Campaign on flagship programme held at Tamenglong

By Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG, Mar 2 : A one-day campaign on flagship programme under the banner of ‘The people and the government - interpersonal communication’ organized by the directorate of information and public relations, DIPR was held at the Tamenglong Indoor Stadium with N Jacob, zonal education officer, Tamenglong as chief guest of the opening ceremony and Dm Nganthonang, former president of the Zeliangrong Union Assam, Manipur and Nagaland as president of the function.

The three departments of zonal education office, DRDA and agriculture gave a brief on their progress and the facilities available in their departments. Public queries were also answered by the concerned department.

Ariliu Newmei, assistant district project officer of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, SSA, spoke on the SSA in Tamenglong, D Champoudai, AI of zonal education Tamenglong spoke on mid-day meal at Tamenglong, while Kamiuthuan Kamei, project officer of DRDA Tamenglong spoke on the topic ‘Integrated watershed development project (IWDP) of Harilyali’ and an agriculture department official spoke on agriculture as income and promotion of food products at Tamenglong.

As many as 120 different social leaders, NGOs and organizations participated in the campaign.

The project officer of DRDA Tamenglong commented that there was a big communication gap between the public and the government. To avoid such situation and to develop the area one should implement or should reach to the concerned person what he deserved.

NNC warns “outsiders” from meddling in Naga affairs

IMPHAL, Mar 2 : The Federal Government of Nagaland,FGN, the political wing of the NNC in a press release said it has taken stock of “the ongoing activities of some Naga non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and decided that it would be inappropriate to participate in the various talking-shops ostensibly aimed to stimulate discussions and debate on the state of affairs in our country.”

Whilst the Yehzabo of Nagaland upholds the fundamental rights of the Naga people, including freedom of expression, our people must remain vigilant to any attempt, wittingly or otherwise, by some self-appointed entities purporting to serve the interest of Nagaland, the release said.

It said “despite the unremitting massive Indian occupation army in Nagaland, FGN endeavour to maintain tranquillity in our country.”

“The Naga National Council (NNC) and FGN immutably vested with the mandate of Naga nation will stay focus on the fundamental cause of the unresolved conflict with India . That said, a section of Naga people clearly found greed irresistible and could be seen fallen for enemy political entrapment. Hence this statement is to make  our people aware, in particular, those with limited knowledge of our national stand,” it said

As for the Naga Nation, nothing has changed nor will be changed, it added.

The release cautioned the Nagas on certain issues, including the fact that the Naga people never conceded sovereignty to a foreign power from ancient time; that in accordance with Naga democratic tradition, the Naga people universally opted for a single national identity on 16 May 1951 and unequivocally affirmed the independence of Nagaland declared earlier on 14 August 1947;  furthermore, the 1951 national mandate immutably entrusted with the NNC was broadened following the consent given by the Regional leaders of the then Free Nagas for a federation duly enshrined in the Yehzabo of Nagaland in 1956; in compliance to the Yehzabo, the Federal Government of Nagaland was established vested with full legal authority; and in best Naga tradition of honouring one`s pledge, the brave Naga patriots unflinchingly defended Naga independence regardless of the disparity of forces and thwarted the Indian aggressors from annexing Nagaland to date.

It said Nagas “will never forget the Naga patriots who sacrificed their lives for our freedom since the Indian army flagrantly invaded Nagaland in 1954.” The Yehzabo of Nagaland provide for every Naga by birth as equal regardless of sex or age, and every Naga is responsible to perform his/her part to uphold and protect Naga identity, tradition and sovereignty. A true Naga love Nagaland by deed, it said.

Thus a Naga who undertook oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution clearly betray Naga nation. And as an agent of India , cannot serve the interest of Nagaland, it said.

It also cautioned that the Naga people are in Nagaland, and the Indian aggressors cannot resolve the conflict with an entity with no case history.  Meanwhile, any Naga who attempt to subvert the authority of the FGN and NNC shall be judged according to the National Resolution passed on 27th April, 1955 at Lakhuti which read:

‘Any person or persons who in order to destroy or undermine the integrity and well being of Nagaland, and who for this purpose act, abet or set up organisation(s) against or oppose the political, administrative and traditional institutions of the nation, or an attempt to do so, whether with or without the aid of another country or countries, shall be deemed to have committed TREASON’.

Security tightened in Manipur after attacks on Congress offices

Imphal, Mar 1  : In the aftermath of the bomb attacks on the Congress offices of Nambol, Thoubal and Imphal East on Thursday night, security have been tightened up in the areas especially with the police commandos conducting mobile patrolling.

