Manipur News

IMPHAL, December 7: `It is unfortunate that there is not a single cultural study centre in Manipur, though the place is famous for its richness in culture. I feel sad that the present generation as well the authorities concerned are not showing keen interest in cultural studies`.

This was stated by Aribam Syam Sharma, noted film maker while delivering a talk today, aimed at creating awareness of the importance of art & culture, organised by the Dynamic Manipur at Hotel Imphal, North AOC. Today`™s programme was the 5th episode of a series of talks.

Continuing his deliberation, the octogenarian film maker said that the fate of Manipur`™s rich cultural heritage is gloomy in the present juncture of globalisation, and it cannot sustain and grow by itself without serious effort into its studies at the university level. He lamented that Manipur University do not have a cultural studies department, which is badly needed. He said in other parts of the world, universities have cultural studies centres.

Further emphasising that performing arts like Pena, Khongjom Parva and the ritual performances of Lai Haraoba, including Nat Sankirtan and Ras Lila are nowhere to be found in other parts of the world, he said it is the duty of the younger generation to enrich it further by studying them.

He maintained that it is unfortunate that art forms have been quantified into `marketable products`™ and cautioned that it should not be reduced into `cheap entertainment`™. He also narrated his long journey of associating with music, theatre and films to the audience, followed by an interaction session.

The second speaker of the day was Lin Laishram, who shared her modelling experience. She said `I feel most beautiful when I am strong and confident`, admitting that it was sheer luck that she got into the world of modelling. There is always a need to perspire if we want to achieve good things in life, she said.

Lin continued that she is actively engaged in theatre, besides modelling and acting in films. She said she is a qualified Yoga instructor who loves to engage in physical activities.

The last speaker was film maker, Oinam Doren, who has participated in several International Film Festivals with his award winning film, `The Songs of Mashangvah`™.

Doren claimed that the local media has shadowed him till date and today is his first invitation to speak in his home town. He candidly shared his transition from a shy and quiet introvert, testing his creativity in various mediums till he settled as a film maker.

`I have experience the glamour world, living in 7star hotels, luxury cars and mingling with famous people. But my inner artistic calling was different`, he said.

He shared about collecting scribe writing materials from libraries and self-learning struggles, inspirational readings and ultimately the bliss and happiness of being an artist. He said film making is an addiction and he has several ongoing projects at present as he juggles between his travels.

`I am still young and have big dreams. Film is a blending of so many aspects. Creativity is a process; I want to make more feature films and musical films. I hope to travel to every cities of the world with my film`, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/present-generation-neglecting-their-own-culture-is-unfortunate-says-syam-sharma/

IMPHAL, December 7: Tunnel no 10 of the under-construction rail line at Okoklong lying in between Jiribam and Tupul was attacked twice yesterday by suspected hill-based militants wielding sophisticated arms.

In the first instance, around 12:15pm yesterday, the suspected militants fired several rounds from their weapons at the tunnel work site which is guarded by personnel o the 6 IRB.

The attack prompted the IRB personnel to return fire resulting in a gun-fight lasting some minutes, sources informed IFP.

The suspected militants soon took cover of the dense bushes and fled from the scene, sources added while adding that no injuries were reported on the side of the IRB personnel and workers at the construction site.

It is also learnt that later around 9pm, the militants fired again at the work site from above the hills on the Kambiron side which is about one and a half km away from the tunnel to which the security personnel had also reiterated.

Sources also informed that no one was injured in the second skirmish as well.

Mentioned may be made that armed UG cadres had attacked the rail line construction work several times earlier.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/suspected-hill-based-militants-attack-tunnel-no-10-of-jiribamtupul-rail-line-twice/

LAMKA, December 8: In continuation of its country wide membership drive in the State, the Churachandpur mandal of Bharatiya Janata Party held a membership drive today at Sangaikot Village under Singhat A/C, 30 Km from Lamka.

The membership drive was held at Sangaikot TD Block center community hall.

President of Churachandpur BJP mandal, J Haokip who presided the function said that ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, there has been rapid increase in membership of the party in few months`™ time. It is certain that Modi wave has also reached the State, he added.

`We are poor people who are deprived of so many things, we cannot even afford to construct memorial stone for our beloved`, he said. `But that is going to be a thing of the past with the BJP in power. The present State government is not going to survive long as it is totally cut off from the grass roots`, J Haokip asserted.

He continued that the mass enrolment campaign through the mobile phones will continue to achieve its target. The function was also attended by State executive members of the party. Alongside, president of district Mahila Mandal, Nuneih; functionaries of youth Morcha Chungsei, George Neihsial and district leader like Pauliankhup Guite with other members.

