Manipur News

DIMAPUR, July 1 NNN  : All the activities in in the whole of Nagaland was severely affected today following the (NSF) sponsored 12-hour bandh in ‘Naga areas’.
Dimapur and Kohima wore a deserted look today However, no untoward incident was reported anywhere due to the NSF bandh.
The bandh from 6 am to 6 pm was imposed by the NSF expressing resentment against the incessant clashes and killings amongst the underground factions, imposition of illegal taxation by the Naga undergrounds, against all arbitrary harassment and threatening the lives of innocent civilians and also the recent attempt on life of federation official.
The NSF has also taken strong exception to the life attempt on one of its functionary Christopher Angami by one of the cadres of a Naga underground outfit in Kohima.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nsf-strike-at-nagaland/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 1 : In an effort to reach out the Ex-Servicemen of Bishnupur District the security Forces of Loktak Brigade of Red Shield Division organised an Ex-Servicemen Rally at Ningthoukhong on 30 Jun 13. The function was attended by 90 Ex-Servicemen and Veer Nari’s from various part of Bishnupur District. The aim of the Ex-Servicemen Rally was to acquaint the Ex – Servicemen with the various existing and upcoming policies of the Govt of India, Min of Defence for betterment of Ex – Servicemen and redressal of grievances of the Ex – Servicemen.
The Brigade Commander, Loktak Brigade stated that the year 2013 has been declared “The Year of Veterans” and in the process, the Army would endeavour to go the extra mile and look into the difficulties faced by them. The Commander interacted with the Ex–Servicemen, to acquaint himself with the multiple issues being currently faced by them.
Speaking on the occasion, Brigade Commander, said that these rallies are held every quarter to sensitise the Veer Naris and Ex-servicemen of what new schemes are now available to them besides giving an update on the progress of matters that have been brought to the notice of the Army during the previous Ex-servicemen rally. It is also meant to give an excellent platform for redressal of their pending grievances.
The Ex–Servicemen rally is indicative of the excellent camaraderie and bonhomie that exists between soldiers, of the past and present.
The Commander exhorted all the Ex–servicemen to motívate all able bodied youth to join the Army and Assam Rifles to contribute their services to the mother land as also earn a respectable living. The next Ex-servicemen rally is scheduled to be held sometime in September 2013, the Commander added. A medical camp and a CSD counter was also made available to the attendees.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ex-servicemen-rally-at-ningthoukhong/

Imphal Jul 1 UNA : India government could not provide concrete information regarding the implementation of provisions of the agreement signed between government of India and the Maharaja of Manipur in 1949 regarding the merger of Manipur into Indian union.
Any of the ministry concerned of the government of India could not provide the information he has sought through the RTI even though the Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed to provide the information within a stipulated time given by the CIC, alleged the appellant Dr Th Suresh .
The RTI activist from Manipur Monday announced that he would knock at the door of the Supreme Court for justice against Union government unable to provide the information he has sought under the Right to Information Act (RTI).
Dr Th Suresh Singh, a resident of Imphal’s Keishamthong Leirak said that he had applied to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Union home ministry seeking information regarding steps taken up by the government of India for fulfilling the obligation contained under Article VIII(3) of the agreement signed between the Governor General of India and the Maharaja of Manipur on March 21, 1949 under RTI Act.
As per the Article VIII (3) of the agreement, government of India would provide jobs to the youths of Manipur from time to time.
If the government of India implemented this provision of the agreement, Suresh applied for providing information with specified steps taken up by the government of India for employment of Manipuris in various branches of public services as per a provision of the agreement with the details of the employment of Manipuris in those public service branches.
As he could not get the information for his applications filed to the PMO and MHA on May 8, 2012, he appealed to the Central Information Commission (CIC) on August 10, 2012 who directed the concern ministries to provide the information within a month time.
However, instead of getting the information he has sought, he got a copy of the merger agreement of 1949, however, not the specified information regarding the implementation of the Article VIII (3) of the agreement.
In an intimation received by the RTI activist from the CIC, New Delhi, the information which the appellant sought was not available with any of the concern department which the CIC has directed to provide.
Even the Union ministry of home affairs, in reply to the information sought, stated that “there was no intention to hide any part of information available with the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of ministry of home affairs as the specified information required by the appellant is not available with the concerned CPIO.”
Not satisfied with the reply received from the concerned authorities of the Union government, Dr Suresh said that he would file a petition to the Supreme Court within this current month for justice in this regard.
BJP has agreed to provide all necessary assistance to proceed with the court proceedings he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/india-government-fails-to-provide-information-on-implementation-of-merger-agreement/

