APSCS points out flaws in Dhanamanjuri Varsity Bill

Pointing out several flaws in the Dhanamanjuri University Bill 2014 to be presented in the ensuing session of State Legislative Assembly, the Association of Premier State College Seniors APSCS , Manipur has urged the Chief Minister and Education Minis…

Pointing out several flaws in the Dhanamanjuri University Bill 2014 to be presented in the ensuing session of State Legislative Assembly, the Association of Premier State College Seniors APSCS , Manipur has urged the Chief Minister and Education Minister to defer the time of introduction of the Bill in public interest Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=24&src=150215

NE has unexplored business potential Dr Jitendra Singh

The Union Minister of State Independent Charge of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region DoNER , MoS PMO, Per sonnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Source The Sangai Express Agencies

The Union Minister of State Independent Charge of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region DoNER , MoS PMO, Per sonnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Source The Sangai Express Agencies

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=150215

Lui-Ngai-Ni 2015 greetings

MPHAL, Feb 14: The Governor of Manipur Dr KK Paul, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Inner Manipur MP Dr Thokchom Meinya, Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh and MPCC president Gaikhangam has

MPHAL, Feb 14: The Governor of Manipur Dr KK Paul, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Inner Manipur MP Dr Thokchom Meinya, Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh and MPCC president Gaikhangam has greeted the people of Manipur, especially Naga brethren, on the occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2015.

The Governor in his message said, `My heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur, especially to our Naga brethren on this happy and joyous occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2015.`

`Lui-Ngai-Ni is a festival celebrated by all the Nagas of Manipur on the February 15 every year for a bountiful and bumper harvest,`

`During the festival, people seek the blessings of the Almighty for a prosperous life. Apart from its traditional and customary attributes, the festival has now become popular as a Tourist Festival also bringing all communities together irrespective of caste, creed or religion.`

`This festival has come to signify peace, harmony and humanism for all. Let the festival be celebrated by all in its true spirit,` he added.

The Chief Minister in his message said, `I have great pleasure in greeting the people of Manipur especially our Naga brethren on the joyous occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival, 2015.`

`Lui-Ngai-Ni, the seed sowing festival, is one of the biggest festivals of the Nagas.`

`The festival assumes much significance as it not only occupies a unique position among the Nagas, but also among the people in the North East for it appeals for peaceful coexistence and at the same spreads the message of `live and let live,`™ cutting across the barriers of caste, creed and religion.`

`I hope the festival would be celebrated in its true spirit and the festival will strengthen the bond of oneness and brotherhood to all the people belonging to various communities living in the state.`

`I join our Naga brethren in the celebration of this joyous festival. My best wishes and warm greetings to all the people of Manipur on this happy occasion.`

Inner Manipur MP, Dr. Thokchom Meinya in his message said, `I wish that the festival would bring love, peace, prosperity and happiness to the people of Manipur and that the celebration would strengthen the bond of unity among the different communities of the State.`

Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh in his message said, `I pray the Almighty that this festival brings in prosperity, peace, and love to this land which is settled by different communities.`

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam on behalf of the committee has also extended heartiest greetings on this occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2015.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/luingaini-2015-greetings/

Lui-Ngai-Ni 2015 greetings

MPHAL, Feb 14: The Governor of Manipur Dr KK Paul, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Inner Manipur MP Dr Thokchom Meinya, Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh and MPCC president Gaikhangam has

MPHAL, Feb 14: The Governor of Manipur Dr KK Paul, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Inner Manipur MP Dr Thokchom Meinya, Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh and MPCC president Gaikhangam has greeted the people of Manipur, especially Naga brethren, on the occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2015.

The Governor in his message said, `My heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur, especially to our Naga brethren on this happy and joyous occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2015.`

`Lui-Ngai-Ni is a festival celebrated by all the Nagas of Manipur on the February 15 every year for a bountiful and bumper harvest,`

`During the festival, people seek the blessings of the Almighty for a prosperous life. Apart from its traditional and customary attributes, the festival has now become popular as a Tourist Festival also bringing all communities together irrespective of caste, creed or religion.`

`This festival has come to signify peace, harmony and humanism for all. Let the festival be celebrated by all in its true spirit,` he added.

The Chief Minister in his message said, `I have great pleasure in greeting the people of Manipur especially our Naga brethren on the joyous occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival, 2015.`

`Lui-Ngai-Ni, the seed sowing festival, is one of the biggest festivals of the Nagas.`

`The festival assumes much significance as it not only occupies a unique position among the Nagas, but also among the people in the North East for it appeals for peaceful coexistence and at the same spreads the message of `live and let live,`™ cutting across the barriers of caste, creed and religion.`

`I hope the festival would be celebrated in its true spirit and the festival will strengthen the bond of oneness and brotherhood to all the people belonging to various communities living in the state.`

`I join our Naga brethren in the celebration of this joyous festival. My best wishes and warm greetings to all the people of Manipur on this happy occasion.`

Inner Manipur MP, Dr. Thokchom Meinya in his message said, `I wish that the festival would bring love, peace, prosperity and happiness to the people of Manipur and that the celebration would strengthen the bond of unity among the different communities of the State.`

Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh in his message said, `I pray the Almighty that this festival brings in prosperity, peace, and love to this land which is settled by different communities.`

