Category: News

By Alex Guite

LAMKA, March 11: A committee of the Manipur Alliance for Child Right, MACR, Imphal, headed by its convener Keisham Pradip along with four members and councillor of the CWC, Manipur, in collaboration with the MACR, Churachandpur Chapter, went on a fact finding mission, accompanied by a group of media men, in regards to the case of organised and routine rape of minors at the North Eastern Children Home,NECH, located at Rangkai, Lamka, by its administrator Timothy L. Changsan who is now in jail yesterday.

The team went to the Home, which is one of the most well run homes of the district, where the seven minor girls, who ran away from the Home, made a formal complaint of sexual harassment, torture and rape by the administrator, who was describe by many as serials offended and a sex maniac.

The offender is currently in police custody waiting to be charge sheeted.

It may be recalled the IFP broke the news of this sex crime.

Officials of the Home told the visiting team that they are keeping by the order of the CWC and are doing everything to protect the unfortunate seven girls. They however said they are unaware of any further development in the case.

They said they did not intervene in the matter because it was beyond their jurisdiction to do so but they were aware `the girls were terrorized by the influential administrator of the Home.`

They said they were aware the test are underway if the girls were actually physically raped or else it was technical rape as per legal definition. They said they were aware under the new POCSO Act, molestation or advance with ill intention are considered rape.

The fact finding team will also meet with some relatives of the victim girls but were surprise by the fact that the response to the crime by the CCpur public was less then lukewarm with no women and student organizations coming out in the open to protest or condemn the rape.

A top functionary of a girls Home of the district confided that the lukewarm response and sombre attitude of different organizations is on account of the money power and influence of the offender. The fact that the children were orphans also may contribute to this lack of support, they said.

The MACR, Manipur `s convener echoed this line by saying that `why would even parents keep silence after knowing that their children were abused.`

The surprising fact was also the absence of child right activists of the district. Equally surprising was the police who too restrained parents to meet their wards.

It was also learned during the tour that the school, also a Home, was known for corporal punishments.

Many believe police officers are hands in gloves with the culprit.

Of the total of 28 girls borders the Home sheltered before IFP broke the scandal, the home now has only 21 girls. The remaining girls were given counselling by the MACR team.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/manipur-child-rights-alliance-visits-home-were-children-were-routinely-raped-by-administrator/

IMPHAL, March 12: The ministry of home affairs sent an advisory warning of attacks on people from the Northeast states after it found that a misinformation campaign about the Dimapur incident was going on in the social media, a report in Asian Age today said.

The report quoted an MHA official as saying `We suspect that the social media is being used by some anti-social elements to create tension and instigate people to attack people of Northeast origin in the three cities,`. The Centre also told the states to deploy adequate security forces in places that a sizeable number of Northeast people live and frequent, it said.

The report said on the controversy over the alleged rape, the joint secretary in the home ministry in charge of Northeast affairs, Mr. Shambhu Singh, told said, `We have not received any such report from Nagaland which defined the Dimapur incident as a case of consensual sex.`

It also quoted him as saying `Even the report of the Forensic Sciences Laboratory has not come. It is awaited.`

Quoting sources the report further said said the MHA has got a status report from the state government which contains the `statement` of the `rape accused` to the police after his February 24 arrest denying he had committed the crime and stating he had paid Rs. 5,000 to the alleged rape victim. `This does not establish whether the crime was committed or not.`

Pointing out that the forensic report will be placed before the court, Mr. Singh said it is the court that will take cognisance of the evidences and forensic reports now, the Asian Age report said.

Meanwhile, Nagaland home minister Y. Patton said in Kohima that the rape of a 20-year-old girl, alleged by Syed Farid Khan who was lynched by a mob on March 5, has been confirmed. Mr. Patton disclosed this in response to the claim by Khan`™s family members that the girl was not raped and that he was framed for his refusal to cough up illegal taxes. Mr Patton reiterated that the medical report had confirmed rape.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/dimapur-issue-no-naga-report-on-consensual-sex-says-mha/

IMPHAL, March 12: Manipur Historical Society today felicitated Prof Gangmumei Kamei on being nominated as a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi.

The felicitation programme was held at the office complex of Manipur State Archives, Keisampat.

Mention may be made that the Gazette notification reconstituting the council was issued on 24th February 2015.

Professor of History, Manipur University Prof N Joykumar Singh said that Prof Gangmumei Kamei will be the first from the state constituting into ICHR, New Delhi as its member.

