Day: July 2, 2014

Imphal, July 2: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam despite claims of having taken the appointment of meeting AICC president Sonia Gandhi were yet to meet her till late Wednesday evening, a source told IFP.

Both the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister after attending the meeting of the AICC Monitoring Group chaired by AK Anthony got the appointment for meeting AICC president Sonia Gandhi. However, they were kept waiting till late evening, the source added.

It is yet to be confirmed whether they were actually given the permission to meet the AICC president, it said.

Meanwhile, a highly placed source revealed that the reshuffle of ministers will likely happen soon.

At this juncture, it’s hard to decide who are going to be replaced. The Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister were scheduled to return on July 4. But without securing a meeting with the AICC president, it remains to be seen what they will do next, added the source.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam left Imphal for Delhi separately on Tuesday. The Chief Minister assured the 27 MLAs demanding a mid-term cabinet reshuffle that their demands will be put up before the AICC leaders.

One of the 27 MLAs who wants to remain anonymous said they have got information of the reshuffle of ministers but cannot tell who will get which ministerial portfolios.

“We will accept any decisions of the two leaders. In such conditions, the 27 MLAs are awaiting the response of the party high command on the mid-term cabinet reshuffle of 10 ministers barring the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister.”

The MLAs will react according to the response of the party high command, he added.

The 27 MLAs have demanded an assurance for the reshuffle before the July 11 assembly budget session.

The 27 MLAs demanding a reshuffle include the parliamentary secretaries, the five MLAs who recently joined from MSCP, MLA O Landhoni, Y Irabot and Speaker Th Lokeshwar.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/aicc-president-make-cm-and-dy-cm-to-cool-their-heels/

IMPHAL, July 2: The Zeliangrong Students’ Union Delhi, ZSUD has condemned the UNC resolution to boycott Mani Charenamei.

A statement of the student union said “The Zeliangrong Students’ Union Delhi (ZSUD) while maintaining political neutrality express shock and dismay at the decision of UNC by pronouncing social boycott and ostracizing Mani Charenamei with the charges of defying UNC’s directives and customary practices.”

“The apex body showed its immaturity and true color of authoritarianism by taking such a biased decision.”

Further condemning the UNC’s resolution of its presidential council meeting of May 28, it said the resolution is baseless, unfounded and politically motivated which serves the decision of only “few vested interests.”

It has also charged the UNC of attempting to assassinate the character and malign the political career of an individual by passing the bug and victimising the dissent to their wrongful decision.

It has also claimed the UNC decision as misleading, while questioning the “legitimacy of the UNC on such unfounded and one-sided allegation.”

“UNC’s allegation against Mani Charenamei of initiating counter movement and disrespect of the Naga issue, thereby questioning the legitimacy of the Alternative Arrangement (AA) is unfounded and untrue,” it said.

While further decrying that such prejudice is nothing but manifestation of immaturity and failure in leadership discipline which may eventually destruct the founding principles of the organization, whose main agenda is to bring development, peace and unity through social-political emancipation.

It is high time to introspect and stop playing the politics of exclusion, the statement asserted.

“Rather, UNC should be the guardian of Nagas unity and not otherwise.

Such decision may create further misunderstanding, confusion and division amongst the Nagas thereby creating its negative image,” it said while declaring that the union strongly upholds the decision and appeal of Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur, Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, Zeme Naga Council and Inpui Naga Union, Manipur.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/uncs-boycott-of-mani-charenamei-immature-biased-asserts-zsud/

IMPHAL, July 2: The Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) has said that the proposed peaceful protest rally of the Kukis under the Kuki Inpi Manipur against the “lackadaisical attitude of the government of India towards the plight of the Kukis” is only an attempt to stir up misunderstanding again between the Kuki-Naga by vested interest people.

A statement of the front has said that such attempts will not fructify as the people of both the communities are very much aware of the past and do not desire to commit the same.

“The Kuki people are not the only one who suffered but Naga people suffered much more at the hands of the different Kuki underground groups,” the statement asserted.

“To cite some instances, on 19th October, 1994, passenger bus bound between Longmai (Noney) and Imphal was pushed down to gorge near Kotlien village on NH 53 by Kuki underground killing more than twenty innocent people instantly with several other co-passengers got seriously injured including life time cripple,” it said.

The statement further said that another passenger bus bound between Imphal-Noney was stopped near Sekjang village along NH. 53 and killed innocent people after pulling them down from the bus.

“Killing Nagas was committed by Kuki underground at Kangpokpi bazar, I.T road, Hengbung, different villages in Chandel district, on the Imphal-Ukhrul road, in Churachandpur district, Senapati district and other places wherever the Kuki underground came across Nagas,” it said while asserting that the Nagas have not observed “Black Day” or are not staging any rally for the sake of peace and tranquillity.

