Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Villagers flee crossfire: Imphal, Dec. 25: Neneng Haokip, 19, had returned home to Dingpi village in Manipur’s Thoubal district to celebrate Christmas with her family members. However, the 19-year-old student was shocked when she found that her family members had fled their village to escape the crossfire between militants and security forces. “My family did not inform me that they were leaving the village. When I went there I was told by those who had stayed behind that my family had fled to Moreh. I then went to the border town and finally met my parents at Sugnu in Thoubal district,” she said. Not just Haokip’s family, nearly 500 villagers have reportedly fled the area after security forces launched a massive operation on November 18 to flush out militants of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). All the villagers in this tribal belt belong to the Kuki community and are Christians. The security forces are inching forward towards the Indo-Myanmar border via New Somtal Road. Th...

Imphal book fair winds up The Imphal Book Fair jointly organised by the State Central Library and Kolkata-based Raja Ram Mohun Roy Foundation wound up on Monday at Hapta Kangjeibung. The book fair started on December 16. This year’s Best Reader Award constituted by State Central Library went to Dr L Mangal Khuman of Nepra Menjor Mamang, Khwairakpam Leikai, Imphal. The Best Book Production award for the year went to “Khambi Meigi Mashasing,” a book translated into Manipuri by Dr Soibam Ibocha, a senior police officer while the Best Stall decoration was bagged by M/S Mittal Publications, New Delhi. The Best Disciplined Stall prize was bagged buy M/S Priya Books, New Delhi. The three award winners were also presented with Rs 500 each. KLA condemns detention of civilians The KLA has strongly condemned the act of the KNF (P) in detaining innocent civilians near Sapermeina on NH-39 following a gun fight at Nongpok Keithelmanbi with the PLA on December 23. Such action might create communal mi...

MAFYF for Intl humanitarian laws: Imphal, Dec 20: Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) has raised the demand for enforcement of International Humanitarian Laws in a conflict situation State like Manipur so that the people can live in peace and in liberty. Interacting with mediapersons at the Sagolband head office of MAFYF on the sidelines of distribution of relief materials to the people of Dingpi area in Chandel district who have been displaced following the New Samtal Operation launched by the Indian Army to flush out UGs, general secretary of MAFYF Premjit Kshetrimayum said there has been no let up to the exodus of the villagers from Dingpi area since the army launched the operation on November 15. MAFYF has been making every possible effort to help the displaced people and would continue to so, he said, while informing that any person who would like to extend their help in this regard may do so through MAFYF. Premjit said that whether the Governments both at the Centre or at the Sta...

NGO appeals for suspension of ops: Imphal, Dec 15: United NGOs Mission, Manipur (UNMM) has appealed for suspension of the ongoing army operation and counter operation at Dingpi and other areas of Manipur during Christmas and New Year in respect of the rights of the people living in the affected area to celebrate Christmas and New Year. In a statement, UNMM secretary U Nobokishore said it is unfortunate to recall that last year too, the people of area were forced to flee from their homesteads during Christmas and New Year. Both the Army and UGs should remember that the people of the area are innocent and celebration of Christmas and New Year is an important social event for them. So it would be inhuman act to rob them the joy and happiness of celebrating these important festivals, Nobokishore said. He also recalled that during the World Wars even the warring groups honoured rights of the people to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Posted On: The Sangai Express Related Story: