Manipur News

DIMAPUR, Aug 24: The high level meet of the Naga political groups (NSCN/GPRN, NNC/FGN, GPRN/NSCN) met today for the third time in the presence of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to explore practical and constructive ways towards a shared Naga future.

A statement of Naga Reconciliation Forum said that in the series of meeting which began on August 20 and followed up on August 22, the groups have forgiven each other and have reconciled based on the historical and political rights.

They have expressed their preparedness to understand each other. In today’s meeting the High Level Meet focused on finding ways to take the reconciliation process forward. Earlier in the morning the General Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Rev. Dr. Anjo Keikung led the morning devotion. Rev. Anjo shared about the love of Christ and he emphasized on how the uniqueness of Naga Political and Historical rights and the uniqueness of Naga Christianity need to compliment each other, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/reconciled-naga-rebel-leaders-meet-for-third-time/

NEW DELHI,  Aug 24 (IANS):  Noting that Anna Hazare`s failing health was a matter of `concern` for all, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said the 74-year-old activist would end his fast if he got a written commitment on the key contentious issues.

`The fast of Anna Hazareji and his failing health are a matter of concern to all of us. Yesterday, I felt that I should take a personal initiative to appeal to Anna Hazareji to end his fast so that we may work together in a spirit of cooperative engagement to bring into existence a strong Lokpal,` the prime minister said in his opening remarks at an all-party meet called to evolve a consensus on a strong Lokpal bill.

`If a written commitment can be given with timelines, then the (Team Anna) representatives said they can hopefully persuade Annaji to stop his fast,` Singh added.

Team Anna has said that Hazare would end his fast only after the government withdraws its Lokpal bill and instead presents their version of the document (the Jan Lokpal bill), which advocates the inclusion of prime minister, judiciary and lower bureaucracy in its ambit.

`… we would like the standing committee to consider all points of view to evolve a broad based national consensus to create a strong institution of the Lokpal,` the prime minister said.

Team Anna also wants parliament to discuss and pass the Lokpal bill in the current session.

On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal indicated that a special session could be called, if necessary, to pass the Lokpal bill and that the proceedings of the standing committee that is considering the measure could be expedited.

Hazare`s fast entered the ninth day Wednesday. Doctors have expressed concern for his worsening health.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/anna-to-break-fast-after-written-commitment-pm/

IMPHAL August 24: The whereabouts of assistant publicity secretary of the proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), Gurumayum Jiteshwor Sharma alias G.M. Changjou alias Gypsy, 49, s/o (late) Goshai Sharma of Kwai Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, who was reportedly arrested by some unidentified security personnel from his residence located at Duncan Basti in Dimapur on the evening of August 18 is still unknown despite of complaints filed by his family members.

A formal letter was submitted on August 19 to the DGP of Manipur by G Radha Devi, mother of Jiteshwor, seeking the help of Manipur Police in finding the whereabouts of Jiteshwor.

In her compliant, she mentioned that no information could be ascertained by whom he was arrested and where he is detained nor are there any information of being handed over to any police station in and around Dimapur.

One of the family members of Jiteshwor is also reported to be stationed at Dimapur to find the whereabouts since August 20 and subsequently a formal complain on missing person was also lodged at Dimapur West Police Station in the afternoon on the same day.

Addressing media persons today, G Sheitabarta Sharma, younger brother of Jiteshwor stated that two Manipuri speaking unidentified persons in civvies came into the residence located at Dimapur where Jiteshwor was staying along with his family. After brief conversation the duo forced Jiteshwor to come along with them wherein an altercation erupted.

Jiteshwor was bashed up by the duo while resisting when one of them tried to tug a pistol on his back. Later the duo dragged him down and was joined by others also dressed in plain clothes that had been waiting outside. After the sudden commotion, another two individuals   burst in one after the suspected to be security forces in full uniform. At the time of his arrest, a personal laptop, a portable play station and some unaccounted personal gold ornaments belonging to his spouse and children were took along by the said individuals, he narrated.

It may be mentioned that in some local dailies it was reported that he was arrested by two Manipuri speaking personnel in civil dress along with some army personnel purportedly Assam rifles.

Further narrating the account, Sheitabarta, asserted that on the morning August 19 at 10.5 am a SMS was received to a cell phone of one the family member in Imphal. On the same day another SMS was also received later in the day at 3.5 pm. Apprehensive on the development, he reasoned initially no attempt was made to contact through the mobile number as they fear for Jiteshwor life, however after the received of the  second text message they were left dumfounded as the phone was shut off since then.  

Addressing media persons Sheitabarta showed the actual text message sent presumably by his brother to one of his close family member and was reportedly forwarded to his number. One of the text messages was read as “I’m arrested by AR & NSCN”.

In this issue,   an emergency meeting was called jointly by the Kwai Singjubung Leirak women’s welfare association and Singjubung Leirak Youth organization yesterday and unanimously resolved to press the government to find out the whereabouts of Jiteshwor Sharma@ G.M. Changjou who has been missing since his arrest on August18 from Dimapur allegedly by security forces or allegedly by a team of Red shied division, Leimakhong within August 25. The meeting also resolved to take up various democratic actions if the government failed to provide information regarding the location of Jiteshwor within the stipulated time.

