Category: News

IMPHAL Feb 4 MNS UNA : Manipur remembered the day on which the Puyas (Holy Scriptures of Manipur) were consigned to flame by the then ruler of Manipur at the behest of a Hindu priest in 1729 as part of spread of Hinduism in Manipur on Monday.
Manipur can be a very strong nation if the hill people and plain people are united, said former Minister RV Mingthing, the chairman of the International Observation Committee on Puya Meithaba who addressed at a commemoration function of the day held at Palace Compound, Imphal..
“Puyas are the way of life and also guide for the future,” the former minister said, adding that Manipur badly needs a social reformation and called upon youngsters to take the pivotal role.
The observance function was marked by offering of floral tributes to those who have sacrificed their lives in trying to save the Puyas from being burnt down and a two minutes silence was observed to pay homage to the departed souls.
The observance started off with unfurling of seven-colour flag of Manipur at half-mast.
Today’s function was jointly organized by various organisations . The Puyas were burnt at the instigation of Shanti Das Gosai by the then ruler of Manipur in 1729.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/burning-of-puya/

MNS: On the occasion of ‘28th Raising Day’ of 3 Corps, Lt General AK Sahni, GOC 3 Corps extended warm greetings and best wishes to all ranks, civilians and families of the Spear Corps. He also recalled the contribution by the retired fraternity and their families on this momentous occasion.
HQ 3 Corps was raised on 04 Feb 1985 and has, since then, been ensuring the sanctity of the International Border and spear heading counter insurgency operations in North East states of India. Relentless Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism operations, coupled with its humane approach towards the local populace, has resulted in the vastly improved security situation in the region. This bears ample testimony to the sagacity of its commanders and professionalism of all ranks in discharging their duty.
On this occasion, GOC appealed to all insurgent groups to shun violence and join the main stream. He also urged the highly enlightened people of North East to work towards building peace and prosperity in the region.
The GOC appreciated the efforts of all ranks of the Spear Corps towards progress, prosperity and development of North East India. He also paid homage to those valiant soldiers who fearlessly and selflessly made the supreme sacrifice in the call of duty and made it possible for Spear Corps to ensure peace & security in its area of responsibility.
He urged all ranks of Spear Corps to maintain the highest standards of integrity, discipline and concern for the people of North East India. He wished all of Spear Corps ‘Good Luck and God Speed’.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/headquarter-3-corps-celebrates-28th-raising-day/

Imphal, Feb 4 UNA : Owing the ban called by All Tribal Student’s Union Manipur (ATSUM) on all national project development works in tribal’s area of the state the North Eastern Frontier railway project works has been paralyzed since Monday.
Banning of all national project work in the hills area of Manipur was started to affected from last mid-night by the ATSUM against the failed of government to the demands of the former.
The volunteer in Tamenglong district also warned the authorities and contractors of NE frontier railway project not to carry out any works till ATSUM and government bring any amicable solution said a person who wants to omit his name.
During the agitation if the construction works is carried out by the company or the contractor in the site of railway project any untoward incident be their own.
Mention may be made here that ATSUM has called a 24 general strike on January 18 and 19.
Due to no positive response the student’s body held an emergency meeting on January 21 and decided to call this indefinite ban on all national project carried out in hills areas of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ne-frontier-railway-works-paralyzed/

IMPHAL Feb 4 UNA : Alleged government apathy in addressing their demand for hiking their salaries, members of the Village Defense Force (VDF) which was set up by Manipur government to assist the police in maintaining law and order, have launched an indefinite cease work strike from Monday by surrendering arms..
If the demand is not met by Wednesday (February 6) then they would impose an indefinite statewide bandh in Manipur from next day (February 7), said a leader of the agitating All Manipur VDF’s Welfare Association, adding that the cease work strike would also be continued.
The leader who prefers to omit his name alleged that they (VDFs) were utilized by the higher police officers for their own personal works apart from removing them from service without any valid reason and sly appointment by the State Government while drawing government’s attention to stop such practices immediately.
He further appealed to the public for supporting the cause of the aggrieved VDF members.
Not enough with the bulk of policemen recruited since 2002 under Centre sponsored Modernization of Police Schemes in Manipur, state government has recruited over 10,000 Special Police Officers (SPOs) later renamed as Village Defense Force (VDF) beginning from 2009 for manning the shortage manpower in 45 police stations across the insurgency infested state.
Manipur government had taken the decision to establish VDF posts across the state, first in four valley districts and later extended to hill districts, after 300 SPOs were recruited for guarding the Heirok village in Thoubal district, who confronted with militants after three villagers including two girls were killed in an indiscriminating firing by the cadres of the banned People Revolutionary Army of Kangleipak (PREPAK) during holy festival in March 2008.
Initially, government recruited the VDFs only for one year with the approval of Union ministry of home affairs till the filling up of the regular vacancies in the police stations. MHA has to reimburse the expenditure incurred in the payment of remuneration of the VDFs under the security related expenditure scheme of the Centre.
The VDF personnel were engaged by the state government on payment of Rs 3000 per month with extra ration money for each month and they (VDFs) have been demanding hiking of their monthly remuneration citing that the amount was not suited with time, the VDF leader asserted.
VDF personnel in different posts in valley areas down their arms and abstained from attending duties, the leader claimed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/vdf-on-stir/