Tag: National

SHILLONG, April 24 NNN : As a part of national environment awareness, a seminar on ‘NER Biodiversity and its Conservation’ was organized by the Department of Zoology, Botany and Environment of St Peter’s College at its college premises, here on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Meghalaya Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, TTC Marak, placed his hopes on youth and students that they will play their active roles in conservation of environment especially biodiversity by acting locally and thinking globally.
Quoting a famous saying, “Forest presides civilization and deserts succeeds them”, Marak said that India is very rich in culture the only thing which is the need of the hour is development in a greener way.
“As youths one should enhance the quality of life. There is need of active need for the youths to get involved in maintain the bio-diversity of the nature,” Marak said adding, “Youth should make their involvement with police makers to bring a change and to achieve positive leadership.”
He also said that government has a vision to improve the standard of living environment is ready to extend its support.
Former Director Zoological Survey of India, Dr JRB Alfred while giving his keynote addressed expressed that there is a drastic need to create awareness among the people to save the environment.
“No one alone can bring a change. There is a need to create NGOs and go to the core of the issues,” Alfred said adding “Environment is our sovereign property and its environment which controls the lives of the people.”
He also highlighted the current scenario of biodiversity and how its conservation at local, regional and international level could be made possible to the college students.
Later, Principal of the College and also the Secretary of MEWS-India, Peter Therose said that Meghalaya is blessed with natural resources. “There is immense bio-diversity. The youths of the state should know how to conserve the bio-diversity,” Therose said. He also added that the other problem which the region suffers is from counter insurgency which is a major hurdle for the people.
The seminar was attended by the students and teachers of the college.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/seminar-on-ner-biodiversity/

AIZAWL, April 24 NNN : Mizoram will soon have improved inland waterway transport.
In the follow up action in connection with the project proposal already submitted for inland water transport development along Tuichawng and Khawthlang rivers in Mizoram which are estimated to cost Rs. 26.97 crores, Mizoram Transport minister P.C. Zoram Sangliana met Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan at the latter’s office chamber, Transport Bhawan, New Delhi, and discussed the matter with him on Tuesday.
It was agreed that the follow-up discussion shall be held immediately at IWT centre in Noida, and then another discussion over technical matters shall be held by Project Engineers on May 15 in New Delhi, after which, when all necessary matters are cleared, the required fund for the project shall be sanctioned.
The Mizoram Transport minister also met Union Culture minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch at her office chamber, Shastri Bhawan, with whom he discussed about the project proposal for setting up of Heritage Village, Aizawl district at the cost estimation of Rs. 25 crores and construction of major Inns at Kawtchhuahropui and Vangchhia villages in Champhai district.
In can be noted here that in December last year while attending the 57th National Development Council Meeting at Vighyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had mentioned about the availability of 34% of the country’s surface water in North East region.
It is worthwhile to recall that in July last year, a resolution for quicker development of Inland Water Way for strengthening transportation system in Mizoram was unanimously passed in the 8th Mizoram Legislative Assembly session.
Inland water transport history in Mizoram began with the arrival of Rev.Williams Williams in Aizawl on March 15, 1891. He had made the journey by boat through Tlawng River and landed in Mizoram to preach the Gospel. Despite creation of landmark navigation history through the river in 1891 there is no meaningful development of the river water way within the last 120 years.
There is a good scope for the development of inland water ways in Mizoram. Before partition of India in 1947 there was an excellent waterway between Chittagong in Bangladesh and Demagiri in Mizoram through the Karnafuli river. With coming up of Kaptai dam on the Karnafuli in Bangladesh, a huge area around Demagiri has been submerged. This has created a good potential of inland water transport in the area. Another water way in the south was the Kolodyne.
In the north of Mizoram, the most frequently used water way was the Tlawng by which the British used to move men and material from Silchar to Sairang, gateway to Aizawl. It was a journey of about seven days inward and three days outward.
Mizoram is one among the 5 best performing states in the country in terms of water transportation.
Mizoram Transport minister PC Zoram Sangliana had said last month, “The team from Inland Water Transport Ministry of the Central government, who came on inspection visit to the state, had expressed their satisfaction over the functioning of water transportation system in Mizoram, so much so that, they had placed Mizoram among the 5 best performing states in India.”
Further, having found suitable to develop a water route between Bairabi and Sairang along Tlawng River, the Central government also plans to prepare a water-way between Tuichawng and Khawthlang rivers by clearing off all the hindrances so as to enable transportation by boat, the Transport minister had added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/inland-water-transport-in-mizoram-soon/

NNN: Ceasefire between the government of India and the NSCN group headed by S.S Khaplang will be extended for one more year after the current term ends in the next few days.
The ceasefire term ends on April 28.
Official sources said leaders of the NSCN-K and New Delhi had agreed for the extension of the ceasefire after the April 28 expiry in the national capital on April 22. However, it is not clear whether the two sides had signed the agreement.
Intelligence sources informed Newmai News Network today that leaders of the NSCN-K had camped in New Delhi recently and had agreed for the one more year extension term of ceasefire on Monday where Sambhu Singh who is the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) incharge of North East region had led the government of India side.
In the year 2001, the NSCN-K had signed the ceasefire agreement for the first time with the government of India. However, no political dialogues have begun till date between the two parties.
The ceasefire term between the Khole-Kitovi group of the NSCN too will expire on April 28. However, it is not certain as yet whether the parties in matter had signed for the extension of the ceasefire. Like the NSCN-K, the Khole-Kitovi group also has not started the political dialogue till date.
The ceasefire agreement between the NSCN group headed by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah was signed in 1997 with the NDA government followed by the series of formal political dialogues.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/truce-with-nscn-to-be-extended/

