Tag: Top Stories

By Bobo Khuraijam
Two fortnights of displacement from the keyboard and monitor earns up excuse easy enough to convince the editor. That Leipung had to take leave for two fortnights. The leave was applied via the mobile cellular service. Without any hitch the leave was granted. The call cost one rupee and twenty paisa of Indian currency. People close to him would know. Our editor does not speak much. Keeps always to the point, has a good bass vocal but seldom heard him sing. May be he had tried in his school days. Experience must have taught him not to sing in the public. Some says his speech is not as good as his writing. You don’t find him commenting on the headlines in the morning taret makhai pao. In the evening when he is immersed in work, almost buried among the keypads of his laptop mono syllables like ‘o’, ‘um’ would be his words. He would beam a smile when you crack a silly joke. We hope he would spare Leipung for digging up on his quirks. As dubious as we may sound we had to take leave anyway. We are not as fortunate as the government employees. Like those who are posted in the hills. They can swap with a dummy. The largest democracy in the world can have proxy voters. But we reaffirm ourselves that there cannot be proxy Leipung – as simple as that.

COUNT YOUR BLOOD: Have not we mentioned? The leave we asked our editor cost one rupee and twenty paisa. Here are some more price tags for a few things. A unit of blood cost rupees two thousand and three hundred only on Indian currency. An income tax statement for not being a tax payer cost rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency. Allow us to elaborate. Someone not from the leikai, not from the valley; a wife of a husband from a hill district had to be admitted to the hospital following her complains of extreme fatigue for quite some days. They have modest income but no sangga-pangga in the valley. The couple headed straight to a private hospital as they could not muster up enough patience to wait for a decent bed in the government hospital. They were told that she was suffering from anemia. She needed rest and two to three unit of blood without delay. Her hemoglobin count was below the normal. The blood bank in the private hospital could give them only one unit. As per the rule they have to replace it back by a donor. The husband volunteered to be the replacement donor. He had to arrange the remaining from some other blood bank. The husband went to the blood bank of a well known government hospital. He was told to buy a ticket from the emergency counter. It was the mandatory charge for cross matching the blood sample: Rupees eight hundred. The husband had a sign of relief when he was told that blood is available in the bank. He was told to wait for sometime. After a while he was gently told that he have to pay rupees one thousand and seven hundred only. Not at the counter but at a room near the blood bank. The husband thought for a few seconds. He decided not to argue. Instead he requested the man with the thick register to reduce the money. They settled with rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency note. So, dear all, who donates blood regularly. Please keep up your priceless humanitarian act of donating blood regularly. We have faith in each of the individuals who donates blood. From civil voluntary organization to defense personals, from patriots who donate blood on the eighteenth of June to officers of lions and tigers club; every single drop of your blood is going to save someone’s life; more than that every single drop of your blood is going to make someone’s purse swell. Keep donating and keep saving life. As for the leipung members, we are going to demand our share of money from the man with the register every time we donate blood.

PAY YOUR TAX: “I am a tax paying citizen and I know my rights as a citizen of a democratic country”, this is a statement oftentimes used by educated citizens whenever they mean to assert their rights. The government spent huge sum of Indian currency to persuade citizens to pay their tax well in time. They even honour celebrities who pay tax regularly. It is obligatory for everyone to pay tax. People who earn in enormous amount like industrialist and celebs of the tinsel town have to pay more tax for they earn more. What about those who do not earn or earn a little? Well, they do not need to pay income tax. At the most they have to pay electricity and water bill. Sometime back some one from the Leikai who runs an embroidery centre, with a little amount of saving decided to launch a NGO. We have no idea at whose advice she was doing that. We know that she is active in leikai meira paibi besides her embroidery centre. Not too old to get married. We heard she is standing in the next Panchayat election. Someone must have told her that an NGO would be a good option to give opportunities to people. And she can earn well if she has heijara singjaragadi quality. She opened a bank account and got a PAN card in her name. All that while, she had little idea when her PAN card would come to a use. It anyway looks beautiful with her photo and signature on it. Much better than the electoral ID card. She was advised to get her organisation registered. After that she can run for government funding. One fine day news came in that her project report got approved from the authority. She has to sign an agreement with the authorities. Along with the signed agreement she has to furnish income tax assessment order for a financial year. She got baffled. How on earth? She has never paid any kind of income tax. At last some one prepared her income tax statement after spending rupees one thousand and five hundred only on Indian currency. She tried to argue that nobody had asked her to pay income tax so far. And on the contrary how can she be asked to furnish a statement like that. Someone convinced her that once anyone got a PAN card in their name, he or she would be considered a tax payer. She was happy. All these while, sitting on the Leipung we got message after message in the mobile phone. That a ‘gyanpack’ worth subscribing is in the offer; rupees Seven only on Indian currency, we hardly press any of the keys on the phone; then we got a congratulatory message that we have just subscribe the ‘gyanpack’. Rupees seven gone without touching keys: miraculous, is not it? It reminds us of a graffiti written on the wall of a public toilet – save the earth, die now. So be it, Bharati Airtel!

