`Beyond dream` tour

IMPHAL, Nov 8: A four member team (physically disable) of the “Beyond Barrier” as a… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 8: A four member team (physically disable) of the “Beyond Barrier” as a part of their nationwide wide campaign to promote tourism for the disable and also senior citizen arrived in the state yesterday.

The team started their campaign from September 28 from Mumbai and conclude on December 20 Mumbai after covering 28 state in 82 days.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/beyond-dream-tour/

One killed in Mishap

IMPHAL, Nov 8: A handyman of a truck was killed at Irang area when the… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 8: A handyman of a truck was killed at Irang area when the rear tyre of the truck accidentally ran over him after he fell off from the truck last night around 9 pm.

The victim has been identified as Moirangthem Sailesh alias Ibungo, 30, s/o (L) Achou of Khurai Kongpal Laishram Leikai. The registration number of the truck is established as MNO1-5297.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/one-killed-in-mishap/

AIM lifts 28th Shirui Lily Cup

IMPHAL, Nov 8: AIM has lifted the 28th Shirui Lily National Level Football Tournament after… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 8: AIM has lifted the 28th Shirui Lily National Level Football Tournament after defeating NEROCA by 4-3 in the final match played today at Tangkhul Nagalong Ground, Ukhrul.

AIM and NEROCA were locked in goalless draw till the end of stipulated time of the match. Later, AIM defeated NEROCA by 4-3 in the tie-breaker.

The goals for AIM were scored by L Gouro, Rajesh, S Herojit and Naoton while Ng Tomarjit, Mahesh Rai and M Ashok scored for NEROCA.

AIM took the winner’s trophy with a cash prize of Rs. one lakh while NEROCA got Rs. 50,000 for runner-up.

L Gouro of AIM, Naoton of AIM, I Shanta of NEROCA, M Rai of NEROCA and L Yaima were adjudged as the best player, top scorer, best defender, best goalkeeper and best referee of the tournament respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/aim-lifts-28th-shirui-lily-cup/

USA defeats KYVO by 2-0 at CC Meet

IMPHAL, Nov 8: USA defeated KYVO by 2-0 in today’s match of 55th CC Meet… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 8: USA defeated KYVO by 2-0 in today’s match of 55th CC Meet Football Tournament held at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal.
The goals for USA were scored by F Lalzarzo and John Lalremsang Hmar.

Haolengou Kipgen, L Boynao, W Chaoba and Thanglenmang were booked yellow cards during the match.

With this win against KYVO, USA has stormed into the pre-quarter final match.

AIM will play against UBSA in tomorrow’s match.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/usa-defeats-kyvo-by-20-at-cc-meet/

School Games kicks off

IMPHAL, Nov 8: The State Level Inter-School Games Meet, 2011-12 in athletics, handball, kho-kho and… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 8: The State Level Inter-School Games Meet, 2011-12 in athletics, handball, kho-kho and volleyball organized by the department of youth affairs and sports kicked off today at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex today.
The inaugurak function was graced by H Deleep Singh, special secretary YAS and Kh Pramoda, joint director YAS as the chief guest and president respectively.

Altogether 890 players from eight districts and two sub-divisions are taking part in the sport meet which will be held till November 11.

In the opening day, Nara of Thoubal, Umakanta of Imphal West and Romesh of Imphal East secured the first, second and third position respectively in U-19 boys’ 500 m race.

Imphal East defeated Jiribam by 25-9,25-4, Kangpokpi defeated Thoubal by 25-18,25-2 and Chandel defeated Senapati by 25-20,25-16 in boys’ volleyball league round.

Senapati defeated Imphal West by 25-23,25-20, Churachandpur defeated Jiribam by 25-16,25-12 and Kangpokpi defeated Chandel by 25-11,25-22 in girls’ volleyball league.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/school-games-kicks-off/

Art of the Possible

(Brave sons and daughters of the land, Your fatherland is on fire. The flames are… more »

