Tag: kanglaonline

BOSTON, USA, Feb 23: A symposium titled “11 Year Hunger Strike: Irony in the world’s largest democracy” was held on February 21 at the John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA. The event was jointly organized by The Carr Center For Human Rights Policy at Harvard University, the Harvard India Caucus, and the Kashmir Initiative at the Carr Center.

The North American Manipur Association (NAMA), and the European Manipuri Association (EMA) were co-sponsors. Dr Charlie Clements, executive director of the Carr Center For Human Rights Policy, Harvard University, made the welcome remarks and opened the symposium.

The context of the symposium, the very first one held in the United States on AFSPA and Irom Sharmila, was Irom Sharmila’s 11 year long hunger strike to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA, 1958).

Since November 2000, Sharmila, a social activist in Manipur, has been on a hunger strike demanding the repeal of the AFSPA. During this time, the government has kept her in judicial custody, force-feeding her through a nasal tube.

The speakers of the event included Binalakshmi Nepram, founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, Babloo Loitongbam, executive director Human Rights Alert, Manipur, L. Somi Roy of Hun-tré! International Manipur Projects, Angana Chatterji, co-convener of the International People’s Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice, and Pradyot Deb Burman, chairman and editor of The Northeast Today, Shillong.

Leichombam Erendro Singh, the president of The Harvard India Caucus, and a World Bank Fellow at Harvard University who coordinated the event also moderated the symposium.

Researchers and scholars of John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and representatives from the University of California, Berkeley, and several others attended the event, including members of the diaspora from Manipur and India.

Manjarita Laishram, vice-president of The North American Manipur Association (NAMA) also attended the event.

The event started out with a historical and cultural background presentation on Manipur by L Somi Roy. Among other topics, his presentation covered Manipur’s religions, arts, sports, languages, ethnic relations, dance forms, and discussed the current situation in the state.

He presented a perspective from Manipur, including its historical and cultural attributes of its civilization.

His presentation was followed by Angana Chatterji, who spoke about AFSPA from the national perspective as it relates to different parts of India, including Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, and parts of the North East Region. She highlighted the prevailing climate of militarization and its consequences.  She mentioned the killings of 70,000 people because of the imposition of AFSPA in India-Administered Jammu & Kashmir.

Binalakshmi Nepram gave a brief historical timeline on the role and struggles of Manipuri women in fighting injustice and repression, starting from the first recorded Nupilan, the Women’s War of 1904. She kept the focus of her speech on the humanitarian crisis that has occurred as a result of the imposition of AFSPA in Manipur, especially the effect on women and children. Binalakshmi also mentioned that the iconic struggle of Irom Sharmila Chanu constitutes a part of the long history of women’s movement in Manipur such as the Nupilan, the Meira Paibis; a legacy that preceded even the feminist movement in the United States and around the world.

Pradyot Deb Burman spoke about the impact of AFSPA on indigenous population of Tripura, another state in the North East Region of India. He made an argument that supporting the movement for the repeal of AFSPA is not an act against the nation, but considered as an honest dialogue to find a domestic resolution; a process of democratic dialogue in India.

Finally, Babloo Loitongbam shared with the audience how Irom Sharmila started her hunger strike after the massacre in Malom in November of 2000.

Elaborating on the democratic resistance against AFSPA since its conception in the Parliament, he emphasized the racial and regional discriminatory dimension of AFSPA, and its institutional and social ramifications. He maintained that AFSPA violates Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, and challenges the rationale of the Act that sanctions the taking of a human life arbitrarily.  He also drew attention to the fact that AFSPA violates the universal human rights and international humanitarian laws.

A resolution was taken to form an Initiative based at Harvard for future debate and discussion on issues pertaining to Manipur, and the North East Region of India. The Initiative will primarily focus on research and advocacy for peace and prosperity in the region. The Initiative will work with Governments, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/harvard-university-wakes-up-to-11year-hunger-strike-by-iron-lady-against-afspa/

IMPHAL, Feb 22 (NNN): Non-Congress parties in Manipur are now “utterly confused” as a scheduled visit of a team of top officials of Election Commission of India (ECI) to Manipur got cancelled suddenly. The leaders of the political parties had expected the ECI team in connection with declaration of re-poll dates for several polling stations, which were reportedly rigged.

“The ECI cancelled the visit of its official team without any prior intimation and this has puzzled all the non-Congress parties of the state,” CPI leader Dr M Nara said while briefing the media after a joint meeting of NCP, CPI, CPI (M), JD (U), Manipur People’s Party (MPP), Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), Naga People’s Front   (NPF) and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) here, which was held to discuss various issues relating to widespread malpractices during the January 28 assembly polls.

