Tag: Top Stories

IMPHAL, April 16: The 32nd anniversary of the proscribed KCP was held on April 14 with the main function organized at its GHQ.

O Yaima and the party’s information and publicity secretary H Porei attended the celebration as chief guest and president respectively, and, H Krity, deputy chief of army staff, MFL, comrade Mani Meitei, CO 131 Bn, MFL, Shyamjai, Khuman, Pamei, Manglemnganbi and Naotombi among others graced the ceremony as guests of honour, a release signed by Poirei on Monday said.

The major highlights of the anniversary celebration were inauguration of the function by the chief guest with the hoisting of the outfit’s flag, paying tributes to the comrades who had sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle of the Kangleipak, giving the message by the party’s president, releasing the outfit’s quarterly magazine,”Langthengminasi Eikhoi”.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/kcp-observes-32nd-anniversary/

From John K Kaping
UKHRUL, April:  Arrested NSCN-IM leader Nikhan supporters today took out a rally demanding his immediate and unconditional release at Ukhrul town.

Thousands of Ukhrul locals participated in the massive rally holding placards that read, “we stand united to Ningkhan”,”we demand unconditional release of Ningkhan Anthony Shimray”, “we demand meaningful ceasefire”, “Is NIA above the law”, “Ningkhan is a Peace loving man” et al.

The rallyists marched from two opposite directions in Ukhrul town, one starting from Hundung junction in the south street and the other from Ukhrul Mission Ground in the North street and later emerged at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground for a public discussion and declaration on the crucial matter under the main banner with Ningkhan`s photograph hung above the public platform imprinted as ” release Anthony Shimray” “release all Political Prisoners.”

The main speakers of the public discussion included president of the Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, TNWL (Tangkhul Headmen Council) AS Vaomi, president Tangkhul Students` Union, TKS Yangmi Khapai, TNL vice-president N Tuikhar, Tangkhul Women`s League, TSL vice resident K Athar, Tangkhul Youth Council, TMNL presaident Ningkhan Shang and Naga Peoples` Movement for Human Rights senior member HungyoHong.

The massive public gathering at the end evoked a resolution to fight till the last if the Government of India does not release the NSCN leader in immediate un-conditional release whatsoever.

The memorandum jointly signed by TNL, TKS, TNWL, TSL and TMNL, the four civil societies of the Tangkhul Naga community was submitted to the Prime Minister of India through Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner.

The programme was organized by “Free Ningkhan Programme Committee”, during the public rally all shops, vehicular and peoples` movements across the district headquarter remained stand still.

It can be stated that various forms of “free Ningkhan” demand movements including  “Sit-in Protest”, “Post Cards Campaign” etc. etc. have been so far staged in Ukhrul district headquarter earlier by the apex civil bodies.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/ukhrul-rally-demands-nikhans-release/

IMPHAL, April 11: As part of steps taken up to prevent stealing of vehicles in the state and otehr related crimes, the department of Transport today introduced the High Security Registration Plates, HSRP.

The HSRP was formally launched by chief secretary DS Poonia today at the Directorate of Transport complex, Babupara. It has been brought to the state by the department of Transport, government of Manipur in a joint collaboration with the M/S Shimnit Utsch India Private Limited Mumbai.

Speaking at the formal launch of the HSPR, chief secretary DS Poonia said the HSRP will naturally help in controlling illegal vehicle trade and other related crimes to some extent and further added that it is a significant move towards the prevention of vehicle thefts and other related crimes in the state.

Principal secretary, transport and works, government of Manipur, Ram Muivah said that with the introduction of the new registration plates in the state, the people of the state can now prevent their vehicles from being stolen by anti-social elements, and added that even in the case of any stolen vehicles, the vehicles can easily be traced with the help of the HSRP.

He further stated, distribution and issuance of the HSRP will be completed within a period of two years with all vehicles in the state coming under its ambit.

In order to acquire a HSRP, a vehicle owner should get new vehicle registration forms and customer application form (CAF) for HSRP from the dealing assistant and after filling in the details, both forms should be ubmitted to the dealing assistant for the process.

At the time of the payment for vehicle registration certificate, cashier give the serial number in CAF HSRP form and then the cashier sent the customer to the HSRP office for payment. The giving back the original payment receipt, the customer will further be asked to come back after two days.