(Brave sons and daughters of the land, Your fatherland is on fire. The flames are rising roaring and cracking, Come and douse the fire, Come and douse the fire). This is the translation of a Manipuri patriotic song lyric which goes: Pari Imom Shamu Pangalba-sa, Napam Lamdam Khambi Meihou-re, Chaklak-le Mei-se, Lao-na Khong-na, Khambi Meikal Houro-ne, Khambi Meikal Houro-ne. Like all good poetry, this one too has a rich array of meanings leaving ample room for variegated interpretations. Our fatherland, or motherland if you prefer, Manipur today is on fire. Brave and nimble sons and daughters of the soil, let us put our heads together and think of a way to douse this fire. We have come to be a society on the precipice, let us pull ourselves away from the death trap. We can only do this by keeping a cool and thinking head, and never by blind fury. On our success or failure in this enterprise hangs the fate of all of us and our children, so the stakes are extremely high. Let us remember also, our problem is hydra-headed and each of the heads of the monster can deliver us the death blow. We have to see the monster in its totality and not get absorbed and engage all our attention to any one of the heads alone lest we fall easy prey to the other heads.

The territory entangle is not something that can be wished away, much as many of us would like to believe this is so; the ever deepening financial crunch the state is in is threatening to ruin the place and sink more and more of our population into abject poverty; the development agenda is all but forgotten; unemployment is spiraling; rule of law has disappeared for far too long and the law has instead come to be synonymous with the gun, regardless of whose hands they are in; it is only expected in such a circumstance that individual insecurity is the order of the day… each one of these is awesome and each one of these can put our lives to ruins form which there will be no easy salvation. All of them together may actually seem impossible to overcome. Impossible maybe not, but definitely it will be a treacherously long and arduous climb. What then must be our approach to this overwhelming problem before us? A single-mindedness of purpose will be essential but this single mind must be informed constantly of the ever changing reality in the backdrop. For all such single-mindedness if they occur in an insulated environ can very well land in a time warp.

A clear-visioned and committed politics must lead the way. By politics we do not necessary mean only the “mainstream” politics of the state Assembly variety that we are so accustomed to identity with greed, avarice, petulance, meanness and above all an insatiable lust for power. We do wish this important forum too is cleaned up but the politics we talk of goes much beyond. It would involve the way any individual or organization with a will to affect some changes to the society see the consequences of his or their actions. True politics in the end is about power negotiations between various sections of the society so that a just equilibrium is brought. Inalienable to this negotiation, we tend to subscribe, is the view that politics is also very much about the art of identifying and pursuing the possible. For abandoning this principle can very well reduce politics to foolhardiness and therefore a meaningless exercise that can only prolong the agony of those subject to it. This principle must apply to every level of politics, be it peace negotiations, revolutions, Nupi Lals, students’ agitations, and most immediately in our case, to the effort at bringing about a resolution to the standoff in the agitation for justice in the tragic case of the custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama. Let us not allow ourselves to be condemned to, as Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a man who has had a lived experience of a society as tumultuous as our own during his lifetime, so succinctly put it – one hundred years of solitude.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/art-of-the-possible/

Is Re-structuring of Administration the Ultimate Solution for Political Problems in Manipur?

By A. S. Shimreiwung The current political imbroglio over Sadar Hills issue can be positively… more »

By A. S. Shimreiwung
The current political imbroglio over Sadar Hills issue can be positively considered as an eye-opener for bringing a new paradigm in the modes of inter-ethnic relationships and governance in Manipur. Much has been lamented about the hardship being faced by common people due to prolong road blockades by ethnic-based civil societies in Manipur. The unending series of agitations which Manipur has come to experienced in recent times indicates that political issues have been dealt and mitigated on an ad hoc basis by the State government, rather than looking for long-term solutions and going deeper into the roots of the crisis. It is further unnerving to learn that the very policies being advocated by the ruling government in Manipur has not brought respite to the problems, but accentuated the paranoia that common people have already been overfed. Though Sadar Hills issue is an old problem, it has been given a new impetus by Manipur Chief Minister’s ambitious proclamation of creating new districts in the month of July, 2011. It is a clear indication that the so-called reformative policy being advocated by Manipur government has opened another Pandora’s Box for the people living in Manipur. 

As a solution to the politics crisis that has came to perpetually besieged Manipur, specifically the hill-valley divide, the government of Manipur has declared to re-structure the administrations by creating new district for bringing developments. The reason being given for restructuring the existing districts is that large administrative set ups have hampered developmental works. On the hindsight the remedial measures being adopted by State government appear appropriate for troubled torn states like Manipur, which comprises of multi-ethnic communities residing side by side. However, can the blame for under-development of rural areas in Manipur be directed only towards the administrative set up?  Are legislative members and Ministers not an integral part of administrative set-up, heading every state department and ministries? Perhaps, the problems in Manipur are becoming too insurmountable that politicians have decided to take a topsy-turvy ride for all the right thinking people in Manipur.

