Manipur Mail – Page 5

Kuki Inpi against frequent transfer of villages

IMPHAL, Sept 21 NNN : The Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai said it is very much concerned over the frequent transfer of villages from Saikul Sub-Division to another blocks/districts without the knowledge and consent of the responsible social organisation and the public.
“This system of transfer of villages from one district to another district in the sly is the covert decisions of some unscrupulous SDOs and DCs to serve vested interests of few individuals,” alleged the Kuki Inpi, Saikul Gamkai.
In this regard, mention may be made that villages under Saikul Sub-division such as Tamaram, Leihaopokpi (Leihaoram), Horton etc. have been shifted/transferred to Ukhrul district without public knowledge few years back.
According to the Kuki body, the then officers responsible for such transfers are the agents of those elements who are hell bent on distoration of original block/district boundaries in the state.
“On what ground/reason these villages were transferred from saikul Sub-Division, Senapati district?.” the Kuki Inpi asked. It also asked where the transfer of villages can be made without any reasonable ground. .
In the meantime, it is learnt from highly a reliable source that processes are being initiated for transfer of some villages from Saikul Sub-division, said the Kuki Inpi, Saikul Gamkai.
“This cannot be done under any circumstances. The SDOs concerned and the DC may kindly note that no villages shall be allowed to transfer from saikul Sub-Division henceforth. Any officers, elected representatives, leaders of social organisation etc. Who gives deed of consent, whether in verbal or written for village transfer shall be held responsible and shall have to face the consequences by themselves,” it warned.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kuki-inpi-against-frequent-transfer-of-villages/

Security not yet withdrawn from ministers, officials

DIMAPUR, Sept 21 NNN : Almost one month has passed since Nagaland home minister G Kaito had withdrawn his security escorts and then directed the state police headquarters to withdraw security escorts of the ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and top bureaucrats when in station, no visible result is seen till date.
Sources said a handful of ‘VIPs’ have reduced or withdrawn their security escorts majority of the legislators did not pay any heed to the state home minister’s directive.
In the first week of September, Nagaland home minister G Kaito Aye had issued this directive as more security personnel are needed for maintaining law and order.
The home minister had withdrawn his security escorts before issuing this directive.
Following this directive from the Nagaland home minister, some legislators and bureaucrats had reportedly expressed displeasure.
It can be noted here that over 600 police personnel were attached with the legislators along with one driver each.
It can be noted here that East Dimapur Tribal Council (EDTC) had lauded the initiative of Nagaland home minister G Kaito Aye.
In a press communique, EDTC had said, “It is a very commendable job on the part of the home minister to take such initiatives when the state is in need of more forces for maintaining law and order and also when the world is facing economic crisis.The bold steps by the minister will surely help the state exchequer from where the money spent on those escorts can be used for development purposes.”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/security-not-yet-withdrawn-from-ministers-officials/

PT N Khelchadra Memorial Lecturer to be organised at MU.

In a formal function held at the office chamber of Vice -Chancellor Manipur University today, Chairman of Pt N Khelchandra Singh Memorial Trust N Tombiraj Singh handed over a cheque of Rs 3,00,000/- to Prof H Nandakumar Sarma, Vice- Chancellor Manipur University, in presence of Prof N Lokendra Singh, Registrar, Manipur University; Prof N Joykumar Singh, Director, Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University; Dr N Debendra Singh, Secretary & Dr N Sukumar of PT N Khelchandra Singh Memorial Trust for organising “PT N Khelchandra Singh Memorial Lecturer, 2014″.

Members of Pt N Khelchandra memorial trust handing over a cheque to VC of MU to organised memorial lectire

Members of Pt N Khelchandra memorial trust handing over a cheque to VC of MU to organised memorial lecture

NPMHR condemns killing of Kashung

DIMAPUR, Sept 19 NNN : The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) condemns the abduction and “unwarranted killing” of Jonathan Kashung of Shingkap village Ukhrul district “while in the custody of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM)”.
“The NSCN (IM), as an organisation that was founded for the rights of struggling peoples, is expected to be non-arbitrary and accountable in its decision making, particularly when it involves the lives of people irrespective of differences,” the Naga rights body stated.Jonathan Kashung (49), one of the presidential candidates of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul tribe, was abducted by unidentified armed men from Phungreitang area in Ukhrul town on September 13 at around 9:40 am apparently in connection with the TNL presidential election. Since then he was traceless.His decomposed body was found late September 17 evening at Tolloi Junction, around 4 km north-west of Ukhrul district headquarters.
Expressing its resentment, the NPMHR calls for an immediate investigation of the incident,

