Meeting asks Manipur govt to resolve standoff Lift boycott, cry schools

Meeting asks Manipur govt to resolve standoff

Security personnel keep guard in front of an Imphal school. File picture Imphal, Nov. 16 : Worried over the loss of teaching days and inability to pay their staff, founders, principals and teachers, more than 150 private schools of the state today appealed to the student bodies to lift the class boycott by November 20 even as they decided to resume normal classes from November 21. The meeting at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal was organised by the All Manipur Govt Recognised Private Schools’ Welfare Association to discuss the plight of students and schools. A unanimous appeal of a settlement between the agitators and the government was made to restore academic normality. The gathering took place after efforts by the Okram Ibobi Singh government to reopen classes by providing police personnel on the campuses failed to restore normal classes. Classes have been disrupted ever since the public erupted over the July 23 firing in Imphal, allegedly by police in which passerby Rabina Devi and former militant Ch. Sanjit were killed. However, classes were completely paralysed, particularly in the four valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur after the All Manipur Students Union, Manipuri Students Federation and Kangleipak Students Association launched a class boycott campaign since September 9. Today’s meeting also came a day after the three student bodies strongly opposed the announcement by college authorities that student union elections would be held on November 25. A statement issued jointly by the student bodies yesterday termed the announcement of the elections as an act of defiance of the ongoing class boycott agitation. The private schools are worried that they could not hold the minimum classes fixed by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur and Council of Higher Secondary Schools. For high school leaving examination it is 160 days while for secondary schools it is 180 days. But so far the schools could conduct classes for about 90 days. Usually both the public examinations are held in March. Another worry is that as tuition fees could not be collected from the students in the past three months the schools are finding it tough paying monthly salaries to the teachers and other non-teaching staff. “The class boycott only makes the students, private schools and school van services suffer. It is time to end the class boycott and normalise the academic scene,” L. Rameshchandra Singh, principal of Emmanuel English School in Imphal East, said. All the speakers, mostly principals and founders of the private schools, slammed the Okram Ibobi Singh government for not delivering justice in the July 23 firing case and also called for an amicable settlement between the agitators and the government. The principals also opposed the government’s move to provide armed security to the schools, arguing that this could compound the problems. “The schools may be targeted and the school vans could be attacked. In such a situation, the chances are that the young students would fall victims. So without an amicable settlement normal classes could not be held,” a teacher said.

MPSC win hockey league title

Imphal, November 15 2009: Manipur Police Sports Club (MPSC) trounced Cosmo, Wangkhei 14-1 to emerge as the champion team of the 3rd Manipur Hockey League at Khuman Lampak Hockey stadium today.

The Police side needed and outright win against Cosmo as hockey Union, Lairikyengbam were heading the points table on 16 before the league competition's final match was played this afternoon.

MPSC not only defeated Cosmo by the huge margin but eventually pipped HU to the title by a single point at 17.P Adeva sounded the Cosmo board five times to take his league tally to 25 and eventually bag the highest scorer award.

Two goals each from Th Birjit, P Priyokumar and S Rabi and one apiece by N Gunamani, Bikram and N Babumacha put the match beyond the Wangkhei side for whom Sh Kash scored the face saver.

Kh Renel Singh of HU was adjudged the best player of the competition.

Large cache of arms found in Manipur

Imphal, Nov 15 A large cache of arms and ammunition have been found during a search operation in Thoubal district of Manipur, police said today.

The weapons seized included bombs, 1200 ammunition of M 16 rifle, 2500 ammunition of AK 56 rifle, three wireless sets besides other weapons.

Following a report that some militants were planning to ambush security personnel, a combined team of police commandos and personnel of 26th Assam Rifles battalion launched a manhunt at Arong Nongmaikhong area in Thoubal district yesterday.

Though some militants managed to flee through a nearby lake and thick forests, the securitymen found the arms and ammunition during the search operation, the police said.

Double for Manipur

Hosur: It was a memorable day for the Manipur boys and girls as they finished on top in the epee and foil group events respectively in the 17th National junior fencing championship at the Adhiyamaan Engineering College campus here on Friday.
In the final stand on, the Manipur boys defeated Madhya Pradesh 15-9 for the Epee group title, while the girls edged out Kerala 15-13 for the top slot in the foil group.
The results: Boys: Epee (final): Manipur bt Madhya Pradesh 15-9. Semifinals: Madhya Pradesh bt Tamil Nadu 15-14; Manipur bt Maharashtra 15-11. Girls: Epee (final): Kerala bt Punjab 15-9. Semifinals: Punjab bt Manipur 15-12; Kerala bt Tamil Nadu 15-10. Sabre (final): Punjab bt Kerala 15-11. Semifinals: Kerala bt Maharashtra 15-12; Punjab bt Chandigarh 15-11. Foil (final): Manipur bt Kerala 15-13. Semifinals: Kerala bt Punjab 15-8; Manipur bt Chandigarh 15-11.
Final standings: Boys (Epee): 1. Manipur; 2. Madhya Pradesh; 3. Tamil Nadu; 4. Maharashtra. Girls (Epee): 1. Kerala; 2. Punjab; 3. Manipur; 4. Tamil Nadu. Foil: 1. Manipur; 2. Kerala; 3. Punjab; 4. Chandigarh. Sabre: 1. Punjab; 2. Kerala; 3. Maharashtra; 4. Chandigarh.

Jessami land issue settled, village chief wants IRB, VDF in village

IMPHAL, Nov 3 : An amicable settlement has been brought to the controversial issue of the land encroachment at Jessami Village, Ukhrul district, by Nagaland Armed Police, NAP, said the chairman of the Jessami Village Council.

Informing this during a press conference today at the Manipur Press Club, the village chairman, Kanmi Wezah, said that an understanding has been reached at a village to village level.

However there are still some instances of intimidations from village guards of a nearby Nagaland village, he said.

Further he revealed that the rest house which was taken over briefly by the NAP has again been occupied by 111 BSF.

Besides this a unit of the IRB was also posted at the Jessami village and attached to the Jessami Police station he added.

While lauding the effort of the government, and the prompt actions it took up, the chairman also appealed to the concerned government authorities to station the IRB unit there permanently viewing the ceaselessly sensitive situation which arise frequently in the border village and also in the interest of whole of Manipur.

Further while highlighting the hardship faced by the people of the Jessami village in terms of health, communication and issue of encroachment etc, the chairman revealed that Jessami village which is 116 km from Ukhrul and 200 km from the state capital has been doing without the service of even a single doctor.

Village are compel to travel long distance for treatment he said urging further the conversion of the village PHSC to PHC level with the posting of full strength of doctors and staff.

With regards to the sensitive border issue he also appealed to the concerned authorities to make the SDO and SDPO offices at the village functional.

He also hoped the village stands to gain from the recently held recruitment rally of Village Defence Force in which 59 persons of the village took part.

In connection with this issue the chairman also drew the attention of the chief minsiter through a memorandum submitted to his office calling for stationing of Village Guards at Jessami, to ward off frequent harassments and intimidations by the neighbouring villages in Nagaland.

He said these intimidations include threats to kill the villagers of Jessami while they were working in the field, shots fired at the village while constructing irrigation canal at Thetsii wet paddy field etc.

Inpui students also oppose class boycott

Imphal, October 24 : After some student organisations have raised their voices against the closure of educational institutions in Manipur, particularly in the valley by the All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) and Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA), another student body has also come out openly against the class boycott.

The Inpui (Kabui) Students' Union has said that though the Union is very much against the killings and also opposes such incidents of fake encounter, the closure of educational institutions as a mark of protest is not the right step.

The Inpui students' body said that the closure of the educational institutions has caused irreparable loss to the student community.

The students' body then said that hampering the academic career of the students is not only the means to achieve the peoples' demands.

The Inpui students expressed concern for the class X and class XII students who would be facing Board and Council examinations soon.

The Inpui students' body appealed to AMSU, KSA and MSF to resort to other democratic means of agitation, and leave the students alone.

It is pertinent to note that All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) will be convening a public meeting in connection with the class-boycott issue on October 24 at Adimjati Campus in Imphal while the Democratic Students' Alliance, Manipur (DESAM) has convened a similar meeting on November 2 on the same issue.

Curfew after clash in Manipur

Imphal, Oct. 23: Indefinite curfew has been imposed at Kwakta and its surrounding villages in Bishnupur district after a skirmish between a man and a woman at a local fish farm yesterday snowballed and threatened to explode into a communal clash.

Md Salim from Kwakta had allegedly misbehaved with 18-year-old Th. Hema from Moirang Santhong at a fish farm last evening.

When Hema returned home and reported the matter to her family, a group from Santhong took Salim to their village club and allegedly beat him up.

As news of Salim’s assault reached Kwakta, hundreds of villagers, armed with axes, sticks and stones descended on Santhong, damaged the club, and rescued him.

The mob also dragged away Hema’s elder brother, Th. Shyamkishore Singh, along with them.

As the situation threatened to get out of hand, a police team rushed to the area and fired several rounds in the air, ordering the warring groups to return home.

Curfew was imposed around 8pm to prevent further clashes.

Around 10pm, the police recovered a badly wounded Shyamkishore Singh, who was lying unconscious near a cremation ground in Kwakta.

He was taken to an Imphal hospital, where his condition is stated to be serious.

“Thousands of residents of Kwakta stormed Santhong club and took me to their village. I was blindfolded and beaten up. I lost consciousness. I believe they threw me away thinking that I was dead. I was lucky,” Shyamkishore Singh said from his hospital bed today.

