CM limits time frame to one month

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has urged the all political parties committee on ILPS to draft a new Bill which would be acceptable to the general public within a month Source The Sangai Express

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has urged the all political parties committee on ILPS to draft a new Bill which would be acceptable to the general public within a month Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=8&src=170715

JCILPS announces reprieve till Jul 19

It is hard to believe that the State Government would introduce and pass a Bill which can effectively safeguard the common interest of indigenous people, said the JCILPS Source The Sangai Express

It is hard to believe that the State Government would introduce and pass a Bill which can effectively safeguard the common interest of indigenous people, said the JCILPS Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=7&src=170715

KSO reacts to IPAK remarks

The Kuki Students Organisation General Headquarters KSO GHQ has taken strong exception to the statement of Sapamcha Jadumani, president of Indigenous People s Association of Kangleipak IPAK which maintained that 8 lakh non local population of the S…

The Kuki Students Organisation General Headquarters KSO GHQ has taken strong exception to the statement of Sapamcha Jadumani, president of Indigenous People s Association of Kangleipak IPAK which maintained that 8 lakh non local population of the State comprises Myanmarese Kukis, Bangladesh Muslims and Nepali nationals Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=25&src=170715

KSO rebuts IPAK’s claim

Taking strong exception to the statement of Sapamcha Jadumani, president of Indigenous People s Association of Kangleipak IPAK which maintained that the 8 lakh non local population comprises Myanmarese Kukis, Bangladesh Muslims and Nepali Nationals, …

Taking strong exception to the statement of Sapamcha Jadumani, president of Indigenous People s Association of Kangleipak IPAK which maintained that the 8 lakh non local population comprises Myanmarese Kukis, Bangladesh Muslims and Nepali Nationals, the Kuki Students’ Organisation, General Headquarters KSO Ghqs said that Jadumani’s view which equates the Kukis with Muslims and Nepalis is sinister and uncalled for Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=6&src=170715

NEFIS protests against assault on Manipuri nurse

In response to the physical assault on a Manipuri nurse of Dr RML Hospital on the night of July 13, activists of North East Forum for International Solidarity NEFIS gathered in protest outside the Hospital gate Source Hueiyen News Service

In response to the physical assault on a Manipuri nurse of Dr RML Hospital on the night of July 13, activists of North East Forum for International Solidarity NEFIS gathered in protest outside the Hospital gate Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=21&src=170715

3rd gen Honda Jazz in town to add pizzazz to motoring

The third generation Jazz from Honda is finally in town to add pizzazz to motoring, making its way to Sangai Honda showroom at Ghari, airport road today Source The Sangai Express

The third generation Jazz from Honda is finally in town to add pizzazz to motoring, making its way to Sangai Honda showroom at Ghari, airport road today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=5&src=170715

ZYF Nungba zone poll

Zeliangrong Youth Front ZYF informed the general public that the Zonal Election for the tenure 2015 2018 for ZYF Nungba Zone will be held at Puiluan Kambiron village and ZYF Tamei Zone will be held at Tamei HQ on July 25 while ZYF Sadar Hills Zone …

Zeliangrong Youth Front ZYF informed the general public that the Zonal Election for the tenure 2015 2018 for ZYF Nungba Zone will be held at Puiluan Kambiron village and ZYF Tamei Zone will be held at Tamei HQ on July 25 while ZYF Sadar Hills Zone will be held on July 27 at Namthanjang village Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=27&src=170715

5 women protesters hurt

Five women were injured in police action after a large number of womenfolk of Khundrakpam AC tried to storm the private residence of Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar at Sagolmang today Source The Sangai Express

Five women were injured in police action after a large number of womenfolk of Khundrakpam AC tried to storm the private residence of Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar at Sagolmang today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=3&src=170715

Political parties review ILPS gridlock Strikes, Bandh Continue To Cripple Normal Life In Valley Districts

The leaders of the political parties who had attended a crucial meeting in the office of the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on Thursday were of the unanimous view that the Government would need at least one month to finalise the Bill in lieu of the one whi…

The leaders of the political parties who had attended a crucial meeting in the office of the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on Thursday were of the unanimous view that the Government would need at least one month to finalise the Bill in lieu of the one which was withdrawn from the Assembly on Wednesday Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=170715

12 hour JAC bandh throws life out of gear

Normal life was thrown out of gear by the 12 hour State wide bandh called by the JAC constituted against the death of Sapam Robinhood today Source The Sangai Express

