Tag: Top Stories

GUWAHATI, November 18 (agencies): Governments of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have urged New Delhi to clarify plans to offer a `supra-state body` to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland ( NSCN Isak-Muivah faction) to enable Nagasoutside Nagaland to preserve their identity.

Reports in the local media about plans by the central government to grant Nagaland a special federal status by creating a `supra-state mechanism` for the Nagas to preserve, protect and promote their cultural, social and customary practices has led to angry reactions in the three states.

“The question of allowing governing Nagas settled in Manipur simply does not arise. We don`t know about any such plans by the central government,” Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said.

Similar views were echoed by the governments in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the two other states that have Naga tribals residing for decades.

The NSCN-IMand New Delhi entered into a ceasefire in August 1997. They have held more than 50 rounds of peace talks to end one of South Asia`s longest-running insurgencies.

The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, had proposed `a special federal arrangement` which enables the Nagas to govern themselves.

The NSCN-IM wants a special federal relationship with India, with a separate Naga Constitution, and would like the Naga guerrillas to jointly guard the international borders alongside Indian security forces.

The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to have a `Greater Nagaland` by getting parts of three neighbouring states sliced off to unite 1.2 million Nagas. The demand is strongly opposed by the states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

Conceding their demands would be a tough proposition as any move to merge Naga-inhabited areas in the northeast or grant special status allowing Nagas settled outside Nagaland to be governed by a separate administrative structure could lead to a rebellion in the neighbouring states.

“There is no question of allowing people residing in our state to be governed by a separate council or structure. There can be no compromise on this,” Assam government spokesperson and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The NSCN-IM is on a sticky wicket, having climbed down from its demand for an independent Naga state outside the Indian union, the rebel leadership now harps on a Greater Nagaland and a special federal relationship.

“It seems the central government is now trying to re-phrase the concept of Greater Nagaland and talking of something called the `supra-state` mechanism to please the NSCN. Under no circumstances will the people of Arunachal accept such a proposal,” said a senior state minister who didn`t want to be named.

Media reports said New Delhi was contemplating granting a special federal status to the NSCN-IM on the eve of Christmas – in an attempt to seal an accord with the rebel leadership.

“If a state government, in whose territory the Nagas live, loses control and a neighbouring state government interferes and governs their lives, it would surely lead to chaos and disorder,” said Sarma.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/assam-and-arunachal-also-raise-objections-to-supra-state-proposal/

IMPHAL, November 18: “Let’s not forget that Manipur and its resources belong to all of us”, the Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi reminded the people of the state today.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was speaking at the Tribal Research Institute auditorium while opening the first state level tribal cultural festival.

The inauguration of the two day long festival was also attended by DIPR minister TN Haokip and MP Lok Sabha, Thangso Baite as guest of honour and functional president and other tribal MLAs, ADC chairmen, executive members and members of ADCs.

Chief Minister O Ibobi while addressing the gathering elaborated that Manipur and its resources belong to each one of us who have inherited it from our forefathers.

“We have shared a common past and common ancestry and our interest also lies in a common goal and common future” he added.

The Chief Minister further elaborated that Manipur is a land of diversity. It is multi-lingual, multi- ethnic and multi-religious state with more than 30 tribal communities living together in peace and harmony with other communities since time immemorial.

Further elaborating the on the present issues in the state, the Chief Minister stated that “The recent times have been full of troubles in Manipur in terms of ethnic rivalry and conflict. Sharp divides in ethnic line have emerged due to conflicting claims and aspirations”, and added that this conflict has adversely affected all efforts to bring development in the State.

In this backdrop, the theme of the festival, “Harmonizing and Honouring our culture” is very relevant and appropriate and it is the need of the hour, the Chief Minister said.

Both hills and valley should be equally developed and we should learn to live together in harmony, he reiterated.

Acknowledging that the tribal communities have traditionally been deprived and backward societies, the Chief Minister said that all out efforts are being made by the government for their development and empowerment.

Revival of the six District Councils after two decades is a big step in this direction, he added. Substantial power and authority has been delegated to the democratically elected ADC members and stated that the government is committed to take the initiatives for greater empowerment of the Tribal people.

