Tag: Top Stories

Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, July 19: A love affairs conducted over phone went terribly awry with the young woman duped and abandoned in a hotel room a day after the couple eloped.

The 33-year old dupester Sapam Noren aka Manao s/o Gouramani of Heingang Awang Leikai under Imphal East police station was arrested by Waikhong police on July 18 and taken to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for medical examination. The young woman victim has been identified as Moirangthem Priya, 23, d/o M Boboy of Waikhong Kunjao Keikai in Thoubal district.  

The two lover began their affairs over the phone. After about two months of phone affairs, the couple finally met on June 20, at about 11 am at Waikhong Kunjao area.

Noren, who is married, reportedly used a fake name and concealed his marital status in order to woo young Priya. 
The two decided to elope within minutes of their first meeting and took their love affairs to a hotel room in North AOC area. But the fraud guy ventured out the next day in the pretext of finding financial assistance and never went back, abandoning her to her own devices.

A report had been registered with the police after the incident. The police who have been investigating into the case made a breakthrough by establishing the veracity of a phone number used by the accused. Noren was arrested by the police at about 1 pm from Heingang village yesterday, according to the police.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/OeT6Lxpkv2I/

IMPHAL, August 7: Sadar Hills continue to burn as general strike supporters in demand of a separate full fledged Sadar Hills district set ablaze four more government offices and a godown used by the deputy inspector of school, Saitu, Gamphazol since yesterday night.

According to official sources, strike supporters set ablaze the godown belonging to the deputy inspector of school, Siatu, Gamphajol and the office of the deputy director Tribal Development, situated at Saparmeina were set ablaze this afternoon at around 1pm.

The offices were extensively damage during the arson, said the sources.

The sources further informed that the strike supporters also set ablaze the veterinary hospital situated at Thangkandphai Siakul and old SDO office building-Saikul late last night at around 11:30 pm.

Meanwhile, 164 loaded trucks including 12 passenger buses have reached Imphal at around 6 pm today evening under heavy security arrangement. 

According to an official source, 131 loaded trucks have arrived into the state capital along the the NH-37 (formerly NH-53) this evening at around 6:30 pm amidst a blanket of state security forces including cdo, IRB and MR teams.

The loaded trucks include carriers of essential commodities including rice, pulses, petrol tankers, etc.

Meanwhile, another 33 vehicles including 12 interstate passenger buses have also arrived at Imphal by passing through the Imphal-Jessami Road (NH-150) this evening.

An official source has maintained that the vehicles arriving along the Imphal-Jessami Road (NH-150) had started off from Senapati HQ yesterday morning, after being stranded at Senapati HQ since August 2.

According to official sources, the personnel of Manipur Rifles, Manipur Police Commando and other central forces escorted the vehicles however, there has been no reports of any untoward incident during the arrival of the trucks through both ways.

The indefinite general strike which has followed the economic blockade call of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee demanding a separate Sadar Hills district has left the main lifeline of the state, NH-2 completely inaccessible, with goods laden trucks and inter-state passenger buses left stranded at Senapati while coming into the state.

It may be mentioned that the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee had rejected an invitation from the state government for negotiations, as it had decided to give any room for negotiation unless their demand for a separate district is met with.

Meanwhile, at least six security personnel of an escort party of the trucks coming into Imphal along the National Highway-37 (NH-53) were injured in a road mishap at Seijang village.

The personnel belong to the 2MR and included an escort commander.

According to information received by the media persons, the incident occurred this afternoon around 1:30 pm when the gypsy on which the personnel were traveling lost control and plunged into a gorge after crossing a bridge near Seijang village.

The sources informed that the security personnel were escorting the goods laden trucks plying along the NH-37.

The victims has been identified as Warchungthang, 48, s/o Somanglian of Pallel, Lalkhojen, 47, s/o (L) Sankholian of Churachandpur (head constable 2MR), Makanmi, 35, s/o (L) Aphang of Ukhrul, Jamkholen, 28, s/o Chengkholet of M. Sogin village, Phaomei Akin, 33, s/o Thambaljao Phaomei of Majorkhul (escort commander) and Aimson Keishing, 48, s/o Wiasom Keishing of Wangpura Khunou.

Further according to the source, two of the injured are reported to be serious and all six has been evacuated to the RIMS hospital for treatment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/sadar-hills-continue-to-burn-while-trucks-buses-arrive-through-alternative-routes/

IMPHAL, Aug 14: The Kongba Laishram Leikai Youth Club, Imphal East has clarified that the state electricity department had not consulted the local clubs in the issue related to stringing and charging of 33 KV line for 33/11 KV sub-station at Sangaipat.

A release of the club signed by president L Guna stated that the executive engineer of IED-III, in an official letter written to Indo Power Limited of Imphal Camp on July 26, mentioned that the disturbance posed by the locals in the work of stringing 33 KV line has been resolved as per the  meeting held between the chief engineer of electricity department and the representatives of local clubs. However, no other local club had participated in such meeting. The KLLYC had only stated that the club would consult the general public before the work is being carried out.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/clarification-on-stringing-of-33-kv-line/

IMPHAL, August 21: Assam Rifles troops claimed to have arrested two militant cadres and rescued a youth, foiling recruitment bid informed a statement issued by the PRO IGAR (S).

It said that the militant cadres belonging to the proscribed UNLF was apprehended by troops 29 AR while conducting in general area of Sita track junction from a van bearing registration number MN04-A/3134. It further stated that a youth who was taken for recruiting in the outfit was rescued from the clutches of the militants.

