Manipur News

IMPHAL, Sept 30: The Threaten Indigenous People`™s Society has condoled the unfortunate demise of district and session judge (retd) C Upendra.

A statement of the society said Chanambam Upendra had always extended support to TIPS since its inception.

The judicial officer was not only hardworking and dutiful officer but had always helped in delivering justice to the downtrodden, it said.

His sudden demise has left a great vacuum which will be very difficult to fill in, TIPS said.

Members of TIPS also observed a one-minute silence in respect to the departed soul, it continued and said TIPS.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/tips-condoles-c-upendras-demise/

IMPHAL, September 30: Some civil society and media representatives of Myanmar and North Eastern States of India have called for the urgent need to commence regular flight services between Mandalay and Imphal and Bodh Gaya to give a push to connectivity as also to promote Buddhist tourism, said a press release of Institute of Social Sciences director Narain Roy.

It said they also called for the earliest completion of the Integrated Check Post being built in Moreh which will house all regulatory agencies like immigration, customs, border security together with support facilities like warehouses, banks, quarantine office etc.

There was unanimity on these points among the civil society and media representatives, academics and former civil servants and Government officials who participated in the two-day seminar on `India-Myanmar Relations` Looking from the Border` organized by the Delhi-based Institute of Social Sciences and Burma Centre Delhi with the support of the Heinrich Boll Foundation on September 28-29 at the Institute of Social Sciences New Delhi, it said.

Delivering the keynote address, former Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Rajiv Bhatia said that India`™s `Act East Policy`™ is not a mere replacement of `Look East Policy.`™ The policy switch focuses on action and implementation, it said.

If the earlier emphasis was on economic cooperation; now the accent is on strategic cooperation. Ambassador Bhatia further said that Myanmar `is going to play the role of a major window to India`™s increasing trade & commerce with South East Asian nations` it said.

He hoped that a liberal democratic Myanmar will emerge after the November 8 general elections, the statement said.

He also batted for an inclusive growth in the Northeastern region so that the relationship with Myanmar could sustain without any hindrance, further according to the statement.

Tapir Gao, former Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, described Myanmar as `the heart of ASEAN` it said.

It also said that he expressed the hope that a new era in India-Myanmar relations would dawn.

However, he urged the civil society, media and other stakeholders to help provide a clear blueprint as to how the North Eastern Region can act as the game changer, the statement further said.

Lian Bawi Thang of Chin Human Rights Organization welcomed India`™s engagement including in the Kladan Multi-modal Project, but also called for transparency, it said.

Ting Oo from Arakan Rivers Network drew the attention towards people`™s apprehensions about land confiscation, it said.

Others who addressed the seminar included former ambassador of India to Myanmar Preet Mohan Singh Malik, journalist Sanjoy Hazarika, president of Indo-Myanmar Border Traders`™ Union W Nabachandra Singh, Khin Maung Win of Democratic Voice of Burma and Heinrich Boll Stiftung director Dr Axel Harneit-Sievers, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/seminar-on-indiamyanmar-relations-looking-from-the-border/

IMPHAL, Sept 30: The Integrated Manipuri Association (IMA) Bangladesh Manipuri Rajbari, Sylhet observed the 119th Birth Anniversary of Lamyanba Irabot as Irabot Ningshing Mapok Kumwon Numit today.

According to a statement, the observation was held at the Irabot Complex located in Vanubil.

It said at 10:30 pm, those present at the observation offered floral tributes to a portrait of the leader.

Continuing the observation after the offering of floral tributes, a discussion was also held, it said.

The discussion, according to the statement was presided over by IMA Bangladesh president Khoirom Indrajit, Chaoba Memorial Manipuri Intellectual property Museum director Hamom Tonubabu attended as chief guest.

IMA Bangladesh advisor Jayanto Singh, Ethnic Community Development Organisation executive director lakhikanto Singh, IMA Bangladesh advisor Keisham Molindro participated in the discussion, it said.

