Delhi meet calls for repeal of AFSPA ahead of Sharmila`s completion of 15 years of hunger protest

NEW DELHI, November 1: A convention on Repeal AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) was organized here at New Delhi today with the objective to bring demand of Repeal AFSPA

NEW DELHI, November 1: A convention on Repeal AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) was organized here at New Delhi today with the objective to bring demand of Repeal AFSPA in political priorities. This convention was organized on the eve of November 2, when Irom Sharmila, better known as Iron lady of Manipur, would be completing 15 years of her hunger strike demanding the repeal of the notorious AFSPA, a release of the organisers said.

Convention was attended by various eminent speakers that includes Neingulo Krome (Secretary General of Naga Peoples`™ Movement for Human Rights), Babloo Loitongbam (Human Rights Activist from Manipur), Swami Agnivesh , Prof. Nandini Sundar, Prof. Deepti Priya Mehrotra , Ashok Agrwaal, Henri from Forum Asia and others. Youths and other activists also attended the convention in large numbers and extended their support towards the cause, the release added.

This convention was organized by Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC), Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), Bonded Labour Liberation Front, Just Peace Foundation (JPF), Forum Asia and Human Rights Alert. Those who participated also signed sheets to endorse the demand of Repeal AFSPA from all regions (North east and J&K) and release of Irom Sharmila.

The release said Irom Sharmila, a woman from Manipur is completing 15 years of her hunger protest on November 2.

It further explained that she has been observing the fast as a form of protest since the year 2000 (when she was about 28 years old), and she had started it just after Malom massacre where Assam rifles had fired upon local civilians who were waiting at a bus stand in Malom, Imphal (Manipur) and all were killed.

Irom decided to register her protest because incidents of torture and killings were common in Manipur and in the veil of the powers under AFSPA, nothing could be done against culprit security personals, t said.

Irom Sharmila started her fast and did not leave it since then. She has been steadfast in demanding the repeal of the AFSPA, angry that it provides extra ordinary powers to security personals to operate in Manipur and other such areas, and these powers have been misused widely, it claimed.

AFSPA has provisions of shoot to kill mere on probability, but it does not stop here, instead it goes beyond and says that no case can be lodged against any security personals without prior sanction from the central government.

Sadly, in all the years, no prosecution approval was ever given by the central government and despite hundreds of reported cases of fake killings, torture and rapes, it further added.

As, Irom Sharmila did not leave her fast, the Manipur police has registered a case against her under section 309 of `attempt to suicide`™ and put her in jail, it said.

During her release from jail for a day in 2006, Irom Sharmila came to Delhi, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and later joined a fast at Jantar Mantar, it said.

It added that Delhi Police also registered another case under same section of attempt to suicide here in Delhi and matter went to court.

Presently, Irom Sharmila is under arrest by Manipur police and is living in a security ward of JN Hospital, Manipur.

The case in Delhi also is still going on and Irom Sharmila appears before the Delhi court on court notices periodically and the Manipur government has been producing her at the Delhi court.

Sadly, government is not listening, and even one of her demands to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been accepted yet, the release said.

This act, AFSPA is one of the most draconian and is not only dangerous to people, but damages the reputation of security forces and of world`™s largest democracy that is advocating for UNSC seat, the release also said.

The release also charged that many fake killings, rapes and cases of disappearances have happened although not all were reported.

Many national and international human rights organizations also have been raising their voices to demand the repeal of this act, it said.

Convention was started with a statement of families of victims of Malom massacre.

Neingulo Krome , Secretary General of NPMHR said `AFSPA is a violation of Human Rights and if India is truly a democratic country then this Act should be removed immediately.

At the end, it was announced that demand for repeal of AFSPA is a collective struggle. Its removal is needed for the protection of human rights and democratic values, it said.

The release said it was also announced that this full week is being observed in solidarity with 15 years of struggle of Irom Sharmila nationwide and at many places protests are happening.

It also said in the coming months, this movement would bring more voices together with a view to launching a big movement to demand the repeal of AFSPA.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/delhi-meet-calls-for-repeal-of-afspa-ahead-of-sharmilas-completion-of-15-years-of-hunger-protest/

Kut celebrations subdued and solemn in view of unresolved issue at CCpur

IMPHAL, November 1: As celebrated annually, the state level Kut 2015 was celebrated today at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground organized by State Level Kut Committee Manipur. However this

IMPHAL, November 1: As celebrated annually, the state level Kut 2015 was celebrated today at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground organized by State Level Kut Committee Manipur.

