kanglaonline – Page 1059

New product launching NAHAKPAM FOODS & BEVERAGES “boss Juices”

Imphal 19th Sept 2011: Nahakpam foods and Beverages “Boss juices” Sangolband in an effort to… more »

Imphal 19th Sept 2011: Nahakpam foods and Beverages “Boss juices” Sangolband in an effort to promote healthy generation launched the first commercial juice bar in Manipur on the 6th of May 2011. “Boss Juices” has been trying to keep its promise of introducing products which we can rely, with regards to price and quality.
“Boss” experience shows a very poor business scenario which is thoroughly dependent on imported raw material. In such an environment it is of utmost importance that we try and explore products of which the raw materials are based in our own state.
Such an effort will help sustain independently without the support of imported raw material. For an organization like “Nahakpam Foods and Beverages” which belongs to small scale industries family, it is a challenge to survive during blockade and general strike when raw materials prices to peak high.

“Boss juices” new product “Tropical Fruit Smoothie” is an outcome of such effort.

“Tropical Fruit Smoothie” is a fresh fruit smoothie which contains the freshness of passion fruit, delicacy of pineapple, energy of banana and frozen yoghurt.

Together this new product brings a healthy diet which we can call our own. With the raw materials based in our own state team “boss juices” is positive that our guest can trust our brand for quality, taste, health and price as we team “boss juices” stand for healthy generation of the future

New product launching NAHAKPAM FOODS & BEVERAGES “boss Juices”

Imphal 19th Sept 2011: Nahakpam foods and Beverages “Boss juices” Sangolband in an effort to… more »

Boss Juices Bar at Sagolband

“Boss juices” new product “Tropical Fruit Smoothie” is an outcome of such effort.

“Tropical Fruit Smoothie” is a fresh fruit smoothie which contains the freshness of passion fruit, delicacy of pineapple, energy of banana and frozen yoghurt.

This press release was sent to Kanglaonline.com by Shanta Singh, Nahakpam Foods and Beverages

Lions Club of Imphal: 1st District Governor’s Advisory Committee Meeting

Imphal the 18th Sept. 2011 : The Lions Club of Imphal Greater have successfully hosted… more »

Imphal the 18th Sept. 2011 : The Lions Club of Imphal Greater have successfully hosted the above mention meeting of the Conference Hall of The Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur Branch, MG Avenue, Imphal at 10.00 am on the 18th September 2011. Lion Dr. Renubala Devi, Zone Chairperson- Zone-XXII presided over the meeting. 4 clubs viz, Lions Club of Imphal City, Lions Club of Imphal Greater, Lions Club of Thoubal and Lions Club of Moreh with their club officers attended the meeting. Lion M. Gojendro Singh, MJF and Lion Ksh. Manglem Singh, MJF were the resource persons who delivered on some important matters concerning the administration of the Lions Club.

All the Club reported their service activities held so far. Some good discussion were also held during the meeting. The Past District Governor, Lion TSP Singh and the Present Region Chairperson, Lion Th. Joykumar Singh spoke on the occasion.

The Meeting concluded with the observations made by the Zone Chairperson Lion Dr Ch. Renubala Devi

The press release was sent to Kanglaonline.com by (Lion Thongam Arun) PRO, Lions Club of Imphal Greater

Press Release:

Do We Have It In Us

By Shiva Koijam Do we have it in us? A simple question yet it needs… more »

By Shiva Koijam

Do we have it in us? A simple question yet it needs real guts to answer. Runs deep in vein habit of playing blame games sans an iota of contribution to set forth the first step to bring about that change. Manipur is this and Manipur is that. I don’t have the right to blame if I am not contributing something first of all, and secondly if I am not trying to rectify the loopholes where such problems arise. With limited resources how can a government, no matter what parties it belongs to, fulfill all the needs and wants. When opportunities are created and living standards is uplifted only then the chaos prevailing here can be lessened and ultimately removed.

Madhapur in Ranga Reddy District of Hyderabad was once a small rocky village beyond the outskirt of Jubilee Hills, never known to anyone outside, but today it’s the one of biggest capital of IT industry. Thanks to the government of Chandra Babu Naidu who make it possible. Today, hundreds of IT companies are sprawling up, lots of IT professionals both from different parts of India and abroad are working here thereby generating huge pool of income in IT related sectors. A simple 12th pass to high class graduates got jobs here from part-time to full-time thereby uplifting the standard of the common masses. You name it and you will find here. People don’t always opt for government jobs there, in stead they opt for private jobs there. The reason is simple, all the benefits a government employee got, and IT employees got the doubled and even triple.

Does our government from time to time ever think of imitating what Telugu Desam Party did in the last 10-15 years? Does our government really tried to create employment generations, ever really tried to develop the infrastructure to create conducive atmosphere to lure outside companies to set their base here thereby generating employment for huge pools of computer and science literate, English speaking graduates. Answer is a big No. Why? Everyone knows. Simply widening roads, constructing lavish government offices and quarters, borrowing architectures and blue prints from the Southern States won’t bring any change. Imitating their “Singapore model township” and copying their development project won’t help, till it is implemented. When the AP Government can borrow loans for such development project, why can’t we. The only difference is true leader who wants to do something which we lacked unfortunately. A family of 4 with monthly expenditure of 1000 rupees and income of 1300 rupees can’t spend 500 rupees for other needs. Then what should that family do, try to earn extra 500 rupees more anyhow through legitimate means to satisfy their needs. The logic is simple, when you can’t satisfy the needs with the available resources, why don’t you create opportunities to earn that extra need. I think a simple 10th pass would easily grasp this and don’t need to be 1st class M.A. or some law degrees to know the simple logic.

Many IT companies will come down here and thousands of IT related jobs will spring up like call center, Medical transcription, web designing, banking, Software development, tourism, trade, aviation, hospitality management will get boom, and thereby huge pools of investment can be harnessed from both investors domestic and foreign and thereby giving a platform for hundreds if not thousands of IT professionals scattered in different parts of India from the state and those braindrain could be curtailed plus huge generation of income here. It would just take 10 years to make that dream comes true if political wills and sincerity to do something is there in their minds. Are the so-called leaders wiping their spectacles to read this simple logic?

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/do-we-have-it-in-us/

Nominations invited for eNorth East 2011 Award & Conclave (Deadline: Sep 30)

eNorth East Award 2011 Nominations are invited for the “eNorth East Award” 2011, recognizing best… more »

eNorth East Award 2011

eNorth East Award 2011 – click image to enlarge

Nominations are invited for the “eNorth East Award” 2011, recognizing best practices in ICT for development in the region and contribute to an enabling ICT for development environment in the region. Award recognition is being given in 12 key categories. Please visit http://enortheast.in/ for details and nomination form. The eNorth East 2011 is being held in Kohima, Nagaland on November 25, 2011.

Download Nomination Form (MS-Word)

The objective of this eNorth East Award & Platform is to contribute to an enabling, networking environment, experience and best practices sharing, stakeholders meeting and partnership forging between government, industry, civil society, and research and academic institutions from within and outside the region.

The eNorth East Award 2011 is brought to you by Digital Connect, North East Development Foundation & Digital Empowerment Foundation. Nominations are invited from government, industry, civil society and academic institutions to submit their nominations in key categories.

Nomination Categories:
1. E-Governance & Public Services Delivery
2. Education & Learning
3. Health
4. Livelihood & Entrepreneurship
5. Financial Inclusion
6. News & Media
7. Entertainment
8. Commerce & Business
9. Culture & Environment
10. Environment & Tourism
11. Innovative department / PSU
12. Innovative ICT / IT Enterprise

The nomination process is from August 16 to September 30. Filled in nominations can be sent at enortheast@gmail.com. Nominees may send supporting documents, video clips, etc along with the form.

For correspondence:
eNorth East Award Secretariat
House 10, First Floor, Nijom Path, Sixmile, Khanapara, Guwahati- 781022
Telefax: 0361-2363204; Email: enortheast@gmail.com; Web: http://enortheast.in/
Mobile: 9706149298

New Delhi Correspondence:
House 44, Fourth Floor, Kalu Sarai, New Delhi – 110016
Telefax: 011-26532787

Look forward towards submission and quality participation.

Nomination form is attached.

S. S. Kazi
Curator: eNorth East Award
Lead Partner: North East Development Foundation (www.nedfindia.org)
Promoter: eNorth East (www.enortheast.in)

Indian Muaythai team leaves Delhi for World Muaythai Champ at Tashkent

NEW DELHI, Sept 18 (NEPS): Indian Muaythai Team delegates under the banner of the Muaythai… more »

NEW DELHI, Sept 18 (NEPS): Indian Muaythai Team delegates under the banner of the Muaythai Federation of India (MFI) have today left New Delhi for participating in the World Muaythai Championships 2011 to be held from September 20 to 27, 2011 at Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

G Marempu Kabui and Naorem Boynao Singh from Manipur are there in the Indian Team. G Merempu Kabui will be fighting in the Junior Male Division of 48 kg while Naorem Boynao Singh in the Senior Male Division of 51 kg.

It may be mentioned that G Marempu Kabui had already won bronze medals in the TAFISA World Sports For All Games 2008 at Busan, South Korea, which was held under the patronage of International Olympic Committee (IOC), and World Muaythai Championships 2007 and 2009 respectively at Bangkok, Thailand.

Naorem Boynao Singh had also won silver medal in the last World Muaythai Championships 2010 at Bangkok.

Amateur and Professional Muaythai Federation of Uzbekistan, an important affiliated Member of International Federation of Muathai Amateur (IFMA), organizes this prestigious World Muaythai Championships 2011 at Tashkent which will be participated by athletes and officials from nearly 150 IFMA-Member countries in the world.

IFMA is recognized by Olympic Council of Asia, SportAccord and also Member of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Muaythai under IFMA has already been included in Asian Games, Indoor Asian Games, World Sports For All Games, SEA Games, Arafura Games, SportAccord Combat Games, etc. And in India, Muaythai Federation of India (MFI) is the only National Muaythai Governing Body recognized by IFMA, WMC and FAMA, according to a release by Ng Jeet, MFI Central Board Chairman.

