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KSO condoles ZORO president`s demise

IMPHAL, July 21: The Kuki Students Organisation-General Headquarters has expressed heartfelt condolences over the sudden demise of Raphael Thangmawia, president of ZORO on July 20 at Geneva. A statement of

IMPHAL, July 21: The Kuki Students Organisation-General Headquarters has expressed heartfelt condolences over the sudden demise of Raphael Thangmawia, president of ZORO on July 20 at Geneva.

A statement of the organisation said the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people are bereft of a great leader on his death, and it will be hard for the people to find a person who can fill the shoe of a leader of his stature.

The great leader is the epitome of Chin-Kuki-Mizo people re-unification and its movement for a place in the comity of nations, it said.

`His lifetime`™s work for the emancipation of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo ethnic group as a nation has inspired us, and instills the feeling of self-determination and freedom in our minds,` it said.

`His dedication and self-sacrifice in the service of his people remains etched in the mind of every person who has ever got the opportunity to know him.`

It further said that the Kuki Students Organisation expresses deep sympathy to the bereaved family, and prays they may find solace and consolation in the knowledge that their family has given us a great leader who will never be forgotten.

Our Correspondent adds from Lamka: The Zomi Re-Unification Organisation (ZRO) has issued a condolence message through its information director on the demise of R Thangmawia in Geneva on July 20.

It said `the ZRO is deeply saddened at the sudden demise of R Thangmoi in Geneva on July 20.`

R Thangmawia is the current president of the Zo Re-Unification organisation ZORO and currently based at Aizawl Mizoram, it said.

The statement also said he was known for his unstinted zeal for reuniting the Zomis and is therefore, no doubt, a household name for the entire Zomi community.

The ZoRO and Zomi`™s have lost a great and true leader, it said.

`The ZRO once again reiterated the entire zomi to follow in the foot-steps of R.Thangmawia and the ZRO pray that his departed soul may rest in peace.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/kso-condoles-zoro-presidents-demise/

Hunter believed to be dead returns home

LAMKA, July 21: In what will be marked as a red letter day in the household of Mr and Mrs Daniel of Pherzwal Village in Thanlon sub-division, their second son

LAMKA, July 21: In what will be marked as a red letter day in the household of Mr and Mrs Daniel of Pherzwal Village in Thanlon sub-division, their second son who had been long declared dead and his last rites performed after he failed to return home from a hunting trip on June 29, suddenly turned up at their home.

25 year old Roouthingsei had gone out on June 29 on a hunting trip and failed to return home. The next day, his worried father looked for him but couldn`™t find him.

The father informed the villagers and a massive manhunt was launched in the areas of Pherzawl, Bukpi, Loibual, Damdai, Tinsung and other areas.

The hunt continued for seven days but Roouthingsei remained traceless.

Since Roouthingsei could not be found, the family took him to be dead and conducted his funeral at Pherzawl Village as per the customary law.

But as fate would have it, on July 17, a hunter from Tinsung Village found him in a very weak state inside a jungle.

Family members said that the hunter found him in such a state that he was unable to even stand up, but at the same time he was conscious. He was also found holding his hunting gun.

The hunter finding it hard to carry Routhingsei back on his own had called his friends and other villagers to assist him.

Routhingsei was taken to the Churachandpur District Hospital during the midnight of July 18. He is still getting treatment at the hospital.

Family members also said that Routhingsei had survived the whole time by eating raw bamboo shoots growing in the area.

Speaking to this IFP correspondent, Routhingsei`™s elder brother Lalhmingthang said Routhingsei was once bitten by a snake in 2003 and ever since then he has been having occasional seizures and it was one such seizure that had weakened him and loss consciousness.

It now seems when he woke up, he was too weak to move himself and had to stay there in wait for help to arrive, the relieved brother said.

He continued eating only the raw bamboo shoots had injured his intestines but he is recuperating and on his way to recovery, the brother continued.

Meanwhile, wife of the Thanlon MLA Mrs Vungzagin and the MDC Lalmangpui had visited him at the hospital.

The family has also received help from several other individuals.

Lalhmingthang also thanked the villagers of the area, Village Authorities, MDC, MLA and others who have helped in their family`™s time of misfortune.

Doctors said Routhingsei seems to be regaining health, and they conducting proper investigations at the moment.

He said surviving on only the raw bamboo shoots had taken its toll and hopefully he will get better with time.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/hunter-believed-to-be-dead-returns-home/

Another Wall of Injustice

By Jiten Yumnam In January this year, the Thoubal River was impeded by the Mapithel Dam. In the pipeline since the 1980s, the commissioning of the dam meant that the

By Jiten Yumnam

In January this year, the Thoubal River was impeded by the Mapithel Dam. In the pipeline since the 1980s, the commissioning of the dam meant that the backwater reservoir slowly began to rise, fill and spread, even though resettlement had not been completed. It was a despicable act by the Manipur government to forcefully commission the Thoubal Multipurpose Project. By June, due to the rains in the northeastern Indian state, the dam reservoir began to rise rapidly and submerged an extensive area of Chadong village, where many project-affected people reside. The reservoir began to submerge their agricultural land, grazing grounds and forest.

protest_against_inundation_in_june_15_at_chadong_village

Villagers protest after commissioning of the Mapithel Dam earlier this year Photo : Jiten Yumnam

As I write this, homes are being inundated by the rising waters. Villagers are compelled to rely on bamboo rafts to cross the river, given that the only bridge that connects Chadong with other villages along the Mapithel Valley has already been submerged. Most say they can not swim; turbulent waters in high winds pose a constant risk. The villagers are in deep despair as they watch their ancestral lands vanish. But right now they are most worried for their immediate livelihood as their cultivable land is lost to the rising water.

The Thoubal Multipurpose Project is intended to generate 7.5 MW of hydroelectricity and supply 10 million gallons of water each day to the state capital, Imphal. But the filling of the reservoir without addressing the concerns of affected communities – in the absence of holistic impact assessment of the dam – amounts to no less than harassment and is illegal. The Tangkhul Naga and Kuki people will lose their subsistence agricultural land and forests, their source of survival.

The blocking of the river has already led to the drying up of the Thoubal River in the immediate downstream stretch of the dam. The villagers in downstream villages, belonging to the Meiteitribe, are worried of extreme water shortages. The villagers can no longer fish and collect sand and stones brought down by the Thoubal River, which is an economic mainstay in addition to agriculture. Collection of firewood and seasonal food sources from nearby hills is getting disturbed as forest areas are being destroyed, also partly due to militarization in the region. The Mapithel Dam site is located in a highly seismic area, and villagers are concerned about a potential dam break.