However this year due to the present turmoil in the hill districts of the State, the festival was not celebrated in the manner it was celebrated in previous years.

Visibly, the attendance of the people coming to the festival was much lower, compared to previous years.

It can be said that this year the festival was celebrated only for the namesake by excluding almost all the entertainment programmes like music, beauty contest, etc.

The programmes which usually continue till late into the nights in previous years concluded before 3 pm this year.

Addressing the function as the chief guest, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said `let this festival brings peace, harmony and prosperity in Manipur.`

The Kut festival is celebrated by the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community post harvest since earlier times praying and thanking the `Almighty`™ for fruitful harvest.

Even though the festival was celebrated only by the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community, it can be said that as of now the festival has become a very important festival for all the communities residing in the State, he said.

Under the aspiration of live and let live, the festival has once again showed the people of the State to be united keeping aside the differences in religion, culture, tradition, language, etc, Ibobi added.

The today`™s function was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, other cabinet ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, civil and police officials.

A two minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to those departed souls who died in the Churachandpur incident. Tributes were also paid to other Kuki leaders.

Munpi village chief Thangkhohao Haokip was declared `Kut-Pa`™, (host).

Choirs group of Kuki Baptist presented songs, and other artist performed cultural numbers at the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/kut-celebrations-subdued-and-solemn-in-view-of-unresolved-issue-at-ccpur/

Nation Melt-down

One of the strongest criticisms against the idea of a Nation State is that it is basically a model evolved out of a unique European experience in history and cannot

One of the strongest criticisms against the idea of a Nation State is that it is basically a model evolved out of a unique European experience in history and cannot be generalized on other histories. But the fact that nobody can deny is, what European history culminated in the 18th and 19th Century, came to be practically the whole world`™s experience, borrowed or otherwise, thanks to the expansion of European colonialism during a period that spanned almost concurrently with the most heady days of European nationalism. Almost as if it was an inevitable process, the post-colonial history of Europe`™s former colonies has been one of the traumas and birth pangs of `native` Nation States. The struggles continue unabated till this day, dividing peoples on lines of nationalistic loyalties, and those of us in Manipur, which is in the throes of a thousand mutinies, should not in any way fail to grasp its awesome impact. Europe`™s history, it may also be interpreted, was only part of a progression that all else had to go through. It was just a question of Europe being there first. This is as against those who argue the explosion of nationalism all over the world are mere mimicry of the European experience.

While we have the luxury of hindsight in analysing events of the past, especially when there is a considerable time gap, we can hardly say the same thing about events that are unfolding in real living time. But from the look of things, another European experience is set to be replicated the world over. After giving the rest of the world the notion of nationhood, national boundaries are now melting down in Europe. The European Union is today emerging as one big supra-nation absorbing many differences between the nationalistic aspirations of peoples living within the geographical entity known as Europe. The reunification process of Europe is indeed having plenty of hiccups, the worst of it includes the rejection of a common European constitution by France and Holland some years ago. Then there is also the United Kingdom, holding on to its identity and uniquely distinct economy and refusing to give enough to the common European identity. It is still one of the few European countries that have not accepted the common European currency, the Euro. All the same, not many believe such resistance can hold out forever against the new tide, although this optimism would have suffered a jolt after witnessing the collapse of Greece.

The impact of this march of supra nationality is also felt in many other unexpected ways, not always pleasant or friction free. The EU may not have any military clout, but it is profoundly influential in many other ways. The fringe nations of Europe today are clamouring to join the EU not only for the obvious reason of economic security but also to have a share of the common European identity. This of course has had its repercussion in making Russia feel uneasy. These fringe European states, through history, had served as the buffer for heartland Russia against numerous invasions from Europe. Russia`™s violent reaction to Ukraine getting too close to the EU and the West`™s meddling in Syria, are examples of how the country these buffers disappearing as a threat to its safety. There is also the peculiar question of Islam phobia in Europe. On the one hand, it is keen for these fringe European states, which have seen extreme violence against Muslim citizens, to not abandon humanitarian law, if they wish to join the EU, but there is no gainsaying EU countries themselves suffer from a similar phobia to not as openly. The divided opinion over the accepting Syrian refugees is a case in point. It therefore is given the task of balancing its unease at ethnic blood-letting as in the former Yugoslavia at the time of its splintering, in which the country`™s Muslims were a major victim, but also its own inherent xenophobia, though much more effective disguised and indeed sublimated.

