Tag: Top Stories

From John K KapingUKHRUL, Feb 11: A 12-hour long public curfew imposed in Ukhrul district by various organizations including Tangkhul Women`s League (TSL), Tangkhul Students` Union (TKS), Tangkhul Youth Council (TMNL) and Tangkhul Headmen Council (TNWL) demanding immediate and unconditional release of Ningkhan Anthony Shimray, head of foreign affairs of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) passed-off peacefully today. The curfew affected normal activities including functioning of schools, colleges, offices and business establishments across the district.Ukhrul town also wore a deserted looked during the public curfew which began at 5 am this early morning and concluded at 5:00pm in the evening. Earlier on February 8, the TSL under the aegis of the Naga Women`s Union, Manipur (NWUM) had staged a 2-hour public curfew in all the four Naga dominated hill districts of Manipur on the same issue. Ningkhan Shimray aka Anthony Shingh, the NSCN-IM point man has actively participated in at least seven rounds of Indo-Naga peace talks with the Centre. He is at present lodged in Tihar Jail, Delhi undergoing trial in Patiala Court.It may also be mentioned that his bail was rejected by the court on January 4, 2012 by opening up old cases from 1982. The NIA special court has fixed the dates for a speedy trial from February 10 to13. The NSCN top-brass leader is also on a hunger strike inside the jail to protest his continued detention,  stated a joint press communique of the TSL, TKS, TMNL and TNWL.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/ukhrul-intensifies-protest-for-release-of-nscnim-leader/

NEW DELHI, Feb 10: In a major blow to Indian Army chief General V.K. Singh, the Supreme Court Friday refused to entertain his plea challenging a government order setting his birth date as May 10, 1950 and said it will be forced to dump it if he did not withdraw it.

The court order has left Gen. Singh with little option over his dragging contention that he was actually born on May 10, 1951 `“ not 1950 `“ and that the issue concerned his `honour and integrity`.

Hearing his petition at the admission stage, the apex court also asked the army chief to honour his letters of 2008 and 2009 accepting 1950 as his birth year.

It noted that the government order recognising his birth year as 1950 does not suffer from perversity and was not grossly erroneous.

It pointed out that some `threshold` documents Gen. Singh had submitted to the government too maintained that he was born in 1950.

The documents relate to the records of the Union Public Service Commission, the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy.

The court said there was no prejudice vis-a-vis Gen. Singh and that the government had full faith in him.

Earlier in the day, the government told the court that it had withdrawn a Dec 30, 2011 order rejecting Gen. Singh`™s plea to reconcile his birth date to May 10, 1950 `” which prompted him to move the court.

Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati told the court that the government had acted in response to a Feb 3 apex court querry whether it was willing to withdraw the order.

The court had then said that the Dec 30, 2011 order was `vitiated` by opinion given by Vahanvati in July 2011 that led the government to reject the army chief`™s request on his age.

While the army chief maintains that he was born in 1951, the government insists he was born a year earlier.

The discrepancy was pointed out by the Military Secretary`™s branch in 2006 when Gen. Singh was being considered for promotion as corps commander.

Since then, all his promotions, including as army commander in 2008 and army chief in 2010, were made on the basis that he was born in 1950.

If 1950 is taken as Gen. Singh`™s year of birth, he would have to retire in May. If the year is taken as 1951, he would retire in March 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/apex-court-nixes-army-chiefs-age-plea/

IMPHAL, Feb 10: The 4th School Meet began today with a parade by school children from all over the state at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. Special secretary of Education (S) Suresh Babu received the salute as the chief guest of the ceremony.

In his speech, Suresh Babu encouraged the students to take up their academics and sports with equal enthusiasm asserting that combining the two will reap optimal benefit.

More than 800 athletes and 20 officials are taking part in the meet. Each district has sent a squad of 90 athletes and two officials. However, the openining function which was to begin at 9.30 am was delayed by over two hours owing to the tardiness of chief guest who arrived behind schedule causing difficulties to the people who had congregated and simultaneously delaying the start of competition.

The football competition kicked off with Imphal West district scoring an easy 7-0 win over Senapati district. In athletics, Md Faroouque and Abemsana, both representing Thoubal district, emerged the fastest junior boy and girl winning the 100m race with timings of 12.14s and 14.56s respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/school-sports-meet-kicks-off/

IMPHAL, Feb 9: The Maoist Communist Party, Manipur has made a final appeal to the Film Forum, Manipur to abide by the guidelines on production of films adopted at Kangla and State Guest House in 2006 or accept the intervention from the party in execution of the public resolution.

