Manipur News

LAMKA, May 27: A new bilingual daily newspaper in Thadou / Kuki dialects named `The Hills Today`™ was inaugurated at the Kuki Students`™ Organisation office complex “Sumkuang” located at Tuibuang , Churachandpur.

The introductory copy of the new daily paper, which is the sixth bilingual newspaper of the district, was inaugurated by the SP of Churachandpur, Mangkhogin Haokip who also graced the inaugural function as the chief guest.

In his speech, the chief guest spoke on the importance of the media persons to follow their ethics and be unbiased in their reporting.

He further congratulated the editor of the newly inaugurated newspaper M Thangmang Haokip who is also the proprietor.

Other guests at the function also congratulated the editor and his team for their effort.

It may be mentioned that the Hills Today edited and own by M T Haokip is a leading weekly magazine till today and with the daily paper version being launched today it will be but a daily from now on.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/thadou-kuki-bilingual-daily-newspaper-launched/

IMPHAL, May 27: Education Minister M Okendro Singh inaugurated the two day international seminar on `Deprivation, Marginalisation and Social Exclusion in the North Eastern States of India`™ today at the Court Hall, Manipur University.

Speaking at the seminar, the Minister highlighted the educational scenario of the state and initiatives in education.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister said, `Both the government and the public have a onus in improving the education institutions. Presently we are formulating a new policy for education and invites suggestions and ideas from expertise on the subject.`

Imminent economics Professor Atul Sarma, who is also the Chairman, OKDISCD, Guwahati & Visiting Professor, Institute of Human Development and Former Member , 13th Finance Commission delivered a special lecture on the occasion on the transition of the Planning Commission to NITI Aayog. He detailed the basic responsibilities and mandate of the Planning Commission which focus on integrated planning for every five years.

On procedural limitations he said, `While tools and approaches remain unchanged, there are mismatched in allocation and utilization failing in achieving the targets. Second disconnect is that annual budget is allocated on the basis of available resources despite the long term five years plan. Thus widens the dichotomy of plan and non-plan where new projects gets priority and results in incompletion of plan expenditures and fiscal imbalances`

Central sponsor scheme Special Plan Assistance with its one size fits all without state autonomy has only widen the disparity of the states thereby attracting the private players only to rich states where infrastructure is better, he continued.

`This has led to the need for restructuring and revamping the planning commission and the formation of NITI Aayog. However the nomenclature itself has reflected its contradiction of being both an institution and an organisation`™ he alleged.

Prof Atul Sarma further dissected the basic difference between the two, NITI Aayog is constituted as a think tank and an advisory body and not as an executing body. However unlike the planning commission that is governed by National Development Council, NITI Aayog is governed by the collectives of the Chief Ministers with the Prime Minister as the Chairperson along with part time members with 15 objectives to facilitated the decentralization planning process.

He ended with introspecting concerns on NITI Aayog as an administrative architecture, financial mandate for an advisory body, capacity, expertise and mandate to coordinate and integrate the different departments, mechanism to integrate the regional plan into a national plan and the rational of allotting 20 lakh crores without a budget on the pretext of special assistance to the states.

In his keynote address, Vani K Borooah elaborated on the concept of social exclusion and policy that hinders equal access and equal growth. He argues that all forms of social exclusion matters if it leads to depriving human dignity and lowers the sense of self esteem thus leading to losing life opportunities.

He further explains that if people with similar potentials results in varying level of achievement owing to the circumstances of deprivation, it will amounts to exclusion.

Such excluding variables can be gender, social group, religion and others, he said. Explaining the interplay of these factors he talked about multi layered exclusion based on a study led by him. Interesting findings implies that poverty amounts for 50% of exclusion from life chances, while social grouping , rural origin follows in the ranking.

Borooah implores the imperative need to research how people are treated after inclusive entrance in higher studies and voiced concern about support policies to make people inclusive. `Inclusiveness would mean a fusion where everyone is integrated into the fabric of human resource, and fit in to assimilate and become a part of the popular culture.`

He added, In India this is often seen as a nuisance however it is imperative to bring this to the consciousness and attention of every citizen.

Prof. L Tombi Singh, Director CSSEIP & Head Dept. of Economics and the guest of honour for the function cited various cases of discrimination and deprivation both within and outside the state. He said, how can the BJP conveniently claim that it was a printing mistake after referring to us as immigrants in their election manifesto. Such is their mindset towards us.

He explains, `Our primary exclusion is that we are politically and economically excluded and discriminated in developmental process. Inclusive policy in implementation is exclusively benefited by few powerful people. Such disparity has deprived us from inclusive growth.`

Prof. HNK Sarma, Vice Chancellor, MU also attended the inaugural as the president and supported the new approach of inclusive growth to decentralize and suggest that more conducive environment will expedite the development.

The two day international seminar was organized by Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy Manipur University under the sponsorship of ICSSR.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/manipur-university-international-seminar-to-thrash-out-ne-marginalisation-issues/

LAMKA, May 27: The election committee chairman of Tongkhokai Baite, INC candidate from 21-Sangaikot DCC has been allegedly brutally thrashed by rival groups besides threatening him of dire consequences.

