Tag: National

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 10 : Sufficient security arrangements have been made by the security forces in the vulnerable areas of Assam to prevent recurrence of communal violence incidents in future. Presenting the Ministry’s Report Card for the month of August in New Delhi today, the Union Home Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde said that normalcy is returning to Assam gradually and people are going back from relief camps to their native places.
He said on August 13, 2012, he visited Assam to review the security, relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken for inmates staying in relief camps in the riot affected areas of the State. He visited relief Camps in Kokrajhar and Dhubri Distt.
Internal Security: On August 23, 2012, Cabinet approved the amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). Bill is in Lok Sabha for consideration and passing.
He further said on August 7, 2012, he had a meeting with a delegation of Members of Legislative Assembly of Nagaland (all 60 members) headed by Chief Minister Nagaland to discuss Nagaland Peace Talks.
It is unfortunate that the recent violence caused by the ethnic Groups in Assam has been given communal colour and has resulted heavy loss of lives and displacement of people to relief camps. I am happy to note that normalcy is returning to Assam gradually and people are going back from relief camps to their native places. Sufficient security arrangements have been made by the State Police in vulnerable areas. Due to rumour mongering thousands of people belonging to North Eastern States returned to their home from Southern States. Steps taken by these States have enabled them to go back to their places of work and studies and things are normal now. He had requested the State Governments to take all possible measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
15 Companys (Coys) of CAPFs were deployed for law and order duties in Assam in addition to 65 Coys of CAPFs already deployed in the wake of communal violence in the Bodo area. The situation is constantly being reviewed in close coordination with and Government of Assam to maintain the order in the State.
In Indo-Bangladesh Border 70 Km of floodlighting was completed in the month of August.
In Indo-China Border ,government has sanctioned 27 ITBP priority roads along Indo-China border totalling 804 Km. Out of these, construction work of one road has been completed and the work on 23 roads is in progress. 14.64 Km formation and 1.63 Km of surfacing have been completed during the month of August, 2012. The cumulative figures as on date are 533.33 Km formation and 175.36 Km surfacing completed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/security-arrangements-made-to-prevent-recurrence-of-communal-violence-in-assam/

AIZAWL, Sept 9 NNN : As per instruction of the Special Judge, Prevention of Corrutpion Act Court, the health conditions of the three accused PWD officials, are being re-examined by Aizawl Civil Hospital Medical Board. The three PWD officials- Lianchungnunga, E-in-C, B Lalthanpuia, Accountant and Liansanga, Ex-E-in-C were accused on corruption charge in connection with Serkhan – Bagha Road resurfacing work.
In the meantime, hearing on both the FIRs lodged against the three doctors who issued the alleged fraudulent Medical Certificates, and that of the appeal of the three doctors for anticipatory bail to the Court will be conducted on September 11, 2012.
According to Medical Superintendent of Aizawl Civil Hospital and Chairman of Medical Board Dr. Lalbiakkima, the work of examining the health condition of the three PWD officials, as per the direction of Special Court, is being done carefully, considering the Medical Certificate issued to them. Besides the blood and urine test, other necessary tests are being examined; however, result are not yet finalized, he said. As instructed by the court, the three accused were not taken by the police, but were taken to the Medical board by their advocates and Public Prosecutors.
Although Dr. K Lalbiakzuala, who had issued Medical Certificate to Er. Lianchungnunga is one of the members of the Medical Board, he is not included in the examination of the health condition of the three PWD officials by the Medical Board, sources informed.
And, as per the instruction of the Special Court, September 13, 2012 is the date on which the Medical Board is to submit the Medical Exam report of the PWD officials, sources added.
Meanwhile, Dr. K. Lalbiakzuala, the present Consultant Surgeon of Civil Hospital, Aizawl, and State Programme Officer as well as Secretary of Mizoram State Cancer Control Society, said in an interview taken by a journalist, that the Medical Certificate was given according to the need of the patient, and not beyond the limit. Asking whether he would file FIR on defamation case against those who accused him of issuing fraudulent ‘Medical certificate, Dr. Biakzuala said he will be consulting his lawyer friend in on this matter.
Mention may be made that the Anti Corruption Bureau arrested PWD Engineer-in-Chief, Lianchungnunga, former Engineer-in-Chief Liansanga and PWD Accountant, B Thanpuia on the charges of corruption on August 19. However they were released on interim bail.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/health-condition-of-3-accused-pwd-officials-re-examined-medical-board/

DIMAPUR, Sept 9 NNN : In spite of the serious hiccup faced by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) following the re-emergence of factional clashes among the Naga underground groups after a gap of five years, FNR convenor Dr Rev Wati Aier has not lost hope on his mission.
Dr Wati Aier, the man behind the floating of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) said they are closely monitoring on the prevailing situation and “hopefully things will subside soon.”
