Day: August 14, 2011

IMPHAL, August 13: A truck driver who was critically injured in the attack of blockade supporters on the NH-37 on August 3 succumbed to his injuries at 5:50 am today.

The deceased has been identified as Md Rahman, 35, s/o Mufi of Keirao Mayai Leikai. He had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Shija Hospital and Research Institute since the fateful day.

Furious with the death of Rahman, the Transporters and Drivers Council Manipur and All Manipur Road Transporters, Drivers and Motor Workers Union have decided to go on strike for 17 hours beginning from today midnight.

Addressing media persons today, secretary of All Manipur Road Transporters, Drivers and Motor Workers Union, H Kulamani stated that the union strongly condemned brutal assaults on drivers and handymen by blockade and bandh supporters.

The drivers have been rendering valuable services to the public by transporting essential commodities.

The inhumane treatment meted out to the drivers will be a setback to the society, he asserted.

He further questioned the blockade supporters if they would get their demands by simply assaulting the innocent drivers.

He demanded that the state government should give sufficient ex-gratia along with a government job for the next of kin of the deceased driver.

Health Minister L Jayentakumar also interacted with the victim’s family members and members of the drivers’ union.

He condemned the incident and assured that necessary action would be taken up from the side of the state government.

The members of Transporters and Drivers Council Manipur and All Manipur Road Transporters, Drivers and Motor Workers Union paid tribute to Rahman at Mantripukhri before performing the last rites.

Ukhrul reels under acute fuel shortage
By John K. Kaping
UKHRUL August 13: Ukhrul district has completely run out of petroleum fuels since the last 4-5 days as the two main oil depots in Ukhrul which are located at Hundung junction and Kharasom junction have closed their counters following the depots have exhausted their stock owing to the on-going agitation of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee demanding creation of a full fledged Sadar Hills district.

Even though there have been reports of goods laden trucks being escorted through the Jessami highway under full-proof security arrangement, there has been no supply of fuel to the Ukhrul oil depots. There are reports that even though diesel can be found at the rate of Rs 60 if one is lucky enough from the black marketers, it is almost impossible to find petrol in Ukhrul at the moment even if one is willing to pay more money. Petrol is reportedly unavailable even with the black marketers.

Meanwhile, the acute shortage of diesel and the almost nil stock of petrol in Ukhrul have affected vehicular traffic in the district, especially the taxis operating in the district. The shortage has also affected various private businesses, NGOs, institutes and offices.

Meanwhile, even though the blockade along the National Highways has yet to affect the prices of essential commodities in the district, another problem arising out of it is the shortage of LPG gas with numerous households reporting emptiness of their cylinders.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/driver-injured-in-blockade-violence-succumbs-union-to-go-on-strike/

IMPHAL, Aug 13: An improvised explosive device (IED) planted near Lilong Bridge has been defused successful by the bomb squad of Manipur Police at 2:22 pm today.

According to police sources, the bomb was found out by the locals from the western side of NH-39 near Lilong Bridge. A police team moved to the spot quickly.

The IED was controlled by a remote device. It was defused at the spot itself as it was difficult to move to another place.

SDPO Singjamei, Th Bikramjit stated that the powerful bomb could have caused heavy casualty if it happened to blast during rush hour.

The timely action of the police has averted a major tragedy ahead of Independence Day celebration, he said.

SDPO also thanked 28 Assam Rifles for providing smoke candles used to defuse the bomb.

The NH-39 was blocked for two hours until the bomb was defused.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/ied-found-defused-at-lilong-ahead-of-i-day/

IMPHAL, August 13: “We are in a do or die situation; ready to confront anything that comes in our path” said a women wing demonstrator of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) while talking to media persons today at Gamgiphai, Sadar hills.

With the demand for a separate district of Sadar hills yet out of sight, agitators supporting the SHDDC, are on the vigil along the National Highway 2 (formerly known as NH-39).

