Tag: Top Stories

NEW DELHI, March 19 (agencies): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in an interview to CNN IBN said that her party will quit the United Progressive Alliance, if humiliated.

Defending her decision to sack railway minister Dinesh Trivedi, the Trinamool Congress chief said that Trivedi had kept her and the party in the dark about the hike in passenger fare.

Mamata told CNN IBN: “I was kept in the dark by the minister. But first I chose to overlook. I was kept in the dark (about amendment to RPF Act), came to know only when the chief minister of a state wrote to the prime minister. The railway minister did not consult me.”

CNN IBN qouted her saying, “Can you think that without discussing the policy decision with Soniaiji the Congress can place the Budget? In every party there is a `parampara` (tradition).”

She also said that it was her right to decide who would become the railway minister but also added that her party did not want to topple the UPA.

She also told CNN IBN: “We do not want that the government should be toppled, but we want respect. We are not blackmailing the government. It is an alliance government.”

Earlier in the day, Mamata meet Manmohan Singh about the hike in passenger fare.

“It was a good meeting… the issue of rollback of passenger fare hike and making party leader Mukul Roy as the new railway minister are the prerogatives of the prime minister,” Banerjee said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/tmc-will-quit-upa-if-humiliated/

IMPHAL, Mar 19: A hunter was shot dead by another mistaking him for an animal. The incident happened this evening around 4 pm at the forest area between Pheilanbung and Vokboul village of Churchandpur district.

The victim has been identified as Lalminsang, 32 son of Henlianpau of Phailenbung village.

According to sources, he had gone hunting with his uncle and another friend, when the other hunter identified as Ginswamlan son of Khanthinkai, shot him mistaking him to be an animal in a jungle of Churachandpur district. 

Interestingly, a report from the Newmai News Network has stated that Saturday`s incident was not the only case when Ginsauwmlal had shot a person mistaken it for an animal. The source said that he had shot a person last year during a hunting trip but the victim somehow survived after a long hospitalisation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/man-shoots-cohunter/

IMPHAL, March 19: The Centre for Organisation Research and Education while welcoming the statement of the Home Minister of Manipur, Gaikhangam that his first priority is to develop a people-friendly police force in the state of Manipur has provided suggestions to the new Home Minister.

Consenting to the assurance from the minister, a statement of the organisation has stated that providing a secure environment and taking up confidence building measures requires two priorities, first and foremost, the issue of making the police a disciplined force.

It has stated that there are many serious shortcomings in the recruitment, training, deployment and supervision of the force by competent, honest and dedicated senior police officers that need to be seriously revised. Furthermore, there is widespread and regular interference in the work of police while conducting their duties from politicians and other authorities. Such interference not only hampers police work but also discourages and undermines their morale, status and role in society, the statement added.

The Centre for Organisation Research and Education therefore, urges the Home Minister to take a serious view of these priority issues while taking up his plan of action.

It has further stated that it is a matter of grave concern to the public that important key posts in the police department have been left unfilled and added that one of the key objectives of the police reform is to ensure the police department is appropriately and fully staffed so that it can function as a well-disciplined arm of the government,

It has also added that it would be wise for the minister to consider the fact that a disciplined policeman is a friendly policeman.

On the presence of women in the force, the statement has stated that a modern police force today is characterised by the presence of women in the force.

Welcoming the recruitment of women among its file by the state police department in an act of modernising the department, the CORE statement has stated that the women police personnel must be given adequate exposure and training to conduct their challenging duty in the service of the people.

The Minister also reportedly said that in order to provide a secure environment in the state, confidence building measures need to be taken up so that the general public could feel secure when they see policemen in the street and in their homes.

It has further referred the need to develop wide and meaningful participation of different sections of our society, such as women, elderly, NGOs and human rights defenders, academics, youths and students, civil society, etc while taking up confidence building measures.

While stating that the police have multiple roles and functions, it has added that confidence building measures must address the different roles that the police have, such as, maintaining law and order, investigation of crime, controlling the traffic, providing security to state property and high functionaries, public awareness of law, etc.

