Accommodation Heals

At its crux, there are only two known ways of resolving a conflict of interest. One is to crush the weaker of the two with brute force and the other… Read more »

At its crux, there are only two known ways of resolving a conflict of interest. One is to crush the weaker of the two with brute force and the other to reach a democratic consensus. The civilized norm of the modern world being the latter option, the need is to explore its possibilities, wherever conflict has come to stay, at least until a more perfected mechanism is evolved. For the moment, we can only foresee all putative future conflict resolution mechanisms as derivatives of the democratic system, the latter being known for its resilience and almost infinite accommodative capacity. But it must be acknowledged that often the most vocal advocates of democracy have regressed into the logic of an atavistic past where only force mattered. The objectionable interventions in the Middle East and West Asian have said this eloquently. It is a matter of pessimism that war still seems unavoidable even in the days of democracy. A qualification needs however to be added here. In the UNDP Human Development Report, HDR, 2002 with the theme “deepening democracy in a fragmented world”, one of the many interesting patterns of national behaviors that evolved from empirical data on wars in the second half of the 20th Century is, no two democracies have ever gone to war with each other. Quite obviously, these nations have discovered an alternative ground on which to thrash out vexed issues. The indication is also, democracy is a versatile medium for this meeting of minds and resolution of conflicts.Even in our situation, there have been very strong tendencies on very many occasions to return to the former method of conflict resolution, which basically has a one-line philosophy made famous by Joseph Conrad’s fictional character, Kurtz in Heart of Darkness – exterminate the brute. But, as in this story, the scale to decide which is the “civilized” and which the “brute” between the exterminator and exterminated, becomes extremely blurred. But the values of democracy, with its insistence on giving each and every one a say, regardless of numerical or physical strength, have generally managed to keep this tendency in check. There have been occasions when this inner moderation snapped, as in the case of the Naga-Kuki feud, Meitei-Meitei Pangal mayhem, and Kuki-Paite fratricide, but it would be reasonable to presume that many more would have been prevented by this inner cord. For indeed although our society seemed at certain junctures to have reached points of explosive of ethnic violence, nothing so catastrophic have happened so far. This however does not mean the dark forces of violence have been successfully subdued for all times. We still continue to sit on a dormant volcano which can with provocation come alive again. And provocations there have been and there will be by those who either do not understand or believe in the healing power of accommodation and mutual respect that democracy recommends.There have also been plenty of talks of a dialogue between the civil societies of the different communities that are at loggerheads. This is welcome, but a dialogue devoid of a willingness to accommodate can possibly lead nowhere. A dialogue or a discourse is not simply about convincing the opposing party to surrender to the will of the other party, but of discovering, or rediscovering as the case may be, of common grounds on which to build the foundation of the future together. This spirit has never been conspicuous in all the vociferous claims for the need for understanding and good neighbourliness. By democracy we do not necessarily mean only the number game. This is a necessary ingredient, but it is far from being a sufficient condition. Equally important, it is also about justice, and in evolving this understanding of justice, the premium must be on reason and creative insights into what is common good. Here concept of freedom is also important. Without individual freedom, the aggregate of which is what constitutes freedom of larger social grouping, including the nation, there can be no democracy. But again, as philosopher Isaiah Berlin said, freedom cannot be without any conditions. Absolute freedom for the wolves translates into death for the lambs. Freedom then can make meaning only if it is moderated by reason and a commonly legislated rational law.

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Why McCain Visits Burma Now?

By Nehginpao Kipgen John McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, has been one of the fiercest critics of the Burmese military junta, while lending unwavering support to Aung San Suu Kyi-led… Read more »

