UNLF to look into CBSE issue

IMPHAL March 2: The banned UNLF has in a press release said it will setup a fact finding team in connection with the issue of around 2500 students not being

IMPHAL March 2: The banned UNLF has in a press release said it will setup a fact finding team in connection with the issue of around 2500 students not being able to appear in the CBSE exam 2015.

It has also assured that those found guilty will be punished.

Some schools have failed to make arrangement for around 2500 students to appear in the CBSE exam 2015 leaving them high and dry while wasting their labour, time and money which cannot be returned, the release said.

It said that the schools authorities as well as the state govt very well know in advance that things will fall like this in the end.

Some government schools when they were run by private owners produced many bright students. But after the government took over the said schools, they have been left completely neglected, it changed.

Today there are enough well paid teachers at government schools and colleges however there are no students, it said.

The rich sends their wards to highly paid private schools providing much better education, while the majority poor further goes into miserable lives, it said and added that this is the educational policy of a colonial rule.

Around 2500 students under CBSE not able to give exam is a well planned policy of the colonial rule, it charged.

A Manipuri student who stood first in the all India CBSE exam was given the opportunity to study at a college in Delhi however the student later finds out that he could not pass the exam there changes his college, it said and added that this was quite an embarrassment.

While saying that UNLF will stand for the CBSE students, the release also said that the outfit will also correct the education system in Manipur which is trying to spoil the future human resource.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/unlf-to-look-into-cbse-issue/

Around Rs 5.51 crore allocated for repairing 150 CCTV cameras and expanding its coverage area

IMPHAL, March 2: The State finance department has allocated Rs 5.51 crores for repairing the 150 CCTV cameras in Imphal and to expand the areas they cover, stated Chief Minister

IMPHAL, March 2: The State finance department has allocated Rs 5.51 crores for repairing the 150 CCTV cameras in Imphal and to expand the areas they cover, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi in the fourth day of the 10th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

Replying to a calling attention motion by Thangmeiband A/C MLA Kh Joykisan on the reports of the non-release of funds for maintaining the CCTV cameras installed in Imphal, the Chief Minister said funds are yet to be released from the finance department for repairing and maintaining the CCTV cameras. The defunct CCTV cameras will be repaired soon with the area covered by it to be expanded till Singjamei and Mantripukhri with the finance department earmarking Rs 5.51 crores for it.

He said the Home department is preparing to call for bids in an open tender through the internet from well known dealers across the world. After the process of the tender bids is over, the funds will be released within 21 days or a month from the finance department.

He said for the CCTV cameras to be fully operational, the State lacks 24X7 power supply so additional funds to arrange an alternative means of power from solar energy is required. The State government knew that CCTVs installed in Imphal city help the State police department in keeping the law and order situation under control.

Raising the calling attention motion, Kh Joykisan alleged that the State Home department was not properly maintaining the CCTV cameras and that the Finance department has not released the funds needed for repairing the CCTV cameras.

He further said that in the recent days, bomb blasts took place in the heart of Imphal killing and injuring many innocent civilians but if the existing CCTV cameras were fully functional, it might help in saving innocent lives.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/around-rs-551-crore-allocated-for-repairing-150-cctv-cameras-and-expanding-its-coverage-area/

Volunteers of NSUC, NWUC storms JNV Chandel

THOUBAL, March 2: In connection with the incident of stabbing and critically injuring a teacher of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Chandel with a knife by his student on February 10,

THOUBAL, March 2: In connection with the incident of stabbing and critically injuring a teacher of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Chandel with a knife by his student on February 10, the Naga Students` Union Chandel (NSUC) and Naga Women Union Chandel (NWUC) stormed the Vidyalaya and shut it down indefinitely after receiving information that the accused student is coming to appear in the examination today.

A large number of volunteers of the two unions most of whom were womenfolk gathered at the JNV premises gate at Liwa Khullen Sarei in Chandel district since 8 am and detained the school Principal.

The volunteers also seized the question papers of today`s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class XII examination.

Moreover, the volunteers blocked the Chandel District headquarters road temporarily in front of the school gate by putting logs along the road after a brief confrontation with the police personnel.

However, considering the academic career of the innocent students of the JNV, the Unions allowed to conduct the examination after locking and sealing the principal office only besides detaining him at the Vidyalaya`™s gate.

While speaking to the media persons, Joyningam, president of NSUC said that they received information that arrangement are being made for the accused student to appear in the examination at the centre.

He said that they cannot remain a mute spectator after such an incident creating fear psychosis in the minds of the students and teachers.

The Union demands that the accused should not be allowed to appear in the examination at this centre and he should be booked and given befitting punishment for his alleged crime, he added.

