June 2015 – Page 50 – Manipur News

Villagers yet to return home post June 4 Ops

Most of the villagers of Paraolon and Challong of Chandel district who had fled to the district headquarters and other neighbouring villages in the aftermath of the June 4 ambush on 6 Dogra Regiment, are yet to return home Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=24&src=140615

GOCinC visits

GOC in C of Army’s Eastern Command Lt Gen MMS Rai visited Manipur and reviewed the prevailing security situation in the State yesterday Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=140615

Hospital Accreditation awareness program

If the health care and hospitality sector in the State is accredited by National Accreditation Board of Hospital the health care and hospitality system in Manipur will improve said Dr Jyoti Rana Das Managing Partner of Integra Ventures Guwahati in the …

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=32&src=140615

Suspicious IED turns out to be TV set

IMPHAL, June 13: In a stunning incident, a team of 22 Assam Rifles led by an officer on seeing a suspicious object believed to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

IMPHAL, June 13: In a stunning incident, a team of 22 Assam Rifles led by an officer on seeing a suspicious object believed to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by underground activists along the Imphal-Sugnu road blocked the road for a while to detect the bomb, however, the object later turned out to be a television set.

The incident took place today morning around 6 in an area situated between Wabagai Lamkhai and Lamjao village along the Imphal-Sugnu road under Kakching Police Station in Thoubal district.

According to reports, a team of 22 AR posted at Wabagai Keirak was on a Road Opening Party (ROP) duty when they saw a suspicious object believed to be an IED lying in a field along the Imphal-Sugnu road.

Assuming that the object was an IED bomb, the AR personnel immediately blocked the road and dispersed nearby villagers.

However, when they checked the object, it turned out to be a television set. Later, the television set was handed over to a villager of Lamjao.

A team of Kakching Police arrived at the area and seized the television set from the posession of the villager. According to them, the television set was kept concealed in the field by a thief, the reports stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/suspicious-ied-turns-out-to-be-tv-set/

Girl rescues injured animal; veterinary hospital defunct

By Paojel Chaoba IMPHAL, June 13: If you come across an injured animal in the streets, the general reaction is to think that it is a sad event and generally

By Paojel Chaoba

IMPHAL, June 13: If you come across an injured animal in the streets, the general reaction is to think that it is a sad event and generally walk past the harmed being. However, not all people are alike and there is one among the crowd that just do not show concern, but rather act on it.

One such person is Rajkumari Neha, a 12 standard student of North Point School. She was driving along Uripok Kangchup road to buy medicine, when their vehicle beam flashed on a cow lying bloodied near the road crossing of Uripok Khaidem Leikai. The cow`™s mammalary gland was torn apart (an earth mover had struck the cow with the teeth of the vehicle and drove away.) The scene was more poignant as a month old calf was braying for its mother to get up.

Neha decided to act on the situation and went to the local electronic cable channel, IS Tv to report the incident as the owner may come forward.

She was replied that it was too late for the telecast since it was almost 10.30 pm and the technical team had left. Undeterred, she went to two local newspapers to put an advertisement and was carried so today.

However, as the owner failed to turn up, Neha decide that the minutes were mattering and the cow`™s injury could turn fatal if left untreated. She called up friends and a relative of hers who owns a cargo vehicle. Then, with the help of people from the accident spot, the injured animal along with the calf were hauled up the vehicle and taken to the State Veterinary Department at Sanjenthong at around 10.30 am today. There, the staff told the team to wait and that the doctor would be arriving any minute. But, despite waiting for one hour and more, no doctor came nor was any emergency medical treatment given at the animal hospital. As the animal was severely bleeding, the wait would lead to certain death for the animal. So, the team got in touch with Dr. Devkishore, who runs a private veterinary clinic called `Claws and Paws`™at Keisampat area.

Today , the doctor was looking after his farm located at Meitei Langol, Game Village. The People for Animals, Manipur (PFA) also got in touch with Neha Rajkumari and together took the animal to the said farm. On arrival, the doctor who was planning a Saturday lunch with friends dropped everything and gave emergency treatment to the cow. Oxygen and anesthesia was administered along with intravenous saline solutions to prevent dehydration. The udder of the cow which was falling out was stitched again. The entire operation took nearly three hours to complete . It was a testing time for the PFA volunteers , Neha and the doctor. Finally, the operation was over at approximately 4 pm.

The cow was given fodder and water, it could not rise to its feet immediately but regained strength to sit up and eat. Nearby, the month old calf hidden from view of its mother also lay exhausted, as it could not nourish for more than 40 hours. As a PFA volunteer went upto it, the startled calf sprang to its feet and started to bellow! At that time, the mother heard the sound and also cried back to be reunited with her offspring but could not get up. It was a touching moment for all the people that present at that time. Dr Devkisore exclaimed that the reaction of the mother was a good sign and there is every hope of a speedy recovery. The injured animal would be looked after at the Langol farm till full recovery is made, the doctor added.

`The medicine and other materials are provided free of cost by the doctor from his own pocket for the treatment,` PFA managing trustee, L Bishorjit said. The profits which comes from the doctor`™s private clinic is used to treat animals in need. Bisorjit complained that it is the duty of the Imphal Municipal Council to impound the stray animals let loose in the municipal area. However, there is no heed for the law and IMC turns a blind eye to the stray animals, which endangers animal and public alike.

Neha Rk also mentioned that without the help of PFA and the doctor, the animal would have died for sure. She asked the role of Veterinary Department and the animal hospital, `I am doubtful whether the doctors really care to treat animals, perhaps they feel that `animals should be treated as animals`™ as they cannot voice their plight, ` she said.

