Manipur News

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 18

Shirui Kashong Area Forest Land Owners Conservancy (SKAFLOC) organised a social work in the vicinity of Shirui Kashong Peak, for which signboards were put up in various points and intersection.

Around 50 households participated in the social work and took pledge to protect and preserve the rich flora and fauna found in the Shirui village.

The headman of Shirui Aze, AW Khavangpam mentioned that the state bird of Manipur, Nongin is gradually diminishing with each passing year at Shangphungrei and Ngarahanrei of Shirui village.

Chairman of SKAFLOC Mayopam Shangh remarked that the habitat of Tragopan birds at Maiharam and Rongngai at Shirui are facing threat due to constant landslide caused by the ongoing road construction of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) from Shirui to Ngapum and Zingsui areas. Deforestation in the Shirui peak and its adjacent range is also one major factor for the disappearance of Tragopan, he added.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 18

The governor of Manipur officially accepted the resignation of chairman of ADC Ukhrul in a special meeting at the office chamber of vice-chairman of ADC Ukhrul on August 14.

The meeting was convened by vice-chairman of ADC Ukhrul, K. S. Thanmi and it was attended by 15 council members. The resignation of the chairman of ADC Ukhrul, Yaransho Ngalung was accepted with immediate effect as per Rule 6 (b) of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Rules, 1972. Accordingly, the same intimation was served by DC Ukhrul to vice-chairman, ADC Ukhrul and CEO-ADC Ukhrul.

The members present in the meeting expressed gratitude to Yaronsho Ngalung for tendering his resignation and for the many initiatives he had undertaken during his chairmanship.

S. Thanmi also extended his appreciation to the council members and appealed for smooth functioning of the ADC until a new chairman and other executive members are elected. Upon resignation of the chairman, the nominated executive members shall cease to be members of the executive committee. The vice-chairman shall act as chairman of ADC Ukhrul till a new chairman is elected.

Meanwhile, Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF), that has a majority in the house of 24 members and two nominees has chosen K. Dickson to be the new leader. However, the house is yet to officially elect and declare its chairman.

IMPHAL | Aug 18

A cash reward of Rs. 1,00,000 has been announced for any person who provides information leading to the arrest of Vumthianlal Tombing alias Romeo, said a release by PRO Police.

It said, the town commander of ZRA, Romeo (40), son of Tunzakap from Dorcas Veng, New Lamka, Churachandpur has been absconding and he is required to be arrested in connection with FIR case number 48(7)2017 CCP-PS U/S 302/34 IPC of Churachandpur PS.

Information of Romeo may be given to the following police personnel of Churachandpur at their respective phone numbers, SP at 8131965814, addl. SP (LO) at 8974748584, SDPO at 8787508060 and OC at 8132816816.

IMPHAL | Aug 18

A cash reward of Rs. 1,00,000 has been announced for any person who provides information leading to the arrest of Vumthianlal Tombing alias Romeo, said a release by PRO Police.

It said, the town commander of ZRA, Romeo (40), son of Tunzakap from Dorcas Veng, New Lamka, Churachandpur has been absconding and he is required to be arrested in connection with FIR case number 48(7)2017 CCP-PS U/S 302/34 IPC of Churachandpur PS.

Information of Romeo may be given to the following police personnel of Churachandpur at their respective phone numbers, SP at 8131965814, addl. SP (LO) at 8974748584, SDPO at 8787508060 and OC at 8132816816.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Aug 18

A district level peoples’ consultation on Manipur Vision 2032 was held today at the meeting hall of Integrated rural development service organisation, Wangjing, Thoubal  district  today.

The meet was jointly organised by IRDSO, Wangjing, women in governance (WiNg) Manipur and coalition for advocacy on lifelong learning (CALL-Manipur) with supports from the centre for study of social exclusion and inclusive policy, Manipur University.

The consultative meeting was being organised as a part of peoples’ participation in shaping Manipur vision 2032 in line with sustainable development goals 2032. This comes as a part of the planning department’s initiative in drafting Manipur vision 2032.

The purpose of the meet was to hear out and exchange views and perspectives between the civil society members and government officials on sustainable development goals in drafting the state’s vision 2032.

Director of CSSEIP, Manipur University professor, E. Bijoy, convenor of CALL-Manipur, B. Deban Sharma, Thoubal district co-ordinator, Nonibala Narengbam, principal of Thoubal College, O. Chaoba Devi were the main speakers of today’s meet.

It may be mentioned that the united nation’s sustainable development goals 2030 includes specific targets like end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2032, end hunger,

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achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2032,ensure healthy lives ,inclusive and equitable quality education, achieve gender equality and empower women and girls, ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, build resilient infrastructures, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact by 2032 etc.

Members of civil society organisations, women police personnel and media personnel also took part at the meet.

Rights defenders and relatives of victims renew repeal call

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 18

Rights defenders and relatives of victims of fake encounter killings renewed their demand for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act on the completion of 59 years existence of the Act.

It was on this day in 1958 that the parliament passed this Act.

To renew the demand a one-day public meeting was organised under the theme “59 th year of AFSPA and state of impunity” today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

The function was jointly organised by Extra-judicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Just Peace Foundation (JPF) and United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM).

The meeting adopted four resolutions. The resolutions urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the AFSPA and chief minister N. Biren Singh to revoke the disturb area status under the AFSPA from Manipur at the earliest.

