Tag: National

Rohtak (Haryana), May 13 (ANI): At least three people have died and over 100 others have been injured in clashes between the public and the local police in Rohtak, Haryana, following attempts to evict a local god man from the area.
Superintendent of Police (Rohtak) Vivek Sharma said police had to act after supporters of the godman attacked them. He also said that the mob had damaged vehicles, shops and other installations.
Personnel of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force) and the Rapid Action Force have been deployed in the area to prevent the situation from getting further out of hand.
Arya Samaj supporters were protesting against the opening of the Satlok Ashram headed by God man Rampal at Karontha village.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has ordered magisterial inquiry into the violent clashes in Karontha in Haryana’s Rohtak District in the wake of three people losing their lives and over 100 others being injured following attempts to evict a local god man from the area.
He also described the violence as unfortunate and urged villagers to maintain peace and law and order.
Police has arrested the Chairman of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Acharya Baldev, and others. A heavy police force has been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.
On Sunday, three buses, 26 police-manned motorcycles and an ambulance were set on fire.
Superintendent of Police (Rohtak) Vivek Sharma said police had to act after supporters of the godman attacked them. He also said that the mob had damaged vehicles, shops and other installations.
Personnel of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force) and the Rapid Action Force have been deployed in the area to prevent the situation from getting further out of hand.
Arya Samaj supporters were protesting against the opening of the Satlok Ashram headed by God man Rampal at Karontha village.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/three-dead-over-100-injured-in-rohtak-clashes/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 13: The Special Judge for CBI cases, Visakhaptnam(Andhra Pradesh) has convicted Thodeti Ramesh then Assistant Labour Commissioner (Central), working in the office of Regional Labour Commissioner, Hyderabad and Sri Neelakanti Gunaker, the then Labour Enforcement Officer (C), Rajahmundry, East Godavari District in a bribery case and sentenced them to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 10,000/- each.
It was alleged that Sri T. Ramesh, Asst. Labour Commissioner (C), Hyderabad and Sri N. Gunakar, Labour Enforcement Officer (C), Rajahmundry while camping at Visakhapatnam had demanded & collected illegal gratification from contractors who were executing works for Central Government Organizations / Undertakings like Visakhapatnam Port Trust and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. etc. on 24 & 25-08-2006. During the search conducted by CBI on 25-08-2006 at HPCL Transit House, Waltair Park, Visakhapatnam, an amount of Rs.60,000/- was seized from the possession of these two officers. They could not explain source of the cash amount satisfactorily. Investigation revealed that these two officers demanded and received money as bribe from various Contractors. Both the accused were habitually obtaining bribes from various Contractors.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/three-years-imprisonment-for-labour-commissioner/

AIZAWL, May 12NNN : Natural calamities are creating havocs in Mizoram in the last two days.After eight people were killed by landslides in Mizoram, a large number of houses were destroyed by storms in Serchip district.
Report reaching here today informed Newmai News Network that five persons were injured and around 40 houses were damaged in Serchhip district in Mizoram due to pre monsoon rain and storm. Out of the five injured, three persons were discharged after having had administered first aid while two persons are undergoing treatment at the Serchhip district hospital. Among the 40 houses that were damaged, nine of them were swept to the ground which included two residential quarters of the state health department.
Further, it is learnt that six electric poles fell to the ground resulting a power cut in Sechhip town for the whole night. Three houses were destroyed in Tachhip village by the squall while many villages across the state were powerless due to transmission lines being snapped by strong wind and massive landslides, sources said.
Meanwhile, Mizoram Governor VakkomPurushothaman this morning visited the spot of the tragic landslide that occurred yesterday morning at Laipuitlang which killed 8 people following the collapse of more than ten buildings.
The Governor expressed deep mourning and heartfelt grief over the huge loss caused by the catastrophe.
The Governor said, “When I came to know about the tragic landslide incident that occurred yesterday morning at
Laipuitlang, Aizawl which claimed the life of a number of people and left several injured and several others still missing, it really shocked me and grieved me at heart. I want to say that I heartily sympathise the victim families, and while I understand the tragic moment they are undergoing, I am certain that I cannot really console them with any word of mine. It is my prayer that God who owns all peace may live with them and give then strength and courage, and stay with them in time of their trouble. I also pray for the injured victims for their quick recovery.” The Governor then expressed his gratitude to all those who took the pains in carrying out the rescue operations.
Chief Minister LalThanhawla, who rushed to the spot after coming to know the incident, also expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophe, and said he deeply mourned for the loss of precious lives. He said that the government will arrange every possible relief for the victims immediately.
The Chief Minister also on the day itself sent information to the central government officials in written form along with several photographs.
Meanwhile, the body of ZakirHussain, from Assam who was among the missing was recovered on Saturday evening. The landslide that took place in the early hours on Saturday, had swept away nine houses in north Aizawl killing eight and leaving 6 people untraced till filing of this report.
A PWD office building, which had been vacated about a year ago after a crack developed on it, collapsed under the impact of the landslide and fell on nine houses below killing the people, sources said. Mizo National Front (MNF) has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister LalThanhawla, who holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio and his younger brother LalThanzara, Parliamentary Secretary for PWD, owning responsibility for the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/eight-killed-due-to-landslide-at-mizoram/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 12: On the occasion of International Nurses Day, the President of India Pranab Mukherjee presented National Florence Nightingale Award 2013 to 35 nursing professionals for their services with devotion, sincerity, dedication and compassion in New Delhi today.
In his welcome address, GhulamNabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare said Nurses are the most crucial link between the patients and doctors in hospitals. The Florence Nightingale Award was instituted by the Health Ministry to appreciate the selfless services rendered by Nurses with devotion, sincerity, dedication and compassion. He hoped that this award would inspire nursing professionals all over India to encourage them to join this noble profession and provide better healthcare service to the people.
It may be mentioned that the National Florence Nightingale Award is given to the outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs. Nurses working in Government, Voluntary Organizations, Mission institutions and private institutions can apply with due recommendation of concerned State Government. The Award carries Rs.50,000/- cash, a certificate, a citation certificate and a Medal.
Altogether 272 nurses have been decorated with this award by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare so far. ThongamMemchaDevi ,HoikhochinHaokip of Manipur were also among the recipients.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/president-gives-away-national-florence-nightingale-award/