Many aggrieved protestors especially women were seen in large numbers along the National Highway starting from Gamgiphai just about half a kilometer from Sekmai till Kangpokpi area, staging public meets and blocking the highway.

It is not only the Chief Minister but all the leaders of all political parties who have equal responsibility in resolving the issue of the Sadar hills, said Neishi another member of the women protestor wing SHDDC.

The woman protestors further asserted that they are aware of the plan of the government to crush the protestors in order to clear the disrupted route by August 15, however, the protestors will not back of an inch from their ground, “we are in a do or die situation, ready to confront anything that comes in our path” she opined.

Another protestor from Sapermaina, Vaineichin Haokip, secretary of the Sapermaina women committee, emotionally said “We will fight to achieve districthood for Sadar hills at the cost of our lives”.

Citing the prolonged delay in granting districthood to Sadar Hills she questioned whether granting of districthood to Sadar hills will disintegrate Manipur. She further posed how much blood need to shed and lives to be sacrifice in order to achieve district hood for Sadar hills.

In the meantime, passengers stranded along the highway, especially coming from Senapati area were left with no choice but to set on foot till their destination carrying their luggage.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/sadar-hills-district-demand-supporters-cry-%E2%80%98do-or-die%E2%80%99/

IMPHAL, Aug 13: The state home department has placed an extensive security cover in and around the greater Imphal areas since the last two days, following the announcement of various militant outfits of the region to boycott the 64th Independence Day celebration on August 15.

The state government will be celebrating the 64th anniversary of the nations Independence Day at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground on August 15.

According to an official source, keeping in view the state level observation of the Independence Day, the state home department has deputed adequate security forces at four verified security points which have been established around the 1st MR campus where the main celebration will be held.

Meanwhile, apprehensive about violent incidents which could mar the celebration, as various militants outfits have already called a boycott to the celebration, the state police have intensified its frisking and checking duties at all strategic points and have also deployed extensive police personnel at all vulnerable points, public places, markets areas, etc.

In the meantime, the Independence day celebrations will also be observed at all district head quarters of the state on August 15, and in view of the observations, several security preventive measures have also been taken up at all district head quarters to prevent any untoward eventualities before and on the eve of the celebration on August 15, the official source added.

Senapati observes Patriot’s Day
By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL August 13: The Patriot’s Day observation at Senapati district concluded with renewed patriotism by recollecting the extreme spirit of sacrifices, righteousness, truthfulness and bravery of the forefathers who laid their lives in guarding the integrity of the state.

The guests and dignitaries who delivered speeches during the observation of Patriotic day celebration held at the park hall of the General Thangal ecological park situated at Mayangkhang in Senapati district called the present generation to imbibe the exemplary deeds that our forefathers had shown in fighting against the then colonist power.

The observation was marked by wreathing floral tributes to the bust of General Thangal and to a photograph Bir Tikendrajit by the dignitaries and the public led by the D.C. of Senapati P. K. Jhah. A general gun salute was also accorded by personnel of Manipur police during the observation.

Since the past many years Patriots Day has been observed at the General Thangal ecological park hall amidst much grandeur, however, the present issues on the ongoing agitations on the demand of Sadar hills district has compelled the organizers to observe the day with a simple function unlike previous years, a member of the Celebration Committee of Patriot’s Day celebration resented.

Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Senapati, SDC, former president of Thangal Union, additional S.P. Senapati, presidents of Senapati District Student Association (SDSA) and Thangal Union and village chiefs of Mayangkhang areas were present on the dais of today’s Patriot’s Day observation.

The observation was also participated by villagers of villages of Ningthoupham and Mayangkhang areas.

In the mean time the day was also observed at Tumnoupokpi village in Senapati today. H. Khangba, president, Thangal Union graced the function as the chief guest of the observation function.

ARTICLES

Meecham Praja: The forgotten common men in Manipur
By Amar Yumnam
The basic purpose of having an administration and a governance system anywhere needs to be recalled and analysed at this moment of history when we are celebrating six and a half decades of independence from foreign rule. This is because, despite the recent more or less impressive track record of good growth performance, the meecham praja (common people) seem to be at the receiving end of every mechanism of governance.

