Discussion on among political parties for an alternative front

Discussions among various political parties of the state for an alternative front apart from the present SPF government are in progress Source Hueiyen News Service

Discussions among various political parties of the state for an alternative front apart from the present SPF government are in progress Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=25&src=070911

HC questions Govt’s inaction

The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has directed Advocate General N Kostishwar to take instruction as to why miscreants imposing the blockade on the National Highways were not punished under Section 8B of the National Highways Act, 1956 Source The…

The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has directed Advocate General N Kostishwar to take instruction as to why miscreants imposing the blockade on the National Highways were not punished under Section 8B of the National Highways Act, 1956 Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=6&src=070911

‘CM going off leaving state in turmoil is unacceptable’ BJP demands imposition of PR

CM, O Ibobi going off to Japan leaving the state in complete turmoil is totally unacceptable , Shantikumar Sharma, president, BJP, Manipur state unit said today Source Hueiyen News Service

CM, O Ibobi going off to Japan leaving the state in complete turmoil is totally unacceptable , Shantikumar Sharma, president, BJP, Manipur state unit said today Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=21&src=070911

Sitinprotest by Staff and students of DOEACC

Staff and students of DOEACC, Imphal today staged a sit in protest at its Akampat complex today decrying monetary demand of various UG groups Source The Sangai Express

Staff and students of DOEACC, Imphal today staged a sit in protest at its Akampat complex today decrying monetary demand of various UG groups Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=5&src=070911

KSO, ZSF worry over rising crime

On the eve of a renown pop singer Jaw Malaw making his maiden performance in the district to spread awareness on HIV AIDS, two local student bodies namely KSO and ZSF have expressed serious concern over the growing activities of anti social elements in…

On the eve of a renown pop singer Jaw Malaw making his maiden performance in the district to spread awareness on HIV AIDS, two local student bodies namely KSO and ZSF have expressed serious concern over the growing activities of anti social elements in the society and increasing drug related crimes amongst the youths in recent times Source The Sangai Express S Singlianmang Guite

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=17&src=070911

Five members of cattle lifting gang held

Five members of a gang engaged in stealing cattle have been arrested by Patsoi police along with a cow and a mini truck used in stealing cattle Source The Sangai Express

Five members of a gang engaged in stealing cattle have been arrested by Patsoi police along with a cow and a mini truck used in stealing cattle Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=4&src=070911

Pensioners urge measures to ease their hardship

Aged pensioners who were once employees of different government departments have to stand in long queues to transact their monthly pensions from banks, creating a lot of problems for them Source Hueiyen News Service

Aged pensioners who were once employees of different government departments have to stand in long queues to transact their monthly pensions from banks, creating a lot of problems for them Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=27&src=070911

BJP leader arriving Imphal on September 9

BJP National spokesperson and election in charge of Manipur Prakash Javekar is scheduled to arrive here on September 9 on a two day visit to take a first hand account of the initiatives being taken up for the formation of an alliance with other politic…

BJP National spokesperson and election in charge of Manipur Prakash Javekar is scheduled to arrive here on September 9 on a two day visit to take a first hand account of the initiatives being taken up for the formation of an alliance with other political parties with exception to Congress and CPI to fight in the upcoming election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=3&src=070911

UTLA clarifies

Clearing any possible doubt, confusion and apprehension from the minds of the general public, specially village chiefs and civil organisations in the areas dominated by it, chairman of United Tribal Liberation Army UTLA SK Thadou has explained that …

Clearing any possible doubt, confusion and apprehension from the minds of the general public, specially village chiefs and civil organisations in the areas dominated by it, chairman of United Tribal Liberation Army UTLA SK Thadou has explained that the peace pact initiated has reached the final stage of drafting a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Manipur and there is no question of rejection Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=070911

Sadar Hills Gen strike off, blockade on

The Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee SHDDC has decided to suspend the ongoing general strike on the National Highways from this midnight Source The Sangai Express

The Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee SHDDC has decided to suspend the ongoing general strike on the National Highways from this midnight Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=070911

33 lakhs fish seedlings let off in Loktak

The Fishery department has let off 33 lakh fish seedlings in the Loktak Lake this year in an attempt to make fish available in abundance in the state Source Hueiyen News Service

The Fishery department has let off 33 lakh fish seedlings in the Loktak Lake this year in an attempt to make fish available in abundance in the state Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=23&src=070911

