Manipur News

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 27

The Manipur Commission for Protection for Child Rights (MCPCR) has today sent a reminder to the deputy general of Keystone Infra Private limited for opening an alternative to Tinseed roads Khurai failing which it warned of legal action.

A three member of the commission earlier visited two schools namely Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat Tinseed Road and Shihu Nistha Niketan, Moirangkampu Shajab, Imphal East, which have been badly affected by the flood and recurrent landslides on July 13 and as result both the schools have been closed down in several occasions.

Mega Manipur School was closed down for a long time since there were a series of landslides, which blocked and made vehicular movement impossible on the Yaralpat Tinseed road. The school is just adjacent to Chingkhei Ching, where the pipe laying works for water supply of Mapithel Dam is presently being carried out.

Similarly, Shishu Niketan School, which also uses the Tinseed faced a grim road communication problems, due to shrinking of a 100 metre long roads portion leading to the school. As the collapsed road was caved in 15 feet deep vehicular movements along the road became impossible which resulted in the closure of the school since July 10.

Subsequent upon the finding during its visit the commission submitted its recommendation to the chief secretary of Manipur including the Key Stone Company to immediately reopen an existing approach road called “Yaral Konjitl”, to be used as an alternative road, in order to evade possible land and mud slide accidents at Chingkei Ching road areas.

However, the commissioned pointed that the construction company has not been taken up any positive action.

It said the non-compliance made the condition of the road extremely unsafe for school going children and general public as there is high risk of health hazards and possible accidents.

It further pointed out that during dry season the road is often clouded with dust and muddy during rainy season.

The commission reminding the authority concerned to comply with its (MCPCR) recommendation to avoid any legal action in the interest of the school children and the public.

Newmai News Network

SENAPATI |Aug 27

“Nagas have been suppressed and ill-treated for a long time by others. But these suppressions have made us stronger”, said UNC president, Gaidon Kamei speaking at the observation of the 69th Anniversary of Naga Martyrs’ Day at Mao Gate in Senapati district today.

 The UNC president urged the Nagas to remain united.

The programme was organised by Mao Council under the aegis of the (UNC) to honour Asiisii Hepuni of Punanamei, Mahriili Lohrii and Modo Kholi, both of Kalinamei who were shot dead on the spot and Daikho Hesho of Chowainamai Khullen and Obow Adani of Punanamei who were grieviously wounded and later succumbed to bullet injuries from the indiscriminate firings of the Assam Rifles and Manipur police force on August 27, 1948.

According to an earlier paper prepared by the UNC, the observation is in respectful memory and honour of those who suffered and made the ultimate sacrifice for the integration of all Nagas over sixty six years ago during the “No-Tax campaign”.

 Being a landmark in the history of political movement of the Nagas in Manipur in particular and all Nagas in general, the observation of “Martyrs’ Day” was taken up by the UNC with the Mao Council as the local organising committee since 27th August 2005, the UNC paper added.

 The UNC paper also stated that to the dismay of the Nagas, against their wishes to live together with their brethren of the Naga Hills of the then Assam, the government of India decided to grant a Legislative Assembly in Manipur. At this juncture, F. F. Pearson, President, Manipur State Darbar hurriedly constituted the Manipur State Constitution and the Manipur State Hill Peoples (Administration) Regulation Drafting Committee to work out an interim administrative arrangement for Manipur before the lapse of the British Paramountcy.

 “A. Daiho and Mr. Tiankham, representatives of hill tribes in the Committee pointed out that the draft constitution should incorporate the following clause – “the principle of equality and freedom as applied to all without distinction of caste, creed and race shall include the right of any section of hill people to secede at the end of five years period should the condition within the constitution not be satisfactory”, it read.

Both of them made it clear that if the clause was not incorporated they would not be party to the constitution. When the draft Constitution was submitted to the Maharaja of Manipur on May 15, 1947, F. F. Pearson, Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, drew the particular and personal attention of the Maharaja to the dissension of the representatives of the hill tribes,” it added.

 In spite of the democratic demand for consolidation of contiguous Naga areas under one administrative unit and the explicit opposition to the Manipur State Draft Constitution by the tribe representatives, the General Election under the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947 was held in June 1948. The Nagas boycotted the election.

