Month: February 2015

IMPHAL, February 21: On the occasion of the 29th Statehood Day Celebration of Arunachal Pradesh, a three-day festival highlighting the colourful and varied culture of the State was inaugurated by Lieutenant General Nirbhay Sharma, PVSM, UYSM, AYSM, VSM (Retired), the Governor of the Arunachal Pradesh at Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar on February 20, a PIB release said.

The festival coincided with the visit of the Prime Minister to Itanagar, it said.

One of the major highlights of the celebrations was the display of variety of weapons and Pipes and Drum bands of the Indian Army keeping in sync with its theme for the year, `Pride of the Nation in War and Peace,`™ it further.

The display included the versatile Bofors Howitzer, Mine Protected Vehicle, latest communication and surveillance equipment and Infantry weapons including Anti Tank Guided Missile, Anti Material Rifle and Sniper Rifle, it said.

The stall was visited by the Governor, Chief Minister, Nabum Tuki and also senior staff and civil administration officials. The weapons display gave the locals an insight into Indian Army and also instilled a sense of pride, it said.

The Army bands dressed in ceremonial splendour enthralled the public with martial tunes in front of the entire crowd generating considerable patriotic fervour, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/arunachal-pradesh-celebrates-29th-statehood-day/

IMPHAL, Feb 21(NNN): Alleging that Manipur government has failed to initiate any action despite the economic blockade on the national highways, the five-day economic blockade sponsoring joint action committee today threatened to intensify their agitation.

The JAC formed in connection with January 28 incident in which troops of the Assam Rifles had killed two persons including a chief functionary of the KNF, a militant group under suspension of operation with government and a civilian driver has been imposing a five-day economic blockade on the national highways in Manipur since last Wednesday.

Owing to the blockade normal movement of goods ferry vehicles on the two main national highways (NH-2 and NH-37) has been disturbing for the fourth consecutive day. The blockade was due to end by midnight of Sunday.

Alleging that the state government was remaining silent even as economic blockade was imposed on the national highways, the agitating JAC today threatened they will be compelled to impose a statewide bandh in the state.

Addressing a press conference here today, convener of the JAC Thangmilen Haokip alleged that the state government was not initiating any action to fulfill its demands which include among others provision of a report of the magisterial enquiry being conducted by the state government.

If the government continued to unheed to the demands, the JAC will be compelled to resort to an intensified form of agitation, he said, hinting that a statewide bandh might be their next course of agitation.

On the other hand, the indefinite bandh imposed on the Imphal-Moreh section of the NH-102 by the Tribal Blind Association Chandel was suspended temporarily following an assurance from the circle MLA ST Nunghlung Victor this afternoon.

The MLA gave his assurance during a meeting with the representatives of the agitating association led by its secretary K Pareng Kom today at Pallel police station of Chandel district.

The MLA reportedly gave his assurance to air the plights of the association to the chief minister. He further convinced the agitating group that he would arrange a meeting between representatives and chief minister on or before the upcoming Assembly session.

After the meeting Pareng Kom said that the association decided to lift the indefinite bandh for the time being respective the assurance given by the MLA.

However, he added that the bandh will be resumed if the MLA failed to provide a written assurance from the chief minister regarding the proposed meeting with the representatives of the association by this evening.

The Tribal Blind Association, Chandel was imposing the indefinite bandh in Chandel district, affecting particularly on the NH-102 and Pallel to Chandel district headquarters with effect from Friday demanding conversion of now privately run Mission Blind School Heikakpokpi into a full-fledged government school and provision of grand-in-aids to the school.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/bandh-ends-economic-blockade-threatened/

IMPHAL, February 21: The existing government schools in the Imphal area need to improve to be at par with the Catholic schools, stated Thounaojam Shyamkumar, MLA of Andro assembly constituency.

He expressed gratitude to various student organisations of the State for arriving at an amiable understanding with Catholic schools after a controversy about admission of students in Nirmalabas, Little Flower, St. Joshep and other Catholic schools erupted.