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npmhr-condemns-killing-of-kashung/

FATYCM alleges fund misuse

IMPHAL, Sept 19 NNN : Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) has alleged that Manipur State Illness Assistance Fund (MSIAF) managed by the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur is meant for the patients from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families but in contrary financially sound people are enjoying it.
FATYCM said this in its missive submitted to Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh today.
Signed by its secretary Lethang Haokip, FATYCM expressed its resentment that the system of re-imbursement for the patients from BPL families is next to impossible now while adding, “Based on the fact that MSIAF is a total failure in context of the tribal patients.”
FATYCM in its memorandum alleged that the state developments or facilities are concentrated on in the valley “inspite of the fact that Manipur is a state inhabited by various tribal groups and communities for ages.” The tribal youth body further alleged that tribals in Manipur are facing a lot of problems particularly in health care fronts.
“Hundreds of patients from the hill districts have been facing immense inconveniences while battling for their lives in want of financial assistance,” said the tribal youth body. It further said that these patients from BPL families are finding hardship while trying to go for medical treatment “so every year many patients die from cancer, Hep-C, TB etc., etc..”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fatycm-alleges-fund-misuse/

Tripura King to launch stir against Manik’s attempt to rewrite Tripura history

Ujayanta Palace

SHILLONG, Sept 19 NNN : Tripura Maharaj Pradyot Manikya Deb Barman is all set to initiate a mass agitation against the Manik Sarkar Government for changing the name of Ujayanta Palace in Agartala. He then thanked all the civil society organisations which have come forward to support and condemn the recent deletion of the name of Ujayanta Palace from the state museum in Tripura by the Left Government.
Deb Barman appealed to all to unite against this decision of the State Government of Tripura and organize a mass protest against the Tripura State for changing the name of Ujayanta Palace.
Barman said , “Over the last few years the Left government has done everything in their possible power to change our indigenous past and are trying to re-write history.” He then asked, “If the left Government did not change the name of Victoria Memorial in Kolkata despite 35 years of rule why should they do it in our State of Tripura.” Maharaja Deb Burman further questions, “Why is it that our sentiments are always played with all the time and we are repeatedly humiliated”.
Deb Barman also stated that certain reports in the press have said that only the tribal people of the state have been upset against the renaming – Mr. Deb Barman strongly object to this as he have many friends and well wishers from all communities who have objected to this injustice. “Kindly understand the Ujayanta Palace is the heritage of Tripura and not just our family …….This is as much a part of your tradition as much as ours,” stated Mr. Deb Barman.
The Tripura Maharaja in strong worded comment said, “If no corrective steps are taken by the state government of Tripura within a stipulated period of time I will initiate a mass movement against the state government decision”, adding, “ Such mass movement will be against the repeated attempts of the state to wipe out Tripura’s rich tradition, culture, history and identity”. “We will fight back”, the Maharaja fumes.

Four NSCN cadres held

DIMAPUR, Sept 19 NNN : Four NSCN cadres have been arrested by Assam Rifles in Nagaland for transporting arms and for extorting in two separate incidents.
In the first case, two persons from Manipur including a woman were arrested by personnel of 37 Assam Rifles in Ghaspani area of Nagaland for transporting weapons from Manipur to Nagaland yesterday.
An Assam Rifles source said they are suspected to be NSCN-Khole/Kitovi (NSCN-KK) cadres.
“Based on specific information about illegal transhipment of weapons from Manipur to Dimapur, troops of 37 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ 6 Sector Assam Rifles placed mobile check post along Imphal-Dimapur road and apprehended two suspected NSCN (KK) cadres identified as one Hecha Gangte (24) of Churachandpur (Manipur) and Mamong Haokip (21) of Moreh (Manipur),” said the Assam Rifles source.
According to the source, the arms were being transported from Manipur to Dimapur in a Maruti van bearing registration No NL-07C 4221.
After detailed search of the vehicle three AK 56 rifles along with magazines were found hidden in the petrol tank of the Maruti van. The apprehended individuals alongwith recoveries were handed over to Medziphema Police Station, Nagaland, said the Assam Rifles source.
In the second incident, personnel of 29 Assam Rifles arrested two NSCN-IM cadres for extorting in Dimapur market yesterday.
The Assam Rifles source said that based on specific information about illegal tax collection by NSCN (IM) cadres in general area Hongkong Market, an operation was launched by the troops of 29 Assam Rifles to apprehend the individuals. At around 1330 hrs, the troops tracked the suspected individuals and apprehended them in the process of collecting money from one of the shops.
The individuals were in possession of illegally collected money amounting Rs 61,700 along with tax collection receipts, the source said.
According to the Assam Rifles source, details of the individuals are Mr. Jasper Shimray from Teinem in Urkhrul district, Manipur and Mr. Michael Ngulie from Oktcho of Wokha district, Nagaland.
The individuals along with recovered items were handed over to the East Police Station, Dimapur, the Assam Rifles claimed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/four-nscn-cadres-held/