The party had issued a warning that beginning February 15, punitive actions will be taken against producer, director, actors and all persons involved in the films that do not adhere strictly to the guidelines.The party is aware of a general perception that monetary demands always associate serious pursuance on any issue and the party has been a victim of it, stated MCP in a press release.

In the past, the forum had tried to put a cover on its misdeed and instead show the party in a bad light during a public meeting participated by civil society organisations who were mislaid. Such tactics will have no effect on MCP.

It stated that MCP had treaded on the issue with an objective of rectifying the anomalies in the state film industry and not for financial benefit. Neither can the party be bought for any sum of money.

The guidelines which the MCP are pressing the forum to follow were drafted by the forum and MCP has no hand while formulating them. The MCP’ position on the issue is clear. It demands that the forum should observed the stricture that it had pledge. Whatever outcomes materialised from the future conduct of the forum should be accepted by it, the release stated, adding that the party will no longer pratice liniency in implementing its resoultion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/mcp-passes-on-ultimatum-to-film-body/

IMPHAL, Feb 8: The Naga People`s Front (NPF), Chandel unit said that after the enduring all threat perception caused by supporters of Indian National Congress (INC) candidate in Tengnoupal assembly constituency and SS. Olish, the independent candidate of Chandel constituency in the voting process in both the constituencies of Chandel district, it has gone “beyond our toleration” by the persisting creation of fear psychosis by deploying heavily armed Manipur police commandos in the re-poll polling stations on  February 4.

The NPF said not satisfied with their scheme to ignite violence during election process, SS. Olish, the independent candidate of Chandel constituency in connivance with the state security forces, is all out to target NPF workers and victimize them as unlawful elements by attempting to lodge FIR. “While she had enjoyed full proof security to campaign in the election process, SS Olish  blames the NPF workers to malign the good image of the NPF party,” alleged the Chandel unit of NPF.

Strongly taking note of the intention to harass and torture the NPF workers of Chandel divisional unit in connivance with the state security personnel, such criminal attempts would not be healthy for the society and may affect the social harmony of the state, the NPF, Chandel unit stated. In this regard, many complaints were lodged through the concerned authority for necessary remedial action. The state security personnel as well as the Assam Rifles in connivance with INC workers in Tengnoupal (ST) A/C had physically and psychologically harassed, detained and abducted the NPF workers. The NPF agents of Khudei Khullen who were abducted before the polling day are now sent to jail by lodging fabricated allegation, the NPF alleged.

It alleged that the NPF Chandel divisional unit who advocated peaceful voting through exercising their respective franchise has become a soft target due to incorrect inputs highlighted in the print media. The factual event that the voters of Chandel district encountered was not rightly highlighted, it added.

“If the trend of victimizing the NPF workers by the security personnel instigated by SS. Olish is not restrained in time, it would be termed as an attempt to murder democracy in the country. The Election Commission of India and its state organs are earnestly appealed to advise the state authority to uphold social tranquility for the betterment of the state,” the NPF cautions.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/npf-workers-in-chandel-persecuted-by-rivals/

IMPHAL, Feb 8 (NNN): Around 300 votes were allegedly cast by illegal means in Keirao constituency of Imphal East district in the recent polls to the Manipur assembly, and that also in the presence of a single polling agent of a particular party. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has been requested for re-poll in five booths under the constituency.

Md. Wahidur Rahman, the election agent of Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Md. Allauddin Khan who contested the polls from 6-Keirao constituency, told a press meet at the Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday that he has requested the State CEO Lawmkunga to take up necessary action against those individuals who indulged in poll rigging in 6-Keirao constituency’s five booths.

In a representation written to the CEO, the election agent informed the latter that around 300 votes were cast by unfair means in five booths of 6-Keirao constituency and the electorate included dead persons and those who were out of station. During the voting, only one polling agent of a particular party was present.