As analysis after analysis in various Manipur local dailies have highlighted, the problems in Manipur are political in nature and primarily concern with inter-ethnic relations. Even the state government and politicians are also well aware of the nature of problem in Manipur. However, the administrative reform being touted as ultimate solution is incongruous to the root of problems in Manipur, and it is definitely directed towards the goals other than development. The political problems in Manipur have nothing to do with administration, thought the state’s administrative systems are not devoid of inefficiency and problems. Further, the official declaration that major districts in Manipur inhabited by vocal ethnic groups like Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Senapati  etc. is indicative of the design that the ruling government has in mind. It is a clear indication of ‘divide and rule policy’, which has strong colonial and monarchical legacy, dubious for creating communal disharmony where ever implemented. In modern political terms, such subversive policies that aims to put one section of the community against another and directed towards demographic changes has came to be known as ‘social engineering’. The administrative reform that Manipur government is advocating is in no way different from acts of social engineering that has been carried out in South Asian countries like Sri Lanka. The only saving grace is that the actual implementation has just been initiated, but not fully implemented. However, the consequences of such dubious policy have already been felt by the common people in Manipur. Experiences in other countries have shown that such policies are perilous path that will leave no community and individuals unscathed. The big question now is will the people in Manipur support the partisan politicians and their subversive policies that are directed towards dividing every tribe and ethnic groups from within?

For fragmented inter-ethnic relations, social engineering to change the demographic and administrative structure is not the ultimate solution. Can the much quoted Hill-Valley divide be transformed for the better through administrative reforms and by dividing the affinity of one community or tribe? The idea of linking Hill and Valley through administrative set-up as umbilical cord may prove to be too silly and dangerous in situation where ethnic temperaments are always on the boiling point. Further, the problems of one community cannot simply be construed as other’s problem, because different communities in Manipur happen to live as neighbors and within a state. As the cries and wailings of protestors on National Highways are indicating, people are demanding devolution of power and change in governance mechanism, although administrative reforms may bring temporal relief to certain sections, it can create another problems for other sections. However, in all its glory, administrative reforms are nothing more than cosmetic changes and if attached with subversive interest it is nothing less than a sinister design. If the state government is really concern about Hill people, they may start the genuine reformative process by implementing the Sixth Schedule in Manipur, instead of playing with emotions of the people by dividing their affinities through administrative demarcations. Why has it taken so many years for Manipur government even to seriously debate and discuss about the implementation of Sixth Schedule in Manipur, while states like Assam which has substantial tribal population has already implemented it in so many areas. It is a clear indication that most of the politicians and political parties in Manipur have paranoia over decentralization of power to minority communities, apparently due to the apprehension that it will disturb their own vested interest and powers that they hold. It is also quite illogical to presume that decentralization would further the communal divide in Manipur.  Meanwhile, the excessive
centralization of power within certain political circles and community is only accentuating the fragmentation of inter-ethnic relations. 

Administrative reform is different from decentralization, as it is merely a restructuring of administrative set-up and not delegation of power and governance through legislations or amendments of existing Laws and Acts. If one’s definition of development is restricted to the opening of DC, SDO, SP offices and having its own share of funds flowing from state government, perhaps administrative changes is good gamble. However, devolution of power through Sixth Schedule and Communitisation Acts are different level of governance policies that have proved successful in various other states in India for bringing positive changes in people’s livelihood. The devolution of power to the minorities and local level administration is something that Manipur government has never thought of or implemented seriously since its inception as a state under Union of India. Perhaps, it is high time for those who are helms of power in Manipur to take cue from current crisis and look for avenues where real decentralization of administrative power can be implemented, instead of making mere cosmetic changes in administrations and dividing the people on the basis of tribe and region. 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/is-restructuring-of-administration-the-ultimate-solution-for-political-problems-in-manipur/

SDSA decries cabinet decision on Sadar hills

IMPHAL, November 7: The Senapati District Students’ Association in a press release while reaffirming its… more »

IMPHAL, November 7: The Senapati District Students’ Association in a press release while reaffirming its stance to defend and protect against any process of bifurcating it ancestral land, has also strongly condemned the cabinet decision of the state government to create three sub-divisions in Sadar Hills. Such premature decision of the government will only escalate the tension created by the present situation, it further added.

