Tengnoupal village chiefs hail govt for
creating district
Imphal Free Press
TENGNOUPAL | Dec 10
The joint chiefs and chairmen of
Tengnoupal have expressed their profound gratitude to the Okram Ibobi led
Congress government for declaring Tengnoupal as a full- fledged revenue
district alongwith six other new districts. The President of the Kuki &
Naga Chiefs’/Chairmen Association Tengnoupal Holkhokhai Haokip said, the
decision of the state government to create 7 new Districts for administrative
convenience was indeed commendable and
histroric not only for the people of the newly created Tengnoupal District but
also for the whole state.
While lauding the Chief Minister O Ibobi
Singh and his cabinet including Health minister and local MLA D Korungthang for
their decision, the association assured to extend cooperation with the newly
posted district administrators to usher in more development in the district.
Javadekar hints at Feb polls
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL| Dec 10
Union minister of Human Resources
Development and Manipur BJP in charge Prakash Javadekar has hinted of early
elections to the Manipur state assembly today. Speaking to press reporters at a
press meet today at BJP office Nityaipat Chithek he said, the election time
table may come up this month end and elections may held in the month of
February 2017. Minister Javadekar accused the state Congress government of
failing to deliver good governance in the state and said that the indefinite
economic blockade in the state is the responsibility of the ruling dispensation
in the state.
He said, people are fed up with the
corrupt government. He however said that the BJP have an agenda for providing
jobs to every eligible youth, skills for everybody and education for all, that
is a promise from BJP. For the upcoming election, he said that he will come and
camp in the state helping defeat the money power of the Congress party. He
said, the centre is ready to extend any possible support but the state
government is standing still in solving this problem.
Prakash Javadekar harps UNC tune
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 10
Harping to the tune of UNC, Union
minister of HRD and BJP Manipur in charge Prakash Javadekar has accused the
Okram Ibobi led Congress government of divide and rule policy in announcing
seven new districts. Speaking at a one day political conference held today at
Lainingthou Khamlangba community hall of Sagolband Moirang Leirak Machin he
said, creating new districts will multiply issues and problems in the state.
He said, in the last Lok Sabha elections
Congress had come down from 440 seats to only 44 and the next elections will
almost completely blow away the Congress.
Bhavananda on district creation
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL| Dec 10
State BJP president Ksh Bhavananda
opined that the stance of the Congress government in creating seven new revenue
districts is a good decision for effective administration. He however mentioned
that the district status could have been awarded for Jiribam and Sadar hills
long back. “It reminds me when India got its independence of freedom at
midnight, Ibobi Singh gave district hood at midnight as his ruling days are
over,” he told Imphal Free Press.
Aspirant manipulates statement
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL| Dec 10
The Bharat Janata Party Wangkhem Mandal
organised a press meet today at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul Imphal on
misunderstanding between the party members. During the press meet Md Firoj Khan
General Secretary BJP Wangkhem Mandal said that BJP ticket aspirant manipulated
a statement submitted to Ajay Jamwal Zonal Organisational Secretary NE State on
October 5 by inserting another extra 2 pages to the three pages to which he had
appended his signature.
In the extra two pages O Haridas had
politically assasinated three BJP members Nabachandra, Kadamjit and Jadumani,
he said. He added that he doesn’t have any concern with the three members. He
appealed to the state President to look into this matter and take up action
against O Haridas.
CPI (ML) asks people not to take money
in elections
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL| Dec 10
The Communist Party of India, CPI (M-L)
Liberation, Manipur State Committe appeal the voters of Manipur not to take any
incentive such as money or join in feasts organized by candidates during
elections. Addressing a press meet held at the head office of CPI (ML)
Liberation at Sagolband Tera Thingbaijam Leikai today Sapam Samungou Singh
State Secretary CPI (ML) Liberation said that there will be good governance in
the state only when there is free and fair election.
He added that Manipur is among one of
the most corrupted states where the rich and powerful people hold the law in
their hand and also one of the states where people suffer from many issue such
as AFSPA, price hike in essential commodities etc due to the failure in
governing by the corrupt leaders.
Joykumar rebuffs
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 10 2016: Former DGP and
BJP election and administration in-charge Y Joykumar has rejected BJP State
election management committee Th Chaoba’s assertion that he joined BJP through
online registration.
Reacting to Chaoba’s comment on fake
encounters, Joykumar said that Chaoba has no authority to judge whether an
encounter was fake or genuine. Only a law Court can determine whether an
encounter was fake or genuine. He decried that Th Chaoba was attempting to
project him in wrong light.
“Although Chaoba opposed my enrolment in
BJP, I became a member of BJP on April 30, 2015”, Joykumar added.
A Heroine After a 16-Year Fast, Now
Spurned by Many
By Nida Najar
The New York Times 9 Dec 2016
Irom Chanu Sharmila in 2011 in Imphal,
India, 11 years into her nearly 16-year hunger strike to protest abuses by the
armed forces. Credit Manpreet Romana for The New York Times
IMPHAL, India — In her makeshift
campaign office, surrounded by plywood desks and a giant whiteboard, Irom Chanu
Sharmila rambled a bit, talking about the nearly 16 years she fasted to protest
abuses by the armed forces, about spending most of that time in a hospital ward
being force-fed through a nose tube under a law in India criminalizing suicide
and about her reasons for ending the hunger strike and emerging to contest
coming elections in Manipur State.
“I was yearning to meet the people,” she
said, adjusting a white shawl over her thin shoulders, “so I had to find
another way.”
In meeting them, however, Ms. Sharmila
was in for a bit of a shock. She had been a heroine to many in the
violence-scarred northeastern state of Manipur, the most recognizable face of a
popular resistance to what residents say are the brutal tactics of the armed
forces. Yet her decision to end her fast and run for office in a much-despised
government said to be riddled with corruption was met not with the applause she
expected but with anger and resentment.
“Her status was so high,” said Soibam
Momon Leima, the president of the now-disbanded Save Sharmila Campaign. “The
Iron Lady. So beautiful, so strong.”
In November 2000, Ms. Sharmila, then 28,
vowed to stop eating to protest a law that shields soldiers from prosecution
for crimes, after a company of Assam Rifles killed 10 civilians.
As her legend grew, people wrote songs
about her, a Bollywood film on Manipur will feature a character based on her
and her image has graced posters and T-shirts and autorickshaws — her hair
unruly, her face pale, a feeding tube attached to her nose. Amnesty
International declared her a prisoner of conscience. In 2006, Shirin Ebadi, the
Iranian Nobel laureate, said that if Ms. Sharmila died, “the whole executive
branch of this country” would be responsible. They called her the goddess of
Manipur.
But in July, she said she would end her
fast, declared her intention to unseat the powerful chief minister of the
state, currently serving his third term, and announced her plans to get
married, presumably to her boyfriend, Desmond Coutinho, a man described by the
local news media as a British citizen of Indian origin, about whom little is
known.
On Aug. 9, in front of a throng of
journalists, she licked a dab of honey from her hand. After nearly 16 years,
Ms. Sharmila, tired of being an icon and saying she did not want to be called a
goddess, walked away from her hospital prison.
“They drew me in whatever imagery they
wanted of me and they just kept me there and worshiped me,” she said of the
public.
That night, as she approached her new
home, an angry crowd forced the ambulance carrying her and the police vehicles
flanking it to stop. Some recall the crowd hurling abuse, though others
maintain that it was a largely silent protest. Dr. Thiyam Suresh Singh, her
would-be host, wove through the crowd and approached Ms. Sharmila’s window.
