News Update Manipur

CM inspects drainage system

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:43:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 10: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today conducted an extensive tour of Imphal city and inspected various ongoing development works, including construction of drainage system at Samusang and Lamphelpat areas.

According to a release of the government, the Chief Minister inspected and reviewed the construction work progress of drainage system being undertaken under JNURM at Nambul River, Samusang area and Lamphelpat area in Imphal West.

Speaking at the work sites, the Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction at the slow work progress of the projects.

He said that the work remained as it was during his previous tours with no visible developments.

He directed the work agency not to delay the completion of this vital projects and instructed the concerned departments to speed up work so that the project is completed in time.

He also gave strong instruction for immediate dismantling of huts constructed by encroachers at Lamphelpat area.

The Chief Minster was accompanied by IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Agriculture Minister Md Abdur Nasir and concerned engineers during the inspection.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

Manipur delegation meets PM

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:40:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 10: A Manipur delegation today met the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his office in the Parliament and submitted a memorandum Justice for Richard and Other Victims from the Northeast Region of India vis-à-vis Racial Profiling and Discrimination in Other Parts of India.

The delegation led by Manipur MP Dr T Meinya included representatives of Justice for Richard, and Manipur Students’ Association Delhi. The memorandum was signed by 25,398 signatories across the world.

The memorandum demanded fast track initiatives to deliver justice to (a) Loitam Richard (19) from Manipur who was murdered on 17th April at Bangalore in Karnataka and (b) Dana Silva M Sangma (21) from Meghalaya who committed suicide on 24th April 2012 in Delhi due to the reported humiliation by exam invigilators.

The delegates demanded the Government of India to recognise multi racial composition of India and the phenomenon of institutionalised racial discrimination as it exists distinctively amidst the myriads of socio-cultural discriminations prevalent in India.

The delegation expressed their concern over targeted violence and discrimination on the students, migrant workers (employees), job seekers, and tourists from the Northeast in other parts of India.

Assuring the delegation of action the Prime Minister Dr. Singh admitted that there had been several instances of crimes against humanity and the government had been taking up measures to control it.

He also assured maximum efforts to deliver justice and measures to prevent such incidents.

He promised to recommend to the MHA to expedite the cases.

Dr. Singh however denied racism in India and instutionalised discrimination on the peoples hailing from the Northeast. He appealed the members of the Justice for Richard to have faith in the initiatives taken up by the government.

In the afternoon representatives of JFR, MSAD, and Change.org submitted copies of memorandum respectively to the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Manipur through the concerned officials attached to Karnataka Bhavan and Manipur Bhavan.

The delegates further submitted a copy of the memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs Ms. B. Bhamathi informed that the ministry has been expecting for more and speedy reports from the Karnataka Government. She instructed her office to contact the Karnataka Government to enquire about the report and to recommend for fast track proceeding towards delivering justice to the family of Richard.

Although she could not promise a time bound justice as demanded by the delegates, she called upon victims of social discrimination to come up with specific suggestions to be observed by the law enforcing agencies so that those suggestions may be considered in policy framing and strategic planning.

Meanwhile, newly elected Sagolband MLA RK Imo Singh today submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram urging for immediate arrest of the two persons against whom the Karnataka police have issued an FIR regarding the Richard case and an independent CBI inquiry into the Loitam Richard’s death.

The MLA who is in the national capital submitted the memorandum to the Union Home Minister during a meeting in his north block office at 4pm.

The Home Minister had replied that he is constant touch with the Karnataka CM and is seriously looking into the matter and said that if the state government cannot bring the investigation into a logical conclusion, he will ask the Karnataka CM to hand over the case to the CBI like in the DANA case, the MLA.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

AR gun down three UG cadres

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:11:00 +0000

Imphal: Discovering the movement of UG cadres along Monghlam, troops of 23 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under HQ IGAR(South) launched operation in the area on 09 May 12, a release by PRO IGAR(South) said.

ARMS AND AMMUNATION RECOVERED

BY TROOPS OF 27 SECTOR ASSAM RIFLES

According to the release, at around 02.00 am of this morning, own troops observed movement of armed terrorist from Monghlam to Chadung. On being challenged, UG cadres opened heavy volume of indiscriminate fire on own column which was immediately retaliated by AR troops and in the ensuing firefight shot dead three UGs on the spot. During the search of the area, three dead bodies of UGs were recovered.

In the operation, one M-16 Rifles with grenade launcher and magazine, one 9 mm Carbine with magazine, one Lathode, 55 x M-16 live rounds, three Lathode live rounds,9 mm live amn three, two Lathode fire case, one carry bag, one amn pouch has been recovered from the slain UGs. Bodies of slain UGs alongwith recovered items have been handed over to Litan Police station, the release furthered.

National Innovator Star Trophy to ECI

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:44:00 +0000

New Delhi: Election Commission of India has been awarded the National Innovator Star Trophy by EMPI-Indian Express for Electronic Voting Machine. The Award was given by Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission at a function on 4th May 2012 at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

The Award was given to ECI for ‘Transforming Electoral Processes by Implementing Electronic Voting in the World’s Largest Democracy’. It was received by Dr Alok Shukla, Deputy Election Commissioner on behalf of the Commission.

Electronic Voting Machine has been developed with specialised hardware and software to incorporate requirements that would be friendly to diverse Indian users and meet the stringent constitutional requirements viz. tackling aspects of secrecy, authentication by contestants, avoidance of incorrect/duplicate voting, protection against manipulative interests of individuals, political parties, and election mangers at the election site and during transportation, and building in redundancies in case of failures.

The Jury for the Award comprised of Mr Arun Maira and Shri N Vittal, Padma Bhushan.

Manipur's 'Iron Lady' Irom Sharmila now in Ripley's Believe It or Not

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:36:00 +0000

London, May 10 (Agencies): "The iron lady of Manipur", who has spent nearly 12 years fasting to protest against a law that gives special powers to the armed forces, has been featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not, reports the BBC.

Irom Sharmila Chanu, 40, has been on a hunger strike since 2 November 2000 in the north-eastern state of Manipur. Chanu's hunger strike started after soldiers of the Assam Rifles paramilitary force allegedly killed 10 young Manipuri men in November 2000.

She has been arrested many times and taken to hospital where she has been force-fed a liquid diet through her nose, since November 2000, in a bid to keep her alive.

Chanu has repeatedly rejected requests to call off her fast until the government withdraws the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives sweeping powers to the armed forces when they fight separatist insurgents or leftist radicals.

Kshetrimayum Onil, a trustee of Just Peace Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in the state capital, Imphal, told the BBC he sent an e-mail to Ripley's site about Chanu's struggle in mid-March.

"Lucas Stram, one of the researchers from the Ripley's team, sent me a link to the cartoon page a few days back," Onil said.

Ripley's site features a cartoon on the activist and describes her as "The iron lady of Manipur". Chanu's years of fasting have made her an iconic figure in Manipur.

Avoid factional fight: Sonia Gandhi

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:55:00 +0000

NEW DELHI, May 9 (Agencies): Asking partymen to draw lessons from the previous polls, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said leaders must shed factional behaviour and fight as one disciplined team as the party braces to face a series of state elections in the coming months.

