Manipur News

IMPHAL, May 19: The Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) has decried the act of arson committed in their Semon camp located at Khengjoi sub-division, Chandel district.

The entire structure of the designated camp has been set on fire. It may be mentioned that the area is dominated by troops of 6th Dogra regiment and UKLF cadres.

Speaking to IFP, KNLF Information secretary, Kolphe Kuki today stated that the camp which was forcibly taken by force without proper intimation from concerned state authorities have been razed to the ground. He mentioned that two officer barracks, two ordinary barracks, officers kitchen with dining hall, ordinary kitchen, a wooden stage, five bunkers, a recreational hall and a waiting shed. Altogether, the estimate of the damage is around 30 lacs. He stated that the infrastructure was built by funds from the KNLF itself and without the help of the State government.

The camp was set afire today, it may be mentioned that the cades were forcibly relocated from the Semon camp on May 12 last. They are presently at Chelep village at the designate camp of Pakan Revolutionary Army since then, the outfit has also announced earlier that the KNLF cadres are given shelter on humanitarian grounds and gave them notification to leave within five days time.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/outfit-decries-burning-down-of-camp/

IMPHAL May 19: The government has agreed to meet two of the three demands made by the JAC formed in connection with death of student in an alleged police firing, however, roads passing through Khurai area continues to remain closed for the second day today.

The JAC had announced an indefinite closure of the IP/Pangei/Saikul road and Tinsid Road besides the Imphal-Ukhrul road since Wednesday until the government announces the termination of the police personnel involved in the incident.

A mass rally organized by the JAC was also taken out starting from Popular High School, Khurai today with people joining on as they marched ahead.

A large police force including lady police personnel intercepted the rally at Lamlong Bazar, as it was heading towards the Chief Minister`™s bungalow.

Thereafter, only eight JAC members were allowed to proceed for submission of memorandum while the rest resumed a sit in protest at Lamlong Bazar.

JAC chairman, Devendro Ngangom reported in the evening, `After an in depth discussion with the Chief Minister, deputy Chief Minister and local MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, both parties have agreed on two of the three demands of the JAC.

The demands which have been agreed upon are providing a suitable job to a family member of Konsam Kourounganba and the unconditional release of three students namely Konthoujam Vivek, Chandam Premananda and Chabungbam Manoj Singh, he said.

However on the termination demand, they insist that government cannot terminate any police officials without conducting enquiry and request for further discussion with the police officers before any such measures are taken up, Devendro Ngangom informed.

`Hence we will intensify the road blockade while we await the government to take decision on the termination of the police commandos` he announced.

According to the JAC members, in the late evening, a white Verna car came speeding along the Imphal-Ukhrul road following which, the infuriated bandh supporters hurled stones at the car.

However, the car managed to escape through a narrow lane, the said.

Meanwhile a police team led by additional SP (Ops) of Imphal East Manjit Singh has retrieved the body of Konsam Kourounganba`™s after clearing Rs 22,000 to Shija Hospital and kept the same at the JNIMS morgue.

The said case has been registered under FIR No.34(5)2015 LLI PS U/S 309/224/279/34 IPC.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/govt-agrees-to-two-demands-of-jac-in-death-of-student-in-police-firing/

IMPHAL, May 19: The government has decided to serve notice of voluntary retirement under a Voluntary Retirement Scheme to teachers of government schools who fail to produce any successful students in the BOSEM conducted Class X and COHSEM conducted Class XII exams.

According to an order issued by the deputy secretary Education (S), the voluntary retirement scheme is one of many immediate actions deemed necessary by the government after considering the poor performances of some government high schools and higher secondary schools in the recent Higher Secondary Examination 2015 and HSLC Examination, 2015, the results of which were announced on May 11 and 14 respectively.

According to the order, the Education minister had this evening chaired a meeting reviewing the performances of the government schools in the examinations.

The meeting was also attended by officials of Education (S), BoSEM, CoHSEM, RMSA, SSA, etc.

Following a detailed deliberation, the meeting decided to take up certain immediate actions on the issue, it said.

The meeting decided that all teachers posted in Government High Schools and Government Higher Secondary Schools which failed to produce any successful candidate shall be served notice for Voluntary Retirement under a VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) being considered by the Government.

It was also decided that the Directorate of Education(S) will prepare a Performance Appraisal Format for all government teachers posted at government high schools and govt hr sec schools to review their performances objectively and that the posting of the teachers will be reviewed based on their Performance Appraisal so as to ensure that posting in convenient locations may be considered for good Teachers, it said.

Other decisions also include that teachers whose performances are poor, after review through the Performance Review System, will also be considered for deduction of their salaries either through withholding of one or two months`™ salaries or through withdrawal of annual increments, the modalities of which is being formulated in consultation with DP, FD, etc.

The government will also consider rewarding the good performing government teachers through the Performance Appraisal System so as to motivate and encourage the good Teachers.

Rewards may be given either in the form of advance increment or lump-sum cash awards and certificates etc., it said.

Graduate Teachers recruited under RMSA will also be considered for posting in the eight Model Government Higher Secondary Schools based on their performance to be assessed by the Directorate of Education (S), it said.