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam on behalf of the committee has also extended heartiest greetings on this occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2015.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/luingaini-2015-greetings/

Union CAF & PD Minister instructs lone LJP MLA in State to sit at the opposition bench

IMPHAL, February 14: The National leader of the Lok Janasakti Party (LJP) has instructed its lone MLA in the State, Karam Shyam to start sitting at the opposition bench of

IMPHAL, February 14: The National leader of the Lok Janasakti Party (LJP) has instructed its lone MLA in the State, Karam Shyam to start sitting at the opposition bench of the State Assembly as the party was fully supporting the NDA government after the last Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to the media at his reception function at Lilong Chajing, Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the LJP supported the UPA government`™s rule at the Centre during its rule but the party fought the elections at the last Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the BJP`™s prime ministerial candidate.

Now under the new NDA government, we are sitting at the treasury bench in Parliament and our lone MLA in the Manipur State Assembly must sit in the Opposition as there is a Congress government in the State, he said, adding it has been instructed to our party MLA to sit in the opposition bench from now on and we have written to him about this matter six months ago. During the national executive meeting on February 16, we will direct all our MLAs to support the NDA government, he informed.

Later, addressing a public meeting as the chief guest, the Union CAF & PD Minister said their party MLA in the State has made three demands which included the demand for the repeal of AFSPA, against which Irom Sharmila has been fasting for 15 years to get it repealed.

He said as an MP he has been raising the issue of AFSPA in Parliament so many times. Now, the Central government has changed under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi who is well aware about the NE states, he added.

After returning to Delhi, he will talk to the Prime Minister and submit a written letter demanding the removal of AFSPA, 1958; so that Irom Sharmila may end her fast and fulfil the demands of Manipuri people, he said.

As a Cabinet Minister of the NDA, he said, he assured that discrimination against NE people would never be tolerated during the NDA government at the Centre.

He said the NDA government considers the economic development of the NE as national development. The Prime Minster has instructed all the Union Cabinet Ministers to visit the NE states once in every three months to get acquainted with their difficulties and to remove those difficulties.

Ram Vilas Paswan assured the public that he would request the Chief Minister to implement the Food Security Act immediately. The FCI officials of Nagaland, South Assam and Manipur have been summoned to Imphal to discuss together the Food Security Act. The meeting which started today will end tomorrow, he added.

He admitted that the PDS item distribution in the State except in Langthabal were not able to satisfy the people. If the National Food Security Act is implemented, people will get wheat at Rs 2 per Kg and rice at Rs 3 per Kg. At least 84 percent of the population in rural areas will benefit from the Food Security Act. More storage rooms for food grains and other items of the FCI are going to be constructed so that there should not be any problem in distribution of grains to the public, he said.

Talking about the broad-gauge railway link from Lamding to Silchar, he said he had already discussed about its speedy completion with the Railway Ministry yesterday. As the broad-gauge railway link is unfinished, the State have to ferry FCI items from Dimapur, occasionally facing disturbances in some areas of Nagaland and Manipur. So, the Government was trying to immediately complete the Lamding-Silchar broad-gauge railway link by March 31 this year, he said, adding railway links to Mizoram and Manipur were not broad-gauge and will be converted into broad-gauge in the future.

Meanwhile, MLA Langthabal Karam Shyam has asked for a formal declaration and instruction from the Party to withdraw his support to the present Congress government in Manipur. He said he would absolutely obey the directions from the National party leaders.

He further expressed his support and advice to the LJP Manipur unit for the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections in early 2017 to strengthen the party and to get least 10 MLAs elected.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/union-caf-pd-minister-instructs-lone-ljp-mla-in-state-to-sit-at-the-opposition-bench/

Union CAF & PD Minister instructs lone LJP MLA in State to sit at the opposition bench

IMPHAL, February 14: The National leader of the Lok Janasakti Party (LJP) has instructed its lone MLA in the State, Karam Shyam to start sitting at the opposition bench of

IMPHAL, February 14: The National leader of the Lok Janasakti Party (LJP) has instructed its lone MLA in the State, Karam Shyam to start sitting at the opposition bench of the State Assembly as the party was fully supporting the NDA government after the last Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to the media at his reception function at Lilong Chajing, Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the LJP supported the UPA government`™s rule at the Centre during its rule but the party fought the elections at the last Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the BJP`™s prime ministerial candidate.

Now under the new NDA government, we are sitting at the treasury bench in Parliament and our lone MLA in the Manipur State Assembly must sit in the Opposition as there is a Congress government in the State, he said, adding it has been instructed to our party MLA to sit in the opposition bench from now on and we have written to him about this matter six months ago. During the national executive meeting on February 16, we will direct all our MLAs to support the NDA government, he informed.

Later, addressing a public meeting as the chief guest, the Union CAF & PD Minister said their party MLA in the State has made three demands which included the demand for the repeal of AFSPA, against which Irom Sharmila has been fasting for 15 years to get it repealed.

He said as an MP he has been raising the issue of AFSPA in Parliament so many times. Now, the Central government has changed under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi who is well aware about the NE states, he added.

After returning to Delhi, he will talk to the Prime Minister and submit a written letter demanding the removal of AFSPA, 1958; so that Irom Sharmila may end her fast and fulfil the demands of Manipuri people, he said.

