Manipur News

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 13

The North East Catholic Community of Delhi has expressed shock over the denial of an honourable burial of one Rita Haorei, wife of Yangmi Haorei, who passed away on August 7, by villagers of Leingangching under Kamjong district, as she was a Catholic Christian.

A release signed by the president of NECCD, Philip Thanglianmang said ‘this inhuman behaviour and gross violation of basic human rights is not only condemnable, but it has shamed and tarnished the image of all Christians.’

At a time when building Christian community and brotherhood is gaining ground through inter-religious dialogues, such incidents of dividing people on the basis of their religious practices and denominations by so called Christian leaders is most unfortunate, it added.

It may be mentioned that Leingangching hamlet is predominantly a Baptist Christian village. In 2009, a group of families approached the village authority to allow them to embrace Catholic faith. But their request was turned down by the village authority.

According to a reliable source, these families have been facing many hardships ever since they announced their conversion to Catholic faith. In May 2010 their houses were ransacked by the villagers and they have been remaining as outcasts since then in their own village, it continued.

A peaceful march on August 9 to the Leingangching village from Litan village (where the dead body is kept) with the coffin of the dead body was vehemently resisted by the Leingangching village who came armed with weapons. Sensing the danger the protesters were persuaded by the police to withdraw but the sit-in-protest continues, said the source.

Further the source maintained that burial of Catholic followers were denied by the same villagers in 2014 and 2016 when deaths occurred. Attempts to solve the problem through customary laws had also failed, and moreover visits and appeals from organisations like Thangkhul Naga Long, All Manipur Christian Organisation and Tribal Christian Leaders Forum have fallen on deaf ears.

In this regard a case before the CJM of the Ukhrul is also pending continued the source, adding the response from the DC of Kamjong has been very casual.

The All Manipur Christian Organisation, (AMCO) in a release has appealed to the village chief and authority concerned to look into the matter with Christian love and human dignity. The Tangkhul Christian Fellowship Delhi has condemned the incident and urged every right thinking individual to rise above sectarian and parochial mind-set and respect one’s right to freedom of conscience, according to a statement.

JIRIBAM | Aug 13(JNN)

A fierce gun battle between Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and National Socialist Council of Nagalim – Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) reportedly took place today at around 12 noon at the Namdailong village which is approximately 5 km towards North from Jirighat Bazaar and lies under Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar District.

According to report received that the gun battle lasted for half an hour in which an alleged cadre of ZUF was apprehended by NSCN-IM. The apprehended ZUF cadre was identified as Malek pao Gangmei (24).

During the gun battle, the NSCN – IM destroyed a kitchen, office and prayer centre of NNC/FGN and few bags of rice which was stored in the kitchen was burnt down.

Later, after the gun battle a team of Assam Rifles and police went to the spot and investigated.  In the queries of media person about the reason of gun battle, the local reported that NSCN-IM and ZUF are enemies and draws gun on the sights of each other.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 13

Breaking security measures taken in view of the 70th Independence Day celebration a bomb blast rocked Imphal.

The blast occurred at around 9: 40 am this morning at Kakwa Naorem Leikai under Singjamei police station in Imphal West. The bomb believed to be improvised explosive device (IED) was planted near the base of a transformer located beside Nongpok Panthoibi community hall, Naorem Leikai.

The impact of the blast damaged the barb wire fence around the transformer. However, no one was injured. It is said that at the time of the blast some second hand dress dealers were selling their products just 20 metres from the blast site.

SP Imphal West, commandant of 6th AR and personnel of Singjamei PS inspected the site. Police bomb squad collected samples of fragments. Experts said, it is suspected to be a timer IED.

A similar bomb exploded yesterday at the border on Myanmar side opposite to Sunrise playground, Moreh at around 5.15 am but no causality has been reported.

Police picked up Naorem Bhume (55) son of late N. Komol.

Cordon and search operation have been carried out in different parts of the state.

Today at around 5 am to 7 am CASO was conducted at Thingkangphai, Churachandpur by district police teams led by Add. SP L. Khongsai, SDPO Churachandpur, SDPO Thanlon and women police.

Thoubal police conducted cordon and search operations at Yairipok Huidrom Leikai from 4.15 am to 6.00 am. Three persons were picked up for further verification at Yairipok police station.

Similar operation was conducted today at Kakching Lamkai under the supervision of Kakching SP and the teams of OC Pallel, Hiyanglam, CDO Thoubal, along with female personnel between 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

More than 120 persons were verified on the spot and 19 persons were found without any identifying documents and they were handed over to Kakching police station for further verifications.

Later, house to house search and verification of households was also conducted at Kakching Ningthou Pareng and nearby houses of the place of function.

Women folks of Naorem Leikai staged a sit-in protest condemning the today’s bomb blast infront of Nongpok Panthoibi, Naorem Leikai.

Eyewitness said that the spot of the blast was a place where Assam Rifle personnel came and usually have lunch.

Today’s blast took place just a few minutes after Assam Rifle personnel left the spot, added the eyewitness.

