Manipur News

KANGPOKPI, August 10: Seeking immediate clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to why the Government of India is neglecting the continuous demand of the Kuki Inpi to first settle the criminal acts of NSCN (I-M) before any agreement has been made with the militant outfit, the Kuki Inpi Manipur submitted a lengthy open memorandum to the Prime Minister today.

Signed by Thangkhosei Haokip, Haosa (President) Kuki Inpi Manipur the open memorandum said that the constant demand of Inpi is to first settle the criminal acts of NSCN (I-M) including the killing of 905 innocent Kuki people including women including some who were pregnant, children, aged and invalid; uprooting 360 Indian Kuki villages and seizing their land; rendering more than 100,000 Kukis refugees in their own land without rehabilitation till now before any kind of either agreement or solution is possibly made by Indian Government with NSCN (I-M).

It said the constant demand has been ignored perpetually and action not taken till date.

The president of KIM continued that the sudden announcement of `Agreement/Accord` with concealed details signed by Thuingaleng Muivah on behalf of NSCN (IM) and RN Ravi on behalf of the Government of India on August 3 at Delhi which was televised countrywide has been a great shock to the Kuki people.

While making its perspective clear, the memorandum observed that the standpoint of Kuki Inpi (Kuki traditional government) repeatedly made known is towards justice and ushering of peace and tranquility in the country, particularly in north eastern states through non violent means.

`The Kuki people have never advocated violence, whether towards the government or any other neighbouring communities except in defending themselves against armed organisations purportedly fighting for independence`, added KIM Haosa (President).

The memorandum further averred that the total disregard of earlier memoranda submitted to six successive Prime Ministers of India that a pre requisite for peaceful coexistence in the region is to first settle crimes committed against humanity in a proper law court in the country may mislead one and all that violence is encouraged in this country.

He also said that a logical conclusion that might arise out of this lopsided attitude is not a pleasant thought while adding that ideally, law enforcements have to tackle such matters of great concern even before the public even raise their voice.

Therefore, any kind of settlement, agreement/accord prior to the settlement of the crimes committed by this particular faction of Naga political movement, i. e., NSCN (I-M), which the very Indian government labelled `terrorist`™ (cf. Does Violence get a Mandate, p. 33 published by Government of India) in a proper law court of the country will never be accepted by the Kuki Inpi affirmed Thangkhosei Haokip.

Our stand point is made clear not only to Prime Ministers, but even to Presidents, Home Ministers, Ministers of States (Home), but lately to the interlocutor, that NSCN (IM)`™s crime must first be settled in a proper law court lamented Thangkhosei Haokip while adding that the stance of Kuki Inpi is never deviated from this demand of justice towards peace.

KIM Haosa (President) reminded the Prime Minister in the open memorandum that it

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/kim-submits-memo-to-pm-seeking-clarification/

IMPHAL, August 10: Three dead bodies believed to be cadres of an armed outfit based in hills were recovered from a place adjoining Sirong and Akutpa village under Tadubi Police Station in Senapati district today around 4 pm.

The bodies have been identified as that of Francis, 25 son of Seisou of Phaibung Village; Veiraizii, 18 son of Kh Sow of Upper Koide and Sapunii John, 30 son of Sapunii of Liyai Village.

Police sources said the three deceased may have been shot dead by cadres of a rival outfit as all three corpses bore bullet marks and their heads almost blown off.

Passersby found one of the bodies along the roadside before coming across the other two bodies which had already started to decompose.

Identity of the three deceased was established after some villagers were called in for assistance, informed sources.

Police have registered a case in connection with the incident. The three bodies will be brought to RIMS morgue tomorrow for post mortem examination, the sources stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/three-dead-bodies-recovered-in-senapati/

IMPHAL, Aug 9: A hand grenade left by unidentified persons was found in a paddy field at Haraorou village under Sagolmang Police Station, Imphal East district today around 2.30.

The paddy field lies around 5 km south of Sagolmang Police Station. It was come across by a cattle grazer.

On receiving the news, a team of police bomb expert arrived and retrieved the bomb. Later, it was set exploded in a safer place around 6 pm of the day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/grenade-found/

IMPHAL, August 9: The three-day Media Advocacy Programme for State journalists organised by All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) under the sponsorship of Manipur Development Society (MDS) at Secure Office Complex Auditorium, AT Line, North AOC concluded today.

The valedictory function was attended by Director of Directorate of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) Salam Somorjit Singh as chief guest; former Secretary General of IJU Sreenivas Reddy as guest of honor and president of AMWJU Wangkhemcha Shamjai as president.

Speaking on the occasion, Salam Somorjit said that media persons of the State have been disseminating daily information to the masses against all odds unlike in other States.

He further that various equipments used by media persons of the State needs to be sharpened to update news daily with speed and accuracy.

He stressed on the need for state media to telecast daily news through satellite so that it could compete with national media and people residing in different parts of the world could know daily happenings in the State.

He extended gratitude to AMWJU for coming up with such useful programme for State journalists.

W Shamjai said that AMWJU will organise such type of media advocacy programme annually to enhance the knowledge and skills of State journalists.

Acknowledging the inspiring speech delivered by consulting editor of India Today Group Rajdeep Sardesai on the topic `Investigative Journalism on the second day of the programme, he admitted that there is a need to work more on investigative journalism in the State.

He expressed gratitude to the MDS for sponsoring the advocacy programme for the sake of State journalists.

During the programme, PRO Defence Lt. Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma spoke on Defence Correspondent Course and Overview while former Secretary General of IJU Sreenivas Reddy deliberated on Financial and Social Security of Media.

As part of the programme, dignitaries presented participation certificate to the participants of the media advocacy programme.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/media-advocacy-programme-for-state-scribes-concludes/

IMPHAL, August 9: Continuing its endeavors towards providing incident free and cohesive environment in the State, 2 Assam Rifles Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) conducted a Joint Security Meet in Yairipok town of Thoubal district on August 7, sources informed.

This meeting was conducted in the interest of local populace to ensure prevention of any untoward incident in Thoubal district. The meeting was chaired by Commandant, 2 Assam Rifles in presence of all the Council members and village Pradhans of Yairipok town.

The Commandant asserted that Assam Rifles is committed towards the overall protection, safety and peace in the region and will keep making endeavors to achieve so. He further asked the Council members and village Pradhans to continue cooperation with the security forces and ensure security in their respective areas.

The meeting highlighted discussion on security issues and timely sharing of information to thwart IED threat. In the end all the Council members and Pradhans expressed their profound gratitude towards the Assam Rifles for this kind of endeavor and assured that all help and support would be given to security forces, the sources said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/ar-conducts-joint-security-meet-in-yairipok/

IMPHAL, August 9: Refuting Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang remarks that Chief Ministers of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh were consulted before signing the peace accord signed between NSCN (IM) and Government of India, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam suspected that the `baseless`™ statement was made just to get blessing from Government of India.

He was addressing media persons at his office chamber at Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today morning.

Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had categorically stated that agreement of the peace accord will be finalized only after consulting CMs of other neighbouring States.

The peace accord should not affect and threaten the territorial integrity of Manipur. If so then the government will not remain a mute spectator to the unwarranted development, the Dy CM made it clear.

The statement of Prime Minister that the territorial integrity of Manipur will not be put up stake by the peace accord is highly valuable and respectable, he said, adding that people of the State need to stay vigilant till details of the peace accord are received.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/gaikhangam-shoots-down-nagaland-cms-remarks-on-peace-accord/

IMPHAL, August 9: The Tamenglong Village Chiefs`™ Association has fervently appealed to the concerned State authority to look into the plight of the people of the district due to incessant rain showered for the last 10 to 15 days.

In a statement, the association claimed that heavy rainfall in the district has caused havoc such as landslides and floods which resulted in the loss of various standing crops and vegetables amounting to 15 to 20 crores of rupee.

The trend has been reported from Tousem, Tamei, Tamenglong, Nungba and Khoupum Sub-Divisions. Of these, Khoupum Sub-Division, being low lying area, is worst affected area. Nearly, 1050 hectares of arable paddy fields have been submerged in water resulting in the destruction of standing crops, it said.

Over and above the over-flowed water from the Khoupum Dam Canal further aggravated to suffer the people as all the irrigated area has been submerged by the downpour of water from Khoupum Dam Canal.

In the light of the grim situation, the association in the statement implored the concerned authority to take up appropriate measures so as to mitigate the sufferings of the people of the Tamenglong district in general and the Khoupum Sub-Division in particular at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/rain-wreaks-havoc-in-tamenglong-govt-appealed-to-intervene/

IMPHAL, August 9: The government will hold talk with Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on the proposed bill to safeguard the indigenous people after arrival of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, disclosed Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

He was speaking during the 73rd anniversary of Quit India Movement observed by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) at Congress Bhavan today.

Gaikhangam claimed that JCILPS had been invited for talks by the government three times but there were no positive response.

He exuded confidence that there will be positive outcome during the proposed talk with the JCILPS which is leading the ongoing mass movement for introduction of ILPS or similar law to regulate the alarming influx of outsiders into the State.

During the observance, Dy CM Gaikhangam and several other Congress legislatures led in offering paid floral tribute at the portrait of those freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the Quit India Movement.

Quit India Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India on August 8, 1942 by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi against the colonial British colonial rule.

