MANIPUR: On the Communal Mobbing Manifested at the Gwaltabi Incident of 30 … – KanglaOnline

MANIPUR: On the Communal Mobbing Manifested at the Gwaltabi Incident of 30
KanglaOnline
The All Tribal Chiefs’ Forum (Manipur) (ATCF) imposed a 24 hours bandh (closure or blockade) from the midnight of April 29, 2015 demanding the Government of Manipur to release fund under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee …

MANIPUR: On the Communal Mobbing Manifested at the Gwaltabi Incident of 30
KanglaOnline
The All Tribal Chiefs' Forum (Manipur) (ATCF) imposed a 24 hours bandh (closure or blockade) from the midnight of April 29, 2015 demanding the Government of Manipur to release fund under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee …

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNHXgtV_65Od7l74QFB46dDmv7ENaA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=aKFJVZi5FMuv3AG664CIBQ&url=http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/manipur-on-the-communal-mobbing-manifested-at-the-gwaltabi-incident-of-30-april-2015-and-afterwards/

MANIPUR: On the Communal Mobbing Manifested at the Gwaltabi Incident of 30 April 2015 and Afterwards

MANIPUR: On the Communal Mobbing Manifested at the Gwaltabi Incident of 30 April 2015 and Afterwards   Campaign for Peace and Democracy (Manipur) Press Release 6th May 2015   The

MANIPUR: On the Communal Mobbing Manifested at the Gwaltabi Incident of 30 April 2015 and Afterwards

 

Campaign for Peace and Democracy (Manipur)
Press Release
6th May 2015

 

The All Tribal Chiefs’ Forum (Manipur) (ATCF) imposed a 24 hours bandh (closure or blockade) from the midnight of April 29, 2015 demanding the Government of Manipur to release fund under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. In the course of action bandh activists damaged a passenger vehicle and a scooter that were plying on the route at the Mongneljang village. The owner of the damaged vehicles and a group of people from Gwaltabi village attacked the bandh activists numbering about nine; seven of whom were subsequently given protection by the police. It led to an organised vandalism in Gwaltabi, by an irate mob from Thawai village, leading to the destruction of about 30 houses and properties. Gwaltabi condemned the act, demanded compensation, and called an indefinite bandh along Imphal-Ukhrul route. The matter was technically resolved on May 3, 2015, following Civil Society interventions and a tripartite talk amongst the government officials and representatives of the Gwaltabi and Thawai villages. Those whose houses and properties were being destroyed are yet to be ‘compensated’ by the government.

 

What were the contentious communal agents at play?

  1. The ATCF is composed of the chiefs from the Naga and Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of peoples.
  2. Gwaltabi is technically a Meetei village near the Yaingangpokpi Police Station. A section of the villagers interpreted the bandh communally and defied it.
  3. Thawai is technically a village inhabited by Kukis and Tangkhuls (Naga) at about 3 kilometres north of Gwaltabi. A section of the Tangkhuls perceived both the bandh and the defiance with communal perspective.

 

What were the communal aspects?

  1. The president of the ATCF Mr. Tongpu Kipgen clarified on May 2, 2015 that the ‘bandh was not called in the interest of a particular community or for the tribal alone. But it was for all job card holders of the (Manipur) including those in the valley areas.’ This posterior clarification of being non-sectarian cannot cover up the ATCF’s failure to invite ‘non-tribal,’ who were neither invited nor mobilised in advance, to make it apparently non-sectarian in intention and implication.
  2. A section of the Gwaltabi Meeteis perceived the bandh with communal perspective and defied it. They asserted that the bandh should be applicable only in the hill districts as it was called by the ‘tribal,’ thereby, logically and communally identifying the ‘tribes’ with the hills. When the vehicles were attacked by the bandh activists, they immediately retaliated in such a way that it conveyed communal meaning. In the aftermath of vandalism in their village, they took advantage of their geo-strategic location and imposed an indefinite bandh directed against the ‘tribal;’ which was an emotive reaction with communal implication.
  3. A section of the Tangkhuls of the Thawai village perceived the bandh, and the defiance by Gwaltabi and targeting of bandh activists with communal perspective. They felt that the bandh was meant to be arbitrarily enforced at any cost in those areas where they could arbitrarily exercise their muscle power to express their domination. The rumours of being targeted and missing bandh activists was consumed communally and it interplayed with the pre-existing communal hatred. They indulged in organising a mob of about 200 people who indiscriminately targeted the houses and shops of the projected communal enemy.

