Day: June 29, 2015

IMPHAL, June 29: Inclusion of any new community into the Scheduled Tribes list would have to follow a long procedure of thorough and detailed study, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told the House today.

He was replying to a question raised by Congress MLA Ng Bijoy regarding the demand for inclusion of the Meiteis in the ST list of India.

Further in his reply, he said though history says that the people of the hills and valley are brothers, but it needs to be properly discussed and studied.

The demand needs a detailed and deep discussion of the history and whether the Meiteis were previously in the Scheduled Tribes list, he said.

Meanwhile, Revenue minister Th Devendro replying to another questioned from Ng Bijoy as to whether there is a policy adopted for changing the entitlement of a village or locality in Manipur, he said there is no such policy adopted on the matter so far.

There are 2529 villages in the State according to the records of the Revenue department, he said.

He continued that there is a trend of both the hill and valley people leveling another name to localities and villages on their own instead of using the name in the revenue record.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh replying to another question raised by Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar said an official letter has been sent on January 30 to the Manipur Public Service Commission for the conduct of the DPC for the appointment of Manipur Finance Grade-III, however, the MPSC has not conveyed the reason for not holding the DPC till now.

During the Question hour today, the Chief Minister also said that for the cleaning of the drainage system of Imphal City, the government has ordered a de-silting machine and two silted containers at the estimated costs of Rs 11 crores and Rs 12 crores respectively.

However, there is no policy of the government for cleaning the drainage, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/inclusion-of-meiteis-in-st-list-needs-detailed-study-cm-tells-house/

IMPHAL, June 29: The State Home department has no information regarding the 83 rebels killed during Indian raid in Myanmar, reported by the Times of India on June 13, Home minister Gaikhangam said in the House today replying to a query from MLA Samuel Risom during Question hour.

Continuing his reply, Gaikhangam said the June 4 attack on the Indian Army is believed to be carried out by cadres of the NSCN (K), KYKL and KCP.

Two cadres of the outfits were killed during the attack on June 4and their identities are recorded officially as Rangjanglung Kamei alias Raja, 32, son of Alu Kamei of Noney-2 Tamenglong District a cadre of NSCN-K and Keisham Rajen Singh, 28, son of K Khamba Singh of Nongren Maning Leikai Imphal East a cadre of KYKL, he said adding that the State department has however, no idea of the number of insurgents killed in the aftermath of the attack on the Indian Army.

Gaikhangam also said that it is not the failure of the State security or the State government, it was a pre-planned attack and the cadres must have escaped after killing the 18 jawans of the India Army.

Replying to a separate question from the Ukhrul MLA, the Home minister said residents of the neighbouring villagers, who had fled from their villages in the aftermath of the June 4 attack, have started returning to their villages and the return of normalcy is backed by State forces.

In the aftermath of the attack, the villagers were living in a fear psychosis and fled from their villages, however, the State forces have helped them return to normalcy, he continued.

He said Paraolon, Libong Molkut, Challong, Duthang and Kota Khunthak villages were deserted and the district police along with the Assam Rifles/ Army are giving security to the villagers by frequently patrolling and meeting the villagers of Paraolon and nearby villagers.

So far no untoward incident has been reported, he continued.

At the same time, the State police personnel are taking preventive measures to ward off any unwanted situation, he said adding that the district administration officers have also visited the affected villages and assurance was given by 6th Dogra that no retaliation would be taken against the innocent villagers.

Assistance in the form of transportation and edible items were also given to Paralon villagers for resettlement and about torture or damage has been not been reported so far, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/home-department-has-no-information-of-83-killed-during-indian-operation-in-myanmar-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL June 29: As the water level continues to rise, the visibility of the 30 meters high bridge connecting Chadong village is completely gone.

Water has flooded two foothill houses. Evacuation has started among some panicking villagers while some remain stoic about their position to defend their right. Since the single boat is unable to assist the villagers, several rafts are used for the transport of their goods. Children are also assisting in this hurried evacuation with their belongings.