The customer will have to come for fitment of HSRP after two days along with the payment copy of the vehicle registration certificate. Once the vehicle is fitted with the HSRP the dealing assistant will give the fitment acknowledgement form to the customer.

The customer has to come to DTO office alone with the fitment acknowledgement form to get registration certificate.

Vehicle registration certificate is issued only after the fitment of HSRP.

Meanwhile, the state chief secretary DS Poonia and principal secretary Transport became the first customers of the HSRP in the state by fixing their vehicles with new registration numbers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/transport-dept-introduces-hsrp-to-tackle-vehicle-lifting/

IMPHAL. April 12 (Newmai News Network): Dr. Chaltonlien Amo has been unanimously elected as the chairman of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), Manipur, the highest body of the state to make any decision of the hill areas.

Being the only one out of the 20 MLAs of the hill areas to file nomination paper for the post, Dr Chaltonlien was declared elected uncontested by MLA T.N. Haokip who presided over the election at the committee room of the new state assembly building.

After the declaration of the election of Dr Chaltonlien as the chairman of HAC, Manipur the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that the chairman of HAC has a very big role to in the development of the hill areas, and he also urged the newly elected HAC chairman and members to work sincerely for the betterment of the hill areas and the people living there. The government is always there to help and support the HAC, added the chief minister.

The twenty MLAs from the five hill districts of Manipur are Churachandpur – 6, Senapati – 6, Chandel – 2, Tamenglong – 3 and Ukhrul – 3. The new chairman of HAC has reportedly taken over the post from today itself.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/chaltonlien-amo-elected-hac-chairman/

From Kaimuanthang
LAMKA, April 12: the All Lamka Taxi Owners’ Society, ALTOS has today decided to launch an indefinite Tiddim line general strike starting 5am of April 14 for all passenger services of sorts and warning that violators of the strike should be held responsible for any eventualities in case of violation of the strike.

With the deadline set by the taxi owners society for the government to bring an amicable solution to the already heightening deadlock between the society and the Tedim Line Bus owners ending today without any visible solution members of the society convened a meeting today at Chiengkonpang in Churachandpur .

It has been demanding proper parking sites at Imphal.

The members discussed on what steps should be taken up with the deadline ending today and resolved to impose the general strike.

In a statement, ALTOS has stated that the bus owners in cohorts with KCP (MC) in trying to cover their criminal act of burning a bus during their own bandh had wronly accused the ALTOS chairman, secretary and advisor of being involved in the bus burning incident in league with hills based militant outfits, however had failed to provide any substantial evidence.

It has further alleged that the ALTOS members were harassed on many other pretexts and prevented from providing smooth service to the public inspite of public demands.

Meanwhile talking to this press correspondent, those who are in favour of the Winger service along the line said that when people even want a helicopter service in this fast developing world, the monopolistic approach of the Bus owners are highly condemnable while another added that the interest of the public needs to be served and if the passengers prefer Wingers they will travel in it and it is far better than travelling in a bus which has so many stoppages taking atleast two hours to reach Imphal while a Wingers takes only about one or a little more than one hour to reach the same destination.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/indefinite-strike-along-tiddim-road-from-apr-14/

IMPHAL, April 11: Separate sit-in-protests were held today at separate locations decrying the alleged killing of a woman identified as Premila, whose suspected charred body was found from a Kakching hillock and the alleged beating up of a couple at Kyamgei Khoirom Leikai.

The JAC against the killing of Keisham Premila from Wabagai alongwith 25 other social organizations organized a sit in protest decrying the killing at Kakching Lamkhai today.

The agitators while decrying the alleged killing has demanded appropriate action from the government and to find the involved culprits at the earliest.

It may be reminded that skeletal remains of a completely charred body, suspected to be that of Keisham Premila who has been reported to be missing since some time was found atop a small hillock known as Kakching Mahadev hill under Kakching Police station, said the police, on April 10.

Meanwhile, another sit in protest was held at the Manipur University gate decrying Tuesday’s alleged robbing and beating up of a couple at Kyamgei Khoirom leikai, while the two were returning from their shop located in front of the Manipur University gate.

The sit in protest was organized by Heijingang Bazar Board, Waikhom Khongnang Meira Paibi, Thongju Apunba Meira Paibi, Kyamgei Meira paibi Lup and was attended by around 150 protestors.

