Imphal, Dec. 20: Manipur home minister Gaikhangam has sought help from central forces in hunting down the NSCN (I-M) cadre who molested film actress Momoco as the incident continued to fan tension in the state capital today.
On Tuesday night, a man identified as senior NSCN (I-M) cadre Living Stone molested film actress Momoco in the green room of a concert at Chandel district headquarters. He also fired two rounds at two male artistes when they intervened.
The incident occurred at a time when the Naga rebel outfit and New Delhi were reportedly inching closer towards a peace settlement and there were concerns about what impact that would have over Manipur’s territory.
No one was hurt in the firing but the incident triggered a storm of protest.
For the second consecutive day, Manipur’s artiste fraternity poured its anger on the streets by making an abortive attempt to storm the state Assembly today. More than 10 women’s organisations threatened to launch a mass agitation if the government failed to book the culprit.
After submitting a memorandum to the home minister yesterday, singers, film and theatre artistes and members of citizens’ bodies planned to storm the state Assembly.
Members of Film Forum Manipur, All Manipur Matam Ishei Kanglup (singers’ body) and Shumang Leela Council (theatre body) gathered at Thangmeiband and marched towards the Assembly today. They were stopped by police at a distance of about 500 metres from the Assembly gate leading to a heated exchange between armed police and the protesters.
“I have directed the police to take help from security forces in tracking down and arresting the cadre. Although the NSCN (I-M) is holding talks with the Centre, a criminal is a criminal. We will arrest him,” Gaikhangam, who is also the deputy chief minister, assured the House.
Gaikhangam made this statement after Trinamul Congress leader I. Ibohalbi Singh raised the issue during zero hour. Singh demanded prompt action to pacify public outrage.
Two Congress members — N. Biren Singh and R.K. Anand Singh — joined the outcry demanding a House condemnation and calling for an end to violation of ground rules by NSCN (I-M) cadres.
The Speaker turned down the demand for House condemnation maintaining the House was yet to get evidence of the Chandel incident.
Protesters blocked the road leading to the state Assembly and did not allow any vehicle, including those carrying MLAs to pass the road for nearly one hour. Later, the protesters burnt an effigy of Living Stone.
“We will wait for the response of the government. If justice is delayed we will intensify our agitation,” said L. Surjakanta, president of Film Forum Manipur.
An official source said security measures were tightened to prevent an outbreak of violent protests.
The Shumang Leela Council suspended the ongoing Shumang Leela festival as a mark of protest today and the Film Forum Manipur also suspended screening of films in Manipur’s halls. Singers said they would not participate in any concert.
Rs 100cr swindle: Manipur man held
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police's special cell has arrested a native of Imphal, Manipur for duping thousands of people through a multilevel marketing scam with promises of high returns. Ningombam Raju alias Raju Singh allegedly cheated more than 23,000 people of approximately Rs 100 crore in the last few years by promising to treble their investments.
Raju was arrested on Sunday by a team of inspectors Sanjay Dutt, Rahul Kumar and Dharmender following a request from the police superintendent of Imphal. Manipur Police had information that Raju was hiding near the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border.
Raju came to Delhi in 1995 and worked with a photocopier firm in Daryaganj. He went back to Manipur in 1999 and worked there as a service agent for photocopier machines before returning to Delhi in 2004.
"Between 2004 and 2009, he worked as a service agent and also sold walkie talkie phones. In 2009, he started working at a multilevel marketing company, BBS (Base Business System) Marketing Limited in Paschim Vihar. The company was owned by Irom Satish, a Manipur resident, who fled after cheating many people. Raju learnt the working of multilevel marketing and decided to start his own venture," said DCP, special cell, Sanjeev Yadav.
"Raju joined LPC (Lala Prem Chand) Multilevel Marketing Company at Kakrola More, Uttam Nagar which was owned by brothers Vinod and Balbir Bagga and dealt in induction cookers. He then moved to Welkin Real Tech Pvt Ltd, owned by Kishanveer and managed by Parveen Thora from Najafgarh. Later, the Bagga brothers joined Welkin and started cheating people with Raju. They also managed a website for this company with the link globalwinindex.biz," said Yadav.
"The accused used to lure people by offering to treble an initial deposit of Rs 10,000 in three months. The company also offered other schemes for shorter durations. Members received 10% of the deposit made by the new investors introduced by them. The joining fee was fixed as Rs 1,500, and a member could invest up to Rs 10 lakh on one ID. The company claimed the money was being invested in real estate and stocks," said special commissioner of police, SN Srivastava.
