Day: June 2, 2015

IMPHAL, June 1: Delivering a deep blow to the NSCN faction led by SS Khaplang, the Zeliangrong region of the outfit has said that it has merged with the NSCN-Reformation, a breakaway group of the Khaplang led faction.

Announcing the merger to media persons somewhere in Tamenglong district, Kd Gangmei, secretary information and publicity secretary of the former NSCN-K Zeliangrong region, said that they will now be known as NSCN-Reformation Zeliangrong region.

Claiming that the decision was `People`™s mandate`, Gangmei added that several rounds of meeting were held between the top leaders of the outfit and the Naga people.

Gangmei further said that it was to bring a social reformation in the Naga region adding that reconciliation was also the need of the hour.

`There must be peace in our region without peace there cannot be any solution`, said Gangmei.

Moreover, the Naga people no longer endorse any form of violence in their region, he said.

By taking the decision the NSCN-(R) Zeliangrong region does not intend to create atmosphere of animosity with other groups operating in the NE region especially with the NSCN-K, Gangmei explained.

Nevertheless, Gangmei informed that the outfit`™s operational system will remain unchanged in their region.

It may be noted that the NSCN-Reformation came into existence on April 6 formed by Y Wangtin Naga and P Tikhak.

Wangtin, was supervisor of the Cease-fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) and Tikhak, a senior functionary of the NSCN (K) and were expelled by SS Khaplang following a misunderstanding over the recent abrogation of ceasefire with the Government of India.

Wangting and Tikhak, allegedly refused to discontinue with the ceasefire with the GOI despite Khaplang`™s advice to abrogate from the ceasefire.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/nscnk-zeliangrong-region-merges-with-reformation-faction/

IMPHAL June 1: Voter turnout in the Ukhrul Autonomous District Council election is expected to reach 85 percent.

However, unlike the intimidating atmosphere of the last ADC election in 2010, the election process was comparatively peaceful and cordial barring a few untoward incidents at some polling stations.

According to reliable sources, Kuki militants had forcefully cast votes around 2pm in three polling stations namely Molam, Zalengbung and Molnom.

It is also said that at Molam, the public broke the ballot boxes and found around 90 percent of the votes cast in favour of a single candidate.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that at Zalengbung and Molnom candidates of several parties collectively complaint to the polling stations before their departure from the stations.

At 44/58 Lunghar (A) and (B) under Khamasom DCC, some candidates and their supporters alleged impersonation and proxy voting in favour of an independent candidate and that their polling agents were also not allowed to enter the polling station. The same matter was also reported to the DC, Ukhrul. Sources also said that houses were dismantled and three individuals including a Village Authority member were thrashed.

The village authority member is said to be admitted at the Ukhrul District Hospital.

Voting in the village polling station was also delayed due to the incident, sources claimed.

Former MLA T Bishwajit who came as a BJP election observer had later filed a written complaint with the Ukhrul DC.

Reports also said that complaints have been lodged against supporters of Independent candidate Ngatangmi Ningshen for trying to capture polling booths at Patbung and Khambi polling stations.

While Congress agent Ng Shangreiphou told media persons that he was kept under house arrest for the last two days by miscreants.

At Tuinem/ Teinem polling station all agents except of NPF walked out and lodge a complaint to the Ukhrul DC against proxy voting. Similar complaints of NPF dominance and proxy were also voiced at Somdal and Jessami polling stations.

At Sanakeithel, locals denied media persons access to the polling stations.

However, all the ten polling stations in Ukhrul town witnessed undisturbed polling.

According to the Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner, Owing to the topography and distance from the head quarter, the polling officers with their respective final reports are yet to arrive in the district headquarter, hence repoll list is yet to be finalized.

It might be worth noting that United Naga Council has not interfered in the present ADCE despite reiterating its previous position of severing ties with the State government thus boycotting the ADCE and demanding `Alternative Arrangement`™.

Polling in three booths under 3-Chingai Ukhrul DCC namely Nungbi Khullen, Kalhang Khullen and Razai Khullen concluded peacefully with no reports of any untoward incident.

The turnout of voters in the polling stations was above average. In Nungbi Khullen having 972 eligible voters, more than 600 cast their vote before noon for candidates including two independents, one each from Congress, BJP and NPF.

As for Kalhang Khullen having 544 eligible voters, a total of 330 electorates came out to vote for candidates including two independents, one each from Congress, BJP and NPF.

In Razai Khullen having 277 electorates, 262 voters turned up to exercise their franchise till 1.30 pm to seal the fate of four candidates each from Congress, NPF and BJP and independent.

After no one turned up to cast vote in the polling station, the ballot box was sealed in the presence of polling officials.

For the other two booths, the polling process continued till 4 pm.

Meanwhile, an unofficial source also informed about a shoot-out between 20th Assam Rifles and a valley based group somewhere between Wanglee and Asang Khullen this afternoon.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/stray-incidents-of-violence-mar-otherwise-peaceful-poll-in-ukhrul/

IMPHAL, June 1: Peace Rally Committee, a committee formed by Meitei Christian Leaders will be organizing a peace rally on June 6 to denounce the burning down of church buildings, obstructions to construction works of churches, pastors`™ houses and threatening to Meitei Christians and stoning during worship in the churches and houses.

Announcing this during a press meet at Manipur Press Club here today, Chairman of Peace Rally Committee Rev. Dr L Iboyaima Singh informed that the rally will start from Presbyterian House, War Cemetery Road opposite DM College and will end with a prayer at Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

He said that the rally will not be a protest against any communities but it will be like a prayer walk where positive and constructive slogans like `We trust the God`™, `We stand for Peace and Unity`™, `We are Peace Loving People`™, `Church is a place of Worship`™, `Please Stop Burning the Churches`™, `Please Allow Church Construction`™, `Please lift up banning of church construction works`™, `God founded church, let us honour God`™, `Save the church to see life and future`™, `Church has the solution`™, `Manipur shall be saved`™, `Please stop mob injustice against churches`™ etc will be chanted.