The next day, Gandhi, Nehru and many other leaders of the Indian National Congress were arrested by the British Government. Disorderly and non-violent demonstrations took place throughout the country in the following days.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/talks-with-jcilps-after-cms-arrival-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, Aug 9: In support of the historic peace accord signed between NSCN (IM) and Government of India in New Delhi recently, a thanksgiving peace rally was taken out at Noney Bazar, Tamenglong district today.

The rally wherein hundreds of people residing at Noney areas participated was jointly organized by All Input Students`™ Union (AISU) and Zeliangrong Students`™ Union Manipur (ZSUM).

A silent prayer with candle lightning as a mark of respect to the departed souls of Naga patriots was also performed by the rallyists.

Vice-Chairman of Committee on Alternative Arrangement, UNC, Ashingpou Gangmei and lecturer of United College, Chandel Dr Benjamin Gangmei addressed the gathering.

A traditional Ho-Hoing was invoked by Khumji (Lukhambi) villagers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/rally-endorses-goinscn-im-peace-accord/

IMPHAL, August 9: A 14-member team of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) led by its convenor in-charge Khomdram Ratan will have a meeting with the State government on the proposed draft bill tomorrow at 3 pm.

Announcing this during a press meet at the residence of Arambam Somorendro, Sagolband Meino Leirak here today, convener in-charge of JCILPS Khomdram Ratan said that the decision to hold a meeting with the government on the issue was arrived after having a marathon meeting between the committee and representatives of civil society organizations held yesterday.

He asserted that suspension of six police personnel involved in the killing of Sapam Robinhood and assurance of the government on the five-point demands to be included in the proposed bill paved way for the meeting which has been seen as an important development following the public outrage over the demand for implementation of ILPS or similar law in the State.

During the proposed meeting with the government, medical helpline in relation to the ongoing mass movement, treatment for injured agitators and several other relevant issues will be discussed at length, the convener in-charge said.

He also said that outcome of the meeting will be disclosed to the public through the media to maintain transparency in the ongoing mass movement.

It may be mentioned that JCILPS submitted their draft recommendations which include five-point demands to the government yesterday. The five points meant to be included in the proposed bill are issue of permit or pass; cut-off base year of non indigenous persons; issue of non-alienation of land to non-indigenous persons; issue of expansion and smooth functioning of the Labour Department and detection and deportation of non-indigenous persons.

On the other hand, the Drafting Committee constituted by the government has also submitted their recommendations on the proposed bill to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on August 4.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/jcilps-to-meet-with-govt-on-proposed-bill-at-3pm-today/

IMPHAL, August 9: Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) observed World Indigenous People Day at Manipur Press Club here today with president of Kangleipak Womens`™ Association Ima Memcha; Convener in-charge of JCILPS Kh Ratan; president of AMKIL Ima Sakhi and president of KANGLAMEI Ima Leirik Leima attending as presidium members.

Addressing the gathering, Kh Ratan reiterated that JCILPS had submitted a 99-page memorandum which includes five points to the government on August 8 justifying the collective demand for introduction of Inner Line Permit System or similar law in the State to regulate the incessant influx of outsiders which has posed a serious threat to the existence of indigenous people.

He stated that the World Indigenous People Day celebration is important for the State given the apparent fact that protection of indigenous people by passing an effective bill is being taken lightly by the government.

He asserted that the observance also provided an opportunity to discuss the five-point memorandum submitted to the government for acknowledgement.

There has been a notable development in the ongoing mass movement for enactment of a new bill acceptable to the people as the government has assured to look into the five-point demands unanimously adopted during a public convention on July 23 at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen to be included in the proposed bill, the convener in-charge of JCILPS said.

Maintaining that the committee spearheading the ongoing mass movement is ready to hold talk with the government on the proposed bill in case there is invitation, he made it clear that any talk with the government should be transparent and based on agendas acceptable to all sections of the people.

Once invitation comes from the government side for meeting on the issue, the committee will highlight agendas to be discussed and delegations/members who will attend the meeting, he said, adding that outcome of any meeting with the government will be made public.

If any critical situation arises out of meeting then the committee will seek suggestions from the people and subsequently the government will be urged to pay heed to the suggestions sought, he continued.

Delivering key note address, co-convener of JCILPS BK Moirangcha stated that

Sapam Robinhood lost his life and scores of others including students sustained injuries in police action during the mass agitation demanding enforcement of ILPS in the State which is a legitimate demand.

He said that people should unanimously adopt certain resolutions to safeguard the indigenous people on World Indigenous Day observation which is pertinent from Manipur perspective.

Stating that different forms of democratic agitation should continue till the five points put up by the committee to the government to be included in the proposed bill are included, he pledged that JCILPS will continue to work for protection of the indigenous people and future generation.

Attending as resource persons, Jiten, Yumnamcha Dilip and Lokendro Arambam spoke on relevant topics on implementation of ILPS or similar law in the State without further delay.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/jcilps-observes-world-indigenous-people-day-sticks-to-fivepoint-demands/