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday expressed his delight with the Congress Party getting absolute majority in Karnataka, saying the state will now get a stable, progressive and hard-working government for the next five years.
“We are happy. I have seen different numbers in different channels, but it appears that all channels are agreeing that Congress will have an absolute majority in the house. We are very happy that people of Karnataka have voted the Congress Party with an absolute majority,” Chidambaram told mediapersons outside the Parliament here.
“Voting the Congress party is one thing, but voting it with an absolute majority means that there will be a stable government for five years. And we can now promise the people of Karnataka that we will give a stable government, a progressive government and a hard-working government for the next five years,” he added.
Taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chidambaram said there is a need to repair the financial position of the state.
“The financial position of Karnataka is quite bad that is the way they have left it. So, we need to repair the financial position of Karnataka,” he added.
Chidambaram also played down the fact that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was a factor in Karnataka.
“I don’t think ever Mr. Modi will say that he was a factor in Karnataka,” he said.
Modi, touted by many to be the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014, campaigned for the party in Karnataka in an effort that it is re-elected to power.
Modi, who secured an electoral hat-trick in Gujarat, left no stone unturned in targetting the Gandhi family and the ruling Congress Party at the Centre during his election campaigns in Karnataka. The Finance Minister further said result of the Karnataka polls gives a clear message to all political parties that the people watches very closely and very carefully.
“And we have to deliver. A government that does not deliver, lives on rhetoric is not going to be re-elected and the government in Karnataka was such a government. So, this is a lesson to whoever forms the government must deliver on the ground,” he added.
As per the latest trends, the Congress was set to return to power in Karnataka, with its candidates winning 40 seats and leading in 79 seats.
While the ruling BJP has been pushed to the third spot, leading only in 35 seats. The Janata Dal-Secular is leading in 42 seats.
The Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP), which is led by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, is leading in eight seats.
Counting of votes for the Karnataka Assembly elections, which witnessed a 70.23 per cent voter turnout on May 5, began this morning at 8 a.m. amidst tight security.
In the 2008 elections, BJP secured 110 seats, three short of majority and formed the government with the help of five independents who were made ministers. Congress bagged 80 seats and JD-S 28. The overall voter turnout then was 64.91 per cent.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/congress-will-give-stable-govt-in-karnataka-chidambaram/

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): With admissions for new four-year undergraduate programmes set to begin from next month, the Delhi University’s Academic Council has approved new course structure for 28 departments.
“The Academic Council approved courses in Discipline 1, Discipline 2 as well as Application courses of 28 departments in a marathon meeting of 92 Council members,” the university’s Registrar, Alka Sharma, said. The syllabus for the courses was passed with 86 votes in favour and six against, she added.
The Academic Council met to assess the course syllabus recommended by the standing committee for subjects to be offered as major, minor and applied courses, besides the 11 foundational courses, which will be compulsory for all students.
The meeting was adjourned for Wednesday to pass the remaining courses and to discuss several issues regarding the four-year undergraduate programme.
Giving details about the approved courses, Academic Council member and Director of South Campus Umesh Rai said most of the courses of the Faculty of Sciences and Arts were passed.
“All the courses which come under Faculty of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences like electronics, instrumentation, microbiology, biochemistry were passed. “Besides most of the courses related to Faculty of Arts including English, Hindi, Hindi Journalism, Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Philosophy, Psychology also were passed,” he said.
Although Sharma did not give a clear picture on the number of papers and courses passed by the Academic Council, Council member Amitav Chakrobarty claimed 1,013 papers and 89 courses have been passed. “1,013 papers of 28 departments were passed.
Minor changes were made in the meeting that were recommended by the Standing Committee,” he said.
Some of the Academic Council members raised objections regarding the development of the four-year programme’s structure and gave a note of dissent on it.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/du-panel-approves-new-course-structure/