FOOTNOTE: Not again, our political fat cats are up to building a five star hotel in the heart of the town. That too at the cost of causing displacement to many families, Leipung Ningthou calls it, “thi chaamba heitringaida tie punnaba hotnaba”.

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HYDERABAD, July 6 (AP): Police arrested about 50 people, including three lawmakers, during protests Wednesday demanding the creation of a new state in Andhra Pradesh.

Shops and offices were shut and public transport was halted for a second day as statehood advocates pressed the government to act on their demand for a new state called Telengana be carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

Two state lawmakers and a member of Parliament were among those arrested during the demonstration in Hyderabad, the state capital, said A.K. Khan, a senior police official.

Police also fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse agitating students who pelted the police with stones at the city`s Osmania University, Khan said.

More than a dozen Parliament members and at least 80 state lawmakers in Andhra Pradesh have resigned in recent days to press the demands for creating the new state. The federal government says more consultations are needed before it decides.

Telengana supporters say the drought-prone northern area is underdeveloped and ignored by powerful politicians from southern Andhra Pradesh. Opposition to the split comes primarily because the proposed Telengana area would include the state capital, Hyderabad.

The Telengana demand has erupted sporadically since the 1950s, but protests gained strength in 2009 when veteran politician K. Chandrasekhara Rao began a hunger strike. After 11 days, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s government agreed to split the state. But little action has taken place since.

Several parts of India — the Bundelkhand region in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in the western Maharashtra state and Gorkhaland in the eastern West Bengal state and the Northeastern region of the country— face similar statehood movements, but the government has not made any moves to create states there.

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IMPHAL, Aug 7: All concerned department under the Government of Manipur are advised to conform to the instructions laid down in the business of the government of Manipur (allocation) 2009 both in letter in spirit.

In this regard an official order has been issued recently by the under secretary (DP), Yumnam Robita that instances have come to the notice of the government that some administrative department have issued orders allowing withdrawal and disbursement of pay and allowances in respect of some IAS officers by invoking the provision of Rule 217(2) of the CTR (Vol.I) on the plea that the delegation is specific to the department concerned and no normal concurrence of DP is required.

It is also mentioned that the business of the government of Manipur (allocation) Rules, 2009 in this regard read as, all matters relating to appointment, promotion, transfer and all service matters relating to All India Services (AIS) i.e IAS, IPS & IFS and all matters relating to appointment, promotion, transfer and all service matter relating to secretaries and heads of department who do not belongs to the IAS, IPS, IFS and MSS.

The official order also mentioned that, the plea of the administrative department that they are authorized to do so under CTR 217 (2) would be tenable only if they were doing it for all officers. Department of personnel is the concerned department to issue such order in respect of AIS and state service officers as per the business of the government of Manipur (allocation) Rules 2009. And any orders in respect of AIS officers including IAS, IPS and IFS, secretaries to the state government and head of departments shall be issued by the department of personnel only, the official order added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/govt-decree-on-withdrawal-and-disbursement-of-pay-for-ias/

IMPHAL, August 21: A one day training cum-seminar programme on HIV/AIDS awareness was held today Lanthunching village, Langol organized by the Southern Tangkhul Baptist Association, Manipur under the sponsorship of Tribal Research Institute (TRI).

The seminar was graced by Z. Solomon, joint director TRI as the chief guest of the function while Standhope Chaplain STNBA Fellowship, Imphal attended as the moderator.

While addressing the seminar as the chief guest, Z. Solomon, enlighten the gathering on vital role played by Chruch leaders in combating HIV/AIDS. He stress the need of organizing mass awareness campaign in church level and impart education on HIV/AIDS.

TRI is a small department with only 11 staffs however it have been organizing awareness on community based levels to preserve and uphold the indigenous culture and scripts. For this year the department has taken up awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS, he informed.

While speaking as the resource person on the topic “Role of Church leaders in Combating HIV/AIDS to mainstreaming”, SK. Victor, consultant mainstreaming MACS, informed that 38,000 persons of the general population has been confirmed with living with HIV/AIDS virus adding Ukhrul remained the high prevalent rate districts followed by Churachandpur district. He further informed that the transmission level have increase through unsafe sexual relationship.

While comparing the high prevalent rate he informed that Myanmar is at 1.3 prevalent rate while India at 0.9.

He observed that stigma and discrimination is high within the Christian society, people living with HIV/AIDS are considered to be sinners and cited lack of awareness the main cause for the stigma and discrimination.

The resource person said that combating of HIV/AIDS as an individual is bound by his/her religion. He said that church leaders such as partors, deacon and other church member plays important role in efficient combat against the HIV/AIDS as “the change of human and change of risk can be brought by the religious leaders” he added.    

Lalpu Mangte also spoke during the awareness programme as resource person on the topic “Care on HIV/AIDS”.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/08/church-leaders-must-tackle-hivaids-issue/

IMPHAL, Sept 16: The proposed indefinite economic blockade of the Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) scheduled to commence from September 17 midnight has been called off temporarily by the committee citing the prevailing situation in the state and the hardship that the general public has to face.

