Cleanliness drive held

With an objective to keep public places neat and tidy, the Naga Women Union Chandel NWUC organized a cleanliness drive at District Hospital, Chandel today, our correspondent reports Source The Sangai Express

With an objective to keep public places neat and tidy, the Naga Women Union Chandel NWUC organized a cleanliness drive at District Hospital, Chandel today, our correspondent reports Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=191115

Cleanliness drive held

With an objective to keep public places neat and tidy, the Naga Women Union Chandel NWUC organized a cleanliness drive at District Hospital, Chandel today, our correspondent reports Source The Sangai Express

With an objective to keep public places neat and tidy, the Naga Women Union Chandel NWUC organized a cleanliness drive at District Hospital, Chandel today, our correspondent reports Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=191115

KISH, KTC condemn shopkeeper’s abduction

Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Kangpokpi Town Committee on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent abduction of Suresh Prasad of Kangpokpi by unknown miscreants along National Highway 2 on November 14 Source Hueiyen News Service

Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Kangpokpi Town Committee on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent abduction of Suresh Prasad of Kangpokpi by unknown miscreants along National Highway 2 on November 14 Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=32&src=191115

KISH, KTC condemn shopkeeper’s abduction

Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Kangpokpi Town Committee on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent abduction of Suresh Prasad of Kangpokpi by unknown miscreants along National Highway 2 on November 14 Source Hueiyen News Service

Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills and Kangpokpi Town Committee on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent abduction of Suresh Prasad of Kangpokpi by unknown miscreants along National Highway 2 on November 14 Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=32&src=191115

Manipur Wrestling Association informs – E-Pao.net

Manipur Wrestling Association informsE-Pao.netImphal, November 18 2015: Manipur Wrestling Association is organizing the 13th Men, Junior Boys, Sub-Junior Boys, 11th Women, Junior Girls, Sub-Junior Girls, 6th School Boys and School Girls, Free Style and…

Manipur Wrestling Association informs
E-Pao.net
Imphal, November 18 2015: Manipur Wrestling Association is organizing the 13th Men, Junior Boys, Sub-Junior Boys, 11th Women, Junior Girls, Sub-Junior Girls, 6th School Boys and School Girls, Free Style and Greco Roman Style, State Wrestling …

and more »

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Ram Madhav slams Manipur Govt – E-Pao.net

Ram Madhav slams Manipur Govt
E-Pao.net
Imphal, November 18 2015: BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav slammed the Congress Party led Manipur Government for inaugurating the Sanjenthong Bridge before the bye-election. He was speaking at the “home coming” ceremony of one …
BJP training campThe Sangai Express

all 3 news articles »

Ram Madhav slams Manipur Govt
E-Pao.net
Imphal, November 18 2015: BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav slammed the Congress Party led Manipur Government for inaugurating the Sanjenthong Bridge before the bye-election. He was speaking at the "home coming" ceremony of one …
BJP training campThe Sangai Express

all 3 news articles »

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CM calls for protecting Manipur’s integrity – E-Pao.net


E-Pao.net

CM calls for protecting Manipur’s integrity
E-Pao.net
Attending the opening ceremony as the President, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that Manipur can never be a developed State until social, political, economic and cultural developments are brought about both in the hills and the valley.
Chief Minister encourages proper cultural research to promote unityKanglaOnline
Tribal cultural festThe Sangai Express

all 5 news articles »


E-Pao.net

CM calls for protecting Manipur's integrity
E-Pao.net
Attending the opening ceremony as the President, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that Manipur can never be a developed State until social, political, economic and cultural developments are brought about both in the hills and the valley.
Chief Minister encourages proper cultural research to promote unityKanglaOnline
Tribal cultural festThe Sangai Express

all 5 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNE85BNvSGZRSe-g-5rIhEXUakhwQg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778995107198&ei=mxtNVoi7I6H4wAGr2b24Aw&url=http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading%3D21%26src%3D191115

