| 300 stockists stage sit-in | ||
Imphal, Oct. 17 : Three hundred medicine storeowners today staged a sit-in in front of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences demanding closure of two stores opened on the hospital campus two months ago, fearing monopoly of drugs sale in the area. The medical superintendent of the institute, Y. Mohen Singh, however, said the demand was unreasonable and there was no question of closing the two stores on the campus. The institute opened two medicine stores two months’ ago after inviting tenders to “facilitate” patients in procuring medicine easily and at “subsidised rates”. Mohen said anybody buying medicines from these two stores are getting a 10 per cent discount. There is a 12 per cent discount for people with below poverty line cards and 15 per cent discount for cancer patients. Besides, buying medicines from these shops also saves valuable time. “We are taking minimal rent from the two stores. Our objective is to make medicine available easily and at discounted rates. The institute does not get any benefit from opening the two counters. It is purely for the benefit of the patients. If the patients say they do not want medicines on discounts, we will be happy to close the two stores,” Mohen said. The Manipur Chemists and Druggists Association charged that opening the two stores on the hospital campus was an attempt to monopolise the medicine business by RIMS in the garb of discounts. The standoff reached a flashpoint today when all the stockists in the state cut off supplies to the two medicine stores. They are now procuring medicines from outside the state. |
Drug protest rocks RIMS
Manipur lightning bandh on Monday
Imphal | October 17 : A “chakka bandh” has been called from 6 am to 6 pm on October 19 in Manipur by the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) to press the government of Manipur to announce the date of Autonomous District Council elections forthwith. This decision was unanimously resolved by district representatives of IDF at a meeting held on Friday in Imphal.
Speaking to Newmai News Network, the president of IDF Ngachomi Chamroy said all the hill districts will resort to different forms of agitations indefinitely after the “chakka bandh” till the demand is fulfilled. “This is a democratic fight to the finish,” the IDF president said. For the past 20 years, the government of Manipur have been saying that elections to ADC is going to be held, the last announcement being April 18, 2008 as the election date announced by the chief minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh, said Chamroy.
It is not surprising that the ADC election has not been held even now, stated the president of IDF, adding that the government cannot ‘fool all the people all of the time.’ Continuing his assault on the delay-tactics of the government in holding the ADC election, Ngachomi Chamroy asserted that many people have been convinced by the government that the ADC election will happen now automatically.
The alibi given a month earlier to the centre by the government of Manipur for not announcing the date of the ADC election was the delimitation process being incomplete; now that the delimitation process is complete, what is stopping the government of Manipur from announcing the date of ADC election, he queried. A memorandum has also been submitted to the chief minister of Manipur today demanding announcement of the date of the ADC elections immediately.
Speaking to Newmai News Network, the president of IDF Ngachomi Chamroy said all the hill districts will resort to different forms of agitations indefinitely after the “chakka bandh” till the demand is fulfilled. “This is a democratic fight to the finish,” the IDF president said. For the past 20 years, the government of Manipur have been saying that elections to ADC is going to be held, the last announcement being April 18, 2008 as the election date announced by the chief minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh, said Chamroy.
It is not surprising that the ADC election has not been held even now, stated the president of IDF, adding that the government cannot ‘fool all the people all of the time.’ Continuing his assault on the delay-tactics of the government in holding the ADC election, Ngachomi Chamroy asserted that many people have been convinced by the government that the ADC election will happen now automatically.
The alibi given a month earlier to the centre by the government of Manipur for not announcing the date of the ADC election was the delimitation process being incomplete; now that the delimitation process is complete, what is stopping the government of Manipur from announcing the date of ADC election, he queried. A memorandum has also been submitted to the chief minister of Manipur today demanding announcement of the date of the ADC elections immediately.