By Nehginpao Kipgen John McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona, has been one of the fiercest critics of the Burmese military junta, while lending unwavering support to Aung San Suu Kyi-led democracy movement. Why is a man who once called the Burmese military generals “thugs” have decided to visit Burma now? Perhaps equally surprising is that why did the Burmese government issue him visa?This week’s visit comes at a time when both the United States and the Burmese government are interested in improving bilateral ties between the two nations. The visit is more so important for the Burmese government than the senator’s own agenda. Even though McCain has not publicly spelled out the objectives of his mission, his past records have suggested what his intentions are. Although he is not an official envoy from the U.S. government, the nature of his important role in imposing sanctions on the Burmese government and his influential status in the U.S. senate makes the visit a significant one. The high-profile visit also comes at a time when Burma has once again captured headlines in international media. The country’s request for the 2014 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, two high-profile visits from the U.N. secretary general’s special envoy Vijay Nambiar and U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state Joseph Yun, and the visit to China by the Burmese president Thein Sein, all happened in May, have drawn the attention of the international community. Analyzing his past records on Burma, senator McCain has two primary objectives in his trip to Burma: assessing the ground reality of political developments in Burma after the 2010 election and listening to Aung San Suu Kyi’s view on the U.S. policy toward Burma. McCain in his July 2009 senate floor statement said, “I once had the great honor of meeting Aung San Suu Kyi. She is a woman of astonishing courage and incredible resolve.” The 2008 presidential candidate presumably has no high expectation of making a great stride in this trip. By meeting Suu Kyi, he wants to reiterate his admiration for her courage and dedication for the cause of democracy, and convey the U.S. strong support for democracy and human rights. With the formation of a new Burmese government, McCain plans to assess the ground reality of political developments inside the country. In doing so, he is expected to meet representatives from the government, which is dominated by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. Since there are over 2,000 political prisoners still languishing in different prisons across Burma, McCain is likely to push for their release and the implementation of more democratic reforms before the U.S. can consider lifting sanctions, the issue raised by deputy assistant secretary of state Joseph Yun in his May 18-20 trip. On the other hand, the Burmese government wants to take this opportunity to show the U.S. government that it has made progress in democratic reforms. The new Burmese government, former military generals in civilian clothes, wants to demonstrate its claim to the international community. This is an important reason why McCain was issued visa in the first place. Indeed, the government has something positive to present to the visiting senator and other critics. President Thein Sein recently reduced all prison sentences by one year and commuted the death penalty to life imprisonment. Thousands of prisoners were released, although only a small number of political prisoners were among the freed. Naypyidaw will argue that it has successfully conducted the first countrywide general election in two decades and has released thousands of prisoners. It will reiterate its demand for the U.S. government to lift sanctions which the Burmese government considers as the greatest hindrance for improving bilateral relationship. It has to be noted that the United States has a leverage to help genuine democratic transition in Burma for two important reasons. First is because of the U.S. unparalleled economic and military power and its pioneering role in championing democracy and human rights. Second is because of the widely acceptance of the U.S. engagement policy by the Burmese people. The senator’s visit should be viewed as a positive development. The U.S. government needs to continue its diplomatic pressure for genuine democratic reforms and protection and promotion of human rights. One effective way of engagement for the senator is to urge his colleagues to confirm the nomination of Derek Mitchell as a U.S. special envoy for Burma. The then-president Bush nominated Michael J. Green as U.S. special envoy for Burma in late 2008, which was never confirmed by the senate. Senator McCain and his senate colleagues should not let president Obama’s nomination slip away. The special envoy, with an ambassador rank, can work more effectively than some occasional visits. Burma decades-old problem is not entirely a question of democracy. The root cause is about denying rights to ethnic minority groups. In the process of engaging Burma, the U.S. government, either democratic or republican party, should involve more representatives and experts from ethnic minorities. After all, the Burmese people themselves best understand the political psychology of the Burmese military generals. Burmese native scholars should be consulted equally, if not more than the Western scholars, in formulating effective U.S. political strategy. The Burmese scholars have the advantage of in-depth empirical knowledge besides theoretical, which the Western scholars often lack. Nehginpao Kipgen is a researcher on the rise of political conflicts in modern Burma and general secretary of the U.S.-based Kuki International Forum (www.kukiforum.com) whose works have been widely published in five continents – Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America. He currently pursues a Ph.D. in political science at Northern Illinois University and can be reached at nkipgen1@niu.edu.

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Spooky affair at Manipur Press Club

By A Staff ReporterIMPHAL June 6: The Manipur Press Club located at Majorkhul has recently reported some paranormal activities.The club which is an official destination of the All Manipur Working… Read more »