Showcasing Manipur via Sangai Fest – E-Pao.net

Showcasing Manipur via Sangai FestE-Pao.netShowcasing Manipur via Sangai Fest : From November 21 to 30 – The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 19 2015 -. From 2010 to 2015, every year from November 21 to November 30. Five years down the line and the…

Showcasing Manipur via Sangai Fest
E-Pao.net
Showcasing Manipur via Sangai Fest : From November 21 to 30 – The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 19 2015 -. From 2010 to 2015, every year from November 21 to November 30. Five years down the line and the interesting question is how closely …
IYS cries foulThe Sangai Express

all 4 news articles »

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Urgent need to strengthen regional party to safeguard Manipur says G Tonsana

IMPHAL, November 18: The lone candidate of Manipur Democratic Peoples’ Party (MDPF) G Tonsana who is fighting for both Thongju and Thangmeiband by-election, has said that he has no greed

IMPHAL, November 18: The lone candidate of Manipur Democratic Peoples’ Party (MDPF) G Tonsana who is fighting for both Thongju and Thangmeiband by-election, has said that he has no greed to win the upcoming by-election but his sole agenda is to give awareness to the general public that there is an urgent need to strengthen regional political party to safeguard Manipur.

Speaking to media persons at during a press meet at his Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, G Tonsana observed that the present Government has miserably failed to make Manipur self reliant.

Many ambitious projects such as the cement factory, spinning mill, sugar factory etc, which could generate revenues and employment, have been discontinued leaving the state dependent on other states.

Rather than making things right the politicians are further pushing the state into the abyss of corruption by introducing new trend taking huge amount of bribes while recruiting candidates for Government services, asserted the MDPF candidate.

“Politics have become an industry” opined Tonsana and added that most of the politicians after winning the election usually become ‘Goons’ with money and political power in hand.

When questioned on how he join politics from being an engineer, G Tonsana revealed that Government is a decision making body and during his tenure as PWD Chief Engineer, as a Government official he has to exploit all his ability for the betterment of the government but does not have the capacity to make decision.

He claimed that the Government has not done enough in term of making good decision for the betterment of the state join politics hence he joined politics.

Manipur has its own script, art & culture, food habits, natural resources yet the people are not secure, he opined adding that these assets can be saved by the regional political party.

He said that he is aware of the no chance in winning the election. Yet, his aim to spread the awareness to the public of the state the need for the regional political party to develop and promote our own dignity, will be fulfilled, continued Tonsana.

Manipur recently was on the verge of breaking into fragments and continue to be in the same position however the national political party pay less attention to it, he said maintaining that every political candidates must take a pledge to truly sacrifice for the causes of the land and its people.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/urgent-need-to-strengthen-regional-party-to-safeguard-manipur-says-g-tonsana/

Discourse on Legitimacy

A two part, op-ed article in The Telegraph, by Pratap Bhanu Mehta after a routine India-China cooperation summit in Beijing about a decade ago, contained some very absorbing argument on

A two part, op-ed article in The Telegraph, by Pratap Bhanu Mehta after a routine India-China cooperation summit in Beijing about a decade ago, contained some very absorbing argument on the sources of legitimacy for different forms of governments. We recall these articles again in the wake of the changes that have come to China and India in the span of the decade that has gone by. At about the time, the differences in economic advances between the two countries were not so stark. Today they are. The comparison between the two countries then, in this regard, was loaded with lessons. These lessons can very well be for Manipur too and hence this invitation for further reflection. Since The Telegraph is widely circulated in Manipur, most probably would have already read the original article. One of the chief contentions is that the governments of China and India by necessity draw their legitimacy differently and from different sources. Being a democracy, India puts a premium on representation. There is beauty in this but it nevertheless dilutes the question of accountability. It ensures participation of all different sections of the people in the governance process but this itself becomes the primary end justice, leaving the question of performance, the other vital functions of any government, as secondary. Consider this. The official answer to the charge that the Northeast occupies only a peripheral space in the Indian national consciousness and that this is evidence of its neglect, is that every one of the Northeastern states is represented in all the institutions of the Indian state, administrative as well as legislative, hence the question of neglect, or injustice, at least at the institutional level, does not arise. The fact that the Northeast still remains backward does not seem to be considered a factor in assessing the legitimacy of the government system. It is as if representation is all there is about justice.

