Manipur News

Imphal, October 21: ATSUM has called off its indefinite strike along the national highways, and of the railway project, this evening after the Chief Minister invited the tribal students`™ body for negotiations.

Addressing a press meet at its office in Nagaram, ATSUM president Maun Tombing said the students`™ body decided to impose the indefinite bandh in the hill districts from October 21 after the government failed to comply with the agreement made last year.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi invited representatives of ATSUM today for holding talks on their pending demands.

The negotiations will be held in the morning of October 22 at around 8 am at the Chief Minister`™s chamber. We hope that the talks bring positive results, Tombing said.

He added that the bandh imposed by ATSUM on the national highways and the railway project in the State has been revoked on October 21 at around 3:30 pm.

`If the talk with government fails then ATSUM is free to launch an agitation at any moment. We are counting on the government to keep the promises it made on November 29 last year` the president of the Maun Tombing faction of ATSUM said.

ATSUM had called an indefinite blockade starting today which would have stopped all sorts of vehicular movement along the National Highways and the National projects including railway construction works etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/atsum-revokes-highway-bandh-after-government-invitation-for-talks/

IMPHAL, October 21: The Thadou Students Association strongly oppose the reported acquisition of 3000 acres of tribal land for the purpose of setting up a smart city at Moreh/Haolenphai, Chandel district, said the student body`™s president Lamminlung during a press conference at the Manipur Press Club here today.

Lamminlung stated that it is against the customary law and tradition to sell land for any reason whatsoever and added that `We are ready to die to safeguard the traditional land for the cause of our people.`

The Thadou Students`™ Association demanded the State government to clarify whether the reported acquisition of land as stated by Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam through the press statement is true.

He said the Kukis`™ and other tribal people`™s interest, culture, languages, tradition, social set-up and land rights should be respected and protected at all times.

The TSA also urged the government to issue a press statement in tribal interest regarding the above demands at the earliest, failing which the TSA, together with the public and other like-minded organisations will take up appropriate actions at right time in pursuit of the demands, said Lamminlung. The TSA reiterates its position and that of Kuki tribal that people of Haolenphai wants or need the seting up of the smart city in the area.

Stating that the student body`™s demand supported by several other organization, he added that even an inch of Kuki tribal land will not be compromised for any reason as it is not a negotiable issue. Lamminlung further asserted that `we want development that we need, but not imposed development that we do not need. What the Kukis are really struggling for is the land, culture and ethnic identity and it is the land that we need most.`

He also said that a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister of Manipur and also to the Union Home Minister on September on September 15 on the issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/tsa-opposes-land-acquisition-for-smart-city-at-moreh/

IMPHAL, October 21: An accident caused devastation at Koirengei bazaar this late evening when a speeding Getz car hit a shop igniting an inferno.

A five-year old boy who was at a shop with his mother to buy household items has been confirmed burnt to death. The mother also recieved burn injuries.

Around 8pm, a speeding Getz car coming from Imphal side crashed into a shop igniting a fire which speedily spread to the nearby houses devastating more than eight structures including shops, houses, workshops, hotels.

The car has also been damaged beyond recognition.

The boy has been identified as Thokchom Loyumba son of T Shyamkishore and T (o) Ibempishak. The family who is originally from Achanbigei runs a shop opposite to the buildings razed by the fire.

The occupants of the car including the driver managed to flee from the site, locals said.

Locals also said that the mother of the boy has been rushed to the nearby Catholic Medical Centre along with some other injured women. However, the exact number of injured cannot be confirmed till the filling of this report.

Locals also said that there is no confirmation of how many people are trapped inside the building, as the inhabitants of the buildings are nowhere to be found in the area. This has created apprehensions that many more could be buried under the debris, locals added.

More than five fire tenders arrived around 8:20pm to control the fire, they said. The fire was brought under control only around 9pm, although by that time the buildings were already razed to the ground.

Heingang police have taken the body of the boy for post mortem.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/car-crash-ignites-inferno-killing-5yearold-buildings-razed-to-ground/

IMPHAL, October 21: Getting information that a passenger bus had dropped 48 non-locals at Sekmai bazaar this afternoon around 2pm, a team of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System rushed to the spot and met with the non-locals, said the committee`™s coordinator Thabi.