New Delhi, April 22 (ANI): Doctors treating the five year old rape victim at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said on Monday that she was recovering well, and estimated that it would take at least two weeks for her to show signs of good progress.
The medical bulletin came even as protests against the incident intensified in the national capital.
Police said that the child was abducted on April 15, kept in captivity and raped by a neighbour near her north Delhi home.
Doctors said the girl suffered severe injuries and bruising, including to her neck and genitalia, but her condition was slowly improving
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital Medical Suiperintendent Dr. D K Sharma said: “She has been started on liquid and a semi solid diet. Her perennial wound has been redressed yesterday, and the wound is showing signs of healing. Although it may take few days more to heal it completely. She is being monitored by a team of specialist doctors regularly.”
The suspect allegedly held the girl hostage for over two days during which he raped and tortured her. She was found on April 18.
Protesters lay siege at the police headquarters denouncing them and the government for their inaction and apathy post rape.
Much of the protesters’ anger was directed at police, after allegations officers tried to bribe the family of the victim to not file a case, and video footage showed an officer slapping a woman demonstrator on Friday.
Congress leader Girija Vyas said: “The day the incident of December 16 occurred, from then till now, if you go through the newspapers and evaluate them, you will see that a minimum of five to 20 incidents in any state are reported. This is an indication that neither the governments have woken up, nor the administration, or the common man are affected by it and the police is least bothered. What else can be said when the police is ready to bribe the complainant in order to suppress the matter and are slapping the protesting women.”
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Javadekar rebuked the government and added that they would raise the issue in the parliament.
“Protests have increased across the country over rape in Delhi and other states. Delhi is our national capital but it has turned into rape capital. We will definitely raise this issue and there are protesters on the street who are asking why the new laws are not being implemented. Those who did not register the complaint, why are those policemen not being arrested?” said Javadekar. The December gang rape provoked rare national debate about violence against women, putting the issue onto the political agenda in the nation of 1.2 billion people a year before elections.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office said in a statement that he was deeply disturbed by the latest incident. In December, his administration had faced criticism for failing to respond to public anger over the horrific attack on the physiotherapy student. The unprecedented protests by thousands of people across India eventually forced Singh’s government to pass tougher laws to fight gender crimes in March.
Issues such as rape, dowry-related deaths and female infanticide rarely enter mainstream political discourse in India.
New Delhi has the highest number of sex crimes among India’s major cities, with a rape reported on average every 18 hours, according to police figures. However, most sex crimes in India go unreported, many offenders go unpunished, and justice is slow, according to social activists, who say successive governments have done little to ensure the safety of women and children.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/five-year-old-rape-victim-recovering-protests-intensify-in-delhi/

DIMAPUR, April 20 NNN: Amid the prolonging of muteness maintained by the NSCN-IM on the Indo-Naga peace talks and the Naga peoples’ anxiety as to what might have happened with the much hype Naga political settlement, the comments of NSCN-IM leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu came today on the issue.
In an exclusive interview with Witoubou, editor of Newmai News Network at Camp Hebron, off Dimapur this afternoon, both Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu said at this juncture they are not in the position to pronounce the time frame when the Naga political settlement can be brought about. Both the NSCN-IM leaders however said the government of India is serious enough to have the Naga political solution at the earliest.
“What we want is solution to the Naga political issue. And what the government of India wants is the solution to the Naga political issue. So given this point of situation we are hopeful of the settlement. However, it is hard to say when,” said NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
On being asked if they have any plan to meet Naga National Council (NNC) president Adinno Phizo, the daughter of legendary A.Z.Phizo when she arrives in Nagaland in the next few days, Th Muivah said,” Since her political stand is not clear to us there is no point meeting her.”
Currently, both Muivah and Swu are intensively engaging with the Naga civil organisations, individuals and well wishers.
Mentionably, late last year, the speculations had climaxed to the zenith that the protracted Naga political problem was about to be settled in a few months time. The speculations were even fueled by the comment of Union Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde who had said that “settlement” to the Naga issue would be brought about by March, 2013 or before the Nagaland assembly elections. That situation was even buttered it by the concerted show of the now-unheard Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) formed by the 60 MLAs of the Nagaland legislative assembly of the previous tenure to push for the early settlement of the Naga political proble.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/no-time-frame-to-resolve-naga-problem-nscn-im-leaders/

