Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

CM, Gaikhangam turn up, no Debendro: Imphal, Dec 28: The 122nd Foundation Day of the Indian National Congress was observed on Friday by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, in the absence of several MLAs including some senior ministers, a reflection of the unresolved crisis in the Congress over the demand for replacement of Okram Ibobi Singh as chief minister. However, Okram Ibobi, and MPCC chief Gaikhangam, whom many observers see as the mastermind behind the rebellion in the Congress, were both present, sitting next to each other in all appearance of bonhomie. The pair shook hands before the gathering and were seen chatting amicably. Prominent absentees on the other hand included senior minister Th Debendro, tribal welfare minister DD Thaisii, and most of the other rebel MLAs. FCS minister Y Erabot was however present. The chief minister, in his address to the assembled party workers, said it was natural to have disagreements in a large family like the Congress, but at the same ti...

Mob torches hooch joint: Imphal, Dec 28: Irate over the death of a man at a local drinking joint, villagers of Awang Leikinthabi under Sekmai police station torched the hooch shop late on Thursday night, a police report said on Friday. Police have arrested the liquor vendor after registering a case at the Sekmai police station. Reports said that 43-year old Kshetrimayum Rajen alias Dhojo son of late Bheigo of Awang Leikinthabi collapsed while he was consuming locally brewed liquor at the hooch joint run by one Khangenbam Kumar, 44, son of Kh Ibohal last night around 8 pm. Rajen apparently failed to return to normalcy and died later. A friend of Rajen`s named Haobam Iboyaima, 43, son of late Mohori who was with him at the drinking joint reportedly left the spot quietly after Rajen collapsed, and the family got to know of his death only after the hooch shop owner Kumar delivered his lifeless body at his home at around 9.40 pm. Outraged over the dead of Rajen villagers turned out armed wi...

Hmar students for eviction of NEEPCO officials: Churachandpur, Dec 28: The Hmar Students Association, while expressing its displeasure at what it called "secretive work order" released by NEEPCO to build "temporary quarters" along Tuiroung river at Tipaimukh a few weeks ago, is in favour of evicting the company officials. HSA leaders have agreed to issue eviction order to the contractors and NEEPCO officials from Manipur and Mizoram until further notice, reliable source in the student body said. The "sons of the soil" Hmars have not been consulted till date by NEEPCO on how it planned to implement the hydro-project, claimed the source. It may be mentioned that HSA, of late, has become restless at what it called "taking for granted" attitude of the enforcing agencies. Meanwhile, the student body has convened a meeting with Hmar tribe's apex body "Hmar Inpui" on Saturday at Hmar Inpui's office, Rengkai Road, Churachandpur, to disc...

GM, another official suspended: Imphal, Dec 28: Manipur Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. (MANITRON) General Manager Thounaojam Santosh Luwang and another official of the corporation have been placed under suspension by the MANITRON authorities in connection with various charges of financial and other irregularities. Separate orders in this respect were issued by the managing director, MANITRON, dated December 20, 2007. The other official against to whom suspension orders have been issued is Ng Joykumar Singh, technical assistant MANITRON. The suspension orders were issued in connection with FIR case no. 8(10) 2007 VPS u/s sec 420/406/120-B IPC and 13(a)(d) (II) PC Act registered against the pair by the state vigilance department, and also in compliance with a recommendation made by the commerce and industries department. It may be mentioned, Th Santosh Luwang and Ng Joykumar were among four officials of the MANITRON who were abducted and detained by the proscribed UNLF over all...

State cyclists win more medals: Manipur added one gold and same number of silver to its overnight tally of one gold, two silver and one bronze medal on the second day of the 13th national Road Cycling Championship at Erode in Tamil Nadu on Friday. L Maniton clocked 44:59.59 sec to win the 30 km individual time trial event while N Chaoba, K Suchitra, T Neeta and I Gautamani raced to the 50 km road team time trial silver medal with a timing of 1 hour 27 min 53.08 sec. Meiraa wrest hockey title: K Chinglensana's brace helped Meiraa, Bashikhong, clinch the title of the 19th G Dwijamani Sharma Memorial six-a-side men's hockey tournament with a 2-1 victory over SAI RC, Takyel at Yumjao Lairembi Lampak at Imphal on Friday. The one hour game saw SAI surge ahead in the 49th minute through K Naocha before the eventual champions rallied with Chinglensana scoring in the 54th and 59th minutes. Chinglensana was declared player of the final while Kh Kothajit of PHAM-W was adjudged the best pl...

