Day: May 8, 2015

IMPHAL, May 7: The Manipuri Students Federation has lashed out at the government for neglecting the welfare of the primary school students.

`Since the inception of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, complete board prescribed text books have never been issued to any government school students. Hence, making a mockery of provision of free education under RTE` alleged MSF secretary general Maibam Bidyaraj Meetei speaking at a press meet in their office today.

He added `The government on the pretext of insufficient fund, is allocating a meager amount of Rs 150 for primary students and Rs 250 for upper primary students which could only cover the cost for half the syllabus`

Such apathy of the government is viewed as serious denial of rights under RTE and hence we appeal to the concern authority to address the issue immediately, he continued.

Meanwhile it has come to our notice that some private schools while diverging from the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM)`™s official instruction dated December 31, 2014, on prescription of text books and publishers, are conveniently prescribing from other publishers, he observing stating that BOSEM should derecognized such private schools.`.

Bidyaraj explained, `The Board had prescribed Moral Science by Macmillian Publisher Pvt. India Ltd., New Delhi; Magic with Computers by Subhash Benchmark Books Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi and Mathematic Laboratory by Gita Publishing House, New Delhi for Primary and Upper Primary.`

We appeal to all private schools to immediately rectify the issue within May 10. Thereafter, we along with Pangal Students Association, Manipuri Nat Kanba Lup and All Manipur Art and Cultural Students Union would initiate a school to school drive to check compliance of the BOSEM`™s instruction, he warned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/student-body-alleges-government-of-neglecting-primary-school-students/

IMPHAL, May 7: An under trial prisoner charged of raping a minor girl under Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act, 2012 was found dead inside the campus of the Sajiwa Central Jail today.

The deceased under trail prisoner has been identified as S Ngoupuni, 66 alias Ngaopuni son of Late Seiba from Liyai Khullen but stayed at Imphal Paomei Colony.

Reports said S Ngoupuni was supposed to be produced before the court of A Guneshwar Sharma, Special Judge (POCSO), Manipur East at Uripok Cheirap Court today in connection with the charges framed against him.

The prisoner went out of the jail room where he was kept to take bath at around 9 am to get ready for appearance in the court. After he failed to return back to his room from bath for long, the jail authority searched for him but found dead with injury marks on his head at a place inside the jail campus.

He was rushed to JNIMS Hospital for treatment but succumbed to the injuries. A case has been registered with the Heingang Police Station, Imphal East in connection with the incident.

The dead body has been handed over to the deceased`™s family after performing post mortem at JNIMS morgue, the reports added.

Talking to this daily following the incident, advocate S Shyamcharan alias Sanou who is the counsel of the deceased under trial prisoner said that S Ngoupuni was arrested by police on charges of raping a 14-year minor girl on April 19 last.

He further said that police charged S Ngoupuni of raping the minor girl on April 17 around 12 pm after the accused took the girl who is also from the same locality on the pretext of letting her cast vote in the last Lok Sabha election.

Heingang police registered a case against him under FIR No 30 (4) 2014 HNG PS U/S 376/420 IPC and Section 4 of POSCO Act, 2012. After arresting him, the accused was remanded to police custody. Later, he was lodged in Sajiwa Jail after the court remanded him to judicial custody, he elaborated.

The counsel maintained that appeals were made before the court for four times to grant bail to the accused to receive medical treatment after his client was diagnosed with Dementia by doctors at RIMS and JNIMS but the pleas were rejected by the court.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/rape-accused-found-dead-inside-sajiwa-jail/

IMPHAL, May 7: A joint emergency meeting of the Kuki Students`™ Organisation (KSO-GHQ), All Naga Students`™ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and members of All Manipur Hill Districts Contract Basis Teachers 2006 batch, under the directorate of Education (S) hills was held today over the issue and problems of the aforesaid Hill schools contract teachers.

According to a release of KSO-GHQ, in view of the government`™s indifferent attitudes, despite of various democratic form of approaches and agitations from the side of JAC-AMHDCBTA and other related organizations to bring an amicable solution, the two apex student bodies of the tribals of Manipur will directly intervene and deal the issue with immediate effect from May 7.

The ANSAM & KSO-GHQ will make a joint delegation to the Govt. of Manipur on May 8 to redress the long pending issue of the Hill Schools Contract Basis Teachers 2006 batch for their service regularization.