Executive MBA launched in Manipur

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 19 : Darwin School of Business, Guwahati has announced admission for its 1year executive MBA course under the chief mentorship of D.N.Barua, President of the Guwahati Management Association and erstwhile founding member of Assam Petrochemicals Ltd.
The one year Executive MBA (Professional) Program has been designed for effective handling of the challenges by Managers posed by globalization. Added to this, the number of aspirants has been increasing day-by-day in our country to upgrade their knowledge and skills to progress in their career. The Executive MBA Program would be useful for those Executives / Entrepreneurs who are managing their small family business as well as managers at senior levels and want to go for further management studies.
“The Executive MBA Program will be highly beneficial for those people who have three years plus work experience in order to acquire fast track MBA / management studies recognized by various Educational bodies. This would not only save them with one year but at the same time they can acquire a well-recognized professional qualification while continuing with their jobs at a comparatively lesser cost. The contents and delivery of the Program would be beneficial for those who have missed formal Management studies earlier in their careers and now want to have formal MBA Degree to widen the world of opportunities for them” – said Prof.Jitu Bora during the formal announcement in a conference at Press Club here today.
Coupled with MBA, Darwin would also offer its certificate courses on popular vocational skills relevant to the management spectrum absolutely free of cost. These courses are recognised by the Department of Employment and Labour and would be acceptable not only for private jobs but also for central and state government jobs. Initially, the college would enrol only 100 students at an affordable fee of just Rs.30,500/-. Further, Prof.Bora re-iterated that no student would be denied the certificate courses for lack of funds. Contact classes would also be arranged Imphal. To further streamline the process, Axis Bank has become the banking partner of the project. Mr.Anjanjyoti Das, Asst Vice President and Branch Head of Axis Bank, Zoo Road stated – “Our branch would offer priority service to the students who would come for forms and fees payment. We shall ensure that these working candidates do not have to waste time in queues and processes. We shall ensure that their waiting time is minimal.”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/executive-mba-launched-in-manipur/

Take care of children in a scientific way: Governor

IMPHAL, Sept 1 NNN 9: Manipur Governor Ashwani Kumar on Thursday called upon all parents to develop their children in more scientific way.
Giving his speech at the “1st North East Zonal Committee Meeting 2013” held at Classic Hotel here, the Governor also appealed to all voluntary organisations working for welfare of children to labour sincerely for the betterment of the future pillar of the nation.
Ashwani also said parents normally play the largest part in the all round development of a child and now is the time for parents to bring up their kids in more scientific way.
The meet was organised by Indian Council for Child Welfare, New Delhi (ICCW).
The Governor further said several laws of international standard are now being implemented in India to protect children however more funding is still needed to enable the Government agencies and NGOs to implement such Acts satisfactorily.
Many undesirable organizations in Manipur are often engrossed in child trafficking cases and to ward off such illegal activities, full support and cooperation from parents and NGOs is demanded, he said.
He said, “We need to earnestly implement Right to Education and Mid Day Meal scheme for the good of all the beneficiaries in the state.”
T Phanbuh, vice-president, ICCW, New Delhi, who was also present at the meet, stressed on the need for more funds to make children mentally and physically fit.
She also mentioned that as much as 64 children from Manipur have been honoured National Bravery Children Award.
Phanbuh, however, said that the child abuse and trafficking has become a serious issue in the state, lamenting that the underground organizations are reportedly recruiting child soldiers.
H Babudhan, president, Manipur State Council for Child Welfare, Imphal and Sushil Ranjan Choudhury, Joint Secretary, ICCW, New Delhi were also took part in the meet.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/take-care-of-children-in-a-scientific-way-governor/