AIZAWL/IMPHAL, April 19 NNN: Consumption of pork in Mizoram and Manipur has become less in Mizoram and Manipur following the outbreak of swine flu. In Manipur, veterinarians are still investigating the reasons for the death of pigs in large number at Heingang Chonthabi and Luwang shangbam areas of Imphal East district following the reports made in local newspapers. However, in the case of Mizoram, doctors have confirmed it as ‘Classical 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.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pork-consumption-decline-in-manipur-mizoram/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, April 19 : Two Northeast girls working at Magique Restaurant in Saket, Delhi were terminated from their job without prior notice. The two girls were forced by their employer to give resignation letters, but the duo denied as they did not resigned by themselves.
The North East Helpline general secretary Dr. Alana Golmei and media incharge Bruce K. Thangkhal today visited the two victims at their residence in Delhi.
According to the two victims, Colney (27) and Boisy (21), they were working as hostess respectively in Magique Hospitality Private Limited, at the Garden of 5 Senses, Said-Ul-Ajaib (near Saket Metro), Delhi. Colney has been working in Magique since 2008 and Boisy since 2012.
Colney told the NE Helpline that she took leave on March 27 and 28, 2013 with permission from her general manager Premjit Kumar. However, when she informed the restaurant manager Puneet Saxena through phone, she was refused and being told to resign from the job immediately, as well as when she went to the workplace on March 29, 2013.
I took leave on March 27 and 28, 2013 with your permission. However, when I informed the restaurant manager Puneet Saxena through phone, he refused and told me to resign from the job immediately. On 29 March when I joined my duty, Mr. Puneet Saxena shouted at me, saying that “I don’t want to see your face and the company doesn’t need you anymore, so give me resignation letter right now”.
“Puneet Saxena, the restaurant manager shouted at me infront of many people, saying that, I don’t want to see your face any more and the company doesn’t need you anymore, so give me resignation letter right now,” Colney told to NE Helpline. “I also informed our general manager Mr. Premjit Kumar but he turned down my request and said you must obey the order of Puneet Saxena since he is the restaurant manager”, Colney added.
While Boisy, who has not taken any leave nor absent from her job since the day she joined, was told directly to resign from her job by Suresh Sharma, HR manager on March 28, 2013. “Suresh told me, the company management had already decided, so you have to give your resignation letter,” Boisy informed the NE Helpline.
“I begged politely and requested him that I will not resign and he should give me at least one-month prior notice. I’m also having a family to support, I can’t simply leave the company. But if they are terminating me, they should give me a termination letter,” Boisy told NEH with tears in her eyes.
The appointment letter produced by Boisy shows that the contract is for one year but she was terminated before completing her contract period, with still seven months to go. According to her letter, Boisy joined Magique on October 5, 2012. Colney said she joined Magique on November 3, 2008.
Though Colney has been working for the last five years, and is one of the senior-most hostesses and highest paid employee in Magique, has met the same fate with her colleague, Boisy. The duo said that their managers were harassing them to submit resignation letter.
“Since we were terminated by them they should give us a termination letter and other necessary compensation as per the law of the company”, the duo said.
Boisy, from Manipur and Colney, from Mizoram are now jobless since they were terminated from their job by Magique last month.
When NEH general secretary Dr Alana Golmei talked to Premjit Kumar, general manager of Magique, he responded that Colney has not been terminated and she is still on job. Boisy’s contract period was over but Colney can continue her job if she wants, Mr. Premjit Kumar said. However, Colney said she was afraid to join it again after such ill-treatment fearing that their managers would harass her in some kind or the other.
“Most of our North East boys and girls, who are working in restaurants, BPO, spa, bar, etc are subjected to all kinds of harassment by their managers and employers. We have received so many complaints of such harassments. It’s time we take strong action against such managers,” said Dr Alana Golmei.
North East Helpline urged to the concerned authorities to intervene in the case of two Northeast girls, who were terminated by Magique Hospitality Pvt Ltd without any reason. The Helpline sternly demanded the employer to compensate the two victims with a three months salary as per law at the earliest. The duo has been subjected to continuous pressure from the employer demanding resignation letter.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-girls-terminated-from-job/

SHILLONG, April 16 NNN: The Gauhati High Court has asked the Meghalaya government to implement the strict directives issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forest pertaining to the violation of Forest Conservation Act, 1980 by cement companies at Jaintia Hills even as it directed that the report should be submitted within three months. The recent ruling of the High Court came following a writ petition filed by the Jaintia Hills based NGO – Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) against eight cement plants in Jaintia hills for setting up their factories in forest land. Notably, the MoEF had in November last year, issued a number of strict directives to the state government with regards to the matter while referring to the report a joint inspection team of State Forest department and MoEF which in their report stated that “838 ha of land have been assessed as forest land while remaining 1140 ha of land already acquired or under process of acquisition by the said cement companies is yet to be ascertained whether it is forest land or not”. The government is asked to undertake a joint inspection of the remaining 1,140 acquired or under process of acquisition by the said cement companies to ascertain the status of forests, based on which issue a certificate in this regard, the order stated while asking to submit a copy of the joint inspection report to the Ministry within 3 months. JYF president Poipynhun Majaw said that the court has ordered the government to request the Forest Survey of India (FSI) Dehradun to furnish their opinion on the status of forest in 57.56 ha of land acquired by Meghalaya Cement Ltd (star cement) whole status could not be ascertained after joint inspection. “The order further directed the government to ensure that no non-forest activity is undertaken in the land, which after joint inspection has already been certified as “forest”, till approval of Central Government under the FC Act is obtained,” . Government has also been asked to prepare geo reference map and till such geo reference map is prepared, no new cement plant may be allowed to be set up. “The government is directed to take action in terms of the directives issued by MoEF, and file a report of the action taken,” it stated. The next hearing on the case is scheduled on May 3.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/court-directives-regarding-hazards-caused-by-cement-factories/

