Day: May 28, 2014

IMPHAL, May 28: “I don’t want to commit suicide. I want to have my constitutional rights. I am demanding fundamental rights. India doesn’t apply the Constitutional norms in the North East. It is discrimination and racism,” said Irom Sharmila at the end of her court appearance before the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House, New Delhi Wednesday, informed a source.

Sharmila was produced before the magistrate in connection with a case filed by the Delhi Police of Parliament Street, New Delhi against her for holding a hunger-strike at Jantar Mantar in the national capital in 2006 charging her of attempt to commit suicide.

According to a source, Sharmila started her speech, “I want to say something here,” and continued with her above statement leaving the judge somewhat stunned to reply.

However, metropolitan Magistrate Judge Akash Jain replied, “I understand what you said, but I cannot comment on that. I can only deal with the case.”

The anti-AFSPA crusader who has been on a hunger strike since November 2, 2000 left Imphal on May 27 by an Indigo flight accompanied by a doctor, a nurse of the JNIMS and one personnel each of the jail and Manipur Police.

Sharmila was produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate at 10.30am today, informed the source.

Today’s court proceeding saw two witnesses of the Delhi Police examined.

Sharmila’s counsels advocate Colin Gonsalves, advocate VK Ohri, advocate Sukla and Sarika were also present during the court proceedings, informed the source.

The court had earlier ordered that considering the high expenses the State has to incur in order to produce Sharmila in the Delhi court, her physical presence in the next hearing was not mandatory and her counsels could represent her before the court.

However, sources said, after Sharmila replied, “It is my case and I want to appear,” the Court ordered that she should appear again on July 17 and 18 before the same court.

“The judge had ordered for the exemption of the physical presence of Irom Sharmila and suggested that she may be represented by a counsel but she objected to it and said that she will appear for all hearings as she is fighting for truth,” said a press release of the Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign.

The press release said Sharmila’s matter was scheduled in court room no 20B at serial number 27th in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain.

“Sharmila was produced in heavy security of police and most of the supporters were not allowed to enter the court room,” it continued.

“During the lunch break, with the help of advocates, Irom Sharmila was allowed to meet her supporters and media. Members of her support groups including SSSC (Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign), MSAD and NEFIS were there. Chinglen from NEFIS talked to her rergarding the struggle and that they are all with the truth. Prof. V.P. Srivastava, Mahtab Alam and members of SSSC had talked to her in general and expressed their solidarity with her and also briefed her about the ongoing events to strengthen the voice in support of her and against AFSPA.”

Meanwhile, the SSSC has also demanded from the government to pay immediate attention towards the Sharmila’s hunger strike.

It has further demanded that charges of ‘commit to suicide’ must be taken back and she must be set free.

“Her fast is for the life, and not against life in anyway, also it is for the society and not for any personal reason. With the interim relief, Government must order to remove charges of 309 (attempt to suicide case) from New Delhi and Manipur  and must set her free to meet people like any normal citizen can,” it said.

“Also, as everyone has some expectation from change of government, SSSC appeal to the Govt of India to take concern of the plight of common people of Manipur who had also showed their trust in govt by their vote and that on the reasons of ‘justice’ as well as for ‘welfare’ and ‘trust building’, it must repeal AFSPA at the earliest.”

The SSSC has also demanded that the Government of India should officially meet Irom Sharmila.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/india-defies-constitutional-norms-in-the-north-east-sharmila-deplores/

IMPHAL, May 28: The partly decomposed bodies of the two missing cadres of the United Revolutionary Front have been dug out from under the store room of the outfit’s designated camp Loitang Khunou, Spinning Mill, this late afternoon.

The two cadres of the outfit which is a signatory of the Suspension of Operation with the government are identified as Irengbam Bode alias Washington (35), s/o (L) Biren of Awang Khunou, Imphal West district and Pukhrambam Somorjit (35), s/o Lakshman of Waheng Khuman under Nambol police station, Bishnupur district.

Both cadres had gone missing since the intervening night of March 18-19, 2014.