One Day Mini Trade Fair – Bosco Mangaal, Imphal

Bosco Mangaal, Imphal is orgnaising a One Day Mini Trade Fair for the JLGs formed… more »

Bosco Mangaal, Imphal is orgnaising a One Day Mini Trade Fair for the JLGs formed under LIFEAID Project- Care & Support programme for the PLHIV at Savio Hall, Don Bosco Chingmeirong, Old Building Campus , Imphal on Saturday, the 17th September 2011 from 10:30 t0 4 :00 P.M

Sd-

Fr. PX Francis

Director, Bosco Mangaal, Imphal

The annoucement was sent to Kanglaonline.com by Niram Thongbam niranthongbam[at]gmail.com

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/one-day-mini-trade-fair-bosco-mangaal-imphal/

TEN ISSUES/QUESTIONS TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POLITICAL PREMISE OF AFSPA

To insist that one must address and understand “Political Premise” of AFSPA is to… more »

To insist that one must address and understand “Political Premise” of AFSPA is to insist that we must fundamentally know/address the following issues:

“Law” is a juridico-political fact, thereby meaning it has a political premise and that must be addressed (more so with Acts like AFSPA).
Even if the protestors prefer to de-link the political premise of AFSPA, will the Government of India, with which the protestors are engaging with in order to repeal the Act, de-link what it thinks the Act is addressing while thinking about AFSPA?
All legislations are to address some realities/phenomena in our real world. Acts on dowry, sati, child-marriage, for that matter the recent talk of Lok Pal, all are (about) legislations to address or fight realities of our life (the menace of dowry, sati, child-marriage or corruption). Therefore, the discussions or debates on these legislations are not carried out by de-linking these realities.
What is that AFSPA is fundamentally seeking to address? (Isn’t this a question of policy/approach and politics that informed the policy/approach, a question that is inherently implicated and critical in understanding AFSPA?)
AFSPA is supposed to address the “disturbed condition” caused by “armed rebellion” (“khutlaipaiba lalhouba”).
Aren’t the powers given in the Act related to “armed rebellion”, powers (actvities) that are to be exercised/performed by the military personnel?
Why is it then that the Supreme Court says the “disturbed condition” wherein AFSPA has been enforced is not due to “armed rebellion”? (Is this a “legal” or “political” question?)
If it is about “law and order”, are those powers noted in the Act in line with what is expected of a “law and order” enforcing mechanism or engaging in “war”, including those that can be described as “low intensity” ones?
More crucially, if the Act is not addressing a “disturbed condition” caused by “armed rebellion” (khutlapaiba lalhouba), and it is about “law and order”, why does the Government of India outlawed those rebels groups or charged the members of these groups in Court saying that they are “waging war” against the State?
Are these questions matters of “theory” or (as many have a habit of saying often as a way of debunking or refusing any attempt at deepening understanding on an issue) “ground reality” or both?

To those who are protesting against the AFSPA:

(a) Narratives of human tragedy, of near and dear ones having been tortured, detained, killed or made disappeared by the state agencies under the Act, are facts. But are these narratives of human tragedies un-related to the above questions/issues?

(b) But when somebody (or in “we the people” kind of programme in TV channels) brings out similar narratives of human tragedies in the hands of non-state actors, does the issue of AFSPA get diluted or distracted precisely because your fight is based on a limited or narrow legal/human rights perspective that does not address basic questions pertaining to the Act as I have noted here (as well as elsewhere)?

(c) How do you intend to make the issue of AFSPA politically significant (amongst others, keep the question/issue no. 2 above in mind as well) when your own politicians and middle class can probably sense the human tragedy and say it’s bad but insurgents also do the same and so on.

(d) Granted that, one may agree or disagree with those who are “waging a war” against the Indian State, but the fact is, IT IS THERE as A PART OF OUR REALITY. So, which one makes more sense: Address something that has been there for decades and something that affects our lives with an honest acknowledgment of the reality of “rebellion” and realistically approach the issue or continue to deny or distort the reality (which, while the AFSPA is ostensibly dealing with a phenomenon of “waging war” against the State with arms–in short, “armed rebellion” at the same time legally/juridically denying it, as in Supreme Court Judgment of 1997) OR allow one to be guided by a mob mentality or lynching mindset saying that these “extortionists” blah blah must be “eliminated” (something that the mighty Indian State has been trying for more than 50 years with its military might under a “legal fiction” all this while without success and only to be admitted now and then that we must find a “political solution”!)?

Lastly, HOLLOW promise of a “yes, yes, AFSPA must go” by your politicians or those who feel the human tragedies under the violence of the Act but have a nagging question “what after AFSPA?” for there are these “naharols” (or insurgents), can never be addressed (or rather exposed) until and unless one brings in the above TEN questions/issues into the struggle against this notorious “legal fiction” that has created havoc in our life.

These are some of the concerns that I have in mind when I insist on “political issue/premise” of AFSPA that we must take care!

MEITEI SHOULD BE READY TO WEATHER THE TRIBAL TEMPEST FOREVER

By: Dr Irengbam Mohendra Singh Below is an email letter from one Mr Haokip (22nd… more »

By: Dr Irengbam Mohendra Singh

Below is an email letter from one Mr Haokip (22nd August 2011). It explains all.

SIR,
Thanks for replying. i would also like highlight that we kukis has history of fightin against the Britishers to saveguards its land. I have also came across a history book by one British historian talking about geographical expansion of kuki inhabitat areas expanding from west bengal till myanmar. though it has become a past and political overturn has made kukis as one of major population of Manipur. Now as KUKI ,i wanting to coexist with people of all communities residing in Manipur is not surprising though bt since i am aware that divisions in the same state will lead us to no whre .but one problem that we do face as hills men is that concentration of the infrastructure in imphal city ,the state govt eversince has shown ignorance towards the hill area.. a stepmotherly treatment given to them . at this 21st century they still long for basic amenities. a hungry man is bound to revolt. The prolonge undue attention not given to hill areas n its people is one of the root cause behind the existing division, according to me. My hope for better MANIPUR is overall growth.

Sir do correct me if im wrong somewhere, i want to do something for the state n im in learning process. HOPE , u will guide me.

Thanks.
L Haokip
With the NH 39 blockade entering into the 5th week the Meitei should now be ready to bear the wrath of the tribal hill people forever.

Iboby Government’s development priority is beyond the pale. It hasn’t learned from the crippling blockade of highways for 52 days by the ANSAM in 2005. Six years on the NH-37, previously known as NH 53 or Imphal to Cachar Road is still a dirt road. Ibobi should be concentrating more on the means of survival than on luxury like the establishment of IT College or another Medical College.

The fury of the Christian hill people is like that of the biblical Christian God who declared: “And thou shall love thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5), and struck those who did not obey him with thunder and lightning.

God had a reason and so have the hill people. Therefore, the Ark of the Covenant is to explore why they are unhappy.

Many years ago, in the late 1950s while I was a medical student, my friend, late Moirangthem Gojendra and I, drove a German and an American woman who came to see Manipur, to Churachandpur. We drove uphill where there was a church.

A Kuki man came out to meet us. He was pleased to see those two white women. He shook hands with them. Then instead of shaking hands with us he threw a bolt from the blue, entirely unconnected with the visit. He said: “You’ve got all the meat and we have got the bones.”

This is just to demonstrate that there is a loathing – better termed prejudice, deeply rooted in the psyche of the hill people against the Meitei. And it is not without justifications.

The Meitei cannot condemn these hill people who hate the Meitei because condemnation condemns the person who condemns as well as those people whom
the condemning person has chosen to condemn.

That will only accentuate the mutual prejudice. “There are more ways than one to skin a cat.”

The hill people do not want lip service such as the Tangkhul are the elder brother of the Meitei or “Meitei-Hao-ichin–inao” ie Meitei and hill people are brothers. They regard it as hypocritical respect. They want funds to improve their lot.

Meitei, Tangkhul, Kuki, Kabui and other hill peoples were never more brothers than they are now. But it had dividends.

It is said that brothers and sisters are the accidents of birth while friends will stick to each other to the end. It is the friendship I am hoping for, not the brotherhood.

The ethnic minority hill people have now gained a strong enough position to challenge the Meitei. They have a thumb on the Meitei jugular, which they can press at will and with surprising ease.

It will take only 15-20 members of the ATUSM backed by a few Naga gunmen to block a small stretch of the highway by heaping stones on the road to block the goods-laden lorries and then intimidating the drivers with a few showers of stones from the top of the hill.

In my search for the root causes of this loathing I have come up with three major ones.

(1) Historical roots: the events of the past history of the Meitei and other hill people though ephemeral have not only characterised ethnic prejudice and hatred but have also fuelled their growth. The prejudice was a tool whereby each ethnic group built its identity as a group for social benefits.

(2) Sociological causes: an inheritance from the past prejudice that accrued from competition for resources due to scarcity or greed that initially made ethnic people hate each other for positive social benefits associated with hatred.

(3) Economic causes: This is the most important cause. I am now referring specifically to the anger and frustration described by Mr Haokip above, which are true but with some reservations. They arise from need on the part of the hill people or alleged greed on the part of the Meitei.

In the historiography of Manipur before the British dominion all the ethnic groups were living in Manipur. It was then in the nature of humans as social creatures to band together to act in groups to advance the prosperity of their group and to then share in that prosperity.

During British Rule, the Meitei did not have any hand in depriving the Hill people of their due share of Manipur’s economy. They were directly administered by the British administration.

Since Independence on August 15 1947 Manipur has been ruled by Delhi with an annual largesse which has been very small in the First Five year Plan. Following the
insurgencies in Manipur and the better growth of the national GDP, the Delhi
Government has been increasing its annual allocation of money to Manipur, culminating in Rs. 300 crores for the year 2011.

It is also partly because mayang Indians in the Delhi Government, who clubbed together all the Northeast Indians as a single entity in the same way the colonial anthropologist did, have now come to understand that the five Sister States have different problems of their own.

In Manipur, the main problem that has been causing turmoil among the hill people concerns the “disparity” in the distribution of this money from Delhi. Manipur has no substantial productivity in any form or kind.

Imphal seems to be having more and more “bright lights” while the hill people continue to survive with only the bare necessities of life. Is this a fact? I don’t know exactly.

Who can answer this question? The incumbent government especially the minister with a portfolio for finance can. Every year during the budget session of the Assembly there should be declarations about the allocated sums of money for each district.

What I do know is that Meitei living in the far flung villages in Manipur are slightly better- off than the Hill counterparts only because of easer accessibility to Imphal to buy essential commodities of daily living.

“There is a demand for a new deal in the management of the affairs” of the hill people. I have borrowed this phrase from President Franklin D Roosevelt (1930), who borrowed it from the British campaign of David Lloyd George, who ran for prime minister in 1919 with the slogan “A New Deal for Everyone.”

Any incumbent government of Manipur will need a collection of political and economic policies, and programmes to deal with the economic miseries of the hill people.

