CORE blames GoM, CSOs for Ukhrul incident

IMPHAL, August 30: The Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur, condemned the atrocious shooting incident at Ukhrul today and blamed both the government and certain civil society organisation

IMPHAL, August 30: The Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur, condemned the atrocious shooting incident at Ukhrul today and blamed both the government and certain civil society organisation for allowing the situation to precipitate to today’s tragedy,

“Under considerable and sensitive constraints, the Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur expresses a considerable scorn towards the situation in Ukhrul in Manipur,” said a statement of the organisation.

It said the ugly state of affairs, and it’s tragic consequences, was a foregone conclusion because of the disgraceful divergent trajectories pursued by the government of Manipur and civil society organisations who think that a conflict can be resolved through untenable positions and supplication to so-called ‘authorities’ far removed from the realities of Manipur.

With increasing fatalities and casualties in Ukhrul, CORE remains deeply concerned that the martial law governance disposition of the Manipur government exposes its abject defeat to address its responsibilities as an answerable executive organ of the State, it continued.

The CORE statement appealed to all, including the sensible and astute sections among all citizens, in Ukhrul to refrain from postures and activities that will only result in further violent confrontation.

The CORE statement continued further “In our view, it is a foregone conclusion that Section 144 of the CrPC has been patently abused in Ukhrul.”

“On the other hand, the aggravation by the leadership of the widely appreciated and respected United Naga Council of Manipur is nakedly uncalled for, and only served to expose its superficial evaluation of the situation and missed an opportunity of a promising constructive role it can play under the circumstances that have tormented the citizens of Ukhrul and its surrounding areas for weeks.”

“Governments in a democratic system cannot be accused speciously and relentlessly of being ‘communal’ while ignoring the obvious exigency of the present sensitive opinionated scenario prevailing in Ukhrul,” it said.

The people of Manipur in one voice reject any communal agenda from any quarter, it said before adding that provocations designed to detonate a violent and potently incendiary situation cannot, under any circumstances be construed as a struggle for human dignity and rights, under any level of aggravation.

The law of the land must prevail including international human rights law, and that must be accepted by all; what is blatantly omitted is an open acknowledgment of responsibility and duties by all parties, further said the CORE statement.

“CORE expresses deeply felt condolences of those who lost their lives today in Ukhrul, and appeals to all, especially the government of Manipur to exercise its democratic responsibilities with due diligence in accordance to the highest principles and policies of democracy.”

The Manipur Police is being injudiciously and excessively exposed to a very partisan situation, it said before urging the Manipur government to immediately withdraw all prohibitory orders in Ukhrul under Section 144 of the CrPC as its justification and legal premises are no longer relevant nor acceptable.

An impartial judicial level inquiry must be instituted and the people who have suffered tragically must be compensated and rehabilitated by the government, it said.

Responsibility for the use of inappropriate and excessive force by the Police stationed in Manipur must be fixed, and those indicted beyond doubt must be given exemplary disciplinary punishment, the CORE statement concluded.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/core-blames-gom-csos-for-ukhrul-incident/

Manipur Violence: Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul

Mass peace rally turns violent in Ukhrul, end peaceful elsewhere Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul By R Lester Makang   UKHRUL, August

Mass peace rally turns violent in Ukhrul, end peaceful elsewhere
Two shot dead, scores including several cops injured, vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul

By R Lester Makang

 

Protestors burn effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam at Ukhrul; People participating in the rally at Senapati and protestors stand nearby two vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul.

Protestors burn effigies of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam at Ukhrul; People participating in the rally at Senapati and protestors stand nearby two vehicles set ablaze in Ukhrul.

UKHRUL, August 30: At least two civilians have been shot dead and scores grievously injured in police firing and subsequent assault on civilians even as irate mob beat up some four five police commando personnel in Ukhrul today.

The mob had also set ablaze two government vehicles after the United Naga Council (UNC)-sponsored public mass rally turned violent here on Saturday.

The two deceased have been identified as Ramkashing Vashi, 26, son of Christopher Vashi of Teinem village and Mayopam Ramror, 32 of Teinem village.

