Tag: National

The Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram laid the Foundation Stone of Composite Structure for the Counter Hijacking Unit of elite National Security Guard at Samalkha Camp, New Delhi today.
MHA has accorded sanction of Rs. 47.42 crore for the Composite Structure as a part of modernization and development project of NSG. The Composite Structure will have an area of 15502 Sqm and will have a four storey structure. The Composite Structure will have provisions for living accommodation for 540 Commandos, and Administrative Block, Training Hall, Class Rooms & other Operational and Training infrastructure. The construction work is scheduled to be completed within 18 months from the date of start.
Guest of Honour, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister Delhi along with Union Home Secretary, senior Government officers, Heads of CAPFs and other important dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nsgs-counter-hijacking-unit/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Apr 17: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested six accused persons for allegedly killing Bondru Pardhi and his wife Dodel Bai resident of Chouthia Distt. Betul (M.P).
A case was registered U/s 147, 149 and 302 IPC against unknown persons on 21.08.2009 by CBI on the orders of Hon’ble High Court M.P., Jabalpur dated 07.08.2009 passed on the writ petition No. 15189/07. CBI took up the investigation of the case which was earlier registered at Police Station Multai Distt. Betul (MP) against unknown villagers after body of Sh. Bondru Pardhi was found.
After the discovery of dead body of Shri Bondru Pardhi, a dead body of a female was also found in well on 14.9.2007 near the place of occurrence. It was later identified as dead body of Smt. Dodel Bai W/o Bondru Pardhi. The Police Station Multai, Distt. Betul had registered a Death Inquest to enquire into cause of death of Dodel Bai. However, no FIR was registered relating to her death. This fact was brought to the knowledge of the High Court of MP, Jabalpur who had ordered CBI to take over the investigation of death of both Bondru and his wife Smt. Dodel Bai. Hence investigation was conducted to cover the aspects of death of both Bondru and his wife Smt. Dedel Bai.
The investigation revealed that one of the accused persons had allegedly mobilized the villagers of Tahikeda, together at Gram Panchayat Bhawan on 11.9.2007 for removal of encroachment by Pardhis.
On reaching scene of crime, the said accused led the other six persons, all are residents of Taikheda, on an information that some Pardhis were hiding in the fields. This mob killed Sh. Bondru and his wife Smt. Dodel Bai.
During investigation, the said accused was arrested on 13.1.2012 and a chargesheet was also filed against him.
The remaining six persons were arrested from village Taikheda, Tehsil Multai, Dist. Betul and were produced before the Special Magistrate for CBI Cases, Jabalpur on 16.04.2012. The Special Magistrate for CBI Cases, Jabalpur remanded them to police custody for seven days.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-arrests-six-accused-persons-in-connection-with-killing-of-couple/

Dimapur, April 17 NNN: In a rebuttal to the NSCN-IM’s various statements, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) based in Nagaland’s capital Kohima said today that the Cease Fire Ground Rules do not permit keeping of arms, ammunition, explosives and grenades in the residence of NSCN faction members houses.
The PRO of IGAR (North), Kohima said, “Only card holders authorized specifically by the Cease Fire Monitoring Board (CFMB) are permitted to keep weapons for their protection. The captured weapons were being used to enforce extortion by the group. The article published by NSCN (IM) on April 10 for the operation carried out on April 8 is certainly an afterthought and a propaganda campaign launched by vested interests against the successful operations carried out by Assam Rifles in ensuring implementation of the Cease Fire Ground Rules.
The Assam Rifles stands by its commitment as ‘ Friends of the Hill People’ to ensure weapon and extortion free society and a peaceful environment in Nagaland.”
A serious allegation was made against joint operation conducted by 6 Assam Rifles and 164 Inf Bn TA (NAGA) at Tizit on April 8 and published in a newspaper on April 10, according to the PRO of IGAR (North).
It then stated that the operations were launched on receipt of specific intelligence about the concealment of huge quantity of warlike stores in the house of Mr Manpoh Konyak, Tatar, NSCN (IM).
“Despite denial by the occupants of the house of any warlike stores, careful search of the house in presence of two police personnel (accompanying the troops) resulted in recovery of one point 22 pistol (country made) with magazine, one pt 32 Pistol (Made in USA) with magazine, one pt 303 Rifle, one 12 bore single barrel rifle, one G-3 Rifle (UNSV), three pt 303 magazines, 117 assorted rounds of ammunitions, 3 feet of safety fuse, three pairs of combat uniforms, one grenade, 22 detonators and 15 gelatine sticks,” claimed the Assam Rifles.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/carrying-arms-extortion-not-part-of-ground-rule-ar-to-nscn/

Dimapur, April 16: Amid series of raids and arrests in the houses of senior NSCN-IM officials carried out by the security forces in ‘Nagalim’, the Naga outfit today tells the government of India that if it (New Delhi) wants to call off the cease-fire, it must politely tell the NSCN-IM in an unambiguous voice instead of playing hypocrisies.
Senior kilonser (minister) of the NSCN-IM in-charge of the outfit’s ministry of information and publicity A.Z Jami in a statement said, “The main purpose of the cease-fire between the Government of India and the National Socialist council of Nagalim (NSCN) is to facilitate for a purposeful political dialogue between the two entities to bring an amicable settlement of the decades long conflict between India and the Nagas.”
Reacting to all these incidents, senior NSCN-IM leader A.Z Jami said the much provocative actions of the Indian Army and paramilitary forces and vitiating the peaceful atmosphere in Nagalim is a serious concern for the NSCN as well as the Naga populace.
If the government of India wants to maintain cease-
fire, it must respect the hard earned cease-fire. Much harm has already been done to the NSCN under the shadow of the cease-fire. We want the government of India and its machinery to respect the cease-fire whole heartedly”.