Villagers are compelled to rely on bamboo rafts to cross the river after the Mapithel Dam inundated the only bridge in the area Photo : Jiten Yumnam

The ongoing filling of the Mapithel Dam reservoir is accompanied with full-scale deployment of security forces of the government of India while subduing all affected peoples’ call and resistance against the blocking of the Thoubal River. Villagers strongly opposed the forceful filling up of the dam reservoir as a clear example of undemocratic and anti-indigenous peoples development. This has created political disenchantment and a fear psychosis among the affected villagers.

The ongoing effort to finalize Mapithel Dam construction is moving ahead, despite the fact that the National Green Tribunal is still considering the violation of forest rights under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006. In clear procedural violations, the Ministry of Environment and Forest, government of India accorded final forest clearance for Mapithel Dam only on December 31, 2013, more than 30 years after the project was approved in 1980, and that too without conducting any site visit to the affected area.

The rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) is being carried out in a piecemeal and divisive manner and has already caused much controversy and human rights violations, resulting in confusion and division among affected communities. Due to the failure of the agreement on R&R, the government of Manipur constituted an Expert Review Committee in January 2008. However, the government withdrew from the process after seven rounds of talks, the last held in February 2011. The government of Manipur forcefully began verification at Lamlai Khunou and Chadong Village in October 2012, despite community objections. The verification is a direct violation of the stay order of the Gauhati High Court on April 25, 2012.

Agricultural land partially submerged in Chadong village by Mapithel Dam Photo : Jiten Yumnam

The construction of Mapithel Dam is still fraught with the absence of a detailed impact assessment on communities with their rightful participation, especially regarding the impact on forest land and other livelihood sources. The plight of the affected communities remains uncertain as project authorities continue to fill the dam reservoir with military presence on their land, suppressing their democratic rights. Mapithel Dam is yet another clear symbol of development injustice.

The filling of the reservoir should be stopped until rehabilitation has been satisfactorily completed while free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous people is taken on board. The militarization of the region, in the name of battling insurgents, too should be halted immediately. Lastly, all forms of involuntary displacement in violation of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples Rights, 2007 and the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams, 2000 should be put to a stop. Now.

Jitin Yumnam is Secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy (Manipur), and can be contacted at: jitnyumnam@yahoo.co.in
Source : http://www.internationalrivers.org/blogs/328-20

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/another-wall-of-injustice/

Where do we go from ILP?

By Praem Hidam Now that a young student has been murdered and there is an acute sense of grief and resentment among the protesters. While this brutality on the part

By Praem Hidam

Now that a young student has been murdered and there is an acute sense of grief and resentment among the protesters. While this brutality on the part of the government’s response has only stiffened its callousness and regulations, the protestors are simply roiling. In this conjuncture, the only way to become vocal and audible enough is to use a language of rioting, though it is not what we always intend to do. In it we find a flow of messages and the government knows what we do. This precisely has remained to be the only way of communicating with this government. We believe that not everything in the world especially things like the one we are handling cannot always be subsumed to operate under the law and institutions. The point is, our upsurge is democratic and we are democratic by any count.

To begin with, let us first agree to this fact that we cannot afford to lose the speed and mobility of what has happened in the last few weeks. But this may not mislead us to losing sight of where we are heading to with the same speed and mobility, at this rate. Any agitation including this one if it is to grow in a direction that can truly offer promises for a better scheme of things, cannot miss but to engage with the contradictions of its strengths. How we choose to engage with our own contradictions is prefigurative in the sense that it will shape the future course of the movement and its wider outcomes. That will come slowly but surely will it come.

This short discussion is about these concerns.

What we need to do, and which is what we are trying to do here, is rather to try and give some insights in order for us to be able to carry out a vision and make sure that the popular mandate that we have on this issue can do wonders in an entirely different political conjecture which is far removed from the institutional working of electoral democracy.

It is true that we see some ideals in the scheme of things that may happen in post ILP scenario. And here are a couple of questions that we need to address if we believe in the ideals of this current agitation. How are we going to make sure that the present agitation is transformed into a ceaseless prodding for a more progressive society; into a movement that is connected as a part of wider currents of other political movements? Have we ever thought of this? Or shall we expand our objectives as we have grown into this stage of movement that truly has become one of the most popular upsurges in the recent years?

As we know, and this is true especially in the case of Manipur, that different conjectures of politics have often mounted up simultaneously that even as we are trying to keep pace with rapid turns of events we have already missed steps and very often fall back on common sense which often are uncritical, over generalized and blinded. Keeping in view the sequences of all the happenings of this agitation, we may however say this with commitment that the only strategy, perhaps the most important of all is to mobilize on common sense.

A cautious and critical relationship with common sense will enable us to see some contents of popular sensibilities which are more positive and politically reliable, that have traces of better vision of change and resistance. We also believe that these contents will be a big help to re-strengthen the organizational crafts when it comes to transforming this demand into a wider and lasting movement, connecting it to other movements of our times.

In order for it to be more meaningful we can rebuild this agitation on the spontaneous philosophy of the ordinary people, on the battlefield that is street and other places like this. The question is not of entirely relying on the leadership and the organizations leading this agitation but of renovating and making critical an already existing activity, of helping the people’s consciousness to perfection. We do not intend to see a movement that is merely popular which may happen to be a tilted, singular, and majoritarian expression; but a movement that is truly founded on the common wisdom that could withstand elitist and anti- democratic stances. We also intend to see a movement with a broad coalition consisting of communities and groups. Many of the misgivings about this agitation can be avoided if the leadership has the patience to listen attentively to the people’s common sense, across communities and try to develop strategies towards greater coherence. To move along as a movement we need to hone a collective agency and this could possibly be achieved if we can identify what contents of popular sensibilities are potential of undermining and of being critical of the regressive intensities and tendencies, the contradictory wisdoms and common senses.

Having said this, we are now proceeding to an aspect of this agitation which is particularly crucial to the circulation of the demands that goes far and wide. It is true that we demand with a desire to envisage a future, and in fact we do hope so, where we are secure and live on our own terms. This penchant for being ourselves along with the vision that seeks to protect it and the self that is being projected are not however given. They all are constituted within specific historical configuration that is nothing but our own doings, lives and experiences. The demand for ILP is no exception and it is in this sense a product of our times.