ASC Centre dominates: Imphal, Dec 28: ASC Centre (North) led the medal tally while Manipur opened its account with one bronze in the National Tent Pegging Championship 2007, organized by Manipur Equestrian Association at Polo Ground here on Friday. In the second round of the championship, the tent pegging individual lance event gold went to Ram Bhan of ASC Centre (North), securing 33 points. Phool Singh of ASC Centre (North) and Suresh Singh of ITBP scored 31 points each and were awarded the silver medals. M Vivekananda of Manipur secured 30.5 and won the bronze. In the Individual Tent Pegging Rings & Peg (2 Runs) event, Shashi Dharan of ITBP scored 36 points and bagged the gold medal. Jaswinder Singh of Border Security Force scored 32 points and won the silver medal while two riders T Sarkar of ASC Centre (North) and Rajaram of ITBP scored 30 points each to win a bronze medal each.

AKRSU withdraws 1,000-hr blockade in Assam: Guwahati, Dec 28: The All Koch Rajbonshi Students' Union (AKRSU) on Friday announced that it will temporarily withdraw its 1,000-hour blockade from January 1. Disclosing this at a press meet here, AKRSU president Biswajit Ray said the decision to withdraw the blockade was taken to facilitate the participation of the public in the three-phase Panchayat polls, which begins from December 31. ''The Panchayat election enables the people at the grassroots to participate in a democratic process. We don’t want to disrupt it,'' he said. He added that the AKRSU would maintain a neutral role in the local bodies' election. On the blockade issue, Ray said the Chief Minister's assurance, through state Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma and press advisor Deba Prasad Bora, of a tripartite meeting involving the AKRSU, state and the centre had prompted the AKRSU to suspend the agitation. ''If the talks don't come through by J...

CM stresses need for commitment, determination: Imphal, Dec 28: The Chief Minister of Manipur on Friday gave a call for firm determination and commitment to meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS in the state. The CM, inaugurating the one day state level convention on HIV/AIDS at Panchayat Bhawan, said that collective effort with mass participation is the answer to the prevention and eradication of HIV/AIDS. Ibobi said that the elected legislative members are going to show their commitment and participation in fighting HIV/AIDS. He said that the MLA Local Area Development Fund Act has been amended to enable sanctioning certain amount for HIV/AIDS related programmes in each assembly constituencies. However, he said that percentage of fund to be allocated is not yet decided upon. Inspiring the zilla parishad members and pradhans to get actively involved in the issue of HIV/AIDS, the CM said that each member of the panchayat should look into the details in their respective villages and do time b...

15 cases to be examined: Imphal: Changamayum Manoranjan Khuman alias Khumanlemba alias Baba, 50, of Pishum Ningom Leirak who was nabbed by police with the charge that he was the chief advisor of the Operation New Kangleipak of the KYKL was among the 15 persons being examined by the advisory board on NSA. Manoranjan was nabbed by a team of Imphal west police commandos on November 19 this year with some documents related with fake appointment scam in the state education department. Police charged him of being the chief advisor of ONK of the KYKL but later the outfit denied the claim stating he was not related with the outfit and no such post existed in the outfit. Examination for detention of 15 persons including a woman under National Security Act by the advisory board on NSA began Wednesday, an official source said. In the three-day sitting of the board, the cases of detention under NSA of 15 persons who were in Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa with regard to the detention order issued by ...

IIT Delhi to help Nagaland, Manipur: New Delhi: The Nagaland Government has sought the technology for preserving fruits and vegetables from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. The request has particularly been made to increase the shelf-life of Mandarin oranges grown in that State. The State Government had approached the National Research Development Corporation to request IIT Delhi to send its experts for training officials and farmers in the technology. “We have an agreement with NRDC. The Nagaland Government has contacted them for a training programme to be run by IIT experts. The Government has already deposited the money. My team will go there in January for a demonstration,” reveals H. M. Chawla of the Chemistry Department at IIT Delhi who led research work on this technology. “The Manipur Government has also shown interest in preservation of passion fruits. The officials of both the State governments had come to the laboratory on our campus to see the experiments being ca...

