Manipur News

Imphal, April 1 (NNN): An IED blast took place in the residence of a FCS Transport Contractor on Tuesday evening.

The victim to this latest bomb scare is Th Dojendro (48), son of late Maimu of Kiyamgei Maning Leikai Lairam Wangma. He is an FCS contractor. The IED was fitted in the Ecosport car of Dojendro, which was parked at the gate of his residence. The IED blasted at around7.30 pm last night and caused huge damage to the front portion of the car. However, no casualties have been reported.

CCTV footage fitted in the entrance of the contractor`™s home showed one cap and track-pant wearing unidentified man placing the IED under the car, just minutes prior to the blast.

Today, a sit-in-protest condemning the blast was held at the Lairam Wangma Community Hall by the members of All Kiyamgei Nupi Chaokhat Lup and Young Pioneer Club. Members present there strongly condemned the act of terrorising in residential areas.

Contractor Dojendro told mediapersons there was no any personal threats to him from any organisation or outfits. He added that if anyone has any issues with him, they should contact him directly and deal with him, but appealed not to resort to such cowardly act of terrorising people.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/ied-blast-at-contractors-residence/

IMPHAL, April 1: A joint meeting of three organization held today has strongly condemned the killing of Thanglallian Vaiphei of Salam Patong Village by a KNF (Nehlun), a Kuki UG group, on March 31.

A statement of YVA Joint Headquarters, Vaiphei People`™s Council (Eastern Block), Zillai Eastern Block signed by president of YVA Joint Headquarters Zabiaksang Neilut; secretary of VPC (Eastern Block) Lamneithang Vaiphei and secretary of Zillai Eastern Block S Kamminlun Vaiphei said Thanglallian Vaiphei was killed on the pretext that he was the sole abductor of the ABCl workers.

The statement said he was shot at point blank range in front of his wife and relatives.

While appealing to the UG group not to repeat such uncivilized acts in the future, it has also announced a joint declaration which was unanimously resolved during the meeting of the three bodies.

According to the joint declaration, `Any individual belonging to the Vaiphei Community who happens to be associated/connected with any Kuki Organisations – KSO, Kuki Innpi, Kuki Chief Association, any UG group should withdraw his/her membership with immediate effect and any individual failing to comply with shall be socially boycotted.`

`Any Kuki UG group – SoO signatory or non-signatory should abstain themselves from interfering in matters of Vaiphei villages. Failure to comply with and any subsequence untoward incidents would be strictly of their responsibility.`

`We demand mutual respect from every civil and non-civil bodies. They should not dictate or legislate any Vaiphei areas so as to maintain peaceful co-existence and communal harmony. None adherence will be taken as an aggression.`

`Any Kuki UGs or civil bodies must abstain strictly from collecting funds and percentages from any Vaiphei Villages, Govt or non-Govt employees posted in the Vaiphei Villages.`

`Entering Vaiphei Villages with arms and ammunitions and killing someone be it a civilian or UGs in a point blank range in front of family members so as to intimidate and terrorise is taken as a challenge to the family and villages in particular and community in general. Henceforth, such an act shall not be tolerated in future.`

`All the Vaiphei chiefs are hereby informed and directed to refrain from payment of any kind of funds demanded by any Kuki Organizations.`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/thanglallians-killing-flayed-in-joint-statement-by-vaiphei-csos/

IMPHAL, April 1: Two well known groups Our Village` and `Laihui` jointly launched rising star Mangka`™s debut album Chingda Satpi at Imphal Hotel today. The album has eight songs which are improvised versions without compromising the originality of the songs.

`Outsiders will not be able to perform our cultural folk music and maintain the same traditional quality and style,` stated the Chief Guest, Padmashree Heisnam Sabitri, International Theatre Personality after warmly congratulating Mangka. She further said she genuinely appreciates the team for reviving and retaining our rich cultural folk among the young generation.

`I hope Mangka will continue to inspire other sprouting artist in the state,` she added.

Founder and managing director of the IMASI Foundation, L. Somi Roy, also graced the function as president. Speaking on the occasion he said `Manipur cultural authority resides in Manipur and cannot necessarily be determined by Sanskriti awards alone.`

He also underscored the need for setting up a folk music department and lamented the absence of effort to preserve and promote the place`™s rich folk music tradition. `We should relearn to appreciate, respect and admire our roots,` he added.

`It takes the perfect blend of both talent and marketing to make our rich local folk traditions visible in the national and international arenas` Doren Oinam, well known flim maker and the man behind Manka`™s debut album said.

He further said Mangka`™s songs are available online in itunes as well as in Times Music already.

`It has spread to Japan, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, America and England and popularly used as a ringtone and hello tune too,` he said adding, `Surely she is our present cultural Ambasador!`

The occasion was enthralled by folk music performance from very young artists to a packed audience of Mangka`™s admirers.

The audience was joined by Nawang and Rebok from North East Bus, the well-known promoters of north east artists.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/oinam-dorens-chingda-satpi-featuring-rising-meetei-folk-singer-manka-released-today/

IMPHAL, April 1:The MLA of Thongju Constituency, Th Bishorjit has clarified that the allegations levelled against him over alleged threat served to president of Committee for Development of Kongba Kshetri Leikai (South), Imphal East is baseless and unfounded.

While giving the clarification in the presence of locals during a press meet at Kongba Kshetri Leikai today, MLA Bishorjit said that he has been showing personal interest in all the developmental works being taken up in the constituency to ensure development.

The MLA stated that he had initiated the works to dig up Kongba River with co-operation from the locals to overcome the shortage of water faced by the state at present.

