Day: August 25, 2012

Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, Aug 25: The JAC of Irabanta has called a state wide general strike from Aug. 29 midnight to 6pm of Aug 30 to demand safe release of Irabanta who was kidnapped by suspected members of NSCN(IM).
Intesifying its demand, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed against abduction of Irungbam
A joint press conference of different civil societies and the JAC was held at the Manipur Press Club where the JAC announced the decision to impose the general strike.
The JAC convenor I Echan said the 18-hour general strike has been called to protest against the state Government for its inability to facilitate searching and finding of Irabanta whose whereabouts is still unknown even after about three months of missing.
Irungbam Irabanta, a sand supplier for Maphou Dam construction, was allegedly kidnapped by the rebel NSCN-IM on May 27 last. He is a resident of Nongdam Maning Leikai in Imphal East district.
All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) pressed the Government to search for Irabanta and said this should be carried out immediately.
NSCN-IM “officer” Leishi ( Ukhrul town commander) and Francis, “central administration officer” (CAO) and other accused involved in the abduction of Irabanta should be arrested, AMUCO secreatry Sanjoy Meitei said.
The AMUCO secreatry also charged both the state and Central Governments for giving a free hand to the NSCN-IM and asked the state Government the reason for not divulging the facts and circumstances surrounding the abduction of Irabanta despite the fact that whereabouts of him is known by it.
It has been found out as a fact that Irabanta and one Winner were in the custody of NSCN-IM from May 27 till June 6, Sanjoy said. Winner who is involved in the abduction is now in jail after he was arrested by Ukhrul district police on August 11.
The detailed report in connection with the arrest of Winner is with the state Government, Sanjoy further said.
The NSCN-IM is often indulging in kidnappings and it has indicated that the Government has permitted the rebel group to open its designated camps in Manipur and this has become clear, the AMUCO secretary accused.
AMUCO also voiced deep concern of mistrust in the state police force and also the Central force in the state and asked what the state DGP, the state home minister, the chief minister and the chief secretary are doing.
“Do they need to go to New Delhi and ask permission to take up the case,” Sanjoy ridiculed and dubbed them as pathetic leaders. He said AMUCO will support the general strike.
Representatives of the civil societies which included United People’s Front (UPF), AMUCO, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) and Ethno Heritage Council (HERICON) at the press conference jointly announced they would extend support to the proposed bandh.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jac-irabanta-calls-general-strike-from-aug-29-midnight/

IMPHAL, Aug 25 NNN : Tribal leaders today discussed various issues pertaining to the hill areas of Manipur.
The meeting held in Imphal discussed on MLR & LR Act, 1960 as its first agenda.
The meeting was moderated by All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) general secretary Romeo Bungdon.
As the discussion starts, Letpu kaokip drew the attention of the leaders on the demand of raised by MLR &LR Act Demand Committee for extension of the said Act in hill areas through notification or any available means. Thereafter, Prof Gangmumei Kamei narrated the basis of the MLR& LR Act, 1960 right from its introduction. Gangmumei suggested that the extension of the Act should be opposed at any cost and the views of the Hill Area Committee (HAC) should compulsorily be sought in this regard or any matter relating to hill areas and people.
Somi Keishing observed that the question of land in hill areas is very much associated with the customs and cultures of the hill people. As such, protection of land in hill areas should be done based on the importance and authority of the HAC for protection of hill areas and it rights. He also emphasised on the need for review of Reservation System/Policy in the state.
One hill land survey matter, Somi stated that since the tribals have a customary land holding style, the proposed hill land survey should not be encouraged under any case.
On Forest Act, Grace Jajo, social activist expressed her views on the classifications of forests in Manipur. She suggested that since the HAC is yet to sign on the forest classification order, “we need to re-activate the HAC for protection of forest-related tribal rights”. For tie-up with HAC: One tie-up/coordination with HAC, Letpu Haokip suggested that a seminar may be conducted for gathering view/opinions of leaders, scholars, intellectuals which shall be submitted onward to the HAC for consideration.
BD Behring, a former MP expressed the need for unity and coordination of all tribal organisations under one umbrella. He also appreciated Committee on Protection of Tribal Area Manipur (COPTAM) for its activities. Behring suggested that the umbrella organisation may be under AMTU. Behring also said that the hill-valley boundary needs to be clearly made. He also wants to have an office of AMTU at Imphal.
On queries made by some leaders about AMTU, D.P Panmei, president of AMTU clarified that tribal union is non-political, non-governmental and purely a social organisation formed with the aim and objectives of safeguarding the rights of tribal people as provided by the Indian Constitution. At the end of the meeting, the tribal leaders resolved to conduct a state level seminar on the tribal problems and grievances at the earliest possible time.They also resolved to have the next meeting on September 17 in Imphal.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tribal-leaders-say-no-to-mlr-act-to-hill-areas/

Th.Ranjit
Imphal, Aug 25: The attention of Education Minister, M.Okendro is drawn to the prolonged and undue delay by the
Directorate of Education (Hr. Education and University) in publishing the seniority list of teachers of govt. colleges
in the state. The same has not been published for more than two decades. Owing to the absence of a clear seniority list of the college teachers, very often ego-clashes, confusions and unseen problems are created among the teachers of different departments and of the same department in the colleges of Manipur, as we have seen a glaring example at D M College of Science some time back.
This has been due to the regularisation and inter-transfer of teachers of different govt. colleges and erstwhile private colleges. In order to avoid such unwanted and disharmonious environment in the higher academic institutions, Minister is urged to publish seniority list of these govt. employees working in the govt. colleges of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/publish-seniority-list-of-college-teachers/