The pertinent question is what the State Veterinary Department is actually doing ? The matter has been advertised in the papers and suo moto action could have been taken up. But, even when the injured animal was taken to the treatment centre, no medical aid was given nor did any doctor arrive. The best result is the exemplary initiative taken by a young girl and with her determination helped to save the life of a cow and her calf.

Sources mentioned that requesting calls came from authorities of the State Veterinary Department not to disclose this matter to the media.

AMWJU appoints advisors

IMPHAL, June 13: The All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) has said that it had unanimously appointed advisors and Manipur Press Club Management Committee (7 members) for the period 2015-17

A statement issued by the newly appointed general secretary of AMWJU, Jit Ningombam, stated that the union has appointed veteran journalists Tombiraj, Salam Bharat Bhusanand as advisors and advocate Chongthem Ngonno as the Legal advisor.

It said that the union also appointed 7 members for the Press Management Committee including senior Journalist Imocha Elangbam of Ireibak daily, Dhanabir Maibam of Imphal Free Press, A Chandani Devi of Athouba (monthly journal), Nomita Khongbantabam of Hueiyen, Lanpao, S Maniton of Kangla Pao, Ramananda Leishangthem of Impact TV and Taorem Biswajit of Sanaleibak.

The statement further said that felicitating the newly appointed members of the AMWJU including the newly appointed Indian Journalists`™ Union secretary, Ratan Luwangcha and Editors, a `Get together` programme will be organised tomorrow at the Manipur Press Club at 6 pm.

The programme will be attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam, Commerce and Industry minister Govindas Konthoujam, Social Welfare minister AK Mirabhai, Agriculture minister, Abdul Nasir and AMWJU`™s president W Shamjai, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/amwju-appoints-advisors/

`Farmers should adopt new technologies to increase production`

IMPHAl, June 13: The Agricultural Technology Management Agency, AITA Churachandpur today organised a Within State Farmers`™ Training programme on `Integrated Farming System towards Sustainable Agriculture` at the conference hall of

Speaking at the workshop, Agronomy HoD, Central Agriculture University L Nabachandra said there is a rapid improvement of new technologies in the field of farming and it is vital for the farmers to educate themselves on the new technologies.

This will help in increasing their productivity, save energy and time and most importantly help them economically, he added.

He further said that if the farmers can accept the coming of new technology and get used to it, agricultural productivity in the State can be abundant and help in economic crisis.

He also highlighted the importance of crop diversification stating that various kinds of crops should be planted and farmers should not stick with just cultivating a single crop.

Single crop plantation will eventually aggravate the quality of the soil which will lead to decrease in productivity, while multi crops farming will maintain the quality of the soil, he observed.

AITA, Churachandpur project director, M Gyanendro said there is a huge lack of information among the farmers about the new technologies used in farming. The main objective of the training programme is to educate the farmers about the new technologies they can use in farming, help them in capacity building and at the same time provide up-to-date information in the field of farming to improve their fields productivity.

Gyanendro further appealed to the farmers attending the programme to cooperate and assist them in making the training programme a success.

Today`™s function was also attended by State Agricultural Management & Essential Agency Institute (SAMETI) deputy director as guest of honour.

ATSUM warns closure of Hr Secondary schools in hill districts

IMPHAL, June 13: The All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) led by Muan Tombing, has threatened to close down higher secondary schools in the entire hill districts with effect from

IMPHAL, June 13: The All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) led by Muan Tombing, has threatened to close down higher secondary schools in the entire hill districts with effect from June 14 in case the State government fails to meet the deadline served by ATSUM to fulfill its charter of demands.

Announcing the decision during a press conference held at its office today, Muan Tombing revealed that ATSUM will resort to cut off all communications including ban on national projects, as second phase of its agitation.

It may be mentioned that ATSUM submitted an ultimatum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, on April 13 reminding the latter to fulfill its long pending demands within the stipulated time of April 14 to June 14, 2015.

The ATSUM`™s president recalled that on October 22, 2014 the executive members of the ATSUM met the Chief Minister of Manipur wherein the CM had agreed to meet several terms of the ATSUM.

Elaborating on the agreement reached, he said assurance was given by the Chief Minister for setting up and making ST commission functional on the eve of new year 2015 which has remain mere wishful thinking.

Subsequently, the ATSUM felt that it was pertinent to serve an ultimatum in the interest of the tribal for early activation of ST commission on or before June 14, 2014.

With regards to the regularisation of 705 contract lecturers, the government was reminded to complete the special formalities of regularisation before the commencement of the academic session 2015-16, he added.

To streamline and strengthen the functioning of the education department, the Government of Manipur in an order Imphal, June 1 2007 had bifurcated the duties and responsibilities between the directors and additional director of Education (S) department, Tombing pointed out.

At the same time, the same was agreed upon in the discourse between GOM and ATSUM, Education Minister and director Education (S) had given the assurance to publish it in a gazette very shortly. However, nothing has been implemented till date besides the additional directors (hills) has been given neither the responsibilities of the hills nor the power to function as given in the order, continued the ATSUM president.

Issues pertaining to manipulation and exploitation of tribal quota in Manipur legislative Assembly, transfer of land records and special recruitment drive in JNIMS etc are featured in the demands of the ATSUM.

The press meet held at its office located at Nagaram, Imphal was also attended by ATSUM finance Secretary SR Andria, Education Secretary Lovejoy Shimrah and its Vice President Korophun.

Independent candidates float new party

LAMKA, June 13: Newly elected members of the Autonomous District Council Churachandpur who fought the recent election as independent candidates today formed a new party called the Hills People Alliance,

According to the sources, the 17 independent candidates who won the election had camped themselves somewhere in Churachandpur ever since the declaration of the election results to decide on the future course of action.