In another arena, this logic has in recent times acquired a new hue in the continued growth of the demand for positive discrimination. The point again is, ensuring representation may be a necessary condition for the larger understanding of justice, but the questions remain – is it sufficient condition? On the smaller canvas of Manipur too, and we are sure all other states as well, the source of government legitimacy is drawn from similar logics and are invariably beset with the same flaws. Take the case of the hill-valley divide. Here too, as all of us know, the fierce contest for representation is at the crux of politics and is indeed treated as the only legitimate route to systemic as well as social justice. Every community wants as much handle in the government as possible and the equilibrium thus struck between the numerous pulls and pressures from these demands is what is believed would constitute a stable government. However, after this equilibrium is reached, the other important considerations of accountability and performance are somewhat pushed into the background and never discussed.

Again, here too, as in the case of the larger canvas of the Indian Union, the counter argument against discrimination charges by any community or region, is the proportion of representation. That the hills and valley districts have therefore seen representation in the democratic government somewhat in proportion to population, though today there are demands from Naga constituencies to reassess this proportion. They claim some constituencies in Naga districts are as large as 30,000 electorate while those in some others in the southern hills are only a few thousands only. The valley districts average between 15000 and 20,000, and are thus somewhere in between. Purely from a consideration of the logic of representation as justice, maybe there is much to this demand. However, must not government legitimacy also take into account performance? Question like why the hill districts lagged behind in development should then be made the onus for state leaders to answer credibly, regardless of whether she or he is from the hills or the valley. This latter question is where the China allusion comes in. In China, according to Mehta’s insightful observations, the challenges of legitimacy before the government are quite different. It leaders are nominated hence the only way they can win this legitimacy is through performance and accountability. Since they are nominated, they can also be removed by the appointing authority, unlike the elected leaders in India who often hide behind the claim of enjoying the “people’s mandate”. Because of this, the nature of their motivation and drive are radically different. This onerous expectation has even led China in recent times to treat Capitalism and Communism not as ideologies, but as instruments of development, to be administered in measured doses as per the developmental needs of the society. In our situation, this quest for legitimacy would be somewhat similar to that of a President’s Rule scenario when a nominated Governor runs the civil administration. He too must have to seek his legitimacy through performance and accountability alone. No state can know this better than Manipur. The Chinese system too has its flaws, but we have no doubt many will agree that there are lessons in it that can benefit our own outlook to what should constitute good governance.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/discourse-on-legitimacy/

Corrupt politicians a stumbling block for true politicians, says Bishwajit

IMPHAL, November 18: The BJP candidate for Thongju Bye-poll, Th Bishwajit targeting his rival candidate alleged that congress candidate has sold the Manipur Badminton Association’s (MBA) land without the consent

IMPHAL, November 18: The BJP candidate for Thongju Bye-poll, Th Bishwajit targeting his rival candidate alleged that congress candidate has sold the Manipur Badminton Association’s (MBA) land without the consent of MBA members for his own vested interest.

The BJP candidate was addressing an election campaign held today at Kakwa Lamdaibam.

In 1996 the MBA had acquired a piece of land situated between Hotel Pintu and Asha Cinema hall (50 feet with and 200 feet length) for expansion in the future. However, the congress candidate during his tenure as the president of the association, sold the plot without the consent of any members of the MBA.

He further alleged that the money was transfer to his own account adding that the plot was sold to two individual at Rs 50 lakh.