“To be a people-friendly department every police person must first became an exemplary citizen and member of society. Our police stations and out-posts, police pickets and manned barricades, police guard posts, etc. are to be the face of our society. The staff and personnel officiating and conducting their duties at these important points of interface with the public are required to exhibit the highest level of discipline and polite behaviour”.

No citizen, young and old, male and female should approach our police with fear, shame or uncertainty about how they will be received and treated by the police personnel.

A people-friendly police force is a dignified police force. The public cannot expect and tolerate a police force that has no dignity. Police personnel must be adequately supported and paid salaries commensurate with their special role, the statement added.

It has further appreciated the assurance of the minister that the present strength of the police force is adequate and vacancies in the police department will be filled and he will be focusing on police reforms. The responsibilities and tasks of the Home Minister of Manipur are extremely challenging, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/core-counsels-home-minister-on-peoplefriendly-police-force/

IMPHAL, March 19: An unidentified woman who was admitted to the RIMS casualty by two persons who claimed to be her relatives died yesterday at 11:25 pm.

The persons registered her name at the hospital as S Sanathoi, 45, wife of late Birchandra of Kumbi Tera Khong under Kumbi police station. However when the police arrived at the registered residence to inform them about the death, Sanathoi was found to be still alive.

According to a source, the two after attending to the injured for two days left and never returned.

Soon after she succumbed to her injuries, the hospital authorities informed the Lamphel police, who on their part informed the Kumbi police station.

Further according to the source, when Kumbi police tried contacting the registered family, Sanathoi was found to be living and with her husband.

Meanwhile, the dead body of the woman is still kept at the RIMS mortuary for identification.

The woman seem to be about 5’2” in height, and has a round face, wheatish complexion of average built and was wearing a pink color top and a grey color Phanek when she was admitted to the hospital.

If the death body is not claimed by anyone before March 22 it will be disposed by the government, an official statement informed.    

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/police-find-dead-woman-hale-and-hearty-at-home/

NEW DELHI, March 17 (IANS): The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued notice to social activist Arvind Kejriwal for his purported remarks about parliamentarians during an election campign rally in February, a Team Anna member told IANS Saturday.

On March 12, Congress MP Sajjan Singh Verma had filed a complaint with the Lok Sabha Secretariat against Kejriwal for calling Lok Sabha members “rapists, murderers and looters”.

Verma, in his complaint, has condemned Kejriwal`s remarks and termed them as an “attack on democracy”.

The MP from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh has also demanded severe punishment for the RTI activist.

On February 25, Kejriwal had said: “In this Parliament, 163 members have cases of heinous offences against them. In this Parliament, rapists are sitting, murderers and looters are sitting. How can you expect the Jan Lokpal Bill to be passed by Parliament? How can you expect that you can get reprieve from poverty and corruption?”

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/privilege-notice-issued-to-arvind-kejriwal/

IMPHAL, March 17: A team Thoubal district police commandos has nabbed four cadres of the KCP (Wanglen group) during a counter insurgency operation conducted at Wangjing area on March 16 at around 5:15pm, stated an official statement of the SP Thoubal.

The statement has further identified the four alleged militants as Chongtham Nandabir alias Kengba alias Nanda Singh, 18 son of Ingocha Singh of Moreh ward no 7, Khunaijam Abung alias Prem alias Rakesh Singh, 18 son of Shamu of Moreh ward no 7, Angom Ajay Singh, 16, son of Ibopishak Singh of Moreh ward no 7 and Meisnam Abungcha alias Amurei Singh, 18 son of (l) M Lukhoi Singh of Moreh ward no 9.

It has further identified the four alleged militants as active members of the KCP (Wanglen group) and to be currently working in the recruiting cell of the outfit.

The four had forcibly taken one Soibam Ronald Singh, 13 son of Gunadhor of Wangjing Awang Leikai to Myanmar and recruited him as a cadre of the outfit, the statement added.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the commando team had also arrested one cadre of the KCP (Khaba group) from Lilong Haoreibi Hungamthabi, the statement stated.

The alleged militant identified as Md Rijwan, 20 son of (l) Md Rahibur Rahman of Lilong Haoreibi Awang Leikai was arrested by the team during a search operation conducted at the area at around 7:20pm, it added.