While citing the assurance of the state Chief Minister during the Union home minister on November 2 at Senapati district hq that no unilateral decision will be taken but consultation of concerned communities will be considered regarding the Sadar Hills issue and the contrasting cabinet decision to create three sub divisions, the SDSA has questioned the integrity and the credibility of the Chief Minister, it further added.

The press release signed by its president has further condemned the alleged assault of three bandh supporters at T Khullen by a 43 Assam Rifles officer Major Marathe, post commander at Kangpokpi AR out-post.

It has further stated that the concerned officer or the AR has not tender any apology and further added that the SDSA has decided to lodge complaint against the officer to the higher authority.

“If the concerned authority does not take any disciplinary action against the tainted Major immediately, “the SDSA will not continue to tolerate such inhuman and irrational behaviours of the defence personnal but react accordingly”, it has further informed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/sdsa-decries-cabinet-decision-on-sadar-hills/

World Sunday School Day observed at Ukhrul

From John K. Kaping UKHRUL, November 7:  The “World Sunday School Day”, was observed by… more »

From John K. Kaping
UKHRUL, November 7:  The “World Sunday School Day”, was observed by the Phungyo Baptist Church (PBC) of the Northern Tangkhul  Naga Baptist Association (NTNBA) on November 6 at Ukhrul.

The day is being observed to commemorate the day and its significant change of effective effects towards this modern world especially to the children of the Sunday- School in nurturing their shape in way of how a good Christian by birth should adapt to grow in the society through the foot-steps of Christianity’s religion principles.

The observation on this vital occasion by PBC was opened with the spiritual congregation service at the local Church in the morning with a special Gospel message brought by its Pastor Ayonsui Shingnaisui delivering the good news to thousands of souls participating in the morning Service.

He quoted the Gospel words according the book in the Bible, Titus 2:7 and the following verses.

The Pastor while sharing the words asserted that the “World Sunday School” was founded by Robert Raikes, England (Sooty Alley) in 1780 with a great challenge to save or shape the children community after seeing thousands and thousands of street children who neither go to school nor to Church and in India the Serampore trio successfully started the mission of establishing the observation and teachings of the unique school (World Sunday School) in 1803 after the trio failed in first attempt in 1802.

The Pastor further shared views and ideas to be an “ideal Sunday School Teachers” the story of Teaching Ministry methodology jotted down by Imtijungla Aier (Author) in the Teaching Ministry from Nagaland who according to her book in Teaching Ministry says, there always involved two distinct groups known as the teachers and students out of which one group always suffers. The saying correlates that the students suffer due to lack of teachers’ preparation to teach students, on the other, side the teachers suffer in preparing the lesson plans. But considering all odds and accounts the central notion according to the author underscored the methodology to be on the group of “teachers suffer” in order to portray an ideal Sunday School teachers.

The occasion also marked as an excitable and interesting special day to the hundreds and hundreds Sunday School Children as the church (PBC) in Collaboration with the Church Sunday School staffs led by its present and former Superintendents Mr. Ayo Vasha and Miss S. Rinngamla opened different recreationary items for the children. Special Offering was donated for the children’s prizes and gifts of sweets and chocolates for the winner and participants of Bible exams. Children were let to play games out-door at Shipai goal (open park at Ukhrul) where the kids by themselves made the spelling of “SUNDAY” in merriment to mark the occasion vital. The Church too arranged a joint dinner with all the participants and children.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/world-sunday-school-day-observed-at-ukhrul/

UG cadres and drug peddler arrested by security forces

IMPHAL, November 7: Imphal West police commandos arrested three active members of KYKL who came… more »

IMPHAL, November 7: Imphal West police commandos arrested three active members of KYKL who came on Maruti car bearing registration number MN-01K/0705 at Kakwa Bazar, namely Longjam Tompok alias Langjaba alias Ibungo alias Tomthin, 29, s/o L Chaoba of Pechu Lampak, Thiyam Anandkumar alias Theko alias Jackson, 26, s/o (late) Th Ngouba of Bor Lampak Kakwa and Salam Sanatomba, 29, s/o S Raghumani of Samurou Awang Leikai. One 9mm pistol and four mobile phones were recovered from the possession of the arrested cadres, stated a release of SSP Imphal West.

