Seven labourers of the Border Road Task Force (BRTF) were killed when their vehicle overturned in an interior hilly area in Manipur's Chandel district today.
The labourers, engaged in construction of a road near the border, were travelling to their workplace at Chawangphai area, about 2 kms North East of border town of Moreh, when the driver lost control and the vehicle overturned.
Official sources said the bodies were taken first to nearby Moreh hospital and then will be brought here for postmortem.
Irom Sharmila freed from detention
IMPHAL, Mar 13 – Manipur’s anti-AFSPA activist Irom Chanu Sharmila was freed from her annual detention today, two days before her 41st birthday, setting the stage for her rearrest routine to be played out again.
Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike for the last 12 years for repeal of the AFSPA, is ritually arrested, freed and rearrested on the charge of attempting to commit suicide.
Sharmila, after being freed by the district court in Imphal, told reporters said that she would never break her fast till her demand was fulfilled.
Sharmila, who is confined to a hospital during detention, had launched her fast on November 4, 2000, two days after security forces killed 10 people at Malom on the outskirts of Imphal. Escorted by local women, she moved to a thatched house near the JNIMS Hospital here where she began her agitation again.
Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike for the last 12 years for repeal of the AFSPA, is ritually arrested, freed and rearrested on the charge of attempting to commit suicide.
Sharmila, after being freed by the district court in Imphal, told reporters said that she would never break her fast till her demand was fulfilled.
Sharmila, who is confined to a hospital during detention, had launched her fast on November 4, 2000, two days after security forces killed 10 people at Malom on the outskirts of Imphal. Escorted by local women, she moved to a thatched house near the JNIMS Hospital here where she began her agitation again.
Mary Kom lends support to Save Loktak Campaign
IMPHAL, March 11 – London Olympic medalist boxer MC Mary Kom has joined the musical campaign on NE tour 2013 to save the threatened Loktak, the largest freshwater lake in eastern India.
With a series of musical concerts besides awareness programme, the State’s multi-faceted singer, composer and music director Ranbir Thouna is initiating the musical campaign “Save Loktak, Our Life”.
Releasing a T-shirt for the campaign at her Imphal home, Mary said, “It gives me immense pleasure to have launched Thouna’s musical campaign. I would also insist the people to extend support towards saving our historic and precious possessions,” the boxer and mother of twin sons added.
Later speaking to media, Ranbir said, “After March 17 Guwahati campaign, similar campaigns will be held at Silchar on March 19, followed by Moreh and Imphal on March 23 and April 9 respectively.”
The five-year-old musical campaign began on April 9, 2009, to save the threatened Loktak lake which was declared as a Ramsar site in 1996.
With a series of musical concerts besides awareness programme, the State’s multi-faceted singer, composer and music director Ranbir Thouna is initiating the musical campaign “Save Loktak, Our Life”.
Releasing a T-shirt for the campaign at her Imphal home, Mary said, “It gives me immense pleasure to have launched Thouna’s musical campaign. I would also insist the people to extend support towards saving our historic and precious possessions,” the boxer and mother of twin sons added.
Later speaking to media, Ranbir said, “After March 17 Guwahati campaign, similar campaigns will be held at Silchar on March 19, followed by Moreh and Imphal on March 23 and April 9 respectively.”
The five-year-old musical campaign began on April 9, 2009, to save the threatened Loktak lake which was declared as a Ramsar site in 1996.
Bollywood actor releases book on Irom Sharmila
IMPHAL, March 10 – Bollywood actor Abhay Deol released a new book on Manipur’s Iron Lady Irom Chanu Sharmila called Iron Irom: two journeys’ in Mumbai.
The book (providing a back-ground for Sharmila’s 1,000 word poem (Birth), is a personal, first-hand introduction of life in Manipur, the intricacies of AFSPA and related violations, and contains interviews with various people close to Sharmila including her family, and in the hour-long book reading and discussion that followed the release of the book in Mumbai on Frinday, writers and journalists like Jerry Pinto, Kalpana Sharma and Dilnaz Boga talked of the need to keep Sharmila alive in public consciousness, in the media, in the minds and hearts of people, according to sources available here.
Earlier, Deepti Priya Mehrotra and Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran have already authored two books – Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur details Sharmila’s life and the political background of her fast and Meira Paibi (Women bearing torches), a drama.
Ojas SV, a theatre artist from Pune, has also been performed mono-play titled Le Mashale(“Take the torch”) based on Sharmila’s struggle at several places.
Ever since her arrest, she has been regularly released and re-arrested under IPC section 309, a punishable act meant for a person who “attempts to commit suicide”.
Meanwhile, Human rights groups have launched Save Sharmila campaign at various places in the country. The campaign will conclude at Imphal on March 12 where Sharmila is scheduled to be released from custody.
