Manipur News

IMPHAL, July 17 NNN : The United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) is learnt to have signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with Manipur and Central Governments at Jiribam on Wednesday to pave the way for tripartite talks.
In all, 45 UTLA insurgents attended the agreement signing ceremony held at Jiribam Kadamtala Electricity IB at 11 am. They also brought huge quantity of arms and ammunition during the ceremony.
UTLA’s chairman SK Thadou represented the outfit while Joint Secretary North East, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Shambu Singh and the state Principal Secretary (Home), Dr J Suresh Babu represented the Government of India and Government of Manipur respectively in signing the agreement.
Altogether 42 weapons including AK rifles, M-16s, carbines, 9 mm pistols and 2.2 rifles with ammunition were brought by the 45 cadres during the pact signing event.
They have been lodged at 22 Assam Rifles camp, Kadamtala after the SoO agreement.
Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence), top officials of IGAR (South) and other state police officials were also present at the occasion.
However, the outfit’s general secretary Seinio Guite was absent from the ceremony as he is now in the Jiribam Police Station in connection with an extortion case.
Guite was produced before the court of Jiribam District Magistrate which sent him to police custody till July 27 for further interrogation.
UTLA which is active in and around Jiribam was formed in 2002 with around 150 cadres. The tribal insurgent group faced a split in 2011 on ideological grounds that led to fratricidal killings.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/utla-signs-soo-with-government/

Imphal Jul 17 UNA: A nine year old minor girl was brutally raped by a 20 year neighbor on Wednesday here in Manipur.
The incident happen today around eight in the morning when she was playing with other children in the courtyard of the accused, who forcefully drag her inside the house while chasing away the other said the minor girl from the bed of RIMS hospital.
The underage girl was seen crying coming out from the house of accuse by a local women who happen to be just passing by for some personnel work but suspecting some unnatural the women enquire to the little girl.
In the course of consulting to find out what happen to her (victim) the women come across a blood stain in the clothes of the girl said the locals.
According to the victim the accuse Leimapokpam Athemba (20) son of Amarjeet of Nungoi Makha Leikai under Lamlai Police Station had threaten with a dire consequences if the matter is revealed to anyone.
After knowing the truth the localities caught the accused and handed over to the Lamlai police but after giving a good thrashing from the localities.
The little girl has been admitted at RIMS hospital and awaiting for forensic examination.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/9-year-old-girl-raped/

MNS: United National Liberation Front: Manipur today said Major Anand Kanti of 22 Assam Rifles went on a rampage at Jiribam police station and assaulted an Addl SP of Manipur police . It was not a simple incident but showed what the army thinks about the people. It alleged that in the name of SoO and other surrender drama many people are kept to defame revolutionaries. Those maintained by troops carry out various activities like planting of bomb , firing and the extorted money is shared. Conspiring with 22 AR UTLA (SK Thadou faction) General Secy. Seikhohao Guite @ James Kuki in the name of KRA(U) tried to extort money from Jiri oil pump . Even a Havildar of army does not respect Ministers, MLAs , officers it was added. It reminded of Oinam , Heiranggoithong, Paatsoi-Laangjing, RIMS Road, Malom incidents during no MLA , Minister state police personnel were not allowed to enter . Many police men were assaulted and killed by troops it was alleged and the minister, MLAs should understand that they are victim of colonialism it was added. The time to wake up has come said Ksh. Yoiheiba , Senior Publicity Officer in a statement today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unlf-asks-people-to-wake-up/

IMPHAL, July 17 NNN: The demand to grant the Meiteis a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status has kicked up ruckus in Manipur. On wednesday, the UNC and ATSUM said they seriously viewed the development.
The UNC held an emergency meeting and said that it seriously viewed the move of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) demanding to grant the ST status for the Meiteis while ATSUM is convening a panel discussion on July 27 on the matter.
“UNC views this development as an attempt to infringe upon the rights and existence of the tribals in Manipur and to distort their history,” the Naga body accused, while adding, “We find it surprise that dominant community, i.e the Meiteis demanding a status that have been treated as untouchable and inferior for decades.”
The Naga body then questions the wisdom and statesmanship of the Prime Minister of India for reportedly having given assurance to consider the demand upon obtaining a cabinet approval.
“It may be recalled that the Prime Minister himself had admitted that there has been sharp social divide between the hills and the valley, fully knowing that the Meiteis and tribals are different,” the UNC pointed out.
Meanwhile, ATSUM information secretary Micah Kamei said, “With the STDCM gaining momentum for ST status of the Meiteis and the news that appeared in all the print media about a six member delegation of STDCM to Delhi on July 2 and its immediate response by the Prime Minister under certain conditions, ATSUM will be organizing a panel discussion with scholars, intellectuals, lawyers and social activists on July 27 somewhere In Imphal.” “As the dubious nature of the STDCM has already been circulated in the print media by the All India Tribal Students’ Association, AITSA, the tribal based Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) is skeptical of the intention of the STDCM if it is genuinely for re-defining the historicity of the Meeteis or to avail the opportunity of reservation in jobs,” ATSUM information secretary Micah Kamei stated.
“Hill state or tribal state sounds synonymous although there may be variation of meaning when interpreted in technical terms. To this end, the brethren of the valley need to meticulously re-think before the issue turns volatile,” Micah cautions.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-atsum-opposes-conversion-of-meitei-into-st/

Imphal, July 17 NNN: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has urged the concern authority for the speedy delivery of justice to the rescued children.
On March 12 this year, young girls and boys including minors from Manipur and Nagaland and elsewhere had been rescued after two children homes in Jaipur were raided by a joint team of the Tangkhul Shanao Long-Delhi, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Rajasthan, social workers, activists and media persons. The homes were run by one Pastor Jacon John. On Wednesday, ANSAM said, “The startling revelation by the various local and national dailies in regards to the manner in which children from Manipur and Nagaland state were raped and sexually exploited, has shocked the conscience of every sensible citizen”.
While appreciating the various civil societies for rescuing the children from the infamous Grace Home, Jaipur and also nabbing the notorious Mr. Jacob John , the ANSAM urges for speedy dispensation of the case. While reposing our faith in the fairness of the judiciary, ANSAM impresses upon the concern authority for swift delivery of justice to the traumatized children.
Taking the cognizance of the heinous crime, a befitting punishment as deemed appropriate by the law of the land be given to the culprit, the Naga students’ body demanded.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ansam-wants-speedy-trial-in-children-abduction-case/