Manipur News

MOREH, Aug 20: Civil organisations based in Moreh have appealed to all against spreading rumours regarding the situation in the border town.

Speaking to media persons, Mangminlean Singson general secretary Hill Tribal Council Moreh, Thoiba Ningthoucha joint secy Meetei Council Moreh and I Ibobi Singh president All Community development organizetion (ACODOM)Moreh have made the join appeal.

They said normalcy is returning in the border town after the August 18 incident and there is no confrontation among the two communities.

In such a scenario, all sections of the society are appealed against spreading any rumour which could disturb the environment in Moreh, they echoed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/moreh-appeals-against-spreading-rumours/

IMPHAL, August 20: The five students on hunger strike demanding introduction of the ILP in front of the Anada Singh Higher Secondary Academy gate refused to be taken away by a team of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Child Welfare Committee Imphal East, Juvenile Police Unit Porompat and the CMO Imphal East today.

The team had arrived to take the students into their custody and keep them under observation.

However, repeated appeals of the team failed to deter the students to leave their hunger strike venue.

Meanwhile, the meira paibis guarding the young students have said that one of the students seem to be having health problem as he has been vomiting several times since morning today.

Meanwhile, a 41-year old woman has also launched her hunger strike at Singjamei Wangma Torban Kshetri Leikai Waiting Shed since 8:30am today.

The woman hunger striker is identified as ksh Kunje Deci daughter of ksh Kuber Singh from the same locality.

Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing mass movement demanding the government to implement Inner Line Permit System or similar law in the State to safeguard the indigenous people who are facing threat from the unchecked influx of outsiders, Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Yairipok Wing staged a sit-in-protest at Laimanai Yairipok Thongkhong, Thoubal district today.

In support of the movement, a woman folk identified as Asem Ibetombi Devi of Yairipok Laimanai has launched fast unto death agitation at the venue where the protest demonstration was held.

She is currently holding the president post of Apunba Nupi Khunai Lamjing Meira Lup, Imphal East Yairipok Branch.

Speaking to media persons, Ibetombi said that it is the sole responsibility of the State government to demand the Central government to introduce Inner Line Permit System in the State for the sake of its indigenous people but ironically people including students have been demanding the same due to lack of political will on part of the State government to do so.

The inaction of the State government towards the collective demand has led students to launch different forms of agitation including sit-in-protest, rally and hunger strike, she pointed out.

The woman folk said that she decided to launch fast unto death stir against the failure of the government to meet the long standing demand despite launching severe forms of agitation from many sections.

The 12-hour public curfew called by meira paibis of Langol Laimanai, Langol Game Village and Langol Ningthou Leikai concluded peacefully today.

The public curfew was called in connection with the arrest of an ILP hunger striker Yumnam Langdaiba Meitei, 22, son of Y Irabot Meitei of Lairikyengbam Leikai by the police for his hunger strike.

A meira paibi said the public curfew was called against the arrest of Langdaiba who is a gold medalist kick boxer and in support of the ongoing ILP movement.

She said although the protest was peaceful, the behavior of a police team that came to block the protest was unfortunate.

The police personnel had torn down the poster of Landaiba and stomp on it trying to provoke the protestors, the meira paibis claimed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/student-hungerstrikers-refuse-to-end-strike/

IMPHAL August 20: Eight organisations of the State came together to observe the 24th Manipuri Language Day 2015 at the Lamyanba Shanglen today.

The organisations are Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Imphal, The Cultural Forum Manipur, Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti Imphal, Manipuri Language Development Committee Imphal, Writers Forum Imphal, Leimarol Khorjeikol (Leikol) Manipur, Manipur State Sumang Leela Council and Manipuri Literature Society Imphal.

Prof Thoidingjam Tombi Singh, president of the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal; Prof MC Arun of Anthropology Dept., MU and Prof Ch Jasobanta of MU`™s Linguistic Department participated as the main speakers of the observation and spoke on the theme `Save Manipur and Save Manipuri Language`™.

In his speech, prof MC Arun said that language is crucial in defining a culture and holds the reflection of a society`™s history.

In his words, `Manipur is not a colonial product and our language is an integral part of the legacy of our civilization. It is a core character of our glorious past.`™

He emphasised on the endogenous character of the Manipur.

