Imphal, May 19 : Barely three weeks after the reports of involvement of commando personnel in abduction of one Megha, miscreants using a police commando vehicle on 16th May allegedly abducted two workers of the BJP.
The abducted persons were Loitongbam Satish alias Tomba, son of Sarat of Singjamei Oinam Thingel Leikai and Pebam Gunindro alias Peba, 45, son of late Ibomcha of Haobam Marak Keisampat.
In a press conference today family members of the abducted persons disclosed that Satish was a worker of the BJP while Gunindro was the secretary of the BJP as well as an ex-candidate of the party. They said that they were abducted around 2.30 pm from Ukhrul-Imphal road near the Sajiwa Jail whiel they were returning after meeting Karunkanta who is said to be the brother of Satish presently lodged in the Jail under NSA, along with an Activa bearing registration No. MNO1Q-3456. The vehicle belongs to Mayang-lambam Sanaton, 32, of Chingabam Irom Leirak.
Ranjita and Babita, wives of the victims revealed that they also lodged a complaint regarding the abduction at the Hiengang police station on May 17 for necessary investigation. The victims’ wives further revealed that thinking that they may be engaged in election work as the day was counting day they called up Satish later in the night but found his phone switched off. They asserted that the incident only came to light after they went out to search for the victims at Sajiwa Jail.
Demanding clarification they appealed to the perpetrators to safely release them for the sake of their children.
Meanwhile, the local club, Eikhoigi Club, demanded clarification for the abduction of Satish and Gunindro failing which they along with the family would launch agitations, it said.
UPA's CMP helped Congress in Manipur: observers
Imphal May 17 : The inclusion in the UPA's Common Minimum Programme that the Centre would protect territorial integrity of Manipur helped Congress win both the parliamentary seats in the state, political observers said here today.
The assurance given by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi during election campaign in interior Churachandpur hill district that the Congress, if voted to power, would work for protection of territorial integrity also changed the minds of thousands of electorates who cast votes in favour of the party, they said.
This could be judged from the fact that Congress candidate in Outer Manipur parliamentary Constituency, Thangso Baite, defeated his nearest rival Mani Cheranamei by over 1.19 lakh votes.
While Baite secured 3,44,517 votes, Cheranamei of People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) got 2,24,719 votes.
Outgoing MP and Naga leader, Cheranamei, had campaigned for disintegration of Manipur and formation of smaller states along ethnic lines by merging Naga inhabited hill areas with neighbouring Nagaland.
He had presented disintegration as the only solution to the Naga problem.
The assurance given by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi during election campaign in interior Churachandpur hill district that the Congress, if voted to power, would work for protection of territorial integrity also changed the minds of thousands of electorates who cast votes in favour of the party, they said.
This could be judged from the fact that Congress candidate in Outer Manipur parliamentary Constituency, Thangso Baite, defeated his nearest rival Mani Cheranamei by over 1.19 lakh votes.
While Baite secured 3,44,517 votes, Cheranamei of People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) got 2,24,719 votes.
Outgoing MP and Naga leader, Cheranamei, had campaigned for disintegration of Manipur and formation of smaller states along ethnic lines by merging Naga inhabited hill areas with neighbouring Nagaland.
He had presented disintegration as the only solution to the Naga problem.
A boon or a curse--Mobile phones in Manipur
Imphal, May 11 : Recent reports of the misuse of mobile phones by certain individuals or groups in the state of Manipur have left certain questions to be answered as to whether the mobile phones are a boon or a curse in the state. Certain features such as being ‘mobile’, handy and available almost ‘24x7’, a larger majority of the people would feel the boon. However, a critical analysis and study into recent reports of mobile phones being misused could speak otherwise.
Mobile phones made its first appearance in the state in 2004 with the launch of BSNL services by the centre. Since then many private cell phone companies like AIRCEL, AIRTEL, Reliance and the recently Tata Indicom and Vodafone have made its way into the state thus providing more choices to the users.
However, the use of SIMs under fictitious names has been a concern for security in the state with the increasing number of mobile phone related crimes and extortions.
However, the misuse of mobile phones came to its peak in the second half of 2008 when a series of monetary demands and threats were made through the mobile phones in the state to various individuals and officials including organisations and institutions.
The headmistress of Don Bosco School, Langjing in Imphal West revealed to the media that she had received monetary demands and threats through an SMS and this demand eventually led to the closure of three Don Bosco Schools of Langjing and Pheiyeng in Imphal West and Don Bosco of Chingmeirong, Imphal East.
They were however re-opened few days later having come to a negotiation with civil societies.
Following such incidents, city police under the Home department of the state began to hunt for “Black SIM” as a security measure and in a span of about two days captured over 200 such SIM cards.
As per reports, a state police officer informed this drive was launched after the police found out that individuals had bought the BSNL and other private company SIM cards and then sold them in black to other, adding this was a cause of concern for the security of the state.
L. Kailun, Senior Superintendent Imphal West district police was also reported to have informed that the high number of SIM cards in black was the main problem leading to the problem of insurgency control in the state.
“The SIM cards in black were leading to the problems of insurgency control. So we came up with this policy of collecting mobile phones,” the reports quoted the SP as saying.
This drive was further fuelled by the recovery of 18 (eighteen) mobiles from the militants under trial at the Sajiwa jail in Imphal East in October last which one could perhaps termed as a prove of the various allegations that mobiles were being use to threaten and extort money from the government officials and the general public alike.
Th. Radheshyam, the Superintendent of Imphal East district police is reported to have informed the media the raid began on October 10 and in a span of just about two days collected 18 mobile phones from the various under trial militant inmates in the jail.
Most of these militants belonged to the various state based outfits such of the Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council (KCP-MC), Kuki Revolutionary Army-United (KRA-U) and People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) involved in extortions and monetary demands and that they were conducting their programmes through the phones from the jail, stated reports as per information deliver by the Imphal East SP.
And with the recovery of the mobiles from the militant inmates of the Sajiwa jail, speculations spread that threats, extortions and demands through the mobile would decrease.
However, the misuse of mobile phones emerged in the early part of 2009 when state based militant outfit apprehended few couples for recording their ‘immoral acts’ and circulating it through the phones.
