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URF condemns alleged rape

IMPHAL, March 27: Amidst the beginning of the new administration of the Congress government in… more »

IMPHAL, March 27: Amidst the beginning of the new administration of the Congress government in the state, police personnel protecting the law and order committed a ‘heinous crime’ by raping a housewife from Nungleiband village in Leimatak, who sells U-morok (chilli), on March 22 and that just shouting and keeping mum on the incident will not be the right step of the people, the militant outfit United Revolutionary front (URF) said in a release on Tuesday.

The hill people have the responsibility to make the Manipur police, who have proselytized and devoted to the Indian Army, a police force of the public, URF asserted that IRB Havildar, Chungkham Ibocha, IRB rifleman Kshetrimayum Kennedy, Laikhuram Rojit and Salam Bijen, who were involved in the heinous crime must be taken as the ‘enemy of the society.’

They (the four culprits) should be punished by ‘hanging until dead’ by parading in front of the general public and that their parents should also face the harsh treatments of the people, the outfit added.

Cautioning the people against their mandate in the last general elections in which the Congress obtained an overwhelming majority, URF sarcastically questioned the people of Manipur whether it was the fruit of their verdict and what will be the next hope.

The government should abstain from practicing such acts like staging fake encounters, torturing of innocent family members of militants in the state and assisting commitment of terror acts by UG imposters, and that it will be the right step of the government to maintain proper development, transparency, accountability and good governance, it added.

Stating that the URF is all prepared to engage in a political fight with the ruling state government, it challenged the government while suggesting the latter to jointly work out a political strategy.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/urf-condemns-alleged-rape/

Only 1.5 lakh electricity consumers out of 20 lakh population

IMPHAL, March 27: Out of a total population of 20 lakh (approx.) in the valley… more »

IMPHAL, March 27: Out of a total population of 20 lakh (approx.) in the valley districts of the state, there are only 1.5 lakh (approx.) of electricity consumers, while Mizoram with a total population of 9 lakh (approx.) has 1.7 lakh (approx.) consumers, stated addl chief engineer, electricity dept, L Priyokumar during a meeting of the State Advisory Committee for Manipur of the Joint electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur and Mizoram.

The meeting was held this morning at the State guest house, Sanjengthong.

The addl chief engineer also added that the fact shows that there are many unauthorized consumers in the state.

By August 2012 Pallantana power, Tripura will be commission, from which Manipur’s allotted share will be increased by 20 Megawatts, the addl CE added.

He also added that the state government has added an additional Rs 20 crore to the Rs 15 crore which is normally spent to buy electricity for the state consumption in a month.

Today’s meeting was attended by H. Bihari Singh, chairman, JERC (M&M) and other members including C Hmingthanzuala, IAS (rtd), Ng Chittranjan Singh, scientific officer, Director MANIREDA, Dr. Ch. Ibohal Meitei, associate professor, Manipur Institude of Mangement Studies, MU, Dr. L. Sadananda Singh, general secretary, Senior Citizens Society, Manipur, Elanagbam Dolendra Singh, Advisor, All Manipur Power Consumer’s Association, Irengbam Arun, resident editor, IFP, S Chaothi Singh, president, Manipur Industries Union, A. Chhawnmawia, IDES (retd.), Secretary, JERC (M&M), Richard Zothankima, Assistant Secretary, JERC (M&M) and Shyamsunder Singh, Chief Engineering, JERC (M&M).

The state official department was represented by L Priyokumar, addl CE (power II).

During the meeting, different aspects were discussed to improve the power supply in the state.

The meeting started with the confirmation of the minutes of the 7th SAC Meeting held on November, 2011. While discussing the second agenda “Present Power Supply position and Initiatives of the Department to tide over the situation” during its 2nd SAC meeting on October 30, 2009, the SAC emphasized the need for increasing the number of hours of power supply in the state to at least 8 hours in the day time in the interest of industrial and commercial consumers and six hours in the night in the interest of students, media, and security personnel.

Accordingly, both the government and department were informed to take requisite initiatives without further delay.

As it is seen today, the effort has apparently been yielding a negative impact on the situation rather than improving it. Therefore it has become clear that the matter has not been taken very seriously by the Licensee.

Other agendas including Transmission system Improvement and Improvement of Commercial Efficiency were also discussed.