The arrested cadres have been identified as one Kh Sanjoy Kumar Singh, 31, s/o Kh. Kumar Singh of Ningthoukhong Mayai Leikai ward No-IX and Haujam Romesh Singh, 27, s/o (L) Haujam Nipamacha of Khoijuman Mayai Leikai ward No.II while the rescued youth is identified as one Haujam Shanti Kumar Singh, 20, s/o H. Bonoy Singh of Khoijuman Mayai Leikai ward No.II.

An Indian currency rupees 2045 was recovered from the militant cadres.

The militants were handed over to the Imphal West Police station and the rescued youth has been handed over to their parents, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/recruitment-bid-foiled-two-ugs-arrested/

IMPHAL, Sept 1: Apropos  a news item of September 1 edition of a daily local paper under the headline “EVENING MEET WITH CHIEF MINISTER”, the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) has clarified that it did not meet the Chief Minister on the evening of August 31 nor send any of its representative for the purpose.

A release of SHDDC said that it is highly regrettable to note that the government is once again trying to mislead the people with wrong propagandas and statements instead of listening to the demand of the Sadar Hills people. The Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee is always clear in its stand towards fulfillment of the demand for upgradation of Sadar Hills into a full fledged District.

Further, the SHDDC representatives walked out of the meeting with the Chief Minister on September 1, 2011 because of the fact that the Chief Minister played the old trick of ‘delaying tactics’ by bargaining for time. The Chief Minister harped on ‘creation’ of Sadar Hills and ‘boundary adjustment and reorganisation’ while the people of Sadar Hills demanded inauguration of Sadar Hills  as envisaged in the Manipur (Hills Areas) Autonomous District Council Act,1971 passed by the Indian Parliament. Is the hon’ble Chief Minister trying to create a new Sadar Hills or trying to implement the Act of Parliament? Again, Sadar Hills has very well-defined boundaries administered under 24 Autonomous District Council Constituencies and 3 (three) Sub-Divisions, the release added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/shddc-denies-meeting-cm-on-aug-31/

IMPHAL, Sept 16: A number of candidates who had come to appear for the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) today organized by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur under the initiative of the education (s) were deprived of appearing in the test.

Citing incompetency on the part of BOSEM in conducting the test, several candidates numbering around 100 from about 10 centres thronged the BOSEM office at Babupara demanding alternative arrangement for them.

The centres where the candidates were left unhappy include Kongba Meitei Mayek, Tiny Tots, Modern Higher Secondary School, Lamlong Higher Secondary School, Johnstone Higher Secondary, Kingstone Higher Secondary School, Leelasing Khongnangkhong High School.

Talking to media persons a candidate, protesting at the BOSEM office, on conditions of anonymity, disclosed that despite finding their allotted roll numbers in the official advertisement through various local newspapers in the state, the students were unable to find their roll numbers in their allotted exam centres.

“Moreover, it was found that the roll numbers supposed to be for Paper-I was found to be allotted for Paper-II and vice versa creating confusion among the candidates”.

Angered with the confusion, the candidates inquired with the higher authorities of the exam centres, however they were suggested to approach the BOSEM office instead, he said.

The aggrieved candidates later thronged the BOSEM office at around 2:10 pm and gheraoed the office building demanding alternative arrangement for the candidates who were deprived to appear in the test. On receiving the report the commissioner of education (s), Sureshbabu, rushed to the protest site and met the candidates. The commissioner assured the candidates to immediately arrange a separate test as an alternative arrangement for them at Bengali high school at around 3pm.

Following the assurance the protesting candidates agreed to leave the BOSEM office and were soon herded towards Bengali high school by a team of Imphal district West Police.

However, the commissioner stop the arrangement as the question papers of the test has already been distributed to the candidates.

Meanwhile, the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Democratice Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Manipuri Student’s Federation (MSF) and Kangleipak Student’s Association (KSA), demanded the government to take appropriate action against the commissioner education (s) and fellow officers for being incompetent while discharging their duties citing the imbroglio on TET conducted today.

A press meet was held in this connection at MSF office Sega Road.

Briefing media persons Depanjit Ningthoujam, secretary general AMSU, condemned the conduct of the authority concerned.

He urged the authority to declare a separate arrangement for the candidates at the earliest possible who were unable to appear the TET.

Meanwhile, the student bodies have also stated that an alternate test was held for some of the aggrieved candidates at CC higher School starting from 1:30pm to 3 pm. The student representatives have demanded that the test should be declared null and void and a joint test for all aggrieved candidates should be held at the earliest possible.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/candidates-left-unhappy-with-tet-demand-alternative-arrangement/