Speaking to media persons, he said one of the non-locals identified themselves as from Malda district of West Bengal and that they have been brought into the State as labours of Yurembam Power grid.

According to the non-local, they were supposed to wait at Sekmai bazar for the authorities to pick them up, Thabi told media persons.

He said the non-locals were found waiting at the Sekmai Police Station, however, the bus went back soon after dropping them.

Meanwhile, according to Sekmai Police sources, non-locals have been dropped in the area on two counts earlier and each time department officials had come to pick them up.

When they had asked, they were informed that the non-locals were labours for the Yurembam Power grid.

On the other hand, Thabi said this is unfortunate as the JCILPS has been trying hard with support from the public to check the illegal influx of non-locals into the State.

The officials are showing irresponsibility, he said before urging local authorities to hire people of the State if they need labours.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/jcilps-decries-bringing-in-of-labour-from-outside/

IMPHAL, Oct 20: Sinam Ponin Singh who met an accident at Langpoklao Haraopham under Nambol police Station on October 18 has succumbed to his injuries today.

A report from the police stated that the accident occurred on October 18 when the Bajaj Pulsar motor bike (registration number MN01Z-9294) he was riding along with two friends collided with a Honda Activa MN-06/F-7216. Ponin along with his two friends was hospitalised at Raj Medicity, however, Ponin succumbed to his injuries.

His two friends are still under treatment.

A case has been registered by the police.

The dead body has been handed over to the family member after a post mortem was conducted at RIMS morgue. Ponin succumbed to his injuries at the hospital yesterday at around 11.20 am. The police have seized both vehicles involved in the accident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/boy-succumbs-to-accident-injury/

IMPHAL, October 20: Several transporters`™ bodies have today urged the All Tribal Students`™ Union to withdraw its indefinite bandh along the national highways starting this midnight considering the Ningol Chakkouba festival which falls on October 25.

Several other organisations of the State led by All Manipur Ethnical Socio Culture Organisation, AMESCO have also called on ATSUM to withdraw the blockade.

Speaking to media persons in Imphal, All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union president Bhopendra Ghose said the NH 37, 53 Truck Owners Welfare Association, All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, All Manipur Inter State Bus Association and All Manipur Petroleum Transporter Association are jointly making an appeal to ATSUM to withdraw the blockade considering the Ningol Chakkouba festival.

He said the transporters are working for the people of the State irrespective of hills and valley.

The repeated appeals of the transporters to the State authorities to properly maintain the National Highway 37 have all fallen into deaf ears, he continued.

As the State has remained indifferent to the appeals, the transporters will have to meet the Union Minister for Transport Nitin Gadkari to find a solution at the earliest, he said.

Bhupendra also condemned the recent gun attack on a loaded truck somewhere along the NH 37 in Tamenglong which resulted in the injury of a handyman and appealed to all concern not to repeat such threat.

NH 37, 53 TOWA president Kh Inaoba said that the four transporters`™ bodies support any demand for development both in the hills and the valley, however, such bandhs and blockade cannot bring any development.

It will also hinder participation of the women folk from the far-flung areas in the auspicious occasion of ninggol chakkouba, he said.

Condemning the repeated harassment of truckers along the national highways in the State, he appealed to all to stop such atrocities.

A debate on the repeated disturbances and harassment of truckers along the national highways in the State will be conducted soon, he told the media persons.

AMPTA general secretary A Deben spoke on the need to strengthen the security arrangements along the highways passing along the State.

AMISBA general secretary Bimol Singh also attended the press meet.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Ethnical Socio Culture Organisation, AMESCO supported by Manipur Naat Kanba Lup, All Manipur Arts & Culture Students`™ Union and Manipur State Shumang Leela Council has also appealed the student body to withdraw the blockade.

AMESCO president Sh Nando today called upon all to withdraw any kind of disturbances including highway bandhs during the festive season specially ahead of Ningol Chakkouba.