An interview with Sitara Begum -- a shining star for Muslim women in Manipur
By Anjuman Ara Begum, TwoCircles.net,
Sitara Begum hails from Porompat area in Imphal, Manipur. A renowned social activist in the state and presently head of the NGO United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation. Begum did B.A. in 1980 at the age of 26 and became the second female graduate among Muslims in Manipur. Her contribution to the uplift of Manipuri Muslim women is astounding. Her own life is a piece of inspiration for thousands of Muslim women in the state who were denied basic rights in the name of religion. In an interview with Anjuman Ara Begum of TwoCircles.net, Sitara Begum talked about her life and work.
Tell me about your family
My father was Late Abdul Wahab and mother Late Sona Hambi. We were 10 siblings - 7 brothers and 3 sisters. I am 6th child of my parent. I am married and have four children - two daughters and two sons.
How did you start working for the society?
I used to take all kids of my area to school when I was only 6 years old. Villagers liked me a lot for this. I was famous. I was born in 1961. I was only 14-years-old when I got married. At that time I had just passed class 10th. I had no knowledge and my level of understanding was very low. I had given birth to five children when I turned 20. Then one day I became nearly hysterical thinking that I need to do something. I cannot live a life like this. I went to the doctor and did sterilization. I took admission in class 11th and completed my B.A. in 1980 at the age of 26. I became the second female graduate among Muslims in Manipur. I was the first woman to sing song in radio. In school I had a group of 10 girls and we were very active though there were restrictions from the family and community. I loved reading books.
Then?
I helped about 300 women to sterilization. I opened a school at my own house and started to educate adult females of my community.
Did you face resistance for such work?
Yes. People laughed at me as I was teaching housewives and elderly women. People made fun of me. But it did not stop me. Now I want that Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme should start in my area. I went to CM's office and got the order yesterday (October 3, 2009).
Were your students happy?
Yes. They were very happy. Many women could count their money and read letters and newspapers.
How long you taught like this?
This school continued for 6 months. Then I established an organization called United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation. I don't get fund for my organization. I never run after funds. I want to empower women of all communities. Today people recognize me as a Muslim woman from Manipur. People recognize me and my contribution. I have traveled all over India and talked about my community. People from all over the world came and visited my hut and talked to me. This is my satisfaction. There is power in unity and fun in working together. I want to see all our communities get united.
What is the main work of your organization?
We are giving vocational training in tailoring and other similar works. After training they go back and work in their localities. We run schools for housewives. Also, we conduct awareness campaigns on domestic violence and violence against women in general.
What is the population of your area?
About 30 thousand people live in Porompat area. Muslims, Nagas, Meitei all are here.
What is the main occupation of the people here?
Mainly agriculture, many others are daily wagers.
What about the education level?
It's very low. Very few graduates are here. And educated women are very less. Only 7 women are graduates here.
What do you think about the Muslim insurgency in Manipur?
In 1993, a fight between Meitei Muslims and Meiteis took place and unfortunately, I think, that gave birth to Muslim insurgency. And later we came to know that some Muslims groups are active here. Situation is quite tense here. Everyday newspapers are flooded with the news of killings. Peoples are afraid to come out. Many people don't have TV. So they don't know what's happening outside. We conduct door to door awareness campaign for women to be aware of the existing situation.
What is the solution to insurgency here?
I don't believe that killing will solve the problem. We need to have peace dialogue. We need to stop fake encounter killings. The struggle will go on.
What about the fear level in people's mind?
We don't go out after 7 pm. There is wide spread extortion. People are afraid to come out.
How do you view Manipur in 10 years now?
I think in ten years from now, the problem of insurgency will be solved. Otherwise there will be civil war.
(Sitara Begum can be contacted on 09856116315 or at her home in Hafiz Hatta, Minuthong, Imphal)
Sitara Begum hails from Porompat area in Imphal, Manipur. A renowned social activist in the state and presently head of the NGO United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation. Begum did B.A. in 1980 at the age of 26 and became the second female graduate among Muslims in Manipur. Her contribution to the uplift of Manipuri Muslim women is astounding. Her own life is a piece of inspiration for thousands of Muslim women in the state who were denied basic rights in the name of religion. In an interview with Anjuman Ara Begum of TwoCircles.net, Sitara Begum talked about her life and work.