Deriving from our encounters with debris and the propellants, we might also consider that our agitation is not going to be a question of law alone. In actual fact, it will never be one. There is one aspect of this issue and it relates to a war like situation where two economies are in conflict. One works with its power to distribute, divide and occupy while the other operates with intensities of anger, disaffection, fear and retaliation. The former advances with Capital (usually money, goods and networks) the latter being about one that is left unused, untapped and replaced usually resist the other economy in the form of what is going on today, riots. Since war and economies figure as essential tropes in the overall picture, the current agitation can even grow much further into becoming a movement for just distribution of opportunities and free and equal chance to capabilities and aspirations. These are even at this moment what our demands are for. This war is thus not only about outsiders or insiders. Its potential power lies in its ability to raise the basic questions that have got on our nerves for quite a long time. From ILP we can further move against all kinds of exploitation, for a society where the common have a good part in the running of their affairs, including what they do to earn and live. If we want to go deeper and come up with alternative modes of life and governance which can be comparatively much better than the one we are living with, what else can it be other than this form of upsurge?

The outside will be transformed into a symbolic form and it can be anything, be it institutions, agencies, the bourgeois political order, or the system of power or something else. Anything or anybody that coerces us, disables us to become and prevents us from desiring to be what we are and what we can do constitutes the symbolic form in the figure of the outsider. Either inside or outside, with outsiders or insiders all that remains for us is to move and grow, to question and critique as a movement and perennially in motion.

If it is what we can do and we are so potential in our ability to grow, why are then we so obsessed with a law which was used by the colonial authorities to rule us, to exploit our resources in secret, by not allowing others to know what was actually going on behind the veil of inner line which was nothing but keeping us inside, forcing us to be covered not to see what was being done on us, on our land? Very simple. Being behind the line is a serious business and wanting to cross it is even more so!

(Dr Praem Hidam holds a Phd from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He lives in Delhi and can be contacte at praemhidam@gmail.com)

The article was originally published in The Sangai Express on 21 July 2015.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/where-do-we-go-from-ilp/

ASIA: Mob justice – a symptom of degenerating rule of law

By Javeria Younes 20 July 2015 The mob justice meted out to 13-year-old Samiul Alam Rajon, who was beaten to death in Bangladesh by an angry mob resolute on teaching

Furniture lying in the courtyard of W.Manglemjao of Khurai Thongam Leikai after an enraged mob ransacked his house on charges of molesting a student. Photo: KO archive

By Javeria Younes

20 July 2015

The mob justice meted out to 13-year-old Samiul Alam Rajon, who was beaten to death in Bangladesh by an angry mob resolute on teaching the youngster a lesson for stealing a bicycle, is a classic case of mob madness witnessed on our streets every day. Throughout Asia, deteriorating rule of law and ineffective criminal justice systems are resulting in people losing trust and resorting to mob justice.

Mob justice is often defined as the verdict of the crowd by subverting legal procedures and institutions in a situation of great injustice and mass suffering. The right to mete out punishment belongs to the state, but not so in societies where weak courts and poor law enforcement are combined with institutionalized injustice. The failure of judicial systems to deliver has aggravated the general frustrations of societies, resulting in feelings that grievances can only be adequately addressed by people taking the law into their own hands. Where cities are ever smarting under violence and where the grip of the law is loose, it is not unusual for citizens to act as police and judge. Protesters turn into vigilante mobs with ready justifications for committing acts of murder.

Increase in mob justice is directly proportionate to the backlog of cases in the courts. The mobs in Pakistan in particular, take the shape of mad vigilantism in blasphemy cases. Many crimes have been committed by charged up mobs that are often incited by local religious leaders to perform their religious duty and kill any person accused of blasphemy. People are desperate for justice and unable to access it, and so resort to taking the law into their own hands. Frustration with the criminal justice system, lack of police visibility and lack of trust between police and particular communities are some of the main drivers behind incidents of mob justice.

Such justice cannot be ethically condoned or tolerated in modern, liberal, democratic societies, but is overlooked by governments and the judiciary in our part of the world. The culprits, if apprehended, are acquitted by the court for lack of evidence, as their direct involvement is questionable due to the number of people involved. In the August 2010 case involving the lynching of two teenage brothers from Sialkot, Pakistan, for instance, the judge sentenced seven men to death while five co-accused were acquitted for insufficient evidence. Similarly, in the famous Best Bakery case during the 2002 Gujarat riots, where a Muslim family of 14 was burnt to death by an angry mob chanting communal slogans in Hanuman Tekri, Vadodara, all of the 21 accused were acquitted on 27 June 2003 by the additional session’s judge. On 9 July 2012, the Bombay High Court upheld the life sentences of four accused, while it acquitted five for lack of evidence.

Mob justice is not just a sudden outburst of uncontrolled fury, or the unspeakable brutality of an insane mob. It is the direct result of the persistent inability of our legal systems to conclusively resolve so many criminal cases. Increasing cases of mob justice are being reported from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, where people take matters into their own hands.

In July 2011 for example, six alleged robbers in the Noakhali area, southern Bangladesh, were beaten to death by a mob after the gang they were part of shot a villager dead. The video of the public lynching of Samiul Rajon in Bangladesh went viral, wherein the men are shown laughing and taunting the 13-year-old as they hit him repeatedly with a metal rod, while he begs them to stop and asks for a glass of water. Likewise, in southern Assam’s Karimganj District, India, a mob judged that a man was guilty of raping a girl and punished him by cutting off his penis. Another rapist was dragged from his prison cell and hanged to death by the mob. On 5 March 2015, the charged mob broken open the gate of the supposedly high security Dimapur Central Jail in Karimganj and dragged out the accused Syed Farid Khan onto the streets, where he was tortured and later hanged in the presence of jail security that stood as a silent spectator to the horror.

Petty theft is one of the main triggers for lynching in Indonesia. According to data from the National Violence Monitoring System, 20 percent of victims that were killed, badly hurt, or permanently crippled are victims of mob justice. In 2014, there were nearly 4,300 incidences of mob justice causing three hundred deaths. Similar trends can be observed in Sri Lanka, where a Buddhist mob was incited by monks after the alleged assault of another monk by Muslim youths in the town of Aluthgama, killing three people in Muslim areas. In Pakistan, a Christian couple was burnt alive by an angry mob alleging blasphemy.

Societal intolerance and growing despair of the lengthy and ineffective legal process has caused people to take revenge on petty criminals, while corrupt leaders, being influential and wealthy, enjoy complete protection of the system that perpetuates judicial incompetence. In these cases, a mob’s mentality is not so far different from extremist groups such as ISIS, which forcibly impose their version of moral and religious ethics, killing those who disagree.