A.Z Jami said the NSCN’s serious concern is towards a sincere and meaningful political dialogue rather than interpretations of the cease-fire ground rules. “If an amicable political settlement is arrived at, then it is the fulfillment of the cease-fire ground rules. But if the political dialogue breaks down what is the use of the cease-fire ground rules? So let us not focus much on the cease-fire ground rules but rather focus on the political talks”, he added.
The NSCN-IM leader then stated that when it considers the present escalated operations of the Indian Army and para military forces in the form of unabated checking and frisking and also house raids throughout “Nagalim”, they are very much skeptical whether cease-fire actually exists between the government of India and the NSCN. He added that the NSCN-IM also doubts the sincerity of the Indian Government.
“If we want to talk about the terms of the ceasefire here, then the preamble or preface of the cease-fire ground rules agreed upon on the 12th December, 1997 runs thus, “The cease-fire with a view to ensuring continuance of an effective cease-fire to pave way for a peaceful and meaningful political dialogue…”, it stated. A.Z Jami said the preamble of the revised cease-fire ground rules finalized in January, 2001 states, “with a view to make the cease-fire more effective and to create a proper and conducive atmosphere for a peaceful and meaningful political dialogue”. From all these statements the cease-fire was and is focused on political dialogue and settlement. But the way the Indian army and paramilitary forces are acting at present is quite contradictory and provocative, Jami said.
“The first clause of the ground rules runs thus, ‘there would be no offensive operations like ambush, raid and attack leading to death/injury/damage or loss of property against the NSCN by the Indian army, paramilitary forces and the police’. But the wonder is what the Indian army and paramilitary forces are doing at present. Attacks, raids and making arrests against the NSCN cadres are daily occurrence.
It urged Indian government machinery not to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Nagalim and give due respect to the existing cease-fire, and maintain code of conduct of ceasefire,”.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/call-off-cease-fire-politely-nscn/

Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, April 16: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that ensuring security of convoys carrying essential commodities along the two National Highway in Manipur had been of deep concern to the people of Manipur in view of its vulnerability to disturbance from armed militants. He drew the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider for a National Highway Patrolling scheme during the 12th Plan on fast track basis and viable long-term solution.
Participating at the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security at Vigyan Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road here today, the Manipur Chief Minister in his speech, urged the Union Government to advice the Border Road Organisation to stick to the timeline of December 2013 for completing upgradation of National Highway 53 which connected Silcher in Assam to Imphal. He said that the National Highway 53 together with the Imphal to Moreh Sector of National Highway 39 was the backbone of the proposed Trans-Asian Highway. He also emphasized the need for improvement of the telecom connectivity along NH-53 for effective security of the convoys.
Manipur Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Union Home Minister for deploying a CRPF Bn for dedicated security to the Railways in the construction of Jiribam-Imphal Railway line. He urged the Centre for examine the feasibility of extending the railway line to border town of Moreh during Phase-III of the project, which would be the backbone of the Trans-Asian Highway.
He stated that the construction of the Rail Fed Oil Depot at Imphal by the Indian Oil Corporation was another key priority project to augment storage capacity of POL products in Manipur. He drew the attention the Union Government for completion of the Depot within the next two years and also for enhancing the LPG bottling capacity at the IOC’s LPG bottling plant at Sekmai from 600 MT to 2400 MT during the 12th Plan.
He stated that good infrastructure was an essential pre-requisite for the economic development the region. An improvement milestone in the direction was the operationalisation of night landing facility at the Imphal Airport. The State Government acquired 640 acres of land for upgradation the Imphal Airport to international standards. He drew the attention the Union Government to accord priority to the project under the Look East Policy.
The Chief Minister urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to sanction four Indian Reserved Battalions for protection of the 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydro-Power Project to be executed by a joint venture company constituted by the NHPC, Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam Ltd and the Government of Manipur and the 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydro Electricity Project being taken up as a joint venture between NHPC Ltd and Government of Manipur
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also requested the Union Government to assist the State Government in obtaining assistance of the Japan International Co-operation Agency for the Project of Augmentation of Water for Imphal City with raw water from the Thoubal Multi Purpose Project.
Manipur Chief Minister reported that the State Government was taking steps to implement the Crime and Criminal Tracing Network and System Project in Manipur which would cover 101 police stations and 153 higher offices.
He also reported that the State Government successfully controlled ever the militant activities of the numerous Kuki Tribal Militant Groups by entering into a Tripartite Agreement for the Suspension of Operations over the last three years. To carry forward the momentum, two more militant groups namely UTLA and KRA were also included within the fold of the Tripartite Agreement on March 24 this year.
Although the larger valley-based militant groups had so far not responded to the State Government’s offer for a dialogue, the State Government signed a Tripartite Agreement with one smaller militant group namely the KCP(MC)-Lallumba faction in August 2010. The cadres were in the process of rehabilitation with assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Army and the Assam Rifles. He suggested the Union Government for consideration o absorbing the former militants in the CPOs by relaxing the recruitment norms.
Manipur Chief Minister also urged the Centre for establishment of a fully equipped and staffed Police Station in Khoupum in Tamenglong district to check the movement of the militants.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of effective surveillance above the Indo-Myanmar border and expressed his happiness to learn that the Ministry of Home Affairs finalised to construct 4585 kms of roads, 113 helipads and 2 helibases along the Indo-Myanmar border. He said that the State Government endorsed the MHA’s proposal to deploy BSF as the dedicated Border Guarding Force for the Indo-Myanmar border. It would ensure effective surveillance along the sensitive and porous Indo-Myanmar border which was, at present, at the core of illegal arms and drugs smuggling and the unchecked trans-border movements of militants who were a threat to the internal security. He stressed the need for taking the core issue with clear foresight and in a sustained manner.
