The Chief Minister (CM) of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh came under gun attack when suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) militants opened fire at him and his associates as they were getting out of their helicopter at the Pakshi Ground Helipad in Ukhrul District on October 24, 2016. Singh was accompanied by […]
The Chief Minister (CM) of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh came under gun attack when suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) militants opened fire at him and his associates as they were getting out of their helicopter at the Pakshi Ground Helipad in Ukhrul District on October 24, 2016. Singh was accompanied by […]
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/11/india-residual-disturbances-in-manipur-analysis/
The post Ukhrul Child Welfare Committee resigns en-masse appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.From John K Kaping Manipur, UKHRUL, August 9: Employees of the Ukhrul Child Welfare Committee, CWC have tendered their mass resignation application to the Man…
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From John K Kaping Manipur, UKHRUL, August 9: Employees of the Ukhrul Child Welfare Committee, CWC have tendered their mass resignation application to the Manipur State Governor in connection with the case of rescuing and repatriation of 26 Manipuri Children … Continue reading
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Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/08/manipur-ukhrul-child-welfare-committee-resigns-en-masse/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=manipur-ukhrul-child-welfare-committee-resigns-en-masse
The post Fierce gunfight between Assam Rifles and PLA appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.Manipur,IMPHAL, July 29: A fierce gunfight was reported between the personnel of Assam Rifles and suspected cadres of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at Khoibu …
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Manipur,IMPHAL, July 29: A fierce gunfight was reported between the personnel of Assam Rifles and suspected cadres of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at Khoibu Centre under Tengnoupal Police Station in Chandel district this afternoon. According to police, the encounter spot … Continue reading
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The post 8 arrested for selling superfine at Ukhrul Manipur appeared first on KanglaOnline.com.IMPHAL, July 25: Ukhrul Police today arrested eight non-Manipuri shopkeepers of Ukhrul Bazar for selling super fine rice in the open at the Ukhrul Bazar. T…
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IMPHAL, July 25: Ukhrul Police today arrested eight non-Manipuri shopkeepers of Ukhrul Bazar for selling super fine rice in the open at the Ukhrul Bazar. The eight were released later in the day after issuing fines as penalty. The step … Continue reading
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Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/07/8-arrested-for-selling-superfine-ukhrul-manpur/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=8-arrested-for-selling-superfine-ukhrul-manpur
By Chitra Ahanthem That Manipur has many things to offer to travelers and tourists alike in terms of places to see or as destination points is no secret. So when… Read more »
By Chitra Ahanthem
That Manipur has many things to offer to travelers and tourists alike in terms of places to see or as destination points is no secret. So when a team from the state taking part in a tourism mart came back with the tag of the state being an upcoming tourism destination, it was not a surprise. But one sincerely hopes that tourists and travelers when they do come to this “exciting destination” are not left unpleasantly surprised by how unprepared we are. Since it is the season of media censures and newspaper bans (not to forget the vitriol that will spawn on internet web pages in the form of comments and debates), let me hasten to add that one is not disputing the tag of a great destination. However I will vehemently dispute the nature of the destination(s) in Manipur.
Here are some reasonings behind my take:
– Social networking sites are often choc a bloc with positive comments and inquires following photo album updates of sights, scenes and locations of the state. The more adventurous even want to sample local cuisines (we will look into this too, but later) but anyone has any idea why none of the decent hotels in Manipur have the local cuisine in their spread? Check in any hotel and you will see their menus with the usual Chinese, Tandoori and Continental segments. Yes, local cuisine gets served at conferences and seminars but we are not talking of that.
– Accommodation issues are a sore point once those projecting Manipur as a tourism destination are thinking of taking them tourists to places beyond Imphal. The Government has to really spruce up the Government rest houses in the district headquarters at least. The tourist lodge at Sendra comes to mind mainly because of the buzz over the Loktak lake. Unfortunately, it stinks of urine and one is not clear whether it is open to hosting tourists. There used to be a private hotel (very small, and one that comes with no star rating) in Moirang but it soon became a dingy place. I recently saw the outer structure getting a new coat of paint (some rather hideous colour). One sincerely hopes that they have done something about the inside rooms as well: I distinctly remember a one night stay with a camera team that came in from Mumbai to video shoot the Moirang Lai Harouba. The bathroom had no water in the taps! Unlike tourists, travelers do not look at luxury but there is something called comfort. A clean bed and toilet-bathroom and home-made meals are often what takes it to make a great travel spot.