"We must all shed all manner of factional behaviour, and fight as one disciplined team at all levels. That will be the single-most important factor to decide whether we win or lose.

"People look to us -- but we need to show them our commitment and our unity if we are to convert this sentiment into electoral victories," Gandhi said while addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party in New Delhi, which was also attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Commenting on the elections results in the five states including Uttar Pradesh, where the party could not perform as expected, Gandhi said, "While we can take satisfaction in the fact that we returned to power in Manipur for the third time and formed the government in Uttarakhand, the results in Punjab and Goa are very disappointing.

"In Uttar Pradesh, even though we did not perform as well as we had hoped to, we increased our vote share quite considerably and were seen as a serious player for the first time in 22 years. Of course there is much work to be done there as in other states."

The CPP meeting has come a few days after a high-power committee of the party led AK Antony that reviewed the party's performance in the five states, submitted its report to Gandhi.

She said with a series of state elections approaching in the coming months, the partymen "must draw upon lessons of the previous polls."

Mothers Union Kangpokpi formed

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:54:00 +0000

KANGPOKPI, May 9: All communities within 50-Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency, Sadar Hills including Nepali, Naga and the Meetei communities held a meeting at Ngahmun, residence of Nemcha Kipgen, MLA, Kangpokpi A/C on May 5 and unanimously formed a union called “Mothers Union Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency” under the Motto “Love, Serve & Change”.

The members present in the meeting elected Nemcha Kipgen, MLA as advisor of the union while Themkholhing from Kangpokpi, Nengboi Lhouvum from Keithelmanbi and Tingnu Kipgen from Kangpokpi were elected as chairman, general secretary and treasurer respectively.

They have also elected four vice chairwomen namely, Ch. Ibeyaima Devi (Kpi), Hina Hima (Kalapahar), L Vikhorou (Mahika) and K Hoinu Kipgen (Kpi).

Momon Devi (Kpi), Khrisna Kumari Adhikari (Kalapahar), Saija (Phyaphou), Vungpi Guite (Kpi), NJ Hoinei Vaiphei (Kpi) and Prescilla (Makui Naga) were unanimously elected as joint secretary of the Union while Hatnu(KMC), Chongbem Singson(Kpi), Kimneichong Haolai (Kpi) and Nengpi Kipgen (Kpi) were elected as information secretaries. They have also elected 20 executive members.

The Union vowed to love, serve the people from all community in every field and bring changes in the constituency in every work of life.

NE India- Singapore business opertunities meet held in guwahati

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Guwahati : HE Kasiviswanathan SHANMUGAM, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law, Republic of Singapore&Mr Jonathan TOW Shen Han, Acting High Commissioner, Republic of Singapore today met the members of Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and captains of various sectors that includes Tea, Tourism, Hospitality, Healthcare, Education, Real Estate , Infrastructure , Power, Agro & Food Processing & Fisheries, Handloom & Handicraft, Oil & Gas of Northeast India in a Business Luncheon Meet organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce. Singapore Foreign minister K Shanmughan today said his country wants to strengthen business presence in the North East with hospitality and tourism as the major potential areas of cooperation.

Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs
and Minister for Law, Republic of Singapore adressing in the meet.

Ms KANG Siew Kheng, Director-General, South Asia and Africa Directorate,Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Angelita Constance SEE Sin Yuan ,Deputy Director, South Asia and Africa Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Eirliani ABDUL RAHMAN ,Counsellor (Political), Mr KHOO Chun Yok ,Special Assistant to Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms CHAN Kah Mei ,First Secretary (Economics), High Commission of the Republic of Singapore, Ms TAN Zhi Xian, Centre Director, International Enterprise Singapore, Mr PUA Suan Kiang, Derek, Country Officer, South Asia and Africa Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Seema Gail PARKASH,Country Officer, South Asia and Africa Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present in the meet.

Addressing in the Business Luncheon Meet, HE Kasiviswanathan SHANMUGAM, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law, Republic of Singapore said, "ASEAN Connectivity with Northeast India is important to explore and tap NE India’s potential. After my arrival in the land of red rivers and Blue Mountains I am convinced that the Northeast India has the potential and is an ideal investment destination for Asean countries as this region and Assam shares common border area with ASEAN countries. This is my introductory visit to this part of your country at my capacity and I would say the entrepreneurs of Republic of Singapore would be interested on reciprocal business. Republic of Singapore could make this happen only in association with the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Govt. of India so we are thank to them and we are interested in developing cordial trade, commerce and cultural relations."

Mr Shanmugam visited the holy shakti peeth Maa Kamakhya Temple earlier this morning and recalled his feelings of pure shrine and blue male river Brahmaputra in his address.

"Assam and the North East are generally not identified as business destinations but the fact is that beneath the surface, the region is one of potential," Shanmugam, who is on a day-long trip said here while addressing local industry leaders and senior government officials.

"It is heartening to know that the security situation is improving in the region. The region is exciting from the point of view of the hospitality sector and we believe there is opportunity for Singapore business houses to tap the potential of hospitality in the North East," he said.

Singapore, one of the founding members of the 10-nation ASEAN grouping, is also looking at the North Eastern states as bridge between it and India.

"We think Assam and the North East has potential beyond investment destinations. There is also the issue of connectivity," he furthered.

"There are plans within the ASEAN to establish strong connectivity between north and south and I know that the Indian government also has plans to connect the North East to some of the ASEAN countries. These are plans which have to be taken further," Shanmugam said.

He said another India-ASEAN car rally, on the lines of the one undertaken in 2004, is being planned.

"We are planning another car rally. This time it will start (from somewhere) in ASEAN and culminate in Guwahati," the minister said.

Mr. Kumar Sanjay Krishna IAS Secretary Planning and Development Govt. of Assam, H S Das IAS Secretary Tourism Govt. of Assam represented Govt. of Assam , Garima Saikia Garg Ethnic Designer, Anuj Paliwal MD Third Eye Infosys, Rajib Dutta MD Epitome Group, Chiranjeet Chaliha MD Purbanchal Pratisthan, Bidyananda Borkotoky of Northeast Tea Association , N N Dutta of Down Town Hospitals, Bijay Phangcho MD Flamingo Distilaries , Ashish Phookan MD Jungle Travels India, Prawal Bora MD Travel Smart were few amongst 25 invitees who joined the BLM with the Singapore delegates.

In his welcome address the Director General of Indian Chamber of Commerce Dr. Rajeev Singh briefed the Singapore Minister and delegates on demography and business potential of Northeast India. ICC presented Assam Darjeeling and Nilgiri Leaf Tea as momentoes to all visiting delegates with flower bouquet and phoolam gamocha. A 8minute video produced by ICC on Northeast-Oppurtunities Unlimited was shown in the inaugural session which was appreciated by the Singapore delegates.

Singapore team too made a ppt presentation on their expected business potential with NE India. Assamese ethnic food along with Indian dishes were served at luncheon meet. The visiting delegation left for CM’s residence from ICC meeting to call on Tarun Gogoi.

