Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Between militants & faltering forces, why jeopardise civilians further? IF Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh commits himself to a joint action committee’s suggestion that civilians be allowed arms in defence against militants, it will amount to a tacit admission that his government has failed in the duty it promised to fulfil in the first place. It was only in March, following the killing of two girls and a man by militants at Heirok during Holi celebrations, that the committee came into being, and its demand, apart from asking for the supply of 300 arms, include better electrification of areas surrounding localities and the installation of loudspeakers. It probably has in mind something on the lines of a village resistance group or citizens’ protection committee. Which means its volunteers will have to be trained to handle arms. In which case, given militant sophistry, can the government afford the responsibility of equipping civilians with sophisticated firearms? It is wel...

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...

Vehicles stranded at Mao: Imphal, Apr 25: More than 100 vehicles including 21 inter-state passenger buses were stranded at Mao gate owing to the 24-hour Senapati district-wide “Black Day” bandh called by the Youth Front of Senapati. The bandh along the Imphal-Mao section of the national highway that commenced late Thursday night, was called to pressurize the Manipur government for revocation of the cancelled census report 2001 in respect of three sub-divisions in Senapati district. A report from Mao gate said as many as 124 vehicles including 21 inter-state tourist buses and 103 goods ferrying trucks were stranded at the gate. Business and other establishments including schools and government offices were also closed for the day and the Senapati district headquarters wore a deserted look. However, there was no report of any untoward incident at the time of filing this report. The youth front is blaming the state government for remaining as mute spectator despite the call of the people...

12 hr state bandh comes into force on Tuesday: Imphal, Feb 4: Demanding the safe release of AE Naorem Keshwar Singh from the custody of the armed outfit PULF, the JAC formed against the abduction has called a State wide 12-hour general strike with effect from 5 am on Tuesday. A resident of Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai, AE Keswar who is attached with the Kakchig sub-division of Electricity Department was abducted by armed cadres of PULF from his office on January 31. In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister on Monday, the JAC gave 12 noon Tuesday as the deadline for securing the safe release of the abducted engineer. Otherwise, a State wide general strike which would cover even essential services would be called, the JAC had announced. In protest against the abduction, the Manipur Electricity Employees' Union, Kakching Branch staged a dharna in front of the gate of the head office of the Electricity Department here on Monday. Apart from Meira Paibis from Kakching area and M...

Anti-Leprosy Day observed: As in other parts of the country, Anti-Leprosy Day was observed on Wednesday to coincide with the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhiji in remembrance of the works done by him during his lifetime for the welfare of Leprosy patients at the hall of Leprosy Control Unit of Thoubal District Leprosy Society. Along with offering floral tributes to the photograph of Gandhiji, a one minute silence was observed. The main objective of the observance was to spread awareness among the people and encourage them to join hands in eradicating leprosy disease. Four persons who have been cured from the scourge of Leprosy were also felicitated with gifts at the occasion. The All Manipur Medical Department Leprosy Employees Association, AMMDLEA observed the "Anti Leprosy Day 2008 at the Leprosy Hospital, Lei-Ingkhol today at 10.30 am. The observation was marked by the distribution of gifts like blanket, fruits, etc. to the leprosy patients. As part of Anti-Leprosy week `08 observat...