Although no official statement has been issued to confirm the formation of the new party, it is speculated that the party will be led by chairman of the last ADC Langkhanpau Guite of 12-Tiuivai DCC.

He won the election garnering 3691 votes out of 3693 while his lone opposition Suantak garnered only two votes.

Sources also said that the newly formed party will seek official recognition of the party soon and lay claim to the ADC Churachandpur.

Prior to the election they had expressed displeasure with the responses of both the State and Central governments in regarding to the demand for devolution of power to the ADC and opted to fight as independent candidates.

Of the six DCC, in the State Churachandpur is the only one where independent candidates secured the most seats with the national parties securing only six seats between them.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/independent-candidates-float-new-party/

CLWHIV seek government`s attention to address issues confronting them

IMPHAL, June 13: A two-day consultation workshop on `Orphan and Vulnerable Children`™ (OVC) was inaugurated today at the Conference hall of Hotel Nirmala participated by Children Living With HIV/AIDS and

The workshop organised by the World Vision in collaboration with the Manipur network of Positive people or MNP+ aims to identify and address the issues confronting the children.

Children attending the programme today also submitted a set of recommendation to State Social Welfare/ TA and Hill principal secretary SK Dev Verman and deputy director (Care Support and Treatment (CST), IEC, M&E, Blood Safety) MSACS Dr RK Rosie seeking government attention against the issues encountered by CLWHIV and PLWHIV in the State.

The children pleaded the government officials to help them avail counseling at all the ART centres in the State and ask doctors to spend more time with the children, concession for medical expenses, proper nutritional supports, fee concessions and quota in private schools and colleges and to held mass awareness and sensitization programs in various medium to help mitigate the stigma and discrimination faced by the CLWHA.

The recommendation submitted to the officials also include IEC materials (Information, Education and Communication) and social protection schemes to be made available in different dialects of the State, criteria relaxation while applying for Social protection Schemes, uninterrupted supply of medicines OIs (opportunistic infection), ART in all centres etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr RK Rosie asserted that there are 2971 infected children as per recent MACS record.

She said that the number of new HIV infection has reduced much since the conduct of awareness programme, however there is a rise in the number of infected persons recorded as more persons who had been affected much earlier are coming forward only now to register themselves at the ART centres as they came to know that medication can help them prolonged their life span.

UNC fuels AA demand with 48 hour vehicular bandh along highways

IMPHAL, June 13: United Naga Council (UNC) has announced today to impose 48 hours bandh of vehicular traffic along the national highways in Manipur hills from midnight of June 16

IMPHAL, June 13: United Naga Council (UNC) has announced today to impose 48 hours bandh of vehicular traffic along the national highways in Manipur hills from midnight of June 16 as expression of resentment for non-fulfilling with tangible solution pertaining to the Alternative Arrangement.

However, educational Institutions, medical, water supply, electricity and media are exempted from the purview of the bandh.

In a statement, the UNC reiterated that the Naga people of Manipur had convened the 3rd Naga Peoples`™ Convention (NPC) on July 1, 2010 declaring severance of political ties with the `communal Government of Manipur`™ and to demand Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending the Indo-Naga political settlement.

The demand was registered with the intervention of the then Prime Minister of India thus, the 1st Round of Tripartite Talks was held on September 21, 2010 in New Delhi, it said.

The statement continued that the last 7th Round of Tripartite Talks on Alternative Arrangement for the Nagas of Manipur was held on February 6, 2014 at Tahamzam, Senapati.

The political talk agreed to constitute a High Level Committee to translate the demand into political reality, it continued.

As the land, history, time honored institution, culture and tradition and identity of the Nagas could not be defended and protected under the incumbent oppressive political system of the communal Government of Manipur, the attention of the Government of India was drawn for its intervention with an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending Indo-Naga political settlement, it said.

Appealing the tribe presidents, Naga frontal organizations, regional apex organizations to implement the bandh effectively in their respective jurisdiction, the UNC in its statement cautioned that anybody violating the bandh should be at his own risk.

India`s war against itself

Pradip Phanjoubam (This article was first published in the Economic and Political Weekly. We are using the same introductory summary of the article the magazine used. Delhi`s chest thumping journalists

Pradip Phanjoubam

(This article was first published in the Economic and Political Weekly. We are using the same introductory summary of the article the magazine used.

Delhi`s chest thumping journalists have become mere stenographers of power, forgetting to ask questions and interrogate official narratives. A journalist from Manipur recounts the events leading up to and around the 9 June 2015 `surgical strikes` by the Indian Army against insurgents and explains the event in its contexts.

Pradip Phanjoubam is editor, Imphal Free Press. His book on the geopolitics that shaped the physical map and psychology of Northeast India is due to be published later this year.)

There is something very strange about the ongoing operations against the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, (Khaplang), NSCN-K, and other Northeast militants in the wake of the June 4 devastating ambush on a convoy of the 6-Dogra Regiment which left 18 soldiers dead and 14 more injured. All news of these operations, including the surgical commando strikes deep into Myanmar territory on June 9, emanate from New Delhi and are loudly relayed through the many 24-hour TV channels and columns by Northeast experts based in the city.
Virtually nothing of these is known in Manipur or Nagaland, where the operations are launched from. Even the state governments are left in the dark, as the chief minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi said in a candid reply to a query from a journalist in the sidelines of an official function on June 11. `We have been depending on what is revealed to the media in New Delhi for information` he had said.
Maybe, the chief minister is being dutifully discreet, for these are supposed to be swift and secret operations, and at stake is the country`™s diplomatic relation with Myanmar, but his act of discretion is appearing ridiculous amidst all the loud celebratory drumbeats and chest thumping in New Delhi. Some resourceful journalists and commentators are apparently even privy to the battle plans used by the elite strike forces, and the latest satellite imageries shared between Indian and Myanmar government authorities immediately before the operations were launched etc.