By A Staff ReporterIMPHAL June 6: The Manipur Press Club located at Majorkhul has recently reported some paranormal activities.The club which is an official destination of the All Manipur Working Journalist’s Union, apex scribe body of the state and a favored spot for holding press meets and important functions has now become a controversial place among the journalist fraternity that haunting have occurred inside the club building recently.
The paranormal activities report culled from various sources stated that, near midnight, a female voice singing could be heard, sound of heavy footsteps on the ceiling and stairs, and a reported sighting of a female form.
Many occupants of the club building ,at present masons, press club chowkidar  and a senior correspondent have reported witnessing the specter.
The club chowkidar, Kalu was also in a state of hysteria after an encounter with the apparition  a few days back and a local shaman was called to tend to his condition. The shaman also exorcised the building by throwing rice inside the club building and the outdoor areas of the club premises. The chowkidar in a state of delirium went up the stairs till the fourth floor and allegedly came down from the bamboo scaffolding erected for construction of the club upper floors.
“ I don’t know what happened but a voice kept calling me, and I rushed to the top floor and I heard a scream like someone falling down, I don’t know what came over me ,but I came down the scaffolding instead of taking the stairs”, a visibly apprehensive Kalu told this IFP reporter.
The chief mason in charge of the club construction also stated similar comment that many of his workers also left the work after encountering the bizarre activities. “ One of my workers came all the way to Serou,Kakching at night saying that he had had enough and can’t stay at the club anymore”. The chief mason also said “ I came down one night after hearing a noise downstairs, as costly tiles were kept below, I feared that someone might be attempting to rob the tiles, I had a torch light in hand, there was no one, later from near the toilet, I saw a female form suddenly rushing up the stairs in a flash, a chill ran down my spine and I had another similar encounter”, he said that he had goose bumps recounting his experience.
The story was also told in a similar manner by a senior correspondent of a national paper who occupies a room at the first floor of the club building. “ I mostly work late, one night I heard a sound of singing, it sounded like a girl and I went down to investigate.

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Central officials happy with development of centrally sponsored schemes in state

IMPHAL, June 7: A joint review meeting of various projects and schemes implemented in the state under the NLCPR was convened this morning at the conference hall of Old Secretariat… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 7: A joint review meeting of various projects and schemes implemented in the state under the NLCPR was convened this morning at the conference hall of Old Secretariat Imphal this morning which was attended by seven visiting officials of different central ministries and head of departments of the state government led by the state chief secretary.The joint official delegates of central ministries headed by the secretary DoNER, Joyati Chandra, jt. secy. DoNER PK Patnaik, director DoNER Udal Shankar and PR Mishra, director MHA North East in charge Dr. MC Mahenathan, director Ministry of Finance, Vandita Kaur and advisory to the Planning Commission of India, SN Brahmo conducted an inspection tour of sites where projects under the NLCPR is undergoing at present.The tour which was conducted this morning included visits of the construction sites of Thoubal Multipurpose project (Maphou Dam), Sagolmang Kharasom bridge, Capitol Project, NIT at Lamphel, City Convention Centre, Sewerage Project.According to an official source, the meeting started at 11:00am after the completion of the tour and further monitored the official progress reports of the various schemes and projects undertaken in the state funded by the Ministry of DoNER under NLCPR since 2000.According to the source, the visiting central officials during the review meeting today expressed their appreciation of the efforts of the various line departments in the implementations of the projects and schemes even though there have been multiple disturbances caused by the deteriorating law and order situation of the state.Further, the visiting central officials also suggested the state officials to submit the Utilization Certificates of the completed works in time in order to avoid the delays in the release of phase wise funds for the implemented projects of the state.In the meantime, director DoNER Joyati Chandra, during a short press interview soon after the joint review meeting at Old Secretariat this afternoon, expressed her appreciation of the efforts of the state government while implementing the projects and schemes under NLCR during this last two years. She further said that the state government has been implementing a total of 135 separate projects and schemes under NLCPR since 2000 for which the DoNER ministry has already released a total of Rs.1119 crores for the proper implementation of the projects. Besides out of the approved projects 46 projects were already completed and many of the remaining projects are in the completion stage while some projects are in progress.It is also mentioned that, the progress in the implementation of the various projects under NLCPR in the state might be due to stability of the existing state government and frequent monitoring of the construction works of projects both by the state government and officials concern from the centre, she added.Director DoNER finally mentioned that, delaying of launching of the propose helicopter services into the state was due to delay in the clearance from the ministry of Civil Aviation and there are possibilities of the project taking more time as the officials of the civil aviation are in the process of surveying to launched helicopter service not only in the state but also for the entire states of North east, she added.