It may be mentioned that a couple was critically wounded after being severely beaten up by unknown miscreants before they were robbed at Kyamgei Khoirom Leikai under Irilbung police station in Imphal West on Tuesday evening at around 8pm.

The couple identified as Thingujam Ingocha, 50, son of (L) Th Amuba and Thingujam Renubals, 47 of Khoirom Leikai owned a book shop (MU Totta IR Educational Book Store) in front of Manipur University gate, Canchipur, from where they were returning when the incident happened.

The couple is currently being treated at Shija Hospitals at Langol. The condition of Ingocha was stated to be critical.

Source had said that the assailants had allegedly snatched away a gold necklace and a finger ring worth lakhs of rupees from the couple.

The couple was assaulted by some unknown miscreants while returning home near a public reservoir at Kyamgei Khoirom Leikai.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/sitins-decry-separate-incidents-of-violence/

IMPHAL. April 12 (Newmai News Network): A teenaged girl was allegedly raped by two persons just half a kilometer away from the office complex of the deputy commissioner of Thoubal district in Manipur on April 10, according to a delayed report.

The two rapists have been arrested by Thoubal police and produced before the chief judicial megistrate, Thoubal and remanded to five days in police custody. They are identified as Y. Boby Singh (37) and L. Raghumani (48), and a case has been registered under FIR no. 104(4) 2012 Thoubal P/S U/S 376/34 IPC.

According to the delayed report, the 16 year old girl and her mother have been running a shop in front of the office of the deputy commissioner, Thoubal where the two accused rapists, who were regular customers, had bought few things on that day. Saying that they had no change, the two accused had given a Rs 1000 note, which the young girl took to get change from another shop as she and her mother also did not have change.

The two accused had followed the girl saying that they would collect the change from the girl, and after that they had reportedly taken her away in a car, the mother is reported to have stated in her complain to the police.

When the girl did not return in time the mother had started looking for her daughter and learned that the two accused had taken her daughter away towards the paddy fields in a Santro car. A search was then carried out along with local women folk and youth club members and the girl was found inside a hut, said the delayed police report.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/rape-accused-remanded-to-five-days-police-custody/

IMPHAL, April 11: Keishamthong constituency MLA L Ibomcha today inspected beautification and developmental works including construction of retaining walls being undertaken along the banks of the Waishen Marin.

MLA Ibomcha was accompanied by IFCD engineer, Th Indramani and Minor Irrigation chief engineer, M Shyambabu during the inspection visit.

Speaking to the media persons on the sidelines of the visit, Indramani, an IFCD engineer charged that the contract work being taken up along the Waishin Marin was offered to a Hyderabad based Avantika Company by the state PDA department without prior consent of IFCD and expressed dissatisfaction over the slow work progress on the banks of the river which include construction of retaining walls.

He also said the company further gave the contract work to various sub-contractors in the state and now the company is taking percentage from them owing to which the construction work has been hampered and delayed.

With the rainy season’s arrival, the slow pace of work will affect the public if natural calamities like flood hit the areas lying along the banks of the tributary, Indramani further added.

He also appealed the public to render help to IFCD when the department continues with the same work.

MLA Ibomcha further alleged that the portion of the already completed retaining walls of Waishen Marin has caved in due to the non-maintenance of quality by the said company and its contractors.

He added that the pillars holding the retaining walls will further be dismantled as the pillars are not necessary and further added that actions will be taken up against the higher authorities of the PDA for not maintaining quality in the construction of the retaining wall.

All minor dams constructed along the tributary will be breached as there is no need for such dams, the MLA further rued.

A number of ponds are built in some areas of Waishen Marin by blocking water and being used by locals and these ponds have caused serious disturbances in free flow of water, Ibomcha pointed out and said the ponds will also be opened and let the water flow freely.

He also appealed to all the concerned contractors to ensure maintenance of quality while taking up developmental works along the Waishen Marin.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/mla-slams-pda-over-waishen-marin-beautification/

IMPHAL, April 11: A lower court today ordered a proclamation requiring any person to established a claim to two seized small arms found concealed near a public dumping place in front of Nightingle hotel, Tangkhul Avenue within six months from today

Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal west ordered the proclamation today regarding the disposal of a pistol marked as 2.65 made in Italy Auto Pistol with one magazine and one Tyson Petro two Baretton pistol made in Italy on the basis of a report submitted by OC Lamphel Police Inspector N Ingocha Singh regarding the disposal of the two pistols as no one had claimed ownership of the said arms till date.