Speaking to media persons at the AMESCO office today, Nando said AMESCO has invited womenfolk from all communities to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba as it has been doing for the past many years.

The day will be celebrated at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, he said.

AMESCO advisor LS Guite said the organisation respects every community irrespective of caste and creed.

He further appealed to ATSUM to withdraw its highway bandh as the organization has already invited women from all communities including those residing in the hills for its Ningol Chakkouba celebration.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/transporters-bodies-appeal-atsum-to-withdraw-bandh/

IMPHAL, October 20: The Western way of looking at our society is inadequate to unravel many of the issues faced by the people of the State. Our own knowledge informed by tradition and culture is the best approach to study our society, said professor E Bijoykumar.

He was deliberating as a guest of honour in the National Seminar on Knowing from the Endogenous Perspective, jointly organised by the Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University and Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, which started today at MU Canchipur.

Prof Bijoykumar also said that we have tried every known model of development and growth in the Northeast region, but nothing seems to yield results. Thus, in our quest for economic prosperity, a dualistic approach encompassing the traditional and the modern is needed, he added.

Prof HNK Sharma, VC of Manipur University, speaking as the chief guest maintained that there is need to devise ways to streamline our knowledge system.

He said that traditional knowledge, as well as the modern scientific approach has limitations. Therefore, a convergence of both is called for, he stressed.

Speaking as the president of the function, Prof N Joykumar, director Centre for Manipur Studies, MU, pointed out that the seminar is an alternative way of looking at events, processes and knowledge that has led to the emergence of politico-legal entity called Manipur.

In the inaugural function, a book entitled `Knowing Manipur From The Endogenous Perspective`™, Vol 1 & 2 were released by the three dignitaries. Renowned artist, Lourembam Bedabati presented folk songs accompanied by Pena performance, which was followed by a short lecture on the performance.

In the post lunch technical session chaired by Prof S Mangi, MU, nine scholars presented their papers. The seminar will conclude tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/western-ways-of-looking-at-our-society-is-inadequate-to-unravel-issues/

KANGPOKPI, Oct 20: Kuki Students`™ Organization Sadar Hills and Senapati District Students`™ Association today jointly declared not to endorse the ATSUM (Tombing) proposed indefinite total closure of national highways in the State which will begin today midnight.

Speaking to this IFP correspondent Thangminlen Kipgen, president KSO Sadar Hills said that the proposed ATSUM (Tombing) indefinite bandh will not be endorsed and supported by both the KSO Sadar Hills and Senapati District Students`™ Association within Sadar Hills and Senapati district.

He continued that vehicular movement within Sadar Hills will continue as usual while the student body will initiate every possible measure to ensure safe movement of the traffic.

The student body leader further warn of fitting action against anyone taking part in the bandh and disrupting the normal life while urging all vehicle owners and drivers to continue their public service as usual.

In the meantime, a reliable source has also confirmed that SDSA has also declared not to endorse ATSUM (Tombing) proposed bandh in Senapati district.

ATSUM (Tombing) bandh will not be effective in the district since the student body will not involved and endorsed, it added.

However, the source further claimed that the TSA Sadar Hills announced their support and endorsement of the bandh and declared to enforce it along the national highway-2 within Sadar Hills.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/no-highway-bandh-in-senapati-ksosh-sdsa/

IMPHAL, Oct 20 (NNN): State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has said his government is persistently improving the requisite power infrastructure in the State to ensure 24 hour-power supply for the Greater Imphal area by March next year.

He said the same facility will be provided to two valley districts of Bishnupur and Thoubal and the hill district headquarters by 2015/16.

On Monday, the Chief Minister inaugurated and dedicated to the people three 33/11 KV power substations at Imphal East`™s Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences complex, Chingarel and Mantripukhri.

Speaking at the inaugural function at Mantripukhri, Ibobi said his government has given top priority to developing the power sector both in the hills and valley.

He said the neighbouring Myanmar has sought power supply from the Government of India for Tamu town bordering Moreh town of Manipur along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Steps have been taken up to install a 102/33 KV power substation at Moreh since the Government of India has already approved the plan.