The second was the increasingly diffused understanding of nationhood in the traditional sense, in Europe of today. Many other ethnic related conflict situations in Europe have met similar resolutions in recent times. German dominated South Tyrol in Italy is another prominent case. In the changed dispensation, South Tyrol in Italy is prospering much more than North Tyrol in ethnic German State of Austria. South Tyrol`™s ethnic German population also do not have to be always equating with Rome or Italian nationalism, but perfectly legitimately with Brussels, where the EU headquarters are located, and Europeanism as well. Just as in the case of the spread of the notion of Nation State, perhaps the phenomenon of the melt-down of nations will come to spread to the rest of the world too. Who know, the softening of ethnic and national boundaries may also diffuse our own myriad conflict situations.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/nation-meltdown/

Non-local found dead

IMPHAL, Nov 1: A non-local was found dead near the Sangakpham Oil pump late last night around 11 pm under the jurisdiction of the Lamphel police station. Even as the

IMPHAL, Nov 1: A non-local was found dead near the Sangakpham Oil pump late last night around 11 pm under the jurisdiction of the Lamphel police station.

Even as the cause of death is yet to be ascertained, the deceased was found with blood stain on his forehead.

While the lifeless body have been deposited at the RIMS mortuary for identification, the police concerned have registered a case in this connection.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/nonlocal-found-dead/

BJP unsuitable to the soil of Manipur : Okendro – The Sangai Express

BJP unsuitable to the soil of Manipur : OkendroThe Sangai ExpressIMPHAL, Nov 1 : Government spokesman and Education Minister M Okendro has categorically stated that BJP is not suitable to the soil of Manipur, and the party should always be kept at a sa…

BJP unsuitable to the soil of Manipur : Okendro
The Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Nov 1 : Government spokesman and Education Minister M Okendro has categorically stated that BJP is not suitable to the soil of Manipur, and the party should always be kept at a safe distance. Besides being communal to the core, BJP is quite

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Kut Festival celebrated in Manipur – Business Standard

Kut Festival celebrated in ManipurBusiness StandardAddressing the people gathered for the Kut festival, Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said people should understand the significance of the festival and it could promote the spirit of living together…

Kut Festival celebrated in Manipur
Business Standard
Addressing the people gathered for the Kut festival, Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said people should understand the significance of the festival and it could promote the spirit of living together with peace and unity, a government release said.
CM greets people on KutKanglaOnline
Governor, Chief Minister extend Kut greetingsE-Pao.net
Kut greetingsThe Sangai Express

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Bomb found near CRPF camp in Manipur – Business Standard

Bomb found near CRPF camp in ManipurBusiness StandardThe sophisticated bomb having a timer device with remote control was diffused by the bomb disposal squad of Manipur Police, senior police officers said adding, no one has been arrested in connection …

Bomb found near CRPF camp in Manipur
Business Standard
The sophisticated bomb having a timer device with remote control was diffused by the bomb disposal squad of Manipur Police, senior police officers said adding, no one has been arrested in connection with the incident and investigations were on. Read
CRPF GC recalls sacrifices of personnel during `Warriors Remembrance Day KanglaOnline

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Manipur People’s Party Announces Support to BJP – NorthEast Today


NorthEast Today

Manipur People’s Party Announces Support to BJP
NorthEast Today
The Manipur People’s Party (MPP) on Saturday announced its support for the BJP in the November 21 bye elections in both Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly Constituencies. Making the formal announcement at the BJP State office, MPP president N …
MPP pledges support to BJPE-Pao.net
MPP announces support to BJPKanglaOnline

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NorthEast Today

Manipur People's Party Announces Support to BJP
NorthEast Today
The Manipur People's Party (MPP) on Saturday announced its support for the BJP in the November 21 bye elections in both Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly Constituencies. Making the formal announcement at the BJP State office, MPP president N …
MPP pledges support to BJPE-Pao.net
MPP announces support to BJPKanglaOnline

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Anti-bill leaders should hold talks with government: Gaikhangam

IMPHAL, October 31: he Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also observed the 31st death anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi. The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and

IMPHAL, October 31: he Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also observed the 31st death anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi.

The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and MPCC president Gaikhangam led others in offering floral tributes to a portrait of the former Prime Minister during the observation held this morning at the Congress Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaikhangam said that the government has already invited the leaders demanding withdrawal of the recently passed bills for talks instead of just playing the blame game.

