Manipur News

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Oct 25

The United Welfare Committee (UWC) and various other civil voluntary organisations of Kangpokpi district have come up with a stern warning of launching intense agitation over Koubru Laikha-Tengdonjang section of NH-2 and the alleged unattended Saikul-Sapormeina bridge.

The decision was made after its emergency meeting today at the district, following the MoU with Bhartia Infra Project Limited (BIPL) in quest for finer road along National Highway-2.

The emergency meeting reviewed the CVOs’ commitment towards the safety and protection of BIPL, the agency responsible for construction of NH-2 after it inked a MoU with the agency.

It minutely deliberated on the deteriorating pavement on NH-2, Koubru Laikha-Tengdonjang section from Koubru Laikha-Kanglatongbi bazaar. The inspection report of KSO Sadar Hills on the situation of Sapormeina-Saikul bridge was also highlighted in which it was mentioned that the damaged in the aftermath of cyclone Mora has remained unattended till today rendering untold suffering to the people.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, general secretary of UWC, Tonglen Khongsai reiterated the earlier commitment of CSOs of Kangpokpi towards extending maximum cooperation and all possible help for the safety and protection of BIPL workers during the construction period. He said that BIPL agency is the first road construction agency seeking for CVOs and public assistance.

The CVOs have reaffirmed its commitment to extent all possible help and cooperation to the BIPL workers in between Gamgiphai to Taphou Kuki village during the construction period of National Highway-2, he added.

It may be mentioned that in the MoU signed by the CVOs and BIPL on October 6, the latter agreed to maintain finest quality in the construction of the NH-2 and not to compromise with quality whereas the former decided to provide maximum cooperation and extent all possible help to the workers between the stretch of Gamgiphai and Taphou Kuki.

The Kuki UGs more particularly under UPF also provided their written acknowledgement to provide full cooperation to avoid unnecessary disturbances in their respective areas of operation throughout the construction period and provided security and protection to all machineries and labourers.

However, Khongsai expressed the CVOs’ discontentment and said that the construction work of Koubru Laikha-Tengdonjang section had started almost three years ago but culminated in the midway which could hardly reached only upto Kanglatongbi bazaar. The remaining Koubru Laikha to Kanglatongbi section has been left unattended which gradually deteriorate the road condition and now it become the worst pavement along the NH-2, he added.

He continued that the KSO Sadar Hills also had inspected the condition of road earlier and drawn the immediate attention of the state government and the authority concerned but no positive response has been received so far. The appeal made by CWC to the government four months ago has also become useless, he added.

Considering the negligence and rigidity on the part of the state government, the emergency meeting of UWC and CVOs has decided to give two weeks ultimatum for construction of Koubru Laikha-Kanglatongbi section and Saikul-Sapormeina bridge, said Khongsai. If the government fails to deliver satisfactory action within the stipulated time, there will be an intense form agitation which the government shall be solely responsible for any untoward incident.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 25

President of Manipur University Students Union, Buchi Mayanglangbam appealed organisation outside the university not to interfere in the internal matters of the Manipur University without taking MUSU into confidence. He said this during a press conference held today at the office of MUSU, Manipur University, Chanchipur.

Speaking to media persons, Buchi said construction of the fifth men’s hostel is a good step taken by Manipur University authority.  But MUSU condemned MU authority for naming the hostel after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose without taking the taking MUSU into confidence.

Buchio said MUSU brought up the matter before the Vice Chancellor, and updated him of the norms and regulations for naming hostels in the campus.

He said by convention, the names of men’s hostels must be after hill ranges of Manipur and girls’ hostels, that of indigenous flowers. The Vice Chancellor agreed with the naming norm and ask suggestions on an appropriate name for the new hostel, he added.

After a thorough discussion, they decided to give the name of “Kheba Ching Men’s Hostel” after the historic Kheba Hillock, Buchi asserted.

He further said under instruction of the Vice Chancellor, university engineers were sent to the building to put down the inaugural stone yesterday.

Meanwhile MUSU condemned DESAM for trying to interfere in what is MUSU’s responsibility exclusively.

Buchi claimed “MUSU is a student union made of highly educated members unlike like DESAM”.

He said the year 2016-17 has been agitation in the university under the stewardship of MUSU which has been managing to resolve all university related issues peacefully. Buildings and the infrastructures of the university have been taken care of under MUSU watch.

Buchi appealed to DESAM and other student organisations not to create any unwanted issue as propaganda for the coming MUSU election which might affect the academic environment.

On the other hand, as a part of the activity of MUSU, a lecture cum interaction programme was organised on October 23 under the topic “Changing Dynamics of Korea-India Relations and Bilateral Relations Between South Korea and Manipur”, he said.

Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, New Delhi, Park June Seo gave a talk on the topic, he added.