'Blue Corn' duo mesmerises Delhiites: New Delhi: They share great rapport, are jovial, love western music and have great voices to go with...the perfect combination to form an all-girls pop band! The 'Blue Corn' band popularly known as the "Spice girls of the Northeast" mesmerised audiences with their soulful love songs at a recent performance in the Capital. The two-member band shot to fame with the album 'Christman Nangnen' (Christmas with you) which was a big hit in the Northeast. Mizoram-based girl band duo, which include Kim and Tee had created ripples in the musical scene of Northeast with their debut album 'Lunglawn Akim' (I am fulfilled), which went on to become a bestseller. Their next album of Christmas love songs 'Christman Nangnen' (Christmas with you) was also an instant hit among the northeasterners. "Our music though pop is quite different from the routine stuff, we do not churn out stuff which draws people into danc...

CM condoles: Imphal, Dec 27: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has joined the people of the state in condoling the demise of international cyclist Huidrom Tombisana who succumbed to injuries at a Tamil Nadu Hospital on December 25. The CM in his condolence message described Tombisana as one of the best women cyclists and 'her demise is an irreparable loss to the entire sporting community of the state and the country’. Ibobi also shared the grief of the bereaved family and conveyed prayer for peaceful rest of her soul in the heavenly abode. Tombisana met with a fatal accident at Erode on December 22 while practising for the 13th National Road Race Cycling Championship which began at the southern state on Thursday. Her body was brought to Imphal Airport on Wednesday where sportspersons of the state in large numbers received tearfully. A regular medal winner in her favourite event in both the national and international level since venturing into the sports discipline at a young age, Tombis...

Dimapur denizens suffer: Dimapur, Dec 27: There is a possibility of bleak situation prevailing in the Nagaland commercial hub Dimapur following the strong under-current polarisation "among the NSCN factions". According to the NSCN-IM, huge amount of money to the tune of crores of rupees has been collected from the businessmen in Dimapur by the NSCN faction led by Azheto Chophy and Khaplang in just one month's time. Azheto Chophy and C Singson are the two signatories of the November 24 Niuland Unity Declaration. The NSCN-IM then expressed with a serious tone that the "Azheto and Khaplang group" has tested the nerve of the NSCN-IM again. The NSCN-IM said that the outfit has been exercising maximum restraint and patience in the interest of the "Naga nation". "In the name of unification the most provocative incidents had been happening in Dimapur but for the greater interest of the Naga Nation, maximum restraint and patience have been exercised by NSC...

‘Kumudini’ enthralls audience: Imphal: It is not often that a play provokes the audience to think. So when one comes along, it is an experience that not just entertains but also plays on your mind long after the curtain comes down. Watching M.C. Arun’s Kumudini, directed by M.C. Thoiba of Banian Repertory Theatre and staged at the Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy in Imphal on December 20, one was impressed as much by the intricacies of the unfolding plot as by the skill and craft of the director and his actors. Kumudini is a commentary on Manipuri women and their social status in relation to men. It deconstructs and reinterprets the social fabric of 19th century Manipur and the life and times of the queen of the same name, the widow of King Gambhir Singh, who liberated Manipur from the Burmese. The queen’s involvement in governance began when her husband died, leaving behind a two-year-old heir, King Chandrakriti. She not only became involved in palace intrigue but succeeded in it, too. ...

AMWJU stand on contradictory statements of UGs: Imphal, Dec 27: An emergency general body meeting of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) held at Manipur Press Club on Thursday unanimously decided against publication of any contradictory statement/release of the banned KCP till the armed group resolves its internal differences. A release issued in connection with the said meeting highlighted that members present minutely discussed statements and diktats respectively issued by Lanheiba Meetei and KC Meetei of the KCP factions. The meeting also called upon both the KCP groups to respect an earlier general body meeting resolution wherein the armed groups were urged to amicably settle their differences rather than resort to mud-slinging through the media taking into account interest of the general public. AMWJU expects the KCP groups to uphold stand of the media community, added a statement. Posted On: The Sangai Express