He further congratulated the TRI Manipur for conceiving and organizing such festival and asserted that the event not only holds immense importance for the tribal brethren but also the people of the entire state. The Chief Minister also expressed his wish that the Festival would emerge as a unique annual event to serve as a platform for all the communities to share their cultural heritage and evolve harmony.

Presentation of cultural dances and folk songs, special numbers by popular singers from various tribal communities were the main highlights of the opening function of the festival.

The festival is being organized and sponsored by Tribal Research Institute, Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/cm-opens-tribal-cultural-festival-with-speech-on-common-future/

IMPHAL, November 18: The Loktak fisher folks, who have been evicted recently from the lake as a part of its cleaning project being implemented by Loktak Development Authority (LDA), are now in a pitiful state with no proper food and shelter.

So far 167 residential huts out of 1132 huts floating on the Loktak Lake have been burned down by the state authorities with the objective to expedite the cleaning project of Loktak Lake. All of the displaced families of Loktak Lake are presently taking shelter at District Multipurpose Mini Indoor Stadium, Ningthoukhong Kha Mamang Leikai.

Expressing deep concern over sudden eviction drive, Heisnam Chaoba Devi stated that the fishers have no place to live. They have been living in the huts on the Loktak Lake for many decades. The sudden eviction drive taken up by the state government has deprived the “right to life” of the Loktak fishers, she averred.

Chaoba further asserted that the fishers will stay on Loktak Lake till their last breath. All their belongings including money and valuable items have been burned down during the unwarranted eviction drive. The fishers will never accept the compensation of Rs. 40,000 given by the state government, she stated.

Thoudam Pishak maintained that their huts have been burned down in their absence. They are now left with nothing except the piece of clothing they were wearing. The state government is very inhumane, she cried out.

Pishak stated that the fishers were not given prior information about this eviction. The authorities claimed to have given the information through media; however, they have difficulty in accessing even the radio. The Chief Minister himself did not listen to the fishers and carried out the eviction without showing any compassion to them.

The fishers also condemned the attitude of local MLA for his apathy towards their sufferings. They said that their MLA had given them only a bag of rice and so far there has been no other assistance from his side.

Meanwhile, social leaders led by the president of All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization (AMUCO), KT Rahman visited the displaced families and donated 30 bags of rice and one bag of dal to them.

Rahman stated that the state government should consider the welfare of the Loktak fishers and ensure their rights are not harmed.

Members of Human Rights Alert (HRA) also inspected the condition of the evicted families of Loktak Lake.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/sudden-eviction-leaves-loktak-fisher-folks-in-dismay/

IMPHAL, November 17: The premiere coaching institute of the country, Resonance, Kota has announced nation-wide biggest academic talent hunt test called ‘Scholarship cum Talent Reward Test (STaRT) 2012’, which is a two-stage national level talent test for students of class VI, VII, VIII, IX, X and XI & XII of Science Stream. Along with the academic and self development benefits for students like National Benchmarking and exposure to real life academic competition, STaRT-2012 is also loaded with excellent & biggest prizes & awards to the winning students.

The Stage-I will be qualifying examination for the Stage-II followed by Felicitation Function & Champion’s Camp at Kota.

The unique feature of prizes in STaRT-2012 is that the finally declared National toppers (1st Rank) of each class (total seven students, one from each class) shall win a Gold Medal & Eleven days visit to USA including three days visit to Space Camp at Kennedy Space Centre, NASA, USA and also four to five other tourist attractions in USA .

The prize worth for 1st Rank will be more than Rs. 2 Lac to each student. The National Runners-up (2nd Rank) of each class (total seven students, one from each class) shall win a Silver Medal & Six Days visit to Singapore including SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE and also four to five other tourist attractions in Singapore. The prize worth for 2nd Rank will be more than Rs. 1 Lac to each student The National 3rd Rank of each Class (total seven students, one from each class) shall win a Bronze Medal & a high-end Laptop of worth Rs. 50000 each. The students from All India Rank from 04th to 10 in each class shall be rewarded with Desktop PCs worth Rs. 25000 each. The students from All India Rank 11to 500 shall also win prizes ranging from Personal Music Players (PMPs), Sports Watches to branded Writing Pens.