One demand letter of the proscribed KCP (Khaba group) was recovered from the possession of the arrested cadre, the statement added.

In the meantime, on March 15, a team of the Imphal east police commandos had arrested one cadre of the KCP (Maoist) identified as Sanoujam Sanatomba Singh alias Sarat alias Yaima, 21 son of (l) Amuthoiba alias Chaoba of Mayang Imphal Kokchaida from near Kontha Ahallup auto rickshaw parking and recovered one mobile phone alongwith one Airtel sim card

It has further informed that during interrogation, the alleged militant disclosed that he joined the outfit last year in February under one Chinglen and is currently working under s/s chairman of the outfit Kangleipal.

He also disclosed that s/s Kangleipal is currently in Nepal, the statement added.

Further according to the statement, Sanatomba was involved in recruitment of cadres and in extorting money from the general public, officials and businessmen. 

Another militant of the KCP, identified as Md Tajjauddin, 26 son of Naziruddin of Keirao Sabal leikai was arrested from Kongba bazar on March 15 at around 11:30am, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/arrested-militant-discloses-kcp-maoist-chief-at-nepal/

IMPHAL, March 18: Manipur Cycle Club (MCC) will start producing ‘Bamboo Cycles’ in collaboration with South Asia Bamboo Foundation in Manipur propagating a healthier and pollution less environment.

James Mayengbam, advcacy official of MCC said that the Manipur Cycle Club which will two years old soon has been endorsing a less polluted environment and a healthier lifestyle. The cycle club which has more than thousands of member has been carrying out ‘Critical Masses’, a cycling event where cyclist converge together at every last Sunday of each month and ride about town distributing pamphlets and propagating cycling as an efficient means to getting around Imphal city.

In furtherance of the said agenda, the MCC had forwarded a proposal to the South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SaBF) stating that a particular bamboo which is found in Chandel and Churachandpur has the resilience to make up the main frame of the cycle.It may be mentioned that cycles frames are made up of aluminum or steel.

Ram Wankheirakpam, vice president of MCC told IFP, “ We are going to produce the bamboo bicycle on an experimental basis. We will test it for six months to assess the economic feasibility”. He said that Imphal city has remained a congested area with the unchecked rise of motor vehicles , specially two wheelers ,adding that the roads have been taken over by the petrol guzzling motors.

“First six prototypes will be produced at low costs, the durability of the cycles will also be tested to ascertain its feasibility for marketing”, Ram of MCC further stated.

He also mentioned that such an endeavor will be in furtherance of utilizing the natural resources (bamboo) in the state and towards skill development of artisans and entrepreneurs. “ The scope of bamboo cycles is aimed at developing the tourism scenario in the state also”, he added.

In this regard, Manipur Cycle Club in collaboration with South Asia Bamboo Foundation is going to organize a bamboo cycle building workshop beginning April 1 which will continue for 5 days.

MCC also notified that interested candidates eager to participate in the bamboo cycle workshop can submit their resume at Jupiter Yambem Centre located at Paona Bazar, Moreh Market.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/cycles-to-be-made-of-bamboomcc/

By Dr.Chinglen Maisnam
IMPHAL, March 17: First let me make general comment on the Union Budget 2012-13 which has received little attention in a state like Manipur.

The Budget comes at a time when UPA II Government has been accused of turning a blind eye to mega-corruption and black money and doing little to counter hyperinflation that hit the people and rising regional divide.

What are the main issues that matter to the ordinary people today?  The rampant inflation which is eroding real incomes very sharply and making it difficult for households to make ends meet. 

The difficulty in finding productive and secure employment that provide adequate livelihood. Pitiable state of affairs in supply of some essential public services which force people to use expensive and often inadequate private providers. Poor physical infrastructure and even worse conditions of maintenance of such infrastructure.

The Union budget ,however, fails to address such a serious problems affecting the people and the economy in pursuit of aggressive neo-liberal policies. Finance Minister in his budget address said “We are about to enter the first year of the Twelfth Five Year Plan which aims at “faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth.”

Here also the budget lacks seriousness in addressing the issue of inclusive human development which has emerged as one of the biggest immediate social problem in the country today.