The resolution appealed to the families of victims, witnesses, the civil society, government of Manipur and all concerned to extend full cooperation to the CBI constituted Special Investigation Team, which is investigating the case of extra-judicial executions under the “draconian law.”

The meeting also decided to submit the evidences of 23rd July 2009 killing of Sanjit and Rabina at Khwairamband Bazaar to the CBI for prompting necessary actions.

After the meeting, a procession was taken out by the relatives and human rights activists to submit a memorandum to CM but they were stopped by police halfway. Only selected representatives of around ten people went to CM’s office and submitted the memorandum. The chief minister diid not meet the delegation as he was preoccupied. However, Biren sent assurances to the delegation that he would respond to their concerns very soon.

Addressing the gathering, Babloo Loitongjam, executive director of HRA said that he welcomes the decision made by Union government to give authority to the state governments of both Assam and Manipur to decide on the status of ‘disturbed areas’ for the their states.

He, however, said he is concerned that the on-going investigation by the CBI in the 23rd July 2009 killing of Sanjit and Rabina at Khwairamband Bazaar has not been able to establish the commander responsibile for the killings and charge-sheet against those responsible for the killings despite hard and substantive evidences exising in public domain.

Social activist and former MPS officer Brinda Thounaojam and Malem Ningthouja, scholar and social activist strongly condemned the enactment and implementation of AFSPA in the state and that it should be removed immediately.

One of the victims’ mother emotionally said that her son was allegedly terminated by the order of the former chief minister O. Ibobi Singh in 2009 and has not received justice till now. She complained that she wants to get justice immediately.

“When I met the chief minister he told me that he had instructed to bump off all the suspects,” the mother claimed. Her son was a kick-boxer and he won four gold medals.

Rights defenders and relatives of victims renew repeal call

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 18

Rights defenders and relatives of victims of fake encounter killings renewed their demand for repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act on the completion of 59 years existence of the Act.

It was on this day in 1958 that the parliament passed this Act.

To renew the demand a one-day public meeting was organised under the theme “59 th year of AFSPA and state of impunity” today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

The function was jointly organised by Extra-judicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM), Human Rights Alert (HRA), Just Peace Foundation (JPF) and United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM).

The meeting adopted four resolutions. The resolutions urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the AFSPA and chief minister N. Biren Singh to revoke the disturb area status under the AFSPA from Manipur at the earliest.

The resolution appealed to the families of victims, witnesses, the civil society, government of Manipur and all concerned to extend full cooperation to the CBI constituted Special Investigation Team, which is investigating the case of extra-judicial executions under the “draconian law.”

The meeting also decided to submit the evidences of 23rd July 2009 killing of Sanjit and Rabina at Khwairamband Bazaar to the CBI for prompting necessary actions.

After the meeting, a procession was taken out by the relatives and human rights activists to submit a memorandum to CM but they were stopped by police halfway. Only selected representatives of around ten people went to CM’s office and submitted the memorandum. The chief minister diid not meet the delegation as he was preoccupied. However, Biren sent assurances to the delegation that he would respond to their concerns very soon.

Addressing the gathering, Babloo Loitongjam, executive director of HRA said that he welcomes the decision made by Union government to give authority to the state governments of both Assam and Manipur to decide on the status of ‘disturbed areas’ for the their states.

He, however, said he is concerned that the on-going investigation by the CBI in the 23rd July 2009 killing of Sanjit and Rabina at Khwairamband Bazaar has not been able to establish the commander responsibile for the killings and charge-sheet against those responsible for the killings despite hard and substantive evidences exising in public domain.

Social activist and former MPS officer Brinda Thounaojam and Malem Ningthouja, scholar and social activist strongly condemned the enactment and implementation of AFSPA in the state and that it should be removed immediately.

One of the victims’ mother emotionally said that her son was allegedly terminated by the order of the former chief minister O. Ibobi Singh in 2009 and has not received justice till now. She complained that she wants to get justice immediately.

“When I met the chief minister he told me that he had instructed to bump off all the suspects,” the mother claimed. Her son was a kick-boxer and he won four gold medals.

IMPHAL | Aug 18

The Manipur Naga People’s Front (MNPF) has alleged that developmental works implemented by the government, NGOS and companies in the past decades all over Manipur’s hill areas particularly in Naga areas have never achieved the targets because of “malicious intervention” and “misappropriation” by the NSCN (IM).

The Naga areas of Tamenlong, Chandel, Senapati and Ukhrul districts are all in pathetic condition as road condition and various other institutions are in deplorable situation due to NSCN (IM), alleged a release signed by assistant publicity secretary MNPF, Thomas Numai.

People are suffering as resources and funds for developmental programmes are snatched away, it charged.

The front further wondered why NSCN (IM) is still continuing with extortion, robbery and kidnapping to “loot” developmental fund.

The release said the MNPF strongly opposed and condemned Thuingaleng Muivah led-NSCN (IM) for “forcibly” grabbing the four-packaged PMGSY work programmess in Ukhrul district, Phase-XI,Batch-1,2017-1018, to be implemented at four different sides and locations.

The locations are Chatric to Gambal,  Phungyar to Tusom , Siroi to Hamlang  and Tuinem to Champhung, it added.

The release said MNPF will appreciate all contractors who execute works for the welfare of the people while cautioning that if any contractor is found toeing NSCN (IM) line the front will never tolerate it and NSCN (IM) will be held responsible for any unwanted development.