The governments of South and Southeast Asia must invest in strengthening judicial and police institutions; establishing the rule of law has to be given priority over everything else. The legitimacy of any government depends on the rule of law, which requires establishing policing and judicial institutions that are effective, fair and transparent. Educating the public about how courts work and the principle that people are innocent until proven guilty, and visible policing, are some of the things to begin with.

In seeking justice, society must temper vengeance with reform. A mob is the method by which good citizens turn over law and governance to the criminal or irresponsible classes. Checks and balances are needed to prevent governments from either devolving into autocratic tyranny or autocratic mob mentality. Petty crimes should be dealt with at the magisterial level to lessen the burden of the lower judiciary; petty criminals should be reformed by community service and not by serving jail time, as this will only add unnecessary burden on the judicial system and the national exchequer. The state must proactively take urgent steps to restore people’s faith in the system before it is too late and geopolitical stability is threatened by a charged mob ready to bring down the government, resulting in anarchy and chaos.

Javeria Younes is a lawyer and social activist working for an egalitarian society, free from torture, and can be reached at: javeria.younes@ahrc.asia, and javeria.younus@live.com.

Source : AHRC/CORE

MSAD organising mass rally in Delhi on 27 July 2015

Ref. No.: MSADPR/20150720

Ref. No.: MSADPR/20150720 Date: 20-07-2015

“Mass Rally in Delhi

Mandi House to Jantar Mantar

27 July 2015; 11:00 a.m.”

A mass rally is being organised on 27^th July 2015 from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar (New Delhi). The rally has two objectives: (1) To express our resistance against the State Policy of Demographic Invasion, and (2) To Protest the Brutality of State Force in Suppressing Democratic Movement in Manipur.

Everyone is invited to take part in the rally, to reassert our moral responsibility and the commitment, to defend the rights of the indigenous peoples of Manipur, and to stand together against State Oppression.

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Route: Mandi House to Jantar Mantar

Bus service pickup points (from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.):

(1) North Campus: Patel Chest, Vijay Nagar, Indra Vihar, Nehru Vihar and Gandhi Vihar.

(2) South Campus: JNU, Murnika, Jamia, Maharani Bagh, Safdarjung Enclave.

Organised by Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD) with the support of Manipur Young Mind Association Delhi (MYMAD) and Fight You Are Not Alone.

For more information please contact: 981879202, 9891270695, 9717314803, 7503234766.

E-mail: msad.manipur@gmail.com, facebook.com/msad.manipur.9

Pitfalls of passion

There is a lovely passage in James Joyce`™s `Ulysses` which gives the readers a rather unusual insight into racism. Stephen Dedalus, a protagonist of the novel had just joined a

There is a lovely passage in James Joyce`™s `Ulysses` which gives the readers a rather unusual insight into racism. Stephen Dedalus, a protagonist of the novel had just joined a school in his hometown Dublin as a young teacher, and was being teased by his older colleagues, most of whom English, during a casual impromptu meeting on campus. At some point, the conversation digresses to the Jewish problem, with Dedalus`™ older colleagues making irreverent jokes about the community. The young teacher, uneasy and somewhat piqued, excuses himself and leaves. As he walks away, a good natured colleague, in the same jovial tone of the conversation that had been ensuing, calls after Dedalus who halts and looks back. Did you know Ireland is the only country which never had a Jewish problem, he asks the young man, adding, `do you know why?` Impatient but curious, Dedalus awaits the answer. `Because Ireland never allowed the Jews to enter Ireland in the first place`, he said and laughed. This is a paraphrase from memory and it is unlikely to be accurate to details, but the point is, this impish joke contains a valuable insight. It somewhat says the same thing that the familiar old adage does: good fences make good neighbours. It would be good for those sceptical or cynical about the idea of introducing a regulatory mechanism for migrant inflow into Manipur to consider this thought. The ILPS demand does not have to be seen as born out of an essential racial antagonism per se, but as a measure to prevent descent into such a state in the future. If Manipur appears like an ethnic nightmare today, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, with the ILPS is intact, are relatively tranquil. The condition in Nagaland which also has this system is far more complex, as we all know.

Nightmare indeed it has been for the past fortnight, ever since the unfortunate death of Sapam Robinhood, a 16 year old schoolboy on July 8, hit by a police tear gas shell on the face. Street clashes and police brutality became the order of the day until the government decided to take a step back and withdrew an earlier bill which those demanding the ILPS say was at best a placebo. No prizes for guessing that the situation can revert back to hell if things do not work out as planned or desired. What is also loudly evident is that civil society movements can be and has been powerful in Manipur. The rich fund of passion in the society is beyond question. While this is a priceless asset, in the absence of moderation, things can spin out of control into chaos and mayhem. A hint at what can happen under such a circumstance is there for everyone to see in a cell phone video which has gone viral on the internet, in which a burly moral policing Meitei woman bullies and brutally beats up an elderly Nepali woman for using alcohol, patronisingly citing and seeking sanctity of her action in the name of the ILPS agitation. Leaders of the movement must be wary of the fact that the passion on the streets being such, even democracy can transform into what Karl Popper referred to as ugly mobocracy.

This moderation must ideally come from the place`™s intellectual elite. But unfortunately this is where the shadow has always fallen. If it is at all a consolation, there were other places in the world ill of the same malaise as W.B. Yeats noted of Ireland`™s chaotic days, when it became a place `where the best lack all conviction/ and the worst are full of passionate intensity`. Curiously, in August of 2005, in an editorial titled `Silence of the Statesmen` evoked by a similar crisis in the state, the IFP had written how the quality of democracy in Manipur was the loser for the silence of the state`™s statesmen. Others have also picked up and elaborated on the theme in their own writings in the years that followed. It is unfortunate that 11 years later, the vacuum still has not been filled adequately, and we are left complaining again the lack of interest of the national media in the ILPS issue, and therefore a shortfall of understanding of the issue by the larger Indian public as well as policymakers. Unlike in the national media, at home, there are plenty of discussions. But the two are understandably different. Here it is mostly about how the issue should be tackled. For the national media it is the macro picture of what and why the issue is hot. It is sad that the state`™s intelligentsia, especially amongst its Diaspora, have not been able establish bridges with the media in their cities of residence to give their revolutionary thoughts the desired praxis, a term now suddenly in vogue. When it comes to the crux, witty stabs with two liner daggers or even tedious sermons on the social media cannot contribute much to the winds of change sweeping the land.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/pitfalls-of-passion/

Voices from another Atlantis

Ratika Yumnam Somehow the word `Atlantis`™ kept repeating itself at the back of my mind when I thought of Chadong, an Atlantis perhaps of lost memories. But unfortunately it is

