Manipur News

IMPHAL, September 7: A high level meeting of the Coordinating Committee, All Tribal Students`™ Union, Manipur (ATSUM) convened today has adopted certain resolutions regarding the three infamous bills namely the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015; Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishments (2nd Amendment 2015) passed on August 31 during the special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

According to a statement of Coordinating Committee, ATSUM said the meeting after an in-depth deliberation on the ongoing tribal protest against the bills unanimously resolved that the remaining tribal MLAs should also tender their resignation immediately on moral ground as demanded by the tribal people.

It demanded immediate restoration of the internet connectivity and sms facilities and questioned why such facilities were not interrupted during the recent two months agitations in the valley.

“Such selective response of the Government towards the tribal in violation of the freedom of expression is seen as a deliberate attempt to disintegrate the tribal as we are uniting in one voice against the anti tribal bills,`™`™ it alleged.

The statement pointed out that the State has become like a dictatorial regime under which the rights of the tribal people are systematically abrogated in various aspects including our land ownership rights besides denying us our rightful entitlements as citizens.

Appreciating the initiatives and the efforts of the Joint Action Committee, Churachanpur in dealing with such volatile current political situation and expresses solidarity for future actions, the Coordinating Committee, ATSUM in the statement appealed for safe passage for people of the State, who are travelling on trains across the State of Bihar.

It also appealed to all sections of the people to maintain communal harmony in the State too.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/atsum-asks-remaining-tribal-mlas-to-resign-over-passage-of-bills/

IMPHAL, September 7: Searching of Manipuri passengers in trains passing though Bihar State to make them return initiated by expelled RJD parliamentarian Pappu Yadav was denounced today.

Kishan Prasad, a Bihari merchant who has been residing in the state since 65 years said during a press meet held today at Manipur Press Club said that it was very unfortunate that Pappu Yadav is leading such unethical acts.

He mentioned that he was born in Manipur and has been participating in many sports like Kabaddi, football and even he played hockey with Nilkamal.

He said he is more Manipuri than Bihari and his father who expired in 1979 has served as an employee at the Manipur Central Jail.

Kishan Prasad further said that Bills and Acts are framed by the Government and for the same it is not wise to blame the general public creating fear psychosis to the Northeastern commuters.

He also said Pappu Yadav should visit the state to witness the current situation in the state of Manipur and that non locals are well continuing their respective businesses as usual.

He also appealed to the concerned TV channels not to spread such stories which might trigger communal flare ups in the state.

Artist Naba Volcano said during the press meet said that Bihar MP Pappu Yadav without any conscience has tried to disturb the national integrity with his act telecast by Aajtak TV Channel.

He said that Pappu Yadav who has served in jail for his criminal activities should not act against the sentiments inclining to disturb the harmony of the state.

President All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union Wangkhemcha Shamjai appealed to all concerned not to spread rumour which could ignite communal flare ups.

National Secretary Indian Journalists`™ Union Ratan Luwang who is also Vice President of AMWJU expressed that he had informed the members of the Indian Journalists`™ Union to communicate to all media houses across India to crosscheck news item which could disturb communal integrity.

It may be mentioned that individuals from the state have uploaded many provocative items through social media like Facebook which are then carried as news.

For the reason this state government has resorted to the drastic step of temporarily stopping data service (Internet via SIM card) to control uploading of baseless and made-up footage which could create chaotic situation in the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/bihari-resident-in-imphal-amwju-denounce-pappu-yadav/

IMPHAL, September 7: The United Naga Council (UNC) Presidential Council Meeting held today has mourned the sudden demise of Somi Keishing, advisor of the UNC and observed a two minutes silence in honour of the departed soul to rest in peace.

The meeting also condemned the brutal killing of nine peaceful protestors at Churanchandpur Headquarter on August 31 and September 1 by the State security personnel who sprayed live bullets against the democratic protestors protesting the three anti-tribal bills and resolution passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.

Welcoming the historic Indo-Naga Peace Accord signed on August 3 at 7 Race Course Road, New Delhi, the house also extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his bold leadership and statesmanship and the collective leaderships led by Yaruiyo Eno. Isak Chishi Swu and Ato Kilonser, Eno. Th. Muivah.