The FNR convenor said the Forum is silently working towards fulfilling its mission. “But you see reconciliation is not a magic lamp but only a process.”
This comment of Dr Rev Wati Aier came amid heightening of factional clashes among the Naga underground groups at the moment.
Formed in 2008 to reconcile among the warring Naga underground outfits, the FNR members drawn from various Naga civil bodies, activists and intellectuals had organised football matches for these various Naga underground outfits both in Nagaland and abroad. Several reconciliation meetings were also convened under the aegis of FNR in Nagaland, Thailand and elsewhere. Following these, the warring Naga underground organisations had ceased to fight among themselves both physically and in the media.
Numerous agreements were also signed among the Naga underground outfits to stop hostility among them.
However, the clashes among the militant outfits cropped up again few months ago and untill yesterday, a cadre hailing from NSCN-K was killed by a rival group in Tizit town, Mon district, Nagaland.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fnr-wants-naga-factions-to-unite/

Mail News Service
Guwahati, Sep 8 Looking towards the socio-economic development of the Northeast and to encourage the business personalities and the educated young generation, preparation is going on for some of the theme based commercial fairs in Guwahati keeping in mind for the awareness of the people of the Northeast.
Three theme based commercial fairs will be held from September 20 to September 23 at Maniram Dewan Trade Center, Betkuchi to make the market strong in the Northeast. The instruments necessary for the construction of roads, buildings, industries and the necessity of other materials which becomes an important part will be highlighted by Cevex India. This will be a new platform for the businessman, entrepreneurs. It will have all the modern equipments made in different countries and it will also have other construction materials, inverters, batteries, generators made in different parts of the countries.
A Northeast Electrical and Electronic Expo will also be held to showcase the different electrical and electronic devices which are being used in daily life. This fair will be exhibited with laptop, mobile, notepad, computer, Television, Air conditioner, freeze and other electronic devices.
Under the guidance of local entrepreneur Pankaj Mazumdar, Hype Communication and Marketing Consultancy who has organized the third theme based fair is Auto Fair. This 3rd Auto fair has been organized keeping in view the problem faced by the people of the Northeast during Id, Durga Puja, Christmas, Diwali who failed to save their vehicles. Different organizations have registered their names in this fair to exhibit the various types of models of car, bikes etc.
Meanwhile, a Beauty Fair, 2012 will also be held for the first time in the Northeast from 17 November to 19 November. The beauty fair has been organized by looking forward for the consciousness towards the beauty which has been raised amongst the masses. Some of the important things to be exhibited in the fair are- cosmetics, jewellery, perfume and deodorant, hair care products, nail care and art, herbal products, foot care, dental care, shoes, bags, sunglasses etc.
Point to be noted that renowned bike manufacturer Hardley Davidson will be the special attraction of the 3rd Auto Fair, where as other reputed companies like JCB, Mahindra, Navistar, Jamshedji, Bellstone, Primax, Garima Earth Movers, Donaldson, Groz, Atul Temp, Sunshine, Woner Roof, Safari Construction, Mave System, Bosch, Hitachi, Frontier, I-ball, Exide, Area 27, Regnent, Hitech International, Apb, Mount Nano, ICICI, etc. have also confirmed their participation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/four-theme-based-commercial-fair-to-be-held-in-guwahati/

DIMAPUR, Sept 8 NNN : Two days after a clash in Dimapur, one cadre from Khaplang faction of the NSCN was killed by the rival cadres of Khole and Kitovi group of the NSCN this morning at Tizit town in Mon district of Nagaland.
The slain cadre of the NSCN-K has been identified as one Wangchah Konyak.
However, intelligence and also the NSCN-Khole/Kitovi faction have no knowledge about the incident.
Meanwhile, the NSCN-K’s ‘ministry of information and publicity’ secretary informed Newmai News Network that Wangchah Konyak was abducted by the NSCN-Kitovi/Khole group late last night and killed him in cold blood.
“The NSCN (Khaplang group) strongly condemns the brutal killing of its cadre by the Khehoi campers (Khole/Kitovi group) who murdered one NSCN (Khaplang group) cadre after he was caught by the Khehoi campers late last night from Tizit town. The Khehoi gang arrested L/Cpl. Wangchah Konyak of NSCN when he went to meet his parents at Tizit village and was killed mercilessly in cold blood last night,” the NSCN-K alleged.
The NSCN-K then stated that the life of one “NSCN cadre” is worthier than the entire set up of the so-called Khehoi campers who are not fighting for sovereignty but only for their self interested gains.
According to the NSCN-K, the Khole/Kitovi faction has no right even to collect taxes when their stand is not for the sovereignty of the Nagas and the question of killing Naga patriots doesn’t arise but how come they keep on killing the real Naga patriots.