“I’m sorry, the people don’t want you to
stay for the time being,” he said. “Forgive me.”
And so Ms. Sharmila was taken away,
ending up for a night back in the hospital.
“The people were very angry,” said
Ibomcha Sharma Phurailatpam, a 47-year-old government employee who was in the
crowd that night. “She was taking so much responsibility for our society. And
suddenly, she broke.”
Ms. Sharmila, who protested that her
personal life should not concern society, looked pained when asked about the
evening of Aug. 9. But she had a message for her public.
“If I continued my fast, then I would
have died,” she said in an interview in Imphal. “And if I stopped my fast and
decide to change my strategy and you’re against me and you hate me for that,
then let my blood wash away all this negativity.”
Photo
Irom Chanu Sharmila ended her fast in
August by licking a dab of honey from her hand. Credit Anupam Nath/Associated
Press
Shortly after that night, seven women
came to her hospital room to ask if she might change her mind about abandoning
her fast and entering politics. She refused.
“It broke my heart,” said Ms. Momon, who
was a part of the group. “If a plant grows and has been groomed so nicely, and
suddenly you crush it, it’s like that.”
For weeks after that meeting, Ms.
Sharmila lived on the otherwise deserted third floor of an airy ashram on the
outskirts of Imphal, at the edge of a dense forest. There she cooked her own
meals, climbed the guava trees on the property and slept next to a plastic box
encasing a pink teddy bear holding a heart inscribed with the words “I love
you,” a gift from Mr. Coutinho, who she says is in Ireland.
“I have been in isolation for almost 16
years,” she said at the ashram. “It’s just also another part of the phase.” She
then moved into a friend’s house in Imphal, before moving into her campaign
office.
Ms. Momon, a kindly looking woman of 70,
remembers Ms. Sharmila as a young woman, cycling to meetings in the late 1990s,
when a group of women known as imas, or mothers, had taken to patrolling the
neighborhoods in Imphal, confiscating drugs and alcohol and destroying them in
public.
Around the same time, Ms. Sharmila also
worked as a volunteer for Babloo Loitongbam, a human rights lawyer who was
working to document cases of extrajudicial killings.
But about a decade after she began her
fast, a rift opened, said Mr. Loitongbam, coinciding with the arrival of Mr.
Coutinho. Once, in December 2014 during one of her many court hearings over the
years, Ms. Sharmila held his hand in the courtroom in front of the imas, a
grave offense in traditional Manipuri society, Ms. Momon said.
“We weren’t happy,” Ms. Momon said. “Suddenly,
a man shows up and Sharmila was not showing respect to us.”
The conflict culminated in a
confrontation in the court complex after the hearing. The imas said that Mr.
Coutinho was insulting Ms. Sharmila’s lawyer, and they went to confront him.
When he ran, they roughed him up, Ms. Momon said. Ms. Sharmila was angry.
“I don’t know why they were so violent,”
said Ms. Sharmila, who said that the imas “misunderstood” her intentions, that
they never really knew her for who she was. Mr. Coutinho did not return an
email message requesting comment.
Mr. Loitongbam said the rift was not
just about Mr. Coutinho. There were also disagreements about how to use money
from human rights prizes Ms. Sharmila was awarded. She wanted to fund global
humanitarian causes, and the activist community in Manipur wanted to spend it
locally, he said.
“We really don’t know what is happening
in her mind,” Mr. Loitongbam said.
Even Ms. Sharmila’s family does not seem
happy about the turn her life has taken. “It seems a nonlocal man came and put
a venom on Sharmila,” said her mother, Irom Sakhi, adding that “things have
been twisted” since he came on the scene. “Things like she’s going to contest
elections. Who will support her? How will she win?”
Some in Imphal do support Ms. Sharmila’s
decision. Young, educated people, disillusioned by the stagnation from years of
corruption, see hope in her candidacy, said Pradip Phanjoubam, editor of The
Imphal Free Press, a daily newspaper. Her party has confirmed four candidates
for the coming elections, with Ms. Sharmila contesting seats in two different
constituencies.
But she has plenty of detractors. In an
open-air market in Imphal where imas sell fruit, vegetables and fermented fish,
Moirangtham Anita Devi sat in front of mounds of betel nuts and said she was “not
happy” with Ms. Sharmila’s decision.
“She was the goddess of Manipur,” she
said. “Now, she is just like any other being. Like me.”
Blockade to be lifted only after written
assurance : UNC ; Post dists creation, UNC calls meet
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09 2016: Taking strong
exception to the creation of seven new districts, without consulting the
stakeholders, the United Naga Council has convened a Naga Peoples’ Consultation
meeting on December 12 at 11 am at Senapati. The decision of the UNC to convene
the Naga People’s Consultation meeting comes in the wake of the decision of the
State Government to create seven new districts last night.
The seven new districts which have been
created are Tengnoupal, Kakching, Pherjawl Kamjong, Noney, Jiribam and
Kangpokpi (Sadar Hills). In a statement issued to the press today, UNC said
that creating the seven new districts is like adding salt to the wound and
added that Nagas will not remain silent spectator.
‘Nagas will alone decide their fate and
their land. We will not allow any external forces to meddle with the Nagas’
ancestral land,’ said UNC further.
BJP leaders join campaign
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09 2016: National BJP
leaders including BJP, North East co-ordinator Prasant Arora and BJP leaders
Jatamba Mard today visited Thoubal and undertook election campaign at
Khangabok, Wangjing-Tentha and Lilong ACs, reports our correspondent. Booth
level workers’ meeting was also organised by BJP, Khangabok Mandal at Khangabok
Meishnam Leikai.
Speaking at the programme, Prasant Arora
alleged that the Manipur Government under Congress party has been governing the
State not according to the wishes of the people. Issues like economic blockade
and communal tension have been created by the State Government. Ibobi-led State
Government cannot even improve the infrastructure of educational institutions.
BJP should be given a chance to prove that the party can bring growth,
development and peace in the State, he added.
Election campaign of Mayengbam Ranjit
Singh, intending BJP candidate from Wabagai AC, was also organised by Wabagai
Lamkhai, reports our correspondent.
Political gimmick, says Chaoba
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09 2016: While
expressing astonishment at the creation of seven new revenue districts in the
State, BJP Manipur Pradesh election management committee convenor Th Chaoba has
asserted that the new districts were created not for administrative convenience
but for ‘political convenience’. Speaking to media persons at their Nityaipat
Chuthek office today, Chaoba said that the people would not be fooled by the
latest knee jerk reaction of the Congress Government by creating seven
districts.
He remarked that the creation of new
districts in haste when the State election is round the corner is aimed at
scoring political mileage. He said that he and BJP Manipur Pradesh
vice-president M Asnikumar called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday and
apprised him about the ongoing economic blockade being imposed by the UNC.
The Prime Minister gave a patient
hearing and assured to take up necessary action to end the blockade. With
regard to the IED found planted at his residential gate, Chaoba maintained that
he has been an active campaigner against all fake encounters.
Seven in one
Imphal Free Press editorial, 10Dec 2016
The use of shock and awe tactics in
declaring public policies seems to be coming into vogue after Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s surgical operations along the Pakistan-India border,
professedly to dismantle and destroy “terror dens” in POK (Pakistan Occupied
Kashmir), and then more recently the blitzkrieg on black money on November 8,
by declaring the two highest notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 demonetised from the
very next day, November 9. In Manipur too, chief minister Okram Ibobi and his
crew of Congress legislators, besieged as they are on the eve of the February
Assembly election by defecting disloyal politicians as well as by Manipur’s
endemic ethnic frictions on account of parallel brands of street politics,
chose to stage such a surprise on the people, now reeling under the twin weight
of an atrocious blockade which has succeeded in poisoning relations amongst
traditional communities, and a cash crunch brought about by the PM’s
demonetisation. In a late night cabinet meeting yesterday, the government
decided to create seven new districts in addition to the state’s existing nine.
