Manipur News

IMPHAL, February 1: “I am just speechless after watching this photo exhibition, this is like going back through time, it mirrors Manipur” Sonia Nepram, a filmmaker said after watching the photo exhibition of Phanjoubam Santosh during the opening day of the exhibition at Lamyanba Sanglen, Palace Compound today.

A thousand and hundred photos captured by senior photo journalist during his thirty years and counting career are displayed under the title – “Manipur Through Ph Santosh’s Lens.”

The exhibition is being organized by Lenz Film.

The inauguration of the exhibition was attended by deputy chief minister Gaikhangam as the chief guest and W Shyamjai, AMWJU president as the functional president.

Gaikhangam said that the solo photo exhibition of Santosh deserves much appreciation and that it has become a history record of Manipur.

“Photojournalism is a risky profession, and capturing different issues on film is a tremendous task,” he appreciated the courage and sprit of photo journalists who risk their life to capture historic moments.

He said this kind of profession is only for the brave and is what her daughter had ever wanted to become.

He further pointed out the importance of photojournalist as pictures that capture are visual evidence.

Recalling on how the photographers of the world war –II had captured the vicious side of war, he said that it was only after looking at the pictures that were taken during the nuclear attack at Nagasaki and Hiroshima that the world became aware of the disastrous impact of the nuclear bomb.

On the sideline of the function, Gaikhangam said that like Pragati Maidan in Delhi, a permanent place for hosting events is to be constructed in the State and the government is trying its best to complete the project at the earliest.

W Shyamjai , president of AMWJU said that the scribe body will organize a photo competition in the near future to promote photojournalism.

He mentioned that a single photo is worth a thousand words and communicates to the viewer directly.

There are times when photojournalist and security personnel tussle during conflict situations and the security personnel need to avoid such situations, he observed.

Recounting Santosh’s passion for photography, he appreciated his dedication towards his profession for the upliftment of photo-journalism in the state.

Senior correspondent of The Statesman, Yambem Laba mentioned of the time when he and Santosh were caught inside Myanmar by the military junta and had a narrow escape.

He said that such events need to be organized in the State for promotion of photography as the lens plays a vital role in communicating to the public.

He recounted the “fake encounter of Sanjit at Khwairamband bazar” and said that it was only through the photo evidence that the brutality of the police force could be witnessed and for later judgment.

Santosh began his career in 1980 and has worked with reputed organizations like North East Sun, Reuters and Press Trust of India and is the first in the state to work with international agency Reuters.

His photos have been published in national papers including Times of India, The Hindu, The Hindustan Times, Telegraph etc and international newspapers like New York Times, The Washington Post. His exhibition will continue till February 5.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/02/phanjoubam-santoshs-photo-exhibition-kicks-off/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=phanjoubam-santoshs-photo-exhibition-kicks-off

IMPHAL February 1: A 45-year-old woman allegedly hanged herself to death on a tree at the back side of her residence in Langol Tarung on Saturday morning.

According to the daughter of the deceased, identified as Athokpam (N) Sanatombi, the 45-year old woman was living with her step-father, Indrakumar Basnet, at Langol Tarung for some years.

“My mother was found hanging on a scarf in a tree located on the back of her residence this morning by the locals of Langol Tarung Khul. My mother might have been beaten to death as blood was oozing out of her nose and some blood stains were also seen on her cloth. To cover up the whole thing, this drama might have been staged to deflect attention.”

Continuing that the tree on which her mother was found hanging is not tall and her mother’s feet were dragging the ground she added that the locals had also informed her that her step-father partied with some of his friends in their residence the night before.

The dead body has been claimed by the family members after a post-mortem conducted at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences

Meanwhile, the husband of the deceased has surrendered to the Lamphel Police Station.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/02/woman-hangs-self-daughter-suspects-foul-play/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=woman-hangs-self-daughter-suspects-foul-play

JIRIBAM, February 1: Several quarters of the Jiribam public have expressed concern that even though there is every possibility that the sub-division will be upgraded to a full-fledged district in the near future, the concerned authorities have failed to comply with the wish of the general public for a bank and an ATM booth at the Jiribam Super Market complex which remains only to be inaugurated.

The demand of the public has been necessitate as the only bank in the sub-division, the United Bank of India has failed to satisfactorily meet the expectations of the public.

Meanwhile, disappointed over the prolonged delay of the government to inaugurate the Jiribam Super Market, Babupara, the Jiribam United Clubs’ Association (AJUCA) general secretary Y Ibomcha Singh opined that the association would overlook the concerned authorities and take the initiative of inaugurating the market if the government fail to materialise the demand of the people at the earliest.

He has further warned that the government must be held responsible for any unwanted consequences arising out of the ‘people’s initiative’.

Speaking at a press conference, AJUCA’s general secretary, Y Ibomcha Singh said that the public of Jiribam have approached the authority concerned several times but till date there has been no positive reply.