Mail News Service
Imphal, April 13 : The decision of the Delhi University to enforce Hindi/MIL in the under-graduate courses in all the colleges/institution under it, is in all fairness, a nonsensical decision said President MPP, N Sovakiran in a letter to the PM today.
He said Who needs to be reminded that in a democracy education needs no politics, unlike in totalitarian countries. More so, in a country like India where liberal education system can only
cope with the challenges of the country’s diverse linguistic, ethnic and demographic composition; the decision of the Delhi University is all the more an antithesis against the ethos
of this country he added.
The Delhi University must understand that it is not a local or regional university that caters only the local students, but students from across the country including the Northeast.
They go to it to imbibe a national outlook; the hope to compete for top positions in the education system that are available there. It is a university with a history associated with the nation building process of modern India.
However, the vernacular-like jealots or undemocratic attitude of the authorities of the Delhi University would only hamper the educational atmosphere of the University that has been serving the students from across the country.
The policy to enforce Hindi/MIL to the undergraduate students would only do deservice to the students community of the country and the nation in general.
Therefore, Manipur People’s Party in the interests of the students of the Northeast in particular and the nation in general urged PM intervene in the matter and prevail upon the Delhi University authorities and cause to revoke the decision which is nothing but undemocratic and Talibanic in nature.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/do-not-to-force-hindi-at-du-mpp/

Mail News Service
Imphal, April 13 : United NGOs Mission – Manipur (UNM-M) narrated a detailed history of AFSPA to President Pranab Mukherjee in a memorandum today. U Nobokishore, Secretary of the UNM M also briefed about the decision of the Supreme Court on fake encounters.
It demanded repeal of AFSPA so that the true picture of democracy can be maintained.
Other demands were establish 20 Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate all the 1528 cases of Extra -Judicial Killings and rape under AFSPA/counter insurgency and take legal measures to ensure justice to the victim families by awarding appropriate punishment to the perpetrators within a period of one year.
Stop systematical violence and discrimination against the women and children in terms of raped, killed and trafficking and punish all the culprits without any delay. Armed Forces deployed in Manipur should not be allowed to depute for UN Peace Keeping Force to any foreign country.
The vehicles without registration number being used by the paramilitary and Indian -Army should be registered and allotted numbers and punish them who violate law immediately.
Set up a commission to investigate how the illegal arms got into the hands of individuals or gangs and punish those who are violating the law of the land.
Hold political dialogue with armed political organizations by constituting Independent Commission for Conflict Resolution in Manipur and also develop a framework on pre-negotiation, negotiation and post negotiation with special monitoring mechanism with due representation of civil society and NGOs and also by engaging International
Community as a Third Party to the negotiation to settle the long standing political conflict.
Hold discussion and debate on the proposed India – EU FT A in the Parliaments and State Assemblies without which we strongly object signing on the proposed text of the current trade negotiation.
Prohibit the implementation of REDD, REDD+ and CDM project in the northeast under ‘Climate Change Negotiation.
Illegal Drug Trade: Strictly punish any actors/party operating in Manipur who are committing crimes such as carrying drugs, raising illegal taxes, extortions, kidnapping, carrying arms without a licence and human trafficking according to the International Humanitarian Law and constitutional acts. The precondition would be a strong state police and completely independent and corruption-free judiciary.
Political settlement of Manipur State with its own police and self-determination for political, economic, social and cultural Rights and withdrawal of all central governmental armed forces except those of the border control and protection. Access to International financial Support for Self-Determination and control over the naturalwealth of Manipur and over the gains from investment in exploiting it, would have to be fixed in the state constitution, together with mechanisms of monitoring the implementation of it. Detainment of Illegal drug and arms smuggling routes and the cartel leaders.
If the drug addiction in the society of Manipur is only tackled from the demand side, it may reach an extent which weakens the whole society to the brink of apathy. Drug addiction and HIV among the youth may have an effect close to ethnic cleansing, so that the armed forces of India can subdue Manipur fully during the coming decades. This would imply the de-facto abolishment of democracy and replacement by a military dictatorship.
Stop construction of mini or micro Dams, stop exploration of Oil and Natural Gas as well Mineral in the State without Free, Prior and informant Consent from Indigenous Peoples of Manipur. We are also your good office to kindly intervene to bring out a white paper on the natural resources exploration in the stafe.
Revive Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) and constitute a committee to examine the functioning of the commission in Manipur at the earliest, which is non-functioning since 9 May, 2010 after the entire member retired. This commission as mandated used to serve and deliver justice to the common people in Manipur.
Constitute a policy particularly, victims of women and children on Armed Conflict for their livelihood, education and health and to compensate the victims with dignity. As we can see the petition filed by the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families, Manipur indicated 1528 extra judicial executions. Unfortunately, most of them (killed) were young and mostly married. So the result us the increasing number of widows and orphans.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/repeal-afspa-unm-m-to-president/