He cited the recent GoI – NSCN (IM) Accord as an intriguing suspense with a possible potential to infringe the political entity of the State.

He emphasized that the need of the hour is building a unity across culture and language.

Prof Ch Jashobanta Singh talked on Manipuri Grammar, Manipuri Dictionary and Manipuri Encyclopedia.

He also explained the need to standardised spoken form of Manipuri language and improving it further through language modernisation.

He also talked about the individual and collective efforts required to protect and strengthen the language.

Prof Thoidingjam Tombi Singh lamented on the decaying status of the Manipuri language even after being listed under the 8th schedule for 24 years.

He said it is unfortunate that the native people instead of promoting it has succumbed to incorporating other languages and compromised on the originality and authenticity of the language.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/eight-organisations-come-together-to-observe-24th-manipuri-language-day/

IMPHAL, Aug 20: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee today paid tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 71st Birth Anniversary at the Manipur Congress Bhawan.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also the president of MPCC, and Congress ministers and MLAs and workers attended the function.

Deputy Chief Minister speaking to media persons on the sideline of the function on the ILP Bill issue, said since it is a money bill it needs the Governor`™s assent.

After the Bill is approved by the cabinet it will be sent to the Governor, he said.

Following which, the government will decide as soon as possible to table the Bill in the Assembly, Gaikhangam elaborated.

If possible before 25 of this month, he added.

He further condemned violent incident in Moreh as unfortunate.

It happened suddenly taking everyone by surprise, however the government as well as the civil society organisations have managed to bring the situation under control, he said.

Everything is back to normal now, he said.

When asked what he had to say about a community in Moreh accusing additional SP, Moreh of taking no action and simply watching when the violent incident happened right infront of his eyes, the dy Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio said `I don`™t thinking he must have done that but since an allegation has been raise the government will enquire about it.`

`People had shouted slogans demanding the Police and Assam Riles to go back, in protest against their inaction in the course of Moreh incident. People are also unhappy that even though the police are outnumbered by the protester the Assam Rifles could have acted to stop the violence. What do you have to say about this, a reporter asked.

`I don`™t want to comment much on the Assam Rifles thing however we`™ll take up the issue with Assam Rifles authority.`

`I hope they will co-operate and we`™ll be able to prevent these things from happening in the future,` the Dy CM replied.

He further said that the number of State forces at Moreh needs to be increased by two or three companies and the government is considering it as it is as a border town.

Government will consider about providing compensation for the losses in the Moreh violence after receiving the survey and assessment report from the DC, ADCs and District Authority, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/mpcc-remembers-rajiv-gandhi-on-his-birth-anniv/

IMPHAL, August 20: 12 BIHAR Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR(S) established a vehicle check post in general area of Utlou based on information of movement of one NSCN (K) cadre on August 19 and apprehended a cadre of the outfit, claimed a press release issued by PRO IGAR (South).

The arrested cadre has been identified as No 3252 (Batch No 32), SS Pte Giftson, 22 son of M Ibomcha of Wabagai Kakching, Thoubal district.

He revealed that he was involved in the ambush against 6 DOGRA Regiment in Paraolon village on June 4 last and gave some further information about movement of his fellow team members. The apprehendee has been handed over to the Nambol Police Station, it said.

On his information, another NSCN (K) cadre involved in the ambush was apprehended by troops of the 22 Assam Rifles of 28 Sector AR under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) from the area of Kakching Lamkhai on August 19, it said.

The apprehendee was identified as No 4538, SS Sgt, H Bojesh Monsang, 24 of Zaphou village, Chandel district. He was handed over to the Kakching Police Station.

Five members of the ambush team have been caught by the combined efforts of all units under HQ IGAR(S) and the search for the remaining killers is the prime focus of all units. It is assured that the deaths of the men for the country will not go waste and these killers will be followed till they are caught. All the apprehended cadres are being handed over to NIA for their further investigation, the release stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/ar-claims-arrest-of-nscn-k-cadres-involved-in-parlon-ambush/

IMPHAL, Aug 20: The Assam Rifles in a statement three days after the Moreh incident, claimed it treated people with gunshot injuries on the day of the clashes.