He demanded the transfer of the Principal of the Vidyalaya immediately while charging him that the incident happened as a result of poor administration.

The student leader questioned why the accused student was not expelled from the school even after committing the crime.

However, Principal of the Vidyalaya told the media persons that the arrangement has been made for the accused student to appear in the CBSE`s Class XII Examination following a Court Order and instruction given by Vidylaya`s higher authority.

Meanwhile, Joyningam Anal, president of the Naga Students Union Chandel informed media persons over the phone that the Union has shut down the Vidylaya indefinitely with immediate effect until their demands met.

However, the ongoing CBSE Examination will be exempted and the students will be allowed to appear the said Examination in the Vidyalaya, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/volunteers-of-nsuc-nwuc-storms-jnv-chandel/

Lilong Haoreibi college principal suspended; vigilance case to be filed against him for fund misappropriation

IMPHAL, March 2: The State government has suspended the Principal of Lilong Haoreibi College and constituted a high power committee to conduct an inquiry over the misappropriation of college funds,

IMPHAL, March 2: The State government has suspended the Principal of Lilong Haoreibi College and constituted a high power committee to conduct an inquiry over the misappropriation of college funds, stated M Okendro in the second day of the 10th session of the tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

The issue of fund misappropriation was raised by Andro A/C MLA Th Shyamkumar during the calling attention motion hour. The concerned minister Moirangthem Okendro replying to the calling attention motion stated that the Higher Education department has taken up appropriate actions against the Principal of the Lilong Haoreibi College.

He has been suspended and vigilance case filed against him for misappropriating around Rs 83.32 lakhs sanctioned by the UGC. The issue came to light when the Principal who was transferred to another post didn`™t vacate his post and refuse to hand it over to the newly appointed Principal. A high power committee led by the Chief Secretary grilled him to take further actions against him and the misappropriated funds will be recovered from him, he said.

He said the Education department has constituted a State level UGC project screening committee to monitor all the projects and schemes being funded under the UGC in every college of the State. Earlier, the colleges were working randomly without the consent of the committee on construction of infrastructure etc, he added.

The committee now screens every projects or schemes taken up in colleges and submit a report to the State government, and the State government will again submit the same to the UGC, the Education minister said.

Meanwhile, Andro A/C MLA Th Shyamkumar alleged that if the colleges utilise UGC funds independently without the consent of the State department then it is apparent that the government has no authority.

The State authorities are not monitoring the existing colleges and schools for studying with field visits. Shyamkumar said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/lilong-haoreibi-college-principal-suspended-vigilance-case-to-be-filed-against-him-for-fund-misappropriation/

AFSPA to Stay

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, which has always been a contentious issue in both the Northeast and Kashmir, it does seem is not about to go, despite so

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, which has always been a contentious issue in both the Northeast and Kashmir, it does seem is not about to go, despite so much protest against it in both the Northeast and Kashmir. In Manipur, a gutsy lady, Irom Sharmila, has been on a fast for more than 14 years to demand its repeal. In Kashmir, extended explosions of street violence have been common challenging it. Elsewhere in the Northeast, although protests have not been as pronounced, there are not many who do not resent it. This fact was more than adequately established by a commission of inquiry headed by retired justice, Jeevan Reddy, constituted by the then Manmohan Singh led UPA government in the wake of widespread protests in Manipur following the rape and murder in custody of Thangjam Manorama by a unit of the Assam Rifles. The committee was given the mandate of suggesting ways to humanise the AFSPA and it had submitted its report in 2005. In it, the committee had suggested scrapping the AFSPA after transferring some of its features to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, among others making those empowered by it accountable to the civil legal redressal mechanism. Because of strong objections to the suggestions by the military lobby, the recommendations by the committee were not only were not taken, but the report itself was shelved without even being tabled in Parliament. And now, according to a news report in a reputed financial daily from New Delhi, reproduced in the IFP today, it does seem the new BJP led NDA government has in no uncertain terms said the AFSPA will not be repealed. Not only this, the government has also, as if to underscore its resolve, made known its intent to dig out the Jeevan Reddy report from the government`™s archives, and officially and emphatically reject it.

So much for the state BJP`™s loud vaunts all this while that it would have the hated legislation repealed by the Central government. The new turn of events would indeed have taken the wind out of the sails of the state BJP, which does not currently have even a single MLA in this Assembly, but with undisguised show optimism has begun its election campaign aggressively for the next Assembly elections two years hence. But leave aside the fortunes of the state BJP, there are other serious concerns development should once again bring to the fore. What for instance would now be the fate of Irom Sharmila? Is she now destined to remain a prisoner of conscience for the rest of her life? Is her struggle coming to naught? One thing is certain. She is unlikely to back out just as it is unlikely others fighting the act would not either. In many ways what this development forebodes is, uncertainty and conflict will remain the destiny of the region for many more time, and that there is still no light visible at the end of the long and dark tunnel it has been trying to negotiate.