Unidentified gunmen kill two youth: Imphal, Dec 27: Two youths were shot dead by unidentified armed persons atop the hill of Changamdabi Sagol Lou Khabei Leikai about 8 kms North of Yairipok police station on Wednesday night. The slain youths have been identified as Mohd Izu Khan (17) s/o Alimuddin of Yairipok Tulihal Mayai Leikai and Mohd Raju Khan (16) s/o late Abdul Matlib of Yairipok Tulihal Konjil Leikai. According to inputs received from family members of the deceased, Raju Khan left home for Changamdabi at about 11 am yesterday to deliver invitation cards for the marriage of one of his maternal uncles. As the two failed to return till late evening, the family members started searching for them at Changamdabi. Unable to trace the duo, local people joined the families in searching for the missing duo this morning during which their corpses were found atop the hill at about 6 am. The hands and legs of the two youths were found tied. A bullet which hit Izu Khan near his lip exited t...

Manipuri student dies in Delhi: A Manipuri student doing his degree course in Delhi University identified as Mesak Sinate (22) s/o Damhau Sinate of Reng-kai, Churachandpur died after falling down from the second floor of a building at Lajpat Nagar, Delhi in the evening of December 25. Five militants nabbed: Five militants, belonging to three separate organizations, were nabbed during the past 24 hours in three different incidents in Manipur. Police said one militant was apprehended by Manipur Police and 39 Assam Rifles (AR) troops and Rs 70,000 was recovered from his possession. Imphal West commandos nabbed three people, suspected to be Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) cadres. In another incident, AR troops nabbed a People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) cadre and handed him over to the police on Wednesday. Source: United News of India (UNI) Another Story: Whip cracked against illegal hoardings: Acting on the instruction of the Union Ministry of Road Transport (Highway), Public Works ...

AR CO extends aid, 11 still critical: Imphal, Dec 27: Out of 31 persons who sustained injuries in the December 16 bomb blast near Pourabi Lamjing Meira High School, eleven are still undergoing treatment in critical condition at JN Hospital, RIMS and Shija Hospital. This is in addition to eight killed in the blast. A statement issued by the ‘JAC Against the Pourabi Huidrom Bomb Blast’ informed that of the injured victims undergoing treatment in RIMS, Konthoujam Michael's right leg is in a critical condition even after his left leg had been amputated at knee. The JAC has also expressed its gratitude to the CO of 39 Assam Rifles, Col Bikramjit for extending financial help to the tune of Rs 55,000. Hit by splinters at legs, hands, back with a part of his left heel already severed, Okram Imobi (36) is also battling for life in hospital. Mangjam Abung (20) is suffering from broken back bone and spinal cord. With his two fingers already severed, Heikrujam Herojit (30) is also staring at p...

CM calls for saving ponies: Imphal, Dec 27: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Thursday strongly advocated contributions from all sections of the society in ensuring survival of the endangered Manipuri ponies. Inaugurating the National Tent Pegging Championship at Imphal Pologround, the Chief Minister recalled history of the erstwhile kingdom of Manipur wherein rulers strived for protecting the ponies as the animal species had been associated with the role in protecting and expanding the kingdom. Stating that Manipur has history of State support to equestrian games, the chief guest of the inaugural programme also reminded that kings in the past ensured that polo remained a people's sports which automatically entailed wellbeing of ponies. Besides recounting exploits of sportspersons of Manipur in various sports disciplines, he also maintained that as a part of the State Government's determination to save the indigenous ponies from extinction 30 acres of land at Lamphelpat had b...

Manipur cyclists win four medals: Imphal, Dec 27: Manipur cyclists won one gold, two silver and a bronze medal in the 13th National Road Cycling Championship at Erode (Tamil Nadu) on Thursday. N Chaoba Devi pedalled to gold in the 30 km individual time trial with a timing of 50:40.39 sec and H Renubala added the 20 km time trial bronze in the under-19 girls' category. She clocked 36:04.15 sec. I Sonia provided one of the silver medals with a timing of 1::16:57.60 sec in the 7 km U-15 girls' individual time trial. The state quartet of L Maniton, U Ashok, L Bikram and A Bishkumar had to be content with the silver in Under-19 boys’ team time trial event. Posted On: The Sangai Express

