Month: August 2017

IMPHAL | Aug 10

Various insurgents of WESEA have called for a total ban of Independence Day in the region and called for total shut-down of the entire region for 12 hours from 6 am to 6 pm on the day, the August 15.

Observance of Indian Independence Day is one of the symbolic instruments, sacred for mainland Indians, but malicious to the colonized peripheral non-Indians and celebration of such occasions can create a false consciousness of enjoying political freedom in the minds of subjugated people, said a joint press release signed by secretary publicity and research, KYKL, A. Yaiphaba, publicity secretary, HNLC, Sainkupar Nongtraw, president, KCP, Ksh. Laba Meitei, Chairman, KLO, Jiban Singh Koch, chairman, KYKL N. Oken, general secretary, NDFB, B. R. Ferengga, organizing secretary,NLFT, Sengphui Borok, and chairman, PDCK, J. K. Lijang.

With the departure of the British colonial masters, the new country embarked upon an ambitious project of occupation of the rim-lands. Thus a new India was forged as an unnatural union or as an expansionist freak and it became a “prison-house of nations,” it added.

The present-day descendants of Gandhi have no qualms in using the ultimate forms of violence – like annexation of new territories, state-terrorism under AFSPA, collective fine, rape with immunity etc, it further charged.

To reinforce their hegemony over the peripheral non-Indians, in addition to the hard violent tools, they use soft ones like education, mass media, films, literature, arts and culture, and symbolic instruments like the national flag, national anthems, observation of national days, celebration of national festivals, and ritual obeisance to national heroes etc, it alleged.

The objective is to manufacture consent of the subjugated peoples in an easier way, in order to facilitate assimilation, or in reality, ethnocide of the rim-land nations, it further said. Using uncivilized and sometimes, inhuman tools, the entire WESEA region have been subjected to forceful occupation of the mainland Indian regime, it added.

To resist Indian occupation and hegemony, almost all communities of this WESEA region have risen up in arms and armed struggle is still going on, it further said. In order to successfully materialize the total ban, the mentioned organisations have called upon all peoples of this subjugated region to do the needful to make it a success, it added.

IMPHAL | Aug 10

BB Singh, CMD of MSTC (Metal Scrap Trade Corporation) Ltd, a mini ratna category-I PSU under ministry of steel, Govt. of India met chief minister N. Biren Singh at CM secretariat today to discuss the thrust areas wherein MSTC’s expertise and experience would be utilised to execute various e-commerce projects in the state of Manipur.

A release issued by Bashanta Sharma, media co-ordinator to CM, Singh apprised CM about MSTC’s e-commerce services which are being utilised in many flagship projects of the Centre viz. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Gram Jyoti Yojana, Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, e-auction of mining lease and composite licence.

MSTC is already conducting e-auctions to sell various agro-forest products of Northeast like ginger, pineapple, hill grass, black pepper etc, the release said.

It further said recently in collaboration with CRWC (Central Railside Warehouse Company Ltd), MSTC launched e- Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi (e-RAKAM) in New Delhi which will help farmers/FPOs of Manipur to auction their agri-produce in advance of harvesting season enabling them to receive appropriate remuneration for their produce.

In association with NAFED, MSTC has successfully conducted e-auction of 1000MT of moong dal within one week.

The chief minister is looking forward to utilize MSTC’s platform and start e-auctioning of agri products and other materials of various departments at the earliest. MSTC has already gained success in auctioning of timber, coffee, pepper, sandalwood etc. for Kerala forest department and red sanders wood for Andhra Pradesh forest department bringing transparency to the whole process, it said.

Apart from a-auction MSTC is also providing e-procurement services to various govt. departments, PSUs and private entities all over India.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 10

The Tengnoupal district police led by its superintendent of police, S. Ibomcha Singh today conducted traffic awareness drive at Indo-Myanmar gate number one at Moreh under the theme “Obey Indian traffic rules.”

During the drive the police stopped and briefed commuters particularly coming from Myanmar to follow the Indian traffic rule, to drive on the left side of the road, when in Indian territory.

The police team also erected billboard saying “Obey Indian traffic rules”.

The SP also issued ordered for the deployment of police officer and personnel of Moreh police at the Indo-Myanmar Friendship Gate number one, on Indian side from 6 am to 6 pm.

In the meantime, the deputy commissioner of Tengnoupal also wrote a protest note to the DC of Tamu, Myanmar against traffic rule violation by Myanmarese vehicles on Indian sides near gate number one.