Park had said Manipur and South Korea have similar eating habits, cultural activities and almost identical indigenous sports. He also said to make this relationship between Manipur University and South Korea better, cultural exchange programmes will be organised soon.

IMPHAL | Oct 25

The Nagalim Tours (TNT) has deferred the proposed date of a next-gen festival called “Freedom Festival: Zhophao” to be held from October 27 to 30 at Zhophao, Senapati district, Manipur indefinitely and the necessary advance payment of the customers shall be all refunded within 15 working days.

A release signed by TNT managing director, Veilou Veino said that it is very sad to learn that a particular village/section is against the tourist visiting the festival and the organisers had no clue that the venue is a disputed area.

It said that a team of TNT went to the venue for spot enquiry and there were many people settled in and around the valley, so the team enquired and asked if a festival with the plan can be organised, the settlers in the valley were so warm and welcoming to the plan. Henceforth, the name “Zhophao” as told by the settlers was mentioned in the event’s promos, it added.

According to the notification published in some regional dailies where the Kaibi village triggered a target on the tourist/guests, it said adding that “We are shocked that an advanced Naga village has such ideology of not accepting tourist for nothing else but ‘ism’. We would have mutually come to an understanding where the organisers and the opposing village could promote tourism together but the threat to the tourist and the information came very late at the eleventh hour”.

Stating that TNT and the well-wishers have been promoting vigorously since three months ahead of the event but none came up opposing to it but encouraged, it said, “To our surprise we came across notifications from the village authority opposing to the event only on October 8 and that our customers will be attacked by the said village”.

The publication/notification mentioned that the intention of the organisers is doubted but the intention of the village is in fact also doubted by the organisers on targeting personally as the threat to customers were made and that the discontent on the organisers came only at the last hour, it added.

The release said that they have one objective which is promoting the probable tourist hotspots of Nagas and not any particular sub tribes of Nagas and their operation expands even across the imaginary international border and let the Nagas on the eastern areas be explored and vice versa.

Further it said that one of the customers quoted as saying, “Objection to such initiatives definitely dilutes the creativity of our young minds of their entrepreneurial acumen and discourages them from social engineering.”

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 25

Five members of the Manipur Government Services’ Federation, MGSF, including one woman were arrested today at around 10 am for obstructing and preventing other government employees from entering the civil secretariat to attend their offices.

The federation had called for a cease work strike by all state government employees in demand for the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations in the state.

The arrested strikers are: Nandeibam Jugeshwor Singh, 58, son of N. Chaoba of Nongbung Ayangpalli, Imphal East, Pukhrambam Shyamkumar Singh, 57, son of late P. Ibohal of Ningthoukhong Bazar Makha Leikai, ward number 11, Lourembam Deben Singh, 54, son of late L. Mani Singh of Keinou Thongkha, Bishnupur district, Aribam Indubala Devi, 52, daughter of A. Apabi Sharma of Bramapur Nahabam Bishnulatpam Leirak, Imphal East and Moirangthem Iboyaima Singh , 51, son of late M. Phougei Singh of Wangkhei Angom Leikai, Imphal East.

In the meantime the state government has warned all the employees not to take casual leave and to come office as usual.

According to a reliable source it is said that chief minister has given an order to suspend the arrested disobedient members.

The source further said the five arrested MGSF members are still in the custody of Imphal Police station.

On the other hand, a press release from MGSF said the federation has decided to postpone its cease work strike for the time being, expressing “full confidence” in the Fitment Committee formed to look into means and mode of implementing the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations. 

General Secretary of MGSF, Purujit Lairikyengbam, announced that the federation will postpone the strike “till a new notice is issued in this regard and subject to the outcome of the government’s positive action within the timeline”.

He added that while MGSF hopes the committee would submit its report within 10 days as mentioned, the federation is holding off it strike for another 10 days “as grace period for complete finalisation of payment structure, etc.”

In an earlier release, Chief Secretary of Manipur, Rajani Ranjan Rashmi, requested the MGSF not to resort to any form of agitation, assuring that the government is trying to finalise the modalities for implementation of Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendation.

Another report said supporting the agitation most of the government employees of Jiribam district did not attend their respective office.

A release of the Government Employees’ Union Jiribam announced they would support any kind of agitation taken up by MGSF.

By Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 25

Manipur Pradesh Congress Party (MPCC) today asked five parliamentary secretaries of the state to step down from their posts terming it as unconstitutional according to Article 192 of Indian Constitution.

President of the party, T.N. Haokip, addressing media persons at the Congress Bhavan said that the appointment of 12 parliamentary secretaries is unconstitutional and amounts to holding ‘office of profit’.

“Though eight have left their posts, five are yet to step down and we want them to vacate the posts,” he said.