According to information received by the press, the decision was taken by the JDDC after deliberate discussion during its executive meeting held since yesterday. The said source maintained that the decision to called off the proposed indefinite economic blockade was necessitated in view of the hardship being face by the general public in the wake of the economic blockade of the UNC and SHDDC on both the National Highways of the state.

Besides that, the proposed blockade has been called off though temporarily as a gesture of solidarity to the Khundrakpam Rajeshkumar Singh, 28, s/o Kh. Radhakishwor Singh, who has been staging fast unto death demonstration at Jiribam since yesterday and the supporters of the JDDC who has been extending relentless support.

At the same time, the report further clarified that blockade was not called off due to the pressures or appeal from ICHAM or state government. 

In the meantime, a medical team led by Dr. AK. Das, MO Jiribam CHC conducted a medical check up on hunger striker, Khundrakpam Rajeshkumar.

The doctor has informed his condition to be normal as of now however asserted that the hunger striker has developed some problems in his urinary track. 

AK Das also informed that the lack of medical facilities including man power in the sub-division is causing inconveniences to the staff while discharging their duties.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/jddc-suspends-its-proposed-indefinite-ecoblockade-temporarily/

IMPHAL, May 22: The Federation of College Teachers’ Association, Manipur (FECTAM) has decided to boycott the upcoming Imphal Municipal Council election schedule to be held on May 25 besides launching a series of agitation in protest against the failure of the government to implement the revised UGC pay scale in the state for the college teachers.
The FECTAM in a statement said that the decision was resolved unanimously during a special general body meeting held today at GP Women’s College.
It said that the meeting was attended by teachers from both hills and valley and discussed issues relating to the failure of the government in implementation of the revised UGC scale despite memorandum of understanding signed between the Government and the FECTAM in the presence of the Chief Minister.
The meeting deliberately discussed the failure to give executive orders despite the MoU and also lamented that the college teachers are drawing the unrevised salary while the other government employees are receiving the revised pay and also two doses of DA, it said.
It further expressed the discontentment of the disparity meted out to the teachers and stated that the situation has greatly affected the enthusiasm of the teachers in discharging their normal duties. Terming it as a great lost to the society regarding the higher secondary education in the state, the teachers view the indifferent attitude of the government as gross violation of article 14 of the Indian Constitution.
Apart from resolving to boycott the Municipal Council Election the meet also adopted several other resolutions which included submitting an ultimatum to the government with June 4 as the deadline for issuing executive orders for implementation of the revised UGC scale pay in to to.
The meet also resolved to launch series of agitations from June 6 in case of failure on the part of the government to meet the deadline.
It elaborated that the agitations would be launched in phase wise, including a protest rally on June 6, sit in protest on daily basis by each college in turn from June 7, one day hunger strike on a date to be notified by the executive committee, cease work strike from June 15 which will be followed by “Mass Resignation” of the college teachers, in the event of unsatisfactory response from the Government. 

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IMPHAL, May 25: The union minister DoNER, B K Handique, will be inaugurating a programme “Developing Managerial Skill for Entrepreneurship” at IIM Shillong on July 2. The programme will be conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Shillong through its Centre for Development of North Eastern Region (CEDNER).
An emailed statement of the ministry has stated that the ministry of DoNER has sanctioned an amount of Rs.79.15 lacs for this programme for training 60 youths from the region.  The Course will deal with developing managerial skills among the new generation of entrepreneurs of the region. The program is supported under the “Technical assistance and Capacity Building Scheme” administer by the Ministry of DoNER, added the statement.
The ministry of DoNER and the North Eastern Council has collaborated with the Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Shillong to offer a range of short term skill development programmes encompassing the different areas of Management, Entrepreneurship, Tourism, Hospitality, among many others, from this financial year onwards, it stated.
According to the statement, this partnership is a result of the initiative of Bijoy Krishna Handique, union minister of DoNER and chairman, NEC who has been actively pursuing the agenda of involving the premier institutes in the North Eastern Region like IIM, IIT and Tata Institute of Social Sciences in the process of nurturing the human resources in the NER.
According to the statement BK Handique mentioned that “We have a larger roadmap in mind to continuously train youths from the Region with a focus on increasing their employability. The institutes like IIM, IIT and TISS are well positioned to cater to the training needs of the Region in addition to their regular courses. We have requested them to develop such courses and we have been able to make considerable headway in designing some. Our Ministry and its affiliated organisations like NEC will wholly sponsor these courses. I am hopeful that this development will bring some respite to the larger problem of unemployment in Region”.
The Ministry of DoNER had earlier announced a one and a half months programme in association with IIT Guwahati to train 30 Engineers from Assam Irrigation Department on “Mitigation of River Bank Erosion”, it added.

