Tag: Headlines

IMPHAL, August 1: Star witness in the sensational July 23 Khwairamband Keithel fake encounter case, Teresa Rehman of the “Tehelka Magazine” has been granted permission to appear at a designated court of the CBI based in Guwahati instead of Imphal.

The district and session Judge Manipur East had sent a summon to Teresa Rehman to physically appear before the court and give her statement on the case.

Rehman had filed a report on the July 23 incident along with combo pictures for Tehelka magazine.

In her response to the summon, she submitted a plea requesting permission from the concerned court to allow her to make her physical appearance and give statement in Guwahati instead of at Imphal citing security problems.

Even as the district and session Judge Manipur, granted the permission the date of appearance will be fixed according to the convenience of the court.

Meanwhile, the proceeding for recording statement and cross examination of prosecution witness (no 58) additional SP Thoubal district police S Ibomcha Singh was deferred today following a plea, seeking more time citing non completion of preparation for exhibit to be submitted before the court.

In his last appearance Ibomcha had submitted a five page long statement and due to the lengthy nature of his narration and statement, the court had directed for continuation of his cross-examination today.

At the time of the incident, Ibomcha was the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Imphal and the IO of the case.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/tehelka-journo-granted-guwahati-appearance-in-july-23-case-hearing/

IMPHAL, August 1: Handloom and handicraft can help in the economic growth of the State. It can also provide opportunities for self-employment as there are no big industries in the State, said Govindas Konthoujam.

The minister for Commerce and Industry of the State was speaking on the 15th Handloom Foundation Day today at the GM Hall, Imphal, organised by Handloom Promotion Council, Manipur with support from Manipur Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicrafts Artisans CS Limited, Imphal.

During the function 37 artisans for promoting handlooms were felicitated.

Besides Govindas, the function was also graced by B John Tlangtinkkhuma, IAS, Director, Commerce and Industries and H Rajendra Singh, Retd, Assistant Director of Weavers’ Service Centre, Ministry of Textiles.

Govindas also added that in the coming 16th foundation day, the department is planning an exhibition of different handlooms and handicrafts of our diverse ethnic cultures. Alongside, the government is also taking up several projects by giving training to interested people in handloom and handicraft.

He further said that the Govt of India has implemented textiles promotion scheme only for the Northeastern States in which Manipur plays a key role in getting such schemes.

He appealed to all the artisans and weavers to work hard and bring out more products in order to promote it outside the State, and so that they represent our identity.

While delivering the keynote address, Salam Chingtam Luwang, chief functionary, Handlooms Promotion Council Manipur said that the main objective of the function was to promote economic integration so that all the ethnic communities of the State can work together as one. He added that each individual must bring out their potential in different ways.

Talking to IFP, the youngest weaver who was facilitated, Wakongthem Dinesh Singh, 19, from Thoubal Leishangthem Leikai, said that he has been helping his sister since he was 10 years.

He said he is currently studying in class 12 and after completing his studies, he wishes to start his own business.

Dinesh said that people should not look for government jobs only, as there are many ways to earn a livelihood, so long as one is creative and hardworking.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/handloom-and-handicraft-can-boost-economic-growth-govindas/

IMPHAL, Aug 1: The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Students’ Union (IGNTUSU), Regional Campus Manipur has condemned the physical assault on Elangbam Hemakanta Khaba, an accountant of Credible Engineering Construction Projects Pvt. Ltd by Meira Paibis at Koirengei on 29 July 2014, at around 11:30.

Hemakanta was beaten in the wake of the current Inner Line Permit, ILPd demand agitation in Manipur, said Mahaishang Shimray, Joint secretary, IGNTUSU at the press meet held today at the Press Club.

Mahaisang Shimray said that Hemakanta was engaged by IGNTU to construct the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University-Regional Campus Manipur (IGNTU-RCM) at Makhan.

He further said that Hemakanta was assaulted by the Meira Paibis on the ground that he was responsible for bringing in non-local labourers in Manipur and added that the decision in hiring labourers is beyond the victim’s official capacity.

He also said that it is disheartening to learn that civil bodies of the State responsible for keeping vigil of the society could commit such acts without proper verification.

Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Students’ Union appealed to the Meira Paibis not to target or assault anybody at random during the discharge of their jobs. It said wrongful accusations could lead to undesirable consequences.

IGNTU also urged the Meira Paibi to clarify on the matter to the victim.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/igntusu-condemns-koirengei-assault/

IMPHAL, August 1: Despite repeated issuance of arrest warrants against two of the five accused out on bail in the Pallel drug haul case, police have failed to book the two who remains absconding till date.

