Month: May 2015

IMPHAL, May 2: The Governor of Manipur, Dr KK Paul, today visited the border town of Moreh and inspected the Integrated Check Post which is undergoing construction, Indo-Myanmar Friendship Gate No.1, No. 2 and the border fencing work.

During the inspection, the Governor gave instructions to the relevant officials on the urgent need of opening an oil depot near the Integrated Check Post.

After the inspection, the Governor also interacted with various community leaders of Moreh at the trade centre and heard their grievances.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/governor-inspects-projects-in-moreh/

NEW DELHI, May 2: The editor Imphal Free Press, Pradip Phanjoubam, delivered the 7th Foundation lecture of the Indraprastha Public Affairs Centre, IPAC, a non-profit advocacy group with focus on human rights and sustainable development, at the Vishwa Yuva Kendra, Chanakya Puri, on April 30.

In the simple function, opened with a cultural performance by differently abled children, the well known journalist from Manipur spoke on the need to expand the understanding of human rights to accommodate new, formerly unseen needs.

Taking the cue from French Philosopher, Jacques Derrida`™s words that `We must more than ever stand on the side of human rights. We are in need of them and they are in need, for there is always a lack, a shortfall, a falling short, an insufficiency; human rights are never sufficient`, the editor said such a lack can be understood if it is acknowledged that the international movement for human rights evolved in a very definite historical context.

Explaining this point, he said this movement solidified immediately after World War II, and after the world witnessed the brutality the State is capable of perpetrating on the individual. This being the case, the human rights movement, and the Universal Declaration Human Rights, ratified by the UN is envisaged as a mechanism for checking the State`™s encroachment into individual rights.

In this sense, the charter is also part of the postmodern disillusionment with the modern, he said. `The modern, so called enlightenment age, put all its trust in science, and therefore also the scientific modern State to be the answer to all human ills. However, the 20th which saw two world wars, two atom bombs, numerous ethnic cleansing campaigns at the behest of the State forced a reconsideration of the earlier euphoria about the State` he said.

He said since the movement was contextual, it was in its own way limited by the historical juncture it belonged to. As for instance, he said, rather than major conflicts being by and large being fought between States as believed once, in the postmodern world, 80 percent of the conflicts have been non-international conflicts, and fought within the modern States. Issues such as these are as yet inadequately addressed by the current format of the human right charter, he contended.

Again, issues of rights of pre-modern, pre-State societies, have also been inadequately addressed. Incorporating the demands of the indigenous peoples into the human rights charter hence is also another challenge, he said.

A brief, but lively interaction with the audience, in which among others the question of advocacy groups being bullied into pliancy by the State, and the legitimacy of subversive tactics by these groups to offset policies that hurt human rights, came up for discussion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/challenges-before-human-rights-movement-discussed-in-ipac-annual-lecture/

IMPHAL, May 2: The government of should take initiative to erect a statue honouring late General Balaram Sougaijamba who was one of the icons of Manipur.

This was stated by Padmashree RK Jhalajit Singh delivering his speech during the 126th Death Anniversary and Unveiling of Statue (Bust) of General Balaram Sougaijamba at Sougaijam Lampak, Moirangkhom, Imphal.

The anniversary observance was organized by the Members of General Balaram Sougaijamba Foundation.

Speaking about the contribution of General Balaram, Sougaijamba, Jhalajit said that the late General was responsible for establishing the first English school in Manipur, Johnstone English School, during the time of Maharaja Chandrakriti. He also made a substantial contribution in fighting to regain the lost sovereignty of Manipur, he continued.

HOD (History), Standard College Dr Laishram Basanti Devi observed that besides being a General, Balaram Sougaijamba, was also concerned about the socio-economic well being of the people as well as for the development of Manipur.

Addressing the chief guest speech, former Chief Minister of Manipur, RK Dorendra Singh said that it is time to shed the trend of verbal consolidation of historical personalities instead start implementing the ideology and believes of the great leaders in action.

Sougaijam Saraju Devi, member of the general`™s foundation; Yaiskul MLA, Elangbam Chand Singh and ex-Chairperson, MSCFW Dr Chongtham Ningol Jamini Devi also attended the function as president and guests of honours respectively while writer B kulachandra Sharma was present as a resource person.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/need-for-erecting-statue-of-gen-balaram-sougaijamba-stressed/

NEW DELHI May 2 (MIC): Manipur Minister of Works and Transport Dr. Kh. Ratankumar Singh today raised many issues for improvement of various National Highways in Manipur during a meeting of the Chief Ministers and PWD Ministers of the North Eastern Region including Sikkim.

