Manipur News

IMPHAL, May 31: NSCN (IM) self-styled lieutenant colonel Hopeson Ningshen was on Saturday convicted in the triple murder case of Dr Th Kishan and his two subordinate staff by a Special CBI Court.

The verdict of the three year-long trial was announced today at the Patiala House, New Delhi in the Special CBI Court of VK Gupta. The argument on quantum of sentences will however be held on June 30, 2014, informed a source.

Hopeson Ningshen has been held guilty for the commission of offences punishable under Section 302, 364 A, 394 read with 120B IPC.

Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Kishan and his two subordinates were found bludgeoned to death at Taphou along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) on February 17, 2009.

Following much furore over the involvment of NSCN (IM) cadres in the triple murder of SDO Dr Kishan and his two subordinate staff, Yumnam Token, a Mandal, and driver Aribam Rajen, the Manipur government on January 31, 2010, handed over the case to the CBI.

Today’s conviction came after the deferral of the announcement on two counts.

The pronouncement of judgement in the case was supposed to be made on January 18 earlier this year, however as Justice VK Gupta was on tour, the decision was kept on hold and deferred to February 15, 2014.

Ever since reports that the pronouncement of judgement will be made on January 18 became public, the JAC spearheaded to organised public meetings to discuss the development of the case.

A public congregation was held at Mapari Ninghingkol, Uripok Machin on January 15.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/hopeson-ningshen-convicted-quantum-of-sentence-on-june-30/

IMPHAL, May 31: Hearing for seventeen years old case on the then local English daily Freedom’s editor RK Ranendrajit who was charged of publishing seditious and inflammatory editorial on September 12, 1997 was conducted today before the District and Session Judge, Manipur (E) Cheirap court, Uripok.

Khaidem Mani, Defence Counsel to Ranandrajit recounted after the hearing that the case was filed under FIR 359(9)97 of IPS u s 124-A IPC. The charge sheet was submitted before the court during April and May of 1998. The editor’s arrest was averted with an anticipatory bail then, said Mani.

He further informed that, during today’s hearing public prosecutor Bimola submitted the charge stating that in the said editorial column seditious and inflammatory languages were used with a calculated design to excite feeling of disaffection against the government and its established law, and thereby it could also promote feeling of contempt and hatred among the general public and different communities.

She also mentioned that similar editorials were also written in previous editions including 12/9/97, 4/1/97, 30/1/97, 29/1/97, 17/2/97, 16/3/97 and 27/4/97.

Defence counsel Mani arguing on behalf of the accused submitted that the charge is curtailment of dissent voice, fearing criticism because lots of tortures to the people of Manipur have been taking place after the Merger and implementation of AFSPA 1958 since September 8, 1980.

He said such editorials were simply highlighting the grievances of the people.

He said that there is no question of anti-India feeling. People of Manipur and northeast must be treated same as the rest of the Indians. So the editorial contains no seditious, inflammatory languages and ill-feeling against the government.

There were no protest, movements, agitations and public meetings held against the government responding to the said editorial, he countered.

He further said that there is no foundation in the charge leveled against Ranendrajit. Mani further cited example of cases on Thounaojam Iboyaima adviser Irabot Foundation, former Minister N Biren regarding their speech on April 9, 2000 at the Cheirao ching floral tribute ceremony. Both were charged with the same Act, but were acquitted later on.

The next hearing will be on June 13, Mani added.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/hearing-of-17-year-old-sedition-case-against-freedom-editor-held/

IMPHAL, May 31: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Manipur Pradesh has urged the Union Home minister to suspend the Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 from Manipur on a temporary basis, State president Th Chaoba told the media today.

Chaoba was addressing a press conference at the Manipur Press Club Saturday regarding the recent speculations reported in local dailies about his possible replacement from the president’s post of the State unit, BJP.

He questioned how the party can think of changing the president at a State unit when even the national party president remains unchanged.

There is no crisis inside the party as has been speculated, he said before acknowledging, however, there are some minor differences between some members of the party.

This is part and parcel of being in a branch of such a big national party as the BJP, said Th Chaoba.

However, the reported crisis inside the party is totally baseless. Such speculations have been raised as the party is growing since the NDA came to power at the Centre, he asserted.

The minor differences is all part of being in a family, he said before declaring that the camping of some senior leaders of the State unit at the national capital for the past ten days has no concern whatsoever with replacing him as the president.

Ever since, the party won a landslide victory at the Centre, the State unit has been celebrating. It is only congratulating each other between the senior party leaders of the State unit, he continued his clarification.