The schools in agreeing to admit students in Class 1 by lottery has settled the issue, he added.

As a Catholic, MLA Shyamkumar said, he appreciated the students`™ organisations and the authorities of Catholic schools for agreeing on the proposal for lottery. Now, the misunderstanding between students`™ organisations and Catholic schools has been cleared, he added.

Though, Catholic schools play an important role in shaping the future of students in Manipur therefore the attention it receives, he said.

In the lottery held today, 300 students were selected for admission in Little Flowers School, he said.

He further expressed his desire for the transformation of existing government schools in Imphal area to come to be at a par with Catholic schools. He also appealed to the government to focus on quality education in the State.

Selected five or six government schools must hire the best teachers from different government schools and these schools must be equipped with proper infrastructure so that they can compete with Catholic schools, he added.

He also said that he would help in making the schools better like he has done to the government schools in Andro A/C. The students must get all their deserved facilities, he added.

He expressed gratitude to the Health commissioner and director for upgrading the Yairipok Yambem Public Health Centre to a 24X7 functioning health centre. He said the department has considered various grievances related with health issues in Andro A/C, mainly at Yairipok Yambem.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/govt-schools-in-imphal-area-need-to-improve-and-be-at-par-with-catholic-schools-shyamkumar/

IMPHAL, February 21: The Editors`™ Guild Manipur has said in a release that with regret it is compelled to announce the boycott of the Chief Minister of Manipur, his Council of Ministers and all ruling MLAs.

The step was taken following the passing of the deadline February 20 the guild set after a series of meeting of the EGM which had patiently waited for the Chief Minister to fulfil assurances given by him on charter of demands of the EGM, it further said.

The EGM had among others demanded the removal of Th Syamo, APO (Press), DIPR for verbally assaulting and physically threatening the president of EGM A Mobi when he visited his office along with the secretary general EGM Yumnam Rupachandra, it said.

As no action was forthcoming, the EGM has been boycotting the DIPR to send a message to the government. However despite three months having elapsed and several rounds of talk with the Chief Minister, the latter is yet to take any tangible action, it said.

The EGM once again reiterated its demand for removal of Syamo from the post of APO (Press) and to replace him with someone who respects the media, it said.

The EGM also reminded the Chief Minister to take up necessary action to address its other demands, including making an advertising policy as soon as possible to enable EGM to lift the boycott, the statement said.

`The EGM is saddened by the fact that it has to resort to boycotting the above mention functionaries of the government to draw the attention of the government to our grievances` the statement said, adding `However the hand of the EGM has been forced as the government failed to hear us despite repeated appeals`.

As per decision of the EGM, fresh negotiation can only begin after Syamo is removed, it said.

As per the boycott terms, affiliates of EGM will not give any coverage to the press meets, functions, clarifications, achievements, tours etc. of the functionaries mentioned above till an understanding is reach, it said.

The EGM also appealed to the public to bear with it during boycott, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/editors-guild-manipur-to-boycott-cm-ministers-and-ruling-mlas/

IMPHAL, February 21: At least two militant cadres have been reportedly arrested by security forces in separate counterinsurgency operations at different places in Imphal.

A statement issued by the PRO Police Department, R.K Tutusana, stated that on February 20 a combined team of Thoubal district and 2 Assam Rifles arrested a self style lieutenant of PREPAK (PRO) militant while conducting frisking and checking duty at Ningel Mayai Leikai.

The arrested individual has been identified as one Khangembam Ningthem Meitei alias Tomcha, 42, son Kh Ibohal Meitei alias Gobhudhon of Ningel Mayai Leikai of Ninge Uyung Makhong.

While incriminating artiles were seized from his possession, a case has been registered at Thoubal Police station, it said.

The statement further informed that the Imphal West district police commandos also arrested an active member of the National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM) the same day in front of Tampha Hotel, North AOC, Imphal while conducting frisking and checking duty.