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The clamour over the visit by the Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, to Senapati district to inaugurate an office of the political party he belongs to, the Naga People`™s Front, NPF, and the whimper with which it all ended was a situation which could have best been avoided with a little diplomatic acumen on the part of the Manipur government. What ought to have been realised all along is that setting up the office of a political party is not what matters in the end, but getting MLAs and MPs elected on the tickets of the party in elections in the state. The government of Manipur, as it had done in the last minute, should have ignored the matter, or even welcomed the chief minister of the neighbouring state and invited him to touch Imphal as well for a tete-a-tete. That would have robbed the wind out of the Nagaland chief minster`™s sail, not so much as a sinister Machiavellian plan, but the goodwill contained in such a gesture would have flattened all political posturing and gimmicks. As all die hard optimists do, we too believe goodwill is excellent diplomacy on its own, intended or otherwise. The Manipur chief minister, Okram Ibobi has clarified later that he had only the consideration of the law and order situation in the state for sending out the advisory to his Nagaland counterpart to refrain from coming to the state for the function, but later relented as the Rio insisted on coming. This explanation seems like an afterthought and a desperate effort to seek an honourable way out of the slippery situation, but it must be conceded he does have a point. After all, the law and order situation Manipur is at this moment, abysmal. Years ago, everybody would remember very well how a former Speaker of the Nagaland Assembly, Thenucho, almost fell victim to bullets of the Manipur police commandos who ostensibly mistook his bodyguards for militants and opened fire killing all in his car, except him. Surely nobody would want to see such a costly catastrophe repeated at any cost.

All well that ends well. The event came and went, and if not for the clamour created by the government, probably it would have been just another ordinary routine event. This however does not mean that the event did not have any ulterior political agenda. It was indeed intended as a symbolic move to send out the message that the push for a Greater Nagaland is still very much alive. The speakers at the function, including the Nagaland chief minister was pretty honest about this. But so long as he does not incite violence, or does anything to disturb the peace, his overture, even if in bad taste, should have been considered as part of his right to free speech. In the opinion of the law of the land too, it had become quite clear after the intense debate on whether the pro-Kashmiri Azadi movement statement made in New Delhi not long ago by maverick social activist and author, Arundhati Roy, amounted to sedition or not. All will remember that the court had in this high profile case, ruled that Roy`™s statement did not, for sedition clause can only be invoked if somebody actually incites violence or calls for breach of peace.

But let those pushing the issue also not be so naive as to believe the NPF is a national party and has the mandate of the provisions of the Election Commission of India, to open office anywhere in the country. It can open offices anywhere but not as a recognized political party by the ECI. A political party can become a national party only if it manages to poll at least one percent of the total electorate in four different state in elections held in these states. Likewise, it will be a state political party if it manages to get the same percentage in a state election. The NPF has fulfilled this clause in Nagaland elections, but in not in any other states as yet. It can aspire to be a national or a regional party but for the moment it is a Nagaland state political party. Moreover, for a political party to be a regional or national party, its primary membership would have to be open to every Indian and not confined to just one ethnicity. The NPF obviously does not satisfy this criterion either and is confined to just the Nagas. If this was otherwise, and the NPF membership was open to all, we would have advised all other communities in the state to flock to it, enrol themselves and domesticate it to make it look like another Manipur party. Jokes aside, the matter could have been handled in a much more matured way, and in the process deflated many trumped up egos as well.

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IMPHAL, June 1: The ZILLAI (Vaiphei Students`™ Association) Imphal Block has observed its 72nd Zillai Day today at their block office at Sanjenthong, Imphal.

During the formal observation this morning, Genneikhup Vaiphei ex ADC member and advisor of the association, Lalliathang Vaphei, Asst. Prof. MU and P Mawia Vaiphei, Police Inspector while participating as special guest of the observation this morning exhorted the students to devote their valuable time in their studies with the aim to become effective leaders.

Remarkably, the formal observation of the meet today was marked by the paying of rich tributes to the departed leaders of the community by delegates, well wishers and students who were presence in persons in the observation and observation of one minute silence to honors the leaders.

The very meet today was ended with a prayer with dedication and thanks giving by the Rev. Latingen, which was followed by a great community feast.

On the other hand, the same event was also reportedly held at different places, at EFCI Centenary Hall Shillong along with a seminar to mark the occasion likewise the event was also organized in Delhi at SSS Auditorium JNU, New Delhi with the theme, `Profile of Zillai` during which Kh Ginlalchung, Sr. Exe. Asst Parliament and Ninglunhanglal, Journalist presented seminar paper on the occasion.

The source from the Association also mentioned that, the Zillai Churachandpur Block also observed of the oldest Students`™ Organisation of the state, Zillai Day today bu visiting Vungzagen High School at Mata village and the representatives of the student organization have distributed sweets to more than 500 students and Lalblkthuami head mistress and Siammung Asst. Head master of the said school were honoured with presentation of traditional shawls to show their appreciation to their contributions and commitment in the administration of the school, Minlian MDC Haupi Range and Kh Benlian, editor Nisin Thuhiltu also participated in the function today. Further the similar observation of Zillai day was also reportedly held at Haflong NC Hills.

