National – Page 71 – Manipur News

Christmas celebrated

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Dec 20: Manipuri Diaspora Association, Delhi, a secular and non-profit organization of Manipuris settled in Delhi and its surrounding areas, in association with the Manipur Christian Fellowship, Delhi celebrated the “Happy Chritsmas,2011” on 18.12.2011 ( Sunday) in a grand fashion at Dwarka.
Dr. Thokchom Meinya, MP (LS) graced the grand occasion as the Chief Guest. Pastor, R.S.Theodre from Manipur Christian Fellowship , Delhi was the Guests of Honour and Shri K.D.Singh, IPS (Rtd), Sh.R.K.Brajachand ,President, MDA, Smt N.G.Peni, VP, MDA, Col(rtd) R.K.P. Singh also adorned the auspicious function on the Dias. The function was also attended by various other special invitees and dignitaries.
While speaking on the occasion, the chief guest Dr. Thokchom Meinya, MP (LS) expressed his happiness regarding the efforts made by Manipuri Diaspora Association, Delhi to celebrate such a significant occasion in the National Capital to bolster the bond of love and unity among the various communities residing in our home state Manipur. He further emphasized that present and future generations of our society should draw lessons from our ancestors the art of living together among all people from hills and plains like the members of a single family and must respect each other so that people of the region can co-exist peacefully and harmoniously. He also recalled the matrimonial alliances made among different communities of Manipur in the past as a witness to the bonhomie among us from time immemorial. The Manipur Christian Fellowship members presented a series of Christmas songs much to the applause of the invitees and participants.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/christmas-celebrated/

Christmas celebrated

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/christmas-celebrated/

ZB against ban on UNC

Imphal, Dec 19 NNN : The Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur (ZB) has expressed unhappiness over the move of the Secular Progressive front (SPF) cabinet (Manipur govt) intiating for the banning of the Naga apex body United Naga Council (UNC) as an “unlawful organization” under Prevention of Unlawful Activities, 1967, and termed it as “communal and biased step” towards the Naga community.
Zeliangrong Baudi said in case the SPF Government feels that United Naga Council is an unlawful organization then what about the entire valley based civil societies like United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur Clubs’ Organization (AMUCO), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF) which were instrumental in burning Manipur assembly and Indian national flags and ransacked properties on large scale while protesting the “Cease-fire without territorial limit” in 2001.
ZB added the AMSU had banned all educational institutions in the State for almost four months in 2009 to protest the fake encounter that resulted in the killing of Sanjit and Rabina Devi which in turn the Government had to change academic calendar of the troubled year and annual examinations were also conducted in February/March 2010.
It also attacked the SPF Government saying large number of weapons and militants were found at official quarters of ministers and MLAs in Babupara, Imphal besides one of the SPF ministers shot the Advocate General of Manipur causing serious injuries to him in December 2009. It said a minister’s son also killed a civilian in March 2011. Recently, five persons, including vice president of a regional party in the State were apprehended along with arms which were reportedly belonged to some militant groups, the Zeliangrong Baudi alleged..
Questioning that how many of them have been booked and declared unlawful by the State government, ZB said they (valley based NGOs) were not declared unlawful because they belong to “dominant community”, adding that if the UNC is declared unlawful organization then it can be taken that it is so because it belongs to the Nagas.
ZB said it will not remain silent to such “communal policy” of SPF Government and further cautioned the Zeliangrong public to remain alert for any eventuality in the near future.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zb-against-ban-on-unc/

No prosecution yet under AFSPA : Antony

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Dec 19: About 24 cases seeking sanction for prosecution under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) have been received from Jammu and Kashmir Home Department during the last five years (from 2007 up to 15.12.2011). Of these, 5 cases are under examination. In remaining 19 cases, the requests for prosecution sanction were rejected as it was found on examination that no prima facie case was made out against the accused army personnel.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri PL Punia in Lok Sabha today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/no-prosecution-yet-under-afspa-antony/