Hyderabad, April 24 : Hindu guru Sathya Sai Baba, worshipped as a god by millions of followers worldwide, died Sunday morning in a hospital near his southern Indian ashram. He was 86.
Sai Baba had spent nearly a month on breathing support and dialysis while struggling with multiple-organ failure after being admitted March 28 to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, near his ashram in Puttaparti village in Andhra Pradesh state.
Women selling marigold garlands broke down in tears outside the ashram when the news of his death was announced, and followers began trickling into the temple complex where the guru`s body would lie in state Sunday night through Tuesday. Hundreds of thousands of devotees are expected to pay last respects. A funeral with state honors is planned Wednesday morning.
The saffron-robed Sathya Sai Baba had a huge following, with ashrams in over 126 countries and Indian devotees including high-placed politicians, movie stars, world-class athletes and industrialists.
He was said to perform miracles, conjuring rings, watches and “vibhuti” — a sacred ash that his followers applied on their foreheads — from his overgrown and unkempt Afro-style hair.
But rationalist critics led campaigns against him, calling him a charlatan and his miracles fake. Several news reports also alleged he committed sexual abuse against devotees — allegations he denied as vilification campaigns.
Officials and celebrities expressed sadness at the guru`s passing, remembering him as a “great pious personality” who worked selflessly to help others.
“Sri Satya Sai Baba was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life, even as they followed the religion of their choice,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a statement. His death is “an irreparable loss to all, and the nation deeply mourns his passing away.”
A heavy police deployment, in place for weeks as Sai Baba`s condition worsened, was using barricades to restrict road traffic Sunday, while shopkeepers were told to close to limit the number of people in town.
Andhra Pradesh state declared four days of mourning, with its top official calling Sai Baba “a symbol of love, affection and passion.”
“Sri Satya Sai Baba has given his great self to the service of humanity,” Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said. “He will be remembered for ages to come by all sections of people all over the world.”
Born Nov. 23, 1926, as Sathyanarayana Raju, he was said as a child to display a tendency toward spirituality and unusual intelligence, which he expressed through music, dance and writing poetry and plays.
In 1940, at the age of 14, he declared himself an “avatar,” or reincarnation, of another Hindu holy man called the Sai Baba of Shirdi, a town in western Maharashtra state, who died in 1918.
As the young guru attracted followers, his home of Puttaparti grew from a sleepy village into a vibrant town with the sprawling “Prasanthi Nilayam” ashram built in 1950, as well as a large hospital, a university and schools run by his Satya Sai Central Trust, set up in 1972 with donations from devotees.
The trust — estimated to be worth at least $8.9 billion and possibly much more — also established spiritual centers in the cities of Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. It built another hospital in Bangalore, where Sai Baba had a summer home, and funded water supply projects in several southern states.
Though no successor has been named to run the trust, it has assured “there is or will be no vacuum,” according to a recent statement released after the guru was hospitalized.
Health woes over recent years had forced Sai Baba to cut down on public appearances. He survived a stroke and a series of heart attacks in 1963. In 2005, he began using a wheelchair, and a year later he fractured his hip when a student fell from a stool onto the guru.
Sai Baba was also mired in controversies, with several news reports about allegations of sexual abuse and fake miracles.
A 2004 television program by the British Broadcasting Corporation called the “Secret Swami” featured interviews with at least two American male devotees claiming the guru had fondled their genitals and exposed himself to them while claiming it was part of a healing ritual.
Though he denied the allegations and was never charged with any crime, the reports led some to break with the guru.
The ashram also said Sai Baba had survived an attempt against his life, with six devotees including the guru`s personal assistant killed in his bedroom in June 1993 after allegedly trying to attack him. Facts of the case still remain a mystery.
Sai Baba was never married and has no children.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/zP-jCD0mZdY/

Leader writer: Leivon Jimmy

Exploitation is becoming a part of life in Manipur or we can say that we are living with it everyday. It is around us and passes by un-noticed. What we have to do is just to observe carefully for there are many forms of exploitation taking place right before us. The nature of it is sometime in stealth mode and the other is quite opposite however both have its own adverse impact.

On the other hand, the perpetrator can be categories in two ways when observed in the context of Manipur. One is triggered out of desperation while the other makes complete sense of the very `exploitation` word, the selfish and vested interest lying beneath with due regard of ones feelings and sentiment.

The later is the factor that has triggered frustration and anger in the mind of the people and a close cousin of `corruption`, a root cause of the all prevailing unwanted mayhem in the state and as well as the entire country. This handy work can only be performed by those who have the influence and guts and who themselves is the guts or influence.

To give an example is the recent reports which came to the limelight of providing the old age pension to a 35 year old woman in Thoubal. It is quite an embarrassment for the state for we could be viewed by others as a state unable to define what an `old age`™ means. Moreover, it is the question of deprivation of right of a hapless, destitute section. Let us not be fast judging and see the positive side, and weigh whether it is fair for local adjustment if necessary?, an old lady, who could be a widow and on one hand a young woman at her mid 30, with husband?. God Knows. This is just an exceptional case that could hit the news stand and came to the notice of the public however there might be many such cases or worse than this unable to see the light and hidden underneath waiting to be unearthed.

Coming to the other form of exploitation referring to is `Exploitation of resource and things around us`™, a common site and might view as usual an ineffective one. However it is very much threatening. Extinction, endangered and climate change are few words that are the outcome of it.

One of the most concerning of these is the deforestation. It has become an issue that needs a serious attention from the government side as well as the NGOs. The demand for end product of trees is growing with the growing of the population. Minimising the scope of elaboration, charcoal vendors only in some of the Imphal East area is evident of the degree of demands. The shops store charcoal in bulk, a sign of fallen trees.

At the same time, many fish species, animals have become extinct and some on the verge of extinction. The reason I should say is excessiveness. There are no limits for everything in our state. It won`™t be wrong to say that Fishermen fish in their own will, for even immature fish are put up for sale. Not only fish even vegetable vendors or grower are doing the same.

There are many reasons for the act of exploitations. To point out few includes the desperate situation due to poverty, lack of awareness, growing number of demands, unemployment and vested interest etc. It should be prevented for it can target one after another and until the target becomes everyone of us.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/zAfHpbh2wE8/

IMPHAL, May 12 (NNN): Intensifying its protests against the unavailability of school textbooks in the market, four students `™ unions of the State`“All Manipur Students`™ Union (AMSU), Democratic Students`™ Association Manipur (DESAM), Manipur Students`™ Federation (MSF) and Kangleipak Students`™ Association (KSA)`“today lambasted the State government of playing with the life of the students.

Speaking to the media at the office of AMSU in DM College campus at about 5 pm today the students`™ bodies said that their stake-outs and vigils and a tip-off by a teacher led to the discovery on May 11 of some 6000 school books being stashed away clandestinely inside Shakhi Devi High School in Uripok.