The other scenario is, if Ibobi`™s government is actually being left in the dark, nothing can be more humiliating. Nothing can be a louder commentary on the Centre-state relations with regards to the North eastern states too. This should place even the AFSPA debate in a new perspective. Who can now say it is up to the Northeast states to do away with the draconian act merely by not extending the Disturbed Area Act in their states?

There are other unexplained points as well, and the longer these remain unexplained, the cloud over the surgical strikes will thicken.
One of these is, no clinching evidence of the two strikes, such as a picture of the destroyed camps, or those of dead militants etc, have ever been provided. If pre-strike satellite imageries were available to be shared with Myanmar government as some columnists were so sure they were, there should also be post strike satellite imageries of these destroyed camps too. Especially after the unending orgy of celebratory drum beats and chest thumping in New Delhi, the secrecy argument to keep them from public view can hardly be convincing now.

Furthermore, the Myanmar government is now denying there were strikes within their territory. They did not do so immediately, probably because they too were unsure, as the areas where the strikes took place have very thin Myanmar government presence. Up north in the territory where Khaplang holds sway, government presence is virtually nil which is precisely why Khaplang can provide safe sanctuary for Northeast militants. But in the past few days, quoting its northern army posts, Myanmar government is saying, quite definitively too, that the Indian operations did not spill into its territory.

On June 9, the local media in Manipur and Nagaland on their usual beats were also confirming these reports from their own sources, chiefly the police and local army spokespersons. The army sent out a brief press release in Imphal saying there were encounters along the international border during operations, but did not specify numbers of casualties or whether the international border was crossed.

Local newspapers also contacted police stations in the border area, and only the Chassad police station reported hearing sounds of gunfire exchanges from the direction of the border on the morning of June 9. Villagers of Bhaiko under their jurisdiction reported army helicopters landing near their village. Seventeen kilometres from this village is Ningsom village near which along the international border an encounter took place, but this was with cadres of the Revolutionary People`™s Front, RPF, whose armed wing is People`™s Liberation Army, PLA. This encounter has since been corroborated by the RPF/PLA in press releases to the local media with photographs of what they claimed were ammunitions left behind by their attackers. They denied casualties on their side as well.

Known rebel groups from Nagaland and Manipur have all clarified either through press releases or else phone calls to the press that they know of no such attacks on their camps. As it is, in the Kabaw valley most of them do not stay in camps, but in the townships, merging with the local populations and only reassemble when duty calls.

From Chassad and adjacent Kamjong hilltop villages, and further north Chinghai, you can see deep into the Kabaw valley and the Angoching range flanking the other edge of the valley. You can also see the Somra Tract in the north. At night you can see the flickers of lights in the townships and villages. This region is not altogether abandoned by the Myanmar security establishment. Understandably, Khaplang`™s sway also does not extend here, and probably this is the reason why the Chandel ambush was not a sole NSCN-K mission. This being so, the surgical strikes by Indian troops and destruction of rebel camps here would also have come to be known within hours. And if there is anything burning it would be seen from Chassad police station too.

Up north where the Patkai Range watershed is the international boundary in the Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh sector, the mountainous region east of the Patkai is more wild and out of reach of the Myanmar government. Two journalists from Assam who had two years ago trekked there to meet ULFA chief Paresh Baruah and Khaplang, confirmed this among others. If the surgical strikes had been in this region, it is likely to have missed official notice for long. From the reports so far however, this is not where the strikes were, at least not one of them.

There is yet one more area of cloud. The insurgents are not faceless people. They are in many ways prodigal children of families in Manipur and Nagaland, and their families are always in deep anxiety about their individual fates. Families do everything to woo their children back, and whenever there are news of encounters, they head for the mortuaries in town to identify bodies. Many mothers are known to suffer anxiety disorders. This is why insurgents are compelled to announce deaths of their cadres promptly, otherwise the families and communities of the dead fighters would turn against them. In the June 4 ambush, two militants, one Naga and another Meitei, also died. Within a day, they were both identified. If 15 to 100 militants had been killed in the border area of Myanmar on June 9, it is unlikely this would have remained unconfirmed through this channel by now, unless all 15 to 100 insurgents killed are from Myanmar.

This could also be if the borders are sealed watertight, but this hardly the case. This border, except in the Manipur sector where there are 38 boundary pillars erected in 1896, hardly have exact markers.

In the Manipur sector, the border was officially made in 1834. After ending Ava (Burmese) occupation of Manipur and Assam in 1826 at the end of the first Anglo-Burmese War and the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo, the Chindwin River was deemed the boundary of British protectorate Manipur, putting the Kabaw valley under Manipur. But in 1834, upon repeated complaints by Ava, and seeing that the valley could be much better administered from Mandalay (Ava capital) than Imphal, the British persuaded the Manipur king that a new boundary should be negotiated, and Capt. R. Boileau Pemberton as the Boundary Commissioner drew what came to known as the Pemberton Line along the foot of the `Murring Hills` on the western edge of the Kabaw valley. In 1881, this boundary was realigned by the then British Political Agent in Manipur, Maj. James Johnstone. The objective was to contain the then restive Chassad Kukis, against whom punitive measures were becoming difficult because they would claim to be domiciles of Burma when pursued by Manipur and vice versa when chastised by the Burmese (Alexander Mackenzie: History of British Relationship with the Frontier Tribes of Bengal). Maj. Johnstone`™s line included the Chassad Kukis settlements in Manipur. In 1896, another British Political Agent in Manipur, Col. Maxwell, put 38 boundary pillars along this boundary which then came to be known as the Pemberton-Johnstone-Maxwell Line. In the Naga Hills sector, the Patkai Range watershed was considered as the boundary by the 1834 demarcation. The boundary between the Lushai Hills (Mizoram) and Chin Hills (Chin State in Myanmar) were demarcated in 1901 with minor readjustments in 1921 and 1922. The boundary between India and Myanmar was ratified by the two independent countries on March 10, 1967 in Rangoon.