Through STaRT-2012, Resonance shall give away various attractive prizes & awards as mentioned above, having a total worth of more than Rs. 50 Lacs , to 3500 students in total (500 students from each class). Resonance has also generously allocated scholarships of maximum worth of Rs. Six Crores for the final top hundred students, from each class, if they enroll into yearlong classroom programmes of Resonance targeting CBSE, NTSE, KVPY Olympiads, IIT-JEE, AIEEE, AIMPT as relevant to their class and aspirations. The winners will be invited at Kota for the Felicitation Function to be held in February, 2012.The final top hundred students of all classes except class XII shall also be invited for three days Champion’s Camp at Kota, Rajasthan in which expert mentors of Resonance shall educate and guide them with a focus on establishing foundation for future competitive exams like NTSE, IJSO, KVPY, Olympiads, IIT-JEE and other Engineering & Medical entrances according to relevance of the class of students.

According to the format of STaRT-2012, the schools can conduct first stage test of STaRT-2012 in their own premises and also become entitled for awards of worth more than Rs. 12 Lacs in various reward categories for schools, their principals and coordinators based on performance and participation of their students.

A student, apart from his/her own school, also has options to participate in first stage of STaRT-2012 by taking test either at Resonance test centre or Online.

The first stage test of STaRT-2012 shall be conducted on various dates in December, 2011 and the second stage test shall be conducted on January 22, 2012. Both the tests will be OMR based, comprising objective type questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology & Mental Ability, mainly from NCERT syllabus of the respective class. Class XI and XII students of Mathematics and Biology shall get different papers.

Registration for STaRT-2012, has already opened on September 26, 2011 & would close on November 26, 2011 whereas the complete information and guidance for STaRT-2012 has been made available on STaRT’s official website www.resostart.in . The same is also available on Resonance’s website www.resonance.ac.in

According to R.K. Verma, MD, CEO & Head (Academics), Resonance holds a high reputation for the sincere & successful methodology in its programmes for the tough competitive examinations like IIT-JEE, AIEEE, AIPMT, KVPY, International Olympiads & NTSE and the expertise & understanding of the crux of competition at Resonance are the backbone of devising STaRT-2012 to effectively give students a chance to compete with their true mettle and also adjudge themselves against the prevailing level of competition in the country.

Manoj Sharma, vice president (Operations & Business Development), Resonance, said, “Today no student in India can by-pass tough competition in realizing his/her career dream and through STaRT-2012, Resonance is offering a genuine platform to students so that they can judge themselves on a national benchmark and also develop temperament for forthcoming important formal competitive& talent examinations in their career”. He also added that, “The excellent prizes are kept to make STaRT-2012 interesting for students and scholarship support goes up to the level that a class X student  opting for IIT-JEE programme at Resonance may even earn continuing scholarship of worth Rs. 11 Lacs  till he/she completes his/her four year B.Tech. at IIT.”

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/resonance-announces-scholarship-cum-talent-reward-test/

IMPHAL, November 17: A 55 year old woman has this evening leveled charge against the doctors of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, JNIMS of negligence, cheating and wrongly operating upon her.

The woman identified as Achoubi of Hatta Golabati called a press conference at the Manipur Press Club this evening concerning her charges and has informed that she is ready to charge legal actions against the erring doctors.

Speaking at the conference, the woman informed that a JAC has also been formed in this regard and a memorandum submitted to the Governor and the state Chief Minister today.  

She has further charged that she was admitted to the hospital on October 3 with back pains. The doctor examining her advised to get an ultrasound at the earliest. She took the ultrasound from Adarsh Laboratory on October 5.

The doctor after examining the report of the ultrasound informed her that she would have to undergo an operation to remove a Kidney stone and a gallbladder stone and the said operation was conducted on October 11, she informed.

However, soon after regaining her consciousness, the doctor concerned informed her that there was no kidney stone and that she doesn’t have gallbladder.