Villagers of Santhong are now demanding that Salim and those involved in the assault be punished.

A large number of armed police personnel were deployed at Kwakta and the neighbouring village today.

No one ventured out because of the curfew, but the situation remained tense.

The local MLA from the ruling Congress, M. Prithviraj Singh, and CPI member N. Mangi Singh, representing the neighbouring constituency of Kumbi, today visited the two villages and tried to defuse the tension.

Mob torches house of suspected Manipur rapist

KEIRAO - Irate mob burnt down the house of a person suspected of raping and murdering an 18-year-old woman, in Manipur’s Keirao District.

The victim Okram Tamphasana, wife of Chinglensana alias Naocha was found murdered inside a paddy field at Keirou Langthrei Loukon on October 20.
Her body is reported to have been recovered with visible symptoms of rape and several injury marks from a blunt weapon on her head.
Angry residents after getting to know that the suspected murderer was absconding burnt down his house.
“Culprit won’t be spared easily. We have burnt down his house because he had raped a girl and afterwards brutally killed her,” said Kamala Devi, a resident.
They say they will outcast the family.
The agitated mob stopped only when the fire tenders and the local policemen arrived at the spot.
“We are here to give protection to the people. As mob has already gathered, we need to take up necessary precautions so that the violence doesn’t spread further,” said S. Lalmohon Singh, sub-fire officer.

Manipur house torched

Imphal, Oct. 22: Angry residents of Keirao and its neighbouring villages in Imphal East today torched the house of a suspected “rapist-murderer” after a search this morning failed to locate the person.

Hundreds of residents from five villages around Keirao set the empty house of Pukhram Momba Singh on fire this afternoon after dismantling a portion of it and destroying household articles.

Momba Singh, a resident of Keirao Bitra Mayai Leikai, is suspected to have raped and murdered his sister-in-law, 18-year-old Okram Tamphasana Devi on Tuesday.

Tamphasana Devi’s body, stripped to her lower garments, was recovered from a drain in Keirao area that morning. Police recovered a piece of cloth belonging to the victim and a blood-stained trouser of the accused from his house the same day.

Another mob lynched a suspect, Moirangthem Tiken, in the rape-cum-murder case of another woman, Sapam Memton Chanu, 35, this evening. Chanu’s body was found near Pukhao Khabam in Imphal East yesterday.

Housewife’s body found in Manipur

Imphal, Oct. 21 : The battered body of a young housewife, stripped to her lower undergarments, was found alongside a drain near a paddy field in Imphal East this morning.

Okram Tamphasana Devi, 18, a resident of Serou in Thoubal district, went missing after she left an Imphal court with her brother-in-law, Pukhrambam Momba Singh, yesterday.

When her body was found, her torso looked untouched — though she had injury marks on her face — but the garment covering her lower body was missing. Police later found her phanek, a traditional skirt-like garment, lying a little away from her body. A blood-stained stone was also found near the spot.

From the manner in which the body was found, the police suspect the woman was raped before being beaten to death, probably by Momba Singh.

“Only a post-mortem report can confirm the rape ,” a police official who inspected the body said.

Momba Singh is the husband of Bimuta Devi, younger sister of Tamphasana’s husband, Okram Chinglensana.

Chinglensana in now in jail, having been arrested about three months back on charges of having links with militants.

Okram Indrani Devi, Tamphasana’s mother-in-law, had arrived in Imphal only yesterday.

Indrani Devi today said she, with Tamphasana and Momba Singh, had gone to an Imphal court in connection with her son’s case yesterday.

While she stayed back at the court to talk to their lawyer, Momba Singh and Tamphasana left for his house. Since then the two were missing until Tamphasana’s body was recovered this morning.

A police team visited the suspect’s house in Imphal today looking for Momba Singh but he could not be traced. Though the police have not disclosed any further detail, a source said the police had recovered some material evidence from Momba Singh’s house.

“We have made some progress in the investigation. We are looking for the brother-in-law for questioning. He is absconding,” a police source said.

‘Boy killer’ shot dead in Manipur

Imphal, Oct. 19: Unidentified assailants shot dead a youth in the Kumbi area of Bishnupur district last night within hours of a nursery student being strangulated to death, allegedly by the slain youth.

The Uripok area in Imphal East district also erupted in anger today after a girl was injured by bullets fired by unidentified persons last night.

Police said trouble broke out after Soram Prabhakaran, 7, the son of a local businessman in Kumbi Bazar, went missing since 1pm yesterday. After five hours, his body was recovered from a bamboo grove, 1km from the market. The boy’s gold earrings and a silver necklace were found missing.

As the residents were holding a meeting in the market at night, they came to know that some people had caught hold of Pukhrambam Mangoljao Singh, 22, suspected to have killed Soram. They rushed to his house at Kangjeibung Mapal on the outskirts of the market.

When they reached there, some unidentified persons dragged Mangoljao away and later shot him dead.

His body was found this morning at Khordak Thongkhong, about 10km from his house.

The police found a note that read: “I am responsible for the murder of the boy. I have accepted the punishment meted out to me.”

In Uripok, the residents today staged a sit-in to protest the firing in the locality at 10.30 pm in which Yurembi Princi, 13, sustained bullet wounds in her left thigh.

Imphal PO re-opens passport counter

Imphal, October 20 : The Imphal Head Post Office has re-opened the facility of making passports.

Now, application forms for passports can be obtained and submitted to the office.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Postal Director Som Kamei said that application forms for passports have been made available at Imphal Head Post Office at the suggestion of senior citizens after communication with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Moreover, the Post Office has also started issuing passports after tying up with the regional passport office of Guwahati.

The same made available since last month, however, does not encompass provision for passport renewal.

"There are certain technical problems to add the facility renewal here", Som Kamei said.

Claiming that Manipur is the first state in the entire North East to distribute NREGS wages through post offices, Som Kamei asserted that it would be wrong to presume that post offices would not be able to handle NREGS wages even before opening accounts.

"There is no objection in opening accounts in the 53 sub-offices and 644 branch offices of Postal Department located in Manipur", he said.

The Postal Director assured that all necessary measures would be taken up.

"If there is shortage of staff or security concerns, the same would be addressed", he added.

So far the number of accounts opened in Post Office specifically for NREGS is 5219 for Bishnupur district, 4793 for Chandel, 4083 for Churachandpur, 34,097 for Imphal East, 50,299 for Imphal West, 4399 for Senapati, 92 for Tamenglong, 62,208 for Thoubal and 400 for Ukhrul district.

Till date, Post Office has distributed more than Rs 12 crores to NREGS job card holders, Som Kamei said.

Claiming that a new initiative named Project Arrow has been envisaged with a view to provide world class postal service at Imphal head office, Som Kamei said that the project would be activated in the last week of November or the first week of December.

Moreover, Imphal Head Post Office would have direct link with the Head Post Office of New Delhi.

It is reported that Project Arrow might be launched by Union Minister of State for Communications Sachin Pilot at Imphal.

Restive Manipur in a state of utter disarray

Imphal | October 18 : Manipur has not had time for development. Each day is spent witnessing some  sort of pandemonium. Things are in a state of utter disarray and this is visible in Imphal where not a day passes without some form of protest or another. Those observing the bizarre politics of Manipur from outside as well as inside cannot but wonder at the indifference and nonchalance of the government to the burning issues facing the state. The state government is as adamant in carrying out its stupefying agenda as the protestors are in coming out to the streets. Judging from the number of protests against the government and the effigies of the chief minister that are burnt at regular intervals, O Ibobi Singh seems to have alienated every right thinking citizen in the state. So who is the government of Manipur representing?
Though Manipur’s descent into chaos started some decades ago, things have only got worse with the death of Ch. Sanjit Singh, a reformed former militant, and Th. Rabina, a young pregnant mother, in an alleged fake encounter, which happened to be captured frame by frame by a local photographer and whose photos were published in the Delhi based weekly magazine Tehelka. Ibobi Singh now has blood in his hands, being the chief minister of Manipur leading the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government, holding the portfolio of the state home minister as well.
Having presided over the government of Manipur for five years and being re-elected for the second term, Ibobi Singh is now in his eighth year as the chief minister of Manipur. In these eight years, violence has escalated and fake encounters have become the order of the day, though none of them were captured in pictures as unequivocally as in the case of Ch. Sanjit at B.T. Road, Imphal on July 23, 2009.
Manipur today has been described as a “failed” state by academicians and theorists of democratic politics. It is difficult to think of other adjectives to describe a state where even school students are out of their classrooms and on the streets protesting against gross violations of human rights by both state and non-state actors, and who are at present deprived of attending their classes due to “class boycott” imposed on educational institutions by three prominent students organisations in the state as part of the intensification of agitation protesting the July 23 incident.
In recent times, the state, whether represented by the state or the central security forces, has been ruthless in its attempt to short-circuit militant activities. The methods adopted by the security forces, such as fake encounters, are considered by many to be self-defeating, as it is felt that using more violence to scale down violence only has a detrimental effect.
Although the present agitation spearheaded by the Apunba Lup, a conglomeration of civil society organizations in Manipur, protesting the July 23 killings is considered by many people to be justified, the sad part of the agitation is that it seems to have created a “divide” between the protagonists of the agitation and some sections of the society, which does not envisages good tidings for the society as a whole. One hopes and prays that better sense will prevail and a quick end to the present imbroglio is worked out by all concerned.

Can peace prevail in Manipur?