He also demanded re-poll in the said polling booths—Heibong Makhong Junior High School, Heibong Makhong Junior Left Wing, Ideal high School South Wing, Ideal High School North Wing and Girls’ LP School. 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/repoll-demanded-in-keirao/

IMPHAL, Feb 8 : Over 300 loaded trucks bound for Imphal are stranded at Jiribam, bordering Assam, along the 225-km-long National Highway 37 for five days due to the absence of armed Manipur paramilitary personnel to escort them. The Jiribam police said the trucks were being provided protection in the interim.

A number of militant groups extort illegal taxes while highwaymen loot passengers occasionally. Some drivers, who had plied in small numbers without armed paramilitary personnel, were waylaid, beaten up on the charge that the owners had not paid various taxes, and their vehicles torched.

As the trucks transport goods regularly, a blockade-like situation prevails in Manipur. Last year, there were blockades for 123 days as the Kuki and the Naga tribals made demands over the formation of a new district. However, the blockade was suspended on December 1 to facilitate a visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on December 3 to inaugurate a slew of new constructions.

Talking to The Hindu, some traders said perishable items in the stranded trucks were rotting. Besides, the transporters were charging more for the inordinate delay. As a result, the traders had to jack up the prices.

Prices of all consumer items and construction materials remain exorbitant. Till recently, fuel was strictly rationed with most of the oil pumps remaining closed. However, at the direction of the Election Commission, the pumps were opened. Sources say that soon after the March 6 counting for the Assembly polls, fuel will become scarce since the trucks and oil tankers cannot be provided armed escorts along the highways on a daily basis.

The other lifeline is National Highway 39 that snakes through Nagaland. Many trucks and oil tankers avoid it fearing extortions and manhandling of the drivers, though the road condition is better.

Raising a highway protection force to prevent blockades by some tribal groups was one of the main election issues of the political parties contesting the January 28 Assembly polls.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/300-trucks-stuck-in-jiribam-for-last-5-days-due-to-want-of-escorts/

IMPHAL, Feb 8: The military affairs committee, United National Liberation Front, has sent its greetings to the people of Manipur and the rank and files of other revolutionary groups on the 25th anniversary of its armed wing, the Manipur Peoples’ Army.

In a press statement, the MAC stated that the MPA had continuously carried out an armed struggle to regain the forsaken independence of Manipur and defeat the ‘Indian Occupation Force’. During the last 25 years, the MPA has been involved in more than 160 engagements in the battle-field with the IOF and mad exterminate scores of their soldiers. The outfit understands the need to intensify the arm-struggle to totally uproot the occupational forces from the land, it stated.

With each confrontation with the IOF, the organization has grown in experience and enhanced its capability. The party is also fully aware that it draws its strength from the public and truly believed that the fight for freedom will be successful only if the trust between the public and the revolutionaries are upheld, it added.

Manipur bore the adverse consequences of being neighbors to the economically and militarily powerful state like India. The MAC claimed that armed struggle is the most potent option to wrest self-rule from imperialist India.

Democratic form of struggle has always remained as an alternative. However, recently the use of force and finance supplied by western powers enable the existing regime to successfully quell the democratic struggles for liberation in the Arab countries. Similarly, there is no other struggle than taking up arms to make a powerful state like India bite the dust, it stated.

It questioned on the philosophy behind the Indian government overseeing an administration in Manipur under the shield of military laws like AFSPA for the last five decades since it became a Union Territory in 1958. It alleged, the dependence of governance on inputs supplied by the military is fool-proof evidence that the Indian government is bent on using brute force to suppress the independence of a culturally, linguistically and physiologically different race. The Indian rule will perish as others who have believed in disparity of races have met the same fate, it stated.

The dastardly and violent acts of counter-revolutionary and reactionary groups can neither kill the revolutionary spirit nor dishearten their fighters. On the other hand, the combined strength of the revolutionary groups will easily vanquish them, it added.

In consideration with the sentiment of the public and revolutionary demands, the CorCom was set up by seven different revolutionary groups. UNLF will extend full cooperation for creation of a common command and joint armed unit, it stated.

Operation Singhat in Churachandpur where a joint team of PLA, MPA and Red Army snatched weapons from the enemies was a successful experimentation towards formation of a single armed unit, it stated. The UNLF will support a united war for independence, it said.