TSA condemns bomb attack

IMPHAL, Sept 19 NNN: The Thadou Students’ Association Imphal (TSA-I) has condemned in the strongest term of the bomb blast at Nagamapal in the heart of the Imphal that claimed the nine innocent lives of the labourers.
“Such act of arson would bring nothing but shows our violent nature to the other world. A press release of the Secy I&PR TSA-I Lalpu Haokip stated that how could it be happened within the high security zone in a broad,” the Thadou students’ body said.
The TSA then said the act clearly indicates that the armed personnel deployed around the Imphal area are just merely performing their daily duty for the sake of monthly salary. The law and order situation of the state is worsening day by day with the witnessing of various crimes unceasingly conveyed the statement.
The TSA then appealed to all the militant outfits operating in the state particularly the perpetrators not to carry out such violent activities in the public places as it may cause more casualties. They also shared their pain and sorrow to the bereaved family.
The student body also condemned in its strongest term about the brutal murder of Jonathan Kashung a presidential candidate Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and former Vice-President of ANSAM.
It then termed that the killing of a student leader is very unfortunate and an act of cowardice.
“Such type of killing is very quite common in the context of Manipur and appeals to the crime perpetrators not to resort to any violence in the future against the leaders of student organisation,” the Thadou students’ body stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tsa-condemns-bomb-attack/

Price rise, cannot it be controlled?

The prices of essential commodities have shot up. It is really alarming. But the heart warming news is that there is room for controlling the prices of essential commodities if these items are brought in huge quantity from Myanmar. That is one angle that can be brought under the purview of discussion. We are confident all these problems caused by scarcity of onion and spiralling high prices of other items will come down when the fresh agri yields hit the market? One ugly phenomenon that has been noticed is excessively high prices of rice. Nupee lan was launched against the export of rice from Manipur. Now the war if any will be to bring in more rice that is heavily subsidised. Last year farmers of the state could not find the market for selling locally produced rice. Every house had a poster telling rice is available. Does this rice scarcity have anything to do with the excessive restriction imposed by the Government in the distribution of rice? Something needs to be done. Earlier when the Government did not put restrictions on sale of Government controlled rice at market the price of rice was not as high as it is being sold now? These days the rationing agents too have not done their duty of distribution of rice. Card holders have not got anything from these agents. Instead of selling rice through mobile system at crowded areas the old system of distribution of rice through rationing agents should be revived. That will not only check pilferage of rice by middle men but also improve Government image. A Government that performs must not shirk the duty of reaching out to the needy men. Now the suffering of the people has increased manifold. All these are caused by the sky rocketed prices of essential commodities. Now the people of the state have questioned the ability of the Government to control price rise. A solution must be found. Irresponsible utterances of the masses against the Government can be checked when Government shows it remains concerning for the welfare of the people. The need of the hour is making frantic efforts to address the problems facing the people of the state. Poor men will be dying of starvation. Do something.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/price-rise-cannot-it-be-controlled/

Rubber project to be taken up at Mizoram

AIZAWL, Sept 20 NNN: With the initiative of Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked yesterday for Comprehensive Rubber Based Settlement Project in Mizoram.
The MoU was signed between Rubber Production Commissioner (Retd.), Trivandrum, Kerala (Consultant) and Mizoram Governemnt (Soil & Water Conservation Department).
Official sources said that the project is an undertaking with the fund of state government flagship programme New Land Use Policy (NLUP), and the project is planned to be completed within three months’ time from the date of the signing of the MoU.
As and when DPR is finalized, search will begin for the funding source, and for the same World Bank assistance is also expected, sources said, adding that as per plan 50,000 ha. will be covered within 20 years starting with the coverage of about 2500 ha. per year at the initial stage.
Mention has also been made that mapping on the extent of cultivable land for rubber plantation in Mizoram is being done through MIRSAC.
In order to bring self-sufficiency in rubber seedlings, the Soil & Water Conservation Department has also since 2010 begun to set up Budwood Nursery and Seedling Nursery at 6 different places through NLUP, and the result of the same is expected to be seen in 2014.
As of now, under the NLUP, 1448 families are engaged in rubber plantation and trade, and the beneficiaries have received high quality rubber seedlings called RRIM.
Through NABARD loan, the mentioned nurseries are to be improvised and the plan is also on to set up four new nurseries .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rubber-project-to-be-taken-up-at-mizoram/

