

Sources from TFOs informed IFP this evening that all the concerned organisations under different zones of the district are being instructed to ensure adherence to the strictures in their respective jurisdiction while adding that they have also called upon all public members to extent co-operation during these periods.

Meanwhile, the TFOs have this evening announced to the town residents through PA system conveying the severance of relations with the State security forces remaining in the town while cautioning all commercial establishments in the town including hotels, eateries and shops against providing any services or selling goods to any personnel of the State forces.

The brutish security forces of the State government have no place in our midst and to let them know this, we have decided to ask all traders here to stop commercial dealings with them, TFOs sources disclosed.

It may be recalled that the Manipur Police Commandos shot dead two civilians, namely (L) Mayopam Ramror and (L) Ramkashing Vashi during a peaceful mass demonstration on August 30 last at Ukhrul town. In the police firing, 34 other demonstrators were also critically injured. Of them, four were grievously wounded by live bullets fired by the police whilst another fifteen were allegedly beaten up and the rest wounded by tear gas canisters.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/ukhrul-readies-for-indefinite-highway-ban/

Manipur government must begin political dialogue on the Ukhrul issue, says State BJP president Chaoba

IMPHAL, September 3: The State government has to initiate a political dialogue on the Ukhrul issue to bring back the situation to normal, stated Manipur Pradesh BJP president Thounaojam Chaoba.

Speaking to the media in a press meet at the BJP office in Nityaipat Chuthek, Chaoba said that now Manipur is going to face a critical situation after the imposition of an indefinite economic blockade in the entire hill districts of the State.

Such situations are created by the State government, he said, it has a culture of delaying on every issues demanded whether by the hills people or valley people.

The State forces deployed for protecting civilians has killed two people in police firing when protesters conducted a mass protest rally in Ukhrul on August 30, the State BJP president said.

Alleging that the government didn’t try to reach out to the people of Ukhrul district by sending a Minister or MLA after the imposition of 144 CrPC for more than 40 days, he said the Chief Minister or any of the MLAs have not gone to Ukhrul to initiate talks with the people there about the incident.

The situation in Ukhrul is very critical and we appeal to the Union government to intervene and bring an amicable solution, Chaoba said.

He said that BJP appeals to the State government to reach out to the people in Ukhrul to bring a solution to the problem through negotiations. The development of infrastructures or buildings can’t satisfy the people of Ukhrul, he added.

Chaoba said that it was the first time that the Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were called by the Union Home Minister on such issue in the history of Manipur.

There was a meeting at 9 am today to discuss the present situation in Manipur and about the UNC warning for imposing an indefinite economic blockade and ban on national projects in the State, he informs.

The State BJP president advised the government to leave the thought of ferrying essential commodities by deploying Para-military forces for the people of Manipur.

It is appealed to both the Union and state government to maintain normalcy in Manipur by initiating peace talks with the people of Ukhrul or UNC so that the plight of the people may be decreased, said Chaoba.

Professor Gangumei Kamei, S Ibohal and Meisnam Borot were also present during the press meet.

Ukhrul Outrage

The clashes that occurred in Ukhrul yesterday during a United Naga Council rally pushing for an early resolution of the Indo-Naga issue among others, resulting in the loss of two

The clashes that occurred in Ukhrul yesterday during a United Naga Council rally pushing for an early resolution of the Indo-Naga issue among others, resulting in the loss of two young lives and several more injured was tragic and deplorable, but it would not be wrong to say the tension that led to the explosion was building up for quite some time now ever since the assassination of an ADC member, Ngalangzar Malue, at Finch Corner a month and a half ago, and the subsequent imposition of ban order under the CrPC Section 144 in Ukhrul district headquarters. The State government also rushed and stationed additional forces of India Reserve Battalion and police commandos there, much to the resentment of the residents. It must also be said, often it is not just the presence of government forces that ordinary people are averse to per se, but the likelihood of violent clashes with forces hostile to the State that their presence is likely to bring, and in which crossfire the ordinary residents may find themselves caught. This is the reality of any insurgency situation, and a drama played out in so many different conflict theatres in the State perennially. That the UNC rallies were held at all Naga majority districts but all except the one at Ukhrul turned violent is testimony of this residual tension. There were of course some reports from the Senapati district where signs of some minor skirmishes between the UNC rallyists and Sadar Hills district demand activists also showed up, pointing to the multi-pronged conflict time-bomb that Manipur rests on currently. Although nothing can compensate for loss of lives, it is at least a consolation that the Manipur government has promptly declared ex-gratia payments to the families of the two young men killed. The money is nothing, but at least the initiative is a welcome sign that the government is forthright enough to show remorse at its strong arm measures.