Junior Indian boxing team leaves for Baku

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:59:00 +0000

Indian Team members pose for a photograph

New Delhi: While the starlets of the Indian women’s boxing team stake a claim for an Olympic berth at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, the junior men of Indian boxing will look the strengthen the foundations of their careers as they participate in the 10^thPresident Heydar Aliyev Cup – an international boxing tournament scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from the 9^th – 14^th May’ 2012. A 10 member junior men’s boxing team, consisting of seven boxers, two coaches and one referee/judge, left for the capital city of Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

Boxing at this level, is traditionally a first opportunity to witness future world champions and Olympic heroes. Coach-in-charge of the junior men’s team Mahendra Singh Dhaka, under whose wings all seven London Olympic qualified boxers have trained at some point or the other, believes this is where talent is first unearthed and nurtured. He said, “This level of the sport plays a vital role in the professional development of a boxer or any athlete for that matter, and the international exposure received at this level makes a big difference.”

Talking about the 10^th President Heydar Aliyev Cup he said, “We have regularly participated and done well in this tournament; it has been a part of our long term development program for quite some time now. The event makes for a fine competition as a lot of high quality boxers from around the world participate. This time also we are looking to get good match practice for our boys through this event and it will also help our preparations for the Children of Asia Games and the Asian Championships later this year”.

In the previous edition of the tournament, India returned with one gold medal and two bronze medals. Naveen Kumar (52 kg) who won the gold in the fly weight division will look to defend his title this time around. For the 15 year old from Haryana, the title won in Baku holds great importance, as it provided him the impetus to do well at the Junior World Boxing Championships, where he bagged a silver medal. “This will be my second time at the President Heydar Aliyev Cup and I am confident of replicating last year’s performance”, said Kumar. He further added, “This competition provides a good playing field and helps us in our preparation for the future events.”

Bronze medallist at the 2011 Junior World Boxing Championships Sandeep Kumar (66kg) will also be seen in action at the tournament along with the likes of Manish Kaushik (57kg) and Shyam Kumar Kakra (48kg)

Squad:

Indian squad for the 10th President Heydar Aliyev Cup
S.No	Wt Cat	Name
1	Light Fly Weight (48 Kg)	Shyam Kumar Kakra	AP
2	Fly Weight (50 Kg)	Laldinmawia	MIZ
3	Light Bantam Weight (52 Kg)	Naveen Kumar	SSCB
4	Feather Weight (57 Kg)	Manish Kaushik	HAR
5	Light Weight (60 Kg)	Deepak Pahal	HAR
6	Light Welter Weight (63 kg)	Manjeet	SSCB
7	Welter (66 kg)	Sandeep Kumar	HAR

Support Staff
1	M.S. Dhaka	Coach
2	Anil	Coach
3	Col. Vikram Singh	R/Judge

NSCN (KK) group expects GOI’s formal invite

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:35:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free Press

NEW DELHI, MAY 8 (Vision Comm): The NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) faction is expecting a formal invitation from the government of India soon to initiate peace talks with their group.

It is reliably learnt that the general secretary of the group Kitovi Zhimomi had visited the national capital last week and met high officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs in this regard.

Intelligence sources told the Vision Communications that the Centre has taken a decision in principle to start peace talks with Khole-Kitovi faction to find out “possible options” to resolve the long-awaited Naga political problem. It is also learnt that the talks with the NSCN (IM) group is “progressing slowly.”

It is pertinent to mention here that only on April 27 the government of India has extended ceasefire agreement with the Khole-Kitovi faction for a period of one year without imposing any pre-conditions.

Soon after the agreement was signed the group leader and Supervisor of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board, C Singson told media, “We are ready for political dialogue with the government of India to resolve all contentious issues.”

Soon after, the General Secretary Kitovi Zhimomi rushed to New Delhi and met the officials of the Government of India apparently to give his faction’s nod for initiating peace talks at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Khaplang faction is under ‘close watch’ of the government of India. The ceasefire agreement with this faction was extended after due date with preconditions that they would never ever extend any kind of assistance to Manipur based insurgent groups and the Assam based Paresh Baruah led ULFA faction. They were also categorically told to restrain their cadres from indulging in any factional clashes.

The Supervisor of the CFSB Lincoln told the media that they are very keen to have a political dialogue with the government of India to resolve the Naga political problem. He also made it clear that his group has never indulged in any factional violence. He expected that the ceasefire ground rule mechanism would take care of this issue.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

Racial profiling to be included in UGC norms

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 8: Union Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal today assured Northeast delegates on the opening of UGC helpline for NE students with regard to cases of racial profiling and amendment of UGC bye-laws to ban racial discrimination in universities and educational institutes in the country.

The HRD Minister met a host of NE representatives including Prof Oinam Bhagat of JNU, Sanjay Hazarika of Assam, Prof Mrinal Miri Chairman of NE Central universities; Monika Khangembam a Bangalore based student and Yogendra Yadav of CSDS.

Earlier, ban on caste based discrimination was included in the University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. Minister Kapil Sibal has agreed to amend and include racial discrimination also on the banned list.

He however refused to make any comments on racial discrimination outside the institutions and in the case of the murders of Richard Loitam in Bangalore and Dana Sangma in Delhi as it is within the domain of law and order and with the states concerned.

He agreed to organize an interface between the NE students and the Director Generals of Police of various states to discuss issues of racial profiling.

Minister Sibal also agreed to include the issue of racial discrimination in the admission policies of various colleges and universities of the country as an agenda during the conference of vice-chancellors of universities.

Monika Khangembam, a Manipuri student based in Bangalore submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister on behalf of herself, Human Rights Alert and civil society organizations in Imphal pressing for a high level commission to be headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court on racial discrimination of NE students.

Minister Sibal was non-committal on the demand as he said it was beyond his brief.

The suggested terms of reference for the commission included identification of the challenges and barriers to the protection and promotion of personal security of students and young persons from the Northeast region of India living in other parts of India, with special reference to gender-specific violence in order to enhance participation and integration into the national mainstream and address ethnic profiling of racial and ethnic minorities who do not necessarily belong to religious minorities; examination of the legislative and administrative measures that are in place, and the efficacy in practice and specific inadequacies to address the problems of violence and other forms of abuses faced by students and young persons of the Northeast region in other parts of India; recommendation of specific investigative and punitive steps under the existing law by an independent agency for present and past cases/incidence of crimes including murder, assault, sexual abuse, rape, abuse or discrimination in institutions and workplaces committed against students and young persons of the Northeast region residing in other parts of India; and recommendation of concrete steps to be taken by the ruling central and state governments to strengthen the accountable security measures to protect and promote the safety and personal security of students and young persons from the Northeast region residing for various reasons in other parts of the country.

It also called for a thorough review of the existing curricula of schools, higher institutions and technical institutions including special institutions to train police and armed forces personnel in India with special attention to the inclusion of subjects about the history, culture and present situation of the indigenous ethnic minorities of North East region of India with a view to fill the large lacuna identified and enhance awareness and education about the region and its peoples among the young generations of India.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

State IRCS celebrates World Red Cross Day

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:28:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free PressIMPHAL, May 8: The Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur (IRCS) today celebrated “World Red Cross Day” at its branch office, MG Avenue here. The World Red Cross Day is celebrated across the globe on May 8 every year.

Kh Joykishan, MLA, Thangmeiband constituency, Dr M Lala, general secretary, IRCS and Dr RK Nimai, IAS, Commissioner, Art and Culture attended the celebration as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Joykishan noted that the Red Cross Society takes great responsibility in serving the injured people in battle fields and remote hill areas, etc. and further applauded for the selfless service provided by the society.