New Delhi, May 8: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has assured today the delegation of North East Students Organisation (NESO) that the Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) will not be abolished.
NESO delegation team comprising NESO Chairman, Samuel B Jyrwa from Meghalaya, Secretary General, Sinam Prakash Singh from Manipur, other office bearers of NESO and members units of NESO met with Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in his Office Chamber at Parliament, New Delhi and submitted a memorandum on the various important issues affecting the North East region as a whole and also a Representation on the issue relating to the Minister of DoNER. During the meeting, the Charter of Demands made by NESO were discussed minutely. The Prime Minister said that he will go through the Memorandum carefully and will see what could be done from his side.
Apart from the charter of demands in the Memorandum, NESO also submitted a representation regarding the Minister of DoNER. NESO urged the Prime Minister that instead of dissolution of Minister of DoNER, restructuring of DoNER could be done so as to bring more development in the NE. In this regard, the Prime Minister gave assurance that Minister of DoNER will not be dissolved.
Moreover, NESO team will be meeting with opposition leaders and other Central leaders during its visit to New Delhi.
It was stated that NE that in more than five decades, the Union Republic of free India has not addressed itself to the genuine problem of the NE except some reactive and luring approaches, conditioned only to when the national security of the so-called, the mainstream India, is threatened by insurgency or external aggression.
The successive Indian government has carried out a ceaseless psychological warfare against the people in an attempt to divide and rule us. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) is one of the most draconian legislations that the Indian Parliament has passed in its 54 years of parliamentary history, that for nearly 50 years the deployment of armed forces and militarisation of the NE has been the single largest threat to the indigenous people in terms of atrocities on innocent populace, occupation of educational institutions, lands in cities and villages, using forests as training grounds and thereby, usurping the resources of indigenous people. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and other anti-peoples’ laws has given the security forces in NE with the power over life and death of the citizens with a status of impunity. Innocent civilians, aged, children, women and people from all walks of life have been put into nightmarish reign of terror. Even the babies of the next generation will turned out to be traumatized and mentally retarded children because the NE had been kept under the spell of nightmares and ghostly scenes for more than 40 years.
It demanded that the Union government accede and honour the United Nations Covenants for guarantee of Human Rights, repeal, all impunitive legislations and draconian laws .
The present problem facing the northeast is multi-dimensional but a great part of the crisis relates with the unabated influx of illegal migrants from her immediate neighbours which has brought a serious demographic change m the N.E. region in particular and other parts of the country in general.
The continued influx of refugees and undocumented migrants from different countries has created a sense of insecurity and apprehension among the indigenous people that their culture, tradition, political identity, their creeping control over land and existence itself, will be swallowed up by the outsiders. The unguarded porous border has been used by fundamentalist groups to infiltrate into the region thereby further threatening the existence of the indigenous people. There is every reason to believe that there are already a considerable number of militant fundamentalist groups operating in NE with a design to over-run the whole of NE according to their whims and fancies.
In order to protect the indigenous people of the NE from further assimilation by dominant communities and their culture, the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 popularly known as the ‘Inner Line Permit’ system must be extended to the entire north Eastern region.
It is a matter of great pain to mention that, ever since India’s independence from the British yoke, NE region has always remained backward. The mainland rulers of the country have neglected the NE part of the country and untold political injustice and economic exploitation has been perpetrated on the region and its people. The sheer discrimination to the people of NE has reared its ugly head in different forms, both non-violent peaceful movements and violent armed movements. There is an unabated growth of frustrated un-employed youths and their number is growing in an alarming proportion. Although, there are certain armed political movements, which have historical bases, yet, the feeling of total alienation from the mainland India is also manifested in many ways amongst the people of NE.
The magnanimity of the above-mentioned problems has become deep-rooted and there can be no short cut to solving the problem. This problem is, whether, deliberately, or otherwise, the creation of the Central rulers and the NESO is strongly of the view that the only solution to this decades- concentrated problem has to be constitutional addressed. Therefore, the NESO demand for granting of Special Constitutional Status to the people of NE states that must delegate vast federal authority to the states governments including the rights over land and its natural resources.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/doner-will-not-be-abolished-pm/