The individual has been identified as one Abujam Jadhumani Singh, 38, son of A Joy Sing of Yorbung Mayai Leikai, Imphal East district.

A laptop with dongle of Airtel network and other incriminating articles were reportedly seized from his possession.

It said that as per investigation he revealed to have indulged in serving demand letters to Government employees and contractors for raising fund for the organisation.

A case has been registered at the Imphal police station.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/two-militants-held-by-security-forces/

DESAM, ATSUM and others condemn attack, demand fitting penalty

IMPHAL, February 21: Following a violent affront on a flying squad of examination authorities by a mob, the authorities of the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur, CoHSEM, have blacklisted Lilong Haoreibi College, one of the examination centres for ongoing Class XII examination.

The immediate provocation for the drastic action was a demonstration by locals at Lilong demanding pardon and another chance for three students expelled from the examination hall today for cheating. The enraged mob also vandalized vehicles of the council`™s flying squad team today.

The incident happened when an inspection team comprising DC, Thoubal, Council Chairman, K Athar; Council Secretary, Sarangajit Khundrakpam; Under Secretary expelled three students from a Higher Secondary School in Lilong for cheating during the ongoing HSSLC examination.

Out of the expelled students, one was found to be an imposter.

A total of 380 students are sitting for their HSSLC examination at the Lilong Haoreibi College as centre.

In protest, local people agitated the centre demanding the students to given another chance and allowed to write the examination.

After the day`™s exam concluded around 12.15pm, the mob ransacked and attacked vehicles of the officials parked inside the college campus.

In the wake of the violent attack, a government statement has said that the Lilong Haoreibi College, Lilong has been blacklisted and accordingly debarred as an Exam Centre for all Exams conducted by Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (CoHSEM) with effect immediately from the conclusion of the ongoing Council Exams for a period of five years.

`In view of the illegal, unlawful and undesired acts of orchestrating mob violence upon the detection of candidates of Class XII Exams, conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (CoHSEM), who were caught indulging in cheating/copying today at the Lilong Haoreibi College, Lilong resulting in mob violence and severely damaging a number of Govt. vehicles including those of the Chairman, Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (CoHSEM), the Governor of Manipur is pleased to take immediate punitive action and declared the Lilong Haoreibi College, Lilong as blacklisted and accordingly debarred as an Exam Centre for all Exams conducted by Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (CoHSEM) with effect immediately from the conclusion of the ongoing Council Exams for a period of 5 (Five) years,` a statement of State Higher & Technical Education Department said.

The statement has also warned all other colleges functioning as exam centres of the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (CoHSEM) to ensure strict discipline as required by the Council.

While urging invigilators to submit reports of any unlawful or illegal acts by the candidates appearing in the exams to the Council for appropriate action, it warned that any centre which fails to do this would face disciplinary action and the officers-in-charge of the Exam Centres would be held responsible for dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, the Joint Students`™ Coordination Committee has vehemently condemned the incident at Lilong Haoreibi College centre, where expelled students vandalised a vehicle of CoHSEM flying squad team.

A press conference was held today at the DESAM office regarding the incident.

Joint Students`™ Coordination Committee convenor Thangjam Premananda speaking to media persons said that the incident happened when a flying squad team of CoHSEM went to invigilate at Lilong Haoreibi College.

He said that the flying squad caught three students using unfair means and impersonating during the examination. The said students were expelled from the examination hall and the students in return vandalized a car of the flying squad team, he said.

The students even pelted stones at the media persons and stopped them from covering the incident, he added.

The officer-in-charge of the centre should be held responsible for the incident, Premandanda said.

The JSCC strongly urged the government to take up action against the officer-in-charge of the said exam centre and also to conduct a departmental enquiry in regard to the incident.

He also demanded the concerned authority to shift the students who are appearing the exam at Lilong Haoreibi College centre to some other centre to continue the exam in a fair manner saying that there is no hope that the exam will continue in a fair manner at the said centre.