Manipur Scenario: The situation is worse in Manipur than elsewhere in the country. Whereas the rest of the country has reaped the benefits of modernisation, although the dispersal of the benefits has been an issue, the case is different in Manipur. We have not had the kind of economic expansion experienced elsewhere whereas we have had more than our share of the inflationary trends and growth disturbances. Further, while in the case of other States in the country there are people in the administration who are alive to the fundamental purpose of governance as facilitating the access to administration and livelihood efforts of the common people, we are pained to observe the complete reversal of this principle in the case of Manipur.

We can have multiples of daily life exemplars to drive home this subjugation of the common people. First look at the daily dose of alertness they have to have at their command in order just to be in the business areas of Imphal and cross the streets. They have to bear all the costs of insensitivity of the official vehicles and arrogance of the private ones as well. What I would love to see is the kind of scenario where my senior-citizen “mother” and my aged “father” would feel at home and cared for whenever they set foot in any area of the Imphal city; well, a very unlikely and unrealistic expectation.

I would consider myself as someone who is fairly conversant with own rights and responsibilities. I am also fairly conscious of how to resist encroachments into my personal space and rights arena. But pretending and behaving as if like any of the common men in the street in daily dealings and assert when violated has taught me how hard the daily lives of the commoners are in Manipur. Let me start with an example from an office of the Central government. In a personal post-paid mobile connection for which I have been religious in paying the due bills every month, there occurred recently an interesting development. Even after payment of the dues as reflected in the latest bill, there used to be reminders for payment of dues for at least three to four times a day for about ten days. In the beginning, I had the impression that it must be just machine problems or routine issues. But within a few days, I found all out-going calls barred besides the STD and ISD. When I had sent one of my office assistants to enquire into the status and reasons for the barring of all outgoing calls, two things of great interest emerged. First, the daily multiple reminders for payment of dues stopped immediately after the enquiry for reasons best known to the staff of the department only. Second, the concerned officials sent back my boy with explanations which any reasonable person can immediately establish as nothing more than a bluff. Dissatisfied and angered by this, I did call up a higher ranking officer of the department as a prelude to going for full scale grievance correction complaint. On his intervention, I got the barring removed. But that was not the end. The ISD and STD were still blocked. I had to go for another round of telephonic contacts to get the ISD and STD barring removed. Now the question that arises here is what might be happening in the case of a commoner who is not so conversant on the various recourses to actions to get his due services delivered.

Further, once the barring has been removed, why does not there exist a system whereby the connection is restored to its full functionality instead of requiring further contacts? Still further, it needs to ponder why the indulgence in full blown bluffing when an innocent person was enquiring about the issue. Similar experiences are undergone daily by the common people while dealing with the offices of the State government as well. Now these suppressive features of governance are superimposed on the rising difficulty of the common people to eke out their living. The rise in the prices of commodities of daily consumption in an atmosphere of shrinking livelihood opportunities is a reality everybody is living with.

Now the Resolve: Now in the celebration of the August 15, we need to be very sure of at least one resolve. There is no point in making many promises. The need of the hour is reminding ourselves the existence of a majority of the common people in circumstances un-conducive to their functionings. The administration would be doing a yeoman’s service if it at least resolves and ushers in a period where the facilitation of the survival of the common people is the yardstick of the success or otherwise of governance. We all should remember that not only do we all have a common beginning, but we also have a larger set of relatives among the commoners. Let us all try to facilitate each other’s existence, particularly of the commonest of the common people. Nobody would be a loser in this, and the society would be the gainer in terms of peace and stability.

