Tag: Editorial

Condemnations continue to pour in from different sections of the people over the State police’s brutalities meted out to student protestors in the ongoing agitation for implementation of the Inner Line Permit system in Manipur. Haughty display of the State police brute was evident, particularly during the July 25 agitation that took place at the DM college campus. Media footages of the event show how dastardly the police swooped down on the protesting students. The students were seen running here and there inside the campus, apparently after they were dispersed by tear gas shells. What followed next was appalling. Students were individually hunted down and were thrashed ruthlessly. They were flocked inside an empty hall at the campus. They were made to sit in a row, and each of them was kicked one after another. They were kicked so hard that some of them almost cling to the opposite wall. Are these a new formula for law enforcement? What about the words they used while chasing the students? Is “haatlo-haatlo” (kill-kill) a new slogan of the State police department? If these are the ways to control an agitating group of citizens, who are young and delicate, then we have no qualms in saying that it is nothing but an act of timidity; an act, unfitting to be meted out even to war criminals. We do not however refute the primacy of law enforcing agency in maintaining order in the society. We also recognise the kind of pressure the personnel have to go through while performing their duties. They are entitled to use legitimate force whenever the need arises. But this does not warrant them to act like the characters of fantasy movies, wherein the characters enjoy supreme authority of bulldozing anyone on their way, just to please the crowd. It is again needless to remind that the police are the people who are trained in so many ways. This includes the training of crowd control. However, the recent incident of atrocities in the DM college campus entails that something have gone wrong with their trainings. Or perhaps, they are not trained at all. It is worth recalling that the Home department in the wake of the June 2001 agitation against the cease-fire agreement realised the need to equip the State police with modern tools of crowd control. Thereafter, we have seen State police going through a modernisation process, with good numbers of water cannon and riot control vehicles. Substantial amount of public money are invested in this kind of modernisation, the amount of money which could be better used for social welfare schemes in the State. Has the modernisation serve any purpose, rather than the use of brute force? On the other hand, the agitating students cannot claim to be taking out ‘peaceful and democratic’ movement by throwing stones to the police. No doubt, the movement was intensified in view of the ongoing Assembly session, to push the issue of ILP into the Floor of the House. The intensification of the movement during the session suggests political maturity and a deep understanding of the democratic essence vis-à-vis political issues and demands, on the part of the agitators. However, the need for drawing a tactical line of agitation is called for, as far as the involvement of the students in the movement is concerned. And this should be the responsibility of the leaders who are spearheading the movement. The rest are in the hands of the highly respectable and privileged sixty people of the State.

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/stop-the-brutality/

The State now witnesses a number of protests as usual in the month of June/ July, this time in the calendar has a penchant for attracting a number of problematic issues ranging from NSCN (IM) demand for a greater Nagalim, the Khwairamband bazar incident etc.

The state has witnessed a lull in the amount of crime perpetrated especially in regard to violation of human rights issues. Now, the recent cold blooded murder of ADC member Ngalangzar Malue was the latest incident, an insurgent organization perpetrated the crime, according to deputy chief minister. Though, the NSCN (IM) denied the crime, the matter was highlighted in the ongoing Assembly sessions, Gaikhangam had again said that the organization was involved in more than 400 crimes which occurred here. This is indeed a staggering figure when the state government had priorly dismissed NSCN (IM) operations or camps being set up within the territory of the state. This fact is challenged from the insurgents that they have been operating here and the ceasefire is without territorial limits, this was made crystal clear by NSCN Cease Fire Monitoring Cell convenor, Kraibo Chawang. At the same time, the Government of India’s Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG)
chairman , Lieutenant General (Rtd) NK Singh had stated that Manipur did not come under his jurisdiction.

It was just last month that the Supreme Court awarded a lifetime imprisonment to the NSCN (IM) cadre for the murder of Thingnam Kishan, Token and Rajen. Now, which side are we to believe about the extension of the ceasefire? Who is taking the Manipuri population for a ride ?

Another surprising thing is that, according to media reports, the residents of Ukhrul district are more interested in removal of security personnel deployed there in the aftermath of ADC member murder rather than seeking justice for him. An ‘elected’ person, who was mercilessly mowed down when going to visit his ailing mother. The indifference coupled with the silence shown to him is somewhat deafening!

In the valley, the student bodies are in a stand-off with the police over the Inner Line Permit issue of whether ‘Indians’ should be allowed to enter Manipur freely or with a ‘visa’. The last few days have witnessed several agitations amongst them as the students tried to storm the Assembly sessions. As a quick solution, the government decides to ‘impose’ holidays on all educational institutes till the end of the Assembly sittings. One may say that the Ibobi government certainly knows how to handle a crisis, of deflating a tense pressurizing situation. However, it may be mentioned that Ibobi Singh himself had stated on the Assembly floor in 2009 during the Khwairamband Bazar episode of Rabina and Sanjit, that “Right to education is more important than the right to life.” Well! We all know what people say about politicians and what can be expected from most of them.

The recently deployed fresh off the training school MPS officers and the recently transferred police inspectors were so capable that they could not handle a protest by students at DM College without resorting to violence and taking nearly half a day to do it. A ‘chocolate’ cop even dropped his service weapon while being showered with stones from the angry students. This shows that the Home department is obviously lacking in mob control tactics and acting more like the military junta of Myanmar, clearly defines the lack of discipline, training, corruption laden and becoming more of a ‘vagabond force.’ What more to be expected when the applicants supposedly doles out millions to earn the post of a sub-inspector.

The point here is that, things may not appear what they seem and there may be more than what meets the eye. Is the opinion suggested by civil organizations, the authentic opinion of the populace or is the truth shrouded in a spiral of silence. The people have been living in a zombic state of fear of reprisal from various quarters. It is a question of whether the people do not want the murderers of Ngalangzar Malue to be brought to justice, is the ILP issue the real bone of contention when the NSCN convenor , Kraibo Chawang says that the cease fire agreement is without territorial limits. Then, would it mean that the lives of 18 people sacrificed in the Great June Uprising are for no purpose, and we are still living in a state of delirium.

Agitations may lead somewhere and get finalized in the chamber of a top politician, it is in the grapevine that many ‘leaders’ are seen holding files and running around the secretariat area. Some may protest, whether it is pseudo-participation or committed involvement. But, a total participation means reciprocation from the masses like the June uprising and not just by a singular body or few organizations alone. The song by Bob Marley which goes, “ You can fool some people some time , but you can’t fool all the people all of the time,” goes a long way in shedding light to the entire episode of problematic events and some do shout, “Long Live Manipur.”