FLAM to clash KVFA in final: Imphal, Dec 27: FLAM edged out ATVFA 5-3 via tie-breaker and KVFA pipped VSAI 1-0 in semi-final matches of the 2nd North East Cup Veteran Football tournament at THAU Sports Complex on Thursday. As the first semi-final between FLAM and ATVFA ended 1-1 draw after normal period, Tarpon, Bobo, P Sunil and O Ibomcha scored for the Yaiskul veterans from the spot while only Rajen and Abdul Wahid were successful for the losers. KVFA's match-winner against VSAI was netted by Hemchand 42 minutes into the game. The final will be played on Saturday. Posted On: The Sangai Express

Manipur-posted soldiers gain experience: Guwahati, Dec. 27: Four decades after Thuingaleng Muivah led a team of Naga National Council (NNC) members to China for training in guerrilla warfare, the Chinese army is helping India deal with militancy. Brig D.S. Dadwal, the head of the Indian contingent that participated in the first joint military exercise between the two countries -- Hand-in-Hand 2007 -- said on his return today that the common aim of the neighbours was to eliminate the “scourge of terrorism”, The contingent, drawn from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry unit posted in Bishnupur district of Manipur, believes the experience of a joint exercise with China will help it conduct counter-insurgency operations better. “Such exercises definitely help you to hone your skills and use them at Ground Zero,” Brig. Dadwal said. The five-day drill was conducted at the Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan province of China. Battalion commander Col J.S. Budhwar said a mock hostage rescue d...

Opting for cinema to fight militancy: Agartala: There has been different ways of condemning militancy, which has turned out as a biggest menace in recent years, but the efforts of a young girl from Tripura have been a unique one. Raikishori Ganguli has opted to use the medium of cinema to fight against the 'evil force' of militancy, which has taken thousands of lives in the State in the last two and a half decades. Ganguli, who recently completed a film study course from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, has directed a short Bengali film titled "Bhalo Rakhoni Bhoy" to make people aware of the threats from militancy. The 12-minute film has been selected in the Short Film Category at Kolkata, and it deals with the psychological condition of a salesman and his frightful daily experiences with events that happen around the world. The filmmaker, who herself has been a victim of militancy, has used the film to narrate her own personal experiences. According to the filmmaker, ...

Cyclist’s body flown home: Imphal, Dec. 26: The body of Manipur cyclist Huidrom Tombisana Devi, who died of injuries sustained in a road accident in Tamil Nadu, was brought back to Manipur on Wednesday. The 25-year-old cyclist was practising on Elachipalayam road in Erode district on December 22 when a stray dog collided with her. Tombisana received serious head injuries in the incident. She was among the 19 cyclists from Manipur who had gone to participate in the five-day 13th National Road Cycling Championship, scheduled to begin on Thursday. Tombisana was rushed to Erode Trust Hospital in an unconscious state and kept in the intensive care unit, where she succumbed to her injuries at 10.50am yesterday. The other cyclists from the state will compete in the championship as scheduled. Manipur Cycling Association’s general secretary Bikramjit Singh came back with Tombisana’s body, which arrived at Imphal Tulihal airport at 3pm on Wednesday. The deceased cyclist’s family received the bod...

Directs MPSC to provide answer script photo copy: Imphal, Dec 26: In a case relating to the Combined Manipur Civil Services Examination 2005, Manipur Information Commission has ordered the Manipur Public Service Commission to make available the copy of the answer script of a particular candidate for an optional subject, as sought by the mother of the candidate. The ruling was made in connection with an application filed by one Irom Jamini, mother of Laikangbam Shalini, a candidate in the combined civil service examination, seeking a copy of her answer script for Zoology paper II. In its order issued in this regard, dated December 5, 2007, the commission ruled that a citizen has the right of access to answer script of any competition if his expectation is not up to his or her satisfaction. ‘It is in the interest of the public that such disclosure of answer script are highly warranted, for transparency and accountability in such competitions which are the cynosure of all eyes of many asp...