As part of the observation, a recital competition of Lamyanba Irabot`™s own poems `Atumbagi Leibak and Ningthibi Ema Manipur, it said.

The observation concluded at 5pm, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/ima-bangladesh-observes-lamyanbas-anniv/

IMPHAL, September 30: Four lads have claimed that they were rounded up on September 28 by suspected cadres of the NSCN (IM) from the Chakpikarong Auto parking and later physically assaulted.

Speaking to media persons at the Manipur Press Club, one of the four identified themselves as Moirangthem Gautam Singh, 34, son of M Ibohal Singh; Moirangthem Kailash Singh, 28, son of M Birahari Singh; Potsangbam Sanamatum Singh, 23, of Kumbi Sittapur and Konsam Nanao, 18 from Kumbi Uchan Lokmang.

According to Kailash, they had gone to Molvi Village in Chandel district to collect some money for a `marup`™.

Since the approach road from Chakpikarong to Molvi Village was in a deplorable condition, they had to hitch a ride on a Shaktiman truck, he said.

Soon after the collecting the marup amount of Rs 5000, he said they were trying to hire an auto rickshaw from Chakpikarong Bazar for Sugunu Bazar, he said.

Further according to Kailash, as they were boarding the three-wheeler, a man identifying himself as a NSCN (IM) cadre intervened and out of nowhere some 10 persons came out and rounded them and pulled them to a nearby community hall.

He said there they were physically assaulted by the persons and forced to claim themselves as members of the KYKL and informers.

When we declined to do so, we were threatened to be tortured using chilli-power, he said.

Meanwhile, the persons who claimed to be NSCN (IM) cadres locked them inside the community hall and went out, he claimed.

Kailash also said that taking the opportunity they grabbed their mobile phones and after breaking the door escaped on foot around 10pm and could reached Sugunu Bazar only around 2am.

They further alleged that the Sugnu Police ill-treated them when they wanted to make a complaint; however, a report was finally filed after repeated appeals.

He said although they had identified the auto driver as one of their assailants, the police failed to take up any action.

Meanwhile, the four have appealed to the concerned authorities and the civil organisations of the State to help them get justice.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/four-youths-charge-suspected-nscn-im-cadres-of-assaulting-them/

CCPUR, Sept 30: With the deadline set by Coordinating Committee ATSUM for the tribal MLAs to resign ending today, there has been no significant development as there has been no news of the remaining 16 resigning till the filing of this report.

Although there has been apprehension of violence erupting in case of the MLAs failure to give into the demand for their resignation within the set deadline, no violence has been witnessed so far.

On the other hand, representatives of the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi led by their convenors Romeo, Khup Baite came to pay their respect to the nine tribal martyrs.

The Churachandpur District Goodwill Council also expressed solidarity to the victims`™ families today and said they are proud of the martyrs who sacrificed in the interest of the hills and tribals of Manipur and appealed to all to maintain calm in the hill districts.

It may be also mentioned that the compensation amount which is being collected for the nine have crossed the Rs 2.2 lakhs today.

Meanwhile, church leaders of Churachandpur`™s Christian Leaders Council also held a mass prayer and observed it was time to shun violence and call on God to redress their grievances.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/deadline-for-tribal-mlas-to-resign-ends/

IMPHAL, Sept 30: The KCP (MC) has said in a press release that the outfit observed Jananeta Hijam Irabot`™s 119th Bith Anniversary at its temporary designated camp by offfering floral tributes and observing a two-minute silence.

A statement of the outfit said, as part of the observation, the outfit provided dresses, sweets at a Children Home and Old Aged Home. The outfit also planted several saplings, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/kcp-mc-observes-lamyanbas-anniv/

IMPHAL, September 30: While the world over, people are focussing on development, here in Manipur, we are going backward by confining our vision on communal, clan, village and religious lines, observed Works minister Dr Kh Ratankumar today.

`We (Manipur) are going backward when the world over the trend is to move forward,` he said.

