Manipur News

IMPHAL, October 23: The current trend of mob-justices and formation of the Joint Action Committee in the State has created much hindrances and resulted in delaying of police investigation especially in cases related to crime, said SP Imphal West Dr AK Jhaljit during a one day consultation workshop on Gender, Human rights and Violence Against Women at the Classic Hotel today.

The workshop was held for religious leaders, intellectuals, police officers, judiciary, NGOs leaders, and victims of VAW, and was jointly organised by the United NGOs Mission Manipur (UNMM) and Women Action for Development (WAD).

Speaking on the topic ‘professional experiences and challenges/difficulties specially in dealing with crime against women’, the SP said we live in a patriarchal society and considering the rapid rise in crimes against women in recent times, there is bleak hope of women gaining in status in our society.

He further talked on the need to put a check on the crimes committed against women and even those committed on men.

Addressing crimes against women is one of the biggest challenges, the police officer said.

Mob justices and the formation of JAC tend to hinder police investigations as such acts divert the attention from the real case, he observed.

United NGOs Mission Manipur secretary U Nabakishore spoke on the topic ‘Alternative mechanism for the trial in relation to CAW.

He said the State has witnessed a rapid rise in the number of sexual violence cases during the past few decades.

There is no concrete cause or root cause for sexual violence, he observed.

He said random surveys of sexual violence has pointed out that most rapists are mostly relatives or neighbours of the victims and as such the victims are murdered after rape.

One of the major reasons for the rise in crimes witnessed in the State could be corruption, he said.

Combating corruption is one major challenge of the people, he added.

And in order to fight corruption we need anti-corruption cell in every level, he added.

He further said that South Korea and Singapore are some countries which were once gripped in corruption but with the peoples’ active participation in fighting against the practice, corruption has been reduced to the minimum.

The one day consultation workshop was also attended by director Women Study Centre, Manipur University Prof N Pramodini, department of Linguistics; president High Court Bar Association Manipur Khumanlambam Bijoy, senior advocate; epidemiologist State TB Hospital Dr Sadhana and president All Manipur working Journalists’ Union Wangkhemcha Shamjai as resource persons.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/mob-justice-and-jac-formations-hamper-police-investigations-imphal-west-sp-dr-ak-jhaljit/

KANGPOKPI, October 23: The first day of UNC’s 48 hr total bandh in tribal dominated areas of the state has partially affected the Trans Asian Highway along Sadar Hills today.

Even though, Thadou Inpi (GHQ) has endorsed the 48 hr UNC bandh, traffic movement resumed as usual from Kangpokpi to Imphal as all passengers vehicles including buses and taxis ply normally along the highway with no reports of interruption the entire day.

Business establishments in places like Kangpokpi, Kalapahar, Champhai (KMC), Sapormeina, Motbung till Gamgiphai remained open for the day while government employees attended their respective activities as usual at Kangpokpi.

So far, no civil society organizations within Sadar Hills expressed endorsement and support to the UNC’s 48 hr bandh in tribal areas.

However, deserted streets, shutter down, poor activities in Government offices and banks dons the day one of the UNC total bandh in different areas of Senapati DHQ, Maram and other places, said Hills Hornbill express in Senapati.

According to the sources, border town Mao-gate was partially busy with local shops open amidst both commercial and private vehicles stranded along the NH-2.

With the number of vehicles especially trucks ferrying essential goods expected to increase by tomorrow, some trucks were seen stranded at Hengbung composite check post since October 22 due to the KPLF/KPLA economic blockade, added the source.

It further said that volunteers at Senapati DHQ strictly monitored the movement of even private vehicles but with some relaxation to vans transporting students.

In Maram, both vehicle movements and business establishments were totally off the road.

With second day expected to pass off peacefully, the 48hrs bandh will conclude on Saturday midnight.

However, more trucks are expected to get stranded at Hengbung and Senapati DHQ due to the economic blockade called by KPLF/KPLA, which will conclude only on October 31.

Senapati Police and Assam Rifles were also seen along the highway with attentive patrols to thwart any untoward incidents.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/unc-bandh-sees-mix-response-in-senapati/

CHURACHANDPUR, October 23: A harbinger of church reformers among the tribal communities and the man behind the spread of the Bible to millions through his “Bible for the world”, Rev Dr Rochung Pudaite’s body was brought home today, to be buried at his ancestral place and home at Sialmat, Churachandpur.