Training on HIV care held

A four day training programme on HIV care for the specialists was inaugurated in the Jubilee hall of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal today by the Director Prof S Source Hueiyen News Service

A four day training programme on HIV care for the specialists was inaugurated in the Jubilee hall of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal today by the Director Prof S Source Hueiyen News Service

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=31&src=070911

SHDDC suspends general strike after UNC but economic blockade to stay – KanglaOnline

SHDDC suspends general strike after UNC but economic blockade to stayKanglaOnlineTalking to media persons in this regard today at Motbung, the SHDDC spokesperson, Seikhothang Haokip said, “We have decided to suspend our strike mainly taking into cons…

SHDDC suspends general strike after UNC but economic blockade to stay
KanglaOnline
Talking to media persons in this regard today at Motbung, the SHDDC spokesperson, Seikhothang Haokip said, “We have decided to suspend our strike mainly taking into consideration the hardship caused to the people of Manipur by the absence of the
Six taxis damaged on NH-39Times of India
The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 07 2011E-Pao.net
9 trucks burnt down in ManipurAssam Tribune

all 10 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGaCUdU1pt4HXKPjkUks1iZNNx2BQ&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/shddc-suspends-general-strike-after-unc-but-economic-blockade-to-stay/

SHDDC suspends general strike after UNC but economic blockade to stay – KanglaOnline

SHDDC suspends general strike after UNC but economic blockade to stayKanglaOnlineTalking to media persons in this regard today at Motbung, the SHDDC spokesperson, Seikhothang Haokip said, “We have decided to suspend our strike mainly taking into cons…

SHDDC suspends general strike after UNC but economic blockade to stay
KanglaOnline
Talking to media persons in this regard today at Motbung, the SHDDC spokesperson, Seikhothang Haokip said, “We have decided to suspend our strike mainly taking into consideration the hardship caused to the people of Manipur by the absence of the
Six taxis damaged on NH-39Times of India
9 trucks burnt down in ManipurAssam Tribune

all 13 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGaCUdU1pt4HXKPjkUks1iZNNx2BQ&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/shddc-suspends-general-strike-after-unc-but-economic-blockade-to-stay/

Leaders and Followers – KanglaOnline

Firstpost (blog)Leaders and FollowersKanglaOnlineThe fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a demonstration of the strategic and structura…


Firstpost (blog)

Leaders and Followers
KanglaOnline
The fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a demonstration of the strategic and structural flimsiness of any protracted struggle to resort
Telegraph banned over Irom Sharmila storyMorungExpress
The Telegraph banned in ManipurAssam Tribune
Irom Sharmila is fighting another fight — for her right to loveIndian Express
Calcutta Telegraph –E-Pao.net
all 26 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGTtUBQJBMDkUz8lhCN6rRKiquSLQ&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/leaders-and-followers/

Leaders and Followers – KanglaOnline

KanglaOnlineLeaders and FollowersKanglaOnlineThe fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a demonstration of the strategic and structural fl…


KanglaOnline

Leaders and Followers
KanglaOnline
The fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a demonstration of the strategic and structural flimsiness of any protracted struggle to resort
Telegraph banned over Irom Sharmila storyMorungExpress
The Telegraph banned in ManipurAssam Tribune
Irom Sharmila is fighting another fight — for her right to loveIndian Express
Calcutta Telegraph –E-Pao.net
all 26 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGTtUBQJBMDkUz8lhCN6rRKiquSLQ&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/leaders-and-followers/

Editorial – Leaders and Followers

The fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a… Read more »

The fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a demonstration of the strategic and structural flimsiness of any protracted struggle to resort to hero worship. It has to be said that Sharmila’s direct followers are guilty of having done this to a great extent. Even if it is not hero worship, they had built their campaign with her as the major, if not the only prop. The approach should instead have been to see Sharmila as a star campaigner, but not the heart and soul of the campaign, but unfortunately, for whatever their reason, this route was not given much importance. And so a single report of Sharmila’s love affair with a hitherto unheard of man, and her reported statement that she is disillusioned with her followers, which appeared in The Telegraph September 5 issue, displayed prominently as the Page-1 lead story, caused so much trepidation and even the fear that the campaign against the AFSPA would lose much of its steam. We hope this does not happen and the movement is able to find new legs that could do with but did not absolutely need Sharmila as a prop if she at all becomes unavailable. Indeed, the myriad human rights organisations actively involved in the campaign must now take time off to rethink, retrospect and reorient their future strategies. Meanwhile leave Sharmila to be where she wants to be.

