Manipur News

By R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, November 30: A huge number of people from across Ukhrul district turned up to pay their last respect to late Y. Wungkhai, tatar NSCN-IM during a grand condolence service held at TNL Hall before finally laying to rest his mortal remains at the yard of his private residence located at Dungrei, Hungpung on Sunday evening.

The grand condolence service which was organised by the Tangkhul civil society organisations under the aegis of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) at its Assembly Hall at 11 am today morning, was attended by church elders, leaders of TNL, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Tangkhul Shanao Long ( TSL) and public members from different parts of the district.

It may be recalled that late Y Wungkhai who hailed from Khamasom Khullen village in northern Ukhrul, was found allegedly murdered in his own residence around 3pm on Friday last. Sources said that he was alone in the house on the fateful day. No clues whatsoever regarding his death has so far been established.Various Tangkhul leaders in their condolence messages during the service, deeply conveyed their last respect to the departed leader. They also strongly condemned the gruesome murder of the dynamic Naga leader while expressing their steadfast solidarity to the bereaved family. The civil society leaders at the same time lauded the selfless service rendered by the late NSCN-IM leader during his lifetime while asserting that his contributions toward the cause of the Nagas were worth emulating for all.

Thereafter his mortal remains was taken back to his private residence at Dungrei Hungpung and finally laid to rest at 3 pm as per the Tangkhul customary ritual amid silent homage.

Late Y Wungkhai was 75 and he is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. He served as CAO at WTR Ukhrul during the period around 2005.

Meanwhile, Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) has condemned in no uncertain term the brutal murder of (L) Y Wungkhai on November 28 last while he was alone at his own house. The apex students`™ body of northern Ukhrul said that (L) Wungkhai was one of the energetic elders of Raphei who were very much concerned for the welfare of the people of the area apart from being a Naga national worker.

RKL has also appealed to all not to repeat such act of crimes, while calling upon all to work for attainment of peace and tranquility in Raphei in particular and Ukhrul district in general.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/ukhrul-public-pays-last-respect-to-nscnim-leader/

IMPHAL, November 30: Strengthening Northeastern States by upgrading infrastructural development under the Act East Policy is among the top priorities of the National Democratic Alliance led government in the center.

This was stated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his brief halt at the BJP State office of Nityaipat Chuthek Imphal, after attending the concluding function of the Sangai Festival this evening.

The PM was received by Th Chaoba, president of the State BJP, M Asnikumar, secretary and executive members of the party. The function was also attended by ADC and Municipal Council members of the party.

Exuding confidence that Imphal-Mandalay bus service will soon be a reality, the PM said the matter was discussed well with his Myanmar counterpart during his recent visit to the country.

Modi continued that the success of the Act East Policy will give a boost to trade and commerce and better connectivity of the Northeast region with other South East Asian countries. In this regard, Modi said the States of this region should be prepared beforehand, adding that railway connectivity work was launched for Meghalaya yesterday as part of the government`™s effort to include the State in the railway map of India.

Further the PM said that his government is seriously working towards changing the old face of NE to a new look. The government is thinking of providing many skill development schemes for the unemployed youths of Manipur.

He maintained that even though the BJP has no elected member in the State Assembly, the hard work done by the workers will bear fruit and make the party stronger in the region. It is always a pleasure to sit and talk with the party workers in spite of tight schedules, he added.

He also said that he cannot forget the support given by the NE people during his poll campaigns for the 2014 Lok Sabha. And at the same time, we cannot neglect the expectations of the people placed in the NDA government, he said.

Chaoba thanked the PM for coming to the State by sparing time from his busy schedules. He also drew the attention of the PM to the need for improving the Imphal`“Jiribam road within a specific time frame.

The State BJP chief also proposed that classes for the proposed Sports University can be started at SAI complex, and construction work for the said university should be taken up soon at a site which is free from controversy.

