Manipur News

IMPHAL, Dec 10 NNN: The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) is seriously discussing with the concerned ministers to make available rice at Rs 4 per kg to people working in unorganized sector consisting of rickshaw pullers by providing them a special PDS card besides giving Rs 30,000 per head working in such sector for hospitalization, INTUC, Manipur branch president and MLA MK Preshow, said Monday.
Preshow was addressing a function: “Trade Union Rights and Human Rights” organized by INTUC, Manipur Branch at the State Head Office, Main Building Conference Hall of Manipur Electricity Employees’ Union here.
MLA Preshow admitted that success comes to your door if you maintain discipline and work culture well while suggesting that timely payment of salaries to employees will facilitate regular performance of duty.
Saying there are about 40,000 employees of work charge, master roll and contract in various Government departments in the state, he pledged INTUC will urge the concerned authority to give them similar rights enjoyed by regular employees.
INTUC has started discussing with the state concerned ministers to make available rice at Rs 4 per kg to people working in unorganized sector consisting of rickshaw pullers besides providing Rs 30,000 per head working in such sector for hospitalization, the INTUC president disclosed.
Talking on the issue of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, he said that the efforts on removing AFSPA from Manipur will be possible only when the people of both the hill and valley struggle together to achieve it. He also highlighted on the need of organizing workshops regularly on ‘rights’ in order to understand them properly.
Working president, INTUC and MLA Z Kikhonbou Newmai was also present at the function, while MN Salam, Regional Director, Central Board for Workers’ Education, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, delivered a speech on the topic ‘Responsibility of State Government,’ and Elangbam Dolendra, senior vice president, INTUC spoke on ‘Human Rights and Obligations.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/trade-union-congress-discuss-pds/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 10 : Discovering the movement of UG cadres in Lousang Khong Mayai Lekai, troops of 30 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) launched operation in the areas and apprehended one UNLF cadre on 9 Dec 12. The apprehendee was identified as Y Wairakpam Roshan Singh, 48 yrs, s/o L W Ibochouba Singh, r/o Lousang Khong Mayai, Imphal West, The apprehendee was handed over to Lamlai Police Station.
In another incident, troops of 9 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector launched an operation at Khudengthabi and apprehended one PREPAK lady cadre on 9 Dec 12. The apprehendee was identified as No 80120(Batch No .8) SS 2nd Lt Keisham Sana Devi, 28 yrs, w/o SS Capt Keishan Sagar Singh (PREPAK), r/o Patsoi Part-1, Imphal West. One 9mm pistol with mag, four lives rounds and one Samsung mobile with sim card were recovered from the apprehendee, who along with recovered items handed over to Imphal West Police station.
A team of 30 AR arrested two cadres of UNLF from their houses last night.
These arrested were identified as Wairokpam Roshan (48) Keibi Leishangkhong Mayai Leika, Thounaojam Sana (39) Keibi Heikak Mapal. They were handed over to Lamlai PS.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/militants-nabbed-3/

IMPHAL, Dec 10 (MNS/NNN): The house of former Pradhan of Chingnungkhok Gram Panchayat came under heavy gun attack yesterday night from suspected militants but no one was injured in the attack. It was the third such attack in recent months. The heavily armed unidentified militants numbering about four attacked the house of Leishangthem Tarpon, former Pradhan, Chingnungkhok Gram Panchayat in Nongrain Maning Leikai, Imphal East with heavy gunfire around 7:40 pm. They indiscriminately fired around 45 rounds in the attack. However, no one was reported suffering injury in the gun attack.
He was in the bathroom when the attack took place while other members of his family were in the kitchen having food, Tarpon told the media.
Revealing that the Kangleipak Communist Party group of Maoist had demanded Rs 10 lakh from him about five months ago, he said Sunday’s attack was the third such attack in recent months.
A team of Lamlai police station have recovered 45 empty cases of M-16 rifles from the spot and a case has also been registered in connection with the incident, police sources informed.
Meanwhile, local meira paibis of Nongrain Maning Leikai staged a protest dharna at the locality on Monday condemning the gun attack carried out by suspected militants at the house of the former Pradhan, Tarpon.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ex-pradhans-house-attacked/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 10 : The 43rd Raising Day of Red Shield Division was celebrated on 10 Dec 2012 to mark 43 years of its commitment and excellence for the service to Nation in true spirit and traditions of The Indian Army. Maj Gen KK Sinha, SM and troops of Red Shield Division laid wreaths at the war memorial in memory of the martyrs who displayed gallant action in the line of duty.
The Division was raised on 10 Dec 1969 at Masimpur primarily for CI Ops in Mizoram. However, the Division has actively participated in conventional operation of 1971 war, Liberation of Bangladesh, Operations in Sri Lanka in 1988 to name a few. 10 Dec is celebrated every year to remember the achievement, sacrifices and martyrs of various Operations the Division has excelled in. The 43rd Raising Day Celebration was organized at the Red Shield Division which was attended by all officers in the Station.
The GOC conveyed his appreciation to all ranks of the Division for their commendable performance and achievements during the past years. He complimented them for their dedication, commitment and sacrifice which has enabled the Red Shield Division to ensure security of its area of responsibility which is vital for bringing about peace, progress and prosperity in the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/red-shield-division-celebrates-its-43rd-raising-day/