As I suggested in my article – Causes of ethnic conflict in Manipur…July 3 2011, the Manipur political system could be based on the Swiss model by improving the current autonomous district councils. Each council should be allotted a well-proportioned
budget that they can juggle at will.

There should now be two districts for the Meitei in the Imphal valley, leaving a certain square miles of Imphal city that belongs to the Meitei, Pangal and every tribe in the plains or in the hills.

It should be named as Imphal City, Imphal ADC East and Imphal ADC West, in line with Washington and Washington DC (District of Columbia) governed by the same Municipality Council.

The current bright lights of Imphal city must be distinguished from the lights of Imphal valleys which the Meitei mostly inhabit.

Imphal is the capital of Manipur and now a city. It needs “bright lights” as does any capital such as Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai. This means it should have a better infrastructure.

This is because a city or a town is a relatively large and permanent settlement. It has complex systems of sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing and transportation. It
has government institutions, colleges and universities, prisons, hospitals and the police headquarters.

The concentration of development facilitates the interaction of all the people living in different districts and rural areas. It must have modern hotels for people to come and do business in Manipur or for tourists who would bring in a lot of money for everybody.

Imphal has colonies of Kukis such as New Lambulane and for Tangkhuls, Dewlaland and so on. There are many Kabui villages such as Sahib Manai, Major khun. The Langol Hill areas are entirely occupied by the hill people.

The Hill people who live in Imphal city enjoy the same privileges as the Meitei.

We need to study what is going on in India outside of Manipur. Once we have learned the differences between a city and a village we can open our hearts and free ourselves from the chain of intolerance which we have learned from our native cultures by default.

So, now we know what the hill people want – equity.

The writer is based in the UK
Email: imsingh@onetel.com
Website: www.drimsingh.co.uk

Urgent Requirement of Trainee Chemist M.Sc Chemistry – Interview Date 19th September, 2011

There is an urgent vacancy of trainee Chemist in one of the reputed pharmaceutical company… more »

There is an urgent vacancy of trainee Chemist in one of the reputed pharmaceutical company based in Delhi.

Required qualification : M.Sc Chemistry with strong knowledge in Medicinal Chemistry.

Interested candidate can contact Chaoba Phuritshabam chaoba.ph[at]gmail.com.
Details of Interview:
Place: Delhi
date: 19th September, 2011
Time: 9.00 AM

The above job annoucement is sent to Kanglaonline.com by Chaoba Phuritshabam

Sadar Hills Demand`”Winning Mantras!

by: – G.S.Oinam Since 1971, Sadar Hills Demand Committee respectfully beg something honestly for their… more »

by: – G.S.Oinam
Since 1971, Sadar Hills Demand Committee respectfully beg something honestly for their local people to the government and people of Manipur, however, preceding government does not act honestly – had pass their time, and the present government over 9 and half years does not attempt to move their ultimate demand earnestly. Giving something to Sadar hills people does not mean depriving Naga political solution and peace dialogue. However, Government intension is unclear and remained in confused state of mind. Freedom is not given easily—it is taken by force or defeating; it requires many attempt consistently, patience, determination etc. Win or defeat is the two face of one coin. Is your courage lost after your father falls in the battle field, asked in the American War of Independence? Spontaneous outcry of Sadar hills and Jiribam is the cumulative effect of failed promises made by the government from time to time and mishandling of the situations. Honestly, our people are not getting real freedom. We must fight for it!

History is for reference; we can learn our mistakes and achievements from history. If you are crazy, frenzy and psyche of land based on historical background, I said go back to China, Myanmar, and Thailand –your ancestral origin. Civilization of the past was very little. Our forefathers were nomad–roam from one place to another in search of food; finally learn skills of agriculture and settlement, chieftains’ system existence and finally kingdom and now, democracy after prolong British colonial rules.

This is the time to know the difference between power of tolerance and power to face the challenges. We face challenges to free ourselves from exploitation and abuses but we tolerate all pains to achieve our goal. We feel pain when some objects hurt physically and emotionally. Somebody may win you physically but nobody can win your emotion. It is your emotion that makes you defeat yourself. Self esteem, motivation, determination and courage can overcome your emotional weakness.

Why and when child cry? Simply to give attention when s/he feels uncomfortable, pain, hunger etc. Bad parenting makes a child naughty and cries habitually. In such a manner, civil society launches strike and band/ blockade to give attention when government give less attention.

We hope, Sadar hills/ Jiribam people must knowing where and when to stop road blockade—you can’t remained anger and hijack national highway all the time. I will ask you to break your fasting and road blockade—suffering of people is beyond limit and you will need other people help. Honestly, I feel pain to see your fasting ladies in newspapers. And the time has come to change your game plan—i.e. advocacy, media promotion campaign, public debate, discussion, negotiation and interaction etc. You must be preparing fully for coming struggle and my tough questions; perhaps, I may not be the one to ask you tough questions but somebody (Naga brothers) will ask you very tough questions. Wish you all the best. Please accept it, Sadar Hills people have won one battle, government is defeated; further you have to fight for more tough two battles before bifurcation and up gradation of district.

Formation of Committee on Reorganisation of Administrative and Police District Boundaries is winning battle of Sadar hills people. Now, you have to face the administrative and police district boundaries reorganisation committee/ questions of Naga brothers and finally battle of assembly resolution and complete bifurcation drama. Anna Hazari won the half battle on Jana Lok Pal bill movement because team Anna’s concept and philosophy is very clear. Research work, promotion, strategy, communication, management, mobilization, determination, team combination and team work, financial support etc etc, are outstanding. I was looking every step of team ANNA movement. I am not a member of team ANNA but I like team ANNA. Today, Anna gives you a hope— Lok Ayukta in state (similar to Lok Pal Bill at centre) to be implemented in every state of India beside citizen charter- to support public grievances while dealing with government offices. People will get information about the daily records of officials working and complain thereof. The idea of citizen charter was first propounded to me by late Sahib Singh Verma, former Chief Minister of Delhi and Union Minister of labour in NDA government. I met him personally many times in many occasions. He was trying his best to implement citizen charter in Delhi. But, after he was dead (road accident) his son was not given BJP ticket for election—million dollar questions remained unanswered to me.

It is true, District creation/ up gradation is a process; there is no short cut and magic formula to create a district. If somebody advice you a short cut formula, please don’t accept it. Believe it or open your rules book, short cut formula will never last and eventually will derail all the process of district creation. Beside, one should not try to hurt others to please somebody; resolution shall be consensus. It requires a lot of dialogue, discussion, debate and advocacy to find out a consensus. Justice will be done finally and it is only matter of time-be patient; you have waited for over 40 years but why can’t some months? It requires official feasible reports which to be table on the floor of state assembly and finally budget is required for establishment, Chief Minister of Manipur said rightly to you. Officially, CM is not in position to declare Sadar hills as a district but congress party and any other political party can give assurance to the people as they did for Nagas. But nobody follow up further explanation of Chief Minister’s speech. These are the weakness of team SPF. Commonly, CM office must be surrounded by experts, scholars and well wishers. Here in Manipur, CM/ all ministers’ office are surrounded by percentage chamchagiri. I don’t know who the media advisor of CM is and who are handling situation in case of crisis?

Silence becomes a problem; it can’t be a solution. Wonderfully, powerful government have crunch of experts; nobody comes forward to help SPF team in critical situation of Manipur except UCM and some small organisations. Personally I have neither enemy nor friend of SPF. I agree with you; you have taught a good lession to SPF; government has damage severely- that’s enough. However, damaging government and public properties are not solution; anyway, we have protest enough- centre has given attention about Sadar hills.

If you are local politician want to play some small tricks— I warn you, stop punching to shadow. SPF government is dummy government of Dr. Manmohan Singh. That is why whenever you do verbal attack to O. Ibobi in Manipur, somebody will attack to Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. O. Ibobi Singh is the only CM does not face my tough questions in my time-empathy to him because I know how he had suffered during NDA period. Gaikhangam, Phungjathan were his closest team mate seeks advice from Dr. Manmohan when he was remained as MP (Rajya Sabha) for financial help from centre. By the way, his intimacy and attachment with Dr. Manmohan has developed. One of my Tamil friends called me one day- your state CM came to my boss residence for a cup of tea, he is very, very simple I never expected. Tamil Nadu CM will come to Delhi like Maharaja (national news) -50/60 Tamil Nadu securities will arrive as advance team before s/he arrives to Delhi. But today, O. Ibobi has changed. I talk to my clients that you will be faster taking appointment of PM than Manipur CM. One goodness of O. Ibobi is that he loves his loyalist very much. You can’t defeat him in the area he knows. One weakness is that he will not act immediately in the area he does not know; also, he has no time to learn new things. His strength is Dr. Manmohan Singh, among largest congress party fund raiser (Sanjoy Hajarika remark at Sunday Guardian) and his long service in congress working committee. His greatest threats are his MPs—most of the state MPs and ex-MPs are CM aspirants. His opportunity is new band of young candidates in the coming election.

May I advice the Sadar hills/ Jiribam district demand committee to look into administrative and police district boundaries reorganisation committee profile, methodology and objective carefully. So that past mistake in the time of Rishang keishing, W. Nipamach may not be repeated again (I don’t know what are the methodology they had used and if any political will they had to create district). Also, I don’t know exactly how many officials / state researchers have involved /well experience in action research study, therefore, methodology and time table of administrative and police district boundary reorganisation committee must be open to public so that we can see if any loop holes are found in the methodology. Committee must be strong, independent and well trained personals only. Action research and ordinary research for academic degree are very different in methodology and time frame work.

Administrative and police district boundaries reorganisation committee shall not work like an enquiry committee; if so, committee shall be better to chaired by retired judges—I wonder public hearing at the first instance; are you listening? Your Bare Babu is calling you at state secretariat office for your opinion on fact finding about district boundary bifurcation. Bare Babu must go to the field- meet the real villagers and listen their opinions first for primary data collection. Action shall be taken on the spot if the case was minor.

The basic approach likely to be adopted for this study would be a 360 degree analysis, advocacy, group discussion, action taken on spot, action to be taken, to be disposed of; and starting with assessment of the status of the present, past and new district boundary etc. So, the basic approach will be combination of the qualitative and quantitative research and giving due diligence to the various aspect of district up gradation. This would mean studying the forward and backward linkages between the stakeholders and the efficiency of the process adopted. Hence, it is proposed to collect relevant information/ data/ views both of secondary and primary from various stakeholders, to accomplish this district boundary reorganisation committee report successfully.