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/please-fool-the-public/

A statement during the ongoing Assembly session of the State Legislative Assembly, made by an honourable member of the House was hardly honoured by the Chief Minister, who is also the leader of the House. This was during the demands for Agriculture and Fishery department were tabled for discussion in the House. The name of a national awardee farmer from Kumbi was not mentioned in the top of the nomination list for the State award. A member of the opposition had enquired to the minister concern of the said department, if the nature of nomination was the reason behind the farmer not receiving the State award. The member accentuating his concern over the issue added that the matter had already been highlighted in the local newspaper. To this query, the minister of the department with all nonchalance replied on the Floor that he no longer reads newspapers. The reason cited by the minister was that the media in the past have carried many unfounded reports about him. “What could have been easily resolved through dialogue had often been splashed in the newspapers”, the minister remarked. The Chief Minister was quick to retort, wasting no time reminded the minister to keep a habit of reading newspapers, underlining that the media are not bias and there are enough room for dissension. We cannot but agree with the Chief Minister’s observation. Not to revisit the clichéd topic of the role of media in a democracy, the discussion in the House, particularly the minister’s view on the media, however hints for a wider discussion on the issues of public accountability and public debate in different fora. Accountability in this context, in a way is transparency that is obligatory for governance in a working democracy. Among all other important stakeholders, the representatives of the House are the No.1 publicly accountable people because of the mandate the people have given to them. It is in this picture that the indispensible presence of the media as a watchdog of transparent governance chips in to facilitate access to information for the public; so that the public know what is happening in the government. Further, in order to expedite a participatory involvement of the public in a democracy, opinions, commentaries and grievances are also given spaces in the media. This is definitely a form a dialogue. Whereas a dialogue does not necessarily mean a verbal exchange across a table or a meeting place. And debate is again an essential part of a dialogue. Public debate in the media is one of the highest forms of democratic practices. The local media of the State have been able to accommodate all kinds of voices, although the media houses have their own ideological predilections. An opposition member in the same House has categorically put on record that it was like staying in a dark room without newspapers. This observation was made the day after media had decided to halt the print for a day, in solidarity with a newspaper hawker who got apprehended by the security forces. If the honourable minister is still not following the Chief Minister’s advice even to this day, it is time for him to come out of the dark soon. Please take part in the dialogue, no matter the myriad views that may come through. As mathematician-writer-artist Jacob Bronowski has said, “Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime.”

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/please-come-out-of-the-dark/

Manipur is one of those few places which are said to have only two seasons- rainy season and dry season, which could be more precisely explained as dusty season and the muddy season. This however doesn’t apply or mean that the State is deprive from enjoying the other atmospheric changes experienced round the year as elsewhere in the world. But this only implies that when it is raining, which is about six months in a year, it is only mud; and when not raining it is all about the dust. Monsoon spreads across June to September and then continues sporadically till November in this part of the world. Mud or otherwise dust has today become an integral part of the land. Now whenever the State welcomes the rains, it is almost like welcoming muddy roads. Potholes are filled with water making them more dangerous than they already are. Dust from the road sides left out when the roads are tarred gets carried on to the road surface by vehicles. What makes it even worse is just after the rains, the roads are filled with mud slushes making them slippery for the motorists. The drains are clogged, resulting in flash flood every time it rains continuously for an hour or so. Much has been said and a lot more written on the pitiable conditions of the roads in the State. Nevertheless, the roads continue to writhe under prolonged government apathy and the public’s thoughtlessness for the past many years. Although a few of the roads were widened and tarred some years back, today most roads have been reduced to a chain of potholes. Amidst such an ignominious state of affair, incessant rainfall which has continued during the past few months has only aggravated the condition. Road inspections have been galore in the state, more so along the national highways, nevertheless, the road conditions have only continued to deteriorate. Not much seems to be moving in the right direction, notwithstanding the almost daily assurances of “everything’s okay, we are moving in the right direction” one gets to hear from the government and its players. Despite of all the continuous shouts and repeated assurances from the government and its agencies to usher in an era of development and working for the upliftment of the State, not much improvement has been witness in the condition of the roads. The government’s apathy or lack of interest in the development or maintenance of the roads has left the roads in pitiable conditions. But then the public cannot always blame the government for all ills and forget their own insensitivity towards the issue. Ours is a place, where anyone can enforce a bandh or a blockade or burn down government offices to make heard their demands, even if such agitations are preceded with declarations of imposing democratic forms of agitations in the agitators own words. However, it is better to confine today’s topic to the road conditions and leave the discussion on public agitations for another day. People have never shied away from digging up the tarred roads during the frequent agitations witnessed on a daily basis in the State or to lay pipes for personal water connections. The end-point being, no matter how much the government yells of bringing development or promoting tourism into the State, nothing will be possible, unless there is improvement in the road conditions.

Leader Writer: Wangkheimayum Bhupendra Singh

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/tales-of-the-roads/

Sarubam Dharmamala, the master craftswoman of coil pottery of Andro has breathed her last this month. Her demise is deeply felt by artisans and by her aficionados. As shared by people who have known her from her childhood days, Dharmamala was already a popular name in Andro. Not because of her pottery work which got recognition in the later part of her life. Dharmamala was popular for her sheer talent and splendor. She was outstanding in so many ways. People who were close to her know how well-versed Dharmamala was in the indigenous songs and dance of the Chakpa community, particularly of Andro. She had even given song and dance lessons to those interested in learning. This was in spite of her busy schedule of meeting so many orders from her customers. Dharmamala’s generosity is well known. She would treat everyone equally. This is also a bitter truth that some unscrupulous individuals or groups have taken undue liberty of her kindness. Considering her expertise in the field of Andro pottery, Dharmamala was engaged in imparting training to so many artisans through workshops and other similar programmes. At times, she was paid much below the standard fee that was supposed to be paid to an instructor. Dharmamala knew this, but she would not complain, saying that her fees are secondary if her students are serious to learn the art. It was her humility that has won so many hearts. Dharmamala could immediately connect with her visitors. For someone like Dhramamala, who has not gone through any formal education or training, it was perhaps her ability to grasp ideas very quickly that enabled her to surge ahead of others. Dharmamala needed no further explanation once she grasped the idea. In fact, there is a looming fear among those who genuinely appreciate her pottery art, that there would be few people who could carry forward the legacy of Andro pottery, though Dharamamala had inducted a good number of students under her guidance. This is not to dishearten the artisans who have been following Dharamamala’s footsteps. But this is true that Dharmamala’s skill was unmatched, and it would be hard to replace her by anyone. There are around forty different kinds of pots in Andro pottery, each meant for different occasions in the social-cultural life of the Chakpa community. According to some scholar-artist who has been closely involved with Dhramamala and her art, it is said that she was the one who knew the forty different kinds of pots and their usage. Which indicates that Dharmamala and her work was an embodiment of history of the Andro community. And should there be any need to mention that earthen pots have been part and parcel of the Meitei community life world by and large? This is also true for many of the civilisations of the world. Having said this, Dharmamala was not someone who believed in basking in the past. She recognised the growing need to innovate her art to meet the demands of the time. Besides making pots, she gradually updated her work by making decorative items for urban drawing rooms. Turtle shape coin banks, mugs and flower vase became very popular. Dharmamala was someone who was never interested in awards or any kind of recognitions. People like Oja Mutua Bahadur, who is also a well-known art aficionado, and his team had to coax her to fill up the award nomination forms. The art of coil pottery in Manipur is still visible in Nungbi of Ukhrul and Oinam of Senapati in the hills. Thongjao, Ningthemcha Karong and Nongpok Sekmai besides Andro are places for pottery in the valley. They will have to withstand against the changing current of globalisation to sustain their art. And in this shifting milieu, we are surely going to miss Dharmamala and her betel-nut stained infectious smile.

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/for-dharmamala/

Sometimes it is difficult not to believe certain events in the physical world are inter connected, not just by coincidence, but magically by providence. Even as the FIFA World Cup concluded with its liberal doses of heartbreaks and triumphant moments, the Manipur Olympics Association, MOA, too had a change of guards. This is not a commentary on the electoral fortunes of the MOA. This is on the other hand a reminder of mistakes which can ruin, and have indeed been the cause for ruins of many similar sporting projects everywhere. No example of this can be more profound and glaring than the manner in which a formidable footballing nation, Brazil, suffered what can only be described as a catastrophe at the World Cup 2014. Brazil which has won the World Cup five times had the expectation this time of adding to this awesome tally to make it six. What the team, riding on the shoulders of its multimillion dollar superstar players like Neymar da Silva Santosh Jr and David Luiz ended up with, as those of us who followed the tournament closely saw, were ruthless plunders first at the hands of Germany 1-7 in the quarterfinals and then The Netherlands 0-3 in the semis. For a nation which breaths and lives football, no humiliation could have been worse, and as numerous hyperbole rich banner headlines in the nation’s newspapers screamed on the morrow of these matches, the shame of this rout was unprecedented in its entire history.