J Haokip expressed his happiness over the presence of MDC and ADC members of Churachandpur District, namely Tongmithang, Thangmand and Lalditsang, who are the only elected representatives of the party in the State. He also lauded the presence of one time dissident group of the district mandal working jointly in the membership drive.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/ccpur-bjp-unit-takes-out-membership-drive-at-sangaikot/

KANGPOKPI, Dec.7: Chairman of SoO signatory group KNO/KRA (U) was shot dead by unknown miscreants this morning around 7:30 am near Khengjang cemetery under Gamnom Sapormeina Police Station.

The chairman has been identified as Paokhothang alias Thangboi Chongloi (38), s/o (L). Thangkhosei Chongloi of Khengjang Village.

According to family sources, on learning that a villager from neighbouring village K Lhangnom, had died last night, Paokhothang had gone to pay homage to the departed soul.

He was returning back after reaching the village and learning that the deceased will be buried at his temporary residence at Sapormeina, when he was shot at by some unknown miscreants, according to the family sources.

The chairman, however, managed to escape and reached the local cemetery from where he was rushed to the hospital by villagers but unfortunately died on the way they added.

Later, the Gamnom Sapormeina police took the body and deposited it at the RIMS morgue for post mortem, this morning.

In the meantime, another body was found near Koubru Leikha at around 12:35 this afternoon with a bullet exit point on the backside of his head.

Later, the body was identified by family members at the police station as that of Kamminlal Chongloi, 36, son of (L) Limsat Chongloi of K Lhangnom village but temporary residing at Sapormeina.

Interestingly, the man is said to be the person for whom the KNO/ KRA (U) chairman had gone to pay homage at K Lhangnom.

According to Kamminlal`™s wife Chochong, three unknown persons came in an auto yesterday at their temporary residence and took away her husband stating that their leader wanted to talk to him.

`When he did not return till late night I have been inquiring every possible means which have turned futile,` said Chochong while adding that this morning at around 11 she received a message from an unknown number stating that her husband`™s body was lying in between Sapormeina and Koubru Leikha near the national highway.

She continued that she has no idea as to who could be responsible for her husband`™s death and further demanded the reason behind the killing.

She also asked those involved in the killing to come out in the open.

Meanwhile, another unconfirmed source suspected the body found near Koubru Leikha to be that of a cadre of KRA (U), a SoO signatory under UPF, although it cannot be confirmed till the filing of this report.

Later, the dead body was deposited at the RIMS Morgue for postmortem by the Gamnom Sapormeina police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/knokra-u-chairman-shot-dead/

IMPHAL, December 7: Eliza`™s death two days after delivering a son through Caesarean section at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences is a great loss and an injustice committed against her, lamented her mother Irom (o) Manju mother today at her Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai residence.

Speaking to a team of the Women Action for Development, WAD volunteers accompanied by media persons during their visit to her home as part of the organisation`™s International Fortnight Observation protesting violence against women, Manju said her daughter who was married to Wangkhem Dinachandra, 28 S/o W Ibotomba of Langol Ningthou was admitted to the RIMS for a delivery case on May 9, 2014.

The next day Eliza was operated upon and delivered a son, however on May 13, the doctor concerned announced that she has kidney failure, Manju lamented.

As Eliza`™s health deteriorated, the family wanted to shift her to the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, which was denied by the RIMS authorities declaring that it would be Leave Against Medical Advice, LAMA, she claimed.

However, after much persuasion, Eliza was transferred to the SHRI on May 29, but died on July 15 there, she continued.

She said the family blamed the doctor operating on Eliza at RIMS for the death and urged for an explanation, and at the same time had turned down an offer of Rs 30 lakhs to bring an understanding from an unknown woman who claimed to be an emissary of the hospital authority.

A visibly distraught Manju, who broke into tears while narrating the story said her daughter`™s body was not claimed in order to bring justice to her and book the responsible doctor according to the law.

She further claimed that her daughter`™s husband W Dinachandra has married another woman. She also said that she had heard of Dinachandra settling Eliza`™s case with the doctor by accepting Rs 18 lakhs.

She also lamented that doctors are today trying to cover up their faults with money power, and the general public has to kneel and beg for justice.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/elizas-death-in-childbirth-an-injustice-laments-mother/

By Yambem Laba
IMPHAL, December 7: The last Lok Sabha elections saw a major paradigm shift in the preference of the electorate who chose transparency to scams, and the Congress was reduced to its all time low in its history, while the BJP swept the elections riding on Modi Tsunami wave. However while they made substantial inroads into neighbouring Assam, Modi Tsunamai could not cross the nine ranges that surround Manipur and the Congress won hands down winning both the State`™s seats comfortably. It appears the Congress has now made the Lok Sabha seats their ancestral property with Dr.Th.Meinya Singh winning for the third time in a row and Thangso Baite winnig for the second time.