The UNLF has offered revolutionary salute to all those who have died in the war waged for independence from India or killed by IOF, it stated, extending its regards to those who were injured in similar circumstances.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/mpa-greets-people-on-its-25th-bday/

BANGALORE, Feb 7 (IANS): Karnataka Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi was Tuesday caught watching a sex act on his cell phone inside the state assembly, leaving the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party shame-faced and scurrying for explanations.

Kannada TV channels showed Savadi with Women and Child Welfare Minister C.C. Patil next to him watching the act on his cell phone when the assembly was discussing a pro-Hindu group allegedly hoisting a Pakistani flag in north Karnataka recently.

The two ministers dragged a third colleague into the picture, Environment and Ports Minister J. Krishna Palemar, saying the mobile phone belonged to him.

The clipping was not a porn film but contained scenes of rape and murder of a woman in a foreign country, claimed Savadi and Patil, adding they were watching it to understand how such incidents happen in the light of a controversy over alleged sex act at a party for foreigners organised by the tourism department near Udupi, abut 400 km west of Bangalore, last week.

The incident sent shock waves across the state as dozens of people began calling the channels and newspaper offices, condemning Savadi and Patil.

Opposition parties sought immediate dismissal of the two from the ministry and their expulsion from the assembly.

This is the second incident involving sex and a BJP minister in Karnataka where the party came to power for the first time in May 2008.

Karnataka is the only state the party is ruling in South India and the scandal has hit the party in the face ahead of polling to the Uttar Pradesh assembly, beginning Wednesday.

In May 2010, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Haratalu Halappa was forced to quit after he was accused of raping his friend’s wife in Shimoga, about 280 km north of Bangalore.

A group of pro-Kannada activists took to streets in Bangalore within hours of telecast of the clippings and threw stones at Savadi’s ministerial bungalow. They were chased away by police.

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, facing the first major embarrassment of his six months in office, left it to assembly Speaker K.G. Bopaiah to investigate the incident and take action.

Bopaiah said use of cell phones in the assembly was banned and he will look into the issue and take action.

The Janata Dal-Secular state head and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said his party, which has 26 members in the assembly, will decide Wednesday on action to be taken to get Savadi and Patil sacked from the ministry and expelled from the house.

“This is a black spot on Karnataka assembly and the people of the state,” Kumaraswamy said.

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah of the Congress said the two should be thrown out of the ministry and the assembly without any delay.

“This is the most shameful incident in the history of Karnataka assembly. The two should be sacked from the ministry and expelled from the assembly,” Siddaramaiah said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/karnataka-minister-caught-watching-sex-clips-during-assembly-sitting/

IMPHAL, Feb 7: The militant outfit Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) today sharply criticized the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam for “repeatedly accusing” the outfit of interfering at the recent Manipur assembly polls, which it vehemently denied.

ZUF Joint secretary, A Remroi said in a press statement that Gaikhangam is a cunning individual who has not pledge his loyalty to either the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government headed by O Ibobi, the AICC in Delhi or the UPA government at the Centre as he often played hide and seek against the CM of Manipur and everybody is aware of it.

The outfit reiterated that any involvement in the electoral game anywhere in the Zeliangrong region and elsewhere will not bring the desired solidarity and conservation of own land and resources as aspired by Zeliangrong, Inpui, Chiru, Kom and tribes in the Indian sub-continent of South East Asia, saying that the front adhered to the collective

Decision/resolution of non-political involvement in the electoral process, especially during the recent elections to the 10th Manipur Assembly.

But the MPCC president secretly organized armed cadres attired in combat dresses and weapons in a calculated move to throw the blame on different underground organizations and gain electoral mileage, ZUF alleged.

It added, the people cannot forget his past records when many rival supporters were injured by gun shots or physical attacks, vehicles of his rivals being destroyed or pushed down the gorges at Longpi circle in 2002 and elsewhere,  ballot boxes being found in a field in Nungba Constituency. In 1990, a rival election office, Taolingpung at Namkaolong village part-II was attacked by his armed gang that injured many from gun shots and the villagers were also tortured even as one lakh rupees fine was imposed on the village during the re-poll in Taosang polling station when his armed gang along with some outfits imposed a boycott against rival voters. Gaikhangam also used a few militant cadres in connivance with his armed gang during his election campaign in 2007 and this time, for the 2012 elections, he played a hidden game of criminalization of politics.