“It is the highest time of destruction in the history of the Naga political struggle and the Nagas should realise it before it is too late. No illegal tax should be paid for killing a Naga patriot who are valiantly fighting for the cause of the Nagas from east to west and north to south. These patriots are shedding their blood for their motherland and their single life is worthier than these whole lot of Khehoi campers whose agenda is to collect huge amount of money from the poor and rich alike for their individual benefits and their relatives and enjoy luxury life in metro-cities with an un-accountable number of Cars of highest price qualities. Is it what they claimed that they are fighting for? Nagas should realise that these things should be put to stop less these mafia like gangsters will one day even snatch your own plate of rice from your own hand,” the Khaplang group questioned.
“The NSCN pays its rich homage to the departed soul and shares the grief with the bereaved family members at this time of pain and sorrow and further prays that the almighty God grant to the solace family members and also to let the departed soul to rest in peace in heaven,” the NSCN-K stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscn-cadre-killed-in-factional-clash/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 8 : Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, addressed the Annual Conference of DGPs/ IGPs -2012 in New Delhi today. He said “It is more than 150 years since the Police Act came into force. A commemorative medal will be awarded to all policemen who were on duty between March 2011 and February 2012.
The increase in the communal incidents in the country in the past few months and the revival of ethnic tensions in the North East in recent weeks have been particular causes of concern to all of us. The ethnic disturbances of the North East assumed a national dimension with the flight of people belonging to the North East from various towns of South and Western India. This further strained the communal situation in the country, which was already showing some signs of deterioration, particularly in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
The erosion in inter-community relations is something that should worry us all. The capacity of the administrative set-up to check such deterioration seems to have weakened. This would be true of the police administration as well. There is, therefore, a case for re-orienting our police forces to effectively track the sentiments of the people and inter-community tensions as they rise. Advance identification of potential trouble makers, timely use of preventive sections of the law, alongside seeking cooperation of the community for maintaining peace should be the first instruments to be deployed, well before the situation deteriorates. It is particularly important to obtain assistance of saner elements of the society to marginalise those who are overtly intolerant and aggressive. We must train our police personnel to develop these soft skills. The grassroots information and intelligence collection systems that have traditionally been a part of policing have languished in some places. The role of a vigilant and effective beat constable can be vital in detecting communal tensions.
The use of bulk SMSes and social media to aggravate the communal situation is a new challenge that the recent disturbances have thrown before us. We need to fully understand how these new media are used by miscreants. We also need to devise strategies to counter the propaganda that is carried out by these new means. Any measure to control the use of such media must be carefully weighed against the need for the freedom to express and communicate.
The ability of Left wing extremists to gradually increase their numbers, enhance their ‘military potential’, and entrench themselves in some areas of the seven affected States in the country is and should be a cause of worry. Acquisition of indigenous capacity for fabrication of hardware and the ability to ideologically sway sections of society into raising a clamour about violation of human rights only adds to the complexity of the situation. The Para-Military Forces have to play an important role in minimising the loss of lives due to the use of Improvised Explosive Devices and preventing the exploitation of inter-State boundaries by Left Wing Extremists.
In Jammu and Kashmir, we are beginning to see increasing infiltration attempts, across the Line of Control and even the International Border.
Although 19 interdictions have taken place, terrorists were able to strike in Mumbai and Delhi last year and in Pune this year. Investigations in these cases are yet to conclude. We are still in the process of developing capabilities to take pre-emptive action in respect of terrorist threats. Realignment of operational approaches, training of police personnel and more effective collaboration among States and between States and the Centre should form part of our overall strategy of dealing with the menace of terrorism.
Police leaders should also dedicate themselves to planned technological upgradation of their forces. There are many emerging areas where our police forces need to develop new expertise. Another such area is our cyber-security. Our country’s vulnerability to cyber crime is escalating as our economy and critical infrastructure become increasingly reliant on interdependent computer networks and the internet. Large-scale computer attacks on our critical infrastructure and economy can have potentially devastating results. The Government is working on a robust cyber security structure that addresses threat management and mitigation, assurance and certification, specially building capacity and enhancing research. To this end, we need to build partnerships between Government, academia and the private sector.
There is a feeling that violence against women and the elderly is growing in the metropolitan cities. I have touched on the subject in my addresses in the preceding years as well.
Maintaining a secure environment in our cities requires special skills built around our knowledge of technology, economics and sociology. Therefore, policing the metropolitan areas, especially controlling the organized crime and protecting the vulnerable in these areas requires the focused attention of our police forces.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-worried-over-erosion-of-inter-community-relations/

Shillong, Sept 7 NNN: The Autumn Session of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Friday passed one Bill and amended four Bills.
The much anticipated Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, 2012 was passed by the Assembly on Friday.