A team of CDO Imphal East also arrested one PREPAK-Pro faction cadre, namely Hawaibam Meghachandra Singh, 51, s/o H Amar of Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong on November 5 in front of his residence. On verification he disclosed that he joined PREPAK-Pro through one Rajen in the month of August, 2011 and was involved in the extortion of money from general public and government officials.

Meanwhile, Jem Md Jakariya of CDO Imphal East along with his party arrested one woman drug peddler yesterday. The arrested woman is identified as Lhingkhoneng Baite alias Nengbul, 43, s/o Jamsei Baite of Tatjang Village near Sugnu. One mobile phone and six packets weighing about one kilogram of kani were recovered from her possession, stated a release of SSP Imphal East.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/ug-cadres-and-drug-peddler-arrested-by-security-forces/

18 Sikh and Anjuman-e-Musharha celebrate Eid at Lilong

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Troops of 18 SIKH celebrated of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) EID… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Troops of 18 SIKH celebrated of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) EID in LILONG with ANJUMAN-E-MUSHARHA. The Commanding officer of 18 SIKH was invited as the chief guest to the occasion who wished the whole community on this dayand presented a gift to the people on this pious day. A total of approximately 100 people were present for the celebrations. A small cultural programme was also organised. Also making use of this opportunity the commanding officer of 18 SIKH made the public aware of the ongoing anti social menace in the state. ANJUMAN also pledged to give its full fledged support to the unit on its ongoing drive against anti social elements. There was a traditional feast organised by ANJUMAN which was highly appreciated by everyone.  this communal harmony between the troops of 18 SIKH and ANJUMAN is an example for everyone in society that united we stand.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/18-sikh-and-anjumanemusharha-celebrate-eid-at-lilong/

AR apprehends foreigner

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Discovering the movement of foreigners  in general area Khudengthabi of Chandel district,… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Discovering the movement of foreigners  in general area Khudengthabi of Chandel district, the troops of 31 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR(South) launched   operation in the area and apprehended one Bangladeshi National on 06 Nov 2011. The apprehendee was identified as Noor Basar, 35 yrs, s/o Late Mohammed Amin, r/o Tennap Ward No. 2, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Indian Currency Rs. 8000/- was recovered from the apprehendees who alongwith recovery  was handed over to Imphal West Police Station.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/ar-apprehends-foreigner/

Recruitment

IMPHAL, Nov 7: The 43 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ 59 Mountain, red… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: The 43 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ 59 Mountain, red shield division conducted pre recruitment training from November 5-7 for the youths of Hengbung, Kangpokpi, Motbung Saikul and Sapermaina villagers and helped in preparing them for the recruitment rally to be conducted at Kohima on November 11, informed a statement issued by PIB Defense Wing.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/recruitment/

SANPO condemns

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Saikul Area Naga People’s Organization (SANPO), in a release, has condemned the… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Saikul Area Naga People’s Organization (SANPO), in a release, has condemned the state government for signing the MoU with Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee on October 31. The organization also condemned the police action at Noney where many civilians were injured by tear gas and lathi charge.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/sanpo-condemns/

Miss Kut felicitated

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Miss Kut 2011 Zungmonkim Sitlhou was felicitated in a simple function at… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: Miss Kut 2011 Zungmonkim Sitlhou was felicitated in a simple function at her residence today at Taloulong (Damdei) Sadar Hills.

The programme was attended by Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, S. Sitlhou (father), leaders of Sadar Hills, friends and well wishers.

A blessing ceremony by Khupthang Sitlhou organized during the felicitation function.

The Miss Kut as charity compensated a sum of Rs 25,000 to the Damdei Children Home, Rs 2000 to the Children home of Kanglatombi and Rs 1000 for the construction of a Church.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/miss-kut-felicitated/

AR celebrates the spirit of Id-ul-Zuha

IMPHAL, Nov 7: 27 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under the aegis of HQ IGAR(S)… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: 27 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under the aegis of HQ IGAR(S) organized “BAKRID’’ (ID-UL-ZUHA) celebrations at  Soura village in Thoubal District.  Special Prayers were offered before the sacrifice at the Idgah in Soura where devotees thronged from the nearby areas. The highlight of the event was the rendering of the ‘Namaaz’ by the devout Muslims. 