The government has also appealed to the parents, parents`™ associations, SMDCs, students unions, etc to provide positive support and encouragement to the students and teachers in the endeavour.

The order also said that the director of Education (S) will take immediate necessary action on the decision of the government within a period of one month and that the report of the Director Education (S) will be considered by a State Level Committee consisting of commissioner/secretary, Education(S) as chairman; director Education (S) as member secretary and joint secretary Education (S), secretary COHSEM, secretary BOSEM, ASPD RMSA and ASPD SSA as members.

At the same time, the report of the committee should also be submitted to the government within 15 days, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/govt-decides-voluntary-retirement-for-teachers-who-fail-to-produce-successful-students-in-board-exams/

IMPHAL, May 19: Anyone trying to defame or tarnish the image of media fraternity of the state will not be spared, said All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union Vice President Ratan Luwangcha at a media briefing held at Manipur Press Club today.

Union President W Shamjai said that in the ongoing riots regarding the recent killing of one student by the state security force, an individual was caught posing as a reporter. He is identified as one Konsam Anthony, 20, son of K Budhajit of Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai.

During the ongoing public agitation at Khurai today, Anthony was gathering report with a still camera on his Hero Honda Motor cycle bearing registration no MNO1D 9256 claiming to be a photojournalist of `People`™s Chronicle`™.

On receiving information from scribes gathering reports at the site, an AWMJU team rushed to the spot and found the person to be a fake reporter. He was handed over to the police without further delay.

Lamenting the incident, President Syamjai further said that the same case occurred on 15 May, in the public agitation at Patsoi where two of individuals including one non local were found capturing video footages of the riot within the curfew imposed area. Suspicious on their behavior, police enquired on them and they replied as being freelance reporters. When they failed to produce any valid papers identifying themselves as media, other press reporter present in the spot were inquired to identify them by the police. Later, they were found to be bogus scribes.

President W Shamjai said that it was regrettable that the next day, a news article was carried that those persons were doing their duty legitimately, according to a press release from Television and Film Foundation, Manipur.

Shamjai clarified that in the sensitive area where curfew and CrPc 144 was imposed, they should have identified themselves as filmmakers instead of posing as journalists.

AWMJU President warns those possessing fake press ID card and having sticker of a `PRESS`™ on vehicles. He said that those working at private printing presses are not the news reporters. He appealed that such individuals should not tarnish the image of news reporters.

Further, AWMJU General Secretary ,Jit Ningombam said that it was unfortunate the KSO has banned ISTV and Sangai Express. He calls for a dialogue with AWMJU with KSO to bring an amicable solution regarding the incident and AWMJU will try its level best to bring to an understanding on the issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/20year-old-held-posing-as-scribe/

IMPHAL May 19: A 45-year old has alleged NSCN (IM) cadres of thrashing him black and blue on May 18.

The man identified as Daniel Lungleng, 45 son of L Maraotho and Latheola from Challou Village, Ukhrul district is presently getting treatment at a private hospital here in Imphal.

Daniel has identified two of his assaulters as Ringphami of Pui and Ningmi of New Tusom.

Speaking to media persons from his hospital bed, Daniel said he has been actively helping in the election campaign of his brother-in-law Shimreingam A Shimray who is the Congress candidate from Chingai constituency for the upcoming Autonomous District Council election.

Further recounting his ordeal, he said, `On May 18, around 7:30am, I was hiring a Bolero jeep at Wino Bazar to return to Chingai, when these three NSCN (IM) cadres came in civil attires and held me at gun-point.`

`They put me in their Gypsy and drove off. After some time, a little ahead of Phungreitang, they changed vehicles and took me to an isolated area near a private farm house at Ikun Road` he continued.

`There they identified themselves as NSCN (IM) cadres and claimed that I had Rs 4 lakhs in my possession to be used in my brother-in-law`™s election campaign.`

`They then started demanding me to hand over the said amount to them, at which I repeatedly told them that I have no such money with me, nevertheless, two of them started hitting me with clubs` Daniel said.

`Later on they demanded to give them Rs 50000 and even threatened me with dire consequences if I don`™t pay them the amount` he recalled.

Further according to Daniel, after they thrashed him all over his lower torso, they finally decided to go to the candidate`™s house.

On reaching Shimreingam A Shimray`™s house, they found both the candidate and his wife missing and so they dragged him to the NSCN (IM)`™s regional office and Phungreitang, Daniel continued.

He further said he was released around 2 in the afternoon only when some of his family members came to the NSCN (IM) regional office.

However, the cadres demanded him to bring at least Rs 15,000 at the earliest or that he would be picked up again soon, he said.

He said since he was suffering much pain and getting weak, he was brought immediately to Imphal for treatment.

Daniel also pleaded that `The government should ensure that citizens are not intimidated tortured and traumatized in this manner by the non-State actors.`

Daniel sustained bruised marks all over his lower torso starting from his waist.

He complains of pain all over his body.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/cong-worker-alleges-nscnim-cadres-of-assaulting-him/

IMPHAL, May 19: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights and Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti have made a joint appeal to the concern group to release the two boys Moirangthem Sakhenba, 13 and Yaikhom Kumdumba, 11 safely at the earliest.