He was speaking as the chief guest of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot`™s 119th birth anniversary observation at the leader`™s birth place Pishumthong Oinam Leikai in Imphal West today.

The leader`™s birth anniversary was widely observed in the State and elsewhere.

The observation at Pishumthong was organised by the Lamyanba Hijam Irabot Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee.

Addressing the observation, the minister talked on development and said with the advancement in technology, the world is now considered a global village.

Geographically smaller nations in Europe like the UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and others are now discussing ways to unite and introduce a single currency to strengthen their unity, he said.

At the same time in Asia, a highway originating from Turkey will cross several countries like Pakistan, India (passing through Manipur) and Bangladesh and culminate in Japan, he said.

He said when the world over, the people are trying to spread their wings we are trying to confine ourselves in narrower spaces.

With this kind of narrow political outlook, we can never move forward, he said.

He said there is a lot of trust deficit issue in our society.

The minister also responded positively to a call from the celebration committee to provide some government assistance to preserve the site where Irabot`™s statue stands, and said he will consult officials of the PWD in this regard.

At the same time, the Irabot Road popularly known as the Mayai Lambi has been upgraded to National Highway 137 (A), he said.

The highway starts from Waheng Leikai, he said. After passing through Sekmaijing, Wabagai Lamkhai, Hiyanglam Lamkhai, Kakching the road meets NH 39 or AH 1 at Kakching Lamkhai, he added.

This road will be an important route of the State and as such, for its upgradation the department has drafted a DPR of a total amount of Rs 340 crores approximately, the minister said.

We have also placed the amount before the concerned Central Ministry and we expect Central approval by December, he added.

Central ministry officials have already inspected the road along with State officials, he continued.

He continued that the expected width of the road is to be 100 feet.

`We will try to include the demands of the Celebration Committee in this said plan of PWD,` the minister assured.

The minister also lauded Lamyanba Irabot`™s role in the field of literature, sports, culture and journalism.

He said Irabot achieved so much in his short life time that talking about his contribution to the society would be a never ending exercise.

Lamyanba Irabot`™s vision to build a united and dynamic modern Manipur is very much reflected in his literature, poetries, songs and articles, he added.

Floral tributes were also offered to the statue of the leader.

The day was also attended by Celebration Committee chairman Dr M Nara, Keishamthong AC MLA L Ibomcha and IPAK chairman Sapamcha Jadumani, who is also the vice president of Celebration Committee.

On the other hand, the Irawat Celebration Committee, Manipur also observed the day at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

Veteran CPI leader M Ibohal Singh, a close associate of Jana Neta Irawat, and other CPI leaders attended the function.

The function was also attended by former minster RV Mingthing, Kuki Women Union Manipur president Prof Rose Mangshi and All India Tanzeem-E-Insaf, Manipur vice president Md Idris Ali as special guests.

Floral tributes were also offered to a portrait of Jana Neta Irawat during the observation.

A march past competition was also held during the celebration.

The Hijam Irawat Award was presented to former Minister RU Mingthing, Unity Award instituted by ICC Manipur was presented to Prof Rose Mangshi Haokip, Thiyam Meghachandra Journalist Award was presented to Echel Express Editor Irengbam Arun, Hijam Achou Shinmee Award was presented to Chingtham Kulachandra, a construction worker, and Thokchom Achouba Award was presented to political and social activist Oinam Munal.

The Jananeta Hijam Irawat Birthday Celebration Committee also observed the day at Manipur Dramatic Union Hall, Yaiskul.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and MLA Y Surchandra Singh attended the function as the chief guest and the guest of honour respectively.

Delivering the keynote address, JHIBCC convenor Kshetrimayum Santa detailed the contribution of the charismatic leader to the society.

Meitram Shamu, chairman JHIBCC presided the function along with several presidium members namely Manihar Goswami, working president, JD(S), Manipur; Kshetrimayum Ibohal Singh, president, Manipur Dramatic Union, Imphal; Khomdram gyaneswor, secretary AIFB, Manipur; Ningthoujam Ratan, secretary, RSP, Manipur; Sarat Salam, secretary, CPI(M), Manipur; Yumnam Ratan, All India Kissan Council Member, AIKS; Maibam Randhoni, president, All Manipur Democratic Women Association and Yumnam Ibopishak, president, I Foundation, Manipur.