– Combine the first two points written above and one can see how unprepared we are! As far as the beauty of places go or the excitement factor goes, there really is no lack of places. Think Moirang and apart from Loktak lake, there is a huge scope for making the area the favorite destination for wildlife enthusiasts by introducing activities like camping at the Keibul Lamjao National park for one; angling around Sendra (that would mean taking away the Army psst..psst!). These and more can be done only after there is a proper accommodation set up at Moirang. But the same applies everywhere else once one moves away from Imphal. Think Ukhrul and one thinks immediately of the Siroi peak and the Siroi lily. But again, it is the same accommodation issue here too. Yet, if this factor gets taken care of, other areas in Ukhrul apart from the Siroi peak can be put on the tourist map. Think Nungbi, think of Khangkhui Cave, think Kachouphung Lake. Let’s now imagine a situation where accommodation gets taken care of (and for this, we are not talking necessarily only of big hotels but home stays or community efforts) and then we have the immense potential of bringing local community people as trekking guides (for Siroi peak), pottery tutors (for tourists who want to have a try at making pottery) besides of course boosting the traditional handloom and handicraft industry. The story repeats itself for every other district: think the Thanlon caves, think of river rafting on the Barak but….
– Before the tourists or travelers comes in from outside the state, ever wondered why the tourism department has not looked at home tourists? Most states have week-end getaways with accommodation logistics being developed precisely to generate income from within the state. There is definitely a huge market for this in Manipur as well.
End-point:
This is going to be a bit longer than the usual end-point. Keeping in mind the topic, let me stick to a point format on what can be done or thought about:
– Adopt a heritage walk program for the Kangla. A light and sound show is a must and can bring in locals too, thereby generating money also for the concerned department. But a guided tour (in English) inside the fort is needed for tourists, which is also good news for the educated but unemployed section. Much like heritage walks, there can be a cultural emphasis too. There are various harvesting festivals in the state and there would be immense interest in them.
– Do something about the transportation segment. We do not have a pre paid vehicle system at the airport, which is supposedly being considered for an “International” tag. The distance from the airport to the hotels in town are very short as compared to the distances that gets commuted in other cities but the charge that the van/tata safari/auto syndicate charge on a mutually agreed upon rate (and hence, harder to negotiate and bargain with) is much steeper. There is an imperative need to have vehicle services registered and following a Government standard rate. Once this gets done, they must also get petrol from the government depot so they do not hike up the vehicle hiring rates when highway blockades comes calling!).
– There is a strong need to change the concept of the Sangai Tourism festival. Till date, it is a carbon copy of any other “Mela” in town: one sees the same stalls, the same agencies. All you see are glittering blouses and sandals and cheap plastic toys for children being sold at hiked rates. Yes, there is talk of bringing in “international stalls” but pray, how does that help tourist foot-fall? Instead, bring in new blood and new ideas. Think out if the box initiatives like perhaps a photo walk: call in paid registrations from within and outside the state. For those coming in from outside, give them subsidized stays so they can spread the word for the next festival.
– Ah well! The list goes on…but for now let’s hope the tourism department is reading this piece!
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/manipur-as-a-traveltourist-destination/
Press Release There was a mass rally held today, 19th. 08.2011 starting from 9.30 am in Ukhrul District and all other Naga hill area in Manipur protesting against the upgradation… Read more »
Press Release
There was a mass rally held today, 19th. 08.2011 starting from 9.30 am in Ukhrul District and all other Naga hill area in Manipur protesting against the upgradation of Sadar Hill District into full fledged District. The rally in Ukhrul was joined en mass by the Tangkhul frontal organization which includes Students, concern citizens, farmers, housewives, senior citizens, civil societies and other various organizations. The rally is mainly spearheaded by Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Naga Long and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long.
