Month: December 2013

IMPHAL, December 9: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee gracefully accept the verdict of the people and the defeat in the general elections of the four states. However, this is not the end and the party is not out, asserted Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam.

The MPCC president was addressing media persons during the observation of the 67th birthday celebration of the All India Congress Committee president, Sonia Gandhi today at Congress Bhawan.

Replying to a query regarding the killing of the MPP vice president, Manisana Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio replied that the police is doing its job and will soon book the culprits.

All involved will be punished according to the law, he asserted.

Gaikhangam also said that notwithstanding the loss in the four states, there is still a strong belief that the party will win majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

The assembly election result in the four states is a small set back, however, every party faces ups and downs, he observed.

The MPCC has to introspect on what had gone wrong for the party in the four states, in order to strengthen the party in the state, he continued.

The representatives should honour the people’s verdict and not challenge it, he said.

Gaikhangam also greeted the public on behalf of MPCC on the 67th birthday of Sonia Gandhi.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and other MPCC members also attended the observation.

In connection with the 67th birthday various items were distributed to BB Paul Mentally Handicapped Persons School, Mongsangei led by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.  

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/election-results-a-setback-not-the-end-dy-cm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=election-results-a-setback-not-the-end-dy-cm

IMPHAL, December 9: Encouraging unity and a healthy relationship among the people of the hills and valley of the state is the main objective of the United Committee Manipur, said Y Nabachandra, president, UCM.

He was speaking during a one day training programme on Rabi crops and distribution of Rabi crop seeds and inputs under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, RKVY.

The seeds distributed today were supplied to the All Manipur Young Farmer Union, AMYFU by the district agriculture officer, Imphal East, department of Agriculture to be distributed to the Seijang people.

The programme was held today at Seijang Community Hall at around 11.30am.

Y Nabachandra attended as the chief guest, Kh Sarat, chairman Seijang Vegetable Group as the guest of honour with Dr Kh Nimai Singh, expert Plant Health Clinic, department of Agriculture and M Dinachandra Singh, subject matter specialist Horticulture KVK Central Agriculture University as resource persons.

Nabachandra said farmers could be more productive with the use of new technology and incorporating new ideas in their farming.

UCM has been working for long to bring development in the state and will also continue in the future, he said, before adding that the organisation is ready to extend help to any farmer in the future.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/seeds-distributed-to-seijang-farmers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=seeds-distributed-to-seijang-farmers

IMPHAL, December 9: The People’s Revolutionary Front of Kangleipak (PREPAK) while expressing solidarity with those persons fighting for human rights by resisting various forms of challenges to their struggle has sent its warm greetings to the people in general and specially those residing in Kangleipak on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

In a press release issued by assistant secretary publicity and propaganda, Leibakngakpa Luwang today, the proscribed outfit stated that human rights are the birth rights, and only when the society and government pay due regards and dispense the required duties the overall prosperity of the whole society and an everlasting policy can be ensured.

It stated that the revolutionary movements in United States of America (1776) and the French Revolution (1789) sowed the seeds for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948 in the aftermath of the Second World War. The international community declared its commitment to the inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms of all human beings and to building a world where all people are “born free and equal in dignity and rights’. The international community has reaffirmed its commitment to the realization of the cultural, social, economical and social rights for everyone, it stated while adding that though India is one of its signatory and incorporated its basic elements in the Constitution, it is very unfortunate for the world that the country cannot fully entrust the rights to its people including those residing in the frontiers.  

The democracy of India is good in papers but not practical and human rights of the people loving there have been usurped. The preamble of Indian Constitution is based on republican democracy but it does not actually function as a republic. The Part III and Part IV have not been fully realized and the Constitution of India is sufficient proof that the basic rights of the people have been violated, it stated.

The release added that under the draconian laws like AFSPA the rights of the people to live in WESEA region and Jammu-Kashmir have been transgressed. The Indian army has engaged in committing excesses against innocent people and carrying out genocide in this region. The cases of disappearance after arrest, violations of modesty of males and females and torture of the common people by the imperialist force have been witnessed.

The bench of Supreme Court Justice Avtabh Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai had exposed the extrajudicial killings committed against innocent people in the name of staging war to suppress the freedom movement, it stated. The Human Rights Commission, India and Amnesty International, India has also exposed the cases of fake encounters.

The divide and rule policy among communities who had dwelled together for ages has opened the door for the conception of Alternative Arrangement and Statehood Demand. Despite the open secret that Indian government is trying to create wedge among the people, many groups among the hills and valley are still unaware of the secret agenda, it stated. The objectives of the people cannot be realized until a united policy is brought about after understanding and breaking down the secret agenda of the imperialist, the statement said.

It added that on the occasion of the International Human Rights Days, the path to achieve our desired goal for fulfillment of human rights can be achieved only though a united confrontation against the deceptive policies of the imperialist, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/prepak-message-on-intl-human-rights-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=prepak-message-on-intl-human-rights-day

IMPHAL, December 9: A rally organized by the Manipur People’s Party today to submit a memorandum to the state Governor regarding the killing of its vice president Manisana was foiled by the police in front of the Sahid Minar.