Later, BJP Manipur Pradesh submitted a memorandum to the PM on various issues. The memorandum includes pleas for improvement of road connectivity along the two National Highways and repealing of Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958.

It also dwelled on games and sports, health sectors, human resource developments, Act East Policy and air transports, agriculture and allied sectors, environment and ecology, demographic imbalance and indigenous people, science and technology, power, foreign trade and border pillars, and issues relating to minorities in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/strengthening-ne-is-priority-of-nda-government-pm/

JIRIBAM, November 30: The government continues to neglect and overlook the condition of the young widows of Jiribam sub-division, lamented Handicapped Rehabilitation Organisation, HRO Lakhipur Jiribam general secretary Ranita Devi during a press conference today.

The conference was held jointly by HRO, Heinoubung Awang Women Welfare Association, HWWA and Central Board for Workers`™ Education, CBWE as part of International Fortnight long observation Protesting Violence Against Women of the Women Action for Development, Imphal.

The State government seems to be more concern with the well-being of the animals, Ranita said elaborating further that training on the safety of the wildlife are being conducted in the State but none for the safety of the womenfolk.

CBWE volunteer Kh Binasakhi Devi said there is a need for trainings on how a woman should behave and live with their husbands and children.

Women should also undergo training to help in providing for their families, she said.

Heinoubung Awang Women Welfare Association, HWWA general secretary Y Inaobi Devi said she had expected Jiribam to be much developed, however, she has been disappointed.

She said it turns out women are looked down in Jiribam.

She further appealed to the MLAs of the State to resign if they cannot work for the welfare of the womenfolk.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/civil-organisations-allege-government-of-neglecting-issues-confronting-womenfolk/

IMPHAL, Nov 30: Speaking at the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 today, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had highlighted several issues of the State before the Prime Minister including development of infrastructure especially the highways, upgradation of RIMS to the status of AIIMS, improving connectivity both surface and air connectivity.

Ibobi said not just Manipur but the country is suffering from a shortfall of specialist doctors, and therefore this needs to be augmented.

He suggested upgrading RIMS to the status of AIIMS, as Manipur has enough faculty to run such an institute. He said such a venture would also not incur extra expenditure from the Centre.

Highlighting the plight of road connectivity, the CM in particular mentioned the Imphal-Silchar highway which has been in a deplorable condition for the last 40 years or so.

`I am not putting the blame on anybody, but it is a fact that the responsibility for the upkeep of this highway has always been with the BRO but for whatever their difficulty, the road remains virtually unmaintained, he added.

The Chief Minister also reminded Modi that there a plan to connect Porbandar in Gujarat with Silchar by an expressway. He reminded the Prime Minister, India extends beyond Silchar in the East and the Expressway should extend up to Moreh via Imphal.

Touching on another issue, he also said although the State wants to bring in peace and stability in the region and resolve the armed conflicts in the region once and for all, it cannot do away with even an inch of the State`™s territory.

Manipur is a peace loving State and want to co-exist peacefully with its neighbouring States, however, we cannot sacrifice even an inch of land, he elaborated.

Today`™s closing function which was organised by the department of Tourism was also attended by Governor of Manipur Dr Krishan Kant Paul, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Lokeshwar Singh.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/cm-highlights-to-pm-states-problems-which-the-centre-can-mitigate/

IMPHAL, November 30: The food stalls at the Sangai Festival claimed that they were made to face needless harassments in the course of the security arrangement for the Prime Minister`™s visit.

Speaking to the media this evening near the venue of the festival, a representative of the Chinjak Festival group said that the last minute notice of the Commerce & Industries director, government of Manipur to remove LPG cylinders from the venue on the eve of the Prime Minister`™s visit came as a surprise.

`But we have cooperated with the organiser in larger interest of the festival`, he added.

He continued that today after the PM had left the venue, the stall owners tried to bring back the LPG cylinders into the stalls but the security personnel forced them to transport the heavy load through the main entrance.