Bishwajit further claimed that his rival candidate was also involved in 95 lakh scandals for Ukhrul and Tamenglong when he was the Minister of Family Welfare Minister.

The very scandal cost him his Ministerialship yet he continued doing so in various departments, Bishwajit held.

A corrupt politician from party is nothing but a stumbling block in the way of true politician who are ready to sacrifice for the cause of the people, asserted Bishwajit.

Ram Madhop, National General Secretary Coordination and in-charge NE state BJP said that it is time to teach a lesson to congress party from Thongju and Thangmeiband.

He said that the congress has manipulated the people of Manipur by inaugurating the Sanjenthong Bridge when the Bye-election of two constituencies is just around the corner.

He branded the congress as a factory for minting UGs in state and Okram Ibobi as the owner of the factory while his congress Minister and MLAs are the workers.

Ram Madhop assured the people of Thangju that NDA Government will not compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur clarifying to allegation made by rival parties in connection with the signing of ‘Naga Peace Accord’.

He said that NDA government has gifted 100 crores to established National Sport University in Manipur but the Ibobi’s government still not able to allot land for it.

The BJP general secretary alleged that the congress only hope is to expand its trend of corruption in Thongju and Thangmeiband.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/corrupt-politicians-a-stumbling-block-for-true-politicians-says-bishwajit/

IFJ condemns AR directive to Nagaland media

IMPHAL, November 18: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and the National Union of Journalists, India (NUJI) in condemning the directive made

IMPHAL, November 18: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and the National Union of Journalists, India (NUJI) in condemning the directive made to editors of six Nagaland-based media houses in northern India by a Colonel of the General Staff for Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, on October 25, said a statement of the federation.

It said the IFJ believes the directive stifles press freedom and urges that it be immediately withdrawn.

The directive issued by the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in India, bans the re-publication of press statements from the banned organization, NSCN (K), it said.

The directive said that ‘publication of press statements of a banned organization was complicit in the illegal activities of the banned organization,’ it said.

The diktat went on to request that the Nagaland State government take action against any newspapers that do not follow the order, saying ‘any article which projects the demands of NSCN (K) and gives it publicity is a violation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, and should not be published by your newspaper’ it continued.

The IJU has protested against the notice to editors last week and is taking up the matter with the Press Council of India, it said.

The IFJ said “The IFJ condemns the directive issued by the Assam Rifles against Nagaland’s local media. The paramilitary force has no right to directly communicate with the editors regarding the content and coverage of the media. The IFJ demands the immediate withdrawal of the directive.”

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/ifj-condemns-ar-directive-to-nagaland-media/

Urgent need to strengthen regional party to safeguard Manipur says G Tonsana – KanglaOnline

Urgent need to strengthen regional party to safeguard Manipur says G Tonsana
KanglaOnline
IMPHAL, November 18: The lone candidate of Manipur Democratic Peoples’ Party (MDPF) G Tonsana who is fighting for both Thongju and Thangmeiband by-election, has said that he has no greed to win the upcoming by-election but his sole agenda is to …

Urgent need to strengthen regional party to safeguard Manipur says G Tonsana
KanglaOnline
IMPHAL, November 18: The lone candidate of Manipur Democratic Peoples' Party (MDPF) G Tonsana who is fighting for both Thongju and Thangmeiband by-election, has said that he has no greed to win the upcoming by-election but his sole agenda is to …

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGm0YmTFhfwPXOjy-KTf2O1sMTXmg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=0vdMVuDuJOqFwwGl2Ksg&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/urgent-need-to-strengthen-regional-party-to-safeguard-manipur-says-g-tonsana/