Delhi police bar CPI (ML)`s AFSPA rally plan

IMPHAL, March 27: Delhi police today prevented the CPI (Marxist Leninist) from organizing a protest… more »

IMPHAL, March 27: Delhi police today prevented the CPI (Marxist Leninist) from organizing a protest rally on Parliament Street in the national capital. The protest rally was supposed to urge the government to repeal AFSPA from Manipur and Kashmir.

However, a public meeting was held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi which was attended by CPI (Marxist Leninist) members from across the country besides other organizations including Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi, Manbi Leima Democratic Women’s Front and many others.

At the meeting, many leaders like Sharistha Choudhury, general secretary, All India Revolutionary Women Organization, comrade Benij Bihari, UP state secretary, CPI-ML, KK Das, general secretary, Assam state CPI-ML, Gopal Macha, president, Manipur Intellectual forum, Sairem Modhubala from Democratic Women Front, Manipur and KN Ramcharan, National secretary CPI-ML spoke on AFSPA and various atrocities being committed by Indian Army under the controversial Act.

Addressing the gathering, KN Ramcharan accused the government of torturing people in the name of hunting the Maoists who are against it and said, “It is unfortunate.”

Maoist is spearheading a political movement, the CPI-ML National secretary added.

Maintaining that it is totally unreasonable and unacceptable to enforce Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the states of Manipur and Kashmir, Ramcharan said, “The military Act was promulgated by the British to subjugate the Indians and now it is hitting back on us.”

The CPI-ML was a harbinger of the naxalite movement in India.

Ramcharan himself joined and made contribution in the movement and languished in jail for a long time.

The people of Manipur are in a state of trouble as enforcement of AFSPA in the state signifies that Manipur is a colonial land of India, Sapam Shyamsundar, Manipur state CPI-ML secretary asserted, saying that the AFSPA was reformed into an Act from an ordinance made by the British.

India has lost the meaning of being a democratic country because it has taken its stance to remain as a mute spectator over the voice of the people of Manipur, including Irom Chanu Sharmila who is on a fast for 11 years demanding repeal of AFSPA, Sairem Modhubala, a member of Democratic Women Front, Manipur lamented.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/delhi-police-bar-cpi-mls-afspa-rally-plan/

Senapati women take out rally against Tipaimukh dam

IMPHAL, March 27: The Senapati District Women Association, SDWA in collaboration with the Rural Development… more »

IMPHAL, March 27: The Senapati District Women Association, SDWA in collaboration with the Rural Development Association, Senapati organized a mass rally cum sit in protest against the Tipaimukh dam construction at Senapati bazar.

The people later on handed a memorandum to the Senapati Deputy Commissioner to be submitted to the Prime Minister of India.

The rally was attended by around 400 people carrying placards that read “No Mega project without people’s concern”, Nothing can compensate the loss of 78 lakhs of trees”, “Scrap Tipaimukh Dam”, “Save Environment, Save People”, We don’t want big dams”, “No privatisation of rivers in the name of development”, “No big dams in North east” etc.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the public protest, president SDWA Lolia lamented that the construction of Tipaimukh dam will harm to the environment due to the loss of trees and we can only apprehend the kind of destruction it will bring to the people, in case on any damage to the dam after its construction as the dam lies inside a high seismic zone, which is prone to earthquakes.

She further appealed to the people of the state to jointly raise voice against the construction of the dam.

Meanwhile, the memorandum has urged upon the government to save and protect the environment, natural heritage and culture of the people of Manipur, to take free, fair, prior and informed consent specifically on Tipaimukh dam as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.

It has further appealed the government to revoke the MoU signed between the state government, National Hydroelectric project and the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited for the construction of Tipaimukh dam.

Instead of the Tipaimukh dam, the memorandum has further appealed to the government to build micro-hydel projects at different locations that can generate sufficient electricity for the state and bring equal area development.

The memorandum has also urged the government to stop the proposed Khongnem Chakha HE-project at Maram, Senapati.

Rock band Firehouse to sway Imphal rockers

IMPHAL, Mar 27: Internationally acclaimed American hard rock band `FireHouse` will rock Manipur’s capital for… more »

IMPHAL, Mar 27: Internationally acclaimed American hard rock band `FireHouse` will rock Manipur’s capital for the first time and Nagaland’s commercial capital Dimapur next month.

Khuman Lampak main stadium would be the performing ground in Imphal on April 10 after the performance at Dimapur on April 7.

The Firehouse Imphal concert has been sponsored by Airtel and part of the proceeds will go in association with Manipur State AIDS Control Society and enhanced AIDS awareness programme for the youths of the region.