Why not was the answer from a Manger of the lead bank of Manipur in a discussion on Aug. 1st recently. I had a chance to lodge a complaint for blurred and indelible account statement in my bank pass books updated by the computer operator of the Bank, to their Manager briefing him that I am a regular customer of their Bank but my genuine grievances could not be solved by the Bank.
The Manager showed anguish and expressed that no expert computer experts of their defective computers inspite of several reminders sent to their Head Office in N.E. state. Then I raised another suggestion why can’t you engage local experts. What he replied, there no local experts for quality repairing. Moreover he reiterated that he is fed up to work in Manipur where their is no work culture among the employees and in the existing environment of Manipur.
When enquired about his whereabouts, the reply was he hails from N.E. state. When I suggested why not N.E. states (8) form a region where all the people can lead a viable and peaceful life. He agreed to my proposal, he further reiterated, of course, who will bell the cat? The underground organizations are growing like mushroom in the N.E. areas, more so Manipur has an alarming nos. Assam has ULFA / BODO, Tripura- T.P.D.F, M.P.L.F Manipur with another 29 such organizations, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalay, Arunachal but Sikim is peaceful. How can they meet and found out a solution with varied aim and object, varied interest and without people’s support, the Manager expressed. He further continued that for bringing development and peace in N.E. states other than Manipur, the underground organizations started realizing people’s mind and opinion, which are expressed openly at every nook and corner like meeting place, group discussions, seminars, social functions / festivals etc.
Lastly, I expressed that People’s movement would be the need of the hour in N.E.S. particularly in Manipur with the aim of achieving ‘Green Revolution’ (not insurgency Revolution) through work culture which could bring a peaceful life for all half- hearted and Psychologically suffered Manipuris.

Drug protest rocks RIMS

300 stockists stage sit-in

Members of the Manipur Chemists and Druggists Association stage a demonstration on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections Imphal, Oct. 17 : Three hundred medicine storeowners today staged a sit-in in front of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences demanding closure of two stores opened on the hospital campus two months ago, fearing monopoly of drugs sale in the area. The medical superintendent of the institute, Y. Mohen Singh, however, said the demand was unreasonable and there was no question of closing the two stores on the campus. The institute opened two medicine stores two months’ ago after inviting tenders to “facilitate” patients in procuring medicine easily and at “subsidised rates”. Mohen said anybody buying medicines from these two stores are getting a 10 per cent discount. There is a 12 per cent discount for people with below poverty line cards and 15 per cent discount for cancer patients. Besides, buying medicines from these shops also saves valuable time. “We are taking minimal rent from the two stores. Our objective is to make medicine available easily and at discounted rates. The institute does not get any benefit from opening the two counters. It is purely for the benefit of the patients. If the patients say they do not want medicines on discounts, we will be happy to close the two stores,” Mohen said. The Manipur Chemists and Druggists Association charged that opening the two stores on the hospital campus was an attempt to monopolise the medicine business by RIMS in the garb of discounts. The standoff reached a flashpoint today when all the stockists in the state cut off supplies to the two medicine stores. They are now procuring medicines from outside the state.

Manipur lightning bandh on Monday

Imphal | October 17 : A “chakka bandh” has been called from 6 am to 6 pm on October 19 in Manipur by the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) to press the government of Manipur to announce the date of Autonomous District Council elections forthwith. This decision was unanimously resolved by district representatives of IDF at a meeting held on Friday in Imphal.
Speaking to Newmai News Network, the president of IDF Ngachomi Chamroy said all the hill districts will resort to different forms of agitations indefinitely after the “chakka bandh” till the demand is fulfilled. “This is a democratic fight to the finish,” the IDF president said. For the past 20 years, the government of Manipur have been saying that elections to ADC is going to be held, the last announcement being April 18, 2008 as the election date announced by the chief minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh, said Chamroy.
It is not surprising that the ADC election has not been held even now, stated the president of IDF, adding that the government cannot ‘fool all the people all of the time.’ Continuing his assault on the delay-tactics of the government in holding the ADC election, Ngachomi Chamroy asserted that many people have been convinced by the government that the ADC election will happen now automatically.
The alibi given a month earlier to the centre by the government of Manipur for not announcing the date of the ADC election was the delimitation process being incomplete; now that the delimitation process is complete, what is stopping the government of Manipur from announcing the date of ADC election, he queried. A memorandum has also been submitted to the chief minister of Manipur today demanding announcement of the date of the ADC elections immediately.

An interview with Sitara Begum -- a shining star for Muslim women in Manipur

By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,

Sitara Begum hails from Porompat area in Imphal, Manipur. A renowned social activist in the state and presently head of the NGO United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation. Begum did B.A. in 1980 at the age of 26 and became the second female graduate among Muslims in Manipur. Her contribution to the uplift of Manipuri Muslim women is astounding. Her own life is a piece of inspiration for thousands of Muslim women in the state who were denied basic rights in the name of religion. In an interview with Anjuman Ara Begum of TwoCircles.net, Sitara Begum talked about her life and work.

Tell me about your family

My father was Late Abdul Wahab and mother Late Sona Hambi. We were 10 siblings - 7 brothers and 3 sisters. I am 6th child of my parent. I am married and have four children - two daughters and two sons.

How did you start working for the society?

I used to take all kids of my area to school when I was only 6 years old. Villagers liked me a lot for this. I was famous. I was born in 1961. I was only 14-years-old when I got married. At that time I had just passed class 10th. I had no knowledge and my level of understanding was very low. I had given birth to five children when I turned 20. Then one day I became nearly hysterical thinking that I need to do something. I cannot live a life like this. I went to the doctor and did sterilization. I took admission in class 11th and completed my B.A. in 1980 at the age of 26. I became the second female graduate among Muslims in Manipur. I was the first woman to sing song in radio. In school I had a group of 10 girls and we were very active though there were restrictions from the family and community. I loved reading books.

Then?

I helped about 300 women to sterilization. I opened a school at my own house and started to educate adult females of my community.

Did you face resistance for such work?

Yes. People laughed at me as I was teaching housewives and elderly women. People made fun of me. But it did not stop me. Now I want that Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme should start in my area. I went to CM's office and got the order yesterday (October 3, 2009).

Were your students happy?

Yes. They were very happy. Many women could count their money and read letters and newspapers.

How long you taught like this?

This school continued for 6 months. Then I established an organization called United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation. I don't get fund for my organization. I never run after funds. I want to empower women of all communities. Today people recognize me as a Muslim woman from Manipur. People recognize me and my contribution. I have traveled all over India and talked about my community. People from all over the world came and visited my hut and talked to me. This is my satisfaction. There is power in unity and fun in working together. I want to see all our communities get united.

What is the main work of your organization?

We are giving vocational training in tailoring and other similar works. After training they go back and work in their localities. We run schools for housewives. Also, we conduct awareness campaigns on domestic violence and violence against women in general.

What is the population of your area?

About 30 thousand people live in Porompat area. Muslims, Nagas, Meitei all are here.

What is the main occupation of the people here?

Mainly agriculture, many others are daily wagers.

What about the education level?

It's very low. Very few graduates are here. And educated women are very less. Only 7 women are graduates here.

What do you think about the Muslim insurgency in Manipur?

In 1993, a fight between Meitei Muslims and Meiteis took place and unfortunately, I think, that gave birth to Muslim insurgency. And later we came to know that some Muslims groups are active here. Situation is quite tense here. Everyday newspapers are flooded with the news of killings. Peoples are afraid to come out. Many people don't have TV. So they don't know what's happening outside. We conduct door to door awareness campaign for women to be aware of the existing situation.

What is the solution to insurgency here?

I don't believe that killing will solve the problem. We need to have peace dialogue. We need to stop fake encounter killings. The struggle will go on.

What about the fear level in people's mind?

We don't go out after 7 pm. There is wide spread extortion. People are afraid to come out.

How do you view Manipur in 10 years now?

I think in ten years from now, the problem of insurgency will be solved. Otherwise there will be civil war.

(Sitara Begum can be contacted on 09856116315 or at her home in Hafiz Hatta, Minuthong, Imphal)

Five militants killed in Manipur shootout

IMPHAL - Five separatist guerrillas were killed and a police commando injured in a gun battle between the militants and security personnel in Manipur, an official said Sunday.

A police spokesperson said the shootout took place late Saturday at Leimaram village, about 30 km south of Imphal, between militants of the outlawed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and a joint team of army soldiers and police commandos.

“The militants fired at the security patrol and in retaliatory attacks, five KYKL militants were gunned down. A police commando was also injured in the encounter,” a police official said requesting anonymity.

A large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants.

The KYKL is fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in Manipur, a state of 2.4 million people bordering Myanmar.

More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Manipur during the past two decades.

Manipur Rifles unit takes lead in green earth campaign

Imphal, October 5 : Notwithstanding their heavy schedule in the maintenance of law and order in the State, comparatively peaceful atmosphere prevalent in Tamenglong district is being showcased by the number of cherry trees nurtured along the curvy highway stretch that leads to the district headquarters.

Thanks of relative peace in the district security forces, particularly personnel of the 5th Manipur rifles battalion had been able to contribute their mite in the protection of the environment through tree plantation activities.

Under the aegis of the battalion's Commanding Officer KC Lokho the mR personnel had embarked on the noble mission to protect the environment and begun cherry tree plantation activities since 1995 and the result is being reaped today as weary travellers on this accident-prone road could atleast stop to not only get engrossed in the beauty of the surrounding but also realise that gun-totting security personnel also have a humane heart and cares for the nature.