Though India is moving towards high growth trajectory, it cannot convert the income gain into human development.

The Centre`s “aggressive neo-liberal” character found reflection in Finance Minister’s remarks on subsidies. “It would be my endeavour to restrict the expenditure on Central subsidies to under 2 per cent of GDP in 2012-13. Over the next three years, it would be further brought down to 1.75 per cent of GDP”. Justifying the proposal, he observes “Some subsidies at this juncture in our development are inevitable. But they become undesirable if they compromise the macroeconomic fundamentals of the economy”. All these indicated the government`s lack of willingness to devoid from the quest for fiscal rectitude. It lacks seriousness in addressing the issue of inclusiveness.On the issue of infrastructure the Budget promises to increase investment in infrastructure to 50 lakh crore.

But half of this is expected to come from private sector. But no private capital, foreign or domestic, will come in when there is no disposable income in the domestic market.

The problem of infrastructure, which has emerged as the biggest immediate economic problem in the country today is not seriously addressed in the budget. Despite problems in agriculture growth, the budget provisions had been insufficient and that the allocations for the welfare of women, minorities and tribals were thoroughly inadequate.

The Central focus of the Union Budget 2012-13 revolves around the expenditure cut- deflationary policy. The Union Budget still carries forward neo-liberal policies. It does not devoid of “aggressive reform”.. The tax-GDP ratio, which had reached almost 12% in 2007-08, has declined since then to around 10.6 per cent in the current Budget.  At a time when income inequalities are rising fast, a decline in tax GDP ratio shows the waning commitment towards redistributive policies and a throwback to trickle-down economics. With resource mobilization taking a back seat, Plan Expenditure as percentage of GDP in 2012-13 has not increased significantly from what was spent in the previous fiscals. The total expenditure for 2012-13 is budgeted at 14, 90,925 crore. Of this, the Plan Expenditure for 2012-13 is 5, 21,025 crore. The Non Plan Expenditure for 2012-13 is budgeted at 9, 69,900 crore. Thus, major chunk of the expenditure goes to non-plan. Such squeeze in real expenditure marks all the major developmental heads. The Budget is proposing to mobilise a net revenue amount of Rs. 45,940 crore through indirect taxes, which will inevitably be passed on to the consumers. This is a regressive taxation regime, which enriches the rich while burdening the ordinary citizensNo concrete steps to unearth the huge sums of black money stashed in offshore tax havens were announced. The 82 DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement) is the biggest conduit of tax evasion by MNCs and Indian corporates. Rather than plugging such channels, the Finance Minister is signing more tax avoidance treaties with other countries.

It is to be mentioned here that the North Eastern region depends on central funding for many of its basic needs and also for development works. The state governments of the region depend heavily on the central assistance and thus efforts to create economic and physical infrastructure by the states themselves are inadequate. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced nothing specific about North Eastern region. The north east has been neglected once again in the budget. Nothing has been done to reduce the multi prong deficits of the region including unsustainable fiscal crisis. Budgetary allocations will hardly reach yhe region.

To sum up,the argument underlying the budget appears to be the reduction in the revenue and fiscal deficits relative to the GDP. It has to be achieved however not through additional resource mobilization but through a restriction on government expenditure relative to GDP. These measures undoubtedly carry the neo-liberal agenda forward; the deflationary nature of the Budget is a warning sign of this.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/budget-revolves-around-expenditure-cut-deflationary-policy/

IMPHAL, March 15: Around five women were injured this early morning during a commotion between locals of Mayang Imphal Konum and personnel of 33 Assam Rifles posted at Mayang Imphal Komlakhong Chingthi.

According to a reliable source, the incident happened when locals including students and meira paibis stormed the AR post demanding the release of one Md Ibocha, 31 son of Karimuddin of Mayang Imphal Konung who was arrested by the personnel of the AR on Wednesday night from his residence on charges of being a militant.

In the ensuing skirmish five women were injured.The protestors were lathi-charged by the personnel of the AR post, the source further added.

Meanwhile, the AR authorities handed over the alleged militant over to the Mayang Imphal police this noon, the source added.

The police on their part informed the locals that the charges registered against Ibocha are serious and as such cannot release him immediately without further interrogation, the source stated.