Following this initiative, civil societies and local bodies began to keep an eye on such acts especially amongst the youth.
Reports had it locals in Imphal West district torn down a house which was allegedly rent out for ‘immoral act’ where couple recorded such deeds. This falls in great contrast to the moral value that the state observes.
No doubt, the mobile phone has all the requisites for a good entertainment viz. the MP3 players, video recording and playbacks, cameras and Bluetooth for easy transfer of files between mobiles. One cannot leave behind the availability in times of emergency and keeping in contact with near and dear ones, near and far.
However, the recent reports of the misuse of the mobile phone have raised few questions if it is boon or a curse to the state.
Mobile phones made its first appearance in the state in 2004 with the launch of BSNL services by the centre. Since then many private cell phone companies like AIRCEL, AIRTEL, Reliance and the recently Tata Indicom and Vodafone have made its way into the state thus providing more choices to the users.
However, the use of SIMs under fictitious names has been a concern for security in the state with the increasing number of mobile phone related crimes and extortions.
However, the misuse of mobile phones came to its peak in the second half of 2008 when a series of monetary demands and threats were made through the mobile phones in the state to various individuals and officials including organisations and institutions.
The headmistress of Don Bosco School, Langjing in Imphal West revealed to the media that she had received monetary demands and threats through an SMS and this demand eventually led to the closure of three Don Bosco Schools of Langjing and Pheiyeng in Imphal West and Don Bosco of Chingmeirong, Imphal East.
They were however re-opened few days later having come to a negotiation with civil societies.
Following such incidents, city police under the Home department of the state began to hunt for “Black SIM” as a security measure and in a span of about two days captured over 200 such SIM cards.
As per reports, a state police officer informed this drive was launched after the police found out that individuals had bought the BSNL and other private company SIM cards and then sold them in black to other, adding this was a cause of concern for the security of the state.
L. Kailun, Senior Superintendent Imphal West district police was also reported to have informed that the high number of SIM cards in black was the main problem leading to the problem of insurgency control in the state.
“The SIM cards in black were leading to the problems of insurgency control. So we came up with this policy of collecting mobile phones,” the reports quoted the SP as saying.
This drive was further fuelled by the recovery of 18 (eighteen) mobiles from the militants under trial at the Sajiwa jail in Imphal East in October last which one could perhaps termed as a prove of the various allegations that mobiles were being use to threaten and extort money from the government officials and the general public alike.
Th. Radheshyam, the Superintendent of Imphal East district police is reported to have informed the media the raid began on October 10 and in a span of just about two days collected 18 mobile phones from the various under trial militant inmates in the jail.
Most of these militants belonged to the various state based outfits such of the Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council (KCP-MC), Kuki Revolutionary Army-United (KRA-U) and People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) involved in extortions and monetary demands and that they were conducting their programmes through the phones from the jail, stated reports as per information deliver by the Imphal East SP.
And with the recovery of the mobiles from the militant inmates of the Sajiwa jail, speculations spread that threats, extortions and demands through the mobile would decrease.
However, the misuse of mobile phones emerged in the early part of 2009 when state based militant outfit apprehended few couples for recording their ‘immoral acts’ and circulating it through the phones.
Following this initiative, civil societies and local bodies began to keep an eye on such acts especially amongst the youth.
Reports had it locals in Imphal West district torn down a house which was allegedly rent out for ‘immoral act’ where couple recorded such deeds. This falls in great contrast to the moral value that the state observes.
No doubt, the mobile phone has all the requisites for a good entertainment viz. the MP3 players, video recording and playbacks, cameras and Bluetooth for easy transfer of files between mobiles. One cannot leave behind the availability in times of emergency and keeping in contact with near and dear ones, near and far.
However, the recent reports of the misuse of the mobile phone have raised few questions if it is boon or a curse to the state.
SoO truce : State talks past and future
Imphal, May 9: Along with a serious study of the prevailing law and order situation of Manipur among other issues including progress of the Suspension of Operation signed with the Kuki UG groups and the peace progress being initiated with some other UG groups, a meeting of the Strategy Operation Group (SOG) has reviewed the past achievements as well as the future actions to be taken up today.
According to a reliable source, the meeting which was held today was very significant in the sense that it was convened soon after reviewing of the law and order situation of the State at New Delhi during a meeting presided over by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and was attended by Chief Secretary of the State, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and DGP on May 6 .
Today's meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Rakesh was attended only by top officials of the security forces operating in Manipur and the discussion covered all the problems related to law and order and measures being taken up by the security forces in this regard.
The meeting of the Strategic Operation Group (SOG) attended only by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP, three IG (Law & Order), GOC of 57 Mountain Division, IGAR (South) and top officers of BSF and CRPF also deliberated on the follow up actions of the recent Operation Summer Storm launched under 57 Mountain Division at Keibul Lamjao National Park of Loktak lake.
With regard to security measures required in connection with laying the railway track from Jiribam to Tupul and then upto Imphal, the meeting took up all the issues related to the existing security problems along Imphal-Dimapur Road as well as along Imphal-Jiribam Road and deployment of adequate security cover.
The achievements of the security forces including ongoing counter insurgency operations have also been deliberated at the meeting.
Apart from discussion on the progress of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed between the Government of India and Manipur on one side and two joint groups of various Kuki-Chin-Mizo UG groups on the other, the SOG meeting had also pondered over the steps being initiated for peace talks with one of the PULF faction as well as with KCP-MC group.
While discussing the responsibility to be shouldered by various units of the security forces in containing the problem of law and order in the State, today's meeting had also touched on the current issue related to closure of the drug stores in the State following threats and extortion demands from UG groups.
Besides reviewing the activities of the security forces, the meeting had also finalised various future course of actions to be taken up, the source informed.
However it declined to elaborate on the matter maintaining these are very sensitive.
Meanwhile, another round of meeting between the Government and the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) of the Kuki UG groups namely UPF and KNA/KNO which have entered into peace talks with the Government was held today.
Presided over by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) DS Poonia, who is also the Chairman of JMG , the meeting held at Ist Manipur Rifles Battalion complex here was attended by representatives of UPF and KNA/KNO.