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Technology Mission meeting

IMPHAL, June 8: With the initiative of BK Handique, Minister of DoNER, a meeting for senior officials of the National Horticulture Technology Mission, NEC and NERAMAC will be convened on… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 8: With the initiative of BK Handique, Minister of DoNER, a meeting for senior officials of the National Horticulture Technology Mission, NEC and NERAMAC will be convened on June 9, 2011 to discuss the current status on implementation of various programmes for development of Horticulture sector in North Eastern Region.
The meeting will discuss about the priority areas in Horticulture development in the NE Region, focussed approach on core strengthen of the region in the sector like organic products, production of passion fruits, Kiwi, Strawberry and high value flowers.

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AYMFA, UMO win in Yairipok veteran football

IMPHAL, June 11: AYMFA defeated SIRTI by 2-1 in today’s first ground match of the 1st Yairipok Cup veteran football tournament being held at Azad Higher Secondary ground, Yairipok.  Ch… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 11: AYMFA defeated SIRTI by 2-1 in today’s first ground match of the 1st Yairipok Cup veteran football tournament being held at Azad Higher Secondary ground, Yairipok. 

Ch Deven and K Sanayaima scored one goal each for AYMFA while Leltung scored the only goal for SIRTI.

In the second ground match, UMO beat VSAN by 6-0 goals.

Md Rahimuddin and Md Zakir scored two goals each for UMO while Abdul Kalam scored one goal for the team. Ng Angousana of VSAN scored own goal to total six goal for the winner.

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Chingtam wins in Yairipok veteran football

IMPHAL, June 12: Chingtam registered win in the 1st Yairipok Veteran Football tournament being held at Azad English School  playground.  Chingtam defeated UMO by 4-1 goals in the first ground… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 12: Chingtam registered win in the 1st Yairipok Veteran Football tournament being held at Azad English School 
playground. 

Chingtam defeated UMO by 4-1 goals in the first ground match of today.

In the second ground, WYC and VSAI ended in a 3-3 draw.

N Sagar scored two, and K Sanatombi scored one goal for WYC while L Inaocha scored two and H Inao scored one goal for VSAI.

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CPI to exert pressure on centre to initiate unconditional talks with state UG outfits

IMPHAL, June 13 (Newmai News Network): Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur unit will exert pressure on Central and state governments to initiate political dialogue without any precondition with underground… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 13 (Newmai News Network): Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur unit will exert pressure on Central and state governments to initiate political dialogue without any precondition with underground outfits of the state to resolve the insurgency problem, said the party’s outgoing general secretary Langol Iboyaima. 

Speaking at a press conference at Irawati Bhawan Monday, the CPI Manipur outgoing general secretary said that the party has unanimously resolved on five resolutions during the 20th state conference in the presence of its national general secretary AB Bardhan. The three-day-long state conference that started on June 10 concluded Sunday.

The state unit of the party will exert pressure on Central and state government for the repeal of AFSPA from the soil of Manipur, according to the resolutions adopted at the conference, while also resolving that the party will attempt at forming a left and democratic alternative government in the forthcoming general assembly election due early next year, said Mr Iboyaima.

CPI Manipur has been fighting to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state since its inception in 1948 and will continue to do so into the future, inform the outgoing state general secretary about the other resolutions.

The nature of distribution of power between Centre and state as informed by the Constitution of India is unitary in character, and CPI has resolved that the Constitution should be amended to usher in federal polity, he said, while adding that Manipur should be given a special status by the Central government.

Besides the resolutions, the conference also demanded from the Central government the fast tracking of process for the establishment of separate High Court for Manipur and the raising of highway protection force.

It also demanded the handing over of maintenance work of National Highway 53 and 39 to state Public Work Department from BRTF as also public declaration of assets of ministers and MLAs.

During the conference, the state CPI elected Dr M Nara as its new general secretary while L Koireng and Th Nabakumar as its assistant secretaries.

At the press conference, Dr M Nara said that the era of coalition politics is here to stay and the party needed to change its paradigm and strengthen its stand.

A very strong coalition government is indispensable in Manipur in order to solve the problems besetting the state, he said.

Touching on the formation of the state unit of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the ex-minister said that the party does not agree with the “divisive ideology” propounded by NPF which, he said, is bound to have adverse political ramification for the state. CPI national general secretary AB Bardhan had also publicly articulated his reservation on the formation of NPF in Manipur few weeks ago.