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by Bibhu Prasad RoutrayProviding the best of rms and equipment to paramilitary personnel is crucial to the success of India`s anti-Naxal strategyA Few days ago, some newspapers in India ran two separate reports. One hogging the front page was a stub on India’s flourishing economy and the other relegated to the inside pages underlined the challenges faced by the security forces battling the Left-wing extremists (Naxalites) in the remotest corners of the country. The first item pointed to the soaring number of choppers and private jets jostling for space in Indian skies and the demands they make on the Air Traffic Controllers. The second report, on the other hand, quoted the Border Security Force (BSF) authorities asking the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to replace the Dhruv helicopters since these do not meet the force’s operational requirements. This report went on to detail the drastic shortage of choppers for the security forces deployed on anti-Naxal duty and its impact on the morale of the forces. These two narratives posed a familiar paradox, from Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, when there are “choppers choppers everywhere, but not many for the security forces”.On May 19, a chopper employed by Gadchiroli district police in Maharashtra returned with injured and dead police personnel from the encounter site at Nalgonda. However, security forces battling the Naxals in Beijjur phata in the same district could not avail themselves of the service of the chopper since it had already completed the stipulated 500 hours of flying and had to proceed for the mandatory maintenance service. The Gadchiroli police requested that the services of another chopper from neighbouring Chhattisgarh be provided. But by the time it arrived, the encounter had ended. It could fly only to recover three dead bodies of police personnel from the area.A similar incident took place in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga district on May 3 in which 11 security force personnel were killed. The Naxals ambushed a 150- member team of state police and paramilitary personnel returning from a combing operation. While four personnel were killed on the spot, seven others succumbed to their injuries since the chopper at the disposal of the state police was unavailable, being on a sortie to neighbouring West Bengal for poll-related duties. It could reach the incident site only after four hours. The Jharkhand Director General of Police admitted that the personnel died owing to lack of timely medical aid. One of the injured personnel who ultimately survived bemoaned the fact that he had to suffer the excruciating pain for over four hours before being evacuated and admitted into a hospital.The MHA, since mid-2010, has deployed a fleet of seven choppers for carrying out troop deployment, casualty evacuation and sending reinforcements in the Naxal-affected states. These choppers are based in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) and are available to any of the Naxal-affected states on demand. However, on most occasions, this fleet has been found to be highly inadequate to meet the forces’ ground-level requirements. Complains have been made about the frequent servicing requirements of these Advanced Light Dhruv Helicopters and their inability to fly beyond a certain height. They are frequently grounded by the unavailability of spare parts, which makes them almost an unreliable element in the anti-Naxal operations.In addition to these incidents of shortage, because of unavoidable technical and logistical reasons, choppers have also been diverted on occasions for use by politicians and bureaucrats. Media reports in early May indicated that out of the fleet of seven, only one chopper was functional and was catering to the requirements of the nearly 70 battalions of paramilitary forces deployed against the Naxals throughout the country.The MHA is planning to wet-lease six new Russian Mi-17 helicopters from private companies for deployment in the anti-Naxal operations. At a purchase price of Rs 45 crore apiece, wet-leasing the Mi-17 helicopters, under which the company lending it provides for the pilot, maintenance and fuel, is a far more affordable option. According to reports, the sorties by these leased machines to the Naxal strongholds could start as early as August 2011. The MHA hopes to reduce its dependence on the ministry of defence, which currently flies the paramilitary troops in the Naxal zones. In any event, the Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers’ “80 flying hours a month” rule is a handicap in terms of using them excessively. On the other hand, the Mi-17 choppers proposed to be taken on lease are fuel guzzlers, but the MHA has no alternative other than accounting for such expense.In various forums the Union home minister has spoken of the cumbersome procurement procedure coming in the way of providing the best of arms and equipment to the paramilitary personnel. One does not know whether the process of acquiring choppers also faces similar challenges. The proposal to wet-lease 13 Mi-17 choppers is at least an eight-month-old idea, first floated in October 2010. The number of choppers had then been decided on after taking the requirements of the forces operating in a vast territory into cognisance. But for reasons best known to the MHA, the number has now been reduced to six, which is highly insufficient. Meanwhile, the MHA has negotiated in vain with the IAF, which itself gets choppers on lease. Many of the IAF helicopters are deployed in the United Nations’ Congo mission and the move to recall them has not been successful.For operational purposes, choppers are as basic a requirement for the forces battling the Naxals as any other sophisticated arms and equipment. India’s anti-Naxal policy needs to improve upon the prevailing conditions, on an urgent basis. The author is a former deputy director in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), a visiting fellow at CLAWS (New Delhi) and a fellow at the Takshashila Institution.