According to a reliable source, among other agenda, today's meeting discussed issues related to construction of 11 designated camps both for UPF and KNA/KNO and completion of the work within a timeframe of three months.
Today's meeting also decided to revise the amount of Rs 50 lakhs finalised for construction of the designated camps in the previous meetings.
Out of the proposed 11 designated camps to be set up, seven are for UPF.
However, after discussion it was agreed that one more designated camps would be allotted to UPF during the meeting today.
Accordingly the total number of designated camps to be set up for UPF has increased to 7, the source disclosed, adding that issuing of identity cards to most of the cadres of UPF and KNA/KNO have been completed.
Today's meeting did not take up the proposal of UPF to increase the number of identity cards to be issued to its cadres to 200 as it was decided in the previous meeting of the JMG that the matter would be considered after the cadres started staying in their respective designated camps, the source further disclosed.
According to a reliable source, the meeting which was held today was very significant in the sense that it was convened soon after reviewing of the law and order situation of the State at New Delhi during a meeting presided over by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and was attended by Chief Secretary of the State, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and DGP on May 6 .
Today's meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Rakesh was attended only by top officials of the security forces operating in Manipur and the discussion covered all the problems related to law and order and measures being taken up by the security forces in this regard.
The meeting of the Strategic Operation Group (SOG) attended only by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP, three IG (Law & Order), GOC of 57 Mountain Division, IGAR (South) and top officers of BSF and CRPF also deliberated on the follow up actions of the recent Operation Summer Storm launched under 57 Mountain Division at Keibul Lamjao National Park of Loktak lake.
With regard to security measures required in connection with laying the railway track from Jiribam to Tupul and then upto Imphal, the meeting took up all the issues related to the existing security problems along Imphal-Dimapur Road as well as along Imphal-Jiribam Road and deployment of adequate security cover.
The achievements of the security forces including ongoing counter insurgency operations have also been deliberated at the meeting.
Apart from discussion on the progress of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed between the Government of India and Manipur on one side and two joint groups of various Kuki-Chin-Mizo UG groups on the other, the SOG meeting had also pondered over the steps being initiated for peace talks with one of the PULF faction as well as with KCP-MC group.
While discussing the responsibility to be shouldered by various units of the security forces in containing the problem of law and order in the State, today's meeting had also touched on the current issue related to closure of the drug stores in the State following threats and extortion demands from UG groups.
Besides reviewing the activities of the security forces, the meeting had also finalised various future course of actions to be taken up, the source informed.
However it declined to elaborate on the matter maintaining these are very sensitive.
Meanwhile, another round of meeting between the Government and the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) of the Kuki UG groups namely UPF and KNA/KNO which have entered into peace talks with the Government was held today.
Presided over by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) DS Poonia, who is also the Chairman of JMG , the meeting held at Ist Manipur Rifles Battalion complex here was attended by representatives of UPF and KNA/KNO.
According to a reliable source, among other agenda, today's meeting discussed issues related to construction of 11 designated camps both for UPF and KNA/KNO and completion of the work within a timeframe of three months.
Today's meeting also decided to revise the amount of Rs 50 lakhs finalised for construction of the designated camps in the previous meetings.
Out of the proposed 11 designated camps to be set up, seven are for UPF.
However, after discussion it was agreed that one more designated camps would be allotted to UPF during the meeting today.
Accordingly the total number of designated camps to be set up for UPF has increased to 7, the source disclosed, adding that issuing of identity cards to most of the cadres of UPF and KNA/KNO have been completed.
Today's meeting did not take up the proposal of UPF to increase the number of identity cards to be issued to its cadres to 200 as it was decided in the previous meeting of the JMG that the matter would be considered after the cadres started staying in their respective designated camps, the source further disclosed.
Naga cause not detrimental to Manipur's cause: Ngouba
Imphal, May 08 2009: Contd.from yesterday .
"The naga cause cannot be said to be detrimental to Manipur's cause," said the Vice President of the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) and also Chief of Army Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Mahoharmayum Ngouba during a press conference held on the morning of May 5 at the PLA's Training Command Head Quarter located somewhere near Indo-Myanmar border in Ukhrul district.
Ngouba said, "There had been times when Naga cause turned out to be quite helpful to Manipur's cause and it's believed that it will be helpful in future as well.
Because Nagaland is not a few thousand kilometers away from Manipur, it is an immediate neighbouring country".
"Therefore a neighbouring country is always associated with our history and will be associated in the ages to come.
What we must see is desirable to keep a little away from the country or the views of an organisation.
Because it is believed that to take part together in a long lasting and better worldly journey will evolve from a condition in which communities of both sides enjoy a mutual understanding, like-mindedness and sharing in all spheres," Ngouba affirmed.
He said, "It will be wrong to think of all Naga people as anti-Manipuris and it will also be wrong to take all Manipuris as anti-Nagas.
As such the present situation of division and differences of opinions will depend on the policies of certain Naga bodies".
The Vice President was replying to a question raised by a journalist on the alleged link between the RPF/PLA and the NSCN-IM.
He said, "It is not only the RPF that has relations with the NSCN.
Other revolutionary organisations operating in Manipur and other surrounding countries too have relations with the NSCN".
"Both groups of the NSCN are having ceasefire agreement with the Government of India.
One is in the so-called peace process while the other one has been trying for a long time to take part in it.
There is no question of both the groups withdrawing from the process either".
He said, "Now the parties do not seem to be all that close to the NSCN as in the past.
The stand taken by the NSCN has become a hindrance to the rest of the revolutionary groups".
On another question placed by this newspaper on the tangible involvement of the NSCN-IM in the elections held under the Constitution of India by fielding candidates who would lobby in the parliamentary fora for the Naga cause while the RPF has been boycotting all elections held under the Constitution and banning anyone who is a former cadre of the outfit from contesting in the elections as a candidate, Vice President Ngouba said, "The political and social reality of the Nagas is a little different from the political and social reality of Manipur which would have been seen by the people".
"That too, the political and social reality that existed in the eighties and the political and social reality of the nineties are greatly different from that of the present.
Even in our own experience, the Naga people used to stand solidly behind the Naga movement and the representing organisation that fought against India.