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United NGOs Manipur calls for alternative arrangements for Lamphel evicted families

IMPHAL June 14: United NGOs Mission, Manipur has appealed to the Chief Minister and the Governor of the State to make immediate alternative arrangement for the evicted families of Lamphel… Read more »

IMPHAL June 14: United NGOs Mission, Manipur has appealed to the Chief Minister and the Governor of the State to make immediate alternative arrangement for the evicted families of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai at the earliest.

A press release of the secretary of the organization U Nobokishore stated that the conditions of the fifteen evicted families are now in a deplorable condition. As the families are left without proper shelter and living in makeshift shelters, the aged persons and the children are suffering from starvation and water borne diseases, the children are also not able to attend school, it maintained.

The press release further thanked the organizations and individuals for partaking in the protest rally and public meeting held on June 12 addressing the escalation of crime against women and children.

Meanwhile sources stated that the makeshift shelters constructed anew along the Lamphel roadside have also been removed by security persons.

Local MLA W Brajabidhu is also reported to have met the evicted families and told them to shift to another adjoining area, but the families have stated that the area is unfeasible as the said place is a marshy area.

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Which Way Manipur

The question that haunts many in Manipur today is undoubtedly: which way Manipur? For many the hunt for the answer verges on despair. The fact is there seems to be… Read more »

The question that haunts many in Manipur today is undoubtedly: which way Manipur? For many the hunt for the answer verges on despair. The fact is there seems to be too many answers but not a single clear cut one. There are too many unsettled issues of awesome magnitude, their problem potential accentuated and amplified further by the fact that they seem to share no point of confluence. Our mainstream established politics is totally in a mess; our society has no clear focus on any particular goal; our civil society is so hopelessly divided that it is questionable if there is anything that can be termed as civil society at all; reciprocal to this division is also the underground politics, multiple-fractured and threatening to tear Manipur along the many fault-lines they have introduced on sectarian lines; law breaking has ceased to be the preserve of those who consider themselves out of the purview of the law of the land, but also the law enforcer as well. It is aptly a situation in which anarchy has spiralled out of control of any centralized command. 

Nothing moves, and nothing can move in any positive direction in such a situation. Because the society is so badly divided, there will always be somebody or the other who will not be happy with any decision meant for everybody. Take the controversy that the recent downsizing of the oversized ministry has evoked. It is sad to know that it did not need to be so bitter had the chief minister been a little more sensitive about regional representation or else acted by a definite, neutral formula. He introduced an arbitrary element in his choices for reasons that are matters of speculation. Since the administrative division of the state into its nine districts has little to do with administrative convenience, but are more in the nature of drawing ethnic (communal) geography, the chief minister should have realized there is a certain inevitability about ensuring an even, district-wise representation in his ministry to the extent possible. Unless the criteria was picking legislators with proven integrity and merit alone, there could have been little other reason than personal for him to have thought of giving two to some and nil to others.

Take again the question of territorial integrity. There is no point in ignoring the fact that the term is being interpreted in diametrically opposite ways by the hill population, in particular the Nagas, and the valley, in particular the Meiteis. It is another matter what history and politics say, but the urgent point of concern is, there is a great divide in the present times with extremely grave implications for everybody, and all of us, in the hills as well as in the valley, should be worried about this. The same divide is there in almost every other issue in the state. We have seen the ugly sectarian controversy even on the selection process for MBBS studies. We have seen the binary division on the issue of the Timapmukh multipurpose dam; we have seen similar friction on the construction the Sana Keithel; we have even seen imminently avoidable controversies on the manner the Kangla was proposed to contest for inclusion as a world heritage site. On the last issue, it is of relevance to note that while Manipur debated on whether the British colonial legacy imprinted inside the Kangla should be preserved or destroyed, it missed being included in the UNESCO’s list of new sites this year, unlike two other sites in India including the Victoria Railway Terminus in Mumbai. Now that the Assam Rifles has vacated the fort, there should be more hope for it to enter the UNESCO’s list. The question is who is pushing the issue, or is it being pushed at all still after the initial flutters.

We need to disentangle all the entanglements first before we can hope to find an answer to the onerous question, which way Manipur? This disentanglement, we are convinced, can come about only across the negotiation table around which the different sections of our divided society sit and thrash out a common denominator on which to build all our future social arbitration mechanisms. Each section must realize that the only choice we have before is this common denominator or continued anarchy and mayhem. The choice, to borrow a catchy advertisement line for a soft drink, should be clear.