The Central government`™s decision is unlikely to find much opposition in the country or the rest of the world either. In the rest of the country outside of the Northeast and Kashmir, AFSPA, is too vague and remote, therefore seldom recalled amongst the ordinary citizenry, as the Act is not their daily experience and the fear of it more akin to fiction than reality. In the rest of the world, especially the West, AFSPA continuance will not move consciences as it ought to have, for their own societies are becoming radicalised beyond imagination in the wake of the violence and threats of Islamic fundamentalists. Draconian laws are becoming their realities too, and this would have to a great extent driven even the most conscientious amongst them into increasing insignificance. As it is, their own senses of outrage at that the compromises of democratic norms and values in their own countries are becoming weaker or else are beginning to be lulled into silence. The only verdict we can be courageous enough to give at this juncture then is, uncertain times are ahead.

Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/afspa-to-stay/

Poumai Naga Union decries ban imposed on it by NSCN

SENAPATI, March 2: In response to a press report which appeared in the Herald Today, a Senapati local English daily in its February 28 issue regarding a ban imposed by

SENAPATI, March 2: In response to a press report which appeared in the Herald Today, a Senapati local English daily in its February 28 issue regarding a ban imposed by National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) on Poumai Naga Union (PNU) for its anti-national activities and violation of Universal Human Rights principles, the Union in a press statement said the news report is shocking and unexpected from any organization.

The release said the PNU is the apex body of Poumai Naga tribe duly constituted by the people for the people, and `therefore, it has its own jurisdiction to deal with any issues arising within our people at our own disposal.`

It said `Historically, traditionally and geographically, Thiwa village is one of the Poumai Naga revenue villages. However, the NSCN(IM) has twisted the name of the village into Theiva, which has no legal sanctity as there is no such village name called Theiva in the Official record, Government of Manipur.`

The PNU release said `It is unfortunate on the part of the NSCN(IM) to issue the order banning the Apex body of the Poumai Naga tribe without hearing the Poumai Naga Union on this problem.`

It further said that `It is felt that the order was issued only after hearing the version of some vested people the village and as such the order was based on wrong facts,` therefore `in view of the facts narrated above, the Poumai Naga Union does not deserve to be branded as Anti-national and violation of the universal human rights principles in the absence of any evidences.`

It explained that `the fact is that, there is an internal misunderstanding between some inhabitants of Thiwa Village and the Poumai Naga Union,` and that `the Poumai Naga Union has been trying to solve the internal problem which is under process to settle down within ourselves.`

The PNU urged `the leadership of the NSCN(IM) not interfere into family problems in the future which can be settle at our level as per Naga Customary law and its usages,` adding that `the Poumai Naga Union expresses our hope that goodwill will prevail upon the NSCN(IM) leaders while deciding such matter.`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/poumai-naga-union-decries-ban-imposed-on-it-by-nscn/

Editors getting threats in Manipur – The Shillong Times

Editors getting threats in Manipur
The Shillong Times
Editors’ Guild, Manipur (EGM) has requested the Manipur government to provide security personnel to Khoirom Loyalakpa, Editor of Naharolgi Thou-dang who was threatened by armed persons.The threat was reportedly given to pressurise the journalists to …

Editors getting threats in Manipur
The Shillong Times
Editors' Guild, Manipur (EGM) has requested the Manipur government to provide security personnel to Khoirom Loyalakpa, Editor of Naharolgi Thou-dang who was threatened by armed persons.The threat was reportedly given to pressurise the journalists to …

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGP5xiJpaTrwfHzonJyczNoVzVT1Q&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=5_n0VIDoB4Sj8gGCyoCwDQ&url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2015/03/03/editors-getting-threats-in-manipur/

Suspension of opn for Manipur militants – Eastern Mirror

Suspension of opn for Manipur militantsEastern MirrorManipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today said that the state government will press the central authority for further extension of ongoing Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the kuki militants …

Suspension of opn for Manipur militants
Eastern Mirror
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today said that the state government will press the central authority for further extension of ongoing Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the kuki militants in Manipur. Gaikhangam who holds the home portfolio

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGwSjxt0EH1lpzHwan5uL_A2Gy37A&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=cNb0VNCFLe-u8gGywIHwCQ&url=http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/2015/03/suspension-of-opn-for-manipur-militants/

District SPs ask for security protection at CBSE exam centres

IMPHAL, March 1 (NNN): With CBSE`™s Class-X and Class-XII final examinations are all set to begin from Monday, Manipur police chief has asked SPs of all district to take up

IMPHAL, March 1 (NNN): With CBSE`™s Class-X and Class-XII final examinations are all set to begin from Monday, Manipur police chief has asked SPs of all district to take up necessary security measures in all examination centres within their respective jurisdiction.