It further cautioned that if the government fails to redress the long pending genuine issue at the earliest date, a series of unwanted activities will flare up in the four corners of the State.

The organisation also revealed that all the members of the Hill Districts Contract Basis Teachers Association will be organizing a solidarity march and peaceful assembly on May 8 in Imphal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/kso-ansam-join-hands-to-spearhead-contract-teachers-demand-agitation/

IMPHAL, May 7: `A crime is a crime. Whether it is intentional or mistake. The culprit involved in the Pallel firing incident resulting in the death of a one person and injuring four others, will be punish according to the law of the land` said Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam.

The Deputy Chief Minister also made a startling revelation contradicting his earlier statement that the Congress will be fielding 130 candidates in the ADC election. He said he now discovered only 90 will be fighting the elections.

The deputy Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio stated these during a press conference held at the Congress Bhavan, today.

Gaikhangam revealed that according to police officials the culprit involved in the Pallel firing incident has surrendered to the police admitting that the incident was not intentional but a mistake.

Given the situation, he said that it is up to the court to decide on the quantum of the penalty to be awarded to the culprit while the government do its best to make sure that all those involved will he hunted.

Further clarifying on the difference in the number of the nomination filed today while comparing to the prediction made by him, Gaikhangam said that the sudden declined in the nomination filed by Congress candidates was owing to the existing threat.

The public are well aware of the prevailing situation, he said adding that observing the ground reality, statistically the ruling party has to change the filing of the candidate into 90 and not 130 as predicted earlier.

The ruling party will be supporting the independent candidate in the areas where Congress party has less advantage, he added.

As it is best to follow accordingly with the prevailing situation instead of sticking with one principle he added.

Further responding to queries on charges levelled by other party against the ruling party incapability in maintaining law and order, Gaikhangam stated that it is not the question of inability but for maintaining a cohesive peaceful and in humanitarian manner during the election.

As now the main target of the party is to make the local body functional so that the local people can get the benefit out of the election, he continued.

Further clarifying on the reports of militants in the SoO (Suspension of Operation) interfering in the electioneering process, Gaikhangam mitigated that disturbances could have been a reaction of dissatisfaction towards the inability of the authority concerned to initiate political dialogue.

The SoO groups are upset that despite the Suspension of Operation (SoO) has entered over 7 years yet no political dialogue has been initiated adding that the other contention is the central government asking the outfits for the dialogue in Imphal by sending representatives.

The state government along cannot interfere in this matter as it not alone the state subject but, he said.

Gaikhangam further asserted that on the side of the state government, they are ready to extend any kind of cooperation to bring a peaceful and positive conclusion but without affecting the interest of the people.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Seval Dal observed the 126 birth anniversary of Dr N S Hardikar, founder of Congress Seva Dal at Congress Bhavan, BT road here today.

Floral tribute was also paid by the led DY CM Gaikhangam and other Congress members during the observation.

Speaking at the sideline after the observation ceremony Gaikhangam stated that DR N S Hardikar has a very special power to attract young people and infuse them with his energy, earnestness and patriotism.

Dr N S Hardikar conceived the idea of Hindustani Seva DAL when he saw how badly his people needed training in discipline and team work for freedom movement he added.

In one of the beautiful quote of DR N S Hardikar it said `Courage without discipline`™ he said `is of no use, and a mob, however brave, is powerless before a trained army. Most of our weakness can be traced back to our lack of discipline.`

Gaikhangam appealed the people of the state to follow the mission and principle of DR NS Hardikar as his teaching and inspiration can make a better person.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/pallel-firing-culprit-has-surrendered-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, May 7: As in other parts of the world, the World AIDS Orphans Day was observed by Women Development Association, Wangjing at the multipurpose hall of Lamding Model School, Thoubal district today.

The observance function was attended by Chairperson of Manipur Industry Development Council, P Loken; District Supervisor of DAPCH Thoubal, Thoudam Openkumar; Member of Wangjing-Lamding Municipal Council Ward no 4, S Manihar; Director of Harvest of Jubilee International, Pastor M Ranjit and social worker T Indubala as presidium members.

Delivering key note address, secretary of WDA, M Inaotombi stated that it is high time to collectively discuss the status of people living with HIV/AIDS especially orphans to ensure that they are not discriminated in the society.

She said that that orphans inflicted with HIV/AIDS should be brought up like any other normal children and offered them with proper education and accommodation to ensure their future.