The deputy Chief Minister also continued that the government will try to bring the leaders for talks at the earliest.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives during the unfortunate series of incidents in Churachandpur during the anti-bills agitation, Gaikhangam said the last rites of the nine should be conducted at the earliest for which the government is ever ready to provide possible help.

Gaikhangam also said Indira Gandhi was a brave lady who fought for the upliftment of the Indian society like her father the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

The deputy Chief Minister also lamented the frequent bandhs and blockades imposed in the State saying that such disturbances are major nuisances for the people of the State.

He appealed to all not to impose bandhs and blockades and to instead held talks if they have any issues with the government.

Manipur is today regarded as the land of bandhs and blockades which is a real shame for the State, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/antibill-leaders-should-hold-talks-with-government-gaikhangam/

Sit in decries alleged kidnapping and subsequent release of class I student

IMPHAL, October 31: A girl studying in class-I at Paree Imom Sindam Sang at Makoi Nung-on Cheeng Jeen, Langjing was allegedly kidnapped by some unknown miscreants on October 29 after

IMPHAL, October 31: A girl studying in class-I at Paree Imom Sindam Sang at Makoi Nung-on Cheeng Jeen, Langjing was allegedly kidnapped by some unknown miscreants on October 29 after her school but was released the next day morning unharmed.

Condemning the incident, a sit-in-protest was staged today at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai by the students of the school along with the local club and meira paibis of the area.

Speaking to media persons in the sideline of the protest, the girl`™s aunt who identified herself as Sanatombi said that on the fateful day she went to pick up her son and her niece from school at around 1:50 pm.

When the three of them were heading home a man stop them at gunpoint and directed to walk while the man followed them from behind on foot, she claimed.

She said another man riding a Dark Blue colour Maruti car was also following them. When they reached near the Manipur Zoological Garden at Iroisemba another man with a white colour Honda Active was waiting for them there, she said.

The man with the Honda Activa took out a photo and checked whether it was the same girl, she said.

Then they drove away taking the girl along with them inside the dark blue colour Maruti car while she was left helpless, she claimed.

The next morning at around 7:30 am the kidnappers drop the girl near her home in an autorickshaw, according to the girl.

The girl was too young to tell the whole episode in detail however she identified the place where she was kept is near to one of her relative`™s house at Langol.

She also confirmed that she was not harm by the kidnappers in any manner.

Regarding the incident the family members have registered a complaint at the Lamphel Police Station. However till the filing of this report no arrest has been made.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/sit-in-decries-alleged-kidnapping-and-subsequent-release-of-class-i-student/

Panel discussion on Food Security Act held

IMPHAL Oct 31: The All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) held a panel discussion on Food Security Act 2013 at Manipur Press Club today. Dr Ch Jamini, former chairperson, Manipur State

IMPHAL Oct 31: The All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) held a panel discussion on Food Security Act 2013 at Manipur Press Club today.

Dr Ch Jamini, former chairperson, Manipur State Commission for Women and M Shakhi Leima, president, AMNM graced the discussion as moderator and president respectively with Prof Chinglen Maisnam, dept of economic, MU and M Dhanabir, executive editor, Imphal Free Press as panelists.

Dhanabir detailed the historicity of the Act and said, `It is unfortunate that the Government of Manipur is yet to actively implement such a pro poor Act in reality.

He said `Reliable sources have also revealed that the State government is sending a utilization certificate of compliance for the last 10 months despite the apathy in reality.`

He continued, `The provisions of the Act clearly ensure food security for the Indian citizens. All States are directed to secure sufficient foodgrains at affordable price for accomplishing the right to food of the poor families.`

`However the targeted family itself is yet to be mapped officially for Manipur.`

Chinglen Maisnam said PDS has become a secretive and lucrative business in Manipur.

`The food security Act is designed to provide a package for targeted poor families. Such an objective Actwould have been a very welcoming note especially to women who traditionally manage the kitchen`™

The discussion ended in a hopeful note that more campaigns should be initiated to pressure the State Government to implement the Food Security Act 2013 in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/panel-discussion-on-food-security-act-held/

Final hearing on MSCP MLAs disqualification case begins

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The final hearing of the disqualification case of five MLAs of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), who had joined the Congress party, has begun from today

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The final hearing of the disqualification case of five MLAs of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), who had joined the Congress party, has begun from today at the Speaker`™s tribunal court of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Today`™s hearing commenced from 10.10 am wherein final statement of the petitioner Adim Panmei, was recorded by the tribunal. However, the final statement of the respondent MLAs, will be recorded on November 7.

