Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Major militant camp busted in Manipur Imphal, Jan 2: Security and police forces have busted a major camp of militants during a combing operation at places near Loktak lake in Bishenpur district of Manipur and recovered many sophisticated weapons, police said on Friday. Sources said a joint team of army personnel and police commandos, attached to Bishenpur police station, launched a massive manhunt at Tharopat, Ngamupat and Yennapat near Loktak lake on Wednesday last. As they stepped up search operation, they were fired upon by suspected militants of Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL), sources said adding that exchange of fire lasted several hours during which the militants reportedly escaped to nearby jungles. No casualty was, however, reported. Security personnel continued operation and later busted a major hideout of the militants, recovering two AK 56 rifles, 12 AK magazines, 21 grenades, 251 rounds of ammunitions, anti-personal mines and other explosive materials besides a television se...

Congress candidate Prithiviraj wins Imphal, Dec 30: Continuing its good show in last assembly polls in the North-East, the Congress on Tuesday won the by-election to the prestigious Moirang assembly seat in Manipur. The Congress' candidate M Prithiviraj defeated his nearest rival H Bira of Manipur People's Party (MPP) by over 4,800 votes in the by-election to Moirang in Bishenpur district, election office said today. While Prithiviraj secured a total of 16,225 votes Bira came close by getting 11,338 votes. By-election to the seat was held on December 27. The by-poll was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA M. Manindra who was the father of Prithiviraj some months ago. The Congress-led Secular Progressive Front ministry has 35 seats (Congress 31 and CPI 4) in the 60-member Manipur legislative assembly. Of the rest 25 seats, the opposition Manipur People's Party (MPP) has 5, Rashtriya Janata Dal 3, National People's Party 3, Nationalist Congress Party 4 and i...

Inter-State buses suspend service: Imphal, May 4: Following the All Manipur Inter-State Bus Services Association (AMISBSA)'s decision to suspend buses services indefinitely due to 'heavy' monetary demands from various elements, all buses plying along the National Highways have suspended service from Sunday. The association has been compelled to take the decision owing to various elements, undergrounds and overgrounds demanding heavy amount of money from the transporters, a spokesman of the association told media persons on Sunday evening. The spokesman said transporters, mainly passenger buses, are facing many problems due to the heavy imposition of monetary demands and 'taxes' by different underground groups operating in both hills and valley districts. The inter-state bus services were financially overburdened as they had to ay 'taxes' at every police checkpost in neighboring Nagaland state. The decision was taken during a meeting held on Saturday at its o...

Local councillors to begin pen down strike: Imphal, Apr 21: Displeased at getting no response despite protests since April 15 against unbearable monetary demands on them by several militant groups and the state government`s silence on the demand for devolution of power, the elected members of the municipal councils and nagar panchayats have decided to intensify their protest with a pen down strike from tomorrow. The next step will be to tender resignation from the councillorship en-masse, an open letter to the revolutionary groups active in the state, from the secretary of the All Manipur Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat Joint Action Committee stated. Yesterday also the elected members had threatened to resign on April 28 if the state government did not take up any steps for devolution of power and appropriate action against the militants` demand for diversion of funds released to municipal councils and nagar panchayats. Meanwhile, even as the agitation is in full swing, an underg...