ZUF also alleged the MPCC president for being an anti-Naga and anti-Zeliangrong leader while saying that the leader is neither a trusted friend of the Meitei, Muslim and the Kuki and said that he strongly opposed the Zeliangrong People`s Convention (ZPC) movement in the 1980s and the 1990s and played a game with the Naga nationalists with a plot to sabotage the “national movement” at one hand and for his political mileage on the other by using certain cadres.

The militant front also warned  Gaikhangam to stop making further allegations and false charges against ZUF, asserting that for a man like Gaikhangam, it is better to work for the humanity and protection of the lands of the concerned indigenous people, and it repeated its warning that the willy politician should speak the truth and support good work from now onward or face future consequences that will be damaging.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/zuf-lashes-back-at-cunning-mpcc-chief/

IMPHAL, Feb 7: The coordinator of Campaign for Electoral Reforms of India (CERI), Northeast, Dr M Nara will be leading a delegation of 50 members from the northeast in the national conference on electoral reforms to be held from February 10-11 at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi.

CERI was initiated in 2008 with an avowed purpose of working towards proportionate electoral system in India. Substantial researches have been conducted by CERI on different models of proportionate representation system in Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Nepal and Netherland.

The recommendations of the experts in Berlin workshop will be further discussed and adopted in the national conference. The policy documents in the form of a book will be released by Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr SY Quraishi at the Constitution Club on February 9.

Ningombam Noren, sub-editor of Sangai Express will represent All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) in the said conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/dr-nara-to-lead-ne-delegation-on-electoral-reforms/

IMPHAL,Feb 7: As usual Manipur will be conducting annual water bird census on February 11. This time the bird census will be conducted by establishing around 35 counting centres against last year’s 27 across the three valley districts – Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur- with the involvement of more than a dozen local clubs.

The local environmentalists and ornithologists here opined that birds are nature’s indicator. “So we need bird counting as it controls insect invasion in conserving food grains for the human race”, the experts felt. “So bird census is compulsory for wildlife conservation in the region.”

The opinions, comments and observations were made during a day long motivation camp on water bird census 2012 here at Toubul village, 35 km south of Imphal in Bishunupur district today. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) Dr Anilkumar was the chief guest at the day’s motivation camp, which was participated by about 70 representatives from more than a dozen local clubs in and around Loktak Lake.

RK Srivastava, member secretary of the Manipur Biodiversity Board was the guest of honour while Pradhan W Bornee Devi of Toubul village presided the gathering.

Former college lecturer K Jugeshwor of Moirang and ornithologist RK Birjit also presented lectures on how the water birds could be identified and conducted bird counting with modern kits.

Speaking on the occasion the additional PCCF called upon the masses to develop the wetlands of the state besides Loktak as well in order to restore the depleting biodiversity in the interest of the general public in this age of climate change.

Interestingly bird watchers in Manipur began to spot Glossy Ibis,a rare water bird besides sea gull in group in the state’s wetlands in the recent time.

Dr Kh Shamungou,noted environmentalist also informed about spotting such birds in their recent observations in Loktak and Ungamen wetland areas since last year.

Earlier there was no sign of spotting such birds,the environmentalist felt.

The environmentalist also expressed happiness over the development of Lamyai pat of Tangjeng Khunjao under Manipur’s Sugnu assembly constituency as the biodiversity spot for its rich flora and fauna.

According to senior forest officer, S Dhananjoy, Manipur is home to more than 538 birds including 35 globally endangered species.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/bird-census-to-begin-from-feb-11/

KANGPOKPI, Feb 7: 43 Assam Rifles ‘A’ Coy posted at Kangpokpi seized two vehicles carrying illegal timber wood at NH-2 in seperated incident.

In the first incident the 43 AR seized Tat Shaktiman bearing Registration No. MN901-6209 carrying 15 logs of illegal timber wood between Daili Village and Kangpokpi in NH-2 at around 6:00 am this morning.

They also arrested 3 persons alongwith the illegal timber wood identified as Mangcha Kipgen(Driver) 27 yrs son of Late Lenchong Kipgen of Keithelamnbi Village, Seigin Khongsai (handyman) 37 yrs son of Ashi Khongsai of Gelnel Village and Seitillal Doungel, 37 yrs son of Late Letkhojang Doungel of Kangpokpi.