Meanwhile Imphal west district in a press release has informed that acting on credible information arrested three alleged active members of the proscribed PLA/RPF on April 10 from Meitei Lamkhai identified as Moirangthem Helendro Singh, 43 son of (L) M Nongyai Singh of Lamlai Awang Leikai, Khundrakpam Sanjit Singh, 38 son of Kh Samungou Singh of Takhel Mayai Leikai and Yumkhaibam Rishikanta, 41 son of Y Shyamkesho of Takhel Mayi Leikai.

According to the statement, on spot verification, they disclosed that they are working under one Biken of PLA/RPF from the first week of March this year and have been assigned to extort money from the offices of Directorate of Education (S) and Imphal Municipal Council for party fund as instructed by Biken.

Three mobile handsets and three voters identity cards were recovered from their possession, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/cjm-issues-order-of-proclamation/

IMPHAL, April 10: Data collected on houses, household amenities and assets during Census 2011, Manipur by approximately 6000 enumerators and 1000 supervisors were release today by director Census Operation, Manipur Y Thamkishore Singh at the office of the directorate of Census Operations, Manipur Porompat.

The enumerators had collected information on 35 items by visiting each and every household and canvassing a written questionnaire called the Houselist and House Schedule covering 51 towns and 2582 villages during June to August, 2010.

The reports were released during a press conference convened at the same venue by the director.

However 17.2 percent of the houses visited were found without any of the specific assets.

Speaking on the Census 2011, the director expressed that the census was conducted in two phases- houselisting and housing census- which was undertaken a few months before the second phase; and population enumeration.

Further elaborating on the issue, he added that the objective of the houselisting and housing census operations is to identify each building/census house and also to ascertain the quality of the census house.

Thamkishore further briefed the media persons that the fundamental principle is to cover the entire area of the state in a systematic manner without omission or duplication. The enumerator collected information on 35 items by visiting each and every household and canvassing a written questionnaire called the Houselist and House Schedule during June to August, 2010

Approximately six thousand enumerators and one thousand supervisors were engaged for this operation covering a the jurisdiction of all the nine districts of the state- Senapati, Tamenglong, Churchandpur, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal West, Imphal East, Ukhrul and Chandel with 51 towns and 2582 villages.

Elaborating on the findings of the Census 2011, Thamkishore stated as per the Houselisting and Housing Census, the census houses increased from 4,92,371 to 6,09,967.

There is an increase of 1,17,593 houses for residential and partly residential purposes. There is an improvement in the construction material used for roof, wall and floor. Thus there is a substantial improvement in the quality of housing both in rural and urban areas.

As regards amenities available with the households, 48.3 percent of households are using tap, tube well, hand pump and covered well as the main source of drinking water while 38.6 per cent use tap water. Only 16.1 percent of households have source of water within the premises while 46.2 percent of households have to fetch water from a source located within 500 m in rural areas/100 m in urban areas and 37.8 percent still fetch drinking water from a source located more than 500 m away in the rural areas or 100 m in urban area.

As far as the main source of lighting is concerned, 68.3 percent households use electricity which shows an increase of 7.7 point since 2001. The rural-urban gap has reduced by 8.3 percentage points from 29.5 percent in 2001 to 21.2 percent in 2011. For any other source of lighting the State recorded highest growth rate compared to other states (Manipur 3.6 percent & India 0.2 percent).

31.1 percent of the households have bathing facility within the premises, showing an increase of 20.7 points over 2001.

52.9 percent of the households have drainage connectivity of which 48.8 percent have open drainage and 4.1 percent have closed drainage.

89.3 percent of the households have latrine facility within premises with 46.6 per cent households have water closet and 34.6 percent households have a pit latrine. There is 6.3 point decline in households having no latrine from 18.0 percent to 10.7 percent in 2011.  

93.3 percent households have kitchen facility with 85.9 percent within premises and 7.4 percent outside premises. 69.1 percent of the households are using firewood/crop residue, cow dung cake/coal etc. but only 0.2 percent households use kerosene. There is an increase of 7.9 points in use of LPG from 21.8 percent in 2001 to 29.7 percent in 2011.

