Manipur News

IMPHAL, August 10: More than a month after young student Sapam Robinhood died in police action during a rally demanding Inner Line Permit System in the State, the State government and the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System sat down together and talked on the issue for the first time today.

Both parties agreed to perform the last rites of the student at the earliest, while the government assured to release the students arrested by the police during the present movement and proper punishment for the policeman who manhandled a girl student protestor during a recent agitation of the students.

The talk which was held at the Chief Minister`™s bungalow commenced from 4 pm and was attended by all the cabinet ministers and MLAs Ng Bijoy and RK Anand.

The JCILPS was represented by a 14 member-strong team in the talk which lasted for almost 3 hours.

Following the talk, the JCILPS convenor, Kh Ratan told mediapersons that the talk with the government has been satisfactory and another round of further talk to discuss the 5 points chalked out by the JCILPS will be held on August 12 at 3 pm.

However, the second round of talk will be held only if the government fulfills the primary agreement reached today, which is to release the students currently in judicial custody, he said.

The convenor also pointed out that the JCILPS had demanded to see the ILP bill drafted by the State commissioned drafting committee which was recently submitted to the government.

However, it was denied by the State citing that the bill was still a basic framework and not entirely completed and hence needed more inputs, he added.

`The government has said that it was only a dummy bill and needs more retouching from experts,` Ratan said.

He added that in the next rounds of talk, the JCILPS`™ 5-points will be deliberated upon for inclusion in the draft bill.

Both sides had assured mutual cooperation to the best possible extent, he claimed.

The convenor however said that protests need to be continued although in a democratic and non-violent manner till an amicable solution is reached.

He asserted that the JCILPS is hopeful that the time frame set for August 15 to produce the ILP bill in the Manipur Assembly will be fulfilled after the second round of talks is completed.

The government had also assured to provide compensation for those civilians seriously hurt in the agitations, he said.

On being questioned by the media on why the JCILPS has decided to take the body of Robinhood as before it was announced that his body will only be taken back post the ILP Bill produced in the Assembly; convenor Ratan replied that the JAC of Robinhood and his family had given authorization to the JCILPS to decide for the best and hence, the decision was taken to conduct the last rites of Robinhood.

It may be mentioned that there were no representatives of the JAC of late Robinhood in the talks today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/jcilps-meets-govt-consents-to-take-robinhoods-body-home-next-round-of-talk-on-aug-12/

IMPHAL, August 9: A combined team of District Commando Bishnupur along with Women Police and 6th Assam Rifle conducted a search operation at Keibul Thana Leikai area and apprehended a woman cadre of KCP (Lalheiba) group on August 8, according to a statement of the PRO Police.

The arrested cadre has been identified as Arambam Geetabali Devi alias Thoisana 33 daughter of Late A. Ibotombi Singh of Kangabam Leikai.

A case has been registered at Moirang Police Station and investigation is going on, said a press release of PRO, Police Department, Imphal, Manipur.

Meanwhile, sources claimed that Assam Rifles under IGAR (South) along with personnel of Heingang Police Station apprehended two cadres of PREPAK (Pro) during an operation conducted at Khabeisoi today.

Sources identified the arrested cadres as Pt Thongam Nanao, 35 alias Zee Singh son of Late Kuljo Singh of Erohemba Maning Leikai under Lamphal Police Station in Imphal West and Pt Khaithem Naobi Singh, 33 alias Santhosh son of Kh Ibotombi Singh of Singjamei Mayeng Leikai under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West.

The two cadres revealed that they were involved in extortion activities, according to the source.

They have been handed over to Heingang Police Station, informed the source.

In another operation, a combined team of 22 Assam Rifles under IGAR (South) and Thoubal Police Commando nabbed a cadre of UNLF identified as s/s 2nd Lt S Tompok Singh alias Nanao alias Molomba Henba son of Late Tomba Singh of Kairembikhok from Singtam, Kairembikhok in Thoubal district on August 9.

The apprehended cadre has been handed over to Sugnu Police Station, the sources said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/kcp-lalheiba-cadre-held-police/

IMPHAL, August 10: The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) said it acknowledges the crucial role of the security forces including the police in maintaining order during the ongoing agitations in which school students including girls are the main protestors, however, it has appealed to all concern authorities not to adopt widespread, systemic and institutionalised physical abuse and create psychological damage among the young people.

A statement said it will leave a long lasting impact in the future of the students.

In his statement, K Maharabi Singh, member MCPCR, said that the commission is of the opinion that the strategy and approach for controlling the young or children protestors must be different from those adopted against adults.

It said as a matter of fact the very interpretation of `Minimum Forces` needs to be redefined and reviewed contextually.