A representation was given to the Governor of the state, Najma Heptullah today at 12:30 pm urging her interference in the case, he said.

The Supreme Court had clearly given a judgment on July 26 that parliamentary secretaries are unconstitutional, terming the post as ‘office-of-profit’, Haokip pointed out.

Accordingly on August 30, seven parliamentary secretaries from Mizoram resigned from their posts and stopped enjoying the benefits of the office, he added.

The controversy of parliamentary secretaries has been surfacing since 2004 when Sonia Gandhi had to resigned from her post of chairman of National Advisory Council then applied a fresh mandate for her post as parliamentary secretary.

In 2014, Jaya Bachchan was also disqualified from her position as Rajya Sabha MP for simultaneously holding the post of chairperson of Uttar Pradesh Film Corporation.

He asked whether the 12 parliamentary secretaries of the state will remain as it is or be given the same verdict as was given to Jaya Bachchan and Sonia Gandhi under Article 192.

He questioned the power of the Governor in this matter that a Governor is mandated to ensure the spirit of the Indian Constitution is kept in letter and spirit. He urged the Governor to immediately take appropriate actions on this matter.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh had elected 12 parliamentarians namely Sapam Ranjan, Kongkham Robindro Singh, Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Heikham Dingo Singh, Ashab Uddin among others. 

Parliamentary secretaries are allotted and attached to the concerned ministers to assist them in discharge of their duties and responsibilities. They receive financial benefit such as pay and allowances and the status of a minister of state under the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (appointment, salary and allowance and the miscellaneous provisions) Act, 2012.

The Congress president also announced that the party will observe one year long observation of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi birth anniversary starting from November 19.

Floral tribute will be paid and those who have adopted the Congress ideology and well-wishers of the party are welcomed to come and take part in the grand event, he said.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Oct 25

 A day after Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang claimed that the Cock symbol of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) would be retained by the Neiphiu Rio led group of the NPF to which he is part of the latter group, the rival Dr Shurhozelie led NPF said that the claim is just an attempt to fool and confuse the public.

Interestingly, the Neiphiu Rio-TR Zeliang duo led NPF had also served a one-week deadline on the 9 NPF legislators supporting the Dr Shurhozelie led group to join the former. 

Reacting to the statement of TR Zeliang-Neiphiu Rio led NPF’s latest move, the Dr Shurhozelie led NPF said today, “If he (TR Zeliang) was so confident of getting the symbol Cock, he would not have been hobnobbing with the Nationalist People’s Party (NPP), nor would Neiphiu Rio burn the midnight oil to get his party Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI)”.

The statement of Dr Shurhozelie led NPF then said that the general public can clearly see through their “bluff and it is an open secret that their brief honeymoon shall come to an end” in a matter of weeks as both of them head towards their respective political parties. “But in the meantime, one should not think too harshly of their ridiculous statements since they are under immense pressure to keep their flock together, and they are compelled to make fantastic statements to convince their followers as well as themselves,” it added.

Meanwhile, ridiculing the statement of the NPF group led by Neiphiu Rio and TR Zeliang serving 7 days ultimatum to the Dr Shurhozelie led NPF,  Rajya Sabha MP and Secretary General of NPF of the latter group, KG Kenye on Wednesday said that they have no authority to call the NPF party to reconcile with them, but it is the NPF who have all the authority and liberty if it found the expelled and suspended NPF members fit to be reconciled with and include them into the party fold.

Addressing the party workers during the third day of the NPF Youth Wing sit-in-protest at Civil Secretariat in Kohima today, the MP said that it is for the NPF to decide whether to reconcile with them or not to since they have involved themselves in anti-party activities and hence, were either expelled or suspended from the NPF party. He also rubbished the “rebel” group’s statement on reconciliation stating that the Election Commission of India letter dated October 17 had never mentioned anything on reconciliation but clearly directed the NPF to convene a General Convention and let the active members of the party decide the present political crisis.

Speaking on the chief whip and disqualification issue, the MP said that once the NPF proven its legitimacy after holding its General Convention, the issue would be automatically settled even though the present unconstitutional government might try to run away and escape.

The MP then said the ECI which is the custodian and the guardian of every political party in the country can never be influenced by Rio and TR group.

He also said that the ECI, which knows thoroughly the constitution of NPF and understanding that there is a mechanism to resolve the present political happenings in Nagaland, had directed the NPF to convene the General Convention and resolve the issue.

Referring to the appointment of Yitachu as new Chief Whip and Kuzholuzo Nienu as leader of the NPF legislature party, the MP said that their appointments were made by the president of the party and for which it will stand scrutiny of any court of law. Kenye also asked the NLA Speaker, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier to adjudicate justice to all the cases pending in his office at the earliest.