The two who are students of Lilasing High School and staying at the Children Home, Dewlahland, run by Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti had failed to return either to the children`™s home or to their respective homes since May 9. They have remained traceless ever since, leading to apprehensions that they might have been kidnapped.

Speaking at a press conference today, MACR convenor Keisham Pradeep Kumar asserted that this is not the first of such incidents happening in the State and it is high time that the Social Welfare department form a Child Protection Committee.

Manipur being a conflict State, there is high possibilities that the two have either been recruited as child soldiers or been victims of child trafficking, he said.

The two boys are still in their tender age, he continued.

The two organisations also strongly appealed to the government to take up immediate measure to trace the whereabouts of the duo.

N Jamini, secretary told the media persons that if the concern group did not release the duo before May 25, the two organisation along with civil organisations will launch a strong agitation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/macr-seeks-whereabouts-of-missing-children/

IMPHAL, May 19: The BJP has intensified its campaigning for the June 1 ADC polls with Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram and the party`™s national executive member Tapir Gao addressing a public meeting at the Ukhrul Town Hall today.

Speaking at the poll meeting, Tapir Gao who is also the party`™s in charge of the ADC election in Manipur said the NPF and the BJP are allies at the Centre and even though the two will be fielding their own candidates in the ADC election, both will be supporting each other in principle during formation of ADCs after the election.

He said the elected BJP members can also act as felicitators of the Naga peace process to bring an early solution.

Gao, however, cautioned the armed outfits operating in the hill districts against disturbing the democratic process of election.

He warned any act of pressuring or threatening during the ADC election process would never be the solution.

Attacking the Congress government of the State, he said although five years have passed since the last ADC election, no autonomy or devolution of power has been handed over to the elected ADC members.

Meanwhile, addressing the meeting, Oram said the Congress, which has been ruling the State for 13 long years, has been the major stumbling block in the development of the State`™s Hills districts.

It is now time for the people to shift their support to the BJP and help the party in bringing development from the grass-root level, he said.

The Union Minister also assured a `corruption-free government`™ in the State if brought to power.

All that the Congress can do is to blame the BJP of being anti-Christian or try to create rifts between the Hindus and the Muslims because they have done nothing to talk about other than loot public money, Oram asserted.

He said although the Centre is always ready to sanction any amount of money for the development of the hill districts, the Congress-led government in the State has always stood in the way and denied the funds from reaching the targeted people.

For the Centre to release funds and the funds to actually reach the targeted public there is a need to uproot this corrupt Congress government in the State, Oram said appealing to the people to give BJP a chance to win the ADC seats.

He said he has received many memorandums from the people, and most of these have been demands for more funds.

However, even if I assure to provide the funds or special packages for the hill districts it would be of no use as there is no one to monitor the utilisation of the funds, he continued.

`Give BJP a chance in the ADC election and see the changes in all hill districts.`

He quickly added if the people vote for BJP candidates, then the party can ensure direct delivery of funds to the hill districts through the ADC.

`However, if you vote for the same old Congress, then you have made a big blunder,` he continued.

Continuing to lambast the Congress government, Oram alleged that the previous Congress-led UPA had swindled huge public money amounting in crores in the infamous 2G scam.

BJP State general secretary administrative, M Asnikumar said the Congress has not allowed or undertaken a single development work in the hill areas.

Asnikumar also said that the the party`™s candidate from 44/11 Khamasom constituency SK Somi was selected and approved by the party`™s national and State leaders and as such any claim against his candidature from any insider of the party will be seriously considered by the party.

Party`™s spokesperson Soso Shaiza also urged the Union Minister to ensure full autonomy to the ADC which is enshrined under the Indian Constitution.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/bjps-tapir-gao-hints-at-post-adc-poll-alliance-with-npf/

IMPHAL, May 19: The KNLF has alleged that the BJP in collusion with another armed group, the UKLF has shifted the KNLF camp to gain political advantages in the Khengjoi area.

Speaking to IFP, Commanding Officer of the Semon camp Laldenga said that two candidate are contesting for the upcoming ADC elections under the BJP banner. The two candidates are Thongkhuthang of Torbung segment and Seithang Haokip of Songlang segment. It comes under Khengjoi sub-division of 41 Chandel assembly constituency.

He said that the two candidates are supported by the UKLF and even openly announced their support during a public campaign held recently. The candidates even have started spreading word that they have won under the patron of the mentioned outfit. But, their political objectives were hindered as the KNLF who has a strong presence in the area believes in free and fair elections. With that assurance, candidates representing the Congress party and as independent had filed nominations.

But, the BJP had colluded with the 6th Dogra Regiment and the UKLF to drive away the KNLF from the area, so that the BJP candidates would be `selected`™ and not elected, Laldenga alleged. This was perpetrated also with the help of CO of the said regiment namely one Sandeep Madan, who forcibly relocated the KNLF from Semon area on May 12 last.

Laldenga said that the real motive of their forced relocation is mostly for the political benefits and charged the state BJP of conducting pressure politics.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/knlf-alleges-political-plot-of-bjp-behind-camp-relocation/