Further, the house unanimously resolved to urge the Government of India to expedite the framework agreement to its logical conclusion.

The meeting after serious deliberation out-rightly condemned the Naga MLAs and Ministers for supporting the anti-tribal and anti-Naga bills and resolution adopted in the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.

They should resign from their membership with immediate effect for their utter failure to defend and protect the established position of the Nagas and tribal, it demanded.

The house also decided to ban Congress party offices in all Naga areas with immediate effect for its anti-Naga policies and designs and socially boycott MLA K Ranjit Singh for his anti-Naga statement made on the floor of the Assembly on August 31.

Announcing that entry of MLA Ranjit into the Naga areas has been banned with immediate effect, the meeting also decided to ban the construction of all National and International projects including Trans Asian Railways Line construction, Power Grid in all Naga areas for 15 days with effect from 6 am of September 10.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/unc-bans-cong-offices-natl-and-intl-projects-in-naga-areas/

IMPHAL, September 7: Altogether eight government teachers who were found working in private schools during a surprise check led by Director Education (S) N Praveen Singh conducted today, have been suspended from their post.

In this regard, the department has issued an order later today.

According to N Praveen Singh, the surprise check conducted as per the instruction of Education Minister and Secretary Education (S) was part of the measures taken up by School Education Department to improve ways of teaching in the government schools.

The suspended teachers are identified as Konjenbam Nishikanta Singh (UPT/SSA, Khaidem Upper Primary School); H Ngaihneng Simte (PT/SSA, Khuanggin Primary School); Chongboi Changsan (PT/SSA, Jalenbung Primary School); N Lawrence Meetei (PT/SSA, Haotak Thoubal Leikai Primary School); Huidrom Radhakanta Singh (PT, Sekmaijin Khunou Komlakhong Mamang Primary School); Khomdram Somorendro Singh (PT/SSA, Nungoo Khongyam Primary School); Laitonjam Ratankumar Singh (PT/SSA, Lamding Khumanthem Primary School) and Oinam Kumud Singh (PT/SSA, Moirang Sabal Khunou Primary School).

Konjengbam Nishikanta Singh, H Ngaihneng Simte and Chongboi Changsan were found working at Savio Higher Secondary School, Thangmeiband; N Lawrence Meetei, Huidrom Radhakanta Singh and Khomdram Somorendro Singh at Slopeland Public School; Laitonjam Ratankumar Singh at Padma Ratna English School, Kakching and Oinam Kumud Singh at Herbert School.

Interestingly, during the surprise check at Herbert School, a government contract lecturer (Maths) was also found working in the school. The department has already started initiating steps to cancel contract agreement of the teacher and take up fitting action against him.

As per the order, the eight government teachers have been suspended so that the department could take up disciplinary action against them. They were suspended under Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 10, Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.

During the suspension period, all the teachers should stay at Headquarter Imphal and they cannot go out of the Headquarter without the permission of the Director.

The Director informed that the surprise check was conducted by two teams of the department with one team led by him and the other team led by Additional Director/Valley Kh Lalmani Singh.

He said that the two teams conducted the surprise check at the schools in Imphal West and Thoubal district at the same time.

The surprise check was conducted based on information received from various sources that some SSA, RMSA and Primary/Graduate teachers under Government of Manipur are working in private schools instead of discharging their duty at their respective posting places. Of the suspended teachers, some were found present at the private schools during the surprise check while some were found absent. However, their engagement in the private schools was confirmed after their names were found in the time table, relevant documents including salary withdrawal and attendance register of the schools, the Director narrated.

Asked whether action will be taken up against the private schools where the suspended teachers were found working, he replied that since the private schools had employed the teachers, appropriate action will also be taken up against the schools according to the law.

The Director further declared that necessary action will also be taken up against the concerned headmaster and AI/DI/ZEO who issued Duty Certificate to the suspended teachers for withdrawal of salary without working at their respective posting places.

Asserting that such steps will help in improving quality education in the government schools to some extent, he appealed to the people to inform him through the email `“ praveennaorem01@yahoo.com if they come across government teachers working in private schools.