The meeting was held at Hotel Radisson Blu, Guwahati and was chaired by Union Minister of Road, Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari .

The Union Minister committed Rs. 15000 crore for development of road infrastructure for northeast for the financial year 2015-16.

Referring to the NH 37 (N) known as Imphal -Jiribam Road, Dr. Ratankumar stated that out of the total length 222 km, the maintenance of the major length of the road was carried out by the Border Road Organization except 3,220 km length which was under the State PWD. Of the total length of the highway, 30 percent of the road was yet to be provided black top surface.

Highlighting the Barak Bridge and Makru Bridge, both Bailey suspension bridges on the highway, Manipur Works Minister drew the attention of the Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways to construct permanent bridges so as to make it capable of carrying IRC Class AA loading. These bridges could cater lesser loading upto the maximum of 24 tons. The Minister also reported that the construction bring the NH 37 (N) into a better condition so that there were no more semi-permanent bridges on the road.

The Minister Ratankumer also stated that the approaches of the Makru Bridge for about 3 Km each on either side were in bad condition and no work was taken up to upgrade the road. He requested to the Union Minister to repair it on was footing before the onset of monsoon. He said the NH 37 (N) was the vital lifeline of Manipur which required to be kept traffic worthy throughout the year so that the road could be utilized during Bandh or blockade on other lifeline NH (N).

Referring to NH 2 (N) which originated from Numaligarh in Assam passing through Dimapur- Kohima-Imphal `“ Churachandpur-Tipaimukh upto Aizawl in Mizoram; PWD Minister stated that the stretch of road from Mao to Churachandpur was looked after by the state PWD and and Churachandpur to Tipaimukh by the BRO. He stated that the Bailey bridge at Tipaimukh over the Tuivai River under the jurisdiction of PWD Mizoram was not safe and functional and requested to construct it a permanent bridge. Describing the NH a very important road link connecting neighbouring states, he requested to make the whole stretch of the NH in good condition.

Referring to NH 102 (N), Dr. Ratankumar said the road connected Myanmar via Moreh, the border town and international market centre doing free trade of the India with Myanmar. It acted as the main gateway for the Act East Policy of India. He drew the attention of the Union Minister to convert the double lane highway into the four-lane considering its future potential. He stated that the Minister of Road, Transport and Highway was taking up a project for four-laning the Highway from Imphal to Pallel and requested to consider for four-laning the whole stretch of the highway. The highway was also Asian Highway-1 connecting the far eastern countries of Asia, he added.

Dr. Ratankumar recalled the construction of East West corridor connecting Porbandar in Gujarat to Silchar in Assam during the previous NDA government led by the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He stated that the present government under the leadership of Narendra Modi was implementing the Look East Policy as Act East Policy to integrate the country with the South East Asian economies. Unless the East West Corridor was extended from Silchar to Imphal and further to Moreh, the border town with Myanmar, it would be difficult to realize the Act East Policy as a seamless movement of goods and people between India and South East Asian Countries was imminent. He urged upon the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway to declare the extension of East West Corridor upto Moreh in Manipur.

On top priority, Manipur Works Minister demanded the Union Minister to instruct the BRO to complete the black topping of the NH 37 (N) on war footing before the onset of monsoon. He reported that the BRO made assurances time and again to the State government for completion of the blacktopping. The target date of the first assurance made by the BRO was December 2013, and then March 2014 and then December 2014 as last assurance which failed to comply.

He stated that the state Government had been requesting the Centre many times to construct the Barak Bridge as well as Makru Bridge permanently. He requested the Union Minister to give a serious attention to the matter and track the status of the preparation of the DPRs of these two bridges on top priority.

The Works Minister mentioned that the Ministry had recently declared NH 157 (N) which was earlier the State highway and the PWD Manipur proposed a sum of Rs 300 crore in the annual Plan 2015-16 for improving the total stretch of 145 km of the highway. He requested the Union Minister for approval of the proposal as special case since the highway was an important highway in the valley of Manipur, which would benefit the economy of the state to a large extent.

Dr. Ratankumar invited the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway Nitin Gadkari to Manipur in his next visit so that he could have a first-hand experience on the development of road works in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/works-minister-raises-issues-over-highway-improvement-during-ne-meet/

IMPHAL, May 2: The India International Centre, New Delhi will be organising a week-long solo art exhibition of budding artist Meena Laishram.