But today all that had been negated by the policies of the NSCN," he pointed out.
He asserted that "it is questionable if the NSCN's objective under the Constitution of India has been achieved so far by putting up candidates in the elections".
On another question from a journalist on India's influence over the UN and other countries regarding not extending support to the insurgent groups of Manipur, the PLA's CAS replied, "it's not always true that only the rich and powerful countries can influence the relationship among the nations and change the prevailing order".
He further said, "It's quite natural for India to try to do the same.
India will do anything to protect its interest.
For us too, we, as a nation�big or small�shall do what ought to be done.
We are carrying on with our liberation movement with the conviction that it's not the rich and powerful countries alone that shape the international relations".
Ngouba further pointed out, "The parties involved in the war seem to forget that there are two sides in the job.
It's not a war that's played on the script of a drama.
There are two opposing sides in a war.
It's the people that either of the two sides tries to bring to its side.
People are kind of a trophy�a prize of war".
He said, "Since people are the decisive factor in the principles of a revolutionary war, it's the side on which the people stand that unfailingly wins.
Its significance is known to all concerned.
However, the means to translate this significance into reality seems somewhat difficult on the side of the revolutionary groups.
But it doesn't happen to be all that difficult on the part of the enemy since, apart from having one point something billion people, its economy is included in the one to ten ranks in the world.
Moreover it's a country rising in military and technology".
"Therefore, the enemy has advantages in bringing the situation prevailing in today's theatre of war to the direction of its liking," the CAS of PLA admitted.
"However if they are asked, does this make them believe that they will win the fight, they say no," Ngouba said and made reference to reports published in the newspapers in which Army Commanders and Generals had said that the military can't solve the issue.
The RPF leader also admitted that the insurgent groups lacked means and resources for taking forward and working harder on the situation, not only in terms of materials but also in moral and other issues.
"Yet it's a relative matter.
There will be no question of the enemy winning as it has larger number of population and is bigger or we will be defeated since ours is a small nation with lesser population.
It's just that they are taking a little more advantages," Ngouba said.
Regarding the mass mobilisation by the RPF/PLA for its movement, the Chief of PLA said that all the (revolutionary) parties feel the necessity of mass participation in the liberation movement.
"However, the parties seem to have different views and strategies on how to embrace the people in the movement.
"To the RPF, mass participation in the liberation movement should be based on systematised phases," he said.
He further said, "When we come back to the reality, after forgetting ourselves for a while, we find that what we believed ourselves to be contradicts the reality and that disappoints".
"The naga cause cannot be said to be detrimental to Manipur's cause," said the Vice President of the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) and also Chief of Army Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Mahoharmayum Ngouba during a press conference held on the morning of May 5 at the PLA's Training Command Head Quarter located somewhere near Indo-Myanmar border in Ukhrul district.
Ngouba said, "There had been times when Naga cause turned out to be quite helpful to Manipur's cause and it's believed that it will be helpful in future as well.
Because Nagaland is not a few thousand kilometers away from Manipur, it is an immediate neighbouring country".
"Therefore a neighbouring country is always associated with our history and will be associated in the ages to come.
What we must see is desirable to keep a little away from the country or the views of an organisation.
Because it is believed that to take part together in a long lasting and better worldly journey will evolve from a condition in which communities of both sides enjoy a mutual understanding, like-mindedness and sharing in all spheres," Ngouba affirmed.
He said, "It will be wrong to think of all Naga people as anti-Manipuris and it will also be wrong to take all Manipuris as anti-Nagas.
As such the present situation of division and differences of opinions will depend on the policies of certain Naga bodies".
The Vice President was replying to a question raised by a journalist on the alleged link between the RPF/PLA and the NSCN-IM.
He said, "It is not only the RPF that has relations with the NSCN.
Other revolutionary organisations operating in Manipur and other surrounding countries too have relations with the NSCN".
"Both groups of the NSCN are having ceasefire agreement with the Government of India.
One is in the so-called peace process while the other one has been trying for a long time to take part in it.
There is no question of both the groups withdrawing from the process either".
He said, "Now the parties do not seem to be all that close to the NSCN as in the past.
The stand taken by the NSCN has become a hindrance to the rest of the revolutionary groups".
On another question placed by this newspaper on the tangible involvement of the NSCN-IM in the elections held under the Constitution of India by fielding candidates who would lobby in the parliamentary fora for the Naga cause while the RPF has been boycotting all elections held under the Constitution and banning anyone who is a former cadre of the outfit from contesting in the elections as a candidate, Vice President Ngouba said, "The political and social reality of the Nagas is a little different from the political and social reality of Manipur which would have been seen by the people".
"That too, the political and social reality that existed in the eighties and the political and social reality of the nineties are greatly different from that of the present.
Even in our own experience, the Naga people used to stand solidly behind the Naga movement and the representing organisation that fought against India.
But today all that had been negated by the policies of the NSCN," he pointed out.
He asserted that "it is questionable if the NSCN's objective under the Constitution of India has been achieved so far by putting up candidates in the elections".
On another question from a journalist on India's influence over the UN and other countries regarding not extending support to the insurgent groups of Manipur, the PLA's CAS replied, "it's not always true that only the rich and powerful countries can influence the relationship among the nations and change the prevailing order".
He further said, "It's quite natural for India to try to do the same.
India will do anything to protect its interest.
For us too, we, as a nation�big or small�shall do what ought to be done.
We are carrying on with our liberation movement with the conviction that it's not the rich and powerful countries alone that shape the international relations".
Ngouba further pointed out, "The parties involved in the war seem to forget that there are two sides in the job.
It's not a war that's played on the script of a drama.
There are two opposing sides in a war.
It's the people that either of the two sides tries to bring to its side.
People are kind of a trophy�a prize of war".
He said, "Since people are the decisive factor in the principles of a revolutionary war, it's the side on which the people stand that unfailingly wins.
Its significance is known to all concerned.
However, the means to translate this significance into reality seems somewhat difficult on the side of the revolutionary groups.
But it doesn't happen to be all that difficult on the part of the enemy since, apart from having one point something billion people, its economy is included in the one to ten ranks in the world.
