Different blasts, indifferent words – Mid-Day

CBC.caDifferent blasts, indifferent wordsMid-DayImphal, October 21, 2008: 17 killed in a powerful blast near Manipur Police Commando complex. >> Kanpur, October 14, 2008: Eight people injured after bomb planted on a rented bicycle went off Colone…


CBC.ca

Different blasts, indifferent words
Mid-Day
Imphal, October 21, 2008: 17 killed in a powerful blast near Manipur Police Commando complex. >> Kanpur, October 14, 2008: Eight people injured after bomb planted on a rented bicycle went off Colonelganj market. >> Malegaon, Maharashtra, Sept 29,
High Court Bar Association of Manipur condemns blast at Delhi High CourtE-Pao.net
Chidambaram says Delhi police was “alerted” in JulyAsian Tribune

all 3,287 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFFbRY5HyBwbPv7N8Mju9rKkgawhg&url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/sep/080911-Blasts-Terroe-attacks-Ministers-quotes.htm

The Voice of Dissent

By: Maisnam Chanu Liklainu Liu Xiaobo ,the Nobel Peace Prize winner is one of the dissidents languishing in the Chinese jail. He was never afraid to disagree with the military… Read more »

By: Maisnam Chanu Liklainu

Liu Xiaobo ,the Nobel Peace Prize winner is one of the dissidents languishing in the Chinese jail. He was never afraid to disagree with the military might of the Chinese Communique. The voice of dissent is the most potent force.Its not easy to be different amongst those who are out to crush you.

Many a dissidents serving life sentences in this part of the globe. Their voices are crushed many a times .They have to pay the price for being outspoken. Either you are thrown in the dungeon or either you have to meet an untimely death. Its a risky proposition… They have the guts to be different, to be critical and to be objective .  They have to take risk for being different…. They are sceptical,they love to question the authority even at the risk of their lives… They are the ones who do what other people dream of. They never do the predictable. They are instinstive and compulsive questioning the authority….They give a hard time to the authority….

Its time we have more spunky people to take on the powers that be…

Be it the government or the parallel government….

Lets not be homogeneous in our thinking….

Conformity will kill us….

Lets take risk…

Lets not be afraid to disagree….

We surely want a vibrant society…….


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Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/the-voice-of-dissent/

Sharmila, Media and Manipuris

By: Sanjib Meitei I am a staunch supporter of Irom Sharmila’s struggle against the draconian law Arm Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). I too, always feel that mainland Indian media… Read more »

By: Sanjib Meitei

I am a staunch supporter of Irom Sharmila’s struggle against the draconian law Arm Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). I too, always feel that mainland Indian media houses are biased while handling two Gandhians of modern India – one from a neglected and failed state called Manipur trying to make people and leaders in mainland India hear that people living here are yet to get democratic rights even though India is celebrating its 64th years of independence while the other Gandhian belongs to one of the most prosperous states of India taking up a cause called corruption which most of the people enjoy indulging it personally at various levels but problematic when others indulge it at his cost. The only similarity between the two Gandhian activists is that both of them resorted to indefinite hunger strike to press their demands. Unfortunately, the similarity ends here. Anna Hazare took the nation by storm. Central government had to bow down in front of Mr. Hazare. The whole India got to know the modern era Gandhi, Mr. Anna Hazare, whose struggle lasted for a few months and almost succeeded getting his goals. Not bad and he rightly deserves to get respect for bringing awareness among the ignorant people of the country (I hope so and I would love to live in a corruption free society). One thing is clear. The mighty Indian government is not intimidated by any person but it’s afraid of the mass who can vote
them out of power. The success of his war against corruption would not have been easy had the media houses not covered each of his moves. Credit should go to media also for making the issue reaches to common men and gain their support. For media, it was a win -win situation. They got their expected TRP besides supporting a patriotic cause.

The other Gandhian is more humble and her cause is relevant to only a fraction of Indian population although it is not less important than that of Mr. Hazare by any standard. Most of the people living in AFSPA free states never heard about the Act itself let alone support the cause. Before Mr. Hazare become famous, I came across only a very few editorials of Hindi/English dailies supporting her cause while many retired army officials and other prominent people opposed it openly saying the reasons which sound so theatrics and painful to us. Their reason for supporting AFSPA sounds more hypocrite now a days after hearing the reason for their reluctance to use the same yardstick to treat the people of Naxalite affected areas of India where the condition seem at least similar if not more worse than APSPA implemented states.