“Our objective is to give quality band performance to our music loving audience and I think bands like Firehouse will certainly fulfil the desire of the people,” said Sunny Shimrah of Delhi based 7

Sisters Entertainment Group, an event management group while speaking to media persons here today. The tickets are priced at Rs 1500 and Rs 500.

Such events will also go a long way in promoting local talents as two local bands will be the days opening act, added the young event manager who had also bought Higher on Maiden, the sister band of the legendary Iron Maiden all the way from UK in December last year.

The band’s forthcoming Imphal show is being billed as the mother of all concerts in the traditionally cultured Manipur after their record setting first Indian concert date in Shillong about four years ago.

Their last performance with White Lion in Shillong was on December 13, 2008.

Firehouse is well-known among the North-eastern population mainly for their hits like Sleeping with You, I Live My Life for You, When I looked into your eyes and Love of a lifetime and the band also gets regular airtime on the Radio in the region.

Originally composed of band members vocalist C. J. Snare, guitarist Bill Leverty, drummer Michael Foster, and bassist Perry Richardson, the band has maintained its original members with the exception of Richardson, who departed in 2000.

Richardson was replaced three times before current bassist Allen McKenzie was given the position in 2004.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/rock-band-firehouse-to-sway-imphal-rockers/

Militants held

IMPHAL, Mar 27: Thoubal district police commandos have arrested two alleged militants including a woman… more »

IMPHAL, Mar 27: Thoubal district police commandos have arrested two alleged militants including a woman on March 26 and 27 from the district.

According to a press statement of the Thoubal SP, the two alleged militants were arrested from separate operations at Wangjing Bazar and Chajing Khunou at around 3pm of March 26 and 2:15am of March 27.

The two have been identified as Thongam (o) Ibetombi Devi, 61 wife of Th Jatra Singh of Mayang Langjing Sorok Mapak of PREPAK and Moirangthem Sunil alias Tampak Ngakpa Singh, 20 son of M Yaima Singh of Napat Turel Mapal, Bishnupur district. Sunil has revealed during interrogation that he is a l cpl of KCP (Noyon) having Army no 396 of 17th batch, 2006 and trained at Lipok Burma, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/militants-held/

MCA Classificiation Cricket Tournament

IMPHAL, Mar 27: Western Cricket Association openers Surchand Singh and Prasanta Singh make themselves sure… more »

IMPHAL, Mar 27: Western Cricket Association openers Surchand Singh and Prasanta Singh make themselves sure they build a strong partnership to dictate terms against Eastern Sporting Union by 87 runs victory in the MCA Classificiation Tournament 2011-12 played at Luwangpokpa Cricket Ground.

Western Cricket Association winning the toss and elected to bat first in a 40 over limited match and saw the Western opening batsmans Surchand Singh and Prasanta Singh, punishing the Eastern Sporting

Union bowler to the hilt. Surchand hammered 53 runs off 74 deliveries while his partner Prasanta made 48 runs from 66 ball to build a strong foundation today.

Bikom Singh with 15 runs and Pakpa Singh with 11 runs were the other constributors to put up 173/10 from 37 over.

Sivananda Singh was the pick of the Eastern Sporting Union bolwer bagging 3 wicket while Chittaranjan Singh and Mobi Singh got 2 wicket each.

In reply, Eastern Sporting Union batsman were at the recieving ends to the onslaught of the Western bowler as they were bundled out for 96/10 from 26.1 overs. Bobby Singh got 15 runs from 29 runs while Modi Singh made 11 runs and Shankar Singh got 12 runs.

Dev Singh and Bikom Singh claimed 3 wicket each while Pakpa Singh pick 2 wicket and Naoba Singh fetch 1 wicket for Western team. Western batsman Surchand Singh bagged the man of the match for his well made half century.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/mca-classificiation-cricket-tournament/

RIMS annual meet

IMPHAL, Mar 27: The annual meet of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences was formally… more »

IMPHAL, Mar 27: The annual meet of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences was formally inaugurated on Tuesday by its Director Prof S. Sekharjit at the playground.

The meet which sponsored by RIMS and organized by its students`™ union will conclude on March 31.

According to an official statement, there will be various sports, literary and cultural programmes, both competitive and exhibition. The contingent of the College of Nursing bagged the first prize in the march past, the statement added.