Today’s breakthrough came after the arrest of another cadre of the outfit by the police. An Imphal West Cdo team led by OC (cdo) Sanjoy arrested Irengbam Gulabi alias Meitei alias Yaima of Kontha Ahallup under Heingang police station around this early morning around 3, from his residence.

According to police sources, during interrogation, Gulabi revealed that the bodies of the two missing cadres were buried inside the outfit’s camp.

Around 4.30 pm, a large police contingent led by addl SP (LO) Birbabu, addl SP (Ops) meghachandra, Imphal West Cdo, Sekmai Police, SDPO Lamphel and the State Forensic experts surrounded the URF designated camp.

The police team went inside the storeroom and broke the cemented structure to find the partly decomposed bodies of the two missing cadres.

The bodies have been deposited at the RIMS morgue.

Earlier on March 19, 2014, the outfit had lodged a missing report of the two at the Sekmai Police.

Meanwhile, Bode’s wife Sunita had expressed suspicion of her husband being killed and buried inside the designated camp and filed a complaint with the same police station on April 30 in this regard.

On May 6, the Imphal West police along with the State Forensic team had conducted a massive operation inside the camp, following complaints from the family members of the missing cadres. However, the search operation had been unsuccessful.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/missing-urf-cadres-found-buried-inside-designated-camp/

IMPHAL, May 28: The State Governor VK Duggal, who is also the chairman, Manipur State Kala Akademi inaugurated the 42nd All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2014 organised under the aegis of Manipur State Kala Akademi today at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

The festival will continue till June 11.

The inaugural function was also attended by State Chief Minister and vice-chairman of the Manipur State Kala Akademi, Okram Ibobi Singh who presided over the function.

Speaking at the function, VK Duggal said that Shumang Leela is now at its most difficult period, especially with the coming of the digital age, where a click of a button can download a song or a movie. Manipuri films have slowly replaced it in popularity and if Shumang Leela cannot keep abreast with time, it may lead to its natural slowing down in term of popularity.

He further continued that the experts of Shumang Leela need to introspect and come up with innovative ideas to keep up this wonderful art form alive. The art form has combated the onslaught of proscenium theatre in the past as also others forms of art, but with rising cost of production and competition from other forms of recreation and entertainment like TV, cinema, etc.

He also added that this art form will not only survive but progress further and whatever assistance is possible in his official capacity as Governor of the State, he is ready to give. He took the opportunity to request the chief minister for State Government’s attention and help.

He further added that the effort of the Manipur State Kala Akademi is no doubt to extend help in sustaining this art form and its popularity can be gauged by the fact that this is the 42nd edition. The Festival not only provides the groups to showcase their new productions but also act as a platform to judge the trends of this art form.

During the function, Okram Ibobi said Shumang Leela is not only entertaining but also helps mould people. He added that the love for this art among the public is still strong.

He further said that Manipur is a tiny State in North Eastern part of India with lots of talents in the sphere of art and culture as well as sports.

The strength of the State lays mainly on preserving and passing on the tradition to the next generation in an acceptable form to all, he observed.

He continued that even after the introduction of regular theatre, the Shumang Leela tradition continued gaining its ground and the number of organised parties is increasing day by day. This art give many employment to many young talents.

He also asserted that the impact of the Shumang Leelas on the mind of the masses irrespective of the generation have been such that it is difficult to separate the Shumang Leela from the Manipuri Socio cultural scene.

He further added that the present festival organised by the Manipur State Kala Akademi is the 42nd of its kind in which the Shumang Leela group including the 8 of male and 12 of female are taking part.

He assured that the State government will support fully to the efforts to preserve and promote various art forms of Manipur and make to reach to national and international level.

During the function, prizes were distributed to the winners of 41st All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival, 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/digital-age-a-threat-to-shumang-leela-says-gov/

IMPHAL, May 28: The Joint Students Coordination Committee (JSCC) and All Tribal Students Union (ATSUM) have demanded to cancel the recent examination taken by Manipur Public Service Commission on April 25 and to conduct the examination again at the earliest.