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is unlikley to come out of jail any time soon in the wake of the Supreme Court reserving its verdict on whether to grant him bail or not in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
The YSR Congress chief will completing one year in jail on May 27 .
The apex court had directed the (CBI) to file an affidavit on the matter by May 6 to explain why Reddy should not be granted bail. The CBI is investigating the allegation that Jaganmohan received these benefits when his father, the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), was the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.
It took up the case on the orders of the Andhra Pradesh high court. The CBI says that when Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy was chief minister, he had pressured companies to invest in his son’s vast business empire. He allegedly gave them licenses and clearances necessary for their own companies. YSR died in a helicopter crash in September 2009. On April 29, the Supreme Court of India had asked the CBI why Jaganmohan Reddy should not be given bail in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
Reddy says the CBI investigation against him is punishment for him quitting the Congress in 2011 to launch the YSR Congress. In 2011, he declared assets worth Rs.365 crores.
On April 30, A special CBI court has extended the judicial remand of Jaganmohan Reddy and others accused in connection with alleged quid-pro-quo deals in a disproportionate assets case till May 13. Reddy and the others accused, including ex-minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, industrialist Nimmagadda Prasada and senior bureaucrat K V Brahmananda Reddy are currently lodged in Hyderabad”s Chanchalguda Prison.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/reddy-to-remain-in-jail/

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): The Congress Core Group, which met here this evening in the backdrop of the arrest of Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal’s nephew by the CBI in a bribery case, did not take a decision on his offer to quit.
The meeting, which was chaired by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Sushi Kumar Shinde and Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
Bansal was also present in the meeting along with Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel.
According to sources, Bansal presented his defence at the Congress Core Group meeting that was held at the Prime Minister’s official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence here.
Bansal met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the latter’s official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence here earlier in the day and reportedly offered to resign over the bribery scandal involving his nephew.
64-year-old Bansal met the Prime Minister in wake of the CBI arresting his nephew Vijay Singla in connection with alleged bribery of Rs 90 lakh for fixing a top-level position in the government.
Bansal, however, did not speak to mediapersons after the meeting that lasted for around 20 minutes.
Congress Party today came out in out full support of the Railway Minister, and brushed aside the opposition’s demands for his resignation.
Congress General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said it has become a disease of the opposition to make such demands.
“The Railway Minister himself has given a clarification and said that there should be a thorough probe into the matter. I don’t think we can expect any thing more from him,” Dwivedi added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought Bansal’s prosecution in connection with the bribery case, and demanded Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s resignation.
“We demand that not only Pawan Bansal be sacked, but he should be prosecuted by the CBI because under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, if any public servant abuses his position to obtain pecuniary benefits for himself of any other person is liable to be prosecuted and convicted,” said BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
” And the way the Railway Board promotion is the object of corruption in this case, pecuniary advantage by someone close to the Railway Minister, seeking that pecuniary advantage, abusing the authority of the Railway Minister is a copybook case of prosecution of Bansal. Therefore, in addition to demanding he be sacked, the BJP would like that the CBI must prosecute him,” he added.
Prasad alleged that morality is no more a factor relevant in the UPA II Government of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi.
“I cannot invoke their morality quotient. But yet as the principal opposition articulating the concern of the common people, the BJP is duty bound reiterate that Dr. Manmohan Singh each passing day reinforces our demand that you please resign as the Prime Minister of India because you do not have any moral right left to govern because India is getting established as the most corrupt regime in the world under your dispensation,” he said.
Bansal, however, earlier in the day distanced himself from his nephew arrested by CBI in a case of bribery for allegedly fixing a top level position in Railway Board, saying that he had no business links with him and denied any wrongdoing.
Bansal, who was made Railway Minister in October last year, also sought an expeditious CBI inquiry into the issue.
“I have always observed highest standard of probity in public life and look forward to an expeditious investigation by CBI in the matter,” he said in a statement.
The CBI has arrested four persons, including the Railway Minister’s nephew, V. Singla, for allegedly taking bribe to fix a top-level position in the government.
Singla was arrested in Chandigarh yesterday for accepting Rs. 90 lakh in cash from Manjunath, the conduit of Railway Board member Mahesh Kumar. Kumar was arrested in Mumbai soon after he arrived in the metropolis from Delhi. The other two persons arrested by the CBI are Sandip Goyal, who allegedly assisted in brokering the deal and Manjunath.
The CBI has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC against them. The CBI also carried out searches in Delhi, Chandigarh and other cities in this connection.
The CBI has got a four-day custody of Bansal’s nephew Singla and three others in connection with a bribery scandal. The investigative agency on Saturday told the court that they need to find out the source of Rs. 90 lakh and who was the ultimate beneficiary.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/railgate-bansal-to-stay-for-now-no-decision-taken-at-congress-meet/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 4 : Appointments to the posts of Members of Railway Board, Financial Commissioner (Railways) and Chairman, Railway Board are governed by Tenure Linked Norms approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and notified by the Government on 16.2.1987, with amendments on 5.4.2006, 4.6.2007 and 7.8.2007.
As per the tenure linked norms, an officer is eligible for appointment as a Member of the Railway Board if he fulfills the twin conditions of having worked as General Manager of an Open Line Railway, i.e. General Manager (Open Line), for a period of one year and has a balance tenure of two years of service on the date of occurrence of the vacancy. The officer should also be clear from vigilance angle. In case an officer who fulfills these twin norms is not available, the senior-most General Manager (Open Line) having a minimum of one year balance tenure of service from the date of occurrence of the vacancy with a clear vigilance record, is considered for appointment for the post of Member of the Railway Board.
In respect of discipline specific posts of Members of the Railway Board, i.e. Member Engineering, Member Mechanical, Member Electrical and Member Traffic, the selection of candidates is from officers belonging to the corresponding disciplines, viz. Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical/Signalling & Telecommunication and Traffic respectively, who fulfill the aforesaid norms.
In respect of the post of Member Staff, officers of all disciplines (excluding Medical and RPF) are eligible and the senior-most eligible officer who fulfill the above mentioned tenure linked norms is considered for appointment.
The post of Member Staff had fallen vacant upon superannuation of Shri A K Vohra, Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE), on 30.4.2013. Shri Mahesh Kumar, Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE), was the senior-most eligible officer fulfilling the tenure linked norms as also his career performance record fully meeting the necessary performance criteria with the availability of mandatory CVC clearance, for appointment against this post. He was accordingly considered and appointed as Member Staff, Railway Board, on 1.5.2013. No officer senior to Shri Mahesh Kumar fulfilling the norms governing appointment to the post of Member Staff has been superseded.
Adverting to the reports by a section of the Media regarding further aspirational postings said to be desired by Shri Mahesh Kumar, it is stated that no relevant Board level post is vacant at present.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/railways-clarifies-regarding-appointment-norms-of-members/