Raju played a pivotal role in luring many Manipuris into investing in this bogus company. "In February 2011, Welkin Real Tech Pvt Ltd closed down after collecting massive amounts. Kishan Veer and the Bagga brothers started a new company. At the time of the closure, they had over 23,000 members/subscribers. Raju went underground for some time, only to resurface in April 2012 at a house in Noida, where he started another business of supplying solar lanterns/inverters," said Yadav.
Of late, police claimed, Raju was planning to start another marketing company in association with a man named D K Bajpai. The accused reportedly obtained an arms licence and a Walther pistol in 2010. He later sold this gun and bought an Erma Werke revolver. He also bought a plot at Kakrola More, Uttam Nagar and another property in Jeevan Park, Uttam Nagar.
Raju was arrested on Sunday by a team of inspectors Sanjay Dutt, Rahul Kumar and Dharmender following a request from the police superintendent of Imphal. Manipur Police had information that Raju was hiding near the Uttar Pradesh-Delhi border.
Raju came to Delhi in 1995 and worked with a photocopier firm in Daryaganj. He went back to Manipur in 1999 and worked there as a service agent for photocopier machines before returning to Delhi in 2004.
"Between 2004 and 2009, he worked as a service agent and also sold walkie talkie phones. In 2009, he started working at a multilevel marketing company, BBS (Base Business System) Marketing Limited in Paschim Vihar. The company was owned by Irom Satish, a Manipur resident, who fled after cheating many people. Raju learnt the working of multilevel marketing and decided to start his own venture," said DCP, special cell, Sanjeev Yadav.
"Raju joined LPC (Lala Prem Chand) Multilevel Marketing Company at Kakrola More, Uttam Nagar which was owned by brothers Vinod and Balbir Bagga and dealt in induction cookers. He then moved to Welkin Real Tech Pvt Ltd, owned by Kishanveer and managed by Parveen Thora from Najafgarh. Later, the Bagga brothers joined Welkin and started cheating people with Raju. They also managed a website for this company with the link globalwinindex.biz," said Yadav.
"The accused used to lure people by offering to treble an initial deposit of Rs 10,000 in three months. The company also offered other schemes for shorter durations. Members received 10% of the deposit made by the new investors introduced by them. The joining fee was fixed as Rs 1,500, and a member could invest up to Rs 10 lakh on one ID. The company claimed the money was being invested in real estate and stocks," said special commissioner of police, SN Srivastava.
Raju played a pivotal role in luring many Manipuris into investing in this bogus company. "In February 2011, Welkin Real Tech Pvt Ltd closed down after collecting massive amounts. Kishan Veer and the Bagga brothers started a new company. At the time of the closure, they had over 23,000 members/subscribers. Raju went underground for some time, only to resurface in April 2012 at a house in Noida, where he started another business of supplying solar lanterns/inverters," said Yadav.
Of late, police claimed, Raju was planning to start another marketing company in association with a man named D K Bajpai. The accused reportedly obtained an arms licence and a Walther pistol in 2010. He later sold this gun and bought an Erma Werke revolver. He also bought a plot at Kakrola More, Uttam Nagar and another property in Jeevan Park, Uttam Nagar.
Manipur students demand BDO’s termination
IMPHAL, Dec 7 – Manipur-based Thadou Students’ Association (TSA), Chandel district and Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Khengjoy Block, have demanded immediate termination of the Block Development Officer (BDO) of the Khengjoy TB block in the border district for his alleged misappropriation of government fund meant for the needy villagers living across the 134 villages of Chandel district.
A memorandum highlighting the grievances of the villagers of the block due to the alleged high-handedness of the BDO, Md Nazimuddin Shah, a resident of Kshetrigao village under Imphal East district, which is jointly signed by vice-president Ngamsei Touthang of KSO, Khengjoy block and president Thongkhovum Khongsai of TSA Chandel district, was submitted to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today.
The said officer allegedly has been deducting 5 per cent of Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme fund from each and every villages since the last five years which amounted to Rs 1,67,96,614, the memorandum alleged. It further alleged that recently the said BDO supplied Sony digital cameras (DSC-W630) to each village chief for subsequent deduction of the price from each MGNREGS fund, it said. But he charged Rs 13,000 for each camera whereas, the price of a camera was Rs 8,990 at UK Enterprises, a camera shop in Imphal, and Rs 7,990 as per company printed price. “When he was requested to disclose the amount allotted to each village, he threatened them to withhold the fund. Moreover, he had also deducted a fractional of amount of MGNREGS fund from every village,” the memorandum claimed.