In another incident, the same AR arrested one tata bearing Registration No. MN05C-0763 carrying 11 logs of illegal timber wood near Kangpokpi at arounf 11:30 a.m. today. They have also arrested one Ilongbam John Singh(Driver) 30 yrs son of Late Ilongbam Mangi Singh of Simjam, Chilang Maning Leikai and Yumnam Chaandrikira Singh (Handyman) 28yrs son of Yumnam Jogeshore Singh of Samolou Mayai Leikai alongwith the illegal timber wood.

They handover all the arrested persons and items to the Forest Deptt.Kangpokpi today.

Case have been registered against the arrested persons and item at Forest Deptt. Kangpokpi under Case No. 5/6/R.O.K (R)2011-12 and Case No. 6/R.O.K(R) 2011-12 respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/43-ar-seize-illegal-timber/

AGARTALA, Feb 7 (IANS): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is to introduce a new radar-based air surveillance system at 14 airports across the country for better control of aircraft in flight, an official said.

“The new Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system would facilitate civilian aircraft in self-communicating with airports about their identity, speed and altitude,” AAI director Sudhamay Maiti told IANS.

“The new system is likely to be commissioned in six to seven of a total of 14 airports across India by the middle of this year and in the remaining airports by this year-end,” he added.

According to the official, unlike the existing radar-based ground-to-air surveillance system on airports, the comparatively cheaper ADS-B system has three components — an ADS-B transponder in the aircraft, an antenna to get frequency from the aircraft transponder and a receiver at the Air Traffic Control (ATC).

“The new technology enables ATCs at airports to get complete situational awareness of ADS-B compatible aircraft, which could even be 300 miles away,” Maiti said.

The ADS-B system would cover much wider areas than the present surveillance system.

“The existing air surveillance system has certain limitations when it comes to airspace management,” Maiti said, adding that safety aspects would also get a major boost once the new system is introduced.

The AAI official said that during the past few years, air traffic has increased in most of the airports in India with more domestic and foreign flights using Indian airspace and airports.

“Voice communication between the flights and the ATCs would be more easy and transparent with the new ADS-B system,” Maiti added.

The administrative as well as technical process has already started to install the new system at 14 airports: Agartala, Imphal, Shimla, Jaipur, Bhopal, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Amritsar, Varanasi, Port Blair, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Calicut.

The AAI official said that around Rs.4 crore would be spent at each of the airports to install the new system.

Meanwhile, the AAI has begun preliminary work to upgrade Agartala airport to an international airport to boost the northeastern region`s connectivity with Southeast Asian countries.

“AAI has taken up an ambitious Rs.80 crore project to gradually develop Agartala airport to international standards. Also, a modern Air Traffic Control tower is being set up at a cost of Rs.10 crore,” said another AAI official.

On an average, 32-33 aircraft operate every day through Agartala airport, connecting Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal, Silchar and the southern states.

“The decision to upgrade the Agartala airport was taken as part of the India`s `Look East` policy,” the official added.

“As part of the plan, the terminal building, ATC tower, runway and other necessary infrastructure would be expanded and further strengthened,” he told IANS.

A Tripura government official said the AAI has sought 200 acres of land to build additional infrastructure. “However, there is scarcity of land in the existing airport area,” he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/new-surveillance-system-at-imphal-airport/

MYANMAR, Feb 6 (AP): An elections panel Monday affirmed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi`s candidacy for Myanmar`s Parliament in another step toward political openness in a country emerging from nearly a half-century of iron-fisted military rule.

A victory in the April 1 by-elections would be historic. Suu Kyi could have a voice in Parliament for the first time after spending most of the last two decades under house arrest.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate announced her intention last month to run in the April elections but was waiting for official approval from the Elections Commission, which said it had to scrutinize her eligibility.

A National League for Democracy spokesman confirmed the commission had approved her candidacy. “There is no objection to her nomination and we can say that her candidacy is officially accepted,” Nyan Win said.

Government agencies in Myanmar normally don`t announce their actions directly, but the government gazette is expected to disclose the official decision later.

Myanmar`s nominally civilian government took office last March and has surprised even some of the country`s toughest critics by releasing hundreds of political prisoners, signing cease-fire deals with ethnic rebels, increasing media freedoms and easing censorship laws.

Myanmar`s government hopes the rapid changes will prompt the lifting of economic sanctions imposed under the junta`s rule. Western governments and the United Nations have said they will review the sanctions only after gauging whether the April polls are carried out freely and fairly.