ZYF demands completion of bridges

IMPHAL, Sept 18 NNN: The Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) said it felt extremely dissatisfied with the incomplete construction of suspension bridge constructed over the river Barak between Dikiuram and Katang village in Tamei assembly constituency despite the fact of exhaustion of fund amounting to Rs.4 crores released by North Eastern Council (NEC) under DoNER.
According to the ZYF, apart from the fund amounting to Rs.4 crores released under NEC, it is learnt that the State government had given additional fund of Rs.50 lakhs for the said incomplete bridge under Special Plan Assistance.
“During the course of execution of the work, there has been frequent transferred of Executive Engineer of NEC Manipur Division. The official of NEC on many occasions assured the ZYF that the bridge will be completed very soon. However, there is still no sign of completion of the said bridge till date as the work of laying wooden plank and approach road is yet to commence,” the ZYF rued.
It may be pertinent to mention that similar suspension bridge construction work implemented by PWD Tamenglong Division, under the NEC of DoNER ministry, commenced in the same time, constructed on another point of location over the river Barak between Namtiram village was inaugurated and commission in the month of April this year, the ZYF said.
The PWD, Govt. of Manipur in a workshop held on 7th-8th August, 2013 at Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Imphal, with the theme “Road Connectivity in Hill districts” did not include the said suspension bridge constructed between Dikiuram and Katang among the lists of ongoing projects and incomplete works funded by NEC. But when asked to Chief Engineer, who was the resource person for the technical session during the workshop “why it was not mention”, he response it, “the said suspension bridge was completed therefore, no need for inclusion in the ongoing and incomplete work lists”.It is suspected that the State Govt. is deliberately adopted tardy progress of construction work of the said suspension bridge on the reason that the bridge will play pivotal role in facilitating transportation, improve economical condition of the people and enhance better communication between Tamenglong district and Nagaland.
The ZYF then alleged that the State government not completing the work despite the fact of fund being exhausted is a fit case of fraudulent, cheating, misappropriation, misutilization etc. of public development fund. “Therefore, the ZYF demands for immediate probe by one of the investigating agencies of the government of India why work was not completed despite the fund being exhausted. Memorandum will also be submitted urging the DoNER Ministry to wake up from slumber,” it warned.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zyf-demands-completion-of-bridges/

LDA’s plan on Loktak lake opposed

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 18 : The All Loktak Lake area Fishermen’s Union, Manipur (ALLAFUM) has said it strongly objects to the Short Term Action Plan (STAP) granted to the Loktak Lake Development Authority (LDA) and the reported extension of the plan till March 2014 by the Planning Commission of India to save the lake and its surrounding wetlands, alleging the activities taken up by the LDA are “totally contrary” to those well-established principles of the Ramsar Convention for the wise use of wetlands.
ALLAFUM today said in a statement the Loktak fishermen have never known any state or agency that conducted spot visit to the lake and having interaction with the lake fishermen and that such an action plan has been granted based on the information collected by picking and choosing table-job.
It said, “We question the veracity of the monitoring and evaluation carried out by the Water Institute, Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.” It added the fact is that a sum of Rs 224 crore was sanctioned to controversial K-Pro Infra Works Private Limited for clearing 2361.21 sq km phumdis in the lake and it was reported that only 122.43 sq cubic phumdis had been cleared from the core zone of the lake that has resulted in shifting the phumdis from one area to another thereby releasing athapum by the fishermen.
Phumdi clearance has resulted in the increase of poor quality water and decrease in the number of indigenous fish like shareng, pengba, khabak, ngaton, ngamu and nganoi, it said, adding migratory birds like nganu kokngangbi, nganu thangong, meitungnga, thoidinglam, tahroichabi have been out of sight in the lake since the commission of Ithai Barrage.
The report by Wetlands International South Asia (WISA) does not truthfully reflect the results of a one-day Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on “Draft Water Allocation Policy for Loktak Lake” held in Imphal on January 17, 2012, the statement added.
It further added ALLAFUM appeals to all stakeholders, including the Union ministries of Environment and Forests, Fisheries, Rural Development and DoNER, and the local communities to verify the said report before any step is taken on the “pretext” of protecting and promoting the wellbeing of Loktak Lake by the LDA, Government of Manipur and Planning Commission of India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ldas-plan-on-loktak-lake-opposed/