For some reason, this major tiding was passed on to only one media
organisation, leaving others in the business furious and sour. It is quite
likely the news was meant to be relayed to all media outlets through this
newspaper to which was communicated the news, but business being business, the
newspaper kept the newsbreak as its exclusive. But this cutthroat competition,
unwholesome though it may be, is another story. This editorial would much
rather study the government’s new and bold initiative, and the likely political
controversies and oppositions it may bring about.
Although the news was published rather
briefly in only one newspaper today, by now it is clear which are the new
districts to be created. There will not be a SADAR Hills district, and from the
administrative vantage this is well and good. The shape of SADAR Hills
(Selected Area Development and Adminstrative Region) being what it was,
encircling the valley with its arms like an octopus, a villager from the
foothills adjacent to Bishnupur, such as Sadu, who faced immense difficulty
travelling to Senapati HQ to get ordinary official work such as his adhar card
done, would still have had to face the same difficulty going to Kangpokpi to
get the same job done, Kangpokpi and Senapati being almost of the same distance
along the same road from where he is. Now, he will be going to much nearer
Noney for his routine official works. To this we may add, ideally it should
also be made open to him to get the same job done from adjacent Bishnupur,
though belonging to another district, if this is less burden for him. Besides
Noney, the other six new districts are Kamjong (till now a part of Ukhrul
district), Tengnoupal (till now a part of Chandel district), Pherzawl (till now
a part of Churachandpur district), Jiribam (till now a part of Imphal East),
Kakching (till now a part of Thoubal district) and Kangpokpi (till now a part
of Senapati district).
The government’s new district making
strategy is hardly likely to be perfect, no policy can be, but from a first
look, it does appear innovative and promising. There should therefore be room
for left adjustments in the days ahead. As for instance, if SADAR Hills had
been created in its original shape, it would have been much bigger, and
touching almost all other districts of the state. Besides the difficult
logistics, the district would also have had a somewhat ethnic boundary, it
being Kuki dominated. In an ethnic riven state like Manipur, this may have
given room for protests of the kind over which we are witnessing a blockade
currently. In the new arrangement, this original SADAR Hills region have been
broken up and its different parts now attached to adjacent hill districts, some
old and others new. The biggest chunk of it will now form the Kangpokpi
district. IFP readers will recall, we had in our past editorials suggested
SADAR Hills, if it was to be made an separate districts, be not made a single
block, but broken up into SADAR-1, SADAR-2… etc., for administrative ease.
Although not identical, and probably a coincidence, the government’s district
creation decision yesterday has some elements of what we had always envisioned
as ideal.
We had also said creating new districts
will have no real problems where the new districts belonged purely either to a
reserved or a non-reserved category. But when there are overlaps of the two
categories of land, there would be problems, for in the non-reserved districts,
private ownership of revenue land is a norm, while in the reserved districts,
this revenue law does not apply. It goes without saying there will be some
overlaps of the nature on the edges of most of the new districts. This will be
particularly so in the case of Kangpokpi district, which has retained much of
the features of the original SADAR Hills. This is also somewhat predetermined
by geography. The mountain ranges in Manipur, and most of the rest of the
eastern Himalayan region, run North to South, so that foothills on the northern
and southern edges of the Imphal valley are much wider and flatter, therefore
more worthy for wet rice cultivation. Kangpokpi to the north and Churachandpur
to the south thus have similar topography, and consequently also the land use
pattern. It cannot be a coincidence that Kangpokpi and Churachandpur have
slowly but surely edge towards modern land tenureship, and it cannot also be a
coincidence that they are emerging as the most advanced of satellite townships
of the state. Kangpokpi is also relatively cosmopolitan, and to a good degree
de-reserved itself, so much so that it even once had a Nepali as its
representative in the Assembly. Our suggestion therefore is, wherever there are
overlaps of revenue and non-revenue lands in the new districts, allow status
quo. If certain reserved tracks of land are left buried within a non-reserved
district, or certain revenue lands remain as island in a non-reserved district,
let status quo be held there. Maybe these small tracks will be the beginning of
a new emotional and legal integration paradigm. If somebody’s paddy fields fall
on two different districts, through administrative incentives, let this come to
be a matter of good fortune in the new dispensation. Let it be remembered that
ultimately every district is part of the same state and everybody is in the
same team.
Dists created for administrative
convenience, says Ibobi
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 9
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has
asserted that the creation of seven new districts from within the existing
districts is purely for the administrative convenience and there should not be
any misunderstanding on the government action. This was stated by Chief
Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during a one day political conference organised by
Chingai Block Congress Committee, Ukhrul District held today at TRI Hall,
Chingmeirong, Imphal.
Chief Minister said that creation of new
revenue districts will help bring equal development and growth in the interior
areas. He said, any misunderstanding arising out of the decision among various
sections of the society could be solved with dialogue. He mentioned that
creation of revenue districts does not mean sacrificing or compromising land
belonging to anyone, as all the land belongs to the government.
Calling for a united stand on the issue
irrespective of caste, creed and community he said, we shall maintain unity and
oneness. He said that priority to bring development in the remote areas of the
state is given top priority by the state Congress Party though there might be
some delay in bringing development in the remotest areas. He said that 70-80%
of state developmental fund are utilised for the development of hill districts.
Implementation of PMGSY is ranked fourth in national level and ranked first in
North Eastern State.
O Ibobi said that the districts are very
vast and has created inconveniences to the public. He elaborated that falling
under same district of Imphal East to Jiribam is about 280 Km, CCpur to Thanlon
is 150 Km. Curbing hurdles of distant connectivity and communication, creation
of new revenue districts is a purely administrative convenience. All pressure
is on to bring electricity in the entire remotely located villages under the
Chingai A/c before the Christmas, assured Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative
Assembly and also the Chingai MLA MK Preshow Shimray. He appealed for co
operation and support for the upcoming election. Congress party is inclusive
party which respects secularism and democracy structure of society, said Deputy
Chief Minister Gaikhangam.
Further speaking, he mentioned that 2000
years long history of state reveals the co existence of brotherhood in peace in
the state. He lamented saying that some sections of society tried to mislead
the beautiful history of state and tried to create chaos amongst us and said
that we all must respect and regard our history of brotherhood. Condemning the
attack on state Chief Minister on his visit to Ukhrul recently, Gaikhangam said
that such heinous act was anti religion and such must not repeat in future.
President Manipur Pradesh Congress
Committee TN Haokip, Minister RD & PR Govindas Konthoujam, Parliamentary
Secretary/Gen Secy MPCC Victor Keishing, President 45-Chingai BCC PS Vangam and
other office bearers of MPCC, Members ADC, Ex-ADC Members, DCC/BCC delegates
and Chief of the frontal organisations/cells were also present in the political
conference.
State Govt orders creation of 7 new
districts
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 08 2016: The State
Government under Chief Minister O Ibobi has taken a tough decision and despite
the ongoing economic blockade against any decision to upgrade Sadar Hills and
Jiribam to district level, the State Government has gone ahead and declared
seven new districts.
The new districts thus created are,
Tengnoupal, Kakching, Pherjawl (in CCpur ), Kamjong (in Ukhrul), Noney (in
Tamenglong), Jiribam (in Imphal East), Kangpokpi (in erstwhile Senapati).