As regards mode of communication, there is an increase of 150 percent in television and radios/transistors. 9 percent of the households have Computer/Laptop with only 2.1 percent having internet facility. 57.5 percent households have telephone/mobile facility with 74.4 percent in urban and 48.9 percent in rural area. For use of radio the State recorded highest growth rate among other states (Manipur 54.4 percent & India 19.9 percent).    

In the modes of transport 44.6 percent of the household are having bicycle, 19.8 percent two wheelers and 6 percent four wheelers. There is an increase of 8.7 points in two wheelers and 6 percent four wheelers. There is an increase of 8.7 points in two wheeler and 2.9 points in four wheelers and 6.6 points in bicycle. 29.6 percent of the households are availing banking facilities with 41.5 percent in urban and 23.5 percent in rural areas.

17.2 percent of the households do not have any of the specified assets. 

The conference was also attended by N. Ashok Kumar, IAS Deputy Commissioner Imphal West and S. Dino Kumar, State Coordinator Census.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/172-percent-households-without-all-35-items-in-census-questionnaire/

IMPHAL, April 10: Angered by the Indian Oil Corporation’s (Sangakpham) failure to maintain a proper queue of oil tankers while feeding fuel at the depots, drivers of the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters union, AMPPTU has decided to cease unloading fuel at the depots immediately.

The drivers were angered by the fact that according to an RR maintained by the IOC and petrol pump owners, 20 tankers owned by petrol pumps were allowed to deposit their fuel without waiting in the queue, while around 160 oil tankers are presently stationed at the Khuman Lampak campus of the 2nd IRB unable to unload their fuel at the IOC depot with some even waiting since the past 10 days.

According to a source, the truckers are made to wait as the Oil depots are reported to be full.

The source has further informed that the IOC is using 480 tankers of the AMPPTU to fill its depot, of which 460 are of the AMPPTU while the remaining 20 belong to petrol pumps.

The disparity maintained by the IOC between the petrol pumps owned tankers and those of the AMPPTU during feeding of fuels into the depot angered the tanker drivers, said a tanker driver.

Meanwhile, the tanker drivers have also decided to cease feeding the depot until the said RR is altered or terminated, added the source from the union said.

Meanwhile, deputy general manager (operation) of IOC, Amalagum arrived in Imphal from Gauhati and held talks with the agitating drivers on Tuesday, but failed to make a breakthrough.

Sources said the talks between the IOC deputy general manager and transporter union is likely to continue tomorrow as Tuesday’s talks were inconclusive and it is expected that both sides will bring an amicable solution.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/drivers-decide-against-feeding-ioc-depot/

IMPHAL, April 10: A skeletal remains of a completely charred body, suspected to be that of a woman who has been reported to be missing since some time was found atop a small hillock known as Kakching Mahadev hill under Kakching Police station, said the police, Wednesday.

A team of the Kakching police station headed by officer-in-charge S Nandababu accompanied by experts from the state Forensic Laboratory rushed to the spot which is about one and an half km south-east of Kakching police station this afternoon.

The team found a headless skeleton of the burned body whose skull was found down the hill side about 25 ft from the spot where the skeleton was found. It is believed that the skull might have rolled down the hill side because of its roundness after the body was completely charred in what is suspected to be a wild fire.

A finger ring, a half-burnt shoe, red in colour and a piece of cloth were found nearby, the police official said.

According to experts of the Forensic Laboratory, the body might be of a female.

The body has been deposited at JNIMS for autopsy.

The burnt body found at Kakching Mahadev Hill is expected to be of a woman named Keisham Premila from Wabgai who has been found missing since the last over three weeks.

Premila, 44, had left home on March 25 last around 7:30 pm after she received several phone calls from her alleged boy-friend Kshetrimayum Khelendro of Kakching Ningthou Leikai that day. She had remained untraceable since then, sources said, adding that a missing report was also filed at Kakching police station by her family before they went to the house of of Khelendro and enquired her whereabouts.

However, it was found that there is no person by the name Khelendro at Kakching Ningthou Leikai, her family members said.

The family believed the finger ring, shoe and the piece of cloth found at the site are that of Premila’s.

