Month: March 2015

IMPHAL, March 4: In keeping with the demand made on March 1 at a joint press meet by Janata Dal (United) and Aam Aadmi Party to extend the Assembly session for a few more days if the ILP Bill is not introduced in the ongoing session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the assembly session has been extended for two more days, stated JD (U) general secretary Len Gangte.

JD (U) expresses gratitude to the State government for its decision to extend the session for two more days to discuss the introduction of the ILP Bill or the Manipur Regulation of Visitors and Tenant Bill, 2015. JD (U) appreciates the decision of the government taken in the interests of the State`™s indigenous people, and welcomes it, he said.

The special Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, also the leader of the house, know the opinion of the people of the State and JD (U) hopes that the Bill will be introduced and passed in the interests of Manipuri people, he added. He said though the Bill is different from the draft Bill of the All political Parties Committee on ILP, JD(U) hopes that the Bill will be in the interests of the people, adding that it was the JD(U`™s main demand that the Bill be passed without any further delay.

He further condemned the Union Home Ministry for rejecting the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee report on AFSPA. The committee submitted the report on AFSPA giving hope to the people of the North East on June 6, 2005 that the report may help in getting the draconian and inhumane act repealed.

The State unit of JD (U) condemns the dismissal of the report by the NDA government upon which people have vested a lot of hope when it came to power. The NDA government must reconsider its decision on the report, and it`™s our main demand, he said.

Civil societies, women folks, scholars and students`™ organisations have pressurised the previous UPA government to repeal the draconian act from the NE region and J&K, he said, adding the Jeevan Reddy Committee report gave hope to the people that AFSPA could be repealed. However, it is unfortunate that the NDA government after coming to power has taken a stance which the UPA government maintained for more than a decade, he laments.

The much publicised focus on the NE states is meaningless if the BJP led NDA government vehemently opposes the repeal of AFSPA, he observed.

Meanwhile, Len Gangte also extended his warm wishes on the eve of the Yaoshang festival to all the people of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/no-further-delay-in-passing-ilp-bill-jdu/

IMPHAL, March 4: A government statement dated March 3 has said that the Governor has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all UGC projects implemented in all government and aided colleges in the State by a committee of officers.

The committee will consists of the Director of University & Higher Education, Govt of Manipur; the Joint Secretary (Higher & Technical Education), Govt of Manipur; the CE, SE or EE of Education Engg Wing (EEW), Manipur; the Joint Director of University & Higher Education, Govt of Manipur and the OSD of University & Higher Education, Govt of Manipur.

The committee is going to inspect all UGC projects implemented in all government and aided colleges and submit detailed reports work-wise indicating the maintenance of standards, specifications, name of contractor or work agency, who awarded the work orders, who gave the technical sanctions and how it was obtained, who gave the A/A & E/S for the works/amounts who sanctioned the amounts.

Further, role of Principals/i/c Principals, copies of sanction orders for each works executed/under execution, who authorised payments, cheque signing authorities/signatories, whether Bank A/Cs are operated with Govt/FD`™s approval, whether joint A/C holding of Bank A/Cs as per Govt instructions are followed, find out the veracity of the alleged nexus/middlemen between the Colleges and UGC NERO, Guwahati in getting UGC Projects sanctioned, etc. including any other related points relating to irregularities/violation of norms pertaining to the works.

The statement has asked the committee to submit its reports college-wise, within a period of 30 days from the date of issue of this order.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/committee-of-officers-to-inspect-all-ugc-projects-implemented-in-state/

IMPHAL, March 4: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System has in a press statement said it is not completely happy but welcomes the government`™s last minute decision to table a bill for enactment of a law for safeguarding the indigenous population of the State by extending the assembly session.

The release said, JCILPS came to know that the Business Advisory Committee report does not have an agenda to discuss the ILP issue and realized that the government was tryimg to neglect the demand of the people for enactment of a law by passing a bill in the ongoing 10th session of tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Following this various forms of agitation were launched with the support of the public to press the demands. Sit-in-protests were staged at various places in Imphal on March 2 demanding to discuss the issue in the ongoing assembly session, it further said.

It said the people are now waiting for the government to see if it going to keep its commitment by understanding the sentiments of the people as well as considering the opinions of the experts.

JCILPS has also demanded the government to consider the five points, which was submitted to the government earlier, while framing the law for safeguarding the indigenous population.

`By seeing the way it is acting, we cannot completely trust the government. We are preparing to launch various forms of agitation if the government fails to come up according to the wishes of the people,` it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/jcilps-welcomes-govt-decision-to-extend-assembly-session/

IMPHAL, March 4: In reaction to the Union Home Ministry`s recommendation for the rejection of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee report suggesting the repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, a one- day consultation on `the Armed Forces Special Power Act, Democracy and the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee Report, 2005`™ was held at the Manipur Press Club today.

A conglomerate of 15 civil organisations based in Manipur made a series of recommendations during the consultative meeting and condemn the latest development while terming the MHA`s move as an `ignorant attitude` and jointly urging the MHA to reconsider its decision.

The consultation was jointly organised by Human Right Alert, Human Right Initiatives, UNMM, EEVFAM, CARC, REACHOUT, JPF, NEDF, PAD, PPS, SDF(Trust), LSF, VWCOC, CRAM and CDC respectively.

The joint recommendations made in the day`s consultation include the sending of letters to UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and other relevant special Rapporteurs, and to invite MPs of the Union government and the European Union to visit Manipur to give them a firsthand account of the situation. The consultation also resolved to launch a series of protest and rallies against the MHA`™s decision.

Today`s consultation was also attended by OJ Meitei , consultant of UNMM`s; K Ranjit of FIDAM; Sect. of CRAM, Y Jiten; Y Ratan of HRI, Babloo Loitongbam, the HRA executive director.

