Manipur News

IMPHAL | Dec 10

Thangmeiband Apunba Nupi Lup (THANIL) drew the attention of the chief minister, N. Biren to expedite the case of Ng. Nicky who was allegedly abandoned by MLA, H. Dingo after having sexual relationship with her for seven years and promises to marry her.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal THANIL secretary, W. Thaebema condemned the act of the MLA as an inhuman act.

She pointed out that even as a case has been registered with the women police station, Imphal West but the matter is not making any headway till today.

Moreover, Nicky has already submitted her statement to the district magistrate and a reminder has already given to the chief minister on November 17, she continued.

The association drew the attention of the chief minister to let the IO of the case submit the charge sheet against Dingo at the earliest.

THANIL warned to take up certain forms of agitation if the chief minister remained deaf ears to their demands and appealed to the civil society organisations of the state to support them in the struggle to deliver justice for Nicky.

It may be mentioned that a 12 hours bandh was called on June 10 in Thangmeiband area as the chief minister failed to take up action against the MLA besides organising many sit-in protest demanding justice for Nicky.

IMPHAL | Dec 10

Social Welfare and Cooperation minister, Nemcha Kipgen today expressed that the basic beliefs of all religions are of love, peace and harmony and there is no religion which promotes or advocates any act that is contradictory to love, peace and harmony.

The minister was speaking as chief guest at the First Tagaramphung Advent Christmas 2017, under the theme of ‘Love, Peace and Harmony’, held today at Tagaramphung (Yaikongpao), village ground, Kangpokpi district.

She also stated that believing in God or religion must be reflected in daily conducts that exhibits the love, peace and harmony.

‘In our society, Manipur in particular and the country in general, there is a strong need to reiterate the pivotal role of love, peace and harmony in our dealings with one another in such a manner that they are essential in the formation, upbringing and establishment of our society and intolerance has no room among us’, said Nemcha.

She further said, ‘We need to reiterate this through our own leadership and individual commitments for the improvement and development of our society and country as much as it is essential for the family and the individual’.

The minister also stressed on the need to contemplate the good virtues of any religions at the levels of various leaderships of different communities and confirm that the vital roles they play is never overshadowed by the selfishness of few people.

As part of the celebration, various churches of the district participated in the choral competition. T. Khullen Baptist Church was the winner of the choral competition, while first runner-up was bagged by Tagaramphung Baptist Church and second runner-up by Thadou Baptist Association (TBA), Kangpokpi.

The minister also wished the celebration of the Tagaramphung Advent Christmas to go a long way towards re-establishing the harmonious social relations and bring a new era of peace in the society.

SP of Kangpokpi district, M. Pradip Singh, speaker of Advent Christmas Programme, Reverend Vumthang Sithlou and representatives from various villages, churches and church institutions were part of today’s celebration.

IMPHAL | Dec 10

Women Action for Development (WAD), Imphal, has today submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, to repeal AFSPA 1958, and to set up a commission inquiry to investigate execution and crime against women in Manipur.

On the occasion of the observation of International Human rights Day, 2000 people gathered in Moirang, the historical place where the Indian flag was hoisted as a symbol of free India, ironically, to deliberate on the grave implications concerning AFSPA.

Since 1992, 18791 people have been executed extra judicially in northeast India, including the 5101 deaths in Manipur. That, out of the 2273 cases reported since 2012 in Manipur, the number of conviction is only 28, and access to justice is rare, especially for women, it added.

The memorandum further mentioned that since 2017, 50 women were killed in Manipur by known and unknown people and cadres of armed groups who are suspected to be closely associated with the Indian security forces.

That, the report of the special rapporteur in India, on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of 2013, had raised serious concerns about the excessive use of force by security officers and also on the legislation of AFSPA which permits such use of force without accountability, it continued.

Furthermore, the memorandum also added that besides the appeal for removal of AFSPA 1958, it has been urged upon the Prime Minister to set up a commission inquiry to investigate execution and crime against women in Manipur, with the mission to eradicate unlawful killing of women in Manipur.

To allow women victims to speak about their experiences and also ensure access to justice and punishment of the perpetrators, it added.

Lastly, justice is demanded against the six-person (male) suspected to be carrying arms, who had attacked the office of WAD on August 11, 2017, the memorandum added.

IMPHAL | Dec 10

Chief minister, N. Biren said that the state government has taken up adequate security measures at all the border areas of the state to check entry of illegal migrants and thwart unlawful activities in the wake of Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and outsiders identification exercise in neighbouring Assam.

Addressing media persons on Hill Leaders’ Day held at chief minister’s secretariat today, N. Biren said that a police station would be opened at Behiang at the earliest.

The CM informed that he would personally visit the interior village located along Indo-Myanmar border in Churanchandpur district to lay the foundation stone of the police station soon after the finalisation of land for the said purpose.

He also said that the state government is planning to deploy IRB personnel in the villages of Kwatha as well.

Apart from opening an additional police post, around 60 armed police personnel had been sent to Jiribam to meet the required security manpower. Jiri police had been strengthened and directed to remain alert as illegal migrants trespass to state’s territory by crossing the temporary bamboo bridges built over Jiri river, he added.

Biren further stated that the state government is ready to consider villagers’ proposal for construction of a ‘welcome gate’ and opening of a police check post at Jessami in Ukhrul district.

He said that new chairman and members of Manipur Human Rights Commission would be appointed soon in order to strengthen the commission.

Regarding the indefinite shutdown announced by the JAC of All Manipur DPC Completed Re-recruitment Candidates of Police Constables Male 2013, the CM appealed to the candidates to revoke their decision.

He clarified that he had never assured to the JAC to declare the recruitment results within a stipulated deadline though he informed them that the Court had ordered the government to constitute an enquiry committee and submit a report within two months. He continued that he clearly told the JAC that the government could not do anything before the submission of the enquiry report as the matter is sub judice. The sudden announcement of indefinite shutdown by the JAC is very unfortunate and the government would not remain silent if the JAC goes ahead with the shutdown, he added.

Responding to a query regarding the inconvenience faced by the people due to checking and frisking for long hours at Khudengthabi on NH-102, the CM said that all these problems would be eased out once a vehicle scanning machine is installed there. The machine had already been procured and it would be installed soon after finalisation of land, he added.

Regarding implementation of ILPS, N. Biren said that a consultative committee comprising of representatives of all the communities of the state and a drafting committee would be constituted soon.

He said that a notice to invite imminent persons to join the two committees would be issued on the media within a few days.

The CM attended to 121 complaints and interacted with around 500 people during Hill Leaders’ Day from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Officials of different government departments were deputed at CM’s secretariat for the day to help attend to the grievances of the public.

Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) screened documentaries highlighting the achievements of the new government.