Some of them said they will stay in a rented room at Yaingangpokpi.

United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Union, Tangkhul Naga Long and Southern Tangkhul Naga Baptist Association visited the Chadong villagers today.

The UNC president Gaidon Kamei while drawing the attention of the government of India said this is not the way the citizens of the State should be treated.

Without any prior arrangements and preparedness about their safety and security, the State government is forcefully chasing out the people of the village, he said.

We strongly condemn such anti people policy and approach of the State government, he said.

It is distressing to deny a citizen rightful treatment and such kind of treatment further proofs that the Manipur Government is indeed a communal Government, he alleged.

Gaidon Kamei continued, Instead of settling peoples`™ demand by working out commonly agreeable points, the State government has forcefully bulldozed the rights of the people by using security forces.

The Chief Minister could have evaded such sufferings and problems by initiating a dialogue with the affected people and rightfully settling their grievances without creative such a provoking situation, he said.

We will not tolerate such actions and will response appropriately in the futuristic interest of the affected peoples, he said adding that we will seek the immediate intervention of the Prime Minister.

President of the All Naga Student Association Manipur(ANSAM), Seth Shatsang who also came with his executive team expressed his dismay.

We had foreseen this situation as such ANSAM have been protesting against this Mapithel Dam Project since the day the government signed the agreement, he said adding that the State government has however ignored the protest.

Chadong village is submerging and we await further rising of the water level to submerge the other villages as well, he said woefully.

The significant aspect of the Government`™s approach is the deployment of India Reserve Battalion, Manipur Police Commando and Manipur Rifles to flush out the villagers. It failed and now it has use water to forcefully evacuate the indigenous people from their habitat, he said.

For us, we consider nature as sacred and hence we will continue to struggle against such magnitude of human made detachment of the people with its rightful surroundings, he said.

The government who is supposed to provide us security has gone against our very security by infringing on our rights. Hence, we called upon the rightful intervention of the Governor, since he is the sole guardian of the hill peoples, he said.

Fisher folks from Loktak also came to assist the villagers with their experiences.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/water-level-rises-further-submerging-chadong/

IMPHAL, June 29: Though the Centre has increased shares of Central taxes for States by 10 percent, the State government had to finalise the Budget plans in an economical manner, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh observed during the general discussion on Budget Estimates 2015-16 in the House today.

Clarifying the argument on the general discussion on the budget estimate, Ibobi said it is very unfortunate for the State that the Centre has abolished the Special Category States status for 11 States of India including Manipur.

He told the House that the State government has been giving more emphasis to centrally sponsored schemes through the NEC, NLCPR which allow further fund sanctions on submission of Utilisation Certificates.

Now, the State has to be extra economically in releasing amounts for even these projects, he said.

He continued earlier before the annual budget sanction, the State used to receive separate funding from the Centre to the tune of Rs 900 crores through normal central assistance, Rs 800 crores under ASC, Rs 450 crores under Special Plan Assistance, however, after the Centre discontinued the Special Category States status, the State is facing problems in the 2015-16 budget.

Ibobi said the government is trying to increase tax collection from Power, transport and Sale tax and carefully monitoring the issue of tax collection leakage from Moreh side.

This fund leakage from Moreh side will be checked once, the Integrated Check Post at Moreh is completed in April, 2016, Ibobi informed the House.

In the Power department, as the State spends around Rs 20/21 crores to buy electricity in a month, there is a need to collect atleast 75 percent of the taxes every month, which is also the target of the authorities, he said.

Now the government has introduced pre-paid system including in the hill district headquarters to solve this issue, he said adding that at the same time, the first main focus of the government to provide adequate power supply to the people.

The issue of water supply in Imphal area is very difficult as the pipes laid around the seven constituencies under imphal Municipal Council are old and at the same time, the Imphal Sewage project is taking a long time to complete, however, we are trying to find alternative means, he said.

He also said that due to financial constrains the State government is unable to replace the old pipelines.

