Month: September 2015

IMPHAL, September 22: Unidentified persons reportedly set ablaze a Tata Venture vehicle engaged in transportation of school students near Cherith Foundation School along Pallel-Aimol Road on the intervening night of September 21 and 22.

The vehicle bearing registration number MN 05C-1922 belongs to Takhellambam Mukta alias Tombi from Pallel Bazar.

According to driver of the vehicle Asem Manao, the vehicle was compelled to park at the area as its tyres got burst just after finishing school service. The area where the vehicle was torched is being used by other vehicles for temporary parking whenever they face unavoidable problem.

The driver narrated that he went to search for workshop to repair the tyres but found his vehicle completely torched after he returned to the area.

Expressing shock on the incident, he appealed to the perpetrator (s) to clarify why the act was committed.

The aggrieved driver also urged the concerned authorities to book the perpetrator (s) behind the act at the earliest.

Meanwhile, owner of the ill-fated vehicle has expressed discontentment on the School Van Association, Pallel Area under which his vehicle is registered, for not visiting the area to take stock of the unfortunate incident despite being informed about it.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/school-van-set-ablaze-at-pallel/

IMPHAL, September 22: Pointing out that the present uprising of the tribal people against the three bills passed in the Manipur Assembly is the bone of contention which has sparked off the upheaval, the All Manipur Tribal Women Union (AMTRIWU) has demanded unconditional apology from MLA RK Anand for his `irresponsible`™ and `provocative`™ statement.

According to a statement of AMTRIWU, MLA Anand had said, `It`™s only because of the generosity of the Meiteis that the Nagas and Kukis could exist in Manipur today`™.

This is the most provocative and irresponsible statement ever made by a representative. This shows the sheer ignorance of history and geo-politics of Manipur on the part of the MLA which is very unfortunate, it said.

The union said that the MLA`™s statement has further alienated the hill people as this is directed to destroy the closely knitted fabric of the society.

Stating that the tribal people especially of Churachandpur and Sadar Hills understand that the bills certainly affect them, the AMTRIWU alleged that instead of rectifying the flaws contained in the bills, the State government continues to blame the people which has aggravated the already burning situation.

Instead of trying to solve the grievances of the tribal people, the government keeps on bragging that the bills do not infringe on the rights of the tribal, which directly insulted the tribal people. This destructive attitude of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Deputy CM Gaikhangam would never be able to bring any manner of finding any solution because they do not try to find a solution but indulge in sheer lip service, the statement said.

Lamenting that the corpses of the Churachandpur martyrs are lying rotten in the freezer-less morgue which is a proof of the tribal being treated as second class citizens, the AMTRIWU in the statement reiterated that the government is justifying its actions till today which they vehemently condemned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/amtriwu-demands-unconditional-apology-from-mla-anand/

LAMKA, Sept 22: With the protest for the repeal of the three bills passed in the Manipur State Assembly on the August 31 reaching a climax, but with no sign of immediate respite, the four former MLAs of the NPF, visited Churachandpur to pay homage to the nine tribal martyrs.

The NPF MLAs had resigned on September 4, to protest the bills four days after they were passed, and after the Churachandpur public rose in violent protest.

The four ex-MLAs namely LDikho of 48 Maoa/c, Samuel Rison of Ukhrul 44a/c, Victor Nunghbung of 41 Chandel a/c and Alexander Pao of 47 Karong a/c, accompanied by their party`s state president A.Kamei and his secretary, met the JAC Against Anti-Tribal Bills leaders at their office at KKL complex after which they held a press conferences where they said they have come to show their solidarity with the victims and the people in general.

The NPF Manipur president said that they are shock at the security force shooting the nine people which he said will not go in vain.

He said that the proper procedure for passing bills was compromise by the Assembly Speaker. The state government had played a role in such a manner that the Speaker acted without proper procedure while passing the three bills.

He said the four NPF members alone were ready and armed to oppose the bills but they were not given the opportunity to do so.

The leader also said that the Manipur State Commando who tried to get hold of and target student union`s leader, particularly ATSUM, must stop immediately saying that democracy was compromised.

`Where is democracy?` he asked and said the police forces and the Government must stop this harassment. He also asked if the police who were hounding the ATSUM leaders, had arrest warrants with them.