The Chief Minister also drew the attention of the MHA for accelerating the border fencing works and also settling the unsettled boundary pillars in Manipur Sector with Myanmar at appropriate level.
Manipur Home Minister Gaikhangam, Chief Secretary D.S.Poonia and Director General of Police Ratnakar Bral also attended the conference.
Inaugurating the Conference, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh stated that the situation in some of North-Eastern states had, however, remained complex. There was some improvement in terms of incidents of violence, but there was no question that much remained to be done to restore calm and eliminate extortion, kidnapping and other crimes by militant or extremist groups on the pretext of ethnic identity. The pilferage of development funds by militant groups was hurting the efforts of the government to improve the lives of the people of the region.
The Ptrime Minister emphasized the need for strengthening the law and order capabilities of the states concerned and in reasserting and rebuilding normal democratic political and developmental processes.
More proactive state police forces reducing reliance on central armed police forces would be a useful step forward. The Centre would continue to work with the states of the region to make this possible. He hoped that the implementation of infrastructure projects in the North-East would create conditions for the return of normalcy.
He was very happy that political processes of negotiation and dialogue were underway with several insurgent and ethnic separatist groups in the North-East that were committed to finding amicable solutions to their problems. These dialogues, which were being undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs in close consultation with the states concerned, were making steady headway.
The Centre would continue its support to capacity building and police modernisation efforts by the States. State governments were the primary responders in most internal security situations. He urged the States and Ministry of Home Affairs to carry forward police reform and modernisation to their logical conclusion.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cm-demands-national-highways-patrolling-scheme-during-12th-plan/

Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, April 16: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that ensuring security of convoys carrying essential commodities along the two National Highway in Manipur had been of deep concern to the people of Manipur in view of its vulnerability to disturbance from armed militants. He drew the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider for a National Highway Patrolling scheme during the 12th Plan on fast track basis and viable long-term solution.
Participating at the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security at Vigyan Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road here today, the Manipur Chief Minister in his speech, urged the Union Government to advice the Border Road Organisation to stick to the timeline of December 2013 for completing upgradation of National Highway 53 which connected Silcher in Assam to Imphal. He said that the National Highway 53 together with the Imphal to Moreh Sector of National Highway 39 was the backbone of the proposed Trans-Asian Highway. He also emphasized the need for improvement of the telecom connectivity along NH-53 for effective security of the convoys.
Manipur Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Union Home Minister for deploying a CRPF Bn for dedicated security to the Railways in the construction of Jiribam-Imphal Railway line. He urged the Centre for examine the feasibility of extending the railway line to border town of Moreh during Phase-III of the project, which would be the backbone of the Trans-Asian Highway.
He stated that the construction of the Rail Fed Oil Depot at Imphal by the Indian Oil Corporation was another key priority project to augment storage capacity of POL products in Manipur. He drew the attention the Union Government for completion of the Depot within the next two years and also for enhancing the LPG bottling capacity at the IOC’s LPG bottling plant at Sekmai from 600 MT to 2400 MT during the 12th Plan.
He stated that good infrastructure was an essential pre-requisite for the economic development the region. An improvement milestone in the direction was the operationalisation of night landing facility at the Imphal Airport. The State Government acquired 640 acres of land for upgradation the Imphal Airport to international standards. He drew the attention the Union Government to accord priority to the project under the Look East Policy.
The Chief Minister urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to sanction four Indian Reserved Battalions for protection of the 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydro-Power Project to be executed by a joint venture company constituted by the NHPC, Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam Ltd and the Government of Manipur and the 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydro Electricity Project being taken up as a joint venture between NHPC Ltd and Government of Manipur
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also requested the Union Government to assist the State Government in obtaining assistance of the Japan International Co-operation Agency for the Project of Augmentation of Water for Imphal City with raw water from the Thoubal Multi Purpose Project.
Manipur Chief Minister reported that the State Government was taking steps to implement the Crime and Criminal Tracing Network and System Project in Manipur which would cover 101 police stations and 153 higher offices.
He also reported that the State Government successfully controlled ever the militant activities of the numerous Kuki Tribal Militant Groups by entering into a Tripartite Agreement for the Suspension of Operations over the last three years. To carry forward the momentum, two more militant groups namely UTLA and KRA were also included within the fold of the Tripartite Agreement on March 24 this year.
Although the larger valley-based militant groups had so far not responded to the State Government’s offer for a dialogue, the State Government signed a Tripartite Agreement with one smaller militant group namely the KCP(MC)-Lallumba faction in August 2010. The cadres were in the process of rehabilitation with assistance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Army and the Assam Rifles. He suggested the Union Government for consideration o absorbing the former militants in the CPOs by relaxing the recruitment norms.
Manipur Chief Minister also urged the Centre for establishment of a fully equipped and staffed Police Station in Khoupum in Tamenglong district to check the movement of the militants.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of effective surveillance above the Indo-Myanmar border and expressed his happiness to learn that the Ministry of Home Affairs finalised to construct 4585 kms of roads, 113 helipads and 2 helibases along the Indo-Myanmar border. He said that the State Government endorsed the MHA’s proposal to deploy BSF as the dedicated Border Guarding Force for the Indo-Myanmar border. It would ensure effective surveillance along the sensitive and porous Indo-Myanmar border which was, at present, at the core of illegal arms and drugs smuggling and the unchecked trans-border movements of militants who were a threat to the internal security. He stressed the need for taking the core issue with clear foresight and in a sustained manner.
The Chief Minister also drew the attention of the MHA for accelerating the border fencing works and also settling the unsettled boundary pillars in Manipur Sector with Myanmar at appropriate level.