He continued supply of raw water for Imphal can only be possible from the Thoubal Multi-purpose Dam, and the authorities have already started drilling of two tunnels for the same purpose to bring raw water from the dam, he continued.

Ibobi also told the House that the cold storage facility at Nilkuthi is functional now and may be made to run for trial by storing vegetable from Khoijuman, Bishnupur district.

He further appealed to the member of the House to allow passing of the Budget Estimate 2015-16 unanimously.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/special-status-removal-bearing-heavily-on-states-budget-plans-cm/

IMPHAL, June 29: National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is investigating the ambush by a combined team of underground outfits on a convoy of 6th Dogra Regiment near Paraolon village, Chandel district on June 4 killing 18 personnel and injuring 16 others, has formally arrested a hardcore member of NSCN-K from the court today in connection with the deadly ambush.

The arrested hardcore member of NSCN `“K which reportedly led the ambush has been identified as Khumloabi Anal, 40 alias Ambison son of Late Khumlo Khunjo Anal of Lambung village in Chandel district.

It is said that Khumloabi Anal is the Regional Authority of Amamchat Region Chandel of NSCN-K. He was arrested by a team of Imphal West District Police Commando from a rented house belonging to one Nabachandra at Lamphel Super Market under Lamphel Police Station on June 11 around 11.10 am.

A case registered by Tengnoupal Police under FIR No 14 (6) 2015 in connection with the ambush was handed over to NIA. Later, the investigation agency registered another case under Case No 3 of 2015/NIA Gauhati U/S 302//NIA Gauhati U/S 302/307/20/13 UA (P) Act, 121/121-A IPC, 25 (I) (C), 5 Explosive Substances Act.

The NSCN-K hardcore member was formally arrested by NIA from the court in connection with the case registered by it.

He was produced before the court of A Guneshwar Sharma, District & Session Judge/Manipur East today in accordance to production warrant.

While producing the NSCN-K cadre before the court, the NIA pleaded the court to grant 15 days custodial remand. However, the court remanded the arrested cadre to seven days NIA custody.

It may be mentioned that two cadres belonging each to NSCN-K and KYKL were killed in the infamous Paraolon ambush.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/nia-formally-arrests-nscnk-hardcore-member-over-paraolon-ambush/

IMPHAL, June 29: Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Gaikhangam strongly condemned the reported statement of Nagaland`™s Chief Minister TR Zeliang on the `Dzuko border dispute`™ and termed it as irresponsible and unbecoming of a Chief Minister of a State.

The deputy Chief Minister made this statement on the floor of the House while responding to a calling attention motion moved by Andro MLA, Th Shyamkumar, during the ongoing Assembly session.

It may be recalled that the Nagaland Chief Minister, rejected the proposal of his Manipur counterpart to solve the border row with the intervention of the Centre stating that it was a matter between two Naga communities.

TR Zeliang also reportedly suggested that the matter should be settled as per customary law.

Gaikhangam held that the suggestion to settle the present issue through customary law is totally inacceptable as the matter is about the inter-State boundary and added that the Nagaland Chief Minister has failed to realise that there is an established law of the land.

The statement of the TR Zeliang, his unwillingness to solve the matter with the intervention of the Centre, speaks for itself that their claim is illegitimate, opined Gaikhangam.

Nevertheless, the stance of the Manipur government remains unchanged and if required the issue will be pushed forward to the Centre, continued Gaikhangam.

Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio, informed the House that to instill a sense of security amongst the Mao public, an SDO office will be set up soon after the Assembly session.

At the same time, frequent patrolling will be carried at the disputed site by IRB personnel for which a company of 4 IRB have been deployed, he continued.

Gaikhangam further said that the government has taken up measures to accommodate students who have left Kohima and wishes to study in Imphal.

The SP Senapati, SDPO-Mao and OC Mao are frequently visiting the disputed Dzuko-Kozirii area along with civil administration to ensure that no encroachment/activities take place by the people of Nagaland, he continued.