The JSCC and ATSUM made the demand in a press conference at the All Manipur Students Union headquarters on Wednesday.

JSCC convenor Thangjam Premananda said that the question paper of the examination had various mistakes and some answer keys didn’t correspondent with the given questions.

“In this regard, the JSCC had appealed to the concerned department several times to form an enquiry committee to investigate into the mistakes committed during such an important examination. However, no response has come till date to the appeal made by the JSCC,” he stated.

He said that the JSCC had also informed to halt the issuing of forms to the candidates to appear in the main examination, adding that even though various appeals were made, MPSC has been issuing forms which must be stoped.

“The announcement of the result twice clearly showed that various unfair means were practiced during examination. So, there is a need for a re-examination and if the MPSC can’t conduct the examinations, it’s better to hand it over to the UPSC to conduct the examination in the future,” Premananda said.

ATSUM secretary Vareiyo Shatsang said if the government keeps on neglecting and fails to conduct the examination again which is null and void, various agitations will be launched in the hill areas of the state.

If re-examination is not conducted, the candidates are all unfit because the examination was null and void, the ATSUM secretary added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/jscc-reiterates-demand-of-mpsc-prelims-re-examination/

IMPHAL, May 28: The Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF), a signatory group under the Suspension of Operation agreement with both the Centre and the State has drawn the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to conduct an inspection of the designated camp of the outfit situated at Semol for official recognition.

Speaking to media persons somewhere in Chandel district, Tonglenlal Haokip alias Lalmoi, general secretary of the outfit, informed that the camp is nearing completion and comprises of barracks, kitchen, sentry posts, office building.

He pointed out that after the outfit entered SoO agreements on March 25, 2014, it petitioned the MHA NE division to establish a designated camp for the outfit.

Subsequently, the MHA responded positively, he said adding that the additional secretary (Home) on May 3, 2014, as instructed by the ministry, released an order giving green signal to its demand of setting up of designated camp at Simol Village under Khengjoy Sub-division, Chandel district.

The general secretary continued that following the approval the construction work of the camp began on May 10, 2014 with fund from the outfit’s own pocket.

Altogether 40 cadres who were taking shelter at the Moreh post of the 9AR have already entered the designated camp with security coverage provided by the 6 Dogra Regiment, he further adds.

He further lauded co-operation extended by the surrounding villagers in constructing the camp adding that the village chief of Semol, Tilgoulen Haokip had submitted a written approval for construction of the camp to the principal secretary Home prior to the construction of the camp. 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/knlf-urges-mha-to-okay-designated-camp/

Imphal, May 28: People must take a no objection certificate (NOC) from the station commander of the Assam Rifles before constructing any multi-storied buildings within a radius of 100 metres near defence establishments for double-storeys and 500 metres for buildings with more than four stories.

According to a highly placed source, a directive from the Union Ministry of Defence, has issued interim instructions on May 18 that includes guidelines for issuing of No Objection Certificates (NOC) for construction of multi-storied buildings in the vicinity of defence establishments.

The Works of Defence Act, 1903 which imposes restrictions upon use and enjoyment of land in the vicinity of the defence establishment needs to be comprehensively amended so as to take care of the security concerns of the defence forces, the directive further stated.

“The process of amendment has been put in motion and may take some time, the defence ministry felt it necessary to issue interim instructions to regulate grant of NOCs. The objective of these instructions is to strike a balance between the security concerns of the force and the right of the public to undertake the construction activities on their land.”

In places where local municipal laws require consultations with the station commander before a building plan is approved, he may convey his views after seeking the approval from the next higher authority, not lower than the rank of a Brigadier or equivalent, within four months of receiving such requests.

Even when the local municipal laws are not required, the station commander can restrict the construction of double-storey buildings within 100 metres and four-storeys and more buildings within a 500 metre radius from defence establishments if he feels that it poses a security hazard.