For the last 11 years, Irom Sharmila has been fighting a lone battle against the law enforcers of the biggest democratic country in the world begging our basic democratic rights other than right to vote. No media house is interested in highlighting the plight of the people of India living without democratic rights. Their reluctance may be partly due to lack of response from their audience regarding the issue and simple arithmetic is that in this big bad competitive world, money matters. For them, money is directly linked to the number of audience for each news article. I think I could understand (at least I tried to convince myself that) the reluctance of media houses to put Ms. Sharmila on headlines is nothing discriminatory but simply business related issue. During Mr. Hazare’s fast, she has been compared with Anna Hazare and as a result many people got to know her even though most of them are not interested in knowing her cause for the indefinite fast. Ignorant people even hurled insults to hercause. Some prominent columnists and so called social commentators like Mr. Santosh Desai questioned the legitimacy of her demand without trying to understand the illegitimacy of the Act. Well, it’s unfortunate to say the least. Many people seem to hate people getting basic democratic rights even though they are fully enjoying it.

As for people like Mr. Dersai, had you ever been slapped across your face just because your name sound like a name of an outlawed person by a jawan frisking you in a cold late evening when returning home after a long day at work or had one of your sisters or your wife had to go to labor in the middle of the street just because there was a combing operation going on to identify some suspected terrorists by security personals, then I think, your comments would have been
different

. It’s very hard to explain the importance of basic democratic rights which you never had to struggle for in your life. Let me give you an example. I came across the love and hate relationship between Mahatama Gandhi and then British Prime Minister Mr. Winston Churchill who is considered as one of the greatest statesman and war time leader in UK. Despite the latter’s statesmanship and leadership quality for leading UK during hard times, he was against Indian independence movement.
There were reports that he favored letting Mahatama Gandhi die as a result o f indefinite hunger strike so that British rule could be continued in India. It’s very easy to Churchill than being Gandhi. I think same is happening in India now. It is very easy to deny basic democratic rights but very difficult to acknowledge and support it for the sake of others. While trying very hard to convince myself the logical reason behind Sharmila’s cause not being on headlines with its deserved importance, there came the news regarding Ms. Sharmila’s confession for her love of a person who she believes that he is the one. My wife called me up and informed me that she just came across the news of Sharmila’s romantic tryst. I told her that it’s good thing to happen to our beloved Gandhian. After all, love makes life beautiful and in fact the world is beautiful when you are in love. I pray that the two beautiful people in this world live happily for the rest of their life. When I read the news, I was saddened by the fact that Sharmila is not happy with the way her close associates treated the man whom she loves. I feel that if AFSPA is draconian, then objecting to Sharmila’s choice of partner is much more draconian. As usual, the chaos begins the next day in Manipur. Some
people are demanding the editor of newspaper in question to come down to Manipur and apologies to the people of Manipur. Isn’t it too much?

There are two big problems

(i) the way telegraph India sensationalized the news which sounded rather insulting to the people who are suffering under AFSPA than any show of sympathy on Sharmila’s struggle per se and

(ii) the way on how people reacted to the situation by directly resorting to violence. Violent reaction on this issue demeans Sharmila’s genuine sacrifice and struggle.

It simply accelerates the deviation of the focus from the genuine issue and making it a romantic comedy. I think, our political leaders (if they genuinely felt for the plight of the people of Manipur), social activists and organizations can express their displeasure regarding the news which sounded like making a joke of Sharmila’s personal life instead of appreciating her struggle. If the news is baseless, I would appeal to social groups to sue the media house to teach them a lesson. Even if it is genuine news, we can still make our displeasure known to the media house on the way how they handled it. It should be made clear that even if the mainland media houses could not appreciate or help the genuine cause of our beloved lady’s sacrifice, they should not try to malign it by sensationalizing it by giving a negative light. The editors and reported should remember the old saying that “If you cannot help someone, then at least don’t do bad for the person”. You people have a big role to play in maintaining cultural harmony and national integrity. Instead of making the people of Manipur out of place by sensationalizing the news in a different light other than the people of Manipur expect, you can help the genuine cause of our Iron lady.

To me, I respect Mahatama Gandhi much more than Mr. Winston Churchill for the formers ideology of non violence and equality of rights even though the latter won a big war against non democratic groups. In the land of Gandhi, let us not follow Churchill’s footsteps.
The above article was sent to Kanglaonline.com by Sanjib Meitei, sanjibmeiteicha[at]rediffmail.com
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Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/sharmila-media-and-manipuris/

Devil’s Advocate: Deranged Man and Protestors (PART 2)

By: A Bimol Akoijam The deranged man reads the leaflet again and scratches his head, and looks up at the leader of the protestors, and says, “So, she has been… Read more »

By: A Bimol Akoijam

Previously on Devil’s Advocate: Deranged Man and Protestors

LP: What do you mean?