Besides, the Superintendent of Police Senapati has requested the SP Kohima to take strict actions on the complaint registered by Mao people in different police station at Kohima, Gaikhangam told the House.

Clarifying on the charges brought up by the Andro MLA that the State government has been neglecting the issue, the Home Minister tabled a four-page long statement on the floor of the House.

It said that after getting information of the encroachment issue, a team led by SDO, Mao Maram and comprising of SDPO, Mao and representative of Mao Students Union (MSU), Mao council (MC) along with the convenor of the committee for Kozirii conducted inspection of Dzuko-Kozirii area on November 22, 2014.

The team observed encroachment on two sides-one extending 6km towards North-West Nagaland and another 4 km towards south from the entry point. The team also witnessed armed volunteer of Southern Angami Peoples Organisation (SAPO). Besides, the team also reported of construction of new roads and felling of trees and bamboos in the area, it said.

Further, the water of Isiiphi river, which marks the boundary between Manipur and Nagaland was also blocked illegally and diverting the water by the Angami people, thereby reducing the flow of water to large extent affecting flora and fauna of Dzuko valley in Manipur, it said.

Subsequently, the State wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary, Nagaland requesting to take up positive action for total stopping of road construction works insides territory of Manipur at the earliest.

It further said that the Chief Minister personally requested the Union Home Minister for timely intervention to issue directives to the Nagaland Government and bring early solution to the problem (on May 25, 2015) followed a letter to the Prime Minister of India (June 2, 2015) requesting to depute a team of officials from the MHA and office of the Director General of Survey of India to fix the correct points as per the boundary between Manipur and Nagaland in Dzuko-Kozuri area at the earliest.

The Chief Minister of Manipur also wrote to Nagaland`™s Chief Minister on June 2, 2015 and in response to that the TR Zeliang reportedly expressed his concern and informed Manipur that it had already entrusted the Naga Hoho to get in touch with the UNC for amicable settlement of the matter.

Both the groups are already holding talks and the outcome will be informed, and if this does not work out, the matter will be taken up at the official level, it claimed.

Against this backdrop, following reports of escalating tension between Mao community and SAPO to the extent of physical assault and quit notice served against Mao community, a joint meeting was arrange at the Khuzama check post between the district administrations of Senapati and Kohima as per the instruction of the cabinet, it said.

It said during the meeting the DC Kohima assured that there will be no interference from the Nagalnd side, as the present dispute does not have to do with the political boundary between the two States.

It also said that the land dispute of Mao Council and SAPO as per claims and counter claims of traditional/ancestral ownership overlapping with political boundary and the dispute falls within the political and administrative boundary of Manipur.

The DC and SP Senapati clarified that security forces deployed at the disputed site are for preventing violence and to secure live and livelihood of common people. No activity will be allowed from either sides inthe disputes region till amicable settlement adding that it had conveyed the message to SAYO/SAPO to clear any misunderstanding, it said.

It said the DC and SP also assured to maintain law and order along the stretch of NH-02 and ensure safe passage of the Mao people in the region and the people living in the area while caution to be maintained by Mao community.

The officials from Kohima district apprised the steps under enforcement on the highway in view of the SAYO`™s `Quit Notice` served to the Maos and also the additional burden of protection for large number of Mao population settled in Nagaland.

Moving his motion, Th Syamkumar said alleged that the state Government has failed to take any positive measures when several section of the society including NGOs are concerned on the issue.

Noting the huge potential `Dzuko valley` for tourism, the Andro MLA said that the Nagaland government saw the opportunity when Manipur failed to realize adding that he attributed the prevailing situation was due to Manipur government`™s apathy.

Shyamkumar said that the State government must take a concrete stand not only the Dzuko boundary row but also for the entire boundary of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/unbecoming-of-a-cm-gaikhangam-condemns-tr-zeliangs-statement-on-dzuko-dispute/

IMPHAL, Jun 29: A VDF personnel attached with the City Police Station who was getting treatment at the RIMS for injuries sustained during a fight inside the police station, succumbed yesterday.