Manipur:Ibobi Singh Bihar visit for Nitish Swearing in a slap for Pappu Yadav – thenortheasttoday.com


thenortheasttoday.com

Manipur:Ibobi Singh Bihar visit for Nitish Swearing in a slap for Pappu Yadav
thenortheasttoday.com
Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar led new government in Bihar. Ibobi Singh who is leading a Congress government in Manipur for the third term will be leaving Imphal tomorrow to attend
Stage set for oath ceremony of Nitish KumarEconomic Times
Nitish to take oath amid virtual Who’s Who of Indian politicsBusiness Standard
Nitish Kumar Set to Become Bihar’s Chief Minister for Straight Third TermNDTV
Firstpost
all 264 news articles »

thenortheasttoday.com

Manipur:Ibobi Singh Bihar visit for Nitish Swearing in a slap for Pappu Yadav
thenortheasttoday.com
Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish Kumar led new government in Bihar. Ibobi Singh who is leading a Congress government in Manipur for the third term will be leaving Imphal tomorrow to attend
Stage set for oath ceremony of Nitish KumarEconomic Times
Nitish to take oath amid virtual Who's Who of Indian politicsBusiness Standard
Nitish Kumar Set to Become Bihar's Chief Minister for Straight Third TermNDTV
Firstpost
all 264 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFpqMJUwCdLpU-Itq0PPzaLuY3aCg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778994902503&ei=hkxOVriiJsaDwgHG1JLIAQ&url=http://thenortheasttoday.com/manipuribobi-singh-bihar-visit-for-nitish-swearing-in-a-slap-for-pappu-yadav/

Aberrations & Dilemma

In the process of executing the set agenda of modern nation states, societies in transition are often caught in a kind of dilemma mistaking the means as the ends. The

In the process of executing the set agenda of modern nation states, societies in transition are often caught in a kind of dilemma mistaking the means as the ends. The phenomenon has often led to a crisis of governance idealised by staunch proponents of the efficacy of the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, the three organs of the state.

Most post colonial States across the globe have been experiencing a peculiar traumatic experience of normalizing aberrations. Here, one should be reminded that desiring a radical change will have less impact if the practices of normalizing aberrations continue to afflict societies in transition.

When one closely scrutinizes the contours of recent history, there are adequate evidences to suggest that the ruling class in the post colonial period had been made to learn the intricacies of governing the ungovernable through acquired values or rather vices than inculcated practices.

While making efforts to fulfil certain visions necessitated by choosing the correct path to development, envisioned objectives are rarely achieved despite the adoption of ideal techniques of implementing policy related programmes.

It has become the norm for not only India but also developing nations in the post colonial period to attach certain value to these organs.  While underplaying the value of the legislature by distancing oneself from politics of contemporary times, sections of the citizens subjectively overvalue the role of the executive.

In India for instance, a person who aspires to become a bureaucrat after overcoming the gruelling exercise of passing the annual civil services examination, fetches accolades from the society he or she belongs to. The value attached to becoming a bureaucrat at times has been so much overemphasized as if bureaucracy is an end in itself. Thus, the raison d’être of playing a role as the means to an end diminishes.

When the citizens are made to see the means as an end and there are no efforts to correct the lopsided vision, aberrations of the worst kind are spawned. This leads to further distortion of the procedural approach and as a result, one can easily bypass norms of governance by adopting practices considered anathema to all types of visions.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/aberrations-dilemma/

Beyond the Military Apparatus

In a statement on the eve of the National Press Day, editors of major newspapers in Nagaland have reacted sharply to the a notification issued by a Colonel of the

In a statement on the eve of the National Press Day, editors of major newspapers in Nagaland have reacted sharply to the a notification issued by a Colonel of the General Staff for Assam Rifles on October 25 last. The notification insinuated that the editors have violated the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967 by publishing statements by proscribed organisations and that the editors were complicit in illegal activities.

However, the editor took the opportunity to reflect and assert their role to reinforce the idea of an independent and responsible free press and affirmed their commitment as the fourth pillar of democracy. They stated that the newspapers in Nagaland remain open to critical feedback and believed that “free flow of information and ideas is essential for contributing to mutual understanding and peace” in the State.