Meanwhile, other accused namely Defence Wing RPO, Colonel Ajay Chowdhury and two others RK Babloo, 25, son of RK Bijen of Top Khongnangkhong and Seikholen Haokip, 35 years, son of Telsing Ngamjang (TN) Haokip (former minister) of B Vengnom Tuibong, appeared before the special court Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (ND&PS) as their routine procedure, today.

The two absconding accused have been identified as Letminlal Letminlal Haokip alias Minlal Haokip, 25, son of (L) Kakai Haokip of New Checkon near Brighter School and Zangminthang Tuboi alias Minthang, 29, son of Dousei Tuboi of Bunglung village.

They (accused) were granted bail on May 19, 2014 and physically released from jail the next day along with the three other accused including PRO Col Ajay Chowdhury.

All five were released with stern restrictions against leaving the State and on the execution of PR bonds of Rs One lakh each.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/pallel-drug-haul-case-two-accused-continue-to-abscond/

IMPHAL, Aug 1: The Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System has demanded the release of the women folk arrested in relation with the agitation for ILP implementation.

According to a release of the committee, it stated that the City Police’s act of arresting the 106 women protestors is against the laws of the land.

It condemned the arrest of JCILPS Executive Committee member, Pukhrambam Arjun by the Police commandos on July 28 on the false charge that he was part of a UG party. The committee has demanded the release of the Arjun and the women protestors immediately before stronger action are taken up, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/release-of-ilp-activists-demanded/

IMPHAL, Aug 1 (NNN): Global Liangmai Forum strongly condemns the barbaric and uncivilized act of physical assault meted out to Ringsanbou Newmai, of Chiang village, Tamenglong on July 28, said a press statement issued by its convener Angambou Kalengta.

Ringsanbou is a Bachelor of Arts (History Hons) 5th semester student of Don Bosco Maram. It said this kind of act should and must be condemned by all right thinking citizens of the land.

“There is a legal procedure to deal with every crime in this country and if somebody commits a crime, he or she must be dealt according to the law of the land. However, taking law into one’s hands or doing moral policing is definitely not the best thing to do,” the GLF stated.

“GLF, demands that the people involved in this uncultured, crude and vulgar act be apprehended at the earliest and handed over to the concerned legal authorities and booked under pertinent legal sections immediately. GLF demands justice sooner than later in this matter”, added its convener.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/don-bosco-maram-assualt-condemned/

IMPHAL, July 31: Four cadres of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) were killed in a skirmish with troops of the 13 Assam Rifles, early this morning at Luangkao village, Tamenglong district.

According to official sources, the incident took place around 4.35 this morning.

The encounter site is located around 67 km west of Nungba police station.

Sources disclosed that taking into account the frequent militant activities disturbing the ongoing railway project in the district; the Assam Rifles had intensified its operation in and around the area.

Subsequently, the AR team received information about the presence of armed militants at Luangkao village and rushed to the spot.

At the village, they encountered several well-armed militant cadres which led to a heavy exchange of fire continuing till around 8am, informed the source.

During the gun-fight, atleast four ZUF cadres were killed while an Assam Rifles jawan was injured.

A statement of the militant outfit has acknowledged that four of its cadres were killed in the encounter, which had left “three AR personnel dead” at the same time.

Meanwhile, sources said that the AR team also recovered arms and ammunitions from the site.

The recovered weapons include two M-16 assault rifles, one lethode gun along with 21 live shells, two hand grenades, one 9mm pistol (Beretta), assorted ammunitions.

The injured AR has been identified as one Jitender, 30, of Madhya Pradesh. He was injured in his left leg and has been evacuated to unit hospital Leimakhong.

The corpses of the cadres were on the way to JNIMS morgue, till the filing of this report.

The ZUF in a statement has identified its slained cadres as captain Gunagloungam Kamei, son of Damchuilung of Reanjang Village, Churachandpur district, sergeant Peter Panmei, son of Guikhammang Panmei of Phaong Village, Tamenglong, sergeant Thuankulung, son of Dingakrei of Luangkao Village, Tousem sub-division and lance corporal Jaojiankhuan, son of Ganglan of Karulong Village, Cachar district Assam.

Stating that the security forces provoked a section of its cadres stationed at Luangkao village, the statement claimed that three jawans of AR were killed, while one was seriously injured in the ensuing gun-fight.

The dead and injured jawans were taken away by the security ambulance for immediate medical attention from the encounter site, it continued.

It further said “The ZUF condoled and acknowledged the sincere and service rendered by our fallen comrades selflessly for the common aspiration of our people”.