Interestingly, Manipur has been reeling under an economic blockade since
November 1 against any design of the Govt to declare Sadar Hills and Jiribam as
district.
SH Mahila Cong members resign from party
The Sangai Express
Sadar Hills, December 08 2016: Taking
strong exception to the alleged ‘betrayal’ over the Sadar Hills district issue
as well as following the immense pressure mounted by the JAC for Sadar Hills,
members of the Mahila District Congress Committee Sadar Hills have resigned
from the primary membership of the Congress party yesterday.
The resignation letter was submitted to
the president of Manipur Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee. Signed on behalf of
all the members of Sadar Hills Mahila District Congress Committee, Tinkholhing
Vaiphei stated in the resignation letter that failure to declare Sadar Hills as
a full-fledged district has compelled them to resign from the primary
membership of the party.
She also said that the mass resignation
letter was submitted as per the resolutions of the Sadar Hills Mahila District
Congress Committee meeting held on December 3 at Kangpokpi. Tinkholhing further
said that the decision to resign was unanimous in the face of the ‘infamous
betrayal’ on the part of the Congress Government led by O Ibobi even after installing the declaration plaque.
Don’t announce exam dates without asking
us : EC tells 5 States
The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, December 08 2016: With
Assembly elections due early next year in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand,
Manipur and Goa, the Election Commission today asked the poll-bound States not
to announce examination schedules without consulting it.
“The Commission is aware that the annual
examination at various levels of educational institutions in the States are
generally due in the first half of the next year.
PM promises all possible assistance
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 08 2016: A team of BJP
Manipur Pradesh comprising of Th Chaoba, vice president M Asinikumar and
executive member Robert met Prime
Minister of India Narendra Modi, today at 12.50 pm at his Parliament House
office. The unimaginable hardships being faced by the citizens of Manipur due
to the prolonged economic blockade on the National Highways imposed by the UNC
was the focal point of the meeting which lasted for 25 minutes.
The Prime Minister not only gave a
patient hearing to the team but also enquired about various problems. He
promised that all possible assistance would be put in place in right earnest to
address the immediate problems confronting Manipur. He assured to look into the
prolonged economic blockade. He also promised steps to usher Manipur into a
phase of improved and shared prosperity.
UNC chief Gaidon Kamei rearrested
Gaidon and Stephen remanded to 7 days
police custody
IMPHAL | Dec 8
United Naga Council (UNC) president,
Gaidon Kamei and publicity secretary of the council, Sangkhel Stephen, were
formally re-arrested by the Tadubi police station today from the court complex
of Chief Judicial Magistrate, (CJM) Imphal East and remanded to custody of
Tadubi police for seven days.
The UNC leaders who were earlier
arrested by the Mao police in connection with a case registered with the
concerned police station under FIR No. 12(11)2016 MAO-PS under section
147/149/436/427/124 A/120-B/506/153A IPC on November 25 and remanded to custody
of the Mao police for 14 days. The remand was granted by the CJM, Senapati as
duty Magistrate the next day from the date of the arrest of the UNC leaders.
MCP claims bomb threat
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 8
The Maoist Communist Party, (MCP) has
claimed responsibility for the bomb threat at the residence of Th Choaba,
convenor, State Election Management Committee, Bharatiya Janata Party, Manipur
Pradesh. The statement issued by the outfit said the bomb threat was a warning
to Th Chaoba and BJP for their widespread involvement in the corrupt practices.
The MCP further said the bomb threat is also a stern warning against Th Choaba
for defending former DGP Y Joykumar who
has been branded as the “Executioner” by the oufit.
Committee formed
The Sangai Express
Dec 07, 2016
Thoubal district branch committee of the
“Peoples’ Committee for Free & Fair Election in Manipur” was formed today.
It was formed during a meeting of different people representing different
Assembly Constituencies under Thoubal district on Dec 4 at Kshetri Shanglen,
Thoubal, informed a statement. Khaidem Mani, State Convenor of Peoples’
Committee for Free & Fair Election in Manipur, Professor L Sadananda, Dr M
Nara , Dr Ksh Manglem, former CMO, Thoubal and AK Sanaton , senior journalist
presided the meeting.
The aims and objectives of the committee
include monitoring the election in Manipur for ensuring free & fair
election, campaigning for strict compliance of the model code of
conduct/election guidelines issued by the State Election Authority and fighting
against malpractices, interferences in the election process by illegal means.
Violence has no place in developed
society: CM
Imphal Free Press
THOUBAL | December 7
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said that killing people is an act of
cowardice and violence has no place in shaping a developed and peaceful
society. Speaking at the observance function of the 22nd Death Anniversary of
Moirangthem Ibotombi held at Heirok Part 2, Mayai Leikai today, Ibobi said any
kind of violence and killing of people do not help achieve any goal rather make
it elusive.
The observance function was organised by
Moirangthem Ibotombi Memorial Trust,Heirok under the theme “Aphaba khunnai amagi-damak apikpa wakhal
thadoklasi’’ in memory of the late Moirangthem Ibotombi, a former minister who
represented Heirok Assembly constituency for a long time. In the function,
floral tribute were paid to the portriat of the late leader led by Chief
Minister.
Reiterating that the late leader
Moirangthem Ibotombi was shot dead but even after 22 years the reason behind
his killing is not known as nobody claimed the responsibility, Ibobi said
instead of resorting to killing people they should be given a chance to rectify
their mistakes as killing provides no solution.
Time has come for deliverance of Nagas :
Anthony Ningkhan Shimray
Naga integration still on the radar of
NSCN (IM)
The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, December 07 2016: Senior NSCN
(IM) leader, Lt Gen Anthony Ningkhan Shimray has categorically stated that
Nagas would be free from Indian political domination and added that the 70
years of struggle of the Nagas will be politically resolved soon. Anthony
Ningkhan Shimray who was imprisoned for more than 5 years in Tihar jail came to
his home town at Ukhrul district headquarters for the first time today after
his release on bail in August to have a public discourse.
Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) on behalf of
the Tangkhul community accorded a warm welcome to the NSCN (IM) leader at TNL ground
today. Speaking at the felicitation programme, the senior NSCN (IM) leader said
that after 70 years of relentless struggle, the Naga issue will be politically
resolved soon. Anthony asserted that the Naga issue will be resolved on the
basis of the unique history of the Naga people and added that the Framework
Agreement of 2015 will override the 16 Points Programme and the Shillong Accord
signed earlier.
Under this agreement, Naga Nation would
be established and the NSCN (IM) will create a new history, for under the
agreement Nagas will be treated as a separate entity, added Shimray.
MPTC seeks Governor’s intervention
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 07 2016: Manipur
Pradesh Trinamool Congress (MPTC) has urged for the Governor’s immediate intervention
into the protracted issue of economic blockade and the retaliatory counter
economic blockade besieging the State. Speaking to media persons at their
office today, former MP and MPTC president Kim Gangte said that people of the
State have been facing lots of hardship due to the economic blockade imposed by
the United Naga Council (UNC) on the National Highways of the State against
creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts which have not yet been announced
by the Government Asking the UNC why they have been prolonging the economic
blockade for such a long time, Kim Gangte urged the UNC to lift the economic
blockade along the National Highways in the larger interest of the public.
Various organizations have already
appealed to the UNC to lift the economic blockade but UNC has not been paying
any heed. Anguished by the prolonged economic blockade, some sections of people
have imposed counter economic blockade. It is rather confusing that the
Government is not able to solve the issue till today, she remarked. She went on
to ask why the BJP led Central Government has been acting as a silent spectator
all these days without ever bothering to intervene. Both the State and Central
Governments have failed to address the issue with the degree of seriousness it
deserves.