69 suicide cases in Mizoram this year

Aizawl, Dec 18 NNN : As per record prepared by NeLiCS (New Life Charity Society), Aizawl, there are 69 cases of suicide from January till December 15 this year.
Out of these, 62 cases of suicide were by hanging while the rest were jumping from roof and self immolation.
NeLiCS had tried to record all the suicide cases across the state as far as possible but it is believed that there are several cases missing from NeLiCS, an official from the society informed NNN. Suicide had been on an increasing in the state and becomes the most lives takers of youths in the modern day, added NeLiCS official.
At NeLiCS Counselling Clinic, 472 persons were treated who are trying to kill themselves. Out of the 69 suicide cases, 62 were of the age group between 15-45 years while there is 9 years old also. The oldest being 71 years old. 34 persons were from Aizawl alone while the rest were from villages.
According to a research carried out by NeLiCS, the main cause of suicide in Mizoram has been due to mental depression. Love affairs were also the reasons among the youths in Mizoram.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/69-suicide-cases-in-mizoram-this-year/

President Appoints Ajit Singh as Civil Aviation Minister

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Dec 18: The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has been pleased to appoint Shri Ajit Singh as Cabinet Minister in the Council of Ministers.
The President of India administered the oath of office and secrecy to Shri Ajit Singh at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, today.
Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President of India has been pleased to allocate the portfolio of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to Shri Ajit Singh.

RTI activist harassed

Guwahati, Dec 16 NNN : Cases of harassment meted out to the applicants of the Right To Information (RTI) Act in Assam has been increased in recent past which worried activists of RTI. Pn Friday, Assam RTI Forum (ARTIF), the leading forum of RTI activists in thestate alleged that the nexus between corrupt bureaucrats, contractors which enjoyed blessings from state ministers and MLAs are responsible for the increase in the harassment cases meted out to the RTI activists.
“The number of cases of harassment to RTI applicants are fast rising in Assam in recent times. We have got large number of complaints and these cases are mainly from rural areas. We are tracking several such cases and disseminate these informations to concerned authorities”, said Manisha Behal, chairperson of ARTIF. Manisha Behal said that it was high time for the state to have a full bench in the state RTI commission as it would help in tracking different kind of cases relating to the Act in the state.
Citing an instance the ARTIF alleged that one Hiteswar Lahkar hails from Nalbari district of the state sought information under RTI Act on spending of NREGA funds meant for two village panchayats of his district. Lahkar alleged that after filing an RTI application, he received threatening calls several times from unknown callers who pressurized him to withdraw the application. “I finally lodged an FIR at Ghagrapar police station. Initially the police hesitated to register the case but later registered it when State Information Commission took up the matter”, said Lahkar.
Debajit Goswami , secretary of ARTIF said that transparency of RTI machinery in the state is very important as almost everyday in the state there have been reports about misuse of government funds in many government departments but in most cases.

, PIO (Public Information Officer)s of these departments failed to provide information to RTI applicants.
IH Borbora, another RTI activist alleged that the government of Assam’s tendency to appoint retired bureaucrats as information commissioners had diluted the very spirit of the Act.
ARTIF has decided to start awareness campaign in rural areas about the use of RTI Act.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rti-activist-harassed/