Cherry trees planted, groomed and protected by the 5th MR personnel adding serenity to the Tamenglong-Khongsang road

Beginning from Khongsang village the entire roadside upto Tamenglong district headquarters is being dotted with cherry trees.

Even though the serene atmosphere in Tamenglong district sometimes get shattered when gun-fights break out, mostly inter-factional showdowns, the district is today among the most peaceful zone in Manipur even since the Central Government signed ceasefire with the Naga rebel group the NSCN (IM).

It is informed that the cherry tree plantation programme began with over 1000 saplings brought from Mao sub-division of Senapati district.

Initially, the vision of the MR unit's CO to beautify parts of Tamenglong district as supplementary contribution to the global initiative of retaining the earth's green cover seems headed for disaster as there was hardly any assistance from the locals.

Apart from villagers that reside along the route uprooting newly planted saplings to plant them at their own places, stray cattles used to trample them thereby leading to premature withering of the cherry trees.

Undeterred by such setbacks, the MR personnel stubbornly persisted with their non-combat task and went on replenishing the damaged section and ultimately succeeded in their mission that today villagers prefer to rest under the cherry trees and appreciate its beauty.

Cherry flowers are said to blossom in November and the rows of plantation along Tamenglong-Khongjarol are on the verge to blossom.

Preferring to stay aloof from the media limelight inspite of his personal contribution to the cherry tree plantation endeavour the 5th MR CO cut short a recent attempt by this reporter to extract comment from KC Lokho who only muttered that the plantation activities began about 15 years back.

Despite the CO's reluctance to be drawn into the chat, some battalion personnel conveyed that on a regular basis teams of MR personnel are despatched for nurturing and protection of the cherry trees by plucking weeds and clearing overgrowths thereby also able to present a clean look of the surroundings.

When the assigned task is not so arduous or little tending is required the personnel's service are utilised in mending potholes along the highway stretch, they informed.

Expressing that there had been appreciative remarks from travellers upon witnessing beauty of the area, the MR personnel humbly commented that they could atleast extend some contribution in not only retaining the district's green foliage but could also chip in controlling soil erosion.

While most of the battalion campus had been covered with fully grown cherry trees, it is said that the CO has plans to spread the cherry tree plantation programme on an even wider scale in the district.

Students agitators reject CM`s call for end to class boycott

IMPHAL, Oct 1: The three students bodies AMSU, MSF and KSA which have been spearheading the current class-boycott stir have rejected chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh`s appeal for ending their agitation.

After a long silence, the chief minister made an appeal to the three students bodies to end their stir while speaking at the closing function of the Schools Meet yesterday.

In a joint statement, the students bodies said the chief minister`s appeal has no meaning as people`s appeal for his resignation on moral ground has not been met. The students` bodies will consider the appeal only after Ibobi has resigned and punishments have been awarded to commandos involved in the Khwairamband killing.

It said by giving misleading information to the Central leaders that the current agitation in Manipur is instigation by underground elements, the chief minister is trying to save his position. His efforts are proving to be fruitless and it is like fetching water in a hollow pot, the statement said.

Reacting to chief minister`s reported statement regarding distribution of live bullets to heads of some schools, the students bodies said it was Ibobi`s drama to malign the image of the students bodies and a ploy to paint the current movement as one instigation by militants.

The three students bodies also warned of stern action against five schools which defied the class-boycott agitation.

The schools are RUDA Academy, Thoubal Wangma Taba, Peace and Freedom Academy, Thoubal Haokha, Briliant Academy, Thoubal Mela ground, KM Blooming school, Khangabok and Anandpurna School, Thoubal Tumjing Makhong.

Asking the authorities of all the five schools to explain in writings for opposing the peoples` movement and defying class-boycott stir within October 5, the students bodies warn of taking up stern action as announced earlier.

The students bodies however assured to relax its stance if the school authorities clarified through media about their wrong deeds and stop resuming classes.

Nine held in connection with bomb case

Imphal, Sept 27 (PTI) Nine persons have so far been arrested in connection with the September 18 incident in which some unidentified persons kept a car-bomb at Manipur Raj Bhavan complex, officials said today.

They said all the nine were being interrogated.

On September 18, some unknown persons, who came on the pretext of submitting a memorandum to Governor Gurbachan Jagan, left a car laden with 25 kgs of explosives and three hand grenades, they said.

The explosives were later defused by bomb experts of Manipur police.

Militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council had earlier claimed that they had kept the explosives and added that it could hit any VIP area in the state at their will.

Govt begins major revamping of its counter insurgency organs on MHA model

IMPHAL, Sept 26: In what is an obvious statement of intent of the manner the state government plans to conduct its counter insurgency campaign, the government has begun the process of revamping its police along a model recomemded recently by the Ministry of Home Affairs, MHA, Government of India.

The move had been given the green signal by the state Cabinet on September 1.

According to a highly placed official source from the state Home departrment, state the government while taking up measures for the strengthening of the state police force, is paying special priorities to strengthening the state intelligence department.

As the logical next step, the government approved the appointment of 252 additional posts for CID, Special Branch (SB) including one SP, 4 DSPs, one SO, 38 Inspectors, 77 Sub-inspectors, 25 Assistance Sub-inspectors, 29 Head Constable, 76 Constables, 2 UDA, one LDC, and one Sweeper.

Further the state gogverment has initiated the process for the raising an additional strength of 3100 Village Defence Force (VDF) after reviewing the requirement of various districts and sub-divisions.

Total of 300 VDF are approved for the recuritment for Jiribam sub-division of Imphal East district another 300 for Tamenglong, 200 each for Sadar Hills areas, Senapati district and Chandel districts, 300 each for Imphal West, Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, 400 each for Imphal East and Thoubal districts.

Further, state government in order to meet the additional pressure on training facilities for the new recruits, has also approved the upgradation of the existing Manipu Police Training School Pangei to the status of full fledged Training College and opening of subsidiary training centre at Jiribam sub-division by creating 389 additional posts including on Joint Director at the rank of IGP, three deputy directors at the ranks of DIGs, six assistant director at the rank of SPs/Cos, 23 Subedars, 21 Jamandars, 71 Havildars, 267 Rilfe men, 31 followers, one Medical Officer, one Pharmacist, one nurse, one carrier, one stenographer, one head clerk, two UDC, three LDCs and also approved up the additional posts of 227 of Rilfe men in the ongoing recruitment process the official source added.

Further the governmnet has approved the opening of 11 new police stations at the vulnerable areas of both valley and hill districts of the state, which includes police stations at Yaingangpokpi, Maphou Dam, Boro Bekra at Jiribam sub-division, Heirok, Khongjom, Hiyanglam, Wangoo and New Keithel Manbi, Arong Nongmaikhong, Keibul Lamjao and Phoubakchao.

In order to meet the required strength of the new approved police stations state government also approved for the creation of posts 44 Inspectors, 55 sub-inspectors, 44 Head Constables, 451 constables, 33 drivers, the official source added.

On the other hand, even though the state government has begun the process of the heavy intake of fresh recruits into its police fore it is still unable to the announced the result of the recruitment tests for the different ranks in police department which was conducted more than seven months ago.

This has given ample reason for candidates that bribes may ultimately be the criterion for the induction into the state forces.

Rescheduled hearing on PDS concludes

IMPHAL, Sept 27 : The public hearing conducted by a Central Vigilance Commitee team on PDS participated by consumers card holders representatives of FPS dealers association, NGOs (women self help group), transporters, etc which was rescheduled today was concluded this afternoon at Hotel Imphal.

It may be mention that the public hearing was scheduled for yesterday at Manipur State Guest House in the evening but due public protests alleging that the committee deliberately held the hearing in the evening in order to conclude the hearing without any substantive issues regarding the Public Distribution System (PDS) raised, it had to be rescheduled for today.

However, despite the acrimony yesterday the attendance today was aparse with only some people from Churachanpur, Bishnupur, and Imphal East and West districts attending.

Briefing media the Chairman of Central Vigilance Committee D.P. Wadhwa said that the committee has been examining all the reports which were submitted to the committee.

He said a lot of people said that there is always shortage in PDS products reaching the people.

He said in order to ensure performance the committee is going to take all the reports and submit it to the Central government. Those found derelicting thier responsibilities would be awarded punishment as per the directive of the Supreme Court.

The Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA) of churanchanpur mentioned that since 2006, the ZEPADA and other Churachandpur-civil societies have been relentlessly trying to improve PDS and in this connection, different forms of protest were held including a "mass empty-Pot rally against malfunctioning of PDS in Churachandpur".

Numerous representation have been made to appropriate authorities and because of its campaign the PDS has improved to some extent but the satisfactory performance is a distant dream still, they said.

Development agencies however maintained that allocation for Churachandpur district is only 5430.30 quintals of food grain, 182 KL of kerosene and 957 quintals of sugar and as per record available with the district FCS department, 9678 BPL families and 5836 AAY card holders are enlisted as PDS beneficiaries which are only 22.75 percent abd 13.71 percent respectively of 42538 households in the district and the district monthly allocation of sugar is only 2 kgs per family.

The agency also suggested the committee that additional allocation of food grain needs to be made for Churachanpur District and to fresh BPL census need to be conducted immediately in order to include all deserving landless tribals residing in the hilly terrain under BPL category which will ensure food security.

Later, the Chairman of the committee gave assurance to the development agency to inquire about the issue by submitting the report to the central government and take necessary action against the agencies and other concern authorities.