IMPHAL, July 1 MNS NNN: Manipur police has started grilling the four arrested Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) personnel for posting a video of a couple having sex at the restricted Khuga Dam in Manipur south district Churachandpur.
Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam today told the state assembly that the police have started taking action against the four personnel of India Reserved Battalion (IRB) involved in a sex tape video scandal in Churachandpur district .
Mob stormed into the Churachandpur police station yesterday demanding the four arrested IRB personnel to be handed over to them.
The married couple were having private moment in the restricted area last month when the IRB personnel reportedly caught them after taking the video through their mobile phones. Later, the video was posted on the internet.
On Monday, Gaikhangam said a case has already been registered with the Churachandpur District Police Station against the four IRB personnel in connection with the incident after being placing them under suspension before taking into custody.He said, “They are now being grilled by the police.”
They will not be spared if found guilty by the law.
He described the incident as a criminal act that was seemingly intentional.
After the video was found uploaded on the social networking sites, angry local residents of Churachandpur town stormed the district police station and attempted to torch it on June 30. But the police defused the situation by using heavy tear gas shells to quell the protesters.
The security force personnel were identified as Th Chaoba Singh, 47 of Khonghanbi, Thoubal; Ningthoujam Dokendro, 43 of Shyam Chirag Mayai Leikai; T Sonlian Tungdim, 26 of Mata; and Nengsuanmung, 35 of Sahei Road New Lamka.
Gaikhangam said it was a dastardly act and we all should condemn it. He appealed to help in restoring peace at Churachandpur.
UNA adds the Naga People’s Front stated that it would be wise of the Home Minister to accept moral responsibility as the state sponsored violence that was witnessed yesterday (June 30) at Churachandpur and tender his resignation for the sake of justice and for honoring the Country’s democratic principles.
That, the conduct of IRB personnel in capturing a couple fully in nude and disseminating the clip is telling enough of the degrading morale within the state forces. And the subsequent events of unleashing bullets on the general public by the state police substantiate it all the more.
That, nothing less than the resignation of the state Home Minister would justify the bullet wounds suffered by four (4) youths, one of which is still in a very critical condition, and the hell of bullets that was rained upon the public in the name of controlling a mob added the press release.
Police high-handedness of the state made its ugly appearance at a time when it is least expected a time when the people had tasted a sense of peace after embroiling under decades of insurgency.
It is heart wrecking to witness that the people are far from foregoing the bullets unleashed from the state’s barrel stated the release.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gaikhangam-appeals-to-maintain-calm-over-churachandpur-incident/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 1 : MK Preshow of the Congress party was today elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Sixteen motions were raised by members of the House seeking that Preschow be elected as Deputy Speaker. As there was no other candidate he was elected unanimously.
Speaker Th Lokeshore announced the election of MK Preshow Shimray as Deputy Speaker Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and opposition leader Dr I Ibohalbi of Trinamool Congress escorted Preshow to his chair after the Speaker made the announcement regarding election of him for the post.
Born on April 5, 1966 at Poi Village in Ukhrul district, MK Preshow was elected from Chingai Assembly constituency of Ukhrul district where he contested as Congress nominee. He defeated his nearest rival NPF candidate Dr Kashim Ruivah in the state Assembly election held on January 28, 2012.
Addressing the house after the election chief minister Ibobi Singh expressed hope with strong confidence that the newly elected Deputy Speaker of the house MK Preshow would render his duty without having any favouritism.
“I hope that Preshow will serve the post of Deputy Speaker as a neutral body without any biasness”, he said.
Opposition leader Dr I Ibohalbi hoped that Preshow would serve the post regardless of party.
Observing that there has been a tradition of choosing the post of Deputy Speaker from among the members of the opposition bench, he added, however, oppositions felt that Preshow would discharge his duty as Deputy Speaker of the house keeping behind party line.
As the oppositions have full confidence with Preshow of serving the post without any bias, they felt that there have no differences in putting up the ruling member to the post.
Speaker Th Lokeshore praised the members of the house for electing Preshow unanimously as Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly which has been lying vacant since the 10th Manipur Assembly was constituted after the elections held in January 28, 2012.
The post of the Deputy Speaker has been lying unfilled for the past one or more years.
The House also paid obituary reference to Paolen Haokip former member and the members stood in silence for two minutes as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Chief Minister, O Ibobi presented report of the Business advisory committee seeking to extend the session which was scheduled to end today. There will be no sittings on July 2 and 3 and conclude on July 4.
Chief Minister also moved Manipur Appropriation Bills for consideration and passing. During question hour Th Debendra, Minister Revenue informed that there are five wildlife sanctuaries in the state covering 50 villages.
L Ibomcha today draised a call attention motion over water crisis and illegal use of water by drilling pipes. I Hemochandra Minister said efforts would be made to check theft of water.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi assured that his government will consider age relaxation for candidates appearing in Manipur Civil Service Examination. Dr.I Ibohalbi said the examinations are not done regularly hence many aspiring candidates could not appear in the examinations due to age limit.
Dr Ng. Bijoy, Chairman of the Estimates Committee presented the 25th report of the Committee. The committee examined works done by various state government departments. Various recommendations were made by the committee based on the findings.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mk-preshow-elected-dy-speaker/