Normal life was thrown out of gear by the 12 hour State wide bandh called by the JAC constituted against the death of Sapam Robinhood today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=170715

Late Robinhood booked for rioting using dangerous weapon

Parents of late Robinhood who was killed in a police action while taking part in a rally alleged that the Porompat police had filed an FIR against their son and the rest of the students who were peacefully demonstrating Source Hueiyen News Service

Parents of late Robinhood who was killed in a police action while taking part in a rally alleged that the Porompat police had filed an FIR against their son and the rest of the students who were peacefully demonstrating Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=23&src=170715

IW DSO restricting agent to distribute PDS

A rice agent of Thangmeiband ward number 2 alleged that RK Binoy District Supply Officer, Imphal West for restricting the release of PDS items meant for distribution to the BPL families of Wangoi, Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly constituency Sourc…

A rice agent of Thangmeiband ward number 2 alleged that RK Binoy District Supply Officer, Imphal West for restricting the release of PDS items meant for distribution to the BPL families of Wangoi, Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly constituency Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=31&src=170715

Irregular attendance of DLOs irks student body

Chandel, July 16: Anal Lelruwl Tangpi (Anal Students Union) has expressed deep resentment over the frequent absence of departmental heads of Chandel District. Issuing a press statement in this regard

Chandel, July 16: Anal Lelruwl Tangpi (Anal Students Union) has expressed deep resentment over the frequent absence of departmental heads of Chandel District.

Issuing a press statement in this regard the union said `It is shocking as well as abysmal to know that these officials don`™t attend office for days and even for months. When they do attend, they come on their own convenient time`™.

`As per reliable source, some department heads are running office at their residences. Their non-presence in the office compelled people to travel up to Imphal to get signature, which in return effects people economically`™. With this regard, the student Union asked if this was ethics of work culture .

It said ALT has been monitoring the functions of various departments in the district these past few days. Most of the times, almost all the offices would be locked. Some offices are found opened but with just one or two staffs in attendance, which is befooling the people as though office is functioning.

Saying that the two most efficient heads are Deputy Commissioner & Chief Medical Officer, Chandel District, `The rest are frauds`™, it alleged and went on to say that they draw salary by attending office hardly 5 `“ 6 days a month. `The government should pay their salaries measuring number of days they attend office, not in monthly basis`™, it added.

`Being posted at Chandel District is same as heavenly abode to these erring officials. They spent quiet & luxurious life at home, where as people here are suffering & facing a lot of hardships due to their prolonged absences. Every system in Chandel is broken & fragile`™. It said.

ALT therefore appeals the Deputy Commissioner to use his authority which the govt. empowers him against these erring officials for regular attendance. He could not remain a blind eye to all these turned of the events. He would be equally blamed for in case nothing concrete measurement is initiated to stop this menace, it warned.

Maintaing that there are 42 departments, and almost all of them are dysfunctional in the district H/Q Chandel, ALT advises concerned departmental heads to attend office regularly from next week onwards.

Informing that ALT will make a spree of surprise checking of all the departments, and any office found to be defying this ultimatum may invite serious of unwarranted consequences, fall out at the backdrop of this issue would be solely their responsibility, the body warned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/irregular-attendance-of-dlos-irks-student-body/

Manipur Police-A threat to democracy?

By N. Albert I am still in deep shock to see the condition of Wangthoi, a 19 year old boy who was assaulted by the Manipur police commando for taking

By N. Albert

I am still in deep shock to see the condition of Wangthoi, a 19 year old boy who was assaulted by the Manipur police commando for taking part in the recent ILP protest. Several questions have been haunting me on how the law functions in Imphal .Some of them are 1)Was not the Manipur police commando commissioned to protect the people?

2) Do they have the authority to beat any person so severely without any orders? 3) If he had commited a crime, do they have the legal authority to punish him? or can they give him instant justice ?this shows that everyone is in danger except some Vips.

4) Where has right to life under article 21 gone ?it states that `the right to life` is a moral principle based on the belief that a human being has the right to live and, in particular, should not to be unjustly treated by another human being.

5) If he had commited a Crime, can the commandos just tell he is guilty without doing trails in Court? or in Manipur, are courts not necessary? or is it a fancy stuff?

The constitution also clearly states if a person commits a crime, he must be prosecuted at a court and must be trailed ?Where has this gone?

6) According to the constitution ,”Whether the complaint ( FIR) is true Or false, does not matter, the Police have no right or authority to beat up or assault the accused even though the concerned court remand ( sent ) him to the Police custody” did they forget this or do they even know or have any idea about this law?. 5)Do the Manipur police Commando have any knowledge about the Indian constitution?