He further said that at another centre namely Waikhom Mani College, a flying squad team of JSCC was not allowed to enter the exam centre for invigilation by the teachers.

He said that there is a suspicion that the teachers might be helping the students in using unfair means in the exam.

Regarding this, JSCC appealed to the Council to check the exam centre so that the exams continue fairly.

JSCC also appealed to all the clubs, organizations and associations surrounding the exam centres to support and to co-operate the flying squad teams to stop using the unfair means in exam.

Meanwhile, the All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) has also strongly condemned the attacked of CoHSEM members including its Chairman and destroying their vehicles today at Lilong Hourabi College, Lilong.

Emboi Serto, president, ATSUM alleged that the three candidates appearing in the HSE examination conducted by Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur at Lilong Haoreibi College, Lilong were caught indulging in cheating/copying and impersonation by the Council officials and expelled them for their acts.

However, a large mob suddenly turn up and damaged the vehicles of the Council members including the Chairman of CoHSEM and demanded the three expelled candidates be allowed to continue the day`™s exam as well as to write the remaining examination, Emboi said.

`It is scandalously unfortunate that dedicated and committed Council officials were attacked for their efforts to bring clean examination in the state for the welfare of the future society`, said the student leader while urging the general public to abstained from such uncivilized and unsolicited mob violence in future so as to ensure that young learners have bright future in a very decent manners.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/lilong-haoreibi-college-blacklisted-after-cheating-students-attack-exam-flying-squad-of-cohsem/

IMPHAL, February 21: Research Forum Manipur, (REFORM) organised the International Mother Languages Day today at KUKI INN.

In the function, Langthabal A/C MLA Karam Shyam, REFORM president Naorem Indramani and Joint director, Directorate of Languages Planning and Implementation, Laishram Mahabir attended as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

The Editor Guilds of Manipur president A Mobi and Professor Soibam Imoba of the Department of Linguistics, MU also attended as special invitees.

In his address, Karam Shyam said the development of our language will decide the development of our society.

He further stated that we always think that the English language dominate all over the world which is not correct because in countries like Russia, they promote the Russian language by compelling tourists to communicate in it by only speaking in Russian.

English speaking people are always committing crimes because they don`™t digest what they have learned in their lives, he added.

He said that the only way to develop ourselves is to develop the mother language and the time has come to promote our language for the future generations.

Speaking as a guest of honour, Laishram Mahabir said the International Mother Day is being observed to give importance to regional language and to develop it in the future. Manipur has 39 tribes of which only 13 tribal languages were approved by the government with the remaining 26 tribal languages considered as minor languages, he added.

He further said Manipur languages can be studied till the graduation level and the department of Languages Planning and Implementation is planning to translate the schools books in Manipuri languages from the month of March.

Meanwhile, the International Mother Language Day was observed at the Manipur Dramatic Union Hall in Yaiskul Police Lane, Imphal, where the Sui generis Mother Language Award was also presented.

The function was jointly organised by Sahitya Thoupang Lup and the Mother language lovers of the World, Manipur chapter. Okram Churamani Singh from Cachar, Assam was awarded with the Sui Generis Mother Language Award which included a cash award of Rs 5000, a citation and a shawl.

The function was attended by language activist Leihaithbam Saratchandra and the Mother Language Lovers of the World, Manipur Chapter president Chungkham Jasobanta Singh as guest of honour and president respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/international-mother-languages-day-observed/

LAMKA, Feb 21: The foundation day of Zogam Film Development Association (ZOFIDA) with the motto `Unity Through Entertaiment`™ was celebrated today at YPA Hall, Hiangtam Lamka, graced as a chief guest by Thanglianpau Guite.

Vungzagin Valte was function president and Phungzathang Tonsing Chief Host. Other dignitaries present were Langkhanpau Guite ADCC Chairma, LB Sona and a, team from Maniwood led by actor Tonthom.

In his address the chairman of ZC said the ZOFINA is recognized as one of the frontal organisation of the Zomi saying without the approval and endorsement of ZC no one can claim to be a Zomi organisation.