Tragic as the case may be, it is even more disturbing to think this is unlikely to be the end of similar violent clashes between the State and different sections of the people, and worse still, quite imaginably between different communities too. So far the latter variety of clashes have not happened ever since the 1990s, when ethnic riots swept both the hills and the valley of the State, first a brief clash between the Meitei and Meitei Pangal, in what has been described as a historical aberration, and then a more sustained one between the Nagas and Kukis, which caused much more deaths, injuries and displacements. There were other occasions when clashes of the ethnic hue had seemed almost imminent, but thankfully each time good senses prevailed, and despite numerous mutual provocations, the saner memories of traditional ties prevailed to save the day. But, those days of tension should be a caution not just for the government but the people themselves. When the ground becomes dry as tinder, a little spark can cause wild fires, and nobody would doubt possibilities such wild fires could have been the nightmarish realities on many of those occasions. And sure enough, such sparks can be lit by sinister and unscrupulous Grim Reaper incarnates and selfish ambulance chasers too. In the Meitei-Pangal clashes for instance, it was seldom, if ever, a case of clashes between neighbours, but of marauding gangs on dark murderous missions, perpetrating most of the killings and arsons. While passions of the day can blind anybody and everybody, there is no gainsaying the wounds of disastrous clashes such passions can lead to would leave scars on all sides that would take generations to heal. We can only be grateful to providence that such a nightmare has not come to pass, and we pray it never ever happens either.

The potential for violence as we have seen in Ukhrul yesterday continues to loom precisely because visions of political future of different communities have not only become divergent from each other as well as those of the State, but they have also become blind to the ground reality which says there can be no other than a multi-ethnic future for the State. The demographic composition of the State says this loudly and clearly, and it can only be depravity of mind which makes anyone not hear or see this. It cannot be by any definition be an easy task for any State to handle a conflicting social situation. But the Manipur government has no choice but to look for a democratic path out of its own social conflict situation. It can begin by being the governance agent it is meant to be in earnest, rather than be on perpetual personal aggrandisement missions, politicking and playing political musical chairs in the scramble for ministerial portfolios with brokerage handles on lucrative government development projects.
It must also however be remembered that it needs two hands to clap. Civil society organisations often act as foils to the militarised State in accentuating these conflict situations, precisely by not seeing beyond their noses and thereby being blind to the social realities of this multi-ethnic State. They too can be as bigoted as the State, and have far too often reduced the practice of democracy to what Karl Popper calls, “Mobocracy”.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/ukhrul-outrage/

What Has Happened in Ukhrul: height of fragility

By Amar Yumnam Any loss of life due to actions by any agency, whether state or non-state, is painful. No effort should be spared to avoid such kind of an

By Amar Yumnam

Any loss of life due to actions by any agency, whether state or non-state, is painful. No effort should be spared to avoid such kind of an outcome. Death is never a reversible event and so should never be externally imposed on any soul. This principle should be respected by both the state and the non-state entities. Otherwise, the state or the non-state agency would emerge as the Enemy of the people. Something like this keeps on happening in Manipur. In other words, Manipur has been in a cycle of fragility for the last half a century. There would be moments when things seem improving but would be back to the same turmoil situation sooner than later.