In buying 134 cameras, the officer made a profit of more than Rs 7,42,500 which he misappropriated from MGNREGS fund, it charged. The said officer also reportedly insisted the village chiefs to sign on blank cheques, the memorandum said. “He (the officer) runs the BDO office at his private residence at Khergao in Imphal East.
“If the government neglecting the sentiments of the public does not fulfil our demand within December 15, we are going to launch any kind of agitation and for any future untoward incidents the government would be responsible,” the memorandum cautioned. The said BDO could not be contacted for his comment.
A memorandum highlighting the grievances of the villagers of the block due to the alleged high-handedness of the BDO, Md Nazimuddin Shah, a resident of Kshetrigao village under Imphal East district, which is jointly signed by vice-president Ngamsei Touthang of KSO, Khengjoy block and president Thongkhovum Khongsai of TSA Chandel district, was submitted to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today.
The said officer allegedly has been deducting 5 per cent of Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme fund from each and every villages since the last five years which amounted to Rs 1,67,96,614, the memorandum alleged. It further alleged that recently the said BDO supplied Sony digital cameras (DSC-W630) to each village chief for subsequent deduction of the price from each MGNREGS fund, it said. But he charged Rs 13,000 for each camera whereas, the price of a camera was Rs 8,990 at UK Enterprises, a camera shop in Imphal, and Rs 7,990 as per company printed price. “When he was requested to disclose the amount allotted to each village, he threatened them to withhold the fund. Moreover, he had also deducted a fractional of amount of MGNREGS fund from every village,” the memorandum claimed.
In buying 134 cameras, the officer made a profit of more than Rs 7,42,500 which he misappropriated from MGNREGS fund, it charged. The said officer also reportedly insisted the village chiefs to sign on blank cheques, the memorandum said. “He (the officer) runs the BDO office at his private residence at Khergao in Imphal East.
“If the government neglecting the sentiments of the public does not fulfil our demand within December 15, we are going to launch any kind of agitation and for any future untoward incidents the government would be responsible,” the memorandum cautioned. The said BDO could not be contacted for his comment.
There's more in Manipur killings than meets the eye: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Thursday said a proper probe is needed into various encounter killings in Manipur and suggested formation of a Special Investigating Team to probe into some of those cases, a proposition opposed by the NHRC and Centre.
Observing that situation in the state is not normal, a bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai said further investigation needs to done as in some cases judicial enquiry came to conclusion that people were killed in fake encounters.
"Why there should not be a proper investigation? There is more than meets the eye. So many encounters took place. Situation is not normal. We are concerned about the failure of constitutional scheme," the bench said.
One of the petitioners contended that CBI can be directed to inquire into those cases but the bench said it might not be practical solution as agency would take years to complete the probe. "What would CBI do? It would take years and years to complete the probe," the bench observed.
The proposition of setting up SIT was opposed by the Centre and the NHRC (National Human Rights Commissions). The Commission said it would not be possible for SIT to probe such a large number of cases.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by an association of the families of the alleged victims, pleading with the apex court to set up a special investigation team and direct inquiry into around 1500 such cases.
The apex court expressed surprise on how a 12-year old boy, said to be a militant, was killed in the state. "How can a 12-year old boy be a terrorist?," the bench said adding "We expect NHRC to be more effective in dealing with such cases."
The counsel appearing for NHRC, however, submitted that the commission can not enforce its guidelines as it lacks penal powers. "SIT may not be a proper solution as the number of incidents are so high. What requires is a proper guidelines and its effective implementation," the commission said.
The Centre, meanwhile, contended that a one-sided picture has been portrayed by the petitioner before the apex court and the situation is not so grim in the state. "The petitioner has tried to present a very gloomy picture of Manipur, as if people of the state are completely alienated. It is submitted that this is not the correct position. While the state of Manipur is facing the insurgency problem and the police and armed forces are dealing with that problem to the best of their capabilities, the common man is not generally affected by such counter-insurgency operations," it said.
While justifying the protection given to the armed forces personnel posted on duty to enable them operate with requisite thrust and drive, the government said it is also considering amendments in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. "The matter was placed before the Cabinet for making a few amendments in the Act after following inter-ministerial consultation procedure prescribed therefor. It was advised to place the matter before the Cabinet Committee on Security first," it said.