He also expressed his urge to the Manipur branch Red Cross Society to make it par with the service rendered by other branches of Red Cross Society in other parts of the world.

The MLA also generously donated a sum of Rs 10,000 to the Red Cross Society, Manipur.
A painting competition was also organized in connection with the celebration and the winners were honoured with cash prizes, including certificates.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

Huge drug haul by police

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:21:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 8: In the past 48 hours, the Imphal West district Police had been able to recover a huge consignment of banned drugs from the Imphal Tulihal Airport originating from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi and simultaneously managed to nab two alleged cadres of PREPAK (Pro), besides busting a racket involving fake certificates.

The district police also managed to recover two hand grenades from near the Family Welfare Office, BT Road and recover a Tata truck which was hijacked by some persons after killing the owner at Silchar on December 14, 2011.

The vehicle was recovered from Langthabal area on May 6 evening along with a conspirator of the hijacking of the truck, informed the police.

This was disclosed by the new SP of the Imphal West district K Jayenta todayat a press briefing at his office today.

The SP said, “On receiving specific information regarding the arrival of a major consignment of a banned substance at the Imphal airport on May 8, a team of the district police rushed to the airport and checked the cargos of the arriving flights”.

During the search operation of an Indigo flight arriving from Delhi, the team found a consignment of six cartoons (each cartoon containing 7000 strips each of 10 tablets) of banned ‘Mod’s Acti-feel’ while another 15 cartoons were found from the cargos of a Kingfisher flight and an Air India flight arriving from the same airport, he added.

He added that even though the said drug is a life-saving drug, several individuals have been indulging in stealthily bringing in the drug to be sold under the counter and to spread the illegal use of the drug as an intoxicant among the youth of the state.

He further informed media persons that the district police is trying to confirm the recipient of the consignment and is presently investigating on the case.

Meanwhile, in another operation, the district police has also managed to bust a racket indulging in the preparation and issuing of fake certificates such as Motor Vehicle licence, Smart Card, Registration Books of vehicles, Driving Licence, Domicile/Permanent Residence Certificate etc from a computer shop run by one Sorokhaibam Chaoba (who is still absconding) from a rented shop located at Paona Bazar and recovered a huge number of fake certificates/cards, seals, one computer desktop and a printer, he informed.

He further appealed to the general public to be aware of such illegal practices and remain away from such persons.

Further briefing the media persons, he added that the Permanent Resident Certificate is very useful while applying for an Indian passport.

On the arrest of two alleged cadres of the proscribed PREPAK (Pro) the police officer said that on receiving information about the presence of certain individuals intimidating shop-owners at Thangal Bazar, a team of the district police rushed to the area and conducted a search operation.

The team arrested the two alleged militants while they were intimidating a shop owner Birjit Jain (name changed) of a Steel Store at Thangal Bazar.

The two have been identified as Sapam Dinachandra Singh alias Main, 24 son of S Kunjo Singh of Okram Chuthek, Imphal East and Okram Sarojkumar Singh, 22 son of O Biren Singh of Okram Chuthek.
The police also recovered two mobile handsets from their possession, he added.

Further according to the police officer, the Imphal West district police have also recovered one Tata truck bearing registration no AS 18C-1117 and nabbed one of the accused in the hijacking of the truck from Silchar on December 14, 2011.

The truck was recovered from Langthabal area on May 6. He further added that the accused is presently undergoing interrogation.

The IW district police have also recovered two live Chinese Grenades near the gate of Family Welfare office, he said.

The press briefing was also attended by Addl SP Isak Shah, Addl SP Ops Herojit and City OC Tejbir and Imphal OC Shantikumar.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

ZSUM calls for govt`s attention

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:19:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 8: The Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur has called for the state government’s attention over the slow progress in the construction work of suspended Bailey bridge being under taken over the Barak River.

According to a release of the student body, it has expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction over the slow progress in the construction work of suspended Bailey bridge being under taken over the Barak River in between Dikiuram and Katang in Tamenglong district under the NEC program of 2006-2007.

It has further continued that the ZSUM has recieved many complaints from various sections of the people regarding the slow pace of progress and substandard work in construction of the bridge.

ZSUM said, in the absence of proper bridge, people of the district has to depend on the traditional mode of transportation like bamboo rafts to cross the river, and because of which many precious lives have been lost.

Further, it has continued that the district highway stretching from Khongsang to Tamenglong is being neglected since the last many years and the said road is in a deplorable condition. The matter had also been reported to the GOM but it is still kept in abeyance, it continued.

ZSUM also said that they hope the CM and his good office would respond in a befitting manner if his Ministry feels that Tamenglong is part of Manipur and equitable development should also be implemented in the hills districts too.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

Students Demand Justice for Richard

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

KOCHI: The city witnessed a unique show of protest on Monday when about 100 students took out a march demanding action against the killing of a Manipuri architecture student Loitam Richard in Bengaluru on April 17.

On Monday at around 3 pm, the students took out the protest march from Ernakulam Boat Jetty to Kerala High Court.

The protest was organised by the group ‘Justice for Loitam Richard,’ which has been organising similar campaigns at the various parts of the city. The activists of ‘Justice for Loitam Richard’ pointed out that Richard had a tiff with a classmate following which the incidents leading to his death occurred.

“There are strong evidences that Richard suffered multiple assaults on his head and face. The photographs also showed massive swelling and bleeding around his head, which has been substantiated by the preliminary post mortem report,” they pointed out. The student activists strongly condemned the accusation that Richard was a drug abuser.

The ‘Justice for Loitam Richard’ campaign demanded that the case should be treated as a case of homicide as the post mortem report shows proof of severe physical assault and internal injury. “I trust the Indian judicial system. I expect immediate punishment of the culprits whoever they are,” said a communication sent by Loitam Richard’s mother.

The mysterious death of 19-year-old Loitam Richard in a college hostel in Bengaluru has raised many eyebrows.

Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh has urged Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to expedite the investigation into the incident.

Indian Women boxers all set for World Championship

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:03:00 +0000

Indian team members posing for group photograph.

New Delhi: In a historic year for Women’s boxing, with the discipline making its debut at the Olympic Games in London, women boxers looking to create Olympic history will have to pass the crucial test of qualification at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. The Championship will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Qinhuangdao, China from May 9th – May 20th, 2012. A nineteen member strong Indian boxing contingent including 10 boxers and support staff will depart for the port city in China on Tuesday from the IGI Airport in New Delhi.

The seventh edition of the tournament will serve as the only qualifying event for the London 2012 Games. At the Olympics, there will be three weight categories for women, which will be flyweight (51kg), lightweight (60kg) and middleweight (75kg). However, the World Championships features ten categories in total, from light flyweight (46-49kg) to super heavyweight (over 81kg). With 24 quotas places up for grabs – eight in each of the Olympic weight categories – the 2012 Women’s World Boxing Championships is sure to be fiercely competitive. Asia has been awarded 2 quota places in both the fly and the light weight division and 1 quota in the middle weight class.

National Coach D Chandra Lal believes Indian boxers have a good chance to qualify, but a lot will depend on the draw of the championship. He added, “Asian Championships earlier this year was the big litmus test for us and our girls passed with flying colours. It was a great performance that has brought us into the fray in a big way. With only five quota places available for the Asian continent, winning a qualification will be tough, but we have two prime boxers in our side, Mary Kom and Sarita Dev, who are well prepared and all set to give their best”.