Surprised and at the same time astonished with the information she along with her family and local elders met the Medical Superintendent of the hospital and informed him of the happenings. However even after assuring her that the hospital will consider her further treatment and reimbursement of the operation, the hospital authority forcibly discharged her on November 5 without complying to any of the assurances provided by the MS, she further informed.

Meanwhile, the JAC against the Wrong Operation for Mrs Achoubi has warned of various forms of agitations if the concern authorities fail to take up any positive actions, a JAC member warned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/woman-charges-jnims-doctors-of-negligence/

IMPHAL, November 17: Aspiring candidate of the Thoubal assembly constituency Oinam Indira today called a press conference at the Manipur Press Club and reacted sharply to some alleged  remarks made by works minister K Ranjit against the aspiring opponents of Chief Minister O Ibobi.

Reacting to statement, she ridiculed that the insult from the state works minister has only strengthened her resolve to fight the election and further added that a candidate’s winning lies in the hands of the public and not in the hands of some ministers. 

Further speaking at the conference, she informed that bogus electoral rolls of Thoubal district should be rectified at the earliest for a free and fair election in the district.

Indira who is aspiring to fight the Chief Minister who is the only one to complete a whole term as the state Chief Minister, further observed that the state government should maintained properly the prescribed guidelines of the Election Commission of India.

Meanwhile, Thoubal Kendra Kanba Lup president informed that the association has submitted a representation to the Election Commission of India and the concerned district authorities for a physical verification to pick out the bogus and repeated voters from the existing voters list of the district. 

The association has further suggested that all political parties and aspiring candidates should allow proper functioning of Booth level agents at every polling stations throughout the state as directed by the ECI.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the association has further termed the insult from the minister as unfortunate and further added that such repeated provocations should be considered as an insult to the whole women community.

She has further added that the association will not tolerate any more insults.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/thoubal-aspiring-candidate-hits-out-at-works-minister/

IMPHAL, November 17: A man after getting prank calls on his mobile phone since last afternoon from a person identifying himself as a militant cadre traced the phone number and found out that the prankster is none other than a local boy who has been helping him in harvesting his paddy.

The man identified as Ningthoujam Mangilal, 37, s/o (L) Bapu of Heinoubok informed media persons that he has been receiving calls on his mobile phone since 12 noon yesterday from a person who identified himself as a militant cadre.

He further informed that the caller has been asking him to come out as his party has to solve some issues with him, on his he answered that the caller could have mistaken him to be someone else. However the caller yelled back at him and started threatening him.

He received multiple calls afterwards asking him to come to Patsoi, he further informed.

Angered and at the same time surprised over the repeated calls, Mangilal tried to find the caller and trace it back to the lad who he identified as Naorem Imo, 27, s/o (L) Kunjamani of Patsoi part I. he further informed that Imo used to help him in his harvesting his paddy some days back.

He himself went to Imo’s Patsoi residence this morning and later handed him over to the Women Welfare Association Heinoubok, he further informed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/pranskster-turns-out-to-be-helper/

IMPHAL, Nov 14: The Joint Action Council of AMGEO and AMTUC, Manipur State Pensionrs’ Union, has informed to go on with its indefinite cease work strike from November 21 demanding the government to fulfill their charter of demands.

In a statement the JAC of AMGEO and AMTUC, asserted that they have suspended their proposed strike to be launched since October 24 for ten days following an appeal from the government who had assured the JAC to settle the matter at the earliest.

It has further stated that the JAC as a reminder had sent an e mail to the Chief Minister’s secretary to resolve the matter at the earliest; however the reminder has turned out to be in vain.

It informed that the failure of the government to materialised its commitment the JAC is compelled to go on with its proposed strike with effect from November 21.      

The charter of demands included payment/clearance of 51 months arrears of pay & allowances as given to the state govt.’s judicial service/employees and pensioners; payment of 7% DA/DR w.e.f. 1.7.2011 and earlier outstanding DAs without modification, alteration and subsequent such entitlements as per government of India’s orders to avoid frequent undesirable strikes in the larger interest of the general public.