A press release of the paramilitary force sent out by email at about 7pm today added almost as a timid footnote at the end of a summary of its role on the day that it treated one person with gunshot injuries.

Three hours later at about 10 pm, it sent out another press release but with the footnote paragraph revised to bring up the figure to four gunshot injuries.

Three days after the incident, it seems the unit was still unsure of the records it keeps.

The release does not mention either how serious the injuries were, or the likely calibre of weapons the injuries were caused by.

The release also said its troops were out on the streets on regular patrol when the stone pelting broke out, but on the day of the incident it did not report hearing or witnessing any gun fires, or treating anyone with gunshot injuries.

Those the AR release now claims it treated are `Lalminlen Zou (35) of Moreh Ward No.7, Hougunlen (25) of Ward no. 1 Moreh, Lalminlen (28) and Seingam (24) of Chawangphai who had reached their gate seeking help. Irrespective of any biases, Assam Rifles worked on the humanitarian front and provided relief to the students`.

The police however had no report of gun fires to be communicated to the press so far.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/three-days-later-ar-claims-gunshots-during-moreh-clashes/

LAMKA, Aug 20: An alleged member of a Kuki militant group identified as Seiminthang Haokip, 29, husband of Lhingkhohat was found dead from the Tuilehluan area of the side today.

Seimingthang`™s body was a found with a bullet hole on the left side of his face.

Meanwhile a late evening report said that KNA (I), a non Suspension of Operation group has claimed responsibility for the killing

It is also said that the information and publicity secretary of KNA (I) Barack has claimed that Seiminthang was killed as a punishment for acting against the activity of the organisation and that he was killed at 6:37pm of August 19.

According to the report, the outfit has also claimed that the deceased was involved in anti-party activities since he was admitted into the outfit on May 2, 2012. Seiminthang was responsible for the Finance department and has been charged of misappropriating funds meant for guns and ammunition of the organisation, it said.

Meanwhile, Seimingthang`™s body was brought to the Churachandpur District Hospital morgue by a police team led by OC Churachandpur Inspector Thangzamuan this morning.

Seiminthang is said to be a present resident of Leizang Khopi and is survived by his wife and three children- two sons and a daughter aged 10, 8, 5 years respectively.

Meanwhile, family members and leaders of the community claimed his body from the morgue to perform his last rites.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/militant-cadre-found-dead/

IMPHAL, August 20: A public convention organised by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System held today has come up with 10-points which will be submitted to the State government to be considered during the preparation of the new ILP bill.

The convention held under the banner of `The 2nd Manipur Peoples`™ Convention 2015″ at MDU hall, Yaiskul Police Lane commenced at 11:45 am and concluded around 6 pm.

JCILPS convenor-in-charge Khomdram Ratan chaired the convention which was moderated by senior journalist Irengbam Arun and attended by Retd Director of Audio Visual Research Centre, Manipur University (AVRC), MU Dr Arambam Lokendra as the chief guest.

It was also resolved that the next JCILPS-government meeting will consider the 10 points.

The first resolution of the convention was a reiteration of the earlier public convention resolution to include the five-point demand of the JCILPS in the new bill.

The second resolution says that the government should include (i) The Electoral Roll of 1948, (ii) The Census Report of 1951 and (iii) The Village Directory of 1951 in the definition of Manipur People which is included under section 2 (b) of the State government`™s draft bill no 1 (The Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill 2015).

The third resolution says that the government should remove the reference in Section 8 (2) of its draft bill that persons to be exempted include (a) Private Undertaking (b) Local Authority and that once the bill is passed into an Act, during the framing of rules and regulations, the cut of base year of 1951 should be included in the `power to make rules`™ of section 10 (2) of the bill.

Other resolutions include that `non-Manipuri Peoples`™ Firm, institutions or any other similar entities`™ should be put under section 14 (a) of the propose draft bill no 2 (The MLR & LR, 7th amendment bill 2015); not allowing outsiders to buy land; provide a copy of the proposed amendment bill of the Labour Act which is under the State purview; replacing section 2 (j) of the proposed draft bill 1 by `non-Manipur people means those citizens of India who is not covered by section 2 (b) of this Act; inclusion of JCILPS representatives during the framing of rules and regulations when the draft bill becomes an Act.