Their contribution for the protection and survival of Zeliangrong people were countless deeds adding that they will be missed by their comrades and by multitudes, it said.

“We pray that may God grant them eternal life. We also share in deepest grief of the bereaved families and prayed to the almighty to give them strength to tide over the ‘irreparable losses,” it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/ar-guns-down-four-zuf-cadres/

IMPHAL, July 31: The joint secretary (Academic) Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM), Ph Nandakumar Sharma has been handed a premature/compulsory retirement for being “insubordinate, incalcitrant” besides being “unproductive in office.”

Sources said that several reasons had been incited for the harsh recommendation against the officer.

It is learnt that, on the consideration of his past activities and performance, acts of commissions and omissions throughout his career, Nandakumar was charged of being a person totally unsuitable to be an officer of the board. His loyalty too was described as “doubtful” by the board.

It is also informed that, he had on several occasions, defied legitimate office orders and shown utter disregard for his superior officers and proven himself to be completely “insubordinate and incalcitrant.”

Sources also revealed that during his short stint as secretary in charge of the board (four months), he had clearly demonstrated doubtful integrity both administratively as well as financially, particularly his action of concealing Special Term Deposit (STD) of large value for over six years.

Moreover, Nandakumar was also charged with consistently acting to create disaffection among the officers and staff of the office as well as bringing disrepute to the office, sources claimed.

Nadakumar joined BSEM as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) on February 2, 1981 and later his post was re-designated as Research Assistant and regularised on February 21, 1983.

During his service career he has been placed suspended several times as disciplinary action for his misconduct and being irresponsible, the sources claimed.

Despite his many shortcomings, he was promoted to the post of joint secretary in 2003 and later took charge as secretary i/c in 2006.

But, surprisingly he claimed and enjoyed pay/allowances of a regular secretary on the basis of a manipulated Government order (no.3/19/ 79SE (E) dated 28/04/2006), the source claimed.

Sources also said that Nandakumar was suspected of obtaining fraudulently the signature of the then commissioner (Edn) by inducing the typist to drop “i/c” (in charge) while putting up fair copy of the said order. At the time, he had not attained the requisite number of service years to qualify for regular promotion as secretary.

It is also learnt that based on memorandums submitted by the Democratic Youth Federation of India and Students Federation of India, a preliminary enquiry was conducted into the fake appointments case and other misconducts committed by Nandakumar in 2006.

The report of the preliminary enquiry conducted by the then chairman, BSEM S Budhachandra Singh was submitted on August 26, 2006 and recommended detailed enquiry.

During the enquiry, evidence was found of various irregularities in appointments, promotions, extensions of contract employees, suspected replacement of noting in files and recommended for further detailed enquiry.

Subsequently, his appointment as secretary i/c was cancelled on August 29, 2006 and placed under suspension on September 7, 2006 to avoid any hindrance in the enquiry, informed the source before adding that yet, the case saw no further progress.

Against this backdrop, the department recovered three Special Term Deposits Certificates, STD certificates for large sums of money belonging to the board being kept concealed by Nandakumar.

Despite all these irregularities, the administration committee of the board in its meeting held on November 24, 2012 deliberated on the matter of prolonged suspension (over six years) of Nandakumar along with his application.

During the meeting, Nandakumar Sharma who was also heard in person had expressed remorse and regrets for his past mistakes and pleaded for exoneration and forgiveness.

The board in its meeting held on December 15, 2012 deliberated on the recommendation of the administration committee and decided to close the departmental enquiry against him on humanitarian ground by awarding the penalty of “stoppage of increment for one year without cumulative effect.”

Nandakumar, however, despite having reinstated to his substantive post failed to show improvement in discharging his duty but continued to indulge in creating groupism and disharmony among the officers and staff of the board, which led to the recommendation for his compulsory retirement, informed the source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/unproductive-bsem-jt-secy-handed-premature-retirement/

IMPHAL, July 31: The BJP Manipur Pradesh demands a white paper on the population of outsiders in the State before the Inner Line Permit is implemented, its president Thounaojam Chaoba told the media today.

Speaking at a press meet at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of the party, he said the implementation of the ILP might take quite some time and as such the government need to first identify the total population of foreigners in the State.

Elaborating further, he said two-third of the total population of Jiribam sub-division is already dominated by outsiders, so the government need to identify the outsiders’ population in the State.

The private member resolutions passed by the State Assembly on two counts to urge the Central government to implement the ILP in the State is a long process, he said.

He said ILP implementation requires constitutional amendment.