It further demanded the payment of ad-hoc bonus for the year 2010-11; to clear all pending Die-in-harness appointment at one time installment; payment of adequate SCA to the tune of 25% as the present DA dose had already been crossed 50%; ACP scheme to be at par of central govt.; suitable amendment of R.Rs. to fill-up all the vacant posts to be held by M.S.S. cadres; to fill-up all the vacant posts of LDA ; declaration of gazetted post in respect of Assistant Section Officer; declaration of DPC results for promotion of Group D employees to LDA post.

The JAC also further mentioned to issue orders on engagement of Guneshwor Singh as computer operator (on contract) who has been preparing whole pay bills through ECS/CPIS of Manipur Secretariat establishment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/jac-to-launch-indefinite-cease-work-strike/

IMPHAL, Nov 15: 23 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under HQ IGAR(South) organized Children’s Day celebrations at Shangshak on November 14.

A release of PRO IGAR (S) stated that India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was remembered on the occasion and various events includes cultural programmes, arts and sports events were performed by the school children during the celebration.

Commandant 23 Assam Rifles appealed to the participants to follow the path shown by Nehruji.  He also emphasized on the fact that the children are the future of our nation and we must provide them the best of the education alongwith best guidance in sports and curriculum activities.

Similarly, 27 Assam Rifles organised Children’s Day Celebration at Chairel Khunou High School, Pangaltabi. The students of the School actively participated in the Celebration. Various academic related and cultural programme which included Manipuri traditional dances were organised during the celebration. A large number of populace including various civil dignitaries of the area was present to greet the children. Commandant 27 Assam Rifles, conveyed his well wishes to the children. He termed such event as the best means of character building and encourages team spirit and exhorted them to focus their energy into creative and positive activities to integrate themselves with the main stream of the country for a better and bright future of Manipur and wished them “Good Luck & Success”.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of Children’s Day, 10 DOGRA Regiment under the aegis of Red Shield Division organized a football and a volleyball match for the boys and girls students of the Govt High School T/Waichong and New Gelnel High School. Students from both the schools were very enthusiastic on the occasion and actively participated in the games. After the match the participating teams were awarded with footballs, volleyballs and badminton racquets by the battalion. As part of children’s day celebration a lunch was organized for school children in village Langka and in Hope Foundation Academy Tamei.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/childrens-day-celebrated/

IMPHAL Nov 13:  The RPF in a press statement by its Publicity Secretary T Leisemba states that the Indian government conspires to create a sense of alienation among the different communities and it is their hidden agenda.

It mentions that the communities have nothing to gain by pitting their interest against each other and the conflict will benefit none but the government, it said.

Further, it mentioned that the NSCN (IM) has been in cahoots with the Indian military after 1997 and have been operating without restraint in Manipur and have been given a free hand by both state and central government. Mentioning the historical aspects of the Naga rebellion, it mentions that Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah worked for the cause of the Nagas, the latter formed the NSCN (IM) in 1980 with the aim of liberating the Nagas from the Indian rule and many were optimistic with their revolt. However, Muivah who alleged AZ Phizo and Shillong Accord 1975 for betraying the Nagas and selling off their rights is presently in collusion with the same Indian government, it said.

The NSCN (IM) along with the Indian Government has been creating a chaotic situation in the neighboring states and instrumental in igniting communal clashes at different occasions.

As many as 1614 lives have been lost since the early 1979 in Nagaland and many other Tangkhul and Zeliangrong villages in Manipur in the NSCN(IM) stuggle. Lives were lost in faction fights between the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) on April 30, 1988. In ethnic clashes between the Naga and Kukis, as much as 534 Kukis and 266 Nagas were killed,402 persons were handicapped and 5724 houses were destroyed.

It mentions that the Indian Government has another hidden agenda to supply weapons between the NSCN(IM) and ZUF at Khoupum Valley, the RPF called for unity amongst the different groups in the state and not to become a victim of the secret agenda of the Indian Government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/rpf-hits-out-at-nscn-im/

IMPHAL, Nov 13 (NNN) : Manipur police recovered a cache of arms and ammunition of the militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) at Phumlou Shiphai village in Imphal West district yesterday night.