The Central Vigilance Committee on Public Distribution System members head by Justice D.P. Wadhwa arrived Imphal yesterday in order to study targeted PDS in Manipur.

Manipur villagers return home

Imphal, Sept. 25: Residents of Chingnungkok, a Meitei village in Manipur’s Imphal East district, returned to their homes today after a meeting with the neighbouring Tangkhul Naga village of Happy Land where they decided to maintain peace in the area and defend themselves from armed groups unitedly. The Chingnungkok villagers had fled their homes yesterday after suspected activists of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council), a militant organisation having a majority of Meitei cadres, abducted two Naga villagers from Happy Land and killed them on Wednesday night.

The bodies of N.K. Jayson, 33, a clerk in the village church, and S. Vencher, 36, a member of the village authority, were found on the road connecting Happy Land and Chingnungkok yesterday.

Amid mounting tension, residents of the two villages held a meeting at Happy Land this morning.

“We held a meeting and agreed to maintain peace in our villages. The situation is now better and Chingnungkok villagers have returned home,” N.K. Ninghor, the secretary of Happy Land Joint Action Committee, said.

Villagers of Happy Land, who were outraged by the attack on Wednesday night, were pacified today after chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh assured a delegation of the Happy Land Joint Action Committee that security would be provided to the villagers.

The delegation submitted a charter of demands to the chief minister. “Had the police or security personnel taken timely measures in the area, the unfortunate incident of kidnapping and killing of two persons and torching of the house of the village chief would not have taken place,” the memorandum stated.

The delegation demanded Rs 10 lakh each as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased villagers and a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the chief’s torched kitchen. It has set a deadline of September 27.

“The chief minister assured us that our demands would be considered and fulfilled,” Ninghor said.The villagers of Happy Land received the bodies of Jayson and Vencher from the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences after the chief minister’s assurance.

Five more persons have been arrested in connection with the planting of a car bomb inside the Raj Bhavan in Imphal on September 18, says our correspondent.

“We have arrested five more persons and are questioning them,” Imphal West senior SP L. Kailun said.

With this the total number of persons arrested has gone up to nine.

The five arrested yesterday were identified as Kh. Jiten, Ch. Laingam, Kh. Naba, R.K. Ingocha and S. Sanayaima.

They were produced before the judicial magistrate, first class, Shantibala Devi, this afternoon and remanded in police custody till October 3. The other four are also in police custody.

The KCP (MC) had claimed to be behind the parking of the Maruti 800, with 25kg explosives hidden under its cushion cover, in the parking lot of the Raj Bhavan.

The focus of the investigation now is to find out the real owner of the car and the two mobile phones fitted to the improvised explosive device in the car.
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PDS public hearing adjurned amidst heated protests

Imphal, Sept 26 : A Public Hearing with consumers (card holders), representatives of FDS dealers association, NGOs (Women Self Help Group), transporters and etc which was organized by Central Vigilance Committee on Public Distribution System (PDS) today at Manipur State Guest House concluded somewhat on a pessimistic note.

The audience publicly charged the committee of intentionally holding the hearing in the evening so that the people did not have the time to come up with substantive questions regarding the PDS.

They alleged that the organisers would certainly be aware that people residing in the far flung areas would have difficulty travelling in the evening.

The concern however was put at rest with the committee agreeing to make amends by rescheduling the same hearing tomorrow morning at Hotel Imphal in the interest of people.

Earlier denying the allegation of deliberate manipulation of time, Committee Chairman Justice D.P. Wadhwa said that it was not intentional. He said the committee does not have any hidden agenda in its present campaign.

It may be recalled, the committee is headed by Justice D.P. Wadhwa, as chairman, Dayan Krishnan, Head of the Legal Team, Meenakshi Chauhan, Maomi Chandra and Shohit Choudhary, members.

The team is on a visit to the state to study targeted PDS in Manipur. The committee arrived today at Imphal by the afternoon flight and after arriving at the Imphal airport directly proceed to meet with chief secretary, principal secretary, department of FCS and other concerned officers and regional head of FCI at Manipur secretariat, Imphal.

Later they held a public hearing at Manipur State Guest House at Sanjenthong.

The Public hearing was attended by various representatives, presidents of each and every locality of the state and NGOs who come up with several question regarding the irregularities of PDS to the public in their localities in particular and to the entire state in general.

President of Luwang Consumer Club from Imphal East area maintained that the consumers in his locality do not get sufficient rice for a long time and on 19 percent of the commodity was distributed against the stipulated 35 percent each consumer is entitled.

He further noted the locality also does not get the exact amount of kerosene when it was distributed to the people, when 4 litres of Kerosene should be distribute they only get 2 litres.

He also revealed that the club receive around 30 to 40 complaints lodged by the consumers of the locality. He requested the committee to look into the matter and help the people especially those living Below the Poverty Line.

Another woman from Khongjom Sapam Mayai Leikai stressed that it is due to the negligence and weakness of the state government that the people of the state are facing various forms of problems with regard to the PDS.

Such problems have been endemic for a long time. In fact they are today a new tradition of governance.

She said it is the high time the committee did the needful to address these issues earnestly.

Women lead movement against human right violations in Imphal

IMPHAL - Women here took out a torch rally intensifying movement against the human right violations allegedly by security personnel.

Apunba Lup, an umbrella organization of local groups, has been spearheading the agitation demanding removal of state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, and punishment to the involved commandos.

Protesters alleged that police personnel used tear gas shells, rubber bullets, mock bombs, batons and firearms to suppress the mass movement.

“What people want is that if government doesn’t take any action then we will participate in the mass movement led by Apunba Lup ceaselessly. If we don’t support this movement, then all women here would become widows. So, we have to go forward with the movement with courage,” said Ibemhal Devi, a protestor.

The mass movement has intensified since September 22. Several rallies have been conducted in all the districts of the state and effigies are regularly burnt.

Manipur has been on the boil since the killing of a pregnant woman and a suspected militant in a shootout on July 23 near the building of the state legislature in Imphal. Five others were injured in the shootout.

Protestors in the state are demanding stringent action against the police commandos allegedly involved in the shootout, which they have branded as a ‘fake encounter’.

Civil leaders' arrest protested at Delhi

New Delhi, September 25 : Showing their solidarity and support to the people of Manipur in their demand for justice, civil society groups, social activists and other eminent individuals staged a protest demonstration in front of Manipur Bhavan here today.

In the wake of the arrest of environmentalist Jiten Yumnam, who was allegedly tortured by the state police, the demonstrators demanded immediate and unconditional release of all social activists arrested along with him.

Civil society members and human right activists staging a protest at Manipur Bhavan, New Delhi

They also demanded befitting punishment of all police personnel who were responsible for the BT Road killings as well as scrapping of AFSPA.

A memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi was also submitted to Resident Commissioner Shambhu Singh.

The same memorandum would be sent to the Prime Minister with endorsement from civil organisations and other eminent individuals in the day.

The organisations that took part in the demonstration today included National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers (NFFPFW), All India Students Association (AISA), SAHELI, All India Progressive Women's Association, Peoples' Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR), Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Campaign for Peace and Democracy (Manipur), People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and Delhi Solidarity Group (DSG).

The memorandum signed by more than 30 organisations and several other eminent individuals from all over India was also sent to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P Chidambaram.

Referring to the July 23 Khwairamband killings, the memorandum observed that instead of responding to the democratic and legitimate demands of its people for justice and action against guilty police personnel, the State Government led by Okram Ibobi has replied with brute force and imposed curfew in the state, and tried to cover up the story in the State Legislative Assembly.

To the democratic protests of the people for resignation of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and punishment of the guilty police personnel, the Government of Manipur responded with repressive measures like imposition of curfew, violent attacks on the protesters and the arrest of the civil society organisation leaders.

It cited the arrest of several members of the Apunba Lup, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and environmental activist Jiten Yumnam who has been allegedly subjected to third degree torture in police custody.

"The severity of the current crisis in Manipur can be judged by the fact that it is almost impossible to find legal assistance for those arrested in the state today.

The situation is absolutely unacceptable.

There is an urgent need to intervene against the undemocratic and autocratic nature of the Government in Manipur", it pointed out.

Rights panel summons Manipur cops

Imphal, Sept. 24: The Manipur Human Rights Commission today issued summons to two police officers in connection with the July 23 firing that killed Rabina Devi and Ch. Sanjit.

Defying the Okram Ibobi Singh government’s directive to discontinue the inquiry proceedings, the commission issued the summons to the senior superintendent of police, Imphal West, L. Kailun, and the officer-in-charge of the police commando unit of the district, Krishna Tombi Singh, asking them to appear before it on September 29 at its Lamphelpat office.

The state human rights commission took up the case after Rabina’s husband Thokchom Chinglensana lodged a complaint with it.

The government has appointed P.G. Agrawal, a retired judge of Gauhati High Court, to conduct the probe. The judicial commission was set up on August 27.

It will ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident and make recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future.

The rights panel has sought identities and particulars of the policemen who witnessed the incident.

It also directed the director-general of police, Yumnam Joykumar Singh, to submit a copy of the statement given by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on the floor of the Assembly in connection with the firing on the day of the incident.

In a letter dated August 26, the government asked the rights panel to stop its inquiry into the killing of the pregnant woman and the former militant on the ground that a judicial inquiry was in place to find out the circumstances leading to the deaths and injuries to five others on Bir Tikendrajit Road here.