Terming the attitude of the authority concerned as ‘indifferent’, he maintained that they would resort to taking things in their own hands in consultation with several CSOs.

Meanwhile, the president of the Jiribam Development Organisations, M Hemanta, drew the attention of the government to upgrade the United Bank of India (UBI) stating that the lone bank in the sub-division is overloaded and unable to handle the ever growing banking needs of the population.

Informing that the top officials of the UBI are working relentlessly to upgrade the bank, he said there has been not much progress, due to the failure of the government to inaugurate the Jiribam Supermarket, he asserted.

Even as the Jiribam Supermarket has been completed it is yet to be handed over officially to the state by the construction company called ‘NBCC’ with the government failing to pay the pending estimated amount.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/02/jiri-body-stresses-on-peoples-initiative-for-opening-of-supermarket-complex/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jiri-body-stresses-on-peoples-initiative-for-opening-of-supermarket-complex

IMPHAL February 1: In the aftermath incident of the arms and ammunition stolen from arm cote which is double locked at the assigned KNO designated Camp Sinai at Samusong, Saikul, on the last January 2, 2014 at 10 pm, the three defectors of KNO/KLA namely SS Amos-lance corporal, Albert -private and Michael-private have decamped along with the highly sophisticated automatic rifles from the camp, according to a press statement.

After hearing the news incident, an intensive searched operation was swiftly conducted immediately a combine team along with 16 Assam Rifles in an attempt to recover the missing weapons from the designated camp, it added.

The 16 Assam Rifles have contributed and extended maximum efforts to bust the hide out of the perpetrators, the statement said adding that nevertheless, information inputs from undisclosed sources, on the instruction of C-n-C, the Home secretary and Defence secretary along with its cadres (KNO/KLA) and a combined team of Imphal East additional SP and Imphal East Commando OC (Porompat) acted swiftly -discovered the arms and ammunition buried from the foot hills of Twinchin hill range in Saikul area in the evening of January 30. “As such the plot and design for floating a new UG under a new name was foiled. Therefore, KLA (MC) is virtually non-existent and hence the general populace should treat it as non-functional. The conspiracy hatched by the three defector`s/deserter`s and few sympathizers are merely trying to tarnish the image of the well-organised KNO/KLA,” it added.

Therefore, the KNO/KLA will constitute an internal committee and accordingly befitting punishment will be awarded if anyone is found guilty and the master mind for initiating such plot to disorganised KNO/KLA organisation will be dealt with. In near future it is warned that such crime should not be repeated, the note stated.

The statement said the entire operation for retrieving was monitored by ADGP, Manipur. LM Khaute IPS, ADGP Manipur, who is also in-charge of SoO groups have rendered his special attention day in and day out tirelessly to ensure  that the entire efforts are well co-ordinated to find out the main master mind in this unfortunate incident, he stated.

“In appreciation KNO/KLA would like to extend a word of gratitude and thanks to ADGP (Law & Order) Manipur, 16- Assam Riffles, Mizoram Armed Police, Imphal East Addl SP and Imphal East OC Commando and team for their effort in the hunt of the three deserters. They have been apprehended at Lunglei, Mizoram near Millennium Real Life School, Mizoram with the combined team of Mizoram Armed Police, it stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/02/kla-mc-is-a-nonexistent-group-knokla/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kla-mc-is-a-nonexistent-group-knokla

IMPHAL, January 1: The dead of 18 year old college student from Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday after being allegedly beaten up by locals at a market place in Delhi has triggered widespread anger and condemnation.

Nido Yaniam son of Arunachal Pradesh MLA Nido Pavitra died after a reported scuffle over the colour of his hair at a market place at Lajpat Nagar, Delhi on Thursday.

The incident happened barely three days after the chief coordinator for North East and joint commissioner of Police, Training, Delhi, Robin Hibu had on January 28 issued an official notification announcing a special self-defence training and Hindi speaking classes for the people of the North East in the national capital.

The All Manipur Students’ Union, today pledge full cooperation and support in all the movement taken out by the NE students against the “cold blooded” murder.

A statement of the union said the All Manipuri Students’ Union (AMSU) strongly condemn the alleged killing of Nido Taniam, son of an Arunachal Pradesh Congress legislator in south Delhi, pledge to extend full support in all the movement taken out by the NE students against the cold blooded murder.

Urging the Delhi Government to book and punish all the culprits who have perpetrated the crime at the earliest, it appealed to the authorities concerned to prevent such sort of crimes against NE students.

Meanwhile, condemning the incident, the All India Tribal Students’ Association, Delhi said, it strongly condemned “the racial chauvinism of some of the mainland people in Delhi and the apathetic attitude of the Delhi police” toward safeguarding the security of the ethnic mongoloid people in the national capital.

A statement of the association said that some mainland people including police officials, public servants, shop keepers, auto/taxi/rickshaw pullers often display their “racial chauvinism” by discriminating people from the northeastern region of the country in an extreme manner.

