Month: September 2015

TAMENGLONG, September 21: Due to the 96 hours chakka bandh in Tamenglong district called by Joint Forum for Transport Welfare Association of Tamenglong and state-wide bandh imposed by National Revolutionary Front, Manipur (NRFM), normal life in the district was affected.

All types of vehicles stayed off the roads along National Highway-37 (Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Tamenglong Road) due to the dual bandh.

The 96 hours chakka bandh was called by the association in protest against the government`™s failure to repair the 39.5 km Tamenglong-Khongsai road while the NRFM imposed the State-wide bandh in condemnation of the forceful merger of Manipur with the Indian Union on September 21, 1949.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/dual-bandh-paralyzes-normal-life-in-tamenglong/

IMPHAL, September 21: The JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Ibemhal has imposed a 12 hours bandh within Andro Kendra on September 22 from 5 am till 5 pm in protest against the released on bail of four accused in the murder case of Ibemhal Keina by the Court of CJM Imphal East.

The JAC secretary Pangabam Chaoba lamented that amidst the pressure from Andro people for delivery of justice to the murder of Ibemhal who was found dead on August 18, the court granted bail to the four main accused namely Kangbam Taso, Ramkumar, Nilabira and Kangbam Birachandra alias Bera.

Since the justice delivered by the court is against the interest of Andro people, the JAC decided to impose a 12 hours bandh within the constituency, he said.

He further appealed to various civil society organizations to extend cooperation to the bandh call.

Anybody who violated the call of the JAC should be held sole responsibility if any untoward incident occur during the course of the bandh, the secretary cautioned.

He said that the JAC organized mass torch rally at Keina, Poreikhongjil and Yairipok today against the released of the four accused.

Members of various civil society organizations, clubs and women folk participated in the rally, he informed.

It may be mentioned that the JAC had organized a protest rally against the delay of punishment to the accused in the murder of Ibemhal at Poreikhongjil and Yairipok on September 10 during which the Andro Police Station was stormed.

On the same day, a huge public meeting was held wherein certain resolutions in connection with the murder were adopted so as to exert pressure on the concerned authorities to deliver justice to the murder case.

The JAC had resolved to launch different forms of agitation along with CSOs in case the accused in the murder are released on bail.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/jac-clamps-12hr-bandh-at-andro-against-released-of-murder-accused/

IMPHAL, September 21: For the first time in the history of Manipur, a State level society for State`™s male weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs has been formed during the `1st Congregation of Male Weavers and Entrepreneurs of Manipur`™ held at the premises of Shintha Handlooms and Handicrafts, Thongju Part II, Imphal East on September 20.

During the gathering, male weavers hailing from different parts of the State unanimously agreed to name the newly formed society as the State Society for Male Weavers, Artisans and Entrepreneurs, Manipur (SSMWAEM).

Bhubol Sougrakpam from Thongju Part II, Khelen Thokchom from Pheijaleitong, Budha Nongmaithem from Bishnupur Nachou, Hijam Sanatomba from Khongjom, Pradeep Lourembam from Keishamthong and Wangkheimayum Inao Singh from Samurou Awang Leikai have been elected as president, secretary, joint secretary, treasurer, secretary publicity and secretary organization of the society respectively.

The congregation further resolved to register the society under Manipur Societies Act, 1976. Its temporary office will be located at the complex of Shintha Handlooms and Handicrafts, Thongju.

The main objective of the society is to enhance the capacity building of the State`™s weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/for-first-time-male-weavers-society-formed/

CHANDEL, September 21: Anal Lelruwl Tangpi (Anal Students union) HQ has refuted Thadou Students`™ Association (TSA) Chandel`™s press statement wherein it claimed that Lhukhusei Zou was not a part of the controversial use of Anal traditional shawl as table cloth during the ADC swearing in ceremony.

The union in a press release signed by its president L Manahring alleged that the function was held to form Congress led ADC government of the district. And being Chairman designated, Lhukhosei Zou should own responsibility for events unfolded during the course of the function and its untypical of Zou to disown his staff rather than stand by them.

`May be his ego is too big to apologise on behalf of his departmental staff`™, it said.

ALT used the word `self-proclaim`™ because the so called formation of ADC Chandel took place in Imphal West district, rather than the following normal procedure, that is to form and function in the district headquarters just as ADCs in other hill districts do, it clarified.

Terming TSA`™s claim of Lhukhosei Zou maintained equal treatment in sub division wise irrespective of tribes and communities on education as totally baseless, the union maintained that Lhukhosei was biased and only focused more to appease one community.

Out of the 50 Primary Schools established in 2011, he allotted nearly 30 plus of the schools to one single community whereas only 10 plus of the schools were allotted to the rest of the communities in Chandel , it pointed out, questioning TSA whether if that was what TSA called equal treatment of Lhukhusei Zou.

In connection with the up-gradation of Primary Schools to Upper Primary Schools, the ALT in the release further alleged that Lhukhosei allotted three schools out of the five to one community.

That was when ALT intervened and protested. The union admits thereafter existed an MOu, but the MoU signed was just propagated in paper, yet to materialize till date, though the assurance given to the union was to implement the agreement just in a matter of time, it lamented.

Stating that the union respects TSA`™s personal views and expressions on the present imbroglio, it questioned the TSA`™s wisdom of supporting Congress led ADC government in Chandel.

The Manipur Assembly under the very nose of tribal MLAs and Ministers passed three `anti-tribal`™ bills. Consequently, the tribal people have been demanding the resignation of those tribal MLAs due to people`™s disapproval, the union said.