Integrated approach to the study requires—literature review, secondary data collection, primary data collection, tabulation and compilation, amalgamation/ superimposition, analysis and draft report preparation, conclusions, recommendations/ strategy and finalization of the report. It will requires minimum 7-8 months but say one year in case of Manipur (please do not accept 3 months time duration proposed by state government—committee reports will finally put into refrigerator because it is impossible to prepare a feasible report within 3 months except desk works and there are many complicated issues to be discuss, debate and finalise and it requires consensus both from different stakeholders and finally, election notification will faster and reports will keep with held—I can bet because I was doing action research work)

Therefore, I suggest you again and again, don’t believe in short cut, you will face trouble—there is no short cut and magic formula for district creation and up gradation at the present situation. Your agitation will required more energy to store, exposure, mental balance of your supporters, relationship preferably more levis style of protest may be expensive but necessary to bear and contribution from stake holders to success your mission and your game plan of highway blockade batter to change— you will need support from other people. Please accept to my humble suggestion—forget for Manipur and India’s experts; even Mr Obama team will speak the same or less! Victory will be yours!

I disagree with Rishang keishing opinion in case of Jiribam (realising inconvenience of district administration)—existing boundary and population of Jiribam is enough for district up gradation in case Tamenglong people objected to integrate some part of hill. The best practises to insure the people Jiribam/ Sadar hills district is to create as a model district–neither hills nor plain district (look for future). Hopefully, Tamenglong people must be part of it. Of course, Districts of Nagaland are proportionate in size and population and convenience for district administration. I know the benefit of district creation and you are the real beneficiaries but it requires—consensus, dialogue, discussion and reconciliation.

Mahe is the smallest district in India. It has an area of 9 sq. km. Mahe is geographically located in the state of Kerala, where as administratively it comes under the control of Union Territory of Pondicherry.

Mahe has the official name of Mayyazhi in the local Malayalam language. Mahe has a population of about 36,000 according to the 2001 census. The population density of the town is 4091 per sq. km. Males constitute 47% of the population and females 53%. Mahe has an average literacy rate of 85%. Mahe has two members in the Pondicherry Legislative Assembly, representing Mahe and Palloor.

Nobody blew “Brahmastra” to weaken your government; government itself weaken by differences in opinion among cabinet colleagues and congress party divided within— wait for party ticket offering drama for coming assembly election, you will see the real picture. By the blessing of Lord Brahma, I was able to know what is Brahmastra mantra ( elite weapon/missile of mass destruction of Lord Brahma in Hindu Sastra) but, this powerful weapon should never be remember, mention, conscious and not for use in war. This is the weapon for worshiping and decoration to show one’s might. The fact is, SPF government is infiltrated in Chakravyuh (warfare of guru Dronacharya) but don’t know where to exit. Unless government is trying honestly for a solution, government will remains at low level equilibrium. Still government does not know the big hole/gaps within, therefore, problems will come one after another and unfortunately, defence line is very weak.

Addiction have forgotten them how to speak ‘Hare Krishna’ or “Lord Jesus Christ” or “thank you” at their tongues. Say My Lord! Please forgive me, please save me; please bless me; God may kindly give you a small passage early to exit from the chakravyuh.

Interestingly, State has no opposition party at all-political situation is very confusing. MPP- MLA are seen in Congress party office; another MPP- MLA speak in favour of ruling congress; NCP role is unknown —whether they are opposition or ruling party but the leader of opposition is NCP. When state face a critical situation all MLAs will remain silent –turn into mouse in many occasions. People have divided into three—my people (ruling congress workers) your people (opposition parties workers) and majority others (civil society groups like team ANNA). Surprisingly, government has forgotten the role of parenting people, instead, challenge to civil society, and finally, civil societies beat government.

Election commission has to amend certain rules for effective functioning of MLAs/MPs. Presently simple majority of vote make them declared elected and enjoy the privilege of being elected representatives. How many votes they get— may be 8000, 10,000 or 15,000 or 20,000 out of 40-50,000 voters. We are irritated to elected representatives’ bossism and their public relationship style. Our MLAs/MPs must get minimum 51% of the total voters to prove themselves majority voters representatives—defaulters must try to get trust vote within a year to get majority votes (51%) of their respective constituencies. Those unable to get majority vote shall not be eligible to withdraw Local Area Development Fund and other allowances of being MLAs/MPs. We hope Anna team will consider this proposal in their electoral reforms programme-“Rights to No Vote”. ( if the numbers of” no vote” listed in ballot paper become highest- election shall be re-poll)

Finally, There is no justice higher than equanimity; there is no friend like associate of holiness; no piety like compassion; no sin like violence; no pleasure like quietude; no pain like debt, no purifier like knowledge, no deity like god, no wicked like sinner. Each one of these is great in the respective field. The ids whose grandfather always told them that one day they will become President of USA and gave them the confidence from their early childhood actually went to become John F. Kennedy. At the same time, kids of an abusive family with constant negative reinforcements went on to become Lee Oswald, the man who murdered John F. Kennedy. What I am trying to say is that we are the one who will decide if tomorrow’s world will be a happy world or a sad world. Future is what we made for them today!!

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/sadar-hills-demandwinning-mantras/

A NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

A NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES (24th – 25th November 2011) Organized by: Department of Mathematics Pachhunga University College, Mizoram University In collaboration with Mizoram Mathematics Society (MMS) Sponsored… Read more »

A NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
(24th – 25th November 2011)

Organized by:
Department of Mathematics
Pachhunga University College, Mizoram University
In collaboration with
Mizoram Mathematics Society (MMS)
Sponsored By
University Grant Commission (NERO)
VENUE: Conference Hall, Pachhunga University College

For more details,click NCMS_Nov_2011

REGISTRATION FEE

Registration Fee Up to 30th October, 2011
Delegates/Faculty Rs. 700
Student/Research Students Rs. 500
Spot Registration Rs. 1000
Accompanying Person Rs. 500

The registration fee covers the Conference kits, tea,
refreshment, and lunch during the conference days only.
Payment is to be made in DD/cheque in favour of The
Principal, Pachhunga University College, Aizawl payable
at State Bank of India, Mission Veng Branch, Aizawl,
Mizoram (Branch Code : 007058). Local delegates may
also pay the registration fee by cash along with
registration form.

IMPORTANT DATES

Last Date for the Abstract Submission : October 15, 2011

Acceptance of Abstract Information : October 20, 2011

Full Paper for Publication in JMS Or JPS : October 25, 2011

This event was sent to Kangalonline by Dr. Laishram Robindro , Department of Physics, Mizoram University.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/a-national-conference-on-mathematical-sciences/

Part 1: The human rights crisis in Manipur and the north-east: Victimization of women and children

By: Usha Thiyam Context Manipur In the land of NUPI Lal, Meira Peibis (Local women who safeguard the folks), Sharmila and Manorama, it is unbelievable that such horrific crimes as… Read more »

By: Usha Thiyam

Context Manipur

In the land of NUPI Lal, Meira Peibis (Local women who safeguard the folks), Sharmila and Manorama, it is unbelievable that such horrific crimes as mentioned below are committed.

I must confess killing an EMa Meira Peibi member, was a shock to everyone at that time. Then, came more shocking news of more women being killed, more Meira Peibis. Whatever be the reason “XYZ” the reason is not strong enough to take on human lives

Indeed it is a human rights disaster. Dead bodies being recovered in awkward positions, hands tied, legs tied, eyes blindfolded, nude, neck being twisted, body parts being twisted. It is not a thriller or crime series on TV but reality that drastically shot up in 2010 for women and children. The number of dead young men in the last decade “shot for XYZ” reason will never be justified. There is no knowledge of any database – perhaps 100s or 1000s. Perhaps, similar to a country ruled by a dictator or those countries with human rights crisis- similar to Sudan, Darfur ? Obvious reply –research please!. Number of widows in the state continued to rise. Not just widows but those infected with mental diseases too and continued to be exploited. Certainly not in chronological order, but the ghastly crimes that falls in just one state indicates there is the need for a international Alarm on human rights disaster in the state. International authorities should step in unless, more deaths and a civil war is carved out.
First, it was “one” disastrous news that an Ema (member of Meira Peibi) was shot and killed. I must confess killing an EMa Meira Peibi member, was a shock to everyone at that time. Then, came more shocking news of more women being killed, more Meira Peibis. Whatever be the reason “XYZ” the reason is not strong enough to take on human lives. Then, came the news about the series of so called attacks by Assam Rifles personal, and the tragedy of Manorama’s death. The event that there was a nude protest at the gate of the Assam Rifles/Kangla to protest against the prevailing molestation, torture and rape of womenfolk and Manorama’s death became a news shared widely.
Then, came the disastrous news of several “northeast” women being molested and raped in Delhi and the racial discrimination they face there (June-November 2010 news including those @timesofinidaonline.com). I saw quite some comments and reactions by everyone because many family members, relatives commute and work in Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai. So I started to send e-mails, to create a strong organization and put a stop to such crimes.
Then, came the news of women and children being trafficked and molested primarily by foreign aid seeking organizations in Chennai, south India as well as in several organizations. The usual story of a well paid job being promised located abroad- Bankok, China or in the nearby countries was mentioned in the news articles. Amazing to read that child soldiers were being recruited by various militants and the recruiters were being paid well for their jobs.
Then there are cases of vulgar pornographic Korean film clips being sent out to women and children by SMS mobile telephones. The internet without any censorship and more related films and materials, elevated such crimes and torture and violence against women continued.

Recent cases:

In one recent case, the daughter of one person was kidnapped, raped and mercilessly thrown out simply because the demands made to father were not met. Today you have heard this news of a Class-XI girl being raped and killed by strangulation. Post-partum reports are yet to be revealed as to whether the accused is the boyfriend or other men are involved. Even thou, news report suggest the accused is caught by the police, the reality still remains.
Are the police to be trusted or appropriately doing their duties- No comment? In one article news report indicated a women committed suicide because of harassment and teasing by a group of police commandoes. So how far can we trust the police?
In January 2010, a double rape and murder shook Imphal. The killing of Chanbi and her teenage daughter Menaka at Phayeng (Manipur) who were called out from their home in the evening by two men on the pretext of discussing something. Till date, even thou it might not have been too difficult of a task, who called them out that evening is not solved. While several organizations strongly condemned state government’s inaction in delivering justice to this double rape and murder case, no one has been booked for the double murder. She was a widow and left behind 3 small children.
On december 13, 2010 the nude dead body of an unidentified woman believed to be in her forties was found amongst ricestraw at a paddy field near Yaiphakol village, about 2 kms from Khuga dam. Entirely nude mercilessly killed, and blood seeping from her nose and mouth. Sources in the police said, they suspect she was done to death a night before.
The news media stated that there were no visible foot-prints available in the area surrounding the body, nor was there any trace of her clothing or any other substantial evidences. Again, the question here is what the forensics is doing here in this case, around the paddy field or near the dead body – in what way the autopsy helped here?. This was the second instance in three weeks wherein the dead body of a woman entirely in nude was discovered in the district. The lifeless body of a fifty-year old woman cashier with the DRDA was discovered nude stacked behind wooden pieces beneath her own residence on Nov 25. Authorities, according to news sources, detained her husband allegedly on suspicion over the murder.
Not only this, several murders took place, a mentally handicapped woman was found raped in her shop in the night.