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By Khuraijam Jibankumar Singh, FLS Founder and Managing Trustee,North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research, ImphalEvery year colleges in different Universities across the country are increasing their cut off marks for admission to under graduate courses. Students of states like ours are facing difficulty in getting admissions in good colleges like St. Stephen College, Sri Ram College of Commerce due to low aggregate in their marks in Board Exams. Only a few get admissions in reputed colleges and the remaining had to settle for correspondence courses or had to go for some certificate or diploma courses. Students of our state are very good in studies, extra –curricular activities and are well aware of the happening across the country or globe. In spite of all the turmoil in the state as the result of the prevailing situation in the state, students are still not losing their hope to achieve their dreams. We need to give them support, encouragements, appreciation and proper guidance. Not only these, our teachers and education system should change their approach in giving marks or grading system. Our students are second to none but are still facing problems in getting admission after XIIth. Manipur Education Board and Council should encourage teachers to give marks according to what the students deserves. Every year thousands of Manipuri students couldn’t get admission due to low grade in Board/Council Exams. However, the situation is different for students studying in other boards like CBSE, ICSE. Does it mean that students studying in CBSE, ICSE are better than students of Manipur Board/Council? Take example of Manipuri students (not only Manipuri students) studying in Assam Valley School (CBSE) in Assam get admission in colleges easily as compare to students studying in schools of Manipur Board. The only difference is marks/percentage. Every year Manipuri students topped in colleges and university somewhere or the other across the country. We have several Gold medallists and toppers in every field of sciences, arts, engineering, medical and commerce. However, the number could be increased if all the talented students get proper education and this can be achieved if they get admission in good colleges and universities. Manipur Government/Education Departments should hold regular meetings and interaction programmes with teachers, officials of Board/Council and principals to address the situation and problems faced by the students of the state in getting admission for higher education. Encourage students to pursue higher education for better Manipur. Education will bring peace and development to the state.

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IMPHAL, June 7: Security forces have arrested at least three militant cadres from counter insurgency operations conducted at different parts of the state.A statement issued by the SP Thoubal district, the Kakching Police team conducted search operation at Kakching Lamkhai and arrested one cadre PREPAK (VC) at about 10:30 am yesterday.The arrested cadre is identified as one Oinam Charlie alias Myko alias Shidadba Singh, 28, s/o O. Ibotombi Singh of Oinam Mamang Leikai, Bishnupur district.It said that on preliminary investigation the individual disclosed himself as s/s corporal and to have joined the outfit in December, 2003. He was trained at Chalong, Chandel district, and allotted with army number 203578, it further added.In another incident the Porompat police have arrested two cadres of the UPPK yesterday morning around 5 am from Singjamei Bheigyapati Leikai near Singjamei Bridge informed a statement issued by the SP Imphal East district.The individuals have been identified as one Ningombam Ajitkumar alias Sanjit alias Abung Singh, 35, s/o (L) N. Chandramani Singh of Singjamei Khongangpheidekpi and Thokchom Boying alias Boby Singh s/o Th. Chaoba Singh of Ningomthong Kitnapanung.The release further stated that the arrested cadres were active members of the group and that they had disclosed their involvement in various extortion activities from the Horticulture Department, PHED, Veterinary Department, general public etc to raise party fund.Meanwhile, another statement issued by the PRO IGAR (S) has stated that combined forces have arrested six militant cadres in separate incidents.It said that the 23 Assam Rifles has arrested five PREPAK (VC) cadres and recovered arms and ammunitions, yesterday from counter insurgency operations conducted in the general areas of Talau and Chingingkhok of Ukhrul district.The arrested cadres have been identified as one Waribam RL alias Tomba, 36, s/o W. Samu of Talau Mayai Leikai, army No. 06610 (Batch No. 02 s/s pvt.), Sibam Sarat Chandra alias Ngamba alias Thawanjao Meitei, 40, s/o Dhaja Meitei of Talau Maning Leikai, army No.07509 (Batch No.1 s/s pvt), Keisham Saraf alias Koklei, 48, s/o K. Yaima of Chana Mamang Leikai, army No.06509 (Batch No.1), Khongbamtabam Iyatomba alias Athouba, 47, s/o KH. Ibohal Meitei of Sabunkhok Mayai Leikai, army No.03610 (Batch No.02) and Thangjam Binoi, 46, s/o (L) Th. Isotombi of Yaingangpokpi Makha Leikai, army No.01610 (Batch No.02).One Chinese 9mm auto rifle with magazine, 2 Chinese 9 mm auto pistol with magazine, 18 live ammunitions of 9mm and 20 live ammunitions of AK-47 were recovered from the arrested individuals. They have been handed over to the Lamlai Police along with the recovered items, further added the statement.The statement further stated that a combined team of 30 AR, 33 AR along with Manipur police had arrested one UNLF cadre during an operation launched in the general area of Haipak Mapham in the wee hour today at about 1:30 am.The cadre is identified as one s/s lt. Thounajam Sana alias Ratan Singh, 36, s/o Th. Kula, No.503. He was also handed over to Lamlai police station, the release added.

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By Robin S Ngangom

Having lost it
How could I celebrate my independence
Though I’ve sewn flags on cockeyed schooldays?
Margins are superfluous in the big centre’s book
Although memory is not silent and speaks up at times.

Now the periphery (of which I’m also a guilty part)
Is scrawling a unique history on delusive margins,
Mischievous like a collage by brawling painters.
Once lebensraum has sunk to pogroms
The periphery can murder too
And then deal peace cards on the table
Or hoist a nation’s flag in driving rain.
On the continuum of farce
It doesn’t matter if we’re moving forward or backward
Or if a government is serving rats on its menu.
The morning passes with a prime minister orating
From the ramparts of a fort,
“Make the borders irrelevant,” he said a year ago.
It never occurred to him to disguise himself and ask
The man on the street about his unhappiness.