The rally which was initiated by United Naga Council (UNC) were seen being participated by thousands of concern Tangkhul-Naga joins hands demanding and making a firm declaration that – without the consent of the Nagas not an inch of the Nagas land could be touched by an outsider, part away and alter in creation of Sadar Hills District. The Tangkhul- Nagas strongly condemn the devisive policy of Ibobi’s led Government to infuse communal hatred among the peaceful co-existing tribals. They call upon the government of Manipur to respect the previous MOU which was sign between the government of Manipur and the Nagas apex social organization on 1981,1982,1996 and 1998.
The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) during an exclusive interview mentioned that the Naga villages under the demand of Sadar hill District cover Naga tribal villages from liangmai tribe, Tangkhul, Thangal , Maring, Mao and poumai. More than around 47 Tangkhul- Naga villages are situated in the said demand of the so-called Sadar hill District. Nagas have been living in their forefather land from time immemorial unlike the Kuki refugees who were migrated mostly from the Chin-Burma (Myanmar) province during the British era as a labourer and who started setting up camps around the places wherever the Britisher’s made their Headquarters mostly in North East of India. In regard to the statement they claim that the Kuki-refugees in Manipur state have no rights to blow their own trumpet to claim a District or Homeland by bifurcating an inch of the Nagas land without the consent of the Nagas.
The Naga people as a mass warn the Government of Manipur (GoM) that they should look into the matter thoroughly and should not take hasty decisions which will resulted in marring the sentiments of the Naga people in Manipur or which will resulted in inter- communal disturbance. If such incidents happen in future it was declared that the responsibility and the consequences will be directly pointed at GoM.
Kuknalim!
The above press release was sent to KanaglaOnline.com by Shimray Alem {shimrayalem[at]yahoo.com}
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/press-release-mass-rally-held-at-ukhrul-manipur/
By: Babina Wahengbam Who will protect us from the hands of dirty politicians & filthy militants? The biggest fear rising in the minds of every single citizen of the state… Read more »
By: Babina Wahengbam
Who will protect us from the hands of dirty politicians & filthy militants?
The biggest fear rising in the minds of every single citizen of the state right now is who will protect and ensure safety of the people in Manipur. Almost all the top political leaders who have set itself up as the guardians of the public trust are rotten and corrupt to the core. All self-declared guardians of the state are dishonest or crooked at heart. Who then is to guard the guardians of the state?
We have a grave situation in Manipur in which personal accumulation of wealth have been closely tied to politicians backed by armed groups and vice-versa either through corruption or extortion. And since positions of leadership have been dominated by these individuals, the two vices of corruption and nepotism have become part of the daily vocabulary of many under our political system.
There is a crippling inability on the part of the political leadership to deal with this issue of militancy. Could it be that this inaction stems from the fact that we are expecting action to be taken from the very people that are corrupt? For, power can and does transform good men and women into corrupt and greedy leaders. And the victims of this struggle for spoils have obviously been the people of this state.
Why is our government doing nothing despite claiming of having concrete evidences of the particular militant organization involving in carrying out the recent bomb blast at Sangakpham that killed 5, including that of a father and son duo and 2 little innocent girls aged around 10 years? How can our state leaders just ignore when armed goons enjoy unbridled freedom to carry out brutal attacks on civilians in broad daylight and go scot-free?
ISTV news on 2nd August 2011 carried that, at a news conference held at New Delhi, Home Minister Chidambaram declared that the bomb attack at Sangakpham was done by the NSCN (IM). Why then is the Govt of India unable to take up any action? Or is it GOI’s one dirty strategy to intensify the ethnic clashes between the Nagas and the Meiteis?