Unfortunately, as the students`™ activists went to the school to survey and ascertain the fact, police had intervened, they said.

They complained that even as a summer vacation was supposed to begin next month, schools in Imphal valley have declared the vacation prematurely, depriving the students of education.

The fact that the government is only interested in recruiting teachers and not concern about textbooks not being available in the market speaks a lot about the rot in the education system and corruption, the students`™ activists said. `Printing of textbooks is hardly profitable while recruiting teachers involve exchange of fat money within the government,` they said.

Romen of AMSU, Thoithoi of DESAM, Anash Shah of MSF and Nanao of KSA were present in the press meet today.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/OTZjmDfcDuI/

IMPHAL, May 22: As part of the nation wide protest for the repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Just Peace Foundation also organized an event called the Children’s Parliament on AFSPA at Hotel Imphal.
According to a release of the foundation, the participants for the Children’s Parliament on AFSPA was were selected after rigorous screening program from several applicants in Manipur University on 19th May 2011.
The release further added that the house had unanimously pass on that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 which should not have been enacted in the first case and whose time have elapsed long back must be repealed in all its totality, immediately. The parliament was modeled on the existing parliament of the country with the treasury bench and opposition and a speaker.
The program was also attended by over 150 participants from various civil societies, parents, families, friends and several women members from United RTI Women’s Group.This Children’s Parliament is one of the first of its kind against AFSPA in the North East. The idea is to learn on the current trends of violence under AFSPA from the children’s perspective and also to voice children’s concern to an important public issue affecting their life.
The release further added identified the schoold student participants as Anamika Heirangkhongjam,15, from Nirmalabas High School, Chinlemba Naganbam, 17, from DAV Public School, Thingbaijam Thabahanbi Chanu,17, from Royal Academy of Science, Langoljam Kirankumar Meitei, 15, from C.T. Higher Secondary School, Mayang Imphal, Leisangthem Lamyanba Meitei, 18, from Millennium Institute of Science Imphal, Arambam Tingku Devi,14,  from Lamding High School, Wangjing Bazaar, Oinam Bikash Singh,18, from DM College of Science Imphal in the treasury bench and on the opposition bench Miranda Thoudam, 15 , from Sainik School Imphal, Pangei. And the whole program was anchored by Konsam Lamyanbi Chanu, 17,  from Human Resource Development Academy, Ghari.
While, Yambem Laba, Former Member Manipur Human Rights Commission attended the parliament as the speaker, the release added.
Meanwhile, a SOLIDARITY MARCH FOR THE REPEAL of AFSPA AND RELEASE OF IROM SHARMILA, was also carried out in the southern city of Bangalore organized jointly by the PUCL( Bangalore) with National Alliance of People`s Movement (Karnataka), Alternative Law Forum, New Socialist Alternative, People`s Solidarity Concerns, Kashmir Youth Intellect, Centre for Social Concern(St. Josephs College), Maraa, Sangama, Aneka, Pedestrian Pictures, National Confederation of Human Rights Organisation, Student Christian Movement of India (Bangalore), Stree Jagrutu Samiti, Slum Jagattu, Sichrem, Vimochana, People`s Democratic Forum and many other human rights and communal harmony bodies organised the Bangalore event on Sunday.
The ,march was held at the Town Hall to Mahatma Gandhi Statue, MG Road, Bangalore from 5pm to 7pm.
A press release has stated that the draconian act of AFSPA has been implemented in North eastern states of India since 1958 and in Jammu and Kashmir since 1991. It was on May 22, 1958, that the AFSPA was promulgated in the north east as an ordinance. This law is more draconian than its predecessor ordinance used by the British to suppress the Quit India Movement. It gave extraordinary powers to members of the armed forces, to arrest without warrant and shoot to kill on the basis of suspicion; and no legal action can be taken up against the armed forces without prior sanction from the Centre, the release stated.
Irom Sharmila has been on hunger fast for more than 10 years now demanding repeal of AFSPA . She has been force fed through her nose by the Government, arrested with charges for attempt to commit suicide, criminalized as a high security prisoner, denying her access to family, friends, supporters and the media, it further stated.
Various movements in the North East and Kashmir and human rights groups across the country have consistently demanded the repeal of the Act. AFSPA is not only opposed by the civil society groups but also by the Government’s own commissions and committees appointed to look into the matter. The Committee to Review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, headed by Justice B. P. Jeevan Reddy in 2005, the Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Dr. Veerappa Moily in 2007 and several others have recommended its repeal.
Internationally, UN bodies including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the U N High Commissioner for Human Rights and recently the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders have urged for its repeal, it added.
The release further maintained that the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) hereby calls to all democratic forums, human rights groups , people’s movements and all concerned citizens to initiate various public protest actions from May 22 to August 18, demanding repeal of AFSPA and immediate release of Irom Sharmila.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/9sWDloy8Ajo/

By Amar Yumnam
The Mega Manipur School recently had her Sixth Foundation Day. This function is going to be particularly memorable for me. After my speech at the function and while I was coming down from the dais a little girl, lovely one at that, of the Pre-Primary Class and whom I had just met asked me straight on my face as to what all I was talking about. This had multiples of lasting impact on me. First, in any case, I was completely floored by her straight innocent query. Second, what was my point of speaking any if I could not communicate with all who were present at the function? Was it a case of my suffering from the usual community habit of taking the children for granted? Should we not be altering our way of looking at things as in every generation the children were getting smarter? Above all, I was taught a lesson by this little girl about the need for communication. In fact, there cannot be any thriving society without an effective communication flows across communities, ages and space. Thanks to that little girl of whom I have taken photographs; I would forever cherish her refreshingly inquisitive face.