Manipur Home Minister Gaikhangam, Chief Secretary D.S.Poonia and Director General of Police Ratnakar Bral also attended the conference.
Inaugurating the Conference, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh stated that the situation in some of North-Eastern states had, however, remained complex. There was some improvement in terms of incidents of violence, but there was no question that much remained to be done to restore calm and eliminate extortion, kidnapping and other crimes by militant or extremist groups on the pretext of ethnic identity. The pilferage of development funds by militant groups was hurting the efforts of the government to improve the lives of the people of the region.
The Ptrime Minister emphasized the need for strengthening the law and order capabilities of the states concerned and in reasserting and rebuilding normal democratic political and developmental processes.
More proactive state police forces reducing reliance on central armed police forces would be a useful step forward. The Centre would continue to work with the states of the region to make this possible. He hoped that the implementation of infrastructure projects in the North-East would create conditions for the return of normalcy.
He was very happy that political processes of negotiation and dialogue were underway with several insurgent and ethnic separatist groups in the North-East that were committed to finding amicable solutions to their problems. These dialogues, which were being undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs in close consultation with the states concerned, were making steady headway.
The Centre would continue its support to capacity building and police modernisation efforts by the States. State governments were the primary responders in most internal security situations. He urged the States and Ministry of Home Affairs to carry forward police reform and modernisation to their logical conclusion.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cm-demands-national-highways-patrolling-scheme-during-12th-plan/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Apr 14: On 13 Mar 2012, troops of 20 Assam Rifles, 6 Sector AR under HQ IGAR (North), based on reliable information regarding presence of NSCN (IM) cadres in a safe hideout in Chumukedima Ward No 1 conducted a swift operation, which resulted in the apprehension of 13 NSCN(IM) cadres along with one 9mm Pistol, one .22 Rifle, more than 3000 Rounds of various weapons, detonators and large amount of communication and surveillance equipments.
The operations incorporated all humanitarian facets to act within existing Cease Fire Ground Rules, yet arrest the law breakers to maintain a peaceful Nagaland.
According to the input the cadres had set up a temporary hideout in vicinity of a house belonging to SS Colonel Yaritiva Lotha of NSCN(IM) who is presently residing at the Herbon Camp. It had also been noticed that the cadres were using the safe house for transit and keeping the weapons and ammunition for short duration for further supplying it to other parts of the state for nefarious activities.
An area cordon was established around the specified house by maintaining utmost stealth during the early hours of the day and the search of the aea was started subsequently. During the swift search of the
safe house the resident cadres panicked and attempted to flee by breaking the cordon. However with absolute disregard to personal safety and maintaining a high standard of self control and discipline the troops captured the fleeing cadres with no collateral damage and completed the search operation.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/13-nscn-cadres-held/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Apr 12: The Union Cabinet today approved the initiation of the project entitled ‘Development of North Eastern Region by enhancing Training and Education Capacity in the Information, Electronics and Communication Technologies (IECT) area’ to be implemented by National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), an Autonomous Society under the Department of Electronics and Information Technology. The total budget outlay of the project is Rs.388.68 crore (Capital Expenditure Rs.266.25 crore and Recurring Expenditure Rs.122.43 crore). The Department’s contribution in the form of grants-in-aid is Rs.347.88 crore spread over a period of five years.
The project would result in enhanced capacity in terms of training/education in IECT sector for the youth of North-Eastern Region. The availability of trained professionals in the IECT area is expected to attract entrepreneurs/industrial houses to set up industries in the region, leading to its overall socio-economic development.
The project would benefit the student community/ youth , faculty members, entrepreneurs, local industry, government employees, educated employed, various disadvantaged sections of the society (viz. Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Classes/ minorities, school dropouts persons with disabilities, economically weaker sections, etc.) of the North-East Region, etc. About 45,000 students are expected to be enrolled/trained in various long-term/short term courses in five years in the proposed six upgraded centres and 12 extension centres.
The ‘North-Eastern Region Vision 2020’ document while analysing the population growth in many of the North Eastern States indicates that a substantial proportion of the population is below 14 years. It indicates that education would be the most critical input to empower the young people. The document also mentions that human resource is the single most promising development asset of the North East.
The literacy level in the region is above the national average. However their potential is not being utilised due to inadequate access to quality education, vocational education, training in languages, training in computers and information technology, technical, entrepreneurship, and soft skills. This project aims at capacity building in the North-East that would contribute in attracting IECT industries and generate a pool of jobs leading to overall socio-economic development of the region.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/development-of-north-eastern-region-by-enhancing-the-training/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Apr 9: A tripartite meeting involving the representatives of Government of Assam, and ULFA was held under the Chairmanship of Union Home Secretary, Sh. R.K.Singh in New Delhi today to discuss demands submitted by ULFA.
The delegation was led by Shri Arabinda Rajkhowa, Chairman, ULFA. Chief Secretary, Sh. N.K.Das, Government of Assam, Sh. P.C. Haldar, Government of India Representative for Peace Talks, Special Secretary, IS, Sh. Ajay Chadha, Joint Secretary, (North East) Sh. Shambhu Singh, MHA, Additional DGP, Sh. K. Sharma, and Home Commissioner, Sh. Jishnu Barua and Shri G.D.Triphati, Secretary(Home) West Bengal Government were also present.
There was tangible progress in the talks. Both sides were satisfied with the progress made. Government of India’s Representative Shri P.C.Haldar has been requested to hold further meetings to discuss some aspects in detail. Noting the tangible progress in talks with ULFA, Union Home Secretary stated that he would review the progress of talks with ULFA periodically.
