Manipur News

IMPHAL, Nov 27: The hearing of the case of UNLF chairman, RK Meghen alias Sanayaima, was held for two consecutive days at the special NIA court Guwahati.

On the first day of the hearing, held yesterday two independent witness deposed before the NIA court while a forensic expert of the NIA also deposed before the court today.

During the hearing the UNLF Chief along with companions against whom charge sheets have been framed by the NIA, made physical appearances before the court.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/rk-meghens-case-hearing-held/

IMPHAL, November 27: In an unprecedented case, the Director of Veterinary, Dr S Joute, reportedly has denied to settle retirement benefits of a retired Veterinary Officers unless he furnish a copy of certificate of one year Field Assistant (VFA) Training Course.

According to reliable sources, the retired Vety. officer identified as one Th Tomba Singh, regional composite Livestock Farm, Noney Tamenglong, was served with a notice to furnish VFA certificate within seven days time from the day of the notice was served (dated November 21, 2014).

Tomba was reportedly appointed as VFA in the year July 31, 1984 and thereafter appointed as Vety. Assistant Surgeon (VAS) on adhoc basis and regularised their service in the year 1986 along with other 16 VAS (vide order No. 3/57/85 dated on September 3, 1986 as per DP OM no.3/2/85-DP(I) dated May 31, 1986 and another DP OM No.3/2/85-DP(I) dated August 4, 1986.

It is learnt that as per the DP dated May 31, 1986, adhoc employees who were appointed up to December 31, 1984 against vacancies in the direct recruitment quota under Class I and II, who continue to hold their respective post as adhoc on May 24, 1986, and who fulfil all the requirements excepting age limit laid down under recruitment rules are entitles to get regularisation of their adhoc appointments.

The same sources disclosed that in violation of the said DP OM dated May 31, 1986 the Government of Manipur Secretariat Vety Department regularised some VAS working on Ad-hoc basis against the clear vacancies arise only on May 29, 1986 (Vide creation No. 3/24/85 vety dated May 29, 1986.

However, in this regards the Director remained silent and had submitted proposal of retirement of those retired vety. officer whom regularised their ad-hoc appointment on September 3, 1986 in contrary to the decision taken (May 31, 1986) whereas objected to submit the relevant documents of Tomba for bringing settlements of his retirement benefits.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/vety-officer-denied-retirement-benefits-for-failure-to-provide-field-posting-proof/

IMPHAL, Nov 27: The Coordination Committee, a conglomerate of valley based outlawed organisations namely KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF condemning the proposed visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur has declared 24 hour curfew.

According to a statement of the convener of the Publicity Committee of the group, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed from the midnight of November 30 in connection with the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on the final day of the ongoing Sangai Festival.

The statement recalled the speech of Modi, which he had made in the East Asia Summit held on November 12 to 13 at NayPyiTaw, Myanmar. The statement quoted the relevant paragraph of Modi`™s speech as: `In a world of interdependence and globalisation, there is no option but to follow international laws and norms`¦ for this reason, following international law and norms is important`.

Further, it continued that on the other hand, the Indian State has been subjugating Manipur and other regions of WESEA by imposing draconian law like the AFSPA. Irom Chanu Sharmila, the Iron Lady has been struggling against the draconian law but the Indian State has been turning a blind eye to the protest, the statement added.

The statement said that Modi is a colonialist representative of the Indian State, which is good in divide and rule tactics. CORCOM has been relentlessly fighting against such divisive policies and the struggle will still go on, it said.

In view of the inhuman crime meted out towards the people of Manipur by the colonial Indian State, the proposed visit of the PM to Manipur on November 30 is a bad omen to its people, it said.

This being the case, a 24 hour curfew has been imposed by the group from the midnight of November 30. However, the curfew will be relaxed for medical emergencies, fire emergencies and media, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/corcom-imposes-24hour-curfew-on-day-of-pms-visit/

IMPHAL, November 27: The office chamber of Manipur state BJP unit president will be considered as that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for half an hour on November 30.