But increasingly confounding is also the reason why The Telegraph chose to give so much prominence to Sharmila’s declaration of her very personal affair. This is even more intriguing for in all of the 11 long years she has been staging her protest fast, even on the day she completed the 10 year landmark, she was not seen as deserving headline space by this newspaper. Many other newspapers and television channels even ignored the event. So why this sudden interest in her personal affairs, even though it is clear she was the one who revealed it to the journalist who did the report. The timing, whether by design or coincidence is also curious for only a few days earlier the Union home minister, P Chidambaram had announced in New Delhi that the government was considering a review of the AFSPA. Moreover a reflected halo form the Anna Hazare blitzkrieg in New Delhi was beginning to hover over Sharmila, signifying perhaps liberal India’s conscience was being awoken, and the issue of AFSPA was beginning to attract national attention. It was in the midst of this that the story of Sharmila’s love affair butted in rudely. The story was heart warming no doubt despite the hiccups caused by a passage suggesting Sharmila was having very serious differences with her supporters, still the question of its timing as well as the prominence given to it, would undoubtedly make many suspicious that it may have motives other than plain journalistic calibration of news value. Thankfully however, it does now seem the sensational revelation is unlikely to sidetrack the anti-AFSPA campaign.

The development also should bring back the old debate of whether leaders make situations or the situations make leaders. The Sharmila case should again highlight the need to find the right balance between two. Leaders with vision give any movement the right focus and charisma, but it is also equally true that it is the peculiarities of a given situation which throws up a leader. For instance it is unlikely Gandhi could have happened in the 18th Century or Abraham Lincoln in the 20th Century. However, it would be wrong to also dismiss the contribution of human agency in shaping event and indeed history. If everything were to be predetermined by circumstance and leaders too were forged only by the impersonal forces of history, as Isaiah Berlin noted in “Crooked Timber of Humanity” a difficult ethical situation would arise whereby it would become impossible to hold anybody accountable for history’s many atrocities. Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and all the other mass murderers of history would then appear to be no more than quasi-tragic figures, compelled by historical circumstances to do what they did. In this context, Pol Pot who killed two million of his countrymen in the span of a decade of his rule, believed what he did was for the good of his country even on his deathbed as became evident in what was to be his last interview by Far Eastern Economic Review. It would thus be prudent for the human rights movement in the state to assess the situation arising out of Sharmila’s changed emotional constitution from this light.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/leaders-and-followers/

Editorial – Leaders and Followers

The fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a… Read more »

The fact that a personal decision of Irom Sharmila is now seen as a threat to the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, in Manipur is a demonstration of the strategic and structural flimsiness of any protracted struggle to resort to hero worship. It has to be said that Sharmila’s direct followers are guilty of having done this to a great extent. Even if it is not hero worship, they had built their campaign with her as the major, if not the only prop. The approach should instead have been to see Sharmila as a star campaigner, but not the heart and soul of the campaign, but unfortunately, for whatever their reason, this route was not given much importance. And so a single report of Sharmila’s love affair with a hitherto unheard of man, and her reported statement that she is disillusioned with her followers, which appeared in The Telegraph September 5 issue, displayed prominently as the Page-1 lead story, caused so much trepidation and even the fear that the campaign against the AFSPA would lose much of its steam. We hope this does not happen and the movement is able to find new legs that could do with but did not absolutely need Sharmila as a prop if she at all becomes unavailable. Indeed, the myriad human rights organisations actively involved in the campaign must now take time off to rethink, retrospect and reorient their future strategies. Meanwhile leave Sharmila to be where she wants to be.

But increasingly confounding is also the reason why The Telegraph chose to give so much prominence to Sharmila’s declaration of her very personal affair. This is even more intriguing for in all of the 11 long years she has been staging her protest fast, even on the day she completed the 10 year landmark, she was not seen as deserving headline space by this newspaper. Many other newspapers and television channels even ignored the event. So why this sudden interest in her personal affairs, even though it is clear she was the one who revealed it to the journalist who did the report. The timing, whether by design or coincidence is also curious for only a few days earlier the Union home minister, P Chidambaram had announced in New Delhi that the government was considering a review of the AFSPA. Moreover a reflected halo form the Anna Hazare blitzkrieg in New Delhi was beginning to hover over Sharmila, signifying perhaps liberal India’s conscience was being awoken, and the issue of AFSPA was beginning to attract national attention. It was in the midst of this that the story of Sharmila’s love affair butted in rudely. The story was heart warming no doubt despite the hiccups caused by a passage suggesting Sharmila was having very serious differences with her supporters, still the question of its timing as well as the prominence given to it, would undoubtedly make many suspicious that it may have motives other than plain journalistic calibration of news value. Thankfully however, it does now seem the sensational revelation is unlikely to sidetrack the anti-AFSPA campaign.