Before I proceed, let me explain what do I mean by fragility in the Manipur context. First, Manipur has consistently failed to provide minimum economic infrastructure so that the people can indulge in meaningful efforts for livelihood in a facilitating context; the state has not developed the capability to facilitate people’s endeavours for productive activities. Second, the state in Manipur has constantly displayed the lack of a reliable capacity to uphold the rule of law. Third, Manipur as a polity has failed to produce political leaders who can inspire, fire the imagination of the people, acquire the trust of the population and thus command respectability in actions.

The tragedy of fragility anywhere in the world is that in most cases the fragility gets alternated with conflicts. This has exactly been the case in Manipur. While there are political and economic reasons (I would not count cultural as significant) for this cycle in Manipur, I am afraid if this has been made structural by the institution of state here. This fear is borne out strongly by what is happening in Ukhrul now. We know for sure that for the last nearly a decade Ukhrul has been moving in a robust way towards stability and convergence with the overall polity of the land. This was indeed a welcome development after decades of incorrigible violence and instability, particularly as the atmosphere was anti-state politically and territorially. This trend was about to take roots spatially and politically when the latest developments have taken place. Instead of positive political and economic interventions getting evolved and implemented, we now see a situation where the provincial law enforcing forces have claimed lives. This speaks volumes of the dogged failure of the state agencies to learn lessons from the earlier rounds of the cycle of fragility. What is even more disturbing is the likelihood that the state agencies thrive in a context of the sustenance of the fragility. When I say state agencies, I would definitely imply, a la carte Milton Friedman, the people manning the agencies of the state. A broad picture is now emerging in bold frame that these people manning the state agencies rather commit to see to it that the disturbances continue. The deep and widespread corruption everybody talks about might be most convenient to indulge in an atmosphere where the fragility of the state is salient. The recent culmination in the killing of two persons by the law and order enforcing agencies should be fully owned up by them. While there could be excuses and arguments that the town and surrounding areas have been under tension for some time, the shooting to dead is unpardonable; this action betrays the incapacity of the state to learn lessons from past events and absolute lack of governance capability to face crises positively.

Now let us trace back the fragility indications Manipur has encountered in recent years. I would take up three. First, the Malom incident which produced Irom Sharmila. This happened when the scenario in Manipur was moving towards decline in conflict and as if the fragility cycle was not going to be repeated. Second, the Manorama incident. This also happened when the similar developments were taking place in Manipur. Now comes, the third example of the current happenings in Manipur. Whenever the fragility indicators show signs of improvement, we have always had a state, in both union and federal sense, which would see to it that the situation goes back to the instability scenario. This has happened so many rounds in Manipur that in most likelihood the institution of state has made the fragility structural in the polity of Manipur. The democratic process has not given us political leaders who can inspire people and lead the state out of fragility towards stability and development. But the fragility seems to have ensured the personalised and individualised success of the people manning the state agencies to follow tricks of personal aggrandisement with full immunity. This is how the fragility has been made structural in governance in Manipur.

Now the state has emerged as the biggest problem of the state in Manipur. Bringing a change in this scenario would necessitate altering the character and orientation of governance in Manipur. How to bring about this change is a million dollar democratic question in Manipur. Fragility has too long been allowed to characterise the political economic feature of Manipur, and this has to be changed sooner than later. The state should always be an evolving institution and never one thriving in conditions of fragility at the cost of the common people.

CM in damage control mode, announces Rs 5 lakh each for those killed in police firing at Ukhrul

IMPHAL, August 31: The State government has today announced Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the two persons killed in police firing at Ukhrul yesterday. Speaking to media

IMPHAL, August 31: The State government has today announced Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the two persons killed in police firing at Ukhrul yesterday.

Speaking to media persons at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences today, during an inspection of those injured in police action to control a rally in Ukhrul yesterday, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who was accompanied by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam extended Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Ramkashing Vashi and Mayopam Ramror.

The Chief Minister also extended monetary support to four victims who were injured during the Ukhrul rally.

The victims are admitted for treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science (JNIMS).