The State Pradesh with the help of the national leaders of the party will soon enquire if there is any outside influence on the reported news of conflict in the party, he continued

There was no favouritism while issuing party ticket for the recent LS election, he said while adding the tickets were finalised only by the Parliamentary Board led by the national president, Rajnath Singh, Venkaiah Naidu and other leaders.

He said he is not authorised to select candidates for MPs and MLAs but only for Panchayat and Municipality elections.

Chaoba said he have met various leaders including Home minister Rajnath Singh and discussed the present law and order situation of the state, during which the Union minister had assured to take all positive actions.

During his recent stay at the national capital, he said he along with his team had apprised the Union Home minister on certain suggestions regarding the law and order situation in the State.

The Union minister’s reply was that since he had taken charge of the ministry recently, the State BJP team should come up with a few points which reflect the party manifesto of the recent LS polls, he said.

So, a four point priority list including demand for repeal of AFSPA, border issue, law and order situation, etc have been submitted to the government, he said.

Chaoba acknowledged removing AFSPA or its repeal will take time in the Parliament.

There is not much effect in the neighbouring State of Nagaland even though AFSPA is imposed since the Disturb Area Status has been removed from the State, he said.

As the Disturb Area Status has been removed from some assembly segments in Greater Imphal area, likewise it needs to be removed from the entire 60 Assembly Constituencies, he said.

With the Union minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, he had discussed the development of the Imphal-Jiribam road, he said.

Further addressing the media, he said he had discussed the border fencing issue with the new DoNER minister VK Singh, who on being asked to implement a scheme for the State, had replied he would visit the State to inspect the ground reality.

He said he had never mentioned the BJP will be contesting against the NPF in a friendly manner.

The BJP had fought both the Congress and the NPF, he stated.

He said the people are aware that there was heavy rigging during the recently concluded 16th Lok Sabha election in the State.

Prof Gangmumei Kamei and RK Ranjan were also present during the conference.

Meanwhile, Chaoba also stated that the Prime Minister has been urged in written to initiate an enquiry into the episode of power-cut in Manipur during the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister on May 26.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/no-internal-crisis-in-bjp-chaoba-affirms/

IMPHAL, May 31: Failure of the prosecutors to produce its witnesses in time continues to hamper the proceeding of the case lodged against United National Liberation Front (UNLF) chief, RK Meghen alias Sanayaima.

The UNLF chief and his 14 associates were again produced before the court this morning around 11 am.

Yet again a prosecution witness of the two who was supposed to appeared today, identified as MC Kuli, digital expert of forensic science laboratory, failed to turn up. Today’s was the fourth instance when the said witness has failed to respond to the court summon.

According to a source, only one prosecution witness Kautishwor Gogoi, sub-divisional police officer, Rangia, Assam, appeared before the court today as prosecution witness.

Gogoi was the officer in-charge, Noonmati police station in 2010. His statement was recorded by the court and later cross examined by defence counsel, informed the source.

The charges framed against Meghen and his 14 other associates include waging war against India, extortion and procuring arms from foreign countries etc (NIA case no.10 of 2010 (special trial) u/s 121/A/120-B/122/16/17/21 UAP Act).

Meanwhile, the prosecution counsel reportedly assured the court that there would be no further hic-up in the future while producing its witnesses, said a source. The court fixed the next round of hearing on June 19 and 20, 2014.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/rangia-sdpo-deposes-before-court-in-meghens-case/

IMPHAL, May 31: A main accused in the murder case of Prof. Islam-uddin, dean of student welfare and professor economics at the Manipur University, has been sent to judicial custody today.

The accused has been identified Sanabam Gunajit alias Ngongo, 35, son of S Babhaljit Mangang of Uripok Kabrabam Leikai.

He was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal, Cheirap Court and sent to judicial custody by the court till June 13.

Gunajit was arrested by a team of CBI led by DSP, L Hangsing, from house no.B-84 Jeevan Park Uttam Nagar, New Delhi on May 22, 2014.

On May 27, 2014 the CBI produced him before the district session judge Manipur East wherein he was remanded to CBI custody for five days.

Prof Islamudding was shot dead by armed miscreants inside the Manipur University campus on May 25, 2009 evening.

The Singjamei Police registered a case in connection with the incident. Later, the same year, the case was handed over to CBI by the government. On July 31, 2010 the CBI submitted a charge sheet in connection with the case.

Gunajit is the second accused in the case, the CBI has arrested.

Wareppam Janyanta alias Dilip alias Lakpa, 44, son of W Jila of Wangoi Laiphrakpam Leikai one of the main accused is presently in judicial custody. He was arrested by a combined team of CBI and Bihar Police.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/prof-islam-uddin-killing-one-more-sent-to-judicial-custody/