Both were said to be recently married and survived by their pregnant wives respectively. The bodies have been deposited at the Ukhrul District Hospital for post mortem.

Meanwhile, another critically wounded Ngachonmi Muivah of Somdal has been taken to Imphal for treatment while all the other injured are being treated at the district hospital.

However, the exact number of the injured could not be immediately ascertained, though expected to be around 16 including the critically wounded.

Eye witnesses said that as the public numbering over thousands turned out at Awon Tang junction and tried to proceed towards the Tangkhul Naga Long Ground around 1:35 pm to join a mass gathering where a joint memorandum of Naga Hohos and Naga frontal organisations of the respective districts was slated to be read out before being submitted to the Prime Minster of India at 2 pm, State security forces fired tear gas shells, mock bombs resulting in heavy casualties among the public.

Soon after, similar violent situation erupted at Alungtang and Wino Bazaar where police commandos fired live bullet allegedly from suspected AK 47 rifles upon the rallyists at point blank range killing the duo instantaneously in front of Ukhrul Higher Secondary School at Wino Bazaar even as explosions of mock bombs and tear gas shells continued, sources added.

In the ensuing mob action, eye witnesses said, some four five police commandos were beaten up by the irate mob resulting in grievous injury of one police personnel.

The public went ahead and set ablaze two vehicles including a Police commando gypsy in front of TNL Ground at Wino Bazaar.

The public also rained stones at security vehicles passing through the TNL Office breaking windows of some vehicles even as commandos kept blank firing. Thereafter the public put up boulders and logs across the road in dual direction in front of TNL office to block passage of security force vehicles.

At the same time, the public held a gathering at TNL Ground where effigies of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Dy CM Gaikhangam were burned amidst strong condemnation and curse.

Thereafter around 4 pm police commandos went on rampage on the main road of the township and damaged some private vehicles, eye witnesses have said.

Subsequently, the State forces resorted to physical attack on civilians crossing the District Mini Secretariat at Hamleikhong and whisked away 9 persons in their custody inside the office complex where the civilians were brutally assaulted resulting in critical injuries.

Later, with intervention of district administration, it was decided that State forces be retreated to ease the mounting tension for the time being and Assam Rifles personnel be deployed in the town instead and subsequently, the youth were released and rushed to the district hospital, sources added.

However, around 5:30 pm two persons who happened to be friends of the two deceased were returning home after visiting the hospital were reportedly severely beaten up by police commandos who were staying near Ukhrul Town Hall. However, they have been rescued by AR personnel and rushed them to Army hospital at Somsai immediately.

The public mass rally was held in all the Naga hill district of the State to demonstrate the sentiments of the Nagas in the backdrop of the continued imposition of CrPc 144 along with deployment of State security forces while also to pressurize the Government of India to expedite the process for Alternative Arrangement pending Indo-Naga solution.

The rally was staged at six different localities of the town which was attended by thousands of peoples from all localities of the town and villages from nearby villages.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/manipur-violence-two-shot-dead-scores-including-several-cops-injured-vehicles-set-ablaze-in-ukhrul/

“How many deaths are we to receive from the mainland?”

KANGPOKPI, July 22: Around 1000 people, coming from various walks of life including students, frontal organisation leaders, social leaders, women organisations representatives, religious leaders, and businessmen gathered at Traffic point,

KANGPOKPI, July 22: Around 1000 people, coming from various walks of life including students, frontal organisation leaders, social leaders, women organisations representatives, religious leaders, and businessmen gathered at Traffic point, Senapati Bazaar to show solidarity to the bereaved families of late KWilungbou Chawang, Oklong Village and A. Salouni, who were brutally murdered at South Delhi, the national capital of India.

Wilungbou Chawang, hailing from Manipur was found dead inside a drain in Chirag Dilli, South Delhi, recently.

LR John, ex-president, SDSA and SDSA tribunal general in his condolence speech said that they cannot remain as silent spectators when their own brothers from their own neighborhood were being killed mercilessly.

Vice president of the NPO, Adakho questioned what good will be there to go to Delhi for higher education if so many talented scholars are killed without any mercy and “How many death bodies are we yet to receive from mainland?”