AIZAWL, May 2 NNN : Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), Vairengte in Mizoram on May 1 celebrated its 43rd Anniversary with grandeur and enthusiasm.
Founding father of the school and the first commandant Lt. General Mathew Thomas, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, graced the grand occasion as chief guest, and said, “CIJW School is a great army training school in India which has produced the best army in the world”.
General Mathew Thomas lauded the government of Mizoram and its people for its dedication to maintain lasting peace.
“In the last 43 years, there has been a good relation between the people of Mizoram, especially the people of Vairengte and the army which is really valuable”, the General said.
“CIJW school is trustworthy as it is a good place of army training and facilitating strong security for India, and as it produces excellent army forces; and it also upholds the school motto which is ‘Fight the Guerrilla like a Guerrilla’, General Mathew added.
Brigadier AK Ram, Ex-CIJW School Commandant, who also graced the CIJW School Raising Day, said that CIJW School, owing to its trustworthiness, is placed among the largest Institutions in India. “Not only in India but in the world too it is a popular training centre and even the popular magazine India Today dubbed it as ‘India’s Finest’ and appreciated it as the leader of India”, Brigadier AK Ram added.
General Rajeshwar, the present Commandant said that during the past 43 years of its existence CIJW School immensely contributed to India, adding,

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/counter-insurgency-school-in-mizoram-completes-43-years/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, April 30 : Describing the current situation in Eastern Ladakh as ‘not one of our creation’, the Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony today said India remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the situation, through dialogue within the framework of agreements for maintaining peace and tranquility. Addressing the Unified Commanders’ Conference, here, Shri Antony, however, emphasized that the country remains united in its commitment to take every possible step to safeguard our interests.
“The current situation is not one of our creation. However, we remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the situation, through military and diplomatic dialogue within the framework of the agreements for maintaining peace and tranquility. At the same time, I wish to emphasise that there should not be any doubt that the country remains unanimous in its commitment to take every possible step, at all levels, to safeguard our interests.”
Shri Antony said our bilateral relations with China are, at times, bedeviled by border issues, particularly along the Line of Actual Control(LAC). The recent developments are no exception. Among the various initiatives to safeguard our border, the thrust has been on development of our border roads and Advance Landing Grounds.
Referring to the security situation in Pakistan, Shri Antony said, the capability of Pakistani Taliban to strike at will at innocent public and strategic targets is worrisome. He said the growing nuclear stock of Pakistan needs to be factored in our overall strategy towards our western neighbour.
Shri Antorny reiterated the Government’s strong commitment to the modernization of the armed forces and to ensure the all round welfare of the troops. He said, despite financial constrains, funds will never be an issue when it comes to national security. “However the onus lies collectively on all of us to make the optimum use of the financial resources with all the honesty, transparency and fairness”, he said.
Dwelling at length on the recent changes in DPP to encourage the indigenous defence industry, Shri Antony said the objective is to bring about greater efficiency in the procurement process and to strengthen the defence manufacturing base in the country. He expressed confidence that the changes brought about in the DPP will lead to greater integrity and transparency in the procurement process. “We should not give any chance to any agency to point fingers at our defence procurement process and acquisitions”, he said.
The Defence Minister said the contemporary concept of security encompasses not merely military threats, but also cyber attacks, insurgencies, organized trans-border crimes, pandemics and contingencies of natural disasters. Such an environment of security necessitates need for constant monitoring and building up capacities to enable multi-level, multi-agency responses, he said.
The conference was attended among others by the Minister of State for Defence, Shri Jitendra Singh, the Chairman COSC & Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, Chief of Army Staff, Gen Bikram Singh, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral DK Joshi and Defence Secretary, Shri Shashikant Sharma.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/current-situation-in-ladakh-not-indias-creation-antony/

