Manipur News

IMPHAL, August 12: Residents of Uchiwa Wangmataba in Wabagai who were affected by the recent monsoon flood are still surviving in despair, affected families bemoaned.

Although most of the water has receded, the water is still very much present in some parts of the locality, they said.

A small team of media persons today visited the affected areas to clarify on the claims and found that there are still many families who had to use small rafts to wade through the water to come out of their homes and go about their daily chores.

The media team was accompanied by some residents including members of the Uchiwa Wangmataba Popular Welfare Club.

Uchiwa Wangmataba has 700 voters, they claimed.

Speaking to the media team, former chairman of the local club, Yumnam Subhaschandra said that the affected residents are still facing much hardship.

On top of the flood, the water supply in the area has also been left neglected and unattended for long, he said.

The water reservoir is not fit for use anymore, but no-one has tried to replace it, he claimed.

He further urged the local MLA Fajur Rahim to look into the matter at the earliest.

He further asserted that the canal connecting Ikop and Imphal River is in bad condition and if it collapses, then it would badly affect the Uchiwa Wangmataba locals.

The canal, he said is more than 4 years old and needs to be widened and repaired or reconstructed at the earliest.

He continued the water supply facility is without a fencing, proper pipeline and pump house.

Subhaschandra also appealed to the MLA to look into the grievances of the people.

At the same time, he lauded the local MLA and other individuals who had provided aid to the people during the recent flood.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/flood-victims-of-uchiwa-wangmataba-still-in-despair/

IMPHAL, Aug 12: A large number of activists, students and people from the North East today protested in front of the Assam Bhawan in New Delhi against the alleged rape of a pregnant woman by an Army personnel, informed a statement of the North-East Forum for Internation Solidarity.

It said the protest was held under the banner of the forum.

The protestors demanded the immediate arrest of the army personnel who allegedly raped the woman in Kokrajhar district, Assam, it said.

It said the protest was held against the alleged rape which occurred during Sunday night in Assam`™s Kokrajhar district.

NEFIS has further demanded immediate arrest of the accused army personnel.

Eminent activist Maya John of Centre for Struggling Women too joined the protest and pointed out the role of `AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act)` in granting impunity to the armed forces personnel who have been abusing the people of North-East including Assam, who have faced various forms of repression in the past, it said.

The statement also expressed that women are the most vulnerable victims, facing brutal exploitation such as rape.

According to the statement, it is to be noted that AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) is imposed in various districts of Assam under which the Army have legal immunity for their actions. There are serious chances of putting even this rape case under the carpet as done earlier, it said. Police cannot take any action against the perpetrators unless the Home Ministry gives permission for the same, the statement said.

Such provisions clearly stand against the common masses as such cases are gross violation of human rights and justice, it said and added that NEFIS will take the issue further in the coming days if the government does not immediately arrest the perpetrators and takes action against them.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/students-protest-in-front-of-assam-bhawan-demanding-arrest-of-army-personnel-accused-of-rape/

IMPHAL, August 12: Commemorating the 123rd birth anniversary of Prof SR Ranganathan, who is known as the Father of Library Science in India, the Library Day was observed today at the Educational Guide Centre complex, Singjamei.

The observation was jointly organised by the Manipur Library Association and the EGC.

Speaking as the chief guest at the gathering, retd Principal Manipur College, L Sadananda threw light on the magnanimous contribution of Prof SR Ranganathan towards development of the library science in India.

He said Prof SR Ranganathan was an outstanding and highly motivated scholar and professor.

He also observed that the earlier belief was that learning begins from the cradle, but with the development in modern science witnessed today, learning is said to begin from the mother`™s womb itself.

The retd Principal also stressed on the five laws of library science propounded by Prof Ranganathan which are `Books are for use; Every reader has his/her books; Every books has its reader; Save the readers time and Libraries are going organization.`

Rephrasing a quote of English philosopher Sir Francis Bacon, he said some books are meant to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not inquisitively, and some few to be read with full attention.

Highlighting the vital role of library towards the development of our society, Sadananda emphasized that we need to visit libraries often and read good books.

He reminded the gathering that Prof Ranganathan was motivated to strengthen libraries in India because he wanted to develop the Indian society.

MALA president K Chaoba Singh who was the functional president at the event said the day is being observed so as to popularise the library movement and the reading habit among the youngsters.

He also observed rather unhappily that today students are so engrossed with their private tuitions that they have all forgotten to visit the libraries.

He further appealed to the parents and guardians to take their wards to libraries and inculcate the habit of reading books.

Several dignitaries of MALA also spoke on the life history of Prof SR Ranganathan and his unforgettable contribution in the field of Library Science in India.

Dr N Giridhari said that a librarian is the custodian of knowledge.

Dr Th Khomdon said, `If prof SR Ranganathan was not born, we would not have known the study of Library Science.`

Former president L Sarita Devi in her speech narrated how Atul Chandra from Naorem Leikai started the library movement in Manipur in 1927 and the beginning of Manipur Reading Club in the 1930s.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/library-day-observation-stresses-upon-prof-ranganathans-contribution-to-library-science/

IMPHAL, August 12: Seven student leaders who were arrested by the police during the ongoing Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS)-led mass agitation demanding enforcement of Inner Line Permist or a similar Act in the State, have been released unconditionally today.