Students from RIMS, JNIMS and the College of Nursing are participating in the meet. The contingent of the College of Nursing bagged the first prize in the march past.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/rims-annual-meet/

Prioritizing drinking water

The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had promised that his new government will be prioritizing… more »

The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had promised that his new government will be prioritizing power, drinking water and road connectivity in his recent budget speech. But one has to take the promise with a pinch of salt. Questions have been raised on the underlying meaning of the Chief Minister`™s statement. As we have seen in the recent past, almost all of the energies of the state PHED had been diverted to the Sewerage project, while neglecting the issue of safe drinking water. In the past, successive governments have ignored the importance of safe drinking water and the Public Health Engineering Dept (PHED) which handles the subject have always been relegated to a minor position in the government hierarchy. But it is not the state government alone which had neglected this crucial sector. Strangely, it is missing in public debate also, where the dismal power scenario gets all the attention. Although water is a state subject, the low priority given by the central government to this vital sector is reflected in the low allocations despite more than four-fold increase in urban population. Allocations to the urban water and sanitation sector have never crossed even 2 per cent of the Plan funds of the Government of India since independence. Despite constitutional mandates and official proclamations, India has lagged behind, among others, in the two most important concerns for the well being of people in any society which are poverty and access to clean drinking water. Water is a right. Ever since the original Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the right to water has been declared, explicitly or implicitly, as an essential component of right to life in particular and human rights in general in a number of international declarations over the years. The primary goal of the The UN International Decade for Action: Water for Life 2005-2015 is to promote efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water-related issues by 2015. Relevant commitments include the Millennium Development targets to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015. The water target was reiterated at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa. Back home, the Supreme Court had reiterated that `the right to access to clean drinking water is fundamental to life and there is a duty on the state under Article 21 to provide clean drinking water to its citizens`. The State is duty bound not only to provide adequate drinking water but also to protect water sources from pollution and encroachment. A 2006 United Nations report focuses on issues of governance as the core of the water crisis, saying “There is enough water for everyone” and “Water insufficiency is often due to mismanagement, corruption, lack of appropriate institutions, bureaucratic inertia and a shortage of investment in both human capacity and physical infrastructure”. The capital city of Imphal is facing acute shortage of drinking water now, with the PHED starting to ration water. The general public is getting drinking water once in four days. Officials cite low water level at the Singda Dam water reservoir, as one of the main reasons of this scarcity. Yet, the department could feed the so-called VIP lines on a daily basis. The state government needs to be reminded of their obligations to protect access to water for all citizens. A resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in July 2010 recognises `the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right.` Why are we stressing on safe and clean drinking water. In developing countries, of the 37 diseases identified as major causes of death, 21 are related to water and sanitation. Water-borne diseases are causing more than 4 million infants and child deaths every year in developing countries. The issue of quantity and quality of water thus becomes a fundamental basis of life.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/prioritizing-drinking-water/

Alleged smuggler hurt in mistaken firing

IMPHAL, March 26: One person who turned out to be a suspected opium smuggler was… more »

IMPHAL, March 26: One person who turned out to be a suspected opium smuggler was shot and injured by AR personnel at Mongkot Chepu villahe under Ukhrul police station during the early hours Monday.

The AR personnel mistook him for a militant and shot him, however a person who was accompanying him during the incident managed to escaped.

The incident happened around 6 am when two CBZ motorcycle borne persons swiftly turned back their vehicle and slipped on seeing an Assam Rifles patrol party as they reached Mongkot Chepu village.

One of them, who was carrying a bag started fleeing towards a nearby bush near Litan River and attempted to throw away the bag. The AR personnel, suspecting the bag to be bombs, opened fire, injuring him before he was overpowered by them. He received multiple bullet injuries in the firing.

However, the other one who came with him managed to escape. Later, the AR team found four kg of opium inside the bag.

The injured has been identified as AS Youreiwom, 32 son of AS Youreiwom of Tungou village of Chingai sub-division in Ukhrul district. Youreiwom was rushed to JNIMS and later referred to RIMS where he had a surgery.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/alleged-smuggler-hurt-in-mistaken-firing/

HERICOUN, WAD decries rape demands stringent action

IMPHAL, March 26: Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) today expressed confidence that the state Home department… more »

IMPHAL, March 26: Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) today expressed confidence that the state Home department would sincerely take up appropriate action in consideration of the sentiment of the people with regard to the recent alleged rape of a hill woman by four persons, including two IRB personnel and termed the incident ‘horrible.’