MNS: The Special Judge, CBI, Guwahati(Assam) has convicted A.K. Bora, the then Chairman, Railway Recruitment Board, N.F. Railway, Guwahati and sentenced him to undergo three years Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 3,000/- in a case relating to recruitment of 165 candidates for the post of Junior Accounts Assistants in Railway.
The CBI investigation revealed that A.K. Bora while posted & functioning as Chairman, Railway Recruitment Board, N.F.Railway, Guwahati during the year 1997-98 had abused his official position omitting the names of successful candidates for the post of Junior Accounts Assistants in N.F. Railway and as against them included the names of unsuccessful candidates. Thus he showed undue favour to unsuccessful candidates for some ulterior motives for which CBI after conducting investigation, filed Chargesheet on 30.11.2004 in the Court of Special Judge, CBI Guwahati(Assam).
The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chairman-railway-board-sentenced/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, April 9 : The Union of India soughed four weeks time as the report of the Commission is being discussed at the highest level of the Government in the Home Ministry, Defense Ministry and the Army Head Quarters considering the sensitivity of the matter. The counsel also stated in the Court the Union of India do not consider the matter as an adverse litigation but would also like to ensure that all the guidelines issued by the authorities are implemented on the ground but to work out this mechanism it will take some time. Court granted 4 weeks for the same.
The Defence Ministry had also come in as a party to the case, as their interest in also affected.
The counsel of the petitioners Colin Gonsalves stated that consultations in the government is not going to make any difference, the only way to change the situation in Manipur by instituting an SIT for at least those cases where the prima facie case of fake encounter is established by judicial inquiries and start prosecution of the perpetrators. In this connection the petitioner have submitted a list of 33 such cases. Please find the full text of the submission from the side of the petitioners attached here.
SC has asked the Manipur government to furnish the copies of the report of the Commission of Inquires conducted under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 which are not yet made public.
SC has also asked the NHRC Chairman to visit Manipur as take action on the very serious Human Rights situation in the State.Meanwhile NDTV reports that the Supreme Court today reiterated its concern over the alleged fake encounters in Manipur. A Public Interest Litigation, which says more than 1,500 fake encounters have taken place in Manipur in the last three decades, had asked for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the encounter killings in the state.
“We can’t tell you how sorrowful we are. What is the use of sitting here? Everything appears meaningless,” the Supreme Court said today. The Supreme Court in January had appointed a three-member committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Santosh Hegde to examine six cases of encounter killings that took place between 2009 and 2010. The committee in its report had said that the encounters, which resulted in killing of seven people, were fake and the victims did not have any criminal background. The committee also reportedly recommended withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the National Human Rights Council (NHRC) and the Centre. The NHRC had asked the Supreme Court to prosecute those responsible for these killings. The court had asked an NHRC team to visit Manipur.
The Centre today told the Supreme court that Justice Hegde commission’s report will be placed before the Cabinet committee on security, headed by the PM. The Centre also assured the court it will come up with a list of Dos and Don’ts for the security forces deployed in Manipur. It has asked for four weeks’ time to submit its reply.
The Manipur government had asked the Supreme Court to lay down guidelines in the case. The Supreme Court slammed the demand, saying, “How many times has this court laid down guidelines? Tragedy is guidelines are not followed. We want to proceed further and these things should not happen in future. These deaths reveal a pattern of carelessness.
There is no respect for human lives.”
The Centre had earlier opposed the formation of a commission to probe the alleged fake encounters and had pitched for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Supreme Court had rejected the appeal.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/govt-seeks-four-weeks-on-fake-encounter-case/

SHILLONG, April 9 NNN: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma today has sought for more time to study on the implementation of the Inner Line pPrmit (ILP) recommended by the government’s constituted High Level Committee on Influx to check the unabated influx in Meghalaya.
The chief minister has sought for time after a delegation from various NGOs including KSU, FKJGP, HNYF, CSWO, KWAADA, JYF, AJYWO, JSU, GSU, SSSS, and RBYF met him here to pressure the government to implement recommendations submitted by Committee last year on the issue.
“He (CM) has sought for more time in order to study the recommendations including ILP made by the Committee and assured that he would get back to us after the Assembly session is over which is on April 18,” FKJGP president, Joe Marwein told reporters after the meeting.
According to them, Mukul has also informed the delegation apart from the ILP, the government is also intending to come up with more effective mechanisms such as introducing tenancy law strengthening labour laws and setting up of anti-infiltration directorate will be put in place to effectively address the issue of Influx.
While deciding to give more time to the government, Khasi Students Union (KSU) president, Daniel Khyriem however said that the NGOs would take a decision only after the meeting proposed to be held after the Assembly session.O n the other hand, the NGOs however made their stand clear on the urgent need to implement the ILP while welcoming the decision of the government to introduce the other mechanisms.
“We demanded that ILP should be introduces and that these proposed mechanisms should be implemented as supplementary steps towards tackling the problems of influx,” HNYF general secretary, S Blah stateMentionably, the High Level Committee on Influx in its report submitted to the state government last year has recommended for the implementation of ILP.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ilp-in-meghalaya/