Developmental Programmes for Tribals

Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 16: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing Central Sector, Centrally Sponsored and Special Area Programme for the integrated socio-economic development of all Scheduled Tribes in the country. These schemes/programmes are meant for welfare of the tribal people, including those living in Maoist affected areas The Integrated Action Plan (IAP) was approved on 25.11.2010 for 60 selected tribal and backward districts of nine States with a block grant of Rs. 25 crore and Rs. 30 crore per district during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. This grant is utilized by the implementing agencies for a plan drawn up by District Level Committee which includes activities for public infrastructure and services such as school Building, Angwanwadi Centres, Primary Health Centres, Drinking Water, Electric lights in public places etc.
Implementation of the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) in Selected Tribal and Backward Districts has commenced and Rs. 25 crore per district for 2010-11 has been released. For the year 2011-12 an amount of Rs. 10 crore per district has also been released to all the districts and the next tranche of Rs. 10 crore to 40 district i.e. an amount of Rs. 1000 crore has been released. The expenditure reported by the districts is Rs. 1421 crore i.e. about 56.84% of the total amount of Rs. 2500 crore released so far. Planning Commission has also developed a Management Information System (MIS) to monitor the progress of implementation of the major schemes in these Selected Tribal and Backward Districts covered under the Integrated Action Plan (IAP).
The above information was given by the Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri V. Kishore Chandra Deo in the Lok Sabha today.
Central Sector Schemes
1. Grant-in-Aid to Voluntary Orgainzations (under which residential, non-residential schools, computer training centrers and knitting, weaving & handloom training centres run by NGOs for Scheduled Tribes students are supported, apart from hospitals, mobile dispensaries etc.).
2. Vocational Training in Tribal Areas. The Schemes of Vocational Training in tribal Areas a self-employment or employment oriented scheme aimed at benefiting ST boys and girls equally.
3. Scheme of Strengthening Education among Schedules Tribes (ST) Girls in Low Literacy Pockets.
4. Development of Primitive Tribal Groups
5. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for STs.
6. Top Class Education for ST students.
7. Scheme of National Overseas Scholarships for STs.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes
8. Schemes of Post Matric Scholarship for ST students.
9. Upgradation of Merit of ST Students.
10. Scheme of construction of hostel for ST Girls and Boys.
11. Scheme of Establishment of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub Plan Areas
Special Area Programme
12. Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan for employment-cum-income generation activities.
13. Grant-in-Aid under Article 275(1) of the Constitution for promotion of Welfare of Scheduled Tribes and upgradation of the levels of administration of Scheudled Areas. A part of grant under Article 275(1) of the Constitution is used for setting up of “Ekalavya Model Residential Schools” for providing quality education of ST students (both grils and boys) from Class VI to XII.
This Ministry is also implementing the Schduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 which seeks to recognize and vest forest rights over forest land in forest dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/developmental-programmes-for-tribals/

Railway Projects in North-East

Gauge conversion of Rangiya-Murkongselek (510.33 kms) section is a sanctioned National Project. On this project, land acquisition, earthwork, bridges and track work have been taken up on entire stretch and the works are in various stages of progress. Rangiya –Rangpara North (123.6 kms) section of this project is targeted for completion by March 2012. An expenditure of Rs. 565.27 crore has been incurred upto March, 2011 and outlay of Rs. 283.00 crore has been provided for this project for the year 2011-12.
A dedicated non lapsable fund namely “North Eastern Region Rail Development Fund” (NERRDF) has been created for providing assured fund flows to National Projects of Northeast Region. Besides, efforts are being made for early completion of these projects by close monitoring of progress of the works, follow up with revenue department and forest department for handing over of remaining revenue and forest land, deployment of security forces in the areas affected by law and order problems by coordinating Ministry of Home Affairs, etc.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/railway-projects-in-north-east/