However, the police are waiting for one of Premila’s relative to ascertain the things as belonging to her by coming to the police station, the police said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/charred-remnants-of-a-body-found/

IMPHAL, April 10: President of Information and Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM) has drawn the attention of the visiting defense minister of state, Pallam Raju towards the actual deplorable condition of the National Highway 37.

N Rajendro, president of ICHAM briefed mediapersons that the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been highlighting fake accounts on development works stated to be taken up along the highway to the Union Ministry.

He stated that the BRO in a work progress notification to the Defense Minister AK Anthony on September 2011 stated that the highway work was carried out in full swing with a total strength of 1300 laborers and numerous machineries, the same was notified to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Rajendro alleged that, however on a work site visit carried out jointly be a media team and ICHAM members in September 2011, it was found that hardly 200/ 300 workers were carrying out the highway work and not as stated to the ministry by the BRO.

“Now, the honorable minister will have a first-hand account of the works implemented by the BRO and their work progress done on paper”, he stated that the tell-tale difference will be clearly evident.

Further, according to a meeting held with ICHAM members and commander of 765 Battalion of the BRO, the commandant had stated that the slow work progress was due to lack of stone quarries, non-cooperation from villagers and prevailing law and order conditions.

Rajendro charged that BRO has misled the government with their reports and there is no lack of stone quarries. “BRO pays Rs 5000 for each quarry and gets more than the bargained quantity.

He also added that if there was any lack of security to address the law and order problem, it was never notified to the concerned authorities, “he said.

In this effect, a memorandum was submitted to Palam Raju by ICHAM through MLA I Hemochandra this evening. The memorandum mentioned that the BRO was highlighting their work progress falsely and that the stipulated time of completion, i.e.2013 December will not be possible.

It was appealed to the Minister of State that a committee comprising of concerned ministers of the Union government and the state be formed to monitor the work progress along the highway on a monthly basis.

Further, state security should be deputed along the highway to safeguard the truckers and the general public as on earlier counts it was found that central para-military forces cannot curb the lawlessness perpetrated by certain elements.

It may be mentioned that ICHAM, a non-profit body has been continuously taking stock of the improvement works along the NH 53 (Imphal Jiribam Road).

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/icham-wants-visiting-mos-to-have-first-hand-account-of-bros-work/

IMPHAL, April 10: The MPP as per resolve of a high level party meeting deliberated on the issue of the ongoing peace talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre yesterday.

After the meet, the political party resolved that the creation of an autonomous council of the Nagas with maximum administrative and financial control according to media reports was viewed with grave apprehension and as a threat to the territorial integrity of the state.

The meeting had further resolved to oppose the reported proposal of the Union government for the creation of an autonomous council of the Nagas under one administrative head and further to urge the government not to include any agenda which may affect the territorial boundaries of the state in the ongoing Indo Naga peace talks.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/mpp-declares-to-fight-reported-creation-of-autonomous-council-of-nagas/

IMPHAL, April 10: Nimaichand Luwang, president of the Manipur People’s Party charged that the Congress party won the recent election with a landslide victory by using money and muscle power.

He further charged that the state officials from top to bottom were in cahoots with the ruling Congress government and such favoritism was one of the main factors for the MPP’s downfall and the Congress’s victory.

Breifing media during a press meet held at the party’s office near pologround today, Nimaichand stated that amongst the various reasons of the regional political party’s failure to deliver in the recent assembly election, one is the MLAs who won seats were not content with the financial status of the party but were rather inclined towards the Congress who had the capability to ‘donate’ huge amounts for each Congress candidate.

“The MLAs were rather inclined to be with the party with deep pockets”, he maintained.

He further charged that some of those who were elected as MPP MLAs in the previous election were too money minded and failed to stick to the true ethos of the regional party and neither were they working for the development of the party.

“The MLAs of the MPP did not take the role of being true opposition members seriously, they were looking forward to joining the fold of the Congress”, Nimaichand alleged.

It may be mentioned that RK Anand of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa and Ng Bijoy of Khurai a/c erstwhile MPP MLAs had defected to the Congress party just before the last election.

Nimaichand further charged that many Congress candidates spent in the tune of crores in violation of the ECI norms.