For some reasons, probably for the fact that Brazil’s playing style nicknamed “samba football” which has come to acquire the reputation of representing the joy and exuberance of the “beautiful game”, quite in contrast to the European style which is seen as marked by methodical regimented discipline, a lot many in the non-European world generally end up supporting Brazil. Manipur is no exception. But even for dispassionate followers of football who did not care too much for the fate of Brazil’s team, the two massacres, especially the one by the Germans, were difficult to watch, and if as in boxing there was anything as throwing in the towel to surrender and stop the contest, they too would have loved to see this when there seemed no way Brazil could avoid the massacring onslaughts. In terms more familiar in India, many wished the cricket rule of declaring was also in vogue in football, so that the Germans and then the Dutch could have said enough is enough, and graciously ended the torture mid-game.

As the dusts settle and passions cool, dispassionate post mortem analyses would begin, and indeed have already begun. It is these reports that Manipur should be keenly interested in, for on Manipur’s smaller sports canvas, the parallels are uncannily similar. How did Brazil with such a pedigree of football talent, and inherent national footballing DNA determining its thirst for excellence in the game, not manage to put together a team capable at least of avoiding such humiliation, if not win the World Cup? They had a reputed coach of known international reputation in Luiz Filipe Scolari who has led the Brazil team before to World Cup victory in 2002, and also has been behind many successful campaigns at home and in Europe as manager of various reputed clubs and national sides.

Many are already blaming corruption and official complacency in the framing as well as execution of sports policy in the country. While official patronage of sports is essential for sporting excellence to become a reality, a complete usurpation of the sports agenda by the officialdom can blunt individual creative instincts at the grassroots by reducing sports to another routine official matter. The protests against the World Cup in Brazil before the tournament began have thus acquired new significance. There are already doubts expressed in the country that something did not connect the 12 billion US dollars spent to build the World Cup infrastructures and the way sports was being managed at the grassroots. But let Brazil answer its own questions? The self questioning has also only just begun, so it would be preposterous for us to jump the gun.

But the Manipur parallel is significant, therefore this editorial. This year, Manipur which once was considered as a fountainhead of footballing talent in the country, and its team feared in all national footballing arenas, did not figure anywhere in the Santosh Trophy tournament, the foremost national championship. Did anybody ask why? Neighbouring Mizoram put up a superlative performance and won the trophy, which deserves our congratulations, but how has Manipur’s prowess in the game diminished so radically? Manipur is also a known powerhouse in many other sporting disciplines, but the uneasy question is, would the football fate fall on other sporting disciplines too? How are our State level leagues being organized? Where are the teams which participate in these State level leagues drawing their players from? What are the selection procedures? The picture does not seem too promising.

Here too it may again be an official usurpation which may be the bane. Just one example will illustrate this point. The Eastern Sporting Union has a beautiful football ground. Probably official funds for its upkeep are much more generous now than a decade ago, for it is well maintained. It is unfortunately out of bounds of the public. Round the year, it is a pain to see kids in the locality playing on little patches outside the main sprawling, green, manicured, empty ground, because they are prohibited to enter it. Is the obsession with the cosmetic upkeep of the ground killing local talents? Surely football grounds are not meant for tourist attraction, and their more important function is grooming players. True, a balance is necessary for the ground can also become abused and fatigued by overuse, but as it seems, the balance has been tipped towards the wrong end at this moment. There therefore is a lesson for Manipur in the manner Brazil suffered a humiliation despite the 12 billion dollars spent on building state-of-the-art stadiums.

The highest governing body of sports in the State, the Manipur Olympics Association, has just had its election and a new set of office bearers have taken over. We hope this new team would see the lesson and begin the reformation process. We hope it will be able to rejuvenate the moribund sports administration and re-instill life back into sports in the State, beginning from identifying and grooming talents from the grassroots to the conduct of highest level tournaments.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/sports-lesson-for-manipur-from-brazil/

The announcement of a Hindi bio-pic on Mary Kom immediately after the five times World Champion won the Olympic medal backed no less by a producer who is an acclaimed film maker in his own light was big news for the state. Unfortunately, the news got missed in the home media, which could possibly be because of the blanket ban on Hindi films and Hindi language based entertainment in the public sphere which was imposed from 2000 onwards by an underground armed group. That ban as we know, killed off the movie theatre circuit though a few theatres still stand that shows Manipuri digital films. That ban on Hindi films also co-incided with a phase where-in cinema multiplexes with increased seats, technically polished sound systems and other assorted film watching paraphernalia got introduced across the country. Manipur still has to see a decent movie theatre that is clean, has good seats and with safety norms inbuilt, see the light of any multiplex. And while the Manipuri film industry may still be churning out box office potboilers, the reality also is that not many people will find it worthwhile to catch the pictures at any of the theatres in the state.

Much has changed in the 14 years of the ban on Hindi films in theatres and on the local cable TV in the state, including ushering the Manipuri digital industry. With the emergence of the Dish TV service, people can now tune in to their favourite TV channels and watch the films that are on offer, thereby rendering the ban on Hindi films at best cosmetic. While at one point of time, posters of Hindi film actors were stopped from being sold in the markets of Imphal and other districts with newspapers being pulled up for carrying Hindi film related news in the ‘entertainment’ section, the impending Hindi film bio bic ‘Mary Kom’ is perhaps a reminder that the ban needs to go. The release of two theatre posters in the form of the first look for ‘Mary Kom’ starring popular Hindi film actor Priyanka Chopra is currently creating an immense buzz in the social networking world. There have been many voices questioning the casting Priyanka Chopra instead of someone from the region whose looks would be more in line with the way the diminutive Olympian looks like. But those who follow the business of cinema will know that producers and film makers alike put in their finances and efforts behind what are known as bankable actors and those whose association with a venture will bring in better returns. This is true not just for the Hindi film industry but also in other film scenarios across the world.

The film and Mary Kom, the boxer will have gained in name for the attempt to tell the story of a woman who took up a sports that is not really encouraged in India, and much less for women and then going to win the World Championships for five times, ultimately capping it with an Olympic bronze medal. The losers will be the people of Manipur who will not be able to watch the film when it releases across the country. The losing score for Manipur started much earlier because of the ban on actors from the state not being allowed to work in the Hindi film industry. The scare generated by the long-standing ban also ensured that the film makers steered clear of making locations in the state important landmarks in the film. Having the film made in the state would also have ensured that technical support would have included those from the pool of film making talent that the state has.

