Month: November 2011

IMPHAL, November 8: Three PREPAK cadres including the vice-president of Manipur People’s Party (MPP) Yanglem Mangi Singh, have been recommended for detention under the National Security Act (NSA) by the CJM, Imphal, while two others have been granted bail.

The five individuals were produced before the CJM Imphal this afternoon, however two individuals were granted bail with the imposition of Rs 10,000 as PR bond.

The two other who were detained under NSA along with the MPP vice-president were identified as Yumnam Biju Singh, 33, s/o (late) Y. Tombi Singh of Khangempalli Panthak, Haobijam Ranjit alias Lukhoi, 36, s/o H. Shyamkeshor Singh of Luwangshangbam Mayai Leikai while the two who got bail have been identified as one RK Joy alias Jai Singh, 44, s/o (late) Chinglensana of Luwangsangbam Makha Leikai and Yengkhom Then alias Kokeshore, 47, s/o (late) Y Singhajit of Kontha Khabam.

The MPP vice president Yanglem Mangi Singh, 60, s/o (L) Y. Lukhoi Singh of Luwangsangbam Mayai Leikai along with four suspected PREPAK cadres were reportedly arrested by a team of Imphal west district police commandos on October 30 from Khagempalli Panthak bus parking around 6:30 pm.

The five were traveling in a white Bolero Jeep bearing regd No. No.MN01-4A/6552 while they were arrested and police also claimed to have recovered two 9mm pistol with a magazine and six live ammunitions and one Rage mobile handset were recovered from Biju while one mobile handset and Rs 1000 in cash was recovered from the possession from MPP leader.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/cjm-recommends-mpp-vice-president-for-detention-under-nsa/

IMPHAL, Nov 8 (Newmai News Network): Lok Sabha MP hailing from BJP and former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday said the government of India and state government of Manipur should make available adequate essential commodities in Manipur if they are not able to stop the ongoing economic blockade on National Highways.

Yashwant was speaking at a “One-day Intellectual Meet of Manipur Vision 2025″ at Classic Hotel, Imphal today.

He said if the ongoing 100 days economic blockade on highways were imposed on other cities like Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi, etc. things might have been totally different in the country.

However, he said, “Democracy should be maintained at all cost. A voting right of an individual should not be allowed to take away or buy out. We will be losing the essence of democracy if the trend goes like this.”

The national BJP will take up the Manipur issue in the coming winter session of Parliament in its possible strongest way, the BJP leader said.

Coming on the topic of the meet, Yashwant, who is on a two-day visit to the state, asserted that no vision document can be achieved success if law and order is not maintained in the state.

“If the government of India and government of Manipur are unable to stop economic blockade then they should make available of adequate essential commodities in the state”, demanded Yashwant at the discussion organize by Manipur Pradesh BJP.

They should make all possible arrangements to facilitate airlifting of goods if they are not able to open up the blockade. They should not let the people suffer any more, he added.

Prakash Javedkar, BJP national spokesperson and election in-charge of Manipur state, who was also attending the meet sarcastically said, “There are 30 plus underground groups here in Manipur and the ‘plus’ is the government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

However, he said Manipur is not only a state where gun culture, rampant corruption and extortion are occurred but it is also very rich in culture, history and has a lot of intellectuals.

“Manipur has the potential to change within a decade under the “Manipur Vision 2025″ but the current situation is really hopeless.”

Bandh and blockade are a daily routine in Manipur but this time a new thing has also come up in the State and that is “counter economic blockade over economic blockade.” It is an unprecedented state of affair which has never happened before, Javedkar said.

“What is the central government doing when the economic blockade has entered its 100th day today? Just sending of money is not enough.”

The BJP spokesperson also recalled Chief Minister Ibobi’s statement when he said the other day that additional security forces would be sent to escort goods laden trucks on highways. Javedkar also questioned as to why he is taking three months in taking up such step.

In Manipur, the ministers, MLAs and even police officers are subjected to pay money to militant organizations, he alleged.

“Manipur can become a tourism hub, IT hub and a gateway of Southeast Asia just in case the law and order is kept under control”, suggested Javedkar.

He also lauded the State and said it does not need to suffer just like we suffered during the British rule as it has its own proud history, independence and full of culture.