In the statement, the editors affirmed that they would continue to create and provide “responsible and healthy spaces and opportunities” that are open to diverse viewpoints in a sincere and sensitive manner without infringing on the news quality or the potential for constructive engagement.

In asserting that the editors would still continue reporting events “ethically with transparency, accountability and objectivity by verifying and authenticating our sources of information while respecting the principle of confidentiality”, they have also explicitly argued that notification issued by the Colonel needs to be viewed within the context of the long standing “Indo-Naga issue”.

The editors had also enlightened the Colonel that historians and scholars have noted the Naga issue as one of the oldest political conflicts in the world. They stated that the newspapers in Nagaland fully appreciated the historical reality within which they live and work.

The statement issued by the editors is an ideal way forward to resist the shrinking space of the media in the Northeast in a well coordinated alliance between civil society groups and policy makers.

Journalists and media persons in the region should also collectively engage with issues confronted by the States and work with other independent “non-partisan” media monitoring and analysis groups that can offer a treasure trove of information. Such interactions and engagements will make the policy makers go beyond the state/security/military apparatus formula.  While sharing free and unbiased flow of information and news, one should not forget that the news media is an essential component of a democratic state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/beyond-the-military-apparatus/

Keeping the editorial space blank Silently effective

Silently effective. This is the course of protest that Editors of five Nagaland based newspapers have decided to take up against the notification issued by the General Staff Officer of

Silently effective. This is the course of protest that Editors of five Nagaland based newspapers have decided to take up against the notification issued by the General Staff Officer of the Assam Rifles in Nagaland on November 17. Leaving the editorial space blank in a newspaper is a significant decision and has expressed what words may not be enough to do. Tough to say what course of action the Assam Rifles authority in Nagaland or the office of the IGAR (N) may be planning to take up, but a powerful statement has been delivered, silently. And this is something which should not be brushed aside. Leaving the editorial space is not new to the media here in Manipur, for there have been quite a number of time in the past when Editors thought it better to lodge a silent protest rather than exercising their ‘lung power’. Accusing the media of being cosy to unlawful organisations is not something new here in the region, but it should be clear that the media is merely doing its job of disseminating information to the readers when they publish statements or reports of banned or unlawful organisations. In the present case and discerning from the joint statement issued by Editors of five Nagaland based newspapers on November 15, it is clear that the General Staff Officer of the Assam Rifles had more than hinted that by publishing statements of the NSCN (K), they are supporting the outfit, intentionally or otherwise. This sounds ludicrous for the fact stands that newspapers all over the world do carry statements of banned organisations. The media in Manipur too is no exception.

The matter is serious and the Assam Rifles authority should spell out their stand. Keeping mum would amount to saying that they are keen on silencing the voice of the media, which is against the tenets of democracy. It was something much more than an official notification, for in many ways it could also be taken as some sort of a list of dos and don’ts for the media in Nagaland and this is not acceptable. Time also right for the media houses in the North East region to close ranks and state their stand over the issue. As already noted here earlier, the media in Manipur knows how it is to work under pressure and the notification issued by a senior officer of the Assam Rifles can certainly be taken as some sort of a pressure mounted on the functioning of the media. This is unacceptable. If the Assam Rifles is of the belief and conviction that any media house is directly or indirectly supporting a banned organisation, then there is always the law Court to take up the matter with. There is also the Press Council of India. As an important institution of the Union Home Ministry, the Assam Rifles should know better than to issue a notification which has the potential to create misunderstanding and brand the media as a whole. Better it would be for everyone to retract the notification issued on October 15.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/keeping-the-editorial-space-blank-silently-effective/

Will BJP debut this time? Crucial questions

Crucial questions. Can the Congress party carry on the extremely good show it managed after the Assembly election in 2012 ? Equally important, can the BJP hope to open its