Mary Kom herself has gone on record stating to national media forums saying that the Hindi film bio-pic on her life would serve as a source of inspiration for young people, while expressing hope that the ban on Hindi films in Manipur would be lifted so her film can be screened. But till the boxer sits down with the various civil society groups and assorted associations operating in the state to create a safe space for bringing her film to the big screen here, the film ‘Mary Kom’ will eventually end as a mere footnote tossed around in social networking sites.
Leader Writer: Chitra Ahanthem

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/the-mary-kom-film-story/

The reproach that we have an insensitive government in the State has been proved wrong. This is true, particularly for the last one month of football World Cup that just ended with Germany lifting the trophy. Electric power supplies to the consumers have increased since the beginning of the World Cup matches. The State has been able to feel the pulse of the sports loving people of Manipur, so to say. This is true that people have become so used to power cuts. So far, we have not seen a single protest against the pathetic power supply in the State. Though there was a PIL filed against it by a group of citizens. People were uncertain of the sudden improvement in power supply. Just before the onset of the World Cup, there was good business of electric power generators in Imphal area. People were ready to spend a few thousand of Rupees more from their monthly budget, or from their savings, to catch every moment of the matches live on their television sets; stoically, without any complain. But deep within their hearts, they would have had strong resentment buried, against a government that fails to provide electricity during the football World Cup. There would have been no explanation for it on the part of the government. But that has not happened. In fact, the power supplies have remained the same even after the culmination of the game. Another interesting side of the World Cup, or for any kind of game for that matter, is the support for a particular team or a country. We have seen a visible display of support for one’s favourite team on the social media, with supporters sporting the team’s jersey or toying with other paraphernalia. This was even more visible during the matches at the Leikais where giant screen were put up. It looked as if the fans were heading for a complete showdown. Psychologists have tried to understand this phenomenon of affiliation in sports, of the divide between ‘us’ and ‘them’. Their elucidation is that people want to be judged positively by others and they often try to associate themselves with something positive. By piggybacking on the success of their team they enjoy the warm feeling associated with it and feel connected with it. There is no harm about supporting a team, even without a rational explanation. However, what is disturbing is the rising trend of betting that was prevalent during the matches. An acquaintance during a casual conversation had tried to explain that betting is a kind of adventure which involves a certain amount of risk that must be taken. And people of this land, being a lover of adventure would easily fall for it. Nevertheless, some keen observers of betting have maintained that it is an ‘illusion of control’: the belief that the bettor can exert skill over an outcome that is actually defined by chance. Near-misses occur while betting but there is no actual win. Bettors often interpret near-misses as indication that they are mastering the game and that a win is on the way. Whatever the explanations, the phenomenon of ‘last digit’ in lottery, the report of organised ‘housie draw’ that has been banned by social organisations are also a form of betting. There has been unconfirmed report of betting taking place covertly in the heart of Imphal. And it has been going on much before the World Cup, the report says. The power supply after the World Cup may go back to square one. But betting will remain, and it is bound to increase manifold if it is kept unchecked.

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/the-game-is-not-yet-over/

The Imphal Municipal Council’s cleanliness drive to keep the Imphal city clean has already begun. As announced by the executive officer of the council, cleaning up Nambul River will be the priority. The executive officer while addressing to the media a few days back has mentioned that in order to attract tourist to the State, it is important to keep Imphal neat and clean. This is indeed undisputable. We have actually witnessed a good number of tourists from across the globe coming to Manipur. The recent event of ‘Battle of Imphal’ saw the presence of high ranking foreign nationals in Imphal, gathering in large number simultaneously. Sangai Festival is also another event that attracts international tourists. It is certain that the inflow of tourists into the State is going to increase in the days to come, also taking into account the interest shown by the State on tourism. We believe the IMC is well aware of the churning that has been unfolding. Well, tourism seems to be the catchword. But when it comes to cleanliness of Imphal, or other places for that matter, there are unsettling questions that seems to have no viable answer. IMC is one important institution which is primarily responsible for maintaining cleanliness in Imphal. How far have the IMC been successful in meeting this obligation? Its track record has been very unimpressive. The state of cleanliness at the Ema keithels, the streets of Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar – not to mention the wandering cattle that are seen daily in these streets; these are observable report card of the IMC’s standard of cleanliness. Besides, one cannot be sure as of when its employees will be on strike. Here, we do not mean to disparage the democratic rights of the employees in addressing their grievances. The employees have every right to fight for their cause. But this is also true that IMC employees’ strikes have become part of the daily humdrums of present-day Manipur. We are even more doubtful when it comes to cleaning up of the Nambul River. IMC has already announced that those found throwing garbage into the river will be penalised with a fine of Rs 2000. By garbage, as we understand, it means the solid wastes that are dump into the river almost daily. The Khwairamband commercial area produces quite a big amount of garbage everyday. True, the restriction will keep a check on it to certain point. But, what about the sewerageswhich are flown directly into the river from the residential areas along the Nambul? As of now, there is no alternative. We have to wait for the Sewerage Project to take its birth. The Manipur Pollution Control Board, MPCB had also flaunted the idea of a grand project that would clean and recycle the water of Nambul. We have already pointed out in one of our columns in May this year, that there are areas of ambiguities which demand a joint understanding between the town planers and the MPCB as regards to the cleaning of Nambul. The State had envisioned a City Development Plan, CDP in 2006 under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, JNNURM. Improvement of Nambul is one of the major components of the plan. The IMC is one of the agencies of JNNURM. We wonder if the current cleanliness drive of Nambul taken up by IMC is part of the JNNURM project. Or is it just a perfunctory reaction to the kind of tourism climate that has been building up in the State?

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/imcs-nambul-drive/

Brazil’s shocking defeat in the hands of Germany in the semifinal match of the FIFA World Cup 2014 will remain the most embarrassing defeat for the five times world champion. The domination of the Germans in the semifinal match over the Brazilians was simply indomitable. It looked as if the Germans have decided to conquer the beautiful game not only for that night, but for the rest of the footballing moments that are to come at the international level. The defeat was unimaginably torturous for the Brazilians including the entire fans spread across the world, who believe that football is in the DNA of the Brazilians. Why not? Brazil is a country which has produced some of the finest world class footballers. And we need not waste our print space by mentioning those names of great Brazilian footballers. Brazil’s dream of lifting the World Cup trophy on their own soil shattered just after the completion of first half’s 19 minutes of the match. As commentators have observed that the game is inextricably tied to the national sense of self-worth of the Brazilians more than any other country, there is tremendous pressure that comes with playing. This pressure can be highly motivating, or it can be debilitating. Perhaps it was the eccentricity of the country over the game that the then government in power held intensive investigation and dragged some of its players before a panel of politicians following its defeat in the finals of the 1998 World Cup against France. But is there a tangible explanation for the team’s overall uninspiring performance in this World Cup and also of its semifinal defeat against Germany? On a larger level, some critics have placed blame on the conventional school of thought of Brazilian football itself. It is argued that there has been an irresistible rush to win more trophies, which gave way to a more brutish style of play. Besides, it is also observed that immersion of young and talented Brazilians into the European club football has to an extent sapped the squad of its essential identity, thereby squelching the creativity of the athletes that has characterised the Brazilians;though European club football facilitate players to adapt themto become methodical specialist in a big international organisation. Absence of Neymar, the star striker of the team did affect the team’s morale in the semifinal match. In fact, Neymar’s absence was something the team spoke about a lot during counseling session with their sports psychologist before the match. Alongside skipper Thiago Silva’s absence was also one of the important factors. But most importantly the ignominy that the team suffered was because of the lack of team discipline. Brazilians should stop playing possession-base football. No doubt, that they are outstanding with their individual skill. The defense line was pathetic against the clinical precision passes of the Germany. Team Germany easily sensed the opponent’s vulnerability and they were merciless with their attack.Scolari, the Brazilian coach has been apologetic, taking the sole responsibility of the defeat. Commentators have also come down harshly on him, for he could have averted the catastrophe by changing the tactics after conceding the second goal. Interestingly, Brazil is going to have its presidential election later this year, which coincides with every World Cup year. President incumbent Dilma Roussef’s fate will be decided in the election. Her government’s decision to host the World Cup this year was not received well by sections of citizens. Dilma’s government was blamed for spending huge amount of tax payer’s money on the World Cup that could have been spent on social welfare schemes. Meanwhile, the legend Pele even after the humiliating defeat has pinned his hope on Brazil becoming the next World Cup champion to be held in Russia. We doubt.