In his statement, Ibobi Singh, who is also the home minister, told the House that indiscriminate firing by Sanjit killed Rabina Devi and wounded five others.

Ibobi Singh said Sanjit had fired at a police frisking party and was killed in retaliatory fire.

The Apunba Lup, a conglomeration of NGOs, has decided not to depose before the judicial commission and called the process a meaningless exercise.

Militants force shutdown in Manipur

SENAPATI - A 48-hour shutdown against the Central Government’s decision to deploy additional forces has crippled life in five hill districts of Manipur.

The shutdown called by the United Naga Council (UNC) is supported by some tribal organisations.

In Senapati district, life came to a grinding halt as shops and other establishments closed in compliance with the shutdown call.

Vehicles remained off the roads and busy market areas wore a deserted look.

Last month, the Manipur Government deployed around 700 India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel and 300 police commandos in some districts of the state to help the local police combat rebels and maintain law and order.

Many residents feel that the presence of security forces would result in clashes with militants in the region. (ANI)

Pineapple queen contest

Imphal, July 21 : As a part of promotional campaign and to harness the talent of young girls of Manipur, the Manipur Pineapple Festival Committee is organising the prestigious Manipur Pineapple Queen Contest on August 21, 2009 at Khousabung DCC Headquarters, Churachandpur, as a part of the forthcoming State Level Manipur Pineapple Festival, 2009, according to a statement issued by the secretary of MPFC.

Aspiring contestants between the ages of 15-25 years may collect contestant forms at any of the counters given: Film Care, Yaiskul, Imphal (9862577217); Machaleima Telecommunication (Boyai PCO), Moirang Lamkhai, 03879-262498; and Songbul News Agency, Thangzam Road, Churachandpur.

The last date of submission of form is August 5, it added.

AFSPA to remain in force in Manipur

Imphal, July 20 (PTI) The controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) would not be withdrawn from Manipur because of continuing militant activities, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said.

Replying to a question in the House, Singh said that although the AFSPA was withdrawn from seven assembly constituencies in Imphal municipal area last year following protests from NGOs, the act would remain in force in all other areas in view of the militant activities.

On steps taken by his government to save the life of social activist Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has gone on a fast unto death demanding withdrawal of the Act, Singh said special facilities, including medical care and security, is being provided to her at the J N Hospital here.

German measles outbreak in Manipur

Satyajit Usham

With confirmed cases in Imphal East district, the state of Manipur is witnessing an outbreak of German measles, for the first time in its history. German measles, a contagious viral disease that is a milder form of measles, lasts three to four days.

FDA Seized of Paracetamol Overdosing
FOR THE first time in its history, the state of Manipur, is witnessing an outbreak of German measles, with confirmed cases in Imphal East district. German measles, a contagious viral disease that is a milder form of measles, lasts three to four days and can damage a foetus during the first trimester.

Dr W Motilal, Director of Health Services, in the Manipur government, said that the State's first-ever outbreak of German measles, had been confirmed in the Khurai Puthiba locality of Imphal East district. The results of nine samples which had been sent to the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) in New Delhi for testing, have returned as positive.

Dr Motilal reported that the laboratory testing for German measles was confirmed on July 16, though the report was received only on Friday (July 17). He added that the test conducted in the Indian Council of Medical Research at Dibrugarh on the urine samples and the throat swabs collected from Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai,following suspected outbreak of measles in first week of last months, have been found to be negative.

Following suspected cases of measles in Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai area in the first week of June, health workers have also screened 832 children in the age group of three to 13 years in the neighbouring Khurai Puthiba Leikai. Out of the 30 children showing signs of fever, samples of nine children had been send to the NICD for testing and all nine samples tested positive for German measles. Taking serious note of the development, the director of health services has written to the State government recommending inclusion of MMR - Measles, Mumps and Rubella in the normal immunisation of children.

According to doctors of the health services, German measles is a milder form of measles that lasts for three to four days. The main symptoms include fever and distinct red spots followed by rashes. The viral infection can be spread through droplets from sneezing and coughing. In the case of a male child, the virus normally attacks the heart, while it may lead to blindness in case of female child. The doctors added that the outbreak of German measles was common during summer season.

MEELAL concerned over 50% mixture of English with Manipuri

Imphal, Jul 20: President of Meetei Erol Eyek Loinashillon Apunba Lup (MEELal), Ngaseppam Yumjao today expressed serious concern over "almost 50% replacement of Manipuri words by English words".

In an exclusive interview, Ngaseppam Yumjao told this newspaper said that the lingua franca of the state, Meeteilon also known as Manipuri has been inccreasingly mixed with English language to the lelvel of almost 50% day by day.

He said, since the parents were interested in sending their children to English medium schools so that they would learn English language, the influence of English language has become deeply rooted in the mindset of the students.

Giving an example, the president of MEELAL said, since the olden days of our forefathers, we have been using the word of gate of our homes as Konthong.

But today the word Konthong has disappeared, and it has been replaced with the English word "gate." The present day children do not know that the word Konthong is their mother-tongue, he said.

Yumjao also pointed out the word Amangshang and said that the younger generation of today use the English word "latrine" only in place of Amangshang.

Thus, the Meeteilon is losing its vocabulary day by day, Yumjao lamented.

A community, of which language and script are slowly disappearing, is a community that is also slowly vanishing, Yumjao said adding that even though the script is being studied as part of the syllabus in the schools, we need to protect the language and script properly.

Even in the highest centre of education in the state, which is Manipur University, the number of students who come for studies in Manipuri department has gone down considerably this year, Yumjao said.

But the number of students who want to study English is very high.

Therefore it high time experts and intellectuals of Manipur got together and discussed the issue which is a matter of serious concern, the MEELAL president opined.

In this regard, MEELAL joined hands with Kangleipak Loinashillon Apunba Lup (KALAM) and Manipuri Language and Literature Development Forum, Manipur University and formed a body called Maheiroishingda Meeteilon Tamhannaba Apunba Takshin Lup.

The body will organise a two-day seminar on the same theme on August 27 and 28 at GM hall here.

Teachers of MU and Colleges and many eminent personalities are expected to take part in the seminar.

Certain resolutions will be taken by the seminar which will be implemented, he said.

Khuga dam breaching not a big problem, says CM

Imphal, July 18 : There is no question of any major breakdown at the Khuga dam in Churachandpur and the government is considering official inauguration of the Khuga Multi-purpose Project by December this year.

This was mentioned by chief minister O Ibobi Singh in a supplementary answer made in the House this morning in addition to the reply of state IFCD minister N Biren, during a calling attention motion jointly moved by senior opposition MLA, O Joy Singh and MLA, T Hankhanpao on the collapse of an earthen embankment of the Khuga canal at T Daijang village.

The chief minister further mentioned that the state government is promoting the Khuga Multi-purpose Project as one of the state’s prestigious projects and operational activities for the construction had been activated with the establishment of the SPF government way back in the year 2000.

He further said that the small complaints over the leakages and breaching of the irrigation canal of the dam are operational problems which can be repaired. The officials of the concerned department have been giving full attention to the trial operation of irrigation through the canal and the breaching of the embankment had occurred due to prolonged exposure, he maintained.

The chief minister also mentioned that the SPF government overcame many problems in the speedy construction of the Khuga Multi-purpose Project, officially started in 1983 by the then government in the state which had given priority to the construction of the canal portion only.

He said with the installation of the SPF government during 2000, the priority work of construction of the main earthen dam, spillway and power component of the project had been taken up. On completion of the earthen dam and spillway portions of the project the department addressed the problem of water scarcity and started the irrigation component of the project on trial basis. The leakages and breaches on the canal portion of the earthen dam was due to lack of maintenance, and the problem would be solved in near future as the department’s officials are aware of the problem, he added.

In the meantime, state IFCD minister N Biren gave an assurance to the House that there is no need for apprehension on the dam breaking down in its final stages of completion, and the earthen embankment of the canals are not a source of worry.

The IFCD minister further said the earthen canal of the project was not constructed under the tenure of the SPF government. He maintained that in view of the irregular maintenance of the canals officials and engineers of the state IFCD had been assigned to look for any malfunctions during the trial run of the irrigation components of the dam since last year.

In the meantime, while raising the calling attention senior opposition MLA, O Joy and local MLA, T Hankhanpao pointed out the apprehension felt by the public following the breaching of the earthen embankment of the irrigation canal and questioned if the same would not happen to the main earthen dam.

Both the MLAs also drew the attention of the state government and concerned ministers towards taking of necessary steps for preventing any irregularities in the various components of the project as the local people have high expectations from the dam and its resources.

M Kaimuanthang adds from Churachandpur: The Khuga Dam Contractors Association has yet again threatened the government to launch an agitation within the next few days if the government fails to pay up all pending liabilities pertaining to works executed in the Khuga head works and other components by the authorised or unauthorised contractors.

The president of the association, Hauthang while disclosing this plan has reiterated to the IFP that if "we are not given funds by this month we will resort to any form of agitation."

According to sources, a high power meeting held earlier in the presence of the chief minister O Ibobi Singh, IFCD minister N Biren, power minister Phungzathang Tonsing, works minister K Ranjit and MPCC president Gaikhangam apart from others gave an assurance to pay up the pending liabilities to the contractors.

At another meeting with the IFCD minister, it was promised to the contractors that their dues would be paid at the earliest. However, the promise has not been kept with till date, said the president.