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Microscopy centre at CMC

IMPHAL June 16: Under the auspices of the State Tuberculosis office, a newly designated Microscopy centre at Catholic Medical Centre (CMC), Koirengei has been inaugurated by Dr Khamba, State TB… Read more »

IMPHAL June 16: Under the auspices of the State Tuberculosis office, a newly designated Microscopy centre at Catholic Medical Centre (CMC), Koirengei has been inaugurated by Dr Khamba, State TB officer today.

Khamba lauded the willingness of CMC authorities to network with the State TB department and assured all possible assistance for the smooth functioning of the new centre. He also appealed to the doctors and the staff to put effort in diagnosing and effectively treating the TB patients under the Revised National TB Control programme.

Fr. Francis Kalapurackal, director CMC spoke on the contribution of the CMC hospital in providing healthcare to the public especially the poor and downtrodden, he said that the hospital has collaborated with the government in various fields like HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

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Arrested Development

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba Recently a friend came back from abroad, after spending some weeks here. I was given a detail on how things which are supposed to be mandatory… Read more »

Leader Writer: Paojel Chaoba

Recently a friend came back from abroad, after spending some weeks here. I was given a detail on how things which are supposed to be mandatory for a civilized society are much at lacking even in the State capital itself.

One at the foremost was the erratic power supply issue, the public is more than aware of the present status, sometimes it becomes a task to charge one’s mobile phone, carrying a mobile charger has become routine and to look at other localities or offices whether if power is there. All these just to charge a phone, the myriad ways that the commercial enterprises must be suffering are left to one’s imagination.

The effectiveness of the Power Department recently concluded drive also fails to address the woes of the public. The drive carried out had disconnected scores of lines of the defaulting consumers and arrested several persons for illegal connections, tariff were collected to the tune of several crores. But ,despite the supposed all out effort of the State Power Department has yielded but naught and the supply remains erratic as ever.

If we dig deeper and the concerned officials are approached for their departments non performance, the reason is always pointed towards one thing only,i.e. the prevailing law and order situation of the state.

It is observed that most of the top executives of the State may ride in fancy cars, have fabulous mansions and have numerous bank accounts with bulging balances, but they lack the air of a contented person. Most have a worn out and apprehensive look, truth be told, they cannot sleep with their gates open nor travel without security escort. And the blame for their condition is still on the law and order, the scare tactics and threats of the UGs.

The blame game is open to both sides, the officials on their part stating that the UG interference and extortion have affected the workings and proper implementation of many schemes aimed at public welfare, whereas the UGs also in their circulars charge the official of high corruption and the blame game continues.

It is pertinent to mention that the factionalism trend of the UG outfits still continues unabated and the extortionist approach sometimes gives the benefit of the doubt to the state officials.

It is heard in many occasions for the insurgent groups need to come under an administrative umbrella as they all have a common objective. A united front if emerged into reality would be beneficial to all. Their struggle for independence would gain momentum and it may be easier for the government to address a political solution which may come in the form of a plebiscite or otherwise. Moreover, public servants cannot blame their shortcomings to a vague splinter organization.

The State government also needs to come clean in addressing the insurgency issues and the recent surrender of PULF cadres which according to Tehelka Magazine was a farce is factually evident by the series of events in itself. If a media house based on its sources announces that a jailbreak will occur and so many prisoners including a high profile convict will escape on a particular date, and later if the jailbreak occurs. It clearly shows that the media house knows about the system working inside the jail and the weaknesses and covert schemes of the concerned jail authorities. Quoting a line from Reggae music legend Bob Marley, “You can fool some people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time” should be acknowledged from all quarters that if the public stands up for their rights, then there will be no stopping them and they are not afraid to lay down their lives for the just cause. A significant example is the observation of the Great June Uprising Day which falls today. The 18 martyrs are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice neither for money nor independence but for the real love of the land.

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Rice distributed


IMPHAL June 17: Socail activist L Yaima and members of Khurai Kendra Development Committee distributed rice and other edible items to the flood affected families of Kangjam Leirak and Hingol Lamhang under Khurai assembly constituency today. The activist distributed five kilograms of rice and pulses to 75 flood affected families. Aheibam Mema Devi, a local […]


IMPHAL June 17: Socail activist L Yaima and members of Khurai Kendra Development Committee distributed rice and other edible items to the flood affected families of Kangjam Leirak and Hingol Lamhang under Khurai assembly constituency today.