Human Rights Group files RTI application: Imphal, Dec 26: The Human Rights Alert has formally approached State Public Information Officer, Department of Home, Govt of Manipur, to share information regarding assistance extended, if any, to villagers affected by the ongoing ‘Operation Samtal-II’ in Chandel district. The petition filed by executive director of HRA Babloo Loitongbam recounted media reports of the security forces’ operation intention to flush out UG elements from its hideouts in Samtal areas. Highlighting that the military action had also resulted in large number of villagers leaving their homesteads for safer zones, the petitioner expressed surprise that till date there is no report of the State Government providing assistance of any kind to citizens affected by the military offensive. Pointing to Constitutional provisions that entail the Government to protect human rights of its citizens, the rights body observed that inaction on the part Government of Manipur on the issu...

Manipuri Diaspora Celebrates birth of Jesus: New Delhi, Dec 26: Manipuri Diaspora Association (MDA), an exclusive body of Manipuris presently settled in Delhi and its adjoining areas to help each other, celebrated CHRISTMAS, 2007 at their office complex located at Madhu Vihar, Sector-3, Dwarka, here on Tuesday evening. Shri Theophillus Zimik, Pastor, Manipuri Christian Fellowship Delhi (MCFD), Shri O Nabakishore Singh, IAS and Shri R.K. Brajachand Singh, President of MDA graced the occasion as the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively. Christmas carols were sung by MCFD and also by members of the association in the true spirit of Christmas. Special prayers were conducted. The function also marked the beginning of a new chapter for the association as well as for the people of Manipur residing in Delhi and its adjoining areas by coming together with one motto -- "the need for oneness and strive to do good things for people". Cakes were cut and distributed amon...

RPF destroys beer consignment: Imphal, Dec 26: A consignment of canned beer, brought in from Myanmar, was seized and later destroyed by activists of the underground RPF/PLA on Tuesday, a spokesperson of the group informed reporters. The consignment, consisting of altogether 28,800 cans of beer, packed in 200 bags were seized from a Tata truck, bearing registration number MN-05-3794 at Samaram Laikon this morning at around 7 am while being brought in from Moreh, the spokesperson informed. The "contraband" items, of a total value of Rs 12,96,000 belong to one Inao from Khongjom Patpal, while the owner of the vehicle is one Chwodra Bahadur from Chingmeirong Khongnang Karak. The truck was being driver by one Tekcham Sanjoy, of Khongjom Tekcham Mamang Leikai. The spokesperson further stated that the truck along with the seized contraband would be destroyed by setting on fire, while the owner of the goods, Inao, must surrender to the party within five days, or else face dire conseq...

AMWJU GBM on Thursday: An emergency general body meeting of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union, AMWJU, has been convened on Thursday at 10:30 am at Manipur Press Club, Imphal. This is in connection with two statements received at media offices from the KCP (MC) group. As there has been pressure from a quarter to publish one statement and not to publish the other, the meeting has been convened to decide the AMWJU’s stance. All AMWJU members and media editors have been asked to attend the emergency meeting. National Tent Pegging meet begins on Thursday: The National Tent Pegging Championships being held for the first time in Manipur, commences on Thursday at the Imphal Polo ground. The five day long competition is being organised with the theme, ‘Save Manipuri Pony’. Altogether eight teams, plus the hosts, will be participating in the competition, including the ITBP, Haryana; ASC, North Gaya; Assam Rifles, Jorhat; UP police; ASC, Bangalore; West Bengal Police, Kolkata Police and E...

Kuki Inpi demands heroes’ spot in New Delhi: Imphal, Dec 26: Determined to reserve a specific spot at the national capital in remembrance of Kuki Rebellion of 1917-19 and World War-II Kuki martyrs, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) is all set to intimate Central leaders to establish a martyrs’ memorial site in New Delhi. According to president of the apex Kuki body Holkholun Lhungdim, KIM would demand for a specific memorial complex in the national capital as a mark of respect to the brave Kuki soldiers who first defied the British advances in the 1917-19 rebellion and then joined the Indian National Army under Subhash Chandra Bose during the World War-II. The INA flag was hoisted on April 22, 1944 at Bishnupur district’s Moirang, which was also the INA headquarters. “In all probability we (KIM) will demand the Centre to set up a Kuki complex to commemorate supreme sacrifices by the brave Kuki soldiers,” Holkholun said. Number of Manipuris, many of them belonging to the Kuki community laid d...