DIMAPUR, April 8 NNN: After cancelling their trip to New Delhi in the first week of January NSCN-IM leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah continue to confine at their base Hebron off Dimapur for the last three months or so. Isak Swu however, had gone for a brief period on personal assignment to Delhi in the month of February.
Both the NSCN-IM leaders had come to Nagaland for Christmas on December 18 amid fueling speculations that they had placed their complete proposal to the government of India which could be materialised by the early part of 2013. However, with staunch silence maintained by both the government of India and the NSCN-IM on the issue, the general Naga public are speculating with the nerve of negavity as to what might have happened to the Naga peace process.
Well placed sources from the NSCN-IM informed NNN today that both Isak Swu and Th Muivah have no immediate plan to go to New Delhi at the moment. “They will not leave Nagaland now. Swu and Muivah will be here for a longer period,” the sources said.
A high level 5-member team is studying the proposed papers of the NSCN-IM and when it gets completed New Delhi will invite the NSCN-IM leaders.
Sources from the NSCN-IM said things are doing fine “but at the moment we do not want to comment on the issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscn-leaders-confining-at-hebron/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, April 7 : The Indian Parliament enacted the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in 1958 as an interim measure with the hope of suppressing the Naga Nationalist Struggle, the only such movement in the North East at that time. It was gradually extended to other North Eastern States and then in 1990 to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act is to-date the single most direct instrument violating the democratic rights of the people of the North East and of Jammu and Kashmir. The Act is implemented when an area is declared ‘disturbed’ by either the central or the state government said a statement issued after a national seminar on AFSPA held in New Delhi on Saturday.
The Act is under much debate today on several grounds, not only in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East, but also in the rest of India. One, it enables the security forces to “fire upon or otherwise use force even to the causing of death”. Two, according to Section 6, no criminal prosecution can be initiated against the security personnel who take action under this Act. Three, till now, but for a few exceptional cases of public fury or when the security forces were caught in the act by the public, no paramilitary officer or soldier has been prosecuted for destruction of property or murder or rape. Four, five official commissions and committees have recommended either repeal or drastic review of the Act.
Such acts are a gross abuse of the Constitution and have led to atrocities in the North East and Kashmir. Currently, a case concerning 1,528 deaths in alleged fake-encounters in Manipur alone is before the Supreme Court. Over and above these, one can mention the Manorama Devi case in Manipur in July 2004. She was arrested by the security forces and was allegedly raped and killed. Amongst other cases is the attempted molestation near Kokrajhar in Assam, on 23rd December, 2005, of some university students who entered by mistake a compartment carrying Haryana Armed Police personnel. Four students died when the police opened fire on other students who blocked the train after hearing the screams of the students. No action has been taken till today against the perpetrators of these and other crimes. Also many other cases of massacres, mass rapes and torture like the destruction of Oinam village in Manipur in 1987, the killing of some innocent persons in the Pathribal case, the Sophian sexual violence case and the discovery of mass graves in different places of Jammu and Kashmir raise similar concerns.
Many commissions and committees, such as the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005), the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007), the Prime Minister’s Working Group on Confidence Building Measures in Jammu and Kashmir (2007) headed by Shri Hamid Ansari, the Interlocutors’ Report on Jammu and Kashmir (2012) and Justice J S Verma Committee (2013) have recommended that the Act be repealed or made more humane. Even the Planning Commission in the 12th Five-year Plan document passed by the National Development Council has for the first time ever asked for not only a gendered review of the Act, but also of gendered violence in the ‘Disturbed Areas’, as women and children are the most vulnerable in conflict regions. These voices should be heard because AFSPA is symptomatic of a larger militarization and the negative impacts on human development such as health and education have been extensive

At the international level, India have been repeatedly flagged in UN Human Rights bodies, including the Universal Periodic Review of the Council, almost all the major human rights treaty bodies and Special Procedures, on the issue of AFSPA. It is clear that the Act has not served its purpose. But the Government of India has not even amended the Act for more than 50 years. A reason given by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in a speech in New Delhi on February 6, 2013 is that there is no consensus because both the retired and present army generals oppose even the idea of making it more humane.
Why does the army oppose the repeal or even amendment of this inhuman Act? Is it because they want to protect their personnel who abuse power? Surely, as the Verma Committee (2013) has remarked, the armed forces cannot expect immunity for actions, such as rape, which are not in the line of duty. Can a democratic country tolerate such an anti-democratic Act? The situation in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East is complex and can be solved only through a political process. Those decisions cannot be taken by the army. The elected representatives have to take decisions that should include Confidence Building Measures (CBM). That is impossible when such abuses under a draconian Act continue. The rights of the people must be protected by judicial and official / administrative processes such as grievance cells that protect the right to information of relatives of detainees.
The security situation in most areas where the Act is in place has improved enormously in the last decade because of ongoing peace processes and civil society initiatives. So the stated purpose of the Act no longer exists. The security forces cannot presume that they have an unfettered right to continue using the Act in perpetuity. That would be undemocratic and violative of human rights. As a result of such violations a trust deficit has developed between the people of the North East and Jammu and Kashmir on the one hand and the rest of India on the other.
In addition, major state legislation exists in Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland such as the Jammu and Kashmir Public Security Act and the Nagaland Security Regulations Act which are no less arbitrary. They provide the police with impunity. Such laws no longer have a place in our democratic polity, especially after the extensive peace processes in these states. We, therefore, call on States like Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland that have been demanding the repeal of AFSPA to take a lead in changing the undemocratic tenor of the legal regime. We call upon all political parties and political candidates, including the major regional parties, to take a position on the repeal of AFSPA in the run-up to the general elections.
It is critical that a civil society alliance takes up a robust programme of advocacy and dissemination especially through the media. As a step towards it, we the 90 participants of the Seminar on AFSPA held at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi on 6th April 2013, and sponsored by ICSSR (NCR) demand the immediate repeal of AFSPA, its replacement by a more humane Act and that the armed forces be brought under the purview of the civilian government with no immunity added the statement signed by Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, Human Rights Alert, Imphal, Centre for Policy Analysis, New Delhi, North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati, Ms Patricia Mukhim, Mr Bashir Manzar, Ms Nandita Haksar, Mr Sanjoy Hazarika, Prof. Anuradha Chenoy,