 

Communal mobbing as a wild norm vis-à-vis due legal course?

  1. Gwaltabi and Thawai are two neighbouring villages. They coexisted and shared in many ways; usually marked by cordial interpersonal relationships at various levels, which was sometimes overridden either during emotive aberrations incited by ruffians from time to time or on some overwhelming political issues that were not their own making but compartmentalised them into contentious communal blocks.
  2. The bandh activists could have detained the vehicles, and taken up more matured and respectable actions in such a way that no opportunity was offered towards communal interpretation about them. The owners of the damaged vehicles and the irate mob of Gwaltabi, instead of indulging in mob attack, could have waited and taken up due legal action against those who were responsible for the alleged crime. Similarly the irate mob of Thawai, instead of vandalising Gwaltabi, could have waited and taken up due legal action against the attack on the bandh activists. Similarly Gwaltabi could have taken up legal actions against vandalism instead of an indefinite bandh that affected many who were neither involved nor connected to the vandalism. Through adopting legal options, they could have prevented from injuring and becoming potential threat to one another. Even if they were indifferent to the State’s judicial proceeding, they could have adopted community consensus options, which they later on did during the tripartite talks.
  3. The organised wild aggression, a short lived irate communal barbarianism, which might have temporarily satisfied the short-sighted intentions of the village patriot turned ruffians, was practically communal, inhumane and counter-productive. There was absence of bravery and manly fair fighting but only organised vengeance by the timid ruffians who incited others to indulge in committing crime on the numerically weaker; during the target on the vehicles, mob attack on the bandh activists and vandalism in Gwaltabi there were merely organised attacks on the numerically helpless weaker.
  4. This communal mobbing culture at the village levels, a stimulating force that may spark off larger communal conflict, a situation that the overarching communal chauvinist forces have been expecting to spearhead to achieve certain counter-revolutionary reactionary intentions, cannot create the material foundation of a collective society where individuals could prosper only in interdependence and live in peace.
  5. This incident of the inter village ‘crime of obedience’ to the larger communal propaganda of the traitors of the revolution (both from the ‘valley and hills’ across communities), if repeated time and again, will merely end up with the villagers digging the grave of one another and none will be victorious.

 

What is our message to the stake holders?

  1. The All Tribal Chiefs’ Forum have nothing worth to gain for the people from the MGREGS. Their sectarian struggle for the meagre fund from the MGREGS simply exposes the perpetual monetary dependence to the exploitative bourgeoisie democratic system. It raises the question if the objectives of the tribal chiefs are not to establish economic self-reliance of the people but to remain begging, which in no condition will emancipate the people from the structural subjugation and impoverishment. It is high time that the chiefs, if they are really concern about their people, should stop begging for petty fund but concentrate on community investment in ‘their land’ to bring an end to impoverishment and emigration in search of job.
  2. The villagers of Gwaltabi and Thawai need to ask themselves as to what they have actually gained from the recent flare up. Who have gain what, how much and at what cost? It is a shame that like uncanny children who merely acted on foolish emotions, they did not fight for a good cause but inflicted injury to one another and ended up with a compromise designed by the ‘alien’ third party forces? The neighbouring villages cannot live in isolation from one another. By recognising and respecting community differences, co-existence and mutual interdependence; they can promote and defend common interest and grow together.
  3. We would like to urge upon the oppressed peoples, who can’t be self-reliant in isolation, that they have nothing to gain by creating communal enemies. The past experiences have shown that it were only the marginalised sections that carried the loads of communal conflicts and were victimised. Some ruffians or paid agents of the communal war mongers may be happy with and gain from communal conflict; but this cannot solve the structural oppression of the rulers who merely use communal propaganda to cover up their loot and misrule.

Peoples united can never be defeated

Long live international

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/manipur-on-the-communal-mobbing-manifested-at-the-gwaltabi-incident-of-30-april-2015-and-afterwards/

Binalakshmi Nepram Attends Historic 100 Years Global Convening of Women Peace Makers in Europe

Binalakshmi Nepram Attends Historic 100 Years Global Convening of Women Peace Makers in Europe,Holds Talks with Nobel Women Peace Laureates Press Release Office of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network  

Binalakshmi Nepram Attends Historic 100 Years Global Convening of Women Peace Makers in Europe,Holds Talks with Nobel Women Peace Laureates

Press Release

Office of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network

 

Bina Speaking in Europe 28April

Binalakshmi Nepram speaking during the event.