ANI adds United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, who met Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh here on Monday in an endeavor to find a lasting solution to the three-decade-old insurgency problem in Assam , expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the talks.
“The talks, which we had today have been very satisfactory. This discussion has taken place in view of the earlier agenda, which we had discussed with them. Considerable progress has been made after the first round of talks,” he said.
Besides Rajkhowa, ULFA Foreign Secretary Shashadhar Chowdhary, Cultural Secretary Pranati Deka, Finance Secretary Chitrabon Hazarika were among those present in the 90-minute meeting.
Meanwhile, ULFA Foreign Secretary Shashadhar Chowdhary said that they discussed all the contentious issues.
“We have discussed all contentious issues, but are yet to take a decision on any of them. We have discussed many things. It was a cordial and nice discussion. What we can say is that the government of India has satisfied us,” said Chowdhary.”But in this one week, we cannot divulge all these things because matters are very sensitive and we are also a very sensitive people,” he added.
The ULFA delegation met the Union Home Secretary for the second time with an aim to see if any progress was made after the conclusion of the first round of talks.
The pro-talk faction had submitted its charter of demands to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in August last year, which was followed by the first round of talks with the Union Home Ministry in October.
The 12-point charter of demands, include constitutional amendments to give Assam greater control over its natural resources, revenue generation, participation in the planning process, ensuring a secure demographic situation, besides accelerated and balanced development.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tangible-progress-in-talks-with-ulfa/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Apr 7: Reports have been published in a section of the media regarding CBI investigation in the Dara Singh alleged fake encounter case and other investigations pertaining to the State of Rajasthan . Facts published therein are unsubstantiated and require clarification.
CBI clarified that it has investigated number of cases in the State of Rajasthan, on being entrusted by the Supreme Court / High Court of Rajasthan or on the request of Govt. of Rajasthan. The CBI investigation of the cases was conducted in professional, fair and transparent manner to unravel the truth.
In the Dara Singh alleged Fake encounter case, the Supreme Court of India, vide its order dated 09.04.2010 had directed the CBI to investigate the Case,on a petition filed by wife of deceased Dara Singh . Dara Singh was killed by the SOG police officials of Rajasthan on 23.10.2006 in an encounter. It was alleged by the family of the deceased that the encounter was fake.
The CBI accordingly registered the case on 23.04.2010 and took up investigation after a gap of more than three years on the orders of Supreme Court. After painstaking and thorough investigation, CBI filed charge-sheet on 03.06.2011 against 16 accused persons and kept the investigation open against the then Minister of Rajasthan u/s 173(8) CR.P.C. In spite of efforts made by interested parties to obliterate and destroy the evidence before & during the investigation, CBI could detect the case. During the course of investigation, accused persons were examined and given sufficient opportunity to present their plausible explanation / defence.
During the period of further investigation, accused persons were interrogated as well as statement of witnesses was recorded. All of them shed light, not only on the incident but also the conspiracy. A clear picture, thus, emerged about the entire case and CBI filed supplementary charge sheet on 05.04.2012, against the former Minister(presently an MLA), after full investigation including interrogation of the arrested accused.
Taking someone into police custody depends upon the requirements of investigation. Police custody of an accused is generally required when some material fact is to be ascertained from an accused, which was not so in this case, as the accused joined the investigation and had submitted facts desired by CBI.
Moreover, it is generally a requirement in the Courts of Rajasthan that the accused has to be forwarded to the Court along with the charge-sheet.
Further, this case is being closely monitored by the Supreme Court of India. Till date, CBI has submitted four Status Reports as per the directions of the Court. Court had given direction to the CBI to complete the investigation by 6.4.2012 in all respects which the CBI could comply. Matter is already listed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 13.4.2012.
Contrary to reports published in the media, CBI has had an excellent track record in investigations conducted in Rajasthan. The Bureau has filed exhaustive chargesheets in the Bhanwari Devi alleged Abduction & Murder Case after completion of a difficult investigation. A Former Minister of the Rajasthan Government and another MLA & others were arrested and chargesheet was filed revealing the role of all the accused. Further investigation u/s 173 (8) CrPC is still continuing.
The cases relating to Gopalgarh in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan were registered by CBI on 11 October 2011 on basis of notification by Department of Personnel & Training, Govt. of India, on the request of the State Government of Rajasthan. On 13 September 2011 ,over a land dispute at Gopalgarh Village,there was altercation between two communities , which led to rioting and some lives were lost.
During CBI investigation, 15 accused were arrested, and a chargesheet against 10 accused persons, were filed for rioting and other relevant offences.
Investigation is still continuing as 18 more cases with regard to incident in Gopalgarh have been registered in Feb 2012.
It may be further mentioned that High Courts all over the country and the Supreme Court of India have time and again reposed faith in the CBI by entrusting investigation of complicated & sensitive cases. This is the best appreciation that the CBI can get for its professional ability and also the reflection of the motto on which CBI stands- Industry, Impartiality and Integrity.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/dara-singh-alleged-fake-encounter/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Apr 7: The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the people on the occasion of Easter.
The Prime Minister in his message said the universal significance of Christ’s resurrection is that truth triumphs over evil and love is stronger than hatred. Easter is the celebration of compassion and fellowship and the hope of a better tomorrow.
May the festivities strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood among our people, the Prime Minister added.
Major General U K Gurung,YSM,IGAR(South) and All Ranks Assam Rifles extends a very warm greetings and sincere goodwill to the people of Manipur on the auspicious occasion of “Easter Sunday”.
IGAR (South) also conveys his earnest message of peace, harmony, unity and understanding on this joyous occasion. He earnestly wishes that all the goodwill and harmony will bring together all of us irrespective of caste, creed and faith. May Almighty Lord bless us all on this special day of Joy and Happiness.