Suu Kyi`s party won a sweeping victory in the 1990 general election but the junta refused to honor the results.

Even if the National League for Democracy party wins all 48 seats being contested, it will have minimal power. The 440-seat lower house of Parliament is heavily weighted with military appointees and allies of the former junta.

Suu Kyi will run for a seat representing Kawhmu, a poor district south of Yangon where villagers` livelihoods were devastated by Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/suu-kyi-permitted-to-run-for-parliament/

Deccan Herald
BANGALORE, Feb 6: Chief Secretary of Manipur D S Poonia on Sunday called for a larger collaboration between his state and Karnataka in information technology to help develop the upcoming Special Economic Zone in Imphal.

Speaking at the `Manipur Kumhei`, a festival of Manipuri culture, hosted by Raj Bhavan, Poonia said that IT parks and software companies must look at Imphal`s SEZ as a place with business prospects.

“There are 14 daily flights from around the country to Imphal and a direct flight every day from Bangalore. The airport has already started an expansion project over 600 acres to become an international airport. Our chief minister is very keen to build the relationship between Karnataka and Manipur as at least 10,000 Manipuri citizens are residing in Bangalore,” said Poonia.

The setting up of Manipur Liaison Office in Bangalore with an officer on special duty is a step ahead in building better relationship between government and people of both the states, said Poonia.

Officer on Special Duty Dr. V Ramakantha said Manipur`s prime focus will be to integrate and collaborate in IT and sports sectors.

“There is a need for a cultural acceptance of Manipuris from the local residents here instead of looking at them as Chinese. A few other cities will also host Manipur Kumhei in Karnataka and a film festival is being planned to display Manipur`s great cultural and cinematic history,” he said.

The festival featured many traditional dance forms at the Glass House. The stick dance, `Lai Haraoba`, `Thang Leiting Haiba` and other performances were presented before the audience comprising Governor H R Bhardwaj and his wife.

Bhardwaj said: “Problems in the North East continue to exist. In Manipur, there is a problem with road connectivity. Many people leave Manipur because of the problems. Soon, I hope, the state can showcase its rich tradition to people of India and become a tourist spot.”

Poonia also announced the setting up of India’s only integrated checkpost which will be on the border between Myanmar and Manipur. “Upto 45 acres of land has been acquired for the same and it will become operational in two years,” said Poonia.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/manipur-seeks-it-expertise/

CHURACHANDPUR, Feb 6: Two persons died in Churachandpur since last night, one of possible homicide and other in a motorbike accident.

A 40-year-old widow was found dead at Kangkap Centre public ground in Churachandpur district early morning Monday, a police source said.

Police said at around 5 am the naked body of a middle-aged woman, who was later identified as a widow, was found by at the ground about 100 yards distance from Churachandpur police station.

The deceased was identified as Ngaisuanching, 40, daughter of Paukhoneng of Maukot Singhat sub-division.

The police said prima facie evidences indicate that she had been raped and murdered, adding that it has started an investigation in connection with the murder.

In another incident, Seitinmang, reportedly attached with the 4th Bn of IRB died instantly after the 150 Pulsar motorbike bearing registration number ML 05 G / 7699 he was riding with a pillion rider towards Imphal came head on collision with one

Bolero  Jeep bearing registration number MN 04A/ 5425 at Koite village along the Tiddim Road between 5 to 6pm last evening.

The pillion rider was critically injured though all occupants of the jeep are reported to be safe.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/ccpur-widow-murdered/

YANGON, Feb 6: Burma (officially titled Myanmar) is setting up an online visa system to replace the current process, a paperwork-laden slog that can take weeks.

As soon as March, tourists will be able to apply “anywhere via the internet” says Burma`s tourism minister. That`s according to the Dutch DPA news outlet, which quotes a Myanmar Times report. Even journalists have started visiting the authoritarian state on the up-and-up in lieu of disguising themselves as tourists.

For most Westerners, getting into Burma isn`t particularly difficult. It`s just inefficient. You can either mail in your passport and a series of forms to the nearest embassy or chance flying to neighboring Thailand, stand in an early-morning queue and submit your forms outside Myanmar`s drab embassy in Bangkok. (For what it`s worth, this process more or less mirrors Vietnam`s.)