A performer of stunts, who had entered the Guinness Book of World Records last year, has died of a heart attack while performing a stunt over the Teesta River in West Bengal’s Siliguri District.
Sailen Nath Roy, 45, died while performing a rope stunt over Teesta River at Sevoke.
Roy was crossing the turbulent river by hanging from a pulley tied to his ponytail. He died when his pulley got stuck and prevented him from moving freely.
Spectators helplessly watched him dying as he hung mid-air from the rope unable to move, the police said on Sunday.
There were no safety measures in place. Roy was later pulled ashore by the onlookers, where doctors declared him dead of cardiac arrest.
Roy, a police driver, was a resident of Milan Pally. He entered the Guinness Book of World Records by pulling the heritage Darjeeling Himalayan toy train in September 2012.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/guinness-record-holder-dies-while-performing-stunt/

AIZAWL, April 28 NNN : Over 500 pigs have died in Mizoram due to swine fever in the last two months.
According to report from Animal Husbandary and Veterinary department officials, the number of pigs died due to the endemic “Classical Swine Fever”  has crossed 500 mark since the month of March.
Officials said, the endemic swine fever caused the death of as many as 465 pigs in Aizawl district alone, while another 11,163 pigs are reported to have been infected with the disease. More than 200 piglets of the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) beneficiaries also had died due to the disease.
The officials however expressed optimism that the ‘Classical Swine Fever’ will be contained soon.
The AH & Vety officials also informed that besides ‘Classical Swine Fever’ another disease is known to be spreading in the neighbouring Burma which is called PRRS (Parcine Respiratory & Reproductive Syndrome), and the same is suspected of spreading in Mizoram too as some of the infected pigs have the symptom of PRRS. However,  it is not yet ascertained, as the officials informed that that test is being conducted at Selesih Veterinary College after which they will send the samples to a laboratory in Bhopal for confirmation.
Meanwhile, consumption of pork in Mizoram and Manipur have become less following the outbreak of swine fever.
Imports of pigs from Myanmar to Mizoram has been restricted following the outbreak of the swine flu.
Restriction on selling of ‘affected pork’ by the administration continues in the state capital Aizawl for the past one month and this restriction will continue till May end.
Owing to the spreading of flu among the pigs in Aizawl area in the past one month which has been proved to be ‘Classical Swine Fever’, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Aizawl Sadar Sub Division, Aizawl here has been imposing certain restrictions regarding selling of pork in the market and related activities.
As the news of the spread of pig flu spread, the denizens of Aizawl have started avoiding their delicacy. The sales of pork also dropped rapidly. Chicken and beef have been substituting the menu in marriage feasting these days.
As reported earlier, taking advantage of the situation, the dealers have hiked the price of chicken. Prior to the detection of the swine flu chicken (dressed) was sold at Rs 180 per kilogram but these days it has risen to Rs 250 or more a kilogram in Aizawl.
The ‘Classical Swine Fever’ was detected after examination at Laboratory of College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry in Selesih last month.
Following the detection, vaccine is being administered free of cost to uninfected pigs for prevention of further spread of the disease.
However, butchers shall have to possess Acknowledgement from Local Council/Village Council and Vety Director, along with certificate on the health of their pigs. In case of any death of pig due to swine fever, the owners are to bury immediately with the acknowledgement of their respective Local Council/Village Council.
The restriction is being made following the direction of Director of AH & Vety Deptt. vide No. D. 30017/1/99-DTE (AH&Vety) on March 22.
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Aizawl Sadar Sub Division, Aizawl has imposed the restriction in exercise of his power under Section 144(4) of G.P.C. (Act II of 1973).
The restriction will be effective during two months from the date of notification, within which any violator of the restriction shall be punished as per the above-mentioned law.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/500-pigs-die-of-swine-fever-in-mizoram/

