Manipur News

IMPHAL, April 11: Demanding halt to the proposed construction of Mapithel Dam at Thoubal River adjoining Thoubal and Ukhrul district to be constructed under Irrigation & Flood Control Department (IFCD) claiming it will threaten existence of the indigenous peoples, locals took out a protest rally from Nongpok Sekmai to Ukhongsang, Thoubal district today.

The rally was organized by North East Dialogue Forum in collaboration with Life Development Foundation, Nongpok Semai; Social Welfare Development Centre, Nongpok Sekmai; People`™s Action for Development, Ukhongsang; PPS and SDF, Ukhongsang.

Placards which read such as `Stop construction of Mapithel Dam`™, `Save live of indigenous people`™, `Thoubal River should not be affected`™, `Save future generation`™ etc were used by the protesters.

Speaking to newspersons, Sobita, secretary of WAD questioned as to what kind of benefit the people and farmers gets from major dams like Khuga Dam and Ithai Dam constructed by the government in the name of development.

She alleged that the government kept concealed the adverse affects resulted from the construction of the dams in different parts.

Lamenting that large area of arable land had been destroyed due to the construction of the dams, she pointed out that a large number of migrants workers are brought to the state for employing in the construction of dams.

Construction of dam and implementation of projects in the name of development should be not at the cost of livelihood of farmers. It is only contractors and influential persons who will be benefitted from such projects, Sobita said.

Stating that arable lands in Chadong and Louphong village have been flooded following blockage of Thoubal River in order to allow passage of water through the reservoir of Mapithel Dam, she expressed apprehension on the possibility of submergence of several villages including Lamlai Khunou if the water level goes on increasing.

Artificial flood had also been created in Tumukhong, Etham Moirangpurel and several villages in Thoubal owing to the blockage of Thoubal River, she rued.

Slamming the government for failing to fulfil the demands of Mapithel Dam Affected Villagers`™ Organization (MDAVO) which are all genuine, she demanded the government to immediately forbid the construction of Mapithel Dam in the interest of the people.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/rally-demands-halt-to-mapithel-dam-construction/

IMPHAL, April 11: The All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) has organised a one day open dialogue on the contemporary problems of Manipur, with the aim of fostering an amicable solution.

The open dialogue was organised at Tribal Research Institute Chingmeirong and various students`™ organisation and civil society organisation from various hills and valley districts participated and discussed the problems.

Many learned intellectual, academician, scholars, activists, civil society leaders and religious leaders, businessmen, lawyers and students`™ leaders participated also made presentations on the common issue confronting the people of Manipur.

In his keynote address, Emboy Serto, president of ATSUM said that Manipur today is no longer the `Switzerland of the east` and `the Jewels of India` with each fighting their own rights and privileges.

`We seem to neglect the right of the other groups or communities, though this is a duty. Rights and Duties must go hand in hand,` he said.

He further mentioned that tribal own some 90% of the geographical area and 41% of the total population of the state feels that they deserve more. It is an open secret that some communal people have tried to instigate and manipulate the functioning of state government bureaucratically, politically, socially and economically, he added.

The ILPS, AFSPA, closure of mission private schools MLR and LR Act, ADC and Sixth Schedule, bandh and blockade, Meitei Mayek issue ST status for the Meiteis, infrastructure development, misused and diversion of funds etc are some of the problems we have in our state Manipur, he said.

The vast gap in development on hills and valley, no government employees wanting to be posted in hills, schemes which are supposed to help the sick and poor people diverted for development of already developed areas, unequal compensations and widespread misinterpretation of issues, are some issues which needed to be addressed urgently, said Emboy.

The open dialogue dwelt at length on issues of mission schools and private schools, Meitei Mayek, bandhs and blockades, disparity in development, ADC and misuse and diversion of funds etc.

Representatives of AMUCO, UNC, KSO GHQ, KSO CCPUR, KSO SADAR HILLS, KSO IMPHAL, NSUC, SDSA, TKLI, TAKL, KRSU GHQ, HAS, CESM, TFR, ZSU SPT, MUTSU, HUMAN RIGHTS CLUB MANIPUR UNIVERSITY, LUMINOUS ACADEMY, JNU & DU STUDENTS`™, TSU DM COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCE, HILL DISTRICT CONTRACT TEACHERS ASSN., HILL DISTRICT PVT. SCHOOLS ASSN., POUMAI STUDENTS`™ UNION, CANANVENG YOUTH CLUB, MEELAL were present.

After the marathon discussion and dialogue, the host ATSUM and other participant drew up a list of recommendations and decided to appeal to the government to solve the problems, in particular of the closing down of Mission Schools within three days.

The meeting also decided to request the organization responsible to relax the ban imposed on Mission School immediately and to have a strong policy for the welfare of the students.

It also said BOSEM must not impose students to study in his own dialect and also to make Additional English optional to every student. The meeting also request MEELAL and others who are trying to impose Meitei Mayek to reconsider and adopt new strategies to develop the script.

The meeting further decided that another meeting will be held with regards to ILP to discuss the related issues on another platform. The new Acts pass by the Government to replace ILP by MRVT & MW Bill, 2015 needs deeper studies, the meeting concluded.

The meeting also further decided HAC, ADC & Sixth Scheduled issues need to be discussed and deliberated further. It also decided that this kind of meeting must be held regularly so that misunderstandings among the different communities may be chalk out so that the people remain emotionally integrated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/open-dialogue-on-contemporary-problems-of-manipur-held/

IMPHAL, April 11: Another Twin Statues of Love, Peace and Fraternity will be unveiled at Hongmahn Tangkhul Village of Senapati District on April 17 in connection with the 44th Death Anniversary of Rungsung Suisa which is going to organised by R Suisa Trust and Luching Purel Chingshubam Akaba Ningsing Lup, said Trustee Member of LUCANIL, H Dhani Meetei today in a press meet held at Pandam Office.

He further said that the first twin Statue of Love, Peace and Fraternity was unveiled at Wakha (Leima Ching) on January 3 in connection with the death anniversary of Luching Purel Chingsubam Akaba.

Both R Suisa and Chingsubam Akaba were the well-wisher of Hills and valley people and wished for them to get together and live with love and peace, he said.

Trustee member, LUCANIL N Tomba and Chief, Hongmahn Tangkhul Village as well as Trustee Member of R Suisa Trust also took part in the press meet.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/twin-statues-of-love-peace-and-fraternity-to-be-unveiled-in-tangkhul-village/