Day: August 2, 2017

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Aug 2

The total shutdown called by JAC against the killing of Thangkhanlun Taitom passed off today with no untoward incident in Churachandpur town. Shops and markets were closed in the area from Kangvai to New Lamka with vehicles staying off the road.

The bandh was collectively called by different organisations from different tribes in the district in protest against the excess of some UG cadres, who are in SoO with the government.

ZRO/ZRA has stated in an official notification last week that the political dialogue with the government has nothing to do with the incident of killing. The outfit stated that they have ordered the five cadres to appear in person to the organisation’s director (OPS).

In the afternoon, the SP and DC of Churachandpur called a press conference at the DC’s residence where the SP clarified on the rumour in social media that the combined team of police and AR had raided Songtal village, HQ of ZRO/ZRA.

The SP further said that there is no reason to conduct a raid and AR is not involved in the investigation of the crime but were called for operations when the need arises.

ZRO/ZRA is not involved in the crime but their cadre, a town commander and other four had been involved individually, added the SP.

ZRO summon

The defence director (OPS), Zomi Re-Unification Organisation/Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRO/ZRA), TK Zomi said in a press release that Romeo and other four ZRA cadres who are absconding after allegedly killing Thangkhanlun Taitom, must report to the defence director in person between August 2 to 6. The decision was taken as per the cabinet meeting held on August 1, it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 2

“My son said that he was tortured by the police and forced to confesse that he is the murderer of the Soram (O) Lakhipriyari and Soram Monica” charged Hitler’s mother Kh. Dhaneshwori.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal Dhaneshwori said that the government used his son as a scapegoat to prevent public outrage against the killing of the mother and the daughter.

She said Monica and her mother were once threatened by one Naoba from Ghari who eloped with Monica’s sister as they married the sister to another person.

Framing of Hitler as a murderer by Monica’s father S. Tomba just for seeing him passing their gate is not fair, said Hitler’s mother.

The real murder will be known after investigating the fingerprint, footprint, knife, long hair found in the murder scene, she added.

Dhaneshwori asked, “Why the police did not take Hitler to court for taking his statement? What is the agenda behind?”

In order to give justice she asked the authority concerned to investigate the scene using technology of forensic science and to produce his son before the court for hearing his statement.

IMPHAL | Aug 2

General secretary of Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF), Tonglenlal alias Lalmawi Haokip was shot dead today by unknown person around 7 pm at Tuibong Bazar.

A bomb was thrown at him first and later he was shot. Police took the dead body of the KNLF leader at the district hospital morgue. Sources said post mortem of the deceased will be done tomorrow.

KNLF is one of the arm wings under KNO, based in Chandel district.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Aug 2

The mudslinging between the TR Zeliang camp and that of the Dr Shurhozelie intensifies even as the latter group suspended Neiphiu Rio again from the primary and active membership of the Naga People’s Front (NPF).

Interestingly, former chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio was ‘selected’ by 36 legislators supporting TR Zeliang as the ‘interim’ president of the NPF on July 31.

Today’s decision of the DR Shurhozelie group of the NPF came a day after Neiphiu Rio had said he “was humbled by the decision of the NPF Legislature Party led by chief minister TR Zeliang for electing him as the interim president of the NPF party”.

Meanwhile, in an emergent meeting of the central office bearers of NPF led by Dr Shurhozelie said that the actions of the governor in installing the TR Zeliang government “without proper application of mind and by violating all norms and parliamentary procedures such as his hasty summoning of the House without giving reasonable time for Dr Shurhozelie to prove his majority”.

The meeting also observed that the Speaker in accepting the whip of the legislators and ignoring the legitimate whip issued by NPF chief whip Kiyanilie Peseyie whose appointment as the party’s chief whip on November 14, 2014 is still valid; and acting like he is the leader of the new dispensation led by expelled NPF member TR Zeliang, are unbecoming on the part of the governor who is expected and regarded as the custodian of the Constitution of India.

The Dr Shurhozelie led NPF meeting “vehemently condemned the biased” manner of the Speaker who “violated” all Constitutional norms to “ensure” that his brother-in-law sailed through the floor test on July 21 by accepting an “expelled” member of the NPF as the official whip of the party from which he is expelled, “and demands that he clearly explain to the people since when the appointment of the chief whip of the NPF party had been rescinded/ cancelled by the NPF party”.

He should also explain to the people as to when the chief whip of a political party is appointed by the legislators, and not by the political party as required by the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the NPF said.

The meeting then resolved to stand steadfast behind the leadership of ”party president” Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and his team of office bearers as decided in the general convention of the NPF party on November 26, 2014 and reiterated at the special general convention of the party held on April 30, 2015 through the directive of the Election Commission of India.

It also “vehelently condemned the expelled/ suspended and few NPF legislators” in appointing Neiphiu Rio as the “so-called” Interim President of the NPF party and serving an ultimatum to the NPF party President Dr Shurhozelie to step down, and reminded these legislators that as per Constitutional provisions of the NPF Party, they, the legislators are not authorised to make any appointment including any active or primary member of the NPF party, least of all, an office bearer, leave alone the party President, Interim, ad hoc or work charged.