Khaplang`™s importance

The June 4 ambush has suddenly awoken the Government of India to the fact that it has to take every player in this conflict theatre on board for a comprehensive peace formula in the Northeast. There are now allegation that the current crisis is a result of a misconceived plan of some officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to sideline the NSCN-K, so it can come to a settlement with NSCN-IM led by Khaplang`™s rivals Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Swu, both from the Indian side of the border. The GOI has been on a truce with both factions; with the NSCN-IM from 1997 and NSCN-K from 2001. The GOI has also been holding peace talks with the NSCN-IM but not with the NSCN-K, a fact resented by the latter.

The allegation is, the MHA engineered a split in the NSCN-K and patronised the faction opposed to Khaplang to ensure that the latter leaves the peace process with the Government of India. There are two reasons for suspecting this. First, Khaplang being a Myanmar domicile, it would have been out of the question for the GOI to think of reaching a political settlement with him. Second, the NSCN-IM wanted the Khaplang faction out of the equation. The MHA officials probably wanted to wash its hands off with Khaplang, leaving him to settle his scores with the Myanmar government.

Things, it is proving now, were never so straight forward. Khaplang, as the two Assamese journalists who trekked to his camp noted, is reverentially referred to as Baba, and is a very respected leader in his home grounds in the upper Sagaing Division of Myanmar, and his territory is today virtually a liberated zone where only his writs command respect. In an interview to the journalists he revealed he has an interest in the presence of many rebel soldiers of the Northeast, for the size of fraternal troops on his land is a deterrent for the Myanmar Army. His call for a united liberation front of Western South East Asia, therefore was readily accepted by all in his sanctuary. The MHA and the Indian intelligence should have read this possibility. Had they done so, they probably would not have gone so wrong in assessing the threat potential of Khaplang and writing him off so casually.

Embedded media

In the aftermath of the June 4 ambush and the surgical strikes by Indian troops within Myanmar territory, another reality has dawned. The days of the media as the tough and uncompromising interrogators of established authorities are on the way out.

The 17 deaths in the ambush was tragic, and there cannot have been anybody whose heart did not bleed seeing pictures of the families of these soldiers in Himachal Pradesh. In Manipur, there would not have been many who did not curse the attackers, except for the incorrigibly bitter who probably have had personal misfortunes at the hands of the security forces, a prospect not so uncommon or unimaginable in a land torn by conflict and subjected to oppressive laws. When the combing operations and manhunts for the militants began and Chandel district was sealed off by the Army, people waited in bated breaths praying that no collateral damages may result. Fortunately, nothing of this sort has happened to the extent known so far.

On June 9, there was the newsbreak emanating from New Delhi of the surgical strike by special commandos neutralising (the sanitised term for kill) `a significant number of militants`. Nothing abnormal so far; this is war and in a war, it is natural for combatants to fall, was the general reception of the news in the state. But from here on, the media in New Delhi, in particular the TV channels took over. The `significant number` began to have definite two digit figures. Some even pushed it to three digit figures quoting unnamed authoritative sources. Talking heads were rushed to studios and the mood everywhere was one of celebration. The blood thirst in the key words in the running headlines would have also made anybody shudder: `revenge`™, `retribution`™, `you hit us we hit back harder`™. Many of these words soon became the adjectives for Manipur and Nagaland, making residents of these states uneasy and embarrassed, and on cooler reflections, furious.

In the evening of the same newsbreak day, when newspapers in Manipur also sat down to take stock of things, they had with them just two press releases from the PIB Defence Wing and the state police to depend on. Neither had anything that signified hot pursuit into Myanmar territory, so local papers wrote their stories accordingly, though the bolder amongst them used the stories from the websites of these TV Channels to make their stories juicier.

In all the TV shows, there was not a single voice that exercised or recommended healthy doubt which all students of journalism are trained to imbibe. Nobody questioned these sources, and instead simply joined the celebration `“ of deaths. This thought itself was gory, even if those killed were enemies. Gone was also the notion that insurgency is a tragic internal war, in the words of Sanjib Baruah, India against itself. If American journalists were accused of being embedded with their military in their invasion of Iraq in 2003, who can now say Indian journalists, in particular the frenetic TV channels are not guilty of the same objectionable practice.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/indias-war-against-itself/

`Ambition is Amammcht region chairman of NSCN (R) not of NSCN (K)`

IMPHAL, June 13: A day after the PRO Police claimed the arrest of NSCN (K) s/s chairman of Amammcht region Abi alias Ambition Anal in a statement issued to the

IMPHAL, June 13: A day after the PRO Police claimed the arrest of NSCN (K) s/s chairman of Amammcht region Abi alias Ambition Anal in a statement issued to the media, another faction of the outfit NSCN (R) has claimed otherwise and asserted that the said individual is the chairman of Amammch Region of the NSCN (R) and presently undergoing medical treatment.

A NSCN (R) statement signed by its publicity information secretary Konar said Abi is not a member of the NSCN (K) but chairman Amammcht of NSCN (R) as he had merged with the group led by Wangtin Naga and Tikhak and presently under ceasefire with the government of India.

It said the NSCN (R) is not involved with any violent activity and has the support of the people.

Abi alias Ambition Anal is one of the founding member of NSCN-R and along with other leaders including Kono, Romeo, publicity & Information Secy Konar, Rajapyu Momo who hailed from Amammcht region had already merged with the NSCN-R but had delayed in issuing information related to merger which seem to have given undue advantage to the security forces, it said.