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/crestfallen-selecao/

The Budget Session of the Manipur State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin on July 11, just one day after the Union budget is presented in the Parliament. While there can be nothing wrong with this timetable technically, one wonders if there is nobody in the State Government who thought it might be prudent for the State to keep a little bigger time gap between the two. This is with a view to leave those entrusted with preparing the State’s annual budget papers time to align the State’s own outlook to public investment with those of the Union government gainfully.

Should not such an exercise have been seen as especially relevant this year, for a new political party has come to power at the Centre, and therefore it would be a fallacy to presume there would be 100 percent continuity of the Union government’s developmental outlooks, from those of the last government. True, the State budget is not meant to be a miniaturized version of the Union budget, and the differences as well concurrences in responsibilities of State building between the Union and the States under the Indian dispensation are well specified in the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, however, there is nothing which says these functions should not be made to dovetail each other. In fact, for a small, special category State like Manipur, it should be in its interest to try and make its developmental projects complement those of the Union’s to the extent possible. At least, they should not end up standing in each other’s way.

But then who in the State government would care? As it is, there has seldom been an occasion when the thrust of Manipur’s annual budget papers rose above routine accountant’s job, merely giving an expenditure statement of the past year, and anticipating a similar middle of the road, predictable, dreary income-expenditure balance in the coming year. There have seldom been any sign that these financial statements and expenditure intents are guided by a broader and deeper plan philosophy. Considerations of attempts to harmonise the annual planning architecture of the State with those of the Union, therefore would probably be viewed as redundant, for sadly, Manipur’s politics, therefore its annual budget statement, can hardly be said to be about envisioning the future. It is not surprising then that they continue to strongly exude what in the end may be referred to as “contractor interest,” which sadly has become Manipur’s reality today.

The current dissident problem in the ruling Congress, as well as in the State BJP which now sees itself as the main opposition capable of wresting power from the Congress, although not through democratic elections, demonstrate this. It is another matter that the rebellion within the Congress party is showing signs it would end in not so grand a fashion as the rebels want the public to believe. In many ways this was quite inevitable. For the numbers clearly show, even if there were to be a major reshuffle in the government to accommodate the rebelling MLAs as ministers, there would be a further rebellion within the rebel ranks. Even if the most unlikely scenario were to come true and the Ibobi government decides to drop all the current 10 ministers, minus the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, and replace them with 10 of the rebelling MLAs, the rebel camp would not be pacified, for as reported, there are 32 of the 47 Congress Legislature Party members in the rebel camp to be pleased.

There are already signs that the rebels have softened. There has for instance been a turnaround from earlier stance, and there would be no boycott of the Assembly session, instead the rebels now say there would be further agitations after the Assembly session. As to what shape this agitation would take remains nebulous and unexplained, except for the reiteration by the rebels that “it would be in the people’s interest”. Ha!!

In their latest meeting with the chief minister on Monday, as reported, there were only 20 of the rebels present and they did not even manage to have the chief minister agree on a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on a major reshuffle after the Assembly session. Congress spokesperson M. Okendra briefed media persons on the same day after a cabinet sitting that the CLP leaders may decide on a minor reshuffle after the Assembly session by way of a concession to the rebels.

We see no reason how it can be otherwise. The Anti Defection Law leaves the Ibobi government with only 10 ministerial berths besides the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, and the Congress government’s dilemma at this moment is how do you please 45 MLAs (excluding the two top positions) with the 10 rewards available?

Given the structure of Manipur legislative politics, the rebellion within the ruling Congress is expected. Many of the MLAs, and indeed even former ministers, probably see this term of the Congress government as their last opportunity to be ministers. In the next election two years hence, they probably already are pessimistic the Congress would have it as easy, for the Manipur Legislative Assembly has the notorious tendency of swinging in favour of the party in power at the Centre, and for at least the next five years, and quite likely even more, Congress’ presence at the Centre is unlikely to be in any commanding position.

Moreover, in a State where elections are won not on issues but on clouts commanded by money and power, many former MLAs and even ministers, once deprived of the halo of power or the possibility of wearing them again, may actually find it difficult to retain their constituencies. The Congress rebellion therefore can be seen as a desperate, indeed paranoiac scramble to ensure themselves their footholds in their constituencies. In this sense, internal “family trouble” (in the familiar words of Congress family counsellors through the decades) we are witnessing currently, is actually more pitiable than despicable.

In anticipation of the Congress flock breaking away from the pen, the State BJP, though unsuccessful in winning even a single MLA or MP in the State, nonetheless wearing the reflected halo of their party at the Parliament, is already reportedly fishing in troubled waters. Ironically (or perhaps it should be called poetic justice), the State BJP is already knee deep into its own hot soup of power struggle.

This then is Manipur’s brand of politics. Political prowess has come to mean the ability to negotiate and survive this political jungle, and nothing at all about envisioning exciting developmental policy papers and working out their budgetary backings.
Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/policy-architecture-and-state-budget-documents/

If the trouble brewing in the State Congress is at all a family matter, then the family is certainly an unhappy family. The spokesperson M Oken of the present State government has blamed the media of blowing up the issue. It is not surprising, for the spokesperson is simply doing his duty. Being a spokesperson, it is his responsibility to paint a nice picture of the government even if it crumbles down to dust. In a way, a spokesperson also has a similar role with that of a flight steward, who has to maintain grace under pressure. A flight steward must comfort the passengers as much as he can, even when the flight is about to meet a midair disaster. But one cannot be pleased all the time. We believe the crisis in the Congress is going to have a snowballing effect after the Assembly Session which starts from July 11. On this very matter, the media cannot be blamed for reporting the news that has been brewing within the Congress’s coterie. How can we shirk from our responsibility of reporting those events which assumes significance of wider political implication in the State? As we have maintained earlier that the kind of political drama that we witness today is nothing new in the history of the Congress party. One can still recall how O Ibobi became the Chief Minister of Manipur way back in 2002. Before the 2002 Assembly election, the State Congress party was going through a major crisis, as most of its heavyweights were seen deserting the party looking for greener pastures. O Ibobi was one important man who remained loyal to the party despite the tumultuous political climate of shifting loyalties that was prevalent then. His loyalty to the party earned him a name in the ‘Good Book’ of the Congress high command in Delhi. O Ibobi’s name was almost unheard in the State politics then, though he had represented Khangabok Assembly Constituency as a Congress MLA long before he became the CM. However, we do not mean to say that the phenomenon of shifting party loyalties got ended with O Ibobi becoming the CM in 2002. It has been going on still. The latest was of a chunk of MLAs from Manipur State Congress Party getting merged with Congress. Among the dissident MLAs names also include former MSCP member who had joined Congress recently. In fact, the Congress party has seen a large number of politicians getting migrated into the party. This is because the Congress has been able to retain power for a third consecutive term. One of the chief arguments of the dissent group is that people of their respective constituencies have voted them with the expectation that their elected members will hold a portfolio in the ministry. They have maintained that this expectation must be met if the party wants to win the next Assembly election, with the same thumping majority that they have won last. The irony of the argument is that the ‘majority factor’ is also one of the root causes of the imbroglio. No doubt, self-interest guided by the temptation of power and ‘hidden benefits’ that comes with it have been the factors behind the reshuffle drama. Now that the political scenarios in the country have changed after the defeat of the UPA government in the center by the BJP led NDA, we have also witness mass political migration into the BJP pastureland in the State. The possible minor reshuffle as stated by the spokesperson is not going to please the jumbo size of dissidents. Anything could happen after the State Assembly Session. Who knows, Congress Bhawan might get deserted again.