DM: If she decides to call off the fast or something happens to her, what will you do?

The leader shots back, “Then, you will see a civil war if anything happens to her! Government of India will be solely responsible …God forbid, if something bad happens to her!

DM: And Armed Forces Special Powers Act?

The leader and protestors look at each others.

The deranged man reads the leaflet again and scratches his head, and looks up at the leader of the protestors, and says, “So, she has been fighting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, uummm…I see”

“Yes, she has been fighting against this draconian Act”, replies the leader of the protestors.

DM: I know

LP: How do you know?

As their leader asks the question, looking at the clothing and disheveled hair of the deranged man who keeps on scratching his head, the other protestors smile.

DM: Oh, it’s written here…this leaflet that you have given me.

LP: Oh!….So?

The deranged man scratches his head again as he continues to read the leaflet all over again. Then he looks at the protestors and their leader.

DM: So? Ummm…do you support Sharmila because she is fighting against the Act?

LP: Yes, we support her because she is fighting against AFSPA

DM: You should have told me that. Instead, you said, you are supporting Sharmila because she is ON A FAST!

And the protestors again look at each others.

“Why is she against this Act?” asks the deranged man.

LP: It deprives us of our basic human rights like the “Right to Life”

DM: You mean, AFSPA deprives you of your “Right to Life”?

LP: yes

DM: How?

LP: It allows the army to shoot, even causing death, on the basis of mere suspicion! It’s there in the leaflet.

DM: yeah…I see that but this is wrong…

LP: That’s it…we have been wronged…

DM: No, I mean what you are writing here is wrong. You write here and also say that AFSPA deprives you of the “Right to Life”, but it does not!

LP: What!?

DM: Yes, AFSPA does not deny “Right to Life”!

LP: How can you say that? This Act gives power to security forces to shoot to kill even on the basis of suspicion, it’s unconstitutional…

DM: But that was what those who fought against the Act have said in the Supreme Court and the Court has given its judgment that says that the Act is constitutional and the soldier cannot shoot and take the life of a citizen arbitrarily. He must have reasonable ground to justify the suspicion because the Constitution still protects the citizen’s “Right to life” as the Constitution is not suspended while the Act is in operation.

The leader and protestors seem to get puzzled by this observation of the deranged man. And they look at each other. Looking at the leader, the deranged man continues, “Have you read the Supreme Court Judgment?”

The leader stares at the deranged man for while and then uneasily looks at his followers. Slowly turning towards the deranged man, he says, “Errr ahh err…well…errr…yes…long time back!”

As they hear their leader, the followers look at each other. There is an element of disbelief in their glances on what their leader has just said and their own experssions also seem to indicate that they haven’t probably read the judgment even though they have been protesting against this Act for years, repeatedly shouting all these while, the same slogans as they did before their challenge against the Act in Court was rejected by the Supreme Court in 1997.

DM: Then, why are you saying that AFSPA denies “Right to Life”?

The leader keeps quite for a while and looks at his followers, then says, “Well…I don’t agree…you know it is democracy, people have the right to disagree”!

DM: True, but under the democratic system, Judiciary is important, and the Highest Court has given its Judgment which has rejected the view that the Act denies “Right to Life”. Anyway, you must have a reason to disagree? Why do you disagree? What are your reasons behind your diagreement?

LP: Ummm err…leave the Judgment…reasons and all that…it’s all talks…those are all “theories”. We have to understand the “ground reality”!

One of the protestors says, “Yes, yes, “theories” are not important, we must know the “ground reality”!

DM: “Theories”? All talks? Aren’t you also only talking, your slogans and this leaflet?

LP: What!?

DM: Anyway, is “Right to Life” a theory or ground reality? Is there such a real thing called “Right to Life”, people do get killed in reality anyway, not only in Manipur. So is “Right to Life” a reality or a theory?

The leader seems to be taken aback by this question of the deranged man. Just as he seems to ponder over it, one of the protestors says in Meiteilon, “Tok-o yaare..angaobasiga waari touranu…kari kanndoino” (it’s ok, stop it, there is no point in talking with this mad man). Another chips in, “Masi mee-se ngaosinnaba oiramganee…Govt ki agent oiramgani…intelligence  agency-sing-gee mee soidana oiramgani…ngaoragabu kamaina maana mee-gee judgment-kado paramdoi-no” (this man must be impersonating as a mad man…he must be an agent of the govt…a member of the intelligence agencies…how can a mad man read judgment and all that)!