Tell me about your family
My father was Late Abdul Wahab and mother Late Sona Hambi. We were 10 siblings - 7 brothers and 3 sisters. I am 6th child of my parent. I am married and have four children - two daughters and two sons.
How did you start working for the society?
I used to take all kids of my area to school when I was only 6 years old. Villagers liked me a lot for this. I was famous. I was born in 1961. I was only 14-years-old when I got married. At that time I had just passed class 10th. I had no knowledge and my level of understanding was very low. I had given birth to five children when I turned 20. Then one day I became nearly hysterical thinking that I need to do something. I cannot live a life like this. I went to the doctor and did sterilization. I took admission in class 11th and completed my B.A. in 1980 at the age of 26. I became the second female graduate among Muslims in Manipur. I was the first woman to sing song in radio. In school I had a group of 10 girls and we were very active though there were restrictions from the family and community. I loved reading books.
Then?
I helped about 300 women to sterilization. I opened a school at my own house and started to educate adult females of my community.
Did you face resistance for such work?
Yes. People laughed at me as I was teaching housewives and elderly women. People made fun of me. But it did not stop me. Now I want that Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme should start in my area. I went to CM's office and got the order yesterday (October 3, 2009).
Were your students happy?
Yes. They were very happy. Many women could count their money and read letters and newspapers.
How long you taught like this?
This school continued for 6 months. Then I established an organization called United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation. I don't get fund for my organization. I never run after funds. I want to empower women of all communities. Today people recognize me as a Muslim woman from Manipur. People recognize me and my contribution. I have traveled all over India and talked about my community. People from all over the world came and visited my hut and talked to me. This is my satisfaction. There is power in unity and fun in working together. I want to see all our communities get united.
What is the main work of your organization?
We are giving vocational training in tailoring and other similar works. After training they go back and work in their localities. We run schools for housewives. Also, we conduct awareness campaigns on domestic violence and violence against women in general.
What is the population of your area?
About 30 thousand people live in Porompat area. Muslims, Nagas, Meitei all are here.
What is the main occupation of the people here?
Mainly agriculture, many others are daily wagers.
What about the education level?
It's very low. Very few graduates are here. And educated women are very less. Only 7 women are graduates here.
What do you think about the Muslim insurgency in Manipur?
In 1993, a fight between Meitei Muslims and Meiteis took place and unfortunately, I think, that gave birth to Muslim insurgency. And later we came to know that some Muslims groups are active here. Situation is quite tense here. Everyday newspapers are flooded with the news of killings. Peoples are afraid to come out. Many people don't have TV. So they don't know what's happening outside. We conduct door to door awareness campaign for women to be aware of the existing situation.
What is the solution to insurgency here?
I don't believe that killing will solve the problem. We need to have peace dialogue. We need to stop fake encounter killings. The struggle will go on.
What about the fear level in people's mind?
We don't go out after 7 pm. There is wide spread extortion. People are afraid to come out.
How do you view Manipur in 10 years now?
I think in ten years from now, the problem of insurgency will be solved. Otherwise there will be civil war.
(Sitara Begum can be contacted on 09856116315 or at her home in Hafiz Hatta, Minuthong, Imphal)
Five militants killed in Manipur shootout
IMPHAL - Five separatist guerrillas were killed and a police commando injured in a gun battle between the militants and security personnel in Manipur, an official said Sunday.
A police spokesperson said the shootout took place late Saturday at Leimaram village, about 30 km south of Imphal, between militants of the outlawed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and a joint team of army soldiers and police commandos.
“The militants fired at the security patrol and in retaliatory attacks, five KYKL militants were gunned down. A police commando was also injured in the encounter,” a police official said requesting anonymity.
A large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants.
The KYKL is fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in Manipur, a state of 2.4 million people bordering Myanmar.
More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Manipur during the past two decades.