Apex civil society organizations for women extended their support in many ways, agitation, Joint action Committees (JACs). But the outcome and agitation launched in connection with the incidents above did not change the trend and it continues to rise. Perhaps it is aging of armed persons- who knows that they cannot be caught striking again and again. Time to Wake up Manipur-! For the number of women murdered, there should be few days of demonstration and a statewide stir and shake up massive protest rally.

Few days back, news came out that millitants groups would buy properties in Guwahati and many other places in India in the name of their wives. The question is is the wife’s name being exploited, taken for granted or is this mere exploitation.

Questions:

The role of media in showing the dead bodies, delivering the news and the psychological impact it might have is largely ignored.
For state-of-art facilities of post partum, perhaps, time is to ask what kind of facility do we have ?
How many JACs are formed until date for how many unlawful deaths?
Internet/film censorship – where are we with this?
By no drastic steps steps being taken to book the killers of such ghastly crimes of rape/murders the number of killers is on the rise.

Role of government and police authority and why they will not resign- still a question at large ?

I would like to tribute this article to late Prof. Naorem Sanajoaba, noted human rights activist and intellect who was my aunts’ husband.

References: kanglaonline, e-pao, sangai express, timesofindia, telegraphindia – Online Articles

Usha Thiyam is a Social Activist Based in Germany

What the heck do we know of AFSPA?

By: A Bimol Akoijam To all those who seem to have a problem when I talk of “Tragedy of de-linking the political premise of AFSPA” Read the following excerpts: (1)… Read more »

By: A Bimol Akoijam

To all those who seem to have a problem when I talk of “Tragedy of de-linking the political premise of AFSPA”

Read the following excerpts:

(1)

Calling Naxalism a bigger challenge then terrorism and insurgency, Union home minister P Chidabaram on Tuesday said…”The most violent movement in India is not terrorism or insurgency but Left-wing extremism”…[t]he burden of the governance cannot be shifted from the state governments to the central government….in the ultimate analysis, the responsibility of governance in the Left-wing extremism affected districts must rest with the states”

— Naxalism is a bigger challenge than terrorism – Chidambaram, Time of India, page no 11, dated 14 September, 2011)

(2)

Irom Sharmila presents a more complex choice before the average citizen. For Manipuris, she is a homegrown heroine…[b]ut for those outside Manipur, she is just as likely to be seen as someone who is questioning the majesty of the Indian state… there are enough number of others who will see…Irom Sharmila’s fast …as a challenge to the Indian state much in the manner that any popular movement in Jammu and Kashmir is seen as a threat to national sovereignty”… [t]he imposition of a draconian law like AFSPA, be it in Manipur or Jammu and Kashmir, reveals a crisis of governance. Indeed, both Manipur and Kashmir have suffered because of corrupt politics as much as they have from violence.

— Rajdeep Sardesai, Irom’s cause is riskier to support. Anna is safe, IBNlive blogs

(3)

ASK YOURSELF:

(i) Do these observations have anything to do with the AFSPA?

(ii) Where do the familiar arguments like “AFSPA gives powers to the NCO” and the “Right to life has been jeopardized” etc stand vis-à-vis these observations?

(4)

DO THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS MAKE SENSE?

(A) The Act addresses a reality in our real world, that is, armed insurgency which purportedly threatens the “national security” (ie undermining the territorial integrity and constitutional order of the Indian State). In Manipuri, that phenomenon is called “khutlai paiba lalhouba” (or “armed rebellion”; here it must be noted that “insurgency” is a synonym for “rebellion”).

And yet, the Supreme Court Judgment has categorically insisted that the “disturbed condition” wherein the Act has been enforced is not due to “armed rebellion”. It even says that the said “condition” does not constitute a threat to the “security of the nation”! If the Act is not about the “disturbed condition” related to “khutlai paiba lalhouba” (or “armed rebellion”) or it doesn’t threaten the national security, what is it?

Having failed to address or remained ignorant of such basic questions, many have failed to understand the Act itself. For instance, the violence which is being exercised by the State through AFSPA is fundamentally based on or derived from the violence to “institute order” rather than “violence to preserve order”. The AFSPA is a violence to institute “Indian-ness” or the legitimacy of “Indian State” in specific areas and their inhabitants wherein the “Indian-ness” are problematic. That is why the Act has not been imposed in all those areas that have “armed insurgency”. It is imposed only in those places wherein “Indian-ness” has become problematic for the Indian State (Northeast, Kashmir, and briefly Punjab), not in those areas wherein “Indian-ness” has not been seen as a problem as such, albeit affected by armed insurgency (ie leftist insurgency in “mainland” India).

— AFSPA as “Another 9/11” —Reality beyond rhetoric and dubious knowledge of ground reality, The Sangai Express, dated 14 September, 2011

(B) Interestingly, all this while the protestors are busy while barking at the “bare act” of AFSPA with their increasingly redundant legal arguments, the Government of India does not and will not de-link what it thinks the Act is addressing while thinking about AFSPA.

— AFSPA: Tragedy of Delinking Its Political Premise, Imphal Free Press, dated 11 September, 2001

(5)

Take note

(a) The use of expressions by Union Home Minister, which need your attention/your own reasons, to clarify the meaning and politics of the categories/terms (“insurgency”, “terrorism”, “extremism”), his comment on “governance” vis-à-vis Central and State Governments (ostensibly as an instrument of “law and order, which is a State subject under the Constitution) and the fact that AFSPA can be imposed by the Central Government after the amendment to the Act in 1972. (Anyone who had watched the programme on CNN-IBN recently…remember the remark of a retired General of the Indian Army that placed the responsibility entirely on the State Government)

(b) Ask youself, why is that the protest against an Act which subverts the premise of the claim of being a “Democratic Republic” is seen as “anti-national” while those who support the subversion become “nationalists” (with reference to Rajdeep Sardesai’s write-up which speaks of a truth nonetheless).

(C) Confession: To my fellow citizens, particularly Northeasterners and more specifically Manipuris; Have written and argued a lot on this issue over the years, and frankly I am getting tired now; if you still have problem on the idea of the “political premise” of the Act, please do check out, amongst others,

(i) Another 9/11. Another Act of Terror: The Embedded Disorder of AFSPA, in Bare Acts (CSDS-Sarai, 2005)

(ii) AFSPA: Smoke Screen of a Political Act, Imphal Free Press, dated 22 May, 2011

(6)

Price of Political Disconnect

Fiasco of 2007 Assembly Election wherein AFSPA couldn’t become a political issue in Manipur and a possibility that history may repeat itself once again in 2012!

(A) A racially grounded nationalist ethos continues to perpetuate an inhumane and politically dangerous politics, of which AFSPA becomes a naked display of lies and dishonesty and an instrument that seeks to legitimize the unleashing of an illegitimate violence by the state agencies.

(B) A discriminatory politics that subverts and deprives a civilized life (based on the principle of democratic ethos and dignity of the people) continues for decades with an ominous additional promise of life without dignity and well-being for many more years to come.

(C) the delinking of the political premise of the AFSPA has allowed the subversion of a civilised democratic life while simultaneously strengthening the denial and distortions of the nature of the historically rooted (and contemporary) socio-political issues that affect our collective life for decades. Consequently, our capacity to address and deal with our troubled situation in an informed, honest, purposeful and realistic manner has also been seriously jeopardised.

— AFSPA as “Another 9/11” —Reality beyond rhetoric and dubious knowledge of ground reality, The Sangai Express, dated 14 September, 2011

(D) Fiasco of 2007 Assembly Election wherein AFSPA couldn’t become a political issue in Manipur and a possibility that history may repeat itself once again in 2012!

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/what-the-heck-do-we-know-of-afspa/

Decades of Sadar Hills Demand

By Thongkholal Haokip
Since the early 1970s, Manipur has been witnessing occasional strikes and bandhs demanding upgradation of the Sadar Hills area of Senapati district into a full-fledged revenue district. Despite being fully aware of the necessity of its upgradation based on administrative convenience, successive Manipur governments have been repeatedly ignoring the wishes of the people. It is high time that the state government, instead of overlooking the issue, deals promptly with ingenuity and positive outcome.

SADAR is an abbreviation of Selected Area Development Administrative Region as found in the land records of Manipur. Likewise there are a number of SADARs in many states of India particularly Uttar Pradesh which were established by the British during their colonial rule in India. Thus, Sadar Hills is the hills overlooking and encircling the Imphal valley. Sadar Hills was conceived way back in 1933 by JC Higgins, the then British Political Agent in Manipur.

History of Sadar Hills
Before the Kuki Uprising of 1917-1919, there was no administration of the hill areas of Manipur. After the Uprising the British rulers felt the necessity of administrative control and thereby divided the hills into South-East and North-East subdivisions with its headquarters at Tamenglong and Ukhrul respectively. In 1933, the British created Sadar subdivision with its headquarters at Kangpokpi for administrative convenience.

With the signing of the “Merger Agreement” with India on September 21, 1949 by the Maharajah of Manipur Bodhachandra Singh, the state becomes “Part-C State” of the Indian Union. In 1969 Manipur was divided into five districts: Central (Imphal), North (Karong), South (Churachandpur), East (Ukhrul) and West (Tamenglong). The reorganisation of districts placed Sadar Hills as a sub-division of the North District (Karong). To fulfill the aspirations of the hill people the Government of India enacted the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971. Section 3 of the Act divides the hill areas into six Autonomous District Councils or Hills Districts including Sadar Hills. Chandel, Tengnoupal and Chakpikarong continued to remain as hill sub-divisions under Central District. In the following years the four Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Churachandpur, were upgraded to a full revenue district. In 1974 three Subdivisions, Chakpikarong, Chandel, and Tengnoupal Hills, were merged and put under a separate Hill revenue district with its headquarters at Tengnoupal, which was later shifted to Chandel.