In Manipur, the examinations will be conducted at 25 centres across the state amidst the controversy that surfaced after the authorities of some schools failed to issue admit card to their students preparing for the said examinations.

Acting on a letter from state joint secretary (school education), the DGP of Manipur police has instructed SPs of all districts of the state to provide necessary assistance in the smooth conduct of the examinations at the 25 centres right from the commencement of the examinations till the end.

Maintaining that copies of the joint secretary`™s letter were also forwarded to the SPs, the DGP has on Saturday reminded the SPs to do the needful within their respective jurisdiction, an official source said Sunday.

The CBSE examinations are to be conducted amidst the controversy that surfaced to atleast six schools after the schools were found not recognized by the CBSE and the students were left no admit card till today, on the eve of the commencement of the examinations.

Around 2000 students preparing for sitting in the examination will miss the exam as they will not be allowed to sit the examinations without the admit card issued by the CBSE authority.

Police have already taken up a FIR case regarding the controversy that surrounds over the recognition of the schools by the CBSE.

The case registered at Lamphel police station of Imphal West district was based on a complaint lodged a student among the victimized ones on February 24 last.

He alleged that the authority of his school has failed to distribute admit card even though students of other schools affiliated to the CBSE have already received the same.

He further alleged that the registration number (number provided by CBSE to the students studying in schools affiliated to the board) which was given to him and his colleagues were turned out to be a fake ones.

As their wards were sure to miss the examinations, Guardian Association of CBSE Victim Students, a newly formed body, today drew the attention of the Manipur government to arrange a special examination for the victim students.

Addressing a press conference held at Manipur Press Club today, secretary of the newly formed association L Tampha appealed the state government to conduct the special examination for the victim Class-XII students so that their wards do not miss the year.

He suggested conduct of the special examination in the form of compartmental examination for the Class-XII students while drawing government`™s attention to take up the matter of Class-X students with the authority of the regional office of the CBSE in Guwahati to allow them appear the examinations due to commence from tomorrow on special consideration.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/district-sps-ask-for-security-protection-at-cbse-exam-centres/

SFs retrieve hand grenade hung on a tree

IMPHAL, Mar 1: An Area Domination Patrol Party of Territorial Army G-Coy recovered two hand grenades wrapped in a plastic bag and hung to a roadside tree in between Khongkhang

IMPHAL, Mar 1: An Area Domination Patrol Party of Territorial Army G-Coy recovered two hand grenades wrapped in a plastic bag and hung to a roadside tree in between Khongkhang and Lokchao on Imphal-Moreh road today at around 10:30 am.

Bomb experts retrieved the bomb and safely exploded it at around 7:40 pm.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/sfs-retrieve-hand-grenade-hung-on-a-tree/

CPI, CPM announce support to the course of action taken up by JCILPS

IMPHAL, March 1: The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPM has declared to join in the further course of action taken up by the

IMPHAL, March 1: The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPM has declared to join in the further course of action taken up by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) with public support to safeguard the indigenous population.

This was informed by representatives of the two parties speaking to media persons at a press meet held today evening here at Irabot Bhawan, BT Road.

The meet was attended by CPI Manipur State Council Secretariat member L Sotin Singh, Surchand Singh and CPM Manipur State Committee Secretariat member Y Ratan.

The three speaking to media said, we have seen various forms of agitations launched by civil society organizations led by JCILPS demanding reintroduction of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) to safeguard the indigenous population of the State.

And after seeing the agitations, Manipur Legislative Assembly also discussed to introduce ILP in the State. The State Govt even formed an All Political Party Committee on ILP to discuss the matter more seriously and further collected suggestions/opinions from the experts, they said.

Furthermore, the govt had also announced earlier that the ILPS will be introduced by passing a bill in the 10th session of the tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly which commenced on February 25, they said.

However the assembly session is now coming to an end with only two days remaining and still there is no sign of passing a bill on ILP, they said disappointingly.

According to India Constitution Article No 19 (5), the state government has been provided with the power to implement such an act in the interest of the public.