The chief guest and all the official present talk about the development of a film industry in line with Maniwood. Minister Pungzathang Tonsing said that Manipur was the second highest, next only to Maharhastra, in film production and this is worth emulating.

Valte also delt on the importance of film.

Speaking as chief host the ADCC Chairman lauded the success of Maniwood. Talking of the legendary romance story of the Zomi film, Khupching and Ngambom, the chairman said the film on the tragic love story will be immensely successful and asked the film company to worked on it.

One of the highlight of the celebration was the performance of the Maniwood film stars.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/zomi-film-initiative-celebrated/

IMPHAL, Feb 20: The banned Maoist Communist Party Manipur has in a press statement said that the Catholic Society decided to remove the moral education subject taught at five Catholic schools in Imphal starting from the session 2015. Following which the earlier announced general strike call on February 22 has been suspended.

`The missionary schools are trying to spread their religion, other private schools are trying to earn huge profit, Government schools are turning into looting grounds`, it said and added that the outfit will fight against such acts.

It further said that the outfit had given a deadline to the institutions and other private organizations, who had participated in the January 26, 2015 function, to apologise in front of the public. It warned the outfit will now take up further course of action as the deadline has crossed.

It may be mentioned here that the outfit had few days ago announced to call a general strike if the Catholic Schools in Imphal continue to teach `moral education`™ subject charging that the subject only teaches moral education based only in Christianity and aims at spreading the religion.

The outfit was also against the building of Churches inside the school campus and demanded for secular education policy.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/maoist-general-strike-suspended/

IMPHAL, February 20: The Manipur University Students`™ Union (MUSU) and students of the university today strongly protested against search operation conducted by the police inside the university`™s hostels.

The search operation was conducted inside the boys`™ hostels number one, two, three and four of the university.

Speaking to media MUSU`™s vice president, A Debina demanded a clarification from the authority concerned at the earliest the reason behind conducting combing operation inside the university`™s hotels.

Further demanding answers under whose authority and permission for the operation was given, she asked the Home Department for how long they intend to harass the students.

`Will the department continue its operation in the event of any crisis in the State or nearby the MU campus thereby creating psychosis to the students`, the MUSU president questioned?

It has been informed that the search operation began from November and this was the third operation conducted inside the hostels.

According Debina, when MUSU`™s volunteers approached the vice-chancellor demanding who gave the permission to the police to conduct operations inside the campus, the latter reportedly denied his hand in the incident.

However, he revealed that he directed the police personnel`™s to ask the registrar of the university, informed the vice president.

Strongly opposing the act of the police, A Debina, maintained that MU is an institute for higher learning and not a camp for any unwanted elements.

It is learnt that the after November, the police conducted search operation inside the boys`™ hostel on February 14 at around 1 pm. Subsequently, on February 19, the police also tried to conduct operation however with the intervention of MUSU`™s volunteers the attempt of the police was foiled.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/musu-protests-police-search-operations-in-students-hostels/

IMPHAL, Feb 20: The underground People`™s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, PREPAK, extended the party`™s revolutionary salute to all patriots who had given up their lives in the defence of the mother tongue, on the eve of the world mother tongue day.

In a release, the PREPAK said in the break neck competition between different linguistic groups in the modern world, many languages spoken by numerically weak communities are increasingly facing the danger of extinction.

It said the UNESCO has declared at least half of the world`™s 6800 languages are today in danger of complete disappearance. With this in mind, the UNESCO declared on November 17, 1999, that February 21 will be reserved as world mother tongue day. The inspiration for this was the fight for the Bengali language in the erstwhile East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, it said.

When Bangladesh was still part of Pakistan, Urdu was declared as the national language on March 21, 1948. The struggle for salvaging the Bengali language in the country began on this day, it said.