Manipur already soaked in election
colours
National People’s Alliance hopes to get
lucky in the Feb 2017 Assembly polls
DNA, 7 Dec 2016
As one moves through the central part of
the state capital, colours of an impending Assembly polls dart its streets,
seamlessly merging into the olive green of Army which stands guard across the
city. Being a north eastern state, it is easy to assume that Imphal would be
away from the boisterous, vociferous and pompous trappings of elections till
you find huge billboards of BJP chief Amit Shah cheek by jowl with other
advertisements.
Saffron is all across the city, giving
an impression that the anti-incumbency wave is firmly sweeping the voters, till
one comes across late PA Sangma smiling from one of the posters of National
People’s Party, sharing space with his son and MP Conrad Sangma. Manipur goes
to polls in February, riding on age old key agendas of employment,
infrastructure and repealing of Armed Forces Special Protection Act (AFSPA).
The Congress which has been reigning for
the last 15 years will face a direct battle for 60 seats with arch rival BJP
that has been non-existent here till 2014. These elections also hold a special
interest among Manipuris as Irom Sharmila will field herself for the first
time, a decision which has not gone down well with a lot of natives. “We want
to see her as a social worker, not a politician. People here have still not
forgiven her for ending the fast as they feel betrayed. Besides, since she does
not possess qualities of a good leader, she won’t be of much help to the AFSPA
cause even if she wins,” T Neina, a local feels.
Other than a clear mandate on Sharmila,
it is difficult to gauge which way the wind is blowing.
Manipur State polls 37 NPF ticket
seekers for 15 seats
The Sangai Express / Nagaland Post
Dimapur, December 07 2016: NPF Manipur
unit has decided to contest in 15 Assembly Constituencies for the forthcoming
2017 Manipur Assembly elections, informed NPF media in a statement on Tuesday. For
this, 37 intending candidates have applied for ticket including eight in 41
Chandel A/C.In this regard, a consultative meeting with all intending
candidates who have applied for NPF ticket to contest the ensuing Manipur state
general election was held at the NPF Central office Kohima, under the
chairmanship of the NPF president Dr Shürhozelie Liezetzsu.
The meeting was also attended by chief
Minister TR Zeliang and Minister of School Education and in-charge of NPF
Manipur State unit, Yitachu. At the meeting party president Dr Shürhozelie
informed that the candidatures in six A/C have been cleared and efforts were on
to finalize the remaining without delay. He further informed that the
announcement and distribution of tickets would be done simultaneously.
Dr Shürhozelie, TR Zeliang and Yitachu
also explained on the difficult position of the party, making it clear that
ticket will be given to only one candidate and appealed to all aspiring
candidates to abide by their commitments (to abide by the rules and regulation
of the party constitution) and work in support of the NPF candidate whoever
gets the ticket, the statement stated. Earlier, NPF Manipur state unit
president, Awangbow introduced all the NPF ticket seekers to the gathering.
Uneasy lies the head that wears the
crown: Issues besieging the State
The Sangai Express editorial 8 Dec 2016
Chief Minister O Ibobi must be a worried
man. For all his shortcomings, it has to be admitted that he has his hands
full. Just take a look at the reality. The economic blockade is still underway
and there is no indication that it will be lifted any time soon. On the other
hand, the Congress stands boycotted at Sadar Hills, over the failure of the
State Government to grant district status to it. This is the present and no one
can say how things will develop in the near future. Yes in a few days time, the
election code of conduct will be enforced, but be sure that the demand for a
mechanism to check the inflow of non-local people into the State will pick up
pace, if the recent announcement of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit
System (JCILPS) is anything to go by. Not sure how things will unfold, but
issues will continue to dog the State and the people and to be sure the other
political parties, particularly the BJP will not leave any opportunity to take
a dig at the Congress, keeping in mind the upcoming Assembly election. Then
remember there is also the demand that the Meeteis/Meiteis be included in the
Scheduled Tribe list under the Constitution of India. So far the State Government
has not officially stated its position over this question, but the
Co-ordinating Body of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee (CBSTDCM) had
already asked the State Government to recommend the same to the Centre earlier.
What progress has the State Government made on this point ? Moreover remember
there are others who have voiced their opposition to this demand. How Chief
Minister O Ibobi and the Congress manage to walk the tight rope without
ruffling the feather of either side remains to be seen.
Not a comfortable position to be in, by
any stretch of the imagination and while there will be some who will hold the
view that these issues, particularly the issue of granting district status to
Sadar Hills, have been played up with an eye on the coming Assembly election,
it remains that none of these issues may be resolved easily. It will take more
than political acumen to make everyone come to an understanding. Other than the
issues which have been mentioned here, there is also the politics of push and
pull, seen through the prism of the ongoing political dialogue between the NSCN
(IM) and the Government of India. However much the Centre may say that the
territorial integrity of other States will not be compromised while chalking
out a final settlement with the outfit, it remains that the NSCN (I) has not
officially dropped the demand of integrating all Naga inhabited areas under one
political unit. This line of thought has been picked up by various Naga civil
society organisations and this is a point which would not have missed the
attention of the State Government. And it also stands that this question can
and will impact on the voting pattern of the people. It would therefore not be
a surprise if one sees a deeply polarised election, with the hill districts,
particularly the Naga dominated districts adopting a different voting pattern
and the valley area adopting a different approach, come 2017.
Politricks on the stage: Will BJP cross
the Rubicon in the January polls?
By Hiyang Athouba
Dec 08, 2016
The Sangai Express
Usually a sitting MLA wins the next
election or by-election, especially so when two MLAs, Joykisan and Biswajit
became victims of political chicanery. Despite repeated claims by Gaikhangam
that the Modi wave has not crossed the high mountains to make a landfall the
movers and shakers of BJP are confident that the Congress governments in the NE
will be stamped out.
But the ground realities are something
different in Manipur. People have not forgotten how the local newspapers
published screaming headlines on the way the Hiyanglam voters were bribed as
high as Rs 5000 each during the by-election. There was not even a perfunctory
denial from the candidates and parties which include BJP.
The only political weapon to sandbag the
ruling Congress is the corruption charge. The centre has failed to establish a
single case so far. The promise to bring out a booklet listing ten scams is yet
to see the light of the day. Instead of this election strategy the “corrupt”
Congress ministers should have been incarcerated. It has not been done so far.
Why?
Ibobi once calmly said in a small place
like Manipur people know who is corrupt or not. It might have been a warning
not to pelt stones at the glass house if you happen to stay in another. And
MLAs like Nambol Loken shall not remain silent if BJP opens the pandora’s box.
BJP leaders have been shouting from the housetop that they have a soft corner
for the Northeast. The improvement of NH 37 was included in the must do within
the first 100 days of the Modi govt. But it was silently dropped so as to make
NH 2 the only operational lifeline where taxes with fancy names are extorted.
No finger was lifted against the failures of the BRTF despite pumping in of
milliions of Rupees. It should shame the nation that it is the drivers and
transporters who improved this bridle path with their own money while
Modi is busy with demonetisation and digital
change over. It was in fitness of things that Rs 100 crore was earmarked for
the sports university since our sportspersons have outshone others. The site
was inspected and approved by the experts. Now ahead of the elections the
centre finds obstacles and people are not amused that the centre galvanised so
only after 2 years. If BJP does not come to power this time the university may
wait for another 5 years.