Crucial questions. Can the Congress party carry on the extremely good show it managed after the Assembly election in 2012 ? Equally important, can the BJP hope to open its account when results of the by poll elections in Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency and Thongju Assembly Constituency are declared after polling day on November 21 ? After the 2012 Assembly election, the Congress has been on a roll in Manipur, returning the highest number of candidates when 42 of its candidates were elected in the House of 60. Not long after this stupendous showing, the Congress managed to add 7 more after all the elected members of the MSCP merged with the Congress, taking its strength to 49. Thangmeiband and Thongju ACs where by elections will be held on November 21, elected All India Trinamool Congress candidates in 2012, before they were disqualified in the earlier part of 2015. In between the Congress did well to wrest Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency in the by election held in 2014 taking its total number of MLAs to 50. By election to Hiyanglam AC was necessitated following the demise of its then sitting MLA M Kunjo of the All India Trinamool Congress. In short it has been the Congress all the way here but this should not be taken to mean that the BJP can be viewed as a push over. After the BJP swept the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, it has done well in the Assembly elections in some States such as Maharashtra, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir but bit the dust at Delhi and Bihar.

It is just two ACs and the results will not impact on the stability of the Congress Government here, but there is a reason why many see the November 21 by elections as some sort of a semi-final to the 2017 Assembly election. This is virtually the reason why Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam have been leaving nothing to chance while campaigning for the two Congress candidates. Not that the BJP is lagging behind and this can be confirmed from the canvassing launched by some of the Central leaders here. The interesting question is whether the Central leaders will be able to make an impact amongst the voters of the two ACs. How about the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister ? Can they influence the voters of the two Assembly segments ? Will people buy their promises and assurances ? Only time can tell, but from the manner in which the two parties have been hitting the campaign trail, nothing is being left to chance. This is about the two political parties, but what is it that the voters want ? Have the candidates and the political parties they represent been able to touch on any topic or subject which interest the voters ? Much will depend on how successfully the two parties are able to address issues which are important to the voters.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/will-bjp-debut-this-time-crucial-questions/

PW’s deposition in Meghen case over, accused’s statement examination to follow

IMPHAL, November 18: Cross examination of the prosecution witnesses in the arrest case of RK Meghen alias Sanayaima, supremo of the outlawed UNLF and several other key leaders of the

IMPHAL, November 18: Cross examination of the prosecution witnesses in the arrest case of RK Meghen alias Sanayaima, supremo of the outlawed UNLF and several other key leaders of the outfit, who are facing trial in the Special Court of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Guwahati, has been completed.

According to reports, trial of the case for this month started from November 16 in the court. Evidence collection and cross examination of the prosecution witness completely ended today which is the third and last for this month.

The total number of prosecution witness of the case is 114. Deposition of the prosecution witnesses in connection with the case has been closed though deposition of 84 prosecution witnesses had been held so far.

As for today, deposition of prosecution witness no 44 of the case was held. He was cross examined by Senior Advocate H Chandrajit Sharma.

In the ongoing trial of the case, 205 documents including affidavits had been filed in the court. Number of material object and document claimed to have recovered from RK Meghen and his aides is 45.

The reports said examination of the material objects and documents which is regarded as important assets of the case has also been completed.

RK Meghen and other leaders of the outfit, who are currently under judicial custody, were made physical appearance before the Special Court amidst tight security.

With the completion of the cross examination of the prosecution witnesses today, statement examination of RK Meghen along with other outfit leaders who are the accused of the case will be started from next month of December in the court, added the reports.

It may be mentioned that number of the case of charge sheets framed by NIA is Case No 1 of 2010 u/s 121/121-A/120-B IPC, 16/17/18/20 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Avt, 2004.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/pws-deposition-in-meghen-case-over-accuseds-statement-examination-to-follow/

Chief Minister re-opens ‘Sanjenthong’ main link of Imphal East and West

IMPHAL, November 18: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today inaugurated the much awaited Sanjenthong during a solemn function. Speaking of the new bridge, the Chief Minister said it does not

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Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam posing for the lens after the inaugural of the Sanjenthong. Photo -IFP

IMPHAL, November 18: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today inaugurated the much awaited Sanjenthong during a solemn function.