He also urged the public to stand firm till justice is brought.

Paul Leo, Convener, Alternative Arrangement and an ex-President, UNC, said that the two were mercilessly killed like an animal in the jungle. Various cases of murder, assault, harassment, rapes etc. on people coming from the North East were reported every now and then just because, they come from the NE.

People from the NE at Jantar Mantra, New Delhi and different places in the NE light candles to denounce the killings, stating “Enough is enough” of such killings, assaults, harassments, rapes etc. on people of the NE in general.

The AA convener also questioned the central Govt. why they are still slumbering when uncountable such incidents were meted out to the people, coming from the NE region and why people from the NE, India are targeted in every metro cities of India.

If India thinks it is not complete without the North Eastern States, the convener continued, the central Govt. also should protect the precious lives of the people coming from the NE.

A John, Town committee President, commented that people of the NE too, should think of how to survive on their own if such killings, tortures, harassments, etc. are to continue likewise.

He asked the general public to wait and watch what the central Govt. will do in future for the protection of the people coming from the NE region. The gathering came to an end after paying condolence to the two departed souls.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/how-many-deaths-are-we-to-receive-from-the-mainland/

United Naga Council calls off 96 hour bandh

The post United Naga Council calls off 96 hour bandh appeared first on  KanglaOnline.com.MAnipur, IMPHAL, August 20: The 96 hour bandh called by the United Naga Council (UNC) seeking ‘alternative arrangement’ has been called off following an invit…

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MAnipur, IMPHAL, August 20: The 96 hour bandh called by the United Naga Council (UNC) seeking ‘alternative arrangement’ has been called off following an invitation from the Union Home Ministry for tripartite talks in the last week of August. A … Continue reading

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Explaining the Siege: The Unending Blockades in Manipur


By Bibhu Prasad Routray 21 September 2011 : The ongoing blockades in Manipur entered 52… more »


By Bibhu Prasad Routray

21 September 2011 : The ongoing blockades in Manipur entered 52 days on 21 September. Even by the prevailing norms in the state where blockades are imposed with religious regularity by almost anybody- militant formations, civil society organisations, student outfits, tribal bodies – this time around the siege has gone wee bit too far, with no end in sight.

As people in the state struggle to meet their ends with scarce commodities, this is an attempt to explain the issue at hand and examine the options for the governments in Imphal and New Delhi to put an end the current logjam.

Issue at hand:

Upgradation of the Sadar Hills sub-division of the Senapati district to a full-fledged district.

The issue is at least two decades old. Incidentally, the Manipur State Legislative Assembly has twice passed resolutions supporting the creation of the Sadar Hills district. Creation of this new district is not an easy proposition for the area under the Sadar Hills, and largely dominated by the Kuki tribe, is seen by the Nagas as part of their traditional homeland. Both Nagas and Kukis have fought bitter internecine clashes through out the 1990s resulting in deaths of hundreds.

The biggest stumbling block before the issue, thus, has been “one posed by ethnic contestations over territory informed by archaic notions of ethnic homelands”. The issue also highlights the division between the Hill and the Valley areas of the state. Geographically, 90 per cent of the State area is hilly and contains 41 per cent of the population. The rest 59 per cent of the state’s total population, are located in the Valley, housing the state’s capital.

The Key Players:

1. Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC): Consisting of Kuki tribals, the SHDDC since 31 July 2011 has blocked NH 39, which connects Imphal with Dimapur (in Nagaland). It also has blocked NH 53 that connects Imphal with Assam.

2. United Naga Council (UNC): In anticipation that the SHDDC agitators may have their way, this apex political organization of the Naga tribes within Manipur on 21 August imposed its own blockade along all the other highways (NH 39& NH 150) leading out of the state, thus effectively cutting off the state from the rest of the country. UNC opposes the creation of the district on the fear that the creation of the district would split the Naga population and would further put their ultimate goal of being a part of a unified Nagalim that brings together all the Naga inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh under one administrative unit in jeopardy. The UNC further insinuates that the demand for Sadar Hills district is part of a sinister divide and rule policy by the Government of Manipur, indirectly hinting at a machination by the valley based Meitei communities who they feel are against the Nagas.

