Day: May 24, 2015

IMPHAL, May 24: Even as the Kuki Inpi-Saikul Gamkhai claimed that the May 23 encounter at Hengjang Village which killed village church secretary Paolen Khongsai was a fake encounter, the PRO IGAR (S) issued a press release claiming that Poulin Khongsai of Hingojan, Senapati district was killed in an encounter.

Three individuals were killed in the encounter while another one was arrested, according to the statement.

The statement also said that the three dead were identified by the villagers as Nameirakpam Rajen Singh of MNRF (Alan), son of N Mohindro Singh, of Sunusiphai Awang Leikai, Bishnupur district, s/s Sgt Phakuiring Khongyo alias Akhui of MNRF(Alan), of Pungpum Wanglee, Ukhrul district and Poulin Khongsai of KNF (Nehlun), of Hingojan, Senapati district.

According to the PRO IGAR (S) statement, a joint team of 11 PARA (SF) and 2 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (S) launched an operation in the general area of Hingojang Village based on information from reliable source about the presence of armed UG cadres in the area.

It said the joint team carried out surveillance for about 24 hours on May 22 `“ 23, during which the troops of 11 PARA (SF) observed eight to nine armed cadres in the vicinity of a building under construction.

`The cadres were carrying weapons, which were slung onto their bodies. The Surveillance detachment also observed three out of the nine cadres entering a house in village Hingojang` it said.

Further according to the statement, at approximately 9:40am of May 23, while the joint team was closing in towards the village, one armed UG cadre opened indiscriminate fire aimed at the Security Forces and he was killed.

At the same time rest of the cadres started running in different directions out of which two cadres fired and ran towards the personnel of the joint team where they were killed immediately, it said.

Some cadres who ran in different directions managed to escape and were not engaged by the joint team to avoid collateral damage, it claimed.

`When the joint team started closing in towards the UG cadres who had presumably been neutralised by own fire, the armed cadres located at the hill feature brought down heavy fire of automatic weapons including AK-47, M-16 and Lathode for approximately 30 – 40 minutes and pinned them down.`

`During this period some cadres went towards killed UG cadres, and were seen trying to drag their bodies, but were prevented from doing so due to effective yet controlled fire by the troops` according to the statement.

It continued later, a part of the joint team entered the village and the remaining team moved to the hill feature from where the UGs fired.

`During the ensuing search, the joint team found another cadre and apprehended him. He was carrying a bag in which two crude IEDs and several rounds of 7.62 MM Calibre were found.`

It further identified the arrested cadre as Army No 6, SS Sergeant Luhaban alias Apam of MNRF (Alan), son of S Ngachun, resident of Kasom Kunao, Ukhrul district.

The joint team reported the incident to Yairipok Police Station, it said.

Soon thereafter, SDPO Yairipok along with team of Yairipok Police Station and Thoubal Police Commandoes, led by inspector Anand reached the incident site, it continued.

The joint team collected some war like stores and weapons lying near the dead bodies and the hill feature from where the armed cadres had brought suppressive fire on the security forces, it said.

One 9 mm Bereta along with magazine, two 7.62 mm Pistol along with magazine, three IEDs, sixteen electric detonators, twenty eight 9 mm pistol rounds, twenty one 7.62 mm pistol rounds, one hundred and fifty six 7.62 mm AK 47 (live rounds), twenty one 5.56 mm M-16 (live rounds), twenty three fired case 7.62 mm AK 47, fifteen fired case 5.56 mm M 16 and seven fired case 40 mm of Lathod were recovered from the scene of action, it claimed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/ar-claims-three-killed-in-encounter/

IMPHAL, May 24: In order to adopt the Majithia Wage Board, the guidelines of the directive of the Supreme Court should be followed as well as the Tripartite Committee should be formed as soon as possible, proclaimed the Union Minister of Labour, Employment and Training, Bandaru Dattatreye.

According to a release of the All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU), the statement of Bandaru Dattatreye was made during the closing of the 8th Plenary Session of Indian Journalists Union (IJU) held at the convention centre of KIIT University, Bhubaneswar hosted by Odisha Journalists`™ Union.

The closing programme was attended by National President of IJU, SN Sinha, Treasurer, Sabina Indrajit, Secretary General, D. Amar, Odisha Journalist Union President, Prabhat Dash, Odisha MLAs, Saroj Samal and Captain Dibyasanker Mishra, President of kalinga Nagar Shramik Sangha, Suresh Haibru, ETV Odia Editor, Nilambar Rat and various other dignitaries, it said.