The personnel has been identified as Okram Athoi Singh, 35, son of O Lukhoi Singh of Chajing Mamang Leikai under Singjamei Police Station.

Athoi was brought to the hospital on the morning of June 27 and succumbed in the evening of June 28.

Following the death, a JAC was formed in connection to the death of the VDF personnel this morning. The JAC also protested at the Chajing Mamang Leikai demanding befitting punishment for the involved culprits and to identify the culprits within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the City Police have arrested another VDF personnel in connection to the incident and a case has been registered. It is also learnt that interrogation of the arrested personnel is underway after he was remanded to police custody.

On the other hand, the Athoi`™s body continues to lie at the RIMS morgue without the conduct of post mortem examination.

A member of the All Manipur VDF Welfare Association also said that the office bearers of Imphal West District Committee of the association has been informed to meet the wife and family members of the deceased personnel.

A report on the incident will be submitted tomorrow to the association, following which the association will convene a meeting and discuss further steps to be taken up, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/vdf-personnel-injured-in-fight-inside-city-police-succumbs/

By Paojel Chaoba

IMPHAL, June 29: The Union government has notified Manipur State government to furnish details of specific areas to be included under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The much debated demand for extension of 6th schedule provision of the Indian constitution to the hill areas of Manipur is in focus at the Centre. According to a letter sent from the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (North East Division) dated May 7, 2015 under the subject `Extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in the Hill Areas of Manipur,` addressed to the chief secretary of Manipur, P C Lawmkunga.

The official notification by the under secretary to the government of India, Manohar N Sukole mentions that, `I am directed to state that the State Government of Manipur, vide letter dated 07.04.2001,had conveyed decision of State Cabinet that it had no objections to the extension of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India in the tribal areas in the Hill district of Manipur with certain local adjustment and amendments. In response, this Ministry vide letters dated 21.09.2001 and 17.10,2001, requested the State Government of Manipur to furnish details of specific areas to be included in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and proposed local adjustments and amendments.` It may be mentioned here that the cabinet decisions were taken during the tenure of W Nipamacha Singh led MSCP government and later the Samata Party government led by Koijam Radhabinod in 2001.

The letter further reads, `It is stated that that all the six ADCs have been requesting to the Government of India for inclusion of these ADCs under the 6th Schedule. In view of these facts, in reply to an unstarred question, it has been stated that the Government of Manipur has not sent details of local adjustments/ revised proposal in this regard so far. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has conveyed that the reply has been treated as an assurance. To fulfill the assurance, reply of the Government of Manipur to this Ministry`™s letter dated 21.09.2001 and 17.10.2001 is required. In view of the above, the State Government of Manipur is again requested to furnish details of specific areas to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and propose local adjustments and amendments.`

This letter designated as `Most Immediate Parliament Matter`™ bearing number 1303/11/2015-NE.IV states that the Union government has a clear objective to include the hill districts of the State under the 6th schedule provision.

On 5 September, 2014, some members of the Autonomous District Councils of Manipur had staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, demanding that the present ADCs be upgraded to the 6th schedule of the constitution (The 6th schedule of the Constitution provides for local self governance for the tribal people in the northeast.)

In their memorandum submitted to prime minister Narendra Modi on 30 August last, the then chairmen of the six Autonomous District Councils in Manipur had stated that while the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act, 2008 `“ on the basis of which the present ADCs were formed `“ provided for devolution of power to the ADCs by the state government in 26 subjects, devolution has not happened in more than half of the subjects. The Churachandpur ADC had passed a resolution earlier on 26 June, 2013 demanding extension of the 6th schedule provisions to the ADC areas of Manipur. The said memorandum is an endorsement of the Churachandpur ADC resolution by all the six ADCs in Manipur hill districts.