The development also should bring back the old debate of whether leaders make situations or the situations make leaders. The Sharmila case should again highlight the need to find the right balance between two. Leaders with vision give any movement the right focus and charisma, but it is also equally true that it is the peculiarities of a given situation which throws up a leader. For instance it is unlikely Gandhi could have happened in the 18th Century or Abraham Lincoln in the 20th Century. However, it would be wrong to also dismiss the contribution of human agency in shaping event and indeed history. If everything were to be predetermined by circumstance and leaders too were forged only by the impersonal forces of history, as Isaiah Berlin noted in “Crooked Timber of Humanity” a difficult ethical situation would arise whereby it would become impossible to hold anybody accountable for history’s many atrocities. Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and all the other mass murderers of history would then appear to be no more than quasi-tragic figures, compelled by historical circumstances to do what they did. In this context, Pol Pot who killed two million of his countrymen in the span of a decade of his rule, believed what he did was for the good of his country even on his deathbed as became evident in what was to be his last interview by Far Eastern Economic Review. It would thus be prudent for the human rights movement in the state to assess the situation arising out of Sharmila’s changed emotional constitution from this light.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/leaders-and-followers/

Oh My Leader Recast Your Strategies Be Leader Of Beloved Not Of The Outcastes

by RS Jassal You are loosing your ground day by day. You were a sound person, why from ‘national worker’ you wish to go internationally acclaimed terrorist. How many leaders… Read more »

by RS Jassal
You are loosing your ground day by day. You were a sound person, why from ‘national worker’ you wish to go internationally acclaimed terrorist. How many leaders in various groups like you have got how many targeted killings achieved? This is the 11th death of a ‘national worker’ both from hills & valley, who have lost their lives in the process of carrying IEDs (Composed) from place A to target area. A few of them lost themselves while assembling the components while undergoing training too. The Anthony like acting under confusion, inexperience and nervousness achieving the status of a ‘suicide bomber’ by circumstances. My son not only gave his life but taken other innocents , harmless,  the best flowers of the parents and bosom’s natural pair of doves walking with locked hands in friendship . How shameful! It is nothing other than madness; reasons behind this may be any. I still own you up because I have dedicated my all stakes in you and you are not coming forward to spell out  your purpose of  act: Is this a military fight in disguise of cowardice to finish off  opponents moral and social strength but where is that military wares you were  aiming to destroy?

Of course I do agree, you are a great brave fighter to prove strength by firing from back and taking shelter in a crowded place to cover the heinous act confuse others to  keep on speculating ‘action was against’ Autonomous Councilor Members or against Hindi bhashis or  disobedients defying your extortion demands or  for settlement of political scores. Yet getting dignified, dye fide proclaimed compassionate status when you say ‘I have not done it’. And you are still worshipped and gifted. Not only person like me obliged to be obedient to you even the Government also bends to what you desire. There is now enough confusion all-round in politics operational and field intelligence. Vision stands blurred solution to any problem seems impossible. So is the quality of modern leader(s) and bureaucrats on other side.  Gone are the days when a leader controlled his passion (intense desire) – passion for possession, passion for recognitions, passion for wealth, passion for promotions, passion for pleasures  and luxuries, passion for name and fame – the human fragilities which put ceiling on effective leadership. Why not! you got every right to put confused confusion   in the front line after all legally placed political leadership also acts in confusional white wash – Nagalim v/s integrity of Manipur, ethnic compactness v/s political grouping of people for administration, riding on unequal laws/ statutes, LRA/MLRA incompetencies, forest policy without forests confusions and confusion all put in one called Manipur imbroglio. So your leadership stands like a pole star so what even if we have to sacrifice thousands of innocents’ lives more! Long time my leader. End of part III of III.