`It is very unfortunate that a group of people of the constituency floated a committee and in collusion with ex-MLA Bijoy Koijam, tried to cause hindrances in the developmental works carried out in the area,`™`™ he said.

He contended that the dried area in the river was dug up under the Military Civic Action programme of 9 Sector Assam Rifles while informing that mud dug out from the river is sold at Rs 500 per truck by locals.

Saying that the unwarranted allegation levelled against him by some persons with vested interest has created rift amongst the people of the constituency, the MLA informed that a case has been registered with the Irilbung Police Station against the members of the committee and that it has been summoned for investigation.

`The ex-MLA has been engaging in certain unwarranted activities just to gain political mileage. During his tenure as an MLA, developmental works in Thongju Constituency was a far cry,`™`™ he pointed out.

Members of Kongba Kshetri Leikai Development Committee, Women Development Committee of Kongba Kshetri Leikai and several locals who were present during the meet resolved that members of Committee for Development of Kongba Kshetri Leikai (South) should bear the full responsibility if any untoward incident arises out in connection with the matter.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/mla-bishorjit-clarifies-over-threat-served-to-cdkkls-president/

IMPHAL, April 1: Stating that people of the state have been reeling under the misrule of the Congress government for the last 13 years without any notable development, president of BJP Manipur Pradesh Th Chaoba has announced that the party will fight all the 144 seats in the upcoming ADC election under the collective leadership of all the senior leaders of the party.

Addressing a press meet here at the office of BJP Manipur Pradesh located at Nityaipat Chuthek this morning, Chaoba said that the main objective of the party is to root out the culture of corruption completely from the state.

He exuded confidence that the BJP would sweep the election comprehensively as faith of the people lies with the party while adding that the main focus of the party is on bringing collective growth and development in the state.

The prolonged grievances faced by people of hills can be solved once all the ADC Members are empowered which the Congress government has apparently failed to do so. Funds sanctioned for better road connectivity, electric power and potable water in the hill districts have been siphoned off by Congress MLAs and Ministers, Chaoba alleged.

Asserting that the ADC members will be entrusted with the responsibility of devolution of powers to the ADC if the BJP wins the election, the president of BJP assured that the party will urge the central government to speed up developmental works in the hill districts.

He also said that the BJP has further consolidated its position with the joining of 2,55,000 people including intellectuals and academicians in the state during the nation-wide online and enrolment drive of the BJP.

He then informed that president of BJP Amit Shah has decided to extend the enrolment and online membership drive up to April 30.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/bjp-to-field-candidates-in-all-144-adc-seats/

IMPHAL, April 1: The proscribed Revolutionary People`™s Front (RPF) has in a press statement signed by its secretary publicity Roben Khuman claimed responsibility of the attacked on a patrolling team of 44 Assam Rifles yesterday morning at around 5:10 at Kamjong Kul in Ukhrual District.

RPF in its statement said the attacked was carried out by a Tactical Command team of its armed wing PLA.

It said four AR personnel were killed and some others sustained injuries in the attack. A weapon (No AE51-5050) which belongs to AR was also recovered by them.

It further said one of its sergeants identified as Prem real name Okram Pari, son of (L) O Tomba and (L) Okram ongbi Radhe, of Sagolmang Mamang Leikai, was also killed in the gunfight yesterday.

It said the PLA carried out the attack after hearing the complaint of the people of the area and their wishes to teach the 44 AR a lesson. Villagers of the area had complained to PLA that the personnel of 44 AR were routinely threatening and disturbing the passersby.

`This time, our people especially from the hills, knowing the true colour of the security forces, had approached the PLA to teach them a lesson which clearly shows that the tricks of the enemy are not working out,` RPF said.

`By occupying every slop and hill using its security forces, India is showing its power, which is not a sign of wanting peace but to suppress the people of Manipur and the people know it very well,` it said.

`Until and unless they (India) are kicked out from here, there will be no peace, development and equality in our land,` it added.

SS Khaplang led NSCN abrogating the 14 years ceasefire agreement with India and starting to attack security forces is a right step, it further said.

The PLA is always ready to join hands with NSCN and other revolutionary groups of WESEA Region in waging a war against India, it declared.

Chief of Army Staff from the War office has lauded the Tactical Command of PLA for carrying out the attack successfully according to the wishes of the people, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/-attack-carried-out-to-teach-a-lesson-to-44-assam-rifles-stop-harassing-kamjong-villagers-rpfpla-manipur/

IMPHAL, April 1: A truck driver was allegedly beaten and betel leaves worth around Rs. 1 lakh from his truck was thrown away by four unknown persons at gunpoint this early morning at around 3:10 when the truck was coming from Jiribam towards Imphal.

This was stated to IFP by Devadas of Khurai, a representative of betel leaves vendors, quoting one Aman of Keithelmanbi, a vendor who deals in betel leaves.

He identified the driver of the truck bearing registration number MN-06/L-5262 as Moti Singh, 53, of Sagolband.

He further said the truck was stopped by four men, who were holding a pistol, an SBBL Gun and an iron rod at Kambiron on National Highway 37.

The driver was taken to a nearby house and was held captive for three hours where he was physically and verbally assaulted by the four men, he said.

Around 10 baskets of betel leaves worth around Rs. 1 lakh was thrown away into the gorge, he maintained.

Later the diver was released along with his truck and was admitted at RIMS for treatment of the injury he sustained from the beating, he said.

He also added that they have identified the culprits involved.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/truck-driver-beaten-betel-leaves-worth-a-lakh-thrown-away-from-his-truck/