After the prayers, a social event was organised at the Soura Community Hall, where the troops of 27 Assam Rifles greeted their brethren and shared food with them. The Maulvi of the village while addressing the gathering conveyed that “Bakrid” is the time for self reflection and focusing on the values of all the faiths. The officers and the men of 27 Assam Rifles greeted the villagers. The Commandant 27 Assam Rifles, conveyed his heartiest greetings and best wishes to all and exhorted them to let the festival of sacrifice build in us the spirit of compassion and love and promote unity, peace and prosperity.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/ar-celebrates-the-spirit-of-idulzuha/

Advisory on use of suspension bridges issued by Assam Rifles

IMPHAL, Nov 7:  Recently an accident occurred in Arunachal Pradesh at Seppa in East Kameng… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7:  Recently an accident occurred in Arunachal Pradesh at Seppa in East Kameng district. A 50 meter long suspension bridge totally collapsed when over 60 people climbed on it to collect a particular type of edible insect which appears at this time of the year. Luckily a boat was in the river which had come in handily in rescuing several people. However, 14 people went missing and 3 dead bodies were recovered by rescue teams. To avoid such accident which occurred merely due to the lack of knowledge of local people firstly we should know about suspension bridges and after that spread awareness to avoid such accidents on suspension bridges.

Suspension bridges are one of the earliest types of bridges developed by man. Simple suspension bridge for use by pedestrian and livestock are still being used using design based upon the ancient times. These bridges are made up of towers and a bridge deck that is support by cable made of steel nowadays. Due to low cost and ability to be used over waterways and deep gorges, these bridges have been extensively used in hill areas connect villages across rivers, streams and gorges.

As regards to safety precaution on use of suspension bridges, following points must be adhered to prevent any miss happening due to bridge collapse.   

(i) Suspension bridges are flexible structures that are designed to sway with the wind. However, due to their lightweight nature, they may sway too dangerously in extreme conditions and area unsafe to use until extreme weather passes.

(ii) Regular maintenance and inspection of bridge parts cables, decking and towers is essential as small flaws have been known to collapse the bridge.

(iii) Each bridge is designed for particular type of load. It is essential that unauthorized loading of bridge is prohibited (eg- pedestrian bridge should not be used for vehicle move). Some boards mentioning this should be there on both of the bridges.

(iv) Maximum load carrying capacity of the bridge should be clearly displayed at both ends by the manufacturer and same should not be violated. For pedestrian bridge, maximum number of people at one time should be clearly displayed.

(v) For extra safety use of safety nets under the bridge is recommended. In past these nets have served many lives in case of accidental failure of decking or someone falling off from bridge.

(vi) Due to very simple design and low cost there are no added or secondary safety features in suspension bridge. If one member fails the complete structure fails. It is recommended that state agencies provide additional safety net below the bridge especially in high use areas top prevent mishaps as one under ref. If not permanent the same may be fixed during festivals etc. this would have saved all these lost lives.

(vii) Daily commuters should note any breakages, deformation, crack or rusting etc of the bridge parts as a habit and report immediately if found any. In case of any damage found to bridge it should be immediately closed to traffic till repairs is done. 

(viii) Suspension bridge normally sway and make sound when one is moving on them. People moving should not panic and run which may lead to serious accidents.

(ix) Bridges serviceability and durability tests must be regularly conducted by responsible agencies and corrective measures taken to ensure safety of users.

(x) Due to non-rigid structure people should move closer to centre line of deck and not at sides. At no time should the deck be loaded on one side only which may cause twisting of bridge deck. Also no one should hang, hold or rest with suspender cables holding the deck.

With these simple safety precautions accidents can be prevented on suspension bridges.  

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/advisory-on-use-of-suspension-bridges-issued-by-assam-rifles/

55th CC Meet

IMPHAL, Nov 7: NISA defeated YOSC by 3-0 while YPHU defeated NYC by 2-0 in… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: NISA defeated YOSC by 3-0 while YPHU defeated NYC by 2-0 in today’s matches of 55th CC Meet Football Tournament held at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal.

In the first ground, NISA and YOSC were locked in goalless draw till the end of stipulated time of the match. However, NISA defeated YOSC by 3-0 in the tie breaker.