The book (providing a back-ground for Sharmila’s 1,000 word poem (Birth), is a personal, first-hand introduction of life in Manipur, the intricacies of AFSPA and related violations, and contains interviews with various people close to Sharmila including her family, and in the hour-long book reading and discussion that followed the release of the book in Mumbai on Frinday, writers and journalists like Jerry Pinto, Kalpana Sharma and Dilnaz Boga talked of the need to keep Sharmila alive in public consciousness, in the media, in the minds and hearts of people, according to sources available here.
Earlier, Deepti Priya Mehrotra and Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran have already authored two books – Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur details Sharmila’s life and the political background of her fast and Meira Paibi (Women bearing torches), a drama.
Ojas SV, a theatre artist from Pune, has also been performed mono-play titled Le Mashale(“Take the torch”) based on Sharmila’s struggle at several places.
Ever since her arrest, she has been regularly released and re-arrested under IPC section 309, a punishable act meant for a person who “attempts to commit suicide”.
Meanwhile, Human rights groups have launched Save Sharmila campaign at various places in the country. The campaign will conclude at Imphal on March 12 where Sharmila is scheduled to be released from custody.
Defence personnel accused in Manipur drug seizure case remanded to custody
Imphal: All the seven, including colonel-ranked former Defence PRO Ajay Choudhury arrested in connection with drug seizure case, were remanded to police and judicial custody by a special Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances court in Imphal.
As per the court order yesterday the seven men would be remanded to police custody till March 12 and then to judicial custody till March 22 following applications from investigating officer (police) and public prosecutor.
The court allowed the public prosecutor's plea to re-arrest and remand them in police custody till March 12 and then to judicial custody till March 22.
The investigating officer, too, sought their further remand to police custody for further investigation.
There was no counsel for the accused.
FIRs were registered against the seven under sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act.
Section 21 of the Act provides for punishment for contravention in relation to manufactured drugs and preparations. The convicted is punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years and liable to be fined not less than Rs. one lakh. Section 29 provides for punishment for abetment and criminal conspiracy.
Six persons including Choudhury, his assistant R K Babalu and assistant manager of IndiGo airlines Ngairangbam Brojendro were arrested on February 24 by Manipur police for possessing illicit drugs worth Rs. 15 crore from Pallel area in Manipur's Thoubal district. The drugs were meant to be smuggled out to Myanmar.
Sheikholen Haokip, son of congress MLA T N Haokip, was arrested on February 26 from his house near here following the interrogation of the six men.
Social organisations had demanded punishment of those involved in the illegal drug trafficking in the state.
As per the court order yesterday the seven men would be remanded to police custody till March 12 and then to judicial custody till March 22 following applications from investigating officer (police) and public prosecutor.
The court allowed the public prosecutor's plea to re-arrest and remand them in police custody till March 12 and then to judicial custody till March 22.
The investigating officer, too, sought their further remand to police custody for further investigation.
There was no counsel for the accused.
FIRs were registered against the seven under sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act.
Section 21 of the Act provides for punishment for contravention in relation to manufactured drugs and preparations. The convicted is punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years and liable to be fined not less than Rs. one lakh. Section 29 provides for punishment for abetment and criminal conspiracy.
Six persons including Choudhury, his assistant R K Babalu and assistant manager of IndiGo airlines Ngairangbam Brojendro were arrested on February 24 by Manipur police for possessing illicit drugs worth Rs. 15 crore from Pallel area in Manipur's Thoubal district. The drugs were meant to be smuggled out to Myanmar.
Sheikholen Haokip, son of congress MLA T N Haokip, was arrested on February 26 from his house near here following the interrogation of the six men.
Social organisations had demanded punishment of those involved in the illegal drug trafficking in the state.
Cops on mission to nab drug smugglers : Dy CM
Imphal, Mar 8 :
Manipur Police have launched a special mission to track down and nab all kingpins of drug smuggling operating in the State.
This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Gaikhangam in the State Assembly today in response to a call attention motion raised by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA L Ibomcha about the seizure of a huge consignment of drugs worth Rs 25 crore on its way to Myanmar at Pallel on February 24 .
Noting that the drug situation in Manipur has reached an alarming stage, Gaikhangam underscored the need for a collective fight in order to prevent the young generation from being annihilated by intoxicating drugs.
Following the arrest of six persons including Defence PRO Ajay Chowdhry together with a huge consignment of drugs, three cases have been registered against them at Kakching police station.
As the Government is deeply concerned with the drug menace, the State Cabinet has already decided to hand over the Pallel drug seizure case to the CBI, Gaikhangam stated.
This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Gaikhangam in the State Assembly today in response to a call attention motion raised by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA L Ibomcha about the seizure of a huge consignment of drugs worth Rs 25 crore on its way to Myanmar at Pallel on February 24 .
Noting that the drug situation in Manipur has reached an alarming stage, Gaikhangam underscored the need for a collective fight in order to prevent the young generation from being annihilated by intoxicating drugs.