As a Cabinet Minister of the NDA, he said, he assured that discrimination against NE people would never be tolerated during the NDA government at the Centre.

He said the NDA government considers the economic development of the NE as national development. The Prime Minster has instructed all the Union Cabinet Ministers to visit the NE states once in every three months to get acquainted with their difficulties and to remove those difficulties.

Ram Vilas Paswan assured the public that he would request the Chief Minister to implement the Food Security Act immediately. The FCI officials of Nagaland, South Assam and Manipur have been summoned to Imphal to discuss together the Food Security Act. The meeting which started today will end tomorrow, he added.

He admitted that the PDS item distribution in the State except in Langthabal were not able to satisfy the people. If the National Food Security Act is implemented, people will get wheat at Rs 2 per Kg and rice at Rs 3 per Kg. At least 84 percent of the population in rural areas will benefit from the Food Security Act. More storage rooms for food grains and other items of the FCI are going to be constructed so that there should not be any problem in distribution of grains to the public, he said.

Talking about the broad-gauge railway link from Lamding to Silchar, he said he had already discussed about its speedy completion with the Railway Ministry yesterday. As the broad-gauge railway link is unfinished, the State have to ferry FCI items from Dimapur, occasionally facing disturbances in some areas of Nagaland and Manipur. So, the Government was trying to immediately complete the Lamding-Silchar broad-gauge railway link by March 31 this year, he said, adding railway links to Mizoram and Manipur were not broad-gauge and will be converted into broad-gauge in the future.

Meanwhile, MLA Langthabal Karam Shyam has asked for a formal declaration and instruction from the Party to withdraw his support to the present Congress government in Manipur. He said he would absolutely obey the directions from the National party leaders.

He further expressed his support and advice to the LJP Manipur unit for the upcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly Elections in early 2017 to strengthen the party and to get least 10 MLAs elected.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/union-caf-pd-minister-instructs-lone-ljp-mla-in-state-to-sit-at-the-opposition-bench/

`One Billion Rising` held at Bishnupur

BISHNUPUR, Feb 14: Women Committee, United NGOs Mission Manipur organized `One Billion Rising Revolution`™ at Moirang Chengei Lampak, Bishnupur District today. The programme was hosted by New Life Foundation, Thamnapokpi

BISHNUPUR, Feb 14: Women Committee, United NGOs Mission Manipur organized `One Billion Rising Revolution`™ at Moirang Chengei Lampak, Bishnupur District today.

The programme was hosted by New Life Foundation, Thamnapokpi and Association for Rural Development and Women Empowerment Keinou.

In her keynote address, Sobita Mangshatabam, secretary, Women Action for Development (WAD) said that One Billion Rising is a global campaign to end violence against women, rise for justice and promote gender equality.

The campaign, launched on Valentine`™s Day 2012, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime, she said.

She further said that every February, they rise in hundreds of countries across the world to show the local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face.

In 2012 the One Billion Rising Campaign culminated in the biggest mass global action to end violence against women every with tens of thousands of events held in more than 190 countries, she said.

The event is being celebrated and a call for one billion women around the world to join to dance in a show of collective strength, she added.

Singing and dancing by women and NGOs representatives were the main highlights of the day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/one-billion-rising-held-at-bishnupur/

`One Billion Rising` held at Bishnupur

BISHNUPUR, Feb 14: Women Committee, United NGOs Mission Manipur organized `One Billion Rising Revolution`™ at Moirang Chengei Lampak, Bishnupur District today. The programme was hosted by New Life Foundation, Thamnapokpi

BISHNUPUR, Feb 14: Women Committee, United NGOs Mission Manipur organized `One Billion Rising Revolution`™ at Moirang Chengei Lampak, Bishnupur District today.

The programme was hosted by New Life Foundation, Thamnapokpi and Association for Rural Development and Women Empowerment Keinou.

In her keynote address, Sobita Mangshatabam, secretary, Women Action for Development (WAD) said that One Billion Rising is a global campaign to end violence against women, rise for justice and promote gender equality.

The campaign, launched on Valentine`™s Day 2012, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime, she said.

She further said that every February, they rise in hundreds of countries across the world to show the local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face.

In 2012 the One Billion Rising Campaign culminated in the biggest mass global action to end violence against women every with tens of thousands of events held in more than 190 countries, she said.

The event is being celebrated and a call for one billion women around the world to join to dance in a show of collective strength, she added.

Singing and dancing by women and NGOs representatives were the main highlights of the day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/one-billion-rising-held-at-bishnupur/

JD (U) reminds Union Home Minister of BJP`s promise to repeal AFSPA

IMPHAL, February 14: Janata Dal (United), State unit has reminded the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh to repeal AFSPA from Manipur as per the assurance given by BJP during the

IMPHAL, February 14: Janata Dal (United), State unit has reminded the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh to repeal AFSPA from Manipur as per the assurance given by BJP during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

This was stated by JD (U) president M Tombi Singh at a press conference at his office today, highlighting the charter of demands submitted to the Union Home Minister during a five-minutes meeting at Raj Bhavan before the departure of the Union Home Minister and Minister of State for Home, Kiran Rijiju for their next visit at Tripura.