DIMAPUR, April 27 NNN: Thousands of people from different parts of Nagaland braved the scorching heat today and conglomerated at Dimapur Airport to receive the mortal remains of Naga National Council (NNC) leader Kevilevor Phizo, son of legendary A.Z Phizo who passed away in London on April 12.
The coffin of the NNC’s Central Executive Council’ member draped in ‘Naga flag’ arrived Dimapur Airport at 12:55 pm from London accompanied by A.Z Phizo’s eldest daughter Adinno Phizo who is currently the president of the NNC.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) convenor Dr Wati Aier, writer Kaka Iralu, Congress party leader I Imkong and Justice (retired) W.A Sishak are among the sea of people who received the mortal remains of Kevilevor Phizo.
NNC/FGN, NSCN-K, NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group are among the Naga underground organisations that laid wreaths on the coffin of the late NNC leader while paying their homage.
Dressed in their traditional attires, representatives of various Naga tribal hohos (organisations) also attended the brief programme at the Dimapur Airport. After a brief service, the mortal remains of Phizo was transported to Nagaland capital Kohima.
Born on February 20, 1939 in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma) Kevilevor Phizo after experiencing the harrowing time in India due to his father A.Z Phizo’s stubbornly resisting Naga national movement, Kevilevor left India and landed in London on May 10, 1966. He was probably the first Naga to have completed an MBA degree. He did his education from Kohima and Shillong. He was known for his humility and strong commitment for the Naga national cause. Ever since, Kevilevor Phizo had not returned to Nagaland.
On April 12, he was reportedly readying to go for a meeting, suddenly Kevilevor Phizo experienced a massive cardiac arrest. He was 74. Kevilevor was the third child but the oldest among the sons of late A.Z.Phozo.
Formal funeral service of the late NNC leader will be held on Sunday (April 28) at Mission Compound, Kohima and then the mortal remains of the late leader will be transported to his native village Khonomo for the burial.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/thousands-receive-body-of-phizos-son/

New Delhi, Apr. 27 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said India does not want to accentuate the situation in the wake of the recent Chinese incursion in Ladakh.
“We do have a plan. We do not want to accentuate the situation. We do believe that it is possible to resolve this problem,” said Dr. Singh, when asked if the Centre had any plans to resolve the issue.
” It is a localised problem. The talks are going on,” he added, while talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the defence investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Saturday.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony yesterday said that negotiations and consultations are on at various levels to find a peaceful solution to the Chinese incursion issue in Ladakh.
“Negotiations and consultations are going on at various levels to find out a peaceful solution to Chinese incursion issue,” he told mediapersons outside the Parliament in New Delhi.
Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh, had earlier briefed the Defence Minister on the Chinese incursion in Ladakh and the situation along the border.
General Singh had reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control with Pakistan and the Chinese incursions in Ladakh with military commanders in the Northern Command.
The Indian Army has given its inputs to the Government and the National Security Advisor headed China Study Group, which is handling the present situation in Ladakh.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who is expected to go ahead with his scheduled visit to China on May 9, has expressed confidence that New Delhi and Beijing will be able to resolve the situation.
Apparently taking a tough stance on the reported presence of Chinese troops ten kilometers inside Indian territory in the Ladakh region, India had earlier on Tuesday asked China to maintain the status-quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said during his regular briefing that ‘New Delhi sees this as a face-to-face situation between border personnel of the two sides due to differences in their perception of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control’.
“We have therefore asked the Chinese side to maintain status-quo in this sector and by status-quo I mean status-quo prior to this incident. The term face-to-face situation is not something that we have conjured up; it is something that is referred to under 205 protocol for the implementation of CBMs in the military field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas,” he added.
On April 15, a Platoon-strength contingent of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) entered the Indian territory in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector in eastern Ladakh and erected a tented post, setting the stage for a face-off with Indian troops.
Daulat Beg Oldi, which is located in northernmost Ladakh, is a historic camp site. It is located on an ancient trade route connecting Ladakh

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/india-does-not-want-to-accentuate-situation-on-chinese-incursions-pm/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, April 25 : Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri K. C. Venugopal informed Rajya Sabha today that in order to connect the remote hill areas of the North Eastern Region the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is developing non-operational airports at Daparizo in Arunachal Pradesh, Tura in Meghalaya and Kamalpur in Tripura for operation of ATR42/ATR72 type of aircrafts. The AAI is also developing civil enclaves at Along, Passighat and Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh and Rupsi in Assam. However, the proposals are subject to the land acquisition by the State Government for these projects. In addition to this, construction of Greenfield airport in Pakyong and operationalisation of Tezu airport in Arunachal Pradesh has also been taken up, which can handle ATR-72 type of aircrafts. Once these airports are developed, they can be used for STOL aircrafts also, subject to commercial viability and demand.
The AAI had undertaken a study through Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) for improving the air connectivity in north east which includes air connectivity among state capitals and other important remote locations in the north-east region.
The Minister also informed Rajya Sabha that Air India is operating three flights/week on Aizwal-Imphal route through Airbus A 319 and eight flights on Aizwal-Kolkata route through Airbus A-319. Operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and flights are being operated by airlines concerned on the basis of commercial viability subject to adherence of Route Dispersal Guidelines laid down by the Government with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of different regions of the country. According to these guidelines, all scheduled operators are required to deploy in the North Eastern region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep (Category-II routes) at least 10% of their deployed capacity on trunk routes (Category-I routes). Further, at least 10% of the capacity thus required to be deployed on Category-II routes, is required to be deployed for connectivity exclusively within these regions (Category -II A).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/better-air-connectivity-for-ne-region/