With five world titles already to her name, MC Mary Kom (51kg) will be gunning for a sixth consecutive gold medal at the Championships in Qinhuangdao. Kom, who is no less than a living legend in sport of women’s boxing, has won world titles four times in the pin weight and once in the fly weight division, which was at Barbados in 2010. This will be the first time the 29 year old will compete in the 51 kilogram weight class. The veteran boxer gave a sterling performance at the Asian Championships bagging the fly weight title; she beat the reigning World Champion in 51 kg and the 2010 Asian Games gold medallist Ren Cancan of China en route to winning the gold. Magnificent Mary (as nicknamed by AIBA the International Boxing Association) has left no stones unturned in her preparation for the mega event and is all geared up to realize her Olympic dream. “The World Championships will be different ball game this time around. With an Olympic berth at stake everyone with put their best foot forward. I have been training very hard to make sure I do well and garb that all important qualification spot”, expressed Kom during her training session at the Karnail Singh Stadium, in New Delhi.

Another strong contender for India at the world championship will be the former World Champion and five times Asian Champion L Sarita Devi (60kg). In the previous edition of the Championships at Barbados, Sarita participated in the 51 kg weight and lost out in the preliminaries. She shifted to the 60 kilogram weight class before the 2012 Asian Championships owing to her Olympic preparation and went on to bag her fifth consecutive gold medal at the continental championship, beating the likes of Asian Games gold medallist and former World Champion Cheng Dong of China. The 30 year old veteran, who has competed and won medals in five different weight division over the years, said changing weights has been a challenge for her, but now she is well settled in the 60 kilogram and is confident of a good performance. She added, “The competition is going to be tough at the Championships, but we have been preparing hard for this moment for a long time now and hopefully things will work out as planned”. Accompanying the two veterans of the sport will be 2012 Asian Championships silver-medallist Pooja Rani (75kg). She will be competing in the third Olympic weight division and will make her World Championship debut this year.

Talking about India chances at the world championships Chief Coach Anoop Kumar said, “All the girls selected to partake in the event are the best in their weight division and are peaking at the right time. It’s very tough to predict the kind of results we can expect as the nature of the competition is going to be very tough, but we are hopeful of a good performance”.

Indian Squad :

Olympic Weight Class:

MC Mary Kom (Fly Weight -51kg), L Sarita Devi (Light Weight -60kg), Pooja Rani (Middle Weight -75kg).

Other Weight Divisions:

Pinky Jangra (Light Fly Weight-48kg), Sonia Lather (Bantam Weight-54kg), K Mandakini Chanu Feather Weight (57kg), Meena Rani ( Light Welter Weight -64kg), Neetu Chahal (Welter weight-69kg), Jenny RL (Light Heavy Weight 81kg), Kavita Chahal (Heavy Weight +81kg)

Support Staff: Brig PK Muralidharan Raja ( Manager), Anoop Kumar (Coach), D Chandra Lal (Coach), Sagar Mal Dhayal (Coach), Hemlata Negi (Coach),Geeta Chanu Oinam (Coach)

Sanjogita Soodan (Doctor), Janhavi Jathar (Physiotherapist), Monique Fraser (Physiotherapist)

“Education is the basis of human civilization”

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:52:00 +0000

Source: IFP

IMPHAL, May 7: The Assam Rifles School, Maram celebrated its Annual Day function today at its Pancham hall with the first lady of Manipur Kiran Jagat wife of the Governor Gurbachan Jagat attending the celebration as chief guest and Geetika Dubey, president, ARWWA, 5 Assam Rifles as the guest of honour.

Addressing the function Kiran Jagat said that education is the basis of human civilization and it is a beacon of life along the path of development. The main purpose of education is to inculcate human values among the students and to think and also apply the knowledge they acquire in the class rooms in solving the problems in their lives.

Sharing her farewell talk with the principal of the school Mother Damien, when she passed out of the school she said that it was not the marks which we have got in our exams that will stand by us in the years to come but, what we have learnt as students of this school that will guide us in life. Education helps us live in depth and therefore more completely and it is what makes life successful in the true sense.

She also shared a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Our greatest glory is not in failing, but in rising up every time we fail”.

Further she said that games too are the back bone of character building. It is only through team games that children learn to co-operate, to be united and unselfish. It is on the games field that we learn to loose with grace and win with humility. They say that the battle of waterloo was won on the games filed of Eton. Hence the role of the school is extremely important in the national context, since the nation is built on the foundation of character which is the goal of education.

She also appreciated the efforts of students and teachers and acknowledged the contribution of the school in imparting high quality education to students and appeals to the teachers not to teach with examination as the primary goal but to teach to give knowledge.

* The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

Police play spoilsport to students’ rallies

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:43:00 +0000

Source: Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, May 7: As announced earlier, several student bodies of the state led by the All Manipur Students’ Union organised protest rallies at different parts of the state today against the failure of the authorities to book the alleged killers of Bangalore student from the state Loitam Richard.

The student bodies organised rallies at Imphal and in Jiribam which were participated in large numbers by students from various schools and local maira paibis.

Police, however played spoilsport to both rallies and blocked the students before they could reached their proposed culmination points.

Police personnel trying to disperse the students during rally

The rallies were organised by All Manipur Students’ Union, Manipur Students’ Federation, Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur, Kangleipak Students’ Association, Student Welfare Association of Kangleipak and Students’ Union of Kangleipak.

In Imphal, around a thousand people had collected at the AMSU head quarter under the banner “Who kill Richard”.

The rally passed through DM College Western gate, Lilashing Khongnangkhong, Khongang ani karak, BOC Khuyathong and proceeded towards MG Avenue where the police arrived and blocked the demonstrators from proceeding any further.

The rally was also attended by meira paibis.

The demonstrators hold placards reading ‘Where is the CM’, ‘We want justice’, ‘What was his fault’ etc.

After the police intervention, the demonstrators returned to the AMSU hq and held a public meeting wherein they demanded the authorities to book the culprits and provide protection to the people of the Northeast staying in other parts of India among other demands.

Meanwhile, the Jiribam rally which was also organised by the same student bodies was attended by around one thousand demonstrators.

The demonstrators started from Jiribam Higher Secondary School and proceeded towards the ADC office but were however blocked by the police from proceeding after covering a short distance.

The demonstrators turned back to the school after the police intervention.

Mentioned may be made that on April 30, the student bodies had announced a series of protest demonstrations incase of the government’s failure to work with the Karnatak government and book the killers of Bangalore student Loitam Richard and to produce kidnapped Don Bosco student T Rahul by May 4.

However, T Rahul was found at Chandel Bazar the same day, leading which the student bodies turned their attention to the Loitam Richard suspected murder case.

Meanwhile, a police source has informed IFP that the state police team has already met with the Karnataka Forensic team that had conducted the post mortem on Richard’s dead body.

He further said that in order to properly examine the different body parts preserved by the forensic team, the body parts are placed in certain chemicals. And it takes around 21 days before the team could re-examine the body parts.

In such a scenario, there is no alternative but to wait till around May 11 before anymore examinations can be done.