Maj Gen Binnoy Poonnen, VSM, GOC, Red Shield Division and all ranks of the Division extended their warm greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Easter Sunday.
God so loved Man-that he gave his only Son, so that man may be saved. Easter is the celebration of the ‘Resurrection of Jesus’, bringing in fresh hope and love of the Almighty for the salvation of mankind.
Gen Poonnen said that, ‘many many years ago JESUS let the Romans crown ‘Him’ with a ‘Crown of Thorns’, on behest of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees who accused ‘Him” of blasphemy-so that ail Mankind could be saved in the years ahead. He said that may the thorns of pain, communal animosity and killings be taken away by JESUS this Easter to herald in a new dawn bring fresh hope and promises of peace, harmony and tranquility among the people so that Manipur may flourish and be blessed with everlasting peace’.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-greets-nation-on-easter/

Ralegan Siddhi/Bhopal, Apr 6 (ANI): Taking a dig at the Central Government over failing to deal with corruption, social activist Anna Hazare said the former is scared of losing its ground in the current democratic setup.
“The general elections are due in 2014 and I think the government is scared of being toppled in the light of several scams and turning a deaf year to the demands of Indian citizens,” Hazare told media here.
Hazare has warned that he will start another anti-corruption movement to ensure the passage of a strong Lokpal Bill before the 2014 elections.
“I will tour the entire country and awaken youth about the elections and urge them not to vote for those who work against them. I will also sit in Ramlila ground and carry forward our movement against corruption,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hazare’s close aide and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) shouldn’t be under the control of the government to ensure transparency.
“If the CBI was not under administrative control of the government then the rampant scams in the country wouldn’t have perpetrated. Each day a new scam comes to light,” Bedi added.
Condemning the recent scam that came to light after the World Bank’s report on embezzlement of funds in building national highways in Uttar Pradesh, Bedi said: ”
It is very shameful. This has to stop.”
A newspaper reported it with headlines detailing the report, which revealed serious incidents of graft in a review of road projects in Uttar Pradesh, causing loss of millions of rupees.
The World Bank’s Institutional Integrity Unit has sought a thorough probe into the matter.
The probe is likely to further highlight concerns about corruption in its development projects and increase pressure on outgoing President Robert Zoellick to tackle shortcomings in the bank’s oversight of projects.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/government-scared-of-losing-its-ground-hazare/

Guwahati, April 6 NNN: Nine non-tribal labourers working on a hospital project were abducted at gunpoint from Rong Bong Ghat area under Borpathar police station in Karbi Anglong district of Assam early Friday morning. Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) militants are suspected to be behind the abduction.
According to Karbi Anglong police, a group of armed militants raided a camp of 27 labourers adjacent to the construction site of the model hospital, beat some of them and whisked 10 others away. One of the abducted labourers was released later on.
“The finger of suspicion points at KPLT. We have launched a search operation in coordination with army and CRPF’s elite commando teams,” said Karbi Anglong police chief BB Chettri. He added heavy rain and poor communication slowed the search operation.
Police suspected that the abduction was an outcome of the hospital contractor’s refusal to pay protection money or ‘goonda tax’. Contractors executing various government projects in Karbi Anglong hills periodically receive extortion demands from KPLT.
KPLT is a breakaway faction of the erstwhile United People Democratic Solidarity that was disbanded last year following a truce pact with New Delhi. Security forces busted several camps of the outfit but it has been operating out of dense jungles to create terror toward statehood for the Karbi tribal people.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nine-labourers-abducted-in-karbi/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Apr 4: The Central Bureau of Investigation has today arrested a former Minister of Rajasthan Government (presently an MLA) in an on-going investigation relating to the Dara Singh alleged fake encounter case. The arrested accused is being produced today in the Designated Court at Jaipur. Dara Singh, a resident of village Mundital, Distt. Churu, Rajasthan was allegedly killed by Special Operation Group, Rajasthan in the outskirts of Jaipur on 23.10.2006. On a petition filed by wife of deceased Dara Singh, Supreme Court of India had directed CBI to take up the investigation.
The CBI took up the investigation of the Dara Singh alleged fake encounter case in April 2010, on the directions of the Supreme Court of India.
The investigation revealed that Dara Singh was allegedly killed in a fake encounter in pursuance of a criminal conspiracy.During the course of investigation, accused persons were examined and given sufficient opportunity to present their plausible explanation / defence.
After thorough Investigation, a chargesheet was filled by CBI on 3/06/2011 in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jaipur U/S 120-B IPC r/w 302, 364, 346, 201, 218 IPC and substantive offences thereof against 16 accused persons i.e. the then Additional DG (Crime); the then SP(SOG); the then Additional SP(SOG); the then seven Sub-Inspectors; the then three Head Constables; the then two Constables – all of Rajasthan Police and one private person. 12 accused persons are in Judicial Custody. Three Police personnel and one Private person are absconding.
CBI was further investigating U/s 173 (8) of Cr.PC, the role of some other persons for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind alleged killing of Dara Singh.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-arrests-former-minister/

Guwahati, April 5 NNN: A historic World War II road that fell into disuse after 1945 is expected to get a ‘fresh lease of life’ after the landslide victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party in a by-poll raised hopes of democracy ending five decades of military rule in Myanmar.
American General Joseph Warren Stilwell had supervised the construction of the 1,736 km Ledo Road from the coal-rich Ledo area in eastern Assam to Kunming in China’s Yunnan province through Myanmar. Chinese military chief Chiang Kai-Shek renamed it Stilwell Road in appreciation of the Genera’s endeavour to build the road to ensure Allied supplies to China after the Japanese army had cut an arterial route in 1942.