The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to choose any religion. Many Meiteis chose to follow Christian religion due to believe in Lord Jesus. It should not be seen as taking advantage or breaking Meitei customary law. Meitei Christians should not be looked down by other communities, the chairman of the committee said.

He continued that Meitei Christians have been performing various activities towards peace in the state and preaching students to follow right path of life.

General secretary Rev. K Premjit Singh who was present during the meet lamented that Meitei Christian community has been facing various problem in the state, which is very unfortunate.

He claimed that Imphal West Meitei Christian Church at Patsoi Lamkhai situated around 200 meter from Patsoi Commando Unit was burnt down by some unknown persons on May 13 last at around 10.30 pm. Also the construction work of VCI Church at Kongpal Naoroibam Leikai was banned by locals.

Even pastor of the church was threatened through phone call to stop the construction work, he said.

Stating that Meitei Christians are peace loving people who pray for peace and harmony in the state, he said that around 50 organizations and 400 churches have assured that they will extend help in organizing the rally.

He also appealed to the people to give support and cooperation to the peace rally.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/peace-rally-to-denounce-atrocities-against-meitei-christian-community/

Imphal, June 1: Voter turnout for the Autonomous District Council election in the five hill districts and Sadar Hills is stated to be around 75-80 percent, according to official sources.

The State Election Commission has also rescheduled polling in six polling stations.

In an official notification, the State Election Commission said polling at these polling stations has been rescheduled for June 4, as polling personnel failed to reach their polling stations in time for the June 1 election.

The official notice also identified the polling stations are 4/5-Nungsai LP School, 4/6-Santing Government LP School, 4/7- Santing Chongchin LP School, 4/8 Saiching LP School, 4/9-Lailong (S) LP School and 4/12-Kawnpi Mission School of Churachandpur district.

Sources also said that re-poll could be conducted in atleast 42 polling stations where there were reports of violence interrupting the poll process.

Voting was peaceful in all districts until noon today, however, the election process was marred by violent incidents reported widely from all districts in the later part of the day.
Interruptions to the voting process including incidents of destroying ballot boxes, tension among supporters of candidates, booth capture, gun-shooting, impersonation and proxy voting, etc were reported from all districts.

However, reports suggest high voter turnout in all districts other than in Tamenglong.

Reports suggest that at the end of the voting process, the voting percentage reached 65 percent in Sadar Hills, 75 percent in Churachandpur, 90 percent in Chandel, 80 percent in Ukhrul, 75 percent in Senapati and 40 percent in Tamenglong. However official confirmation on the poll percentage is awaited.

Several violent incidents were also reported from several polling stations across the six ADCs.

At 11/5 Taloulong polling station, around 1:15pm, supporters of both the Congress and BJP candidates fired shots in the air following a heated argument over interference in the poll process.

At Kangpokpi DCC, at 6/2 and 6/3 Kalapahar Junior High School, miscreants destroyed ballot boxes in front of the polling personnel. At the same time there were also scuffles between the police guarding the stations and supporters of some candidates.

In Chandel district, KNA and UMLA cadres allegedly captured booths at 1-Khoibu Segment including 1/5 Bongli, ½ Khoibu and 1/1 Tollen polling stations.

However, villagers of the area attacked the UG cadres and stormed the polling stations and ballot papers were destroyed in the process.

Reports also said that re-poll is likely in eight polling stations out of 172 in Sadar Hills- 17/2 Maojang, 19/4 Ankhumbung, 19/5 Thangal Sarung, 19/7 Youngba Langkhong, 20/5 H Champhai, 23/6 Terakhong and 6/2 Kalapahar.

In Senapati district, re-poll is likely in eight polling stations out of 186 polling station namely 2/5 Liyai Khullen (D), 9/9 Makuilongdi, 12/4 Lairouching (A), 12/5 Lairouching (B), 19/1, 19/2, 19/3 Lakhamai, 19/6 Sirong.

In Tamenglong, re-poll is likely in three polling stations out of 165 – 23/4 Kambirong, 19/6 Zoujangtek and 13/5 Tamenglong.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/adc-poll-witnesses-high-voter-turnout-amidst-violent-interruptions/

IMPHAL, June 1: The Aimol Numels`™ Waar, Manipur has said that in connection with the killing of Chairperson of Meira Paibi (Aimol Numei Waar, Manipur) M. Ruisoting Aimol, wife of Babudhon who was shot dead by Assam Rifles personnel along with some unknown person headed by Major Aditya Kapoor on May 31 at around 9.54 pm, a JAC has been formed.

According to a release of the association, the AR personnel came on a white Maruti Gypsy bearing registration number MN 01W 1510.

It further said that empty cases of 5 AK rifles, single barrel bullets, four numbers of caps, half a bottle of whiskey, two bottles of Diablo and some documents were found.

In connection with the issue, the JAC has called a general strike along NH 102 from the midnight of June 2. The association also stated that a similar incident had also occurred on May 27 at around 11.35 pm at Aimol Khullen village. The JAC strongly condemned the inhuman act of the AR against the people.

It further stated that the dead body will not be claimed until and unless the culprits are produced and handed over to the JAC within 24 hours. It also appealed to the government to take up measures to prevent such incidents in future, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/jac-calls-gen-strike-against-alleged-killing-of-woman/