Yashwant Sinha was accompanied by Prakash Javedkar and Northeasst in-charge Chandrashekhar Rao in the visit.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/yashwant-sinha-demands-airlifting-of-essential-commodities-to-state/

IMPHAL, November 8: The Planning Commission of India has advised the state government for the constitution of a working group on “Mountain eco-systems and challenges faced by the people living in the hilly areas” for the formulation of the 12th five year plan. The PCI has also instructed the working group to submit its report by November 30, said an official source.

According to an official source, the advice from the planning commission comes in the aftermath of the two day national workshop on climate change especially in the NE region organized by the state planning department during the first half of October 2011 and comes under the action agenda taken up during the two day workshop.

Further according to the source, the issues of vulnerability of mountain eco-system, environmental sustainability and the problems faced by the people living in the hilly areas are being raised during various forums from time to time.

The PCI while complying with the action agenda has advised the state government to set up a working group to work upon the action agenda of the recent workshop and further has also advised the state on the composition of the said group.

The PCI wants the working group to be chaired by BK Chaturvedi, member Planning commission.

Further according to the advice of the PCI, the members of the working group should include secretaries of various central ministries including that of environment and forests, tribal affairs, DoNER, chief secretaries of all Northeastern states and Himachal Pradesh and Uttranchal, the source further informed.

The PCI also wants various professors from various reputed national universities as members and PCI advisor SN Brohmo Chaudhury as member secretary.

The source has also informed that the PCI has sorted out the terms and reference of the working group.

The PCI has set the group to consider the various aspects of the mountain eco-systems, environmental sustainability and the problems faced by the people living in the hilly areas, social and basic infrastructure and livelihood issues, etc and further suggest appropriate measures to tackle the problems.

The PCI also wants the group to form suggestions on how best the identified issue can be addressed within the schematic framework or suggest alternative mechanisms for tackling such challenges and to consider any other issues appropriate for making policy recommendations, the source added. 

The chairman may further constitute sub groups if the need arise and co-opt other members for specific works.

The source has also informed that the expenditure towards the travel allowances and dearness allowances (for non-officials) in connection with the meeting of the working group would be meted by the PCI.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/pci-instructs-state-to-form-working-group-on-ecosystem/

From Kaimuanthang
LAMKA, October 8 : The works minister K Ranjit Singh  during an inaugural function of the Saipum village bridge in Churachandpur district today said that the Congress will come back to power by getting an absolute majority of 45 out of the total 60 seats in the coming Manipur state assembly.

While addressing the gathering, he further said that though to err is human and man may commit mistakes as a human being out of his zeal, it is the Congress party itself which has the best chance of coming back to power.

While disclosing that the bridge which was inaugurated today is the third of its kind with one at Saidan village , the second at Buoljol and the one inaugurated today, he said the fourth has been proposed at Tuithapi and Kanan veng across the Tuitha river.

TN Haokip, PHED and IPR minister who accompanied the works minister earlier inaugurated the Tinlian memorial platform at the Saipum village playground and later during his speech at the bridge inaugural function urged the gathering not to cause any disturbances of development works which is aimed at the benifit of the general public.

The bridge is 36 metres under the SPA and has been constructed at the cost of Rs 3.5 crores.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/36metre-long-bridge-inaugurated-tn-haokip-urges-people-not-to-distrupt-developmental-works/

IMPHAL, November 8: “Introduction of renting bicycles in university campuses would help in minimizing crime rates as criminals hardly use bicycles while committing crimes”, said European Manipuri Association (EMA) representative Okram Bishwajit while sharing his European experience on using bicycles.

Bishwajit who hails from Thoubal district headquarter made the comment during a recent interaction with media persons and members of Manipur Cycle Club (MCC), a club of bicycle enthusiasts here to mitigate the challenges arising out of urbanization, environmental degradation besides health and economy issues in the state, in Imphal.

“This is not the end. It is estimated that at least 2 grams of carbon could be reduced if one person uses bicycle. So imagine if just 10 percent of India’s billion population used bicycles in the climate change era”, said researcher Bishwajit, who works in an Ireland based company. “A tiny state like Manipur can also save at least Rs 5 crores a year if we could introduce

bicycles to just 10,000 individuals of the total Manipur population of 27 lakh ( 2011 census) who usually spends Rs 50 on bus or auto-rickshaw fares a day as their mode of transport.”

Interestingly those who use bicycles regularly could also reduce their aging factors too, he added and further appealed “So let’s make Manipur as bicycle capital of the country like Netherland, the cycle capital in Europe”.