7) Have the commandos forgotten that there is still a law which governs them and they cannot do whatever they like? Has not the commandos crossed their limits?

8)Now,who will take the blame for injuries of Wangthoi?

It`s very sad that in Manipur(which is a part of india),a person can treated like this so badly, or is the Indian constitution not valid here? Moreover ,the government will not do anything and will not book the culprits. This is a serious case of human rights violation and a clear violation of article 21.9)Why is The Modi Government not checking this clear cases of violations? or is he concerned only about trade and money?

10) Even after getting beaten and with several open wounds, he was made to swim in a very dirty drain, is this act correct or is this under the law? or did not they learn some basic science, or are their certificates all bought ones? Even a Child of 7 years knows that an opened wound if exposed has a chance of getting infections and titanus.

11) Where has humanity gone? Are they all barbaric nomads? don`t they have a family? Don`t they have brothers and Sisters?

Moreover, The Constitution states that each and every right is granted to every citizen of India,are not we citizens? or are there still exceptions in terms of citizenship like first class, second class, third class?

Democracy, the law, the constitution has simply failed after all this things that has happened in Manipur, Should I be calling myself a proud Indian? ,a proud citizen? when the government can`™t even grant us a simple basic right.

On July 8th,Sapam Robinhood, a 16 year old boy killed in the ilp protest and many others have been left injured, various questions have been raised on the training given to the commandos to control huge crowds.

The Manipur police commandos is known for being notorious and they are involved in several cases of fake encounters, the most famous one being the killing of sanjit and rabina in plain sight in Imphal in 2011.

The main aim of the commandos should be to protect the people but it seems they are against the people .It`™s very clear that the commandos are a potential threat to democracy and to our rights. The government should punish all the accused and must take up steps to improve the character and quality of the Police for good.

(The writer is student of mmsss, imphal and works for voice for change and can be reached at albert218@live.com)

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/manipur-policea-threat-to-democracy/

Robinhood JAC`s bandh hits normal life in State

IMPHAL, July 16: The 12-hour bandh called by the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Sapam Robinhood alias Thoi with effect from 5 am today in condemnation of the government`™s

IMPHAL, July 16: The 12-hour bandh called by the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Sapam Robinhood alias Thoi with effect from 5 am today in condemnation of the government`™s decision to draft a fresh bill to check the rampant inflow of outsiders into the state within three months, has affected normal life in the state.

Bandh supporters staged sit-in-protests, formed human chains and blocked roads by burning tyres and placing wood logs at many places.

Movement of vehicles and commuters was disrupted by the supporters during the course of the bandh.

Places where roads were blocked are Khurai Thangjam Leikai, Khurai Ahongei, Khurai Chingkhom Leikai, Khurai Sajor Thoidingjam Leikai, Wangkhei Puja Lampak, Nongmeibung, Singjamei Chingamakha, Heirangoithong, Khagempalli and Porompat.

Sit-in-protests were staged at Haobam Marak, Moirangkhom, Singjamei Bazar, Singjamei Chirom Leikai, Singjamei Thongam Leikai, Keishamthong Moirang Ningthou Leirak and Palace Compound Hari Khagok Makhong.

Placards inscribed with slogans such as `Implement ILPS in Manipur`™, `Save the indigenous people`™, `Resign Chief Minister`™, `Punish police personnel involved in the killing of Robinhood`™ etc were displayed at the protest demonstrations.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Heirangoithong area after a security personal fired a round of bullet while some bandh supporters were preventing movement of vehicles and commuters.

On hearing sounds of bullets fired, nearby residents and supporters rushed to the area where the security personnel were deployed.

There, a heated confrontation between them cropped up.

Taking serious note of the unprovoked firing by the security personnel, womenfolk of the area have urged the concerned authority to intervene into the matter.

A scuffle was also reported between police and womenfolk coming from Tinsid Road side at Lamlong Bazar.

The 12-hour bandh also hit normal life in Thoubal district as well.

Bandh supporters came out in large number and blocked roads at Thoubal Kiyam, Khangabok, Wangbal and Khongjom.

While the protestors were blocking road at Khongjom from morning to noon, police came in and fired tear gas shells to disperse them. However, the road block continued till late evening.

In support of the bandh, road block was also imposed along the state highways at Thoubal Foudel, Khsetri Leikai, Tentha, Moijing and Heirok by burning tyres, placing wood logs and hanging worn clothes.