Twin protests affect Manipur

Imphal | July 16 : The twin protests in Manipur on Thursday have affected normal life in the state. The Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM)'s 120-hour bandh demanding the release of detained student leaders under National Security Act (NSA) and the indefinite economic blockade imposed by All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) over the reservation issue kick-started since midnight of Wednesday.
Though educational institutions have been exempted from the purview of the DESAM bandh, the attendance percentage of students in their respective institutions were quite low today while goods transporters failed to ply along the two national highways leading to Manipur owing to the ATSUM protest. Large numbers of goods laden Imphal bound trucks are reportedly stranded at the Manipur-Nagaland border.
Meanwhile, inspite of the efforts of the state government to make the bandh called by Democratic Students’ Alliance (DESAM) ineffective, shops and business establishments in the Imphal area were mostly closed with attendance in educational institutions and offices being poor to nil.
Passenger buses plying between the districts of Manipur were mostly off the road and the inter state buses were also not to be seen. Traffic was thin in the streets of Imphal where only vehicles of security personnel and some private two wheelers and four wheelers were seen. Traffic police were seen at some traffic points in the forenoon but not in the afternoon.
The senior superintendent of police of Imphal West L. Kailun had appealed to the public not to support the bandh and come out for their normal activities. In the morning police vehicles were seen going around the commercial area in Imphal asking shopkeepers to open their shops through loud speakers.

Centre giving 7887 tonne rice every month to Manipur

Manipur is being allotted 7887 tonne of rice every month from Central allocation, which includes 2182 tonne of APL variety, 3478 MT of and 2227 MT of AAY. According to UNI report, food and civil supplies minister Y Erabot informed this to the Assembly on Wednesday while replying to a question raised by MLA Radhabinod Koijam. Manipur also gets 606 tonne of wheat, 400 tonne of palmoline oil, 1812.2 MT of sugar, 2131 kilolitres of sk oil and 17,066 tonne of salt.

Minister of Public Health Engineering Department TH Haokip, while replying to a query raised by MLA O Joy, informed that during 2008-09 Rs three crore was sanctioned for drainage and sewarage work.

Minister of Information TN Haokip informed the House, replying to a question raised by Dr Ng Bijoy, that from 1997 the state information department had started televising via DDK, Imphal, the Question Hour of the Assembly.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who also holds the Finance portfolio, moved demands for grants for Rs 375.50 crore for Police department, Rs 1.76 crore for Vigilance, Rs 8.85 crore for Jail and Rs 7.92 crore for Home Guards department to defray the charges which will be incurred during the current financial year.

MLA Radhabinod Koijam moved a policy cut for the alleged failure of the government to maintain jails. He urged the government to manage prisons properly. The matter was also discussed earlier in the House following the alleged involvement of three inmates of Saijiwa jail in the killing of a contractor.

After the incident the state home department had decided to revamp jail security and the Chief Minister informed that mobile jammers would be installed to stop misuse of cellphones in the jail premises.

Students’ strike, economic blockade hit life in Manipur

IMPHAL: Life was disrupted here on Thursday, following a 120-hour strike called by the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur demanding the release of five students who were detained under the National Security Act in connection with the killing of a professor of Manipur University on May 25.

The All Manipur Tribal Students’ Union also imposed an indefinite economic blockade on National Highways 39 and 53, the lifelines of the State, demanding revision of the reservation for tribals.

Both the strike and the blockade started at the midnight on Wednesday night.

The Democratic Students’ Alliance said that as the Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup, an underground organisation, claimed responsibility for the killing of Mohammad Islamuddin, professor of economics. there was no reason for arresting the students.

All 12 students who were arrested in connection with the case were released on bail. The government later detained five of them under the NSA.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the students were arrested for their involvement in the killing.

He instructed the police and para-military forces to act against the sponsors of the strike. On the tribal students’ demand, Mr. Ibobi said the reservation policy would not be revised.

Manipur govt. passes Rs 296 crore grant for four state deptts

Imphal | July 17 : The Manipur legislative assembly today passed four demands for grants amounting to Rs 296,07,29,000 in the ongoing budget session of the assembly. The demands were for finance – Rs 279,23,85,000, information & publicity – Rs 4,02,64,000, excise – Rs 10,65,93,000, and sales tax, other taxes/duties on commodities and services – Rs 2,14,87,000.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also in charge of finance admitted that there is lack of proper management and transparency in the finance department in reply to a question put up by MLA Dr Ibohanbi during discussion for demands for grants. As an example, he said that he could not understand why the employees of the Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) are not getting their wages reportedly for 24 months when the government is giving an amount of Rs 19,00,000 every month to the IMC. He also wondered where Rs 3,00,00,000 was gone which was given to IMC for the plot of land at Khuman Lampak where the inter state bus terminus is now situated.
Senior opposition leader O. Joy Singh raised a cut motion during the discussion for grant of demand for excise saying that social organizations like AMADA and CADA are doing the duties of the excise department by carrying out various campaigns against abuses of drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants. State minister for information and public relations (IPR), T. N. Haokip informed the house that government-public-bridge day is organized every year on Nov 1 by the department. He also said that as an encouragement to state journalists who perform their work honestly, an award carrying Rs 25,000 is given to the best journalist and a tour program for journalists is arranged every year.

Vision 2020 action plans being prepared by working groups

Imphal, July 15: State government has already discussed the document Vision 2020, and action plans are being prepared by the 17 Thematic Working Groups of NER constituted by the ministry of DONER with representatives from the state line department.
This was mentioned by the chief minister in the House today while replying to the questions raised by senior opposition member O Joy Singh during the question hour.
The chief minister said a series of thematic group meetings were held during October and December last year, besides a two-day conference of Thematic Groups of NER Vision 2020 convened by the minister of DONER on December 3-4 last year at Shillong which was attended by Speaker and deputy chairman of the planning Board and other state MLAs.
Answering a supplementary question, the chief minister further said in November 2007, state level discussion on Vision 2020 was held at the State Guest House at Sanjenthong which the MPs, ministers and MLAs, tribal leaders and academicians of the state attended. Moreover, successful holding of public hearing on Vision 2020 was conducted at Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Chandel districts.
Answering a question raised by opposition leader Radhabinod Koijam, he said improvement of IT, tourism, commerce and industries are some of the priority sectors and with this in mind the existing IT, STPI at Mantripukhri has been upgraded with an extension of 25 acres of land from the existing complex at an estimated cost of Rs. 25 crores.
To another question raised by MLA Dr. Khasim Ruivah, the chief minister replied that there was no such new provision to allot some stalls for tribal women in the newly constructed shopping complex at Luxmi bazar and Ima keithel.
He said the existing plots at the new Ima market, Purana bazar and Nupi Keithel at Khwairamband bazar have ben allotted to the original vendors and there are about 1803 vendors recognised in New Market, 1252 in Luxmi bazar and 840 in the old market.
The chief minister further said the state government has already taken up the matter separate tribal market in the greater Imphal areas under tribal development department and the tribal market is under construction at New Checkon in Imphal east.
The chief minister replying to a question raised by MLA, Wungnaoshang, reaffirmed that a sum of Rs. 13,00,000 had been stolen from Ukhrul police with the involvement of the police personnel of the Ukhrul PS.
Two personnel of the police department identified as Th Robindro Singh, LDC, the then cashier to SP Ukhrul and SI Kapangkhui Shimrah, the then reserve officer to SSP Ukhrul were involved in the case and have been arrested. A departmental enquiry has also been initiated, he said.

Manipur to enact legislation to conserve cultivable lands

IMPHAL, July 13 – Manipur Government is likely to enact a legislation to conserve paddyland and wetlands in the State to ensure food security.

The move is being taken up after State Chief Minister O Ibobi acknowledged the need to conserve paddyland and wetlands following a discussion in the Assembly on Friday where opposition MLA O Joy of Manipur People’s Party urged for immediate legislation to conserve paddy and wetlands.

Earlier, moving a private member’s resolution, O Joy expressed the need to adopt a proper legislation to have food security in the State by preventing uncontrollable conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural activities.

He further said that Manipur was facing the problem of limited agricultural products due to decreasing area of cultivation.

In the valley alone, where concentration of population was very high, only about 1,76,000 hectares of cultivable land existed which is disproportionate to the population growth in the valley districts.

On UPA’s emphasis on food security in its annual budget tabled recently, the opposition leader pointed out the contradictory situation in Manipur where paddy fields are fast shrinking. Kerala Assembly had recently enacted a legislation to protect wetlands and paddy fields, sources said.

MLA Dr Ng Bijoy of MPP, said it would be right to have an Act to save cultivable land in Manipur from diminishing.

The Forest and Revenue Minister Thoudam Debendro said that the State Government during 1983, had started a Land Use Board on the instruction of the Union Agriculture Ministry for preservation and conservation of agricultural lands in the State with hundred percent funding from the Centre, but the Board had been abandoned with the lapse of Central funds.

Two children from Arunachal land in Manipur

Imphal, July 12: Manipur Police handed over two little children, said to be from Arunachal Pradesh boarded on a bus of the Imphal Rajdhani Express from Guwahati after the travel agency hand over them to the police.
As disclosed by the two children, they are sibling. The elder brother was identified as Kuimo (12) and the younger brother Warspan (7). Their parents were identified as Shanrup and Mela as disclosed by them. They also said that they are from Keishan of Myanmar but residing at Sata of Arunachal Pradesh.
They came out from the home with Rs 150 from their father quietly to go to their original place in Myanmar. They came all the way from Arunachal Pradesh but when they loss the way they boarded to the Imphal Rajdhani express.
The two children are being kept at Deulahland Children home in Imphal under the supervision of Child Welfare Committee, until concerned parents reached Imphal,said the authority of the children home.