For that matter, lathi charge, tear gas, shells and rubber bullets should not be used arbitrarily and abruptly against the unarmed children, and ordering to use such dangerous and deadly means against the unarmed young children is unwarranted, it said.

If required, the security forces should use other less injurious means such as repeated convincing warning through loud speakers, ensuring adequate barricades, water cannon may be an option as last resort, while encountering the young children, the statement continued.

The proportionate force to their tender age and their probable strength should be taken into consideration before resorting to any violent means it observed, and further added that there should be always arrangements for ambulance and first aid along the side of such confrontations.

The underlying principle is our security forces and police should rather be a child friendly and protective force than a hostile force unleashing devastating impact to right to life and rights of the child to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly, it said.

Excessive and disproportionate use of force on children and young students is unbecoming in a democratic country like India, a country which ratified the UN Convention on Rights of the Child and where Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 is in force, it said.

The statement also said that a groundbreaking training manual for police and security forces comprising of lessons on child rights, Juvenile Justice, human rights and decent mob control standard must be introduced.

It pointed out that the section 23 (Punishment or the child, assaults, abandons, exposes or Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 states that `Whoever, having actual charge of, control over, a juvenile or the child, assaults, abandons, exposes or willfully neglects the juvenile or causes or procures him to be assaulted, abandoned, exposed or neglected in a manner likely to cause such juvenile or the child unnecessary mental or physical suffering shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or with both.`

Further, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2007 Rules No. 84 (11) also provides that `Any police officer found guilty, after due enquiry, of torturing a child, mentally or physically, shall be liable to be removed from service, besides prosecuted for the offence`.

The commission also appealed all the stake holders to treat educational institutions and education as an essential service and exempt it from `Indefinite or prolong closure` so that children`™s right to education is not infringed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/adopt-softer-approach-while-dealing-with-protesting-students-mcpcr-tells-police/

KANGPOKPI, August 10: Seeking immediate clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to why the Government of India is neglecting the continuous demand of the Kuki Inpi to first settle the criminal acts of NSCN (I-M) before any agreement has been made with the militant outfit, the Kuki Inpi Manipur submitted a lengthy open memorandum to the Prime Minister today.

Signed by Thangkhosei Haokip, Haosa (President) Kuki Inpi Manipur the open memorandum said that the constant demand of Inpi is to first settle the criminal acts of NSCN (I-M) including the killing of 905 innocent Kuki people including women including some who were pregnant, children, aged and invalid; uprooting 360 Indian Kuki villages and seizing their land; rendering more than 100,000 Kukis refugees in their own land without rehabilitation till now before any kind of either agreement or solution is possibly made by Indian Government with NSCN (I-M).

It said the constant demand has been ignored perpetually and action not taken till date.

The president of KIM continued that the sudden announcement of `Agreement/Accord` with concealed details signed by Thuingaleng Muivah on behalf of NSCN (IM) and RN Ravi on behalf of the Government of India on August 3 at Delhi which was televised countrywide has been a great shock to the Kuki people.

While making its perspective clear, the memorandum observed that the standpoint of Kuki Inpi (Kuki traditional government) repeatedly made known is towards justice and ushering of peace and tranquility in the country, particularly in north eastern states through non violent means.

`The Kuki people have never advocated violence, whether towards the government or any other neighbouring communities except in defending themselves against armed organisations purportedly fighting for independence`, added KIM Haosa (President).

The memorandum further averred that the total disregard of earlier memoranda submitted to six successive Prime Ministers of India that a pre requisite for peaceful coexistence in the region is to first settle crimes committed against humanity in a proper law court in the country may mislead one and all that violence is encouraged in this country.

He also said that a logical conclusion that might arise out of this lopsided attitude is not a pleasant thought while adding that ideally, law enforcements have to tackle such matters of great concern even before the public even raise their voice.

Therefore, any kind of settlement, agreement/accord prior to the settlement of the crimes committed by this particular faction of Naga political movement, i. e., NSCN (I-M), which the very Indian government labelled `terrorist`™ (cf. Does Violence get a Mandate, p. 33 published by Government of India) in a proper law court of the country will never be accepted by the Kuki Inpi affirmed Thangkhosei Haokip.

Our stand point is made clear not only to Prime Ministers, but even to Presidents, Home Ministers, Ministers of States (Home), but lately to the interlocutor, that NSCN (IM)`™s crime must first be settled in a proper law court lamented Thangkhosei Haokip while adding that the stance of Kuki Inpi is never deviated from this demand of justice towards peace.