It said that vehicles entering India through Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at gate number one have been violating Indian traffic rules and regulation while proceeding towards Namphalong market.

As a result, frequent accidents have been occurred in the past and there is risk of traffic accidents taking place in the future again, it observed.

It maintained that no Myanmar vehicles would be allowed to violate Indian traffic rules and regulation on Indian side with immediate effect.

The statement further requested the Myanmar authority to instruct all Myanmar vehicles to abide by Indian traffic rules and regulation while entering Indian territory without fail immediately.

KANGPOKPI | Aug 10

 Civil Society Organizations of Kangpokpi District have decided to launch lighting rally tomorrow against the UNC decision of District Roll back.

According to the CSOs Kangpokpi, the lighting rally will begin from 10 am at Gamgiphai to Taphou Kuki in Kangpokpi District.

It also said that the lighting rally will continue till the the tripartite talks at Senapati end.

The main rally will be organized at District Headquarters, Kangpokpi.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 10

The Supreme Court directive to the Central Bureau of Investigation to form a special investigating team for inquiring into fake encounter killings has been complied with. The CBI has instituted a five-men team headed by the SP of CBI, New Delhi on July 27 last.

An office order by deputy director (Personnel) of CBI headquarter, New Delhi has posted SP of CBI, Daljeet Singh, additional SP of CBI, Lelkholan Hangshing, deputy SP of CBI, P Shadang, inspector of CBI, BR Roy and inspector PK Roy of the New Delhi CBI.

They have been ordered by the Supreme Court vide its order passed on July 14 in the case of Extra judicial Execution Victim Families Association, Manipur and the Union of India.

The team will scrutinized various cases which have already been investigated by the higher and lower courts, commissions and Manipur Human Rights Commission and chargesheeted. The team is to submit their report to the Supreme Court by December 31, 2017.

Newmai News Network

SENAPATI | Aug 10

The tripartite talks involving the United Naga Council (UNC), the Central Government and the State Government of Manipur on the district creation issue are all set to be held on Friday, August 11, at Senapati headquarters.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Joint Secretary in-charge of Northeast, Satyendra Garg while speaking to Newmai News Network over phone has expressed his hope for a positive outcome. Satyendra Garg also said that the Government of India is very much concerned with the issue. “The engaging parties must resolve the problem the way it can be,” stated the Joint Secretary of MHA while adding, “Let us hope for the best outcome of the talks.”

 Satyendra Garg will be chairing the tripartite talks on Friday.

Meanwhile, UNC president Gaidon Kamei told NNN this evening that “Nagas believe in finding solutions to all problems through dialogues”. He also said that “Nagas do not exhaust in finding logical conclusions” to any issue. “However, if the Government of Manipur takes advantage of our patience and decency, and start working to victimise us then we will know about such dealings in advance,” Gaidon Kamei added. He also said that the Nagas know the “strength” of the Manipur Government. “We have been asking our people to remain prepared to face any eventuality in the event of the break-down of the tripartite talks,” he asserted. Nevertheless, the UNC president expressed optimistic about the Friday’s talks.

Gaidon Kamei then said that “anything that may hurt the future of the Nagas” will be thwarted with all out efforts by the Nagas.

Earlier, the tripartite were scheduled for July 22 at the ‘political level’ but the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had “fervently requested” the UNC leaders to have the talks in the early part of August.

It can be noted here that the tripartite talks on district creation issue which were also scheduled earlier for July 10 at Ukhrul district headquarters were postponed, and the talks were latter fixed for July 22 with Senapati district headquarters as the venue. Apparently reacting to the prolonging of the tripartite talks the UNC had earlier expressed its frustration.

Last month, UNC President Gaidon Kamei had stated that Naga people in Manipur “to remain alert to face any eventuality”. Earlier, the UNC had alleged that a party engaging in the tripartite talks was intentionally trying to sabotage the ongoing dialogue on district creation issue.

On May 19, the representatives of the Manipur Government, the Central Government and the UNC had agreed upon to hold tripartite talks on the district creation issue at the political level within a month’s time. However, it has been more than two months now that the talks on the issue could not be held for various reasons.

It may also be recalled here that the UNC had stated two months ago that “since the new government of Manipur under the leadership of N Biren Singh and the Narendra Modi government at the Centre had assured us to redress the problems created by the communal Ibobi Singh government we are fervently waiting for the justice.”