Moreover it's a country rising in military and technology".
"Therefore, the enemy has advantages in bringing the situation prevailing in today's theatre of war to the direction of its liking," the CAS of PLA admitted.
"However if they are asked, does this make them believe that they will win the fight, they say no," Ngouba said and made reference to reports published in the newspapers in which Army Commanders and Generals had said that the military can't solve the issue.
The RPF leader also admitted that the insurgent groups lacked means and resources for taking forward and working harder on the situation, not only in terms of materials but also in moral and other issues.
"Yet it's a relative matter.
There will be no question of the enemy winning as it has larger number of population and is bigger or we will be defeated since ours is a small nation with lesser population.
It's just that they are taking a little more advantages," Ngouba said.
Regarding the mass mobilisation by the RPF/PLA for its movement, the Chief of PLA said that all the (revolutionary) parties feel the necessity of mass participation in the liberation movement.
"However, the parties seem to have different views and strategies on how to embrace the people in the movement.
"To the RPF, mass participation in the liberation movement should be based on systematised phases," he said.
He further said, "When we come back to the reality, after forgetting ourselves for a while, we find that what we believed ourselves to be contradicts the reality and that disappoints".
CRPF organises religious tour for 30 elderly Manipuri people
New Delhi, May 8 In an endeavour to build a long- lasting bond with people from the"remote areas", the CRPF is taking 30 elderly people from the northeastern state of Manipur to visit religious places in north India.
Under initiative taken by the paramilitary force as part of its Civic Action Programme, the group of 30 would leave Delhi on a eight-day trip for the holy place from May nine.
The group, comprising both men and women, would visit Vrindavan, Mathura, Haridwar and Rishikesh to see religious and other important places.
" CRPF organises various welfare activities in the area of deployment and provides the people necessary assistance and logistic support to build a friendly relation with the local people. The aim of this programme is to build long-lasting bonding with the people of remote areas,"a statement released by the force said.
Under initiative taken by the paramilitary force as part of its Civic Action Programme, the group of 30 would leave Delhi on a eight-day trip for the holy place from May nine.
The group, comprising both men and women, would visit Vrindavan, Mathura, Haridwar and Rishikesh to see religious and other important places.
" CRPF organises various welfare activities in the area of deployment and provides the people necessary assistance and logistic support to build a friendly relation with the local people. The aim of this programme is to build long-lasting bonding with the people of remote areas,"a statement released by the force said.
Designated banks for salary drawal
Imphal, May 8 : With regard to the Government order for compulsory payment of salaries and other entitlements of State Government employees, Manipur Rural Bank branches located at Imphal, Singjamei, Kwakeithel, Lamphelpat, Lamlong and Porompat have been identified as designated branches for such payments.
A notification issued by the Chairman of Manipur Rural Bank also appealed to all State Government employees to open their bank accounts at these branches for hassle free payments and also to avail loans from Manipur Rural Bank.
A notification issued by the Chairman of Manipur Rural Bank also appealed to all State Government employees to open their bank accounts at these branches for hassle free payments and also to avail loans from Manipur Rural Bank.
World AIDS Orphans Day observed
Imphal, May 8 : Observing World AIDS Orphans Day, a number of children took out a rally at Singjamei today besides offering light to the souls of children killed by AIDS.
After the main rally, the main function of the observance was held at the office of the FXB India Suraksha, Manipur Branch at Singjamei.
The function was graced by Singjamei Ward No 16 Councillor Meisnam Subash, MACS joint director Abhiram Mongjam, secretary general of Organisation for Salvation of Man Prem Konsam and executive director of Human Rights Law Network Manipur Meihoubam Rakesh as presidium members.
Speaking at the occasion, Abhiram Mongjam said till March this year 1914 children living with HIV have been registered in ART centres.
However, a large percentage of these children who have the benefits of ART suffer from irregular consumption of ART drugs.
Saying that children are future pillars of a nation, he asserted that it was the responsibility of every section of the society to take care for the health of children.
As such, no one should harbour any thought of discrimination against children living with HIV.
He further observed that the problem of HIV/AIDS was not exclusively medical but rather it was a political and economic issue.
Efforts were being made to open link ART centres in Manipur under the third phase of NACO's programme Abhiram said Once these link ART centres were opened, the problem of people requiring ART would be certainly mitigated.
Rakesh Meihoubam observed that Juvenile Justice Boards opened at district level under Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act have not been functioning properly.
In addition to appointing members with little concern for the welfare of children, these boards lack fundamental supports, he noted.
Prem Konsam exhorted the people to strive towards providing required nutrition and education to "AIDS orphan" of Manipur without waiting for external funding.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the spot painting competition for children held under the theme "My Dream" yesterday.
Today's function of World AIDS Orphans Day was organised by FXB India Suraksha, Manipur Branch.
After the main rally, the main function of the observance was held at the office of the FXB India Suraksha, Manipur Branch at Singjamei.
The function was graced by Singjamei Ward No 16 Councillor Meisnam Subash, MACS joint director Abhiram Mongjam, secretary general of Organisation for Salvation of Man Prem Konsam and executive director of Human Rights Law Network Manipur Meihoubam Rakesh as presidium members.
Speaking at the occasion, Abhiram Mongjam said till March this year 1914 children living with HIV have been registered in ART centres.
However, a large percentage of these children who have the benefits of ART suffer from irregular consumption of ART drugs.
Saying that children are future pillars of a nation, he asserted that it was the responsibility of every section of the society to take care for the health of children.
As such, no one should harbour any thought of discrimination against children living with HIV.
He further observed that the problem of HIV/AIDS was not exclusively medical but rather it was a political and economic issue.
Efforts were being made to open link ART centres in Manipur under the third phase of NACO's programme Abhiram said Once these link ART centres were opened, the problem of people requiring ART would be certainly mitigated.
Rakesh Meihoubam observed that Juvenile Justice Boards opened at district level under Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act have not been functioning properly.
In addition to appointing members with little concern for the welfare of children, these boards lack fundamental supports, he noted.
Prem Konsam exhorted the people to strive towards providing required nutrition and education to "AIDS orphan" of Manipur without waiting for external funding.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of the spot painting competition for children held under the theme "My Dream" yesterday.