A Left-Hander’s Musing
By Manas Maisnam
I came to know from a social networking site a few months back that every year, 13th of August is observed as “International Lefthanders Day”. Frankly speaking, I have heard of Valentine’s Day, Friendship Day, Youths’ Day etc.; but Lefthanders Day? Never had I heard or was aware about it. Being a left-handed person, I felt extremely delighted that one day in a year is designated by the left-handed community to highlight problems, inconveniences and sometimes prejudices, we encounter in a world which is predominantly comprised of right-handed populace. It is a well known fact that almost exactly 10 percent of the world’s population is left-handed and why left-handed persons are in such minority is still an unsolved mystery.

Till date, there has been no satisfactory explanation on why the right hand became the dominant hand for majority of mankind, or how a person becomes either right-handed or left-handed. Many interesting and thought-provoking theories have been postulated by experts, but none of them are able to give a conclusive proof/ reason to why humans are predominantly right-handed. Whatever may be the reasons, it is accepted that being either right-handed or left-handed also largely depend on the surrounding environment one grows up, apart from other factors like genetics, hereditary, birth defects etc. As for example, my son, who is a normal right-handed boy has become a “lefty” as far as usage of computer mouse is concerned. Ever since he started using my laptop a few years ago, he didn’t change the side on which the mouse was kept (I keep it on the left side). Instead, he clicks the mouse with his left hand. Now, he is not conversant in using the mouse with his right hand. I even observe that he moves the mouse to left side, if he happened to use someone else’s computer!

Out of the many tests used by experts, two simple tests will be helpful in ascertaining the handedness of a person. Firstly, a left-hander will tend to draw a side profile picture facing right, while a right handed-person will draw it facing left. Secondly, a left-hander will draw a circle in anticlockwise direction as compared to a right-handed person, who will draw it in clockwise direction.

The prejudice against the left-handers has been in existence throughout the history. Till not so long ago, left-handers were stigmatized and oppressed owing to socio-religious reasons. In ancient times, left-handers were denounced as servants of devils. Many negative aspects of human life were made to be associated with the left hand. In our country, the left hand is considered to be “impure” and one is not supposed to touch food, sacred objects with left hand. In some other parts of the world, women were not allowed to use their left hand during cooking, fearing the food might be poisoned by sorcery. Only a few decades ago, in Japan left-handedness in wife was enough ground for divorce! During Victorian period in England, left-handed students were forced to write with right-hand. Women, who are so called ‘weaker sex’ (though personally I don’t subscribe to this concept), are described in our own parlance as “Oigee Lamdang Oibee” and the males, who are supposed to be ‘superior’ are described as “Yetki Lamdang Oibaa”. At social or religious functions, the place for women is on the left side of their male counterparts. There is no need to elucidate on which hand is given more prominence vis-à-vis the preceding two phrases and description.

According to some study, forcefully changing the inborn left-handedness of a person due to societal prejudices might lead to depression, introversion etc. owing to overburdening of the non-dominant part of the brain as the dominant part of the brain remains unchanged even if the handedness is changed. But a voluntary change of handedness doesn’t appear to lead to such consequences. On National Geographic channel, I once saw a programme where a right-handed woman, who was a squash player, voluntarily participated in an experiment to study the effects of change in handedness. In the experiment she had to change herself to a left-handed woman within one month. Initially, she faced trouble performing daily activities or hitting the ball with squash racquet. But as time progressed, her capability to use left hand gradually improved. Even her reflex actions became oriented towards left hand. By the end of the month, left-handedness improved and could even play squash with her left hand. There were no negative impacts on her mental health owing to the changeover of the handedness from right to left.

My grandfather and his two brothers are left-handers. During my childhood, I heard stories about how their elders restrained their left hands and forced them to pick up morsels of food by right hand. Tearfully, they complied and thus, outwardly became right-handed persons, but their inherent left-handedness still remains for they use the left-hand while performing day to day works. Thankfully, for me there was no pressure to change the use of my hand and I eat, write and draw with my left hand. However, in deference to religious customs, I use my right hand while offering/ picking flowers or offering money at religious functions. I manage to do it somehow with some tacit support from my left hand!