Things may further be recalled here that, in the last tripartite talks held on May 19 in Senapati headquarters, it was reaffirmed the “focal point No 1 of agreement arrived at in the tripartite talks on March 19, 2017” which states that “the grievances of the United Naga Council which led to the imposition of the economic blockade by them was recognized as there was non-adherence to the four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Government of India’s assurance on the matter. The Government of Manipur agrees to start consultation with all stakeholders to redress the same”.

IMPHAL | Aug 10

Education, labour and employment minister Th. Radheshyam today attended celebration of 7th birthday of children at the Hope Home, Imphal, a home meant only for girls, at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai.

The minister said that the birthday is very significant for all, specially, for the girls staying at the home. Born in different houses at different dates, birthdays for all the girls are now celebrated on this special day for all the sisters of this big family living under a single roof, he added.

He said that positive thoughts and ideas need to be practically ‘converted and translated’ into action for betterment of the society. He added that the human values are diminishing day by day in today’s society.

Moral value is the need of the hour that should be imparted in schools and colleges among the youths, the student of today to restore the beautiful tradition of the society. Once these moral values are imbibed to the young minds, then the selfish and unwanted incidents prevailing in the state could be lessened, he reprimanded.

Education does not just mean to be literate, but, to be able to enrich human moral values enabling to stand and face problems. Taking example of the children of the home, who though lacks in many things in their life, he said, are prepared to face the challenges in their life.

Commitment, hard work, sacrifice, discipline, helping attitude and determination are a must to enhance the youths of today to better present day society. Hope is the faith that builds confidence to achieve goals. Thus, the home itself is the hope for all the girls living here for their better future, he added.

Radheshyam also appreciated and thanks those whoever is extending their never ending support. A single word or deed can bring changes to one’s life. He urged to extend the true love and care to all the children and everyone in need of support, to make their life better and to help them become a productive and contributive citizen.

He said that he will try to extend all his helping hand in providing the necessary needs, even books, for better education to the children and will discuss for the support from the social welfare minister and state government.

The home has been home to twenty four girls living together. Six girls had now moved away after attaining eighteen years to pursue higher education in colleges while eighteen girls are still staying at the home. He asked to conduct a follow up action to retract the girls those who had shifted from the home so that further help, if necessary, could be extended to them. The home can also invite them to have interactive session with those presently staying at the home.

Retd. principal Oriental College, Imphal, N. Ibobi Singh, director, The Hope Home, Imphal Ksh. Nilbir Singh, other dignitaries, guardians and children were present at the celebration.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Works minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has assured that the national highways in the state will be improved and made in a never seen avatar in the state. He gave this assurance while talking to reporters on the sideline of 19 th freshers meet of Mount Everest College, Senapati today.

He said upgradation of the highways will start from next month.

The minister said that work order is out and the construction will start from September when the weather is work-friendly. It will be on both national highways which connects Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Dimapur.

Contractors of Bhartia Infra Projects Limited will start work in September and try to complete it in December. The works will be implemented on EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) mode, he added.

As the minister of works, he urged civil organisations and the local public to bear the brunt of bad road condition for a little longer so that the bad weather also clears out and so that certain norms in the process of maintaining a national highway will be properly furnished.

He also said that the issue of compensation on Imphal–Jiribam road will be sorted out by incorporating with National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHICDL) so that the on-going work is not disturbed by any civil organisation.

The annual fresher’s meet of the college was observed at the college chapel under the theme “Beautifully created”.

Addressing the gathering Biswajit urged the youths to shoulder the responsibility in burying the hatchet and mistrust between two brotherhoods of hills and the valleys. He also urged the people to forgive and forget past mistakes.

He encouraged the students to excel in studies and co-curricular activities.

The minister assured that he would accomplish the terms submitted by the college and the Taphou-Phiami village memorandum. It includes construction of road with drainage in the MEC road, to create a separate transformer for Senapati and to build a new market shed according to the customary model after consulting with the officials.

The function was also attended by the deputy commissioner of Senapati district, Athem Muivah, college president and former MLA Alexander Pao and NPF Senapati president Soni Mathew among others.

MEC has a total strength of around 2,500 students and offers undergraduate and graduate courses. The undergraduate course has three streams, arts, science and commerce.

DC informs anti-corruption cell, asks CAF & PD director to trace missing rice

By Paojel Chaoba

IMPHAL | Aug 10

In a clear cut case of rampant corruption perpetrated by some officers of the consumer affairs, food and public distribution department, rice quota of Lillong Assembly constituency for six months has gone missing.

Signatures of fair price shop agents have been forged. The anti-corruption cell has also been intimated in this regard by the deputy commissioner of Thoubal, L. Nabakishwar Singh today.