This is in response to pain and pangs on death of 5 innocents & eight injured in blast of 01 August, 2011. Surprisingly many write ups have appeared for the two students only and hardly any on others.  Author pays his heart felt condolences to all the departed souls wishing peace to the organizers of blast so that the leader collapses under weight of sins against innocents.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/oh-my-leader-recast-your-strategies-be-leader-of-beloved-not-of-the-outcastes/

Hunger Strike In India That Needs World`s Attention

by Nehginpao Kipgen It is uncommon here in the United States to see a peaceful demonstration, in the form of hunger strike that is spearheaded by women activists for a… Read more »

by Nehginpao Kipgen
It is uncommon here in the United States to see a peaceful demonstration, in the form of hunger strike that is spearheaded by women activists for a genuine cause they firmly believe in.

The news may sound somewhat unconvincing, but it is happening in the state of Manipur in Northeast India. It may be difficult to find someone who does not know India, even if he or she is unsure of its precise geographical location in the world map. India boasts for its diversity and being the world’s largest democracy, with a population of over 1.21 billion people.

India is a nation originally formed by princely states and territories. It is also a country which fought several decades to gain independence from the British in 1947. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi) was a pioneering leader who stood up against the British forces with an effective political weapon called ahimsa (meaning non-violence).

It was Gandhi’s use of non-violent strategy that has left indelible imprints in the hearts and minds of many Indians. If so, why has similar non-violent agitation seemingly become unimportant, if not irrelevant, in the state of Manipur?

In a genuine demand for the upgradation of Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council into a full-fledged district, more than 40 women belonging to the Kuki community, began their fast unto death on August 16. To further protest the government’s inaction, the people of Sadar Hills observed India’s Independence Day (August 15) in mourning by wearing black dresses.

On August 28, three hunger strikers were arrested by the state police on charges of attempting to commit suicide, after they refused medical aid. Earlier on August 20, seven hunger strikers were hospitalized because of deteriorating health condition.

As part of their agitation, elected representatives of Sadar Hills have met both the state and central governments. While the central government has advised the state government to look into the agitators’ demand, the state government fails to implement it thus far.

The agitation was initially planned for a seven-day strike starting July 31, but it escalated to an indefinite strike with the death of three women on August 2. They were mowed down by a tanker, whose driver lost control.

Unfortunately, this extreme form of peaceful agitation (i.e. hunger strike) has thus far failed to capture headlines in the Indian mainstream media, not to mention the international media. It has also failed to draw the attention of leading international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the dearth of publicity is surprising. Whether the Indian general public approves or disapproves of the demand is up to the readers concerned. However, leading newspapers and magazines should cover agitations such as this which involve life and death of ordinary citizens.

Sadar Hills’ demand is not something new. It has been mandated by the Indian Parliament Act in 1971. Of the six autonomous hill districts constituted in 1972, only Sadar Hills remains to be officially accorded a full-fledged district status.

Among others, the Indian president, prime minister, home minister and the opposition leader have been officially apprised of the renewed demand, which successive Manipur governments had given verbal assurances but failed to implement them. However, giving a mere advice to the state government without any concrete action is inadequate.

An indifference to such burning issue can generate criticisms and apprehensions from around the world. More importantly, Manmohan Singh-led Indian National Congress government should pay close attention to the non-violent agitation, which Gandhi and other Indian freedom fighters used against the British.

The government has responsibility to protect the lives of all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, and location.

Since the ongoing Sadar Hills agitation primarily falls under the state’s domain, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh should explore all possible means to end over a month-long political crisis at the earliest possible.

Meanwhile, the people of ethnically-sensitive Manipur should abstain from dragging the issue of ethnicity in this political game. Administrative convenience being the reason for Sadar Hills demand, it must not be viewed otherwise.

Moreover, the people of Manipur need to learn the beauty of diversity, while respecting the rights of every citizen. To achieve this goal, the gap (in terms of per capita income) between the hills and the valley people should be bridged. Unless there is equality of distribution, people will be hesitant to share equal responsibility.

Human rights organizations such as National Human Rights Commission of India and National Commission for Minorities should assess the condition of the hunger strikers and extend any possible help. Human rights campaigners around the world should speak up for these voiceless peaceful hunger strikers.

The international community must ensure that the lives of peaceful hunger strikers in India are not jeopardized for a legitimate political demand, and their fundamental rights should be protected. In this regard, pressure must be put on both the Indian and Manipur governments to take necessary steps.

The author is a political analyst and general secretary of the U.S.-based Kuki International Forum.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/hunger-strike-in-india-that-needs-worlds-attention/