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh along with his deputy Gaikhangam who also holds the Home ministry portfolio visited JNIMS and extended monetary support of Rs 50,000 to the four victims hospitalised there.

He also gave assurance to bear all medical expenses of their treatment during his visit.

The family members of the injured victims said that they were satisfied with the ongoing treatment in the hospital and also expressed gratitude to the CM for the financial support.

JNIMS authorities have said that two of the injured namely SK Raiagam, 27 years, son of SK Timothy of Kachai and Muinow Ngachonmei, 30 years, son of Muinow David of Somdal Village have been shifted to two different hospitals.

The former has been shifted to RIMS whereas the latter was shifted to Raj Medicity.

The other two identified as HR Reishangjoy, 30 years, son of Hr Gedion of Tanrui Ramhon and Rachamgam Horam, 24 years, son of Helpon Horam of Kharasom are still undergoing treatment at the JNIMS hospital.

Grand funerals planned for two victims at Ukhrul’s TNL Ground

By R Lester Makang UKHRUL, August 31: To mark the funeral services of the two victims (L) Ramkashing Vashi and (L) Mayopam Ramror who were killed here during a peaceful

By R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, August 31: To mark the funeral services of the two victims (L) Ramkashing Vashi and (L) Mayopam Ramror who were killed here during a peaceful demonstration on August 30 by Manipur Police commandos, a grand programme has been planned at the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) Ground at 12 pm on Monday.

“We are planning to hold a grand funeral services for our martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of our people,” said TNL vice-president SD Reisang on Sunday adding that the program will be held under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) and is expected to be attended by a whopping 20, 000 delegates from 16 Naga tribes representing Naga Hohos and different Naga frontal organizations of all Naga districts in the State.

Further stating that a fitting tribute would be paid to the dear departed souls in front of all Naga brethren, he informed that interment has been planned inside TNL Ground itself.

“We have already inspected the site for the same,” he added.

Meanwhile, sources said that post mortem on the two bodies has commenced late in the evening at Ukhrul District Hospital with the arrival of autopsy experts from Imphal today.

It may be mentioned that since yesterday people from different localities of the township have been showing solidarity with the bereaved families by visiting round the clock and attending the wake to keep watch over the mortal remains at the district hospital.

Most woman visitors are seen wearing kathi kashan (mourning attire) and they sang Christian hymnals in the traditional way.

Meanwhile, sources said that local MLA Samuel Risom has today visited the hospital where the bodies of the two victims were awaiting post mortem.

He also met Ukhrul DC Modak Hrisheekesh and urged him to institute a judicial inquiry into the Saturday incident.

The MLA has reportedly questioned as to who gave the Ukhrul SP the order to fire live rounds upon the rallyists and gunned down innocent civilians.

He then urged the district administration to consider immediate revocation of the prohibitory order and withdrawal of State forces from the town.

However, attempt to contact the DC in this connection has proved futile.

Meanwhile, with the retreat of State forces and subsequent requisition of Assam Riffles personnel in the town since last night following an order from the district magistrate, the situation has been brought under control till this evening.

Accordingly, AR personnel were seen keeping a vigil around the town while a convoy of AR vehicles with CO Gaurav taking the lead could also be seen spreading the message of peace on the thoroughfare.

Vehicles draped with poster reading “Let’s maintain peace and tranquility in Ukhrul “ could be seen moving around the town.

UCM, others condemn killing of two in Ukhrul

IMPHAL, August 31: The United Committee Manipur has strongly condemned the killing of two individuals by security force during the mass protest rally at Ukhrul Town. According to a release

IMPHAL, August 31: The United Committee Manipur has strongly condemned the killing of two individuals by security force during the mass protest rally at Ukhrul Town.

According to a release of the Committee, the two deceased individuals identified as Ayopam Ramror, 39 of Tuinem Village, Ukhrul and VS Ramkashing, 29 were part of the rally organised by UNC resisting the CRPC-144 order, the deployment of the excessive State security forces and to pressurise the government to hasten the Indo-Naga peace talk.