Rich floral tribute was offered to the portrait of Jananeta Hijam Irawat.

Ema Thounaojam Malodi sang a beautiful old song as the opening song.

A book titled `Lamyanba Irawat`™ by Telen Upendra Singh was also released on the occasion.

The function was followed by a drama, Lamyanba Irawat which is a production of the Manipur Dramatic Union, Imphal.

Sarat Salam described the late reformer as a secular leader whose world view was above religion and political parties.

In his words, `Irabot was a secular person who did not confine his worldview to a single community identity or to a single party inclination`.

He also proposed to have the leader`™s statue at the vicinity of the new assembly.

The deputy Chief Minister also acknowledged his supreme sacrifice for the people of the State.

People all over the State fondly remembered the legend in various ways and respect and floral tributes were offered by several organisations.

In the evening candlelight offerings were seen in several places across the town.

Meanwhile, a statement of the North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) said students and working people from the Northeastern States residing in Delhi today celebrated the 119th birth anniversary of great revolutionary leader Hijam Irabot in Aryabhatta College, South Campus, Delhi University.

It said the programme saw huge participation of students from various colleges of Delhi University.

The programme saw rendition of revolutionary songs remembering Hijam Irabot, poetry recitation, painting exhibition and other cultural activities, it said.

NEFIS also said that after the cultural programme a seminar was organized on the topic `Revolutionary legacy of Hijam Irabot and its relevance in our time`™ which saw active participation of students, activists and independent researchers.

Chinglen Khumukcham, Convenor, NEFIS said during the seminar ` It is essential to note the truth about Irabot`™s intensive work towards building a truly democratic, progressive people`™s movement in the region, and his revolutionary views on the question of creating a just society where different communities coexist with mutual respect for each other.`

The programme highlighted the necessity of Irabot`™s ideas amid the present state of discord between different communities, it said.

Irabot stood for unity among different oppressed communities as a necessary step for people to liberate themselves, it said.

The NEFIS also said that at this crucial juncture, NEFIS took it as a duty to highlight Irabot`™s vision to build democratic people`™s movements that goes beyond the façade of representative democracy apparatus by exposing all forms of exploitation, oppression and subjugation faced by the toiling masses of the North-East.

Rice distributed at subsidised rate

Commemorating the 119th Birth Anniversary celebration of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot today, the Chaokhat Khongthang Lup, Chingamakha distributed rice to all households residing in and around Chingamakha at subsidised rate said a press release signed by its secretary Kh Suresh Singh.

It also said that the around 1000 families benefited from the programme.

Our Bishnupur correspondent adds: The day was also observed in several parts of the district. The Lamyanba Irawat Celebration Committee Irengbam observed the day at Irengbam by offering floral tributes to a statue of the leader.

A song, poetry recital and dance competition was also held during the observation.

The observation was attended by village elder Irengbam Babu as president, retd head mistress irengbam High School, Nganom Rashini, Irengbam Modhumati High School asst teacher Irengbam Tomba as guests of honour.

DESAM also organised a quiz competition as part of the day at the Bishnupur Higher Secondary School.

The inaugural function of the quiz was attended by Sadar patel School, Ningthoukhong O Nabakumar as chief guest and Ningthoukhong Municipal Council councillor M Rajen as guest of honour.

The Rural Development Association Ishok Maning Chingya also observed the day by conducting a two residential social service camp at its campus which concluded today.

The Progressive Youth Association Oinam also organised the 1st district level spot painting competition at the Oinam Keithel.

The United Library & Sports Organisation Ngaikhong Siphai also observed the day at Ngaikhong Siphai.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/community-clan-and-religion-based-divisive-thinking-impediment-to-forward-march-ratankumar/