He had also translated the Bible into the Hmar language in the 1950s after his graduation from Allahabad University.

The mortal remains of one of the earliest pioneer of Christianity in Manipur, and it’s spread among the Hmar community in particular, was supposed to reach here days back but due to some issues, his body arrived today only from America where he has been residing after becoming a citizen of the country some decades ago.

It took eight hours for the body to reach Churachandpur from Imphal as many churches, groups and organisation had arranged receptions at several villages along the way.

Dr Rouchung was the son of Rev (L)Chawna Pudaite and (L) Taii from Phualpui Village of Vangai Range.

After his graduation, he studied theology at Wheaton Graduate School, Northern Illinois USA, where he completed his Master’s degree and later did his D. Lit at Ohio’s Malone College.

Starting from 1971, he set up his pet project “Bible for the world” with great zeal and success which was responsible for handing out the Holy Bible to Christian and non-Christians and was lovingly called “God’s tribesmen” after he wrote eight books and was included in the list of “who is who” in USA apart from winning many accolades and at least three awards.

Infact, he was the founder of Evangelical Free Church of India (EFCI) which had grown by leaps and bounds among the Hmar community.

He was also social, religious and educational reformer.

He also set up Sialmat Christian Higher Secondary School, Partnership Mission Society, Trinity Bible College and Sialmat Christian Hospital in Churachandpur district.

The ‘Dr Rouchung Pudaite Funeral Committee’ was set up to organise his last condolence which will culminate in his burial at the Rouchung Bangalow and is expected to be attended people from all communities residing in the district.

The JAC against anti-tribal bills has also relaxed its public curfew until his burial tomorrow in the course of which his mortal remains will be made to be placed on the institution and center set up by the late reverend and Doctor of theology who was in fact a well-known and reverent figure in Churachandpur3 district in particular.

Dr Pudaite, 88, was admitted on October 10, 2015 at the memorial Hospital, Colorado Spring, Calorada, USA where he succumbed and was finally brought home after 13 days from his adopted country via Delhi where he was received by the Hmar Students’ Association, while his body was received at the Imphal Tulihal Airport under the initiative of the HYA GHQ around 9:30 am.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/dr-rochung-pudaite-to-be-laid-to-rest-in-ccpur/

IMPHAL, October 23: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today declared that there is still no breakthrough in regards to the anti-bills protest in the hill districts of the State however attempts are continuing from the government side to bring a solution to the issue.

Gaikhangam was answering to media persons in the sideline of the inaugural function of “Free Cochlear Implant Surgery in Manipur” at the Department of ENT, JN Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat today.

The first Cochlear implantation in Manipur under the Assistance to Disabled Persons Scheme (ADIP) was launched today at JNIMS

Speaking to media persons, Gaikhangam said “We (State Government) are not giving up attempts to bring a solution.”

“The CM and our cabinet ministers are very unhappy with this situation where the dead bodies of our sons and brothers are still lying without performing their last rites.”

The State government as well as the people of Manipur do not want this situation, he said.

“We are trying in every possible manner and I hope a breakthrough will arrive soon,” he added.

When asked about the government’s stand on the anti-bills protesters intensifying their protest by calling bandhs and highway blockade and even announcing boycott of two Congress MLAs including deputy Speaker and a parliamentary secretary, he replied that “it is not a new strategy and it is something expected.”

“We live in a democratic country so everyone here has the right to expression. What we (government) are saying is to protest in a democratic manner.”

“We appealed not to impose bandh and blockade because it only makes the public suffer.”

“Let’s sort out things with dialogue and discussion,” he appealed.

“As we cannot keep agitating the entire time normalcy will return for sure,” he added.

When asked why the government is not able to take any concrete action against the highway blockade, he said, the issues involved ‘social factor.’

Even though there are laws there is again a matter of whether the laws can be actually implemented or not in ground reality, he said.

“We are handling the situation very carefully. However if criminal activities are reported unabated we will not remain silent,” he added.

When asked about the preparations of his party in connection with upcoming election of two Assembly Constituencies – Thangmeiband and Thongju, he replied his party is always prepared for election.

“We are hopeful of winning the two seats,” he added.

The Cochlear implantation programme under the theme “Free Cochlear Implant Surgery in Manipur” was organized by the Department of ENT, JN Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat in collaboration with the Manipur Branch of Association of Otolaryngologists of India.