The Committee also shared the sorrows of the aggrieved families.

The committee has stated that instead of setting up CRPC-144 at selected areas, the government must put up Security Outpost for Law and Order under Home Department, General Policy, it said.

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has vehemently condemned the killing of two innocent civilians and injuring many people at Ukhrul town.

In a press release, the federation questions the State government about the rationale behind the promulgation of section 144 CrPC and still continuing to impose the section when the public has sought to do away with the 144 CrPC.

It said yesterday’s incident has clearly shown the intention of the State government that the Manipur commandos and IRB are deployed in the district not for safeguarding but for militarisation and bring fear psychosis in the minds of the peace loving citizens.

“There is not an iota of reason to open fire randomly and bombard the town when the public is democratically carrying out peaceful procession,” it said.

Further according to the statement, the NSF has also asked the State government to give enough compensation to the demised families and also take care of all the medical needs for the injured persons and further demanded the Central government to set up an independent enquiry body to thoroughly investigate the incident and punish the concerned officer(s) responsible for the mayhem at Ukhrul.

The Autonomous District Council (ADC), Ukhrul has also strongly condemned the armed aggression against the peace initiative rally organised by UNC to remove CrPC 144 in Ukhrul and other districts.

In a separate press release, it said the government of Manipur led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also in charge of the Home department are responsible for the incident and the State government should immediately remove the 144 CrPC and State forces from Ukhrul.

The Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Manipur has also expressed its strong condemnation on the killing of Ramkashing Vashi and Mayopam Ramroar and injuring many other by the security forces during a peace rally demanding removal of CrPC 144 in Ukhrul.

In a press release the organisation has stated that it was the negligence of the government which led to occurrence of the unfortunate incident and further appealed to the government to take up actions according to the law against the security personnel who were responsible for the incident and end up the clash between civilian and government in a democratic way.

The North East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has also said in a press release that it strongly condemns the killing of two protesters in Ukhrul, Manipur.

The State government’s attitude towards its minorities is very conspicuous seeing incidents like these, it said before adding that it will always stand against such oppression in any part of the world.

Continuing further on the August 30 incident at Ukrul, it said all the protesters were unarmed and were participating in a peaceful protest when Manipur police commandos and jawans of the India Reserve Battalion fired on the protesters indiscriminately.

“If such incidents re-occur NEFIS will call a nation-wide protest against the Manipur state’s oppression on people’s movement,” said the statement.

Our Kangpokpi Correspondent adds:

The All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur today made a trip to Ukhrul in connection with the August 30 incident where two persons were allegedly killed and several others injured in police firing.

The Emboi Serto group of the ATMSUM asserted that the incident was immaculately inhuman.

The student body president Emboi Serto said that not a single security personnel, forget about IRB and Commandos, even a single state police force whom the state Government christened ‘Law enforcer” could not be seen anywhere today at Ukhrul before adding that only Army and Para military force were seen.

The ATSUM team visited Ukhrul district hospital and met with the injured persons admitted there and had a meeting with several civil bodies as well continued Emboi.

He said that after thorough evaluation the incident happened to be totally inhuman.

Emboi also said that the union is seriously concerned over the incident and the brutality of the State force towards the people and the tribal in particular.

He added that it is inconceivably hard to live in a place like Manipur where law enforcers turn to law breakers and protectors turn to destructors.

While ATSUM robustly condemned the rough treatment of the security forces it will cling with and endorse any positive and justifiable groups or individual working for justice of the Ukhrul victims, Emboi added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/ucm-others-condemn-killing-of-two-in-ukhrul/

CORE blames GoM, CSOs for Ukhrul incident

IMPHAL, August 30: The Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur, condemned the atrocious shooting incident at Ukhrul today and blamed both the government and certain civil society organisation

“Under considerable and sensitive constraints, the Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur expresses a considerable scorn towards the situation in Ukhrul in Manipur,” said a statement of the organisation.