Priti Patel to receive Akademi Singhajit, Kanhailal to receive Akademi fellow

Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, Dec 16: Manipuri dance Guru R. K. Singhajit Singh and eminent theatre personality Heisnam Kanhailal from Manipur were among eleven well known personalities of performing arts of the country selected for the Akademi Fellows for the year 2011. Priti Patel, the Director and Choreographer of Anjika Manipuri Dance Troupe based in Kolkata was selected for the Akademi Awards 2011 in the field of dance.
The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi at its meeting held on December 13 and 14 this year in New Delhi selected eleven eminent personalities namely Mukund Lath, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar Sharma, Amjad Ali Khan, Umayalapuram Sivaraman, M. Chandrasekharan, R K Singhajit Singh, Kalamandalarn Gopi, Padma Subrahmanyam, Chandrasekhar Kambarand and Heisnam Kanhailal for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows (Akademi Ratna) for the year 2011 in recognition of their contribution in their respective fields of performing arts. The Fellowship of the Akademi is the most prestigious and rare honour, which is restricted to a very limited number at a given time. Presently there are only 40 Fellows of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
The General Council of the Akademi also selected thirty six persons from the fields of Music, Dance, Theatre and Puppetry for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2011.
In the field of Music; nine eminent artists namely Shruti Sadolikar Katkar and M Venkatesh Kumar for Hindustani vocal music, Totaram Sharma (Pakhawaj) and Pushparaj Koshti (Surbahar) for Hindustani instrumental music, Venkataraman for Carnatic vocal music, E M Subramaniam (Ghatam), Ayyagari Symasundaram (Veena) and Seshampatti T Sivalingam (Nagaswaram) for Carnatic instrumental music, and Gopal Chandra Panda (Odissi Music) for Other Major Traditions of Music were selected for the Akademi Award 2011.
In the field of Dance; nine eminent practitioners, namely Narthaki Natraj (Bharatanatyam), Manjushree Chatterjee (Kathak), Thonnakkal Peethambaram (Kathakali), Priti Pate1 (Manipuri), Alekhya Punjala (Kuchipudi), Ramli Ibrahim (Odissi), V K Mymavathy (Mohiniattam), Tanusree Shankar (Creative & experimental dance) and Karaikudi Krishnamurthi (Music for dance) were selected for the Akademi Award 2011.
In the field of Theatre; eight eminent persons were selected for Akademi Awards 2011. They were Alakhnandan and Kirti Jain for Direction, Amitabh Shrivastav, Vikram Gokhale, Neena Tiwana and A R Srinivasan for Acting, R Nageswara Rao (Babji) for Major Traditions of Theatre – Company Theatre, Andhra Pmdesh and Kamal Jain for Allied Theatre Arts (Lighting).
For their contribution to Other Traditional/ Folk/ Tribal Music/ Dance/ Theatre and Puppetry; eight artistes were selected for the Akademi Awards 2011. They were Trippekulam Achuta Marar for Traditional Music (Kerala), Hemant Chauhan for Folk Music (Gujarat), Gurmeet Bawa for Folk Music (Punjab), Kashiram Sabu for Folk Theatre (Chhatisgarh), Mipham Otsal for Traditional Theatre (Jammu & Kashmir), Bellagallu Veeranna for Togalu Gombeyatta, Puppetry (Karnataka), Gopal Chandra Das for Putul Nach (Tripura) and Kasmi Khan Niyazi for making of musical Instruments (DeIhi).
Sundari Sridharani and Shrivats Goswami will receive the Akademi Award 2011 for Overall Contribution/Scholarship to Performing Arts .
The honour of Akademi Fellow had been conferred since 1954 and Akademi Award since 1952. They not only symbolized the highest standard of excellence and achievements on a national basis, but also recognized sustained individual work and contribution to the practice and appreciation of the arts through performance, teaching and scholarship. The honour of Akademi Fellow carries a purse money of Rs 3,00,000/- (Rupees three lacs) and Akademi Awards carry Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lac), besides Tamrapatra and Angavastram.