A left-handed, or southpaw person has to face many a practical difficulties and inconveniences while performing day to day activities. This stems out from the fact that almost all the tools, machineries and gadgets used in our daily life or for educational purpose are manufactured to suit its usage by right-handers, who are 90 percent of the total global population. During my student life, using a burette in Chemistry laboratory was a bit problematic, because the tap was placed on the right side with the graduation marks facing the user. If I had to use the burette, controlling its tap with my left hand then, the burette had to be turned the other way round. In that case, the graduation mark was away from me and I had to look around to get the reading. Such problems occurred with a mini drafter too. In fact, during my college days, my mini-drafter was placed during drafting classes only for cosmetic purpose. I hardly used it. Even taking lecture notes in a classroom filled with writing pad chairs was also quite troublesome. As the pad was fixed on the right side of the chair, I had to drag in another empty chair and keep it at my left side to keep my notebook. But if the classroom happened to be fully occupied then I was left with no other option but to twist my torso and write on the notebook placed on the right side. There are many other tasks in everyday life which a southpaw person finds it hard to perform owing to the non-conformity of the tools with his handedness; for instance, pulling a generator’s cord. Most of the modern gadgets have their buttons and knobs on the right side and when used by a left-hander, it is bound to create some difficulty.

Acknowledging these practical difficulties faced by the southpaw community, a shop at London is selling products designed especially for left-handers. They range from scissors to cameras. Even the clock on sale in the shop moves in anticlockwise direction with the hourly markings as mirror image of the conventional clock!

In conclusion, we the left-handed community should not feel inferior to others or embarrassed on account of our handedness. Nature has meant us to be left-handed and we should respect it. Parents should not try to force their left-handed children to change the handedness. Despite all odds and challenges, we should look at life through a positive prism and try to get maximum advantage from it.

Who will guard the Guards of Manipur?
By Babina
Who will protect us from the hands of dirty politicians & filthy militants?

The biggest fear rising in the minds of every single citizen of the state right now is who will protect and ensure safety of the people in Manipur. Almost all the top political leaders who have set itself up as the guardians of the public trust are rotten and corrupt to the core. All self-declared guardians of the state are dishonest or crooked at heart. Who then is to guard the guardians of the state?

We have a grave situation in Manipur in which personal accumulation of wealth have been closely tied to politicians backed by armed groups and vice-versa either through corruption or extortion. And since positions of leadership have been dominated by these individuals, the two vices of corruption and nepotism have become part of the daily vocabulary of many under our political system.

There is a crippling inability on the part of the political leadership to deal with this issue of militancy. Could it be that this inaction stems from the fact that we are expecting action to be taken from the very people that are corrupt? For, power can and does transform good men and women into corrupt and greedy leaders. And the victims of this struggle for spoils have obviously been the people of this state.

Why is our government doing nothing despite claiming of having concrete evidences of the particular militant organization involving in carrying out the recent bomb blast at Sangakpham that killed 5, including that of a father and son duo and 2 little innocent girls aged around 10 years? How can our state leaders just ignore when armed goons enjoy unbridled freedom to carry out brutal attacks on civilians in broad daylight and go scot-free?

ISTV news on 2nd August 2011 carried that, at a news conference held at New Delhi, Home Minister Chidambaram declared that the bomb attack at Sangakpham was done by the NSCN (IM). Why then is the Govt of India unable to take up any action? Or is it GOI`s one dirty strategy to intensify the ethnic clashes between the Nagas and the Meiteis?

Just like the state government, the self-declared guardians did not care to prevent such inhuman and barbaric act of planting bombs at busy market place. How can they just watch silently the half-torn bodies lying on the same soil like a piece of log? How can they just let NSCN (IM) plant a bomb in such public place and stay quiet, if at all the said outfit was behind the blast? Is NSCN (IM) bigger than PLA, RPF, UNLF, PREPAK, KCP, KYKL, and the endless number of factions?