The bills that were amended are Meghalaya Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2012, Meghalaya Police (Amendment) Bill, 2012, Rajitlal University (Amendment) Bill, 2012, and International Open University (Amendment) Bill, 2012.
In January this year, Meghalaya Legislator, Ardent Basaiawmoit had said as legislator of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly representing the Nongkren Assembly Constituency, he had tried to introduce the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, but no legislator supported him, as this Bills would provide financial assistance to the women deserted by their husbands.
Ardent had stated that he was taken by surprise, that he introduced the Bill in the Assembly, he was not givene opportunity to explain about the Bills.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/meghalaya-assembly-passes-marriage-registration-bill/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 7 : : The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday blamed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for disrupting the Monsoon Session of Parliament over the coal blocks allocation issue, and described the inactivity as “a negation of democracy”.
He said, “ We have just ended a wasted session of Parliament when both Houses were not allowed to function. The cause of the repeated disruption was that we had received a report of the CAG on the allocation of coal blocks which alleged some infirmities in the process. Instead of discussing this report in the PAC, which is the normal procedure, or even discussing it immediately in Parliament, which we offered to do, leaders of the opposition saw fit to demand my resignation before Parliament was even allowed to take a view on the report.
I feel very strongly that this is making a mockery of parliamentary democracy. We take pride in our parliamentary democracy and the tradition of free debate that it implies. Only a few months ago, during the 60th year celebrations of our Parliament, I said that the story of the Indian Parliament is a story of India striving for freedom and dignity; for tolerance and equality; for peace and progress.
We do not live up to these high ideals if we simply do not let Parliament function. The Government and the opposition both have a sacred obligation to strengthen our parliamentary system. We do incalculable damage to the reputation of India’s Parliament if we resort to disruption of Parliament to make a political point.
Those who prevent Parliament from functioning, disable the voice of the people. They take away their right to hear their representatives debate issues in a reasoned manner when the case for and against a point of view can be heard.
They force them to listen instead only to voices in the street, which is not the place for reasoned discourse.
This is the road to a dysfunctional politics which will only produce agitational politics and a deeply divided and disenchanted country.
I have high respect for the CAG as an institution. I believe we strengthen it only by taking its reports seriously enough to discuss them in the PAC and in the House. PAC reports deal with complex issues on which there can be different points of view and all these must be heard fully before rushing to judgement. We do not strengthen the CAG as an institution by using its reports to prevent discussion and cause disruption.
I assure all of you that the issues raised in the CAG report are not being swept under the carpet. They will be discussed in parliament as they should be. Whatever corrective action is necessary will be taken.
We are faced with many internal and external problems and challenges. There are problems of communal tension, ethnic violence and the ever present threat of naxalism. Terrorism remains a serious threat. The nation should be concerned about what is happening in the Northeast. There are attempts to divide communities which led to thousands fleeing from some of our cities. We have to contain the forces of lawlessness. These are some of the issues that should have been discussed in parliament so that our countrymen could have been better informed of these problems and ways of addressing them.
On the economic front too we face major challenges. The world is passing through an exceptionally difficult phase.
Our economy is also experiencing problems. We must work hard to ensure that the Indian economy returns to high growth. I have no doubt we can do it.
We can rebuild our growth momentum and encourage entrepreneurship by stimulating investment in infrastructure, in power, in roads, ports, railways, and telecommunications. This will send a clear signal to the world that India is on the road to recovery. This in turn will bring back the momentum of growth, generate productive employment and also enable us to direct more resources to help the poor and weaker sections.
We cannot do this if the government is constantly distracted by the actions of those who prefer obstruction over discussion. Those who follow this path detract from India’s prestige as the world’s largest Parliamentary democracy. They are unwittingly only serving the ends of those who want to weaken the country and discredit its institutions.
Our job in Government, I have always maintained, is to grapple with the problems of mass poverty, ignorance and disease which still afflict millions of our citizens. We will not be distracted from this task.
We have had one wasted session. I hope Parliament can get back to business in the next session. Meanwhile the Government must act wherever it can without the benefit of Parliamentary guidance. I am instructing all Ministries to accelerarte their consideration of critical issues where decisions are needed to get the economy moving again.
I urge all right minded Indians to stand up and unite against the forces of anarchy and disruption to secure the foundations of our hard earned democratic and Constitutional rights.
The month-long session, which began on August 8, has been one of the least productive sessions in the history of Parliament – only six of the 31 bills listed could be passed as logjam over coal scam paralysed the House.
The session, which usually starts in July, got delayed due to the presidential election on July 19 and the vice presidential poll on August 7.
Among the crucial bills, which passed in Parliament are the Protection of Women Against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill and a bill to create six AIIMS-like premier medical institutes across the country.
Of 15 bills listed for introduction, just five were introduced.
Of the 108 hours that the Lok Sabha was scheduled to meet, it worked for just 24 hours and the Rajya Sabha worked for 26 of 90 hours.