Informing of this security check, Th. Radheshyam, superintendent of the Imphal East police maintained that with the elimination of two cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council (KCP-MC) Lanheiba group working under the fourth command unit of special demo team, the security forces would be able to prevent more of such attacks on Congress offices in different part of the state.

The KCP (MC) in press note had claimed responsibility on the attacks of the Congress offices with a hand grenade. Besides this, it is worth noting here that the outfit in a press note informed that the outfit would start a “Red Fox” operation to wipe out dirty politics of India and added that a command each have been set up in the four valley districts of the state.

Regarding the killing of the two KCP (MC) cadres, the SP informed that on receiving specific information about the movement of persons with arms at Lamlong Bazaar in Imphal East at about 7 pm on Friday night, the police commandos rushed to the spot and in the encounter that ensued two of the cadres were gunned down. An AK 56 rifle, a .3 pistol, a Chinese hand grenade along with a note book containing the plans to attack the Congress offices and Congress candidates were found from their possession, informed the SP Radheshyam.

The decease have been identified by their family members as A. Jadumani, 35, of Maiba Khul and L. Sicond alias Kenny, 32, of Thamnapokpi in Imphal East district. Their bodies have been taken by their families for the last rites from the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) after a post mortem.

Meanwhile, a combined team of the Imphal East police commandos and 28 AR also gunned down a cadre of the People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), Azad group at Keirang under Irilbung in Imphal East Friday evening at about 6:15. The forces recovered a mouser 9mm along with 15 (fifteen) live rounds.

According to sources, the decease has also been identified by family members as Syed Unao Ali, 30, of Khetri Yambi in Imphal East

LB Sona likely to be NCP's outer candidate

Imphal, Mar 1 : With the wave of Parliamentary election blowing in the wind, various political parties of the state have begun doing the spade-work.

As such, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is likely to field LB Sona as the party candidate for Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency in the coming Parliamentary election, according to source.

Meanwhile, the MPCC has forwarded the names of eight Congress party ticket contenders for Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency while the names of five aspirants have been chosen to forward to the AICC as party ticket contenders.

Mention may be made that the Manipur People's Party (MPP) and the NCP have already decided to field Prof N Mohindro as the two parties' consensus candidate in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency though his candidature is likely to be announced officially on March 5. On the other hand, LB Sona and Lien Gangte are the two applicants for NCP ticket for Outer Manipur so far.

The party's election committee will decide over the party's candidate on March 2 and then official announcement is expected.

However, source within the party disclosed that the party ticket for Outer Manipur is likely to be favoured to LB Sona.

Discussion for fielding a common candidate for National People's Party (NPP), Manipur People's Party (MPP) and NCP has been initiated for Outer Manipur seat.

Speaking to Hueiyen News Service, an authority within the NCP,Manipur Unit said that there is also high possibility of NPP supporting the NCP candidate in the Outer Manipur constituency though there has been no formal announcement.

In the meantime, eight contenders for the outer Manipur constituency have submitted application for Congress ticket in the last day Saturday while five aspirants from the inner Manipur constituency have submitted their applications.

One application for the outer seat and three applications for the inner have been rejected on ground of incomplete documents.

The names of Congress ticket contenders for outer seat are RK Thekho, Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Ngamkhohen Kipgen, C Doungel, Francis Ngajokpa, Thangso Baite, Jangamlung Panmei and Khanthang Tonsing.

Meanwhile, Congress ticket aspirants for the inner Manipur seat are the incumbent Congress MP, Dr T Meinya, Haji Abul Salam, Dr Maniruddin Sheikh, Irengbam Hemochandra and Seram Mangi.

The names of the aspirants will be forwarded to the AICC for recommendation on March 2.Meanwhile, the Congress Working Committee member, North East in-charge, Lunjin Honreo and AICC general secretary Maj Dev Prakash are scheduled to arrive Imphal tomorrow (March 1) to discuss matter relating to the coming parliamentary election with MPCC leaders, and other frontier organisation leaders.

The Bharatya Janata Party (BJP), after officially declaring the candidature of former CM W Nipamacha as its candidate in the inner constituency, the party has also began discussing candidate for the outer constituency today with the party's general secretary, NE in-charge, Chandrasekhar Rao, who had arrived Imphal yesterday.

The BJP leader has also reportedly met some tribal political leaders today including Lolii Adani and Soso Larho.