The NPF leader resigned to oppose the anti-tribal bills and we wanted to empower the hill people as per the constitution and we request all the other tribal MLAs to resign, though we can`t force them, he said.

On the question of the impact of the resignation, the president said it is having an impact.

On the question of the four days delay in the four MLAs`™ resignation, he said that they had timed the resignation to have maximum impact though the four MLA had offer to resign on the evening of August 31 itself.

“We talked first with the centre and our party leader from the neighbouring state and then did the resignation on the 4th”, he explained.

The ex-MLA of Ukhrul Samual also warned of intense agitation from September 31.

Meanwhile from September 1 till today, the Joint Peoples`™ Organisation, JPO, has received monetary donations of approximately Rs. 36 lakh.

Today itself, the JPO collected more than Rs. 3.4 lakhs as donation at their reception which didn`t include The Rs.100 per household collected for the victims`™ families who decided not to accept ex-Gratia money from the state government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/npf-exmlas-visit-ccpur-to-show-solidarity/

IMPHAL, September 22: The news of enrolment of three high profile personalities, Okram Joy former Minister, Radhabinod Koijam former Chief Minister and Retd DGP Yumnam Joykumar with the State BJP unit is still not finalized though it has most likely come through.

The enrolment still awaits verification by the authorities of the party.

This was announced by Th Chaoba, President BJP Manipur Pradesh.

In an exclusive interview with some of media persons at his office chamber today, Chaoba said that as of now their enrolment awaits clearance by the party.

The party will process the case of these three personalities at the soonest, he said. He further said as was published in some local dailies today, the BJP will welcome everybody to who wishes to enrol with it, and can do his through a written application.

He said scrutiny of applicants will involve scanning for criminal records, mental health or involvement in anti-state activities, nurturing ills against the state, loyalty to the BJP ideology etc.

As per party ideology nobody is allow to join BJP without first going through this screening, he added.

Unfortunately, he said, these three high profile personalities haven`™t submitted any written application, but their cases will still be considered.

If they have contacted the party`™s central leaders, it is another matter, he said.

Chaoba further said that party has adopted some resolutions during the state core committee meeting held on September 12 in the presence of BJP MP Prahlad Singh Patel, in-charge of Manipur.

The BJP now has facilities for online enrolment. Patel has expressed the desire for revocation of suspension against members including Y Khemchand, Salam Ragen, Y Kapoor and Laishram Jatra.

As per an order now under process, the executive committee will soon be meeting to discuss the matter of revocation of suspension, Chaoba said.

He further said the present status of BJP state is encouraging. The current mass online membership drive which he initiated and through conventional paper forms have increased the party membership strength to four lakhs already.

This is in contrast to 50,000 members the party could boast of in 2012, he reiterated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/joy-rb-joykumar-to-be-admitted-in-party-after-verification-suspended-rebels-to-return-state-bjp-chief/

IMPHAL, September 22: Leaders of United Naga Council (UNC) met Ashok Prasad, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India during his visit at Imphal and strongly apprised and urged him to intervene immediately on the out-rightly rejected bills and resolutions passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.

A statement of UNC informed that the Naga frontal body also submitted a representation to the Special Secretary in this regard.

It pointed out that the Nagas tribal and the Meitei Kingdom hardly share common origin and history and also, identity, culture, tradition and time honored institution.

“™The Nagas had been living in a village republic free from internal and external forces since time immemorial. Our land is unique and only the Nagas with few other communities accept the Meiteis of the valley living in Nagalim. We have been made a part of Manipur not through the conquest of Meitei Maharajah nor by our consent`™`™, the statement said.

The UNC contended that the present situation being created at Churachandpur district in the aftermath of the killing nine innocent civilians including a minor on August 31 and September 1 by the State security forces consequent upon the passing of the most controversial `anti-tribal`™ bills and resolutions by the State Assembly on August 31 while defending tribal rights is nothing but a deliberate attempt of the government to suppress, oppress and exploit tribal rights and grab their land.

It may also be noted that the State forces had used rubber bullets for the valley protestors while live bullets were used against the peaceful loving and democratic tribal protestors in tribal hill areas, it further claimed.

The UNC in the statement also urged to take up all possible steps to expedite historic Indo-Naga framework accord to its logical conclusion at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/unc-meets-mha-special-secy-urges-to-expedite-indonaga-accord/

LAMKA, September 22: The union Special Secretary, Internal Security, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ashok Prasad visited Churachandpur today to take stock of the situation in the beleaguered township.