The inaugural function was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as the chief guest, Social Welfare & Co-operation minister Ak Mirabai Devi, Health & State Mission director Dr O Ibomcha Singh, JNIMS director Deben Laishram as the guests of honour and AOI Manipur Branch president Dr RK Bedajit Singh as the president.

According to a newsletter released at the function, Cochlear implant is an electronic device that can be surgically implanted to stimulate cochlea to provide sense of hearing for severely or profound hearing impaired patients.

It has an internal component which is surgically implanted and consists of stimulator or receiver and an array of electrodes which directly stimulates the cochlea. The external component consists of microphone, processor and transducer or transmitter.

This programme will be continuing programme and three severely deaf children one from Chandel, one from Ukhrul and one for Patsoi, Imphal West are being posted for cochlear implantation in the first programme. These children will develop speech if they start hearing sounds after the cochlear implant surgery.

Padmashree Prof Mohan Kameswaran, Managing Director and senior ENT Surgeon of International repute of Madras ENT Research Foundation, Chennai, a pioneer in cochlear implant surgery and Brainstem implant surgery and Dr Sunil Goyal, also of Madras ENT Research Foundation will be the guest faculty.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/govt-still-looking-for-breakthrough-in-antibills-protest-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, October 23: The BJP Thangmeiband Mandal Committee has unanimously endorsed to support Kh Joykishan as the party’s candidate in the bye-election of Thangmeiband Assembly constituency, informed a party insider.

At the same time, it is learnt that two applications seeking party tickets for the Thongju Constituency have been received.

According to a reliable source from the party, a high level Thangmeiband BJP Mandal Committee was held at the residence of former BJP president Meinam Bhorot this morning which was also attended by State BJP president Th Chaoba, vice president I Mangiton, senior spokesperson Salam Ibohal and Thangmeiband projected candidate Khumukcham Joykishan.

During the meeting, the party leaders discussed the party’s strategy for the upcoming bye-election.

It is also learnt that during the meeting, the committee adopted to support and endorse Kh Joykishan as the party’s candidate from the constituency.

During the meeting, Chaoba announced that the party has selected Joykishan as the party’s candidate for Thangmeiband and requested the local mandal committees to support him.

Sources also said that Joykishan sought forgiveness for all that might have happened between him and the Thangmeiband BJP mandal and further appealed to the mandal leaders to initiate the campaigning process.

Meanwhile, the BJP has received two applications for party ticket in regards to the Thongju constituency, the source informed.

Other than Thongam Bishwajit Singh, a BJP State executive member Sapam Dhananjoy has also applied for ticket.

He was persuaded by the State leaders to withdraw his application, but he decided to submit it, informed the source.

Meanwhile, a BJP State election committee meeting was held at the BJP president’s chamber around 4pm today.

The committee will send a recommendation to the party high command regarding the allotment of Thongju ticket, informed the source.

The party’s State president is likely to deliver the recommendation to the party high command himself tomorrow in New Delhi.

On the other hand, it is also learnt that the Congress has also received two applications for party tickets concerning the bye-election of the two constituencies.

While Bijoy Koijam has submitted his application seeking Congress ticket for Thongju constituency, W Jyotin has submitted his application for Thangmeiband constituency, informed sources.

Sources from inside the Congress said the last date for application submission is noon of October 24.

The Congress ticket committee meeting will be held on October 24 at Congress Bhawan at around 4pm, informed the source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/bjp-to-field-joykishan-for-thangmeiband-byeelection/

IMPHAL, October 23: The High Court of Manipur has today quashed a “Review DPC” conducted on July 1, 2013 of an earlier DPC conducted on January 12, 2007 for promotion of MPS Grade II officers of the Manipur Police department.

The judgement of the case no WP (c) No 816 of 2013 was passed by a single bench of Justice Kh Nobin Singh.

The joint petitioners of the case are Lourembam Deban Singh of Khuyathong Polem Leikai and Thongom Ramgopal Singh of Chingamakha Yengkhom Leikai.

The respondents in the case are The State of Manipur represented by the Chief Secretary, commissioner/ secretary (Home), Director General of Police and Manipur Public Service Commission represented by secretary, MPSC and 38 police officers.

The final hearing of the court was conducted on October 8 and the judgement passed today.