Several organizations and associations condemned the Sangakpham blast, but surprisingly, none of the revolutionary groups cared to condemn the act nor tried to prevent such inhuman and barbaric act of planting bombs at busy market place. How can they just watch silently the half-torn bodies lying on the same soil like a piece of log? How can they just let NSCN (IM) plant a bomb in such public place and stay quiet, if at all the said outfit was behind the blast? Whether they realize it or not, but NSCN spat on the face of the many revolutionary organizations operating in the heart of Imphal by attacking the public right under their nose. The very statement given by NSCN (IM), “the fact that some groups in Manipur targeting innocent public in order to make their political statement has become a matter of grave concern” is rather a big shame for our meitei revolutionaries.
Refuting the allegations that NSCN was responsible for the blast at Sangakpham, the outfit also slaps the Govt of Manipur saying that the reaction of the Manipur government and its CM, Ibobi is nothing but an act of impropriety and recklessness, considering their irrational opposition to peace and the ongoing political dialogue between the government of India and the NSCN.
Officially or unofficially, NSCN (IM) has been carrying out its terror administration along with setting up offices in all the Naga inhabited districts of Manipur, although the ceasefire is not legitimately extended to the state. In a press statement published in The Sangai Express, Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) said the AC battalion of NSCN (IM) is at Phunchong in Chandel district, the NP battalion is in Oklong in Tamenglong district, Kishimung battalion is in Grehang village in Ukhrul district and Huthrong Brigade is in Senapati district. Moreover, NSCN (IM) has been openly collecting taxes at Mao Gate in Senapati, Pallel Gate in Chandel district, Litan Gate in Ukhrul district and at Noney in Tamenglong district, MNRF added.
Why then is the Govt of Manipur as well as the Govt of India giving a blind eye and deaf ear to this outfit? Is NSCN (IM) bigger than the state and central government? Is NSCN (IM) bigger than PLA, RPF, UNLF, PREPAK, KCP, KYKL, and the endless number of factions?
The government must not only have those responsible for Sangakham blast victims brought to justice immediately but also deactivate all militants who have become a law unto themselves in Manipur. So long as they are given freedom to act according to their whims, civilians will not be safe. It is high time they are dealt with appropriately. Else, attempts being made to rebuild Manipur are bound to fail. Needless to say development does not take root in a culture of impunity.
We can’t accommodate terrorism. When someone uses the slaughter of innocent people to advance a so-called political cause, at that point the political cause becomes immoral and unjust and they should be eliminated from any serious discussion, any serious debate. Every leader, and every regime, and every movement, and every organization that steps across the line to terrorism must be banished from the discourse of civilized human life.
If the so called sons of the soil really want to build a new Kangleipak, then they should pull up their socks before the public starts protesting against them. They should stop slaughtering innocent people in the name of revolution before the public starts killing them morally. They should stop being the obstacle to the state’s development before the public throws them out of the very state they are fighting for. They hurl bombs and threaten anybody who refuses to pay them money but they can’t stand up and fight the infiltrators. If they can be the first to impose illegal tax and extort money in the name of the state’s welfare, how can they be the last on earth when it comes to protecting their own people?
Try as we should, the question that I want to pose is this: Is there any hope that we will ever root out corruption and terrorism in this new millennium? Does anyone out there in the corridors of power listening to us? Yes, perhaps they are but many of them not hearing!
The real epidemic in our state is poor political leadership, government economic mismanagement, corruption and insurgency. These are the causes of our continuing crisis and not much else. Accepting responsibility for one’s actions and for a system that has gone badly wrong is the starting point on the road to our economic recovery. I see this as the greatest challenge facing today.
And as civic society, we must continue to pile pressure on corrupt leaders so that in the end they do the honorable thing and resign from their positions of power whether they are politicians or self-declared guardians because the latter can be corrupt as well.
However, my faith in Manipur is strengthened by the fact that brave men will stand against any injustice and by my belief that the people of this state will never lack the leaderships of dynamic and dedicated men and women in the future.
The above article was sent to Kanglaonline by Babina Wahengbam. She can be reached @ babina.wahengbam[@]gmail.com
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/who-will-guard-the-guards-of-manipur/