Awareness campaign at Senapati

Mail News Service
Imphal, Sep 18 : The Directorate of Field Publicity, Senapati organised one day awareness Programme on Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) and Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) Scheme at Willong Khullen, Senapati District today. During the programme, FPO, Senapati explained that individual health and hygiene is largely dependent on sale
Household Latrine (IHHL) in every household of the villages of the country in general and of the village in particular. Financial incentives were also explained to thedirectness of transferring the basic entitlements to reach the intended beneficiaries discussed followed by an interaction session. Feedbacks were also collected fromTh. Kashing, Chairman of the village expressed that DFP plays an important such interior areas.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/awareness-campaign-at-senapati/

Abducted man found killed

IMPHAL, Sep 18 NNN : Tension ran high in Ukhrul district headquarters today as the lifeless body of prominent tribal leader Jonathan Kashung was found and brought to the town this morning.
United Naga Council (UNC), All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) and Naga Women Union (NWU) have strongly condemned the murder of Jonathan Kashung.
Jonathan Kashung (49), one of the presidential candidates of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul tribe, was abducted by unidentified armed men from Phungreitang area in Ukhrul town on September 13 at around 9:40 am apparently in connection with the TNL presidential election. Since then he was traceless.His decomposed body was found late yesterday evening at Tolloi Junction, around 4 km north-west of Ukhrul district headquarters. Early this morning, relatives of the deceased along with the police retrieved the decomposed body of Jonathan and brought to Ukhrul town.
Late in the morning tension became volatile as the people gathered at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) office.
The TNL general election had to be postponed indefitely which was otherwise due today.Police sources said Jonathan Kashung was killed by suspected militants and did not mention the outfit’s name involved in the incident.No group has claimed so far for the killing.
Meanwhile, a condolence programme of Jonathan Kashung was organised in Ukhrul town participated by
Tangkhul Naga Long, TKS, TSL and public leaders including MLA Samuel Risom. His mortal remains will be taken to his native village Singkap in Phungyar subdivision tomorrow.
A case regarding the incident has been registered with the Ukhrul District Police Station and started investigation.
Jonathan Kashung was a dynamic tribal leader. He was the president of Tangkgul Katamnao Saklong, the apex Tangkhul students’ body. Jonathan was also one time the vice president of All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and then actively involved in All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM). He was one of the founding members of Movement for Tribal Peoples Rights, Manipur (MTPRM).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/abducted-man-found-killed/

Myanmar army fencing inside Manipur’s territory : CPI

IMPHAL, Sep 18 NNN: The Manipur unit of CPI today claimed about a 120 metre-long wood fencing constructed by Myanmar army was found inside the controversial Holenphai village along Indo-Myanmar border line in Manipur’s Chandel district.
At the same time, the state CPI urged the state Government to convene an All-Party meeting at once to discuss on the contentious Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing. This comes after a team of the party members visited the border yesterday.
The team led by S Sotinkumar, secretary, Irawat Celebration Committee during the trip found erection of about a 120 metre-long wood fencing inside Holenphai village by Myanmar army, Dr M Nara, secretary, CPI Manipur State Council claimed while briefing the media at the Irawat Bhavan here.
Nara said it is never a right move of the state Government to remain mute after having confirmed that the neighbouring Myanmar has seized a large chunk of Manipur’s land on the border, calling upon the Government to immediately convene an All-Party meeting to discuss ways to find out a solution.
It has been learnt that the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India has revealed to set up a joint working group to oversee the undemarcated border areas along the Indo-Myanmar international line, Nara said and suggested that a senior Government official from the state like RK Nimai, Commissioner, Art and Culture should be included in the proposed joint working group.
Sotinkumar said the 120 metre-long fencing in Holenphai was constructed by the Myanmar army overnight. The fencing had to pass through right in the middle a big house belongs to a Kuki family and the Myanmar army shot in the air to drive the family away to complete the fence construction, he cited one of the family members as saying.
The state CPI team also visited Moreh Ward No-3 inhabited by the Tamils and the Muslim dominated Ward No-5, he said, claiming that an area of about 100 metre of the Tamil temple was also found already ceded to Myanmar.
Sotinkumar said the CPI team was assisted by Moreh Meitei Council and Tamil Sangam during the visit.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/myanmar-army-fencing-inside-manipurs-territory-cpi/