He elaborated that history of Manipur has reached the larger platform from Pro Kamei`™s contribution in the Manipur History.

He mentioned that the history department of the Manipur University focuses on regional history and regional history constitutes national history. Calling to have liberal historians from the state he said that Prof Gangmumei Kamei is not only a historian but also a person who brings social change through his books on Manipur History.

Museum curator Mutua Bahadur during the felicitation programme said that there is a need to focus on material culture of the ancient Manipur.

He said that though he is not a historian but with enthusiasm created a museum of ancient artifacts.

He also urged to study the significance of material culture of Myanmar where footprints of Manipur is losing its trail.

Prof Gangmumei Kamei lauding the society for his felicitation said that being historian there is miles to go.

He said that ICHR is supporting the historian with financial aid and one should take advantage of it.

The felicitation programme was also attended by former Art & Culture Director K Sobita, President Manipur Historical Society S Bheigya Singh as special guest and president.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/prof-gangmumei-kamei-felicitated-on-being-nominated-for-indian-council-of-historical-research/

IMPHAL, March 12: The State home department will take up immediate measures to counter the recent trend of bomb attacks in the Imphal city and will be soon be making the installed CCTV cameras functional. The government will also be installing additional cameras, said the Deputy Chief Minsiter, Gaikhangm, who is also in charge of the Home portfolio.

The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking with pressmen at the office of MPCC President this evening.

He said top police brass will shortly be holding a meeting and will decide on the street frisking system in order to screen for explosives.

Currently the police conduct foot patrolling as well as motorcycle mobile surveillance round the clock in city.

He said for the Moreh route his government has already requested the Union Home Minister to provide the X-ray machines to screen for concealed objects.

He said frisking everybody on the street all the time is impossible. Moreover, the plice earn a lot of complaints from the public for doing this.

This being the case, an X-ray scanner for vehicle may be what Imphal City needs urgently, he said. He however said this machine is prohibitively costly.

To a question whether he thinks yesterday`™s blast was linked to the agitation for implementation of the ILP, he said he would not he hasty to link up the incident to ILP issue as nobody has claimed responsibility for blast as yet.

As Home Minister it would be unfair for him to point fingers at anybody but what is certain is some anti-social elements are determined to destabilise the social harmony in State.

Perpetrators of such crimes are the common enemies of not only Manipur but humankind he said, pledging to deal with them with tough measures.

He said the police are investigating into the incident minutely and expressed hope that the culprits will be booked very soon.

Answering another query, he said it would be wrong to term Manipur as the bomb blast capital. He also said if the miscreants were targeting non-local people only for in yesterday`™s incident many of the casualties were local people. Let us wait for the investigation report to be ready before making presumptions, he said.

Gaikhangam said that in his opinion police are doing an excellent job to control the law and order situation in the State. The state government is going to hold a meeting with top police brass for upgrading security measures he added.

To another query, the Home Minister said as far as his knowledge goes no security personnel is complicit in the crime. However the Home department is a very large family with 20,000 to 30,000 manpower and possibilities of black sheep cannot be completely ruled out.

He however said his government will not leave any stone unturned to find the culprits, whoever they are. Frisking will be tougher, but he has cautioned the department of the charges of police forcibly taking away money and mobile phones from students etc.

He said detecting IED brought into the city or market place is not simple as the miscreants may bring in the component of the IED separately.

The Deputy Chief Minister also appealed for the cooperation of the public in this common fight.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/govt-to-hold-security-meet-to-augment-bomb-surveillance-facilities-in-state-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, March 12: Strongly condemning the bomb blast at Khwairamband Keithel Temporary Market on March 11, women vendors`™ associations and shop keepers jointly staged a sit-in-protest today at Khwairamband Keithel.

Almost all the busy market places such as Ima Market Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar, Masjid Road, Alu Gali, and Temporary Market remained close protesting against the frequent bomb blast.

Speaking to media persons, Ph Liklai Leima, president of Ima Panthoi Mari Suba Temporary Market, said that they strongly condemned the barbaric act which has been frequently happening in the state.

`We are only daily earner and why is this happening all the time? We are not satisfied with the present Government. We have now completely lost our faith in the Government,` said Ph Liklai Leima.

She further said that various mother`™s association, shopkeepers and other daily wage earners are now seriously disappointed and disheartened with the government as this (bomb blast) has been frequently taking place in the State.