The party's candidate for outer Manipur constituency is likely to be made after the BJP National Election Committee meeting to be held on March 5. Even as the election campaign for Dr M Nara for inner Manipur constituency has begun, the party is yet to decide its candidate for the outer Manipur constituency.

The RJD is clear in its stand for not fielding candidates in the coming election in the state and the party is resolved to support Congress candidates in Manipur.

Barber shot dead in Manipur

Imphal, Mar 1 : A gunman walked into a hair-cutting saloon in Imphal West at 9.30 this morning and shot a barber from point blank range, before fleeing the scene in a passing autorickshaw.

Suresh Thakur. 25, who hails from Chapra district in Bihar, died on the spot. He was working at the saloon, located at Ingudam Leirak on the outskirts of the city, for the past year. 

Birender Thakur, another barber working at the saloon, told the police that the two of them were waiting for customers when a youth, about 25 years of age, walked in and said he wanted to have a hair-cut. “I was sitting near the door. Then I heard a loud noise. I saw the youth walking away hurriedly and getting into a autorickshaw that was passing by. Thereafter, I saw Suresh lying on the ground in a pool of blood in the inner portion of the saloon,” he added. 

Birender, who joined the saloon only two weeks ago, said there was no threat from any one to him or the slain barber.

“We came here to earn a living. We have not harmed anyone. Why should anyone target us?” asked Rajender Kumar, another barber in the city.

Police have launched a search operation in the area, but no one has been arrested so far.

The incident has triggered panic among the barbers hailing from outside the state. However, the saloons in the city remained open. 

In an unrelated incident, police shot dead two suspected cadres of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council) in an encounter at Khurai here at 8.30 last night. 

The two were identified as Asangbam Jadumani, 35, and Laishram Kenny, 32. A pistol and a Chinese hand grenade were recovered from them. 

The superintendent of police, Imphal East, Th. Radheshyam Singh, today said the two militants were involved in attacks on Congress offices and were planning similar offensives on more offices of the party. He said a list of Congress offices located in the district headquarters and block levels were recovered from the slain militants. An AK-56 rifle and a pistol were also recovered from them. 

In another encounter, a joint team of the Assam Rifles and police gunned down a suspected cadre of the Peoples United Liberation Front at Kairang in Imphal East at 7 last night. The cadre is yet to be identified. One 9mm pistol with live ammunition was recovered from him. 

In another late night development, residents nabbed a person who claimed to be a KCP cadre after he attacked three persons with a dao at Top Awang Leikai in Imphal East. 

The residents handed over the person, identified as Md Zahiya Khan, 27, a resident of Khabeisoi of Imphal East, to the police, sources said today.

Mangani Leihun performed

Imphal, March 1 : Along with taking out mass procession by thousands of mourners here today on the occasion of Mangani Leihun Tamba ceremony of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two sub-ordinate staff, driver Aribam Rajen and Revenue Mandal Yumnam Token, who were brutally murdered by armed cadres of NSCN (IM), a three-point memorandum has been submitted to the Governor.

Mourners taking part in the mangani Leihun Tamba ceremony of Dr Kishan, A Rajen Sharma and Y Token

Signed jointly by three convenors of the JAC formed against the triple murder, the memorandum demanded immediate criminal proceedings against the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district Pankaj Kumar Pal by registering an FIR for his criminal connivance in the murder of his own sub-ordinate staff, murderers of the three Government officials be punished immediately and the other three 'rescued' officials who had accompanied the three victims at the time of abduction by the armed cadres of the Naga rebel group be produced before the public within 48 hours.

Carrying photographs of the deceased Government employees in three different decorated Palanquins, the procession of the mourners started from their respective residences and converged at Gandhi Ghat, Uripok where their mortal remains were consigned to flames, together for performing the Mangani Leihun Tamba rituals of the departed souls.

After the rituals, the mourners were marching towards the Raj Bhavan to submit the memorandum to the Governor when police stopped them from proceeding further beyong Keishampat Junction.

However, some representatives of the JAC were allowed to go and submit the memorandum.

The memorandum was submitted to the Governor through his Under Secretary.

In the memorandum, the JAC also contended that initiatives being taken up so far by the Government of Manipur in connection with the killing appear to be simply silencing the aggrieved public and the families of the deceased persons.

While returning back from submitting the memorandum, the mourners shouted slogans against NSCN (IM) and demanded handing over the killers who are in the custody of the Naga rebel group.