The respondents MLAs are Sagolband MLA, RK Imo Singh; Wangjing Tentha MLA, Paonam Brojen; Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen; Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei, and Keirao MLA, Karam Thamarjit.

The petition was filed in the Speaker`™s tribunal court seeking disqualification of the five MLAs under the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution in the year 2014. The five MLAs had contested from their respective constituencies with MSCP`™s tickets and elected to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly but later joined the Congress.

In a similar case, the Speaker`™s tribunal had recently disqualified three MLAs of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) however in case of Wangoi MLA the disqualification was revoked following the direction of the High Court of Manipur.

Consequently, for the remaining two constituencies Thangmeiband and Thongju a bye election had been scheduled by the authority concerned on November 21.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/final-hearing-on-mscp-mlas-disqualification-case-begins/

Grenade attack on doctor`s house

IMPHAL, October 31: Militant suspects exploded a hand grenade at the Mayang Imphal residence of Dr Seram Ibomcha Singh, a retired chief medical officer in the wee hour today under

IMPHAL, October 31: Militant suspects exploded a hand grenade at the Mayang Imphal residence of Dr Seram Ibomcha Singh, a retired chief medical officer in the wee hour today under Mayang Imphal police station.

Sources said the incident occurred around 3.20 am.

The doctor`™s residence is just about 150 metres away from the concerned police station near Mayang Imphal bazaar.

The bomb had inflicted some damage to a car parked inside the doctor`™s residence and splinters marks were all over the wall of the residence.

Fortunately, no human casualty was reported due to the blast.

The motive behind today`™s attack is yet to be ascertained but the same sources disclosed that earlier a UG group had left a grenade at the doctor`™s residence. Moreover, recently the doctor was summoned to come to Moreh by a UG group.

In a separate incident, a hand grenade was also recovered from in front of an electronic shop near MU main gate at Thongju part-II under Singjamei police station this morning around 7:15.

The shop belonged to one Naorem Pakisan Singh, 40, son of N Thanil Singh.

The grenade was later safely disposed by a team of police bomb expert.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/grenade-attack-on-doctors-house/

Officials inspect lemon grass plantation under Make in Manipur campaign

IMPHAL, October 31: With the State government intending to launch its `Make in Manipur` campaign on the opening day of the Sangai Festival 2015, an official team today inspected the

IMPHAL, October 31: With the State government intending to launch its `Make in Manipur` campaign on the opening day of the Sangai Festival 2015, an official team today inspected the lemon grass plantation side at Top Chingtha today.

The team included lead bank SBI chief manager N Haozel, deputy manager Farm sector technical officer, Horticulture N Devchandra, in-charge Library Documentation and Information Science CAU Prof O Nirmal Kumar and Technical Consultant Department of Commerce and Industries Prof AK Mudgal.

The team visited and inspected the plantation site at Topokpi Ching in Top Chingtha under Andro constituency.

Speaking to media persons in the sideline of the tour, Top Chingtha Entrepreneur Union Top Chingtha Yairipok chairman Keisam Ningthemjao said the government has decided to launch the Make in Manipur campaign on November 21.

He said the project had targeted to grow lemon grass in 1000 acres of land, but as of now only 210 acres have been covered.

Labourers are paid Rs 250 a day and the land of 210 farmers has been taken under lease for 25 years for the project, he said.

The main objective, he said is to produce a ton of lemon grass per acre and to harvest the plantations three times in a year.

He said the lemon grass can be used as a medicinal plant as well as to extract oil to prepare cosmetics and other itmes.

Prof Nirmal Kumar said the lemon grass has already received approval and certified by the Central Institution of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Lucknow for its nedicinal value.

Plantation of this grass can help the farmers to improve their economic well-being he added.

At the same time, the plant will prevent soil erosion, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/officials-inspect-lemon-grass-plantation-under-make-in-manipur-campaign/

CM greets people on Kut

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The Chief Minister of Manipur has extended his greeting to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of Manipur on the occasion of the Chavang Kut festival 2015. In a statement

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The Chief Minister of Manipur has extended his greeting to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of Manipur on the occasion of the Chavang Kut festival 2015.