Ph Liklai Leima strongly urged the government to find out who is responsible for the frequent blast that is happening in the state.

Bihari, a member of Roadside Welfare Vendor Association, Ima Keithel, urged the Government and whoever was responsible for the blast not to play with the lives of the people.

`If any untoward incidents happen in future, Government should take full responsibility,` said Bihari.

Various association of Ima Keithel have strongly demanded the State Government to install CCTV cameras within 5 days in and around Ima Keithel.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/women-vendors-shopkeepers-stage-sitin-against-bomb-blast/

IMPHAL, March 12: The JAC formed in connection with the bomb blast at Khwairamband Keithel Temporary Shed on March 11 has called an indefinite Manipur Bandh starting from 6 pm of March 12.

Convenor of the JAC, Md Qudus speaking to IFP said that the JAC placed some demands infront of the Chief Minister which includes; arrest of the culprits involve in triggering the bomb and giving them befitting punishment, an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the three persons killed in the blast and to provide a government job to the sister of Md Salman Khan, who was one of the victim killed in the blast yesterday.

Qudus further said after hearing the news of the bandh call, the Chief Minister`™s office reached out to the JAC representatives to have a meeting with the CM at his office at around 6:30 pm.

At the meeting the JAC representatives placed their demands infront of the CM.

The Chief Minister agreed to meet all the other demands placed infront of him by the JAC representatives except for one demand to provide a government job to the next of kin of Md Salman Khan.

So the JAC decided to go ahead with its earlier announced indefinite Manipur bandh from 6 pm today, he said.

However, if the government agrees to fulfil the demand, the JAC will suspend the bandh with immediate effect, added.

He also informed that the JAC representatives will have a meeting with the CM tomorrow morning at around 8 am.

Meanwhile, Md Salman`™s lifeless body is still lying at RIMS morgue awaiting post mortem examination as the talk between the JAC representatives and government failed to come to an agreement.

Meanwhile, the All Manipur Minorities Students`™ Union (AMMSU) has also called a 48 hours bandh condemning the bomb blast.

The bandh was announced at a press meet held this afternoon at 2:30 here at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul.

AMMSU president Syed Nawas Khan speaking to media persons said the student body strongly condemn the bomb blast at a crowded place which killed three innocent and injuring more than 20 people.

The student body has demand the organization responsible for the bomb blast to come out clean within 48 hours. It has further demanded all the educational institutions in the State to remain close during this 48 hours bandh as one student, Salman Khan, 20, son of Md Islamudding, a student of Modern College perusing his BA, was killed in the blast.

It demanded the Government to establish a library in the name of the deceased student at Modern College and provide an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased within 48 hours.

It also demanded a government job to next of kin of the deceased student.

The bandh will exempt ritual functions, media and other emergency services, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/jac-ammsu-announce-bandh-against-deaths-in-bomb-blast/

IMPHAL, March 11: At least three people were killed and more than 20 including eight women injured in a bomb blast at Khwairamband Keithel Temporary Market today, amidst the tight security arrangement by the police.

The blast site is only about 80 metres from City Police Station.

The bomb which was said to be an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near a tea stall run by a non-local man. The blast occurred exactly at 5:54 pm.

Some three or four non-local vendors also sell betel leaves near the tea stall.

Eyewitnesses at the blast site told IFP that when the blast occurred there were many people gathered near the tea stall, and as the market was about to close for the day, it was a time of evening rush at the adjacent poultry market shed.

Right after the blast, police came rushed in and pick up the injured people one after another and admitted them at the Chamber of Commerce Hospital located close by.

However as the hospital does not have emergency or casualty ward facilities, they had to be taken to RIMS Hospital.

Md Salman, 20, son of Md Islamuddin of Kshetri Bengoon Awang Leikai, was one of the three who were killed on the spot. He was working as a salesman at M/S Farhaan Shoe House located opposite to the poultry market.

The second person who died on the spot has been identified as Mithun Kumar Yadav, 29, son of Gulap Yadav, of Khagaria village in Bihar. He was a labourer presently staying at Thangal Bazaar.

The identity of the third victim could not be ascertained till the filling of this report. His lifeless body has been deposited at RIMS morgue.