Ratika Yumnam

Somehow the word `Atlantis`™ kept repeating itself at the back of my mind when I thought of Chadong, an Atlantis perhaps of lost memories. But unfortunately it is not a myth like Atlantis and reality seeps in like the dam waters. Chadong village of Ukhrul district is the current ground zero for the ongoing Mapithel crisis. The dam, which is a component of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project, was approved by the Planning Commission in 1980 without free, prior, informed consent of the people. It was slated to be completed by 1987, ironically the construction started only in 1990.
More than 8000 people will be affected once the dam is commissioned. 22 villages will have to look for alternative ways to survive. Indigenous communities will be uprooted from their sustainable traditional livelihood. They will be forced to adopt new ways of living, which may not be conducive to their environment and occupational skills. It is not just a story of Chadong, but neighbouring villages like Riha and Thoyee have begun panicking as well. Although their homesteads would not be submerged, their paddy fields will disappear in that watery abyss in a matter of days if the inundation does not stop. A bridge that connects to forest will also submerge, cutting off the lifelines of indigenous peoples who depend on it for their sustenance.
The situation is so bad that there is only one boat, rather two conjoined canoes operating as a boat for the villagers of Chadong. Just a week back, a 7-months pregnant lady had developed certain complications and much to her ordeal, she had to travel by means of that `boat`™, walk 5kms ahead and cross dangerous makeshift bamboo bridges, to reach the only motorable connecting road to Imphal. Her mother-in-law who accompanied her was too scared of the vast water body, as she had never experienced it before in her life. She latched on to one of my fellow activist, who all through this consoledher that it is ok and it is not as scary as it looks.
One might ask what`™s the hullabaloo about a sinking village? Isn`™t that part of `development`™? Of course, there are arguments like `one has to give up something in order to gain another thing.`™
But, in response to that, I would like to present some facts about the Thoubal Multipurpose project. The project itself is comprised of an earthen dam at Phayang village, Ukhrul district, for water supply and power generation; a barrage at Keithelmanbi 17 kms downstream for irrigation; and left and right bank canal system for irrigation. The supposed target benefits from this project is listed as power generation of 7.5 MW (3 generators of 2.5 MW capacity each); 10-12 MGD of drinking water for Imphal city; irrigation of 33,449 ha of land for Thoubal and Imphal East districts; navigation and flood control. However some of the prices, which the affected areas would have to pay for this project range from irreversible ecological to socio-cultural damages. And without proper Social Impact Assessment or even Environmental Impact Assessment done, it is a flagrant violation of the law of the land and abuse of constitutional and indigenous rights. Besides these human impacts, there are also pressing concerns about the scientific practicality of such dams, especially in a seismologically sensitive area like Manipur. Just recently, the small dam at Sekmai had developed cracks (link http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/page/items/53298/sekmai-dam-develops-crack ). Also, one needs to question the validity of such a technology in this age, considering the dam was proposed and sanctioned in the 1980s. A 25-years delay in its construction seems to hint at its obsolescence. In addition to that, projecting dams as clean technology is a myth. In the light of climate change and global warming, dams leave more carbon footprints due to rotting vegetations releasing methane. One example is the Balbina dam at Brazilian Amazon,which is estimated to produce 20-40 times the amount of carbon dioxide produced by coal fired power plants.
Besides these pressing concerns, the Thoubal project, and more specifically the Mapithel dam is an imposed project, accompanied by displacement of indigenous communities, heavy militarization and intimidation. The government of Manipur has breached many of its contracts time and again. Some of the notable ones are listed below:

`¢ An agreement between representatives of some affected villagers and government officials signed in 1993 stated that land compensation would be paid in 2 installments between 1993 and 1994. Instead it was paid in the form of 8 piece-meal payments much later in the years from 1996 to 2005.
`¢ Some landowners still have yet to receive their promised compensation.
`¢ Landowners still have not received 12% interest payment for the delayed compensation delivery.
`¢ Agreements regarding dam-related employment have yet to materialize.
`¢ Rehabilitative measures have yet to be considered or implemented.

Besides these breaches, there are inherent flaws of the contract itself. One basic flaw being the fact that the Memorandum of Agreed Terms and Conditions (1993) was executed only 13 years later after the approval and sanction of the project (1980). Also, construction began without conforming to the international norm of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the affected people. Even so, the supposed `consent`™ that the Government took from the affected villagers is highly questionable, considering it was based on false promises and taken under duress. No proper participatory assessment has been done when it comes to various impact dimensions such as environment, health, socio-economic and indigenous cultures. And indeed, no attempt was made to inform or seek the approval of Hill Areas Committee regarding the land acquisition. There is no comprehensive plan for R&R for the landless and landowners whose paddy fields and forest are to be submerged. Fishing and water rights for the affected villagers have not been even discussed. Cost-benefit analysis has not been done, which raises obviousconcerns about the dam becoming a White Elephant project.
The inundation started in January 2015, and the government has failed miserably in providing basic assistance to the affected people. One can only imagine the horrors if an epidemic outbreak occurs in the village.
In the end, my week-long stay at Chadong and the poignancy of the situation reminded me of JiaZhangke`™s movie Still Life. Needless to say, in a very Rhett Butlerian finesse, I would conclude – `Frankly my dear, we don`™t need a dam!`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/voices-from-another-atlantis/

No let up in ILPS movement: Road blocks give way to suspension of all economic activities

IMPHAL, July 20: There is no let up in the movement demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar legislation in the State, although supporters turned to

A torch rally taken out in New Checkong area demanding implementation of the ILPS.

IMPHAL, July 20: There is no let up in the movement demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System or a similar legislation in the State, although supporters turned to suspending all economic activities and staging sit in protests rather than imposing road blocks as the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System initiates its new course of agitations.

Normal life in the State capital and the valley districts was greatly hampered as business activities were suspended in response to a call from the JCILPS. Road blocks were also witnessed at a few places.

Since early morning, womenfolk came out to the streets and staged sit in protests.

Women vendors suspended their economic activities and staged sit in protests at their market sheds at several places.

Sit in protests were also witnessed on the road sides in almost every locality. Formations of human chain were also witnessed at different localities including at the Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, Thangmeiband, Sagolband, Nagamapal among others.

The movement supporters held placards demanding immediate implementation of the ILPS, punishing the police personnel involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood, etc.

Residents of Kotha Khabam Maning Leikai also staged a sit in protest at their local community hall. Similar sit in protests were also witnessed at Awang, Mayai and Mantra Leikais of the locality.

Locals also blocked the road demanding punishment of the police personnel involved in the death of Robinhood.