“We know that amounts upto 10 crores were utilized by Congress candidates in the last elections. The whole election was a debacle and it is clear that the Congress does not have the mandate of the people, but votes have been bought”, he alleged that there were much unaccounted expenditures and the ECI have failed in all counts to take cognizance of the fact.

Mentioning that the police forces, Manipur Rifles including other military forces were in hands with the Congress to further their ends, he charged that families of voters were bribed in the tune of Rs 10,000 for each family.

The ex MLA contended that the upcoming Lok Sabha election will be a straight fight and the MPP joining hands with their allies is confident of winning the election and defeating the Congress”.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/mpp-cries-foul-over-congress-win/

IMPHAL, April 10: The strength of judges in the High Court and Subordinate Courts in Manipur has remained stagnant for the last more than 30 years which has made the public litigants reluctant with the state judiciary, stated a senior advocate of the state during a recent function.

Addressing the recently held inauguration ceremony of the functioning of the Imphal Bench of Guahati High Gourt from the new HC complex, N Kumarjit a senior advocate and president of the High Court Bar Association, Manipur had placed several issues faced by the judicial in the state.

Justice Altamas Kabir of the Supreme Court of India had inaugurated the functioning of Imphal Bench of Gauhati High Court of the newly constructed High Court Complex at Chingmeirong.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and other judges of the Supreme Court of India including Justice AK Patnaik, Justice Gyan Sudha Misra and Justice Jasti Chelameswar were also present at the inauguration.

He further expressed that with only 32 posts in the subordinate judiciary including three administrative posts-Registrar (Judl) and member secretary Legal Service authority, the strength of judges in the High Court and Subordinate courts in the state is very low and inadequate.

There are only 29 courts including two District and Sessions, two Additional District and Sessions, one Tribunal (MACT/Revenue/others), twelve CJMs/ Civil Judge Senior Divisions, nine JMICs/ Civil Judge (Junior Division) and one JMIC (Transport), Kumarjit had said.

He said there are no separate court for CBI/NIA/Electricity and others in Manipur and there are also vacancies at every level and because of these a civil/criminal trial takes more than 20 years in getting disposal owing to which has only made the public litigants reluctant of the judiciary.

The state of Manipur at present needs one district and sessions Court with Additional District and Sessions, and one Civil judge senior Division for each district besides one CJM in the district, Kumarjit said and further added that there should be one JMIC / Civil Judge Junior Division for each sub-divisional area and five more such courts in the capital city Imphal municipal area where 80 per cent of the total population of Manipur is inhabiting.

He had also said that separate courts for CBI /NI*A five MAC Tribunals, four more family courts, four more courts under NDPS Act are required to be established in the state.

It is a fact that the strength of judges population ratio recommended by the Law commission and direction to all authorities to increase judge strength five-fold by the Supreme Court of India in All India Judges Association case (2004) 4 SCC 247 within five years at Para 25 of the Judgement dated March 21, 2003 has not been made known or taken care of by the Law department, government of Manipur, he had stated during his address.

The present strength of judges in the state remains stagnant for the last 30 years, but the population of Manipur and number of litigation have been increasing in multiples and multiples which have resulted in the high increase of pendency of cases in the Subordinate Judiciary, Kumarjit further said, adding that it is expected that authorities concerned shall make all efforts to increase the strength of judicial officers in the state.

He went on saying that for effective administration of justice the Law department is also required to be named by members of judicial service in all grades as done in almost all the other states of India.

It is also worth to mention that to have a separate High Court for Manipur is the long pending demand of the Bar and that there should have been a High Court when Manipur attained statehood on January 21, 1972 enshrined under Article 214 of The Constitution of India, Kumarjit further said.

He also said the Bar be permitted to make a special request to all authorities concerned particularly the state Chief Minister to remind and pressed the Prime Minister to institute a separate High Court for Manipur by passing a Bill in the coming Parliament session.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/senior-advocate-points-out-inadequacy-in-state-judiciary/

IMPHAL, April 10: A NSCN-K suspect was caught by locals of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai while trying to extort money from the house of a Superintending Engineer today. He was later handed over to the police

The incident happened this early morning when three unknown motorcycle borne youths came to the house of Soubam Dhanabir, an SE of Thoubal district at Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai and demanded money, resulting in a scuffle between the trio and locals after Dhanabir alarmed his neighbours.

One of them was nabbed by the locals while the other two fled from the scene. He was later handed over to Imphal police station.

