Manipur News

IMPHAL, July 14: Sending out a loud and clear message against underground groups breaching ground rules and committing crimes, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said that the government will not tolerate violence.

The Chief Minister was responding to a call for an amendment to the motion of thanks raised by Opposition leader, Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA Samuel Risom during today’s sitting of the 8th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

A motion of thanks for discussion on the Governor’s Address was moved by MLA T Mangibabu Singh and MLA Y Surchandra Singh on February 24, 2014, the discussion of which was held today.

The motion was approved by the House unanimously after the MLAs who raised the call for amendment withdrew.

Taking serious note of the series of crimes committed by armed groups including the killing of an Ukhrul ADC member, ambush on other elected representatives and continuous bomb attacks and threats to officials, the Chief Minister divulged that the people now understand the full sinister implications of ideologies or objectives of militant groups even if they don’t raised their voices.

We are all law abiding citizens of India, underscored the Chief Minister.

But, if they continue to take laws into their own hands, the government have no choice but to act, he continued.

Narrowing down to Dr Ibohalbi’s concerned on the seriousness of the crimes committed by the NSCN-IM totally disregarding the grounds rules despite being in peace talks with Government of India he asked rhetorically “We are hoping and praying that a solution be brought to the Naga political problem but if they persist on committing crimes where else can it lead to?”

Further, while referring to the killing of the Ukhrul ADC member, who is a people’s representative, he termed the act to be beyond limits and went on to say that the government will not tolerate anymore.

He exhorted that it is high time to stand up against such anti-social activities in unison irrespective of hill or valley groups.

Meanwhile, giving his clarification on other issues raised by the MLAs, the Chief Minister assured to amend the State AIDS policy to ensure that it is made more effective.

Coming to the State boundary issue, the Chief Minister said that although there are no concerned of boundary encroachment from the other neighbouring States, the fencing has been put on hold until as resurvey is conducted as per the aspiration of the people.

If the need arises, the government is always ready for a joint venture cutting across political affiliation of ideology as was done in the pass, he continued.

The Chief Minister also assured to look upon various issues raised by the MLAs including the devolution of powers to the panchayat, water management and ascertaining the shortcomings on the part of the government in addressing some issues in the hills.

Moving his motion, Dr Ibohalbi mentioned that the Governor’s Address failed to mention about the issues faced by the public including law and order, drugs etc.

On the other hand, MLA Samuel Risom mentioned that the address fails to mention about the measures put to check rampant conversion of hill villages into valleys and the policy to increased funds allocation for the hill areas.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/government-will-not-tolerate-criminal-activities-of-ugs-chief-minister/

IMPHAL, July 14: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU), responsible for major drug seizures in the State, was not set up with the approval of the State Home department but constituted by the superintendent of police (SP) of the concerned district, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio today.

Gaikhangam was replying to a question raised by senior Congress MLA, Y Irabot Singh during the Question Hour on the second day of the 8th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The Home minister elaborated that the unit worked under the direct supervision of an SP adding that it was constituted on May 6, 2012 and abolished on January 15, 2013.

SIU was not a sanctioned unit but constituted by the than SP Imphal West as per the requirement of the district to efficiently discharge its duty by assisting in cases involving PDS items, forest products, drugs etc.

In his question the Wangkhei MLA, Y Irabot had sought a clarification from the Home minister of the date of constitution of the SIU and its purposes.

At the same time, he also sought the date the unit was abolished.

Further in his supplementary question, Irabot had enquired about the sudden transfer of officer in charge SIU, K Ranjit just after a huge drug consignment seizure from near the NRL oil pump, Mantripukhri. He further sought details of the case.

In his response, Gaikhangam clarified the transfer of the OC was a normal departmental process.

As for the drug seizure case it has been handed over to the CBI, said Giakhangam but said he could not provide details of the seized items as it was not available with him.

In another question, Irabot further queried whether there were any instances of registration of FIR in case of non-cognizable offence with or without the order of the competent court and to provide with the details.

Gaikhangam responded that there was no such cases till date, however if it was so, he assured to look into the matter and act accordingly against the erring personnel.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/gaikhangam-disowns-siu-says-unit-not-sanctioned-by-home/

By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, July 14: Taking serious note of the series of recent developments, the Tangkhul Frontal Organizations (TFOs) have today set a deadline of 24 hour for their consensual three-point demands which included revocation of Section 144 of CrPc, withdrawal of reinforced combined team of Manipur Police Commondo (MPC) and Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) and unconditional release of all the NSCN-IM cadres arrested from WTR office and their seized properties and documents immediately to restore the WTR’s status quo pre-July 13 incident.