Agitators also blocked the Uripok-Kangchup road and the Imphal-Jiribam road at different places since early morning affecting traffic flows, however, no untoward incidents were reported from the said areas.

Sit in protests were also staged at Thangmeiband, Uripok, Moirangkhom, Yaiskul Police Lane, Keisamthong Kabui Khul, Keishamthong, Singjamei, Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai, UYO-WWA-WDA Club of Bheigyapati Leikai, Heirangoithong Bazaar etc.

Meira rallies were also taken out at several places including at New Checkon area late in the evening.

A large number of supporters from Sagolband who had taken out a rally met and converged with another large number supporters coming from the Uripok side near the Bir Tikendrajit Flyover, however, police disperse them back to their respective areas in a peaceful manner.

The Kakhulong Women Society also took out a torch rally demanding and supporting the implementation of ILPS in the State. The torch rally which started from Kakhulong passed through Masjid Road and Paona Bazar.

The Sangaiprou Kabui Khul also staged a sit in protest at Sangaiprou Kabui Khul demanding implementation of ILP in the State.

The All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association also staged a sit in protest at Khurai Lamlong Bazar supporting the public movement for implementation of the ILPS or a similar law in the State.

Our community also shares the fear of the people of the State in the absence of an Act like the ILPS, said secretary of the association Santa Khurai.

Santa also said that it is their bounded duty to support the mass movement.

No formal invitation from govt to hold talks on ILPS: JCILPS

IMPHAL, July 20: Reacting to the remarks of Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam that the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) is not willing to talk with the government

IMPHAL, July 20: Reacting to the remarks of Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam that the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) is not willing to talk with the government on ILP issue despite sending invitations, the JCILPS clarified that there has been no formal invitation from the government as of now to hold talk.

A statement of JCILPS revealed that the committee received a letter from the office of Chief Minister to hold a meeting on the issue on July 15 at around 2 pm just after the controversial Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015 was withdrawn during an emergency sitting of Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The request was rejected by the committee suspecting a hidden agenda on part of the government. The government had sent an invitation to the committee on July 14 wanting to hold a meeting of which the committee replied back the next day, it said.

However, there has been no reply from the government, it said.

The unwarranted remarks of the deputy Chief Minister could be seen as an attempt to create a rift between the JCILPS and the people which will not succeed, it asserted.

There has to be a solution to the ongoing mass agitation which cannot be brought about by holding a meeting that also in a hurried manner, the JCILPS statement said.

Stating that the committee will welcome any positive steps taken up by the government according to the wishes of the people regarding enactment of a new bill to monitor the rampant entry of non-locals into the State, the statement questioned the sincerity and commitment of the government on enacting such a new bill.

Apparent failure to implement the ILPS or any other law is due to lack of political will on part of the government, the JCILPS said.

The only solution to the ongoing mass agitation is enactment of a new strong bill within the deadline set by the committee and such a solution cannot be brought by convening a mere meeting devoid of any agenda, it said.

Six core members of the committee were arrested by police in connection with the ILPS movement. They were put in the lock up of Porompat Police Station. However, they were released the following day, with the authorities concern claiming that they were picked up for a meeting with the Chief Minister and that they were not arrested, it said.

The people are well aware of such drama staged by the government, the statement contended.

Pledging that the ongoing agitation will not be ceased till a new bill is passed by the government within the deadline set by it, it appealed to the people to continue with staging of sit-in-protest, rally, formation of human chain and storming residences of MLAs and Ministers to press the government to enact a new bill acceptable to the people within the set deadline.

Government and JCILPS dialogue only solution to present issue: Senior Citizens Society

IMPHAL July 20: The government and leaders of the agitating parties should loosen up on their rigid stances and come together to end the present impasse regarding the demand for

IMPHAL July 20: The government and leaders of the agitating parties should loosen up on their rigid stances and come together to end the present impasse regarding the demand for the ILPS, said Senior Citizens for Society secretary Khaidem Mani.

Speaking at a press conference called at Keishamthong Laisom Leikai today, Mani said even though the society supports the legitimate demands of the JCILPS, the society appeals to both the parties to sit down together and collaborate in the preparation of the new bill.

He said `We feel that the government`™s timeline of three months for preparing the new bill is too long, but at the same time feel that the 15 days timeline of the JCILPS is a little too short.`

We propose the timeline to be within one month and appeal to both parties to agree on the same, he said.

Further appealing for dialogue between the two sides, he said the Senior Citizens Society would be happy to facilitate any such dialogue between the government and the JCILPS.

Mani continued, the SCS also demand punitive actions against those involved in the death of Sapam Robinhood and that the State government should construct a memorial in remembrance of his sacrifice.

The SCS would also like to appeal to the public especially the academicians and intelligentsia to make constructive suggestions on the issue instead of sensationalizing it, he said.

At the same time, the government should also ensure re-opening of educational institutions immediately, he continued.

SCS general secretary Laishram Sadananda Singh also expressed concern over the different paths chosen by the government and the JCILPS on the ILPS issue.

He explained the core objective of the movement is to protect the indigenous people through the ILPS or a similar law or even by amending or expanding an existing law.

There is also the possibility of appropriately amending the MLRLR Act 1960 to restrict the sale of land to non-domicile citizens, he continued.

He pointed out that the title of the bill which was passed and recently withdrawn was very misleading. He also suggested that besides improving the content of the new bill, the title should also be appropriate.

He suggested the imperative need to hire a constitutional expert while drafting a feasible bill and also emphasized that a dialogue between the government and the JCILPS is the only solution to the situation.

He further appealed to the JCILPS to positively respond to the invitation from the government.

Sadananda also expressed his concern regarding the delay in performing the funeral rites of late Sapam Robinhood whose body still lies in JNIMS morgue.

`It is an undeniable fact that Robinhood died in police action. Hence under the circumstances, the State should suspend the involve personnel to pacify the angst of the people,` he asserted.

At the same time it is also unfortunate that two volunteers of the present agitation are still in police custody, he said before appealing to the government to release them at the earliest and create a cordial atmosphere for dialogue instead of merely sending out invitation for talks.

Terminate personnel who shot at Sapam Robinhood: Transporters` bodies

IMPHAL, July 20: This is not the time for the government to wait for an enquiry into the death of Sapam Robinhood, but it must take immediate punitive action against

IMPHAL, July 20: This is not the time for the government to wait for an enquiry into the death of Sapam Robinhood, but it must take immediate punitive action against those police personnel involved in shooting at students who were in school uniforms, according to Manipur Truck Owners`™ Welfare Association president H Ranjit.