It will not be out of place to regale
the readers with the “love for the Northeasterners” with the discrimination
against one Manipuri baby by the Modi government. The young grand daughter of a
journalist was admitted in Ganga Ram hospital, Delhi as she was suffering from
blood cancer. Parents of other patients advised the father of the Manipuri girl
to apply to the PMO since Rs 500,000 is given from the Prime Minister’s fund.
All the children who happened to be from big states of the Hindi belt got the
assistance.
Dr T Meinya strongly recommended the
Manipuri girl. The girl’s father submitted the application to the PMO. He was
advised to collect information from a telephone which was never picked up.
Cancer treatment is an expensive process and the help from the PM’s fund would
have been highly appreciated. Despite repeated efforts the haughty officials in
the PMO refused to explain why the Manipuri girl was denied the help extended
to others. Well, the BJP big shots in Imphal would better explain it. Because
the matter will keep on coming in the national media. Besides Narendra Modi and
Amit Shah may face embarrassing questions during press conferences in Imphal
ahead of the elections. If the granddaughter of a journalist can thus be swept
under the doormat what would be the fate of the commoners for whom BJP claims
to stand?
At an average there are 5 BJP aspiring
candidates in most of the constituencies. They are hoodwinking and confusing
the voters with their electioneering. But only one of them will get the party
ticket and the disgruntled jilted four will become hostile and this will be
suicidal for the party as a whole. The scramble for the BJP is so maddening
that even some persons who are facing CBI probe had joined the band wagon.
Can the political din actually dim the
track record of 15 years in power?
NPF starts screening Manipur election
candidates
Eastern Mirror
Dimapur, Dec. 6: The Naga People’s Front
(NPF) has begun screening individuals aspiring to be the party’s candidates in
Manipur to contest in the state’s forthcoming elections. The party has
finalized six candidates thus far, the organization informed in a press release
that was issued on Tuesday.
The party’s media cell informed of a
meeting on Tuesday in which Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Education Minister
Itachu (in-charge of Manipur’s NPF unit) were stated to have attended. The
individuals who applied for the NPF’s ticket to contest in the forthcoming
Manipur state general elections in early 2017 were examined during the meeting,
it was informed. The event was at the NPF’s central office in Kohima town. The
meeting was president over by NPF President Dr Shürhozelie Liezetzsu.
Ibobi condoles Jayalalithaa
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 6
The Chief Minister of Manipur today
condoled the sad demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Okram
Ibobi in a condolence message said, “We have lost a great leader, a far sighted
politician who stood for the poor and the downtrodden”. The CM also stated that
the Jayalalithaa demise is a great loss not only for the people but also for
the whole nation and extended the condolence message on behalf of the people of
the state.
1 hr shutdown observed to demand ST
status
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2016: Life in
several parts of Manipur valley was disrupted as people observed a one-hour
total shutdown to demand inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe
category under the Constitution. Organised under the banner of the Coordinating
Body on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur, markets in Imphal and other
valley districts were closed.
Traffic was brought to a grinding halt
on roads, including highways. All normal activities were suspended during the
course of the one hour-long demonstration. A large number of women vendors of
the historic Ima Keithel in Khwairamband market squatted on the road as part of
the demonstration. They also staged a rally within the bazar area shouting
several slogans.
MPP decries
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2016: Denouncing the
ongoing economic blockade on the National Highways, MPP today said that the
matter of forming or not forming a district in a State is the sole prerogative
of the State Government. In a statement, the party decried the UNC’s claim that
the land of Nagas cannot be intersected while forming districts and appealed
all the communities not to indulge in communal-centric activities. Expressing
worry on the territorial claims made on communal line in the State, MPP asked
what the fate of the State will be if it is divided on community lines.
Khurai CPI takes out rally
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL| December 6
Communist Party of India, Khurai Local
Council, All Manipur Nupi Marup, Khurai Area has organised a public rally from
Khabeisoi to Lamlong of Imphal East demanding both State and Central government
to bring solution to the issue of UNC at the earliest. The rally protest also
demanded UNC to uplift its economic blockade along Manipur’s National Highways
which has severely affected all the people living in Manipur.
Speaking to media at the side line of
the rally, RK Amusana, State executive member, Manipur State Council, CPI and
an intending candidate in the upcoming general assembly election 2017 from
Khurai A/C, condemned O Ibobi led
Congress government in state and Narendra Modi led BJP government in Centre for
diverting the issue while playing blame game among themselves. Instead of
trying to solve the core issue and address the difficulties faced by general
public because of the economic blockade imposed by UNC since November 1, the
two governments remain a mere spectator while playing blame games, he said.
BJP leader in Mayang Imphal joins
Congress
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 6
With another wind of change in state
political scenario, sitting BJP Chairperson Mayang Imphal Municipal Council Bm
Safiullah @ Chaoba has today joined congress political party. His incoming
ceremony was held with a programme at Congress Bhavan in the presence of MPCC
President TN Haokip.
On the occasion Minister Education Kh
Ratankumar said that Narendra Modi led
Central Government is anti people, anti Muslim and anti minority. He said that
BJP Government initiated programmes brought negative response. He said that
congress party is open for all who has the sentiments for capacity building
bringing growth and development of the society.
“Bhramastra” of Congress
Imphal Times Editorial, 6 Dec 2016
Hindu Mythology says Bhramastra is one
of the most powerful weapons that can put an end to the entire world. This
powerful weapon is a threat to the enemy as well as to the entire humanity. So
the Hindu Mythology defines the character of those having it as Man of self
respect, who were committed to save the people from the hands of the
destroyers.
The battle ground for the upcoming 11th
Manipur Legislative Assembly Election is all set. Legislative Assembly election
of the state will be conducted along with four other states – Punjab, Goa,
Uttarkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Political analysts are expecting the election to
be held around February middle week or last week. Even as nobody can ascertain the exact date
of the legislative election, one thing which is sure is that 11th Manipur
Legislative Assembly election will be held before early weeks of March. After
all the ECI had yesterday called on for all Political party meeting by issuing
notification.
Time and again Imphal Times had opines
that in Manipur, there seems to be no room for a third political party or forum
in the upcoming election. It is going to be a tough fight between the congress
and the BJP. Unlike Delhi where newly
emerged APP threw out the ruling Congress government, political spectrum in the
state of Manipur is different. In a state like Manipur, where majority of the
people think that “Nation comes after family”, it is always the ruling
political party which is always in the forefront of getting more seats. But
this time, as BJP is in power at the center, it will be an easy task for the
party to return back to power.
Understanding the situation, Okram
Ibobi led congress government had also
set out their political strategy since April this year. Around 600 posts at
various government departments in addition to the recruitment of 2000 plus
police constable has been started. Leave aside the legality, it’s an open
secret on why so much recruitment at a time election is just some few months
away. On the other hand many incomplete structures which were left at public
spare untouched and unnoticed were hurriedly inaugurated.
For most of the candidates who will go
with the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, grass root level works to get more voters
is almost completed. The BJP too, is lagging behind from the Congress. As it is
in power at the center, Union Ministers, State Ministers and other leaders who
can influence the Union government have been frequented. People in the state
too, knowing the fact that BJP is the only alternative political party to the
Congress have doing everything to win the voters.
Now, as BJP stands as the lone political
rival Congress Party still worried as fulfilling each and every voter is an
impossible task. And what is more worried is the larger politics that BJP might
play. With multiple problems of various ethnic base issues, it is likely that
the Congress may win at some constituencies in valley districts, with the
prevailing crisis being faced by the people chances are less for the Congress,
to win at the 20 constituencies at Hill district unless it use the one left
instrument “Brahmastra”.