CBI files chargesheet

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Dec 15: The Central Bureau of Investigation has today filed a supplementary chargesheet in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan) against 88 accused persons, and against one accused, Kumar Brahamanand Meena, a minor, in the Court of Juvenile Justice Board, Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan) U/s 147, 148, 149, 152, 332, 353, 307, 304(A), 302, 201, 109, 114, 119, 218 of IPC and U/s 3, 4 of the Prevention of Damage to the Public Property Act relating to the alleged burning & murder of Sh. Phool Mohd. Khan, the then SHO Mantown Police Station in Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan); rioting; obstruction to the public servants in discharge of official duties; causing injuries to public servants; damage to public property and other offences.
Today, the CBI has also arrested four of the rioters and sent them for trial alongwith the chargesheet.
The case was registered by CBI on 30.06.2011 the request of the Government of Rajasthan and further notification from the Govt. of India. Earlier, CID-CB of Rajasthan Govt. had investigated this case and filed a chargesheet against 19 persons on 21.06.2011.
CBI took up the investigation. During the investigation it was revealed that the riot was facilitated by the material acts of omission by two police officials of Man Town Police Station in Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan). Further, the CBI was also able to ascertain the identities of 87 distinct rioters of the 150-200 persons who formed part of the mob that indulged in rioting against policemen on that day. The CBI investigation has also disclosed that at this stage there is no material to show the involvement of eight persons earlier arrested by CID: CB of Rajasthan. An application would be moved in the Court of Additional District Judge, SC/ST Cases, Sawai Madhopur, for passing appropriate orders.
Further investigation in this case is continuing to ascertain the role of other suspects, who had animus against the deceased and were involved in abetting or conspiring for causing the riotous violence that culminated in the murder of the jurisdictional SHO Sh. Phool Mohd. Khan; injuries of 15 constables on duty; damage to about Rs. 10 lakh of public property and destruction of the camera of a Press Reporter.
The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it. Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-files-chargesheet/

Border coordination meeting held

Shillong, Dec 15 NNN : The border co-ordination meeting between the Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) and Deputy Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) concluded in Shillong on Thursday after dwelling at length on the issues of common concerns such as movement of insurgents, human trafficking, drugs, fake currency, arms smuggling which need greater amount of cooperation and understanding to make the life of border population secure.
The BGB delegation led by Brig Gen Abu Sayeed Khan, ndc, psc, Deputy Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh alongwith Sector Commanders of Sylhet, Rangamati, Comilla, Khagrachari and Mymensingh, four staff officers of BGB and two representatives from Ministry Of Home Affairs and one representative of Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh arrived at Shillong on December 12. The BSF delegation was led by S.K. Mishra, IG BSF alongwith R. K Chaudhari, IG BSF Guwahati Ftr, M. L. Batham, IG BSF Meghalaya & Silchar Ftr and Shri P.C. Meena, IG BSF Tripura Ftr and Sector DIsG of Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram & Cachar Frontiers, staffs officer from BSF New Delhi and representative of NCB.
During the meeting, it was advocated that both the forces should pool out resources together and combined efforts to put and end to all these menaces with a firm hand. IG BSF stressed for early implementation of Coordinated Border Management Plan to bring paradigm change in border management for both border guarding forces and make the life of border population peaceful and secure.
It then agreed for the joint efforts for prevention of smuggling of FICN and illegal migration/ infiltration by Bangladeshi nationals into India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/border-coordination-meeting-held/

Tussle for taking up works in border areas

Shillong, Dec 13 NNN : The traditional village council of Hima Nongspung-a village chiefdom located along the disputed plots between Assam and Meghalaya justified its decision to accept the developmental projects offered by Assam. Notwithstanding the hue and cry raised by a section of the council functionaries , the Syiem Chief of Hima Nongspung (Nongspung chiefdom) P R Syiemiong told the newsmen in Shillong on Tuesday, “ allowing the government of Assam to construct a road does not mean that we have ceded our traditional lands”.
Taking on his adversaries who accused him of conniving with the government of Assam, Syiemiong said that the decision to accept the developmental projects is part of the agreement arrived at by the then chief Ministers of the two states . Displaying the papers entered by the chief ministers of Assam and Meghlaya in 1992 and 2011 to allow both states to develop the areas of dispute till an amicable solution is arrived at on the disputed inter state borders, Syiemiong also produced the agreement on 03/12/2011 entered by him with Himata Tallukdar (MLA) and Sidik Ahmed (border minister of the government of Assam) agreed and confirmed that “the government of Assam will not stake any claim or land right over the portion of road that run from Nongspung chiefdom that is from Patgang, Longkhung, Jimrigang and Bakhlapara measuring for 10 kms”.
Mainatining that Road communication is the back bone of the state and people residing in these neglected areas will benefit especially for the transportation of the agriculture product and for the better road communication, the Traditional Chief clearly stated that these are pointers that we will not secede our lands to Assam
“Even after construction of the road the Hima (chiefdom) will exercise all its rights over administration and all other customary functions that the chiefdom exercised,” stated the Chief while citing to the agreement entered.
Hima Nongspung as it is called is one of the 12 areas of difference between Assam and Meghalya . Since 1973, both the states have failed to resolved the boundary dispute .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tussle-for-taking-up-works-in-border-areas/