It has further charged the State government of not providing adequate security measures to ensure safety of the people.

“Organising such rally is doubtful to be the handiwork of some vested interest people with ill motivated intention to mislead the general public,” it said before adding that organising of such rallies would only expose more hidden agendas therefore, the people will be the judge.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/kim-rally-is-an-attempt-to-stir-misunderstanding-zyf-amn/

THOUBAL, July 2: The 28-hour general strike imposed by the JAC against the killing of Hidam Boby Meitei at Yairipok area has been called off following the arrest of a main accused.

With the breakthrough in the case, the mortal remain of the deceased has been claimed by the family this afternoon around 1 pm after post mortem was conducted.

According to a statement issued by the police, the prime suspect has been identified as Lanthoiba Yumnam Singh, 29, son of Y Deven Singh of Yumnam Leikai, Oinam, Bishnupur district.

It said that the after intense and prolonged questioning and counter checking of call details of the mobile number used by the suspect and that of the deceased, it was revealed that the suspected person was involved in the killing of Boby.

He has been arrested and produced in the court and remanded to police custody for seven days for further investigation.

Meanwile, a mob reportedly stormed the residence of the accused and partially damaged the house.

At the same time, angry locals also came out on the streets burning tyres, pilling up rock with the intention to block the road. However, the mob was pacified by the Oinam MLA, Dr I Ibohalbi Singh.

It may be recalled that Boby’s dead body was found early morning yesterday around 5 am near a canal at Yairipok Singa which is about 4 km west from Yairipok Police station.

Boby who is a construction labourer is survived by his wife and two sons.

Sources said that bruise marks were found on his back and hands.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/suspect-arrested-in-boby-killing-strike-called-off/

IMPHAL, July 2: The Manipur Film Development Corporation Ltd in collaboration with Television and Cine Foundation, Manipur will be organising a four-day workshop on Documentary Project Development and Pitching from July 3 to July 6 at MFDC.

Speaking at a press conference in MFDC on Wednesday, MFDC managing director Dr K Sobita Devi said the four-day-long workshop will be conducted by the Documentary Resources Initiative (DRI), Kolkata under the guidance of Nilotpal Majumdar, Dean of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata.

The main aim of conducting this workshop is to support local filmmakers to develop the skill of articulating effectively the original ideas conceived by them, she said.

“The State has lots of potential and heritage in the production of feature films or documentaries but still finds difficulties in going ahead or producing world class cinema and documentaries.”

The MFDC has conducted various kinds of workshops on acting, screen writing etc. However, the MFDC organised workshop on Documentary Project Development and Pitching is the first of its kind, she said, expressing gratitude at getting the opportunity to conduct such a workshop under a renowned person and his team for developing Manipuri films.

Participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland will be taking part in the four-day -long workshop.

Dean of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Nilotpal Majumdar said that during the workshop the participants will be guided to further improve and present their ideas for making an impact and to enable them to focus on their subjects.

The workshop will definitely help those having difficulties in writing scripts despite having ideas to produce good stories and develop an effective mode of writing concepts, he said.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/workshop-on-documentaries-begins-today/

IMPHAL, July 2: Family members and the concerned JAC have today claimed the body of Raghuchand alias Richi who was found dead at a roadside on June 29.

However, the procession carrying the body back to his locality from the RIMS mortuary was marred by incidents when supporters and relatives tried to dismantle the house of a man who has been detained by the police in connection with the death.

Speaking to the media, a JAC member said there is no settlement between the government and both the JAC or the family, however, the body has been claimed after the police announced to depose the body incase it remains unclaimed till today.

The JAC, family and locals continue to demand for the arrest of all those involved in the case, he said.

The body which was found on the early morning of June 29 from Leimaram Wairoiching near the bridge constructed across Wakching River under Nambol police station had been lying at the RIMS mortuary since then.

Meanwhile, this evening around 4, angry JAC supporters and locals of Oinam Bazar tried to dismantle the house of an accused at Oinam Yumnam Leikai who has been detained by the police.

The man has been identified as Yumnam Lanthoiba alias Manja, 29, son of Deben of Oinam Yumnam Leikai.

After claiming the body from the RIMS mortuary, the JAC and family members supported by locals took out a procession carrying the body.

Police had tried to intercept the procession; however, the procession continued on by breaking all police barricades.

The police however continued to escort the procession.

On reaching the home of the man detained by the police, the supporters turned violent and tried to dismantle the home.

Police had to fire a tear gas shell to disperse the mob of supporters and bring the situation under control.

It, however failed to deter the supporters, who tried to ransack the home again after about 20 minutes.

Bishnupur SP, N Herojit rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Local MLA Dr I Ibohalbi also arrived at the spot and tried to pacify the angry protestors.