While saying that the CPI and CPM are losing faith in the Govt that it will introduce the bill in this current session, they have announced to join in the further course of actions taken up by JCILPS with public support.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/cpi-cpm-announce-support-to-the-course-of-action-taken-up-by-jcilps/

Annual journalists` sports meet 2015

IMPHAL, Mar 1: The All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) is organizing the 4th Annual Journalists`™ Sports Meet 2015 for four days beginning March 5. Seven sports disciplines including Cricket,

IMPHAL, Mar 1: The All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) is organizing the 4th Annual Journalists`™ Sports Meet 2015 for four days beginning March 5.

Seven sports disciplines including Cricket, Football, badminton, volley ball, table tennis, athletics and chess will be played in the meet, while the torch rally will be staged on March 5 from Kangla fort at 7 am.

The union has informed to all desirable participants to submit their names with verification letters by their respective editors and the disciplines they would take part to the office staff of Press Club by March 3.

Editors, reporters, photo and video journalists, sub-editors, correspondents, desk staff, DTP and news readers are eligible for taking part in the sports meet.

The union requests the media houses to nominate at least five employees from each house for joining the torch rally.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/annual-journalists-sports-meet-2015/

PWF, Manipur releases two books

IMPHAL, March 1: Patriotic Writers Forum, Manipur has organised a book release function at Lamyanba Shanglen, Imphal today of two books that it has published. Altogether two books written by

IMPHAL, March 1: Patriotic Writers Forum, Manipur has organised a book release function at Lamyanba Shanglen, Imphal today of two books that it has published. Altogether two books written by Dr Haobam Indrakumar were released today titled `Langtai Warel`™ and `Meitei Yawol`™.

Both the books are written in the Bengali script are abstracts of books which are already in print, stated the writer, Dr Haobam Indrakumar. He also added that the age-old traditions and custom are being neglected by the younger generation. He said re-releasing the abstracts in a more integrated version is necessary as the society, especially the younger generation, tends to forget the historical aspects of our community.

The book release function was attended by Professor Sairem Nilbir and Patriotic Writers`™ Forum, Manipur president Raghu Leisangthem as the chief guest and president respectively.

Professor Polem Nabachandra and Dr Sagolsem Lanchenba Meetei shared their ideas and talked about their books.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/pwf-manipur-releases-two-books/

GOC Red Shield Division wishes board exam aspirants

IMPHAL, Mar 1: Major General PN Rao, Sena Medal, General Officer Commanding, Red Shield Division extended his best wishes to students of the State appearing for CBSE Exam commencing from

IMPHAL, Mar 1: Major General PN Rao, Sena Medal, General Officer Commanding, Red Shield Division extended his best wishes to students of the State appearing for CBSE Exam commencing from March 2.

The General Officer emphasized that a good academic performance is of utmost importance in the life of a student and hence urged the students to do well and come out with flying colours.

The General also appealed the parents and students to strive for better career through higher studies as the same would contribute immensely towards development of the Sate and the Nation as a whole.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/goc-red-shield-division-wishes-board-exam-aspirants/

EGM condemns threat on Naharolgi Thoudang editor, appealed for freedom of press

IMPHAL, March 1: A meeting of the Editors`™ Guild of Manipur held at the residence of the Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor of Naharolgi Thoudang on February 28, took stock of the

IMPHAL, March 1: A meeting of the Editors`™ Guild of Manipur held at the residence of the Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor of Naharolgi Thoudang on February 28, took stock of the situation under which Loyalakpa has come under threat from some unidentified gunmen in the past two weeks.

A statement of EGM said it is clear from the facts that the threat to the Editor is being made by some individuals and not by any armed group as suspected before.

It said that it suspected the threat is being made in order to suppress publication of certain news item not wanted by some people and added that Editors`™ Guild Manipur considers this as an infringement on the `right to expression` and condemns the act.

Members of Editors`™ Guild Manipur in a show of solidarity to Loyalakpa have decided to appeal the state Home department to provide personal security to him till the threat has been eliminated, it said.

This is over the static guards being provided to him at his residence, it added.

Further it said that EGM also met the IO of the case Victor and urged him to speed up the investigation and book the concerned people as soon as possible so that media in Manipur and editor Loyalakpa in particular can discharge their duties in free and fearless environment.

The EGM has also drawn the attention of the Chief Minister and Deputy CM who is also Home Minister of Manipur to the unsafe environment media in Manipur is working and to take serious view of the threat on Loyalakpa.

`So far EGM is not happy at measures being taken up to protect the media in the state,` it said.