Speaking to media persons, Singjamei to Lilong Meira Paibi, advisor, Naorem Dasumati said that in their locality bomb blast has never occurred in the past.

Such action brought a big terror to the people of their locality, she added.

The advisor said that the person or organisation who is responsible for the blast should clarify within three days.

The women folks asked the government not to deploy Assam Rifles in their area as it become unsafe for the general public.

The women folks claimed that Norem Bhumen (55) son of N. Kumol of Naorem Leikai which was arrested by the Imphal East commando just half hour after the blast from his residence is innocent and asked to released him without any condition.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 13

The chief minister Nongthongbam Biren Singh today announced that the joint interrogation cell at Kangla Fort will be shifted out, so as to to maintain sanctity of the fort. He was making this announcement while addressing the Patriots’ Day function at Bir Tikendrajit Park.

“The joint interrogation cell is being shifted from Kangla fort to another place as per the wishes of the people. This is to maintain sanctity of the fort and I don’t want to hear cries,” Biren said.

The joint interrogation cell was opened inside Kangla fort when the Assam Rifles was headquartered here. The Assam Rifles was remov ed from Kangla in 2004. After the Assam Rifles left the place the joint interrogation cell continued to exist.

However Biren did not give any hint where the joint interrogation cell will be opened.

He reiterated that the “Nongpokthong” which is an important gateway according to “Puya” will also be installed in the campus area of Kangla. Study of maps and the process will be started soon, he added.

He also warned civil organisations or any individuals not to pollute the minds and thinking of the public with vested interests and disturb the harmony between the people of various indigenous groups. It will only create misunderstandings, he added.

He also requested the general public especially the student community to focus on studies rather than just beating around the bush and going for strikes and bandhs. He made a big appeal that a solution be achieved through dialogue rather than violence.

Patriots ‘Day is observed to pay respect and honour to the martyrs of the 1891 war between the Manipuris and Britishers. Twenty two leaders including Maharaja Kulachandra were exiled for life and five were hanged to death on this day and the other five were hanged to death on different dates on the false charge of waging war against the British Empire.

The governor of the state Najma Heptullah, during the occasion said that series of battles in 1891 showed the courage of the Manipuris who fought against the strongest force of the then world and it showed that freedom is more important than their lives.

In the present situation of the state facing many problems, she commented that “we should amicably resolve all our differences to make our state strong rather than harping on our differences.  

Bandh culture, economic blockades etc at the drop of a hat even for minor incidents has harmed the pace of development in the state and such acts need to be avoided. The administration and the population must go hand in hand to ensure that divisive forces do not have an upper hand and that peace is the hallmark of the state, she remarked.

Floral tributes were paid by the state officials at Shaheed Minar, Kangla western gate before the main function at BT Park.

Prestigious award of Manipur Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Gallantry and Manipur Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty were given to five police personnel each during the function.

1) Kh. Henery Singh, SI of CDO unit IE, 2) Thangkhochon Haokip, MPS, Dy. SP (Ops) Imphal West, 3) Micro Wahengbam, Hav.No. 2nd MR attached with CDO Unit/IE, 4) P. Achouba Meetei, inspector, OC-CDO/IW and 5) L. Rocky Singh, SI of CDO unit Thoubal were conferred Manipur Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Gallantry.

For the Manipur Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Outstanding Devotion to Duty, 1)Thahgen Khaikhojam, JC No.584, Subedar,1st IRB, 2) S. Joychandra Meetei, head constable, IW, 3) Y. Robindro Singh, head constable, Bishnupur 4) Ng. Sanakhomba Singh, head constable, IW and 5) K. Ranjit Singh, inspector of police, narcotic cell, IW were named.

IMPHAL | Aug 13

The 126th patriots’ day was observed today at the Manipuri Kala Mandir, Dhalpukhri, Hojai district, Assam. A statue of Bir Tikendrajit was unveiled as part of the function organised by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam, district committee, Hojai.

A one minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs of the historic Anglo-Manipuri War, 1891. Floral tributes were also paid to the martyrs.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Yumnam Khemchand, Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, recalled his days spent in Assam for more than a decade as the founder president of All Assam Taekwondo Association promoting the martial arts in various districts of Assam.

He said people now trust the government led by chief minister N. Biren Singh which believes in performing action rather than just making statements. He concluded his speech by expressing his desire to attend more such functions in the future.

Guest of honour at the function, Thounaojam Shyamkumar, minister MAHUD, town planning, forests and environment and horticulture and soil conservation talked about the visible changes in Hojai since his maiden visit in 1991.

Stating that costumes of Meitei women are the reflection of the rich cultural tradition which has survived for many years, he requested the women to keep the tradition alive. He also said it is an emotional experience to witness the Meiteis living in Hojai for their contribution in keeping the traditions and culture alive.

Minister Th. Shyamkumar said he has been specifically advised by the chief minister N. Biren to visit Hojai to look into the problems faced by the Manipuri diaspora and promised to extend all possible help.