The recovery of the weapons was made following a raid conducted based on the disclosure made by four arrested activists of the KCP (Lamyanba Khuman group) from a house at Uripok Canteen Leikai in Imphal.

The recovered weapons included a magazine of AK rifles loaded with 60 live rounds, on grenade launcher modified from 0.303 rifle with four RPGs, three hand grenades with detonators, on sten machine gun loaded with 10 live rounds, two magazine pouch, one 9 mm magazine and two walky-talky sets, a police source said.

The weapons were found concealed underneath the ground at the front courtyard of a house belonging to one Nongthombam Gopen Singh (40) at Phumlou Shiphai village in Imphal West district where the police commandos conducted a raid based on the disclosure made by one of the activists Ch Johny Singh of Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai.

The other three arrested activists were Maibam Tam Singh (21) of Thangmeiband Meisnam Leikai, Laishram Goutam Singh (21) of Nambol Maibam Leikai and Phairenjam Kalanjoy Singh (48) of Phumlou Shiphai.

Meanwhile, Troops of 30 Assam rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) along with Imphal West police apprehended one cadre of KCP (Lamyanba Khuman), identified as Phirinjam Kalanjoy  Khuman, s/o Kameshwar from Phumlou Sephai on November 12. Various arms and ammunitions were also recovered from him, stated a release of PRO IGAR (S).

Later, the troops of 31 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR also apprehended one KYKL cadre, identified as Elangbam Okendro Meitei alias Stalin, s/o Jila of Hiyanglam Waramkhong Bazar today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/huge-cache-of-arms-and-ammunitions-recovered-ugs-arrested/

IMPHAL, Nov 12: The Congress Party will capture not less than 40 seats in the coming state assembly election to form a government of only Congress, stated Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam during a reception programme of newly joined Congress members held today at Congress Bhavan, Imphal.

The newly joined members are CPI Manipur State Council member and ex-candidate of Moirang Assembly Constituency, Md Noor Rahman and social worker Chabungbam Birendra.

Gaikhangam further stated that the Congress Party will set candidates in all 60 assembly constituencies in the coming assembly election. The party is committed to bring utmost development to the state, he noted.

Welcoming the new Congress members from Moirang assembly constituency, MPCC president maintained that Moirang is historically and politically significant to the state. The Congress Party will help to revive the past glories of the state, he added.

President of Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, MLA M Prithiviraj stated that the Congress Party will be strengthened furthermore with the joining of members from other political parties.

He appealed to the people to render utmost support to the Congress Party in the coming assembly election and help bring utmost development to the state.

Md Noor Rahman stated that he has joined the Congress Party in view of numerous programmes and schemes implemented by the Central and state government for the welfare of the minorities.

The reception programme was also attended by MLA T Mangibabu, MPCC general secretary Bidyapati Senjam and other Congress workers from Moirang assembly constituency.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/congress-will-get-absolute-majority-in-coming-assembly-election-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, Nov 12: The Congress Party will capture not less than 40 seats in the coming state assembly election to form a government of only Congress, stated Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam during a reception programme of newly joined Congress members held today at Congress Bhavan, Imphal.

The newly joined members are CPI Manipur State Council member and ex-candidate of Moirang Assembly Constituency, Md Noor Rahman and social worker Chabungbam Birendra.

Gaikhangam further stated that the Congress Party will set candidates in all 60 assembly constituencies in the coming assembly election. The party is committed to bring utmost development to the state, he noted.

Welcoming the new Congress members from Moirang assembly constituency, MPCC president maintained that Moirang is historically and politically significant to the state. The Congress Party will help to revive the past glories of the state, he added.

President of Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, MLA M Prithiviraj stated that the Congress Party will be strengthened furthermore with the joining of members from other political parties.

He appealed to the people to render utmost support to the Congress Party in the coming assembly election and help bring utmost development to the state.

Md Noor Rahman stated that he has joined the Congress Party in view of numerous programmes and schemes implemented by the Central and state government for the welfare of the minorities.