In the mean time, a sit-in-protest was held at Kwai Singjubung Leirak machin by the local residents of Singjubung Leirak, today, in protest against the alleged concealing of information regarding the whereabouts of Jiteshwor Sharma purportedly arrested by team of security force. Some of the placards were read as “Are we living in a country where rule of law prevails, Inform the whereabouts of Jiteshwor at the earliest’ how many more hours are require even after 24 hours time scale to handed an arrestee”. The today’s protestation demanded that information be provided immediately and condemned the security forces of sidestepping the guidance of handing over arrestee to nearest police station within 24 hrs. The sit-in-protest will also continue tomorrow at the same location.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/whereabouts-of-rpf-leader-still-unknown/

IMPHAL, Aug 24:  The United Naga Council (UNC) said it has exempted the transportation of medicines and other life saving drugs and also the carrying of oxygen with immediate effect from the purview of its indefinite bandh on humanitarian ground. The UNC, however said those transporters carrying these life saving drugs and oxygen should possess with them some sort of documents to prove their authenticity.

Meanwhile, the UNC has expressed its fury that the state government of Manipur would only use its force on the Naga protestors but decided to remain mute when “others” were resorting to even violent means of protest.

The United Naga Council pointed out that there have been several instances where force were used on the Naga protestors by the state government. “But the state government of Manipur chose to remain mute when there have been violent agitations on the National Highways resorted by the volunteers of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee in the last 24 days,” rues the UNC today.

Driving home its point, the UNC alleged that many Naga protestors got injured yesterday in Chandel district when the Manipur police commandos tried to foil the protest rally. “As soon as we have just started our agitation the Manipur police started using their might against our peaceful protestors,” rues the UNC today. The UNC began its protest from August 21.

Meanwhile, it was reported that over 150 vehicles coming from Moreh town were turned back by the Chandel Naga People`s Organisation (CNPO) volunteers along the NH-39 in Chandel district on Wednesday.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/lsds-and-oxygen-exempted-from-purview-of-unc-blockade/

IMPHAL, Aug 24: The 11th session of 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly commenced today with official observation of obituary reference on the demise of Moirangthem Meghachandra, former member of 2nd Manipur Legislative Assembly from Uripok constituency, Haukholal Thangjom, former member of 2nd Manipur Legislative Assembly from Churachandpur constituency and Elangbam Suraj, member of 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly from Yaiskul constituency.

The obituary reference was the single business for today’s Assembly sitting. It was initiated by the leader of the House, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

Ibobi stated that (late) Moirangthem Meghachandra was a great political leader of the state who had strived for social upliftment in the state. He was elected twice as member of the House during 1972 and 1974 mid term poll in the state. He was the minister of health, education and veterinary and was also elected MP of Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency in 1967.

Chief Minister further mentioned that Meghachandra also contributed his sincere efforts during the movement for Manipur statehood.

Ibobi also stated that Haukholal Thangjom was another great personality among the tribal leaders of the state who had worked sincerely for the upliftment of minority communities of the state during 1950s apart from his success in attending as member of the House. He was also one of the political leaders who had fought for Manipur’s statehood.

Chief Minister further expressed his words of condolence at the sudden demise of sitting MLA E. Suraj Singh of Yaiskul A/C recently in a road accident in New Delhi.

He said that Suraj was one of the well qualified young leaders of the state. His talent on social activities and interest in the welfare of the youths, particularly in the field of personality development and games and sports are commendable.

Chief Minister also shared the sorrows of the bereaved families and praised the almighty to keep their soul in peace.

Opposition leader, Radhabinod Koijam and senior opposition leader O Joy, while sharing the obituary reference in the House, stated that the contributions made by Moirangthem Meghachandra and Haukholal Thangjom cannot be forgotten by the present and future generation of the state.

The opposition leaders have also expressed their condolence on the sudden demise of siiting MLA Suraj and praised his sincere ambition for the upliftment of youths of the state.

The obituary reference was also participated by power minister Phungzathang Tonsing, IFCD minister N Biren, MLA N Mangi Singh, MLA Dr Ratan Singh and MLA Helaluddin Khan.

Speaker I Hemochandra, after completing the deliberation of various members in the House, expressed condolence on the demise of three members of the House and later made an official announcement of the resolution for the obituary reference.

The members of the House also observed two-minute silence to show respect to the departed legislators.

Meanwhile, the 19th Report of Business Advisory Committee, 2011 will be presented by the Chief Minister in the House tomorrow.

Two calling attention motions from the opposition benches, short duration discussion on the demand for creation of Sadar Hills district to be raised by the Opposition leader MLA Radhabinod Koijam and introduction of two government bills will be the main business of tomorrow’s Assembly sitting.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/11th-assembly-session-commences-with-obituary-reference/