Following the arrest of six persons including Defence PRO Ajay Chowdhry together with a huge consignment of drugs, three cases have been registered against them at Kakching police station.
As the Government is deeply concerned with the drug menace, the State Cabinet has already decided to hand over the Pallel drug seizure case to the CBI, Gaikhangam stated.
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Manipur Police are currently undertaking an intensive investigation to wipe out all drugs cartels and put an end to all activities of drug trafficking and smuggling in the State.
Police have been working scrupulously not to let off any one held with drugs.
Raising the call attention motion, Dr Ibohalbi pointed that Manipur has become a route for drug trafficking.
With many influential and powerful persons like army officers, MLAs, Ministers and other high ranking officials involved in drug smuggling, the issue should be dealt with firmly, he said.
People have been staging protest demonstrations against the Government's failure to identify/disclose the real owner of the drug consignment which was seized from Imphal airport in February, Ibohalbi pointed out.
Pseudoephedrine tablets smuggled from different parts of India through Manipur into Myanmar are taken to Golden Triangle where the tablets are used for manufacturing party drugs.
These party drugs are again sent to Manipur.
There are 14 different routes in Manipur for smuggling drugs.
The Narcotics Control Bureau and the State Government need to take up effective measures to check smuggling of drugs through these routes.
Dr Ibohalbi also highlighted the importance of formulating a policy under which all drug entry and arrival points including airport can be scanned thoroughly.
He went on to ask why three different cases were registered against the six individuals who were arrested with drugs at Pallel.
He further enquired whether CBI has accepted the case or should NCB take part in the investigation.
He called upon the ruling bench to harness political will and do not let any evidence disappear so that all the drug smugglers can be charge-sheeted and punish accordingly.
MLA L Ibomcha suggested that investigative capability of the State police need enhancement and the Pallel drug seizure case should be handed over to the CBI together with all the available evidence.
Permission should be given to security forces to check MLAs and Ministers travelling to Moreh.
Stating that the police personnel who intercepted and seized the drugs at Pallel deserve rewards, Ibomcha announced that he would give cash reward of Rs 50,000 to the police team.
Girl allegedly raped, thrown into river in Manipur
Imphal: A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped and thrown into a river in a village in Manipur, police said Wednesday.
The body of the girl, who had been missing for the past three days was fished out of Haorang river in Imphal East district yesterday, the police said.
The body was spotted by some youths, who had gone to take bath in the river.
Family sources said the girl was missing for the past three days but they believed that she had gone to the house of her maternal grandfather.
They came to know of the incident yesterday.
Police said the body, which bore injury marks, has been sent for post mortem.
The body of the girl, who had been missing for the past three days was fished out of Haorang river in Imphal East district yesterday, the police said.
The body was spotted by some youths, who had gone to take bath in the river.
Family sources said the girl was missing for the past three days but they believed that she had gone to the house of her maternal grandfather.
They came to know of the incident yesterday.
Police said the body, which bore injury marks, has been sent for post mortem.
'No amendments, just repeal AFSPA'
New Delhi, March 5 -- The wait for Manipur's Iron Lady Irom Sharmila at Delhi's airport on Sunday for a conveyance to Tikandrajit House
was a full hour-and-half. A taxicab had to be called to transport her,
food pipes dangling from her nose and all. "Due to inadequate
arrangements, we had stay at the airport for a long time," Sharmila told HT
in a quivering nasal tone because of her medical condition that has set
in after 12 years of fasting and being force-fed from the nose by
tubes.
The court had summoned Sharmila last year itself but the Manipur
government said it did not have enough funds to pay for her trip."A scared government has now arranged for my court appearance."
But the spirit is unrelenting. Her forcefulness comes through on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) issue whose repeal she has been demanding.
"No amendments, just repeal the AFSPA," this time, her voice firm and clear.But it is not from hope, anger or frustration that she draws her strength from. "My strength is from my conscience, just thinking that this is right and that is wrong. And AFSPA is a definite wrong."
But she sees hope in the rise of civic society in India like never before. "Our people are becoming more aware, so I am hopeful."
To describe the complex vortex of her emotions, Sharmila has taken to reading and writing.
"My circumstances compel me to write poetry. It settles my mind, broadens my outlook and gives me strength."
On Monday, a Delhi court
framed charges against Sharmila after she refused to plead guilty to
attempting suicide at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in 2006 by refusing to have
food. "I only want justice.If I wanted to commit suicide I might have
died," she told the court adding she "loves life and does not want to
take my own life".
The court has posted the matter for May 22 for recording of prosecution's evidence.Under AFSPA, in Kashmir and parts of the northeast, security forces have the right to shoot to kill without fear of possible prosecution and to arrest suspects without a warrant besides wide-ranging powers of search and seizure.
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