At first appearance it would appear that it was the tactics and strategy of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh that had ensured a Congress victory but upon further scrutiny it has become apparent that it was the BJP`™s own skullduggery that had ensured its own defeat and prevented the Modi wave from reaching Manipur.

This has become apparent from a vital document which has come to my hands. A document which could have been responsible for the defeat of the BJP`™s candidate R.K.Ranjan, the amiable academician and well-known social activist, who had to rest content with a distant third in the race.

It is a well known and established fact that all national political parties spend much more on their candidates than as stipulated by the Election Commission of India. In fact there are always two accounts for poll expenditures `“ one de jure meant for submission to the Election Commission, and one de facto meant for internal consumption. The latter is always sent through Hawala transactions managed by business houses here in Imphal with mainland connections. According to BJP sources the money was sent through some top functionaries of the party in the State.

The fact of the matter is that while we do not know if Prof.Gangmumei Kamei the BJP`™s candidate for the Outer Manipur constituency also received his full due earmarked for him by the party, it is definite that R.K.Ranjan, the party`™s candidate for the Inner Manipur Constituency, did not receive a single paise from the otherwise reported generous largesse which the BJP headquarters were doling out to their candidates nationwide.

It was after addressing a `meet-your-candidate` show organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyathi Parishad at the Manipur Press Club sometime in April just before the elections that he was approached by a BJP party functionary, Shamurailatpam Dayanda Sharma, who is the younger brother of the party`™s general secretary organization, S. Premananda. Dayanda was accompanied by another BJP office bearer in this mission.

Ranjan was shown a demand Letter of the Coordination Committee of six major underground groups in Manipur namely the UNLF,RPF/PLA,KYKL,PREPAK(Pro) and PREPAK and the KCP, more popularly known by its acronym, the CORCOM.

The letter although addressed to R.K.Ranjan was said to have been delivered to the general secretary organization at his house. The demand asked for contribution to the CORCOM`™s collective effort to liberate Manipur from the `colonial yoke of India` and the amount demanded was Rs. 6 crores. The demand note was signed by Ksh. Laba Meitei, Convenor Fimance Affairs Committee of the CORCOM.

This gentleman Laba, according to informed sources is also known as Noyon of KCP. Ranjan refused to accept the letter on grounds that it was not delivered to him directly. Then the matter according to BJP sources went to the BJP state president Th. Chaoba who insisted that the same be delivered to Ranjan.

Shortly afterwards, Ranjan received another set of visitors at his residence who had come to deliver the same letter, only this time it was led by Shamurailatpam Ongi Satyabhama Devi, Vice-President of the BJP and wife of the late Saheed Shamurailatpam Madhumangal Sharma, mother of Premananda and Dayanda.

Again Ranjan refused to accept the demand letter on the same grounds that it was not delivered to him in the first place.

Thereafter she left his house and never came back. I showed Ranjan a copy of the demand letter and he confirmed it to be the same as the one that was attempted to be delivered to him first by Dayanda and then later by his mother Satyabhama, which he refused to accept each time.

According to highly placed sources, the CORCOM is said to have made it understood that they have no stake in the Lok Sabha elections although they did not come out openly with this stance as they did during the General Assembly elections in 2012. Does this mean they did not issue the demand letter?

There are more question that now arises: Why did CORCOM decide to deliver the demand letter to Premananda instead of their established practice of delivering it directly to the person concerned? Or was the CORCOM`™s demand letter forged by somebody else? Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Ranjan never received any monetary assistance extended to him for poll expenses by the BJP central command. Did the money return to the BJP central command or was it paid to the CORCOM? Or did the money simply do the disappearing act?

Around the same time, one RSS cadre told me that one of the persons who went to deliver the letter to Ranjan told him `Ibungo Ranjan se Paise Lou haiba Yadare` (Ranjan has refused to take the money). Where then is the money from the BJP central command?

Shortly after the poll results were out, a party bigwig is alleged to have purchased landed properties near Langjing with an estimated market value of approximately Rs.1 crore.

Will the CORCOM please clarify on this matter as to whether they had issued a demand letter to R.K.Ranjan asking him to contribute Rs.6 crores? If so what is the amount they finally received from Ranjan? And if not will they remain a silent spectator to the whole drama of money making in their name by a few unscrupulous characters who were out to make a fast buck while the sun shone?

And on the other hand will the National Investigation Agency the NIA who are known to have swooped down on petty contractors for having given monetary help to the militant groups in Manipur decide to grant immunity to bigger players siphoning off bigger money?

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/did-the-state-bjp-play-a-fraud-on-the-corcom-in-the-last-ls-elections/