IMPHAL, Dec 10 MNS/NNN: The relay hunger strike by Sharmila Kanba Lup (SAKAL) in support of the hunger striker Irom Chanu Sharmila demanding repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur, has completed four years on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion marking completion of four years of relay hunger strike by SAKAL which was coincides with the observance of International Human Rights Day at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound in Imphal, Babloo Loitongbam, executive director, Human Rights Alert (HRA) accused the Central Government of not taking into account of the Jeevan Reddy Commission report.
The human rights activist further accused the Prime Minister, who had admitted that AFSPA was an inhuman Act and that it was better to replace it by a more humane Act, of keeping mum on the issue till date.
Babloo, who was speaking at the function as a resource person, observed that because of AFSPA rampant Human Rights contravention and atrocities are being committed by security forces in Manipur and the root cause of militancy in the state was this Act.
He recounted the remarks made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Imphal in 2004 when he stated that ‘AFSPA had become an inhuman Act and that it was better to replace it by a more humane Act.’
Soon after that, a four-member committee, which was later entitled as “Jeevan Reddy Commission” headed by retired Supreme Court Justice, Jeevan Reddy, was constituted to review AFSPA, he said and he added that the commission after completing the revision work had submitted the report to the Central Government but it has maintained silence over the report setting aside it till now.
“Such act of the Government is unfortunate and clearly indicates that it has underestimated the people of Manipur,” he alleged.
Imposition of this Draconian law enacted by Indian Parliament in the states like Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir allegedly in an inequitable manner is a sinister design of the Central Government to wipe out smaller communities, Babaloo said.
H Sanahanbi, member, SAKAL, who was giving the key note address of the function, asked why AFSPA has not yet been enforced in the Naxal-hit states of the country even though the volatile situations in such states have demanded such Act.
Supporting the cause of Irom Chanu Sharmila, SAKAL launched the rally hunger strike on December 10, 2008. The event was also attended by Y Nabachandra, president, United Committee Manipur (UCM), S Momon, convenor, SAKAL, Sinam Prakash, secretary general, North East Students’ Organisation and several leaders of various NGOs.
In a shocking revelation, 1528 people been killed in Manipur from the year 1979 to May, 2012 in encounters. Of these, 1399 were males, 31 females and 98 were children.
Observing the International Human Rights Day today at Manipur Press Club in Imphal, organised by Life Watch, Advocate Indra Kumar who is a human rights activist revealed this information.
Also speaking on the occasion, advocate Thoudam Manihar of the Gauhati High Court said many crimes occur due to the bad governance. He said that the government should maintain law and order so as to reduce the crime rate.
Thoudam Manihar then stated that the International Human Rights Day came into being after the United Nations’ meeting held at Paris on December 10, 1948.
Harping on Manipur situation, Thoudam Manihar alleged that human rights violation are committed by both the state and the central security forces. He also mentioned the case of hunger striker Irom Sharmila saying because of all these rights violations, she has been on hunger strike to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The Gauhati High Court advocate then said the government being the guardian of the people, should understand the wishes of the public.
Noted rights activist Khaidem Mani talked about the need to raise public voice everytime the human rights violation is committed. He said media can be an important platform where the cases of human rights violation can be put up.
The 62nd international human rights day 2012 was observed today in Manipur. The Life watch Manipur observed the day at Manipur Press Club today. Kh. Mani advocate, Angomcha Araba chief administrator Life Watch Manipur, N. Binoy advocate, Th. Manihar advocate graced the occasion as chief guest, president and guests of honour.
The committee on human rights Manipur, CoHR also observed the day at Manipur Press Club.Th. Iboyaima social worker, KT Rahman president AMUCO, L. Memchoubi Devi Phunindro Konsam convenor CoHR graced the occasion as chief guest, president and guests of honour.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sharmila-kanba-lup-demands-repeal-of-afspa/