Stating that the Union Home Minister listened to their demands attentively and assured to look into the demands seriously, he said the Union Minister responded positively to their demands.

Tombi Singh said the demands made were the replacing of AFSPA with a more humane Act, the deployment of Border Security Forces by replacing the Assam Rifles at International and State boundaries for safe-guarding the Nation and our State, the establishment of Special `High Way Protection Forces`™ in both the State`™s National Highways and the demolition of un-authorised NSCN (IM) hide-outs and camps at Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati districts.

He also stated that the party also told the Union Minister that no compromise must be made on the issue of territorial boundaries and asked for an early political solution with SoOs and surrender groups and also to give special reservation to the unemployed youths of the State in any recruitment of the Central forces.

Tombi further said that all the relevant documents including the notes from the book `India`™s war on democracy`™ regarding the implementation of AFSPA in the state were submitted to the Minister.

Half a century of imposition of AFSPA has escalated discontentment, institutional impunity and militarism in Manipur, he said, as AFSPA grants extraordinary powers to the Armed Forces.

In this context, no legal action can be taken against the Armed forces unless a prior permission is granted from the Union Government, he added.

The Act has created a culture of impunity, and in extreme cases, has given security forces a carte-blanche to commit many offences such as rape, torture and custodial killings, he alleged, adding that opposition to AFSPA has resonated widely in Manipur and the lone AFSPA crusader known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Shramila has vowed to continue her fast until and unless the act is repealed. He said that he also raised the issue of high-handedness of the Assam Rifles and asked the announcement of the India-Myanmar border area along with the State boundary as a `Special Mission`™.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/jd-u-reminds-union-home-minister-of-bjps-promise-to-repeal-afspa/

JD (U) reminds Union Home Minister of BJP`s promise to repeal AFSPA

IMPHAL, February 14: Janata Dal (United), State unit has reminded the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh to repeal AFSPA from Manipur as per the assurance given by BJP during the

IMPHAL, February 14: Janata Dal (United), State unit has reminded the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh to repeal AFSPA from Manipur as per the assurance given by BJP during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

This was stated by JD (U) president M Tombi Singh at a press conference at his office today, highlighting the charter of demands submitted to the Union Home Minister during a five-minutes meeting at Raj Bhavan before the departure of the Union Home Minister and Minister of State for Home, Kiran Rijiju for their next visit at Tripura.

Stating that the Union Home Minister listened to their demands attentively and assured to look into the demands seriously, he said the Union Minister responded positively to their demands.

Tombi Singh said the demands made were the replacing of AFSPA with a more humane Act, the deployment of Border Security Forces by replacing the Assam Rifles at International and State boundaries for safe-guarding the Nation and our State, the establishment of Special `High Way Protection Forces`™ in both the State`™s National Highways and the demolition of un-authorised NSCN (IM) hide-outs and camps at Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati districts.

He also stated that the party also told the Union Minister that no compromise must be made on the issue of territorial boundaries and asked for an early political solution with SoOs and surrender groups and also to give special reservation to the unemployed youths of the State in any recruitment of the Central forces.

Tombi further said that all the relevant documents including the notes from the book `India`™s war on democracy`™ regarding the implementation of AFSPA in the state were submitted to the Minister.

Half a century of imposition of AFSPA has escalated discontentment, institutional impunity and militarism in Manipur, he said, as AFSPA grants extraordinary powers to the Armed Forces.

In this context, no legal action can be taken against the Armed forces unless a prior permission is granted from the Union Government, he added.

The Act has created a culture of impunity, and in extreme cases, has given security forces a carte-blanche to commit many offences such as rape, torture and custodial killings, he alleged, adding that opposition to AFSPA has resonated widely in Manipur and the lone AFSPA crusader known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Shramila has vowed to continue her fast until and unless the act is repealed. He said that he also raised the issue of high-handedness of the Assam Rifles and asked the announcement of the India-Myanmar border area along with the State boundary as a `Special Mission`™.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/jd-u-reminds-union-home-minister-of-bjps-promise-to-repeal-afspa/

Kuki CSOs submit memo of grievances to Rajnath Singh

KANGPOKPI, Feb.14: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and other Kuki Civil Society Organizations met the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh yesterday at the Raj Bhavan, at the state

KANGPOKPI, Feb.14: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and other Kuki Civil Society Organizations met the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh yesterday at the Raj Bhavan, at the state capital city Imphal and apprised him of the grievances and problems faced by the Kukis.

The team comprising Thangkhosei Haokip, President KIM; Khaimang Chongloi, Gen. Secy. KIM; Dr. T. Lunkim, Chairman, Kuki Organization for Human Rights and Paotinthang Lupheng President, KSO-Ghq had also submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of Home in the presence of Kiren Rejiju, Minister of State (Home) and Shambu Singh, Joint Secy. for Home and North East in-charge.

In the memorandum signed by Thangkhosei Haokip, president KIM and Dr T Lunkim, chairman, KOHR, the Kuki bodies have included the allegedly long unattended but very important case of genocide and crimes of NSCN-IM while seeking amicable settlement to the crimes in the proper court in the country.

It alleged that NSCN-IM murdered 905 innocent Kukis including women (some pregnant), children, aged and invalid while uprooting 360 villages and seized their land besides and making 100,000 peoples refugees in their own land.