Today's function of World AIDS Orphans Day was organised by FXB India Suraksha, Manipur Branch.
Tangkhul scholar UA Shimray no more
Imphal, May 8 : One of the rising intellectuals and erudite writers, UA Shimray (36) passed away at Wockhardt Hospital Bangalore after suffering a stroke on May 6 .
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Son of former Minister A Aza, UA Shimray was working as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Social and Economic Change, Bangalore University at the time of his death.
He did his schooling from Manipur Public School and graduated in Geography honours from Delhi University.
The late young man then did his Masters and PhD from JNU.
A condolence service will be held at Tangkhul Baptist Church tomorrow at 3 pm after the body arrives.
UA Shimray also contributed regularly to The Sangai Express and other newspapers in Manipur.
His articles were incisive and questioned the prevailing socio-political issues, particularly pertaining to the Nagas.
The Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Delhi has expressed shock and anguish over the untimely demise of UA Shimray the initials standing for Ungshungmi.
In a statement issued to the press, the student body said that he was its convenor during the term 1995-96 .
He was also the first Chairman in drafting the Constitution of the TKLD in 2003 .
The Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights has also expressed deep shock over the sudden demise of the young man.
In a statement, NPMHR paid homage to him as a man who held 'firm belief in human values, rights and dignity.
He was an excellent and a sincere researcher whose work is unmatched.
His numerous publications during a short span of his academic life is proof to that'.
Tekcham Polo Club clinches winner's trophy
Imphal, May 7 : As the 26th N Hazari State Polo Tournament organised by the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association concluded today at Pologround Imphal, the Tekcham Polo Club clinched the winner's trophy after defeating its rival MPSC in the final match played today.
The final match today was played between Manipur Police Sports Club (MPSC) - A and Tekcham Polo Club - A.Both teams played the match with full determination to win.
Every individual players played their part very well as the fate depends on each and every actions of all the players.
Although lost the match to Tekcham Polo Club, MPSC scored the first goal of the match which upset the players of Tekcham Polo Club a little bit.
The goal was scored in the 5.30 minute of the first chukkar after both teams played a competitive match from the very beginning.
The goal was scored by S Boby of MPSC.
Whereas no players of MPSC could not scored any goal in the chukkar.
S Bimol of MPSC too scored a goal against Tekcham Polo Club in the 0.01 minute of the second chukkar and lead his team by two goals ahead of his opponent team.
Although a little bit disappointed with two goals ahead of them, players of Tekcham Polo Club did not lose their heart and played the match more substantially.
As a result of their hard efforts, P Ojit of Tekcham Polo Club scored his team's first goal against MPSC of the match in the 3.08 minute of the second chukkar.
He was followed by another goal from M Doren in the 5.35 minute of the same chukkar which equalise the score position for both teams.
As both teams have equal score positions, they played the match more substantially with better coordination than before.
As they played the match with almost equal skills and tactics, the third chukkar concluded without a single goal by both teams.
In the fourth chukkar, S Bimol of MPSC scored one goal in the 0.50 minute while it was equalise by a goal of P Ojit of Tekcham Polo Club in the 5.35 minute of the same chukkar and the match concluded tie.
In extra chukkar P Ojit of Tekcham Polo Club scored the first goal against MPSC in the 2.27 minute of the extra chukkar and defeated MPSC by one goal which lead them to the podium to be honoured with the champion's trophy.
Meanwhile, after losing the match, MPSC won the runner up's title.
S Budhachandra, IAS, Commissioner, DCAPDS, President, Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association graced the closing function as chief guest.
President, Manipur Equestrian Association and Vice President, Manipur Olympic Association, Dr S Joykumar was the president of the function.
Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandary Services, Manipur, Dr Th Jeevan and Naorem Ongbi Sanatombi were also present in the closing function as guest of honours.
The final match today was played between Manipur Police Sports Club (MPSC) - A and Tekcham Polo Club - A.Both teams played the match with full determination to win.
Every individual players played their part very well as the fate depends on each and every actions of all the players.
Although lost the match to Tekcham Polo Club, MPSC scored the first goal of the match which upset the players of Tekcham Polo Club a little bit.
The goal was scored in the 5.30 minute of the first chukkar after both teams played a competitive match from the very beginning.
The goal was scored by S Boby of MPSC.
Whereas no players of MPSC could not scored any goal in the chukkar.
S Bimol of MPSC too scored a goal against Tekcham Polo Club in the 0.01 minute of the second chukkar and lead his team by two goals ahead of his opponent team.
Although a little bit disappointed with two goals ahead of them, players of Tekcham Polo Club did not lose their heart and played the match more substantially.
As a result of their hard efforts, P Ojit of Tekcham Polo Club scored his team's first goal against MPSC of the match in the 3.08 minute of the second chukkar.
He was followed by another goal from M Doren in the 5.35 minute of the same chukkar which equalise the score position for both teams.
As both teams have equal score positions, they played the match more substantially with better coordination than before.
As they played the match with almost equal skills and tactics, the third chukkar concluded without a single goal by both teams.
In the fourth chukkar, S Bimol of MPSC scored one goal in the 0.50 minute while it was equalise by a goal of P Ojit of Tekcham Polo Club in the 5.35 minute of the same chukkar and the match concluded tie.
In extra chukkar P Ojit of Tekcham Polo Club scored the first goal against MPSC in the 2.27 minute of the extra chukkar and defeated MPSC by one goal which lead them to the podium to be honoured with the champion's trophy.
Meanwhile, after losing the match, MPSC won the runner up's title.
S Budhachandra, IAS, Commissioner, DCAPDS, President, Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association graced the closing function as chief guest.
President, Manipur Equestrian Association and Vice President, Manipur Olympic Association, Dr S Joykumar was the president of the function.
Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandary Services, Manipur, Dr Th Jeevan and Naorem Ongbi Sanatombi were also present in the closing function as guest of honours.
Nagaland is landslide-prone
Kohima, May 7 : Nagaland state where the life line of Manipur, NH-39 passes through is a landslide-prone area with as much as 88% of the total area falling under potential of and susceptible to short- to long-term stability problems.