It has further smacked the Delhi Police for taking the boy and leaving him at the spot of the earlier scuffle and said it shows “how much the life of a citizen from the Northeast region is actually worth in Delhi.”

“Moreover, the alleged detention of only three attackers while sparing the shopkeepers, who extort Rs 7000 for accidentally breaking a glass cupboard in his shop, is a self-evidence of the connivance of the Delhi police with the local goons, who are likely to be police informers,” it further alleged.

The statement further demanded immediate suspension of the SHO of the police station and for the leaders and elected representatives from the northeastern region to wake up from their “narrow outlooks and find a lasting solution to the endless ordeals of the people of northeast in the mainland cities.”

Meanwhile, the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has also strongly condemns the act.

A statement of the organisation said the NESO strongly condemns “the act of clubbing to death of a 19-year-old college student from Arunachal Pradesh, Nido Tania, in Delhi on January 29 and failure of the Delhi police to protect the student.”

The attack was carried out in broad day light at a busy market place, which has a heavy presence of police personnel, it lamented and further added it takes serious note of the “Lajpat Nagar police station’s refusal to register a complaint against the group of persons led by Farhan, 25, a shop keeper and his brother Akram, 23, leading to the death of Nido Tania.”

“This very act of targeting Nido Tania is not an isolated case,” it said before adding that such cases have been happening in Delhi and other cities of the country.

“Such incidents have shown that people in mainland India have refused to integrate people of the North East as Indian citizens in their hearts and minds,”, it lamented.

“What is more shocking is the insensitivity of the Delhi police, which is a glaring example of racial discrimination. The Centre and Delhi government led by Aam Aadmi Party have also failed to live upto the expectations of the people of the Northeast, by not acting promptly against the culprits,” it said.

The student body has further urged the Prime Minister, Union home minister and Delhi chief minister to take adequate measures to prevent recurrence of targeting people from the North East, to ensure the safety of the North East students, studying in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the NElim has also said “The North East India Image Managers (NEIim) is shocked at the tragic death of Nido Taniam from Arunachal Pradesh. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim and demand swift legal action against those who are guilty of this heinous crime and bring them to book. We request the Delhi Government and Union Government to ensure steps to improve the law and order situation in Delhi.”

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/02/neso-condemns-death-of-student-in-delhi/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=neso-condemns-death-of-student-in-delhi

IMPHAL, February 1:The completion of 39 schools, which were upgraded to high schools, being constructed by the engineering wing of education (S) is doubtful after the illegal deduction in the work order, asserted Micah Kamei, Information Secretary ATSUM.

In a press meet held at the office of the ATSUM Nagaram this evening, he notified that a memorandum had been submitted to the concerned education minister regarding the misuse and illegal deduction of funds for construction of the schools in both hill and valley.

He further informed that the DDO and cashier of the engineering wing of the education (S) committed a foul play making deduction in the funds meant for implementation of centrally sponsored scheme RMSA. In the districts of Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel, there are serious doubts whether the process of the ongoing construction will be completed at all.

He question whether the funds have been pocketed by the officials and whether the concerned ministers is dictating terms from behind the screen.

But the infrastructural development of the schools in the hill areas falls under ATSUM’s ROTO – Phase II education’s charter of demands. Members of union appealed to the concerned minister of education to look into the execution of work at the upgraded schools under RMSA scheme and check whether funds has been misappropriated through illegal deduction by the officials.

He further elaborated the DDO and cashier had claimed that the Security Deposited Part V was meant for handing over to the finance department under an order issued in July 31 2007. It was found out as per the documentation of the department that at least 1% of the estimate funds are to be deducted for labour cess while 3% is to be subtracted for the contingency charge, Kamei said.

He further mentioned that there had been allegations that the DDO of the engineering wing of education (s) have been making more than necessary deduction devoid of uniformity of fund deduction during the release of fund. Although construction work had been started almost 14/15 months back, it had been halted in hill districts due to lack of funds.

The ATSUM is hard pressed to question the validity of deduction of more than 11 % from the works order under the scheme launched to provide necessary infrastructure for school education. If the DDO or cashier are found responsible for misappropriation of funds, necessary action should be initiated against the erring officers, he stated.

ATSUM appealed the education minister to intervene on the issue of non-completion of school buildings, he appealed adding that sub-standard quality of school as a result of excessive deduction of fund is neither desirable nor tolerable.

At the same time the teacher’s quarters construction has also been reported to be completed. But in the reality after field visit the construction, it was found to be incomplete. We had twice appealed to the concerned authority but no action is visible. So, the concerned minister is requested to pay a direct visit to the construction site and see the reality, said Stephen, advisor of ATSUM.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/02/atsum-expresses-concern-over-execution-of-rmsa-projects/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atsum-expresses-concern-over-execution-of-rmsa-projects