The matter has been submitted to five outgoing Prime Ministers and now to the Union Home Minister under the sixth Prime Minister added the memorandum, it.

This criminal acts must be settled in a proper Court of the country for justice and peace before any kind of settlement is brought with NSCN-IM which is the culprit fighting against the Indian government, it said.

The Kuki Inpi (Traditional Govt.) would never accept any kind of agreement or solution before settlement of the crimes committed by NSCN-IM asserted the memorandum.

Some out of more than 60 memoranda submitted in the past to the Centre were also enclosed in the memorandum.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/kuki-csos-submit-memo-of-grievances-to-rajnath-singh/

Kuki CSOs submit memo of grievances to Rajnath Singh

KANGPOKPI, Feb.14: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and other Kuki Civil Society Organizations met the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh yesterday at the Raj Bhavan, at the state

KANGPOKPI, Feb.14: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and other Kuki Civil Society Organizations met the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh yesterday at the Raj Bhavan, at the state capital city Imphal and apprised him of the grievances and problems faced by the Kukis.

The team comprising Thangkhosei Haokip, President KIM; Khaimang Chongloi, Gen. Secy. KIM; Dr. T. Lunkim, Chairman, Kuki Organization for Human Rights and Paotinthang Lupheng President, KSO-Ghq had also submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of Home in the presence of Kiren Rejiju, Minister of State (Home) and Shambu Singh, Joint Secy. for Home and North East in-charge.

In the memorandum signed by Thangkhosei Haokip, president KIM and Dr T Lunkim, chairman, KOHR, the Kuki bodies have included the allegedly long unattended but very important case of genocide and crimes of NSCN-IM while seeking amicable settlement to the crimes in the proper court in the country.

It alleged that NSCN-IM murdered 905 innocent Kukis including women (some pregnant), children, aged and invalid while uprooting 360 villages and seized their land besides and making 100,000 peoples refugees in their own land.

The matter has been submitted to five outgoing Prime Ministers and now to the Union Home Minister under the sixth Prime Minister added the memorandum, it.

This criminal acts must be settled in a proper Court of the country for justice and peace before any kind of settlement is brought with NSCN-IM which is the culprit fighting against the Indian government, it said.

The Kuki Inpi (Traditional Govt.) would never accept any kind of agreement or solution before settlement of the crimes committed by NSCN-IM asserted the memorandum.

Some out of more than 60 memoranda submitted in the past to the Centre were also enclosed in the memorandum.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/kuki-csos-submit-memo-of-grievances-to-rajnath-singh/

State hosts XII NEIAPSCON at RIMS

IMPHAL, February 14: The XII North East India Association of Paediatric Surgeon Conference organised by the North East chapter of the Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeon Conference, NEIAPSCON 2015 was

IMPHAL, February 14: The XII North East India Association of Paediatric Surgeon Conference organised by the North East chapter of the Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeon Conference, NEIAPSCON 2015 was inaugurated today at the Jubilee Hall, RIMS Imphal today.

The inaugural function was participated by RIMS director professor Ch Arunkumar Singh and department of Paediatric Surgery, AIIMS, New Delhi and president of IAPS professor Minu Bajpai as the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively. Organizing chairman NEIAPS professor S Rajendro Singh, chairman Reception Committee NEIAPS professor GS Moirangthem and organising secretary, NEIAPS Dr I Keshorjit Singh also attended the inaugural function.

Speaking to media persons, Prof. GS Moirangthem said the main topic of the conference is pediatric surgery (child surgery).

He asserted that as in various other fields, Manipur is gaining much popularity in paediatric surgery.

There are many differences in surgery of adults and children, as in the children the tissues are still underdeveloped and had to be given special therapy and care, he added.

The general surgeons at RIMS have been providing advice in paediatric cases due to the absence of a pediatric specialist in the hospital in the past he said.

However since the hospital has its own specialist and the facilities provided are top class, people should stop going outside the State for treatment of their new-born he said.

The professor continued that there are several cases of deformities in child birth in the State which is due to the negligence of the pregnant women who take drugs without consulting their doctors, consume alcohol during pregnancy and skip routine check-ups.

Today, RIMS has top class facility in paediatric and the patient parties can clear their doubts and queries from the officials concerned he continued. Prof. GS Moirangthem also said that the conference will be of much value to the participants.

As part of the inauguration ceremony a souvenir of NEIAPS 2015 was also released by the chief guest of the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/state-hosts-xii-neiapscon-at-rims/

State hosts XII NEIAPSCON at RIMS

IMPHAL, February 14: The XII North East India Association of Paediatric Surgeon Conference organised by the North East chapter of the Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeon Conference, NEIAPSCON 2015 was

IMPHAL, February 14: The XII North East India Association of Paediatric Surgeon Conference organised by the North East chapter of the Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeon Conference, NEIAPSCON 2015 was inaugurated today at the Jubilee Hall, RIMS Imphal today.

The inaugural function was participated by RIMS director professor Ch Arunkumar Singh and department of Paediatric Surgery, AIIMS, New Delhi and president of IAPS professor Minu Bajpai as the chief guest and guest of honour, respectively. Organizing chairman NEIAPS professor S Rajendro Singh, chairman Reception Committee NEIAPS professor GS Moirangthem and organising secretary, NEIAPS Dr I Keshorjit Singh also attended the inaugural function.