Harps on state integrity issue: Imphal, Dec 26: The MPP on Wednesday wound up its two-week long 40th foundation observation at its office. The closing function started with a trip to the Kangla Laiphamlen and from there the party’s flag was brought which was then hoisted at its office by its president Dr L Chandramani. Dr Chandramani and MLA O Joy graced the function as the president and chief guest respectively. Apart from the party’s MLAs, panchayat members and members of the Imphal Municipal Council turned up in huge drove to attend the day’s closing function. Addressing the gathering, O Joy gave a vivid account of the party, from its inception to its present situation. The MPP was born with the idea that a regional party formed in the State would be in a much better position to look after the welfare of the people than the National parties, which have its roots at New Delhi, said Joy. The first priority of the MPP is to ensure the territorial integrity of Manipur, he said and added...

Need to go beyond addressing physical needs Imphal, Dec 24: Manipur have seen much violence and turmoil since the 1950s. Secessionist movements and ethnic strife have kept life in Manipur unpredictable and violence-ridden. While the entire communities suffer the consequences of armed conflict, women and girls are particularly affected because of their status in society and their sex. Health and education services and facilities are disrupted and local economies shattered. Thiyam Gita, now 48, from Moirang Oksongbung, is still picking together the pieces that were shattered by armed violence. One evening, back in January 2000, Gita was among the group of people gathered around a bonfire opposite Moirang Boys High School discussing the upcoming municipal election. Suddenly two jeeps filled with armed youths stopped there and asked for one man called Bokul to surrender to them. The armed people assured that they will not attack anyone and even persuaded the women to bring along Bokul for ...

Sanamahi followers want constitutional recognition: Imphal, Dec. 26: The followers of the Sanamahi faith, the traditional religion of the Meiteis in Manipur, are set to launch a campaign demanding Scheduled Tribe status. Nearly 200 leaders of the faith assembled in Imphal East last week and resolved to launch a campaign for constitutional protection. “We will soon approach the Centre and seek ST status,” president of the Laiyingthou Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup, an organisation of the Meitei community, Oinam Menjor Khuman said. A majority of the Meiteis converted to Hinduism nearly 300 years ago following Bengali missionary Santidas Gosai’s influence on King Pamheiba. After the king declared Hinduism as the state religion, the Meities who practised the traditional Sanamahi faith were forced to convert to Hinduism. Descendants of a few families who continued to practise the faith secretly have now launched the movement for reviving the traditional Meitei religion. The number of followers ...

Kaladan deal awaits Myanmar seal: Silchar, Dec. 26: India is eagerly waiting for Myanmar’s foreign minister U Nyan Win’s New Year visit to Delhi for finalising the 00-million dollar Kaladan multi-model link project. The project envisages building of roads and waterway links to ensure the landlocked states’ easy accessibility to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar. The detailed report of the infrastructure development project was discussed at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in January this year. The project had already been granted financial approval by New Delhi and Yangon, said senior officials of the border trade department of the Mizoram government in Aizawl. Sources pointed out that the alternative road, river and sea access via Myanmar’s southwestern flank had been extensively surveyed over the past six years by engineers of the two countries. The cabinet is likely to give a final nod to augmentation of the project once Win lands in India. Dhaka’s vacillation on providing t...

Govt official fined under RTI: Imphal, Dec 26: The Manipur Information Commission has for the first time imposed a stiff monetary penalty upon a senior official of the state government for failing to furnish information sought by a member of the public under the provisions of the Right to Information Act. The Information Commission has ordered IAS officer S Budhachandra to pay a total amount of Rs. 9250 as fine within a period of 30 days for his failure not only to furnish the information sought under the RTI Act, 2005, but also to respond to orders issued by the Commission in connection with the matter, while he was serving as State Public Information Officer, SPIO, Directorate of Education (Schools). The order was issued on December 22, in connection with an application made by Prof Akham Biradhwaja Singh to the SPIO, Directorate of Education (s) in October 2006 seeking disclosure of certain information. The Commission, in its order imposing monetary penalty on the officer, noted tha...

