Month: May 2015

By Paojel Chaoba

IMPHAL, May 24: `Minister Nasir begged me to forgive him, he fell at my feet, he said he would commit suicide with his pistol if I did not,` K Kanarjit, secretary general of Club 25 International Manipur told scribes at Manipur Press Club today.

He mentioned this clarifying himself regarding a news article carried by this paper yesterday under the title `Global Youth Icon or Con Icon.`™

He dragged in the name of the Agriculture minister stating that an `unwanted incident`™ had happened to two women delegates who participated in the World Youth Summit held in April last.

Karnajit alleged that one girl from Nepal , Susma (name changed) complained to him on April 29 about a conduct of the minister.

`She came rushing to me and fainted, when we asked what happened, she did not tell us but said that `does the Agriculture minister think that I am a prostitute?`™` Kanarjit said.

The nine delegates from Nepal had threatened to boycott the youth meet in this regard and go to the Press, but the other delegates had convinced her not to disclose the incident and to take up the matter any further. They had then insisted that Nasir should not attend the closing function as they threatened that they would boo him down in the hall. Kanarjit further stated that a woman activist from UP also complained as the Minister texted her at midnight repeatedly which bordered on indecency.

`Susma told me not to disclose the matter to the press later as she was afraid that something may happen to her, as a powerful minister can do her harm, she said to disclose the matter only after she reached Nepal,` Kanarjit said at the meet.

Susma had also alleged that the minister had offered to help her in any way possible and asked her to give her bank account and phone number. Kanarjit said that the matter was brought to the notice of Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam and the complaint was lodged verbally by Kanarjit in person.

`Minister Gaikhangam assured me that a corrective measure would be taken up in the regard and that the conduct of the minister would be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister even. However, nothing much was done,`™Kanarjit added that he requested Gaikhangam to send a minister to attend the concluding day of the Youth Meet as Nasir was no longer a viable option.

Kanarjit said that he later visited minister Nasir at Classic Grande and enquired on the incident. `He begged me to forgive him and also threatened to commit suicide, the episode happened at the reserved room of Classic Grande then,` Kanarjit told mediapersons.

Later, minister Nasir paid Rs 2 lakh to Classic hotel for clearing the bill of the delegates who stayed at the Classic Grande. The amount was paid by Nasir voluntarily and there was no insistence from his side, Kanarjit mentioned.

Scribes present at the press meet quizzed Kanarjit on why he kept quiet on this matter the whole time which occurred on April last.

He said that tangling in such matters which involved politicians was a dicey matter and he was also apprehensive that taking up the matter was akin to endangering his life.

It was questioned by the media why Kanarjit decided to keep quiet on this matter specially being a youth icon, an activist and there was an alleged case of probable physical assault to one of his foreign delegate,that too which came to his notice from the victim herself.

Later, Kanarjit revealed the name of the Minister in question as Abdul Nasir and the credentials of the two women victims.

`I may lose my life for revealing this fact, but I am not afraid to die for the just cause !` Kanarjit exclaimed. The report of his allegation has been reported in the evening papers today.

Minister Nasir also clarified to media persons at his Babupara bungalow in the evening after Kanarjit`™s allegation reached him. He contradicted the charges stating that Kanarjit did not ask any monitory help from him in this regard. Nasir showed a text message by Kanarjit sent in April 3 last during the conclusion of the World Youth Summit, 2015. The message from Kanarjit read, ` Sir, please kindly help us by calling the Classic Hotel. They are giving me a lot of pressure. They are waiting for you since yesterday. Just make a call to them. We will repaid to you surely within next week. I don`™t know what to do right now. We will never forget your support and cooperation. Tomorrow, we will publish with your photo regarding sponsoring a dinner and also accommodating of the World Youth Summit, 2015 in all major newspapers both local and national, website, social media in recognition of your sincere helps to us. We are really proud of you Sir to be Manipuri.` The text message contradicts the earlier statement by K
Kanarjit that he did not say anything to the minister to pay the Hotel Classic. Nasir added that he had just posed with the girls as they wanted to be photographed with him and in no manner did he meet any female delegate in private. He refuted the allegation of Kanarjit as baseless and said that legal action will be initiated against him on charges of defamation. Another question is why did Kanarjit not divulge the details of the allegation to the media before IFP report made him to clarify, why did he remain tight lipped when the modesty of a delegate was being questioned?

Now, that both versions of Kanarjit and Nasir is published. It is left up to the concerned women who attended the World Youth Convention to clarify their stance whether in support of either of the mentioned individuals,this investigation by IFP will continue.