*The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

AMUCO blames govt on land dispute in Chandel

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:35:00 +0000

IMPHAL : The government of Manipur was accused of not paying necessary attention to the tension regarding land dispute in Chandel district of Manipur.

Speaking to media persons in its office at Kwakeithel, Imphal, the president of All Manipur United Clubs Organization (AMUCO), KT Rahaman said that tension between two neighbouring villages inhabited by Aimol and Maring tribes near Pallel bazaar in Chandel district has been brewing since May 5 over land disputes between the two villages.

The situation has deteriorated every passing day leading to quarrels, blocking of roads, cutting water supply pipes and even firing of guns which may lead to unfortunate and unwanted incidents disrupting the peaceful atmosphere of the area in particular and the state in general, said the president of AMUCO.

Appealing to the state government to take appropriate and immediate steps to defuse the strained relations between the two communities before any untoward and undesirable incident occurs, AMUCO president said the situation demands urgent positive action from the side of the state government to bring back peace through an amiable solution to the trouble.Saying that all communities living in different parts of Manipur should live in peace and harmony, Rahaman also appealed to the two communities to hold peaceful negotiations and try to bring about a cordial agreement to solve the problem.He went on to say AMUCO exists for integrity, peace and harmony of the people of Manipur and a team of AMUCO had met the villagers of both the communities to try to bring them to negotiate a compromise so that peace and harmony can be maintained to avoid any communal flare up.

SC mulling total ban on plastic

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:31:00 +0000

NEW DELHI, MAY 7 (AGENCIES): The Supreme Court on Monday said it will consider whether to completely ban the use of plastic in the interests of animals and the environment.

A bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya said this while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), drawing attention to the plight of animals which swallowed plastic with their food. Observing that most of the lakes and urban drain systems are choking because of plastic bags, the bench said that the issue raised is important to all human beings and agreed to hear the PIL.

Issuing notice to the central and state governments and plastic makers, the court suggested that either the use of plastic be banned or the manufacturers should pick up used plastic for recycling.

The PIL, by the Karuna Society for Animal and Nature, sought direction to the government to ban the use, sale and disposal of plastic bags in all municipalities and municipal corporations and phase out, in a time-bound manner, the “open garbage disposal system”.

Seeking the removal of open garbage receptacles, the NGO also sought directions requiring municipal corporations and municipalities to implement door to door garbage collection.

It further wanted that municipal bodies should ensure that waste storage facilities were built and managed in such a way that animals were not allowed to move around their vicinity.

The NGO said it runs a hospital and shelter for small animals that are injured ill or have been abandoned. The animals rescued and treated at the shelter include dogs, cats, monkeys and a variety of birds.

“Due to government neglect across the country and her maritime boundaries or coastline, animals particularly cows and bulls, are ingesting plastic from garbage dumps and plastic bags littered across the landscape and oceans. The ingestion of plastic from plastic bags chokes the stomach of cows,” the petitioners said.

“Despite the enactment of rules for the disposal of municipal solid wastes and the management and handling of plastic waste, the governments have failed and neglected to implement these rules,” they said.

Devendro settles for silver at President's Cup in Kazakhstan

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:02:00 +0000

New Delhi: Olympic bound boxer L Devendro Singh (49kg) had to be content with a silver medal finish from the 3rd International ‘Republic of Kazakhstan President’s Cup’ in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Sunday (6 May 2012).

The 20 year old came agonisingly close to claiming his first gold medal on the senior tour. Devendro, who beat Olympian and 2010 Asian Games silver medallist Birzhan Zakipov was up against Cuba’s top light flyweight boxer and bronze medal winner at the 2010 Youth World Boxing Championships Yosvany Veitia in the title clash. He started well keeping pace with his Cuban opponent – after the opening three minutes of play the scores were knotted at 4 all. But with the beginning of the second round, Veitia, with his sound defence and precise combinations took the game away from the Indian boxer.

Devendro attacked vigorously in the final round but could not penetrate Veitia’s guard as much as he would have liked. In the end he lost the bout on points 11:15. “It was a difficult bout and the Cuban had a sound technique, I tried hard to get inside and fight but did not get many chances to score. Nonetheless I am happy with my performance; this tour has been a big learning curve for me and it will help a great deal in my preparations for the Olympics”, expressed Devendro after his bout.

Chief National Coach GS Sandhu who is accompanying the team said, “Devendro did well to reach to the finals of the tournament, he beat some good and experienced boxers along the way. Like I said at the beginning of the tour, it is the experience and learning from tours like these that is important to us. Winning medals is an added incentive and motivation, it always helps”

Earlier in the tournament Asian Games silver medallist Manpreet Singh (91kg) and debutant Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg) had to settle for a bronze medal finish after losing out in the semi-finals of their respective weight categories. Manpreet put up a brave performance against Abduganiev Arbek of Kazakhstan, but in the end came up short (12:19). Kanwar on the other hand went down in a one sided contest – Kazakh Dichko Ivan proving too strong for the Indian rookie; he lost on points 13:3.

Beyond the Congress Magic Victory: Reflection on Manipur 10th Assembly Election

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:58:00 +0000

Dr. Malem Ningthouja

Chairperson, Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)

05^th May 2012

The 10^th Assembly Election in Manipur (India) was conducted on 28 January followed by re-poll in 34 polling stations on 4 February and in 67 polling stations on 4 and 5 March. It was conducted under the guard of the reported additional 350 companies of paramilitary forces comprising the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, Orissa Police, RPF, Bihar police, Andhra Pradesh Police, Mizoram Police, Tripura Police, Jharkhand Police, and CISF, i.e., similar to technical democratic exercise mechanically held once in five years under a siege situation.

Among seventeen political parties and independent that had fielded 279 candidates (fifteen women) to contest for 60 assembly seats, Indian National Congress much above expectations had achieved a ‘magic’ victory by securing 42 seats. It had entered into a recorded 14^th term to form government (at times leading coalition governments) since 1967, and O. Ibobi had sworn in as Chief Minister of Manipur for the 3^rd consecutive term. In order to neutralize power struggle within the party, an arrangement resembling Colonial Democracy parallel to Morley- Minto Reforms 1909, Montague Chelmsford Reforms 1919 and Communal Award 1932 has been implemented by distributing certain ministerial portfolios along communal lines, e.g., minority (sic Manipuri Muslims), Kuki, and Naga. The INTC is leading the opposition flank.

Background of Victory

The magic victory of INC came off despite multiple challenges such as: anti-congress alliance christened as People's Democratic Front constituted by MPP, NCP, JD (U), RJD and CPI (M); anti-congress alliance between MPP and BJP, and campaign by other parties; ban imposed on INC by Co-ordination Committee (CorCom) of seven underground militant parties;[i] and Naga People’s Front campaign against INC.

There were various interplaying factors that contributed to the INC victory. Firstly, a large section of voters were mesmerised by an illusion that Central grants was the only option for economic survival. The assumption was that the Central government and Manipur were bound by paternalistic relationship; which articulated reciprocity between citizens (sic children) and reward by the Central government (sic father) in the form of grants. Such dependent psychology was favourable to INC that enjoyed power at the Centre.