The exhibition `Daughters Unpluck` will be inaugurated by Inner Manipur MP Dt Thokchom Meinya at 6:30 pm on May 6.

The exhibition will showcase many unwinding, beautiful works of Meena for a week. Nearly thirty different works of her will be displayed in this exhibition.

On display will be paintings in vibrant colours representing young girls and mothers from the North East Region.

The artist through the paintings wants to show the rich culture, fashion, arts and crafts of the region, as well as try to create a bond between the other States across India.

The unique characteristic of this show 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.

L Meena Devi`s oeuvre of feminine portraits reflects an insider view of a world un-spoilt by consumerism. Her delicate, ethereal and fragile aesthetics, sensuousness of colour and sinuous line-drawing, communicates directly to the viewer.

`Playful` yet `morose`; `Simplified` yet `impenetrable`; `Docile` yet `challenging` -it is this quality of in-betweenness, that makes her work really engaging. 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.

Her painted surfaces, replete with motifs and designs, characteristically influenced by the textile patterns from the North-East, reflect her urge to trace back her lived experience through memories.

Laishram Meena is a Gold Medalist in Bachelor of Fine Arts, Jamia Millia Islamia University and holds a Masters Degree with distinction from College of Arts, Delhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/emerging-artist-from-state-to-showcase-paintings-at-iic/

IMPHAL, May 2: Several civil society organisations of the State have condemned the Gwaltabi incident of April 30.

The All Manipur United Clubs`™ Organisation called on the general public to remain calm and not allow such incident from recurring.

Speaking to media persons at their office today, AMUCO president Y Mani Khuman said we must try to understand one another to bring an end to such communal disintegration.

Mani also lamented the government`™s failure to act and bring back normalcy in the area.

The local MLA has also failed to act and bring peace and harmony in the area, he continued.

The press meet was also attended by leaders of AMOVA, Porei Leimarol Apunba Nupi Lup, COHR and AMESCO.

Later in the evening, the United Committee Manipur also called a press meet at its Lamphel office.

Former president Y Nabachandra said a team of UCM has already visited Gwaltabi with the aim of bringing communal harmony in the area.

He said the team comprised of himself, secretary organisation Sanjit Soraisam, finance secretary RK Mangisana and asst finance secretary I Doren.

The team also distributed a few eatable items for the victims as a relief measure, he said.

The UCM team also joined hands with the Tangkhul Naga Foothill Organisation and village chiefs of New Canal, Murei, Chadong, Mayorphung, RIha and Wungshon villages and resolved not to allow such incident to happen again, he continued.

He said the incident which occurred due to some misunderstanding is unfortunate.

Regretting that the State government has so far continued to remain silent on the incident, he demanded that the concerned authorities must look into the incident and bring peace and harmony at the earliest.

Nabachandra also appealed to all against carrying out communal agenda while supporting bandhs/ blockade.

Meanwhile, the Threatened Indigenous People`™s Society (TIPS), Manipur has also strongly condemned the dismantling of 15 houses, 10 shops and vehicles of Gwaltabi village by around 200 villagers of Thawai village.

According to a release of TIPS, the incident has caused a rift between the indigenous communities. It said the incident is unfortunate and all communities residing in the State should condemn it.

However, the action of a few villagers of Thawai Village should not be considered as an act of the whole community, it said appealing to all communities to maintain calm and peace in the State.

The government should also provide compensation to the victims, it demanded.

The Biramangol College Students`™ union has also strongly condemned the incident and further appealed to the government to take strong measures and bring an amicable solution to the incident at the earliest.

A statement of the student body said the government should also take up positive measures so that such incidents don`™t recur in the future.

The incident was a result of a weak police force in the area, it said and appealed to lift the bandh along the Imp-Ukl road on May 4 considering the student union`™s election.

Meanwhile, terming the April 30 incident that took place at Gwaltabi thereby inviting unwanted tension between two groups as unfortunate; the Imphal East United Clubs`™ Organisation (IEUCO) has alleged that the prevailing situation was the fallout of the incompetency of the police in handling the situation.

A statement issued by KR Singh president IEUCO, held that the incident could have been prevented from further escalating had the police personnel were efficient enough and urged the police department to take up effective measures to counter such menace.