A five-member district level inquiry committee was set up headed by the additional deputy commissioner of Thoubal regarding a complaint received that the rice quota for the constituency has not been distributed for some time.

The investigating team found hidden facts about the rice based on the statements of district supply officer, civil supply officer, fair price shop agents of Lillong constituency and from inspection of the monthly issue register.

It was observed that signatures of fair price shop agents have been forged for some months in the register. The forgery was to avail the monthly honorarium. Further, for the months of April 2016 to September 2016, it was found that the fair price shops had distributed allocations for the first 4 months to the AAY households and to every voter at Rs 3 per kilogram.

For the remaining two months, the rice provided under National Food Security Act was given to two persons namely Babu and Haji Riyaj. The duo later distributed the rice free of cost to voters and not to the entitled beneficiaries.

Further, it was found that rice for six months beginning October 2016 to March 2017 were not distributed at all and the quota has gone missing.

Further, the deputy commissioner of Thoubal requested the anti-corruption cell to move the CAF and PD department to request the director of the department to trace the missing rice for six months and to also initiate a departmental inquiry against district supply officer of Thoubal, namely P. Virdhwaja and civil supply inspector K. Dhananjoy Singh.

It was also prayed for issuing strict instructions to all district supply officers that the NAFSA rice should be given to the identified beneficiaries and not to electors.

The district administration too has taken up corrective measures to ensure fair distribution in future by assigning a specific jurisdiction to the civil supply inspectors, instead of the system of assigning work to a single person.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 10

The Special Court POCSO, Imphal West, Maibam Manojkumar, today sentenced 42 years old Chanambam Brojen, rape convict to five years’ rigorous imprisonment.

The court also recommended for providing compensation of Rs. 50 thousands from “financial assistance and support scheme to the victim of rape, A scheme for retrospective Justice” launched by the ministry of women and child development government of India to the dependent of deceased victim.

Chanambam Brojen 42, son of Ch. Bihari of Ngairangam Makha Leikai was convicted by the court on August 4 under Section 8 of POCSO Act 2012 for sexual assault on minor a girl and the sentenced hearing was fixed today.

During the hearing today, A. Nilachandra additional public prosecutor (APP) submitted before the court that the accused was convicted under Section 8 of POCSO Act 2012 for committing sexual assault upon the victim girl and the victim expired during the course of trial.

As a result, the crime committed by the convicted accused is a serious offence and prayed to sentence the convict to the maximum sentence of five years imprisonment with fine for committing the offence, said the APP.

Advocate Kanta, defense counsel of convict, on the other hand contended that the convicted accused is a person having a wife and two minor children and that there is no bad moral character of the convict in the past.

He pleaded the court to sentence the Borjen to the period he had undergone in Sajiwa jail. Brojen has been lodged in the Judicial custody for about three years and three months. 

After hearing the submissions of both the counsels, the court sentenced Borej to rigorous imprisonment for a period of five years and fine of 10 thousand rupees under the section 8 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act 2012 and in default of payment of fine the convict has to undergo 3 months simple imprisonment.

As per the court order the fine has to be deposited to the court and the said amount of Rs. 10,000 be given to the father of the victim as compensation since the victim has already expired.

The period which has already undergone by the convict in the judicial custody, during the period of investigation as well as during the trial, if any, will be set off from the sentence awarded, it said.

The court recommended for providing victim compensation scheme under Section 357 A of Cr PC to the victim and forwarded an order copy to the member secretary of Manipur State Legal Service Authority for doing the needful.

A written complaint against the convict was filed by the father of the victim on April 5, 2012.

In his complaint the victim’s father said that on April 4, 2012 at around 2.30 pm his daughter went Brojen’s house to take money from him. While eating pan with the convict’s wife at their home, Brojen assaultd the girl.

After a regular FIR was lodged the investigation of the case was carried out by G. Ketty Sharma women sub-inspector of Patsoi police station and arrested Brojen.

After the completion of the investigation the IO submitted charge sheet against the accused Brojen under Section 4 and 8 of POCSO Act before the then Special Judge POCSO Manipur East and the charge was framed against the accused on January 23, 2013 under Section 4 and 8 of POCSO Act by Special Judge POCSO Manipur east.

The case was then transferred during the stage of examination of prosecution witnesses from Special Judge POCSO Manipur east after bifurcation of district and session Judge Manipur east as district and session Judge Imphal west and Imphal east.

All together 13 prosecution witnesses were recorded and cross-examined during the four year long trial of the case.