On the road outside shut down by insurgents
Aimless now in its bafflement
Trees and lamps are breathing fog and a light rain.
This day passes between surfing for news of theoutside world,
Statistics of farmers committing suicide on the weaverbelt
And the poor waiting for paper to translate into bread
After discovering that a law has been enacted for them
Which finds all of them culpable for shaming thenation.
And fifty years of discrimination festering in theperiphery
With another anniversary of murder and disappearances.

I’ve been told that I live on the edge
By intellectuals who also teach me
The history and politics of far away countries.
I have to take their word on faith, being so unread.
I don’t know if I’m shallow with little inner life.

I try not to book a flat in the city of the sky
But meditate brokenly on love and its players
Although it gave me a terrible fright the other day.
I merely silenced her shame with my mouth
And remain a freeloader of passion from its web.

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Every profession has its moral codes, some written but most of the time unwritten. Journalism is no exception and indeed this is a question that has continued to haunt the profession since its inception. This is particularly so because journalism’s best practices also are determined by a notion of objectivity that would have the journalist be simple observers and reporters of events and not be their participants. The troubling question is, to what extent can this journalistic definition of objectivity, especially in situations of human tragedies, remain ethical. Two powerful images should put this argument in perspective. One is of a certain freelance photojournalist, Kevin Carter, who won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for photojournalism in 1994 for his photograph of a severely famished, virtually dying, Sudanese girl toddler crawling towards a UN food centre some distance away, during a famine in this conflict torn nation, even as a vulture stalked her as if ready to pounce on her if she drops dead. The picture was first published in the The New York Times and it shocked the entire world, so much so that this prestigious newspaper had to issue an unusual editorial comment in a subsequent edition that the girl did make it alive to the UN food centre and that Carter chased away the vulture before leaving the scene. But the scene, and probably his inadequate response to the human situation apart from his journalistic instinct of making headline news of the event, haunted him so much ever after that he went into a depression he never recovered from. According to his father he was often found crying alone inconsolably. Carter ultimately committed suicide the same year he won the coveted prize.

The second image conveys a totally different picture of journalistic responsibility. Seventy five years after his death near the summit of Mt. Everest, on May 1, 1999, George Leigh Mallory’s body was discovered during another one of numerous search expeditions spanning seven decades to find his, and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine’s, bodies. Bad weather however prevented a closer examination of the body on the day. On May 16, two men in the expedition, Andy Politz and Thom Pollard, carrying with them a tent and some supplies, returned to the spot for a closer look after lasting out a bout of bad weather at the expedition base camp. Pollard, had writing assignments including numerous offers for a book at the time. The two had with them a metal detector to try and locate the camera that Mallory was known to have taken along, and Kodak Company was of the opinion that the exposed film in the camera still could be processed as it would be well preserved by the perennial subzero temperature, and because the film in it was black and white, hence less prone to chemical degeneration. When they came to the body, Pollard’s reaction was in his own words: “The sight of Mallory’s foot protruding from the end of the rocks was the most powerful and humbling site of my life. It brought tears to my eyes.”

Then the two proceeded about trying to detect Mallory’s camera. In the process, Pollard came face to face with Mallory. From Pollard’s description, the likeness of Mallory was well preserved with calm but closed eyes. He had a golf ball size wound in the forehead with two shards of bones protruding out of it confirming he died instantaneously when he fell. Then the thought occurred that Pollard had a camera with him. But on second thought, and in consultation with his expedition partner Andy Politz, they decided it would be wrong to take a picture of Mallory’s face, and so today the only picture of the dead legend’s face, a man who possibly reached the summit of Mt. Everest three decades before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay did but could not return to tell his tale, is what Pollard carried back in his memory. Politz did not even want to see the face and be burdened with the responsibility to tell what he saw. Here were two men who overcame the pulls of their careers and professional ambitions even at a moment they found the elixir to reach the pinnacle to keep within what they thought was the demand of human decency. But beyond the instant glory and material endorsements they would surely have received had they been less scrupulous, they earned something else. Respect and gratitude of the sane world, away from the maddening crowd of instant wealth and instant success seekers.

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IMPHAL, June 17: Desperate evicted families of Lamphel Yaipha Leikai stayed in the Lamphel Police custody briefly after their temporary sheds and shelters were yet again evicted by the Police.

A team of the Lamphel police as a part of their continued drive of eviction today ransacked the temporary makeshift sheds and shelters this evening around 3 pm, put up at the road side between the Lamphel Employment Exchange office and office of the Chief Electoral Officer by the affected individuals of the eviction that was carried out on June 6 at Lamphel Yaipha Leikai.

About 10 individuals including two children forcefully climb on board the Police vehicle contending that they have no more shelters due to the further eviction of their only sheds and shelters.

After staying in custody of the police for a brief period the displaced residents later walk away from the police station late in the evening.

The police were compelled to take the aggrieved residents along with them till the police station following their adamant act.

The displaced residents have been putting up temporary sheds and shelters in the area since the eviction. Moreover they were left in the agitating mood for only 14 houses were affected by the eviction leaving behind some houses nearby.