 It may be recalled the “No Tax Camoaign” was launched when Maharaj Kumar Priyobrata Singh was the chief minister of Manipur. The Nagas in Manipur refused to pay the annual House Tax to the Government of Manipur and under the aegis of the Naga National League (NNL) submitted their annual house tax to Charles Pawsey, D.C. of Naga Hills of Assam at Kohima, the UNC paper mentioned.

Meanwhile, several organisations including the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) and several other organisations attended today’s programme.

A tribute note from ANSAM said, “We also pay respect to and all the victims of brutalities of the day”. It further said that the Nagas’ movement is stronger because of their sacrifices. “We urge all to give their best efforts for Naga unity as unity is the only weapon for us to win peace,” the ANSAM message added.

Naga Women Union (NWU) in its message said, “It is a privilege for all of us to work in their footsteps on this day. We also remember their families. We thank you to share their life and you are in our prayers.”

Students reaffirm pledge to safeguard peoples’ rights

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 27

A mass rally was taken out today from Pishum Chingamacha till D.M. College campus as a part of observing the 52nd Hunger Marchers Day (Chaklam Khongchat Numit) organised by All Manipur Students Union.

Floral tributes were paid to the martyrs who had sacrificed their live fighting against the artificial famine created by the then government during August 1965 at Students martyrs’ complex, Pishum and the flag of the student body was hoisted.

Speaking at the main function at D.M. College multipurpose hall as chief guest, former AMSU president, Ningthoujam Brojendro said that the unfortunate incident had given birth to AMSU which is an independent student organisation and one of the oldest organisations in the Northeast.

The basic ideology of AMSU is to safeguard the rights of the people and to stand firm against any attempt to violate these rights.

“From the past the government had tried to keep the students body under its control. But the former dedicated leaders of AMSU have been fruitful in maintaining its autonomy. And AMSU as a student body will forever remain independent”, he said. 

The former president lamented that in recent times there has been sharp divide between the students’ organisations functioning in the state. “Diverse viewpoints and ideas on the basis of ideology is a different matter. But what is unfortunate is the divide growing out of petty politics”, he added.   

Brojendro said that development cannot be brought in a society does not know its history first so he asked the youths to master the knowledge of the history of the state.

Brojendro continued that knowing of the state’s history will also increase patriotism among the youths of the state. We must also keep in our minds that the merging of Manipur into the Indian Union was carried out under ‘forced agreement’, he maintained.

President of the function, AMSU president Manjit Sarangthem said that the state’s social and political condition is becoming worse day by day. Earlier Manipur did not depend on others state or country for food but presently most of the food products are imported from outside the states, he added.

Manjit continued that people getting panic for scarcity of food and fuel during highway blockades is an example of rising sense of dependency.  

During the British colonial period the people of hills and valley had a very cordial relationship. After merger to India it seems the relation is not as good like the past and it is happening due to some external force, he added.

The president said, “Our society should be built by ourselves and not by others” and he asked all the people of the state to be united to make a strong society.

 The function was attended by AMSU former president, A. Manisana and AMSU former general secretary, Chungsat Khongsai as guest of honour. It may be recalled that on this day four students namely, Nilkamal, L. Chaobal, Oinam Naba Kumar and N. Promodini Devi died in police action.

Jiri News Network

JIRIBAM | Aug 27

The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), district committee, Jiribam today observed the 52nd Hunger Marches day popularly known as ‘Chaklam Khongchat’, remembering the August 27, 1965 mass movement and protest against artificial famine in the state.

The day’s observation began since early morning with hymns in the name of the four martyrs who lost their lives during the movement.

A rally was carried out holding the palanquin with photographs of Nilkamal, L. Chaobal, Oinam Naba Kumar and N. Promodini Devi who died in 1965 movement of Manipur. The rally moved though Jiribam bazaar and then proceeded toward NH-37 and from I. B. Leikai point the rally twisted and backed to the same Jiribam Higher Secondary school campus.

Later during the formal observation, a large number of people including students offered floral tributes to the portraits of the four martyred students.

As part of the observation, a programme was held at the auditorium of Jiribam Higher Secondary school.

The programme was attended by former president of AMSU Jiri Branch, L. Projit Singh as chief guest, president of Jiribam AMSU, district committee, Yurembam Sanjiv Singh as functional president and the guests of honour were former president of AMSU, district committee, L. Romen Singh, president of Jiri Development Organisation, Mutum Hemanta Mangang, president of JIMPAL, H. Mema Devi and chairman of Borobekra Sub Division Organisation, P. Jiten Singh.