If they are not treated properly then it is most likely that they will live with social stigma when they are grown up. They are also vulnerable to suicidal tendencies if proper care is not given to them, she said.

Informing that there are around 115 HIV positive children and 200 with either their mother or father is HIV positive alone in Thoubal district, the secretary of WDA noted that they may commit anti-social elements if they are ill-treated in the society.

During the function, gifts were presented to several orphans living with HIV/AIDS from the side of Women Development Association.

The FXBIS Manipur Branch also observed the 14th World AIDS Orphans Day on the theme `Walking for AIDS Orphans`™ in their Singjamei Office today with Nolinikanta, President, Community Network for Empowerment; Dr. Manglem, Senior Medical Officer, ART Centre, JNIMS and Radhamani, Senior Nurse, JNIMS as the president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

The observation was also participated by several stakeholders including HIV+ orphans.

The organisation`™s website fxbsuraksha was also launched on the occasion.

`World AIDS Orphan day is observed to extend solidarity and highlight the plight of children affected by AIDS and most importantly, to remind the government regarding the objectives under the United Nation`™s Declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS.` explained K Sunil Meitei, Project Officer, FXB India Suraksha Manipur.

FXBIS supports about 97 children in Imphal East under its comprehensive care and support programme which assist HIV and AIDS affected People with nutrition, education, medical, psychosocial and income generating activities, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/world-aids-orphans-day-observed-in-thoubal/

IMPHAL, May 7: The JAC formed in connection with the Pallel firing incident which killed one man and injured four others have decided to temporarily lift all forms of agitations following an amicable solution reached with the State government today.

Post mortem of the dead body will be conducted tomorrow and later handed over to family members.

According to the JAC`™s secretary M Jibon, the meeting was held at the Chief Minister`™s office complex.

Jibon said the Chief Minister has provided assurance that his government will try to provide an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs to the family of the deceased, Rs. 1 lakh each compensation to the seriously injured and Rs 50000 to those receiving minor injuries.

The government has also consented in principle to provide a government job to one of the deceased`™s family member according to their educational qualification, he continued.

At the same time, it was also agreed upon during the meeting that the family of the perpetrators of the incident would be made to pay some money in their capacity to the organisers of the Lai haraoba ceremony for forcing the ceremony to close down midway, he said.

The perpetrators would also be made to apoogise before the people of the State, he said.

Elaborating further on the Chief Minister`™s assurances, Jibon said the Chief Minister has also assured to take all possible measures for the swift arrest of all those involved in the crime.

Following the assurance of the Chief Minister to fulfill the demands of the JAC, the agitation has been lifted temporarily, however, if the government fails to turn the assurances into action, the JAC will once again launch agitations with the support of other civil organisations of the State, he said.

Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that there were no reports of any unwarranted incidents today in the area.

Locals, however, staged a sit in protest at the Pallel Lamkhai, while the police took extra caution to check any form of untoward incident erupting in the area.

It may also be mentioned that today`™s meeting between the JAC representatives and the Chief Minister was also attended by Tengnoupal MLA DK Korungthang and DIG Range II Dr S Ibocha.

Meanwhile, condemnations of the firing incident continue to pour in.

The Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup has strongly condemned the gun attack at Pallel during the Lai Lam Thokpa procession.

According to a release of the association, it is important to respect each others`™ religion and rituals.

The association also shares in the grief of the deceased family members as well as the injured people, it added.

The International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) has said that the organisation vehemently condemned the Pallel incident.

A press release of IPSA said that the culprits should understand that such incidents will not succeed in creating communal conflicts in the State. The government should arrest the culprits as soon as possible and met out punishment, it continued.

The association has appealed to the family members and neighbours of the deceased to help the police in catching the culprits and met out punishment as soon as possible.

It also appealed to the people of Aimol to help in arresting the perpetrators.

The association has also appealed to all the people of the State to avoid such incident in the future.

IPSA shares in the grief of the family members of the dead as well as the injured people and will provide all necessary help, it said.

The All Manipur Arts and Culture Students`™ Union (AMACSU) has appealed to all concerned against creating unnecessary disturbances to religious ceremonies of any community.

Manipur is inhabited by different communities with their own different sets of traditions and cultures, AMACSU said in a press release.

People should be careful enough not to ignite any communal tension in the society, it said and further appealed to all to prevent any such disturbance as the Pallel incident in the State.