Speaking to media persons today, Tongkhokai Baite claimed the incident took place last night at Lailoiphai village.

According to Baite, the attack was carried out by supporters of his rival Pumtulthang Lianzo, an independent candidate adding his election committee chairman suffered severe injury on his ribs and other parts of the body.

He further said that the security in the Sangaikot DCC constituency was as good as absent with no one from the village being safe, particularly Sangaikot village. Baite`™s workers were also reportedly threatened at gun point that if the independent candidate fails to secure at least 90% of the total vote the then job cards of the villagers will be cancelled.

Baite further continued that win or lose the rival`™s supporters also threatened to shoot him adding that all his posters and campaign materials were vandalised by the rival group.

He revealed that he had submitted a written petition to the Election Commission, DGP of Manipur, concerned SP, DC apart from others relevant officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/adc-candidates-election-committee-chairman-thrashed/

IMPHAL, May 27: A District Level Congress workers`™ conference in connection with the yearlong celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar cum ADC election campaign 2015 was held at Lunneh & Shonglen (LS) Playground, Motbung in Senapati district today.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister O Ibobi recalled that Dr Ambedkar belonged to a schedule caste family but his talent and good foundation of education made him the Drafting Committee Chairman of Indian Constitution.

The CM maintained that Indian National Congress highly regards secularism since the independence of India and treats every section of people irrespective of caste, creed and religion with an equal eye.

Unlike the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a communal political party which disrespects secularism, he charged.

Assuring that the government will not leave any stone unturned when it comes to bringing in development in the hill areas, Ibobi pledged that not an inch of land of the state will be compromised.

As far as encroachment of land at Dzuko valley is concerned, the government is minutely monitoring the situation. The concerned DC and SP had been already intimated regarding the matter. The territorial integrity of the state will never be put at stake, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who was also present at the occasion said that the regular visit of Union Ministers in the state in connection with the ensuing ADC election will only bring defamation of its own party as it keeps hurling baseless allegations against the Congress.

He continued that people of the state cannot be swayed easily by BJP by making false promises that also only at the time of election.

Maintaining that UPA Government had projected the Look East Policy to uplift the north eastern states but the BJP-led NDA Government converted into Act East Policy without any valid reason after it came to power, the Dy CM said that lifting of Special Category status from the north east states by BJP will hinder development programmes in the region.

Lifting of Special Category status from the north east states will obstruct ways for bringing development in the region. By committing such unwarranted mistake, the BJP has turned the Look East Policy into `Kill East Policy`™, Gaikhangam said.

“Principal of all lies is stationed in the capital of the country, Delhi`™`™ he said, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is promoting lies to woo the people of the state to gain political mileage ahead of the ensuing ADC election.

Launching a scathing attack on president of BJP Manipur Pradesh Th Chaoba over his recent remarks that the issue of land encroachment at Dzuko Valley could be solved through the concerned DCs without taking much time, Gaikhangam wondered why Chaoba was failed to address the issue of land encroachment at Dzuko Valley when he was holding the Revenue Minister.

The Dy CM appealed to the concerned electorates to cast their valuable vote for Congress candidates without fear in the ensuing ADC election to bring further development in the hill districts.

Today`™s conference was also attended by Member of Parliament Thangso Baite; IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip; Health & Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing; Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa; Commerce & Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Parliamentary Secretary (YAS) M Prithiviraj; Parliamentary Secretary (MOBC) Amin Shah; General Secretary of MPCC Bidyapati Senjam and Secretary of MPCC S Jiten.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/gaikhangam-jibes-at-bjp-saying-party-has-turned-look-east-policy-into-kill-east-policy/

IMPHAL, May 27: During its 13 years rule the Congress government under Okram Ibobi has become expert in inaugurating incomplete projects using the names of the then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and their party president Sonia Gandhi alleged Moirangthem Asnikumar General Secretary BJP Manipur Pradesh.

He cited as examples the City Convention, ISBT, Khuga Multi Purpose project, Manipur Legislative Assembly building etc. Although these projects are incomplete the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi have already inaugurated them, he said.

He said this at the observation of 1st anniversary of Narendra Modi led NDA government at Indira Government Aided Junior School, Irang part-I Sadar Hills West under Senapati District today.

He further said that the Ibobi government took advantage of any project sanctioned by the Central government and kept them pending for years. Project like City Convention Centre, Assembly Building etc were unfit for use for two years after inauguration, he charged.

He also said the Ibobi government has forgotten the Senapati 50-bedded Hospital which was inaugurated by the then Home Minister P Chidambaram in same year 2011.

Asnikumar highlighted the failures of Khuga Multi-Purpose Project and the ISBT as live examples of worthless gifts by Congress government in all its 13 years in power.

Yesterday, Chief Minister and Home Minister charged the Union ministers who visited Manipur to campaign for the ADC election. It seems they look down upon the hill people and spoke lies, and this is very unfortunate, he said.

Asnikumar expressed surprise that Ibobi is speaking this way while on the other hand he has been begging the Union minister for development packages or bargaining for projects, or for the sanction of more funds his government can pocket.