Meanwhile, a local identified Md Ibocha as a teacher of Kolum Islamic Writer Academy and that he is innocent.

The five injured women could not be identified till the filing of this report.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/ar-lathicharge-leaves-five-injured/

IMPHAL, March 15 (Newmai News Network): The militant outfit United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) has announced to impose an “indefinite bandh” along the National Highway 53 (Imphal-Jiribam road) from 6 am of March 17 over the detention of one of its cadres by the security forces on March 13.

“We take seriously the detention of our cadre by the security forces and we strongly condemn such act,” UTLA chairman SK Thadou said in a statement on Thursday.

The police are attempting to spread undesirable propaganda by arresting one of its cadres, Lalmingou alias Gogou, 18 of Moreh in Chandel district of Manipur, the outfit’s chairman said.

The strike will remain enforced until and unless the demand for unconditional release of Lalmingou is fulfilled, he added.

He also appealed to the people to extend cooperation to the outfit and warned that they (UTLA) would not own responsibility for any untoward incident that occurs during the indefinite bandh on the National Highway.

Notably, self-styled private Lalmingou was reportedly apprehended by a combined team of 22 Assam Rifles and Imphal east police commandos on March 13 from Paithol along National Highway 53 about 30 km from Jiribam town.

Last year, on October 27, altogether 45 cadres hailing from UTLA laid down arms before Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/utla-warns-of-highway-bandh/

IMPHAL March 13: Okram Ibobi Singh has been announced as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party for the third time and will be sworn in as the Chief Minister tomorrow.

The announcement was made by AICC general secretary in charge of Manipur, Luijinho Faleiro today at Manipur Congress Bhawan located at BT Road during a press meet which was also attended by Ibobi, Gaikhangam, T Mangibabu, Victor Keishing and Thoudam Debendra Singh.

Speaking at the conference, Faleiro said the decision to institute Ibobi Singh as the CLP leader was made by Sonia Gandhi as the state unit had place the responsibility to decide the leadership before her earlier.

“There was no level playing field, names were given and warned”, he said before adding that despite the difficulties faced by the party before the election, the public has supported the party.

He further said that some states of the Northeast are still witnessing internal strife which has prevented development.

“We need a massive peace movement to create an atmosphere for fostering further development to fulfill the aspirations of the people”.

He said that the underground organizations should come to the negotiating table with their conditions for talks with the government.

Further during the meet, Okram Ibobi who will be sworn in for the third consecutive time said that his third term will be a big challenge. “Peoples’ expectation is so high and our capability is so limited”.

He stated that his third term will focus on improvement of connectivity, power, providing safe drinking water and what has been mandated in the Congress manifesto.

Replying to queries, he further stated that the selection of the cabinet minister for his government is also under consultation with the Congress high command.

Gaikhangam, president of MPCC who earlier gave up a ministerial berth in the last SPF led government also voiced content on Ibobi Singh’s selection as the CLP leader. He mentioned that whatever the central leader’s decision is, it is final and binding for the party.

The formation of the government will be formally carried out at Raj Bhawan in the afternoon tomorrow.

To swear in the Chief Minister and the new cabinet ministers, the Governor has appointed Laishram Nandakumar Singh, one of the senior most MLA elected in the 10th Assembly Elections as the Protem speaker today.

The Governor has also appointed Okram Ibobi Singh, leader of the INC legislature party in the Tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly to be the new Chief Minister and requested him to submit the names of his new council of ministers.

Meanwhile, reliable sources said that the induction of the cabinet ministers scheduled tomorrow will only witness conferring of portfolios to four MLAs only. The ministers likely to be sworn in include Gaikhangam, Th Debendra and Phunzathang Tonsing aside from Okram Ibobi Singh. Following hectic lobby for ministerial berths, the CLP will announce its remaining eight candidates in a second swearing in ceremony after March 15 only.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/okram-ibobi-to-be-sworn-in-cm-for-third-time-in-a-row-today/

IMPHAL March 13: “Irom Sharmila is a sister, her life is important but we have to think for the interest of the nation”, Okram Ibobi replied to a query from media persons during the formal announcement of his CLP leadership at Congress Bhawan today.