Whether they realize it or not, but NSCN spat on the face of the many revolutionary organizations operating in the heart of Imphal by attacking the public right under their nose. The very statement given by NSCN (IM), “the fact that some groups in Manipur targeting innocent public in order to make their political statement has become a matter of grave concern” is rather a big shame for our meitei revolutionaries.

Refuting the allegations that NSCN was responsible for the blast at Sangakpham, the outfit also slaps the Govt of Manipur saying that the reaction of the Manipur government and its CM, Ibobi is nothing but an act of impropriety and recklessness, considering their irrational opposition to peace and the ongoing political dialogue between the government of India and the NSCN.

Officially or unofficially, NSCN (IM) has been carrying out its terror administration along with setting up offices in all the Naga inhabited districts of Manipur, although the ceasefire is not legitimately extended to the state.

In a press statement published in The Sangai Express, Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) said the AC battalion of NSCN (IM) is at Phunchong in Chandel district, the NP battalion is in Oklong in Tamenglong district, Kishimung battalion is in Grehang village in Ukhrul district and Huthrong Brigade is in Senapati district. Moreover, NSCN (IM) has been openly collecting taxes at Mao Gate in Senapati, Pallel Gate in Chandel district, Litan Gate in Ukhrul district and at Noney in Tamenglong district, MNRF added.

Why then is the Govt of Manipur as well as the Govt of India giving a blind eye and deaf ear to this outfit? Is NSCN (IM) bigger than the state and central government?

The government must not only have those responsible for Sangakham blast victims brought to justice immediately but also deactivate all militants who have become a law unto themselves in Manipur. So long as they are given freedom to act according to their whims, civilians will not be safe. It is high time they are dealt with appropriately. Else, attempts being made to rebuild Manipur are bound to fail. Needless to say development does not take root in a culture of impunity.

We can`t accommodate terrorism. When someone uses the slaughter of innocent people to advance a so-called political cause, at that point the political cause becomes immoral and unjust and they should be eliminated from any serious discussion, any serious debate. Every leader, and every regime, and every movement, and every organization that steps across the line to terrorism must be banished from the discourse of civilized human life.

If the so called sons of the soil really want to build a new Kangleipak, then they should pull up their socks before the public starts protesting against them. They should stop slaughtering innocent people in the name of revolution before the public starts killing them morally. They should stop being the obstacle to the state`s development before the public throws them out of the very state they are fighting for. They hurl bombs and threaten anybody who refuses to pay them money but they can`t stand up and fight the infiltrators. If they can be the first to impose illegal tax and extort money in the name of the state`s welfare, how can they be the last on earth when it comes to protecting their own people?

Try as we should, the question that I want to pose is this: Is there any hope that we will ever root out corruption and terrorism in this new millennium? Does anyone out there in the corridors of power listening to us? Yes, perhaps they are but many of them not hearing!

The real epidemic in our state is poor political leadership, government economic mismanagement, corruption and insurgency. These are the causes of our continuing crisis and not much else. Accepting responsibility for one`s actions and for a system that has gone badly wrong is the starting point on the road to our economic recovery. I see this as the greatest challenge facing today.

And as civic society, we must continue to pile pressure on corrupt leaders so that in the end they do the honorable thing and resign from their positions of power whether they are politicians or self-declared guardians because the latter can be corrupt as well.

However, my faith in Manipur is strengthened by the fact that brave men will stand against any injustice and by my belief that the people of this state will never lack the leaderships of dynamic and dedicated men and women in the future.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/extensive-security-prevention-measures-taken-up-in-state-for-successful-holding-id-on-august-15/

IMPHAL, August 13: The Amway Opportunity Foundation, AOF today in collaboration with the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, paid tribute to the martyrs of the Anglo Manipur War of 1891 and organized a blood donation camp at the RIMS blood bank.

The donation camp was organized with the objective to save lives with safe transfusion of blood. The aim behind the blood donation is also to make people aware of the umpteen health benefits of blood donation.