KIM Haosa (President) reminded the Prime Minister in the open memorandum that it

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/kim-submits-memo-to-pm-seeking-clarification/

IMPHAL, August 10: Three dead bodies believed to be cadres of an armed outfit based in hills were recovered from a place adjoining Sirong and Akutpa village under Tadubi Police Station in Senapati district today around 4 pm.

The bodies have been identified as that of Francis, 25 son of Seisou of Phaibung Village; Veiraizii, 18 son of Kh Sow of Upper Koide and Sapunii John, 30 son of Sapunii of Liyai Village.

Police sources said the three deceased may have been shot dead by cadres of a rival outfit as all three corpses bore bullet marks and their heads almost blown off.

Passersby found one of the bodies along the roadside before coming across the other two bodies which had already started to decompose.

Identity of the three deceased was established after some villagers were called in for assistance, informed sources.

Police have registered a case in connection with the incident. The three bodies will be brought to RIMS morgue tomorrow for post mortem examination, the sources stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/three-dead-bodies-recovered-in-senapati/

IMPHAL, Aug 9: A hand grenade left by unidentified persons was found in a paddy field at Haraorou village under Sagolmang Police Station, Imphal East district today around 2.30.

The paddy field lies around 5 km south of Sagolmang Police Station. It was come across by a cattle grazer.

On receiving the news, a team of police bomb expert arrived and retrieved the bomb. Later, it was set exploded in a safer place around 6 pm of the day.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/grenade-found/

IMPHAL, August 9: The three-day Media Advocacy Programme for State journalists organised by All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) under the sponsorship of Manipur Development Society (MDS) at Secure Office Complex Auditorium, AT Line, North AOC concluded today.

The valedictory function was attended by Director of Directorate of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) Salam Somorjit Singh as chief guest; former Secretary General of IJU Sreenivas Reddy as guest of honor and president of AMWJU Wangkhemcha Shamjai as president.

Speaking on the occasion, Salam Somorjit said that media persons of the State have been disseminating daily information to the masses against all odds unlike in other States.

He further that various equipments used by media persons of the State needs to be sharpened to update news daily with speed and accuracy.

He stressed on the need for state media to telecast daily news through satellite so that it could compete with national media and people residing in different parts of the world could know daily happenings in the State.

He extended gratitude to AMWJU for coming up with such useful programme for State journalists.

W Shamjai said that AMWJU will organise such type of media advocacy programme annually to enhance the knowledge and skills of State journalists.

Acknowledging the inspiring speech delivered by consulting editor of India Today Group Rajdeep Sardesai on the topic `Investigative Journalism on the second day of the programme, he admitted that there is a need to work more on investigative journalism in the State.

He expressed gratitude to the MDS for sponsoring the advocacy programme for the sake of State journalists.

During the programme, PRO Defence Lt. Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma spoke on Defence Correspondent Course and Overview while former Secretary General of IJU Sreenivas Reddy deliberated on Financial and Social Security of Media.

As part of the programme, dignitaries presented participation certificate to the participants of the media advocacy programme.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/media-advocacy-programme-for-state-scribes-concludes/

IMPHAL, August 9: Continuing its endeavors towards providing incident free and cohesive environment in the State, 2 Assam Rifles Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) conducted a Joint Security Meet in Yairipok town of Thoubal district on August 7, sources informed.

This meeting was conducted in the interest of local populace to ensure prevention of any untoward incident in Thoubal district. The meeting was chaired by Commandant, 2 Assam Rifles in presence of all the Council members and village Pradhans of Yairipok town.

The Commandant asserted that Assam Rifles is committed towards the overall protection, safety and peace in the region and will keep making endeavors to achieve so. He further asked the Council members and village Pradhans to continue cooperation with the security forces and ensure security in their respective areas.

The meeting highlighted discussion on security issues and timely sharing of information to thwart IED threat. In the end all the Council members and Pradhans expressed their profound gratitude towards the Assam Rifles for this kind of endeavor and assured that all help and support would be given to security forces, the sources said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/ar-conducts-joint-security-meet-in-yairipok/

IMPHAL, August 9: Refuting Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang remarks that Chief Ministers of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh were consulted before signing the peace accord signed between NSCN (IM) and Government of India, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam suspected that the `baseless`™ statement was made just to get blessing from Government of India.

He was addressing media persons at his office chamber at Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today morning.

Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had categorically stated that agreement of the peace accord will be finalized only after consulting CMs of other neighbouring States.

The peace accord should not affect and threaten the territorial integrity of Manipur. If so then the government will not remain a mute spectator to the unwarranted development, the Dy CM made it clear.