The press release further added that the allegation leveled against Abi aka Ambition Anal who is peace loving leader with intention to save the image of security forces is very much unfortunate.

Titular king acknowledges women`s contribution towards society

IMPHAL, June 12: Iramdam Kanba Apunba Lup (IKAL) felicitated eight womenfolk in recognition of their remarkable contribution towards the society during s function held under the banner `Khunai Yokkhatpi Ima

The function was attended by titular king Leisemba Sanajaoba; president of IKAL Wahengbam Luwangleima; president of AMWJU Wangkhemcha Shamjai and president of LIPUL Somorendra Thokchom as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Leisemba Sanajaoba observed that slew of issues confronting the state which has affected peace and tranquillity is due to the lack of sense of patriotism amongst the people.

He called upon the people to shun the sense of alienation and hatred amongst one another to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

Noting that the role of womenfolk in looking after the society and guiding younger generation is of paramount importance, the titular king acknowledged that womenfolk of the state are hard workers with many looking after their families by performing various tasks.

The eight womenfolk who were felicitated during the function are P Akham wife of P Alek; Moirangthem ongbi Bimola Leima wife of M Premjit Meitei; Angomjam ongbi Ibecha Leima wife of A Chaoba Meitei; Thouchom ongbi Shanthalembi Devi wife of Th Achoubi Singh; Takhellambam Thoibi Devi wife of T Jayenta Singh; Khongbantabam ongbi Nganbi Devi; Yangabam ongbi Ahanbi Leima wife of Y Mangoljao Singh and Kongkham ongbi Sorojini Leima wife of K Maipak Meitei.

Assistant Professor of GP Woman College Waikhom Romesh; HOD English DM College of Arts Associate Professor Dr Ch Shilaramani and ex-Project Director of MACS Dr Khomdon Lisham who were present at the occasion as resources persons spoke on relevant topics.

Govt will ensure ADCs function from districts: CM

IMPHAL June 12: The State government will ensure district based administration and functioning of the newly elected Autonomous District Councils now that the situation has improved much, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh replied to media queries regarding the centre of operation of the newly elected members.

The Chief Minister was attending a reception of the newly elected 47 ADC members of the party and another Independent candidate who joined the party today at the Congress Bhavan.

The programme was also attended by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president, party MLAs and ministers.

The Chief Minister congratulating the newly elected members said 6th ADC election has been a success for the party as well as the State as it was comparatively peaceful and cordial than the previous election and passed off without any major incidents.

Recalling the hostile atmosphere in which the last election was conducted in 2010, he said even after being elected, the illegal tag for the ADC continued which even led to loss of lives. However despite of all these circumstances, we are happy to have restored the democratic rights of the hill people, he added.

He continued we take pride that the government was able to peacefully conduct the ADC election within the schedule time and restore the trust of the people in democratic process.

The Chief Minister continued the parties which were opposing and boycotting the previous ADC election as illegal joined in the fray this year. This is a healthy sign as they have chosen the democratic political participation over violence, he added.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam also exalted the newly elected ADC members and said `We acknowledge the bravery of the candidates to contest with Congress tickets despite of all the intimidating threats and warnings.`

We value such participation to re-establish democratic rights more than the success of the 46 members, he added.

Gaikhangam also said that the function is meant to acknowledge and respect the contributions of the candidates and supporters to the democratic system.

Now we have to serve the people and fulfill the expectations of our voters who risked their lives for the party, he said.

The successful ADC candidates of the INC in the Manipur (Hill areas) District Council Election 2015 are M Morungson Maring of 1/Khoibu; Kh Morung of 2/Machi; Ch Meshil Maring of 3/Langol; S Tongpao Mate of 6/Sita; SK Joy Lamkang of 8/Komlathabi; Dilbung Ringo Lamkang of 10/Aihang; Ch Ngamthang Mate of 14/Sibong Khudengthabi; Gotinlam Gangte of 15/Moreh C; Lhukhosei Zou of 16(ST) Moreh B; T Jangkhongam Baite of 17/Moreh A; Ngamkholal Baite of 22/ Sugnu Hill Area; Khupkholen of 23/Sajik Tampak and Limkhojam Haokip of 24/Tulbung from Chandel District.

Demmang Haokip of 2/Leimatak; Paolal Haokip of 3/Henglep; Khaipao Haokip of 13/Kholmun; Ngamhao Touthang of 14/Tuibuong; K C Chonsei of 20/Sagang and pumtulthang Lienzo of 21/Sangaikot from Churachanpur District.

Haokholal Hangshing of 2/Kangpokpi; Seikhosat Kipgen of 4/T Waichong; Bhumi Prasad Basnet of 5/Irang Part II; Lamminthang Kipgen of 7/ Keithelmanbi; Lamkholen Kipgen of 9/Tujang; Lunthang Haokip of 10/Gamnom Sapermeina; Kaikhosei Lhouvum of 11/Motbung; S Damma Vaiphei of 13/ Kangchup; L Johny Gangmei of 14/ tintong Laijang; SD Dinglar Chiru of 15/Bungte Chiru; Paotinlun Chongloi of 16/Molkon; Thongzalun Mate of 17/Makokching; Thangjakham Misao of 18/Saikul; Seikholal haokip of 19/Lhungjang; Lunkhohen Haokip of 20/Mapao; Onthong Haokip of 21/Shingdai Khullen and ML Dominic Kasuowa of 23/Nongmaiching from Sadar Hills District.