Experts from allied departments from all over the country at a two-day programme on management of landslides in North East India which commenced at Hotel Japfu yesterday at Kohima also said that due to excessive monsoon rain in the region, states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Nagaland suffer extensively due to landslides.
They pointed out that the precarious condition of Nagaland is greatly affecting normal life in the state, causing loss of lives, damage to property, infrastructure, communication, forestland, modified landscape, and is causing the ecosystem to be fragile.
Also, it is incurring losses in terms of human settlement, compensation, relief and rehabilitation, realignment and costly repair of communication, thus critically hampering the state's policies and programmes, said the experts who disapproved the landslide hazard control policy of the Nagaland government describing it as unregulated and haphazard without any coordination.
The problem needs to be tackled from the grassroots level, they observed.
Also sharing his views, Professor Glenn T Thong, from the department of Geology, Nagaland University said that it has become imperative to sit across the table in order to evolve strategies and tackle the problem due to the fact that during monsoon seasons, states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Nagaland suffer extensively due to landslides.
The brainstorming session mainly focused on the issue of landslides occurring within the North East region due to adverse geomorphic and geological conditions, heavy and prolonged rainfall, indiscriminate cutting of slopes, unplanned developmental activities, and deforestation.
The programme was organised by the department of Geology, NU Kohima, and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology, government of India, New Delhi.
The main resource persons were Dr.
Trilochan Singh of DCS Ltd.
New Delhi, Prof.
T N Singh from IIT Bombay, Dr.
S Ibotombi of Manipur University, Imphal, Dr.
A Kar from CGWB Itanagar, K A Lotha, DGM Nagaland, and Dr.
P P Nageswara Rao, Director at NESAC Shillong.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the participants of the programme would be visiting two important landslide areas within Kohima town on Wednesday.
Experts from allied departments from all over the country at a two-day programme on management of landslides in North East India which commenced at Hotel Japfu yesterday at Kohima also said that due to excessive monsoon rain in the region, states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Nagaland suffer extensively due to landslides.
They pointed out that the precarious condition of Nagaland is greatly affecting normal life in the state, causing loss of lives, damage to property, infrastructure, communication, forestland, modified landscape, and is causing the ecosystem to be fragile.
Also, it is incurring losses in terms of human settlement, compensation, relief and rehabilitation, realignment and costly repair of communication, thus critically hampering the state's policies and programmes, said the experts who disapproved the landslide hazard control policy of the Nagaland government describing it as unregulated and haphazard without any coordination.
The problem needs to be tackled from the grassroots level, they observed.
Also sharing his views, Professor Glenn T Thong, from the department of Geology, Nagaland University said that it has become imperative to sit across the table in order to evolve strategies and tackle the problem due to the fact that during monsoon seasons, states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Nagaland suffer extensively due to landslides.
The brainstorming session mainly focused on the issue of landslides occurring within the North East region due to adverse geomorphic and geological conditions, heavy and prolonged rainfall, indiscriminate cutting of slopes, unplanned developmental activities, and deforestation.
The programme was organised by the department of Geology, NU Kohima, and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology, government of India, New Delhi.
The main resource persons were Dr.
Trilochan Singh of DCS Ltd.
New Delhi, Prof.
T N Singh from IIT Bombay, Dr.
S Ibotombi of Manipur University, Imphal, Dr.
A Kar from CGWB Itanagar, K A Lotha, DGM Nagaland, and Dr.
P P Nageswara Rao, Director at NESAC Shillong.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the participants of the programme would be visiting two important landslide areas within Kohima town on Wednesday.
11 killed as bus overturns in Manipur
Tamenglong(Manipur), May 7 : Eleven persons, including seven women, were killed and 48 others injured when a bus carrying them overturned at a village near the district headquarters town this morning.
The accident occurred when the bus driver was negotiating a hilly curve at Sangrungpang village, about 20 km from the district headquarters, police said, adding the bus was coming from Tamenglong district headquarters to state capital Imphal.
While eleven persons, including seven women, and a one-year-old child died on the spot, 48 others sustained injuries, the sources said. Twenty of total injured persons were referred to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here where their condition was stated to be serious, sources said.
Police and other forces rushed to the spot to rescue other passengers in the bus. There were a total of 70 passengers in the bus.
The accident occurred when the bus driver was negotiating a hilly curve at Sangrungpang village, about 20 km from the district headquarters, police said, adding the bus was coming from Tamenglong district headquarters to state capital Imphal.
While eleven persons, including seven women, and a one-year-old child died on the spot, 48 others sustained injuries, the sources said. Twenty of total injured persons were referred to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here where their condition was stated to be serious, sources said.
Police and other forces rushed to the spot to rescue other passengers in the bus. There were a total of 70 passengers in the bus.
Awareness campaign against swine flu near India-Myanmar border
Kamjong (Manipur), May 7 : Veterinary doctors and other authorities have geared up to combat swine flu outbreak by launching awareness campaign among residents and by organising massive vaccination for pigs in villages near India-Myanmar border in Manipur.
Doctors recently organized an awareness campaign in Awongtang Kamjong border village of Ukhrul District, around 120 kilometers away from Imphal.
As preventive measures, department workers and officials have started awareness programme in border areas such as Kamjong and Poi in Ukhrul district, by visiting and conducting public meetings with the representatives of different civil organizations of the Kamjong Village.
Doctors are highlighting the probable threats of transmitting the disease from the livestock animals that are illegally imported from Myanmar to the village.
"Especially here people of this place are doing business of livestock trade especially pig or avian’s and other livestock. As this place is important place for transportation of animals from international border area, so we like to give message to people for taking precautionary measures of the dreaded disease of swine flu," said Dr. K. Gopal Singh, a disease specialists.
Authorities are also appealing other civil bodies and church representatives to check and prevent any kind of import of livestocks from Myanmar, as the State Government has already banned such imports of livestocks.
Residents involved in the livestock trade are happy with the awareness progaramme as they believe it would really help in dealing with deadly disease to great extent.
"The Veterinary Department has already announced the disease as deadly and dangerous disease. We are grateful and happy that the efforts taken by the department to educate and make us aware of the disease," said S. D Lowin Singh, a resident.