Cabinet clears three important bills to combat corruption

New Delhi , Dec 13 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Tuesday cleared three important draft legislations, which include the Judicial Accountability Bill, Whistleblowers’ Bill and the Citizens’ Charter Bill, to battle corruption and ensure transparency.
The decision in this regard was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here this evening.
The Cabinet decision on Food Security Bill was, however, postponed today as the allies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre wanted more discussions on it.
The discussion on Food Security Bill will now be taken in the next cabinet meeting.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) lawmaker Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday said the Prime Minister should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.
Yechury said that his party would raise this issue at an all-party meet to be held on Wednesday.
“The one issue on which it (Ombudsman Bill) was not becoming a law in the last 20 years was on the question of inclusion of the Prime Minister. Now, we have all along maintained that Prime Minister should be included,” said Yechury.
“There was a big argument on the adequate safeguards for certain areas. So, I said that we can discuss but in the name of safeguards you cannot absolve the Prime Minister for this responsibility of being open for questioning on the issues of corruption,” he added.
Yechury further said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should also be included under the anti-graft legislation.
“With regard to the CBI on issues of corruption; yes on issues of corruption, the CBI should be under the supervision of the Lokpal,” he said.
The government is expected to hold discussions with its alliance partners on the Lokpal Bill today. An all-party meeting will be held on Wednesday to evolve consensus on the issue.
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare had observed a token daylong protest fast at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday to pressurise the government for passing a strong Lokpal Bill in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
Yechury also spoke on the contentious issue of the Mullaperiyar Dam, saying he would appeal to the Prime Minister to hold a meeting with leaders from the neighbouring southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to resolve the ongoing dispute.
“We recognise the need of water for Tamil Nadu is absolutely genuine and required, and we understand also after the recent tremors in the Idukki district, the fear that is there in the people of Kerala, whether the safety of the dam,” said Yechury.
“Now, these two are important issues, the case is before the Supreme Court and we want the Prime Minister to take the initiative, to call all the concerned groups and to ensure there is no outbreak of tensions that can lead to unnecessary complications,” he added.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu are locked in a dispute over the dam located in Idduki District. The dam and the river are located in Kerala, but the dam is controlled and operated by Tamil Nadu. The safety of the dam has been a matter of concern and a point of dispute between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
While Tamil Nadu, the custodian of the structure, wants to increase the water level in the reservoir, Kerala has been insisting that it be reduced from the current 136 feet to 120 feet.
Kerala apprehends that this past-expiry date dam could crash and cause untold destruction in the state.
Kerala is arguing for the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar in place of the existing one, which is being opposed by Tamil Nadu.