Masi nupa-se moi-gee atoppa group-ki mee oiramgani…Iche Sharmila-da support touganu, AFSPA-ki fight-ta oina support tou kai-na ngashai haikhrido

Still another protestor looks at the deranged man suspiciously, then turns to his other colleagues and says, “Masi nupa-se moi-gee atoppa group-ki mee oiramgani…Iche Sharmila-da support touganu, AFSPA-ki fight-ta oina support tou kai-na ngashai haikhrido” (This guy must be from the other group, that’s why he was saying that we should fight against AFSPA, not support Sharmila)!

Then the deranged man interrupts them, looking at them and then at their leader, he says, “What are they saying?”

Looking at the deranged man, the leader replies, “Nothing”!

DM: They are saying something though?

Saying this he smiles at the leader. The leader also looks at him.

LP: It’s not important!

DM: Really? What they are saying is not important?

The leader seems to be flummoxed by this pointed question from the deranged man and he seems to ponder on the remarks of the other protestors for a while. Then looking at the deranged man, he continues.

LP: well…err…anyway…what were you asking?

DM: I was asking as to what your friends were saying just now?

LP: Leave that…before that, what were you asking?

DM: Oh that! Well, I was asking, is the “Right to Life” a theory or what you called a ground reality?

LP: Ummm errr..errr…

One of the protestors intervenes, “You must know ground reality”!

LP: Yes…you must know “ground reality”!

DM: That’s ok but you haven’t answered my question and you are trying to avoid…

Before the deranged man could complete, the leader says, “see, people have been killed…you know extra-judicial killings…you must know…”

Just as the leader was saying this, a protestor interrupts, “call Engel-lei, she is there…her husband was also killed in a fake encounter”. And he sends someone to call Engel-lei.

LP: Yes, you must know the “ground reality”…we have amongst us a victim of extra-judicial killing, a young girl in her early 20s whose husband was shot dead right in front of her by Manipur Police Commandos”!

DM: Oh..my God! That’s terrible!

The deranged man seems to be disturbed by this information of a young widow.

LP: See, you must know “ground reality” to understand AFSPA!

DM: But to the best of my knowledge, Manipur Police and its Commandos are not covered by AFSPA; they do not operate under the AFSPA!

The leader looks at the deranged man and then to his followers who also look at each other, as if the remark of the deranged man seems to have unsettled their “ground reality”!

TO BE CONTINUED…

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/devil%E2%80%99s-advocate-deranged-man-and-protestors-part-2/

Works Minister clarifies

Works Minister K Ranjit has clarified that he had not mention anything communal while addressing in day long political conference organised by Mayang Imphal Election Campaign Committee under Mayang Imphal Block Congress Committee at Masjarul Ulum Bengo…

Works Minister K Ranjit has clarified that he had not mention anything communal while addressing in day long political conference organised by Mayang Imphal Election Campaign Committee under Mayang Imphal Block Congress Committee at Masjarul Ulum Bengoon on September 4 Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=13&src=080911

AMSU bans DMCTE polls

All Manipur Students’ Union AMSU has banned the election to the students’ union of DM College Teachers’ Education DMCTE schedule to be held tomorrow Source The Sangai Express

All Manipur Students’ Union AMSU has banned the election to the students’ union of DM College Teachers’ Education DMCTE schedule to be held tomorrow Source The Sangai Express

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Monitoring Committee on NH 37 submits its report

The Monitoring Committee on NH 37 today submitted its report to the Division Bench of Justice Tayenjam Nandakumar and Justice Mutum Binoykumar Source Hueiyen News Service

The Monitoring Committee on NH 37 today submitted its report to the Division Bench of Justice Tayenjam Nandakumar and Justice Mutum Binoykumar Source Hueiyen News Service

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AR act shocking, unprecendented SHWU

The Sadar Hills Women Union SHWU today condemned the shocking and unprecedented act of reckless and inhuman behavior personnel of the 43 AR who came down hard on women agitators demanding declaration of Sadar Hills District as laid down in the Manipu…

The Sadar Hills Women Union SHWU today condemned the shocking and unprecedented act of reckless and inhuman behavior personnel of the 43 AR who came down hard on women agitators demanding declaration of Sadar Hills District as laid down in the Manipur Hill Areas Act, 1971 Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=20&src=080911

Sadar Hills women decry

Taking strong exception against the conduct of the Assam Rifles troops at Kangpokpi yesterday evening, the Sadar Hills Women Union has today termed their act as unleashing terror Source The Sangai Express

Taking strong exception against the conduct of the Assam Rifles troops at Kangpokpi yesterday evening, the Sadar Hills Women Union has today termed their act as unleashing terror Source The Sangai Express