'State fails to take up steps to remove backwardness of SCs and STs'

Imphal, July 12 2009: No effective steps appear to have taken to remove the backwardness of scheduled caste and scheduled tribes in the state of Manipur even after more than five decades had passed since the Constitution came into force, lamented, the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in its report tabled to the House of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The committee has examined the conditions of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and has made its recommendations as to the steps that should be taken up by the state to remove the difficulties and injustice being faced by the SCS and STs, said V Hangkhalian, chairman of the committee in a statement today.

The committee was constituted by a decision of the house of the state assembly to look into the implementation of the 100 roaster system with regard to the reservation of seats for the SCs/STs at time of appointment and promotion in the departments under the Manipur government as guaranteed in the Constitution of India.

Almost all the departments under the Manipur have violated the reservation rule prescribed for the scheduled castes ad scheduled tribes in services, though it is constitutionally guaranteed.

The committee conducting verifications to the information and documents provided by various departments, there found almost all the departments not complying with the 100 points roaster system of reservation of seats for the SCs and STs.

Some of the departments could not provide the information which the committee took seriously.

The committee served notice for furnishing the documents/statements regarding the present staff strength to the commissioners/secretaries of the veterinary and animal husbandry, irrigation and flood control department, education, forest and environment, medical, food and civil supply and agriculture department for examination of the same so as to know whether the departments have maintained the prescribed percentage of reservation in services in respect of SCs and STs.

However, the committee did not receive the required statements from some of the departments which the committee took a serious view, the report of the committee said.

Taking a very serious view for non-compliance with the reservation rule provided for the SCs/STs in various departments, a committee on welfare of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes recommended the Manipur government to instruct all the heads of the department to maintain strictly in making of the appointment and promotion to posts and services, he stated.

In Manipur, more than 33 percent of the total population is represented by the STs and SCs.

It is direction of the constitution makers that in consistency with the goal of maintenance of efficiency of administration, the SCs and STs must be duly represented in the state administration.

The rule of reservation in the matter of appointment to a service or post under the state is a part of the constitution scheme.

Thus, adequate representation of the SCs and STs in the services is given over the other considerations, the committee observed.

Mention may be made that alleging that government failed to address the 100 point roaster programme, All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) has been demanding implementation of the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Post and Service (for SCs and STs Act 2007 by framing rules at the earliest.

They have also threatened to impose the proposed economic blockade on the national highways which was differed for four days from mid night of July 15 .

Official fined for failure to furnish documents under RTI

Imphal, The Manipur Information Commission has ordered the Director of Education Schools, Government of Manipur, Lamphelpat, to pay Rs 11,000 as compensation to a person for failure to furnish the required information sought for within the stipulated period of time under RTI.
M Rakesh, Director of Human Rights Law Network (Manipur), said the order was issued on Friday.
One Thounaojam Raseswar Singh of Top Khongnagkhong, Imphal East, had submitted an application under the Right to Information Act, 2005, on July 7, 2008, to the State Public Information Officer (SPIO), seeking information relating to pay revision of his deceased wife K.Tejbati Devi, who was a regular Head Mistress of Top Makha Primary School.
However, the concerned SPIO failed to furnish the required information.
Thereafter, Raseswar Singh lodged a complaint with the Manipur Information Commission against the SPIO for non-furnishing of the required information.
Consequently, on November 20, 2008, the Manipur Information Commission, headed by its State Chief Information Commissioner RK Angousana Singh, directed the SPIO to furnish the required information within seven days.
This time also the SPIO failed to furnish the required information within the stipulated period of time and instead the required information was furnished only on April 15, 2009.
Raseswar Singh again lodged another complaint with the Manipur Information Commission against the SPIO with a prayer for imposition of penalty to the SPIO for his failure to comply with the order of the Commission.
The Commission held that because of non provision of the information in time by the SPIO, the complainant had to attend the Commission repeatedly and suffer detriment and other harassment from the office of the SPIO which needed to be compensated under the Right to Information Act, 2005, and provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure.
The Manipur Information Commission ordered the office of the Director of Education Schools, Government of Manipur, Lamphelpat, to pay Rs 11,000 as compensation to Thounaojam Raseswar Singh on or before July 31, 2009. The Commission permitted the complainant to approach the Commission again in case of any grievance on or before August 7, 2009.

CADA officials visit NREGS convergence work

Churachandpur, July 11 : Officials of Command Area Development Authority (CADA), headed by its Addl Chief Engineer today visited the convergence works undertaken under NREGS with technical help from the agency in and around the township.

The convergence work was carried out with the expertise and technical help of CADA in various tributaries of the eastern and western canals of Khuga Dam with an estimate amount of Rs 1 Crore.

More than twenty villages were involved in the manual work which DRDA Churachandpur claimed was successful with around 60 percent of the projects completed so far.

The visiting head, W Kumar Singh and his team express satisfaction on the works undertaken by the villagers under NREGS and informed that they will soon press the government to begin concrete works as the manual has been kicking off very well.

IDF launches stir to demand ADC polls

Ukhrul, July 10 2009: Reiterating its demand to decentralize power to the hill districts of Manipur and to hold early election to the Autonomous District Councils, the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) launched the mass black badge campaign today.

The black badge campaign began at 11 am from Ukhrul district Hqs, actively participated by IDF volunteers, and soon spread to all the nooks and corner of the district.

IDF volunteers launching the black badge stir and putting up posters at Ukhrul demanding early polls to the ADCs

Interacting with the The Sangai Express, the spokesperson of IDF, William S Shimray, Ukhrul unit, said that the mass black badge campaign has been simultaneously taken up in all the five (5) hill districts of Manipur, as the first phase of the agitation.

The IDF will continue with their campaign for early elections to the ADCs, till the demands of the indigenous hill people are met to enhance grass root democracy in the State, he added.

Charging the State Government of dragging its feet on the issue, William said that various representations had been submitted, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of the State and society.

Despite this, the SPF Government continues to ignore the rights of the hill people, he asserted.

Maintaining, that the election of the ADC has not been held for the last 20 years, the IDF spokesperson said that the present Government had, last year, promised that it would be held soon.

Shimray further stated that the IDF's demand is purely to evolve a democratic system of self governance, based on indigenous democracy, which is best suited for the indigenous people of Manipur.

Along with the black badge campaign, posters were also displayed on the roads and streets of the town, inscribed with slogans such as; "Give us back what is Constitutionally ours," "It is a shame that Manipur Government cannot breathe life to ADC in the hills since the past 20 years," "Devolve power to the grass root," "We want local self governance," etc.

The IDF also warned that it would take up a series of agitations in all the hill districts of Manipur until the demands of the indigenous people of Manipur are met sincerely.

Manipur theatre gets a fresh lease of life

After 3 decades, Shumang leela council reproduces play for researchers, tourists, dignitaries & GenX

KHELEN THOKCHOM

A scene from the play, Eeyaithakki Thambal. A Telegraph picture Imphal, July 9: Shumang leela is dead, long live the Shumang leela. Manipur’s conventional theatre, dead for over 30 years, has received a new lease of life in Eshei leela (play with songs) because of the efforts of the Manipur Shumang Leela Council. For the second time in three decades, the council has re-produced successfully an original Shumang leela play with the objective of preserving the theatre for the benefit of researchers, foreign tourists and visiting dignitaries. The experiment started last year with the successful reproduction of Abir Khan, a popular play, encouraging the council to produce another form of Shumang leela. Produced during a 45-day-long Shumang leela workshop, an extension programme of the National School of Drama, Delhi, the council staged the latest reproduction at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen last week to a packed audience. The council chose Eeyaithakki Thambal (Lotus in mid water), one of the most popular plays in the eighties, for the reproduction. It depicts how a family can be ruined if the housewife is wicked, and was a trendsetter at that time. Laishram Kunjaraj and his troupe had then held 400 shows in every nook and corner of the state. Interestingly, the reproduction has four of the play’s original cast, including 82-year-old Kunjaraj, one of the finest comedians Manipur has produced. “I accepted the request to perform in the reproduction of the play as a mark of protest against the murder of conventional Manipuri Shumang leela,” Kunjaraj, who is also the director of the reproduction, said. The veteran artiste blamed new artistes who introduced Eishei leela for the death of the conventional theatre. “I stopped performing in Shumang leela in protest against Eishei leela. Today is the first time I am performing after I quit nearly 25 years ago and I am very happy (to be back),” Kunjaraj said. Shumang leela (courtyard theatre) emerged in 1918 after the then king banned Moirang Prava, another traditional theatre, in 1895 because it lampooned those in power. The first full-length Shumang leela, Harishchandra was staged in 1981. “The theatre instantly became a hit,” Loitongbam Dorendra, one of the supervisors of the workshop, said. Shumang leela is staged in the courtyard with the audience surrounding it. It has only a pung (traditional drum) and two mandiras for accompaniment. Eishei leela, the new theatre form, is replete with modern instruments like guitar, organ, electric drum and other wind and string instruments. Songs are an essential part of this genre. “The reproduction of a famous conventional plays, also known as “dialogue leela,” during the workshop was an attempt by the council to preserve conventional drama. The reproduction is meant for exhibition shows and for those researching in conventional play,” the workshop director and secretary of the council, Sougrakpam Hemanta, said. “Those born after mid-eighties do not know about our conventional plays. Now they can see it,” Nomita Khongbantabam, the co-ordinator of the workshop said.