Hope floats for repeal of army act in Manipur

Imphal, Sept. 12 : Citizens’ groups of Manipur reaffirmed the pledge to continue the struggle to scrap the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act on the birthday of the law.

Parliament passed the Armed Forces Bill in August 1958, on the lines of an ordinance promulgated by the then British government and the President gave his assent to the bill on this day the same year.

The act was enforced in the northeastern states and Jammu and Kashmir to tackle militancy.

It was later enforced in the Manipur hills in 1961 and in 1980, the entire state was brought under the act.

Sharmila Kanba Lup, a conglomerate of Irom Sharmila support groups, organised a programme here today to mark the day and remind the people of the “sufferings” brought about by the act.

Led by women, the organisations launched the struggle against the act after CRPF personnel killed four civilians, including a pregnant woman, at Patsoi of Imphal West on April 26, 1980, after militants shot dead three CRPF jawans.

Rights defenders recalled the excesses committed by the armed forces and how they escaped punishment under the blanket cover of the act.

Sharmila is completing 12 years of her fast, demanding repeal of the act, in November.

She began her fast in 2000, after troops of the Assam Rifles shot dead 10 civilians at Malom near Imphal airport in retaliation to a militant attack.

The Administrative Reforms Committee and Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission recommended the repeal of the act. New Delhi is yet to act on the recommendations.

However, the groups have not given up hope that one day the Centre will listen to the voices of the people and other countries.

“Other countries are mounting pressure on India to repeal the act. It may take time but one day India’s image as the largest democratic country will be at stake and accordingly it will act,” Irom Shinghajit, Sharmila’s elder brother, said.

He called upon the people of the Northeast to come together and have a joint fight to end rights violations.

The UN Human Rights Council Working Group adopted its report on India’s human rights record, recommending repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

The recommendations were made by the 13th session of the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Working Group held in Geneva from May 21.

Giving her keynote address, Th. Ramani, who has been taking part in the struggle against the act since the beginning, said it had been 32 years and the people of Manipur would not rest till the act was scrapped.

Senior citizens, leaders of rights groups and intellectuals took part in the programme.

Manipuri director unearths untold story of Japanese soldiers in India during World War II

By Manimugdha S Sharma

In March 1944, the Japanese 15th Army under Lieutenant-General Renya Mutaguchi mounted a full-scale invasion on India via Manipur and Nagaland. Under the 'U-Go Offensive', these troops reached the gates of Imphal and Kohima, and it appeared it would not be long before they reached the Brahmaputra Valley. Only one force stood in its way — the British Indian Army. In the ensuing battles, the Japanese suffered immense losses. As many as 60,000 lay dead, with the defenders losing some 13,500 men. By July, the Japanese had retreated to Burma. But some decided to stay back. Now, 68 years later, a Manipuri film is set to highlight this aspect of the Great War.

Mohen Naorem's My Japanese Niece traces the fascinating journey of discovery of a young Japanese woman, Asada, who comes to Manipur to pay homage to her uncle who was presumed dead in that campaign. Here, she learns about an old man who resembled her lost uncle, but who had died a few months earlier. She discovers many unpublished letters and diaries elaborating the trials and tribulations of the Japanese soldiers in India.

Historically, the theory that Manipuris liked and helped the Japanese has surfaced for the first time. "Japanese soldiers of World War II have always been depicted as savage people committing atrocities on the conquered. But from whatever information we could glean from people who lived to tell the tale of that invasion, we learnt that the troops were nice to the locals. We thought it fair to show the other side," says Naorem, the director of this Indo-Japanese venture that will be shot in 35mm, unlike the digital format on which Manipuri cinema thrives.