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/all-is-not-well/

The connectivity of states in the North East region of the country with the rest of India, barring Assam is a real barrier when it comes to cutting down transportation cost of people and resources. While the highways in the region are not in the best of conditions, the real issue is that owing to the hilly terrain they fork out over longer distances which put to rest those who need to travel as fast as possible to reach another state. Rail connectivity is a distant dream for most parts of the North East except Assam, which is extensively connected on the rail map. However, it can still be pointed out that even with all the parts of Assam which are on the rail map of the country, any journey that starts or ends at these points to major cities and towns take days on end. In this situation, it is air connectivity that would be the best option that cuts down on the time spent on connecting the region with the rest of the country. It is no surprise that over the years, there has been a growing tendency for people to take to air travel co-relating with the number of people from the region venturing outside for their studies and to establish themselves far away from home in pursuit of their careers. The presence of private low cost airlines operating in the country that has places in the north east region on their flight destinations have made it easier and economical for people to travel. Compared to a decade ago, the frequency of flights, the points of connectivity in the region and the number of airlines operating in the region have been on the increase.

At one point of time, there was only Indian Airlines operating its flights with travel agents making the most of it by hiking ticket fares at will. Now of course, the role played by ticketing agents in terms of fare rates, have waned down since people can check directly with agencies for ticket fares and even look for discounted rates and bargains. Having said this, private low costs airlines still take the liberty of hiking fare rates on short notice hiding behind ‘fuel costs’ while keeping their base fare rates at the minimum. Also, even as there are discounts given on major city connections in the country, none of the destination points in the region get the advantage of discounts.

Which is why the announcement of a budget carrier stating its plan with an eye on expanding in North East as ‘the next big destination for air travel’ is good news considering how this private airlines has made a killing with its competitive rates that are well below the existing fare rates of other airlines. Considering that this airlines has a major and very popular recall among air travelers in Asia because of its ticket rates, there may well be a time when it begins to think of connecting the region to South East Asia where it has a huge presence. For now though, we will have to be content with the tag of ‘international airport’ appended to Imphal’s Tulihal Airport that has not had any international flights operating in or out of it save for a chartered flight between Imphal and Myanmar.

For all these long years, the state of the highways have always been talked about with no real change on the ground while with the rail connection, there is still a long way to go for constructions to wrap up. The nature of connectivity and costs involved in transportation of goods will decrease once rail connectivity becomes a reality. But for all practical purposes, the air connectivity of the region and the state to more states and cities in the rest of the country and at affordable is what is important in light of the sheer volume of travel from the region. This does not mean having to do away with the idea of better road connectivity since the volume of traffic even on the national highways are on the increase but to keep the option of affordable air connectivity open since our Highways are often held on ransom by various agencies.

Leader Writer: Chitra Ahanthem

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/bumps-on-the-road-to-connectivity/

Call it an overstatement, the demeaning silence maintained by our social agents over the tragic accident at Thoubal Leishangthem on July 3 in which an eight year old child met his last, with five other children critically injured; who are still fighting for their lives in the hospital, is utterly shameful. This is not to suggest for an impulsive protest demonstrations on the streets against the driver or the owner of the truck. The truck had a head-on collision with the van ferrying school children on that fateful day of the accident. For one, the civil voluntary organisations, which include the students’ organisations except for one or two, have failed to voice their concern regarding the safety of the school children. Civil organisations in the State with established credibility, which are known for their swiftness in responding against any violation of human rights, have been strangely calm when the right to life of our children is being transgressed. Clearly enough, negligence of safety guidelines was the cause of the accident. The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has rather been a toothless tiger on this matter as well. IFP had to literally extract opinion from the Commission in the aftermath of the accident. It was only when IFP knocked at the Commission’s door that the Chairperson had to react on the matter. If not for the intervention, the Commission would also have remained silent; resting on the fact that their job was long accomplished, as the transportation guidelines on the safety of the children were already issued in 2013. The Commission may well pass on the buck to the district Child Welfare Committees that it is their prerogative to take initiative on the implementation of the guidelines. No doubt, this is the everydayness of the State and how its machineries work with mutual dissonance. Given the scenario, the primacy of the civil organisation on an issue that involves the safety of the children is immediately called for. Two, the reason for silence by the political class is vividly written on the wall. They have little time to think for the children. Most of them are now deeply immersed in the lustful rush for power, of what they called a ‘reshuffle’ in the cabinet of the present ministry. What is in fact needed is a reshuffle of their outlook towards the plight of the people, more particularly of the children – the attention they deserve for a safe environment. The ceremonial visit by the Chief Minister or other VIPs to the hospital might have garnered a front-page space on the newspapers that too after the parents of the injured children protested on the streets, in front of the CM’s bungalow. Those parents who are still under the trauma should have been given immediate support by one and all. Ironically, they had to air their helplessness with indignity on the streets instead of attending their children in the hospital. It is high time for the authorities to check the schools and their transport systems to strictly act on them if they are found flouting the guidelines. Most probably, the school authorities could shy away from the responsibility, on the ground that transportations are in the hands of the private transporters. That it is beyond the control of the schools. Let it be known that the school authorities’ negligence with regards to the safety of children is a criminal negligence. They are obliged to follow the guidelines given by the Supreme Court. And this is what Nelson Mandela had once said, “Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear …There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/regulate-the-school-transport/

The skirmish at the Ema Keithel that led to injury of one woman vendor is indeed unfortunate. Tussles break out often between the license holders and the non-license vendors. Visibly, the bone of contention is the right over commercial space. This commercial space has been shrinking with the growing population. At the same time there has been an overwhelming increase in the number of vendors who are not licensed. Surveys conducted in Keithel indicate the numbers of non-licensed vendors are higher than the license holders. Most of them are marginal income earners whose source of livelihood depends on the day’s ‘luck’ – if that is the right word. Each day is a harrowing battle for them. Finding two square feet of space to sell their vegetables heralds the day’s struggle. They have to be on high alert of raiding policemen. If caught unaware, their vegetable items may be forcefully snatched and thrown disarrayed on the footpath. Enduring the seasonal heat, rain and cold without a roof over their head for protection has come easy for them. The battle for space in the crowded Khwairamband is their primary concern. On the other hand, the licensed vendors feel threatened by their presence. They cannot afford to have business rivals who are not license holders. For that matter, the authority for issuing license to the vendors lies in the hand of the Imphal Municipal Council. The efficiency of this Council has always been doubtful on any given work. Perhaps their efficacy is seen only while collecting taxes from the vendors and the shopkeepers. Flagship programme like the Jawaharlal Urban Renewal Mission of which the Council is one of the important nodal agencies has already become history. The low floor buses of JNURM lying rusted in the compound of the then Manipur State Road Transport Cooperation is evidence of this. The temporary market area to the eastern side of the New Market indicates telltale signs of IMC’s mismanagement. This is the place where the Imphal District Hospital, the Hao Keithel, and many retailer shops were situated, until they were dismantled to give way to the BT flyover and the New Market. With no sign of any procedure to relocate the market at a permanent site, the present temporary arrangement is nothing but ghettoisation of the market within a garbage dump. The current rainy season makes it even worse for the vendors and the shoppers as well. All in all, the environment is putridly unhygienic, with all kinds of vegetables and fish being sold over the place. Not to mention that the state Governor had missed to visit this place in his sojourn to the three celebrated Ema Keithels. The three Keithels which are often vouched as sites of touristic interest has become one of the most unhygienic places in the town. As regards to the issue of managing the vendors, the only alternative is revamping the Keithels located elsewhere. Lamlong Keithel is one thriving commercial junction that attracts both buyers and sellers of the northeast pocket of Imphal. Likewise, the Singjamei Keithel, the Kwa Keithel, the Tera Keithel, the Kongba Keithel, and the Wangkhei Keithel Ashagbi, just to mention a few, should be given new energy. The previous experiment of relocating the vendors at Lamphel has failed. Reason being the failure to win the confidence of the buyers; therefore, the authority should break the mindset of the buyers that the best of the commodities are available only at Ema Keithel at the best price. The IMC along with the town planners must give a serious thought on this, and act soon. If not more fracas between the vendors at the Ema Keithel are in the offing. IMC must prove its worth now