The convention has also resolved to demand the State government to establish a Manipur State population Commission or form an expert committee, to bring out a white paper on the population of outsiders in the State and to implement a Manipur State Population policy based on the white paper to be produced by the State government.

It may be mentioned that there was a brief unrest for a few minutes when those attending a meeting raised strong objection to a proposal for resolution no 5 to allow non-Manipur persons can buy land after acquiring a written consent of the seller and the local-self government.

However, the proposal had to be dropped and the resolution changed to non-Manipur people cannot buy land.

Around 300 people including representatives of various civil society organisations, meira paibis and individuals attended the convention.

Each speaker at the convention was given a 5-minute time to express his suggestions.

Several individuals including doctors, lawyers, civil organisation leaders, meira paibis came up to expressed their suggestions.

In his keynote address JCILPS convenor BK Moirangthem mentioned that the word `visitors`™ in the proposed Draft Bill will be replaced by `Non-Manipur People.`™

Those people who have been residing in Manipur according to National Register of Citizens 1951 will be considered as Manipur People and those who are not registered in this Register will be considered as Non-Manipur People, he said.

JCILPS also appealed to the ILP protesters to follow its instructions while carrying out protest demonstration in order to avoid the unwanted situations.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/peoples-convention-comes-up-with-10-resolutions-to-be-included-in-ilp-bill/

IMPHAL, August 20: The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (Muan Tombing) has sought immediate intervention of the Centre and to impose President`™s Rule in the State.

In a press release, Muan Tombing said the continuous agitations by the State`™s dominant community through the JCILPS caused much grievances to the tribal populace of Manipur.

He has further expressed that it is the heartfelt cry of the tribals of Manipur that President`™s Rule be imposed in the State for now, and arrangements be made for the separate administration of the minority tribal and majority Meitei areas of Manipur said President Moun Tombing.

The press release said in Manipur more than two months have passed since the Meiteis of the Imphal valley started their high-decibel agitation demanding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit in Manipur.

`And it has brought about untold miseries and hardships for the minority tribal populace in the State.`

The incessant and often violent agitations have virtually cut off all links to the State Capital, Imphal and have greatly impacted the transportation of essential commodities within the State, including the movement of life-saving drugs and equipment`™s, it claimed.

The statement also charged that there have been instances where ambulances run by various tribal philanthropic organisations carrying patients from far-flung tribal areas for the better-equipped hospitals in Imphal have been attacked.

There have been numerous reports where vehicles belonging to tribals, especially those bearing number plates from the tribal districts (Lamka/Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel) have been purposely targeted, it alleged.

The State government has remained a mere spectator to this whole episode, and has left the minority tribal community to fend for them, it continued.

Offices and educational institutions in the Imphal Valley have been shut for more than a month now, and life has literally been thrown off-gear, it said.

There have been instances where tribal folks residing in and around Imphal have been forced to unwillingly participate in these agitations, and those failing to do so have been warned with dire consequences, including payment of a fixed amount of fine daily or inflicting physical injury, or both, Muan Tombing charged in his statement.

It may be noted here that the tribals are of the opinion that the demand for Inner Line Permit by the majority Meitei community is an attempt to brand the tribals as migrants `“ one of the provisions of their demand is to classify all residents not registered before 1951 as non-locals or migrants, Tombing claimed in his statement.

`In 1951, majority of the tribals in the hills of Manipur were independent from any external control and not even aware that they were a part of this State called Manipur, or has not even heard of such a name! A majority of the tribal villages were never visited by any Government machinery then, including those involved in the Census in those days.`

As such, the tribals of Manipur are in a constant state of fear that their ancestral lands will be grabbed by the majority community sooner or later, either through the Inner Line Permit or some other pretext, unless the Central government intervenes, he observed.

The panic and distress in the hearts and minds of the minority tribal populace, both in the Imphal valley as well as the tribal hill districts is palpable, he contiued.

It is the belief among the tribal people in Manipur that the State Government has deliberately failed to address their blatant fear, and there is growing apprehension that the tribals will have to tow the line as per the whims and fancies of the majority Meitei community more and more in the coming months if the Central Government does not intervene at this juncture, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/atsum-muan-tombing-seeks-separate-administration-for-tribal/