Manipur News

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 8 : In a ceremony held at HQ IGAR (South), Major General Rajeev Chopra has taken over as the Inspector General Assam Rifles(South) from Major General UK Gurung, AVSM, YSM on 09 Jun 13.
Major General Rajeev Chopra arrived from New Delhi on 06 June 13. The General Officer is alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakvasala and a graduate of the National Defence College. He has commanded an operational Brigade Headquarter in West Bengal and has held many distinguished command and staff appointments at all levels of the Indian Army. A highly qualified officer, he has been singularly handpicked for the challenging assignment.
Major General UK Gurung, AVSM, YSM relinquished his command as IG AR (South) after an extremely eventful and fruitful tenure which witnessed attainment of new pinnacles of glory. He successfully and effectively tackled the counter insurgency operations and successfully worked towards making IGAR (South) true ‘Friends of Manipur’. He was also instrumental in executing a large number of substantial Civic Action Projects across the state which in turn had a positive impact towards overall development of the society, especially the remote areas. With his operational vision, he executed advance deployment of troops and synergised operations resulting in enhanced security within the State and along Indo-Myanmar border. He ensured synergy with political and civil hierarchy, orchestrated perception management, conceptualised comprehensive development of Manipur by addressing core issues through people friendly initiatives while simultaneously fine tuning administrative setup of men under his comd to further manifold quality of life.
Major General UK Gurung, AVSM, YSM and Mrs Uma Gurung were given a warm farewell before leaving Mantripukhri today. During his farewell, Maj Gen UK Gurung appealed to the people of Manipur to participate in the peace process, hand in hand with the security forces. He also expressed his gratitude to all sections of people including civil administration, Govt of Manipur and members of the media for their unstinted support, constructive criticism and affection. He further congratulated the new IG AR (South) on taking over the baton and wished him god speed for his tenure.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/baton-changes-hands-at-igar-s/

IMPHAL, June 9 MNS NNN: Even as the 5th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly is all set to begin from tomorrow (June 10), the movement to implement the Inner Line Permit
System in Manipur is hotting up in the state with agitation on the issue is fast spreading.
Today, women folks of Khwairamband Keithel ( all women market) halt their brisk business and instead carried out sit-in-protest in the heart of Imphal demanding the implementation of Inner Line Permit system in the state.
Under the banner of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), agitation has been going on carried out by various groups since June 1. The agitation was planned till June 10 but on Saturday it had been extended till June 15.
From June 1 till June 5, volunteers of JCILPS barred non-locals ( people from mainland India) were barred entering Manipur and from June 6, the non-locals have been restricted from selling goods in the localities in Imphal.
Several volunteers involving in the agitation were picked up by police only to be set free yesterday.
It is speculated that the coming assembly session will be dominated by the issue of Inner Line Permit issue.
Since June 1, the state government has been on high alert keeping up tight and strict security measures to thwart any untoward incident arising out of the ongoing agitation.
With the dateline of the ultimatum given to Manipur Government to clear its stance on introduction of Inner Line Permit system in the state had ended last month, JCILPS had on May 30 decided to go on with its earlier decision to stop visiting of non-locals to the state from June 1-5 and disallow outsiders to enter into the lanes and localities of the state from June 6-10.
Representatives of JCILPS had met the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and other Cabinet ministers on May 20 during which they had discussed seriously about the ultimatum served JCILPS to the Government to announce its stance on implementation of ILP system in the state, the committee’s convenor Sapamcha Jadumani had said.
He had also said that during the meeting the Government side called for withdrawal of the committee’s decision to stop non-Manipuris from coming to the state.
Jadumani had lashed out at the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for allegedly being double standard and accused the Congress Government of ignoring the resolution of the state assembly with regard to introduction of the ILP system under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873.
“Ibobi says he wants to implement ILP system in Manipur and at the same time he says the system will be demanded by other states too and India may breakup if it is introduced in the state. This clearly indicates his Government is not willing to introduce the system in Manipur,” he had said.
“The Chief Minister wants Manipur to die in order to save India and his remarks on ILP introduction shows that he is an anti-Manipuri,” he had alleged.
The design to convert Manipur into a ‘hybrid state’ was never right and the integrity of the nation could only be protected only when there was ILP system, Jadumani had affirmed.
To support the agitation of inner line permit system in Manipur, outsiders will not be allowed to enter Kameng Khunjao and Nongada, according to a joint press release of various organizations.
The orgn. also urged to check in flux of outsiders. The govt. should implement inner line permit system.
The agitation for the implementation of inner line permit system is a right approach for the future generation. The govt. is playing delaying tactics although the people demanded it for a long time, according to a press release of Friendship Foundation, Manipur.
The agitation is legal and it is not an agitation against the Indian Constitution.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ilp-stir-intensifies-as-assembly-session-begins-from-today/