The headquarters of Inspector General, Assam Rifles (South) has sent a letter to the state Revenue commissioner recently that an important aspect of this act is to impose restrictions upon the use and enjoyment of land in the vicinity of defence establishment so that such land may be kept free from buildings and other constructions, and for determining the amount of compensation to be paid to the landowners.

In view of security concerns, the state government have issued instructions to the concerned department for the publication of the notification under Works of Defence Act, 1903 for non-construction of any buildings at a distance of two thousand yards from the crest of the garrison as per section 7 of the sub Act.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/restrictions-imposed-on-constructing-buildings-near-defence-areas/

By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, May 28: Giving a new twist to the recent Gurgaon sex racket case, fresh evidences have suggested that the name of Peh (Paoyi) village should not have been linked to the nefarious incident as the two accused women who were reported to be hailing from the village, are no longer residents of Peh as one had already married a man from Hunphun village while the other to a different community.

The new evidences emerged after this IFP correspondent conducted an independent investigation following reports that the alleged linking of the village’s name in the case in certain Imphal based daily newspapers reports has hurt the sentiments of Peh villagers.

It is worthwhile to recall here that a news report carried in this paper on May 6 pertaining to the recent Gurgaon case had quoted sources based on TFOs resolution adopted at a joint emergency meeting on May 2 last and had mentioned Paoyi village as one of the native places of the accused.

Reliable sources have disclosed that since the two accused have already married outside the village, they have stopped being members and residents of Peh/ Paoyi and as such, implicating the village name in irresponsible activities of these two individuals is impropriate.

Consequently, it is learnt that the name of Peh/Paoyi village has nothing to do with the April 22 incident in Gurgaon.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/peh-village-name-cleared-from-gurgaon-racket-case/

IMPHAL, May 28: A team of the Thoubal district police commando conducted a cordon and house to house search operation at Wangjing Tentha area this morning and detained seven persons.

The seven were handed over to the Thoubal police station for further verification.

The search operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional SP, Operation, S Ibomcha Singh assisted by the Officer in Charge of the district police commando Inspector Anand from early morning at Tentha Khunjao.

The entire male population of the locality inside the age group of 15-50 years were asked to line up at the Thongam Lampak and verified.

Seven persons who failed to produce their proper verification identity proof were detained for further verification.

Later, the same team also conducted house to house search operation at Tentha Thambal Chingjya, Wabagai Thambal Chingya and Wabagai Mairenbam Leikai respectively.

On the other hand, Imphal east district police also conducted cordon and search operation at Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai under Singjamei police station and detained 10 persons for further verification during the cordon and search operation.

The search operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional SP, Operations, Shinghajit Singh Imphal east assisted by Inspector P Achouba Meitei, Officer in Charge Imphal east district commando from early morning from Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai to Singjamei Bridge.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/police-conduct-house-to-house-search-operation/

IMPHAL, May 28: The Wangjing Tentha united body of local clubs has today announced that the Mela held at Wangjing Kodompokpi Sports Ground should be forced down in case the organisers fail to function according to the rules and regulation of Mela permit issued by the deputy commissioner of the district.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Wangjing Laikol Community Hall, Ch Suranjoy the joint secretary of the SOCDEC, claimed that the organisers have violated the time schedule mentioned in the permit and that there is no rule inside the venue.

He claimed that there are various stalls of gambling, which is in clear violation of the rules and regulations.

He further continued that the locals had since 2008 decided to ban non-sports activities at the ground, which had been informed to the then DC RK Dinesh Singh urging him to restrict permission of any kind of entertainment or amusement on the playground.

During such a development, the Foundation for Healthy People, Wangjing was granted permission to organise the Mela inside the ground, he said.

Suranjoy continued that the local clubs had urged the DC to cancel the permit or to shift the venue to another suitable location.

Following the appeal, the DC had shortened the number of days and time schedule from May 24 to 30 between 1.30pm to 6pm, he said.

However, in stark contrast, the organisers have continued the mela upto midnight, he alleged and added for which the locals have also made the necessary complaints to the DC and SP of the district.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/wangjing-tentha-clubs-question-over-indulgence-in-mela/