The Prime Minister of India, who will be attending the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival, has confirmed to stop by the BJP office Manipur situated at Nityaipat Chuthek.

Following the scheduled visit, the SPG team who has been camping here in the state, has inspected the state BJP office this morning.

SPG, SIB, State Intelligent, State security force, electricity and PDW etc have been deployed starting from today.

Meanwhile, the state BJP unit is now also fully prepared to welcome its party leader.

The SPG reportedly restricted limited seats for the reception of Prime Minister. As per the instruction the state executive members of BJP Manipur Pradesh, National executive members, National Office Bearer, Morchs presidents, Cell Convenors, Districts Convenors, Ex-Ministers, Ex-MLAs, ADC Members Councillors and some selected invitees from among BJP workers are to be allow to attend in the reception function.

The Prime Minister is expected to reach the BJP office at around 4:30 pm after attending the Manipur Sangai Festival. During his short stay in office (Temporary office) the Prime Minister is expected to have a short discussion with the BJP state president, three state general secretaries and two ex-candidate of last LS poll.

Later, a formal function for reception will start with welcome address by the general secretary Administration M Asnikumar followed by presentation of gifts to honour the Prime Minister by various communities of the State.

As part of the function the Prime Minister is expected to give 10 to 15 minutes follow by presidential speech from Chaoba, president of state BJP and votes of thanks by general secretary Organisation, Premanada.

The Prime Minister will leave BJP office by 5 pm for Nagaland.

A BJP official told IFP that during the PMs halt, it would submit a memorandum highlighting important issues and challenges which needed to be addressed.

The memorandum will prioritise the construction of National Highways in the state especially the Imphal-Dimapur, Moreh road construction connecting South East Asia Countries in view of the Look east policy.

The memorandum will include setting up of a Highway protection force in the state and to speed up the construction of National Sport University in the state, besides urging the need to establish National Film Institute in Manipur.

The memorandum also further reflect to provide special sport incentive for sport persons of Manipur in the form of monthly stipend to medallist of International and National games. Not only this, it will seek the Prime Minister`™s attention to give one time grant for those sporting bodies which have been producing talented sport persons in football and other games.

Drawing the PM`™s attention the memorandum urged for a special monitoring of the work done by the LDA for cleaning of Phumdi in Loktak Lake and also include three other fresh water lakes including Pumlen Pat, Khoidum Pat and Loktak Pat in the conservation and compensation action plan.

It would also press for expediting the plan of Imphal-Mandalay bus service besides speeding up the establishment of regional Passport office in Imphal, development of Keibul National Park as National Project with community involvement, to check the factor of demography imbalance create by the illegal influx of foreign migrant to Manipur etc are among the charters of demand in the memorandum.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/state-bjp-draws-up-detailed-list-of-action-plans-to-be-submitted-to-pm/

IMPHAL, November 27: The 12-hour State-wide bandh called by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (Emboi Serto group) since 6 am today affected vehicular traffic along the Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal Tamenglong (NH-37) road.

All passenger vehicles and goods truck stayed off the roads along these routes however no untoward incident was reported during the bandh period.

The ATSUM led by Embroi Serto called the 12-hour state wide bandh over the State government`™s failure to fulfil demands listed in the MoUs signed with the students leaders on several occasions during the last eight years.

CHANDEL: The 12-hour total bandh also affected vehicular movement along NH 102 (Chandel-Pallel road).

All shops in Japhou bazaar remained closed during 10am to 12 noon, while Tata Sumos and DIs staying off the road.

Briefing media, Forest and Environment Secretary of the student body Sk Joseph warned that ATSUM will be compelled to take up the issue at higher levels and other forms of protests would be initiated if the government fails to act upon the MoUs signed with the ATSUM.

He also thanked the Japhou Bazar Board Chairman Js Angam, Chandel District Bus Owner Association President Kl Franky, and Tata Sumo & DIs Owners`™ Association president SS Rocky and the general public for the cooperation extended during the bandh.