Ramwangdin of 4/Tamei; Tadinang Gangmei of 9/Oinamlong; Hatlhing Doungel of 10/Phaitol; Charles Liangdiyang of 13/Tamenglong HQ; B Thambou of 17/ Haochong; Zino Kamei of 18/Noney; Alar Thoitak of 19/Dolang; S G Pammei of 20/Khoupum; Meinjin Rongmei Naga of 21/Nungnang; Kamei Khiakpou of 23/Nungba and S Lungin Gangte of 24/Longpi from Tamenglong District.

Samson Khodang of 19/Grihang and S Thotasheng of 23/Kamsom Khullen from Ukhrul District.

RS Henry Hiilii of 14/Koide from Senapati District

Nat`l workshop discusses ways of strengthening horticulture

IMPHAL, June 12: A national-workshop on `Strengthening Horticultural Development for Enhancing Productivity, Quality and Sustainable Livelihood` was conducted today at the Manipur Film Corporation hall as part of the ongoing

The workshop was organised by the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur in collaboration with ICAR Rerearch Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, State Horticulture Mission- Manipur, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and National Skill Foundation of India, Gurgaon.

Speaking as the chief guest of the valedictory function of the workshop T Pamei, commissioner (Horticulture & Soil Conservation) said that the recommendations arrived at during the technical session of the workshop will be included in a proposal to be submitted to both the State and Central governments seeking implementation.

He said as the head of the administrative department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation department, he will definitely look into the recommendation and discussed it with other officials of the department.

He also expressed his gratitude to all the organisers who worked hard to make the national workshop successful.

Director Horticulture and Soil Conservation K Kipgen said `It is a defining moment when we decided to put our ideas into meeting the needs of the people while maintaining our eco-system. This has been one of the many challenges that we face in agriculture and other allied fields and which is why the theme of workshop is strengthening horticulture development for enhancing productivity, quality and sustainable livelihood`.

The North East region is undeniably a vast region full of natural vegetation resources from the valleys to the hills such floral fauna many of which are indigenous and only found in the region, he contiued.

The hill have intake potential and the valley and its agricultural land have many avenues of improvement and most importantly there is an adequate man power available and all this potential are waiting to be tagged and channelised to bring about sustainable development to the State and the region, he added.

With the advancement of research and application in the field of horticulture we can meet the need as we explore the rings of our ecosystem and are well being introduce at one technology and mid intervention strategy as this is the only way forward for development he added.

The function was also attended by Dr K R Dhiman, ex vice chancellor as the chairman and Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, HP as the guest of honour respectively.

Efforts to improve education system reaching far-flung areas: Okendro

IMPHAL, June 12: Efforts to improve the education system in the State is not Imphal-centric, but has reached even the remotest corners of the State, Education minister Moirangthem Okendro said

IMPHAL, June 12: Efforts to improve the education system in the State is not Imphal-centric, but has reached even the remotest corners of the State, Education minister Moirangthem Okendro said inaugurating a residential school for both boys and girls today at Bendramai, Tadubi Block in Senapati district.

The inaugural function was organised by SSA State Mission Authority, Government of Manipur. The school was the last of such schools set up one each in all districts of the State under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

Speaking after the inaugural, the minister said 100 students have already been identified for the school and they will be getting free uniforms, study materials, boarding and food till they complete class VIII.

`This is my first visit to Bendramai and I found the road condition to be in a good shape,` he said before adding that this is because the public has chosen the right leaders.

Leaders who could improve the road connectivity and construct the residential schools at the right location, he continued.

Altogether 20 residential schools under the SSA and the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya scheme have been set up all over the State and these schools will facilitate free education upto Class VIII to 2000 students, the minister asserted.

Okendro said, while the schools under the SSA will be co-educational, schools under KGBV is only for girls.

With today`™s inauguration of the school, there are now altogether 9 schools under SSA and 11 under KGBV which will facilitate children of the underprivileged section of the society like BPL and orphans, he continued.

The minister also assured to install a 5KV solar power system for the school and to make proper approach road and a playground at the earliest.

He further called for co-operation of the society in the effort to improve the education system in the State.

RD & PR minister Francis Ngajokpa who presided over the function said the Chief Minister has already instructed to connect electricity in the area by 2016.

He further lauded the Education minister and other officials for visiting the area and said bendramai is 159 km from Imphal and one of the remotest areas of the State.

He further urged the people of the area to protect the school and its properties as their own against miscreants so that the school could educate their children.

The function was also attended by Education (S) secretary H Deleep Singh, Senapati deputy commissioner Jacintha lazarus and other officials.

BJP felicitates its 21 newly elected ADC members

IMPHAL June 12: The 21 elected BJP Autonomous District Council members were warmly felicitated today at the party`™s Nityaipat Chuthek office in the presence of Union Minister of Chemical &

IMPHAL June 12: The 21 elected BJP Autonomous District Council members were warmly felicitated today at the party`™s Nityaipat Chuthek office in the presence of Union Minister of Chemical & Fertilizers, Ananth Kumar and BJP national executive member Tapir Gao.

At the onset of the function, the Union Minister congratulated the 21 newly elected ADC members of the party.

He said the party will be able to improve employment opportunities and expedite developmental progress through the newly elected members.

Ananth Kumar also denounced the Congress government as corrupt and at the same time, praised BJP leaders like Atal Behari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Narendra Modi.

He further stressed on the importance of promoting peace and development of the North Eastern Region while exalting the soldiers who were killed in an ambush in the State recently.

BJP, Manipur Pradesh president, Th Chaoba speaking to media persons on the sideline of the function said the party is overwhelmed by the response of the people of the hills.

He said much more than the success of the 21 candidates it is the proportion of votes that the party secured which has has proven the popularity of the party as well as encouraged its workers.

Now, the Congress`™s dominance will be reduced to only Sadar Hills, he said.