The injured who were admitted at RIMS are Mamta Begum, 40, wife of Md Yusuf Khan of Kairang; Mina Khatur Begum, 45, wife of (L) Md Tayeb Ali of Kairang; Sitaram Begum, 50, wife of (L) Md Karim of Oinam Sawombung Dam; Md Fakaruddin, 32, son of Md Nizamuddin of Sangai Yumpham; Basira Begum, 35, daughter of Md Fazaruddin of Sangai Yumpham; Moirangthem Thaba Devi, 32, daughter of (L) M Manihar Singh of Tentha.

Further, Ram Sagar, 30, son of Manga Sagar of Bihar; Sorokhaibam Biren Singh, 47, son of S Khamba Singh of Heingang Makha Leikai; Thangjam Ongbi Chandani Devi, 46, wife of Th Dwijamani of Lamdeng Makha Leikai; Md Imran Khan, 18, son of Md Allauddin of Lilong Turel Ahanbi; Thounaojam Ongbi Puspa Devi, 45, and her husband Th Ibomcha, 50, son of (L) Th Lukhoi Singh of Tera Sapam Leikai;

Furthermore, Pankaj Yadav, 25, son of Bana Yadav of Bihar, at present BT Road; Rajiv Yadav, 30, of Bihar; Pramod Yadav, 30, of Bihar; Md Akbar, 45, son of Md Gani of Khabeisoi; Ph Ongbi Nungshi Devi, 51, wife of Ph Dinesh Singh of Wabagai and Laishram Ito Singh, 55, son of (L) L Apabi Singh of Sagolmang.

Besides these 18 people, few others were also admitted at RIMS, but as they sustained only minor injuries they were discharged after first-aid.

Some poultry were also killed and injured while a scooter, tea stall materials, a bench were seen damaged in the blast.

The IGP (LO) L Kailun, SP/IW Dr Ak Jhaljit Singh along with a large number of police force inspected the blast site.

Forensic and bomb experts were also seen inspecting the site.

Later, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, MLA RK Anand and PHED/Labour Minister I Hemochandra Singh also came to the blast site to take stock of the situation.

After a team of police led by DGP Saheed Ahamad visited the injured persons at RIMS, Deputy CM Gaikhangam also came and visited the victims at RIMS.

Speaking to media persons at RIMS, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio, while strongly condemning the blast has appealed to the people of the State to stand united to fight against such people who are triggering bombs in crowded places.

While terming today`™s incident as very unfortunate, he further said that it is a very shameful act to attack people who are struggling to earn their daily bread.

Gaikhangam appealed for peace and harmony in order to bring development in the State.

He said everything can be settled though talks and negotiations.

He also added that a meeting with the top brass police officials will be held tomorrow regarding the security issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/three-killed-more-than-20-injured-in-bomb-blast-at-khwairamband-keithel/

IMPHAL, March 12: The Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRM) had recently written to all Homeopathy Medical Colleges to administer `Arsenic 30`™ as a preventive medicine against Swine Flu.

This was stated by Dr K Lokendro Singh, Director AYUSH, Government of Manipur, during a press conference held today at the Manipur Press Club.

Dr K Lokendro elaborated that as per the recommendation of the CCRM, this medicine can prevent infections that cause influenza including the Swine Flu caused by H1N1 infection.

He continued that on the basis of cases of flu like illnesses in the country, experts have recommended taking one dose of homoeopathic medicine Arsenium album 30 (4 pills of size 30 by adults and 2 pills of size 30 by children daily, on empty stomach, for 3 days)

The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule in case risk of flu like conditions persists.

General hygiene measures as suggested by the ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India for prevention of the disease, should also be followed by the public.

For treatment of flu any qualified Homoeopathic practitioner can be consulted.

Dr K Lokendro also informed the media persons that an expert technical committee was formed on March 7 to look into the issue of Homeopathy treatment in prevention and management of Swine Flu (H1N1) human infection and Flu-like illnesses.

The experts committee consist of Dr A Guneshwar Sharma (SAO) Director of AYUSH as chairman, Dr M Shyamjai Singh (Deputy Director) Directorate of AYUSH as convener, Dr S Usha Sinha (Homoeo Specialist) AYUSH Wing, UHC, Singjamei, Dr P Iboton Singh (Homoeo) 50 bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital and Dr Kriparani Devi Ashem (Homoeo) 50 bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital as the member of the committee.

Dr K Lokendro also told the media persons that the Homeopathy medicine will be available at Singjamei Chinga Makhong, AYUSH Hospital from Saturday onwards.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/dr-k-lokendro-advices-homeopathy-medicine-for-swine-flu-prevention/