The statement of Prime Minister that the territorial integrity of Manipur will not be put up stake by the peace accord is highly valuable and respectable, he said, adding that people of the State need to stay vigilant till details of the peace accord are received.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/gaikhangam-shoots-down-nagaland-cms-remarks-on-peace-accord/

IMPHAL, August 9: The Tamenglong Village Chiefs`™ Association has fervently appealed to the concerned State authority to look into the plight of the people of the district due to incessant rain showered for the last 10 to 15 days.

In a statement, the association claimed that heavy rainfall in the district has caused havoc such as landslides and floods which resulted in the loss of various standing crops and vegetables amounting to 15 to 20 crores of rupee.

The trend has been reported from Tousem, Tamei, Tamenglong, Nungba and Khoupum Sub-Divisions. Of these, Khoupum Sub-Division, being low lying area, is worst affected area. Nearly, 1050 hectares of arable paddy fields have been submerged in water resulting in the destruction of standing crops, it said.

Over and above the over-flowed water from the Khoupum Dam Canal further aggravated to suffer the people as all the irrigated area has been submerged by the downpour of water from Khoupum Dam Canal.

In the light of the grim situation, the association in the statement implored the concerned authority to take up appropriate measures so as to mitigate the sufferings of the people of the Tamenglong district in general and the Khoupum Sub-Division in particular at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/rain-wreaks-havoc-in-tamenglong-govt-appealed-to-intervene/

IMPHAL, August 9: The government will hold talk with Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on the proposed bill to safeguard the indigenous people after arrival of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, disclosed Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

He was speaking during the 73rd anniversary of Quit India Movement observed by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) at Congress Bhavan today.

Gaikhangam claimed that JCILPS had been invited for talks by the government three times but there were no positive response.

He exuded confidence that there will be positive outcome during the proposed talk with the JCILPS which is leading the ongoing mass movement for introduction of ILPS or similar law to regulate the alarming influx of outsiders into the State.

During the observance, Dy CM Gaikhangam and several other Congress legislatures led in offering paid floral tribute at the portrait of those freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the Quit India Movement.

Quit India Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India on August 8, 1942 by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi against the colonial British colonial rule.

The next day, Gandhi, Nehru and many other leaders of the Indian National Congress were arrested by the British Government. Disorderly and non-violent demonstrations took place throughout the country in the following days.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/talks-with-jcilps-after-cms-arrival-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, Aug 9: In support of the historic peace accord signed between NSCN (IM) and Government of India in New Delhi recently, a thanksgiving peace rally was taken out at Noney Bazar, Tamenglong district today.

The rally wherein hundreds of people residing at Noney areas participated was jointly organized by All Input Students`™ Union (AISU) and Zeliangrong Students`™ Union Manipur (ZSUM).

A silent prayer with candle lightning as a mark of respect to the departed souls of Naga patriots was also performed by the rallyists.

Vice-Chairman of Committee on Alternative Arrangement, UNC, Ashingpou Gangmei and lecturer of United College, Chandel Dr Benjamin Gangmei addressed the gathering.

A traditional Ho-Hoing was invoked by Khumji (Lukhambi) villagers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/rally-endorses-goinscn-im-peace-accord/

IMPHAL, August 9: A 14-member team of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) led by its convenor in-charge Khomdram Ratan will have a meeting with the State government on the proposed draft bill tomorrow at 3 pm.

Announcing this during a press meet at the residence of Arambam Somorendro, Sagolband Meino Leirak here today, convener in-charge of JCILPS Khomdram Ratan said that the decision to hold a meeting with the government on the issue was arrived after having a marathon meeting between the committee and representatives of civil society organizations held yesterday.

He asserted that suspension of six police personnel involved in the killing of Sapam Robinhood and assurance of the government on the five-point demands to be included in the proposed bill paved way for the meeting which has been seen as an important development following the public outrage over the demand for implementation of ILPS or similar law in the State.

During the proposed meeting with the government, medical helpline in relation to the ongoing mass movement, treatment for injured agitators and several other relevant issues will be discussed at length, the convener in-charge said.

He also said that outcome of the meeting will be disclosed to the public through the media to maintain transparency in the ongoing mass movement.

It may be mentioned that JCILPS submitted their draft recommendations which include five-point demands to the government yesterday. The five points meant to be included in the proposed bill are issue of permit or pass; cut-off base year of non indigenous persons; issue of non-alienation of land to non-indigenous persons; issue of expansion and smooth functioning of the Labour Department and detection and deportation of non-indigenous persons.

On the other hand, the Drafting Committee constituted by the government has also submitted their recommendations on the proposed bill to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on August 4.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/jcilps-to-meet-with-govt-on-proposed-bill-at-3pm-today/