On the issue of the ongoing Army operation in the aftermath of the recent militant ambush on the Army, Choaba replied now that the excitement and commotion of the election is over, we will turn our focus and concern on the villagers there.

The successful ADC candidates of the BJP are T Seikhothang Haokip of 18/ Songjang and Ch Chanthoi Aimol of 7/Aimol from Chandel District; Seilenmang of 1/Khousabung from Churachanpur District; A Mark Luithing Phungthar of 12/Choithar from Ukhrul District; Thangjamang Kipgen of 24/Bungba Khullen, Sagar Gewali of 3/Irang Part I, Willingbou Thuimai of 12/Khengjang, P Rocky Rangtaina of 1/ Mayangkhang from Sadar Hills District; Henpuni Leo of 21/Oinam, Th Thaikho Peter of 2/Liyai, A Kapani of 12/Tadubi, R Ashihrii of 8/ Songsong, B Hrai of 4/Tungam Khullen, A Rang of 11/ Maram, Ngao Benjamin Tao of 19/Lakhamai and P A Thekho of 3/Tungjoy from Senapati District; T R Guisinang of 12/Dailong, Kaniangmei of 16/Awangkhul, Shanthiuyang Panmei of 15/Cheangdai, G Apoukhui of 22/Rengpang and Pouhotlung Panmei of 11/Tharon.

Union Minister assures setting up of Plastic Park in State

IMPHAL, June 12: Union Minister of Chemical & Fertilizer Ananth Kumar and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh jointly inaugurated the newly constructed Academic Block and Boys and Girls Hostel of

IMPHAL, June 12: Union Minister of Chemical & Fertilizer Ananth Kumar and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh jointly inaugurated the newly constructed Academic Block and Boys and Girls Hostel of Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) Imphal Centre at Takyelpat today.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Union Minister Ananth Kumar assured that discussion will be held to set up a plastic park in the State and for this he had invited Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Commerce & Industries Govindas Konthoujam to come to the national capital for discussions.

He said that around 500 acres of land will be required to set up the plastic park and appealed to the State government to provide the required land to do the needful.

Announcing that there is a plan to sanction an amount of Rs 13 crore for constructing additional boys and girls hostel and machine room for CIPET Imphal Centre if the State could provide 5 acres of land, the Union Minister further assured that intake capacity of the centre will be increased to 3500 seats from the present 1500.

The quantity of plastic consumed in India in a year is 10 tonne million. After five years, the amount of plastic that will be required will be around 20 tonne million per year. To meet the demand, there is a need to produce 100000 plastic engineers in a year, he explained.

CIPET produced around 43000 plastic engineers in a year; he informed, adding that plastic engineers passed out from the centre are in demand not only in the country but in abroad as well.

Noting that CIPET is playing a key role in generating jobs for youths, the Union Minister acknowledged that CIPET Imphal Centre was the first centre amongst other centres situated in different parts of the country to get placement for the first time.

In his speech, CM Ibobi said that the centre is functioning since 1987 imparting training to youths of Manipur and other north eastern states and informed that a total of 820 trainees have been benefitted and many of them were assisted in securing their placement in many reputed companies in India and abroad.

The CM maintained that the centre is also actively conducting vocational skill development and entrepreneurship development programmes sponsored by various Ministries, Central Government, Departments, State government departments and through these programmes about 2100 unemployed/underemployed youths have been trained and benefitted.

As a part of its role in promoting, motivating and nurturing entrepreneurship in the region, the Centre also extends technology support services to the aspiring entrepreneurs as well as existing entrepreneurship of the State by allowing the machineries and other facilities of CIPET Imphal to be utilized at a very nominal rate, he said.

Observing that the need of the hour is to equip youths with skills to meet the demand at national and international level, Ibobi said that the civil and technical infrastructure facilities of the centre have been strengthened in the 12th Plan period through grants from Government of India for machinery and new hostels for boys and girls with all basic facilities.

He assured that the State government will extend full cooperation to CIPET in training the youth of Manipur as well as from other parts of the country.

Today`™s inauguration function was also attended by Commerce & Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam; MP Dr T Meinya; Secretary of Chemical and Petrochemical Surjit K Choudhury; Chief Secretary PC Lawnkunga and Director General of CIPET Dr SK Naik.

BOSEM to conduct Special HSLC Examination

IMPHAL, Jun 12: In pursuance of Government of Manipur, Secretariat: Department of Education (S) Letter issued on June 10, the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM) will be conducting a

IMPHAL, Jun 12: In pursuance of Government of Manipur, Secretariat: Department of Education (S) Letter issued on June 10, the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM) will be conducting a special HSLC examination in the last week of July for those students who were not allowed to appear in the AISSE, 2015 conducted by the CBSE.

A press release issued by BOSEM said the special examination will be conducted under certain terms and conditions.

According to the terms and conditions, the syllabus and question pattern will be that of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur; the candidate should appear in five subjects namely English, Manipuri (MM/Bengali script)/Additional English/Hindi, Mathematics, Science and Social Science; each subject will carry 100 mark; the examination will be conducted in Imphal centres only and the said examination will be called Special HSLC Examination, 2015.

The students who are willing to sit for the examination including the 120 students who had earlier submitted their documents to the Fact Finding Committee chaired by the Director of Education (S) should submit necessary documents on or before June 30 to the board for verification, it said.

The documents include name of student, name of parents/guardians, permanent address, institute where admitted to Class X and date of admission (copy of admission receipt to be enclosed), a copy of identity card for Class X issued by the institute and copies of certificate and mark sheet for passing Class VIII and IX.

The date of filing-up of form, time table and centre of the said examination will be announced after verification is over, the release added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/bosem-to-conduct-special-hslc-examination/