The coal scandal has dominated this session of Parliament after the CAG report said that the under-priced sales of coalfields would have cost the national exchequer as much as 33 billion dollars in lost revenues.
The BJP is demanding the resignation of Dr. Singh since he headed the Coal Ministry between 2006 and 2009, when
many of the sales occurred.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-parliament-disruption-a-negation-of-democracy/

SHILLONG, Sept 7 NNN: The upgradation of the Shillong Airport is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2014 even as 32 acres of land belonging to Umroi Cantonment of Indian Army has been requested from Ministry of Defence, informed Transport Minister A T Mondal.
Presently, Shillong Airport has a 6,000 feet runway which is insufficient for larger planes to land. An ATR aircraft flies daily to Kolkata except on Friday from the airport. Larger planes require about 8000 – 9000 feet of runway. To enable landing to larger planes, Meghalaya government is extending the presenting runway by another 2000 feet and also upgrading the entire airport. Earlier, on June 25, 2011, Union Civil Aviation Minister, Vayalar Ravi has inaugurated the new terminal building of the Shillong Airport which is constructed with all modern facilities at a cost of Rs 30 crore to be able to handle 200 passengers (100 arrival and 100 departure) during peak hour.
Replying to a query by Jaiaw legislator, Paul Lyngdoh, during the question hour on the last day of the Autumn Session here on Friday, Mondal informed a proposal for upgradation of the airport to provide landing of bigger aircrafts has been taken up by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
For this purpose, 192.253 acres of land has been acquired and handed over to the AAI while acquiring of additional land is being pursued with the army, Mondal stated on the Floor of the House.Also, obstacle survey of Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been completed and sent to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for clearance.Mondal highlighted that AAI has not indicated any additional requirement of land for setting up of ILS.Mentionably, an ILS is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or snow.
Additionally, government had already paid Rs 50.62 crore as compensation to the persons whose lands have been acquired for the expansion project at the airport, he apprised adding the Deputy Commissioner of Nongpoh has sought an additional amount of Rs 11.44 crore to compensate those land owners who were left out due to steep resistance and non – acceptance of the compensation offered during the initial survey.
The Minister also informed that Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited had recently agreed to set up a refueling centre at the airport to facilitate the full operationalization of the airport.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shillong-airport-up-gradation-to-be-completed-by-dec-2014/

New Delhi, Sep 7 (ANI): Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Jaipal Reddy on Friday denied speculation that oil marketing companies were going to hike fuel prices.
Reddy told media here that there was a need to lower the under-recoveries faced by the oil companies by selling fuel at subsidized rates.
“We are facing a tremendous crisis of unprecedented magnitude. However, there is no immediate proposal to hike fuel prices, including petrol. The Cabinet will take the final call,” he said.
With reports that there may be an increase in the prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday alleged that the ruling UPA Government was merely trying to divert the attention of the people, as it is currently embroiled in various scams.
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said this step of the government would be like rubbing salt into the wounds of the common people.
“The government does not want to tell the truth in Parliament. It wants to run away from the coalgate scam and wants to evade the issue of corruption by raising the fuel price,” he said.
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja also echoed similar sentiments on the issue, and said that the if the government hikes the prices of fuel then the people of the country would have to face the brunt.
“Once the session is adjourned, government and the oil marketing companies will go for another hike in the price of diesel, petroleum, and other petroleum products and it has become a routine for the Congress led UPA-2 Government. Once the session is over, they will allow the oil marketing companies to hike the price of diesel and petroleum,” said Raja.
Raja urged the oil marketing companies not to increase the price of fuel.“We advice the oil marketing companies not to go for any hike, if they go for any hike, it will face resistance from common people and as a political party we will protest,” he said.
According to reports, an increase in petrol, diesel, domestic cooking gas (LPG) and kerosene prices looks imminent after the Finance Ministry said it has no money to provide for fuel subsidy.
In all possibility, prices may be increased after the current Monsoon Session of Parliament, which ends on Friday.Diesel, domestic LPG and PDS kerosene rates have not been changed since June 2011 even though cost of production has soared 28 percent.
State-owned fuel retailers are losing Rs 560 crore per day on sale of diesel and cooking fuel, and are forced to resort to short-term borrowings to meet funds needed for importing crude oil (raw material).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jaipal-reddy-rules-out-fuel-price-hike-for-now/

AIZAWL, Sept 7: There have contrast opinions on the continuation of the Liquor Prohibition Act in Mizoram.
State Prohibition Council, headed by its chairman who is also the minister in charge of Excise and Narcotics J.H. Rothuama today convened a meeting where the Study Group report on Mizoram Liqour Total Prohibition Act, 1995 was reviewed.