The upside for Burma, of course, is tourist cash. Tourist revenues are still meager but skyrocketing: up to $319 million from last year`s $254 million, according to DPA`s report.

Before too long, Burma will get its long-awaited Visa/Mastercard-friendly ATMs. At this rate, now might be the time to visit if you want to behold a Burma untouched by Starbucks or — who knows? — Thai-style party beaches.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/online-visa-soon-in-myanmar/

IMPHAL, Feb 5: Polling agents of MSCP and NPF candidates of Nungba constituency have today lodged a complaint with the Tamenglong district election officer on excesses committed by agents of Congress candidate, G Gaikhangam in a bid to manipulate polling at Tupul polling station during re-poll yesterday.

The MSCP candidate, Adim Pamei, met press men at the party’s office at Konung Mamang this afternoon in this regard and recounted the unfair tactics of the Congress workers.

He said, re-polling process at the Tupul was duly completed at around 3.15 pm without any major disturbances. At that time, the EVM had recorded a polling of 597. As per regulations, all the inner agents put their signature and the sealing of the EVM was finalized.

All of a sudden, he said, the election agent of Gaikhangam, John Pamei pulled out a pistol and fired four/five blank shots to intimidate the polling officials and demanded continuation of voting in order to enable proxy voting by scores of Congress supporters who have been brought in from Khouvum, Nungba and Noney for that purpose.

In connivance with polling officials, voting was carried out on the spare EVM, which was meant for emergency purposes, beyond the voting hours, he said.

The agents of both NPF and INC refused to put their signatures during the sealing of the second EVM, on the ground that it was in violation of the governing polling regulations.

In the complaint to the DEO, the MSCP and NPF polling agents have demanded that only the first EVM should be considered for counting while the second EVM should be cancelled.

Moreever, they have sought an investigation into the firing incident involving John Pamei and pleaded that befitting punishment be awarded to him.  

Meanwhile, the Chakanlong Peidai of Charol Tupul, the customary village court, has supported the charges leveled against the Congress in a press statement issued today. It said the whole polling team that included the security personnel allowed the Congress supporters to rigged the poll and cast votes on the second EVM after a mayhem was created by the gun fires and violent clashes between rival supporters. The agents and supporters of other parties were scared away.

The pedai has contended that 59 outside voters included illegally in the electoral roll got permission to cast their votes despite the long standing demand for their deletion. It pointed out that Tamenglong DC and Nungba SDO had ignored directives from the EC and the chief secretary for deletion of the voters and the ECI should conduct an independent enquiry to find out the reasons for not following its order.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/mscp-npf-allege-armed-congress-supporters-rigged-tupul-bypoll/

KOHIMA,  Feb 5 (Agencies): The Congress will be fighting the ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF)-led ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) on the issues of law and order and corruption in the coming municipal elections and next year’s assembly polls in Nagaland, according to party sources.

Officials and members of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) met here yesterday to discuss its strategy for the coming elections. It reviewed the performance of the DAN government since it came to power in 2003.

Sources said elections to four municipal councils and fifteen town committees in the state are likely to be held in the month of April. Assembly elections are due in early 2013.

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee has identified two important issues —rampant corruption and glaring nepotism leading to misuse of huge central funds and lack of development, economic stagnation and escalating unemployment besides, deteriorating law and order situation causing escalation of factional feuds and unabated extortion leading to sky rocketing of prices of commodities.

A NPCC note released to the media said “Deteriorating law and order, escalating factional feuds and growing sense of public insecurity is a typical carbon copy of lawlessness and constitutional breakdown in the state,” the NPCC said resolving to intensify anti-corruption measures on a `war footing`.

It also alleged, “Parallel governments are existing in the state and DAN has no hold over the eroding situation.”

The meeting further entrusted NPCC to `rigorously` track and `pin down` tainted persons or officials in various departments, especially in education and home departments. Five FIRs were filed in the State Vigilance Commission against the two departments.

It lambasted the DAN government’s recent directive to enforce `no work, no pay` on employees for poor attendance. It said, the stance speak volumes on the morale of government machineries in a `morally and financially corrupt establishment`.

Congress sources further said, the municipal elections would be an indicator of the next year’s assembly election.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/cong-sets-agenda-for-municipal-assembly-elections-in-nagaland/