Speaking to media persons, Prof. GS Moirangthem said the main topic of the conference is pediatric surgery (child surgery).

He asserted that as in various other fields, Manipur is gaining much popularity in paediatric surgery.

There are many differences in surgery of adults and children, as in the children the tissues are still underdeveloped and had to be given special therapy and care, he added.

The general surgeons at RIMS have been providing advice in paediatric cases due to the absence of a pediatric specialist in the hospital in the past he said.

However since the hospital has its own specialist and the facilities provided are top class, people should stop going outside the State for treatment of their new-born he said.

The professor continued that there are several cases of deformities in child birth in the State which is due to the negligence of the pregnant women who take drugs without consulting their doctors, consume alcohol during pregnancy and skip routine check-ups.

Today, RIMS has top class facility in paediatric and the patient parties can clear their doubts and queries from the officials concerned he continued. Prof. GS Moirangthem also said that the conference will be of much value to the participants.

As part of the inauguration ceremony a souvenir of NEIAPS 2015 was also released by the chief guest of the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/state-hosts-xii-neiapscon-at-rims/

The rocking chair

By RK Lakhi Kant Chair at a furniture shop makes me imagine what if I have one of my own. Easy chairs, would you allow me to be comfortably seated;

By RK Lakhi Kant

Chair at a furniture shop
makes me imagine what if
I have one of my own.
Easy chairs, would you allow
me to be comfortably seated;
a nervous start begins your
rocking movement, every time
someone sits on you.
Why aren`t you accommodating
like other seats which don`t
move unnecessarily.
I do not know your mind;
I feel you are benevolent,
somehow making me sure
you can keep me seeking
the slow pace of mind I desire.
Do you recognize that
I will grow older and
my breath mild and
sitting on you would be
a risk to take.
Soon as I near you these
considerations call for caution.
The insecurity gives me
reason to keep moving
elsewhere in my house
without any anxiety.
Lively alternatives in
otherwise drab households.
Like an artist at rest
with the world moving around;
symbolized by new thoughts,
a current, living realities;
igniting a deliberation.
You wait patiently for
someone to sit on you
to enjoy the presence
of thinking minds.
I too would like the
company you get
in this way – warm intellect.
Creativity thrives in
your repose.
There`s some magic in you
which makes me
feel comfortable even
in discomfort.
While on you I
can`t listen to music
and tap my feet in rhythm;
which is unlike other chairs.
In this way you dissuade
me from worldly entertainment.
Transport me in your motion.
In your rocking
you never move any
distance yourself, but
persuade me to discover
and experience the
limits of eclectic composition
and poise.
I do need a well wisher like you;
my friend in life.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/the-rocking-chair/

The rocking chair

By RK Lakhi Kant Chair at a furniture shop makes me imagine what if I have one of my own. Easy chairs, would you allow me to be comfortably seated;

By RK Lakhi Kant

Chair at a furniture shop
makes me imagine what if
I have one of my own.
Easy chairs, would you allow
me to be comfortably seated;
a nervous start begins your
rocking movement, every time
someone sits on you.
Why aren`t you accommodating
like other seats which don`t
move unnecessarily.
I do not know your mind;
I feel you are benevolent,
somehow making me sure
you can keep me seeking
the slow pace of mind I desire.
Do you recognize that
I will grow older and
my breath mild and
sitting on you would be
a risk to take.
Soon as I near you these
considerations call for caution.
The insecurity gives me
reason to keep moving
elsewhere in my house
without any anxiety.
Lively alternatives in
otherwise drab households.
Like an artist at rest
with the world moving around;
symbolized by new thoughts,
a current, living realities;
igniting a deliberation.
You wait patiently for
someone to sit on you
to enjoy the presence
of thinking minds.
I too would like the
company you get
in this way – warm intellect.
Creativity thrives in
your repose.
There`s some magic in you
which makes me
feel comfortable even
in discomfort.
While on you I
can`t listen to music
and tap my feet in rhythm;
which is unlike other chairs.
In this way you dissuade
me from worldly entertainment.
Transport me in your motion.
In your rocking
you never move any
distance yourself, but
persuade me to discover
and experience the
limits of eclectic composition
and poise.
I do need a well wisher like you;
my friend in life.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/the-rocking-chair/

JNV, Chandel students stage sit-in protest

THOUBAL, February 14: With the concerned authorities having failed to take up any actions on the case of a Class XII student stabbing his teacher even after three days, students

THOUBAL, February 14: With the concerned authorities having failed to take up any actions on the case of a Class XII student stabbing his teacher even after three days, students of Jawarhar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandel staged a sit-in protest at the Gate of the school today.

From the morning, large number of students of the Vidyalaya staged the protest by holding several placards inscribed with `We want DC`™s prompt action, we want proper solution regarding this issue, take up immediate action, we want the culprit to be arrested, etc.`

Speaking to media persons, a student of Class XI from the science stream said the protest was held following the inaction of the concerned authorities even after three days of the incident in which a student of Class XII stabbed a teacher.

