Day: May 18, 2015

IMPHAL, May 18: The BJP wants to overthrow the Congress government in the State and bring peace, harmony and development, asserted Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiran Rijiju today.

Addressing an election campaign for the BJP at Chandel today, the MoS said as long as there is Congress rule in the State, the people will continue to suffer pain and agony.

He said, his ministry receives reports of bandhs, blockades, dharna, etc in the State every day.

This is a clear indication of lack of good governance in the State, he asserted.

The Congress party has damaged Manipur and it will take several years to get back, he said appealing to the people not to give another chance to Congress.

He said the people should overthrow Congress and bring BJP to power for which it is important for the BJP to do well in the upcoming Autonomous District Council Election.

Although the government is there is protect and take care of the society and its people, the present Congress government has totally failed to fulfill the expectations of the public, he said.

Rijiju said Manipur is a beautiful State with a vast pool of resources. Its people have the potential to excel in many fields, however, the government has failed miserably in tapping all this resources and potential of the people, he said.

Road connectivity in the State is in a deplorable condition, he said adding that people are facing difficulties in their movement.

In such a scenario, the people in the remote areas and the hills especially must be facing many problems, he said.

Now is the time to teach the Congress government a lesson, he said appealing to the people to support the BJP in the ADC election.

`Our motto is not only to be in the government, our motto is to serve the people,` he stated before assuring that all possible steps will be taken up to develop the entire North East.

At the same time, he appealed to armed outfits operating in the State to return to normalcy.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/bjp-wants-to-overthrow-congress-and-bring-peace-in-the-state-rijiju/

IMPHAL, May 18: A double bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising of Justice Laxmikanta Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishwar has directed the Manipur government to allot a space in Greater Imphal area for people to assemble and hold peaceful protests.

The order has to be complied within three weeks from today.

The order came after a petition was filed to the High Court of Manipur by a member of Aam Aadmi Party, Digen Singh last year.

The petition was moved in court as the State government did not comply to the order of the then Governor of Manipur , VK Duggal to provide a space near the southern portion of Sahid Minar near Pologround or somewhere in Imphal, to enable the public for sit in protest, dharna, public speech etc. The order number GSM/Gen-8/2008 (Pt VII) was referred to the chief secretary on May 16 of last year.

According to the memorandum submitted by Digen Singh , the public has the right to assemble peacefully without arms and under the Constitution of India the right to freedom of expression.

It said in Manipur there are frequent agitations, and picketing occurs in front of the CM`™s bungalow, Governor`™s residence and other major crowded streets. During such times, unwanted incidents happen as tussle between the security forces and agitators constantly occur, violence is a fallout of such situations.

The need is there to tackle such scenarios and provide a common space for people to express themselves and protest peacefully, it said.

`As we are providing space for parks, gardens, playgrounds etc. we may provide a small space in the heart of Imphal in order to allow ventilation of thoughts and ideas of common people, intellectuals etc. So, the government of Manipur may kindly consider to provide a space for any meeting of public speech, protests etc. to avail fundamental rights under the constitution with reasonable restrictions,`™ it said.

The memorandum also cites that Delhi has Jantar Mantar, where citizens are allowed to gather peacefully and express their opinions.

The memorandum was reciprocated by the Governor, and forwarded to the chief secretary of Manipur.

However, despite the directive of the Governor, was not acknowledged by the State government. The AAP member Digen Sigh then petitioned to the High Court of Manipur as why the order has not been complied with.

The order was given today by the division bench that the space should be allocated within three weeks by the State Government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/hc-orders-state-to-provide-space-for-peaceful-agitations/

KANGPOKPI, May 18: Enforcing the ban imposed on Imphal based leading newspaper The Sangai Express and ISTV News Channel by Kuki Students`™ Organization GHQ the student body in Sadar Hills burnt down all the copies of The Sangai Express mean for distributing at Kangpokpi in full public view at around 7:30 am this morning.