In his speech, SN Sinha said that during the two days session, the journalists placed the issues faced by them such as to provide benefit of the Wage Board to the journalists of India, security of the journalists, to regularise paid news, to adopt the wage board and Employment Provident Fund to the Minister. He further said that he will try to approach the government of all states to form the tripartite committee as soon as possible and to adopt the wage board, it said.

He added that a meeting has been arranged with representatives of media houses at centre tripartite committee, Delhi on wage board issue and the current journalist act will be amended. The tripartite committee should be formed at all states of India as soon as possible. The act will also be modified to make it more comprehensive in order to provide benefits for the working journalists of the electronic media.

On the other hand, the members for the next three year session of the IJU, two Vice-Presidents, six National Secretaries and 15 members of NEC were elected. Vice-President of AMWJU, Ratan Luwangcha became the first journalist from Manipur to have also been elected as National Secretary.

Altogether five representatives from the North East have elected. Geetarha Pathak of Journalists`™ Union of Assam has been elected as one of the VP, and representative from each of Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam were elected as NEC members. It was also announced that Sorensangbam Sonia Devi of Poknapham has also been elected as member of National Gender Cell team, it said.

Valedictory Function of the 8th Plenary Session was also held with former Chief Minister of Nagaland and current Governor of Odisha, SC Jamirna as chief guest. The function was also attended by Urban Development Minister of Odisha, Pushpendra Singh, Deo, MLA of Bhubaneshwar (North), Priyadarshini Mishra as well as important members and dignitaries of IJU. The Governor applauded the efforts taken up by of the media and also promised to take up issues on the benefit of the journalist to the Odisha government, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/adoption-of-majithia-wage-board-for-scribes-mooted-during-ijus-plenary-session/

IMPHAL, May 24: The two-day international conference on India`™s Look East Policy-Act East and South East Asia: Beyond Borders concluded today at the Centenary Hall, Manipur University.

The conference, sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, was organised by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development Chandigarh in collaboration with Manipur University.

Speaking at the function, Manipur Governor Dr Syed Ahmed lauded the organisers for the timely conduct of such an important and productive conference.

He said that effective policies emerge from such deliberation.

North Eastern States of India constituted 7.9 percent of the total geographical area of the country inhabitating 3.7 percent of total population of India, the Governor said.

The region has more than 160 schedule tribes and over 400 other tribal and sub tribal communities and groups connecting the rest of the country through the narrow Silliguri corridor, he observed.

He further said that the economic status of the North Eastern States is mostly under developed owing to the weak industrial sector.

There is great opportunities of international trade and commerce in the North Eastern States, he said and added that the region also acts as a gateway to South East Asian countries.

Presiding over the valedictory function Lok Sabha Member Murli Manohar Joshi mentioned that in India connectivity has always been a central point.

He lauded the organising team and Manipur University for conducting such conference.

The valedictory function was also attended by Manipur University VC Prof. H Nandakumar Sarma, MU Registrar Prof N Lokendra Singh and Executive Vice Chairman of CRRID, Chandigarh Dr Rashpal Malhotra.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/intl-conference-on-look-east-policy-concludes/

IMPHAL, May 24: A condolence meeting of BJP Manipur Pradesh held at its office today has deeply mourned the sudden demise of Colonel Haobam Bhubon Singh, former president of the party, who breathed his last yesterday after a brief illness.

Addressing the gathering, president of BJP Manipur Pradesh Th Chaoba said that the death of Colonel Haobam Bhubon is a big lost for the state while terming the late leader as a straight forward person who had always thought for unity amongst the people of the hills and valley.

His valuable contribution towards the unity in the state will be always remembered though he is not in between us, he said.

Colonel Haobam Bhubon Singh was on a fast for three days to demand the inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution, he continued.

According to former president of BJP Manipur Pradesh S Shotinkumar, late Colonel Haobam Bhubon was a person who preached the unique motives sand ideologies of BJP to the people and worked sincerely for the betterment of the society.

Vice-president of BJP Manipur Pradesh S Sheityabhama and other party members were also present during the condolence meeting.

Along with paying floral tributes at the portrait of the deceased, a two-minute was also observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/bjp-mourns-colonel-haobam-bhubons-demise/