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/revamp-the-old-keithels/

From all appearances and from the state Congress’ own beleaguered history, it does seem the party’s biggest enemy is none other than itself. Indeed if the party can boast of few defeats on the electoral battlefields of democracy, its ultimate downfalls have been ironically and tragically on account of the disloyalty of its own legislators. If developments in the past few weeks is anything to go by, this bizarre story is poised to repeat. It cannot be any consolation for observers that this story is not unique to the state Congress. In “the theatre of the absurd” that Manipur politics has been reduced to, it has become a very predictable pattern for political parties to ultimately self destruct on the altar of greed and avarice.

Currently, as newspaper readers would be aware, there is dissidence in the Okram Ibobi’s Congress ministry. Call it the genius of the chief minister, or else his hubris, but he has in the course of the two and half decades he has been at the state’s helm, managed to virtually eliminate all opposition parties, either by weaning away and absorbing their MLAs or else swallowing the parties they belonged to in single gulps. In fact, it is often said, Okram Ibobi, seasoned politician that he is, is known for keeping plaint opposition political parties as his personal allies to keep rebels within his party at bay. Here is a politician who understands from instinct what Sun Tzu in his ancient Chinese treatise “The Art of War” meant when he said “keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer”. The Congress won a comfortable majority of 42 seats in the elections to the 60-member 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly in February 2012, but now this number has grown to 47 MLAs by whatever the means.

The dissidents, with a claimed strength of 27, are now demanding a complete reshuffle of the ministry, or in effect to drop all or most of the current ministers to accommodate MLAs from their camp. Curiously, they are not asking for a change of guard at the top, but only asking the boss to change his lieutenants. Obviously, they are aware, at this moment the boss is too strong and under his leadership, the state Congress made a clean sweep of the state’s two Lok Sabha seats in the May Indian elections in which the BJP delivered the Congress a humiliating on the national arena. This humiliation includes neighbouring Assam which is also currently witnessing an unprecedented dissident movement and the Congress High Command seems to be succumbing to the dissidents’ pressures. But in Manipur the Congress High Command is unlikely to do anything which might amount to slighting the two parallel power centres, Ibobi and his deputy, MPCCI president Gaikhangam, who saved the party some grace in its near complete national drubbing. If the tussle was between Ibobi and Gaikhangam, the scenario would have been radically different, but this does not seem to be the case, at least for the moment.

There is no gainsaying that the leaders of the 27 dissident MLAs would be calculating the value of their rebellion against what they perceive as a looming BJP threat to the state Congress’ sway. Without spelling it out, theirs is a veiled threat that Congress house could tumble. There can also be no doubt that state BJP which did not win a single seat either in the state Assembly elections in February 2012 or in the Lok Sabha elections in May, would be fishing in troubled waters to enter the Assembly by the back door. Those who think such an outcome is possible would also be presuming, rightly or wrongly, that the state Governor is a BJP man, for unlike many other Governors, he has not been made to walk the plank by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP led NDA government. In this regard, it must be said with regrets that the NDA government has made the partisan nature of the unspoken role of the Governors more than obvious, lowering the public esteem of this high Constitutional office more than ever before.

If this is what the dissidents are betting on, they could be in for surprises. With the mandate Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, received at the May elections, he is unlikely to be in any hurry to walk controversial territories to lap up Assemblies of small states through engineered defections. The euphoric wave of nationwide goodwill he has been riding ever since his resounding victory has still not worn away for him to be encouraging any desperate resort like this just as yet. There is another thing which may spoil the dissident’s gamble. The ceiling on the size of the state cabinet stipulated by the Anti Defection Law is extremely low to accommodate too many of them. The recommended size is 10 percent of the size of the Assembly, but for small states Assemblies such as Manipur, some concession is made. As it stands today, it is 12 including the chief minister and deputy chief minister. In other words, even if all ministers were to be dropped and the cabinet newly reconstituted with only the dissident MLAs, only 10 of the claimed 27 can be accommodated. Newspaper reports also indicated the incumbent ministers are unlikely to give in without a fight, and they have made it certain that they too have the same nuisance potential as the dissidents, should they be sidelined. Obviously the Congress, still licking the wounds of defeat, is not going to have a cake walk on the matter.

What is despicable and depressing of the brand of Manipur politics, as evident in such uncomely rebellions is, politics here continues to be an extension of the notorious culture of government contracts. What is being bitterly fought over is the privilege to be the apex agents to control these contract jobs, and little to do with contesting visions for Manipur and its people. Organized robbery of the public coffer and self aggrandizement, rather than a concern for the future of Manipur, remains the primary objective of what many have come to define as the dirty “business of politics” in the literal sense.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/dirty-business-of-manipur-politics/

The verdict of the high profile case against the murder of Dr Thingnam Kishan, Yumnam Token and Aribam Rajen has been given. Hopeson Ningshen, a self-styled lieutenant colonel of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isac-Muivah) has been convicted of murder by the special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation at Patiala House Court, New Delhi. Hopeson has been awarded life imprisonment. It was in the year 2009; Dr Kishan was then serving as a Sub Divisional Officer at Kashom Khulen under Ukhrul District. Investigation report reveals that Dr Kishan along with his two staff Y Token and A Rajen were kidnapped by the cadres of NSCN-IM near the Hungdung Gate in the afternoon of February 13, 2009. Dr Kishan had a meeting with the then District Commissioner of Ukhrul, Pankaj Kumar Pal on the morning of the same day. As per the report, the cadres of the NSCN – IM followed the trio from the DC office till Hungdung, which indicates that the cadres had a prior knowledge about the meeting at DC office. While the family of Dr Kishan have been holding the view that there is high likelihood of the then DC’s involvement in the murder, the CBI however has ruled out that possibility. Dr Kishan’s father not contented with the finding particularly with the DC and his probable involvement in the heinous crime, has approached the law court, pleading that the DC should be equally punished if he is found guilty. For that, we shall wait for the law to take its course.