Central Universities discriminate most against STs in recruitment

Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) in its report, “India’s Unfinished Agenda for Inclusion: A study on denial of reservation to the tribals in the government services and posts” (http://www.achrweb.org/reports/india/UnfinishedAgenda.pdf) released today stated that the Scheduled Tribes (STs) are the most deprived in the government employment. As of 8 May 2013, the maximum number of backlog vacancies with the Central Government was 12,195 posts for the STs, followed by 8,332 posts for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 6,961 posts for the Scheduled Castes (SCs).Central Universities discriminate the most:
“According to information provided by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Right to
Information Act, the representation of the STs in the post of professors has come down from 3.88% (46 STs against total of 1,187 professors) in 2006-07 to 0.24% (4 STs against total sanctioned posts of 1,667 professors) in 2010-11; from 1.03% (18 STs against total of 1,744 Readers) in 2006-2007 to 0.32% (10 STs against total sanctioned posts of 3,155 Readers) in 2010-11 in the post of Readers; and from 4.43% (129 STs against total of 2,914 Lecturers) in 2006-07 to 3.63% (193 STs against total posts of 5,317) in 2010-11 in the post of Lecturers. In fact, there is better representation of the STs in the top echelons of the Central Government of India than in the Central universities. During 2010-11, at the level of the Secretary to the Central Government, the representation of the STs was 2.68% while representation of the STs at the level of Professor in the Central Universities was mere 0.24%. During the same period, at the level of the Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary to the Government of India, the combined representation of the STs was 2.5% while the representation of the STs at the level of Readers in the Central Universities was mere 0.32%.”- stated the study.
“The data provided by the UGC shows that India’s higher educational institutions remain the most casteist, possibly a reflection of the opposition to the reservation policy.” – stated Mr Suhas Chakma , Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.
Parliamentary panel’s order for inquiry into the CBDT’s refusal to promote the STs:
The officials holding positions of power on appointments in the posts and services of the government have adopted certain modus operandi to deprive the STs and others’ access to the reserved seats. The posts in the reserved seats are kept vacant for certain years, and later dereserved on the ground of public interest as “no suitable candidates found” even if many ST and other reserved category candidates meet all the eligibility criteria for the specific posts. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in its Twenty Fourth Report titled “Reservation for and employment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)” presented before the Parliament on 26 November 2012 noted “every year a good number of SC/ST candidates qualify the examination for promotion but only handful are promoted” by the CBDT and “despite having SC/ ST candidates who are eligible for promotion posts, the CBDT has been depriving these candidates of rightful promotion.” While rejecting the contention of the Finance Ministry about “non-availability of eligible candidates is the major reason for backlog”, the Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended that “an enquiry should be initiated for such cases in various Directorates to determine the reasons for keeping promotion posts vacant despite availability of SC/ST candidates, who have already qualified in the examination for promotion”.
101 crimes commited daily against SCs and STs during 2001 to 2012: National Crime Records Bureau
“The caste system is the root cause of economic, social and political exclusion and the reservation policy is an attempt to ensure inclusion of those who from time immemorial have been excluded and subjected to violence. However, there is no improvement of the situation. As per the National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 4,40,691 crimes were committed against the SCs and the STs from 2001 to 2012. This implies at least 101 crimes were committed every day against the SCs and the STs during the same period. The figures of the NCRB are only tip of the iceberg as most crimes against the SCs and the STs are not reported to and/or registered by the police. That the Rajya Sabha passed the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2013 only on 7th September 2013 reflects how far away India is from addressing caste specific tasks and caste based discrimination.”- further stated Mr Chakma.
Lamenting the Supreme Court, Asian Centre for Human Rights stated “A string of Supreme Court rulings against reservation including in the case of Indra Sawhney Vs Union of India assume that untouchability has indeed been done away with following its abolition as per Article 17 of the Constitution of India, and there is no caste bias among the people in India. More fundamentally, these judgements overlook and undermine extraordinary level of caste violence as reflected in the data of the NCRB.”
Justifying the reservation policy, ACHR stated, “Without reservation, the SCs and the STs, who are not allowed to enter houses and villages of the dominant castes, not to mention about the temples and other public places even today, would not have had access to educational institutions, government employment, State Assemblies and parliament; and India surely would have remained more divided and fragmented; and the existence of the country would have been more at risks in the face of violence and conflict as a direct consequence of caste based discrimination and exclusion”.
Asian Centre for Human Rights recommended to the Government of India to (1) centrally maintain details of vacancy position in respect of reserved posts and details of backlog vacancies and direct the Liaison Officers appointed in each Ministry/Department to update the same every three months in the centralized website; (2) issue Office Memorandum by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions instructing each Ministry/Department to provide that reserved seats for the SCs, the STs and others cannot be dereserved under any circumstances; (3) issue Office Memorandum by the DoPT instructing each Ministry/Department to provide that no reserved seat can be kept vacant on the “ground of no suitable candidates found” if any SC/ST candidate fulfill the basic eligibility criteria for the specific post; and further for keeping a particular post vacant, prior permission be sought from the concerned authorities, among others, by providing details of qualification of each candidate vis-a-vis the eligibility criteria in the previous recruitment process;(4) direct the Human Resources Development Ministry to launch special drives for recruitment of the STs and other reserved categories in the Central Universities and other higher educational institutions run and/or aided by the Government of India; and (5) amend the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to include non-filling up of reserved seats despite availability of candidates from the SCs and the STs meeting the eligibility criteria as an offence under the Act.