"The cabinet committee of security did not approve the same. As suggested by the competent authority, the process of further consultation between the ministries has been undertaken and a final decision in this regard can only be taken by the Cabinet," added the government.
"Nevertheless, the exercise of amending the AFSPA is under consideration of the government," the Centre said in its affidavit.
The association said in all, over 2000 odd extra-judicial killings have taken place in the state, but no one has been held guilty till date. It alleged innocent people with no criminal records have been killed by security forces and no proper investigation has been done in such cases. "Not only were there no criminal investigations and prosecutions of the guilty, even departmental enquiries were not conducted and no policemen or personnel of the security forces were punished departmentally for their actions.
"The magisterial enquiries that took place sometimes were conducted by the executive magistrates under the cover of secrecy and most often without intimation to the eyewitnesses and the members of the families. They were conducted as an eyewash," the petition said.
The apex court had earlier on July 4 agreed to hear a similar plea for probe into the alleged extra-judicial killings by the Border Security force in the West Bengal border area.
In that case, petitioner Bangla Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha, a Kolkata-based NGO, had alleged that there are more than 200 cases where the BSF personnel indulged in extra-judicial killings and torture in the border area and those cases were never probed by the state police.
The NGO had alleged that instead of registering FIR against the BSF personnel, it is registered against the deceased and the case is closed on that basis.
Observing that situation in the state is not normal, a bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai said further investigation needs to done as in some cases judicial enquiry came to conclusion that people were killed in fake encounters.
"Why there should not be a proper investigation? There is more than meets the eye. So many encounters took place. Situation is not normal. We are concerned about the failure of constitutional scheme," the bench said.
One of the petitioners contended that CBI can be directed to inquire into those cases but the bench said it might not be practical solution as agency would take years to complete the probe. "What would CBI do? It would take years and years to complete the probe," the bench observed.
The proposition of setting up SIT was opposed by the Centre and the NHRC (National Human Rights Commissions). The Commission said it would not be possible for SIT to probe such a large number of cases.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition by an association of the families of the alleged victims, pleading with the apex court to set up a special investigation team and direct inquiry into around 1500 such cases.
The apex court expressed surprise on how a 12-year old boy, said to be a militant, was killed in the state. "How can a 12-year old boy be a terrorist?," the bench said adding "We expect NHRC to be more effective in dealing with such cases."
The counsel appearing for NHRC, however, submitted that the commission can not enforce its guidelines as it lacks penal powers. "SIT may not be a proper solution as the number of incidents are so high. What requires is a proper guidelines and its effective implementation," the commission said.
The Centre, meanwhile, contended that a one-sided picture has been portrayed by the petitioner before the apex court and the situation is not so grim in the state. "The petitioner has tried to present a very gloomy picture of Manipur, as if people of the state are completely alienated. It is submitted that this is not the correct position. While the state of Manipur is facing the insurgency problem and the police and armed forces are dealing with that problem to the best of their capabilities, the common man is not generally affected by such counter-insurgency operations," it said.
While justifying the protection given to the armed forces personnel posted on duty to enable them operate with requisite thrust and drive, the government said it is also considering amendments in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. "The matter was placed before the Cabinet for making a few amendments in the Act after following inter-ministerial consultation procedure prescribed therefor. It was advised to place the matter before the Cabinet Committee on Security first," it said.
"The cabinet committee of security did not approve the same. As suggested by the competent authority, the process of further consultation between the ministries has been undertaken and a final decision in this regard can only be taken by the Cabinet," added the government.
"Nevertheless, the exercise of amending the AFSPA is under consideration of the government," the Centre said in its affidavit.
The association said in all, over 2000 odd extra-judicial killings have taken place in the state, but no one has been held guilty till date. It alleged innocent people with no criminal records have been killed by security forces and no proper investigation has been done in such cases. "Not only were there no criminal investigations and prosecutions of the guilty, even departmental enquiries were not conducted and no policemen or personnel of the security forces were punished departmentally for their actions.
"The magisterial enquiries that took place sometimes were conducted by the executive magistrates under the cover of secrecy and most often without intimation to the eyewitnesses and the members of the families. They were conducted as an eyewash," the petition said.
The apex court had earlier on July 4 agreed to hear a similar plea for probe into the alleged extra-judicial killings by the Border Security force in the West Bengal border area.