He said the BJP as the true representative of the people is ashamed of the Congress government. The BJP considers local self bodies like ADC and Panchayat as very important institutions working at the grassroots.

In the name of democracy, the Ibobi-led Congress government has been looting grassroots bodies and he does not want to decentralise and devolve power to the ADCs.

The 13 year Ibobi led government needs to learn lessons in governance from BJP governments in states like Gujarat, Goa, Chhattisgarh etc, suggested Asnikumar.

Tapir Gao in his chief guest speech said the Congress party has been exploiting the right of Nepali people of Manipur till today.

He asked in which category Nepali people are included. He wants the Congress government to specify if the Nepalis are Schedule Tribe, OBC, Schedule Cast, Minority or general category of Manipur.

He further said that till today Nepali right is violated by the Congress government in state.

But Nepali people must support the BJP for the party stands for the poor needy people and recognizes you are also citizen of India, he said. You have the same rights as Ibobi according to the Indian Constitution, he added.

Also speaking at the function, National Vice-President of BJP Mahila Morcha A Sarda Devi said that the NDA government has introduced 29 schemes for the people of India.

Among them, three have been launched on May 9, 2015. There are Life insurance for the poor, Atal pension scheme and PMJBY.

Former President M Bhorot, Spokesperson Y Nilamani, BJYM vice-Presidents Gopi, Bikram, K Robindro, Dr Antas Khan also present respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/congress-govt-expert-in-inaugurating-incomplete-projects-asnikumar/

IMPHAL, May 27: The BJP Manipur Pradesh President Th Chaoba Singh on Wednesday made an appeal to all the Kuki and Naga underground groups and urged them not to disturb the upcoming ADC election so that it can be held free and fair.

Chaoba was speaking at a public meeting held at Bungte Chiru and at Maha Kabui Namching. The BJP president stated that ADC is the only body which can bring grassroots development for the hills areas, so it will be a wise thing if the UGs let it happen free and fair.

Till today whether it is in the valley or in the hills, the public are deprive of PDS items as the public voted for the wrong candidate or party. Bandhs and blockades have been frequently called by the hills peoples as it is the only way to get their demand, added Chaoba.

If BJP comes to power after the ADC election, there will be no more bandhs and blockades in the hills areas as BJP is committed to a devolution of power for ADC and all the funds means for the ADC will be transferred directly to the concerned ADCCs.

Chaoba also alleged that the Ibobi-led Congress govt. is only good in paper works so Manipur needs changes. The upcoming ADC election is the first step to begin this change he said.

In the meanwhile L Bashanta, general secretary, BJP Manipur Pradesh strong condemned the act of the Indian army regarding the incident at B Gamnom recently where three persons were killed by the Central security forces including one Church secretary.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/bjp-appeals-to-naga-and-kuki-ugs-not-to-disturb-adc-election/

IMPHAL, May 27: In a sensational judgment on the confusing controversy within the State Trinamool Congress with several leaders claiming to be the legitimate president, three MLAs of the party were disqualified by the Speaker of the Tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th. Lokeshwar Singh.

The Speaker, acting as tribunal and citing paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule read with Article 191(2) of the Constitution, the Speaker declared `Shri Khumukcham Joykishan Singh, MLA, 9-Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency and Shri Thongam Biswajit Singh, MLA, 5-Thongju Assembly Constituency and Shri Oinam Lukhoi singh, MLA, 22-Wangoi Assembly Constituency are hereby disqualified for (sic) being members of the Tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly.`

In the same ruling the Speaker also said these three Assembly seats will henceforth be treated as vacant.

The petitioner against all three disqualified MLAs is former party colleague, Thounaojam Shyamkumar, MLA, Andro Assembly Constituency.

The charge which the respondents were penalised for is that `in view of the discussions made hereinabove, an inference can eb irresistibly be drawn that the respondents have manifestly expressed their intention to give up their membership of their original Political party, i.e. AITC with headquarters in Kolkata and its State unit i.e. MPTCC. Their intention is confirmed by their acts/actions and admission mentioned above and that apart, formation of a new Political party called as AITC, Manipur State, with headquarters at Imphal, which has a separate Constitution and its State Political party called as MPTC is well established.`

The judgment concluded that `conversely put, the respondents by their own admissions, have substantiated the contentions of the petitioners.`

The lengthy judgment, spanning 31 typed sheets, gives a winding account of the history of not just the present case, but also of the 10th Schedule and its application in different cases through its history. In particular, it cites the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu case in 1992, where the apex court deliberated at length on the `evil of political defection` and the `role of political parties in the political process.`

The ruling also depends substantially on the reportage of the charges and counter charges regarding the case in local newspapers.

It may be recalled disqualification cases had been pending against four Trinamool MLAs, but one MLA, Maibam Kunjo singh, had expired on August 11, 2014 and his case was closed.

Earlier the Speaker offered his apology for the delay in the ruling as he had been away on official foreign tour as well as other preoccupations of his office.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/three-trinamool-mlas-disqualified-by-speaker-invoking-antidefection-law/