Speaking to media persons today at the MG Avenue office of the Truck Drivers`™ Council, Ranjit said several transporters`™ body of the State convened a joint meeting and have unanimously resolved to extend full support to the ongoing movement demanding implementation of the ILPS or a similar legislation which is under the ambit of the Indian Constitution in the State.

He said the transporters`™ bodies also condemned the death due to police firing at a student rally on July 8.

He said the transporters extend moral support to the bereaved family and share their grievances.

Ranjit said the government should take immediate action against the police personnel who intentionally fired the tear gas shells and rubber bullets aimed at the students who were taking out a rally in a democratic manner.

The concern authorities should immediately terminate the police personnel involved in the death of the student and conduct a departmental or judicial inquiry for further action, Ranjit said.

The transporters`™ main demand is for the government to deliver justice to the victim`™s family, he asserted.

The irresponsible and ill-trained police officers under whom the arrogant police personnel were acting with excessive violence leaving a student dead and many others injured should be held responsible for all such police excesses.

He said the government should not delay further in taking action against the involved personnel and the enquiry may be taken up later.

There is no need for the delay and waiting for an inquiry as the authorities are aware of the names of the personnel and officers who were present at the location when the incident happened, he continued.

It was the arrogance of the police personnel that killed young Sapam Robinhood, he continued.

It is unfortunate that the government has failed to seriously consider the public demand till today, he said.

He said the transporters have also decided during today`™s meeting to support all forms of agitation called by the JAC of Robinhood and the JCILPS, and as such will cease their activities inside the State immediately.

The transporters further appeals to the government to bring an amicable solution to the ongoing issue with the JCILPS and the JAC, he said.

Today`™s meeting of the transporters`™ bodies was attended by president and secretary of All Manipur Truck Owner`™s Welfare Association, All Manipur Transporters`™ Drivers and Motor Workers Union, Bus Owner`™s Union of Manipur, All Manipur Inter-Bus, Winger and Cruiser Driver`™s Welfare Union, Indo-Myanmar Road Self-employed Van Association Imphal and Moreh Tata Sumo, Jeep Welfare Association.

Consult constitutional experts, BJP advises govt

IMPHAL, July 20: BJP, Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba today advised the State government to consult constitutional experts regarding the drafting of the new bill. Speaking to media persons after

IMPHAL, July 20: BJP, Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba today advised the State government to consult constitutional experts regarding the drafting of the new bill.

Speaking to media persons after announcing extension of the party state office bearers today, Chaoba said the Congress government is wasting time instead of consulting the constitutional experts.

He said the BJP welcomes the open invitation of the deputy Chief Minister to the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System and other stakeholders for talks.

It means that the Congress government has atlast heard the cries of the public, he said.

At the same time, he asked why the government is delaying in inviting constitutional experts to discuss the drafting of the bill.

Chaoba also reiterated its earlier stand that the bill should not infringe on subjects listed under Union list like migrants and labours.

He also said that with aim of strengthening the party in the State, it has extended the office bearers.

In 2012, the number of BJP members was only 12000, but after the recent nation-wide enrolment drive, the members of BJP have reached 300000 in the State, he said.

He said newly appointed vice presidents of the BJP, Manipur Pradesh are V Hangkhalian (former minister), S Satybhama Devi, Dr RK Ranjan Singh, Md AR Khan, I Mangiton Singh and Adim Pamei.

Man charged of killing sister in collusion with sons surrender before police

IMPHAL, July 20: In a shocking incident, a man had allegedly colluded with his two sons to kill his own sister and later buried her body in the backyard of

IMPHAL, July 20: In a shocking incident, a man had allegedly colluded with his two sons to kill his own sister and later buried her body in the backyard of their residence.

The incident took place at Loitang Khullen Mayai Leikai under Sekmai Police Station, Imphal West.

The accused man has been identified as Irom Apabi Singh of Loitang Khullen Mayai Leikai.

Apabi along with his two sons have surrendered to Sekmai Police Station, reports stated.

The deceased has been identified as Irom ningol Amubi Devi, 61 wife of Late Shamu Singh.

She was married to Shamu of Phumlou but had been staying at the residence of her brother since the past few years after her husband died.

Reports said for the past four-five days, family members have been complaining that Amubi has gone missing.

Suspicious of foul play, some local neighbours entered and checked Apabi`™s residential compound taking advantage of the absence of family members today.

During the search, they found a pit in the backyard in which Amubi`™s body was buried informed sources.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered by the police in connection to the incident. The body has been kept at RIMS morgue for post mortem examination.

Expedite construction of power sub-station at Salluk Village: Chakpikarong DCC member

CHANDEL, July 20: Newly elected member of the Autonomous District Council, Chandel from Chakpikarong DCC Nula Warngam has appealed to the concern authorities to make functional the power sub-station at Salluk Village at the earliest so that power supply in Chakpikarong and its surrounding areas which has been cut off for almost a month can be resumed.

Warngam made the appeal through the media after inspecting the Power station Salluk, Community Health Centre Chakpikarong and office of the SDO Chakpikarong.

He was accompanied by the village chiefs of Chakpikarong, Rungchang and Novokom, representatives of the NPF Chandel Divisional Unit and Anal Students Union Chakpikarong branch.

`The people of Chakpi area are grateful to the State government for having constructed the power station which is believed to solve the problem of power shortage in the entire sub division, when completed and put to use`™, Warngam said.

Informing of the hardships and problems the people have been facing for the last one month, Warngam appealed the concerned authority to expedite the process in making the station functional.

The team while visiting the Community Health Centre Chakpikarong found the ultra sound and x-ray rooms locked. Later, in the meeting it was reported that there were no technicians to operate the machines.

`Candle lights were sometimes used when there were cases of emergencies in the hospital due to lack of power supply in the hospital`™ a staff disclosed to the visiting team before the media.

It was also reported that there were lack of doctors and nurses in the hospital. Later while talking to the media, Warngam appealed to the concern health directorate to look in to the matter in the interest of the people at the earliest.

The team expressed unhappiness when the SDO office Chakpikarong was found without a single staff present.

NPF Chandel Divisional Unit president, Ts Molarsing talking to media after the inspection alleged the State government of neglecting Chakpikarong sub division.

He expressed resentment over the condition of CHC chakpikarong saying that the hospital exist only for name sake without proper equipment.