The WW2 road runs 61 km in India up to Pangsau Pass in Arunachal Pradesh, 1,033 km in Myanmar and 632 km in China. Burmese rebels and drug cartels control much of the Myanmar segment of the road.
“Stilwell Road blends history with the future of Northeast India’s journey towards economic growth. We hope the political development in Myanmar will go a long way in improving the road and cooperation between the two countries,” said Assam industries minister Pradyut Bordoloi. Ledo falls in his assembly constituency Margherita.
DoNER minister Pawan Singh Ghatowar, however, played down Stilwell Road since ‘New Delhi is pursuing various other road projects in Myanmar as per Yangon’s priority’. While terming Suu Kyi’s victory as Myanmar’s internal matter, he said: “Political developments in our neighbouring country will not impact the level of cooperation between India and Myanmar. We have improved the Indo-Burma Friendship Road (160 km from Tamu on Manipur border to Kalemyo in Myanmar) besides focusing on the Sittwe Port project,” he said.
Estimated at Rs 550 crore in 2008, Sittwe project is part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Facility envisaging connectivity between Indian ports on the eastern seaboard at Sittwe in Myanmar and then through river transport and road to Mizoram. The Kaladan river is navigable up to a point near the Mizoram-Myanmar border.
“Kaladan-Sittwe is crucial for Mizoram and Northeast India’s economic uplift, and we hope the political tidings in Myanmar will fast-track the project besides facilitating more people-to-people interactions and better border trade,” Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla said from Aizawl.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/world-war-two-road-might-bask-in-suu-kyi-victory/

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on Saturday said that the large amount of money seized in Jharkhand during the Rajya Sabha polls was a shocker for the entire nation.
“It is a shocker not just for us but also for the entire nation, it is very unfortunate if horse trading like this is going on in the Rajya Sabha elections,” said Quraishi. Quraishi further said that he took action after he received complaints from political leaders and the media.
“See we had received complaints from senior political leaders like Mr. Marandi (Babu Lal Marandi) and before that Mr. Sharad Yadav had complained, Gurudas Dasgupta also complained about it and media had reported about the matter that such kinds of transactions are taking place.
So we had alerted our machinery in Bihar, a day before the incident, to alert the income tax machinery to keep vigilance on such activities,” he said.
Expressing happiness over the work done by the income tax authorities, Quraishi added that in light of such evidence it was necessary to cancel the elections. “I am very happy that the income tax authorities worked very efficiently in capturing the car carrying 2.15 crore rupees. And those who were caught also told that there were two more cars behind it in which money was kept and which went back.
So in light of such evidence, we thought it was necessary that we took some action, and so we wrote a letter to president to cancel this election and conduct it again,” added Quraishi.
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday countermanded the Rajya Sabha polls in Jharkhand after the seizure of over two crore rupees from the car of a candidate’s relative.
The income tax officials had seized cash of over two crore rupees from Namkum area in Ranchi and arrested two persons along with the cash.
It was reported that the car belonged to the brother of R. K. Aggarwal, who was contesting as an independent candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls from Jharkhand.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rs-polls-money-seizure-a-shocker-for-entire-nation-says-cec-quraishi/

New Delhi , Mar 30 (ANI): Army Chief General V.K. Singh on Friday said that dependence on foreign firms must be reduced.
Addressing a defence-related event at the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here, General Singh said:
“We source 70 percent of equipment from outside and need to reduce this dependence. Defence is trying to reduce dependence on foreign firms. We need to be self-reliant and maintain independent capability.”
General Singh further said the issue of private sector participation had been debated for a long time, and there was a need for closer coordination between the industry and the armed forces for long term investment.
“The demand of private participation has gone up in the recent times.
Joint ventures must go to joint design and joint production. Private industry would not invest if there are no gains. So, there needs to be more coordination,” he added.
On Thursday Defence Minister A.K Antony said that six companies – four foreign and two Indian – have been blacklisted from the defence procurement process for ten years for alleged involvement in a multi-crore ordnance factory scam.
“Six companies have been blacklisted for 10 years by the government.
The banned entities included four foreign companies and two Indian companies and the action against them was taken following recommendations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),” Antony said at a press conference.
“In the process of procurement, if it is established at any stage of the contract that there is malpractice then we will cancel the contract.
Even after signing the contract if anything is found we will take action, we have very strong safe guards,” he said.
The six blacklisted companies include the Singapore Technologies, Israeli Military Industry, Germany ‘s Rheinmetall Air Defence, Corporation Defence of Russia, Delhi-based T S Kisan and Co Pvt Ltd and R K Machine Tools of Ludhiana.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/reduce-dependence-on-foreign-firms-gen-singh/

Chandigarh , Mar.30 (ANI): A special CBI court in Patiala on Friday found Punjab minister and former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur guilty of forcing her daughter, Harpreet Kaur, to undergo an abortion and sentenced her to five years rigorous imprisonment.
The court also charged her with abduction and criminal conspiracy in the murder case. She was given three years and a year’s imprisonment respectively on these two counts. The court said the sentence would run concurrently.
Harpreet Kaur had died under mysterious circumstances in April 2000.
The case has seen several witnesses turning hostile. Even the complainant Kamaljit Singh turned hostile, only to re-affirm the charges later.
While Harpreet’s cremation happened hurriedly, a few days after her death, Kamaljit, a resident of Begowal, which is the ancestral village of Bibi Jagir Kaur , had claimed that he was Harpreet’s husband and the father of Harpreet’s still-born child.