In the second ground, the goals for YPHU were scored by S Sanjoy and Th Shrivash.

YPHU will meet NEROCA on November 14 while NISA will meet TRUGPU on November 18.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/55th-cc-meet/

ULFA`s Talkers In Assam Vs Stalkers In Burma

By Anil Bhat The “pro-talks” faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom ULFA came… more »

By Anil Bhat
The “pro-talks” faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom ULFA came to New Delhi on August 5 to hold talks with Home Minister P Chidambaram. Led by ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa the team included `vice chairman` Pradip Gogoi, `deputy-commander-in-chief` Raju Baruah, `foreign secretary` Sasadhar Choudhury, `finance secretary` Chitrabon Hazarika, `cultural secretary` Pranati Deka, `publicity secretary` Mithinga Daimary and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain. They presented a charter of demands to the Govt., which according to sources include a special constitutional status for Assam and control over local resources.

Before leaving for Delhi, Rajkhowa told reporters at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International airport, Guwahati, “We have prepared a charter of demands, which we finalised in our recent meeting in Nalbari. The charter does not include the call for sovereignty.” Sounding confident of a positive outcome of the talks he then piped up with “Anup Chetia should be brought back to India so that he can take part in the talks,” Chetia, aka Golap Barua, is a cousin of Paresh Baruah, whose views against talks have been repeatedly reported. While Paresh Baruah leading the anti-talk faction has so far opposed any negotiation with the government,  saying “There cannot be any dialogue until the government agrees to discuss ULFA`s demand for a sovereign Assam”, Rajkhowa reportedly claims, “So far Paresh Baruah has not opposed the peace process and we hope that he will come and participate in the talks.” This, as brought out earlier in tis newspaper, only means that the two are most likely in touch.

On Chetia’s extradition, Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatun said,

“I don`t think there is any obstacle in handing him (Chetia) over to India … but definitely, there are procedures in extraditing someone who is in jail,”

On 08 September 2011, Parseh Baruah was reported to be been injured in a shoot out with Myanmar army in the north west jungles of Burma, while he was with a group of  Manipur’s Peoples’ Liberation Army  (PLA) terrorists also hiding there. In an email sent on 08 September 2011, Paresh Baruah  claimed that Myanmar army had targeted the joint base of several militant groups from the northeast with `direct help from Indian government`, including heavy armaments and other military hardware.

Appealing to the people of Assam to extend support to the outfit, the e-mail also claimed that the Indian government has been pursuing all its neighbours to flush out Ulfa militants from their territories. “In 2003 it was Bhutan, which got Rs 1000 crore aid from India in reciprocation. Then came Bangladesh where India has pledged a loan of 1 billion US dollars. We have information that New Delhi has given an aid of Rs 2000 crore to Myanmar,” Baruah is reported to have said adding that it wanted to wipe out ULFA so that it could continue to exploit the rich natural resources of Assam without any obstruction.

Meanwhile, in a press release issued by the publicity in charge of the ULFA’s hardliner group, Arunodoi Dohotiya said that the Government of India paid substantial amounts of money to the neighbouring countries to launch attack on the ULFA’s bases. This release stated that the Government of India gave financial assistance of Rs 20,000 crore (as against Rs. 2000 crore mentioned earlier) to Myanmar along with weapons to take action against the “revolutionary groups” and that it also promised Rs 100 crore more if Paresh Baruah can be killed within September, the ULFA alleged. Paresh Barua has also interestingly commented that India is “trying to please Bangladesh with a border land swap deal’ to get custody of the insurgent group’s general secretary Anup Chetia…Bangladesh is trying to hand over Chetia against his wish and India is going overboard to please the neighboring country by signing the land swap deal in return,”  Barua also criticised Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi for not protesting the proposed land agreement, which would allegedly “alter the geographical map of the Indian state…India is quite aware that the land swap deal would alter the map of Assam and this fact is well known to Tarun Gogoi. But instead of opposing the move, he is accompanying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to witness the signing of the agreement,” Barua said and urged Gogoi to keep himself away from being a party to the “conspiracy” of land exchange and also asked people to protest against this move.