The protestors also chanted slogans like `We condemn killing of Robinhood by police`™, `Enforce ILPS in Manipur at the earliest`™ etc.

Protest rallies were also taken out in different parts of Heirak by carrying effigies of Ministers in condemnation of the government`™s failure to introduce ILPS in the state and take up stringent action against the police personnel involved in the killing of the student.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/robinhood-jacs-bandh-hits-normal-life-in-state/

Culture of bandhs, strikes, blockades in Northeast; but sometimes they become instrument of achieving goals

By Oken Jeet Sandham About 20 bandhs and blockades are normally called by several organizations in Assam in a month. Maximum bandhs and blockades are called in Districts of Karbi

By Oken Jeet Sandham

About 20 bandhs and blockades are normally called by several organizations in Assam in a month. Maximum bandhs and blockades are called in Districts of Karbi Anglong, Golaghat and Jorhat bordering Nagaland. Calling bandhs and blockades have become routine affairs in Assam.

They will launch agitations in the form of `economic blockade` and sometimes a complete `bandh.` The bandh will be effective for 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 100 hours, 300 hours and even 1000 hours, while the economic blockades will be one week to indefinite.

Bandhs and strikes have also become order of the day in Manipur. These days, calling bandh and strikes have become so easy that any community can also do it by issuing a press release to the mass media. One just issues a press statement to mass media for the bandhs, it just works. However, demands of some organizations sometimes do not have merits for calling any bandhs or strikes.

There have been frequent inter-State (Assam-Nagaland) border issues leading to frequent bandhs, blockades and clashes. Many innocent villagers living in the inter-State border areas have been facing untold measures. There are reports that people living in the border areas cannot even go to their paddy fields due to border tensions. Many innocent villagers also died due to inter-State border clashes. Their properties and houses were burnt down during such clashes leading to large scale violence in border areas. The district administrations mostly from Nagaland side used to issue advisory to their citizens from travelling in Assam roads when during such time, while many organizations in Assam would call bandhs, strikes and indefinite blockades in protest against the border incidents.

Nagaland`™s one drawback is it does not have any major roads connecting with its State capital, Kohima without going through the Assam roads. `There are well established roads connecting Assam and the foothill areas,` said Nuklutoshi, Minister for National Highways and Mechanical. `However, these areas do not have direct road connectivity with the state boundaries to travel towards the state capital, Kohima and also to the commercial hub of Dimapur, thus leaving them no other alternative but to travel to Assam.` Therefore, during the bandhs and blockades in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur are literally cut off from the rest of the country.

One of the emergences of constructing `Nagaland Foothill Road` from Tizit in Mon to Khelma in Peren, some 428 kms, bordering Assam, is because of these frequent bandhs, strikes and blockades in Assam. The proposed `Foothill Road` from Tizit to Khelma touches at least six major districts of Nagaland `“ Mon, Longlen, Mokokchung, Wokha, Dimapur and Peren. The construction of the `Nagaland Foothill Road` is also the demand of the people particularly living in the border districts as they thought that once this road is constructed, the people living along the border will not face frequent harassments and sufferings.

Whenever bandhs and blockades are called in Karbi Anglong and Galaghat Districts in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland bound hundreds of trucks carrying essential commodities, hundreds of oil tankers and passenger buses remain stranded in many places in Assam. When such bandhs and blockades run for weeks, the prices of essential commodities in Manipur and Nagaland will skyrocket. There will be long vehicle queues in many oil pumps in Imphal, Kohima and Dimapur adding more traffic woes. Nervous buyers of essential commodities will also be seen in Manipur and Nagaland during such week-long bandhs and blockades in Assam.

The economies of the States are badly affected during such bandhs and blockades. At the same time, thousands of poor vendors who solely depend on their daily sales for their daily livelihood face immense miseries. In fact, the common people are the main sufferers during such time.

A day`s bandh in Assam costs the State exchequer Rs 41.14 crore according to a 2005 study. `This figure must have double by now,` said R S Joshi, president, Federation of Commerce and Industries in the North Eastern Region. Say in a day`™s bandh these days (2015) in the State costs its exchequer Rs 80 crore. Then the State suffers loss of Rs 600 crore if 20 bandhs are there in a month and mind boggling whopping loss of Rs 7200 crore in a year.

According to sources, the frequent bandhs and blockades in Manipur cost State exchequer nearly Rs 2000 crore yearly.