The reception programme was also attended by MLA T Mangibabu, MPCC general secretary Bidyapati Senjam and other Congress workers from Moirang assembly constituency.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/congress-will-get-absolute-majority-in-coming-assembly-election-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, Nov 12: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has today announced boldly that the congress party will not issue ticket to individuals who are anti party and have criminal records even if he or she is a sitting MLA of the party to contest in the ensuing 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

The Chief Minister made the announcement during the inauguration function community hall and programme on Flagship Schemes and Other Schemes of the UPA and SPF government, at Sagolband Thingom Leikai.

Further in his speech, the Chief Minister stated that the SPF government is doing its best to bring equal development both in Hills and Valley for development confined within the urban area can be interpreted as bring development in the state.

He further declared that the government is targeting to complete all the developmental schemes taken up in the Imphal area including the sewerage project within the period from December 2011 till March 2012.

The inconveniences being faced by the public due to the implementation of various schemes would be over once they are completed, assured the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh sought the co-operation of the general public in the mission of the government to make Imphal city green.

While asserting that Health, education sector and law and order are some the priority sector in the list of the present government since it came to power, he appeal the people to extend full co-operation to further enhance these sectors.

In the meantime, the Chief Minister clarified that the recent statement given by him with regards to the private teachers was an unintentional error committed by him and urged the teachers not to have any hard feelings.

MPPC president Gaikhangam who also took part as the functional president, questioned the intention of the BJP government demanding imposition of President’s Rule in the state, whether they were jealous of the developmental progress. The people can differentiate the situation in the state when the NDA was in power and now with the congress led UPA government, said Gaikhangam.

The inaugural function was attended by works minister K Ranjit, PHED minister T N Haokip, Moirang MLA Prithiviraj and PDA chairman Kh. Loken Singh.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/no-ticket-to-candidates-with-criminal-background-ibobi/

IMPHAL, Nov 12: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has today announced boldly that the congress party will not issue ticket to individuals who are anti party and have criminal records even if he or she is a sitting MLA of the party to contest in the ensuing 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

The Chief Minister made the announcement during the inauguration function community hall and programme on Flagship Schemes and Other Schemes of the UPA and SPF government, at Sagolband Thingom Leikai.

Further in his speech, the Chief Minister stated that the SPF government is doing its best to bring equal development both in Hills and Valley for development confined within the urban area can be interpreted as bring development in the state.

He further declared that the government is targeting to complete all the developmental schemes taken up in the Imphal area including the sewerage project within the period from December 2011 till March 2012.

The inconveniences being faced by the public due to the implementation of various schemes would be over once they are completed, assured the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh sought the co-operation of the general public in the mission of the government to make Imphal city green.

While asserting that Health, education sector and law and order are some the priority sector in the list of the present government since it came to power, he appeal the people to extend full co-operation to further enhance these sectors.

In the meantime, the Chief Minister clarified that the recent statement given by him with regards to the private teachers was an unintentional error committed by him and urged the teachers not to have any hard feelings.

MPPC president Gaikhangam who also took part as the functional president, questioned the intention of the BJP government demanding imposition of President’s Rule in the state, whether they were jealous of the developmental progress. The people can differentiate the situation in the state when the NDA was in power and now with the congress led UPA government, said Gaikhangam.

The inaugural function was attended by works minister K Ranjit, PHED minister T N Haokip, Moirang MLA Prithiviraj and PDA chairman Kh. Loken Singh.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/no-ticket-to-candidates-with-criminal-background-ibobi/

IMPHAL, Nov 12: Heavily armed miscreants ambushed education minister, DD Thaisii in between Koide Besoi Village and Maram today leaving one security escort injured.

Sources said that the minister along with the director of education (s) W. Rajen Singh and other officials of the department were returning Imphal after having attended a function in connection with the education department at Purul in Senapati district. The ambush took place at around 5:45 pm when the team was about to reach Maram Bazar.

The armed miscreants used sophisticated weapons, bombs etc. during the ambush.