He assured that since an accused has already been arrested, he will pressure the government to frame a charge sheet.

The MLA also appealed to the people against dismantling the home of the accused.

JAC Convenor Bimola said that if the government fails to give befitting punishment to all culprits according to the law of the land, the JAC will launch several kinds of agitations.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/family-jac-claim-raghuchands-body-lay-seige-to-accuseds-home/

IMPHAL, July 2: A single bench of Justice N Kotishwar, High Court of Manipur has directed the Union of India, DG Assam Rifles to submit amended counter affidavits in connection with a petition filed by a naib subedar challenging a forced retirement notification served against him.

The petitioner has been identified as Rameshchand Sharma, 52, son of Wadhoram Sharma of Jindwin Village, Himachal Pradesh, naib subedar in 20th Assam Rifles.

The secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs will respond on behalf of Union of India in the case which has the commandant 30th Assam Rifles c/o 99 APO as the third respondent.

Rameshchand Sharma had filed writ petition (c) no 50 of 2013 with the then Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench challenging the validity of the compulsory retirement order dated October 26, 2012 issued by the captain SO-3(Coord) for DGAR, Shillong thereby forcing him to retire from service on the forenoon of March 1, 2013.

He pleaded that the order was not sustainable in the eye of law and also allowed to continue in service till he attained the age of superannuation.

In response to the petition, the court gave adequate time to the respondents to file their respective counter affidavit which they did eventually.

However, not satisfied with the affidavit of the respondents the court gave the direction today.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/centre-directed-to-submit-amended-affidavit-in-forced-retirement-petition/

Imphal, July 2: Amidst the optimism of Dhanamanjuri College becoming a deemed university, there has been report of misconduct on the part of the college authority in this year’s admission to B Sc programme.

The All Manipur Students Union general secretary L Reagan speaking to media today at its office alleged that students who have cleared the entrance test are not getting admission in the college. He further alleged that the admission committee of the college has been conducting the admission process in a suspicious manner.

The college authority has given only 2 days’ time for admission after the entrance test got declared, he said. Therefore, students from far-flung areas, particularly from the hills could not admit themselves in time. Deposited money is being refunded by the authority to those students who had deposited money to the bank for admission, but who have failed to admit because of the shortage of time.

Reagan cited a case of three girl students who were selected for admission to 1st semester in science stream. He said the girls had deposited their admission fee to the bank along with the required documents on June 23 2014. The clerk had then told the girls to collect their admission counterfoil on the following day, claiming that he was very busy.

Reagan continued that of the three girls, one could not turn up to collect the counterfoil the following day. Her two friends requested the clerk that they could collect the counterfoil on their friend’s behalf.

But they were denied of the counterfoil, saying that the girl should come and collect herself. But when the girl turned up on June 25, her counterfoil was found to be missing, as per the clerk’s explanation, added Reagan.

Reagan further alleged that the admission committee has been deliberately admitting students from the wait listed students. The committee is victimising students by denying their rightful admission which would harm the students’ career.

He appealed to the education minister for his intervention into the matter. Moreover this year’s seats have been reduced to 800 from last year’s 1000. Such deduction of seats is also seen in GP College as well, which is violation of right to education, Reagan added.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/irregularities-found-in-dm-college-admission-amsu/

IMPHAL, July 2: The Muan Tombing led All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM) submitted a memorandum consisting eight charters of demands to Governor Vinod Kumar Duggal in a meeting on Wednesday.

ATSUM representatives hold talks with the Governor for 40 minutes at around 3:30 pm in the Raj Bhavan , ATSUM president Muan tombing said.

The memorandum which consists of eight charters of demands include the non-fulfilment of flagship programmes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Health Services, anomalies in PMGSY, failure to expedite the commencement of Schedule Tribes (ST) Commission, culture of service extension particularly for Schedule Tribes, non-existence of State Chief Information Commissioner, lack of development of proper educational institutes in hill districts.

President Muan Tombing said they have highlighted various grievances of the tribals such as total negligence of reservation of tribal quota in every government department, denying of the tribal rights by the Manipur Assembly Secretariat where out of a total strength of 319 only 17 are STs which is against the reservation norms and the anomalies in the implementation of tribal sub-plan (TSP).

ATSUM representatives have urged the Governor to intervene on their behalf in these matters for the quick redressal of their grievances to ensure equality, fraternity and inalienable rights to the tribals guaranteed by the constitution of India, added the ATSUM president.

He said that the Governor has assured to take appropriate actions on these matters after discussing with the State government, adding that the Governor will meet Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on July 5.

The students’ body have a brief discussion after submitting the memorandum to the Governor. They will meet the Governor after two weeks to fully deliberate on their demands.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/atsum-submits-memorandum-to-gov/