At a formal function, Prof A. Meina Singh, Head of the Department, Department of Immunohaematology & Blood Transfusion, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS Hospital, Imphal) inaugurated the Blood Donation Camp today at the premise of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences. The camp witnessed around 220 donors comprising of Amway Distributors and Amway employees in Imphal.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sideline of the camp, Sarbani Bhattacharya said that Amway Opportunity Foundation organized this blood donation camp highlighting health benefits of blood donation. While the most obvious health benefit of donating blood is the wonderful feeling derived from giving something vital to someone who needs it, the benefits of donating blood may extend far beyond this to having a positive impact on the donor’s health. Blood donation removes some of the excess iron which can cause free radical formation in the body. In fact, studies have shown that men who donate blood on a regular basis have a lower risk of heart disease. Donating blood also helps donors to burn calories and to enhance production of new red blood cells.

“Donating blood is one of the most noble and significant contribution that a person can make to the society. Every year many people die during surgery only because of not getting enough supply of blood in time. By donating blood we indirectly save many lives” said William S Pinckney, Chairman – Amway Opportunity Foundation.

Amway Opportunity Foundation and Amway Distributors have held in excess 400 blood donation camps over the past four years. Over 40,000 units of blood have been donated at these blood donation camps. The largest ever Blood Donation Camp was held in Orissa with 830 donors.

In Manipur, Amway Opportunity Foundation (AOF) has adopted an orphanage MEETEI PHURUP under Project Sunrise and undertaken developmental activities in education, health and access to safe drinking water. AOF had rolled out Project Sunrise in Imphal in 2009 and announced its partnership with Meetei Phurup in Imphal. To mark the beginning, AOF had donated computers, installed water purifiers and also provided infrastructural support.

“Project Sunrise is supported by Amway’s Global CSR initiative – One by One, and will extend to 64 orphanages across the country. This Project is primarily supported by Amway’s 50th year anniversary funds, where AOF will engage partnerships with NGOs to support on-going education, healthcare (with focus on access to safe drinking water) and nutrition,” said Diptarag Bhattacharjee, Vice President – East, Amway, also a volunteer of AOF. Interestingly, Amway considers all its employees and distributors, as AOF volunteers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/amway-pays-respect-to-martyrs-with-blood-donation-camp/

IMPHAL, Aug 13: The Doordarsan Kendra (DDK), Imphal in connection with the Independence Day celebration, will relay the address of the President of India Pratibha Devi Patil to the nation on August 14 at 7 pm. According to a release of news producer of the DDK, Imphal, the Manipuri version of the President’s address will be released from 6.30 pm to 9pm on the same day and as such, there will be a single Manipuri News Bulletin at 6.30 pm on August 14 and to be followed by North East news from 6.45 pm to 7 pm. The release further mentioned that, there will be a special morning transmission on Independence Day on August 15 during which, Governor Gurbabachan Jagat and Chief Minister Ibobi Singh will address to the people of Manipur from 8.30 am onwards. It is also mentioned that, DDK Imphal will relay the flag hoisting ceremony and address of the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh’s address to the nation from Rampart of Red Fort New Delhi from 7 am onward on August 15. The release also mentioned that the
DDK, Imphal will telecast a special TV report on Independence Day celebrations in Manipur from 7.30 pm to 8pm on the Independence Day, the release added.

GHC directs state police to hand over Abdul Salam case to CBI
By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL August 13: The Gauhati High Court , Imphal Bench in a directive issued by justice T Vaiphei has directed the state police authorities to hand over a case to the CBI today.

The case involves an employee of the High Court Bar Association, one Md Abdul Salam who works as an attendant and according to the writ petition by the said person to the court, it was alleged that he suffered physical and mental harassment and undue confinement by police personnel while going about his duties.

According to the petitioner, he was going towards Wangkhei Kongba road to distribute cause lists to concerned lawyers on June 9. Along the way near Durga Puja Lampak, he was stopped by police personnel who came in a Gypsy bearing registration number MN1/W 3632. He was assaulted by them and later charged as a member of the PREPAK outfit.