The Director also appealed to the public to extend support to the department to ensure that government teachers strictly follow the laid out guidelines.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/eight-government-teachers-suspended-for-working-in-private-schools/

KANGPOKPI, September 7: The tribal populace in Sadar Hills have pledged to pursue their charter of demands in right earnest for themselves, for the people and for the new generation and vowed to stand firm, determined and united in Sadar Hills during a public meeting held today at Multi-Purpose Hall, SHADC, Kangpokpi.

The public meeting participated by thousands of tribal populace within Sadar Hills was organized under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills.

Leaders of various civil society organizations, social workers, church leaders, educationists, intellectuals, scholars and UPF leaders also attended the meeting.

The meeting gravely concurred to endorse and reiterate the decisions taken by the tribal apex bodies.

The gathering also observed a minute silence for the tribal martyrs of Churachandpur while strongly denouncing the alleged brutality of the State security force.

Several speakers in the meeting also strongly condemned in the strongest terms the government`™s tacit suspension of the GPRS mobile internet cutting off the entire State from not only the social media like facebook, whatsapp etc but also SMS service.

Many CSO leaders lamented that this amounts to curtailing the citizen`™s fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression while asking the government to justify the immediate banning of GPRS mobile internet just a day after some violence in the hills over the passage of the three bills in the State Assembly.

When the entire valley districts were burning with violence for the past two months for demand of ILPS implementation, no such step was resorted to by the government, they alleged.

The people rued that this is nothing but another form of discrimination, another step motherly treatment towards the hill districts.

Kangpokpi Declaration made during the Sadar Hills Public Meeting said that the meeting deeply mourned the tribal martyrs who were brutally murdered by the State security force in Churachandpur on the fateful day of August 31 and September 1 while conveying heartfelt condolence and sharing sorrow and pain of the bereaved families of the deceased.

It also share the pain and suffering of the injured victims who were inflicted injuries during the alleged justifiable protest against the anti-tribal bills passed by the government in the State Assembly on August 31.

The meeting also highly deplored the alleged deliberate and sinister design of the government in attempting to forcefully invade and alienate the tribal ancestral lands.

While condemning the Hill Area Committee (HAC) and all the tribal MLAs in the strongest terms for allegedly failing to discharge their sovereign duty to protect the constitutional provisions guaranteed for the tribal people of Manipur, the meeting also strappingly decried the government for undermining the protection provision for the hill tribal under Article 371 (C) of the Indian Constitution.

A Joint Action Committee for Sadar Hills District has also been constituted unanimously with Sehjalien Gangte and Lamtinthang Haokip as its convener and co-convener respectively to coordinate and streamline the present movement headed by the tribal apex bodies.

The tribal communities of Sadar Hills also confirmed four charters of demand in the meeting.

One of the charter of demands urged President of India and Governor of Manipur to out rightly reject and nullify the three anti-tribal Bills passed by the Manipur Government which are against the constitutional provision under Article 371 (C).

Secondly, the Government of Manipur should terminate the services of those responsible for the murder of the deceased in Churachandpur.

Thirdly, The Government of India should immediately intervene to bring amicable solution to the present imbroglio in Manipur and expedite in granting Political Autonomy or Separate Hill Administration for the hill tribals of Manipur.

Lastly, all the tribal particularly the Kukis MLAs should resign immediately from their respective seats for betraying the interest of the tribal people of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/sadar-hills-tribal-communities-pledge-to-streamline-resolutions-of-tribal-apex-bodies/

LAMKA, September 7: One more person succumbed to burn injuries he suffered on the first day of rioting in Churachandpur, bring up the death toll in the current protest over the three bills passed by the Assembly on August 31 to nine.

The dead body of Nengzachin, 19, of LV Land, New Lamka, was brought to the Churachandpur District Hospital morgue around 3:00pm today amidst dharnas and paying homage functions which delayed the arrival a little. He has since been declared as the 9th hero of the current uprising in the district.

Nengzachin had sustained the injuries during the torching of residences of legislators of the district and also of Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency MP, Thangso Baite on first night or rioting on August 31.