The Manipur North District came into existence on November 14, 1969 with its headquarters at Karong. Later the district headquarters was shifted to Senapati on December 13, 1976. In July 15, 1983, the district came to be known as Senapati District. Sadar Hills continues to be under the North District of Manipur awaiting to be declared as a full fledged revenue district even though it has a fully functional ADC since 1971.

Sadar Hills Movement and Manipur Governments
The demand for the creation of Sadar Hills district first came from the Kuki Chiefs’ Zonal Council in its meeting held on September 3, 1970. The leaders of Kuki Chiefs’ Zonal Council met the then Home Minister KC Pant in July 1971, and placed their demand for a separate district comprising of Sadar Hills. The delegates of the Kuki Chiefs’ Zonal Council again held a meeting with Security Commissioner on October 6, 1971 at Kholjang village. The Nayal Commission in 1974, not only recommended for the creation of Sadar Hills district, but also suggested for the inclusion of some adjoining areas of Senapati and Ukhrul for administrative convenience and development. However, all these demands, talks and recommendations failed to produce any result.

Under the auspicious of the Kuki National Assembly the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) was formed in 1974 to demand a full-fledge revenue district status for the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, consisting of Saikul, Kangpokpi and Saitu subdivisions. Ever since Manipur attained full fledged statehood in 1972 several state ministries made attempts to declare Sadar Hills as a full fledged revenue district. The first attempt was made by the Rishang Keishing’s Congress government in 1982. The ministry put up an ordinance to the Governor to declare Sadar Hills as district and the same was dully signed by the Governor but the ordinance was withdrawn due to opposition from the then Manipur Naga Council.

The 1990s was trying times in the politics of Manipur, marked by instability of state government ministries, the Kuki-Naga ethnic conflict and attempts by various coalition governments to inaugurate Sadar Hills as a revenue district. RK Ranbir Singh’s United Front ministry endeavoured to upgrade Sadar Hills to a district status in 1990-91. But the political instability and downfall of the United Front Ministry at the centre prematurely ended the life of the state government, and so were their efforts. The succeeding Congress ministry of RK Dorendro Singh also put efforts during their regime without success.

After heading the Manipur State Congress Party government in December 1997, W Nipamacha Singh’s ministry gathered courage and even fixed a date in October 1997 to inaugurate Sadar Hills as a revenue district at Sapormeina. Adequate buildings were constructed and all functional departments were upgraded but the final decision was not made. In 1998 a new Assembly Constituency, Saitu, was created since all hill districts were having a minimum of three Assembly Constituencies each. To prepare Sadar Hills more for a full revenue district mini-Secretariat, Sports Complex, etc were constructed. The ADC now has all the paraphernalia of a district on ground and all offices functioning with an added prefix such as the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Additional Superintendent of Police, etc.

In the course of its untiring demand for Sadar Hills district several demonstrations, strikes and bandhs were called. Such peaceful movements were sometimes filled with gory incited by the state machinery apart from many untold miseries. In the past, two youths lost their lives. In 1981, Seikeng Haokip, who was part of a long silent procession from Sapormeina to Kangpokpi demanding Sadar Hill district, was shot dead by Manipur police in an attempt to disperse the crowd. In 2008, a grade VIII student, Lalminlien Sitlhou, was run down by a vehicle of security forces in Keithelmanbi while he was obstructing the highway in support of the demand for Sadar Hill district.

Contest for Land
Since the inception of Sadar Hills demand the Nagas oppose it based on their claims of being the first settlers or indigenous people and the Kukis as late settlers. This opposition is demonstrated by the unpublished Memorandum of Understanding between the United Naga Council (UNC) and Manipur Government to end the month long economic blockade of the UNC. It reads: “No Sadar Hills District will be created as a full-fledged Revenue District in the absence of the UNC representatives.”

Most ethnic communities in Northeast India migrated to their present settlements at some historical periods, mostly after the first century AD. The Nagas claimed Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul as their ancestral land based on folktales, oral traditions and British colonial gazetteers, reports and surveys. Such myths and colonial records need to be examined scientifically for practical purposes. Neither the Nagas nor Kukis have written historical records as they don’t have script of their own. In the absence of written history the claims based on such myths are more of a speculation. Colonial records are often used to substantiate their claims. In this regard, the British records often have prejudice and biased against the Kukis since the Kukis opposed colonialism as a rebellion from 1917-1919 and also in both the World Wars. In contrary to such claims, Majumdar and Bhattasali (History of India, 1930) refer to the Kukis as the earliest people known to have lived in prehistoric India, preceding the “Dravidians”. Even Cheitharol Kumpapa, the court chronicle of the kings of Manipur, and the Pooyas, the traditional records of the Meitei people, has some accounts of Kuki people and a king which dates back to 33 AD.

Thus, myths coupled with prejudiced colonial records, and even threats, were often used to oppose the Sadar Hills movement and its move to upgrade it to a revenue district.

Present Agitation
The election of new SHDDC leaders in June 2011 marked the revival for the demand of Sadar Hills district. The Sadar Hills District Demand Committee has been renamed as Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee to signify the readiness on the ground in terms of infrastructure and various processes needed, as the state government spelt out such requirement before and promised for the upgradation as and when done.

The committee requested the state government to declare Sadar Hills as full fledged district before July 31, failing which seven days economic blockade on the two national highways, NH-2 and NH-37, will be called and an indefinite economic blockade thereafter if there is no response from the government. On July 26, 2011, representatives of various Kuki civil bodies, Members of District Council and SHDDC staged a sit-in-protest demonstration at the office complex of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi, against the 40 years denial of full fledged districthood to Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council. A memorandum addressing the Chief Minister of Manipur was submitted to the ADC Kangpokpi, by the leaders of the various bodies gathered there.

The non-response from the government forced the SHDDC leaders to impose economic blockade to the two lifeline of Manipur on August 1. On the second day the state government bullied the protest by imposing CrPC 144 in Sadar Hills area. Bandh supporters pelt stones at a truck defying the bandh and the driver lost control and run down on three girls who were beside the road. Due to the death of the innocents the SHDDC leaders declare indefinite bandh on the evening of the second day. On the third day, procession was held at Kangpokpi carrying the dead bodies of the previous day’s accident victims demanding for the upgradation. Six drivers were hurt seriously and as many as six vehicles were torched by the bandh supporters. As the bandh continues various Naga tribes and civil bodies started playing the communal card. The UNC, the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur, Senapati District Students’ Association stated that they will not accept bifurcation of “Naga areas” without the wishes and consent of the Naga people. After two weeks of the imbroglio the Manipur Cabinet decided to deploy foolproof security along the two National Highways to ensure normal traffic from August 16. Meanwhile, the SHDDC representatives left for New Delhi to present their case to the Prime Minister.

The gory and destruction of property will continue unless the state government put aside its adamant attitude. And if the indefinite bandh continues, a time is near when there will be acute shortage of essential commodities in the whole state.

The Churning
The historical marginalisation of the Kukis, and the people of Sadar Hills in particular, is mainly attributed to the measures adopted by the British colonialist followed by the successive Manipur and Central governments. During the British colonial period administrative posts were set up at Tamenglong and Ukhrul to displace the original Kuki bases of Laijang and Chassad. Whereas the District Councils dominated by the Nagas were upgraded to a full-fledged revenue districts in no time when Manipur attained statehood in 1972, the Kuki dominated District Councils, Sadar Hills and Tengnoupal, were left out although the later was upgraded in 1974. While the creation of districts such as Ukhrul and Tamenglong was not opposed by the Kukis living in those districts as it was based on administrative convenience. Putting the demand of Sadar Hills based on communal lines has eroded the whole fabric of collective Manipur life, incontestably.

The delay in granting districthood to Sadar Hills have denied the people the opportunities for all round development. In the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister of Manipur on July 26, 2011, the SHDDC leaders estimated that an amount of Rupees 38,000 crores have been lost during the period of about 40 years due to delay in upgrading Sadar Hills to a revenue district. They lamented that such big amount of money could have been spent on socio-economic developments.

The general secretary of SHDDC, Tonghen Kipgen, stated that “we have lost our faith in the government due to their blatant lie of making promises after promises to grant Sadar Hills as a full fledged district”. To the supporters of Sadar Hills movement, it seems like the Manipur government is just paying lip service and continues to delude the people of Sadar Hills with false promises and the resulting false hopes.

Concluding Remarks
The demand to upgrade Sadar Hills to a full fledged district status is one of the longstanding district demands in the whole of India, which continues to linger in the politics of Manipur for the past four decades. It is ironic to see when the other five ADCs, which had been created together with Sadar Hills in 1971 were all granted full-fledged district status decades back, while the legitimate right of the people of Sadar Hills has been continually denied. When successive governments failed in their attempts to grant full fledged district status to Sadar Hills, more districts have been created in the valley in due course of time.

Even though the demand to upgrade Sadar Hills to a district predates the idea of bifurcating Imphal district, it was taken up together and was promised to be done together. While Imphal was bifurcated on June 18, 1997 into East and West districts, Sadar Hills was left in the dark. Now when the agitation in Sadar Hills arises again, the Chief Minister stated that Sadar Hills will be discussed together with the plan to create Jiribam district and the newly emerging demands to bifurcate Ukhrul and Churachandpur into two districts each. This shows great insensitive to the feelings of the people of Sadar Hills and breeds more of a sense of anger and frustration.

The delay in granting full-fledged revenue district has not only lost precious lives and unnecessary economic hardship during the agitations. The anger and frustration of the people of Sadar Hills can cause much damage, widening the gaps between the already fragile ethnic relations, and thereby even inciting communal feeling between ethnic groups.

However, granting full fledged revenue district status to Sadar Hills will undoubtedly improve not only the trust deficit that has been existing and dividing the Hill and Valley people, but also between the Kukis and Nagas in the hills of Manipur. If their demand is not taken care, there can be scaling in their demand and agitation as mentioned by the committee leaders.

It needs to be realised that all districts in Manipur were created based on administrative convenience and developmental needs and not based on communal lines. Justice denied to the people of Sadar Hills needs to be addressed soon so that peace and goodwill exists between the ethnic communities in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/decades-of-sadar-hills-demand/

Editorial – To Refresh Journalism

This editorial is prompted by reprimands from readers and well wishers who pointed out the insensitivity shown by the IFP in publishing the vividly clear picture of a raped and… Read more »

This editorial is prompted by reprimands from readers and well wishers who pointed out the insensitivity shown by the IFP in publishing the vividly clear picture of a raped and murdered girl some days ago on its front page. We do apologise for the serious slip, and hope not to repeat the mistake again. Our excuse is the usual. In the late evening rush hours of newspaper production, sometimes it is difficult to keep out the printer’s devil from playing havoc. Everybody who has had a formal academic course in journalism would have been told of this in their classes and also shown glaring bloomers even in very reputed newspapers in the past. But as we said this is only an excuse of a mistake we have made but not by any means an indicator we will continue to be lax in guarding against such insensitivities slipping past our news and image vetting procedures. This brings to the fore one other concern. As in academics, journalists too need to be put through occasional refresher courses in new developments in the professions as well as standards of general ethics which undoubtedly have a profound bearing on the discharge of their duty. After all, although in a different way, much of the terms of conduct of this profession too are cerebral in nature.