Of course, that would cost Naorem a fortune — Rs 1 crore — but would also credit him with making the most expensive Manipuri film ever. Naorem says the idea germinated when the March 2011 earthquake in Japan saw a flurry of relief activity in Manipur. "Our people's emotional connection with the Japanese came out in the open then. We started a Facebook community to raise funds. That promoted interaction with the Japanese. Then in January this year, a Japanese delegation came to Assam to exhume and take away the remains of 11 Japanese soldiers killed in World War II. That bolstered my idea for a movie," he says.

But given the dismal record of period films in India in recent years, Naorem isn't entirely hopeful of doing brisk business. "I'm looking at the international market, especially South-East Asia and the Far East as the cast comprises Japanese, Korean and Chinese artistes. I will dub the movie into Japanese and English."

London-based Japanese actor Junichi Kajioka will play the role of the lost soldier, while Osaka-based actor Yu Asada will play the eponymous niece. This is not Kajioka's maiden attempt at the role of a Japanese soldier; he has acted in war films such as Devils on the Doorstep, City of Life and Death, and recently, The Flowers of War featuring Christian Bale.

But why a Manipuri film? "War films in general tend to portray Japanese soldiers as ruthless killers. It is more difficult to show the humane side of soldiers and their dignity in extreme circumstances. My Japanese Niece will focus on this aspect," he says, adding that he has been reading several works on the Battle of Imphal to prepare for it.

Realistic portrayal was a big concern for Naorem. "We had to recreate Manipur of the 1940s, so we had to venture deep inside the pristine forests. The next big thing was to design battle gear, costumes and weapons of the Japanese soldiers in Manipur. Fortunately, Kajioka guided me to the right people and now we have an international team looking into the bare details," says the director.

For Yu Asada, the project has given her a chance to visit India and learn Manipuri. "I have been learning the language since July but I wouldn't say my progress has been fantastic. Nevertheless, the experience has been fascinating," she says.

The shoot is slated to begin in October-November and the film will be released in August next year to coincide with Japan's surrender in 1945.

UCM disappointed over non- implementation of ILP in Manipur

IMPHAL, Sep 6 : The United Committee Manipur (UCM) and other civil organizations which have been demanding the reintroduction of the Inner Line Permit in Manipur were disappointed by the statement of the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs that it is not possible to introduce the ILP in Manipur. These organizations which have been leaving no stone unturned in this regard may not take it lightly.

The ILP was withdrawn from Manipur in 1953 for unexplained reasons. However it is still in force in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. It has not been explained why ILP cannot be implemented in Manipur despite the fact that there are similar social and demographic conditions like the other States having IPL.

Sources however said that the Home Affairs officials might have prepared the reply to the question by T Meiyna, MP from Manipur long before the Central Government had received the Assembly resolution sent by the State Government. It may be recalled that in the last monsoon session 60 members of the assembly had adopted an unanimous resolution to approach the centre for the reintroduction of the ILP. The UCM which heads a committee demanding the reintroduction said that it will wait till November 18 for the government's decision. If the ILP is not implemented within that day the civil organizations threatened to implement ILP on its own. This is an ominous sign which may lead to confrontations.

Manipur is one of the Northeastern States which is reeling under the influx of foreigners and outsiders. In the last few days the police had rounded up foreigners some of whom were  sent to judicial custody. While the process of detection of the foreigners was going on several foreigners tried to intrude to Manipur from Jiribam. However police deported 161 foreigners.

The civil organizations have not taken a kind view of the police detection of the foreigners. They alleged “ Realizing that ILP will be reintroduced sooner, the Government detecting few foreigners is just a cheap publicity stunt.” The UCM leaders said that there are over 7 lakh foreigners and outsiders in Manipur and the government cannot detect and deport all of them. Much trouble is in the offing, it is observed.

Former Nagaland CM S C Jamir visits Manipur

IMPHAL: Former Nagaland chief minister and senior Congress leader S C Jamir is on a two-day private visit to Manipur.

The visit of Jamir, a member of Congress Working Committee, is being viewed with considerable interests among political observers as the Centre and NSCN-IM are going to enter a crucial stage in peace talks for settlement of Naga issues in Nagaland.