Hyderabad Manipuri Society organised ‘Candle light vigil’

ilp, ilps, jcilps, hyderabad manipuri society

Hyderabad Manipuri Society, Hyderabad organised a peaceful candle light vigil at at Doyens Township Colony, Serilingampally on Saturday, 18th July 2015. Photo by HYMS

Hyderabad Manipuri Society (HYMS) has organized a peaceful “CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL” at Doyens Township Colony, Serilingampally on Saturday, 18th July 2015, to condemn the atrocious act of police force which resulted in the brutal killing of student, Sapam Robinhood ,and to demand the implementation of ILP in Manipur. HYMS observed 2-minutes of silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul and prayed for the soul to rest in peace. We also conveyed its condolence to the family of Sapam Robinhood and shared its grief. HYMS strongly condemn the police action that led to civilians and students injuries over the last two weeks in Manipur, who were protesting against the Manipur government insensitive visitors bill and demanding full implementation of ILP. We support the implementation of ILP in – No uncertain term.

HYMS can be reached at hyderabadmanipurisociety(at)gmail(dot)com .

ILP amasung political leader singi vote bank policy

I.L.P issue asida some political leader kharana magi magi kendrada leiba mitop kharagi vote phangnanabagi I.L.P issue asida kaya pukning changsindaba yaoba khara aduna manipur government gi I.LP ga related leiba Officer amadi minister singi marakta mot manadaba khara yaoramgani maram aduna I.L.P issue asi kaya serious oidaba aduna praja eikhoida laakkadouriba macha mashu sing kamaina leihougadage meitei haiba jaati asi mutlakpagi mami sami urakpadunani ngasi eikhoina tumba chapham khangdana leiriba mayam ase kanasu natte eikhoi eikhoi e amatani khallaga miyamna thagatlakliba minister singsina masagi idendity khanjallaktaba asi eikhoigidi laibak thibani aduga amaromda eikhoina I.L.P chatnahallu haibasida kanagumba kharana atoppa phattaba romda puthoklaga eikhoig mayamga leiminaraklaba ipa ipu haaktakdagi leiminarakpa tatna thanaba yadraba atoppa jati haibadi non manipuri singda I.L.P chatnahallu haiba system asi lanna uhanba asinasu mot manadaba yaorakpara haina khalli aduba eikhoina taalliba I.L.P system asi mitop tanthoknaba wakhallonda pusillakpa natte supnatagi atoppa state kharada chatnahallaga aduga manipur da chatnahandaba asi indian govt gi policy da makhoida eikhoi manipur gi mathakta kari policy oiramgani khanbada akiba kiningai oiba wakhan khanthaba chumbra khalli aduna ei khoi amatani supnatagi govt gi law gi thongda system amakhak chatnahanbiyu haibani .(mayamna comment asi pabiraga asoiba yaoragadi haibiraku achumba oiragana mathakta panjakhiba wahei sing ase gyan tahoudaba atoppa jati singda khanghanbiyu eikhoi masel khatnaba yade eikhoi amatani haiba wakhallon purakpada khajikta mateng oigadra khanduna miyamda wahei asi haijabani)

The short article was sent by Momon Thoudam from Jiribam. He is Special correspondent for www.kanglaonline.com. He can be reached at thoudammomo(at)gmail(dot)com.

Incessant failed to dampen the spirit of Kang chingba (Rath Yatra) in Manipur: Photo gallery by Siddharth Haobijam

Imphal, 18 July 2015 : Like every year, this year too show Manipuri hindus celebrating Rath Yatra or Kang Chingba. But due to incessant rain , the Govindajee temple was

Manipuri hindus celebrating Rath Yatra(Kang Chingba) despite incessant rain. Photo by Siddharth Haobijam

Imphal, 18 July 2015 : Like every year, this year too show Manipuri hindus celebrating Rath Yatra or Kang Chingba. But due to incessant rain , the Govindajee temple was flooded and many devotees rue the neglect of the government .

Kang was also celebrated at ISKCON temple situated at Tiddim Road.

Many localities also saw colourful small rath rolling into the streets with children in colourful, festive dresses in tow.

AR apprehends arms dealer; organised Iftaar party: Press release

Imphal, 19 July 2015: Based on specific intelligence regarding ferrying of illegal arms and contraband drugs on NH 102, troops of the 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector AR under

Imphal, 19 July 2015: Based on specific intelligence regarding ferrying of illegal arms and contraband drugs on NH 102, troops of the 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) apprehended an individual alongwith illegal arms and contraband drugs at Khudengthabi check post on 16 Jul 2015. A scooty travelling from Moreh to CC’ Pur was stopped for checking and on a thorough check of the scooty led to recovery of two Beretta Pistols 3032 Tomcat. 32 US made (Regd No – DAA 489356 and Regd No – DAA 492731), two empty Magazines, 975 numbers of WY (R-20) tablets (Approx worth Rs 9.75 Lacs), one mobile phone, one voter identity card and a SBI ATM card. The apprehendee was identified as P Ginsuanthang Zou, aged 23 years, S/o Mr. P Donglian Zou, resident of Moreh Ward No – 08, PO/PS – Moreh, Dist – Chandel. The apprehendee alongwith the recovered items has been handed over to Moreh Police Station.

12 BIHAR of 9 Sector under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) organised an ‘Iftaar Celebration’ on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr at Mayang Imphal on 16 Jul 2015.

Keeping the ethos, faith and beliefs of the locals, “Iftaar Celebration” was organised to celebrate the auspicious occasion during holy month of Ramzaan at Mayang Imphal. A total of 65 people were present during Iftaar Celebration.

Evening was grand as distinguished dignitaries from across the spectrum joined the Iftaar Celebration. In process of further developing the trust of the people and to maintain the communal harmony, food for the visitors was catered exclusively by this unit. The event was attended by civil dignitaries including Pradhans and councilors representing various villages of Mayang Imphal. The noble effort of this unit was met with a great zeal and enthusiasm by the local populace.

INVITATION FOR 3RD WIM CUP 2015 (3RD WAHENGBAM INDRAMANI MEMORIAL CUP 2015)

In the memory of LATE SHRI WAHENGBAM INDRAMANI SINGH, “3RD WIM CUP 2015″ (SECOND WAHENGBAM INDRAMANI MEMORIAL CUP 2015 ), a football tournament would be held on 30th August2015 as

In the memory of LATE SHRI WAHENGBAM INDRAMANI SINGH, “3RD WIM CUP 2015″ (SECOND WAHENGBAM INDRAMANI MEMORIAL CUP 2015 ), a football tournament would be held on 30th August2015 as a tribute to the football lovers. The tournament would be held on a League & knock-out basis and sixteen teams would be vying for the trophy. Teams interested to participate and help the event become a great success are invited. Details can be obtained through calling the phone numbers 00919916329133/00918088631090(whatsapp) or by emailing wimcup@gmail.com.