Prasad a former DGP of J&K was given a warm reception by the Churachandpur public at Kangvai where he was given a memorandum by the Chief`™s association of the district.

Around 10 am the central emissary reached the Lamka Public ground packed with womenfolk in black dress.

The JAC Against Anti-Tribal Bills and the Hmar Innpui, Kuki Inpi and Zomi Council together gave a separate memorandum to the Special Secretary while the women`s joint committee presented him with nine traditional shawls symbolising the nine who lay dead for the cause.

The JAC Chief Convenor, Mangchinkhup Hauzel, making known the demand of the committee and of the people, said that the JAC and the people are happy to see an emissary of the Union Ministry of Home.

The crowd in the meantime shouted slogan like “We want separate administration”, `Welcome the Centre Govt”, `Long live Pu Ashok Prasad” etc.

After presenting the memorandum, Prasad in his speech said that he feels and shares the pain that the people are going through, particularly the families of the victims.

“I congratulate the perseverance and effort of the women, the JAC and elders. I appeal to the older people to continue guiding us in the future too,” he said and asked the people to show now that they can find a solution.

Later LB Sona, the leader of the three apexs house presented a memorandum on behalf of the Joint apex body, the Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi and Hmar Innpui.

Sona also said that they were pleased to see the central official since no one from the state government, including politicians, bureaucrats and other dignitaries have bothered to take the trouble to make any spot assessments.

“The stare government tried to portray the incident as a law and order problem only although what is being witnessed is a political problem, and therefore we request the central government to intervene,” Sona further said.

The special secretary later visited the morgue where the nine martyr are kept. He was greeted by emotional scenes from the families of the victims. They told him that they had surrendered their deads to the tribal people for they died for the tribal cause.

In a very touching moment one girl in wailed inconsolably saying in English “I have only one brother. Why did they do this to me?”

After consoling her the official went to meet the JAC and later talked to the press where he said he was sent by the Union Home Ministry to make a direct assessment of the situation here and will apprise the central government.

He also appealed for the dead bodies to be buried and put to rest at the earliest.

“I am convince that this is not just an internal problem but more than that”, Prasad said and further added that he will try his best to do the right thing and report to the centre but the immediate need was to try to resolve the issue and find a solution to the problem.

In regards to the punishment of the culprits for the nine people killed, the official said we must await the enquiry report so action can be taken.

On the question of live bullets being used, he said he will take up the issue to the Manipur State Government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/mha-special-secretary-appeals-for-early-resolution-to-face-off/

IMPHAL, September 22: `Justice for Sarita` a campaign jointly launched by the Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) and Editors Guild Manipur to raise $2000 (Approximately Rs. 1, 20, 000) fine slapped on Manipuri Boxer Sarita and her Coach Angom Lenin by AIBA is now being closed on September 23 with a simple function at the conference hall of the MOA at 9 am.

So far 85 people from all walks of life have donated Rs.98, 527. Some more individuals have promised to donate to reach the Rs.1.2 lakh figure. Whatever amount collected by the campaign will be handed over to Sarita tomorrow jointly by MOA president I Hemochandra, Works Minister Kh Ratan and YAS Parliamentary Secretary M Prithviraj and A Mobi, president of Editors Guild.

Sarita and Coach Angom Lenin have to pay the fine by the end of the September.

Sarita will then be leaving for London for special training session under Olympic Quest Program.

The latest list of donors are L Deepak (MNP+) `“ Rs 2000, advocate Huirem Delite `“ Rs 500, Manipur Heart Care Society (Dr RajendraThangjam, Dr Uthan Th, Dr Rameshchandra, Dr Indrajit, Dr Dhanachandra – Rs15,500, Dinesh Haobam, Chingmeirong `“ Rs 500, RK Shyamananda, Toronto, Canada – Rs 2000, N Setha Singh `“ Rs 500 and Dr Ranabir `“ Rs 5000.

Further anyone who wants to wish Sarita in her quest for an Olympic Medal at the Rio Olympics are invited to attend the handing over ceremony tomorrow at Olympic Bhawan at Khuman Lampak at 9 am.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/justice-for-sarita-campaign-to-be-closed-today/