Yeah, it is about declaration of the
Sadar Hill district as a full revenue district. If it is done Congress may face
the music at some 6 to 8 assembly constituencies but it will be far more easy
to get more seats in the remaining 52 Assembly constituencies. “Brahmastra”
or “No-Brahmastra” it remains to the
wisdom of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi who will decide the fate of Congress party
in Manipur.
BJP political meet
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 5
A one-day political meeting of BJP
Mahila Morcha Khoupum area under the directive of the BJP Nungba Mandal was
held yesterday at Khoupam Bazar of 54-Nungba assembly constituency in view of
the upcoming state assembly election, said a release. It further said the
meeting was attended by vice-president of BJP Nungba Mandal Makuphun Rongmei
and the president of BJP Mahila Morcha Khoupum area Alanliu Rongmei as the
chief guest and president respectively.
UNC passes the buck to Centre
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | December 5
The United Naga Council, UNC has
asserted that the on-going indefinite economic blockade including banning of
construction of Trans Asian Railways and National Projects will continue
alleging that the state government had miserably failed to honour the MoUs
signed in the past and the written assurance given by the Union Ministry of
Home Affairs, said a release.
Stating that the Naga people had
protested five times against the state government’s decision of upgrading Sadar
Hills and Jiribam Sub-Division into full-fledged districts, the release said
all those agitations concluded in signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)
between the Government of Manipur and the Naga people. In these MoUs it is
always mentioned that “all the stakeholders would be consulted” and the last
written assurance given by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs also stated that “all
section of the people and stakeholders including the bodies representing the
Nagas would be consulted”, but the government failed to keep its words, it
added.
BJP meets Guv on blockade impasse
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | December 5
Former Congress MLA Nongthombam Biren
who resigned from the party and joined the BJP in October said a team of the
BJP today met the Governor Najma Heptulla on the United Naga Council’s
indefinite economic blockade and the subsequent deadline set by United
Committee Manipur to end the blockade. Speaking to media persons at the
official quarter which he occupied as the Heingang MLA this evening, Biren said
the BJP state unit has already apprise the Union Home Minister Rajnath on the issue prevailing in the state in the
aftermath of the Sadar Hills issue.
During the press meet, he was
accompanied by BJP MLA Th Biswajit, party spokesperson RK Shivachandra and
former MLA Francis Ngajokpa who also left the Congress and joined the BJP along
with N Biren. He elaborated further that the Union Home Minister has already
intimated to the state government to use central forces in controlling the
economic blockade and to maintain free and smooth traffic of essential
commodities along the national highways.
CM Ibobi inaugurates Nilakuthi food park
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | December 5
Chief Minister O Ibobi inaugurated the Food Processing Park at
Nilakuthi, Imphal East today. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister
stressed the role of private participation in giving employment to the unemployed
youths. He said that economy of the State would improve if there is the habit
of working without wasting time.
The government is seriously putting its
efforts to provide employment to the unemployed youths of the state. To this
end, the state government has already taken policy decision to introduce
Manipur Start Up Policy which will benefit both skilled and unskilled
unemployed youths in the State, he continued. Only some states of India like
Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat and West Bengal have introduced such policy and the
government is examining which model would be most appropriate for Manipur.
Fair election campaign kicks off
The Sangai Express
Senapati, December 05 2016: To promote
free and fair election, Senapati district administration in collaboration with
Churches in Senapati has organized a public rally and signature campaign today,
reports our correspondent. The programme was also attended by DC C Arthur W,
CEO of Senapati ADC Rang Peter, Senapati SP K Kabib, Church leaders and members
of local civil bodies.
DC Arthur asserted that the district
administration and Churches have taken such initiative to bring better change
by encouraging the general public to choose the path of honesty during the
upcoming Assembly election. He said that the campaign provides a platform for
sincere people who could disseminate just and righteous path even in election.
DC Arthur said that successful implementation of free and fair election could
set an example for other districts and other parts of the country.
Issues which will impact on polls :
Congress at the centre of it all
The Sangai Express Editorial 6 December
2016
Ongoing economic blockade. District
status or not to Sadar Hills and Jiribam. Demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000
notes. These are the issues which will impact on the upcoming Assembly election
and it remains to be seen how the different political parties play these issues
to garner support from the voters. And to be sure the Congress and the BJP will
leave nothing to chance to exploit these issues to their advantage. How well
they manage to win the voters over remains to be seen, but it stands that the
Congress which did remarkably well in the 2012 Assembly election, winning 42
seats in the 60 seat Assembly, has not been able to translate the massive
mandate it received at the hustings to something concrete at the ground level.
This is best exemplified by its failure
to act on the district status question. The result is the suffering of the
common people. As things stand today,
the Congress remains boycotted at all the hill districts, with the Naga
dominated districts, having said a firm no to the Congress and Churachandpur
following suit after the Assembly passed the three Bills on August 31 last
year. The party has also been boycotted
at Sadar Hills, which has three Assembly segments, following the alleged last
minute decision to roll back the move to grant district status to Sadar Hills.
The best bet for the Congress therefore
remains the valley area, which gets to send 40 MLAs in the House of 60. Even
here it will not be an easy ride for remember the BJP is breathing down its
neck, best exemplified by the run-away victory of the BJP in the by election to
two Assembly Constituencies. Not everything looks good for the Congress and this
is something which the BJP will not miss. However so far the BJP has not spelt
out its stand on the demand to grant district status to Sadar Hills and
Jiribam.
What is the stand of the BJP on these
two issues? Or will it be politically prudent for the party not to make any
public stand on these two issues? How about the stand of the other political
parties? Moreover what has happened to much tom-tommed slogan tribal solidarity
that was bandied about, especially after the three Bills were passed last year? How will the question of district status to
Sadar Hills impact on the voters of Churachandpur which has six Assembly
segments?
Tough to say but when election time
comes, all these questions will certainly be played out and how well prepared
is the Congress to deal with these issues, is the question that comes
naturally. Probably in a few days time the election model code of conduct will
come into force and clearly Chief Minister O Ibobi and his Council of Ministers
will have to make up their mind soon or else the Congress will go to the polls
looking totally unprepared.
Councillor switches side from BJP to
Cong Enraged BJP workers storm residence
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 05 2016: Enraged BJP
workers stormed the residence of Thangmeiband Ward no 3 Councillor H
Nutunchandra, today after he defected to the Congress party. A large group of
enraged BJP workers stormed the residence of the Councillor in the afternoon
but a team of Imphal West police including some women police arrived at the scene
to prevent any unwanted incident from happening.
The workers also burnt an effigy of
Nutunchandra and raised many slogans expressing their deep disappointment.
Maibam ongbi Memtombi, a resident of ward no 3, said,” The councillor has
betrayed us by taking away funds and promising to construct drainage systems,
provide old age pension, housing loans and to construct low cost sanitary
latrines. He seems to have fled from BJP because we asked him to clean up the
garbage and filth.”
BJP intending candidates question
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 05 2016: Altogether
nine candidates vying for BJP tickets in Bishnupur AC have questioned the
development programmes taken up during the past five years in the Assembly
segment. Notably, Pukhrambam Kumarjit, Moirangthem Rajendro, Asem Dorendro,
Khundrakpam Jibon, N Sanajaoba, Prof Th Yaima, Oinam Ibochouba, Oinam Jugeshwar
and Khundrakpam Bhabeshwar are vying for the BJP ticket in Bishnupur AC.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur
Press Club here today, they said that MLA Govindas Konthoujam laid the
foundation stone for construction of a maternity ward of Ningthoukhong PHC on
March 4, 2014.