Nengzachin`™s lifeless body was brought from the RIMS Hospital where he was fighting for life with 85 percent burn injury, by KSO GHQ volunteers. He lost his battle for life around 6am and following news of his death, in anticipation of further rioting, destruction of properties and attacks on the Ccpur.police station, civil society bodies and police alike remained on high alert.

Meanwhile, womenfolk have been turning out in huge numbers on the streets in the past three days to prevent further violence. But for them many believe, there probably would have been more casualties.

Various Churachandpur civil society bodies have also been actively coordinating with the security forces and police to facilitate return of normalcy. The district has shown unprecedented participation of women in the peace restoration process in the controlling the mobs going on rampage.

People are also thankful for the intervention of student unions, security forces and others organisations which prevented more casualties such as in the case of the torching of Red Cross Road`s residence of MTDC chairman Manga Vaiphei`s residence, where one person was trapped in the flames and ended up charred to death.

On the night, the intervention of the 7th AR personnel who were present at the place saved more casualties.

A leader of Joint Action Committee, JAC, coordinating the agitation in Churachandpur told IFP that there is one more person who suffered burn injuries still fighting for his life at an Imphal hospital.

It is also now learnt that a Bengali family staying in a building adjacent to the destroyed residence of Manga Vaiphei found themselves trapped on the second floor of their rented accommodation while the protestors and agitators were throwing stones and petrol bombs.

Jharna Deb and his family were scare to move out of the floor they were occupying but as per the family`™s account, they could only escape at about 8:45 pm with the arrival of the personal of 7 AR personnel.

The AR personnel also hit the streets to maintain peace, warning the protester on megaphones to stay clear of the streets.

The Bengali family took the opportunity and yelled out at the AR personnel who thereafter rushed to the floor and rescue the family including Ms Nooti Deb, Ms. Meena Deb and Sobroto Deb, who were brought down safely and quietly to safety zone.

Many security personnel, particularly the AR were hit by stones pelted by the rioters too.

The Deb family run the well-known Deb Bakery.

Meanwhile the need to have a deep freezer in the mortuary in the Churachandpur District Hospital is acutely realised even as the nine dead bodies kept there are beginning to turn putrid despite an air conditioner machine being switched on round the clock.

Womenfolk from the town and its suburbs like Mata Village continued their dharna with zeal and concern at what they called the anti-tribal bills.

It is worth mentioning that though the protests continued, the involvement of womenfolk has effectively checked these protests turning violent unlike in the first few days.

In particular they were responsible for preventing the burning down of Churachandpur Government College late last evening.

Meanwhile ex-MLA Hangkhanpau visited the hospital and paid tribute on behalf of the Zou community to each of the nine who died during the protest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/one-more-dies-of-burn-injuries-sustained-on-first-night-of-ccpur-rioting-womenfolk-intervention-has-checked-further-violence/

IMPHAL September 7: Lok Jana-shakti Manipur spokesperson, Ningomba Ibohal Meitei has alleged that the present State government has a tendency to wait and watch agitations and peoples`™ movement instead of addressing the grievances of the public.

Addressing a press meet held at Manipur Press Club today, Ningomba Ibohal Meitei said that the State government seems to wait for the agitations to fizzle out by itself and response only when very grave situation aggravates, which is a very unfortunate approach in such a volatile political situation.

On the present anti bills agitation of the tribal, he said that the government continues to speak only through the media without visiting the affected public till date despite the loss of eight lives and injuries to several others.

He continued that instead of merely shouting through the media the Chief Minister and the Council of Minister should conduct a spot visit and discussion with the agitating groups to clarify and save further destructions.

He further remarked that the indifference of the State government to the abnormal increase in prices of essential commodities demonstrates lack of governance.

He also condemned the Chief Minister of Mizoram for interfering in the family affairs of the State and the reaction in Bihar under the leadership of Pappu Yadav.

He further expressed that the reaction of the Nepalies Gorkhas over the passage of the three bills to safeguard the indigenous people is also unfortunate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/ljp-takes-a-dig-at-ibobiled-government/