The activist distributed five kilograms of rice and pulses to 75 flood affected families.

Aheibam Mema Devi, a local resident of Kangjam Leirak said that the inundated road conditions of the low lying areas has never been addressed, and by timely intervention of the social activist by making drainages have provided immense relief to the populace.

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Rs. 77.50 crore released to different states under Rain-Fed Area Development Programme

NEW DELHI, June 20 (MIC): Government has released Rs. 77.50 crore to different states under the Rain-fed Area Development Programme (RADP) in 2011-12 so far. The budgetary allocation for the… Read more »

NEW DELHI, June 20 (MIC): Government has released Rs. 77.50 crore to different states under the Rain-fed Area Development Programme (RADP) in 2011-12 so far. The budgetary allocation for the current financial year is to the tune of Rs. 250 crore. Rain-fed areas of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh are covered under RADP. 

RADP is a sub scheme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The programme aims at improving the quality of life of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, by offering a complete package of activities suitable for rain-fed areas. The scheme is implemented by State Agriculture Department, the nodal agency for implementation of RKVY.

All the rain-fed areas (i.e. areas which are not covered under assured means of irrigation) having large extent of cultivable land and potential for increasing agriculture productivity are covered under RADP. Within the rain-fed areas, priority is given to arid, semi-arid and sub-humid ecosystems.

Rain-fed areas constitute about three-fourth of the land mass under arid, semi-arid, and dry-humid zones and account for nearly 57 per cent of the agricultural land spread across large parts of the country. These areas are significant in terms of ecology, agricultural productivity and livelihood for millions of rural households in the country.

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Restrictions imposed around Kabo Leikai

IMPHAL, June 21: The District Magistrate Imphal East has imposed restrictions under sub-section 2 of section 144 Cr.P.C., 1973 at the general area of 6th MR/Police Housing Ring road, Naga… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 21: The District Magistrate Imphal East has imposed restrictions under sub-section 2 of section 144 Cr.P.C., 1973 at the general area of 6th MR/Police Housing Ring road, Naga Nullah/Jina/Asha Cenema hall, Naga Nullah/ Naga River, MPSC office/ Hotel Imphal/ Tourism Department for the effective conduct of survey and assessment of standing properties for acquisition of land at Kaba Leikai for construction of 5 Star Hotel by the state government.

In this regard an official notification of restrictions under Section 144 CrPC was issued yesterday by the district magistrate Imphal East regarding the said areas.

The official also mentioned that, the district magistrate Imphal East in exercise of powers conferred under sub-section 2 of section 144 Cr. PC prohibits assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful in the areas and also prohibit carrying of sticks, stones, firearms and weapons of any other descriptions or objects which can be used as offensive weapons within the said area from 10 am of June 20 till the survey and assessment by the executive engineer, Imphal East Div. PWD are completed, the official order added.

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Governor`s trophy tennis champ.

IMPHAL, June 26: The 9th edition of the Governor’s Trophy Tennis championship begins today at Officer’s Club Tennis Complex, Lamphelpat.  The championship organised by the Manipur Tennis Association is being… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 26: The 9th edition of the Governor’s Trophy Tennis championship begins today at Officer’s Club Tennis Complex, Lamphelpat. 

The championship organised by the Manipur Tennis Association is being held for several age group.

In the category for U-14 boys, Becker, Calvin, Devasis nd Leonardo have entered the semi final round. In the girls section for the same age group, Bunty defeated Monika by 4-1, 4-1 today.

In the U-12 boys Musha, Luching and Calvin won their respective quarter finals matches.

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Social service

IMPHAL, June 28: 14 Manipur Bn NCC conducted a social service on road Khoyathong to Lilasing Khongnang Makhong, Imphal on today in which three JCOs, four associate NCC officers and… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 28: 14 Manipur Bn NCC conducted a social service on road Khoyathong to Lilasing Khongnang Makhong, Imphal on today in which three JCOs, four associate NCC officers and 95 cadets took part. Lt col SK Sapam, commanding officer, 14 Manipur Bn NCC submitted that henceforth the Bn will take the responsibility of maintaining the road as part of their campaign “ Lets Keep Our Manipur Clean” added the release.

