Manipur News

By R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, May 2: Ukhrul deputy commissioner, Modak Hrishikesh on Thursday said that Khangkhui Mangsor (cave) has great potential to boost tourism in the district, adding that the heritage should be developed to attract tourists from around the world.

DC Hrishikesh attended a one day cultural cum interaction program of Veikhang area villages as one of the special invitees at Khangkhui Mangsor on May 1.

The program held under the theme `Common Journey of Hope & Vision`, was hosted by Veikhang Katamnao Long under the aegis of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) with the objective of fostering people to people relationship, unity and understanding amonst Tangkhul community members.

Calling upon the denizens of the district to preserve the natural resources and ecosystem, Modak exuded hope that developing Khangkhui Mangsor at par with those in other parts of the country would bring in tourists not only from India but from abroad as well.

“In such way, the job prospects of local youth could also be improved,” he said while assuring that the district administration is always with the people in providing employment to the youth of the district.

Giving the keynote address, TNL president Artax A Shimray prioritised safeguarding of hills peoples` rights and cultural heritages in the face of the alleged continued attempt by the state government to snatch the same by forcing Village Authority Act upon the tribals of the state.

“We must collectively rise up against such sinister designs of the state government and retain status quo at any cost,” he said reminding the gathering that by virtue of our forefathers` concern for cultural heritage, we receive the same today and we must also protect them for the coming generation in the same way.

AS part of the function, interactive session was held to chart out ways to implement development programs in the area. Various cultural troupes from five Veikhang area villages including two Khangkhui villages, two Nungshong villages and Choithar presented Tangkhul folk songs and traditional items.

The program was attended by around 500 people including church leaders, VA and village elders and representatives from Veikhang students` union and TNL, TSL, TNWL, TKS and TMNL.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/khangkhui-cave-can-boost-tourism-in-ukhrul-says-modak/

IMPHAL, May 2: A motorist died in a road mishap when a Honda Activa and a passenger Tata Magic collided on Asian Highway 1, at Thoubal Kiyam near NRL oil station along Imphal-Moreh road this morning at around 11 am.

According to a police source the deceased has been identified as Thiyam Romio (43) son of late Shamu of Thoubal Kiyam under Thoubal Police station. He was driving an unregistered Honda Activa. He was on his way home towards Thoubal. The passenger vehicle was heading towards Imphal.

The driver of Tata Magic has been apprehended by Thoubal Police this morning. He is identified as Md Abdul Wahid (45) son of Abdul Basir of Sangaiyumphal Cherapur of Thoubal District. The Tata Magic with registration number MNO-6L /5963 has also been picked up by Police. A case has been registered at Thoubal Police regarding the accident, said the source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/motorist-killed-in-road-mishap/

IMPHAL, May 2: A workshop on the traditional games of the Kom Tribe of Manipur was organised by the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalya in collaboration with the Kom Cultural Dance and Research Centre, Khoirentak Khuman at its community hall on Friday.

The director of the Tribal Museum and Research Centre, Y Gyaneshwar, asst Professor of DM College of Arts, Dr Manilei Serto and senior journalist Salam Rajesh attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

In his key note address, museum associate of IGRMS, N Shakmacha Singh said “The workshop was made possible only because of the support of National Museum director KK Mishra. We should consider traditional games as a part of sports, wisdom and knowledge. We should innovate with these games and showcase it to other countries.”

“The state has introduced some games to the world which is being played all over the world.

The Kom tribe alone has 30 plus games which should be promoted in this workshop to preserve the indigenous game for generations,” he added.

Speaking as the guest of honour, senior journalist Salam Rajesh said that he has met all the tribes of the state but the Kom tribe of Khoirentak is the most unique in its culture and traditions.

“The Kom tribe in our state wear the same attire with different patterns”, he said, adding that in urban areas of Imphal, no indigenous games are played anymore but some indigenous games are still alive in the outlying rural areas.

He also mentioned the necessity of documenting the indigenous games and dresses along with the languages for the future generations.

In his speech as the chief guest, TMRC director Y Gyaneshwor said that people should thank S Achon Kom who is the secretary of KCDRC for his contribution in preserving the heritage of the Kom tribe.

Stating that the 33 tribes of the state recognised by the union government have their own customary laws and cultures which are quite similar, he gave the example of international boxer Mary Kom who belongs to the tribe and has achieved a lot in the field of boxing.

In her presidential speech, Dr Manilei Serto said she has fond memories of 25 years ago when Kom women in Khoirentak Khuman were struggling for the survival of, and to keep alive, the indigenous culture.

She said that she was amazed that the older Kom women still had the fight in them to keep their culture and tradition alive.

She pointed out that when she visited 42 villages for her post-doctoral research on the culture of the Kom tribe, she found a lot of differences between them, adding that in the past sports were played when a villager returned after hunting or during a big occasion in the village.