Instead of waiting for the Constitutional amendment, the State government should regulate the Inter-State Migration Act, 1979 (Amended in 1985) as in the neighbouring State Meghalaya, he continued.

Elaborating on the nature of the Act, he said it is very similar to ILP and can regulate and identify foreigners entering the State.

The need of the hour in the State is to regulate and check the influx of foreigners with the help of Acts like the Inter-State Migration Act, 1979 (amended in 1985) and to protect the indigenous population, Chaoba observed while declaring that the influx of outsiders into the State has threatened the indigenous population.

Considering that the ILP implementation is a long process, it can be assumed that by the time it is finally implemented, the foreigners would have already overtaken the State’s population and the indigenous people would be already extinct, he said.

So the State need not wait for the long process of passing the ILP in the Parliament, he said.

The statements of the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on ILP made during the Assembly session were vague and controversial, he said.

He said the statements could only confuse the people of the State.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/bjp-suggests-inter-state-migration-act-1979-amended-in-1985-for-state/

IMPHAL, July 31: Agitators should come to the negotiating table, rather than carry out rampage on the streets said the State director general of police Sahid Ahmed, this evening.

Imposing bandhs and blockades will only cause inconveniences to the people, he added.

The DGP was addressing the media at his office chamber, this evening.

He also said extra police forces will be deployed in the hill districts.

The hill districts are going through a tense situation currently and to take control of the situation, the State Home department has taken up actions to deploy extra security forces there, he said.

He continued that the state force will tackle the situation whatever it takes.

The DGP further said that the situation in Manipur is tense in the wake of the ILP demand movement and the killing of Ukhrul ADC.

He said that policing will be intensified to contol the ongoing conflicts in the State by deploying extra personnel. He said that deployment may increase or decrease from time to time according to the demands of the situation.

When enquired about the communication gap between the public and the police, the DGP replied that Manipur Police will undertake community based programmes on experimental basis accordingly, as per the State policy and programme.

He also furnished that those security forces found acting beyond their briefs will be punished befittingly.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/more-police-in-the-hills-soon-dgp/

IMPHAL, July 31: The United NGOs Mission Manipur has today demanded the authorities to announce the names of the seven government doctors under investigation for working in private clinics.

UNMM secretary, U Nobokishore demanded that the names of the doctors who are earning extra by working in the private clinic although they are getting non-practising allowance, should be made public.

During a press meet convened today at the Manipur Press Club, he said that the United NGOs Mission Manipur deeply condoles the death of Wangkhem (o) Eliza, wife of W Dinachandra of Langol Ningthou, Imphal West at Shija Hospital on July 14.

He sought constitution of an enquiry commission into Eliza’s death, and further appealed to the Governor to divulge the action taken report after his recent visit to RIMS.

Nobokishore said Eliza was moved to Shija hospital after developing complications due to acute failure of sensitive body organs including the kidney, because of negligence on the part of RIMS doctors who treated her.

She was shifted to Shija Hospital in a very critical condition, he said.

He said the UNMM acknowledges and appreciates the doctors and nurses of the private hospital for their cooperation and help in trying to save Eliza’s life.

Although the organisation appreciates the courage of a particular doctor identified as Doctor Trinity of the RIMS Gynaecology department who had visited the office of an NGO and clarified that he had not committed any mistakes in treating Eliza at RIMS, the UNMM cannot take lightly the negligence on the part of the RIMS doctors during the treatment of W Eliza, Nobokishore said.

The United NGOs Mission Manipur has also strongly condemned the reported sexual assault of girl players by their coach and demanded the Centre’s intervention in the case.

Speaking to the media during a press conference, secretary U Nobokishore demanded constituting a special investigation team, comprising of a Judge of the Supreme Court, police and other special pertinent bureaucratic officers, headed by the judge to investigate the whole functioning of the SAI, Imphal.

He further demanded termination of all staff found involved in the sexual violence and corruption.

He said the UNMM was deeply shocked to hear about the sexual assault of the girls by the staff/coach of SAI, Takyelpat.

He said that it is not the first time that such crime has been reported in the State.

Such crimes happen frequently throughout the entire nation, he said while asserting that the UNMM’s vision is to see many more sportsperson from the State shine in the international fields, however, there is a lot of corruption and other problems which needs immediate cleaning.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/unmm-demands-names-of-government-doctors-practicing-in-private-clinics/

UKHRUL, July 31: The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has called a 24-hour total shutdown in Ukhrul district in protest against police action on participants of yesterday’s mass prayer meet, with effect starting from midnight tonight.