Only seven representatives from among the demonstrators including MPP president N Sovakiran Singh were allowed to proceed further and submit the memorandum to the Governor.

Meanwhile, the JAC formed in connection with the killing has set a deadline on December 15 for the government to take up proper investigation to find the culprits and punish them according to the law.

Today’s rally which was participated by family members, party office bearers and supporters started from in front of the party’s office.

A heavy police presence blocked the rally just 30 meters from the party office, resulting in a brief tussle between the protestors and the police.

Amidst the tussle, the rally continued till in front of the Sahid Minar, from where only seven representatives were allowed to proceed.

The memorandum was however submitted to the secretary of the Governor as the latter was out of station. The representatives were asked to come on December 13 to meet the Governor.

The memorandum said that in the political history of the world, assassination of political leaders is not a new incident, however, in the case of Houbijam Manisana Singh the present state government has failed to take up any serious steps to identify the culprits.

It further charged the government of using delaying tactics in the case.

The party has already submitted representations to the Chief Minister on November 16 and on 20, however, there has been no positive response from the government.

The memorandum further blamed the Chief Minister of acting in an irresponsible manner.

Sovakiran Singh said Manisana’s killing could be politically motivated.

He further expressed his shock on how the killing could take place in such a tight security zone in broad daylight.

The MPP will ask the Governor to take steps for improvement in the law and order situation, he said.

The party will also wait for a while for government response, however if the response is not substantial than the party will take up more actions, he said.

Meanwhile, talking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club today, president of the JAC formed in connection with the killing N Ranbir said that it is unfortunate that the state government is unable to find any clue in the case even as it is going to be a month since the incident.

In case the government is unable to take proper action by the set deadline, the JAC in collaboration with the other civil organisations will take up agitations, he said.

He said the JAC was formed on November 13, the day MPP vice president Haobijam Manisana was killed in broad daylight.

He said on the same day, JAC representatives had submitted a memorandum to the state Chief Minister seeking action against the incident.

The same day, the CM, who was with his Dy CM and other cabinet ministers for a cabinet meeting, had assured actions, he said.

He had assured that being a politician himself, he will take the incident seriously and take necessary steps to find and book the culprits, the JAC president elaborated.

The CM had said it is not proper for the body of a public leader to be kept long at the RIMS morgue, and to show respect by performing his last rites, he said.

Considering the assurance of the CM, the JAC had decided against any un-democratic form of protest, he said.

However, if the CM fails to act on his assurance by December 15, then the JAC in collaboration with other civil society organisations will launched different forms of agitation.

The JAC president had also observed that whenever a non-local is killed, the police investigate into the crime without any delay and ex-gratia is provided.

Today’s press conference was also attended by representatives and leaders of certain civil organisations and meira paibi bodies.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/cops-foil-rally-on-manisana-killing-jac-sets-dec-15-deadline-for-action/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cops-foil-rally-on-manisana-killing-jac-sets-dec-15-deadline-for-action

By Ksh Sopen

IMPHAL, December 9: The Manipur Commission for the Protection of Child Right (MCPCR) which was constituted on November 2, 2012 vide government order No. 9/25/2009 – (SW) pt: dated Nov 2, 2012 in the backdrop of recruitment of child soldiers by militants  and rescuing of many children who were indulging in unhealthy activities and practices, is now in deplorable state due to non-release of funds since its existence.

According to an order issued by the Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department, the responsibility of the MCPCR has been assigned to a chairperson and six other members in the person of A Nabachandra Singh as chairperson and Thiyam Jaya Devi, Y Nolini Devi, Hase en Chisti, Lamminlian Vaiphei alias Lian, K Maharabi Singh and Ch Nabachandra Singh as members who are working without salaries and allowances since its inception.

In this regard, IFP made an enquiry and found that the concerned department has not released necessary funds for MCPCR while its budget allocation is Rs 10 lakhs which was earmarked under grand No. 44 of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Due to non release of funds, the Commission is unable to do field visit and other areas of identification and monitoring of children related programs which are implemented by various agencies of both government of NGO in the state.

And more importantly, the warrant of precedence for the chairman and members of the said Commission is not cleared due to reasons known to Manipur government. This non-finalization of the warrant of precedence is a violation of human right for them.

However, according to its annual report, the Commission has done considerable recommendation, among others, to the State Government for immediate action regarding the collection of capitation fee and subjecting children to screening test as part of the admission process for the 2013-14 academic session by some private schools run by the Catholic Society.

It is further mentioned in the report that the said admission process was in violation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009, the Director of Education (S) subsequently took prompt action and issued necessary notification to stop the admission tests.

According to official website of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), 23 states of the country including Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, Meghalaya and Manipur of the NE states have constituted their respective state commissions in response to the mandate of the NCPCR which was set up in March 2007 as a statutory body under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (4 of 2006), an Act of Parliament.

The Commission, while enquiring into any matter, has all powers of the Civil Court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedures, 1908.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/mcpcr-in-deplorable-state/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mcpcr-in-deplorable-state