The released students are identified as Thiyam Kabichandra Singh, 28 son of Th Bihari Singh of Khoijuman Mamang Leikai; Ningthoujam Robin, 19 alias Robindro Singh son of N Tomba Singh of Bishnupur Ward No 7; Khangembam Shining Singh, 22 son of Kh Sunil Singh of Bishnupur Ward No 4; Konjengbam Premkanta Singh, 19 son of K Nilakanta Singh of Bishnupur Ward No 1; Thokchom Suresh Singh, 34 son of Th Kumar Singh of Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai; Soram Somokanta Singh, 24 son of S Kanhai Singh of Sawombung Thongkhong and Kangabam Dhanajit Singh, 29 son of K Somendro Singh of Keishampat Thiyam Leikai.

The released student leaders include advisor of All Manipur Students`™ Union (AMSU) Headquarter and office bearers of Imphal East District Committee and Bishnupur District Committee of the union.

They were arrested from different places of the State by police in connection with a case registered with the Bishnupur Police Station.

As per an agreement reached between the government and JCILPS, the seven student leaders were released on bail by an order of the court following withdrawal of the different cases charged against them.

Upon their release from Sajiwa Central Jail at Khabeisoi, they were accorded warm welcome by people including representatives of JCILPS and its wings.

After walking out of the jail, the released student leaders went to the residence of Sapam Robinhood at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai and expressed deep condolence on the untimely demise of the young student who was killed in the hands of police during a protest demonstration on July 8.

Later, they arrived at a place at Sagolband Meino Leirak, a meeting place for the JCILPS where they were warmly received by students and other Joint Committee on ILPS members.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/arrested-student-leaders-released-unconditionally/

IMPHAL, August 12: President of BJP , Manipur State Thounaojam Chaoba has appealed to the public to keep calm and that there is no need for any wrong assumptions about the recently signed peace accord between the NSCN (IM ) and the Government of India.

Addressing media persons at the BJP office , Nityapat Chuthek today, Chaoba stated that he and other functionaries of the State BJP have been camping in New Delhi for the past 17 days and met the Prime Minister twice.

He was assured that the peace accord is just a framework and the necessary inputs are yet to be filled in.

The accord needs to be addressed in the interest of many North Eastern States including Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and the Chief Ministers of the respective States have also met the Prime Minister in the regard.

The Centre is also cautious as not to mention any points including territorial integrity of the States which might spark off any unwanted incidents in the region.

He stated that the NSCN (IM) may demand many agendas but it is the purview of the Centre not to endorse any if it is not in the interest of the various communities. The pros and cons will be worked out and a time for discussion is also provided in the accord, it still remains a framework and still not being signed by the Union Home Secretary, he added.

Replying to queries about his stance and reassurance of the accord not damaging public sentiment and territorial boundaries, Chaoba said that he cannot give an assurance about what the accord will or not bring out as it was not his authority to say so .But, he is merely stating the word conveyed by the BJP higher ups inclusive of the Prime Minister.

Chaoba also maintained that this is not a time for political parties to hurl provocative remarks at each other and sought co-operation to deal with the burning issues the State is facing. He added that a request has been sent to the Chief Minister seeking to organize an all political parties meeting at the earliest to discuss the Naga peace accord.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/nothing-to-worry-about-naga-accord-th-chaoba/

IMPHAL, August 12: A huge mob from the locality of Thokchom Rupabati Devi who died yesterday post delivery at the RIMS attempted to storm into the residence of Dr Laishram Prameshwori Devi for the second time today around 11 am.

Thokchom Rupabati Devi of Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai a 41 year old woman had died soon after giving her fourth child yesterday at RIMS. According to her husband, Th Sanjit, the deceased was under the care of Dr Laishram Prameshwori Devi. Family members had blamed negligence of the doctor and the her staff for the death.

Following her death, an irate mob of Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai had tried to storm into the residence of Dr Prameshwori at Heirangoithong Jaganath Achouba Leirak yesterday also, but the attempt was thwarted by locals of Heirangoithong.

Meanwhile, locals and family members of the deceased woman again tried to storm the doctor`™s residence today around 11am, but were blocked by locals including meira paibis of Heirangoithong along with a strong Singjamei Police team.

The irate mob was stopped at the main road towards the doctor`™s residence, which resulted in a fierce confrontation between the two groups from Kwakeithel and Heirangoithong.

Police intervened but failed to calm down the Kwakeithel mob.

However, after a long confrontation, the mob from Kwakeithel was informed that the doctor was not at home and her residential gate was locked at which they demanded to check it.

The police allowed only two representatives of the irate Kwakeithel mob accompanied by representatives of the Heirangoithong local club to go near the doctor`™s residence and check themselves, following which they turn back.

Meanwhile, during the confusion and confrontation, a 14 year old daughter of the deceased fell unconscious and had to be taken to the hospital. It was also reported that a son of the deceased had fallen unconscious on hearing about his mother`™s death yesterday.

Sources have also informed that local clubs of Kwakeithek Konjeng Leikai and Heirangoithong are trying to calm the situation and negotiating at the moment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/rims-post-delivery-death-police-foil-mob-attempt-to-storm-doctors-residence/