The Department of Information and Public Relations, DIPR, government of Manipur has a fortnight long certificate journalism training course each year with the objective of grooming young men and women on the threshold of choosing a career to develop an interest in the profession by getting them to have a glimpse of its inner dynamics. Senior journalists in the state are the resource persons for these annual events and the trainees are taught the classical definitions as well as practical problems of the profession. While this is a good effort, the point to be noted is, not many of those who undergo these courses ever join the profession. At the local level, the working conditions of the profession cannot match government jobs, so the brighter ones normally opt for the latter. Indeed many of them enlist in the DIPR courses for the certificate in the hope this would enhance their chances of getting into “any government job”, even a grade three or four one. The quality of education in the state being such, not many of them would also be able to match their competitors from many other states for journalistic jobs in the open market in better paying environs of other Indian metropolises.

This being the scenario, we would like to suggest that it would be much more profitable for the DIPR course to be converted to a refresher course for working journalists. The lectures then would not necessarily have be about news gathering or newspaper production, but can have a much larger parameter. As for instance, the course could orient itself towards issues like gender sensitivity, child rights, human rights, law, or for that matter grassroots welfare programmes of the State as well as Central governments, all of which the profession has to deal with, and all of which undoubtedly would have a strong bearing on the quality as well as efficacy of journalism in the state. The government could also tie up with the Manipur University, which already has a journalism department, and conduct such refresher courses periodically. Such an arrangement would be ideal, for the resource persons, not just in journalism but also in the other subjects of relevance to the profession would be readily available. Besides the government, we wonder if it would not be possible for some of the well-funded NGOs to hold lesser versions of the courses by way of workshops and media seminars. While there is a profusion of NGOs in the state working in the areas of HIV/AIDS, environment, gender issues, conflict resolution, we wonder what is keeping a sound media NGO from materialising here. Nobody will doubt how important the media in a situation such as Manipur’s, and in fact, the media’s relevance is also profound in the success of the campaigns by NGOs working in the above named fields. So these media refresher courses could become part of their overall programmes. How for instance could an average reporter know the nuanced issues involved in HIV/AIDS, environment or gender reporting? What is not understood is, few if any journalists in any newspaper in the state, and indeed in most media organisations anywhere, get to specialise in any particular field and thus they all tend to be generalists. The pitfall of this predicament is what the IFP is also having to apologise in this editorial.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/to-refresh-journalism/

Press Release: Manipur Cycle Club – Condolence Message for Sri Chongtham Samarendra

MANIPUR CYCLE CLUB JUPITER YAMBEM CENTER, PAONA INTERNATIONAL MARKET PAONA BAZAR, IMPHAL, MANIPUR – 795001 Email: mancycleclub@gmail.com webpage: www.mancycleclub.blogspot.com PRESS RELEASE Manipur Cycle Club today observed a two minutes silence… Read more »

MANIPUR CYCLE CLUB
JUPITER YAMBEM CENTER, PAONA INTERNATIONAL MARKET
PAONA BAZAR, IMPHAL, MANIPUR – 795001
Email: mancycleclub@gmail.com
webpage: www.mancycleclub.blogspot.com

PRESS RELEASE

Manipur Cycle Club today observed a two minutes silence on 13th September 2011 in its office, expressing our deepest regret on the sudden demise of Chongtham Samarendra of Keisamthong Top Leirak, in a tragic road accident. He was a cycle enthusiast and one of the Founder Members of the MCC. We are deeply indebted to your words of advice and the enthusiasm shown during the establishment of Manipur Cycle Club. His absence is deeply mourned by the members of Manipur Cycle Club. The Manipur Cycle Club also expresses concerns about the traffic regulations that exist in the city that leads to unnecessary loss of precious lives.

Sd/- Dated: 13th Sept. 2011
Niran Thongbam
(Secy, MCC)

Kuki Black Day: September 13

By Thenkhogin Haokip “By the rivers of our life, yea, we sat and we wept, when we remember 13th September.” Thousands of years ago, the Israelites’ had sat by the… Read more »

By Thenkhogin Haokip
“By the rivers of our life, yea, we sat and we wept, when we remember 13th September.”

Thousands of years ago, the Israelites’ had sat by the rivers of Babylon, weeping for their lost freedom, family members and country. They had been driven to a very strange situation by their enemies. Those were the time, when the beautiful ideas of liberty, fraternity, democracy and most of all, Human Rights were not yet born or at least materialized.

In the 21st Century CE, a similar song had to be sung mournfully every 13th September by a nation, very insignificant in the eyes of the biggest and largest democracy. These singers had to compose this deep sentimental composition not because of the Chaldeans or the Babylonians, but because of those who spearheaded the “Nagalim for Christ,” at the century decade of receiving Christ’s message of love. Would Christ’s love butchered-off the heads of innocent man, women and children without the slightest sense of pity? Will the pioneers in receiving Christ’s love spearhead the murder of 1000 innocent Christian lives? It is in fact, the devil in sheep’s clothing.

In the years 1990’s the NSCN (IM) had done which the devil himself would hesitate to do, without a moment of hesitation, torturing, butchering, raping and disfiguring to the extreme, thousands of helpless, defenseless people, burning-off villages, imprinting in the surviving hearts such impression which no amount of detergent could wash-off anymore. The people who proudly claimed to be the first to receive the Gospel in Manipur had carried out the devils gospel upon the unprepared helpless Kukis. A century of the Gospel of Christ had taught them to hate, kill and butcher mercilessly, which the writer as a Christian never did come across as a commandment from God to do likewise. Instead, the scripture says “Love your enemies as yourself.”

The then governments both the State as well as the Centre turns blind eye to these historical massacre. When the helpless people had to wipe-off their tears and stood-up to fight back, then the government armies intervened. The murderers were always backed by the government agents in killing the Kukis.

The Manipur Kacha-Naga’s are not real Christians as long as they shared the same cup with the devil-NSCN (I-M). Believed me, the naked Tangkhuls had been properly clothed by Christianity, but now their cloths are torn. They thought they would change their cloths after the commit such grievous sin. But they cannot change history. Uprooting, molesting, killing innocent people, is that what Christ stands for?

Why September 13?
During the NSCN (I-M) campaign for ethnic cleansing in the hills of Manipur, many innocent Kuki lives had been lost, starting from 1950’s, highly aggravated during 1992-93. Quit Notices were served to Kuki people living peacefully in their villages in all parts of Manipur. The Kukis vacated many of their villages. A Quite Notice was also served to the Kuki people in Zoupi Village, Tamenglong District of Manipur. A deadline was fixed for them before which they had to vacate their village. Thus, the Kuki people unwilling to resist the dictates of the devilish NSCN (I-M) vacated the village before the deadline and move away from the village as a caravan toward Taphou. However, the devils intercepted them on the way, stop them, separated all the man, tight their hands at the back, blindfolded them and started butchering-off their heads (not wanting to spent bullets on them) killing 88 helpless, defenseless man at the spot in broad day light in the sight of their women and children. Another incident on the same day, at Gelnel Village in Sadar Hills District, 13 helpless Kukis were brutally murdered, 4 persons at Santing Village and yet another 3 at Nungthut Village (Tamenglong District). All together the death toll of the day reached 108 on 13th September 1993.

The world turned dark with helplessness and pain for the Kukis with no one to help, even as the state government at the time was in the hands of a Naga Chief Minister Shri Rishang Keishing (May he live long) who was the strength and source of the devilish NSCN (I-M). The Government still supports and protects Th. Muivah and his NSCN (I-M) just like what the Americans had done decades ago to Osama bin Laden and his Al-Quada. The Kukis lost more than 900 lives in the hands of the NSCN (I-M). Thus, the Kukis decided to bemoan the death of all their kinsman, women and children on 13th September every year. A decade has passed; nothing is done to the criminals. They (NSCN-IM) neither admits their crime and make amends nor say sorry to their Christian Brothers (Kukis), for which this Black Day is observed still today.
Author is a Research Scholar, Assam University, Silchar.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/kuki-black-day-september-13/

Nagas Stance On Sadar Hills : A Christianity Perspectives

By Songthu Raymond Chongloi When Sadar Hills districthood issue begins to catch th e headlines of some regional dailies I felt the need of understanding some of my Naga colleagues… Read more »

By Songthu Raymond Chongloi
When Sadar Hills districthood issue begins to catch th e headlines of some regional dailies I felt the need of understanding some of my Naga colleagues mindsets on the deadlock. The reason : several Naga organisation came in chorus warning another communal flare up in the state; like the one witnessed some two decades ago.

So, without disclosing my identity in detail I approach a Naga student leader if I am new to the issue. Before going deeper on the topic we briefly chatted. In the meantime I came to know that he was an active member of the church during his stay in Imphal, and did not hide being consulted often on every subject of the Nagas there in Manipur.

Then we proceeded. He spoke a lot about the Nagas love for independence,the rich cultural and traditional heritage,the extend of territories ,the historical records. etc.etc. which I find more to do with the Angamis ,Semas ,Lothas and Konyaks. On being enquired anything worth mentioning about the Manipur Nagas contribution towards the movement,he begins with the breakup of the NSCN in the 1980s,and keep on glorifying every action taken up by Sir Th Muivah. He continued,and blame the the Indian government for the Nagas ethnic cleansing drive on the Kukis in 1993.He also fired several accusations against the intelligence agencies for fueling the war. At some point of the interaction he was almost willing to admit that the government agencies collude with the Naga outfits.

Taking advantage of his statement I went deeper referring to the involvement of intelligent agencies in 1993 clash; the license issuance of about 600 single barrel guns by the then Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul just before the outbreak of the clash,the accusation made against Chief Minister, Shri Rishang Keishing, as on the governor`s report that time,and some more. Interestingly as expected, he strongly disapproved .Instead he blamed the media for maligning the image of the Nagas. Then without a pause, he jumped over to the Sadar Hills issue which I too find more worthy to be discussed than the bygone years. As in the case of the war,he put a heavy load on the media. Also criticize the state government attitude against the Nagas. He continued,”there are nine districts in Manipur of which five are hill districts ,and the remaining four districs are dominated by the Meiteis. Out of the five hill districts one belongs to the Kukis and the other four belongs to the Nagas. This is not a propaganda but fact. If you need datas its with me,”he assures.