MNS: On Khongjom Day, 23 April 2013, Late Prof. Sanajaoba’s article Right to Self Determination of Manipur along with a critical foreword was reproduced by New Delhi based Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur). The booklet was reproduced with the financial support from Somorendro Khangembam and Laishram Tiken Khuman. Book release programs were held at four places outside Manipur; (a) the program at Chandigarh organized under the aegis of Ng Robert was attended by Punjab University students and representatives of the Students for Society, (b) the program at Mumbai organized by Rakesh was attended by non-Manipuris as well, (c) in Shillong the program organized by Ojha Jugindro and team was held at the courtyard of the then Rajbari or Redland Bungalow, and (d) the program at the University of Delhi was hosted by the Manipur Students’ Association Delhi.
The programs upheld that there was utmost need of the entire people to had discussions on the question of the right to self determination of Manipur. The Delhi meeting raised that despite factual errors, methodological confusion and legal determinism that were inherent in the article; if the issues raised by it would be debated in wider scale on the basis of ideology there could be constructive conclusions to various questions pertaining in Manipur. The Chandigarh and Shillong program stressed that the principle of freedom / self-determination ought to be respected. The objective of CPDM in reproducing the booklet is to illustrate that freedom or self determination is not a tabooed word but to be discussed as an open discourse. CPDM upheld that there cannot be peace & democracy in a country where the question of freedom or self-determination are not allowed to be openly raised and discussed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sanajaobas-book-on-self-determination-reproduced/

Jammu, Apr. 24 (ANI): Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh, concluded his two-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir today.
General Singh’s visit to the state came even as the Indian Army has reportedly moved an infantry regiment specializing in mountain warfare to Ladakh’s Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector.
General Singh reviewed the security scenario in the state, especially Ladakh where Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) of China has intruded about 10 kilometers inside the Indian territory at Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector.
The Army Chief also met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his visit.
General Singh, who met top commanders of the Army, is said to have discussed various issues related to the Armed Forces with formation commanders and interacted with troops deployed on the line of control and Counter Insurgency duties.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said that both India and China are yet to demarcate their borders, hence these incidents keep happening frequently.
“Perceptions do vary from their side and our side as to what is the actual line of control, so when the perceptions vary, sometimes disagreements on the ground can take place and we have a system in place, which kicks in immediately over the issue and then that system tries to provide a solution. That’s what we are doing right now, that process is going on and I hope that we will find a solution,” he said.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony today said the government will take every step to protect the national integrity of the country to resolve the situation arising out of the incursion by Chinese troops in Ladakh.
“Our government will take every step to protect the national integrity of the country. At the same time, negotiations are going on at various levels to resolve the issue peacefully,” he said.
Apparently taking a tough stance on the reported presence of Chinese troops ten kilometers inside Indian territory in the Ladakh region, India yesterday asked China to maintain status-quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Referring to the incident that is being reported widely in the Indian media, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said during his regular briefing today said that ‘New Delhi sees this as a face-to-face situation between border personnel of the two sides due to differences on their alignment of the Line of Actual Control’.
“We have therefore asked the Chinese side to maintain status-quo in this sector and by status-quo I mean status-quo prior to this incident. The term face-to-face situation is not something that we have conjured up, it is something that is referred to under 205 protocol for the implementation of CBMs in the military field along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas,” he added.
Akbaruddin said the ongoing incident in the Depsang area of the western sector of the India-China boundary is a localized event.
“This is a sector in which there are differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control. That’s why we have since 1996 been maintaining that there is a need for the sides to work together in clarifying and confirming the Line of Actual Control,” he added.
Akbaruddin said Joint Secretary (East Asia) Gautam Bambawale, who chairs the working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs spoke to his counterpart, who is the Director General Border Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about the incident on April 16.
“Subsequently, on 18th morning there was a flag meeting. Following that on 18th evening, the Foreign Secretary expressed the concerns of the Government of India to Ambassador of China in Delhi,” he added.
According to reports, a Platoon-strength contingent of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) entered the Indian territory in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector in eastern Ladakh and erected a tented post, setting the stage for a face-off with Indian troops.
Daulat Beg Oldi, which is located in northernmost Ladakh, is a historic camp site. It is located on an ancient trade route connecting Ladakh to Yarkand in Xinjiang, China.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/army-chief-visits-jk-discusses-border-situation/