The union has also said that it shares the grievances of the families suffering due to the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/pallel-jac-calls-off-agitations-following-cms-assurance-on-demands/

KANGPOKPI, May 7: Civil bodies in Sadar Hills including Kuki Inpi, Chief Associations`™, Kuki Women Union and TSA Sadar Hills decided to endorse the 24 hr total bandh by KSO Sadar Hills from May 7 midnight till May 8 midnight.

The decision to endorsed KSO Sadar Hills 24 hr total bandh by Sadar Hills civil bodies has been taken in a joint meeting hosted by Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills today at Kangpokpi.

Thangminlen Kipgen, President KSO Sadar Hills said that the joint meeting expressed discontentment over the failure of O. Ibobi led Manipur state Government to addressed the vile Moidangpok incident where a van driver had been grievously beaten and his vehicle completely torched.

At the same time, it also uttered dismay over the land allotment for Cultural University at L. Tangnaum village under Saitu Gamphazol Sub Division in Sadar Hills without the consent and acknowledgement of the people said Thangminlen.

Therefore, it was unanimously resolved to endorse the 24 hr total bandh to signify its dissatisfaction over the intolerable discriminate attitude of Manipur state Government towards the tribal people and their frequent crafting of some hidden agenda in the hill district in the name of development as well as its repeated failure to address the grievances of the people lamented KSO Sadar Hills President.

He continued that the joint meeting also demanded termination of the police personnel who intentionally escorted the van driver from Lalhoiphai and allegedly handover in the hands of those revolting people who almost killed him and burnt down his vehicle in their (police personnel) presence while demanding the state Government to compensate the injured victim including his vehicle.

It also resolved that the state Government should napped those people involved in the criminal activities that almost killed the innocent driver and torched his vehicle and initiated punitive action against them at the earliest said Kipgen.

The KSO Sadar Hills president further said that only medical, media and religious service will be relaxed from the purview of the bandh while all traffics including inter-state and state transports, private vehicles, business establishment, educational institution, Government offices shall be completely closed for the day.

He also warned that if the state Government failed to respond indefinite economic blockade will follow.

While appealing vehicle owners and drivers, businessmen, educationist and government servant to kowtow during the bandh so as to avoid unwanted incident Thangminlen Kipgen urged the general public to render full cooperation in the issue.

The Government will be sole held responsible for any repulsive incident arise out of the protest warned the KSO Sadar Hills leader.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/sadar-hills-civil-bodies-endorse-ksosh-bandh/

Improper arrangement at Lamphel DC office complex leaves many dejected

IMPHAL, May 7: After the scrutiny of nomination papers for the June 1 Autonomous District Council election today, the authorities declared valid the papers of 557 candidates out of the total 571 nominations filed.

The respective returning officers conducted the scrutiny at the Deputy Commissioner Imphal West office complex at Lamphel today.

Scrutiny was conducted in the presence of the candidates and representatives of political parties.

Inside the Deputy Commisioner`™s premises, only two rooms were allotted for the scrutiny process of 571 candidates from 144 constituencies of six Autonomous Hill Districts Councils.

This created a massive traffic jam for more than two hours in and around the area and mobility of the public including the intending candidates were gravely constraint.

The two dark halls were jammed packed without any sitting arrangement even for the candidates except the election officers.

The officials had to use mobile phone lights to read the names of candidates.

The media was initially denied entry by the police into the hall screening candidates from Tamenglong, Senapati and Ukhrul leading to a brief scuffle, but later allowed access.

Meanwhile, the SDO/Purul Angangchou Singh who was acting as the returning officer of the constituency had left the premises before 1 pm even as the constituency`™s BJP candidate K John arrived after travelling 134 kms.

The concern SDO, however, soon came back to the premises after several communications. Declaration certificate after scrutiny is still delayed for candidates of Chandel and Ukhrul districts.

`Essentially the scrutiny for the autonomous district council election should have been done in the respective blocks. And even if they could not arrange at the block level it should have been arranged at the district headquarter.` observed W Morung Makunga, Former Minister, NPF State advisor.

He continued, however, they have shifted the entire process to the State capital on the pretext of security reason for some candidates.

`The state arrangement is pathetic without even separate rooms for different districts, with crowded entrances and exits creating avoidable commotions and anxiety among the people.`

`Such harassing process is an insult to the tribals and implies a total disregard for the hill citizens.` he claimed.