While he was totally lost on the topic I calmly opened my bag;took out a map of Manipur indicating the proposed map of Greater Nagaland, and showed to him with a wink on my eyes. With that he exclaimed:` that’s our long cherished dream…., “he took the map and have a surprise look on it.

And next –a map of Manipur indicating Senapati district and Sadar Hills in different shades. I showed at him. As expected his mood totally change all of a sudden. He was so disappointed, yet maintains his calm. “From where did you get that,” is his query on the map to me. He continued,”we believe in respecting others sentiment. So people ought to respect ours . In the event of declaration of Sadar Hills as a full fledge revenue district without Nagas consent …bloodshed is inevitable. All to be borne by the state government there. This is all we need to understand.,”he warned.

Now I put some of my queries and his replies:

Query:If Sadar Hills has been include d in the proposed map of Greater Nagaland, it could still be a Naga district even if it is declared a full fledged district?Am I right?

Reply:Not so. Sadar Hills , off course ,is dominated by the Kukis . I don’t think people favour merging it with the proposed Nagaland. The Kukis have been in the forefront opposing the Nagas movement now and then. For your knowledge Sadar Hills has been much apart of our ancestral land. This is a fact.

Query: Respecting other sentiment is one that Nagas believe. So if the Nagas continue this hell-bend attitude over the district hood status, would not it amount to disrespecting ones right ,especially the Kukis?

Reply: No. Respecting others right in no way mean giving away our land to somebody. We have the right to protect our land. We must not be divide by inimical forces.

Query: Then how far would you agree and prove that Sadar Hills is the land of the Nagas? Can you point me some fact or more importantly of its history on defence against foreign invaders-the British?

With this question,it seems,he was blown out of the cold. To my surprise he smiles at his cellphone that never rings; and inquired me to repeat the question complaining the language jargon. In doing so he pleaded,”such questions need an elaborate understanding on history. He keep on with little stumbling ,”those questions are to be asked to our leaders. Its out of my knowledge”. That was how we end the discussion,which perhaps,begins lively but ended without much to appreciate on the claims and stance of the Nagas. Well. As we go through the above interaction,I believe,one may be confused over a Naga leader attitude toward their Christian brethren. Surprisingly,if a leader who claims to be so God-fearing have a warlike attitude to someone then one can easily guess the perception the general Naga population ought to posses? The reason I penned this.

Now from the Christianity perspective. Some years back we have celebrated the joy of attaining a centenary-100th year of the arrival of Christianity in Manipur. It was expected that Christianity attains much maturity than before. However much against our expectation things seems to be murkier with the advancing years. The relationship one community maintains over the other is not going to wane easily. This is evident from the present crisis we face and the press statements issued against the other targeting the lesser privileged. To be little persuasive over the present demand I would like to set some record straight in the interest of all.

The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Act, 1971 has a provision for creation of six autonomous districts of which Sadar Hills autonomous council was one among them. Therefore, the question of bifurcating Senapati of carving parts of the district to form Sadar

Hills never arise. The provision was made for administrative convenience; the same case that Senapati have. Under such circumstances Nagas communal tone over the issue is something hard to digest. Reason in defense may vary,but one may be pointed out. The sanctioned district has a mix population. No particular community could claim suzerainty over it. Off course the Kuki groups maintains the majority status with Nepali,Naga and Meitei community filling the leftover composition. But there is nothing to be so much to be alarmed off. Implanting fear to the general public is never to be encouraged.

One assumption may be, Naga leader fear of similar repercussions of what they did to the minority Kukis in the areas where they hold majority two decades back! If so,the Kukis stance on Sadar hills issue till date is clear-there is no communal tone from Kuki civil organisation like Kuki Inpi , KSO etc, except KPF statement rebuking Naga civil society stance on the issue. Such is a clear indication that there is no hidden political agenda from the side of Kukis.

Instead it is the general populace who wholly back the move. To keep in mind, the trend of one community dominating a district is a normal trend we have in the present day administration,yet we don’t find any ill consequences a result of such demarcation. Instead a mixed population is believe to have provided a better social environment due to intermingling of different colours. This also have proved to broadens one`s mindset to a large extend.

Taking advantage of the presence of a fraction of Nagas land with a scattered population of about 10%, Sadar Hills has been included in what is called the homeland of the Nagas thereby forcefully ignoring the rightful claims of the Sadar Hillites. As understood,the idea of gaining control of Sadar Hills is not a recent origin. The first open attempt came in the form of ethnic cleansing drive against the Kukis who constitute the bulk of the area, in 1993. To the disappointment of Naga leaders things could not be materialized as planned. Thank God!

The second such attempt came: the present deadlock. Never mind,our human mindsets are such that we don’t feel being bad as long as things are in our favour; but act harshly on things which deviates slightly against our wish. This type of perception full of egos –me,myself-is never to be found in the principle of the Christian faith. Rather it tells us to love our neighbor as we love thyself.

Beloved Naga Christians must sense this. While we tries to grab somebody`s right to make up our dreamland-Nagalim, we don’t want an inch of Nagas land to be included in an already sanctioned district which neither means separation or secession. These are the ills that infest Naga nation. It is a society where give and take,compromise and accommodation have no meaning.

We professed to live a life on the principle of a Christian faith which encompasses brotherhood of all mankind. Often,the verbatim like forgiveness,confession,do good,accommodation,peace loving and mutual understanding became the refrain in the church which is never put into practice. While our lip service are sweet with the word of God,our hearts are filled with nothing but greed;our motives are self drive,our mindsets are preoccupied with war, bloodshed and hatred.

So ,until we develop a sense of sympathy for others we have no reason to tell the world –we are proud to be a children of the Lord. Rising up his name without upholding the principles of the Christian faith will only tantamount to insult on the Savior. The sweet motto like `Nagalim for Christ” has been used far and wide these days ,however, the banner has been used only to invite hatred upon the Naga society,and more importantly the church image.

Let peace prevail !!
Writer can be contacted at raymond.chongloi@gmail.com

Boyfriend arrested in rape and murder case of Ukhrul girl, condemnation continues

IMPHAL, Sept 13: The prime suspect in the rape and murder of a teenage girl at Cheirao Ching has been arrested by Ukhrul police today. The accused is identified as… Read more »

Students of RK Sanatombi Devi Vidyalaya carrying out a silent protest rally in Imphal against rape and murder of Vasmi Khaleng on Tuesday.

IMPHAL, Sept 13: The prime suspect in the rape and murder of a teenage girl at Cheirao Ching has been arrested by Ukhrul police today.

The accused is identified as one Wungthem Mawon, 22, s/o Likeson of Tushen Chanhong Village in Ukhrul district. He is currently pursuing B.Com final year at DM College of Commerce and at present staying in a rented house at Lamphel.

Police sources informed that the accused has admitted committing the crime during preliminary interrogation.

The accused was produced before the CJM Imphal this evening and was given remand to police custody for 10 days.

The source further informed that Wungthem was arrested by Ukhrul police following a tip off from SDPO Lamphel who has been handling the case. He was arrested in the wee hours today at around 1:30 am from Lamlang gate which falls under the jurisdiction of Ukhrul police station. He was handed over to Lamphel police later today.

As per the interrogation, it has been revealed that the victim and the accused were having love affairs. On September 10, they arranged a date at Khongnang Anikarak, Chingmeirong at around 10:30 am and later went to Cheirao Ching.

Wungthem confessed that he killed Khaleng using his scarf on the same afternoon.

As per the confession of the accused, the murder was triggered following an argument between them. The accused left Imphal for Ukhrul the next day, the police said.

The accused also further confessed that no third person was involved in the crime and it has been informed that there was several scar marks on his body which police hinted could have been made by the deceased herself while trying to escape from strangulation.

A statement issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, L. Kailun, expressed appreciation of the help and support rendered by family members, NGOs, Ukhrul police, in making the effort to nab the culprit successfully.

On the other hand, strongly condemning the incident the staffs and students of the RK Sanatombi Devi Vidyala, today took out a silent protest rally this morning around 11 am from Khuman Lampak Dingku road till Dewlahland Tangkhul Baptist church where a public meeting was held.

During the rally the students displayed placards which reads “We need peace not violence”, “We need good human beings not criminals”, “Punish the culprit immediately” etc.

The meet at the church was attended by many social leaders, community leaders, students’ bodies including the chairperson of the Manipur state commission for women, I. Ibetombi. It was organized by the Tangkhul Katamnaolong Imphal.

Talking to media persons at the sideline of the rally, the principal of the school, H. Nobinchand, strongly condemned the incident terming the act as barbaric.

He call on the people to fight unitedly against such heinous crime against students and children to prevent similar incident in the future.

In the meantime, many NGOs continue to join the band wagon of condemnation of the rape and subsequent murder of 15 year old Vasmi Khaleng D/o Ngaithingkhui of Paorei village.

The North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF), in a statement terming the act as inhuman asserted that the forum take it seriously besides terming it as a threat to the survivability of womenfolk.

While citing the rapid increase of crime against women and children in the state during the last few years it draws the attention of the entire stake holders, civil societies, NGOs to response collectively to stop the escalating crime against inhumanity.

It appeals the state government to check and investigate such inhuman act against the weaker lot without any delay and book and punish the perpetrators.

The Women Action for Development (WAD), in a statement also sturdily condemned the rape and murder of Vasmi Khaleng.

It claimed that there are a total of 92 cases of violence against women reported to local newspapers which include rape, rape and murder, murder suicide, missing, molestation, etc. It recalled that the most recent incidents of crime against women and children are the rape of six year old minor girl of Achanbigei on September 3 night and murder of four year old minor girl of Tangkhul Khullen.

In view of the increasing crimes rate an alarming level it drew the attention of all NGOs to fight collectively and also appeal the state government to intervene to such heinous crime against women ensuring the protection of women and children.

It urged the entire 60 MLAs should not remain a mere spectator and rather use their political right and not to politicize the issue in view of the upcoming general election.

It further appeal the law enforcing department and judiciary bodies to look in to the matter seriously for delivering justice without any delay.

The Naga Peoples’ Union Imphal (NPUI), Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights while strongly condemning the killing of Vasmi Khaleng asked the government to award the culprit at the maximum applicable of legal punishment befittingly to life time.

It share the grief and pain of the bereave family at this painful time and prayed for the soul of the victim to rest in peace.