The meeting also resolved to endorse the decision of the party leadership in expelling 20 NPF legislators from the party and to place 12 members in suspension including suspension of Neiphiu Rio as recommended by the Disciplinary Action Committee, and further authorise the party leadership to take all measures required to maintain discipline, unity and integrity of the NPF party in the days to come.

 “In this connection, considering that all the NPF MLAs in the present camp of expelled TR Zeliang had violated the Whip issued by the NPF chief whip Kiyanilie Peseyie on the floor of the Assembly on July 21, the central office bearers recommend to the DAC to expel/ suspend the remaining dissident MLAs who have not been covered/ touched till date, as deemed fit”, the Dr Shurhozelie group said.

IMPHAL | Aug 2

Chief minister, N. Biren assured in the House today during Zero hour that the government will examine the feasibilities of removing AFSPA from the state. He was answering to a query raised by the Opposition MLA, K. Ranjit.

The House on the 12th day of the ongoing session of the Manipur legislative Assembly unanimously passed four Demands for Grant amounting to Rs. 7,670,878,000 after thorough discussion and voting.

The demand passed today were Demand no.17 – Agriculture (Rs.215,96,89,000), Demand no. 26 – Administration of Justice (Rs.98,78,06,000), Demand no.30 – Planning (Rs.426,93,08,000) and Demand no.39 – Sericulture (Rs.25,40,75,000) respectively. 

Replying to a motion for disapproval of policy cut raised by the Opposition, agricuture minister, V. Hangkhanlian clarified that the agricultural land is still protected by the Manipur Conservation of Paddy land and Wetland Act, 2014.

He said in order to protect the agricultural land coordination between revenue department and agriculture department is a must. On the inability of the government to ensure availability of paddy seeds and saplings to flood affected farmers, the agriculture minister further clarified that the government has already taken up steps to distribute high yielding varieties of paddy seeds to the recent flood affected farmers.

Further Hangkhanlian assured the house that an alternative measure will be taken up if the inundated areas of the recent flood do not recede by August. He also assured to adopt a separate policy of the agricultural land of the hill areas at the earliest.

The motion was raised by MLA Khundrakpam A/C, Th. Lokeshwar Singh, MLA Wangkhem A/C, K. Meghachandra Singh, MLA Sugnu A/C, K. Ranjit Singh, MLA Tipaimukh A/C, Chaltonlien Amo and MLA Khangabok A/C, Surjakumar Okram on Demand no.17-Agriculture.

The minister further said that the Rice Research Station at Wangbal will be looked into for improvement of infrastructure and staff strength, adding that the government is considering implementing a suitable policy to start double cropping method.

To a query raised by MLA Khangabok A/C Surjakumar Okram, chief minister, N. Biren Singh assured the house that cold storage project will be taken up to check wastage of agricultural products.

During the demand discussion on Demand No. 39 Sericulture, the CM said that small schemes and projects have been implemented to developed sericulture in the state.

The Chief Minister clarified that the constitutional obligation will be looked into especially for equal developments of hills and the valley to a query raised by MLA Ukhrul A/C Alfred Kanngam Arthur.

While discussing on Demand no. 26 – Administration of Justice, Law & Legislative Affairs minister L. Jayantakumar Singh clarified that at present there are altogether 12 vacant judicial post and all the courts in the state are computerised except for the newly established four courts in Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal East amd Impphal West districts to a policy cut raised by MLA Sugnu A/C K. Ranjit Singh.

By Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG | Aug 2

 With an aim to preserve and keep alive the beautiful tradition and culture of the Zeliangrong community the Zeliangrongpui Naga Customary Arts & Culture Research Society Tamenglong organised the 5th ‘Pukpha’ festival at Shekinuh Inn, Tamenglong district headquarters.

 The programme was attended by K Sushila, director arts and cultures government of Manipur as the chief guest of the celebration.

 In her speech as chief guest, K Sushila said that the customs and tradition practiced by forefathers were same in hills and valley.

 She also mentioned that with the coming of Christianity the beautiful culture of forefathers has been at the verge of extinction in hills. She also thanked the Zeliangrongpui Naga Customary Arts & Culture Research Society Tamenglong for keeping alive such beautiful culture.

 She pointed out the importance of preserving custom and tradition and arts practiced by our forefathers. Ones must have a heart to preserves the culture, custom, tradition and identity despite following different types of religion, she said.

Highlighting the importance of ‘Pukpha Ngai’, KC Ramkhundiyang, member of Zeliangrongpui Naga Customary Arts & Culture Research Society Tamenglong said that Pukpha Ngai” is a pre-harvest thanks-giving festival practiced by forefathers of the Zeliangrong and Npui tribes.

 He said that even if we became Christian, our old culture should be kept alive. Ramkhundiyang further said that festival is an occasion for the farmers to unwind themselves.

 “As farmers, we begin the year with many activities such as collecting firewood, seed-sowing, nurturing young paddy plants, removing weeds from paddy. But now we have paddy. It is time to celebrate and thank god for guiding us throughout the year”, he said. 

A customary practice rice beer was served to all the participants of the colourful festival. Folk songs, sharing of folk tales were the main highlights of the festival. Elders coming from different villages of the district and cultural troupes took part with pomp and gaiety in the celebration.