Although the Central Government has only issued an advisory to all states in the remote northeastern region and not sounded any particular directives, the State Government has initiated preventive measures against swine fever.
Doctors recently organized an awareness campaign in Awongtang Kamjong border village of Ukhrul District, around 120 kilometers away from Imphal.
As preventive measures, department workers and officials have started awareness programme in border areas such as Kamjong and Poi in Ukhrul district, by visiting and conducting public meetings with the representatives of different civil organizations of the Kamjong Village.
Doctors are highlighting the probable threats of transmitting the disease from the livestock animals that are illegally imported from Myanmar to the village.
"Especially here people of this place are doing business of livestock trade especially pig or avian’s and other livestock. As this place is important place for transportation of animals from international border area, so we like to give message to people for taking precautionary measures of the dreaded disease of swine flu," said Dr. K. Gopal Singh, a disease specialists.
Authorities are also appealing other civil bodies and church representatives to check and prevent any kind of import of livestocks from Myanmar, as the State Government has already banned such imports of livestocks.
Residents involved in the livestock trade are happy with the awareness progaramme as they believe it would really help in dealing with deadly disease to great extent.
"The Veterinary Department has already announced the disease as deadly and dangerous disease. We are grateful and happy that the efforts taken by the department to educate and make us aware of the disease," said S. D Lowin Singh, a resident.
Although the Central Government has only issued an advisory to all states in the remote northeastern region and not sounded any particular directives, the State Government has initiated preventive measures against swine fever.
No dirth of writers, but publication work slow, says Governor
Imphal, May 7 : A two-day national seminar on `Challenges of Publishing in the North East` was inaugurated by the Governor of Manipur, Gurbachan Jagat this afternoon around 3 pm at the conference hall of the State Guest House in Imphal. The seminar is being jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Publishers, New Delhi and Writers` Forum Imphal.
During his inaugural speech the Governor expressed his satisfaction and noted that the Writers` Forum, Imphal, founded in 1988 by a group of like minded writers and literary men with the main objective of taking up the task of book publishing in Manipur, had so far published more than 70 books written by eminent authors.
He said that for developing countries like India and particularly the state of Manipur, the role of book publishers was very important as through them all branches of knowledge were being spread in society. They deserve every encouragement, he added.
India has advanced increasingly in the trade of book publishing with the development of printing technology. It is estimated that around 70,000 new books are published in India every year. This figure, though impressive, is rather small in view of per capita terms. Therefore, India has to raise the numbers of the actual production and sales of books. Oxford University Press, Cambridge University, Orient Longmans, Macmillan and a few other foreign publishers had set up branches in this country and many Indian publishing firms, on the other hand, had started capturing a big portion of the global market place, he said.
The international firms and many other publishers dealing with regional languages were doing good business in book publication, but the north east states are still lagging behind the other states of the country for two main reasons - small population and lack of infrastructure. Assam is somewhat better as compared to the other states of the region. As for Manipur, the situation is not good as professional publishers are not coming in this direction, he said.
The Governor observed that Manipur was a very beautiful state where many talented poets, writers, artistes had been and are born. It was famous for its games and sports, dances, theatre, cinema, etc and its beautiful and unique cultural heritage contributed to the enrichment of the glorious and age-old cultural mosaic of the country.
Such attributes of Manipur inspire the poets and writers, in their creativity, he said but wondered why inspite of the good number of poets and writers the publication of books in Manipur was not upto expectations. The most important factor could be the small market, he said while also lauding the Writers` Forum, Imphal which stood steadfast in order to develop book publishing in Manipur.
He was confident that the efforts of the seminar would help in creating awareness on the short and long term strategic and policy implications for the challenges and prospects of publishing in the state of Manipur. He also complimented the Federation of Indian Publishers and the Writers` Forum, Imphal for organising the seminar and exhorted them to contribute their best in promoting the trade of book publication.
The seminar was also attended by Prof N Tombi Singh, a scholar, Ratan Thiyam, theater director and Shakti Malik, official of the FIP, New Delhi.
During his inaugural speech the Governor expressed his satisfaction and noted that the Writers` Forum, Imphal, founded in 1988 by a group of like minded writers and literary men with the main objective of taking up the task of book publishing in Manipur, had so far published more than 70 books written by eminent authors.
He said that for developing countries like India and particularly the state of Manipur, the role of book publishers was very important as through them all branches of knowledge were being spread in society. They deserve every encouragement, he added.
India has advanced increasingly in the trade of book publishing with the development of printing technology. It is estimated that around 70,000 new books are published in India every year. This figure, though impressive, is rather small in view of per capita terms. Therefore, India has to raise the numbers of the actual production and sales of books. Oxford University Press, Cambridge University, Orient Longmans, Macmillan and a few other foreign publishers had set up branches in this country and many Indian publishing firms, on the other hand, had started capturing a big portion of the global market place, he said.
The international firms and many other publishers dealing with regional languages were doing good business in book publication, but the north east states are still lagging behind the other states of the country for two main reasons - small population and lack of infrastructure. Assam is somewhat better as compared to the other states of the region. As for Manipur, the situation is not good as professional publishers are not coming in this direction, he said.
The Governor observed that Manipur was a very beautiful state where many talented poets, writers, artistes had been and are born. It was famous for its games and sports, dances, theatre, cinema, etc and its beautiful and unique cultural heritage contributed to the enrichment of the glorious and age-old cultural mosaic of the country.
Such attributes of Manipur inspire the poets and writers, in their creativity, he said but wondered why inspite of the good number of poets and writers the publication of books in Manipur was not upto expectations. The most important factor could be the small market, he said while also lauding the Writers` Forum, Imphal which stood steadfast in order to develop book publishing in Manipur.
He was confident that the efforts of the seminar would help in creating awareness on the short and long term strategic and policy implications for the challenges and prospects of publishing in the state of Manipur. He also complimented the Federation of Indian Publishers and the Writers` Forum, Imphal for organising the seminar and exhorted them to contribute their best in promoting the trade of book publication.
The seminar was also attended by Prof N Tombi Singh, a scholar, Ratan Thiyam, theater director and Shakti Malik, official of the FIP, New Delhi.
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