Sources said Jamir, a former governor of Maharashtra, called on Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat immediately after arrival yesterday but it was not known what transpired in the meeting.

The main demand of NSCN-IM was, said sources in political parties here, is disintegration of Manipur to merge Naga-inhabited areas with neighbouring Nagaland but it has been rejected by several organisations in Manipur.

Congress sources said Jamir would also meet Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh, also a senior Congress leader, before leaving for Nagaland today.

‘Fake encounter’: NHRC issues notice to Manipur DGP

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Manipur’s Director-General of Police and the Imphal District Magistrate calling for reports within two months on the alleged killing of two suspected militants, one of whom was claimed to be an innocent ice-cream vendor, in a ‘fake encounter’ on July 30 this year.

The Commission was acting on the media reports, which said the encounter took place at Lamdeng Khunou Chingmei near the solid waste management plant located four km north of the Lamsang police station in Imphal West district.
The wife of one of the deceased, Sukham Naobicha, has alleged that her husband was an ice-cream vendor.

The National Human Rights Commission asked the two officers to forward the reports of magisterial inquiry, inquest and post-mortem of the bodies of the two persons along with that of an independent investigation.

Manipur pushes back 60 suspected Bangladeshis

IMPHAL, Sep 3 : Authorities in Manipur have pushed back into Assam 60 suspected Bangladeshis, an official said Sunday.

Manipur Police have launched a crackdown in several parts of the state to flush out illegal Bangladeshi and Myanmarese immigrants.

A total of 49 illegal Bangladeshi and Myanmarese immigrants have been arrested and booked under the Foreigners Act, the official said.

Over 400 suspected illegal immigrants have been rounded up to verify their nationality.

"We pushed back 60 suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants Saturday into Assam from Jiribam after they failed to produce any document to prove they are Indian citizens," a police official told IANS.

Jiribam bordering Assam is one of three entry points to Manipur.

Manipur shares a border with Nagaland to the north, with Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west and Myanmar to the east.

"No person will be allowed to step into Manipur without producing valid documents and those who fail will be pushed back," the official said.

Manipur Home Minister G. Gaikhangam said the crackdown to detect illegal Bangladeshi and Myanmarese nationals would continue.

The minister said the government would take action against those who shelter illegal immigrants.

"It is a sensitive issue (illegal immigrants) and the government will not allow any illegal immigrant to settle in Manipur," Gaikhangam said.

Following pressure from civil society groups, the Manipur assembly July 13 adopted a resolution urging the central government to extend the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, to the state to check the influx of suspected Bangladeshi and Myanmarese nationals.

Bangladeshi nationals arrested, minorities detained in Manipur

Imphal, Aug 31 : At least 43 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested and over 300 minorities rounded up today during a massive combing operation in Manipur's Thoubal and Imphal East districts, police sources said. The combing operations since the early hours at minority-dominated Lilong area in Thoubal district and Hatta area in Imphal East district under the supervision of Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) L Kailun followed reports of movement of armed ultras, the sources said. The 43 Bangladeshis who included women and small children and entered the state in the last 15 days or between 2 to 10 years, were arrested, the sources said. Some of the Bangladeshi nationals had married Manipuri Muslim girls and had children, they said. A senior police officials said most of the arrested Bangladeshis told interrogators that they entered Manipur for a livelihood as they earned only Rs 2 or Rs.3 per day in their homeland. Also rounded up were over 300 minorities from West Bengal, Silchar in Assam and Bihar from Lilong and Hatta areas during the combing, the sources said. The minorities who entered Manipur from Indian states would be subjected to verification, they said. They said that the Bangladeshis as well as the minorities from other Indian states were being kept at the ground of the 2nd Maniur Rifles battalion here. Official and civil organisation sources said that many outsiders including illegal migrants might have infiltrated into Manipur following the recent violence in lower Assam, but exact figures would be known only after verification.