The students were compelled to intensify the agitations as the concerned authorities have failed to take up appropriate actions in connection with the incident, the student said, adding the State government as well as the concerned authorities will be held responsible for any untoward incident.

Expressing displeasure at the indifference of the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel who is also the Chairman of the School Managing Board, the student further said that if he could not pay a visit, the Deputy Commissioner should at least send his representative to oversee the situation.

It is unfortunate that the DC who also happens to be the chairman of the school did not bother to visit even after the crime was committed inside the school premises, he added.

Questioning the intention of the Deputy Commissioner for not taking up any initiatives to solve the problem till date, the student further said that the DC should take up initiatives to bring an amicable solution at the earliest to bring back normalcy and ensure an atmosphere of security in the minds of the students and teachers.

It may be mentioned here that a class XII Science student of JNV Chandel stabbed his teacher KC Alex Pamei, critically injuring him inside the school premises last Tuesday.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/jnv-chandel-students-stage-sitin-protest/

JNV, Chandel students stage sit-in protest

THOUBAL, February 14: With the concerned authorities having failed to take up any actions on the case of a Class XII student stabbing his teacher even after three days, students

THOUBAL, February 14: With the concerned authorities having failed to take up any actions on the case of a Class XII student stabbing his teacher even after three days, students of Jawarhar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Chandel staged a sit-in protest at the Gate of the school today.

From the morning, large number of students of the Vidyalaya staged the protest by holding several placards inscribed with `We want DC`™s prompt action, we want proper solution regarding this issue, take up immediate action, we want the culprit to be arrested, etc.`

Speaking to media persons, a student of Class XI from the science stream said the protest was held following the inaction of the concerned authorities even after three days of the incident in which a student of Class XII stabbed a teacher.

The students were compelled to intensify the agitations as the concerned authorities have failed to take up appropriate actions in connection with the incident, the student said, adding the State government as well as the concerned authorities will be held responsible for any untoward incident.

Expressing displeasure at the indifference of the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel who is also the Chairman of the School Managing Board, the student further said that if he could not pay a visit, the Deputy Commissioner should at least send his representative to oversee the situation.

It is unfortunate that the DC who also happens to be the chairman of the school did not bother to visit even after the crime was committed inside the school premises, he added.

Questioning the intention of the Deputy Commissioner for not taking up any initiatives to solve the problem till date, the student further said that the DC should take up initiatives to bring an amicable solution at the earliest to bring back normalcy and ensure an atmosphere of security in the minds of the students and teachers.

It may be mentioned here that a class XII Science student of JNV Chandel stabbed his teacher KC Alex Pamei, critically injuring him inside the school premises last Tuesday.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/jnv-chandel-students-stage-sitin-protest/

Tripura insurrection marginalised beyond recovery

By Pradip Phanjoubam (The following is a report the author wrote six years ago after a conducted tour of Tripura for senior journalists of Manipur and Assam, organised by the

By Pradip Phanjoubam

(The following is a report the author wrote six years ago after a conducted tour of Tripura for senior journalists of Manipur and Assam, organised by the Army. The report is being reproduced as a retrospective glance back to see much has developed or not so in the time which have elapsed)

Insurgency in Tripura is veritably on its last leg. At least that is what it appears to be at this moment. A lot many of the underground cadres, belonging to all of the organisations operating in the state, most prominently National Liberation Front of Tripura, NLFT, All Tripura Tiger Force, ATTF, and Borok National Council of Tripura, BNCT, are surrendering in an ever increasing frequency and number.

It also became evident even during very brief interaction sessions with several of these surrendered militants at various Army camps in the length and breath of the state, in a day`™s tour facilitated by the Indian Army which arranged for the service of an Army helicopter for senior journalists and editors from Manipur, Nagaland and South Assam, that the militant morale across the board is in very low ebb.

The words of one of the surrendered NLFT, Sanjay Jamatia, 29, at the Assam Rifles headquarters at Kanchipura in North Tripura elaborated this state of mind in explaining why he surrendered: `There was no food to eat, no clothes to wear. No hope that we would ever succeed.`

At this camp, in the past few days there had been four surrenders and they joined another 100 or so who had come out of the jungles ahead of them. The weapons the four surrendered also were pretty eloquent about the condition that Jamatia described in his brief sketch of the rebellion. There was a rundown Self Loading Rifle, SLR, which anybody would doubt is still in working condition, two single round country made pistols, a dozen or two assorted ammunitions, a half dozen or so jungle knives, linen backpacks, and other improvised jungle survival paraphernalia.

If Napoleon`™s famous statement that an army marches on its stomach holds good for insurgents as well, then it must be concluded that this rag tag rebel army has lost its stomach `“ both literally, as the source of their revenue seems to have been effectively cut off by effective counter insurgency measures, and metaphorically because the cadres do not any more seem to have the fire of rebellion left in their bellies.

Jamatia said they did occasionally get to see their leaders while they were in the jungles, but for most of the time they were on their own, with their leaders away in the relative safety and comforts of towns and cities in Bangladesh.

However, tried as some of the journalist did, even to the extent of feeding words into their mouths, they showed little evidence they were bitter with their former leaders or colleagues. The overwhelming sense was that it was utter hopelessness that led them to decide to surrender.