EGM has also thanked all the organisations that have supported to editor Loyalakpa and Manipur media at this crucial moment and urge their continued support for a fear free media environment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/egm-condemns-threat-on-naharolgi-thoudang-editor-appealed-for-freedom-of-press/

NE in Union Budget

The one question which was expected to come up in media discussions of the Union Budget 2015-2016 in the Northeast was, what did the budget have for the Northeast? The

The one question which was expected to come up in media discussions of the Union Budget 2015-2016 in the Northeast was, what did the budget have for the Northeast? The question itself betrays a sense of deprivation, and consequently an all round expectation for special treatment. This expectation is not altogether unjustified. After all, the region has been in the blind spot of the nation for a long time, leaving it far behind in development. And, it is also only to be expected that the Union is also acutely aware, and indeed acknowledges this fact. Unfortunately however, when it comes to the Northeast, the Union`™s concern has always been a case of the shadow falling between policy intent and implementation. Thus, in the preamble to his budget speech, Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley did underscore the point that the need for `mainstreaming`™ Northeast is a priority area for his government. His budget however had little special to offer for the Northeast, except for a film institute in Arunachal Pradesh and an AIIMS in Assam, as part of the government`™s opening overture to have one such institute developed in every state. This is welcome, but far short of expectations.

The thing most talked about, and one which is a source of hope and motivation for a great section of the people of the region currently is India`™s much hyped, but little acted upon, `Look East Policy` which has now been re-christened `Act East Policy` under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is heartening that Jaitley`™s Budget speech yesterday does mention the government`™s serious intent to take this policy forward, unfortunately the mention was only very briefly. From what he said, it is doubtful if the government has at all gone beyond platitudes on the matter. He did say, as a step to make sure the Act East Policy is given wings, the government would be opening manufacturing hubs in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. This was all. The rest which should have followed with elaboration was left up to the people`™s imagination. It was, in the end, another statement of policy intent indeed, but one which tragically still lacked a definite road map. Quite obviously, there has been little mind applied to the question in the policy making circuit, and therefore the minister had little more to say or show than a nod of agreement that the matter is important. Among others, it also reflects there have been little tangible research or data input on the matter.

Probably, as the minister said, India will explore ways to set up manufacturing hubs in these three named countries falling in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. India probably has China in mind in coming up with this idea, for China has been doing precisely this for quite some time now. The idea is to set up factories in places where labour is cheap and the work force is disciplined and skilled so as to produce quality products at very competitive prices. The trouble is, these countries are no longer virgin territory. Chinese, American and Korean companies already have a strong presence there, doing what Jaitley declared India also intends to do. One does not even have to go far for evidence. At the Paona Market there are shops selling the popular SWAT combat boots, which have virtually become part of the uniform of Manipur Police Commando officers. Look closely and don`™t be surprised if these macho American footwear are branded as made in Cambodia or Laos. But beyond doubts of feasibility of new entrants making it big in these markets, the more pertinent question is, even if this overture meets with success, how would it benefit the Northeast? For all one knows, such an outreach programme would be a maritime affair, completely sidelining the Northeast. The Act East Policy is interesting to the Northeast only if the Northeast has a stake in it. Otherwise, to posture it as a Northeast mainstreaming policy would be nothing but dishonesty. One cannot also fight the temptation to ask Jaitley, why must India only think of aping China and not come up with something more imaginative?

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/ne-in-union-budget/

North East: Threat of Being Sabotaged by the Indian Bureaucracy

By Amar Yumnam The North East has come to engage the Indian psyche for sure. This is a very positive fall-out of the Prime Minister`™s twin approach emphasising the need

By Amar Yumnam

The North East has come to engage the Indian psyche for sure. This is a very positive fall-out of the Prime Minister`™s twin approach emphasising the need for enhancing the relationships with South-East and East Asia and the imperative for evolving a growth momentum for the region. This naturally has had both global and national implications. The neighbouring countries in South East and East Asia are already taking keen interest on the issues, potential and challenges facing the North East. Such an interest by a significant group of countries has naturally to have wider spill-overs. Now the European nations and the countries in North America have started taking more extensive interests in the region than ever before. The national implication is that the administration is hard-pressed to attend to the urgency.

Here it may be of use to note the hallmarks of Modi as distinct from the previous one in his position. Modi manifests commitment in whatever he feels imperative to engage. Further, he is also a man with no desire to wait if not compulsively warranted; he exhibits strong diligence to work for achievement in real time. The political leadership`™s commitment to cause development to the region has necessarily impacted on the functioning of the bureaucracy in India. Unlike earlier, the Indian bureaucracy now displays eagerness to know and evolve policies for the region. This is where the problem arises.