ULFA claims minister worked for it

Guwahati, Dec 12 NNN: The anti-talk faction of ULFA headed by Paresh Barua has claimed today that Assam’s cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was a member of the outlawed outfit one time.
The ULFA in an email statement said Himanta Biswa Sarma who is the health minister in Tarun Gogoi ministry had betrayed the people’s cause by aligning with forces of ‘colonial India’.
Reacting sharply to this allegation, Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed the ULFA’s allegation by saying that why did the outfit take more than 15 years to ‘expose’ his underground link. Himanta has been in politics for over 15 years now. “I think Paresh Barua (ULFA commander-in-chief) and his boys have lost their mental balance,” he said.
Reacting to the ULFA’s threat to target non-locals if the government did not withdraw counter-insurgency operations by armed forces, Sarma on Sunday ridiculed the outfit’s brand of revolution. “In an age when the press of a button can wipe out three-four countries at a time, they show their strength by planting bombs under rickshaws and railway tracks,” he said.
“His (Sarma’s) flippancy, spinelessness and lack of knowledge were the reasons why he had to leave the Ulfa,” said Ulfa publicity secretary Arunodoi Dohotia in an email statement. “But he and members of his government chose to be subservient to New Delhi unlike West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee who holds her own despite being with the colonial forces. Her dealing with New Delhi vis-à-vis Bangladesh is an example,” ULFA said.
The allegation of ULFA is purported to be on the basis of two Terrorist And Disruptive Activities (Tada) cases against Sarma in 1991.
The cases pertained to alleged collection of extortion money by Sarma on behalf of the Ulfa. The case diaries went ‘missing’ later on prompting the Gauhati High Court in August 2009 to order the government to furnish details about the cases. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said in Juky last year that he would order a CID probe into the missing Tada case diaries after RTI activist Akhil Gogoi claimed to have recovered the missing case diaries.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ulfa-claims-minister-worked-for-it/

Anna’s symbolic daylong fast galvanises hundreds across India

Lucknow/Kanpur/Kolkata/New Delhi, Dec 11 (ANI): Veteran social activist Anna Hazare’s daylong protest fast at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi galvanised hundreds across the country, as his supporters warned the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre of a prolonged agitation if key demands were not included in the Lokpal Bill.
Hazare’s supporters gathered in large numbers in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow city to demand the inclusion of three key demands outlined in the Bill.
Purshottam Shukla, a supporter of Hazare and himself a serial hunger striker, said the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, had promised to include the demands put forward by Team Anna, but the government had backtracked on its position.
Shukla further said that he would support Hazare in a prolonged agitation against the Congress-led UPA Government if the demands were still excluded.
“The three key demands that were remaining in the end, our Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) had assured that they will be included and had said that Annaji (Anna Hazare) should break his fast. Now, again they are not agreeing to these demands and the government has backtracked again,” said Shukla.
“It is our one-day demonstration, a waning demonstration, so that the government agrees to our demands, but if they do not agree then we will sit on an indefinite hunger strike again from December 27 and we will hold a stronger anti-corruption movement as compared to the last time,” he added.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur city, where Hazare’s supporters wearing ‘I am Anna’ caps staged a sit-in and sang patriotic songs to express their solidarity with the veteran social activist.
“The common people have elected you (lawmakers) to the Parliament. The Prime Minister had promised and had given a written assurance that the government will include the three key demands outlined in the Jan Lokpal Bill. But we have been betrayed,” said Rakesh Yadav, a Hazare supporter.
“So, keep in mind that if we can elect you in Parliament then we can overthrow you from Parliament and this demonstration is a warning to highlight that,” he added.
Meanwhile, the locals in West Bengal ‘s Kolkata city also came out on the streets and waved the national flag to mark their support to Hazare.
Hazare sat on a daylong fast at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest against the proposals of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Lokpal Bill.
Hazare, who is fighting for a strong anti-graft bill, has been demanding that the lower bureaucracy should be brought within the ambit of the Lokpal besides provisions for Citizen’s Charter and setting up of Lokayuktas under a central law.
The 74-year-old social activist has also warned the government that he would sit on an indefinite fast from December 27 at the Ramlila Maidan here if a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
The Lokpal Bill is seen as a weapon to root out corruption and nepotism from the government machinery and in public life.
The proposed Bill envisages the setting up of a national anti-corruption watchdog to check financial mismanagement and corrupt practices that have deeply pervaded several democratic and civic institutions of India .
Hazare had staged an indefinite hunger strike against graft that he gave up on August 28 when the government agreed to deliberate the issues raised by him and his forum vis-à-vis the passage and enactment of the Lokpal Bill, a suggestion that has received unprecedented nationwide backing.