Opposing the imposition of the draconian act, Y Jiten, speaking at the consultation, lamented the unexpected and sudden rejection of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee Report by the Union Home Ministry. He added the recent decision of the Union Home Ministry was made against the wishes of the people without listening to the people`s voice which should not be done in a democratic country. He appealed to the people of the State to stay united to root out the notorious AFSPA.

It may be recalled here that the Committee, which submitted its report to the Centre in 2005, described AFSPA as a `draconian law` and `a symbol of oppression`. The committee was set up in 2004, in the wake of intense agitations in Manipur following the killing of a woman, Thangjam Manorama, while in the custody of Assam Rifles and subsequent indefinite fast undertaken by activist Irom Sharmila.

The five-member committee, headed by Justice Jeevan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, had submitted its report on June 6, 2005.

The then Defence Minister, AK Antony, as well as all the Army Chief had taken a stand against the Committee`™s recommendation for repealing AFSPA. At one point of time, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had spoken against the tough provisions of the Act, which was shot down in the Cabinet by Antony and the then Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Both had argued in favour of the Armed Forces, stressing that no dilution of the AFSPA would be entertained at any cost.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/civil-bodies-to-launch-agitations-against-mhas-rejection-of-jeevan-reddy-committee-report/

R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, March 4: Taking cognizance of the importance of guiding students on choosing the best career option, the Zingtun Tangkhul Katamnao Long (ZTKL)in tandeem with the Somdal Katamnao Long (SKL) today organized a day-long seminar on career guidance under the theme “Choosing the right goal” at Vaomalan Hall, Somdal village in Ukhrul district.

As resource persons of the day, Ningshen Vashum, SP Ukhrul; Worshang Hungyo, SDO Ukhrul; Semmi Ramror, SDPO Chingai and career consultant AC Tamyo took it in turns to share their valuable advice drawn from their own experiences to a throng of participant students crammed in the hall.

Terming the present day as the age of quality, SP Vashum convinced the participants of the need to strive for quality in their studies no matter what hurdles come in the way. He also recolected how he faced problems due to lack of career guidance even after passing matriculation in 1984. He then testified that despite poverty he persevered to succeed in life.

Calling for grit and determination in pursuing careers, SDO Hungyo clearly got the message across to the young participants that early drug abuse and underage marriage amongst today`s youngsters are a big hindrance to success in life. He then advised the students to be sure of their choice of study streams they wish to persue after matriculation, while also advocating establishment of close relationship with God.

SDPO Ramror heartened up the participants asserting that it takes years of struggle to achieve one`s goal, while sharing his experience of years of striving to crack myriad of different competitive exams before attaining his goal.

Bringing up a conglomeration of a wide range of career choices open to students in the present day education scenario, career consultant Tamyo elaborated that career oportunities are endless; apart from civil services students could also opt for entrepreneurial careers like fashion, business, sports, mass communication and so on. He cautioned that student exercise utmost care in choosing their careers as it would once chosen, become a life long profession.

The day`s discussion was punctuated by special numbers from student participants from among the 300 students from different schools.

Revd Aping Khamrang, pastor, Somdal Baptist Church also invoked Almighty`s blessing for the candidates who are appearing the ongoing HSLC 2015 at Somdal centre.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/ztkl-brainstorms-on-students-career-path/

IMPHAL, March 4 (NNN): VL Vohra led five member expert team constituted by the government of India camping in the state to study the ground reality of various issues confronting the state has started recording opinions of civil and students organizations.

The delegation led VL Vohra, a retired IPS officer and comprising retired IAS AK Mago, retired IAS BS Lamba, journalist Kishalay Bhattacharjee and associate professor of Jamia Milia University New Delhi Dr M Amarjeet Singh arrived at Imphal on March 1 last.

During the last three days, the expert team has collected statistical data of security scenario of the state like cases related with Armed Forces (Special) Powers Act, activities of insurgencies, corruption charges, social issues arising out from time to time, etc. during the last few years.

A highly place source said the expert team was giving emphasis to the cases related with corruption charges and social issues coming from time to time besides studying ground reality of the developmental programmes being taken up in the state.

The expert committee has to compile a report about Manipur state for onward submission to the Central government, the source maintained.

With the completion of collection of data, the expert committee started recording opinions and comments of the civil and student organizations from today.

As part of it, an interaction programme was organized at Hotel Imphal this afternoon. Representatives of the Democratic Students`™ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), HERICON, Women`™s Wing of JCILPS, and Women Association for Socio-Economic Development were among others who attended the programme.

The interaction was concentrated on government response to public issues arising out from time to time in the state.

The team is scheduled to visit Senapati district tomorrow (Thursday) where they were scheduled to hold separate meetings with representatives of various civil and student organizations at two places.

The team will hold a meeting with students and youth leaders from Senapati District Students Association, ANSAM, ATSUM and women leaders of the district at SP Senapati office.

This will be followed by another round of meeting with leaders of Kuki Inpi, local leaders from Kuki association and women leaders at the office of the additional SP of Kangpokpi.

The team will also hold interaction with students and teachers of some schools in Kangpokpi area after the meeting with students and civil leaders at the same office of the ASP Kangpokpi, the source said.

On March 6, the expert team is scheduled to visit Moreh, the border town of Manipur at the border with Myanmar where they will hold separate meeting with officials of the Assam Rifles, Border Road Organisation BRO and Customs.

The meetings is expected to focus on the issues and problems facing by the AR in guarding the international border, BRO in taking up border fencing work and road development works and Customs in dealing with the cross border trade activities.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/centres-expert-team-begins-taking-public-opinions/