He had further alleged that he was also threatened by the personnel by pointing firearms at his head and asked him to confess by force otherwise he would be shot dead. Abdul pleaded by showing them his identity card and showed the police that he was carrying the cause list for the court. The cause list was snatched by the police and thrown into the drains.

Following the incident, a petition was made to the court and the trail had been underway without much significant developments. Even cooperation from the side of the police department by parading police personnel for identification by Abdul Salam had went fruitless.

In the regard, the court for effective and impartial justice to be carried out, has directed the state police to hand over the case to the CBI within 15 days from August 11.

It may be mentioned that the High Court Bar Association had condemned the incident and workings of the court were halted for some days due to a protest launched by the lawyers then.

SDSA reminds all concerns of MoUs signed with previous state govts on Sadar Hills
By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL August 13: The Senapati District Students Association has while decrying the state government on the Sadar Hills issue, has also criticized the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee for imposing the severe blockade along the national highways passing through the state.

The Senapati District Student Associations today sharply decried the government over the issue and signaled a strong sense of communal unrest if the government failed to comply to the Memorandum of Understandings that were mutually signed upon between the previous governments of the state and various Naga civil organizations on many previous occasions.

According to the president of the association Pfokrehrii Khrasii, in 1981, 1992, 1996 and 1998 the government and several Naga civil organizations had signed Memorandum of Understandings regarding to matters related to bifurcation of land in Senapati.

“Previous governments have signed MoUs with ANSAM, NSF, NPO, SDSA, UNC, and other Naga frontal organizations under the mutual agreement that without the collective consensus of Naga civil organizations, no party of Senapati district could be reshaped or divided”.

The present development was divulged today by the SDSA in a special meeting held at Senapati this afternoon with some media persons.

Pfokrehrii Khrasii, while citing the pending demand of the Sadar Hill district as genuine said that any unfortunate eventualities resulting from the formation of the district should be held wholly responsible by the government.

He further elaborated that without the collective consensus of Naga civil organizations, the demand of SHDDC is rather dim and hence the government should restrained from any biasness in solving the long pending demand of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee.

He further added that as various communities reside together in the state, the government should guard from acting on the behest of a single community in solving a dispute that involves other communities also.

The association also lashes out at the SHDDC for imposing severe economic blockade along the national highways wherein even medical emergency and other inevitable necessities have not been spared.

Later during the conference, citing the deplorable condition of the Mao-Maram stretch of the highway, the association has also accused the state PWD of not being able to meet the people’s expectations, though various civil societies of Senapati district had submitted numerous repeated memorandums and several plights to the department.

The association while demanding immediate actions regarding the maintenance of the NH, has also warned of stern actions if the government failed to act accordingly.

The conference was also attended by other members of the student association including L. Calep, finance secretary, R.K. Rism, deputy speaker and R.L. John, general secretary.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/ddk-imphal-will-telecast-the-eventual-observation-of-id-day/

IMPHAL, Aug 13: A combined team of Thoubal police commandos and 15 Assam Rifles arrested one cadre of KCP (Noyon) identified as Wahengbam Iano alias Zack, 28, s/o W Tomba Singh of Arong Khunou Makha Leikai Heibong Makhong this morning.

Trees planted
IMPHAL August 13: The Lions Club of Imphal Greater in collaboration with 109Bn CRPF organized a tree plantation project at Mongsangei today as part of “Patriots Day” observation.

The tree plantation programme is undertaken by the Lions Club of Imphal Greater in earnest response to the call given by the International president, Lions Clubs International to all the Lions in 206 countries and geographical areas to plant a million trees in this lionistic year.

This project is also a step towards making a more greener Manipur. Around 300 trees were planted in and around the 109Bn CRPF campus, Mongsangei.

In the said project district governor, Lion Amar Barooah (PMJF), Dist 322-D and the commandant, 109 Bn. CRPF H. Premjit Meitei also joined in the plantation efforts. A release by Thongam Arun, PRO of LCIG said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/arrested-2/