“All the political parties were officially informed to attend a meeting to be held form 2 pm to 6.30 pm today with the ECI observers to discuss different issues on poll violations, but they (ECI) suddenly cancelled the trip without assigning any reason”, the CPI leader reiterated visibly irritated.

In an angry tone, he related that the office of the state chief election officer (CEO) had also declined to furnished details on the cancellation. State electoral fficials have refused to comment in this regard, claiming they have no knowledge about it, he said.

Today’s joint meeting, which was chaired by Dr Nara, discussed at length the whole issue of proxy voting during the Assembly elections and unanimously adopted three resolutions.

Firstly, it was decided to make a demand to the ECI to invalidate proxy votes which had been already verified; secondly, the ECI should take all political parties into confidence before making any decision on the issue; and lastly, all the returning officers should be directed to furnish postal ballot accounts, including lists of the postal  ballot papers to all the candidates and political parties on or before February 25.

The meeting also authorized Dr Nara to submit a memorandum along with the copies of the resolutions to the ECI.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/noncongress-parties-left-fuming-as-ec-team-pulls-out-of-state-visit/

IMPHAL, Feb 22: Seized red sander wood in the custody of the Range Forest Office, Tengnoupal worth around Rs 90,75,000 has not been publicly auctioned till date despite a court direction.

This was stated by HK Vaiphei, chairman, Manipur Hill Area Bamboo Entrepreneur Association (MAHABEA) at a press conference held today at Manipur Press Club. He raised fear that the load of red sander wood may have already been sold off on the sly and replaced with ordinary wood.

The red sander wood was allegedly brought into the state from Andhra Pradesh with China as the probable destination. However, the 42 Assam Rifles posted at Pallel in Chandel district, intercepted two trucks smuggling the wood, weighing 3630 kgs in total, on April 4, 2011 and handed over the consignment of red sander wood to the Range Forest Officer, Tengnoupal. While taking up the matter, the CJM, Chandel, issued an order on April 6, 2011 directing the divisional forest officer, Tengnoupal to publicly auction the confiscated wood. Almost a year since, the court order as well as summons has not been complied with, he stated.

In the interest of over 100 entrepreneurs in the state who may require red sander wood for craft and production of furniture, HK Vaiphei petitioned the minister for forest and environment as well as the principal Chief Conservator of Forest to auction the wood at government rates but to no avail. He has demanded that a white paper on the case be furnished by the government. He has also warned that an FIR will be filed and take the matter to court.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/clamour-raised-over-sander-wood-auction/

By Kaveree Bamzai 
NEW DELHI, Feb 22: Congress may well win in Manipur but their Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, 63, is unlikely to retain his chair. Sonia Gandhi has asked for the bio-data of Y. Erabot Singh, the 73-year-old seniormost minister in Ibobi`s Cabinet. The high command holds Ibobi responsible for ground lost during the threemonth-long blockade in 2011. Ibobi did nothing, even planning a tour of Europe which he later cancelled due to widespread criticism. Erabot became a hero in 2009 when he defied a road blockade and escorted 300 trucks carrying essentials to Imphal without police protection.
(Courtesy: India Today)

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/ibobi-singh-unlikely-to-retain-chair/

IMPHAL, Feb 22: The Manipuri Students Federation (MSF) spokesperson and general secretary, Aheibam Boinao has demanded that the court case filed by guardians and principals acting on behalf of the students who have been bared by MSF from appearing in the forthcoming HSLC Examination, 2012 should be withdrawn immediately.

In a press conference today, the spokesperson allegedly identified the main instigator behind their move as N Tomba of Jain Mahavir Higher Secondary School who is also the adviser to a students-guardian body and the All Manipur Recognised Private Schools Welfare Association (AMPSWA). He demanded that Tomba should clarify his stand to the MSF and the public immediately, failing which he will be banned from involvement in any matter related with education. The spokersperson also asked the students-guardians body and AMPSWA to remove Tomba from his positions as adviser immediately.

MSF had imposed restrictions on 4300 students who had been preparing to appear for the this year’s HSLC examination in 27 schools located in hill districts by flouting registration norms. The spokesperson declared that 21 teachers and agents who had facilitated the illegal registration of the students have approached the MSF with an assurance that there will be no repetition of the violations. The remaining teachers and agents involved in racket should do the same immediately before the announced deadline, he stated.

It was found that the alleged agents prepared the registration of these students for 8th, 9th and 10th classes right up to the issue of Admit Cards for the HSLC Examination by charging money ranging from Rs. 7,000-10,000 per student. Over and above this, the spokesperson also alleged that the results of such students can be pre-determined by shelling out another Rs. 1,000-3,000 per subject depending on the whether the student chooses to sit for the examination or in absentia.

He appealed to BOSEM not to buckle under any pressure from individuals or organizations on behalf of such students and declared that MSF was ready to the Board should it require any help.