Dimapur-Imphal National Highway Road via Kohima is the lifeline of Manipur. There is another National Highway Road connecting Imphal is from Silchar in Assam via Jiribam, Manipur. But this Imphal-Silchar Road is less traveled comparing to Imphal-Dimapur Road. The only railway service that touches Manipur is Jiribam Railway Station and now construction of railway line from Jiribam to Tupul in Tamenglong is almost completed. The new broad-gauge line from Tupul to Imphal will be completed by March 2016. This project will cover Imphal East, Tamenglong and Senapati Districts.

Dimapur is the only railway station in Nagaland. There is already another proposal for Dimapur`“Kohima (Zubza) railway line. It may be mentioned the proposed railway line between Dimapur and Kohima was surveyed way back in 2008.

Many are questioning as to why even after 68 years of India`™s Independence, no railway services are given to many State capitals of the Northeast including Kohima and Imphal. In fact, five State capitals in the Northeastern Region are yet to be connected with railways.

Nagaland has one airport in Dimapur. The big aircrafts refuse to land in Dimapur airport because it is not only small but infrastructure is so poor that it looks like a vintage airport. It is so pathetic that the passengers have been experiencing one of the most irregular flight services forcing State Chief Minister and Governor to talk to the Civil Aviation and DoNER Ministries to look into the matter, besides many known airlines are reluctant to provide services in Dimapur airport. There is already a proposal for the construction of a new Airport at Razaphema. The Chief Minister along with the officials of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation already made an aerial survey of the site.

Bottom Line:

The bandh cultures are today deeply rooted in the minds of the many organizations and individuals. Although the SC already bans calling bandhs, many in the Northeastern Region still feel that unless they call bandhs, their voices are not heard of. As we don`™t see immediate solution to these frequent bandhs, strikes and blockades, we have to fight for more airports, more helicopter services, more railway services especially connecting the State capitals and other major commercial hubs in the Region. But to achieve these demands, it looks like having no means again except calling `bandhs, strikes and blockades.`

Look at massive ongoing agitations by students in Manipur for the introduction of ILP system in Manipur. Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh listens to them only after violent protests broke out. It may be remembered that he revoked controversial and draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1985 (AFSPA) from the seven Assembly segments in Imphal areas only after a dozen Manipuri women shed their clothes in front of an Army garrison in the heart of the Imphal and taunted the soldiers to rape them in 2004. This was the culmination of the month-long agitation following the Manorama-rape-and-murder case by the security forces.

The people are made to believe that violent protests, bandhs, strikes are weapons to achieve their demands. Sometimes, it becomes an instrument to achieve goals.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/culture-of-bandhs-strikes-blockades-in-northeast-but-sometimes-they-become-instrument-of-achieving-goals/

All political parties meeting agrees on Drafting Committee for new bill in one month

IMPHAL, July 16: A meeting of all political parties chaired by the Chief Minister today decided to shorten the timeline for preparing a new bill within the ambit of the

IMPHAL, July 16: A meeting of all political parties chaired by the Chief Minister today decided to shorten the timeline for preparing a new bill within the ambit of the Constitution to one month.

The decision was taken a day after the Manipur Legislative Assembly resolved to prepare a new bill within three-months was received with much objection from the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System and others demanding the implementation of the ILPS.

Sources also informed that the Chief Minister will be meeting legal experts to discuss the issues surrounding the drafting of a new bill which would be acceptable to the people.

According to a highly placed source, the important meeting will be held at the Conference Hall of CM at Babupara tomorrow at 4 pm. During the meeting, opinions of legal experts on drafting a new bill will be sought.

Three representatives of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) and several other core members of High Court of Manipur Bar Council and bar associations of the court will attend the meeting, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, the all political parties meeting held this morning welcomed the initiatives already undertaken by the State government to withdraw the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 and to draft a new bill at the earliest within the ambit of the Constitution of India.

Along with mourning the unfortunate incident of the death of Sapam Robinhood, a Class XI student of Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy and sharing the grief of the bereaved family and friends, the meeting also adopted certain decisions regarding the proposed drafting of a new bill, informed a source.

It was decided to recommend a Drafting Committee to prepare a new bill for protection of the indigenous people of Manipur within one month for which the committee will consult JCILPS and all other stake holders, informed sources.

The meeting also decided to appeal to the JCILPS to extend co-operation during the period of preparation of the draft bill by suspending the ongoing agitation to the efforts of the All Political Parties and State government in bringing a new bill at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/all-political-parties-meeting-agrees-on-drafting-committee-for-new-bill-in-one-month/