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/national-seminar-on-afspa-held/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, April 7 : Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, inaugurated the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts here today at Vigyan Bhawan. Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir, presided over the function.
The PM said we must collectively ensure that our laws deliver on the state’s duty to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and that the disadvantaged are not excluded from the processes that advance the cause of justice. At the same time, we need to ensure that the laws that govern the daily lives of our citizens are certain, stable and reasonable.
The national outrage at the recent horrific tragedy of gang rape in Delhi compels an urgent introspection about our laws and justice delivery system but we must not allow ourselves to be overcome by a sense of despair at some of the demonstrated inadequacies of our legal system. On its part, our Government has moved with expedition to respond to the felt sensitivities of the people in the aftermath of this gruesome tragedy of Delhi and have brought about significant amendments in the criminal law to effectively deal with heinous offences against women.
Presently, over 3 crore cases are pending in various courts across the country and 26 percent of them are over 5 years old. The Vision Statement and Action Plan adopted by the Chief Justices‘ Conference in October 2009 had identified two major goals for judicial reform -increasing access to justice by reducing delays and arrears in the justice delivery system, and enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities. It had also identified 9 initiatives for immediate implementation. I understand that some of these initiatives have since been implemented and others are being driven actively. While the Government has set up the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms in the Department of Justice for pursuing the objective of reducing the pendency of cases in our courts, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has established the National Court Management Systems (NCMS) which will develop a National Framework of Court Excellence (NFCE). This framework will lay down timelines and measurable standards of performance for courts on the touchstone of quality. Besides, a Case Management System (CMS) will also be developed to establish user friendliness of our judicial processes.
He agreed fully with Chief Justice Altmas Kabir that we need to significantly enhance the number of judges to administer justice. The judge to population ratio at the current level of 15.5 judges per million population is indeed grossly inadequate. We need to alter this equation so as to address the problems of pendency and delays in disposal of cases. However, the initiative in this must come from our State Governments. I would urge all Chief Ministers to extend their full support to this important initiative. On behalf of the Central Government, I would like to assure this august gathering that we would increase appropriately the quantum of funding for the scheme under which we provide support to the State Governments for the creation of infrastructure for subordinate Judiciary.

We will engage with the 14th Finance Commission for devolution of funds to the State Governments specifically for the judicial sector. In addition, we will request the Commission to earmark funds for establishing fast-track courts for speedy trials not just in cases involving heinous crimes but also those in which offences have been committed against the vulnerable people like the elderly, women and children.
He said he is happy that the Judiciary and the Executive have worked together in making significant progress to invest courts with the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capabilities. The Central Government, the State Governments, and the High Courts are working in close coordination for up-gradation of the ICT infrastructure in the Supreme Court, the High Courts as well as provisioning for ICT in the 14,249 district and subordinate courts. A National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) will be an important outcome of this project and it will provide a unique platform for accessing judicial statistics on pendency on a real time basis across the country. It will provide information to people on cases and will bring about an improvement in the working of courts through better case handling and case management. The National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) has the potential to transform the working of the lower judiciary and to bring about major improvements in the delivery of justice to our people.
The long pending proposal for the constitution of All India Judicial Services has made some headway after it was discussed for the first time in the conference of 2009. I learn that the subject will be considered in this conference. I hope that in the deliberations that follow a consensus will emerge on the way forward.
There are other important issues that you have on your agenda including the strengthening of legal aid services, promotion of Alternate Dispute Redressal mechanisms and operationalization of Gram Nyayalayas. Progress in these areas will assist us in moving towards our goal of providing expeditious and affordable justice to the common man, especially the poor and the vulnerable.
He expressed confidence that our chosen path of development, based on fast, inclusive and sustainable growth, will, over time, reduce disparities and ensure a life of dignity for all. In an imperfect world, the ideal state of justice may seem distant. But, the test of a just arrangement lies in its ability to promote dignity and self respect of all the citizens, strengthen the bonds of human solidarity and encourage the creativity of the individual. Our endeavours to secure a more just order must continue ceaselessly. This conference should be seen as a step in that noble direction.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-inaugurates-joint-conference-of-cms-and-cj/

AIZAWL, April 6 NNN: Restriction on selling of ‘affected pork’ by the administration continues in the state capital Aizawl for the past two weeks. This restriction will continue till May end.
Owing to the spreading of flu among the pigs in Aizawl area in the last few weeks 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.
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 two weeks ago.
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/pork-sale-restriction-continues/

IMPHAL, April 4 NNN: The Extrajudicial Execution Victims’ Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM) today overjoyed after the six cases of extrajudicial killings in Manipur being probed by a Supreme Court appointed inquiry commission were pronounced to be fake encounters by the apex court.
Hearing of the six cases will begin from April 9.
The Supreme Court has learned that security forces in Manipur commit glut atrocities on the people of the state, said Takhellambam Renu Devi, president, EEVFAM during a press meet at the office of Human Rights Alert (HRA) here Thursday.
She said, “She is glad that the apex court has started to realize the scenes of fake encouters orchestrated by security forces in the state.”
The jubilant leader of EEVFAM further said that she was very happy that now the security forces that have been enjoying impunity for a long time will be punished by law.”
Renu said she also thanks all those witnesses who had given testimonies in the six cases and individuals who helped the inquiry committee.
However, she lamented that though copies of the commission’s report have been given to the Central and state Governments and Home Department, the victims’ families have been denied it.
EEVFAM secretary Nina Ningombam, who was also present at the press meet, said even if everyone knew that these cases were fake encounters, there was trepidation that nothing could be done.
She said, “Though it is late, now there is a hope that justice will be delivered by the Supreme Court.”