Meanwhile MCC is all set to introduce ‘Rent a Cycle’ facility as part of its cycle promotion approach in Imphal. “We’ll be introducing the facility at the Kangla Fort for the visitors. A proposal has also been submitted to declare Kangla a carbon free zone to preserve its cultural heritage and delicate vegetation inside the campus”, Deben Bachaspatimayum, MCC president.

MCC vice-president, Ramananda Wangkheirakpam elaborating on the said facility said visitors who love to see the historic site could get the facility (Rs 10 per bicycle per day) at the three Kangla gates only after the formal launching of the facility in association with environment and ecology wing of the state forest department on November 15.

“We’re also planning to expand at major bus parkings if the experiment becomes a success”, added the key functionary of MCC which had been fighting for a cycle lane and parking facilities in Imphal.

“We’re also targeting the Manipur University campus.” Having a total of 1,98,889 registered vehicles of which 1,39,675 are two wheelers last year, Manipur’s transport department officially receives 35 applications for registration on an average daily this year.

MCC in collaboration with Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association is scheduled to conduct a five-day bicycle expedition to important places including Keibul Lamjao national park in Bishnupur district in the forthcoming 10 day Manipur Sangai festival beginning from November 21.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/manipur-cycle-club-to-introduce-rent-a-cycle-in-imphal/

IMPHAL, November 8: Police today safely disposed two Chinese made hand grenades retrieved from the residence of two engineers suspected to be left by armed miscreants.

In the first incident armed miscreants placed a Chinese made hand grenade around 9:45 pm yesterday at the Uripok Sinam Leikai residence of Akoijam Sarat, 55, s/o Jugon, assistant engineer of PHED.

In protest against the bomb threat a sit in demonstration jointly organized by the Uripok Bachaspati Leikai and Sinam Leikai.

Family members of the AE disclosed they had no idea why the bomb was left as there was no monetary demand or personal enmity with anyone.

Another Chinese made hand grenade was left at the residence of a PDA EE Loitongbam Kesho at Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai near Pukhri Achouba.

Sources said the bomb was found by family members of the EE this morning around 7 am.

This is the second time that a grenade threat has been placed at his residence by individuals identifying themselves as faction of the KCP.

A sit in protest was also staged at the area by the locals decrying the bomb threat.

The bombs were later safely disposed off by the police at the bomb disposal site at Lamphel, Imphal west.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/bombs-dispose-off/

IMPHAL, November 8: Victim families of Malom firing incident while participating in the recently held nation-wide fast and demonstration to commemorate Manipur’s iron lady Irom Chanu Sharmila’s 11 years of struggle against the controversial Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act, has continued to voice for justice.

On November 5, 2000, 38 year old poet and activist Sharmila began her indefinite hunger strike after she heard the killing of ten people by Assam Rifles in Malom, on the outskirts Imphal three days ago, to have the act, which provides unlimited powers to security forces to shoot at sight and arrest anybody without a warrant, repealed.

“It’s 11 years now, but there’s no justice. We want justice while we’re alive. So AFSPA should go so that such incident don’t repeat in future”, said fish farmer Sinam Kamal, 34, b/o two victims-teacher Robinson, a 1987 child bravery awardee and student Chandramani of Malom village in Imphal west district. Robinson was the lone bread earner of the family when he was killed.

Since then we continued to struggle for our studies in diverse fields, Kamal added. The government is also yet to provide a job to the family.

But it is learnt that family members of two other victims-G Bapu of Lairenjam village and Ksh Inaocha of Malom village both in Imphal west, out of the ten victims, have already passed away without getting justice. Other victims are L Sana(60) of Kabowakching, O Sanayaima, 50, resident of Nambol, K Bijoy, 39, resident of Laimapokpam, A Raghumani, 34 of Nambol Naorem, T Shantikumar, 19, and S Prakash,18, both from Malom.

“We didn’t feel much about AFSPA though we’re from the victim’s families unlike Sharmila in the beginning.

But she has a different courage. She is a kind of Goddess to us.” feels Kamal.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Tokpam Samarendra, 70, father of another victim Shantikumar also demanded removal of the Act so that his son’s soul can rest in peace.

Along with the victim’s families and relatives, nearly a thousand residents from Malom in their mourning attire for the first time joined the day long nation-wide fast to commemorate Sharmila’s struggle and the 53 years of struggle in the Northeast and 20 years in Jammu &Kashmir, on Saturday.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/malom-victim-families-shows-support-to-sharmilas-struggle/