While speaking at the foundation stone
laying function, Govindas reportedly stated that the area set aside for the
maternity ward was earlier occupied by a Veterinary Centre and it had been
shifted to a place of Ningthoukhong Ward No 4.Though the said area was a
khashland, Govindas claimed that it was bought at Rs 60 lakh, said the
intending candidates. They went on to ask from whom the said plot was
purchased.
The new maternity ward has been named
Krishnagopal Memorial Maternity Hospital and it is estimated construction of
the ward would cost Rs 9.78 crore. They asked from where the required amount
would be drawn. On the pretext of constructing a community hall at
Ningthoukhong Chingning which is non-existent, Rs 9,33,334 was withdrawn in the
name of one Th Munal from the MLA Local Area Development. Another Rs 35 lakh
was withdrawn from the MLA Local Area Development Fund in the name of digging a
pond at Ningthoukhong Awang Ward No 15 although a pond was already there and no
new pond was dug.
The intending BJP candidates further
alleged that Rs 1.80 crore was swindled out of the MLA Local Area Development
Fund between 2008 and 2016.
Andro residents set deadline for MLA
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 05 2016: Residents of
Andro have set a five day deadline for MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar to fix the
road between Ngaariyan Chingkhong and Andro Khoibu. In a press meet organised
by Andro Nagar Panchayat, All Andro Youths Club Association and Andro Meira
Paibi Association at Andro bazar, Leishungbam Lukhoi, chairperson of the Nagar
Panchayat, said that the people of Andro have set a five day deadline for the
MLA to fix the aforementioned road.
He said that the 12 kilometres long
stretch of road has been lying neglected after some initial work long time back
and the dust is creating complications among the residents, mostly children.
People have also been injured by the stones kicked up by the tyres of vehicles
plowing the road, he said.
UCM sets Dec 7 deadline for UNC to roll
back blockade
The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 04 2016: Setting
December 7 midnight as the deadline for the UNC to roll back the ongoing
economic blockade, the UCM has today announced that if the blockade is not
called off by then, they would be constrained to launch a series of movement. Speaking
to reporters at the office of UCM at Lamphelpat today, its president Elangbam
Johnson said that the decision to chart out its own course of action was taken
after a series of consultative meeting.
Appealing to the UNC to roll back the
economic blockade, Johnson expressed hope that their appeal would be responded
to positively. However if the appeal of the people is not heeded then UCM will
take out its own course of action against the blockade, added Johnson. The UCM
president also expressed hope that the people of Manipur, cutting across
community line, will extend their co-operation to the proposed anti-blockade
move- ment.
UNC points accusing finger at Govt
The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Senapati, December 04 2016: The United
Naga Council (UNC) has asked the Manipur Government to stop “using force
against the innocent people” along the highways. “For how long the Manipur
Government can use force against the people who are carrying out a democratic
movement?” it asked.
The United Naga Council (UNC) while
informing its position to Newmai News Network this evening clarified that its
sponsored economic blockade is not meant to target the general public but “we
are expressing our opposition to the plan of the Manipur Government to create
Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts”.
The UNC said that the Manipur Government
should declare its position “loud and clear” to the people on the issue of
Sadar Hills and Jiribam. “The Manipur Government should make its position clear
on the issue instead of remaining silent,” the UNC asserted. According to the
UNC, the Manipur Government’s failure to send its representatives on November
15 to Delhi for talk in New Delhi meant that “it does not want to resolve the
issue peacefuly.
“When the Government of India invited
the UNC and Manipur Government to hold a talk on November 15, we (UNC) went
with a hope to resolve the issue peacefully but the Manipur Government did not
send its representatives,” the UNC alleged, adding, “It is the Manipur
Government which is trying to create more trouble in the State”. The UNC also
alleged that the Manipur Government was discreetly trying to declare Sadar
Hills and Jiribam as districts on October 31. “But its plan was exposed by the
Nagas,” said the UNC and asked, “So, who is to be blamed for the prevailing
situation in Manipur?” The UNC asked the Manipur Government to uphold the
Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the issue and to also honour the
assurance given by the Central Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA).
The UNC also accused the Manipur
Government of “working very hard” to paint the Nagas “in a bad light”. The Naga
body said that its president Gaidon Kamei and its information secretary SK
Stephen should be released unconditionally without further delay. “They are not
criminals,” the UNC stated.
Intending Cong candidate in Ukhrul AC
Blessing ceremony for Alfred held
The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, December 04 2016: Intending
Congress candidate from Ukhrul AC, AS Alfred Kanngam Arthur today urged the
voters to exercise their franchise rights in a fair manner to uproot corruption
from the State and ensure social, economic and political equity for all. Speaking
at his blessing ceremony at Shangsomi area near New Canaan village, Alfred said
that in a democracy the people are given the right to decide who will represent
them and it is therefore important that the voters understand the immense
responsibility that comes during election time.
Spelling out his agenda for the people,
Alfred said that if the people repose faith in him and elect him, then he will
take up the necessary steps to improve agro-based economy of the villages which
will lead to development. Improving the agro based economy will address the
problem of unemployment to a large extent, he said and added that will check
the youngsters from venturing to the metros of India to seek employment.
Minister Govindas disrupts BJP meeting
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 4
Senior Congress Minister Govindas
Konthoujam has been accused of disrupting a BJP rally at Ningthoukhong, as poll
campaign intensifies in the wake of ensuing assembly elections. The incident
occurred at Ningthoukhong market, Bishnupur district at around 1.30 pm today
during a BJP street corner meeting. The meeting was organized by BJP Bishnupur
mandal and nine aspiring candidates to highlight the leakages in the various
developmental works and government sponsored programs as obtained from RTI
queries. As they put up the festoon and PA system and began the street corner
meeting, one sub-inspector approached them and asked whether they had a permit.
After the necessary papers were shown, the police went away.
Kpi block Congress leaders merge with
SHDP
Imphal Free Press
KANGPOKPI | December 4
Subsequent to the mass resignation from
the Congress party over the issue of Sadar Hills, the Congress leaders and workers
of Kangpokpi Block joined the Sadar Hills Democratic Party. The resigned
leaders and workers of Kangpokpi Block Congress Committee had merged with the
Sadar Hills Democratic Party in a joint meeting held on December 2 at the
office Chamber of ADC Sadar Hills Chairman, Haokholal Hangshing, who is also
the Leader of Sadar Hills Democratic Party in the presence of Deputy Leader
SHDP, Thangjakam Misao.
While welcoming the resigned Congress
leaders and workers of Kangpokpi Block into the party, Leader of SHDP,
Haokholal Hangshing extended the party sincere gratitude and appreciated for
their decision in merging with the party stating that it is a ‘right decision’
on the part of the resigned Congress leaders and workers.
‘North Eastern states has progressed
under Modi’
Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL | Dec 4
Under the abled leadership of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, the North Eastern states have witnessed a lot of
visible positive and constructive changes, a former member of the Central
Advisory Board of Education Sougaijam Priyokumar told media persons today. He was speaking at
a press meet held at his Moirangkhom Sougaijam Leirak residence today.
Priyokumar who took voluntary retirement
on September 1, 2004 as associate professor of DM College of Science said he
started working for the BJP political party since 1985. Elaborating on his
efforts, he said he has been submitting satellite based Nagaland Development
report and vision document on education, electricity and environmental issues.
He added that his compilation was appreciated by the Governor of Nagaland.