It is a shame that a hill woman was gangraped by four men including security personnel, HERICOUN said in a release on Monday and added that such crime will recur if stringent actions are not taken up from the side of the state Home department in connection with the latest incident of rape.

The council also lauded Bishnupur SP Th Radheshyam, who booked the culprits involved in the rape case, by considering it as his own duty.

However casting a doubt over whether justice will be done in the case, the release has said that HERICOUN hopes the state Home department and government would let the law take its course in consideration of the sentiment of the public.

Meanwhile the Women Action for Development (WAD) in a separate press statement has strongly condemned the gang rape of a 40 year old house-wife of Longlei Village in Tamenglong District on March 22 at a place near Keinou Awang leikai.

It has further stated that the organization opposes crime against women and girls which is swelling day by day in various forms and trends.

It has further added that during the current year (January to March 26, 2012), a total number of 55 cases of violence against women were reported in the local newspaper which include eight rape cases, one rape and murder, three murder, six suicide, seven missing, one molesting, one complaint, 24 assault, two rape attempt and two threat. Mention may be made that recently a 14 year old girl from Mount Average Village in Senapati was brutally raped and even attempted to murder her by the perpetrator on February 9, it added.

In other cases, an 8 year old girl from Ngaikhong Siphai was raped on February 12 and another girl of the same age of Konthoujam Mamang Leikai was also attempted to rape on March 12 which shows that even minor girls are not secure in this society. Claiming that this is totally genocide WAD further stated that it is time for all of us to respond such crime against humanity, irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion to protect and prevent our women and girls from being victimized and traumatized as well as free from any fear psychosis.

On the other hand, it is very unfortunate that the State Police (IRB, CDOs, VDF) etc. who are supposed to protect the civilian, even committed such heinous crimes in our state. It may also be recalled that on March 9 a women was hacked by her husband T. Okendro Singh of Pangei Bazar serving as instructor of Police Training Academy, Pangei. A case was lodged but unfortunately the accused was released on bail.

WAD really appreciate and acknowledge the Bishnupur Police for the Prompt and immediate actions by arresting the four accused persons on March 24. Further, WAD appeals to the concern Home Department to take up tangible actions against the culprits (Police Personal) to deliver justice to the victimized women and girls of our state. We have the firm believe that it is the need of the hour to review the recruitment process of the security forces.

In this regard, WAD appeal to the State Government to book all the culprits according to the law of the country in the interest of the general public added the press release.

Shaktiman crushes student

IMPHAL, Mar 26: A 15-year-old boy was crushed to death by a truck while he… more »

IMPHAL, Mar 26: A 15-year-old boy was crushed to death by a truck while he was on his way to school at Kholet village under Saparmeina police station along National Highway 2, a police source said here today.

The incident happened this morning around 11:30am at Kholet village when a Shaktiman truck overturned while trying to avoid hitting a Maruti car coming from the opposite direction, and crushed the school going kid.

Four others including the driver of the truck was injured in the incident.

The victim has been identified as W Momocha, son of Brojendro of Saparmeina. The body has also been brought at RIMS here for post mortem.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/shaktiman-crushes-student/

North East tourism road show in Guwahati and Kolkata

IMPHAL, March 26: The Ministry of Tourism, government of India organised a three days long… more »

IMPHAL, March 26: The Ministry of Tourism, government of India organised a three days long road show for North East tourism at Guwahati and Kolkata from March 23 to 25. The program was supported by Regional Director Office of Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India- Guwahati and Kolkata.

According to a press statement made available to this office, day one of the road show was held at Raj Mahal hotel, Guwahati attended DK Baruah, regional director, ministry of Tourism, Guwahati office and Sanjay Singh, ADAG, MoT, GoI representing the central office of ministry of Tourism, government of India.

Delegates from all the eight states of the North east region presented the tourism potential of their respective states which was followed by one to one interaction with various tour operators, it added.

There was also a session on exploring ways and means to promote NE Tourism.

Representatives from Manipur requested for inclusion of the other core area which may contribute in helping the influx of tourist in the state in various promotional videos and literature of Ministry of Tourism.

Day two and day three were organized at Big Boss Hotel, Rowden Street, Kolkata. Various tour operators from Kolkata had an opportunity to interact with the representatives of all the North Eastern states, the statement added.

The participants of the 3 days program expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism for extending such opportunity to the states and its stake holders.