A police spokesperson said the shootout took place late Saturday at Leimaram village, about 30 km south of Imphal, between militants of the outlawed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and a joint team of army soldiers and police commandos.
“The militants fired at the security patrol and in retaliatory attacks, five KYKL militants were gunned down. A police commando was also injured in the encounter,” a police official said requesting anonymity.
A large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants.
The KYKL is fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in Manipur, a state of 2.4 million people bordering Myanmar.
More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Manipur during the past two decades.
Manipur Rifles unit takes lead in green earth campaign
Imphal, October 5 : Notwithstanding their heavy schedule in the maintenance of law and order in the State, comparatively peaceful atmosphere prevalent in Tamenglong district is being showcased by the number of cherry trees nurtured along the curvy highway stretch that leads to the district headquarters.
Thanks of relative peace in the district security forces, particularly personnel of the 5th Manipur rifles battalion had been able to contribute their mite in the protection of the environment through tree plantation activities.
Under the aegis of the battalion's Commanding Officer KC Lokho the mR personnel had embarked on the noble mission to protect the environment and begun cherry tree plantation activities since 1995 and the result is being reaped today as weary travellers on this accident-prone road could atleast stop to not only get engrossed in the beauty of the surrounding but also realise that gun-totting security personnel also have a humane heart and cares for the nature.
Thanks of relative peace in the district security forces, particularly personnel of the 5th Manipur rifles battalion had been able to contribute their mite in the protection of the environment through tree plantation activities.
Under the aegis of the battalion's Commanding Officer KC Lokho the mR personnel had embarked on the noble mission to protect the environment and begun cherry tree plantation activities since 1995 and the result is being reaped today as weary travellers on this accident-prone road could atleast stop to not only get engrossed in the beauty of the surrounding but also realise that gun-totting security personnel also have a humane heart and cares for the nature.
|
Even though the serene atmosphere in Tamenglong district sometimes get shattered when gun-fights break out, mostly inter-factional showdowns, the district is today among the most peaceful zone in Manipur even since the Central Government signed ceasefire with the Naga rebel group the NSCN (IM).
It is informed that the cherry tree plantation programme began with over 1000 saplings brought from Mao sub-division of Senapati district.
Initially, the vision of the MR unit's CO to beautify parts of Tamenglong district as supplementary contribution to the global initiative of retaining the earth's green cover seems headed for disaster as there was hardly any assistance from the locals.
Apart from villagers that reside along the route uprooting newly planted saplings to plant them at their own places, stray cattles used to trample them thereby leading to premature withering of the cherry trees.
Undeterred by such setbacks, the MR personnel stubbornly persisted with their non-combat task and went on replenishing the damaged section and ultimately succeeded in their mission that today villagers prefer to rest under the cherry trees and appreciate its beauty.
Cherry flowers are said to blossom in November and the rows of plantation along Tamenglong-Khongjarol are on the verge to blossom.
Preferring to stay aloof from the media limelight inspite of his personal contribution to the cherry tree plantation endeavour the 5th MR CO cut short a recent attempt by this reporter to extract comment from KC Lokho who only muttered that the plantation activities began about 15 years back.
Despite the CO's reluctance to be drawn into the chat, some battalion personnel conveyed that on a regular basis teams of MR personnel are despatched for nurturing and protection of the cherry trees by plucking weeds and clearing overgrowths thereby also able to present a clean look of the surroundings.
When the assigned task is not so arduous or little tending is required the personnel's service are utilised in mending potholes along the highway stretch, they informed.
Expressing that there had been appreciative remarks from travellers upon witnessing beauty of the area, the MR personnel humbly commented that they could atleast extend some contribution in not only retaining the district's green foliage but could also chip in controlling soil erosion.
While most of the battalion campus had been covered with fully grown cherry trees, it is said that the CO has plans to spread the cherry tree plantation programme on an even wider scale in the district.
