Month: October 2017

By A Staff Reporter 

IMPHAL | Oct 7

“Heisnam Kanhailal’s theatre is neither national nor international but it’s universal. It is unfortunate that recognition of his contribution in the world of theatre has come too little, too late.”

This was stated by Prof. H.S. Shivprakash of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi while delivering the memorial speech on the occasion of the first commemoration of the theatre exponent, Heisnam Kanhailal at Lamyanba Sanglen here yesterday, organised by Kalakshetra Manipur.

Elaborating on the works of Kanhailal, Prof. Shivprakash said though the former had no proper formal education he was able to create a language of his own. “Kanhailal’s vision was very complex. Sometimes it was difficult for him to express in the language we speak”, he added.

Prof. Shivprakash also pointed out that Kanhailal possessed the quality of a prophetic thinker. “He was not someone who loves to project himself. It was his firm belief that one should rather speak through the body of creative work created”, the professor maintained.

Further he said Kanhailal had so much to teach about theatre and art; however, there were a few to learn.

“He would not hesitate to go into the interior areas of the country to teach theatre. The theatre community of the world, not only of this country, must be grateful to him for planting his seeds of wisdom in many parts of India”, said Prof. Shivprakash.

He lamented that had the book written by Kanhailal, ‘Theatre of the Earth’ been published some 30 years earlier, the name of the latter would be among the world theatre luminaries.

Speaking as the chief guest of the observation, minister for art and culture, L. Jayentakumar said he knows very little about the work of Kalakshetra and Kanhailal.

“But in my brief encounter with uncle Kanhailal when he was alive I could notice that his philosophical outlook was very sharp”, he said.

1. Sushila, director of art and culture was present at the function as the president.

Later, N. Premchand, Y. Rajendra and U. Rojio presented papers on the life and works of Kanhailal. The session was chaired by Prof. L. Joychandra.

Floral tributes were paid by the dignitaries and invitees to the portrait of Kanhailal as a mark of respect on his first death anniversary.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 7

Five persons including two minors, one zilla parishad candidate and two voters sustained injuries in violence during the polling for panchayat elections at Kairang Khomidok in Imphal East district today.

Sources said clashes broke out between the workers of two rival zilla parishad candidates of Kairang Khomidok gram panchayat.

The two minor boys are identified as Zahir Khan, 14 son of Md. Bellan of Kairang Mamang Leikai and S. Talim, 17, son of S. Suresh of Khumidok Umang Leikai, the zilla parishad candidate as Badur Rehman alias Babu, 37, son of Abdul Rehman of Khurai Khomidok and the two voters as Kabir Hussen, 25, son of Siraj Ahamad of Kumidok Umang Leikai and Sahid Khan, 19, son of Ibouchou of Kairang Mamang Leikai.

Zaihir got bullet injuries on his left leg, Talim was hit by a stone in the head. The candidate was also hit by a stone in the neck, Kabir was hit by tear gas on his right leg and Sahid got hit by a stone in the head and currently all the five of them are treating at Public Hospital, Hatta.

Speaking to IFP, the injured candidate said that he was hit by a stone at the backside of his neck while he was coming out from the polling station number, 7/19/7 at Heingang Mayai Leikai Primary School at around 10.30 am.

He claimed that his opponent, S. Lebel who is currently the BJP, OBC Morcha’s president was given security escort but his escort was taken back by the government after he filed his election nomination.

“Such action clearly shows that the government is bias in the panchayat election, added Badur.

The other four individuals including the two minors got injured during clashes between the supporter of the two rival candidate at polling station number, 7/18/12 at Kairang Awang Leikai Pimary School.

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Oct 7

Voting was at least 90 percent at Thoubal and Kakching district for the 5th general Panchayat elections conducted by Manipur State Election Commission.

Under Thoubal district, three ballot boxes were set ablaze at Irong and numbers of tear gas shells were fired at Salungfam to control an unruly mob, while ballots boxes and other items kept in the polling booth were scattered by miscreants at Sangaiyumfam.

In today’s election, the voters came out from early morning and stood making long queues at several polling booths under the heat of the day and cast their votes.