`We had to carry the cylinders over our heads from the Andro Parking area amidst the heavy rush of people,` he lamented.

Another participant, Toijam Priyokumar said that today being the last day of the festival they needed to sell their products to recover the deposit money of Rs 10 thousand.

`But we were not allowed to be in a position to do so because of the harassment meted out to us`, he said.

He went on to claim that the festival did not seem to have been meant for the general public, but for the ministers, MLAs and high ranking officials of the government only.

He also alleged that some security personnel allowed LPG cylinders of their close relatives inside the venue, which is shameful and condemnable.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/sangai-fest-food-stalls-complain-of-security-harassment/

IMPHAL, November 30: Manipur and the other North Eastern States have huge potentials in tourism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said and promised to help promote the richness of the State to the outside world to develop tourism in Manipur.

The Prime Minister, speaking at the concluding function of the Manipur Sangai Festival at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre today said tourism is the fastest growing sector in the world.

Tourism is one sector which requires little input and investment and gain maximum return at the same time. It can benefit all, starting from tea-sellers to taxi drivers and others, he said.

The Prime Minister also said that the Centre will provide all possible help to the State.

Manipur gave to the world the game of Polo, he said adding that he will help in promoting the game to encourage tourist to flock into the State.

Recalling an earlier plan, he said during his stint as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had proposed to the Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States to send 200 women police personnel each to his State.

He elaborated this would not only help in national integration but also help encourage tourism in the North Eastern States.

Modi continued that he has already suggested to the authorities of HRD to make 100 students from each universities in the country to visit North East annually to promote tourism. He continued his speech with his plan to recruit youth from the region in the Delhi Police and desire to bring the IT sector into the region.

Referring to the State Chief Minister`™s earlier address urging assistance from the Centre in improving infrastructure in the State including roads and hospitals, the Prime Minister said he was happy that the Chief Minister has faith in his government and that it will fulfil its promises.

Promising to look into all the requests, the Prime Minister said he will discuss the issues once he returns to Delhi.

The Prime Minister said he wants to see the whole of North East developed and altogether Rs 60,000 crores had been earmarked in the Budget for developing infrastructure in the region.

Speaking of connectivity, the Prime Minister said during his recent trip to Myanmar most of his discussions with the leaders of the neighbouring country were on connectivity between Imphal and Myanmar.

He also said Manipur is rich in art, culture, tradition and can be described as the capital of arts and culture.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assured the setting up of a Sports university in the State and said Manipur has contributed much in making the country proud in sports.

The opening of the university will not only help in promoting sportspersons, but boost employment tremendously by producing dieticians, ground men, coaches and many other experts relating to sports he said.

Lauding the State for its contribution in the field of sports, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the drug menace in the State.

He said he feels sad on hearing about the drug issue.

He appealed to the youth to stay away from drugs and not allow it to destroy their families.

We cannot allow our future to be destroyed, so the people must work together to fight this issue, the Prime Minister said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/modi-talks-tourism-prospects-of-state-assures-all-assistance-during-sangai-closing-function/

IMPHAL, November 30: Women in North East India particularly in Manipur, irrespective of their profession and status, bear the impact of conflict directly and indirectly. Many become widows at a young age and are found struggling for survival. This was said by Women in Governance (WinG), Manipur Chapter member Helam Haokip while announcing a new TV show `Women Talk`™ to be aired every Monday on Impact TV.

She was speaking in a press conference held at the office of Impact TV.

She further said that women in the State experience poverty and untold miseries including gender discrimination in the form of sexual violence.

Many continue to live in a traumatic environment with all kinds of social stigmas as HIV/AIDS patients, sometimes driven to drugs and peddling arms, or into the sex trade for survival, she said.

At the same time, violence against women has been seeing a rapid increase in recent times she said adding that women are easy victims of crimes and discrimination.

Helam said forms of violence are varied and they can include domestic violence, cyber-related crimes, sexual violence, physical assault, suicide, among others.

