Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

General strike partially disturbs normal life: Imphal, May 14: Normal life in the state was partially disturbed today due to the statewide general strike called by the Manipur Forward Youth Front, MAFYF demanding release of its president Sapamcha Kangleipal who was re-arrested and detained under the National Security Act, NSA yesterday. In the meantime, after the torching of an oil tanker (MN01-6469) carrying kerosene oil by some suspected supporters of the ongoing ATSUM economic blockade at Lairouching along the NH-39 in Senapati yesterday at around 3 pm, snatching of registration books and other vehicular documents also continued on the highway. The 24-hour general strike commenced from last midnight and ended at midnight tonight. During the general strike hours there were no reports of any untoward incidents. Mention may be made that the MAFYF president, Kangleipal was released yesterday after sedition charges leveled against him were dropped by the court, but the police re-arrested...

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...

Scribe assaulted: Acting president of All Jiribam Working Journalists Union N Priyobrata was severely assaulted by one Mutum Dilip Singh, son of Babatombi Singh of Babapara, near rail crossing on the night of December 29 last. Blaming that no action has been taken despite a complaint on the incident was lodged to the Jiribam police station, the Union has requested the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union for necessary action. According to a statement of the AJWJU, Jiribam, its acting president was beaten up on his way home without any reason and suffered severe injuries at left eye, face and other parts of the body. KCP executes ex-cadre: Deputy Commander of KCP (MTF) Capt Kesho has informed that an ex-cadre of the outfit, identified as Santosh Sharma of Tentha Khabam, has been awarded capital punishment at an adjoining place of Mayang Imphal-Uchiwa at around 8.10 pm on Monday for allegedly swindling party fund. Capt Kesho informed that in 2006, Santosh was punished for his involveme...

Three suspected UGs shot by AR: Troops of the 18 Assam Rifles have killed at least three suspected militants in an encounter early Saturday morning in the Kuljang area of Chandel district, official sources have said. A statement issued by the PRO, HQ, IGAR (South) said columns of the 18 AR had launched a massive operation in the thick jungles of the Kuljang area last night based on specific intelligence, and early this morning at approximately 5:40 am, troops established contact with the UGs. The area was surrounded by the troops and the UGs fired at, which continued till 6:10 am. In a subsequent search of the area, the bodies of three unidentified UGs were recovered. Two automatic weapons, including a US made carbine and a 9 mm Sten carbine were recovered from the spot. The bodies along with the recovered arms were handed over to Tengnoupal police station today, the statement said. Source: The Imphal Free Press One shot at the leg: A man identified as Thounoujam Dhananjoy, son of ...

Death toll rises to eight: Imphal, Dec 18: With one more victim succumbing to injuries on Tuesday, the death toll in the bomb blast at Pourabi under Lamlai Police Station on December 16 has risen to eight even as the corpses of the other victims have been taken after post-mortem examination amidst heart-rending cries of their dear and near ones. The latest blast victim who died at RIMS Hospital at around 1.45 pm on Tuesday where he was undergoing treatment has been identified as Singam Premanand (32) s/o late Ibopishak of Keibi Awang Leikai. The powerful bomb blast that ripped through a running mini bus plying along the road in between Pourabi and Huidrom had killed three passengers on the spot and wounded over thirty others. The three persons who were killed at the spot were identified as Soibam Bobby (32) s/o Bobo of Keibi Mayai Leikai, Phijam Thoi (20) s/o Bonjaoba of Sekta Mayai Leikai and Singam Inao (24) s/o Gunadhor of Tiger Camp. Later on, four more injured victims passed away ...

Seven killed in bus bomb blast: Imphal, Dec 16 : At least seven passengers, including three women, were killed when a bomb planted in the middle of the road exploded and ripped through the bus (407 Mini Canter) in which they were travelling on Sunday at about 5.10 pm at a spot in between Pourabi and Huidrom on the Imphal-Pukhao road under Lamlai police station in Imphal East. While three of them were killed on the spot, another three succumbed to their injuries at RIMS while another died at JN hospital, Porompat. All the dead bodies as well as injured were nothing less than masses of flesh with their limbs blown away. Many more are still in critical custody in the hospitals and the number of death may increase. So powerful was the blast that it flung the bus about 25 feet away from the explosion spot. The bus was a mangled remains of metal, when this reporter reached the spot. Most of the passenger seats were found ripped away by the impact of the blast while the two rear tyres were pu...