The three-point demands were stated in a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur through the deputy commissioner of Ukhrul district today which was jointly signed by representatives of Tangkhul Frontal Organizations (TFOs), namely Artax A Shimray, president TNL, SC Ringluiwon president TSL, Joel Angkang president TKS, Ningkhan Shangh president TMNL and Dearson general secretary TNWL.

Stating in no uncertain terms that the demands should be addressed within the stipulated 24-hour time, the memo threatened that in the event of the government failing to do so, they would be compelled to take recourse to democratic forms of agitation.

According to TFOs statement, the promulgation of section 144 CrPc in the town is effected on the pretext of containing probable disturbance of public tranquillity in the wake of the killing of ADC member Ngalangzar Malue, which does not arise.

And that deployment of hundreds of Manipur police commandos and IRB personnel here is creating a warlike situation and an environment wherein the safety and security of the civil populace is highly at stake, it stated.

As for the demand for unconditional release of all members of WTR, the statement maintained that WTR office was set up in the town to facilitate public relations and to strengthen dispensation of justice among the Tangkhul Naga populace.

“The raid on WTR office therefore, is a direct attempt to deny the Tangkhul Naga people their quest for peace and justice,” the TFOs reasoned while adding that such act also violates ceasefire agreement between GOI and NSCN-IM.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/tangkhul-bodies-set-24-hour-deadline-for-three-point-demand/

IMPHAL, July 14: Several organisations of the Aimol tribe have threatened to imposed a 24-hour state wide general strike from 6 am of July 21 if their demands are not fulfilled before July 20.

The proposed agitation was announced by the general secretary of The Aimol Student’s Union Manipur, S Chunglalthang Aimol while speaking to the media on the sideline of a sit in protest held today at the Pallel bazaar waiting shed.

The sit in protest was jointly organised by the Student’s Union Manipur, Aimol Tribes Union Manipur and Aimol Meiwar (woman’s body).

The students’ body is demanding eviction against land encroachers along the 4l km stretch of Lingsikung road under Chandel district.

Further speaking to the media Chunglalthang revealed that the unions have sent several memorandums drawing the attention of the concerned authority however the government has remained indifferent to their demand.

He said that the unions have come to the decision to launch general strike as their last resort to ensure that their voice is heard.

If our demands are not met before July 20, we will impose a State-wide general strike from the next day, said Chunglalthang.

Moreover he also threatened to impose indefinite blockade along the Imphal-Moreh road as their next course of agitation.

The agitation will be supported by Organisation for Movement of Indigenous People of Manipur and Student League Manipur. The two groups also participated in today’s protest.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/aimol-bodies-seek-eviction-of-land-encroachers/

IMPHAL, July 14: The eight NSCN-IM cadres who were arrested yesterday from Ukhrul in the aftermath of the Finch Corner ambush killing of Ngalangzar Malue have been remanded to 13 days police custody today.

The arrested militants were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal East this morning around 11.30.

The eight have been identified as as self styled sergent Wangkepam Raiping, self styled sergent major Esacher Ejao, self styled corporal VL Singregam, self styled private Winky, self styled lance corporal Sepachi, self styled private Longji, self styled lance corporal Somrei and self styled sergent K Hareithing Mung.

It is learnt that the Ukhrul Police in 2013 had registered an FIR against the eight in a different case under FIR no.14 (7) 2014 UKL PS.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/nscn-im-men-remanded-to-13-days-police-custody/

SENAPATI, July 14 (NNN): The United Naga Council (UNC) has threatened to call a 24 hours bandh in ‘Naga areas’ of Manipur from the midnight of July 15 in protest against what it called ‘the military strength show’ of Manipur Chief Minister Okrom Ibobi Singh against the Nagas and also for the immediate implementation of ‘Alternative Arrangement’.

UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei while addressing to some media persons here said that the latest ‘military strength show’ of Ibobi Singh is presently prevailing in Ukhrul town. Gaidon Kamei said this is not the first time the Manipur government has been harassing the Nagas.

According to the UNC leader, one such instance wasn when, in the year 2010 NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah wanted to visit his native village Somdal, Ukhrul district.

Meanwhile, the UNC general secretary said the 24-hour bandh to be begun from July 15 midnight will be a democratic and a peaceful agitation. Educational institutions, media, electricity, medical services will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/unc-calls-24-hour-bandh/