Speaking of the new bridge, the Chief Minister said it does not have a foot support inside the river and as such it will not disturb the water flow like other bridges.

Lauding the engineers involved, the Chief Minister said he consider the bridge to be more economically viable with a modern touch.

He continued as it is election time, the government had to take permission of the Election Commission of India for the bridge inaugural.

At the initial stage of its construction, the government had targetted an early completion before the Sangai festival, although in general construction of such bridge takes at least two years.

The construction of the bridge was started on June 7, 2014 by M/s Simplex Project Ltd Kolkata with a stipulated June 6, 2015 completion.

Due to lack of resources and financial constraint, so much time has been wasted although the proposal to construct a new Sanjenthong was made way back in 2010-11, the Chief Minister said.

On the old bridge, he said during dismantling of the bridge, its date of construction was found inscribed on the foot of bridge and.

The bridge, he said was found to be around 50 years old.

He further expressed that the two lane bridge had become old, congested and had even started to shake whenever heavy vehicles were plying on it.

All these made it very important to upgrade the bridge, the Chief Minister said.

Considering the requirement of a new bridge which is four lane in place of the old two-lane bridge, the Government of Manipur sent a proposal to the ministry of DoNER in the year 2013-14 to consider construction of the bridge under NLCPR, following which the Ministry of DoNER earmarked Rs 10 lakh under the NLCPR, he said.

However recognising the importance of constructing a bridge having high aesthetic value, in view of the location of the bridge site, no DPR was submitted to MDoNER, as the earmarked amount was insufficient to construct the desired bridge, the Chief Minister informed.

Again the Government of Manipur sent a proposal to MDoNER in the year 2014-15 to earmark a sum of Rs 37 Crore for the bridge as priority number one among the proposals from the State government, he said.

While awaiting the approval of the DoNER, the State Government discuss in length the urgent requirement of the bridge and the time which DoNER usually takes while sanctioning a bridge project, the State Government felt it more prudent to take up the bridge from the State budget therefore accorded an administrative approval for Rs 31.313 crore on March 3, 2014.

Although we faced several objections including demands for a diversion bridge, with a strong determination we started the work, he said.

We tried to construct a suspension bridge near the DC Office at Babupara but faced much opposition including sit-ins from the people of Mahabali area and the idea had to be dropped, the Chief Minister continued.

Observing that there is a bridge after about every half a kilometre on both sides of the Sanjenthong, he said people were still dissatisfied as we are all used to easy accessibility.

A recent economic survey published in the local dailies had even claimed that the people had to waste around Rs 35 crores as due to the construction of the bridge, people had to take a longer route which is just about half a kilometre from Sanjenthong, he observed in a mocking tone.

The Chief Minister continued in the same tone “It is indeed a good assessment and I take the report to be good advice, as without it the people would have wasted lots of money.”

On a more serious tone, the Chief Minister asked those people involved in the survey to conduct a survey of the losses incurred during the indefinite economic blockades and bandhs which at times go on for two-three months.

This would be better for the public, he said receiving applause from the gathering.

“For the earlier survey, I would like to give away atleast a “shawl” as a reward to those involved,” he continued.

“We have always tried to complete any work at the earliest however there are “unseen” or unpredictable problems like the rain that hamper work progress.”

This time also we wanted to do a renovation of the Kangla outer moat properly thinking that it needs renovation. We approach the Tourism Ministry for a project as soon as they sanction the fund we started the work but unluckily rain started as unexpected and delayed the work progress.

Thinking it can be completed well before Sangai festival the work started however half a month time was wasted due to rain or else it would been completed well before Sangai festival.

Dy CM Gaikhangam, Works Minister and other Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and other government officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/chief-minister-reopens-sanjenthong-main-link-of-imphal-east-and-west/