Before I would like to recall what John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge has written in their 2014 book titled `The Fourth Revolution: The Global Race To Reinvent The State`™. What they write about the Chinese approach in the introductory chapter itself is very telling: `BURIED IN A SHANGHAI SUBURB, close to the city`™s smoggy Inner Ring Road, the China Executive Leadership Academy in Pudong appears to have a military purpose. There is razor wire on the fences around the huge compound and guards at the gate. But drive into the campus from the curiously named Future Expectations Street and you enter Harvard, as redesigned by Dr. No. In the middle stands a huge bright red building in the shape of a desk, with an equally monumental scarlet inkwell beside it. Around this, spread across some forty-two hectares, are lakes and trees, libraries, tennis courts, a sports centre (with a gym, a swimming pool, and table-tennis tables), and a series of low brown dormitory buildings, all designed to look like open books. CELAP calls all this a `campus` but the organization is too disciplined, hierarchical, and business-like to be a university. The locals are closer to the mark when they call it a `cadre training school`: This is an organization bent on world domination`¦The students at the leadership academy are China`™s future rulers. The egalitarian-looking sleeping quarters mask a strict pecking order, with suites for the more senior visitors from Beijing. And as with other attempts at global supremacy, there is an element of revenge. Thirteen hundred years ago, CELAP`™s staff remind you, China set up an imperial exam system to find the best young people to become civil servants. For centuries these `mandarins` ran the world`™s most advanced government, but in the nineteenth century the British and the French (and eventually the Americans) stole their system`”and improved it. Since then better government has been one of the West`™s great advantages. Now the Chinese want that advantage back`¦When the leadership academy was established in 2005, President Hu Jintao spelled out its purpose: `To build China into a modern and prosperous society in an all-round way and to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, it is urgent for us to launch large-scale training programs to significantly improve the quality of our leaders.` Rather than focus on indoctrination like the party schools, CELAP and its two smaller sisters in Jinggangshan (CELAJ) and Yan`™an (CELAY) have been designed to be practical places. The talk is of leveraging your skills, strengthening your global mind-set, and improving your presentation abilities. It is all meant to complement what goes on in the party schools. But the fact that CELAP is based in Shanghai while the central party school is in Beijing adds a competitive frisson. When one trainee in Pudong explains that the party school focuses on `why,` while CELAP looks at `how,` there is no mistaking which question he thinks is more important to China`™s future. If CELAP had a motto, it might be Alexander Pope`™s couplet, `For forms of government let fools contest/What`™er is best administer`™d is best.` Driven by the desire to `best administer,` about ten thousand people a year attend courses at the school, nine hundred for the first time. Some arrive ex officio: If you are a bureaucrat who has just been put in charge of a state-owned company, a governor who has been given a province to run, or an ambassador en route to a new posting, you are sent to Pudong for a refresher course. (As a thank-you, the ambassadors are supposed to send the library a book to symbolize their new posting. The man who sent The Rough Guide to Nepal has some explaining to do.) More generally, a course at the leadership academy has become a prize to be pocketed by any ambitious bureaucrat. Every Chinese civil servant is expected to have clocked three months of training every five years, or about 133 hours a year. Courses at CELAP are oversubscribed by a factor of three, with most of the candidates drawn from the ranks of deputy director generals, the fourth-highest rung in the Chinese system`¦The two most common questions, says one teacher, are `What works best?` and `Can it be applied here?` A typical course is divided into three parts, with lectures soon giving way first to fieldwork, with the mandarins sent out to study something that could be useful, and then to discussion about how to apply it. The subjects vary from the relatively small, such as the most convenient way to demolish houses for infrastructure projects, to the monumental, such as designing the most equitable pension system. The appetite for ideas is rapacious: ideas from local businesses (there are two hundred field-study centers in the Yangtze River delta, including a mini CELAP campus in Kunshan city); ideas from various national universities; ideas from Western management thinkers.` We should also recall here that the inimitable Milton Friedman was the person who gave training to the selectively best Chinese bureaucrats on the market economy before the country went for market-oriented policies. Now compared to this, the Indian bureaucracy is a very status quoist organisation; being so they are necessarily very arrogant too.

This status quo oriented personnel are now trying to reorient themselves in the policy making for the North East, perhaps in a more compelled way consequent upon the wishes of the Prime Minister rather than spontaneous volition. This is very evident from the emerging characteristics of the bureaucrats, both serving and retired, of the way they labour hard to make themselves relevant and authoritative on the North East. The status quoist mind-set is complemented by three other features very strongly. First, the level of knowledge and understanding of these personnel as regards issues and realities of the North East are a suspect. But they would not hesitate in revealing their capacity to think about interventions and policies for the region. This is despite the fact that their knowledge and understanding of the region do not go beyond the status quoist knowledge and understanding of the larger Indian scenario sans the North East. Second, these personnel do not read and ipso facto do not know the latest global thinking on issues relevant for absorbing lessons and implications for the region. Third, it is a reality that geography, institutions and demography of the North East are a continuum with the South East and East Asia while they are discontinuity with the rest of India. This implies that the understanding of border has to be contextualised instead of the usual way of meaning boundaries. This also implies that the suspicion usually associated while viewing neighbouring foreign countries is not applicable to the people of the region. Indian bureaucracy as of today is possessed by an incapability to instil these qualities. But they have the capability to sabotage anything about the North East. Unfortunately there are signs of this happening.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/north-east-threat-of-being-sabotaged-by-the-indian-bureaucracy/