We have several legislations to safeguard women and girls against any form of violence, but it is unfortunate that often there is no one to approach as the system and institutions which are suppose to help are sometimes not very trustworthy, she observed.

She said WinG-Manipur works to groom women to be able to participate in decision making at all level.

The organisation has helped women in the State gain knowledge and information on issues confronting them, break down their isolation, increase their visibility and enable stronger collective voice, she said.

She further announced a TV show `Women Talk` to be telecasted in 50 weeks in collaboration with Impact TV which will be aired on the TV channel starting from Monday. A victim of VAW or officials of the concerned departments will speak on the issue in the show, she added.

Helam Haokip was accompanied by chief editor of Impact TV, Yumnam Rupachandra during the press conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/impact-tv-to-air-new-show-on-women-every-monday/

IMPHAL, Nov 30: The Kuki Students`™ Organisation Ukhrul has called a 24 hour bandh along the Imphal-Ukhrul road from midnight of November 30 protesting `Assam Rifles`™ brutality against Aishi villagers and the total disregard of the AR to its demands.

A statement of the student body said the KSO vehemently condemn the incident in which villagers were summoned to the AR battalion headquarters at Chassad and subjected to unimaginable torture for not reporting movement of UG cadres in the area.

The KSO considers this as complete violation of human rights and also calls all human rights agencies to take up the issue at the highest level of justice, it said.

The statement continued that AR highhandedness over poor and innocent Kuki villagers in remote areas has become a habit of sort and the AR`s conduct at Sehlon village some years back is still afresh in the minds of villagers.

It stated that some months ago, the AR taking the law into its own hands had banished two families of Old Samtal to Myanmar and just recently the AR came down hard on the villagers of Tengnoupal in the aftermath of a bomb blast.

The Aishi incident where villagers were thrashed black and blue is the latest of the many incidents of AR`s total disregard for human rights, the KSO- Ukhrul statement condemned.

The claim of AR as `the friend of the hill people` no longer has any meaning to the hill people, because it is the hill people who have continuously suffered physical and mental assaults in their hands, it claimed and added by setting up check points along roads and highways in the hills the AR have intermittently harassed the people.

It is a common sight that there are two to three checkpoints along a single road in the hills which have become places of harassment and assault, it said and added that the KSO has resolved not to compromise this Aishi incident and has resolved to fight to the end for justice.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/ksoukhrul-calls-24-hour-bandh-along-impukl/

IMPHAL, November 29: Security arrangement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s first visit to the State after his mammoth victory at 14th Lok Sabha Election is creating quite a buzz.

Combing operations are being conducted like never before, even as a SPG team is already in the State to oversee the security preparation.

The Prime Minister will be attending the closing function of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2014 on November 30 at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre.

As part of the security preparation for the Prime Minister`™s one and half hour stop in the State before hurrying off to Nagaland, the SPG has had IFCD pump out water from the two pools at the entrance of the BOAT this evening.

The IFCD had started the process since yesterday around 9pm and was unfinished till the filing of this report late this evening.

Three big water pumps and nine smaller pumps are being used to pump out water from one pool to the other.

A bystander, who was visiting the festival but ended up watching the pools suck dry, said all the security measures taken up for the visit was making the festival a chaotic event.

He said India is such an advance country, and if they really had to check the bottom of the ponds, than why can`™t they use something which could plunge deep into the water and check the bottom.

At the same time, since militant groups including the CorCom have imposed a curfew and a bandh tomorrow, the festival drew maximum crowd today making it all the more chaotic.

Meanwhile, the Commerce & Industries director B John Tlangtinkhuna has also served a notice to all food stalls to remove their gas cylinders from their stalls latest by tomorrow morning.

The government notice was issued late this evening. Many are unhappy with the notice as the stall owners had paid huge deposit money for the opening their stalls and now they have to close shop before the closing day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/heightened-security-annoys-many/