 

5 May 2015 Hague/Delhi: Noted writer & humanitarian,founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network,Control Arms Foundation of India, Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram attended the prestigious forum on women human rights defenders organized by Nobel Women Initiative and the 100 years historic convening of women peace makers organized by Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom(WILFP) held last week 24-30 April 2015 in Netherlands in Europe.

Over 1000 women from over 80 countries came together in one of the world’s largest global convening of women peace makers at The Hague in Netherlands where a women led-global manifesto was adopted for new peace agenda for the 21st Century. The historic global convening at The Hague in Netherlands was done to mark 100 years of  Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), same city where over 1300 women first came together in protest of World War I on 28 April 1915 and founded the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom,deemed world’s oldest women peace organization.

Ms Nepram addressed the massive women’s gathering of over 1000 in Europe on issues of women’s movement for peace and justice, repeal of AFSPA,ensure rule of law and defend rights of people in India’s Northeast region and the historic efforts by women leaders from across the region in an effort to bring peace, provide humanitarian relief and end wars in region. Her speech received a thunderous response bringing Manipur and Northeast Region in the global spotlight.

Ms Nepram also met four women Nobel Peace winners Ms Jody Williams, Ms Shirin Ibadi, Ms Leymah Gbowee and Ms Mairead Mcguire besides several women leaders from USA, Australia,UK,European Union, Liberia,Nigeria,Kenya and host of other 80 countries present at the historic convening.The global women leaders sent their regards to people of Manipur and Northeast region.

In a statement issued after her return from Europe, Ms Nepram said, “Our participation at historic global women peace makers convening in Europe will go a long way in ushering much needed women led peace efforts to end 60 decades of violence that has engulfed Manipur and Northeast region. Women of region has led massive movements for our rights and justice. The movement for positive change has begun. Please join in” was her appeal upon her return from Europe.

Ms Nepram was recently awarded prestigious Femina Loreal “Face of a Cause” award 2015 and Forbes (India) named her as one of 25 Young Minds to Watch out for in India. She is also recipient of Sean McBride Peace Prize & is named as one of “100 most influential people in world” working on armed violence reduction. Ms Nepram and her team works in over 300 villages across Northeast India responding to humanitarian consequences of 60 years of conflict in region.

Binalakshmi Nepram with Nobel Laureate Shirin Ibadi

Binalakshmi Nepram with Nobel Laureate Shirin Ibadi

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/binalakshmi-nepram-attends-historic-100-years-global-convening-of-women-peace-makers-in-europe/

Manipuri version of ‘What is Marxism’ released – E-Pao.net

Manipuri version of ‘What is Marxism’ released
E-Pao.net
Imphal, May 05 2015 : Manipuri translation of Emile Burns’ ‘What is Marxism’ by Jugol Saikhom was released on the occasion of 197th Birth Anniversary of Karl Marx at Manipur Press Club on Tuesday in the presence of Salam Bharatbushan, Senior …

Manipuri version of 'What is Marxism' released
E-Pao.net
Imphal, May 05 2015 : Manipuri translation of Emile Burns' 'What is Marxism' by Jugol Saikhom was released on the occasion of 197th Birth Anniversary of Karl Marx at Manipur Press Club on Tuesday in the presence of Salam Bharatbushan, Senior …

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNH8ssy0H9t5mLbG1CkrIMXT-ky25w&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=5IRJVYDWDZef3AGf84C4BA&url=http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading%3D17%26src%3D060515

Ratankumar inspects site for Manipur House in Rongpur – E-Pao.net

Ratankumar inspects site for Manipur House in Rongpur
E-Pao.net
S Nandakishor, former President of All Assam Manipuri Students’ Union (AAMSU)/Advisor; All Assam Manipuri Women Meira Paibi Co-Ordination Committee, Silchar (AAMWMPCOC); RK Ranendrajit Editor, Freedom; Advocate Y Ratan, President CADA; …
Proposed Manipur Bhawan at AssamThe Sangai Express

all 3 news articles »

Ratankumar inspects site for Manipur House in Rongpur
E-Pao.net
S Nandakishor, former President of All Assam Manipuri Students' Union (AAMSU)/Advisor; All Assam Manipuri Women Meira Paibi Co-Ordination Committee, Silchar (AAMWMPCOC); RK Ranendrajit Editor, Freedom; Advocate Y Ratan, President CADA; …
Proposed Manipur Bhawan at AssamThe Sangai Express

all 3 news articles »