It said the ugly state of affairs, and it’s tragic consequences, was a foregone conclusion because of the disgraceful divergent trajectories pursued by the government of Manipur and civil society organisations who think that a conflict can be resolved through untenable positions and supplication to so-called ‘authorities’ far removed from the realities of Manipur.

With increasing fatalities and casualties in Ukhrul, CORE remains deeply concerned that the martial law governance disposition of the Manipur government exposes its abject defeat to address its responsibilities as an answerable executive organ of the State, it continued.

The CORE statement appealed to all, including the sensible and astute sections among all citizens, in Ukhrul to refrain from postures and activities that will only result in further violent confrontation.

The CORE statement continued further “In our view, it is a foregone conclusion that Section 144 of the CrPC has been patently abused in Ukhrul.”

“On the other hand, the aggravation by the leadership of the widely appreciated and respected United Naga Council of Manipur is nakedly uncalled for, and only served to expose its superficial evaluation of the situation and missed an opportunity of a promising constructive role it can play under the circumstances that have tormented the citizens of Ukhrul and its surrounding areas for weeks.”

“Governments in a democratic system cannot be accused speciously and relentlessly of being ‘communal’ while ignoring the obvious exigency of the present sensitive opinionated scenario prevailing in Ukhrul,” it said.

The people of Manipur in one voice reject any communal agenda from any quarter, it said before adding that provocations designed to detonate a violent and potently incendiary situation cannot, under any circumstances be construed as a struggle for human dignity and rights, under any level of aggravation.

The law of the land must prevail including international human rights law, and that must be accepted by all; what is blatantly omitted is an open acknowledgment of responsibility and duties by all parties, further said the CORE statement.

“CORE expresses deeply felt condolences of those who lost their lives today in Ukhrul, and appeals to all, especially the government of Manipur to exercise its democratic responsibilities with due diligence in accordance to the highest principles and policies of democracy.”

The Manipur Police is being injudiciously and excessively exposed to a very partisan situation, it said before urging the Manipur government to immediately withdraw all prohibitory orders in Ukhrul under Section 144 of the CrPC as its justification and legal premises are no longer relevant nor acceptable.

An impartial judicial level inquiry must be instituted and the people who have suffered tragically must be compensated and rehabilitated by the government, it said.

Responsibility for the use of inappropriate and excessive force by the Police stationed in Manipur must be fixed, and those indicted beyond doubt must be given exemplary disciplinary punishment, the CORE statement concluded.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/core-blames-gom-csos-for-ukhrul-incident/

NPF, State unit ask State to initiate judicial inquiry in Ukhrul shooting incident

IMPHAL, August 30: A team of the Naga People’s Front, State unit led by president Awangbou Newmai apprised the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam

IMPHAL, August 30: A team of the Naga People’s Front, State unit led by president Awangbou Newmai apprised the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio on the present Ukhrul situation.

The NPF team includes MLA Dikho, party co-ordinator Alexander Pou, MLA Samuel Risom.

The meeting at the Chief Minister’s office was also attended by minister Phungzathang Tonsing.

Speaking to media persons following the evening’s meeting with the State Chief Minister, Samuel Risom said the NPF delegate had apprise the State heads of the Ukhrul situation and measures needed to restore normalcy at the earliest.

The press meet was held at the MLA’s quarter at Lamphel.

He said, the NPF delegates had told the Chief Minister and his team that the situation could have been avoided had the government listened seriously to the voice of the people which was conveyed earlier by the NPF.

Party MLAs had forwarded that the situation will be out of control if the government continue to ignore the wishes and sentiments of the public, he said.

He said the public have been kept in ransom for too long and the situation in Ukhrul is not their fault.

“The situation was created by the government by imposing 144 CrPC with ulterior motive in the name of maintaining law and order,” he said.

The NPF leader continued that there was no law and order problem in Ukhrul town, when the State forces were sent in the pretext of protecting peoples’ lives.

Meanwhile, the NPF leaders also strongly condemned the action of the State police who allegedly resorted to firing upon innocent public who were rallying.