Students agitators reject CM`s call for end to class boycott
IMPHAL, Oct 1: The three students bodies AMSU, MSF and KSA which have been spearheading the current class-boycott stir have rejected chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh`s appeal for ending their agitation.
After a long silence, the chief minister made an appeal to the three students bodies to end their stir while speaking at the closing function of the Schools Meet yesterday.
In a joint statement, the students bodies said the chief minister`s appeal has no meaning as people`s appeal for his resignation on moral ground has not been met. The students` bodies will consider the appeal only after Ibobi has resigned and punishments have been awarded to commandos involved in the Khwairamband killing.
It said by giving misleading information to the Central leaders that the current agitation in Manipur is instigation by underground elements, the chief minister is trying to save his position. His efforts are proving to be fruitless and it is like fetching water in a hollow pot, the statement said.
Reacting to chief minister`s reported statement regarding distribution of live bullets to heads of some schools, the students bodies said it was Ibobi`s drama to malign the image of the students bodies and a ploy to paint the current movement as one instigation by militants.
The three students bodies also warned of stern action against five schools which defied the class-boycott agitation.
The schools are RUDA Academy, Thoubal Wangma Taba, Peace and Freedom Academy, Thoubal Haokha, Briliant Academy, Thoubal Mela ground, KM Blooming school, Khangabok and Anandpurna School, Thoubal Tumjing Makhong.
Asking the authorities of all the five schools to explain in writings for opposing the peoples` movement and defying class-boycott stir within October 5, the students bodies warn of taking up stern action as announced earlier.
The students bodies however assured to relax its stance if the school authorities clarified through media about their wrong deeds and stop resuming classes.
After a long silence, the chief minister made an appeal to the three students bodies to end their stir while speaking at the closing function of the Schools Meet yesterday.
In a joint statement, the students bodies said the chief minister`s appeal has no meaning as people`s appeal for his resignation on moral ground has not been met. The students` bodies will consider the appeal only after Ibobi has resigned and punishments have been awarded to commandos involved in the Khwairamband killing.
It said by giving misleading information to the Central leaders that the current agitation in Manipur is instigation by underground elements, the chief minister is trying to save his position. His efforts are proving to be fruitless and it is like fetching water in a hollow pot, the statement said.
Reacting to chief minister`s reported statement regarding distribution of live bullets to heads of some schools, the students bodies said it was Ibobi`s drama to malign the image of the students bodies and a ploy to paint the current movement as one instigation by militants.
The three students bodies also warned of stern action against five schools which defied the class-boycott agitation.
The schools are RUDA Academy, Thoubal Wangma Taba, Peace and Freedom Academy, Thoubal Haokha, Briliant Academy, Thoubal Mela ground, KM Blooming school, Khangabok and Anandpurna School, Thoubal Tumjing Makhong.
Asking the authorities of all the five schools to explain in writings for opposing the peoples` movement and defying class-boycott stir within October 5, the students bodies warn of taking up stern action as announced earlier.
The students bodies however assured to relax its stance if the school authorities clarified through media about their wrong deeds and stop resuming classes.
Nine held in connection with bomb case
Imphal, Sept 27 (PTI) Nine persons have so far been arrested in connection with the September 18 incident in which some unidentified persons kept a car-bomb at Manipur Raj Bhavan complex, officials said today.
They said all the nine were being interrogated.
On September 18, some unknown persons, who came on the pretext of submitting a memorandum to Governor Gurbachan Jagan, left a car laden with 25 kgs of explosives and three hand grenades, they said.
The explosives were later defused by bomb experts of Manipur police.
Militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council had earlier claimed that they had kept the explosives and added that it could hit any VIP area in the state at their will.
They said all the nine were being interrogated.
On September 18, some unknown persons, who came on the pretext of submitting a memorandum to Governor Gurbachan Jagan, left a car laden with 25 kgs of explosives and three hand grenades, they said.
The explosives were later defused by bomb experts of Manipur police.
Militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council had earlier claimed that they had kept the explosives and added that it could hit any VIP area in the state at their will.
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