State Prohibition Council had on January 24, 2011, constituted a Study Group who would conduct an in-depth study on Mizoram Liqour Total Prohibition Act, 1995 which has been in use for about 14 years as to whether it is successful, what’s the public opinion on it, its effects, and whether it is good to continue enforcing the prohibition Act. As such, the Study Group, under the guidance of H. Raltawna, IAS (Rtd), took necessary steps carefully and had formed another sub group to study on the effects of liquor on economic and society.
Besides, the Study Group collected the opinions and views of various organizations on the success and failure of the Liquor Prohibition Act.
Experts from Mizoram University also had studied the effects of liquor on Mizo youths and women. Moreover, the Study Group conducted an in-depth study by collecting the records of the number of persons caught due to violation of the Act as well as the number of liquor caught and how the violators are persecuted, from Excise & Narcotics and Police department, besides conducting a study on the effects of liquor consumption on health through medical experts.
After considering all such, the Study Group comes to the conclusion that the main reason for the difficulty in making the Total Prohibition Act successful is due to high demand and it is necessary to take steps to lower the demand. The Study Group also concludes that if the Total Prohibition Act is to be continued the Excise & Narcotics Department needs to be stronger. And also that some changes have to be made in MLTP Act, 1995, the Study Group added in the report submitted to the State Prohibition Council.
Members attending the meeting today freely shared their views and opinions. While some of the members are of the opinion that MLTP Act is good for the Mizo society as of now, and want it to continue while other members opined that continuing the Act is not good and suggested for its abolition. The State Prohibition Council after having had recorded all the views will take sometime to decide.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/opinion-differs-on-continuation-of-total-liquor-ban-act-in-mizoram/

Dimapur, Sept 6 NNN : There was a factional gun battle between NSCN factions in Dimapur today. Two cadres of NSCN-Khaplang were injured in the clash between the outfit with another NSCN faction led by Khole and Kitovi at a place called Thahekhu in Dimapur at around 7 am which lasted till 9 am.
According to an intelligence source, two sergeant majors of the NSCN-K identified as Mario Anal and James Kikon sustained bullet wounds in the clash. The official source informed that grenades and sophisticated weapons were used in the clash by both the warring groups.
It all began when NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group attacked the cadres of Khaplang faction at a house in Thahekhu, around 5 kilometres south of Dimapur main market. According to the source, one Khethovi, who was a town command of NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group in Dimapur had defected to Khaplang camp few weeks ago. In the last two days, Khethovi along with 30 cadres were camping in a house at Thahekhu village. On learning this, the rival group i.e, Khole/Kitovi faction of the NSCN attacked with heavy weapons including explosives on the house where NSCN-K cadres were camping.
The Khaplang group returned the ambush from the rival faction. In the ensuing gun battle the two sergeant majors of the Khaplang group were hurt. The clash continued for nearly hours, civil organisations and local clubs along with the church bodies intervened. While the civil organisations were trying their best to stop the clash, the Assam Rifles personnel also rushed in. At last the warring NSCN factions stopped.The Assam Rifles personnel tried to arrest the cadres of both the NSCN groups but the civil organisations prevented them from doing so. Vehicles were arranged by these civil organisations and took the NSCN-K cadres to a safer locality while the injured persons have been admitted in a hospital. It is speculated the NSCN cadres have been taken to their camp at Zunheboto.
On September 3, the NSCN-K as a gesture of “good faith” and in the “larger interests of the people” released self-style Sgt. Maj. Botai Wangnaoham s/o late Tampha Wangnaoham of Pumao village who hails from NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group unharmed in presence of local leaders and his family members.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-injured-in-nscn-factional-clashes/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 6 : Union Home Minister Shri Suhil Kumar Shinde has called for more cooperation between central agencies and state police forces as they work together towards achieving the common objective of curbing terrorism. Inaugurating the annual conference of DGPs / IGPs here today, he urged them to take prompt notice of every piece of intelligence as it is received and develop capacities for addressing the threats posed by terrorism.
Union Home Minister informed the Conference of constitution of Nine Member Standing Committee of DGPs headed by DIB to suggest Best Practices and Standard Operating Procedures for any aspect of Police operations/functioning and also propose/recommend assessments on any contemporary issue of national security.
Sushil Kumar Shinde also said that there is increasing evidence of resort taken by terrorists to the cyber-space domain. The recent incidents in Bengaluru in Karnataka, Pune in Maharashtra and other states of India where motivated rumours and irresponsible use of the social networking media posed a new challenge.
Earlier, in his welcome address Director, Intelligence Bureau, Nehchal Sandhu said that the conference has come to be a useful platform whereat police leaders are able to discuss challenges to security and design responses besides taking note of emerging trends that might require greater extension in the days ahead. He also mentioned that the recent approval of a standing committee of DGPs will carry forward the process of professional exchanges in the period between these annual conferences. Shri Sandhu also added that these conferences provide inspiration and encouragement to 2.2 million police personnel across the country.