The widespread public agitations included teachers and other government servants relinquishing their services, it said adding, starting from February 21, 1952, street agitations by the public on the issue began turning violent. In police firing four people, Rafiq, Barkat, Jabbar and Salamgi, lost their lives.

Following the event, on February 29, 1956, Bengali was recognized as an official language not just in East Pakistan, but the entire Pakistan, it said.

But the seeds of sovereignty sown by the language agitation did not end there. In the course of the years, it transformed into the freedom struggle which ultimately led to the formation of a new nation, Bangladesh in 1971, independent of Pakistan.

It said the crisis the indigenous language of Kanglei began facing was flagged off in the beginning of the 18th Century with the arrival of Ramandi missionary, Santadas, and the forceful conversion of the kingdom to Hinduism, and with it the transition of the base of the Kanglei language to Sanskrit-Bengali. The landmark and tragic incident which marked this era was on October 5, 1732, when the sacred books of the Keinglei, Puya, were made bonfire of.

The resistance against this invasion began with Naoriya Phulo and Lamyanba Irabot, it said. Their fight was to preserve the indigenous cultures and language of Kanglei, it added.

The release also charged that the inclusion of the Kanglei language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, on August 20, 1992, is a ploy to Indianise the indigenous language. This is a colonial design to make the language neither here nor there, and deprive it of its `classical language`™ status.

The Kanglei language is widely distributed in South Asia and South East Asia, and it is for this reason this language is considered by the US Department of Education as one of the 169 `Political and Strategic Language` and in Europe it is considered as `Critical Language in Regional and International Level`.

The release said this being the case, it is absolutely necessary for the Kanglei language to be developed and promoted in consultation with intellectuals and experts in the field.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/prepak-greets-language-martyrs-on-world-language-day/

LAMKA, February 20: The 67th Zomi Namni (Zomi National Day) festival cum Mithun festival was celebrated at YPA Gen HQ Hall located at Hiangtam Lamka, Ccpur, grace as Chief Guest by Veteran Politician, Rishang Keishing Rajya Sabha MP and former Chief Minister of Manipur.
Thanglianpau Guite President of Zomi Reunification Organisation (ZRO),was Namni Pa,father of the national day and PS Haokip president of Kuki National Organisation (KNO), was president of the function.

Other dignitaries who attended the function were Health Minister Mr.Phungzathang Tonsing as Blue St of honour, MP of outer Manipur Thangso Baite and MLA of district namely PS to Manipur Govt. Vungzagin Valte, MTDC Chairman etc.

Rishang Keishing, speaking on the occasion said that all the 35 tribe settled in Manipur are one and we must love each other as God loves us all, “Jesus loves us irrespective of language, community etc and as he is the giver of love we must love one another and if one can`t love his neighbour and follow himself he deleted himself. God love us all and so let as do likewise to glorify the giver of love that`s him`.

The chief guest also spoke about the government`™s plan to have an inter-district headquarter of Manipur, quoting the Minister of surface transport Nitin Gadkari, which he said will further our unity.

The president of Zomi Re Unification Oganisation (ZRO) Thanglianpau, speaking as the chief host, recalled the sacrifices of the Zomi leader who had given their life, time and energy for the unity of the Zo San or Zo decencent.

He also recalled the genesis of the Zomi Namni(Zomi National Days up the 18th of Feb.1948 at Selam, Burma, the elders and and lovers of Zomi had gather where 99.9 % present had agreed and decided to have the day as zomi national day and since then we had celebrate the day”

The chief host further said that `we as Zomi are blessed and out main object should be unity` adding `we are unfortunate that we are divided in mainly three countries, Bangladesh ,Myanmar and India but we had now made our present felt in our respective settlement`.

He pointed out that the UPF/ZRO is pressing the government for Autonomous Hills District status.

Speaking as Namni Pa Mr PS Haokip said Zomis are one irrespective of what each tribe call themselves saying that these tribes had come from China.

Thangso Baite, MP, said that we must all introspect and accordingly the leader must chart out the next plan of action.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/zomi-leaders-call-for-unification/