It also extended invitation to TSA to share opinion on whether there is any difference in principle and ideology between Congress led government and Congress led ADC government in the districts.

While accepting the call for peace and tranquillity in the district, the union said that it has been relentlessly working for a common interest be it fighting a lone battle against district administration for DLOs and departmental offices to function so that tribal from far and near can avail their rights in the district headquarters.

`TSA Chandel has every right to defend Lhukhosei Zou as he best serves their interest , but lets not be so engrossed and deep rooted in our own personal interest that we intend to ignore and hurt sentiments of other tribes which in the long run is detrimental for our societies`™, ALT in the release added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/alt-hits-back-at-tsa-over-controversial-use-of-anal-shawl-as-table-cloth/

IMPHAL, Sept 21: A day-long bandh called by National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM) to protest the alleged forced merger of Manipur into Indian Union in 1949 disrupted normal life in parts of the State today.

Shops, markets and business establishments in most areas in Imphal remained closed.

Educational institutions remained close for the day and government offices registered thin attendance.

Commercial vehicles including passenger service stayed off the road however private vehicles were seen moving on the streets in large number. No untoward incident reported during the bandh hours.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/bandh-to-protest-forced-merger-of-manipur-into-indian-union-affects-normal-life/

CHANDEL, September 21: The Committee on Protection of Tribal Rights (CoPoTR), Chandel district has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up immediate and necessary action for making ADC Chandel functioning from its headquarter office at Monsang Pantha.

Submitting a memorandum in this regard, CoPoTR said, ADC Chandel functioning from Imphal instead of district headquarters has brought many inconveniences to the people; therefore, the ADC should function practically and theoretically from Chandel district headquarters.

The committee apprised the PM of its condemnation over the controversial so called re-election of ADC Chairman at ADC Bhavan Chingmeirong on September 14, saying ADC Chandel was meant for the people of Chandel but not for Imphal west district.

It also said that the people of Chandel fully exercised its franchise, electing their representatives who would make ADC function from headquarters for better development however; the State government under its evil policy snatched their opportunity to run the ADC from the State capital like the previous five years.

The memorandum informed the PM of series of democratic agitation including demand for separate independent administration of the tribal outside the Government of Manipur that would be initiated by the committee in case the Government of Manipur forcefully take up steps to make the ADC function from Imphal.

While expressing good faith on the authority of the PM, the committee urged the PM to address the grievances faced by the people of the district.

Meanwhile, the committee in a notification has appealed to all officers, staff of ADC Chandel to attend ADC office at Monsang Pantha regularly and carry out all office matters related to ADC Chandel within the district head quarter office.

The committee will tag ` Anti-Chandel`™ to any person or individual who violated the notification, the committee cautioned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/pm-modi-urged-to-intervene-into-adc-chandel-functioning-from-imphal/

LAMKA, September 21: With the unrest over the demand for a Separate Administration for the tribals of Manipur not abating, the a top government official, MH Khan, IAS, Principal Secretary, came to make an assessment of the actual situation on the ground.

Khan held meetings with the DC and SP of the district at the DC`™s residence and then later also met the JAC leaders.

Earlier, when Khan`™s vehicle approached the gate of DC resident, his convoy was blocked by womenfolk who also snatched the order appointing him lead a Magisterial enquiry in the incidents that led to the police firing in the district headquarter in the wake of the violent street protest against the passing of three bills ostensibly designed to prevent influx of migrants into the state by the State Legislative Assembly on August 31.

Later in the evening the JAC issued a press release where they said that they will strongly oppose the State government`™s proposal for a magisterial inquiry in the Churachandpur case, as specified in an order dated the September 9.

The order said the inquiry will be to ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the incident of August 31 evening which led to arson attacks and subsequently the death of nine people.

The JAC in its release stated that they will not accept the magisterial enquiry as it is unlikely to bring a solution to the problem at hand.

The release further said that `no person/organisations/individual, shall give any statement in connection with this enquiry and spot enquiry by Magisterial Inquiry Team` and anybody seen cooperating will be strongly opposed by the general public.

The enquiry is set to begin and concerned officials are slated to come on the September 23 to Churachandpur to begin the enquiry.

The JAC said the people will not accept any enquiry initiative by the state government. Instead, the enquiry must be instituted by the central government.

Meanwhile, ever since the morning, womenfolk sitting for a dharna outside the DC`S resident shouted slogans like “repeal the three bills”, “we want separate administration”, “Central government help us” even as the state officials were passing through their cordon.

In an effort to strengthen and smoothen the progress of the agitation, the JAC this afternoonsat together with the joint committee of the KNO and the UPF, and held a joint meeting at the KKL complex, attended by the presidents of Kuki Inpi, Hmar Innpui and Zomi Council.

On the occasion of the joint meeting cum a press meet, the conveyor of the joint committee, Calvin, told the media that the committee`™s visit to New Delhi had very positive outcomes.

He said the central leaders they met were sympathetic to their cause. The convenor further said “positive thing are discuss and agreed with the central leaders,` adding, `there are however certain things better left untold for the time being.”

This was also echoed by his colleague from KNO TS Haokip who said that the central leadership expressed their happiness that a tribal unity in Manipur has become a reality

The president of the Hmar Innpui, Kuki Inpi and Zomi Council also express their happiness over the unity particularly amongst the two main SoO group.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/ccpur-jac-not-to-allow-magisterial-enquiry-wants-probe-by-central-government/