In that case, petitioner Bangla Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha, a Kolkata-based NGO, had alleged that there are more than 200 cases where the BSF personnel indulged in extra-judicial killings and torture in the border area and those cases were never probed by the state police.
The NGO had alleged that instead of registering FIR against the BSF personnel, it is registered against the deceased and the case is closed on that basis.
Gaikhangam lays foundation of market complex at Moreh
Moreh: Giving a boost to the ambitious "Look East Policy", Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam on Wednesday laid the foundation of a multi-storied market complex at Manipur's Moreh town bordering Myanmar, about 110 kms from Imphal.
The items incorporated in the ongoing Indo-Myanmar commercial activities have been increased from 40 to 62 even as the state government has identified a site at Moreh to set up a satellite town.
Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (Manidco), the implementing agency of the market complex, is targeting to complete its construction within 36 months. "The new market complex would be a milestone for the Look East Policy and a turning point for entrepreneurs of the country in general and Manipur in particular," said Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio.
In his speech, Manipur commerce and industries minister Govindas Konthoujam said the government is targeting to complete construction of the supermarket ahead of the scheduled time. He added that the number of items increased for Indo-Myanmarese border trade includes rice, medicines and motorcycles. Stating that four to five international marketers come to Manipur every month to expand their business in India by shipping the items through Myanmar, Govindas said he has taken into account some of their suggestions to import electronics items from Thailand.
"We are thinking about the Myanmarese government's request to grant transit permit to ferry electronic items to India," he said. Stating that the highway leading to Moreh, the gateway of South East Asia, is very important in the face of the growing commercial activities, Govindas urged all concerned not to impose bandhs and blockade along the route.
The items incorporated in the ongoing Indo-Myanmar commercial activities have been increased from 40 to 62 even as the state government has identified a site at Moreh to set up a satellite town.
Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (Manidco), the implementing agency of the market complex, is targeting to complete its construction within 36 months. "The new market complex would be a milestone for the Look East Policy and a turning point for entrepreneurs of the country in general and Manipur in particular," said Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio.
In his speech, Manipur commerce and industries minister Govindas Konthoujam said the government is targeting to complete construction of the supermarket ahead of the scheduled time. He added that the number of items increased for Indo-Myanmarese border trade includes rice, medicines and motorcycles. Stating that four to five international marketers come to Manipur every month to expand their business in India by shipping the items through Myanmar, Govindas said he has taken into account some of their suggestions to import electronics items from Thailand.
"We are thinking about the Myanmarese government's request to grant transit permit to ferry electronic items to India," he said. Stating that the highway leading to Moreh, the gateway of South East Asia, is very important in the face of the growing commercial activities, Govindas urged all concerned not to impose bandhs and blockade along the route.
Not prudent to repeal AFSPA in northeast, government tells SC
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it was considering amendments to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which provides sweeping powers to security forces in areas declared disturbed due to militancy.
The ministry of home affairs, in its response to a petition by Th Suresh Singh seeking repeal of the law, said it would not be prudent to repeal AFSPA or withdraw it from northeastern states, even though the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee had recommended its repeal and amending Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to achieve the purpose of AFSPA.
"However, the grim security situation in the northeast, more so in Manipur, caused by unlawful underground militant groups bent upon separation of Manipur from the country, has also been considered by the government on the basis of the advice of the Army, police and other security and intelligence agencies," the ministry said. "Therefore, it was considered not a prudent step to repeal AFSPA as recommended by the committee. The matter was placed before the Cabinet for making a few amendments in the act after following inter-ministerial consultation procedure. It was advised to place the matter before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) first."
Narrating the procedure for amendment of the act, the ministry said, "The CCS did not approve the same. As suggested by the competent authority, the process of further consultation between the ministries has been undertaken and a final decision can only be taken by the Cabinet."
It added, "Moreover, the unmanageability of the powerful militant groups by the local police also compels the state government of Manipur to seek aid of central security forces to keep the insurgent groups under check. Nevertheless, the exercise of amending AFSPA is under consideration of the government."
The Union government said around 1,500 militants were holding a population of 23 lakh in Manipur to ransom and keeping them in constant fear. "The root cause of militancy in Manipur is the constant endeavour of these insurgent groups to spread fear so that they can continue to extort money and the leaders of such groups can continue to lead luxurious life in foreign countries," it said.