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MGNREGS job card holders resume work after 2 years

MGNREGS card holders of Komdompokpi Gram Panchayat ward number 1 to 8 resumed work today after two years which was halted following a case filed by two Jila Parishad Members Source Hueiyen News Service

MGNREGS card holders of Komdompokpi Gram Panchayat ward number 1 to 8 resumed work today after two years which was halted following a case filed by two Jila Parishad Members Source Hueiyen News Service

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29 cadres of different UG groups give up arms

In yet another incident of UG cadres joining the mainstream, 29 cadres of various UG groups today gave up arms and surrendered to the Additional Director General of Police ADGP Law and Order, Manipur Police V Jathang and General Officer Commanding G…

In yet another incident of UG cadres joining the mainstream, 29 cadres of various UG groups today gave up arms and surrendered to the Additional Director General of Police ADGP Law and Order, Manipur Police V Jathang and General Officer Commanding GOC , Major General Binoy Poonnen in a home coming ceremony held at the headquarters of 57 Mountain Division, Leimakhong Source Hueiyen News Service

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Blast outside Delhi HC, 11 killed, 76 injured Terror attack, says PC, NIA probes

Terror struck the Capital when a powerful bomb placed in a briefcase ripped through a crowded reception area at the entrance to the High Court this morning killing 11 people and leaving 76 injured Source The Sangai Express Press Trust of India

Terror struck the Capital when a powerful bomb placed in a briefcase ripped through a crowded reception area at the entrance to the High Court this morning killing 11 people and leaving 76 injured Source The Sangai Express Press Trust of India

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AMTU advises highway strikers to go to Court

All Manipur Tribal Union AMTU today said a constitutional and amicable solution for and against the ongoing political wrangling over Sadar Hills district demand is located in the court of law and not on the streets Source The Sangai Express Newm…

All Manipur Tribal Union AMTU today said a constitutional and amicable solution for and against the ongoing political wrangling over Sadar Hills district demand is located in the court of law and not on the streets Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

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Drivers for maximum security

Claiming involvement of heavily armed unidentified persons in the burning of loaded trucks in between Keimai and Sembilon and Barak on National Highway 37 recently, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers Motor Workers’ Union has demanded that Government…

Claiming involvement of heavily armed unidentified persons in the burning of loaded trucks in between Keimai and Sembilon and Barak on National Highway 37 recently, All Manipur Road Transport Drivers Motor Workers’ Union has demanded that Government of Manipur provide maximum security cover to the transport operators Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=6&src=080911

Adult Python killed in Ukhrul

In a rare catch of its kind in the district in the last three decades an adult Python was killed and brought to Ukhrul by the hunters in the morning here today Source The Sangai Express

In a rare catch of its kind in the district in the last three decades an adult Python was killed and brought to Ukhrul by the hunters in the morning here today Source The Sangai Express

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It’s high time to change lifestyle for a brighter future Prof Ng Kangjia

Giving credit to sportspersons for bringing fame and laurels in games and sports and to the art of living and its philosophy adopted by the forefathers of the Manipuris and expressing serious concern over the deteriorating lifestyles of the present gen…

Giving credit to sportspersons for bringing fame and laurels in games and sports and to the art of living and its philosophy adopted by the forefathers of the Manipuris and expressing serious concern over the deteriorating lifestyles of the present generation, Retired Principal, Presidency College Motbung, Professor Ng Kangjia Mangang today called for a change in the lifestyle Punsiron of the present generation for a brighter future of the state Source Hueiyen News Service

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After 30 days of crippling blockade, Centre nudges State with NH37 option

With National Highway 2 literally cut off for more than 30 days since August 1, the Centre has asked the State Government to look towards NH 37 and to extend all possible co operation towards the BRTF, which has been assigned with the task of construct…

With National Highway 2 literally cut off for more than 30 days since August 1, the Centre has asked the State Government to look towards NH 37 and to extend all possible co operation towards the BRTF, which has been assigned with the task of constructing and maintaining this route, generally known as the Imphal Jiribam line Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=1&src=080911

Stop choking national highways, approach law court to settle issues AMTU

All Manipur Tribal Union AMTU today said a constitutional and amicable solution for and against the ongoing political wrangling over Sadar Hills district demand is located in the court of law rather than taking the surcharged issue to the streets S…

All Manipur Tribal Union AMTU today said a constitutional and amicable solution for and against the ongoing political wrangling over Sadar Hills district demand is located in the court of law rather than taking the surcharged issue to the streets Source Hueiyen News Service Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=23&src=080911