JCILPS stages sit-in protests demanding ILP implementation

IMPHAL, March 1: To mount pressure on the State Government to implement the Inner Line Permit System in the State during the ongoing assembly session, the students`™ wing and women`™s

IMPHAL, March 1: To mount pressure on the State Government to implement the Inner Line Permit System in the State during the ongoing assembly session, the students`™ wing and women`™s wing of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System held sit-in protests at many parts of the Greater Imphal area today.

JCILPS has been mounting pressure on the State Government to safeguard the indigenous people of the State having the Inner Line permit System or a similar act implimented.

The ongoing assembly session is going to conclude on March 3 and the members of JCILPS has threatened to boycott the house if the Government fails to introduce the bill by March 2.

Various sit-in protests were held today at Khwaramband keithel, Kwakeithel, Pisum Keithel, Tera Keithel, Singjamei Keithel, Kongba, Lamlong Keithel, Naoremthong, Lalambung and in front of JCILPS office located at Nongmeibung, Imphal.

It may be recalled here that the JCILPS had already threatened to launch even bigger demonstrations if the Government fails to introduce the bill during the current assembly session.

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (United) has called for a discussion on the issue of implementing the Inner Line Permit System or a similar act during the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly so that the public don`™t lose its trust on the All Manipur Political Party Committee which was formed on August 9, 2014 to deliberate on the act.

Speaking to media persons at a jointly called press conference by the JD (U) and the Aam Aadmi Party, JD (U) president M Tombi said the committee formed should not turned its back to the public, adding that the government should not use the committee as a tool to befool people.

He further stated that the JD (U) strongly condemned the act of the government for withholding any information about its stand on the act from the committee which have discussed the issue six months ago. It`™s a sorry matter because after gaining the trust of the people, the government is alienating the people.

If the government fails to implement the act, the JD (U) along with the AAP will join the public and other civil organisations to demand the implementation of ILP, the president stated.

He continued that the committee formed comprises of the deputy Chief Minister, eminent political figures, members of the high court and the bar association. The committee has already submitted its recommendation to the government but the government failed to announce any positive steps to the people of the State.

M Tombi appealed the All Manipur Political Party Committee to perform the task entrusted to it with sincerity for the welfare of the State and the indigenous people residing in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/jcilps-stages-sitin-protests-demanding-ilp-implementation/

Pre-historic Manipur :: Part 2 – E-Pao.net

E-Pao.netPre-historic Manipur :: Part 2E-Pao.netThe migration or spread of people from their original place to other areas covers a fair amount of time. The paleontologists had estimated that the process of migration took about 2(two) million years. Th…


E-Pao.net

Pre-historic Manipur :: Part 2
E-Pao.net
The migration or spread of people from their original place to other areas covers a fair amount of time. The paleontologists had estimated that the process of migration took about 2(two) million years. This period covers several species of hominids

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGnOutY7tC_nD3eSWloCacNQuNcHg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=SufzVOCzDseH8gH-t4CIBQ&url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src%3DEmergence_Of_Manipur_As_A_Nation_State_Pre_historic_Manipur_Part_2%26ch%3Deducation%26sub1%3DScientific_Papers

Meeting a young poet from Manipur in Bengaluru – E-Pao.net

Meeting a young poet from Manipur in BengaluruE-Pao.netBengaluru, March 01 2015: The National Youth Charitable Trust, a Bangalore based trust, organised a small interaction program with an upcoming poet and writer from Manipur, Kenebo Rajkumar. The eve…

Meeting a young poet from Manipur in Bengaluru
E-Pao.net
Bengaluru, March 01 2015: The National Youth Charitable Trust, a Bangalore based trust, organised a small interaction program with an upcoming poet and writer from Manipur, Kenebo Rajkumar. The event was held on February 28 at the Karnataka State …

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Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFYnOBSj0yhv03zKs0ve-5iKt8DbQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778753354108&ei=SufzVPDRHqvS8wHY0IJg&url=http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading%3D24%26src%3D020315