Day: September 9, 2014

IMPHAL, September 9: Devson Yengkhom, brother of additional SP Yengkhom Victoria has clarified his stance on the present uproar over his alleged assault inside the JCILPS office yesterday.
In a statement, he said he was in his office in Singjamei when one of his contractual workers, a non-Manipuri ran inside the office being chased by a young person intimidating and assaulting him, and when Devson intervened immediately to inquire the reason, the young person replied that the non-Manipuri was not co-operating in verification, said a press statement by IFD Designing, Construction and Manufacturer.

The press statement said that in a while a group of persons turned up with camera but Devson was trying to calm the situation and urged them for no violence and to stop trespassing and taking pictures, afterwards, the matter was amicably resolved when Devson discussed the issue with one of the senior members of the group and but later he was asked through his assistant to meet the organisation in their office.

Devson went to meet the members of the organisation on September 8 expecting to clear apparent misunderstanding through peaceful talks but contrastingly there was a pre-plan and he was locked inside a room and attacked brutally with blunt objects on his head and back and even threatened to kill him without giving a single chance to explain on his stand, said the press statement.

It said, Devson’s assistant was also assaulted but somehow he escaped and rushed to the sister of the victim, Addl SP Y Victoria and when police reached the spot, the victim was unconscious and he was immediately rushed to hospital and he is still undergoing treatment for grievous injuries.

Devson Yengkhom reiterated that he is against violence but not JCILPS and further clarified that he has never mentioned his sister’s official occupation to intimidate anyone and the instant reaction by his colleague to ask her for help was obvious, said the press statement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/devson-says-he-is-not-against-jcilps/

IMPHAL, September 9: Police used smoke bombs to disperse a mass rally organised by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System in front of the Kangla Western gate.

The rally was taken out demanding additional SP Yengkhom Victoria’s suspension from service over yesterday’s incident at the JCILPS office.

The rally had originated from the Khwairamband Keithel this afternoon, participated by women vendors, students and others and proceeded towards Raj Bhavan shouting slogans demanding the police officer’s suspension and implementation of the ILPS in the State.

After police used smoke bombs to disperse the rally, the protestors again gathered at Shamu Makhong under the overbridge.

Police thwarted all attempts of the protestors to take out the rally again. Protestors tried to force their way into Thangal bazar, but were again blocked by the police.

Finding no way to move forward, the protestors turned back and rushed into the Chierap Court complex and later on getting information about the arrested 12 members being produced at a Lamphel court, the protestors took out a rally till the Lamphel Court.

By the time, the protestors reach the court, the 12 had already been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days. The 12 were produced before the Chief Judicial magistrate, Imphal East.

The 12 detained members are identified as Moirangthem Angamba Singh, Johnson Nongmaithem, Sumanta Manoharmayum, Elangbam Bijendra Meitei, Longjam Abothe Meitei, Konsam Phulindro Singh, Md Sajad Buya, Sarangthem William Milton, Khumukcham (n) Naosekpam (o) Rashesori Devi, Okram (n) Khomdram (o) Gunabati Devi, Hijam Ibema Devi and Nameirakpam Ibemcha Devi.

All 12 are charged with u/s 368/326/384/34 IPC.

Several shops in both Paona bazar and Thangal bazar remained closed in the evening due to the brief unrest.

Meanwhile, the student wing of the committee has strongly condemned “excessive action” of additional SP, Imphal West Yengkhom Victoria at the Nongmeibung office of the committee yesterday, expressed co-convenor Sanasam Subhash Chandra.

Speaking at a press conference at AMSU, head office, DM College he said the police officer’s action is regrettable.

It may be mentioned that Victoria had allegedly barged into the office of the committee yesterday while its members were discussing the invitation of the Chief Minister regarding a talk on ILPS demand.

She had arrested 12 members of the committee including four women following a scuffle between student wing members of the committee and her elder brother Debson Yengkhom CEO of “Tashi Interiors” inside the office.

Subhash also said that the Tashi Interiors has been banned indefinitely until an amicable solution is brought between the two parties.

He further appealed to the concerned authority to release the arrested members unconditionally at the earliest.

The student wing co-convenor continued that verification of non-locals for fake and illegal id-cards will be continued.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/rally-demanding-victorias-suspension-smoked-bombed/

IMPHAL, September 9: Thousands thronged the Khongjom War memorial today for the ceremonial offering of tarpan homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the land during the 1891 war at the sacred Khongjom River near the Khongjom War Memorial Complex.