Ministers of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mullappally Ramachandran and Jitendra Singh; Directors General and Inspectors General of Police of the States and the Union Territories; Chiefs of Central Police Organisations and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/hm-calls-for-cooperation-between-central-state-forces/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 6 : The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved implementation of North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) on 16th November 2011 at an estimated cost of Rs 683.2 crore, comprising assistance as a soft loan from the World Bank of Rs 614.8 crore and Central Government funding of Rs 68.4 crore, in two selected districts each of four States of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Ghatowar said, North East Rural Livelihood Project has become effective in March, 2012. Recruitment process for Regional Project Monitoring Unit and eight District Project Management Units is in final stages.
He said, objective of NERLP is to improve rural livelihoods especially that of women, unemployed youth and of most disadvantaged; by providing access to economic opportunities, improving adoption of sustainable agricultural and natural resource management through establishing participatory and accountable community based institutions. Targeted outcome indicators of project development objectives are:-
(i) At least 60% of women Self Help Group members achieve minimum increase of 30% in income, in real terms by end of project.
(ii) At least 30% of project-benefited unemployed youths are employed.
(iii) At least 50% of disadvantaged households achieve minimum of 30% improvement in livelihood indices from entry into the project.
The Minister said, the project aims at providing resources to engage various private and public sector organizations who in turn will assist Producer Organizations and Self Help Groups to access better market information and latest technology, obtain higher returns for their produce and help communities align their produce better with market demands. Following strategies are proposed for marketing and for establishing marketing linkages around them:
Ø support for production cluster development, collective marketing, market infrastructure development, market
intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination;
Ø value chain analysis and linkage support;
Ø public-private partnership;
Ø linkage with nodal agencies to facilitate marketing;
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that North East Rural Livelihoods Project (NERLP) will involve local community in Forest & Natural Resources Management. NERLP envisages empowering and enabling traditional institutions and building
modern management capacities within them. The communities will be able to develop new resource management plans that address forest conservation and livelihood issues and also protect biodiversity in a manner that respect indigenous rights to natural resources and livelihood needs.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Ghatowar said, procedure for identifying and sanctioning community based natural resource management programme in States covered under NERLP namely, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, will include supporting community efforts for intensifying land productivity, especially in sites where terracing and irrigation are possible. Agro forestry system with a mix of commercial products including timber, fibre, spice, and medicinal plant will help to generate income, taking pressure of steeper slopes and allowing for longer fallow periods in areas of jhum (shifting cultivation). Development of water sources, both surface and ground water resources, like springs, ponds, natural flows, managing watersheds will be taken up.
Conduct of Impact Assessment Studies through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) shall be carried out during the consolidation phase of Project, the Minister added.
Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has already sought exemption from earmarking 2% of funds for Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP), since no meaningful programme can be implemented with this meagre amount, which comes to Rs. 4.10 crore only and to Rs. 2.50 crore in case Externally Aided Projects outlay is excluded. Moreover, most of the schemes of this Ministry are in the nature of infrastructure project, benefits of which cover all segments of the society viz. SC/ST, women etc. Accordingly, no allocation is earmarked under SCSP and Tribal Sub-Plan.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today Shri Ghatowar said, notwithstanding this, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is insisting that due representation to SC/ST youth is given in training programmes conducted under its scheme ‘Capacity Building & Technical Assistance’, under which training to unemployed youth of North Eastern Region is supported. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is not required to earmark funds under Tribal Sub-Plan.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rural-livelihood-project-in-ne/

GUWAHATI, Sept 5 NNN: North East Students Organisation (NESO) leaders have met the chief ministers of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in the last three days and discussed matters for the safety of the people from the North East region in the southern states of India.
On the eve of its bandh in the region, NESO adviser S. Artax informed Newmai News Network this evening that the state government concerned should ensure the safety of North East people in the mainland India by formulating effective mechanism and measures. The NESO adviser also said that institutions ans companies or even the governments in the state of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka should not victimise the people of the North East region for their absence in their work places during the recent exodus. “The people from our region had fled as they were compelled by the volatile situation. When these people return back to their work places, they should not be victimised,” asserted S Artax.
The NESO adviser then demanded that all the Bangladeshi citizens who had come to India with valid documents but untraceable in the country should be booked by the government without losing time. Over 80 thousand people from the neighbouring country have “disappeared” in the country in the last three years.
Meanwhile, NESO is all set to hold a massive rally on Thursday from a place called Latasil in Guwahati. Chief ministers of the north eastern states have been invited to participate in the rally tomorrow. It is expected that the Members of Parliament (MPs) from the region are likely to join the rally. When the rest of the North Eastern states will witness bandh, a massive rally has been planned in Guwahati in protest against the recent episode where people from the North East region have been discriminated in the mainland India and the callous attitude of the central government in the matter.