In a statement said the Chief Minister said `It is with great pleasure that I convey my sincerest greetings to the people of Manipur especially the Kuki-Chin-Mizo brethren on the occasion of the Kut Festival, 2015`.

`Kut, a post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups, symbolises compassion, gaiety and gratefulness when we offer our thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest. It is an occasion for celebrating and enjoying the fruits of hard labour of the preceding months in a spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie that transcends tribes and communities.`, it continued.

Further in the state the Chief Minister hoped that the festival will forge a new bond of togetherness amongst the people of Manipur while wishing the people a happy Kut.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam, who is also the deputy Chief Minister, has greeted the people of Manipur especially Kuki-Chin-Mizo group.

In a statement the president prayed that the festival foster sense of oneness, brotherhood, love and unity between various ethnic communities residing in the state besides ushering a prosperous Manipur.

Meanwhile, the Co-ordinator of the Aam Adami Party (AAP), Th Manihar Singh has greeted the State on the occasion of Kut festival.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/cm-greets-people-on-kut/

MPP announces support to BJP

IMPHAL, October 31: The MPP today announced its support for the BJP in the November 21 bye elections in both Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly Constituencies. Making the formal announcement at

IMPHAL, October 31: The MPP today announced its support for the BJP in the November 21 bye elections in both Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly Constituencies.

Making the formal announcement at the BJP State office late this evening, MPP president N Sovakiran said his party endorses the ideology of BJP and fortunately the two parties seem to have similar objective which is to eradicate the Congress from Manipur.

He said the MPP was set up against the Congress in Manipur.

MPP wants to eradicate Congress not only from Manipur but also from India forever so MPP has decided to make BJP stronger in the coming bye election said Sovakiran.

BJP State president Chaoba said the MPP has decided to support BJP under the objective of uprooting Congress from Manipur.

He further attacked the Congress and said the prolong reign of the Congress in the State has not brought any development.

Chaoba further highlighted that the State is facing much lack of development under the present government.

The press meet was also attended by BJP candidate for the upcoming Thangmeiband bye election Kh Joykisan and general secretary of BJP Manipur Pradesh M Asnikumar.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/mpp-announces-support-to-bjp/

Chubby Cheeks

By Urmila Chanam When I was carrying my daughter, my parents use to run a school those days. Around the month of February and March when the school was preparing

By Urmila Chanam

When I was carrying my daughter, my parents use to run a school those days. Around the month of February and March when the school was preparing for new admissions, it was decided that the nursery be painted afresh with cartoon characters in bright colors to make it child-friendly. I was living in my parental house as per our tradition of spending the last trimester and first few months after child birth in mother`™s house. Lethargy was setting in with progressing pregnancy so the tubes of paint and crayons lured me to volunteer to make a set of charts carrying nursery rhymes for the class. I had something fun to do!

My project paint began with great enthusiasm. My mom helped me get the materials on the large desk that was shifted to my bedroom. I also got hold of a rhyme book from the school library and in that winter morning, I flipped through its worn out pages to enter another world- a sweet and innocent world of rhymes and childhood.

I chose Chubby Cheeks poem for the adorable girl in the picture. I started sketching it on the big white blank sheet and in no time, began painting the small and cute face. It was a challenge to then write the poem in the space that remained after the sketch. Once I completed, I felt that the face of the little girl occupied more space in the chart than the written words.

Was that the reason that I spent a lot of time looking at the chart which hung on the wall opposite my bed? I slept to a peaceful slumber. In my dream, a small girl, about 3-years in age woke me up saying `Mama, mama!`™ I woke up with a start in the morning and rushed to the kitchen to find my mother. I excitedly told her, `I am going to have a daughter. I saw her in my dream`™.

My mother smiled and fed me some cookies with morning tea. She did not give it a second thought.

The girl in the chart I made for my mother`™s nursery class had a rounded forehead, very large almond shaped eyes, thick and curling eyelashes, pink chubby cheeks, a small button nose and a small mouth. Her chin looked like a mango tip and she had an appearance close to how Casper looks in the Hollywood movie.

In the next few months, the chart was forgotten and life took another turn. Pregnancy is such a difficult time. No preparation for it prepares you for what lies ahead. No advice and no regime can make you escape any of the challenges of labor and child birth.