The judgement said “… the proceeding of the review DPC in its meeting held on July 1 and the government order dated October 18, 2013 are quashed and set aside with the following directions.”

The court’s direction said the official respondents and in particular, the respondent MPSC shall convene/ hold a Review DPC to consider the cases of all eligible candidates who were within the zone of consideration as on January 12, 2007 for appointment on promotion to the post of ‘MPS Grade-II in accordance with the Manipur Police Service Rules, 1965 and submit its recommendation within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment and order.

It also directed all incumbents as on date including the petitioners, private and proforma respondents shall be allowed to continue in service in their respective positions till the recommendation being submitted by a Review DPC and appointment orders being issued by the State Government based on its recommendation.

It also said while considering the ACRs of the eligible candidates as one of the factors of determining merit, the overall grading of ACRs as per the Assessment Chart prepared by the Deputy Registrar (Judicial) which has remained undisputed/uncontroverted by any one and has attained finality, “shall be the only basis so far as the petitioners and the respondents who were parties before the High Court in W.P. (C) No. 265 of 2007, are concerned and in other words, it is made clear that no down-gradation or up-gradation of ACRs is permissible in respect of these persons.

The order further said in so far as the respondent Nos. 6, 7 & 8 and others who were not parties before the High Court in W.P. (C) No. 265 of 2007 are concerned, the overall grading of their ACRs shall be made strictly on the basis of their original ACRs recorded by the competent authorities, as were available with the State respondents as on January 12, 2007, under the provisions of OM dated April 29, 1999 as interpreted/held by the Division Bench of this Court on June 2, 2015 in W.A. No. 39 of 2010 and in other words, it is made clear that no down-gradation or up-gradation of their ACRs is permissible except in accordance with what has been held by the Division Bench of this court in the said writ appeal and that there shall be no order as to costs.

In their petition, the two petitioners had said as many as 41 vacant posts of MPS Grade II were available for appointment on promotion from amongst the eligible Inspectors of police, out of which two vacancies occurred in the year 2005-06 and 39 vacancies in the year 2006-07.

They said that a DPC was convened on January 12, 2007 for consideration of the eligible Inspectors of Police for appointment on promotion to the post of MPS Grade II.

Although there were 41 vacant posts of MPS Grade II, only 40 Inspectors of Police/ Subedars/ Subedar majors were promoted by the DPC, according to their petition.

It also said that challenging the DPC, the petitioners and another person filed a writ petition being WP (c) No 265 of 2007 praying for quashing the said recommendation of the DPC.

The petition was filed citing downgrading of ACRs of candidates during the DPC.

On March 12, 2010, the then Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench in its ruling on the case directed the respondents of the case to review DPC of the DPC within three months.

The petitioners had also filed another petition against the review DPC conducted on July 1, 2013 stating that not only the ACRs were altered but there were also several irregularities in the conduct of the Review DPC.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/hc-quashes-review-dpc-for-promotion-of-mps-grade-ii-officers/

IMPHAL October 23: The Imphal Municipal Council Employees’ Union (IMCEU) strongly opposes the State government’s attempt to encroach on the IMC’s compound, according to members of the union.

Speaking to media persons today at a press meet held at the Manipur Press Club today, advisory member of the IMCEU Ph Chaoba said the union condemns the encroachment order.

‘This is a patta land/property of IMC and the State government should withdraw such order and instead maintain and respect the status quo of the IMC’s standing properties’.

While appreciating the intent of the government to build a women market shed in the erstwhile Tombisana High School campus, he said the State government should also recognized the importance and contribution of the IMC.

He also said, “The earmarked portion is as much as one third of the total area of IMC, which includes several existing working spaces and even portions of the IMC conference hall which is under construction.”

The futility of such attempt is that it will even deprived us of a parking space inside the compound’

He added, we hope we will not be compelled to take legal recourse against the government.

Ng Ibobi, assistant secretary, IMC Pensioners’ Association said the IMC was established on 10 of May 1915 as Imphal Town Fund which later became Imphal Municipality Board in 1956. “Such is the legacy of IMC which still has a standing structure build during the British days.”

“The State government ought to respect such legacy and not exploit the vulnerable IMC with its might.”

He appealed to the government to withdraw the order on encroachment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/imc-employees-union-opposes-land-acquisition-for-construction-of-womens-market-shed-move/