Ibobi appealed to public for their support in the government`™s efforts to boost electricity supply in the State and urged to help regulate regular collection of power tariff and to habituate payment of tax.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/24hour-power-supply-for-greater-imphal-from-march-ibobi/

IMPHAL, October 20: The All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur is all set to start its indefinite bandh on national highways and central projects from this midnight, as the government has failed to comply with the agreement decided upon earlier this year, said president Muan Tombing today.

He said the government was given time till October 20 to fulfill the demands.

Addressing a press meet at its office located at Nagaram, Imphal the ATSUM president stated that the government is not considering the student union`™s genuine demand.

As such ATSUM is compelled to resume its sustained agitation under the code name Reckoning of the Others, ROTO which was started from the early part of October 21, he said.

Elaborating on the nature of the agitation, he said it includes complete shutdown/ closure of all national highways, and central projects undertaken in the State.

He further appealed to all unions and associations to co-operate with the student body in the agitation.

The agitation could have been avoided had the government paid attention to the genuine demands, he continued.

He declared that the government should bear responsibility for any untoward incident occurring during the agitation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/atsum-begins-highway-bandh-under-roto/

IMPHAL, Oct 20: The women wing of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System today called a press conference on the twin issues of demanding implementation of the ILPS in the Sate and action against addl SP Y Victoria.

Speaking to media persons at the JCILPS office, convenor Lourembam Nganbi said the government is trying to delay from taking actions on the two issues.

Condemning addl SP Y Victoria of over reacting during an incident which was reported widely by the media, she appealed to the concern authority to take action against the MPS officer at the earliest. The women`™s wing of the committee supports any agitation of the students`™ wing of the committee in demanding implementation of the ILPS in the State, she said.

She further appealed to all to support the ongoing survey of non-locals entry in the State electoral roll.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/jcilps-women-wing-seeks-action-against-addl-sp/

IMPHAL, October 20: The State government today conducted re-verification of cadres of the Memorandum of Understanding signatory group United Revolutionary Force, URF who had decided to remain under the MoU agreement.

The process was necessitated after cadres of the outfit which is in talks with the government had deserted their camp to pick up arms again led by the outfit`™s chairman Lanheiba Meitei.

Citing the government`™s gross indifference to the agreements made under the MoU, Lanheiba had announced through a press statement on October 2 that he along with his cadres have left the peace process and taken up arms again.

Today`™s re-verification process was led by IGP Intelligence KT Vaiphei who declared appropriate actions will be taken up against those who have deserted the peace process.

The outfit under chairman Lanheiba Meitei had signed the MoU with representatives of the State and Central governments on February 13, 2013 at the Banquet Hall of the 1st Manipur Rifles.

The remaining cadres were today once again lined up at the 1st MR parade ground.

Speaking to media persons, KT Vaiphei said the process was conducted to re-verify the number of cadres who are still honouring the MoU in the presence of media.

Altogether 144 cadres including their leaders had joined the MoU signing on February 13, 2103, which is to expire on February 13, 2015, he said.

Of the 144, two of them were recovered dead, murdered by a group of their own members, he said before adding that only 80 were present in today`™s re-verification process. Many of them however, missed out from today`™s re-verification process, he continued.

The remaining cadres are absconding led by Lanheiba and reported to have taken up arms, he continued.

The IGP also informed all those missing from today`™s process to report for verification.

Meanwhile, a leader of those left behind Chingkheinganba alias Soviet said altogether 52 cadres of the outfit are presently under him and provided for at his Napetpalli residence.

He complained that the government has failed to honour their side of the agreement under the MoU.

The Rs 4000 stipend assured for all cadres irrespective of hierarchy are pending since July 2014, he continued.

The government has also failed to provide rehabilitation centre for vocational programmes for the cadres, agreed upon during the signing of the agreement, he said.

Another leader identified as N Nageshore was also present during today`™s verification process.

Three women cadres who were present at the re-verification process today denied any comments except that they want to enter the mainstream.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/state-reverifies-urf-cadres-under-mou/