The necessity of communication is further reinforced by what is happening in connection with the political conclave at Senapati. The absurdity of all sides is being established by this and the reactions to it. It is absolute and unwarranted political gimmick which amounts to nothing more than a social noise for a head of people of one province trying to fan political instability in the neighbouring province. It is equally funny for the opponents of such political gimmicks to come to a reactionary mode and organise actions dictated by this. Neither side has nothing to gain nor proves any point whatsoever. While the organisers would presume to themselves as barking successfully, those opposing are to be blames for their own failure to endeavour for effective communication and surfacing only when something is being planned. The political class has to be cursed for its failure to evolve a system of communication and inclusiveness while being busy in self aggrandisement.

Absence of Enlightenment: All these make one seriously think of as to when Manipur would usher into a phase of Enlightenment like the one experienced by Europe in the eighteenth century. Well here it would be relevant directly to quote from a recent book on the phenomenon and impact of what we call Enlightenment: `Radical Enlightenment is a set of basic principles that can be summed up concisely as: democracy; racial and sexual equality; individual liberty of lifestyle; full freedom of thought, expression, and the press; eradication of religious authority from the legislative process and education; and full separation of church and state. It sees the purpose of the state as being the wholly secular one of promoting the worldly interests of the majority and preventing vested minority interests from capturing control of the legislative process. Its chief maxim is that all men have the same basic needs, rights, and status irrespective of what they believe or what religious, economic, or ethnic group they belong to, and that consequently all ought to be treated alike, on the basis of equity, whether black or white, male or female, religious or nonreligious, and that all deserve to have their personal interests and aspirations equally respected by law and government. Its universalism lies in its claim that all men have the same right to pursue happiness in their own way, and think and say whatever they see fit, and no one, including those who convince others they are divinely chosen to be their masters, rulers, or spiritual guides, is justified in denying or hindering others in the enjoyment of rights that pertain to all men and women equally.` (Jonathan Israel, A Revolution of the Mind: Radical Enlightenment and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Democracy, Princeton University Press 2010)

We do not observe any of the Enlightenment principles taking roots in the soil of Manipur. While all are busy with communitarian-based politics, the society in Manipur today does not show any signs of positive engagement on issues capable of taking the collective forward. The long years of non-inclusive governance and development interventions had had a lasting impact on the propagation of non-inclusive politics. Now this has reached such a level that we are at a stage where it looks as if nothing positive is going to happen at the politico-economy-wide level. This indeed is the issue the political leadership has to address in right earnest so that a legacy of exclusion and chaos is not left for the generations to come. What Manipur needs today is initiation of a cycle of honesty, honest communication, inclusive approach and initiation of a cycle of positive loop for collectively shared progression. The current ruling paradigm of looting through contracts, supplies, nepotism and favouritism have failed and would fail to serve any social purpose today, and the scenario would only worsen once the larger Asian integration process starts impacting Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/lAkI1j1fzQA/

IMPHAL, May 29: Get together function of Foodgrains Transport Trucks Owner`™s and Driver`™s Association was held today Kyamgei Heibong Makhong.

During the function, Kh Inaoba of M/s Zimomi Traders, a tranport contractor under FCI, said scarcity of foodgrains is one major factor in creating serious law & order problem and hence procurement of foodgrains and its stockpiling is utmost necessity for a state.

M/s Zimomi Traders along with another sub-contractor of the FCI have managed to regularly transport rice through NH-53 after hiring about 200 private trucks. The duo sub-contractors have been trying its best to sufficiently piled up rice stocks for the state despite of numerous problems, threats and intimidations, Inaoba added.

While stating that ferrying trucks along NH-39 has caused numerous problems due to frequent disturbances either in the forms of bandh or blockade, Inaoba also said using NH-53 instead of NH-39 would fare much for the state.

He also said Imphal-Jiri route of the NH-53 has improved since last year but need much more to be improved to fully utilise the highway throughout the year.

He also appeal all the pressure groups not to create disturbance along NH-53 particularly to trucks ferrying foodgrains and other essential commodities for the general public.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/zocR1HT3v-c/

IMPHAL, June 1(Newmai News Network): The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) said the outfit will oppose strongly to the proposed construction of the Tipaimukh Dam in the conjoined of Barak and Tuivai rivers by the NHPC, SJGN and the government of Manipur.

The ZUF is a militant outfit formed to protect the Zeliangrong community`s interest, according to the outfit.

In a press communique, ZUF chairman Kamson said once the Tipaimukh Dam is constructed 275.50 square kilometres of land in Manipur will be affected. The ZUF also said that around 16 villages will be submerged by the dam. The ZUF also said that over 15,000 indigenous people will be rendered homeless and become “refugeees”. It further stated that all the tourist spots such as the Zeilad lake and Barak water-fall are going to be affected once the dam is constructed. “Fauna and flora too are bound to be affected by the dam,” rues the ZUF, adding with a caution, ” Tipaimukh dam is going to be a damgerous project for the Zeliangrong community.” Giving a reason why the dam is going to be a deadly project, the ZUF predicted there will be frequent occurrence of earthquake one a dam like the proposed Tipaimukh is completed.

The ZUF then said several NGOs in Manipur have been opposing the construction of the dam because of its negative impact. It said organisations such as the Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM), Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), ZORO, Mizo Zirla Pawl, NESO and other influential bodies are opposing the construction of the dam.

Warning to take up drastic step in the event of the authorities going ahead with the construction of the Tipaimukh dam, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) pledged, ” We are ready to strike if the concerned authorities refuse to understand our sentiment.”