The minister’s team somehow managed to escape from the ambush without sustaining major casualties, the source added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/minister-thaisii-ambushed/

IMPHAL, Nov 12: Heavily armed miscreants ambushed education minister, DD Thaisii in between Koide Besoi Village and Maram today leaving one security escort injured.

Sources said that the minister along with the director of education (s) W. Rajen Singh and other officials of the department were returning Imphal after having attended a function in connection with the education department at Purul in Senapati district. The ambush took place at around 5:45 pm when the team was about to reach Maram Bazar.

The armed miscreants used sophisticated weapons, bombs etc. during the ambush.

The minister’s team somehow managed to escape from the ambush without sustaining major casualties, the source added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/minister-thaisii-ambushed/

IMPHAL, November 9: The state requires more trained and qualified journalists to bring a real change in the society, stated Prof Amar Yumnam, dean, School of Social Sciences, Manipur University who presided over the inaugural function of a three-day workshop on “Citizen Journalism” today at Manipur University, Canchipur.

The workshop has been organized jointly by the Department of Mass Communication, Manipur University and IGNOU Institute for Vocational Education and Training (IIVET), Shillong from November 9 to 11 at the New Block of Mass Communication, Manipur University.  

Prof Amar further maintained that the journalists of the state should take the cause for bringing peace and development to the region rather confining themselves to the gloomy scenario. 

Vice-chancellor of Manipur University, Prof HNK Sarma, who attended the function as the chief guest, asserted that the workshop on citizen journalism would surely encourage the general public to come forward and highlight their grievances to the media.

Democracy would certainly be strengthened if public begin to take part in activities like citizen journalism, he noted.

Editor of Manipur Mail, Ningthoukhongjam Ibungochoubi maintained that citizen journalism is a kind of participatory journalism where the media content is generated by the audiences rather than by the working journalists.

He further appealed to all to join and encourage the movement for citizen journalism.

The participants of the workshop would have more interactions on citizen journalism with Prof Nagaraj from Assam University.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/more-trained-journalists-needed-to-bring-change-in-state-amar-yumnam/

IMPHAL November 9: Several civil organizations including the Just Peace Foundation will appeal the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit which will commence in Maldives tomorrow to address militarization and the Sharmila issue.

A declaration of the JPF has appealed to the summit to consider the accelerated militarization in the South Asian region in the name of counter terrorism. It has further mentioned that the military forces are taking over the developmental activities including the mega development projects and extractive mining, devastation of natural resources, displacing and further marginalizing the indigenous peoples inhabiting the region.

It further mentioned that the groups salute the resilience of Irom Sharmila as she enters her twelfth year of hunger strike demanding repeal of AFSPA and considers her as a symbol of struggle for justice. It has also condemned the apathy to take a proper favourable decision on AFSPA, in spite of several official committees and commissions of the government and international bodies like the UN, recommending immediate appeal of AFSPA.

JPF calls upon the governments of South Asia to immediately halt the futile process of militarization generating a spiral of insecurity and to redirect its resources and energy to build genuine democratic institutions to ensure the human security including education, health, housing and other welfare of the people.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/jpf-to-take-sharmila-issue-to-saarc/

IMPHAL, Nov 9: While condemning the detention of MPP vice-president Y Mangi under NSA, MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang has alleged that the arrest of MPP leader was politically motivated by the state government.

He further stated that an emergency meeting of MPP office bearers and advisory committee seriously discussed the detention of Y Mangi under NSA. It was also decided to find out the truth and ensure justice to Mangi as early as possible, Nimaichand asserted.

Recalling the incident of recovering arms and ammunitions from the quarters of some MLAs at Babupara few years back, the MPP president maintained that the MLAs and others involved in the case have not been arrested and detained under NSA.

Nimaichand also clarified that the MPP is yet to take a decision on setting up vice-president Mangi as a candidate in the coming state assembly election.

It may be mentioned that the vice-president of MPP was arrested by Imphal West police commandos along with four other persons on October 30. He has been detained under NSA along with two other arrested persons after they were produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West yesterday.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/mpp-decries-vp-detention/