This is indeed ironic as Baruah heading the undivided ULFA while he was ensconced in Bangladesh for almost two decades helped the process of demographical change in eight districts of Assam, by catalyzing the illegal influx and ensuring that the illegal entrants get settled. Barua was known to be enjoying the patronage of the previous Bangladesh Nationalist Party government in Bangladesh, had to face reverses and was forced to flee during a clampdown on Indian militants by Bangladesh authorities after Awami League returned to power. Apart from his many criminal and anti-India rackets and activities, he is one of the co-accused in smuggling 10 truckloads of arms and ammunition to Bangladesh, which were seized from a jetty of Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Ltd (CUFL) in the port city on April 2, 2004. The weapons, reportedly meant for terroristss in the northeast, were allegedly ordered by Barua.

Since the past almost two years Baruah, along with the PLA and National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Nagalim – Issac Muivah faction, are involved in acquiring arms and ammunition from China to supply to the Naxal-Maoists   However, as far as Burmese Army’s operation against Indian insurgent-terrorist groups hiding in the Taga region of Burma, authoritative home ministry sources told this newspaper that it was an eyewash conducted after tip-offs to Indian insurgent-terrorist leaders about their proposed operation. Burmese Army had reportedly informed these groups at least a week before the operation, that they were entering Taga region on September 6-7. The sources also referred to a press statement emailed by Ulfa on September 7, in which the outfit claimed that the Burmese Army had launched an offensive against them in the morning, whereas it reached Taga area only on 7th evening. Security agencies keeping a close watch over developments in the border area had corroborating intercepts that there was no Burmese Army activity in Taga area till 3.30 pm on 7 September.

The security sources said they suspect the Burmese Army colludes with Indian insurgent leaders and that they have wireless communications intercepts indicating that the rebels had shifted to new locations a day before the Burmese Army fired on deserted camps. The sources said the Burmese Army routinely carries out cosmetic operations before thrice-a-year bilateral meetings with India and then claims to have cleaned up territory occupied by Indian insurgents.

Apart from Operation Golden Bird conducted in 1995, when 40 terrorists were reportedly killed and about 200 captured, quite often in past years Myanmar army has made a show of launching operations without actually doing any damage to the groups camping there.

India has a 1,630 km border with Burma. Insurgent groups such as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the People’s Liberation Army, and Naga and Kuki forces are active in four border states—Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Trafficking of drugs and guns is carried out by Burmese Kachin, Wa and Shan armed ethnic groups and by Chins in western Burma. They had reportedly also also smuggled forged Indian currency into India.

Lt Gen NK Singh, former GOC of the Corps headquartered at Dimapur is reported to have stated to media some time in 2009: “There have been quite a few seizures of small arms and drugs in recent months. Most of those involved were Chins, who have the advantage of looking like the Mizos of Mizoram and speaking a similar language.”

Min Tang, a member of the Chin National Council in India’s Mizoram State, had reportedly said about 1,000 UNLF members lived on the Burmese side of the border. He said they traded heroin and Chinese-made weapons with the Chin—and he accused Burmese officials of accepting bribes to allow the trade to continue. In Manipur UNLF and other groups have often in the past made great shows of burning heaps of lower variety of  drugs to project themselves as principled insurgents against anti-social activities etc.

Indian attempts to stem the trade and curb the insurgent groups have so far met with little success. Since 1993, the Indian government has developed a closer relationship with the Burmese junta, engaging in increased trade and providing it with military hardware. The Burmese government has agreed to support Indian attempts to combat the insurgent groups and their illegal trading, but says it is difficult to access border areas because of poor roads. The National Investigation Agency and Intelligence Bureau had made good gains and progress in the recent past by apprehending UNLF boss man RK Meghen and NSCN-IM’s key China link-man Antony Shimray. Capturing Paresh Baruah, will be lead to a large amount of information about many of ULFA’s “businesses” and anti-India operations. 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/ulfas-talkers-in-assam-vs-stalkers-in-burma/

Shirui Lily Cup

IMPHAL, Nov 7: NEROCA defeated En Punto FC by 2-1 in the second semi-final match… more »

IMPHAL, Nov 7: NEROCA defeated En Punto FC by 2-1 in the second semi-final match of 28th Shirui Lily National Level Invitation Football Tournament held today at Tangkhul Nagalong Ground, Ukhrul.

Th Roshan and Kh Satish scored the goals for NEROCA while Kobou scored for En Punto FC.

NEROCA will meet AIM in the final match tomorrow.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/11/shirui-lily-cup/