When the police refused to register a complaint in this regard on April 27, 2000, Kamaljit approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On June 9, 2000, the High Court directed the CBI to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
After conducting the probe, on October 3, 2000, the CBI registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code against Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee President at that time.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-court-sends-punjab-minister-to-jail-for-daughters-murder/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Mar 30: United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, concluded his official mission to India today. Prof. Heyns visited the North East region of India and held a consultation with civil society in Guwahati on 28th March 2012 at Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok.
Prof Heyns said he travelled to New Delhi,as well as to five States,namely: Gujarat;Kerala;Jammu and Kashmir,where I had meetings in the cities of Jammu and Srinagar;Assam;and West Bengal.
He thanked to the United Nations Resident Coordinator,Mr. Patrice Coeur-Bizot,and his team,for having facilitated the preparation and conduct of my mission.
He said, “There are complaints of use of excessive force by the police against unarmed demonstrators and protestors, with scant adherence to the principles of proportionality and necessity.
Significantly, problems concerning excessive and arbitrary use of force by the police are further aggravated by statutory immunities that restrict accountability. Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code requires prior sanction from the concerned government before cognizance can be taken of any offence by a public servant for criminal prosecution.
A practice of what is called ‘fake encounters’ has developed in parts of the country. Where this occurs,suspected criminals or those labelled as terrorists or insurgents, and in some cases people onwhose head there is a prize, are shot dead by the police, and a scene of a shootout is staged. Those killed are then portrayed as the aggressors who had first opened fire and the police escape legal sanction. According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 2 965 cases of ‘encounters’ have been reported between 1993 and 2010,though there is possibly under-reporting.
In a positive development, the Supreme Court and the NHRC have issued guidelines on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and on encounters.
There have been a large number of cases recorded on deaths that have occurred in police as well as judicial custody, often in the context of torture. I have been assured by Government representatives that the process of passing the legislation on torture as proposed by the Select Committee of the Upper House is well under way,which will allow the ratification of the Convention Against Torture. Needless to say this proposed legislation must be compliant with CAT and must include the mandatory provisions of training of police,prison cadre and other forces as well as orientation of the judiciary.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in effect allows the state to override rights in the ‘disturbed areas’ in a much more intrusive way than would be the case under a state of emergency, since the right to life is in effect suspended,and this is done without the safeguards applicable to states of emergency.
AFSPA – continuously in force since 1958 (different states have their own versions as well) in the North East and since 1990 in Jammu and Kashmir – has become a symbol of excessive state power. I have heard extensive evidence of action taken under this law that resulted in innocent lives being lost,in Jammu and Kashmir and in Assam,where witnesses from neighbouring states also assembled.This law was described to me as ‘hated’ and a member of a state human rights commission called it ‘draconian’.
A law such as AFSPA has no role to play in a democracy and should be scrapped. The repeal of this law will not only bring domestic law more in line with international standards,but also send out a powerful message that instead of a military approach the government is committed to respect for the right to life of all people of the country.
The government-appointed Jeevan Reddy Committee and the Administrative Reform Commission have both called for its repeal; as have political leaders of states where the Act applies.The NHRC told me during our meeting that they are in favour of its repeal and that they have commented in their submission to the 2012 UPR that AFSPA often leads to the violation of human rights. It is therefore difficult to understand how the Supreme Court,which has been so progressive in other areas,also concerning the right to life, could have ruled in 1997 that AFSPA did not violate the Constitution- although they tried, seemingly with little success,to mitigate its impact by issuing guidelines on how it is to be implemented.
AFSPA clearly violates International Law. A number of UN treaty bodies have pronounced it to be in violation of International Law,namely HRC (1997),CEDAW (2007),CERD (2007) and CESCR (2008). My predecessor has also called for its repeal.”The widespread deployment of the military creates an environment in which the exception becomes the rule,and the use of lethal force is seen as the primary response to conflict with a concomitant permissive approach in respect of the use of lethal force. This is also difficult to reconcile in the long run with India’s insistence that it is not engaged in armed conflict.
Accountability is circumvented by invoking AFSPA’s requirement of obtaining prior sanction from the Central government before any civil prosecutions can be initiated against armed forces personnel. The information received through Right to Information applications,shows that this immunity provision effectively blocks any prosecution of members of the armed forces. The Centre has for example never granted sanction for civil prosecution of a member of the armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said , “Without waiting for the Commission, steps should be taken as a matter of priority on 13 important issues. It includes repeal of AFSPA, Ratification of the following international instruments should take place without further delay: Convention Against Torture;OP-CAT; and the Convention on Enforced Disappearances. Place a moratorium on the death penalty in accordance with General Assembly resolution

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/un-rapporteur-recommends-repeal-of-afspa/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Mar 29: According to news reports in national media, the police is discriminating Indians with Mongoloid features in order to control the Tibetan protest in the wake of the BRICS summit.
Such racial profiling of Indian citizens is tragic and uncalled for. North East India Image Managers (NEIim) lodged strong protest against such racial discrimination and would like to appeal to authorities and political brass to take note of the situation and take appropriate measures.
It said, “We, the people of North East India, are proud to be Indians and we will ensure all possible help to maintain law and order and help the authorities in this regard. But please help us being concerned citizens not harassed ones. We strongly believe that law & order can be maintained without racial profiling of citizens of this country. The law & order authority of the country itself adopting such tactics of racial bias sets a dangerous precedence which threatens the basic foundation of unity in diversity of this great nation.
As per the reports, the Police wanted to see passports of Indian citizens from North Eastern India for roaming in the national capital. It is a fundamental right of the citizens of India to roam around in any part of the country, let alone the National Capital Territory. It is highly unfortunate that after 65 of years of independence still our socio-political system has not been able to accept people with mongoloid features as Indians. We hereby appeal to the government to take impactful socio-economic measures to bring a change to this mindset.”

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/stop-racial-profiling-of-citizens-from-north-east/