The demand for inclusion of Manipur hill areas under 6th extends over the last 35 years. The Hill Areas Committee (HAC), consisting of all 19 MLAs from the tribal reserved constituencies in Manipur, passed a resolution demanding 6th schedule provisions for the Manipur hills in 1978 `“ only five years after the Committee`™s constitution in 1973. The HAC was envisaged to be the guardian of tribal interests; this Committee is to be consulted in all legislative matters affecting the Hill Areas of the state. It was created under Article 371C of the Constitution through the Constitution (27th Amendment) Act, 1971, which came into effect from 15 February, 1972. Secondly, article 371C states that `the executive power of the Indian union shall extend to the giving of directions as to the administration of the said areas`.

Concurrently with Article 371C, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, passed by the Indian parliament also in 1971 sought to add an element of local level self-rule to the Manipur Hills. Under this, district councils were formed in Manipur hills, whose members were elected by the people. These Councils were endowed with powers over a list of functions. The numbers of members in the Councils and functions they are given increases over time. However, unlike those under 6th Schedule, the Councils do not have legislative and judicial powers; their functions are executive in nature and the thrust, economic. Hence, while these Councils are similar to those under 6th Schedule in form, the latter are much more powerful in reality.

It is interesting that the ADCs in Manipur are neither under 5th schedule nor 6th schedule. Constitutionally, Manipur ADCs are sui generis. Experts have observed that there is no mechanism to coordinate between the ADCs and HAC. The original ADC Act was passed by the Union, while subsequent amendment Acts were passed by the state in 2000, 2006 and 2008. These amendments were passed regardless of the fact that the ADC elections were not held since 1989 and the Councils consequently remained non-functional till 2010.

The HAC, in 1983, 1990 and 2002 re-affirmed its 1978 resolution demanding extension of 6th schedule to Manipur hills. The state cabinet recommended for the same on three occasions, in 1991, 1992 and 2001. Various government-appointed commissions also recommended for the same. Nothing came out of them till today. But, debates on the provision of the 6th Schedule is an ongoing issue. It may be mentioned that earlier on, the President of International Meeteis`™ Forum (IMF), RK Rajendro had stated that implementing the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in any part of Manipur, would create chaos in the State.

Expert opinion states that, it comes within the purview of the Union of exercising its special power, under Article 371C, to give directions to the state on implementing the 6th Schedule provision and falls squarely within the Union`™s authority and power. This reporter sought an interview with the chief secretary P C Lawmkunga today to ask what the reply of the state government was? Whether to send the cabinet decision of 2001 to MHA to promulgate the 6th Schedule or that, the SPF government had a different stance not to adopt the provision. But the chief secretary was not available for comments.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/centre-ready-to-implement-6th-schedule-in-hill-areas-of-manipur-awaits-chief-secretarys-reply/

IMPHAL, June 29: Joining in the party`™s nation wide protest demanding the sacking of Union Ministers of the BJP, the Aam Admi party, Manipur today staged a protest in front of the Bir Tikendrajit Park.

The AAP is demanding action against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde.

The protesters gathered at Hindu Hotel, between Uripok and Nagamapal around 1 p.m. and marched towards Babuthong, passed Thangal Bazar and walk till BT Road and later staged a sit-in protest at the gate of Tikendrajit Park.

Speaking to this reporter, Thoudam Manihar Singh, Manipur Aam Aadmi Party, State president who is also the coordinator said AAP, Manipur is also taking part in the nationwide protest against the four ministers demanding their removal.

Thoudam Manihar Singh also appealed to all the people of the State to support in the movement of anti-corruption, to end the money power manipulation of poor by the rich.

Mentioned may be maded that the AAP demanded ouster of Irani over the false information she allegedly provided to the Election Commission about her educational qualification. The party demanded resignations from Swaraj and Raje over their alleged `impropriety` in former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi`™s case and Munde mired in controversy, with the Congress accusing her of involvement in a `scam` by clearing purchases of items worth Rs.206 crore for children under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) by the Women and Child Development Ministry which she heads, on a single day instead of inviting tenders in violation of the norms.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/state-aap-joins-partys-nationwide-call-for-removal-of-sushma-swaraj/