He said that he has worked for the removal of AFSPA way back in 2004 and lifted the implementation of the act from seven assembly segments following the pressure from the public and Sharmila’s own family.

He said that the approach to lift the act from the said areas was met with stiff opposition from the centre including the home ministry. He hinted that the law and order situation in the state has not improved overall so as to pressure the centre to lift the act.

Meanwhile, the “Iron Lady” was freed from judicial custody yesterday and has remained at her support group shelter stationed at Porompat. Talking to media, she had mentioned that her stance has not been given support by the government. She added that her struggle has been sidelined by the government.

She was rearrested today from Porompat by Imphal east police in the afternoon and sent to judicial custody for the next 15 days.

She has entered the 11th year of her fast after the Malom Massacre in November 2,2000. Sharmila is on fast demanding repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Under Section 309 of the IPC, the maximum punishment for trying to commit suicide is one year. Therefore, she is released once every year, only to be re-arrested for continuing the fast.

Meanwhile, to mark her birthday tomorrow, her supporters and family members have planned to light candles in all districts.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/sharmila-rearrest-drama-continues/

IMPHAL March 13: “Irom Sharmila is a sister, her life is important but we have to think for the interest of the nation”, Okram Ibobi replied to a query from media persons during the formal announcement of his CLP leadership at Congress Bhawan today.

He said that he has worked for the removal of AFSPA way back in 2004 and lifted the implementation of the act from seven assembly segments following the pressure from the public and Sharmila’s own family.

He said that the approach to lift the act from the said areas was met with stiff opposition from the centre including the home ministry. He hinted that the law and order situation in the state has not improved overall so as to pressure the centre to lift the act.

Meanwhile, the “Iron Lady” was freed from judicial custody yesterday and has remained at her support group shelter stationed at Porompat. Talking to media, she had mentioned that her stance has not been given support by the government. She added that her struggle has been sidelined by the government.

She was rearrested today from Porompat by Imphal east police in the afternoon and sent to judicial custody for the next 15 days.

She has entered the 11th year of her fast after the Malom Massacre in November 2,2000. Sharmila is on fast demanding repeal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Under Section 309 of the IPC, the maximum punishment for trying to commit suicide is one year. Therefore, she is released once every year, only to be re-arrested for continuing the fast.

Meanwhile, to mark her birthday tomorrow, her supporters and family members have planned to light candles in all districts.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/sharmila-rearrest-drama-continues/

IMPHAL, March 13 (agencies): Okram Ibobi Singh, who steered the Congress to a third consecutive term in Manipur, in the assembly elections is credited with bringing political stability to the state as very few chief ministers here could complete their terms before him in March 2002.

Soft-spoken 63-year-old joined the party when Reishang Keishing was the chief minister and was first elected to Manipur assembly in 1984 as an independent candidate.

He was appointed chairman of the state Khadi and Village Industries Board between November 1985 to January 1988.

In 1990 he was re-elected to the assembly on a Congress ticket and became Industries minister. On his victory in the March 2002 assembly hustling, Ibobi became the chief minister followed by his second stint as chief minister in 2007.

He was born in Athokpam Makha Leikai, an interior village in Thoubal district, on July 19, 1948 to Okram Angoubi and Lukamani Devi. He is an Arts graduate from a local college.

His wife Landhoni Devi is a newly-elected Congress MLA. She was a small time government contractor before becoming a social worker. They have a son and two daughters.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/cm-in-waiting-okram-ibobi/

NEW DELHI, March 13 (agencies): Mamata Banerjee`s Trinamool Congress, never before a force to reckon with in Manipur, has won seven seats in the recent assembly elections, overtaking established political forces like the Manipur People`s Party.

However, if Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, re-elected for an unprecedented third consecutive term, is not successful in tackling the woes of the hard-working Manipuris, the state may abandon the Congress, says Nitin Gokhale.

In the hype and hoopla over the Uttar Pradesh election results, the electoral outcome in Manipur, that tiny, beautiful state in the north-east, remained at best a footnote to the grandly-mounted but often vacuous television studio discussions.

But if, in the gloom and doom of losing UP, Punjab and Goa, the Congress had one piece of good news, it was from Manipur.