The spokesperson further warned of appropriate action should CBSE schools register students who are already registered under BOSEM.  

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/withdraw-case-filed-on-behalf-of-ineligible-hslce-candidates-msf/

From  Asem Lalit
MOREH, Feb 22: The inter-ministerial team which reached Myanmar today to participate in a preliminary round talk between the two nations on beginning of Imphal-Mandalay bus services returned empty handed after their Myanmarese counterparts did not turn up.

Apparently, the goof-up happened due to the slackness of ADC, Lumingthang Haokip, who was in charge of the arrangement of the meeting but failed to dispense his responsibilities properly leading to a miscommunication. The Indian team made use of the sudden relaxation in the schedule with an extended shopping session at Tamu.

The team after gathering at Moreh Trade Centre did spend time conducting an inspection of the condition of roadways and bus parking facilities at Tamu. The team was led by S Narendra, joint secretary, ministry of road transport and highways and comprised of DS Poonia, chief secretary, Jayashree Mukherjee, joint secretary DONER ministry, V krishnaswamy, deputy secretary MoRTH,  UD Bhargava, director MoRTH, Smriti, under secretary (BSM) MEA, Ranbir Singh, director (BM-II) MHA, Ram Lakhan, under secretary department of commerce, Rajendra Kumar Meena, director revenue, NK Nayak, executive engineer (SG), RO MoRTH, Abhijit Phukon, deputy director, PPP cell economic affairs, Lunminthang Haokip  ADC Moreh,Y Ashok Kumar, ASP Moreh police, RK.Sunita, GIS/expert, SLNA, O Dijamani Singh, OSD, commerce and industries, Ak Bowjit Singh.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/adcs-laxity-cited-for-messing-up-imphalmandalay-bus-link-talks/

IMPHAL, Feb 23: The All Zeliangrong Students’ Union and Zeliangrong Youth Front have condemned the irresponsible behaviors shown by Major Avinash of 13 AR yesterday.

A joint press release stated that the army officer barged in with an intention to disrupt during a meeting at a community hall in Nungba to discuss the deplorable condition of NH-37 and other developmental work in the areas which was participated by Zeliangrong Baudi, village chairmen and representatives, students leaders and youth.

According to the organizations, Major Avinash who is posted at Khongshang created nuisances trying to video tape the meeting and acting authoritatively and later engaged in a strong argument with the students and youths.     

The officer harassed the students and youths, the note stated, by detaining them unnecessarily for about half and hour and ordering his men to search their vehicles. He also allegedly tried to obtain their signatures on blank papers which were consequently met with rejection.

The organization stated that his undesirable acts have exposed the lack of discipline and lack of proper instructions from his higher authorities. They demanded that the concerned authority take proper action against him and issue strict instructions to avoid recurrence of such condemnable acts in the future.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/ar-major-slammed-for-misconduct/

NEW DELHI, Feb 21 (IANS): The government Tuesday went out of its way to deny reports that its group of ministers on corruption was considering a proposal to take the poll model code of conduct out of the Election Commission`s purview and providing the rules statutory status.

The first government representative to deny the proposal was Law Minister Salman Khurshid, who told reporters that such an agenda was not before the group of ministers.

“To my knowledge, there is no such thing on the agenda. As far as I understand, it was agreed that once the elections are over, there will be an all-party consultation on the issue about electoral reforms which are being pushed by the EC,” Khurshid said here.

“I can`t talk about what is on the agenda of the poll reform meeting as we will come to know it once we get closer to that meeting. If the matter is raised by any political party or any leader, then we will take it as and when during the course of meeting,” he said.

Khurshid also wondered what the group of ministers on corruption had to do with the code of conduct.

“I am a little bit surprised what (group of ministers on) corruption has to do with the code of conduct. The code of conduct is about a larger area of election procedures and processes. Maybe, it has some connection with governance or corruption, but there is no core link with corruption,” he said.

According to the law minister, corruption largely has to do with government decisions and how can they be influenced and manipulated and where there should be clarity or objectivity. That is what the GoM on corruption is looking at, he said.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal too echoed the sentiments of Khurshid on the matter.

“It has come up for the first time and there is nothing on the GoM agenda,” Mukherjee said, while Sibal said: “I am on the GoM and have not dealt with the issue and that meeting has not taken place and there is no such proposal.”

Corporate Affairs Minister M. Veerappa Moily, however, said the UPA government`s decision will be a considered one, as it has always supported the autonomy of the Election Commission.

“Whatever decision is taken, it will be a considered decision. You should know it is the Congress Party and the UPA, which always supports the autonomy of the Election Commission of India,” Moily said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/centre-says-it-has-no-plan-to-take-away-election-commissions-poll-code-powers/