The Manipur team was represented by Dr L Surjit, president, MMTA, H RK Sharma, MD, Seven Sisters Holidays, Santosh Shekhar, manager- Business Development, Shija Hospitals and Research Institute and P Sommykanta, manager, Classic Hotel, the statement added.

NSCN (IM) cadre succumbs

IMPHAL, March 26: An NSCN-IM cadre had succumbed after being severely beaten up by some… more »

IMPHAL, March 26: An NSCN-IM cadre had succumbed after being severely beaten up by some unknown person at Phamrei village near Siroy under Ukhrul police station on March 20, according to a delayed report.

Kumar Tangkhul, an NSCN-IM cadre from Khamason village in Ukhrul district succumbed on March 20 after undertaking medical treatment for two days at a hospital here after the assailants severely thrashed him at the village on March 18.The last rite of Kumar was held on March 21, a source stated.

Sources from Ukhrul police station said they had received information regarding the incident where an NSCN-IM cadre had died after being beaten up by some unknown assailants at Phamrei village, but they did not register a case in connection with the incident as the victim had already been buried.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/nscn-im-cadre-succumbs/

AJWJU decries AR action

IMPHAL, March 26: The All Jiribam Working Journalists Union on Monday strongly condemned the arbitrary… more »

IMPHAL, March 26: The All Jiribam Working Journalists Union on Monday strongly condemned the arbitrary detention of its general secretary by 22 Assam Rifles suspecting him to be an underground element.

Y Sanajit, general secretary AJWJU and Jiribam correspondent of the Imphal based Huieyen Lanpao daily was picked up by personnel of 22 Assam Rifles yesterday just before midnight from Gularthon while returning home after attending a Thabal Chongba programme at Leingangpokpi.

However, Sanajit was released this morning after interrogating him by the security personnel.

AJWJU also appealed to the security forces in the Imphal east sub-division not to humiliate journalists in the future, warning that the media fraternity will not remain silent in case reporters are found subjected to suspicion.

At the same time, The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) has also condemned the act of 22 Assam Rifles which detained AWWJU general secretary Sanjit last midnight by branding him a suspected militant.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/ajwju-decries-ar-action/

MANFETE 2012

IMPHAL, March 26: The 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) has… more »

IMPHAL, March 26: The 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) has established a Assam Rifles pavilion at the MANFETE 2012 which started from today at the Manipur University campus.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Maj Gen UK Gurung, IGAR(S) who attended as the chief guest of the function addressed the gathering and stated that the event marked the beginning of new Era of bonding between youth of Manipur and the uniformed forces.

According to a PRO release, he further reiterated that the AR pledges to give maximum assistance to the people of Manipur, especially to the youth.

He also asked people to come forward and move progressively towards peace and prosperity and assured them of full support and cooperation of Assam Rifles in achieving it.

The pavilion inaugurated by Maj Gen UK Gurung showcased the history of Assam Rifles in Manipur and its contribution in Manipur.

The pavilion will also provide guidance to the students, how to join Armed Forces. Pamphlets giving out details of how to join Armed Forces and contribution of Assam Rifles in Manipur were also distributed to the visitors. This effort of Assam Rifles was widely appreciated by the students and faculty of Manipur University stated a press release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/manfete-2012/

Medical camp

IMPHAL, Mar 26: Jwalamukhi Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division… more »

IMPHAL, Mar 26: Jwalamukhi Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division has organized a Medical Camp on March 22 at Phailenkot near Motbung of Senapati District in which total of 276 patients including old aged and children were treated. After the medical camp a lecture on health and hygiene was also conducted.

Tamenlong Battalion under the aegis of Red Shield Division has also organized a free medical camp on March at Akhui village of Tamenglong District in which 179 patients were treated who came from various villages of Tamenglong District.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/medical-camp/

Cyclone win against UCC

IMPHAL, Mar 26: Cyclone Thangmeiband batsman proved themselves registering 96 runs win against UCC Uripok… more »

IMPHAL, Mar 26: Cyclone Thangmeiband batsman proved themselves registering 96 runs win against UCC Uripok in the MCA Classifiation Tournament 2011-12 played at Luwangpokpa ground today.

Winning the toss on a sunny morning, Cyclone decided to bat first where they pile up 207 for 8 wicket from 40 overs. Cylone batsman Shashikumar Singh stood his ground to score an undefeated 72 runs off 83 deliveries while Narsingh with 48 runs and Rajesh with 36 runs gave able support to post a huge total.

