Manipur News

IMPHAL, March 19:The Naga Scholars` Association (NSA) along with the Manipur based The Hao Research Initiative (THRI) will be organising a two-day International Conference on `Rethinking the Nagas in the Contemporary`™ at Delhi said a press release.

The international conference has been scheduled for March 20 to March 21 2015, at Convention Centre Auditorium, Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi. In the conference Professor Paul Pimomo from Washington Central University will deliver the keynote address.

The release further said that the conference is going to be conduct in view of the pressing nature of issues concerning the contemporary Naga society, ranging from socio-cultural anxiety to political uncertainty.

The Organisers have specifically mobilised experts and personalities of both national and international repute, and civil societies closely working on the Naga society to help in probing the present stalemate, the release said.

It further stated that though the intensity of the Naga problem captured the imagination of the international community, there has been little or no serious academic attempt made in a holistic approach towards a solution.

The Conference is organised as a maiden initiative to facilitate platforms for churning out ideas with the objective of providing alternative academic groundwork to all decision making authorities concerning the Naga issue, said the release signed by Yaronsho Ngalung Co-convener, Organising Committee.

The Key Speakers of the conference are Paul pimomo, Washington Central University, Dolly Kikon, Stockholm University, Visier Sanyu, President, Naga Overseas Association, Gam Shimray, Indigenous Knowledge and People, Chiangmai, Felix Padel , Anthropologist, London, N. Venuh, Nagaland University, Xavier P.Mao, North East Hill Univeristy , Subhir Bhaumik, Centre for Studies in International, Relations & Development (CSIRD), Chuba Ozukum, President, Naga Hoho, Chingmak Chang, President, Eastern Nagaland People`s Organisation, Gaidon Kamei, President, United Naga Council, Abeia Meru,President, Naga Mother Association said the release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/naga-scholars-association-and-hao-research-to-organise-rethinking-the-nagas-in-the-contemporary-at-delhi/

IMPHAL, March 19 (NNN): Prohibitory order has been clamped in the entire Imphal West district in the backdrop of non-cooperation movement being launched by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) against the non-locals.

The prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC was promulgated in the district as there is likelihood of causing serious breach of peace, disturbances to public tranquility and grave danger to human lives and properties in the area.

The order which would be effective from 6 pm of March 17 will continue to effect until further order.

Assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful, carrying of sticks, stones, firearms and weapons of any other description or objects which can be used as offensive weapons within the area have been prohibited with effect from 6 pm of March 17, the order stated.

The order will not be apply to the agencies of the government involved in the enforcement of law and order and the maintenance of essential services and prior permission should be obtained from the competent authorities for taking out rallies or processions for customary, traditional, religious, cultural or entertainment purposes involving the assembly of five or more persons.

The prohibitory order has been clamped based on police report that there is likelihood of causing serious breach of peace and public tranquility in the district on account of the unlawful activities of some anti-social elements for furtherance of their evil designs.

Also, there is information in the police regarding threat to the business community in Imphal area by the underground elements for payment of extortion demand.

Even though the order failed to mention the prevailing tension arising out of people`™s agitations rejecting the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015, spearheaded by the JCILPS.

The indefinite non-cooperation movement of the JCILPS against the non-locals has already begun from last midnight.

While announcing the movement, the JCILPS has asked the people to stop renting house and room to the non-indigenous people, buying, selling as well as consuming goods from them, to prevent the non-locals from hawking their wares in their respective localities.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/crpc-144-clamped-in-imphal-west-district/

By Grace Jajo

IMPHAL, March 19: `AFSPA is a free killing license and should be immediately repealed to restore human dignity and human rights. It is indeed a symbol of oppression!` this was a collective chorus stated during the press conference organized by the North East Dialogue Forum.

Heartfelt testimonies from Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Bodos related to impunity under the AFSPA were shared. A Lotha Naga widow woefully narrated the rudely murder of her husband even during ceasefire peace time, without any regard for Human Rights.

A teacher from Assam related about the numerous occasions, when the Army would just walked in to their village and pick up several people repeatedly, with a manufacture affiliation to the non state actors. He describes the authority of the draconian law to torture innocent civilians and even disable them on the slightest pretext.

Anthony Debbarma, the indigenous Tripuri, questions the paradox and validity of extending the AFSPA, when the state has been awarded for `Bringing Peace` by the Government of India. He highlights the selective discrimination of declaring only indigenous areas in Tripura as Disturb Areas and accordingly applying the AFSPA only in indigenous belts. `In recent times, systematic and selective elimination of indigenous brilliant students, student leaders, political leaders and intellectual is happening under the guise of AFSPA.

We say this with utmost evidence from our documentation of 50 villages which were completely wiped out and several other cases related to AFSPA. Such blatant violation of Human Rights were in most cases committed by the Tripura State Rifles and the Tripura Police forces who are legally outside the mandate of AFSPA.

Despite the Supreme Court order, there are still schools occupied by the armies and army camps in the vicinity of the schools. In such a situation, it is impossible to rule out the fact that the governments is using the AFSPA thereby the impunity of the armies to silence the voice of dissent in their pursuit of anti-indigenous economic policies.` further alleged Anthony.

The forum plans to explore the intervention of the Prime Minister`™s office and the Home Minister`™s office and the United Nations Rapportuer on conflict/terrorism. They further hopes to pursue the International Commission on Jurist too. ` We are encourage by the support of 80 countries within the United Nations for the repeal of AFSPA` states Nobokishor on a hopeful note.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/afspa-is-license-to-kill-and-must-be-repealed-immediately-north-east-dialogue-forum/