This may also explain why they seem to have little interest in being absorbed into the counter insurgency whirlwind. They were also little afraid of reprisal by their former colleagues. All they wanted was to live a normal life again, and a means to livelihood. `The insurgency exists only in the jungles, and we will be safe in the cities and towns,` they said.

Officers of the Army that the pressmen interacted with, agreed on this point.

One other thing was also written large on the faces of the surrendered cadres, most of them still in their worn-out camouflage uniforms `“ the indelible scars of a past hopelessly and awfully gone wrong and the uncertainty of a new future ahead.

On being queried, Jamatia said in broken Hindi he joined the rebellion to fight for freedom but did not answer whether he still believed in that freedom. Obviously, like the rest, he became disillusioned running after the intangible and now wants only a tangible respectable life.

At Teliamura camp, Jarma Charan, a former lieutenant with the NLFT, told the media team that he most prefers to be absorbed into the security forces to become a respectable soldier. If not, he would like to be running a farm.

This sentiment was echoed by the rest of the surrendered militants. `We wish the government would give us the skills and resettle us in community farms where we can work and earn respectable livelihoods together through our sweat and toil,` is the common refrain.

Whatever may be the hiccups, there is no denying that counter insurgency measures in Tripura is a success. The proof of this pudding is already evident and it does seem inevitable at this moment that insurgency in the state would be on an incremental basis marginalised in the years ahead.

The question that follows is, can this example be emulated in other insurgency torn states? In attempting the answer, the factors behind the Tripura success will be have to be analysed more closely.

At every Army and Assam Rifles headquarters the journalists were taken, the near consensual voice amongst authoritative officers is that the Army could not have done what it has done all by itself, and that it was the all out cooperation from the Tripura government that smoothed out so many of the stubborn creases faced by such projects in other states.

Commandant of 15th Assam Rifles Col. A.K. Chatterjee, citing example of this cooperation said the first and foremost show of seriousness of intent by the Tripura government in this new counter insurgency thrust is the generous rehabilitation package it has announced.

Every surrendered militant, while he undergoes vocational training as per his inclination and aptitude under the Army, gets Rs. 3000 a month, which will be credited into a recurring fix deposit account in his name. The interest from this amount would meet his maintenance cost while still in training with the Army. When he is through and is ready to enter his new vocation, the matured fixed deposit would give him Rs. 1.5 lakhs to start off on his new journey.

`Many of these boys would be allowed to participate in recruitment rallies of the Army, police and other security establishments, so that if they qualify, they would get into these jobs,` Col. Chatterjee said.

Col. Chatterjee also was confident many of them would actually make it. `They are already close to the groove, having had very similar trainings in their past callings. Since most of them are tribals, their qualification mark would also be just Class-8 pass, which most of them are. The most formidable stumbling blocks for many of them would be age, as they would become automatically disqualified after 27,` he said.

The government also does not unnecessarily interfere with the Army`™s functioning, he said. `There is a unified command to coordinate counter insurgency operations between the Army and other civil security organisations, and nobody is designated as the overall commander so as to avoid unnecessary protocol and ego frictions. Still, each organisation functions as a separate unit but in coordination and cooperation with each other.` Col. Chatterjee said.

The approach has been yielding results and has shown immense promise. The Army applies the `stick`, keeping the rebels on the run and constantly under pressure. `The rebel morale was deflated considerably after the Army in recent operations `neutralised`™ (a euphemism for elimination) many important functionaries of the rebel forces,` Col Chatterjee added.

The government couples this up with the `carrot` in the shape of a handsome and `sincere` rehabilitation package.

The Army itself has also been doling its own bit of `carrot` job. In projects that it calls WHAM (winning hearts and minds), it has also been reaching out to various villages, building playgrounds, village approach roads etc.

Over and above this, there is all out support from the local population in the endeavour, Army spokesmen said.

This could be because the ideology behind tribal militancy in the state runs counter to the interest of the overwhelming majority Bengali population.

Whatever the background of demography upsets and consequent alteration of power structures in the state, the fact is, militancy in Tripura today has become a marginal affair, restricted to the jungles and remote regions of the state`™s peripheries, so much so that the cities and towns are almost oblivious of the unrest, except occasionally through newspaper reportage of stray incidents of violence.

We did not have much time during the one-day trip to interact with independent observers, but some of us did manage to get some inputs, basically from journalist friends based in the state.

According to them, the clean, relatively corruption free image of Tripura`™s political leadership has helped considerably. Whatever else may be its reputation, the communists which have been in power in the state for decades together now, are known for neutrality on the ethnic question too.

Many of the state`™s chief ministers, notably Nripen Chakrovarty, actually by choice lived Spartan lives and retired and died as ordinary, less than rich, middle class citizens.

With a relatively corruption free political establishment, the bureaucracy too has remained relatively free of the same scourge.

What you have then is a functioning government, with visible signs of good governance everywhere for all to appreciate. Hence, roads and highways are well made and maintained. City garbage are cleared, power supply is good, and even during the lean seasons, residents of Agartala city suffer only two hours load shedding a day, drinking water is adequate etc. Not the least, the law and order situation is under control, extending working hours for private businesses well into non daylight hours, long after most other north eastern cities are shut and fast asleep.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/02/tripura-insurrection-marginalised-beyond-recovery/