Despite the thrasing, the UCC Uripok bowler Saroj and Lenin managed to get three wicket each while Tarun and Ashwini bagged 1 wicket.

In response to Cyclone innings, the UCC team crumbled under pressure with a lone resistance from Linin who managed to make a respectable unbetean 36 runs from 46 deliveries. Others UCC batsman failed cheaply, with Abdulla and Kenedy making a double figure with 16 runs and 15 runs respectively.

Cyclone bowler Rommel and Rojit proved to be the chief wreckar as they claimed 3 wicket each while Hokendro pick up 2 wicket and Akshay took a wicket. Cyclone batsman Shashikumar was declared the man of the match for his match winning knock of 72 runs today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/cyclone-win-against-ucc/

Bangladesh has no final say

It appears the UPA government has finally succeeded in convincing Bangladesh on the multi-purpose Tipaimukh… more »

It appears the UPA government has finally succeeded in convincing Bangladesh on the multi-purpose Tipaimukh dam. Despite protests from the opposition and environmental activists, Bangladesh has recently expressed its intention to support the proposed Tipaimukh Dam through its High Commissioner in New Delhi Tariq Ahmad Karim. It is the result of the recent visit of Gowher Rizvi, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina to New Delhi. Gowher Rizvi alongwith his colleague Dr. Mashiur Rahman and Bangladesh High Commissioner Karim had met with a number of Indian leaders including the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ministers for home, finance, power, rural development, and water resources and the national security advisor. With the assurances given by India, the Awami League government in Bangladesh seem convinced that there will be no diminution in the flow of waters in Surma and Kushiyara rivers and that the high dam would have no adverse environmental or ecological impact, no aggravation of the floods during the monsoon. Yet, the government of Bangladesh is proposing to send an expert team to the Dam area to examine the features and likely impact of the dam on the flow of water into the Surma and the Kushiara. Here, we need to remember that, extending support to the Tipaimukh dam is not the unanimous opinion of Bangladesh. Bangladeshi experts have said the massive dam will disrupt the seasonal rhythm of the river and have an adverse effect on downstream agriculture and fisheries. Also, the Khaleda Zia led opposition BNP is dead against it. The Awami League government has dismissed the opposition to the dam as mere demagogy, stridency, devoid of substance and playing to the gallery. It also said, partisan politics and propaganda has replaced the pursuit of truth amongst many commentators. An interesting point to be noted here is that the Indian Prime Minister had invited Bangladesh to become an equity partner in the Tipaimukh project and take a share of the power that will be generated. Bangladesh believes this would guarantee them a place at the decision-making table and the ability to oversight the project at all stages. Here lies the cream icing.

Tipaimukh Dam is a proposed embankment dam on the river Barak in Manipur. The stated purpose of the dam is flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The project has led to controversy between India and Bangladesh over water rights as well as controversy with Manipuri people to be relocated by the reservoir. The dam will be 390m long and 162.8m high, across the Barak River. The dam`s crest elevation will be at an altitude of about 180 m. above mean sea level with a maximum reservoir level of 178 m. The dam was originally designed to contain flood waters in the lower Barak valley but hydro power generation was later incorporated into the project. The project will have an installation capacity of 1500 MW, supplied by six 250 MW Francis turbine-generators. Here we have to be very clear in our mind, that the support of Bangladesh in the matter of the proposed Tipaimukh Dam does not necessarily mean that all the roadblocks have been cleared. They must remember that, it is not only activists but the general public of Manipur is against the dam also. Besides being an earthquake zone, the water reservoir for the proposed dam would lead to massive loss of precious flora and fauna. It will also uproot many villages who they say would be relocated in various locations. But this is entirely against human logic. We have to take into account the man-land relationship and the attachment that people have with the land on which they were born. One cannot simply relocate living people. Yes, Manipur needs power. But it should not be at the cost of precious flora and fauna and of the man-land relationship.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/bangladesh-has-no-final-say/

Xploring Andro – photos by Tiken Thokchom

Xploring Andro – photos by Tiken Thokchom See more photos at: http://gallery.kanglaonline.com/?p=1136 Photos by Tiken… more »

Xploring Andro – photos by Tiken Thokchom

See more photos at: http://gallery.kanglaonline.com/?p=1136

Photos by Tiken Thokchom
evan_ken (at) yahoo.co.in

March 20, 2012

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/xploring-andro-photos-by-tiken-thokchom/