In the Operation Theatre (I had a caesarean section), the lady doctor lifted my newborn out of my womb into this world on 13th June 2004, Sunday. In the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) there might have been many deliveries that day, but I am sure none was as unique as mine. `It`™s a girl!`™, the doctor had announced with a broad and happy smile. I would like to thank the doctor for her joy that day if she happens to read this story.

The nurse wiped and cleaned my baby and she was wrapped in a polka dot baby blanket and brought to me. Under sedation, I was very weak and my senses were fading but I could see the small face peeping out of the blanket. What did I find? My daughter looked identical to the girl I painted just three months ago! She had a round forehead, very large eyes and my god, no one in our family has that thick, long and curling eyelashes.

Who would believe that I saw my daughter before she was born? Who would believe I had several signs in my pregnancy that told me I would have a daughter?

Ismiled atmy daughter and I cried at her simultaneously and before fading out in sleep I told myself ` I will call you Tamanna(in Hindi it means my desire, my dream)`™.

Today Tamanna is an 11 year old girl who is interested in academics, singing, music, writing and crafts. Besides being my best friend, she is also a reminder that it`™s not just marriages that are made in heaven, the relationship between a mother and her child/ren are made in heaven too!

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/chubby-cheeks/

CRPF GC recalls sacrifices of personnel during `Warriors Remembrance Day` observation

IMPHAL, October 31: Since the time of its inception, the Central Reserved Police Force has sacrificed 2014 brave soldiers out of this figure 333 had sacrificed their lives while fighting

IMPHAL, October 31: Since the time of its inception, the Central Reserved Police Force has sacrificed 2014 brave soldiers out of this figure 333 had sacrificed their lives while fighting insurgency in Manipur.

This was stated by DIGP of CRPF Group Centre Imphal, Vikram Shagal speaking at a function held at Group Centre, CRPF, Langjing celebrating the `National Unity Day` and `Warriors Remembrance Day` today.

This includes 33 brave soldiers from Manipur among whom seven had sacrificed their lives fighting insurgency in Manipur. While 27 of them sacrificed their lives in other states in various theatres of Kashmir, Punjab, left wing extremism etc. he said.

The birth anniversary of the first Home Minister of India Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel is observed as Rastriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day on October 31 every year all over the Nation.

Warriors Remembrance Day is also observed on this day which also happens to be the original rising day of the CRPF.

Shagal said `This is the day to remember the supreme sacrifices, these young boys had made in the discharge of their duties.`

`They laid down their lives protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.`

`There cannot be a bigger lost for their mothers and fathers.`

The government of India have decided to celebrate this day as a `Warrior Remembrance Day.`

He further said Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the first home minister of the country, saw a lot of potential in this organization which was earlier known as the `crown representative police force.`™

There was a time when it was a force raised by the Britishers to contain basically the dacoit menace, but SVB Patel had a foresight that a day would come post-independence when the central government would need a very strong arm to help the State police organizations and the State administrations to maintain law and order, he said.

`CRPF after independence has played very important role in containing insurgency, practically in all the North-Eastern States,` he said.

`It went on to counter terrorism in Punjab for ten years, and from 90`™s onwards it went on to fight militancy in Kashmir.`

`It is the sacrifice of the husbands, the children, the fathers, the family members who are present here today that we have been able to restore peace in Punjab, Tripura and Mizoram.`

`Today we are grappling with the left wing extremism in which we are making supreme sacrifices. But the good point is, with our sacrifice and our duty and especially the sacrifice made by some of their family members we have been able to contain the situation in all these States.`

`When the bullet comes its doesn`™t see the place you belong to, it doesn`™t see the religion you belong to, it does not see the theatre in which you are working with whether you belong to that or not, because after all we have lost seven brave soldiers of Manipur in Manipur,` he added.

The function was attended by IGP of Manipur and Nagaland Sector, Nirmal Raj; DIPG Group Centre Imphal, Vikram Shagal, DIGP Range Imphal Sumit Rai and Commandant of 109 Bn CRPF, PK Mishra as presidium members.

The programme started with a march past parade followed by a pledge taking ceremony.

A wreath laying ceremony at the Martyrs`™ Memorial was held were IGP, DIGP and other ranks of CRPF along with family members of the martyrs pay homage to the departed souls.

Later, the next of kin of martyrs of Manipur were felicitated by presenting mementos and `Books on Martyrs`™ released in Delhi by the Prime Minister of India.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/crpf-gc-recalls-sacrifices-of-personnel-during-warriors-remembrance-day-observation/