In the meantime, even as the concerned MLA offered a place at the vicinity of Lamphel for relocating the displaced residents the offer however was rejected by the residents owing to the lack of security over the land and the unfavorable condition for habitation.

It has been reported that the alternative relocation is a marshy area at the same time temporary for three months only.

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TAMENGLONG, June 20: A rare facility in the computer age- a private run ‘Computer Learning Centre’ was formally opened this morning by Karmendra Kumar 2nd in command 11 Assam Rifles as chief guest in the presence of Rev Guingopou, president town churches union Tamenglong, Athanbou Pamei, president Village Authority Chairman Council and leaders of Zeliangrong organizations at Tamenglong ward no IV. 

The computer learning centre was sanction under Military Civic Action 2010- 2011.

Speaking as chief guest Karmendra Kumar said that in this contemporary world people need to know the computer. The proprietor of Gai Enterprises Daniel Kamei expressed his sincere thank to the 11 Assam Rifles.

Meanwhile Athanbou Pamei, president VACC Tamenglong and recipient of India Golden Personalities & Great Indian Citizen Award has submitted a memorandum to maj general Hooda, GOC Assam Rifles, Leimakhong seeking humble request for broad base expansion of Military Civic Action plan in respect of Tamenglong district for construction of inter village road, IVR, rural playground, community hall, installation non- conventional source of power energy at the villages of Tamenglong.

He stated that the long cherished dreams of the ignorant people could not be materialized on account of the shortage of development funds.

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IMPHAL, June 27: The various Kuki underground outfits operating under the recognized Kuki National Organization, (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) that are also signatories of the Suspension of Operation with the government will be pressurizing the government regarding various demands including completion of construction of approved designated camps and other benefits for its cadres. 

According to a high official source, another round of talk between the groups and representatives of both the state government and the centre is scheduled to be held at the 1st MR Banquet Hall on July 1 at around 11 am.

The source further maintained that the scheduled talk will categorically discussed the demands of the SoO signatory militant outfits including the completion of the construction of all designated camps as assured by the government in all the previous SoO talks, clearance of the cadres monthly stipends and the finalization regarding the issue of Id cards for the cadres of all outfits incorporated by the KNO and the UPF.

The talk will be attended by representatives of both the army and the para-military forces who are engaged in the counter insurgency operations in the state, the source added.

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IMPHAL July 2: To relieve from mud and water filled lanes marred by potholes on the Sagolband Salam Leikai and Wahengbam Leikai under Sagolband A/C stretch along the Imphal-Jiri highway resulted from the on going construction works conducted by the government under various developmental projects, several truck loads of stone chip and sand were donated today to the Sagolband joint development committee by Rajkumar Imo Singh, an active member of Congress I as a part of a temporary arrangement initiated for the aggrieved local populace of Sagolband A/C.

N. Kuleshwor, secretary, SJDC, while meeting media persons said that various inconveniences are faced by commuters especially in this area due to the construction works. Heavy down pour since the past few days has added another difficulty for the commuters, he added.

Condemning the local MLA Sagolband A/C for being silent on their repeated pleas for a viable solution from such inconveniences, the secretary lamented that it as very unfortunate.

However, on the other hand, the committee expressed contentment on various projects carried out by the government for the development of Imphal. The Sagolband joint development committee was formed after thorough consultation with local responsible residents for efficient development in Sagolband A/C, he added.

Rk. Imo said that the construction works of various developmental projects has adversely affected the commuters for the time being. He added that the temporary arrangement was instituted keeping in view of such condition and ease atleast some of the difficulties faced by the commuters till the constructions of the projects are completed.

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IMPHAL July 6: A statement of the NSCN (K) signed by its MIP, Secretary, has clarified that a ceasefire was signed in between NSCN(K) or National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and the GOI and definitely not with the NSCN (Kitovi) or for that reason not even NSCN(Khole) and the ceasefire continues to be there as it was before with the NSCN(K).

It has stated that If Kitovi feels that, chairman S.S.Khaplang is a Burmese than, he must be an Indian. Therefore, a ceasefire between an Indian Kitovi and his own Indian brothers does not arise. There is no question of any ceasefire among them when they share everything in common, it maintained.

Kitovi is a pawn in the hands of some Indian agencies and is doing everything on the directives of those forces who are bent to weakened the sacred Naga national cause and to bring division among the Naga family and for that matter Kitovi has also roped in Khole who was paid Rs.70 lakhs(Seventy lakhs ) at Minyaksu on Oct. 10, 2010 to speak his language, it asserted.

Khole who was among the most regarded Naga leader, had vowed not to step in the Naga soil on the Indian side until Nagas achieve full independence and he did so until as recently as 2009. But, he was slowly poisoned by Kitovi into today’s materialistic world. He was a general even during the undivided NSCN and was the most respected Naga Army general but, today Kitovi has reduced him to a general without an army, it further maintained.

It is unfortunate that Kitovi, who in his long career as an ato-kilonser never had any political wisdom for the Nagas, is today trying to cultivate divisions among the Naga family to please his godfather and his cheap propaganda clearly indicates that, Kitovi is another name for a burden to the Nagas, the statement ended.

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