The 21st Khongjom Tarpan was organised by the Khongjom War Memorial Trust.

BJP, Manipur unit president Thounaojam Chaoba said after the tarpan offering that he would convince the Centre to actualise a proposal of the trust to install what could become the world’s longest sword in the memorial complex.

Elaborating further, he said the proposal to place a 150 feet long sword is reasonable and it is heartrending that the State government is interested, though he had reservation about the state government’s proposal for making the sword shorter.

Expressing his belief that the Prime Minister would certain give his consent to the proposal, Chaoba said he will urge the Centre to take up the proposal and not to shorten the length as is being considered by the State government.

He said the sword could be called “Statue of the brave.”

The Kheba Hill and Khongjom River have today become places of pilgrimage and there is a need to develop a vast water body in the vicinity for the future generation to offer tarpan at, he said.

The present generation should never forget the sacrifices of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the land, he said.

The few Manipuri soldiers who fought against the mighty British army had shown the courage of the Manipuris to the world, he said and added the present generation should also have the same courage.

The State BJP president further urged the people to pray that the closing of the Sanjenthong by the present government doesn’t throw the State into chaos.

Offering of Tarpan during the Manipuri month of Langban to the forefathers who had sacrificed their lives for the land is our duty, said trust president M Hemant.

He continued the trust has been proposing the installation of a 150 feet long sword on top of the Kheba Hill since some four years back, however, the trust has been informed that the government is considering shortening of the sword.

The trust will never obstruct to any developmental work undertaken by the government at the Khongjom War memorial complex, but it will not allow shortening of the sword, he said.

Meanwhile, the United COmmittee Manipur also organised a tarpan offering at the Keikhrupat Martyrs complex to the 18 martyrs of June 18 Uprising.

The ceremony was attended by leaders of several organisations, family members and the public.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/khongjom-martyrs-offered-tarpan/

IMPHAL, Sept 9 (NNN): There is a glimpse of hope that the indefinite blockade in all the highways in Manipur will be lifted in a day or two. However, the United Naga Council (UNC) is yet to conclude in that line.

Sources disclosed Newmai News Network that Prakash Mishra, Special Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) flown down to Imphal today and had a closed door meeting in the state capital with the leaders of UNC. Prakash Mishra also brought a letter from the MHA with reference to the recent memorandum of the UNC submitted to the Prime Minister of India.

“The gesture from the Government of India is quite encouraging and we will decide whether to suspend the ongoing indefinite blockade or not only after the Presidential Council meeting to be held tomorrow (September 10),” a UNC source said, adding, “It was a gigantic decision taken by the Naga frontal organisations to impose the blockade and to review the decision will only be done through the Presidential Council meeting.”

Meanwhile, a separate source from Senapati said that it is likely the UNC will suspend the indefinite blockade in a day or two. “Mr Prakash Mishra requested us on behalf of the Government of India and the letter content of the MHA too is quite encouraging,” stated the source. The source further said given this situation the UNC is likely to lift the ongoing blockade.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/unc-likely-to-lift-blockade/

IMPHAL, Sept 9: A delegation of Naga People’s Front of Manipur called on the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh today at his office in Delhi.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Home Minister highlighting the situation of Manipur under the Congress led government.

While interacting over the phone with this IFP reporter, Honreikhui Kashung general secretary of NPF Manipur State unit said that the memorandum consisted several point to expedite the Indo-Naga peace talk and bring a solution which will be acceptable to both the parties. So that it may bring permanent peace in the Northeast region, he said.

The second point consists of immediate intervention of the Central government into the prevailing situation of chaos in the State.

He further said that yesterday the team has met Kiran Rajiju, Union Home Minister of State, and they expect to meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow.

He said that the Home Minister and the Union Home Minister for State listened carefully to their submission.

They highlighted that common people of Manipur are suffering and facing repression from the State forces. Conflict between communities, frequent bandhs and blockades, and disparity in development in the State are all due to the negligence of the leadership of the present government, it said.

He further said that the whole development process in the State has been stalled due to financial mismanagement by the present government. The Article 371(c) of the Indian Constitution has been thoroughly distorted by the Sate Govt all the years, thereby leaving the tribal in the State in a precarious situation.

He continued that democratic appeals from the public for removal of CrPC had fallen on deaf ears of the State Government. Instead of listening to the voice of the people, the Government suppressed the democratic rights of the people with guns by killing two innocent persons and injuring many others, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/state-npf-calls-on-union-home-minister-rajnath-singh/