Sources informed that the total bandh has been called to register the public’s displeasure over the action of State security forces in disrupting public participation in the planned ‘Prayer for Just Peace’ meet on July 30 at TNL Ground.

The ensuing total bandh will be effected beginning from midnight of July 31 to midnight of August 1 throughout the district.

In this connection, the Tangkhul apex body has called upon every member of the public in the district to extent utmost cooperation and solitarity to ensure successful observance of the bandh, sources further said.

“All headmen and Village Authorities have been accordingly entrusted to oversee strict adherence to the call of the shutdown at their respective jurisdictions,” TNL sources informed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/tnl-calls-24-hour-ukhrul-bandh/

SENAPATI, July 31 (NNN): Clearing the air of confusion over its mode of agitation, the United Naga Council (UNC) said that public transport or any other vehicular movement will not come under the purview of its 10-day agitation starting from August 1.

UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei said all types of construction of Trans-Asian Railway, BRO/BRTF, NHPC, Power Grids, works under Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be banned in ‘Naga areas’ of Manipur for ten days stretch.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/unc-on-10-day-agitation/

IMPHAL, July 31: A driver and a handyman were allegedly kidnapped from Piphema, near Kohima while returning from Guwahati to Imphal on the intervening night of July 25 and 26.

Sources said they were kidnapped by an armed group from Piphema on the midnight of July 25 on their return trip to Imphal after loading cement from Guwahati, Sanapur.

They were allegedly kidnapped in relation to an earlier monetary demand made to the cement trader whose cement bags they were ferrying.

The armed group has reportedly made a demand of Rs 60 lakhs from the trader. It is speculated that the kidnapping is a result of the trader not meeting the demand.

The driver has been identified as Langonjam Radhamohan, 30, son of L Khalendro of Wangjing Lamding Chirapur and the handyman as Khumanthem Sanjeet, 22, son of K Binoy of Wangoo Mamang Sabel Nongyai Khong. They were driving a Tata truck bearing the registration number MN 01 9602.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/driver-handyman-abducted-in-kohima/

IMPHAL, July 30: A truck carrying non-locals was set ablaze by agitators demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), near Koirengei Bazaar, Tuesday.

Sources revealed that the incident occurred around 1.30 pm when the truck carrying 34 non-local labourers was coming from Sekmai side.

The truck bearing registration number AS-14/A-9132 was driven by Ajit Limbu, 32, son of Sher Bahadur Limbu of Kanglatongbi.

The said truck was stopped by some VDF personnel for checking at Koirengei; in the meantime a group of agitators mostly womenfolk from the nearby areas approached the truck and enquired about the non-local labourers.

In response to the query, Ngairangbam Hemakanta, 45, of Nambol Awang Jiri Mayai Leikai, who was bringing the non-locals reportedly identified himself as the accountant of the Credible Construction Private Limited and told the womenfolk that the labourers were engaged in the construction of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University at Makhan.

He said they were returning to the construction site after Eid holidays.

On failing to produced identity or related documents to prove themselves as residents of the State, the womenfolk set the truck on fire.

Ngairangbam Hemakanta was also assaulted by the mob and is currently being hospitalised at the JNIMS.

Sources said, police rushed to the spot and took along the non-local labourers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/truck-set-ablaze-at-koirengei/

IMPHAL, July 30: Former Member of Parliament and a candidate in the 16th Lok Sabha Election, 2014, Kim Gangte, has submitted a petition to the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly pleading for disqualification of Dr I Ibohalbi as MLA.

In the petition Kim Gangte, pointed out that Oinam MLA, Dr I Ibohalbi of the Trinamool Congress violated the integrity of the party by taking part in the flag hoisting ceremony of opponent candidate Lamminlein alias Lein Gangte of JD-U and spoke in favour of the candidate.

The ceremony was held on April 1, at Mission Lane, Sanjenthong, she asserted.

Kim Gangte opined that any MLA or MP who share the dais or speak in favour of an opponent candidate against the party’s nominated candidate in public meeting can be treated as voluntarily giving up the party membership.

She further highlighted that during the said election, the All India Trinamool Congress also nominated her as the candidate of the party at the same constituency where JD-U candidate Lien Gangte was contesting from.

Claiming that Dr I Ibohalbi’s act amounts to voluntarily giving up his membership of AITC and joining another political party (JD-U), she maintained that the MLA is liable to be disqualified from being the member of the Legislative Assembly under the provision of the Para(2) and Para 2(2) of schedule 10 of the constitution of India.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/trinamool-conflict-resurfaces-kim-seeks-ibohalbis-disqualification/