The suspected NSCN-K militant has been identified as Langhu Wartungam, 25 son of Dilhring of Lanbung village in Chandel, presently staying at Konung Mamang.

One demand letter of NSCN-K, one Pleasure scooter with registration number DLA 9 S-9620, one mobile phone, four sim cards and one ATM card were recovered from his possession, police said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/suspected-militant-caught-by-locals/

IMPHAL, Apr 10: The Planning Adviser, NEC Secretariat, Shillong J Lhungdim will be visiting Imphal on Wednesday on a five day visit.

According to a source, the NEC Planning Advisor will be arriving at the Imphal airport at 10:35am by an Air India flight.

Soon after his arrival, he will convened a meeting with the commissioner & Secretary (health) Manipur at 11:30am. He will further visit the JN Hospital at 2pm and later visit the Shija Blood Bank and halt the night at Imphal, added the source.

During the second day of his visit, the NEC adviser will leave Imphal by Churachandpur by road.

He will visit the civil hospital, Churachandpur and discussion with the Medical Authorities and engineers and halt the night at the district.

He will return to Imphal on April 14 and leave for Guwahati on April 15 by an Air India flight at 5pm.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/nec-planning-advisor-to-visit-state/

IMPHAL, April 10: A team of Democratic Student’s Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has found L Sanoi College and Ideal Girls College not functioning properly, during an inspection tour made by a team of the student body, today.

A release of the student body stated that the team found the infrastructure of Nambol L Sanoi College in a very bad condition with most of the classroom building very old, no books in the library, no proper toilet, no sport equipment, no drinking water facilities etc. Besides the negligence from the government the teachers and students are also not attending classes properly.

Further it has also stated that the team also found Ideal Girls College in a similar condition with only three students attending classes, no new books since 2009 in the library, 6 non-functioning toilets etc.

However the attendance at GP Women’s College was recorded at 70 percent, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/desam-inspects-college/

IMPHAL, April 10: Commandos of Imphal west have arrested two active members of the banned outfit RPF/PLA.

A release of the SP Imphal west has stated that on receiving reliable information of the banned outfit PLA mobilizing and exhorting the public at Lamsang area to come forward and pay floral tributes at Cheiraoching on April 13 to the deceased PLA cadres, teams of CDO, Imphal west rushed to the area and conducted random frisking and checking.

During the frisking and checking a woman was detained for verification. On verification she identified herself as Takhelambam Rajeshwari Devi, 49 wife of T Thoiba of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai, presently staying at Khabam Lamkhai, president of All Manipur Meirapaibi Association, the statement added.

During further verification she disclosed that she was sent to Kangchup/Lamsang area to mobilize to public to come forward and offer floral tribute to the deceased PLA cadres at cheiraoching on April 13 under the direction of one S/S Sgt. Tesu of PLA. She was arrested at the spot and FIR case registered at Lamsang PS and investigated into it, the statement added.

In another incident, acting on a credible information, CDO, Imphal west have arrested an active member of RPF/PLA yesterday at around 10:45 am from the person’s residence.

The person is identified as RK (O) Landhoni Devi, 57, wife of RK Ibomcha Singh of Thangmeiband Lourung Puren Leikai. On spot verification, she disclosed that she is working under one s/s lt Kanan Devi, a woman wing commander of RPF/PLA since a year ago. Further she disclosed that she is a secretary of the Porei Leimarol Meira Paibi Lup, the statement alleged.

She distributed the money to the various women organization of Manipur for the upcoming April 13 (Athouba Numit Celebration) which was handed over to her by an unknown woman through Kanan. Two mobile handsets and Rs 20,000/- were recovered and seized from her possession.       

Meanwhile, commandos of Imphal west have arrested an active member of KCP from near GM Hall Gate at around 3:45 pm yesterday.

The person is identified as Sanasam Bikash Singh alias Bikram, 31, son of Lukhoi Singh of Thoubal Haokha Babu Bazar. On spot verification, he disclosed that he has been sent by one Wanglen of KCP finance section to give demand letters relating, with the collection of toll taxes. A demand letter relating to KCP and one mobile handset were recovered and seized from his possession, a separate statement of the IW SP stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/04/arrested-militant-identifies-herself-as-meira-paibi-police/