Some volunteers of KSO Sadar Hills took all The Sangai Express copies from Zalaileng News Service Centre, Kangpokpi and burnt down in front of the news centre in full public view.

KSO Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen said that the KSO GHQ decision to ban the newspaper and the local television news channel is justifiable and accepted by all tribal people in hill district while adding that the people have been very much aware of the unethical journalism by the two media house and favoritism in reporting performance with respect to the Haorang Kairel killing incident and Thingsat killings.

He also said that ISTV News Channel will be closed from today in the town and cautioned the people not to subscribe the said printed and electronic media in the interest of the ethical journalism in the state.

Thangminlen Kipgen also warned that every morning volunteers will check every bus and vehicles transporting the ban newspaper in town and if anyone found violating the diktak suitable action will be taken accordingly while urging the bus association of Senapati district not to engage in transporting the said paper.

While appealing to all ISTV operator and subscribers in the town to disconnect the channel the student body president also warned to initiate proper action to those who violated it.

Meanwhile, The Sangai Express subscribers of Zalaileng News Service Centre, Kangpokpi asked the news hawkers to replace their subscription with another daily which makes a restless day for the News Centre staffs.

Source from Zalaileng News Service Centre, Kangpokpi said that there are more than 100 subscribers of The Sangai Express both English and Manipur Edition while adding that it is the largest subscribed and circulated daily in the town.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/kso-sh-burns-copies-of-tse-at-kangpokpi-warns-to-unsubscribe/

IMPHAL, May 18: Strong interference are meted out from underground outfits and pressurizing candidates of the upcoming ADC elections to either back away from contesting and to support their sponsored candidate.

The situation is prevalent in many ADC segments of the Sadar Hills jurisdiction, the political manipulation is mostly perpetrated by underground outfits who are presently in suspension of operations with the State and Central government. This was the main point of contention raised by many village elders, village chiefs of Purum Likli which comes under Mapao ADC segment of Sadar Hills. A flag hoisting function of BJP candidate of the said segment, namely Kaikam Kom today was held today at Purum Likli. Speaking at the occasion, President of the Komrem Union, Serto Kom said that the Union condemns the harassment meted out by the organizations to the candidates who are not sponsored by them. `We condemn the harassment and the forced politics favoritism in this area,` he added that elections should be free and fair.

Further adding to the charges, the BJP candidate Kaikam Kom lamented that the public of the area has not been able to exercise their voting rights. They are either intimidated by certain unlawful organizations to vote for their sponsored candidate and for other candidates to back away from contesting. `There is no peace during election time, politics are forced on the public, our democratic rights have been violated,`Kaikum said.

He mentioned that during the last election, he wanted to contest but was made to drop from campaigning as certain highly influential individuals had pressured him to do so. `We should not bow in to intimidation, I have been threatened this time also but I am not afraid. In the interest of the NGOs, I left the election last time as the candidate would win uncontested. This time, the public is behind me,` Kaikam added that no organizations are backing him but only the pressure of the public encourages him to stand for elections this time. `Unlike last time, there will be no `selection`™ and the choice of the people should be respected.` he said.

He highlighted that the elected ADCs are riding in swanky vehicles and questioned where the money for such luxury is coming from: an ADC member is given Rs 10,000 as salary for a month. `Are they public representatives or someone else`™s, let us not give in to the pressure and it is time that the public no longer remain afraid to exercise their democratic right.` he said.

It was learnt that an underground organization had threatened the candidate recently and asked him to bring an amount of Rs 10,000 to their designated camp.

The ceremony was attended by former minister C Doungel, BJP Yuva Morcha vice president; Ramthar Zimik, BJP president of Sadar Hills; Thangkholen Kipgen, Chairman of election committee; Campminthang and Emerson Bapui; Pastor of Purum Likli among other dignitaries.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/pressure-politics-at-sadar-hills-adc-elections-bjp-candidate-cries-foul/