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Prepak ridicules surrender prog

IMPHAL June 28: Publicity officer of PREPAK, Sanju Oinam in a press release has claimed that the statement of the Assam Rifles about two cadres of the outfit surrendering with… Read more »

IMPHAL June 28: Publicity officer of PREPAK, Sanju Oinam in a press release has claimed that the statement of the Assam Rifles about two cadres of the outfit surrendering with arms is a farce and an attempt to malign the image of the outfit.

It has stated that according to media reports , two cadres identified as Thokchom Anand, 20, s/o Radhamani of Khangabok part III and Moirangthem Mangalsana Meitei, 28, s/o M Jilla of Lamhongei Sabal Leikai allegedly surrendered to the AR with two handguns on 25 June.

The release has claimed that they are not related with the outfit in any manner. The army numbers given by them are no longer in use by the outfit. The statement added that the surrender is a drama staged by the security forces to achieve their ends, but irrespective of such trivialities, the struggle for independence will move forward, it said.

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Award function

IMPHAL, June 29: The award distribution function of 13th Major Pagin Kipgen Foundation Meritorious Award, 2011 was held at District Council Hall, Kangpokpi. SH Seipu, chairman Sadar Hills ADC, Thangminlien… Read more »

IMPHAL, June 29: The award distribution function of 13th Major Pagin Kipgen Foundation Meritorious Award, 2011 was held at District Council Hall, Kangpokpi.

SH Seipu, chairman Sadar Hills ADC, Thangminlien Kipgen, chairman Hill Areas Committee, and Haokholal Hangshing, vice-chairman Sadar Hills ADC, as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Altogether 10 students were awarded the meritorious award carrying Rs 5000 each for their outstanding performance at the board examinations.

Speaking at the function, Thangminlien Kipgen advised the parents to support their wards in education in whatever ways they can.

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Commercialized Education

Leader Writer: Hrishikesh Angom In the midst of stringent movement for “quality education” launched by various students’ bodies in the state, many educational institutions are fast moving in the so… Read more »

Leader Writer: Hrishikesh Angom

In the midst of stringent movement for “quality education” launched by various students’ bodies in the state, many educational institutions are fast moving in the so called trend of “commercialized education”. One may find large colourful ads on some popular local papers about this and that school with lucrative offerings to the students. It’s quite commendable for the proprietor to make such big offers which could bring a big change in the education scenario of the state. But then looking at the commercial side of education, one may obviously sense the motive for making such advertisements by these schools. Often it happens with less popular schools which want to draw public attention by repeatedly casting some of their bright students on newspapers and television. These institutions are more or less business establishments where everything is meant for profit-making only.

From where does the need for making advertisement in education arise? Why do less popular schools spend huge money on ads? Are they simply making for the sake of students? These questions will surely haunt the commonsense of the people who see the ads of schools and coaching centres everyday. Quite simply “profit making” is the motive behind such ads. Moreover, the lucrative offers are designed only for some meritorious students who will indeed be the name and fame of the school. The school will then make money from numerous average students enrolled with the hope of getting quality education. Here, one may investigate the actuality of these schools. The essence of education seems to be lost by making such advertisements. There is no need to spend huge amount of money on making advertisements to seek more enrolment of students. The education institutions have been turned into business hubs by some commercial mined people. It is an undeniable fact that nothing in this world works without money and so is the education. But, the trend of commercializing education is a stumbling block in the path of achieving quality education. Moreover, most people of our state are economically backward and they would not be able to afford so much on education. The higher cost of education in private schools is due to huge expenditures made on advertisements. If the advertisement is made once or twice for announcing new admission by highlighting some of the facilities of the schools, then it is quite acceptable. But casting some bright students time and again on newspapers and television irritates the people. It seems the students are models promoting some kind of commodity called “education” in the market.

As far as possible education should not be considered as a “commodity” as claimed by many people. It is true that we pay money for education but that does not necessarily mean that it should be commercialized like in other business sectors. The purpose of “education” should be made clear so as to sensitize the people towards achieving quality education in the state. A good school will be good and it will be noticed by people without much publicity and advertisement. On the other hand, the schools run by profit mongers will try to catch the public attention by making all sorts of publicity and advertisement in the media offering to sell their product of purported “education”. It is high time for the people to come to senses and look thoroughly to the actuality of schools and coaching centres which make attractive advertisements on newspapers and television luring the students to get enrolled at their schools and coaching centres. It will be good for the school management groups to invest more in enhancing education than in making advertisements to get more enrolment.

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