Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

KSO wants UGs to be flushed out: The KSO Chandel district has urged the security forces to clear landmines and to flush out UG elements from Khengjoi area of Chandel district so that the people of the area can live and work without any fear psychosis. The student body also appealed to both the security forces and the UG groups to avoid collateral damages and to protect the lives of civilians while in the battlefield. The KSO, while appealing to all NGOs in the state to refrain from any misleading rumour or propaganda, warned all concerned not to use local people for the benefits of their vested interests. It alleged that Haopu Haokip, Tonglet Khongsai and Ngamkhojang alias Simthar were forced to appear before media to speak falsehoods in favour of UGs and civil societies in order to gain public support against the operations of security forces. Yet, the KSO sought attention of both the state and central governments towards the plight of the affected villagers in the back drop of the on...

Manipur 2nd most conflict ridden state in NE: Imphal, Dec 11: With 361 deaths till November 30, Manipur remains the second most conflict ridden state in the northeast, behind Assam with 388 fatalities, says a report of the South Asia intelligence review (SAIR). With a month to go before the end of 2007 the figure of fatalities has already surpassed the 311 militancy-related fatalities that occurred in Manipur in 2006. While fatalities among the militants in 2007 have remained more or less comparable to the previous year, it has certainly worsened among the civilians and the security forces. According to the currently available data, civilian deaths have already increased by over 42 per cent and those of security forces by 39 percent. According to a report of the Institute of Conflict Management, ministry of home affairs, during the year 2007 upto November 30, out of the 361 deaths, 137 were civilians, 39 were security men while 185 were militants of different outfits. During 2006, the ...