Secondly, on the eve of election INC had enjoyed ruling power for two consecutive, i.e., the period of finance investment in Look East Policy, construction of dams, roadways, office buildings, market complex, etc. Normally 8 to 15 % out of the total amount of project fund was misappropriated by commission network wherein the political barons, construction companies, bureaucrats, contractors and project dealers were major stakeholders. In such situation INC candidates had an upper hand in the electoral politics to retain legislative cum economic power.

Thirdly, opposition parties that had refrained from ideological fight or offering prospective vision were weak. People suspect that they were easily bribed to remain mute spectator to the moribund rulers both in the assembly and outside. There were defections of important leaders to INC during election time. In the longue durée the opposition parties, therefore, lacked credibility, charismatic leaders, and public support. Most of them were badly defeated.

Fourthly, in ten years tenure as CM, Ibobi had expanded mass base in his Assembly Constituency through his agents in construction works, job recruitment, and alliance with various organisations. His relatives, including his wife, carried out electoral politics in Thoubal and Imphal Districts. In the last election he allegedly supported some non-INC candidates to defeat rival congressmen so as to retain uncontested power position in the Assembly. He enjoyed the trust of INC leader Sonia Gandhi. His achievement contributed in a big way to the overall victory of INC.

Beyond the Technical Victory

Although the election was successfully conducted, there were phenomena that contested the very notion of free and fare election. Firstly, there was official discrepancy on matters relating to assessment of the property of candidates. For instance, one could hardly believe that “Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who is eyeing a hat-trick in the upcoming election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly as a candidate ... has entered the fray with just Rs 50,000 in hand.” The accountability of the procedure of vigilance, seriousness of the modus operandi and sincerity of the vigilance officials were being questioned.

Secondly, evasive tactics to conceal from official surveillance was very common. Election campaigns, feasts and drinks, distribution of ‘vote money’ and etc. that involved huge money and muscle power were carried out during nights to avoid detection. In some instances deliberately withheld old age pension books or construction works were released on the eve of the election to attract the beneficiaries to vote in favour of a particular candidate. On the polling day purchasing of what was termed ‘flying vote’ at the price normally fixed above 2000 Rs per vote was very common.

Thirdly, gun culture flourished. No follow up action was ever heard about the reported 227 FIRs registered by police against defaulters who had failed to deposit licensed guns. Both licensed guns and illegal arms were widely used during election campaigns without any restrictions. On the other hand several rival political workers were falsely implicated on the charges of having connection with ‘outlawed’ militant organisations. Or many were forced upon to support a candidate on the pretext of protection from supposedly false implication by police. Gun and money power were interplaying.

Fourthly, vandalism, booth capturing, rigging, double enrolment, impersonation, casting of vote against the names of deceased persons, out-station voters, etc were reported. Anomalies and discrepancies on the part of polling officials had created obstacles while maintaining transparency and accountability. Photographs of several thousand voters could not be taken due to darkness inside polling booths and lack of expertise on the part of the polling officials to handle cameras. Photo comparison had detected mismatch of the photograph of several voters and the photos on the electoral list against their names. In addition to this, cases of poor quality of photographs taken and a single person pressing the button of EVM several times had come to light. Election related violence occurred despite heavy deployment of government forces.

Assessing Communal Politics

Several analysts were serious into thinking if the entry of NPF into electoral politics in Manipur would lead to exasperation of community co-existence and polarisation. The NPF, which had published the agenda to unite Naga communities under an administrative region, had opposed proposed creation of Sadar Hills District on the ground that it was Kuki community agenda, termed the ruling SPF government as communal representing the interest of Meetei community, and articulated that Naga and other communities must live under different administrative arrangements. However, the Nagas were not united on the electoral politics. Despite intensive campaign and alleged NSCN-IM involvement NPF could win only four seats in the sixteen ACs in the Naga dominated areas.

Contradictory to the presumption that NPF electoral politics would disintegrate Manipur, community based political party innings in electoral politics had been a long experience in Manipur. In 1974 Manipur Hills Union won twelve seats in 16 ACs and Kuki National Assembly won two seats in six ACs. MHU formed UDF government. In 1980 KNA contested election in seven ACs and won two seats. In 1984 KNA contested election in four ACs and won one seat. In 1990 KNA contested election in eight ACs and won two seats. A new party christened as Manipur Hill Peoples Council contested election in ten ACs but lost completely. In 1995 KNA and MHPC lost completely respectively in six and one ACs. KNA lost completely again in 2000. In 2002 and 2007 a new party christened as Naga National Party contested election in five and one ACs but lost completely.

NPF may come and go. Moreover, the question of territorial integrity or disintegration is an open issue which had been interplaying with various other important issues for quite long time. There is the need for common platform to develop mutual understanding, discussion and debates to adopt commonly acceptable policies. The State assembly had to be seen as an important platform. NPF or any organised party must be encouraged to enter into it. It would make electoral democracy meaningful as well.

Severe Blows to Stakeholders

INC victory was a severe blow to several organised bodies that had lobbied against INC on several burning issues viz., economic crisis, unemployment, job security, forced labour by the State, territorial integrity, immigration, destructive capitalist projects, state terrorism and AFSPA, Protected Area Permit, Inner Line Permit, electricity and water, highway protection, corruption and many others. Among the insurgent organisations the CorCom was badly defeated.

CorCom’s anti-INC stand had raised many questions:

1. CorCom was formed probably in July 2011 as a collective platform of seven underground organisations. Many suspected a direct or indirect collusion of INC with CorCom. Was the target against INC a tactical political bargaining based on the presumption that INC would definitely come to power? Was it a staged managed tactics aimed at reducing election expenditure of INC on the one hand and on the other hand to win public sympathy for congress?

2. The ban on INC suggested for indirect support to other parties, which further suggested CorCom’s electoral politics despite denial of playing a role. In that sense wasn’t United National Liberation Front’s critical remark on the election and Revolutionary People’s Front’s appeal to refrain from ensuring election appeared self-contradictory and dubious political principles?

3. There were rumours about congress candidates attempting monetary negotiation with CorCom. Apparently the negotiation seemed to have failed due to either internal differences within CorCom or inability to arrive at mutually acceptable term between INC and CorCom. However, since the target of attacks appeared to be selective, the probability of negotiation at the individual capacity could not be ruled out. People suspected bribery and favouritism by CorCom.

4. The list of 2670 congress workers and selective militant attack had created fear and hatred among INC workers. Comparative silence maintained by ‘mass fronts’ on CorCom’s bomb attacks and killing eroded legitimacy of the former and derailed neutrality / consistency in the collective struggle for civil liberties. The magic victory of INC, therefore, created an apparent severe blow to CorCom. The risk taken up by CorCom was proven suicidal and self-defeating in the long run.

Conclusion

During election larger sections of the voters were primarily motivated by immediate material agenda in terms of ‘vote money’ or donation and personal allegiance to candidate rather than political principle of any party. Their subjective condition might have been shaped by bourgeoisie political consciousness and other reactionary and sectarian types. Several relations shivered at various levels in the neighbourhoods, among denizens of the same locality, co-existing communities, and collectives continues to be strained.

However promises made during election campaigns and agenda mentioned in all the manifestoes, and issues raised by local clubs, sectoral workers, and civil society organisations are still relevant to the people. Most of the families are confronting individual hardships against systematic decline of economic livelihood, terrorism, and suspension of democratic rights. People’s expectations and aspirations for a better change are continuously growing. Will the elected representatives continue to act upon the cracks and divisions to further divide opinion among the common people and weaken the civil democratic forces? Will the opposition parties fight tooth and nail for the cause of the underprivileged sections? Should the voters wait for the next general election to extract ‘Vote Money’ or should they be guided by progressive ideology towards organised struggle for collective development, peace and democracy? Aren’t we in Manipur expecting a clear ideological stand and firmed political commitment of a PARTY instead of hoodwinking us by deceptive sentiment and organised adventurism in the name of freedom and democracy that merely perpetuate sectarianism and subjugation!

[i] Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), Revolutionary People’s Front, United National Liberation Front, and United People’s Party of Kangleipak.

(The views expressed by the author are personal)

Power situation worries State's IAS topper

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:02:00 +0000

Source : Sangai Express

IMPHAL, May 6: Aribam Radhabinod, who topped among general candidates from Manipur State in the recently declared UPSC civil services examination result has expressed that with the prevailing deplorable power supply situation in the State it would be futile for one to expect favourable result in such competitive examinations.

Interacting with newspersons at Manipur Press Club today, Radhabinod, who ranked 128th in the overall merit list of the UPSC conducted exam, conveyed that preparing for the civil service examination requires atleast 7-8 hours of studying which will be very almost taking into account Manipur’s pitiable power supply situation.

While preparing for the highly competitive civil services exam from larger cities is quite convenient for there is hardly any problem regarding power supply there, the 28-year old youth hailing from Wangjing Lamding Bazar also conveyed congratulations to his 10 other State-mates who overcame various hurdles to emerge successfully in the UPSC exam.

After completing Computer Science Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi in 2007, Radhabinod is informed to have had a stint in a private company for a year. While his first shot at the civil services exam did not yield the desired result in 2008, Radhabinod said he joined and then gave up the job at the private company in July 2010 to prepare for the next IAS examination.

Along with joining coaching classes for the said examination, he shared to all IAS aspirants that regularly reading The Hindu newspaper had been very helpful in his preparation for the national daily carries write-ups of subject experts as well as vital information about how to prepare for such tough exams.

The bureaucrat officer-designate also informed that his early schooling began at the institute of Rural Education, Wangjing before pursuing further education at Sainik School and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in the latter stages to finally achieve the goal of his parents’ wish by scaling the UPSC examination.

While the demise of his father Kumar Sharma in 1997 slightly dented his pursuit for excellence, he attributed the recent success to his elder brother A Nehru who reportedly ensured that the younger sibling continued to concentrate on his studies.

Affirming that his success in the civil services examination would be translated for the overall welfare of his native land, Radhabinod said he has two sisters and five brothers.

* The above news story is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. NUM has no responsibility for the sanctity and originality of the news story.

State Police begin investigation into Richard murder

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:13:00 +0000

IMPHAL, May 6: A special police team headed by a superintendent of police Potsangbam Dhanakumar from Manipur has started investigations into the mysterious death of Richard Loitam in Bangalore.

Richard, a resident of Uripok Yambem Leikai in Imphal was found dead in suspicious circumstances on April 18 in the hostel of Acharaya NRV School of Architecture in Bangalore.

The Manipur police team had visited the forensic team at Victoria Hospital on Friday and is slated to meet the forensic team who conducted the post mortem over Richard’s dead body on Monday.

The team has today met the concerned Superintendent of Police, who informed them that the post mortem report is yet to reach the police while assuring that a clearer picture would emerge after the receipt of the report.

They inspected room No. 225 of 'A' Block of men's hostel at the Acharya NRV Institute of Technology on Hessaraghatta-Chikkabanavara road and sought a detailed report from the Victoria Hospital forensic department. They also recorded the eyewitness' accounts of the incidents that preceded Loitam's death at the college and hostel.

"We are awaiting the postmortem report which will give some clues on the cause of death. Once the report is handed over, we will study it and accordingly take further action," a police officer told STOI. He said police need conclusive evidence to arrest the suspects.

"If the report demands, we will proceed with the arrests of those involved. We should find the exact reason for his death. It may be because of haemorrhage (blood clot due to internal brain injury) triggered by the accident he met with on April 15, two days before he was found dead in his room," the officer said . The previous night, two hostel mates - Vishal Bannerji and Syed Afzal Ali – had allegedly punched Richard on his face following a tiff over watching an IPL match.

In a report published in the Tehelka magazine, many holes have been flagged in the police investigation and the report of the hostel warden.

The report said, “Richard’s uncle Bobby Loitam points out differences in the statements given to the police by Sudhakar and Saurabh. Bobby says that Saurabh has mentioned in his statement that he found Richard dead when he came back from college at 1.30 pm. Whereas Sudhakar says that Saurabh was sleeping in his hostel room till 1.30 pm, and then found Richard dead when he tried to wake him up. Sudhakar refused to speak to TEHELKA when contacted and Saurabh couldn’t be contacted as he was in Bangkok for a vacation.

Richard’s family raises many questions such as why were they not informed about Richard’s death on 18 April itself? Why was there a delay in taking Richard’s body to the hospital? The claim by the college authorities that he died of injuries sustained in a road accident two days before his death has led them to believe that there has been an effort to hush up the case. According to the family, the police registered a case at 6.30 pm on 18 April and did not do a spot investigation till 19 April.

The hostel room was cordoned off and sealed for investigations on 20 April. No crime photographers or forensic experts were called in for crime scene investigation. Bobby says, ‘They didn’t even confiscate the laptop to check whether Richard was actually watching a film, as claimed by the warden.’

However, SP Prakash says, ‘We will confiscate the laptop only when it’s required. We have videographed everything and searched the room. We are waiting for the final post mortem report’. Denying allegations of a cover-up, Prakash states that there is nothing to hide and an impartial inquiry is being conducted. Richard’s family has lodged a case with the city police.” (IFP)

Thai students to learn English in Manipur

okramjoro@gmail.com (News 24X7) — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:06:00 +0000

Source: Indian Express

Imphal: In one of the first such collaborations between the two very similar cultures, Manipuris and Thais, Manipur University will now teach English to Thai students. More projects are on the agenda as the universities of Manipur and Thailand are set to collaborate on a number of matters.

“On our visit to Thai universities last year, they discussed with us a need for their students to learn English. Despite having such a strong tourism industry, the Thais are very weak in English. Their primary aim is that the students be conversant in English so that they are able to deal with the increasing number of international tourists,” says Prof Amar Yumnam, Dean of Social Studies at Manipur University. He was part of the delegation that visited Thailand.

Prof Yumnam points out that Thai students start learning English, if at all, only after Class XII.

Dean of Students Welfare and English professor in charge of the project, Professor Ratan says the project will begin in this academic session starting in July. Nearly 40-50 students are likely to come for the first certificate course. “We are keeping the number limited since this is just a certificate course. We will look at an expansion only once this course is successful,” says Prof Ratan.

Manipur University signed an MoU with Surindra Rajabhat University in the Surin province of Thailand last year.

Talking about cultural similarities between the Manipuri and the Thai people, Prof Ratan says: “They feel more comfortable coming to Manipur because we look the same, dress the same, our food habits are the same and there are great cultural similarities in terms of some rituals et al. There are some similarities in the language and the script too.”