It appealed to all the community leaders to take initiative to ease the tension from turning sour.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/csos-come-out-strongly-against-gwaltabi-incident/

IMPHAL, May 2: Under the aegis of All Manipur VDF Welfare Association, All Thoubal VDF Welfare Association convened a meeting at Sangaiyumpham Community Hall, Thoubal district today during which several new office bearers were elected to further strengthen the association, informed a press release of All Thoubal VDF Welfare Association.

The meeting also decided to fully endorse the ongoing agitation launched by VDF personnel in the state in pursuit of their demands including increase of monthly honorarium.

Reiterating that the genuine demands of the VDF personnel cannot be put on hold by the government citing shortage of fund, the release demanded the government to bring an amicable solution to the long standing impasse over the demands.

The indifferent treatment meted out to the VDF personnel who also have certain rights is unacceptable. Like any other government employees, every VDF personnel has to look after financial needs of their families but it is a difficult task to sustain livelihood of the families with the salary amount the VDF gets. Therefore, the government must come up with acceptable steps to address plights being faced by the VDF personnel at the earliest, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/meet-bats-for-amicable-solution-to-vdfs-demands/

IMPHAL, May 2: The All Tribal Chiefs`™ Forum has charged that the government should be held responsible for all the untoward incidents reported during its 48-hour bandh including the attack on Gwaltabi Village.

Speaking to media persons today at the PANDAM office, ATCF president Thongpu Kipgen said bandh supporters had no grudge against any individual or community and the incident at Gwaltabi is unfortunate.

The incident, he said was a result of some misunderstanding and should not be allowed to take on a communal tone.

He said on the second day of the 48-hour bandh on April 30, some commuters along the Imphal-Ukhrul road at Molveljang area scolded some bandh supporters which resulted in the bandh supporters breaking the window panes of a Tata Magic and a Bajaj Auto.

This further resulted in a clash among Gwaltabi locals and bandh supporters in which nine bandh supporters were injured, two of them seriously, Thongpu claimed.

He added the two seriously injured were taken to the RIMS hospital for treatment while the seven others were kept at the Moyongphung Police Station for security.

Later on a rumour was spread that the seven had been killed by the people of valley resulting in the attack on Gwaltabi, Thongpu told media persons.

He continued bandh supporters damaged 20 houses at Gwaltabi Village and several vehicles, for which the government must take responsibility and compensate including medical bills for the two injured bandh supporters.

All this happened due to negligence of the government, he added.

The incident is very much unfortunate, he said adding that there is no bad feeling towards any community and the bandh was not only for the people of the hills.

He further appealed to the Youth Progressive Club, Gwaltabi to suspend the indefinite bandh imposed along the Imphal-Ukhrul road called against the unwanted incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/govt-responsible-for-incident-all-tribal-chiefs-forum/

IMPHAL, May 2: Andro MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar today announced that the first 1000 students seeking admission in the newly upgraded Azad Higher Secondary School, Andro will be admitted free of cost with free boarding facilities.

The school was recently upgraded by the State government, he told media persons adding that he will make the school not less than any other higher secondary school in the country.

It will have all the facilities that a higher secondary school can have in this country, Shyamkumar said.

It will have the best teachers and boarding facilities for both boys and girls, he added.

The school`™s construction which is being carried out under the watch and guidance of Development Andro Kendra will soon be completed, he said

He said classes will also start just 15 days after the BOSEM conducted Class X exam results are declared.

While, the first 1000 admissions will be free along with boarding facilities, 100 seats will be reserved for the poorest families, he continued.

He said admission forms will be available at his official quarter opposite Kanglapat in Imphal.

Further briefing the media, he said in a first of its kind, the Centre has sanctioned an amount of Rs 2.52 crore for the development of Andro.

Shyamkumar was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the tree plantation drive conducted at the Santhei natural Park, Andro today as part of the three-day long festival of music and arts `Where have all the flowers gone?`

He said such programmes which will help develop Andro and make it greener are always welcomed in his constituency.

He also dwelt on the need to promote tree plantation drives and conduct such drives every month.

Conducting such drive every month will only help maintain the balance of our environment, he continued.

Monika Khangembam, a member of the Folksy Triumph which is organising the three-day long festival said the main objective of the festival is to bring peace among the co-habiting communities of the State through music and song.

She said the festival was conducted last year at Chingungkhok.

This programme will spread awareness for the people to respect, honour and protect the environment by highlighting the environmental issues.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/andro-mla-announces-free-admission-for-first-1000-students-in-newly-upgraded-hr-sec-school/