The lifeless bodies of the three were found on February 17 wee hours morning at Taphou Kuki village under the Lukhrabi Bridge of Senapati District. That was on the fourth day after the kidnapping. Three of them were bludgeon to death, beyond recognition with their hands tied behind their back. It is important to recall that Dr Kishan’s family was quick to point out the possible involvement of NSCN – IM cadres behind the killing. Dr Kishan when he was alive had shared to his family members that there was active presence of the cadres of NSCN – IM in Ukhrul District. That the outfit’s influences were evident in most of the governmental works taken up in that area. The then Joint Action Committee formed against the killing, taking cue from the family’s standpoint, since its formation had maintained that the NSCN – IM cadres were involved in the crime, and that they must be punished according to the law of the land. It is also important to note that the outfit had initially tried to wash off their hands from the murder. The JAC was firm with their stand, and moreover there was mounting pressure from the public with agitations on the streets seen everywhere. Both in the valley and the hills, the spread and the scale of agitation was perhaps unprecedented. The NSCN – IM had to finally accept the involvement of its cadre, Hopeson, who gave the execution order to three other cadres namely: Abo Shibo, Johnny and Ashang. According to CBI the first two are still at large and the later has been claimed to have expired. The JAC must be congratulated for their stand to take the fight till the end. Their pointed demand was for punishing the malefactor; neither ex-gratia money nor jobs to the kin of the victims were included in their demand. The victims’ families should also be appreciated for their faith on the collective wisdom of the JAC members – though nothing on earth can replace their loss, even after the verdict.

Leader Writer: Senate Kh

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/no-verdict-can-replace-the-loss/

June 28, 2014 saw the concluding function of the three month long commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal (1944 during the Second World War). Making their presence felt in Imphal for various memorials during the course of the commemoration were Government representatives, war veterans and family members who came to pay their respect to the remains of those who lost their lives far away from their homes. In almost every event, the unanimous voice being raised was the futility of war and how it wasted the lives of young men leaving behind women and children and how peace and reconciliation would be the way forward to the future. It may be noted that the Battle of Imphal along with the Battle of Kohima have together been pegged as the most decisive battle during the Second World War. People from big nations came to this corner of the world to fight it out and suffered the vagaries of weather, an alien culture and topography, disease and illness while the people of Manipur were uprooted from the familiarity of their lives and forced to go into hiding to save their lives. It has taken seventy years for various agencies including the State Government to get talking about the significance of Manipur in the context of the Second World War but the remains of the last big war does look like it might herald to be a huge draw for the tourism industry. The Government on its part will also benefit from the aid to develop battle related sites.

The irony of course is the other silent war that the Government does not want to address: the shadow of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that has been responsible for militarizing the region. Over the years following the imposition of the Act in different parts of the region, there have been unaccounted deaths, forced disappearances, arbitrary killings, wrongful detentions, rape without any recourse for legal mechanisms to bring personnel of the Armed Forces to justice. In Manipur, parallel to the after effects of the AFSPA, the incidence and phenomenon of extra judicial killings point to a war like condition in terms of the loss of lives and the trauma they have left behind. Surely, talks of peace and reconciliation should encompass the loss of lives because of AFSPA and fake encounter killings and not be just lip service that comes wrapped in the soft cocoon of the distant Second World War. If different nations can talk of reconciliation, there is no reason for the people of one country, India to make serious efforts towards peace and to remove military presence.

The fault-line in talking about the horrors of war while keeping silent of the rumble in our own backyards not only smacks of sheer hypocrisy, but is bad business sense. Developing Second World War sites with an eye on bringing tourists and generating revenue for the state and profits for private agencies is important but for this to be possible, the Government will also have to do some serious thinking on giving the message that Manipur is a safe place for tourists to come to. The only message that rising trends in terms of statistics be it in terms of killings or bomb blasts can give is that the state is not safe for visitors. Currently, there are travel advisories given out to citizens of certain countries not to step foot in the North East region, including Jammu and Kashmir. Not surprisingly, these parts of the country are where the AFSPA is being imposed and are states that are being described as ‘disturbed’.

The Government will have to decide what its approach is to be if it is really serious when it makes noises about peace and development. It is easy to make a point or a speech with the spin that development will bring peace, but for people who will head to Manipur to retrace the routes and places that their ancestors took during the Second World War, they will first look at the existential question of whether they can indeed come all the way here. And until the violence that has come to signify Manipur takes a backseat, the impression they will get is that the war is still on. A war they certainly would not want to be caught in, an insidious war in which the state is pitted against its citizens.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/two-wars-of-a-different-kind/

Every football World Cup has its moments of glory. Alongside, it has its moments of disgrace as well. Zinedine Zidane, one of the most respected midfielders of the world was sent off from the field during the 2006 World Cup final match against Italy. Zidane was sent off after head-butting Marco Materazzi, the Italian defender in the chest. Zidane was already a star player much before the 2006 Fédération Internationale de Football AssociationWorld Cup. In fact, he had announced his retirement from active football after expiry of his contract with Real Madrid in 2006. Playing for his country France, Zidane already knew that he was playing his last World Cup matches. Zidane was one of the finest play-makers, being a mid-fielder, and also one of the fiercest scorers. Having sent out from the match, Zidane did not take part in the penalty shootout. Italy won the match. The star player who was also the skipper of his team could not take part during the crucial hours of the match because of his disgraceful act. Zidane’s action made headlines all over the world. A French newspaper had asked Zidane: “What should we tell our children, for whom you have become an example for ever? How could that happen to a man like you?” FIFA awarded three match suspensions following the red card in the final match. But Zidane had a rousing welcome on his home return, back in France from his fans. Even the then president of France, Jacques Chirac welcomed Zidane, who told him: “you have honoured the country with your exceptional qualities and your fantastic fighting spirit … the whole country is extremely proud of you.”

There have been many embarrassing, or what they call ‘red card’ moments in World Cup matches. The latest of all the names is: Luis Suarez of Uruguay of the current World Cup, though he was not sent off during the match. Suarez allegedly bit the shoulder of Giorgio Chiellini the Italian defender in the group stage match. Following which FIFAbanned striker Suarez from all football activities for four months. FIFA disciplinary committee chairperson Claudio Sulser said Suarez behavior cannot be tolerated on any football pitch particularly when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars of the field. Suarez like Zidane was already a star before the World Cup, earning him recognition from his performances in the Premier League matches. Suarez has been praised for his speedon the turfthat allows him to attack andalso creating scoring opportunities for his teammates.But Suarez recent ouster has proved fatal for his team as well. The rest of the team can join Suarez back home after their defeat in the knock-out match against Columbia in the current World Cup. This is the third time that Suarez has been banned for biting an opponent. In a previous incident April last year, Suarez playing for Liverpool against Chelsea bite Branislav Ivanovic’s forearm. That incident had earned Suarez a ban for 10 matches. A column of The Guardian newspaper quoted clinical psychologist Dr Abigael San, who holds the view that Suarez was led by his emotions, which was unable to control in the way most people do, rather than by reason. Dr San said that anger management therapy with a psychologist could help the striker. She added that biting was “very infantile”. Suarez is also accused of picking up yellow cards regularly, and his tendency of diving into opponents had earned him criticism. Unsurprisingly, like Zidane, Suarez was given a warm welcome on his return home by his countrymen after his ouster. The recent event from the sporting world reminds us of a onetime star pugilist of our state, who also had disgraced himself a few months back. Such behavior from the sports stars shall not easily fade away from our memory.But one can always learn to reconcile.
Leader Writer: Senate Kh

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/suarezs-disgraceful-ouster/