Referring to the high percentage of voting in the last two assembly elections in Manipur, the home ministry said people of the state had always demonstrated their faith in the country's institutions. It said, "The ethnic rivalries among different tribes, viz Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas, are deep-rooted and the militant groups fervently advance their ideologies by taking advantage of the porous international border with Myanmar, which is 256 km long, heavily forested and contains some of the most difficult terrain. "Taking advantage of this situation, the militant outfits utilize the other side of the border (which is beyond the jurisdiction of the Indian armed forces) for conveniently conducting their operations of extortions/kidnapping/killing/looting and ambushing the security forces."
The government said counter-insurgency operations seldom affected the common man. The petitions on extra-judicial killings in Manipur and a plea for withdrawal of AFSPA from the state will come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Thursday.
The ministry of home affairs, in its response to a petition by Th Suresh Singh seeking repeal of the law, said it would not be prudent to repeal AFSPA or withdraw it from northeastern states, even though the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee had recommended its repeal and amending Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to achieve the purpose of AFSPA.
"However, the grim security situation in the northeast, more so in Manipur, caused by unlawful underground militant groups bent upon separation of Manipur from the country, has also been considered by the government on the basis of the advice of the Army, police and other security and intelligence agencies," the ministry said. "Therefore, it was considered not a prudent step to repeal AFSPA as recommended by the committee. The matter was placed before the Cabinet for making a few amendments in the act after following inter-ministerial consultation procedure. It was advised to place the matter before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) first."
Narrating the procedure for amendment of the act, the ministry said, "The CCS did not approve the same. As suggested by the competent authority, the process of further consultation between the ministries has been undertaken and a final decision can only be taken by the Cabinet."
It added, "Moreover, the unmanageability of the powerful militant groups by the local police also compels the state government of Manipur to seek aid of central security forces to keep the insurgent groups under check. Nevertheless, the exercise of amending AFSPA is under consideration of the government."
The Union government said around 1,500 militants were holding a population of 23 lakh in Manipur to ransom and keeping them in constant fear. "The root cause of militancy in Manipur is the constant endeavour of these insurgent groups to spread fear so that they can continue to extort money and the leaders of such groups can continue to lead luxurious life in foreign countries," it said.
Referring to the high percentage of voting in the last two assembly elections in Manipur, the home ministry said people of the state had always demonstrated their faith in the country's institutions. It said, "The ethnic rivalries among different tribes, viz Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas, are deep-rooted and the militant groups fervently advance their ideologies by taking advantage of the porous international border with Myanmar, which is 256 km long, heavily forested and contains some of the most difficult terrain. "Taking advantage of this situation, the militant outfits utilize the other side of the border (which is beyond the jurisdiction of the Indian armed forces) for conveniently conducting their operations of extortions/kidnapping/killing/looting and ambushing the security forces."
The government said counter-insurgency operations seldom affected the common man. The petitions on extra-judicial killings in Manipur and a plea for withdrawal of AFSPA from the state will come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Market complex to come up at Moreh
Industrial development on agenda
Moreh, Dec 6 : Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam today laid the foundation of a multi-storey market complex at Moreh, a border township, marking the start of a series of infrastructure development projects aimed at exploiting maximum benefits from the Look East policy.
The Rs 22-crore market complex will come up next to border gate number 2 and will house domestic products under the trade items. The construction of the complex will be over in three months.
Earlier, there were 40 trade items under the agreement between India and Myanmar. The number was increased to 62 last month by adding 22 more items, including rice, medicines, motorcycles and electrical appliances.
Last year, the trade volume was Rs 4 crore and this year officials of the state trade and commerce department are estimating to increase the volume up to Rs 10 crore.
The trade and commerce department estimates that the trade volume could increase more than 50 per cent once the agreement to add 22 more items becomes operational.
While Myanmar developed modern shopping complexes at neighbouring Tamu and in the process of developing one more at Namphalong just a few steps inside Myanmar, Moreh did not have a proper shopping complex till today.
The construction of the market complex at Moreh aims to boost border trade and reap more benefits out of the trade. After the market complex, the construction of a 500-acre satellite town at Haolenphai, near border gate number 1 is on the agenda of the Ibobi Singh government.
“Our target is to make Moreh another industrial township like Frankfurt,” Gaikhangam said.
Gaikhangam, accompanied by commerce and industries minister Govindas Konthoujam, surveyed the proposed site for the satellite town. The government has already acquired land and is preparing a detailed project report for the approval of the Centre.
“The market complex is only the beginning. A series of development projects is in the pipeline. The satellite town will be a state-of-the-art cosmopolitan city. Big trade and commerce bodies like the Indian Chamber of Commerce will be invited to be the stakeholders,” Gaikhangam said.