NPF blames Chief Minister for bomb blast

IMPHAL, Sept 15 NNN : The Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF), Manipur State unit has said that Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh should be held responsible for the September 13 bomb blast where nine labourers got killed and scores injured while alleging that the involvement of Manipur police commandos in that blast could not be ruled out.
Two days after the blast where nine labourers working in putting drain slabs in the heart of Imphal engaged by Kolkata based Simplex Projects Limited were killed, the NPF said the attack on the innocent people such as the poor labourers should be condemned by all. It also said the blast on Friday evening happened in a tight security zone which would not be possible without the involvement of the security force personnel.
There has not been a single case where the state security force personnel have not involved with regard to cases of murder, rape, drug smuggling and even to petty matters such as lifting of vehicles, alleged the NPF.
“The Congress government under the leadership of Shri O Ibobi Singh has failed in all fronts and now instead of continuing in the chair the chief minister should resign immediately so as to halt further loss of lives,” NPF general secretary Athuan Abonmai demanded. The NPF leader said due to inefficiency and weakness of the state government under the leadership of Ibobi Singh, scores of lives have lost and will continue to lose. “So in order to have a secured atmosphere in the state the chief minister should first resign on moral ground,” Athuan Abonmai further demanded.
According to the NPF leader, grenades have become as cheap as crackers in its availability in Manipur used by children during festivities. “In the face of this the Congress government is talking tall saying it had done enough for the people and the state. “How can the state government able to claim such things.
The people are not blind and deaf,” Athuan Abonmai stated adding that the Congress government has failed in developmental front and also in law and order side. “The chief minister should not remain jubilant while distributing ex-gratia to the victims’ families,” the NPF leader said.
It then said that the Congress led government under the leadership of Ibobi Singh is pre-occupied only with the thought to practice corruption and nothing else.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npf-blames-chief-minister-for-bomb-blast/

India asks Myanmar to resolve border issue

IMPHAL, Sept 15 NNN: The government of India had dispatched a missive to the government of Myanmar to amicably settle the border dispute between the two countrires.
This was disclosed by Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today who along with the state chief minister yesterday after meeting the central leaders on the issue.
“We are now waiting the response from the government of Myanmar,” the Manipur deputy chief minister said.
On the Friday blast incident where nine labourers got killed, the Manipur deputy chief minister who also holds the home portfolio said the purpose of such dastardly act is not known.
Visiting the injured persons at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Imphal this afternoon, Gaikhangam said, “Even lions hunt its prey only when it is hungry which indicates that the animal act with a purpose but the killing of nine labourers is purposeless.”
On the Senapati district census controversy, the deputy chief minister said it is a long term task and a serious matter. “We hope that the officials working on it will bring solution soon,” Gaikhangam.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/india-asks-myanmar-to-resolve-border-issue/