A Supreme Court-appointed probe committee has found 6sixencounter killings in the state to be fake.
The apex court had asked retired SC judge Santosh Hegde to probe these encounter killings, including shooting dead of minors on the ground that they are militants.
The committee, comprising former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde, ex-CEC J M Lyngdoh and a senior police officer, has said in its report that the probe showed that none of the victims had any criminal records.
A bench comprising Justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai perused the committee’s report which said none of the six cases qualify as encounters and they are fake.
Guidelines by the apex court in the Naga People’s Movement case , NHRC, Manipur government and Army headquarters have all been confined to papers and none of it is followed on the ground when armed forces conduct operations, the bench said.
Appropriate directions will be passed on the basis of the panel’s report on April 9, it said.
It said the Hegde committee report is distressing and the Union government should be blamed more than the state government for the situation there.
The Supreme Court on January 4 had decided to appoint the committee to hold an inquiry into the alleged fake encounter killings in Manipur.
The panel was set up to probe six cases of alleged extra- judicial killings in the Northeast state where a magisterial inquiry had raised questions on genuineness of the encounters.
The apex court had appointed the panel on a PIL filed by an association of the families of the alleged victims, seeking setting up of a special investigation team and direct inquiry into around 1,528 such cases.
The association had alleged in its plea that over 2,000 odd extra-judicial killings have taken place in the state, but no one has been held guilty till date.
It had alleged that innocent people with no criminal records have been killed by security forces and no proper investigation has been done in such cases.
The court passed its order while responding to a PIL by an association of the families of the alleged victims, pleading with the apex court to set up a special investigation team and direct inquiry into around 1528 such cases.
The Supreme Court-mandated commission sent to Manipur three months ago to investigate six fake encounter cases presented its report to the court on the morning of April 4.
None of the victims, which include a 12-year-old boy, were found to have been involved in militant activities or to have a criminal record.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/eevfam-happy-with-rulings-on-fake-encounters/

SHILLONG, April 4 NNN: The Centre today said failures of the state governments in the North East region to submit their Annual Plan Implementation Programme (APIP) is a matter of concern affecting the smooth implementation of the scheme Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), a Government initiative aimed at tackling malnutrition and health problems in children below 6 years of age and their mothers.
On this, the Centre has directed all states in the North East region to submit their Annual Plan Implementation Programme (APIP) within a stipulated time frame fixed for the effective and proper implementation of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in the region.
Meghalaya government however claimed that it is already in the process of submitting its APIP even as it proposed for the setting up of more Anganwadi centers across the state to cater to the needs of the targeted beneficiaries.
ICDS Deputy Secretary, Gulshan Lal said, “We requested the state governments to submit their APIP for the early release of the required funds by the Centre for the smooth implementation of the ICDS programmes in the region.”
He said many of the state governments have failed to submit their APIPs on time which is a matter of concern when the Government of India have been taken the necessary initiatives for the restructuring and strengthening of the ICDS across the Country.
Lal was addressing the ‘Regional Orientation & Information Dissemination Conference on Restructured ICDS scheme’ for the three states from the NE – Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura held in Shillong on Thursday.
While informing that the restructuring and strengthening of ICDS will be made effective in all the districts by April this year, the deputy secretary said, “This conference is in line with other five earlier conferences held in different places of the region to disseminate information and educating the officials and staffs dealing with the implementation of the scheme under Restructured ICDS programmes.”
He further urged the participating states to list out all the necessary actions needed to be taken so far as improving implementation mechanism of the scheme is concerned.
Stating that during the last 37 years, the implementation of the scheme have faced many challenges, he said, “We have decided to put all the problems in one place by introducing the Restructuring programme of the scheme which has to the extent been taken care and addressing the challenges,” adding “We will try to focus more on the new issues and areas which needed the much attention.”
On the direction of the Center, State Social Welfare department Director, HM Shangpliang in his speech informed that the department is ready with the APIP which would be submitted in a day or two to the state government who then would send it to the Government of India for approval.
Sources from the department however informed that the government is preparing a proposal in its APIP stressing on the need to increase the setting up of more Anganwadi Centers in the state besides nutritional and health care facilities for its women and children population especially in the rural areas.
Notably, Meghalaya at present has over 5000 Anganwadi Centers spreading across the state which according to the population is yet to meet the demand. “We need at least more mini anganwadi centers which will cater to a population of 150 to 300 children and mothers in a particular village,” sources added.
Earlier, while inaugurating the Conference, State Social Welfare Minister, Deborah Marak said, “The department is one of the most important department of the government as it deals in giving services to women and children.”
Stating that many issues needs to be discuss seriously, Marak however urged the participating team from the three states to take advantage of the conference to discuss on the related problems with special reference to the North East and also make suggestions on the steps and actions need to be taken up to address them.
“We also need to bring in the new and best mechanism to strengthen besides improving the implementation of the scheme in the region so that its benefits will go down directly to the targeted beneficiaries,” the minister concluded.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/north-east-states-failed-to-submit-apip/