Around 10.30 am at the polling station number 2/3/16, Irong Thockhom Moirang LP School under Leisanghthem GP, three ballot boxes were torched after an altercation took place amongst the supporters of two ward member candidates

On the other hand, ballot papers were ripped and torn at polling stations number 8/20/10, 4/20/11 and 8/20/7 of Sangaiyumfam part II under Khangabok assembly constituency, after altercations took place amongst supporters of different zilla parishad candidates over the allegations that proxy votes were being cast.

It is expected that the district election officer, deputy commissioner, Thoubal district L. Nabakiswar may recommend re-polling of these mentioned polling booths.

Meanwhile, at the polling station number 5/12/4 installed at Salungfam Kangyebam Thokchao LP School under Heirok assembly constituency, altercations took place between zilla parishad candidates which resulted in hurling of stones between groups.

The situations worsened as the skirmish resulted in making attempts to snatch ballot boxes inside the booths.  A police force led by SP, K Meghachandra, Thoubal district police immediately rushed at the spot to control the situation which was getting out of hand.

Several tear gas shells were fired and mock bombs exploded in attempts to control the unruly mob.

After the police were able to control the situation, additional forces were brought in and the voters were made to resume the voting. It may be mentioned that the election was conducted peacefully at Thoubal district overall.   

The five teams of women polling personnel who went to perform their election duties for the first time, and the remaining polling personnel returned safe and sound at Thoubal DC complex around 9 pm.

As for Kakching district, the election was performed without any incident of violence and unwanted incidents where the votes were casted at the rate of 90 percent by the voters.

The ballot boxes which will decide the fate of the candidates were moved to the strong room of Thoubal district complex and Kakching Indoor stadium of Kakching district.

The votes will be counted on October 11.    

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI |Oct 7

Joint secretary, ministry of home affairs (Northeast in-charge), Satyendra Garg visited the designated camp of Kuki National Front, Ebenezer Peace Camp at Natheljang in Kangpokpi district today.

People accorded a symbolic traditional welcome when the Satyendra landed in a chopper at around 9:45 am at Kholjang TAYA Playground with trumpets blow and gong beating while the Kuki chiefs presented him a traditional shawl ‘Saipikhup’ apart from the Kuki women garlanding the senior IPS officer. 

Satyendra, who is also the first person to chair the Kuki political dialogue with the Centre was accompanied by J. Suresh Babu, additional chief secretary (Home), government of Manipur, who is also the chairman of Joint Monitoring Groups of the SoO groups along with other department concerned officials.

The Kuki leaders of various civil voluntary organisations under the aegis of Kuki Inpi including leaders of Kuki National Front greeted the visiting team at Ebenezer Peace Camp Satyendra signed on a monolith erected by the KNF in memory of his historic visit before having a brief interaction and visiting the camp to take stock of the situation.

Satyendra said that his idea to come here is to take stock of the camp, how it looks like, how it runs and how people live here.

He continued that it is right that political talks has been initiated after eight years of signing SoO but the government has appointed separate interlocutor talks without much delay. He said he is working on it while visiting the state and studying the issues interacting with the Kuki leaders.

“Whatever issues about the Kukis, the government is very much aware about it that is why we started the political dialogue and the Centre will do whatever is just from every section of society including the Kukis”, maintained Satyendra.

He also said that Centre wants solution as it is the key to prevail peace and the ultimate key to development and everything is for peace.

KNF general secretary, Aaron Kipgen, who is also the spokesperson of UPF said that the reason why they took up arms and fight for statehood is because they have a political issue. “We feel our custom, culture and tradition would be preserved within the framework of Indian Constitution in free India”, he added.

He continued that over the years the government considered the issue of Kuki arms movement, the signing of SoO and confining at the designated Camp as law and order issue which is why the problem have not been resolved on time.

“I want to reiterate today that the issue of Kuki arms movement, the signing of SoO and confining at designated camp is not a law and order problem but a political issue”, asserted Aaron Kipgen.

He also recalled that when Suspension of Operation was signed eight years back in 2008 and the designated camp inaugurated in 2010, the aspiration of SoO cadres as well as the Kuki people in general was to start political talks by initiating a peace process.

“But, things were not going that fast as expected and we have been waiting for more than 8 years for the political dialogue to be initiated”, he added.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur also submitted a memorandum to the joint secretary apprising him to bring an honorable solution to the Kuki political issue while appreciating and conveying gratitude of the Kuki people to the government of India for initiating the much awaited political dialogue with UPF and KNO.