Kanarjit refuted claims made by IFP in publishing the criminal case against him, of pending payment to Sandeep Soubham and Khogen. He said that all dues to be paid has been cleared by him and there is no outstanding payment to be made. He however owned up that he made an error in his press release that he was a recipient of the prestigious Dr Ambedkar National Award in 2013. He never received that award as pointed out by this reporter before. Kanarjit clarified that the Club 25 International ( a blood donation organization) also allows him to use a flag post for his car.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/youth-icon-alleges-nasir-of-unbecoming-conduct-to-women-delegates-during-world-youth-summit-minister-refutes-claim/

IMPHAL, May 24: The JAC formed against the Pallel firing incident and the Aimol Peace Committee have arrived to a peace agreement in connection with the incident during a meeting held today at Sana Konung.

The agreement was signed in the presence of titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba who is also the Chairman of Sana Konung.

The meeting was jointly organised by Umang Lai Kangba Apungba Lup (UKAL); Aimol Peace Committee and Pallel JAC.

During the meeting, father of one of the culprits involved in the firing apologised in front of Leishemba Sanajaoba, family members of the victims and also to all the people of the state for the sinful act committed by his son.

The father said that the unfortunate incident was not intentional or pre-planned or disrespecting the custom but it was due to an argument amongst some youths.

He also expressed his humble apology and asked for forgiveness to the families of the deceased and the injured victims and also assured that such incident would not happen again in future.

The agreement resolved that the culprits involved in the firing which killed a devotee should be punished according to the law; families of the victims should be provided ex-gratia by the government; culture, custom and tradition of Pallel and Aimol be respected by each other.

In the agreement, the two committees came to conclusion that if such incident occurs in future then people of Pallel and Aimol should be held responsible equally.

To observe the death anniversary of Moirangthem Gopal who was killed in the firing in every coming years; participation of people of Pallel and Aimol in the observation; Aimol Peace Committee to compensate the items which were vandalized in the Lai Haraoba site on May 5 and hand over it to the Custom Authority of Sana Konung and tender of apology by the culprits including their family members to the people through media are some of the terms included in the peace agreement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/pallel-firing-issue-resolved-as-committees-reach-peace-agreement/

IMPHAL, May 24: The May 23 alleged gunfight between security forces and militant cadres at Hengjang Village, Senapati, during three persons including a church secretary were killed, is a fake encounter and the government should punish the guilty Assam Rifles personnel within 48 hours, demanded Kuki Inpi, Saikul Gakai president Thangkam Lupeng today.

Meanwhile, the two other victims of the alleged encounter have been identified as Nameirakpam Rajen Singh, 40, son of N Muhindro Singh of Sunusiphai Awang Leikai of Bishnupur district and Phakuiring Hungyo alias Akhui, 45, of Pangpum Wangli Village, Ukhrul.

Speaking to media persons around 6pm today at the JNIMS mortuary where the dead bodies are kept, Lupeng said severe form of agitations would be launched if the government fails to punish the involved personnel within the set deadline.

The Kuki Inpi has concrete evidence to prove that the encounter at hengjang Village which is also known as B Gamnom was a fake encounter he claimed asserting further that the Kuki Inpi will certainly divulge the evidence on a proper platform.

He also confirmed that one of the victims Paolen Khongsai, 40, son of (L) Thongam Khongsai is the church secretary of his village.

Paolen Khongsai was standing with his wife Hatneikim, 35 at the church construction site, when the Assam Rifles personnel came firing indiscriminate towards the village, he further claimed.

On hearing the indiscriminate firing, Hatneikim ran inside their house, while Paolen was hit, Lupeng continued.

Paolen was lying on the ground and trying to shield himself from being further hit by the bullets when the Assam Rifles personnel came and shot him dead, he alleged.

He continued according to the villagers, the two other victims were not from the village and they had arrived in the village on May 22.

The villagers also cannot identify whether they are UG cadres or not, he said.

However, according to the villagers, no weapons were recovered from the bodies of the two, he added.

Lupeng continued the Kuki Women for Human Rights, Kuki Women Organisation and other CSOs of Sadar Hills convened a meeting under the banner of the Kuki Inpi regarding the issue.

The meeting further resolved to demand for the government to punish the involved AR personnel within 48 hours and to pay compensation to the bereaved family.

He also said that it was also resolved that in case the government fails to meet the two demands within the set deadline, severe form of agitations will be launched in collaboration with other Civil organisations of the State.

Further declaring that the family will not accept the body, until the demands are met with, he said the act of the Assam Rifles is strongly condemned.

Paolen`™s wife Hatneikim also interacted with the media narrating her story.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/hengjang-encounter-fake-punish-involved-ar-within-48hour-kuki-inpi/

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/