So far, Myanmar is drawing more benefits out of the border trade. Gaikhangam admitted that Manipur or for that matter India could not draw much benefits.
The Ibobi Singh government has taken infrastructure development seriously as Moreh is the gateway to Asean countries and also in view of the Look East policy.
Gaikhangam urged all communities to shun narrow and selfish politics based on community interests.
Moreh, Dec 6 : Manipur deputy chief minister Gaikhangam today laid the foundation of a multi-storey market complex at Moreh, a border township, marking the start of a series of infrastructure development projects aimed at exploiting maximum benefits from the Look East policy.
The Rs 22-crore market complex will come up next to border gate number 2 and will house domestic products under the trade items. The construction of the complex will be over in three months.
Earlier, there were 40 trade items under the agreement between India and Myanmar. The number was increased to 62 last month by adding 22 more items, including rice, medicines, motorcycles and electrical appliances.
Last year, the trade volume was Rs 4 crore and this year officials of the state trade and commerce department are estimating to increase the volume up to Rs 10 crore.
The trade and commerce department estimates that the trade volume could increase more than 50 per cent once the agreement to add 22 more items becomes operational.
While Myanmar developed modern shopping complexes at neighbouring Tamu and in the process of developing one more at Namphalong just a few steps inside Myanmar, Moreh did not have a proper shopping complex till today.
The construction of the market complex at Moreh aims to boost border trade and reap more benefits out of the trade. After the market complex, the construction of a 500-acre satellite town at Haolenphai, near border gate number 1 is on the agenda of the Ibobi Singh government.
“Our target is to make Moreh another industrial township like Frankfurt,” Gaikhangam said.
Gaikhangam, accompanied by commerce and industries minister Govindas Konthoujam, surveyed the proposed site for the satellite town. The government has already acquired land and is preparing a detailed project report for the approval of the Centre.
“The market complex is only the beginning. A series of development projects is in the pipeline. The satellite town will be a state-of-the-art cosmopolitan city. Big trade and commerce bodies like the Indian Chamber of Commerce will be invited to be the stakeholders,” Gaikhangam said.
So far, Myanmar is drawing more benefits out of the border trade. Gaikhangam admitted that Manipur or for that matter India could not draw much benefits.
The Ibobi Singh government has taken infrastructure development seriously as Moreh is the gateway to Asean countries and also in view of the Look East policy.
Gaikhangam urged all communities to shun narrow and selfish politics based on community interests.
Manipur lawyers extend boycott
Bar association sticks to demands
N. Kumarjit (centre) at the news conference in Imphal on Monday. Telegraph picture
N. Kumarjit (centre) at the news conference in Imphal on Monday. Telegraph picture
Imphal, Dec 4 : Members of the High
Court Bar Association, Manipur, today resolved to continue abstention
from work until concrete assurances were given by relevant authorities
to fulfil their demands.
Members of the Imphal bench of Gauhati
High Court have been abstaining from work since November 8 demanding
appointment of seven judges for a separate high court of Manipur and
also appointment of only Manipuris as judges.
The high court lawyers launched the
agitation as the Centre was planning to open separate high courts for
Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura anytime and also following reports that
there were moves of absorbing existing judges of Gauhati High Court for a
high court in Manipur.
The high courts are likely to be opened latest by January.
The bar association held a meeting today
to review its course of agitation and also assurances given by Supreme
Court judge A.K. Patnaik, in-charge of high courts in the Northeast, and
Union law minister Ashwani Kumar to look into their demands.
A delegation of the bar association led by its president N. Kumarjit met Patnaik and Kumar last week in Delhi.
“Today, we have reviewed the outcome of
the meetings in Delhi and we have decided that the assurances given by
the honourable Supreme Court judge and the Union law minister were not
satisfactory. So, we will continue our agitation for an indefinite
period,” Kumarjit told reporters after the meeting.
He said the association was planning to
intensify the agitation by mobilising support from Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the Chief Justice
of India. The delegation during their visit to Delhi last week tried to
meet the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The association is also planning to hold
sit-ins and rallies to mount pressure on the Centre and the Supreme
Court to fulfil their demands.
The resolution noted that the Chief
Justice of Gauhati High Court, A.K. Goel, “failed to feel the pulse” of
the High Court Bar Association, Manipur. “He is not taking interest in
the affairs of Manipur and he is acting as if he is not the chief
justice of Manipur,” the resolution said.