KANGPOKPI: The ATSUM bandh only partially affected the Imphal-Dimapur highway.

The bandh ended peacefully without any unwanted incidents today at 6 pm.

Though inter-district and state passenger buses and essential commodities vehicles were off the road, private vehicles make the national highway along Imphal-Dimapur hectic enough for the day.

In the meantime, Hemang Haokip, secretary Finance of ATSUM informed that the 12 hrs total bandh imposed by the student body ended peacefully while articulating gratitude to all transporter including inter district buses owners/drivers and interstate buses/wingers for fully cooperating and endorsing the bandh.

He continued that ATSUM stands for the tribal cause and it will continue to do so and if the Govt. still remain adamant to the demands of ATSUM, which directly for the cause of all tribal people more intense form of agitation will be initiate sooner or later.

While urging the general public particularly the tribal people to support and render cooperation toward ATSUM any movement for welfare of all tribal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/atsum-bandh-disrupts-traffic-along-highways/

IMPHAL, November 27: The bereaved family of mother and daughter duo Chanbi and Menaka of Phayeng continue to hope for justice three years after the two were found dead in a field near their house in 2010.

A team of the Women Action for Development accompanied by media persons today visited the family of Chanbi and Menaka who were allegedly killed after being raped.

WAD secretary Sobita Mangsatabam had earlier announced that the association will be visiting the homes of 16 victims of VAW identified from across five districts of the State as part of its fortnight long observation of the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25 to December 10) under the theme `Way to speedy justice.`

The bodies of 38-years old Angom Chanbi, wife of (L) A Khommei and their 16-years old daughter Menaka were found from an open field at Sampha Loukon, Phayeng Ching Khunou on January 23, 2010 after they went missing during the intervening night of January 12-13, 2010.

The mother and daughter were reportedly called out from their home during the night by some persons on the pretext that Chanbi`™s eldest son who had joined a UG group wanted to meet her.

It may be mentioned that their bodies were recovered by a man tending to his cattles about a km from their house. The bodies were found about 20 feet apart and although post mortem report had showed enough evidences of gang rape of both, the family has been denied justice till date.

Angom Amuthoi, 80 year-old father in law of (L) Chanbi said, `I want justice for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter before I die, but I am helpless in this corrupt system.`

The accused continue to remain scot free as the police are yet to file any charge-sheet and no further investigation has been conducted, he added.

Amuthoi is half paralysed and his wife Manitombi, 60, continue to look after their three grand children and her husband by selling vegetables and without any assistance from the government.

During the visit it was also learnt that the two have not received any old age pension from the government.

The team later visited the Lamsang Police, during which the police said one of the accused in the case was arrested but got out on bail and an arrest warrant is in the process of being issued against another accused.

Meanwhile, Sobita Mangsatabam said the objective of the campaign is to demand speedy justice for the victim`™s family and also to control such crime against women and children in the State.

She also strongly appealed to the government to take up such cases in a speedy manner so that justice is given to the victims.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/family-of-mother-and-daughter-murdered-in-2010-continues-to-yearn-for-justice/

IMPHAL, Nov 27: The proscribed United National Liberation Front of Manipur has claimed responsibility of various attacks carried out against the security forces in the November month.

According to a statement, it has claimed that under the code name `Operation Araaba`™, the group had successfully launched attackes against the security forces on November 2, 2014 at the camp of 165 Territorial Army at Koirengei.

It continued that the group had also carried out attacks on November 11 against 26 AR of Behiang post under Churachandpur District; on November 17 against 24 AR at Tengnoupal check post under Chandel District, on 18 of the same month at AR transit camp, Minuthong Imphal.

The operation was carried out as part of the 50th anniversary observation of the group to remind the Indian Occupation Forces that the fight against colonialism will go on until Manipur is liberated from its clutches, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/unlf-claims-successful-attacks-under-operation-araaba/