On August 23 in Guwahati, issues on the illegal immigrants in the north east region, the prolonging fencing process of the government of India along the Indo-Bangla border and a policy to ensure the safety of the north east people in the mainland India were disccused in the NESO meeting.
The NESO units from all the North Eastern states participated in that meeting where they had deliberated that the government of India should ensure to check the influx of foreigners illegally in the north east region. The need to have a comprehensive policy to detect and deport the illegal immigrants from the north east region should be made by the government of India was also stressed in the meeting.
The NESO leaders had also pointed out the prolonging period to complete the fencing work in the Indo-Bangla border when the same could be done in the Indo-Pakistan border within a short period. “There are so many porous areas in the Indo Bangla border which have been serving as gate-ways for illegal immigrants,” one of the NESO functionary had said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/neso-leaders-meet-cms-of-southern-states/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Sep 5 : The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against twenty accused persons including the then Minister of State for Home, Govt. of Gujarat; the then DIGP, Border Range, Bhuj Kutch; the then SP, ATS, Ahmedabad; the then SP, Udaipur(Rajasthan); the then SP, Banaskantha (Gujarat); the then Circle Inspector, PS Pratap Nagar, Udaipur (Rajasthan); the then ASI & the then three Constables of Reserve Police Lines, Udaipur (Rajasthan); the then PSI, the then ASI, two Head Constables & two Constables of SOG, Palanpur(Gujarat); the then DGP; the then IGP, CID (Crime & Railways); the then ADGP, CID (Crime & Railways) and the then Dy.SP, CID (Crime), all of Gujarat Police for the offences of Criminal Conspiracy, Murder, Destruction of Evidence & offences under the Arms Act in the Court of Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Danta, Distt. Banaskantha(Gujarat) on 04.09.12 in an alleged fake encounter of Tulsiram Prajapati Case. The next date in the matter has been fixed on 10.09.2012 by the Court.The CBI had earlier registered the case on 29.4.11 on the orders of Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition(Crl) No.115/2007 filed by the mother of Tulsiram Prajapati against the police officials of Gujarat State & Rajasthan State in an alleged fake encounter of Tulsiram Prajapati.After thorough investigation, a chargesheet has been filed.
The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-files-chargesheet-against-21-persons-in-fake-encounter-case/

DIMAPUR, Sept 4 NNN : The Naga peace process is in a sticky wicket with NSCN-Khaplang group and other groups strongly dismissing that in the event of NSCN-IM bringing any solution will be only a factional solution.
With NSCN faction led by Khole and Kitovi continues to advocate on the line of Nagas of Nagaland and Nagas of Manipur and their separate solutions, the NSCN group headed by S.S Khaplang said today that if any settlement is brought about in the ongoing NSCN-IM and the government of India talks, it will be only a “factional solution”.
NSCN-Khaplang senior kilonser (minister) Wangtin Konyak said, “ We are fighting for sovereignty of the Nagas. This is the desire of the Naga people.”
Wangtin Konyak said that under no circumstances, the NSCN-K will be a part of any settlement brought about from the ongoing talk between New Delhi and NSCN-IM. “Whatever solution the NSCN-IM may bring, it is only a factional solution. Naga issue is a Naga national issue. It cannot be solved only by a faction. The Naga political issue is unique but the government of India refuses to acknowledge our nationhood which is equally demeaning the very existence of Indian nationhood,” the NSCN-K leader explained, adding,” We the Nagas had fought the British not for the Indian independence but for the Naga sovereignty and in the same time, the Indians had fought the Britishers not for the Naga cause, but the government of India imposes their grip on the Nagas till today.”
Wangtin then disclosed that when the Joint Legislature Forum (JLF), the forum of 60 MLAs of Nagaland legislative assembly, headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio met few days ago with the NSCN-K leaders, the latter had told the chief minister and his team the 60 MLAs of Nagaland are acting in favour of the NSCN faction led by Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chsi Swu. “Why do these 60 MLAs of Nagaland went to New Delhi and told the central leaders (GOI) that they are ready to vacate their seats for Naga solution when the talk is involved only by one Naga faction?” asks wangtin, adding,”This act of Neiphiu Rio and his team amounts to favouring only the NSCN-IM and ignores the rest of the Naga political groups.” Wangtin claimed he had told this thing to Neiphiu Rio and his team recently in the meeting. “We are yet to enter into a dialogue process with the government of India but the 60 MLAs of Nagaland have decided to vacate their seats for solution. In that event, who will fill their seats ? The NSCN-IM or others ? But never the NSCN (his outfit headed by Khaplang)”, questions Wangtin Konyak.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscn-k-terms-nscn-im-and-govt-talks-as-factional-solution/