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/1lZvc5UZGmI/

by Bibhu Prasad RoutrayProviding the best of rms and equipment to paramilitary personnel is crucial to the success of India`s anti-Naxal strategyA Few days ago, some newspapers in India ran two separate reports. One hogging the front page was a stub on India’s flourishing economy and the other relegated to the inside pages underlined the challenges faced by the security forces battling the Left-wing extremists (Naxalites) in the remotest corners of the country. The first item pointed to the soaring number of choppers and private jets jostling for space in Indian skies and the demands they make on the Air Traffic Controllers. The second report, on the other hand, quoted the Border Security Force (BSF) authorities asking the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to replace the Dhruv helicopters since these do not meet the force’s operational requirements. This report went on to detail the drastic shortage of choppers for the security forces deployed on anti-Naxal duty and its impact on the morale of the forces. These two narratives posed a familiar paradox, from Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, when there are “choppers choppers everywhere, but not many for the security forces”.On May 19, a chopper employed by Gadchiroli district police in Maharashtra returned with injured and dead police personnel from the encounter site at Nalgonda. However, security forces battling the Naxals in Beijjur phata in the same district could not avail themselves of the service of the chopper since it had already completed the stipulated 500 hours of flying and had to proceed for the mandatory maintenance service. The Gadchiroli police requested that the services of another chopper from neighbouring Chhattisgarh be provided. But by the time it arrived, the encounter had ended. It could fly only to recover three dead bodies of police personnel from the area.A similar incident took place in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga district on May 3 in which 11 security force personnel were killed. The Naxals ambushed a 150- member team of state police and paramilitary personnel returning from a combing operation. While four personnel were killed on the spot, seven others succumbed to their injuries since the chopper at the disposal of the state police was unavailable, being on a sortie to neighbouring West Bengal for poll-related duties. It could reach the incident site only after four hours. The Jharkhand Director General of Police admitted that the personnel died owing to lack of timely medical aid. One of the injured personnel who ultimately survived bemoaned the fact that he had to suffer the excruciating pain for over four hours before being evacuated and admitted into a hospital.The MHA, since mid-2010, has deployed a fleet of seven choppers for carrying out troop deployment, casualty evacuation and sending reinforcements in the Naxal-affected states. These choppers are based in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) and are available to any of the Naxal-affected states on demand. However, on most occasions, this fleet has been found to be highly inadequate to meet the forces’ ground-level requirements. Complains have been made about the frequent servicing requirements of these Advanced Light Dhruv Helicopters and their inability to fly beyond a certain height. They are frequently grounded by the unavailability of spare parts, which makes them almost an unreliable element in the anti-Naxal operations.In addition to these incidents of shortage, because of unavoidable technical and logistical reasons, choppers have also been diverted on occasions for use by politicians and bureaucrats. Media reports in early May indicated that out of the fleet of seven, only one chopper was functional and was catering to the requirements of the nearly 70 battalions of paramilitary forces deployed against the Naxals throughout the country.The MHA is planning to wet-lease six new Russian Mi-17 helicopters from private companies for deployment in the anti-Naxal operations. At a purchase price of Rs 45 crore apiece, wet-leasing the Mi-17 helicopters, under which the company lending it provides for the pilot, maintenance and fuel, is a far more affordable option. According to reports, the sorties by these leased machines to the Naxal strongholds could start as early as August 2011. The MHA hopes to reduce its dependence on the ministry of defence, which currently flies the paramilitary troops in the Naxal zones. In any event, the Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers’ “80 flying hours a month” rule is a handicap in terms of using them excessively. On the other hand, the Mi-17 choppers proposed to be taken on lease are fuel guzzlers, but the MHA has no alternative other than accounting for such expense.In various forums the Union home minister has spoken of the cumbersome procurement procedure coming in the way of providing the best of arms and equipment to the paramilitary personnel. One does not know whether the process of acquiring choppers also faces similar challenges. The proposal to wet-lease 13 Mi-17 choppers is at least an eight-month-old idea, first floated in October 2010. The number of choppers had then been decided on after taking the requirements of the forces operating in a vast territory into cognisance. But for reasons best known to the MHA, the number has now been reduced to six, which is highly insufficient. Meanwhile, the MHA has negotiated in vain with the IAF, which itself gets choppers on lease. Many of the IAF helicopters are deployed in the United Nations’ Congo mission and the move to recall them has not been successful.For operational purposes, choppers are as basic a requirement for the forces battling the Naxals as any other sophisticated arms and equipment. India’s anti-Naxal policy needs to improve upon the prevailing conditions, on an urgent basis. The author is a former deputy director in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), a visiting fellow at CLAWS (New Delhi) and a fellow at the Takshashila Institution.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/0-JiFN9sVD0/

IMPHAL, June 7: The state government aims to complete the ongoing biometric data collection to facilitate the issue of the Unique Identity Number (Aadhaar) to all residents of the state by October this year. The state Planning department has been made the nodal department in the state for the project, wherein biometric data of the state populace is being collected after a MoU had been signed between the state and the Unique Identification Authority of India, (UIDAI) to facilitate the issue of Unique Identity Numbers in the state.According to a source, the UIDAI had also entered into a MoU with the Registered General of India (RGI) for collection of the biometric data during the National Population Registration (NPR) exercise, based on which the Aadhaar No. will be issued by the UIDAI to all residents enrolled.The source also maintained that the UIDAI has appointed the Bharat Electronic Ltd (BEL) as the enrollment agency and the collection of the biometric data has been undertaken through BEL vendors, Manitron, etc. The concerned Deputy Commissioners of all districts will also helped in the conduct of the exercise, the source further added. Meanwhile, it has been already notified recently that the state government has decided to use the Aadhaar No. as proof of address and identity proof for individuals during the implementation of central flagship and Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS).The source further mentioned that the state government has decided that KYR+ data (incorporating services and entitlement that could potentially be linked with Aadhaar number) shall be collected along with the biometric data by the enrolment agency, BEL and that a format for KYR plus data caption will be circulated by the Planning department in due course.Further, it is also officially instructed that DCs of each districts will assign a supervisor to assist collection of biometric data and maintaining a record as envisaged in the handbook of Aadhaar of UIDAI.In the meantime, according to an official notification issued by the special secretary Planning government of Manipur Sajad Hassan, the DCs should also carry out awareness campaigns in their respective districts regarding the exercise. They will provide BPL list and maintain record of BPL beneficiaries of MNREGS/NOAP/PDS/RSBY/JSY, etc. enrolled during biometric data collection as well as provide incentives/create facilities to BPL beneficiaries of welfare schemes, so that cost of enrolment of BPL individuals at the enrolment centre nearest to them is reduced. These data shall be furnished to the state level implementation of UID Committee/Planning department, and it is also mentioned that the state planning department should provide the DCs with IEC materials as well as funds (provided under 13th Finance Commission Award) as incentive to attract BPL residents, the official notification added.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/rQDyWChUv6E/