A Congress candidate from Ukhrul district Ngachonmi Chamroy shared apprehension stating, `Pressure from non- state actors`™ is creating anxiety and such trends should be discouraged in democracy.`

`Police should have made better security arrangements to manage such a huge crowd` he said regarding the commotion during the initial part of the process today.

Peter Rangnamei, a veteran activist from Senepati district said, `It is very inconvenient and has created a lot of commotion among the candidates and supporters.`

`The government could have easily made the arrangement in the districts rather than compelling all candidates to travel this far without even proper arrangement to sit.`

`It is unfortunate that the police had to deal with the public with such disrespect, pushing and beating us. And in the absence of proper sound system, shouting to such a huge crowd is not audible and increases the commotion in the mob` he said.

`Such avoidable inconveniences are markers of ill-treating the hill people.`

Th. Shimreichon Langhu, a woman candidate from Chandel district said, `We have been standing since morning after travelling for so many hours. I am so exhausted!`

Another candidate from Tamenglong on condition of anonymity said `I came from Oinamlong travelling 172 kms and have been waiting for my turn. Such pathetic arrangement was not anticipated but we are shocked at the disrespect meted out to us by the process.`

Paulhring Langhu former ANSAM president said, `We witness such crowded commotion without any special arrangement to treat candidates officially. The State could have made better arrangement to avoid such attitudes meted out to the candidates today who had travelled from so far.`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/557-nominations-declared-valid-after-scrutiny/

NEW DELHI, May 7 (MIC): Laishram Meena Devi`™s debut solo art exhibition entitled `Daughters Unpluck` organized by the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi opens to art lovers to go through the world of nostalgic charm and tender beauty of the North East India.

The eight day painting exhibition at the Art Gallery of IIC Annexe, Lodhi Estate here was inaugurated by the Dr. Thokchom Meinya, Lok Sabha MP from Manipur on Wednesday. The exhibition will last upto May 13.

Describing the exhibits as excellent, lovely and wonderful; Dr. Meinya expressed that Meena`™s paintings would talk about not only the hidden talents and creativities of the North East artists but also the identities and beauties of the region to the mainland India. Dr. Meinya appreciated Laishram Meena for her pain staking jobs to create her art pieces in a short period for the exhibition entitled `“Daughters Unpluck.

Curated by Anni Kumari, Assistant Professor, visiting faculty of College of Art, Delhi; altogether thirty paintings of the exhibition shows the various moods of the girl children of the Mongoloids living in the North East India. Besides four or five pieces created in 2103 and 2014, majority of the art pieces were created during this year. Medium of all paintings are of acrylic on canvas.

`Innocent Look`™, `My Red Ribbon`™, Kachak Dang`™, Sana Matum`™, `Fou Friends`™, `Traditional Weaving`™, `Khutlokpi`™, `A Shimray Family`™, `Two Sisters`™, `Manipuri Woman`™, My cousin Sister`™, `My Last Orange`™, and `Old Album of Poonam`™ are few memorable titles of the showpieces.

Anni Kumari described, `Her figurative vocabulary and preference of bright colours and design patterns echo an understanding and appreciation of Indian aesthetics in terms of `Shringara rasa` exuding a medley of `bhavas` or emotions. Akin to a continuous narrative, each of her works leads from one to the other, unfolding a personal biography of a particular time and space`. `All her works doesn`™t seems to be from Indian thoughts and culture, but the fact is her works are the showpieces of Northeast Indian`, she added.

The unique characteristic of exhibition is that the portraits have distinct Mongoloid features, and with the recent racist attacks in many places in India the artist wants to convey the message that no matter how different the people of northeast look, but they are very much Indian at heart.

Meena is a young visual artist from Manipur who passed the Bachelor of Fine Art in Painting from Jamia Millia Islamia University with gold medal in 2011 and Master`™s Degree in Fine Arts from the College of Art, Delhi in 2013.

Right from her student days, she has been passionate about portraits as a subject to communicate a nostalgic relationship with her lived environment. Vibrancy of colour and the use of design to enliven a surface has been her interest area.

She has taken part in about 20 Group show exhibitions held at Delhi, Mumbai and Barodara in India and in Korea from 2009 till date. He attended the Artists Camp held at Bangalore organized by the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi in 2012 and at Srinagar in 2011. Art collectors from USA, Korea, New Delhi and Mumbai had purchased her art pieces for private collection.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/laishram-meenas-daughter-unpluck-throws-light-of-tender-beauty-of-ne-india/