“We have asked the government to immediately lift the imposition of 144 CrPC from Ukhrul town and conduct immediate judicial inquiry and punish the police personnel and officers who resorted to the inhuman action upon the innocent civilians,” he asserted.

Manipur Violence: Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul

Mass peace rally turns violent in Ukhrul, end peaceful elsewhere Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul By R Lester Makang UKHRUL, August

Mass peace rally turns violent in Ukhrul, end peaceful elsewhere
Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul

By R Lester Makang

Protestors burn effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam at Ukhrul; People participating in the rally at Senapati and protestors stand nearby two vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul.

UKHRUL, August 30: At least two civilians have been shot dead and scores grievously injured in police firing and subsequent assault on civilians even as irate mob beat up some four five police commando personnel in Ukhrul today.

The mob had also set ablaze two government vehicles after the United Naga Council (UNC)-sponsored public mass rally turned violent here on Saturday.

The two deceased have been identified as Ramkashing Vashi, 26, son of Christopher Vashi of Teinem village and Mayopam Ramror, 32 of Teinem village.

Both were said to be recently married and survived by their pregnant wives respectively. The bodies have been deposited at the Ukhrul District Hospital for post mortem.

Meanwhile, another critically wounded Ngachonmi Muivah of Somdal has been taken to Imphal for treatment while all the other injured are being treated at the district hospital.

However, the exact number of the injured could not be immediately ascertained, though expected to be around 16 including the critically wounded.

Eye witnesses said that as the public numbering over thousands turned out at Awon Tang junction and tried to proceed towards the Tangkhul Naga Long Ground around 1:35 pm to join a mass gathering where a joint memorandum of Naga Hohos and Naga frontal organisations of the respective districts was slated to be read out before being submitted to the Prime Minster of India at 2 pm, State security forces fired tear gas shells, mock bombs resulting in heavy casualties among the public.

Soon after, similar violent situation erupted at Alungtang and Wino Bazaar where police commandos fired live bullet allegedly from suspected AK 47 rifles upon the rallyists at point blank range killing the duo instantaneously in front of Ukhrul Higher Secondary School at Wino Bazaar even as explosions of mock bombs and tear gas shells continued, sources added.

In the ensuing mob action, eye witnesses said, some four five police commandos were beaten up by the irate mob resulting in grievous injury of one police personnel.

The public went ahead and set ablaze two vehicles including a Police commando gypsy in front of TNL Ground at Wino Bazaar.

The public also rained stones at security vehicles passing through the TNL Office breaking windows of some vehicles even as commandos kept blank firing. Thereafter the public put up boulders and logs across the road in dual direction in front of TNL office to block passage of security force vehicles.

At the same time, the public held a gathering at TNL Ground where effigies of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Dy CM Gaikhangam were burned amidst strong condemnation and curse.

Thereafter around 4 pm police commandos went on rampage on the main road of the township and damaged some private vehicles, eye witnesses have said.

Subsequently, the State forces resorted to physical attack on civilians crossing the District Mini Secretariat at Hamleikhong and whisked away 9 persons in their custody inside the office complex where the civilians were brutally assaulted resulting in critical injuries.

Later, with intervention of district administration, it was decided that State forces be retreated to ease the mounting tension for the time being and Assam Rifles personnel be deployed in the town instead and subsequently, the youth were released and rushed to the district hospital, sources added.

However, around 5:30 pm two persons who happened to be friends of the two deceased were returning home after visiting the hospital were reportedly severely beaten up by police commandos who were staying near Ukhrul Town Hall. However, they have been rescued by AR personnel and rushed them to Army hospital at Somsai immediately.

The public mass rally was held in all the Naga hill district of the State to demonstrate the sentiments of the Nagas in the backdrop of the continued imposition of CrPc 144 along with deployment of State security forces while also to pressurize the Government of India to expedite the process for Alternative Arrangement pending Indo-Naga solution.

The rally was staged at six different localities of the town which was attended by thousands of peoples from all localities of the town and villages from nearby villages.