Kumarjit said Manipur has four quotas for judges in Gauhati High Court. At present, there are only two judges from Manipur.
Gauhati High Court has a sanctioned
strength of 24 judges. Though Assam had 11 quotas, now the number of
judges from Assam had gone up to 15, Kumarjit said.
Khidem Mani Singh, a senior member of the
bar association, demanded an inquiry into the manner in which judges of
Gauhati High Court are appointed.
Kuki blockade affects normal life in Manipur
An indefinite blockade by Kukis recently brought normal life across Manipur to a standstill.
The blockade was spearheaded by the separatist Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC).
In Kangpokpi, a stronghold of the Kukis, public transport system was badly hit.
"Such shutdowns create many problems. I am a teacher and have to go to work but I am getting late as I have to stand in queue outside a petrol pump. It affects my work," said Loitongbam Ramchandra Singh, a local resident.
Many people, like the team of 30th National Junior soft-ball championship players, faced problems in commuting from Dimapur to Imphal. The security forces later escorted the team to Imphal.
"We have been sitting in the bus since yesterday. We are facing many problems. We have not eaten properly and have not had a bath. We hoped that we would reach early and practice, but we are facing many problems," said Suchilda Pataik, a championship official.
Manipur has already suffered a lot due to blockades and strikes imposed by militant outfits. Those worse affected by such activities are the common people.
The blockade was spearheaded by the separatist Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC).
In Kangpokpi, a stronghold of the Kukis, public transport system was badly hit.
"Such shutdowns create many problems. I am a teacher and have to go to work but I am getting late as I have to stand in queue outside a petrol pump. It affects my work," said Loitongbam Ramchandra Singh, a local resident.
Many people, like the team of 30th National Junior soft-ball championship players, faced problems in commuting from Dimapur to Imphal. The security forces later escorted the team to Imphal.
"We have been sitting in the bus since yesterday. We are facing many problems. We have not eaten properly and have not had a bath. We hoped that we would reach early and practice, but we are facing many problems," said Suchilda Pataik, a championship official.
Manipur has already suffered a lot due to blockades and strikes imposed by militant outfits. Those worse affected by such activities are the common people.
Prohibitory orders in Manipur’s Thoubal
Curfew like restrictions was imposed in Manipur’s Thoubal district
headquarter area Sunday as tensions were building up following death of a
58-year old man who sustained bullet injury in police firing to
disperse protestors blocking Indo-Myanmar section of NH-2.
Strict prohibitory orders under section 144 were imposed in the whole Thoubal district, police said, adding that the restrictions in this district were imposed due to apprehensions that agitations being launched by the people following deaths of two persons in Thoubal district headquarters and missing of non-Manipuri staying in his in-law’s house at Kakching of same district were likely to escalate with violence actions.
People were blocking the highway demanding booking of culprit(s) involved in the killing of one Yanglem Naoba alias Bisheshwor (31) of the same locality with deceased Manichandra. Naoba was shot dead by miscreants in the morning of November 30 last.
The protesting people who took to the streets and blocked the road for the second day sunday were irate on hearing that injured Manichandra breathed his last at the hospital today, around 11 am and attempted to storm the office of the deputy commissioner of Thoubal district.
Timey arrival of chief minister’s spouse and MLA O Landhoni Devi to hold talks with the agitating people prevented the people from further proceeding towards the DC office. MLA Landhoni was reportedly sent by chief minister O Ibobi Singh to convince the people of his constituency.
Strict prohibitory orders under section 144 were imposed in the whole Thoubal district, police said, adding that the restrictions in this district were imposed due to apprehensions that agitations being launched by the people following deaths of two persons in Thoubal district headquarters and missing of non-Manipuri staying in his in-law’s house at Kakching of same district were likely to escalate with violence actions.
People were blocking the highway demanding booking of culprit(s) involved in the killing of one Yanglem Naoba alias Bisheshwor (31) of the same locality with deceased Manichandra. Naoba was shot dead by miscreants in the morning of November 30 last.
The protesting people who took to the streets and blocked the road for the second day sunday were irate on hearing that injured Manichandra breathed his last at the hospital today, around 11 am and attempted to storm the office of the deputy commissioner of Thoubal district.
Timey arrival of chief minister’s spouse and MLA O Landhoni Devi to hold talks with the agitating people prevented the people from further proceeding towards the DC office. MLA Landhoni was reportedly sent by chief minister O Ibobi Singh to convince the people of his constituency.
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