Read more / Original news source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNEXzjqPiL-BwYIDj9csvcazkhrGqg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778830275420&ei=5IRJVYDWDZef3AGf84C4BA&url=http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading%3D8%26src%3D060515

CLP examines

The Congress Legislature Party CLP held a meeting today and discussed the deployment of adequate security forces in order to thwart any violence or subversive activities in the run up and during the ADC election scheduled on June 1 Source The San…

The Congress Legislature Party CLP held a meeting today and discussed the deployment of adequate security forces in order to thwart any violence or subversive activities in the run up and during the ADC election scheduled on June 1 Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=38&src=060515

Cabinet okays direct purchase of land

The State Cabinet has given its consent to purchase land from private owners directly for implementation of different projects and establishment of educational institutions Source The Sangai Express

The State Cabinet has given its consent to purchase land from private owners directly for implementation of different projects and establishment of educational institutions Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=19&src=060515

Discussion prog held

Council of Higher Education, Manipur COHSEM held a one day discussion programme on the implementation of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation CCE program yesterday at Moreh College, Moreh Source The Sangai Express

Council of Higher Education, Manipur COHSEM held a one day discussion programme on the implementation of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation CCE program yesterday at Moreh College, Moreh Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=34&src=060515

Wanglen’s Pallefam among 48 films selected

Wanglen Khundongbam’s debut Manipuri feature film Pallefam Destiny are among 48 best feature films of Pan Indian Cinema to be screened in the 10th edition of the Habitat Film Festival to be held at India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road here from May 8 to …

Wanglen Khundongbam’s debut Manipuri feature film Pallefam Destiny are among 48 best feature films of Pan Indian Cinema to be screened in the 10th edition of the Habitat Film Festival to be held at India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road here from May 8 to 17, 2015 Source The Sangai Express Manipur Info Centre

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=28&src=060515

Leaving BJP ticket seekers in the lurchChaoba spells out reasons

As the number of applications submitted by intending candidates to contest the ADC election from BJP was way beyond the number of ADC seats, BJP Manipur Pradesh failed to give tickets to all the applicants and satisfy them Source The Sangai Express …

As the number of applications submitted by intending candidates to contest the ADC election from BJP was way beyond the number of ADC seats, BJP Manipur Pradesh failed to give tickets to all the applicants and satisfy them Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=24&src=060515

Poultry activities and business to resume Bird Flu under control in Manipur

All the preventive measures that have been taken up by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services under the instruction of the Government of Manipur has come to an end today, with the declaration that the outbreak of Bird Flu has been b…

All the preventive measures that have been taken up by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services under the instruction of the Government of Manipur has come to an end today, with the declaration that the outbreak of Bird Flu has been brought under control in the State Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=22&src=060515

1 killed, 4 hurt in firing

One person was killed while four others sustained injuries when unidentified persons fired several rounds of bullet towards a group of people who were taking part in the ritual of Lai Lamthokpa of the local sylvan deity at a place between Pallel and Ai…

One person was killed while four others sustained injuries when unidentified persons fired several rounds of bullet towards a group of people who were taking part in the ritual of Lai Lamthokpa of the local sylvan deity at a place between Pallel and Aimol village at around 9 pm today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=37&src=060515

UGs arrested

A combined team of Bishnupur district police commando and 34 Assam Rifles arrested one active member of UNLF on May 3 while conducting a search operation at Wangoo Sabal area Source The Sangai Express

A combined team of Bishnupur district police commando and 34 Assam Rifles arrested one active member of UNLF on May 3 while conducting a search operation at Wangoo Sabal area Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=33&src=060515

Wangkhei HS

No class is conducted in Wangkhei High School now due to the fear of possible sudden collapse of walls as the school building had developed cracks after the earthquake of April 25 that killed thousands of people in Nepal Source The Sangai Express

No class is conducted in Wangkhei High School now due to the fear of possible sudden collapse of walls as the school building had developed cracks after the earthquake of April 25 that killed thousands of people in Nepal Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=29&src=060515

Govt assurance to medallists falls flat

Even as the State Govt has promised incentives to medallists who brought laurels to the State in the 34th National Games, medal winning sports persons have alleged that no incentives have been given till date Source The Sangai Express

Even as the State Govt has promised incentives to medallists who brought laurels to the State in the 34th National Games, medal winning sports persons have alleged that no incentives have been given till date Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=25&src=060515