For the first time in over a quarter century or more, a single party — the Congress in this case — has won an absolute majority in the 60-member state assembly.

Okram Ibobi Singh, a man with no apparent charisma, has delivered the state to the Congress for third time in a row — a la Tarun Gogoi in neighbouring Assam.

In fact, if you cast your eye across the map of India, except for Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala (where it rules by the skin of its teeth), the Congress has more governments in the north-east — Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

So what accounts for Ibobi Singh`s uninterrupted stint in Manipur despite the lack of spectacular achievements and rampant corruption?

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/manipur-a-victory-with-a-warning/

NEW DELHI, March 13 (agencies): Mamata Banerjee`s Trinamool Congress, never before a force to reckon with in Manipur, has won seven seats in the recent assembly elections, overtaking established political forces like the Manipur People`s Party.

However, if Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, re-elected for an unprecedented third consecutive term, is not successful in tackling the woes of the hard-working Manipuris, the state may abandon the Congress, says Nitin Gokhale.

In the hype and hoopla over the Uttar Pradesh election results, the electoral outcome in Manipur, that tiny, beautiful state in the north-east, remained at best a footnote to the grandly-mounted but often vacuous television studio discussions.

But if, in the gloom and doom of losing UP, Punjab and Goa, the Congress had one piece of good news, it was from Manipur.

For the first time in over a quarter century or more, a single party — the Congress in this case — has won an absolute majority in the 60-member state assembly.

Okram Ibobi Singh, a man with no apparent charisma, has delivered the state to the Congress for third time in a row — a la Tarun Gogoi in neighbouring Assam.

In fact, if you cast your eye across the map of India, except for Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala (where it rules by the skin of its teeth), the Congress has more governments in the north-east — Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

So what accounts for Ibobi Singh`s uninterrupted stint in Manipur despite the lack of spectacular achievements and rampant corruption?

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/manipur-a-victory-with-a-warning/

PANAJI, Mar 7 (IANS): Assembly constituencies in Goa where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Congress president Sonia Gandhi campaigned have resulted in dismal returns for the Congress.

Sonia Gandhi`s rally at the Fatorda constituency in South Goa, 35 kms from here Feb 25 appears to have failed to cheer up the Congress voters there, with the party`s candidate M.K. Shaikh garnering a dismal 660 votes. Congress rebel Vijai Sardesai won the seat with a whopping 10,375 votes, with the BJP`s Damu Naik coming in second with 8,436 votes. Shaikh was ranked fifth in the list of performers.

In North Goa`s Sanquelim constituency, 35 kms from here, where Manmohan Singh addressed a public rally, Congress candidate Pratap Gawas lost by a margin of 7,000 plus votes to his nearest rival, Pramod Sawant of the BJP.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/pm-sonia-fail-to-garner-votes-for-goa-congress/

IMPHAL: Newly elected INC candidate from 47 Chingai assembly constituency, MK Preshow in a an interview with select mediapersons at his Nagaram residence today said that his objective to serve the people better landed him in politics.

Preshow narrated that he was earlier working as a scientific officer in the Environment and Ecology department. After becoming the chief advisor of Information Centre for Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM), he along with other members visited far flung hill areas and had experienced firsthand accounts of the deplorable living conditions.“ The people of the hills are innocent, the elected leaders are the ones who take advantage”, he further added that the deprivation of government welfare schemes in the hills have hindered development. “ We were approached for help, but being a government employee, I was helpless. I entered politics so that I could help them”, he said.

Detailing on the election problems in his constituency, he said that Naga rebels have always dominated the area and were behind the kidnapping and torture of three of his workers and that more than a 100 workers were thrashed.

He stated that despite the intimidations and physical abuse,and  against all odds, the public gave their votes to him. “ The message is loud and clear that the Chingai people don’t want violence,the trust of the people in me will not be let down”, he said.

Preshow prioritizes himself in imparting quality education and to focus on bringing about self reliance among the youths through entreprenual skill development and by providing loans. “Chingai has ample scope for setting up agriculture based business, horticulture and animal husbandry.Tourism potential is also another aspect”, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/new-chingai-mla-sets-sight-on-sustainable-development/