If men were good, there would be no need for governments, James Madison, the third President of the United States of America, and one of the founding fathers of the country’s constitution famously said in charting out the philosophy by which the American constitution was to be written. The innate suspicion of man’s basic nature may be contrary to the idealistic teachings of religions, but it has nonetheless proven to be an effective mantra for governance. Madison’s prescription for America definitely would cure a lot of the ills of any government anywhere in the world. The Manipur administration too could use some of it much to its benefit. If it had understood the significance of the statement in its letter and spirit, it might have been able not only to anticipate but also draw up effective administrative measures to prevent what happened at Tentha last year, whereby Hindu villagers burnt down a church built in the village by Christian converts amongst them. No, we are not talking about preventing conflict situations by beefing up security or through other intimidatory shows of state power, but through un-intrusive social engineering that takes into consideration that differences in faith, ethnicity etc, can easily translate into social friction and even conflicts.

Given the administrative foresight, religious or ethnic frictions do not have to be much more than mere civic problems, well within the power of the civil administration to handle. In fact it is the duty of a secular government not to allow any of its social problems to escalate beyond the civic. It is a limitation of imagination that makes secularism seen only in terms of the doctrine of tolerance. The term tolerance itself implies putting up with something one is not altogether too pleased with. Rather than this, secularism should be more about good impartial and farsighted administration that keeps in mind that men are not angels or saints. Supposing the government were to enact a legislation restricting the building of public places of worship, be it a temple, church, mosque or synagogue in residential areas and opening it only to government approved sites, no problem of civil religious strife would have arisen? One might not have anything against living next door to a Hindu, Christian, Muslim or a Jew, but if the followers of any of these faiths decide to convert his house into a public temple or church the next day and have congregations singing bhajan or performing midnight masses, it is likely to rub many other neighbours the wrong way. The Manipur government, and so too a large section of the public, in their obtuse sense of secularism, have been ignoring this particular dynamics behind conflicts. Mark our words, given the rapidity with which public places of worship are sprouting, if the administration does not take care to rectify this oversight, religious frictions in the state, not necessarily Hindus pitted against Christians, but in any permutation or combination of the religions practised in the state, are likely to escalate. After all, as Madison implied, men are not angels, and it is a senseless conflict resolution strategy to simply curse that men are not angels.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/UbZWit99qps/

NEW DELHI, June 14 (MIC): Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Bijoy Krishna Handique here today announced the launch of a programme called ‘Youth on the Edge’ by Ministry of DoNER through the North Eastern Council for encouraging adventure activities in the North Eastern Region. 

Shri Handique said, “We have devised -‘Youth on the Edge’ with the primary objective of encouraging movements of youth from the rest of India to the Border Areas of the North Eastern States to participate in structured adventure activities thereby furthering the cause of national integration and mainstreaming. The participants would get a chance to learn about the cultural heritage and local traditions of the Region. In addition Intra-North East exchanges of youth will benefit the local youth who will also be involved in the process”.

“As part of the programme, we also plan to send selected representatives from the Region to visit the rest of India. A talent scouting process will be done to identify prospective talents in adventure tourism who will be sent for specialised training in the National Mountaineering Institutes. This year we plan to start a Pilot Project and subsequently from the next year we will try to bring the programme under the 12th Plan,” he added.

This is the first time that the Ministry of DoNER has taken up a programme to attract youth from other parts of India.

In the Pilot Project, three trekking trails, two from Arunachal Pradesh and one from Mizoram will be finalized after consultation with the State Governments and necessary ground recee. The types of adventure activities are of Land Based like Mountaineering, Skiing, Trekking, Rock Climbing; Water Based like Sailing, Rowing, Water skiing; and Aero Based like Para Gliding, Hand Gliding, Microlite Flying. Each of these trails will be used to organize activities for 15 batches consisting of 555 youths during the three months. The batches will consist of 37 youth including seven representatives from the North East and National Service Scheme volunteers.

As part of the programme, around 200 youth from the North Eastern Region along with 6 escorts will also be sent to visit the rest of India. Also, to create skill development and self employment opportunities in future for local youth from NER, a few selected ones having an aptitude for adventure tourism will be sent to different National Mountaineering Institutes for specialized training. The total beneficiaries under this programme will be 1885 youths.

The Ministry of DoNER will fund Rs.2.86 Crores for this pilot programme and subsequently the programme will be put up for inclusion as a full-fledged scheme under the 12th Plan. The pilot scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports under the aegis of the Ministry of DoNER in coordination with respective state governments.