Cyclist dies after accident: Namakkal (Tamil Nadu), Dec 25: Tragedy struck the Manipuri cycling team when its member Huidrom Tombisana Devi on Tuesday succumbed to injuries sustained in a road accident on Sunday. Twentyfive-year-old Devi, a police constable, was part of the 17-member Manipuri team to compete in the National cycling Championship, to be held here from December 27 to 31. She was on a practice session along with her mates on the Tiruchngode road when she fell down and sustained injuries on her head while avoiding a dog that suddenly ran across the road, police said. The Manipuri, who was admitted to the Namakkal Government hospital on December 23, died this morning, police said. The body would be handed over to the Manipur team authorities after post-mortem, they said. Source: Press Trust of India (PTI) Related Story:

Peace, festivity mark birth of Lord Jesus: Imphal, Dec 25: Christmas is being celebrated in Manipur on Tuesday with festive gaiety. The houses were decorated with colourful stars and singing of Christmas carols can be heard in every streets. Special Christmas games, sports, cultural programmes were organised in every parts of the state. Governor Dr S S Sidhu in a message said, ''Lord Jesus -- the son of God, was born to build a new world based on peace, justice and equality of mankind. In celebrating his birth, we, besides paying our obeisance to this outstanding apostle of peace, have to rededicate ourselves to the ideals, principles and eternal values espoused by him.'' Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh said, “The birth of Christ on this earth heralds peace, goodwill and love among mankind and also between the mankind and the Almighty God. Every person who believes in God irrespective of caste, creed and religion should be a messenger of peace, goodwill and love.'...

IT eludes Seven Sisters: The 1980s belonged to Japan, when the world experienced an electronic revolution and the 1990s to India when it underwent a software revolution. North-eastern India has, so far, not been part of the revolution. India excels in the filed of information technology and there are obvious reasons for it. Indians’ proficiency in English has helped them communicate well with the rest of the world, without any additional effort of learning English. This has been a significant advantage since such countries as China do not have this advantage. The “British Influence” in India has, for obvious reasons, had a positive impact. Software programming is closely associated with logic and mathematics and India has been in the forefront in the latter, from the Vedic era. The strong base has helped Indians analyse and model problems and consequently provide effective solutions. The cost factor has had a huge impact on the Western world’s decision to delegate software development ...

Two dozen outfits have links: The most influential armed group of the North-east, the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) has links with the Inter Services Intelligence of Pakistan. That is known. But what is awful for the people of the region is that 24 banned outfits maintain close ties with Pakistani agencies. This was learnt during interrogation of an ISI operative, arrested by the Assam police recently. The more shocking revelation for the nation is that the alliance has placed the insurgent groups into the clutches of Islamic militants slowly but steadily. The Assam police believe the information is a breakthrough for warding off terrorism in the North-east. The police claim to have arrested a hardcore ISI operative in a special operation in Guwahati. The accused has been identified as SM Alam alias Mujibullah Alam alias Asfi Alam. He is from Ajampur in the Uttara police station area of Dhaka. Alam has been recognised as an important ISI functionary in charge of Assam and the ...

Development initiatives make 2007 eventful: Agartala: Tripura witnessed a remarkable achievement in containing a two-decade-old militancy and several resource mobilisation initiatives in 2007, while political activism and corruption in the state administration made the year gone by eventful. Tripura signed as many as six bilateral trade treaties with Japan, Germany, China and Thailand-based enterprises for utilising forest and agricultural resources for sustainable economic development of the state. As part of the mission, Tripura hosted two international seminars on development of infrastructure and agricultural productivity with world renowned experts. After one and a half decades of attaining statehood, Tripura published a comprehensive Human Development Report (HDR) at the end of the year, which revealed among north-eastern states, Tripura ranked second after Mizoram in the literacy rate; at the same time, there was a substantial improvement in school attendance rates. In terms of ...

Peace prayers, festivity mark celebrations: Guwahati, Dec 25: Thousands of Christians in India's northeast joined a midnight mass in churches across the region to pray for peace and well being of the human race. With church bells echoing across the hills and dales of the region, and throngs of people packing churches to join in festive prayer and song in celebration of Jesus' birth, the northeast was drowned in yuletide passion. "Christmas is the day when people tend to forgive and forget everything and simply rejoice. This is also the day when people pray for peace and prosperity of the state, the nation, and for the entire human race at large," Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop of Guwahati said. Worshippers across the region lit candles, sang carols and organized festive feasts to celebrate Christmas. "We organised a small Christmas breakfast for the less fortunate, the homeless, distressed and lonely, for whom the festive season would otherwise be miserable,...