3. Manipur Government: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has promised the SHDDC that a final decision on creation of the Sadar Hills district would be made after the Committee on Reorganization of Administrative and Police Boundaries (CRAPB) submits its report in three months. The first meeting of the state chief secretary-headed Committee on Reorganization of Administrative and Police Boundaries (CRAPB) was convened on 15 September to seek people’s comments and opinion on remapping of district boundaries. Meanwhile, several civil bodies have appealed to the government not to rearrange the boundaries on the basis of religion, language or communities.

4. New Delhi: It has resisted intervening as the issue remains an internal political problem in Manipur and has remained free from ethnic violence. Any intervention would be seen as a bias in favour of or against particular tribes. Thus, it believes that this situation is better handled by the State government. In any event, Manipur police is 20,000 strong, and has 10,000 police commandos at its disposal. In any event, the convoys of trucks are being provided security by the Manipur Rifles personnel and Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) battalions along with central forces, the BSF, CRPF and Assam Rifles, although full safety of the vehicles has not been ensured. Six trucks including two carrying medicines were burnt down by the UNC protesters at Nungkao area under district along NH 39 on 16 September.

Options before the State Government:

1. Force open the Highways: This would appear to be the easiest of solutions. However, all the Highways passing through the state obviously can’t be kept open by security force presence all round the year. The state would require at least 20 dedicated battalions of security forces for the purpose. Neither the state nor New Delhi can afford this. The other option is to concentrate only on Highway 53 that connects Manipur with Assam and is less troublesome to keep operational. However, this Highway is simply unusable in its vast stretches. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which is the repairing agency, has set a deadline of 2013 to complete its work.

2. Create Sadar Hills district: It will placate the Kukis, who would then lift the blockade on NH 39 and 53. However, the decision would annoy the Nagas who would continue the blockade on rest of the highways. The decision will certainly have a spillover effect in Nagaland, where the Nagas would eventually impose fresh blockades on NH 39, which passes through Nagaland. It has happened so many times in future and will recur. The Manipur state government, which now can still get its supplies through convoys of trucks under police and security force protection into the valley areas, will be completely at the mercy of the Nagaland government. New Delhi can intervene in that inter-state conflict scenario, but the danger is that the conflict may also take dangerous turn towards vicious inter-tribal violence between the Nagas and Kukis in Manipur, a worst case scenario New Delhi would try to avoid.

3. Do nothing till the storm passes over: This is a policy the Ibobi Singh government has been frequently accused of. Blockades demanding creation of the Sadar Hills district is almost an annual ritual, for past several years. On previous occasions, protesters have gone home after deliberations and assurances by the state government. Only this time, this has gone on for so long. Since there have been multiple resolutions in the Assembly favouring the creation of the district, the government can’t now reject it. But an Ostrich like policy will keep the issue alive, allowing it to return in possibly worse forms.

4. Get the Nagas and Kukis to talk to each other: On paper, it may sound fine, but is a highly improbable scenario, given the acrimony both communities bear towards each other and also, the hostility they have towards the state government.

5. Create the district, but under different names: As a respected editor friend of mine Pradip Phanjoubam suggests: “The state government could experiment with things like naming the proposed Sadar Hills district as Senapati (South) and the old Senapati as Senapati (North). The point is to send out the message to those demanding as well as opposing the formation of this new district that the new district has no other intent than administrative convenience.”

6. Do nothing till a humanitarian crisis forces the New Delhi to impose President’s rule: Presuming nothing improves, the closing act of the state government may be a transition to the President’s Rule to avoid a humanitarian crisis. As Pradip Phanjoubam opined, “This is not so much about punishing the government for allowing the situation to go out of hand leaving the state with the distinct possibility of completely descending into total chaos, but instead of finding a way out of the present dangerous problem.” This unfortunately looks to be the only way out of the present impasse

This article was sent to Kanglaonline by Bibhu Prasad Routray
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Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/explaining-the-siege-the-unending-blockades-in-manipur/