Meanwhile, Khorvon Lam, an indigenous dance of the Kom tribe revived by Guru Achon Kom was presented along with the Kangkap, an indigenous sport of the Kom tribe similar to Kang.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/workshop-on-traditional-games-of-kom-tribe-held/

IMPHAL, May 2: The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Students’

Union has said in a press release that the students of Indira Gandhi

National Tribal University-Regional Campus, Manipur had issued a clarion call to the Government of Manipur and the concerned departments that the regional main campus site of the Varsity Makhan Village is not able to function due to the delay in development particularly of approach road, electricity and water supply in the main campus.

However, no step has been taken up by the government till date, despite the fact that the vice chancellor has been apprised of the problem, it said.

Further actions will be taken up if the government fails to take up necessary measures, said the union.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/igntu-students-union-reiterates-demands/

IMPHAL, May 2: The Governor of Manipur VK Dugal made his maiden visit to the Jama Masajid, Babupara Imphal Friday.

During the visit, the Governor expressed that every citizen of India must think of the country as one.

He said no religion teaches people to be enemies.

The Governor also expressed his desire to meet leaders of all communities residing in the state so as to understand the aspirations of all the communities.

He said he had earlier visited the Christian Baptist Church in Imphal

The governor also told that he had earlier visited Christian Baptist Church in Imphal.

As the constitutional head of the state, the Governor expressed that he will collect important information through community and religious leaders and added that on the basis of the information he gathers, discussions will be held with the Manipur government in finding a possible action plan so that peaceful coexistence prevails in the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/governor-visits-jama-masjid-at-babupara/

IMPHAL, May 2: The Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup has condemned the performing of last rites of Kharibam ongbi Sandhyarani by her husband’s family of Thongju Konok Khongnang Makhong on April 26 in the absence of any person from her parents’locality, Wangjing.

In a statement, the organisation has said that Sandhyarani’s husband performing her last rites by even ignoring their daughter’s request to conduct a post mortem on the body clearly proves that he is guilty. The Lup appeals to the government to question Sandhyarani’s husband, Dinesh and find out the truth, it said.

Meanwhile, the Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup has also condemned the suspicious death and performing the last rites of Sandhyarani without the presence of her family members and demanded punishment for the culprit.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/organisations-condemn-womens-death/

IMPHAL, May 2: The United Revolutionary Front (URF), a constituent body of several KCP factions, today informed the constitution of an enquiry to ascertain the truth behind its two missing hard core cadres.

The missing duo have been identified as Irengbam Washington alias Milankumar, 32, son of late I Kumar of Tairenpokpi (captain and second in command of the designated camp) and 2nd lt Pukhrambam Somorjit alias Wahengcha, 32, son of P Lakshman of Waheng Khuman.

Speaking to media persons at the outfit’s temporary designated camp situated at Khrukhul spinning mill, the home secretary of the outfit Puyam Ruhini, presumed that the duo have defected the camp during the intervening night of March 18 and 19 as that they were found absent during the routine fall-in parade on March 19 morning.

With the duo failing to return the same evening, the outfit lodged a missing report with the Sekmai police station, added the home secretary.

He further claimed that the outfit also contacted the family members of the missing cadres but they still remain traceless.

Despite their sudden disappearance from the designated camp the duo will not be declared deserters until a general congress of the outfit is convened, he asserted adding that the outfit is making sure that their monthly honorarium reach their family members.

The URF’s home secretary reiterated that militant outfits who have signed Memorandum of Understanding with the governments have been reeling under severe threat from other militant groups outside the MoU.

URF being a constituent group of several factions of militant groups, the constituent leaders are not liable of all the movements of a single groups he said adding that the demand of families of the missing cadres to produced them was not reasonable.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the URF, Lanheiba Meitei, who is reportedly out of station, while conveying his statement through his assistance, termed the incident as unfortunate.

He reportedly observed that the incident was a result of political motivation or interference by some vested militant groups to derail the peace process.

It may be noted that the spinning mill which is the temporary designated camp of the URF is guarded by 9 Dogra regiment.

Following the reports of the missing of the cadres the family members and relatives of the missing cadres registered their protest since yesterday demanding the whereabouts the whereabouts of the duo. Subsequently, the concerned police station has been placed under strict surveillance to thwart any untoward incidents.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/urf-constitutes-body-to-find-missing-cadres/

IMPHAL, May 2: Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar

Singh has greeted the people on the occasion of May Day.

The Speaker had said in a statement that on May 1, 1886, a protest was held by workers in the USA demanding 8 hours of work a day which resulted in casualties. Since then on May 1 has been observed as May Day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/speaker-greets-on-may-day/

IMPHAL, May 2: The 10th edition of the summer free class for the classes of XI and X which is organised by the Kakching Zonal Council and Hiyanglam Wabagai Local Council of DESAM has been started from May 1, 2014. During the coaching class, ten teachers will teach the students English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science respectively, it said in press release.  

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/05/desam-organises-free-coaching/