The North Eastern Region has attractive Himalayan mountain ranges with Sikkim and Arunachal having popular peaks like Kanchenjunga, Kabru Massif, Kangto, Nyagi Kangsang and Gaurichen. A number of wild unexplored rivers like Siang, Syom, Subansiri, Dibang, Lohit etc., are a big attraction for adventure seekers.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/pQBfQDmV2C4/

IMPHAL, June 17: Desperate evicted families of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai stayed in the Lamphel Police custody briefly after their temporary sheds and shelters were yet again evicted by the Police.

A team of the Lamphel police as a part of their continued drive of eviction today ransacked the temporary makeshift sheds and shelters this evening around 3 pm, put up at the road side between the Lamphel Employment Exchange office and office of the Chief Electoral Officer by the affected individuals of the eviction that was carried out on June 6 at Lamphel Yaipha Leikai.

About 10 individuals including two children forcefully climb on board the Police vehicle contending that they have no more shelters due to the further eviction of their only sheds and shelters.

After staying in custody of the police for a brief period the displaced residents later walk away from the police station late in the evening.

The police were compelled to take the aggrieved residents along with them till the police station following their adamant act.

The displaced residents have been putting up temporary sheds and shelters in the area since the eviction. Moreover they were left in the agitating mood for only 14 houses were affected by the eviction leaving behind some houses nearby.

In the meantime, even as the concerned MLA offered a place at the vicinity of Lamphel for relocating the displaced residents the offer however was rejected by the residents owing to the lack of security over the land and the unfavorable condition for habitation.

It has been reported that the alternative relocation is a marshy area at the same time temporary for three months only.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/pzP1CCoDEJg/

IMPHAL, June 20: The National Highway 53 truck owners association has mocked the government’s target to complete the construction of the highway by 2013 while taking into account the failure of the government to start implementation of work till date.

A team of media persons along with the association conducted a survey of the condition of the NH 53 from June 18 to June 19.

While speaking to media persons during the survey the spokesperson of the association, Kh. Inaoba expressed his apprehension about the condition of the NH in case the monsson sets in fully given the present deplorable condition of the highway.

He said that the condition is worse especially from Barak to Nungdollan. The section remain muddy making it risky for vehicles mainly the trucks to pass through during the monsoon. There are high chances of getting stuck in the thick mud or slipping as the trail left on the muddy road by the heavy loaded trucks is knee deep, he added.

He further maintained the main factor for the condition was absence of proper drainage system and added that 80 percent of the road conditions are not favourable for vehicles to ply.

He also claimed that the stone piled up at the road side, to be used in the repairing of roads are of low quality.

Taking into account the ground reality of the road the spokespersons stated that the target set by the government to complete the works of developing the NH-53 by 2013 will be impossible.

Despite the hardship the truckers have been plying on the road and also added that the price of essential commodities would be low if the condition of the road is improved.

In the meantime, A. Khomei Singh, manager in charge FCI godown, Jiribam stated that the condition of the FCI godown is outdated and needs to be upgraded to do away with the woes of rice scarcity in the state.

He said that since January 11, 2011, a 22 compartment train with ten trips per week has been feeding the FCI godown which to some extent has improved the woes.

However in order to make the most of the improving situation the condition of the 2500 metric tone capacity FCI godown much be further upgraded to the required 20,000 capacity.

Besides the manger incharge suggested for the need for using better train against the current which derail often in rainy season due to its small size and, also suggested the unloading of the loads at the godown directly.

The manager also appealed the concerned authority to upgrade the man power of the godown.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/0Kvo_eJhDBM/

IMPHAL June 27: Armed USRA insurgents presently at SoO with the government is disturbing the peace at Kanvai and Torbung area which comes under Bishnupur district along the Tiddim road, United Committee Manipur (UCM) alleged in a press release.

It said that a public meeting was held at Torbung community hall yesterday and attended by UCM functionaries and public of the area including Panchayat members of the area.

At the meeting residents of Torbung voiced that Phoukakchao, Ikai, Torbung, Bangla, Waikhurok areas of Bishnupur borders Churachanpur district, the villagers are living apprehensively and developments are left wanting at the areas, the release added.

Further, an unwanted incident had happened on June 18, the diesel autorickshaws plying between Moirang and Torbung have been allotted parking space by the Torbung Area Development Committee, and for development of parking area have been collecting Rs 5 from the passenger vehicles, however on June 24 the USRA threatened the villagers and the parking association that the parking fees should be given to the outfit, the release added.

It further alleged that the villagers, Pradhan and taxis have also been warned not to proceed beyond Kangvai from today if the demands are not.

Further, the cadres have assaulted drivers, wrecked the autos and have even resorted to firing from their weapons under the command of USRA area commander s/s Johnny, violating the ground rules of the SoO, the release alleged.

UCM questions whether the violence perpetrated by the USRA cadres have been given permission to do so by the state government and has Torbung area been handed over to the USRA.

At the meeting, UCM president Y Dilipkumar stated that the motto of the organization is to bring about peace, unity and integrity in the state and has been striving towards the goal since 2001.

Dilip further stated that the central government is carrying out communal politics to disturb the congenial atmosphere of the state and the communities should unite to stand against such dubious agendas.

Further, the state government should avoid the tripartite talks scheduled on June 30 at Senapati, as it is an endeavor to bring disintegration of the state, it added.

It also stated that the USRA cadres should refrain from carrying out anti social activities and adhere to the SoO ground rules, the state government must also check such perpetrations and the concerned SPs of Bishnupur and Churachanpur must keep their jurisdictions under constant vigil to prevent the unwanted activities. The 119 batallion of BSF should also maintain alert in the issue, the release said.

Read more / Original news source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Kanglaonline/~3/dFLuvZzjaFo/