AFSPA for another year in Manipur

Iboyaima Laithangbam

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, has been extended for another year in Manipur with effect from Wednesday, after the State was declared disturbed.

The Cabinet recently recommended to the Union government that the AFSPA be extended.

The AFSPA was first imposed in Manipur in December 1980 as foreign-trained insurgents had become uncontrollable. Since then, it has been periodically extended. Under the Act, the Army has been deployed to “assist the civil administration.”

Following mass agitations for repeal, the Manipur government lifted the AFSPA from seven Assembly segments from August 12, 2004.

The government hoped that this gesture would elicit a positive response from the insurgents. However, in August 2006 they lobbed grenades at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) temple in Imphal, killing six persons.

Meghen should be brought back says BJP Manipur unit

IMPHAL, Dec 3 : The Bharatiya Janata Party Manipur Pradesh in a statement issued by its president S Ibohal Singh stated that RK Meghen should be brought back to Manipur and tried fairly in law court.
The BJP statement said that after two months concealment of the arrest of RK Meghen alias Sanayaima Singh, chairman of UNLF, a prominent underground organisation of Manipur now it is clearly understood that he was arrested in Bihar on the basis of the statement issued by the DGP, Manipur which was published in all the local newspaper & electronic media on December 2.
Now the drama of uncertainly and undemocratic way of Meghen arrest has gone and ended the harassment given to civil organisations, political parties and family members although there was serious dissatisfaction on the role played by Union Home Ministry, the BJP Manipur president claimed.
It also questioned next type of harassments and suppression of facts will be meted out to the unfortunate underground leader in the name of taking follow up legal procedures is to be observed closely as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India had already played dishonest role on his arrest without giving information of his arrest for a long period of over two months to the people of Manipur which is deadly against the existing practice of the law of the land. This is a serious matter of deceive in brought day light, Ibohal alleged.
While appreciating the statement of DGP, Manipur he also urged the Manipur police to find out the FIR case number of the arrest of RK Meghen, name of the police station and number of days of his police remand and concerned court of the Bihar State to serve the purpose of public information since DGP is officially informed by the office of the National Investigation Agency in the public interest.
It further asserted that in the past one or two years, the public have heard stories of the arrest of some leaders of underground organisations. Rajakhwa, a leader and his associates of ULFA, NDF Chairman Niranjoy, one leader of Dema Halam of Assam and James Kuki, a leader of NSCN (IM) who were arrested in Bangladesh and Kathmandu were brought back to their respective states and now in their respective states Jail. Similarly RK Meghen should be brought back to Manipur and he should be fairly tried by the law of the land, the BJP Manipur unit urged adding any application of third degree method should be avoided.
The Chief Minister of Manipur should also take initiative as was done by the Chief Ministers of Assam and Nagaland in dealing with the problems of the arrest of underground leaders of their respective states similar to the arrest of RK Meghen the statement added.
If there was no exposition by the vice-chairman of the UNLF, Sudhir Bhonsmik of BBC and Tahelka of the arrest of RK Meghen and subsequent movement and pressure by civil organisations including the AMSU, non-Congress political parties and National and International Human Rights forums, RK Meghen could be a missing person forever, it maintained.

Militancy poses hindrance in tourism development in state: Governor Sangai Festival concludes

Imphal, November 30 2010: The 10 days Manipur Sangai festival 2010 which got under way from November 21 with the objective of showcasing the best of the state — its rich art, culture, sport, adventure tourism, natural beauty and food – concluded today.

The state government has been organising the tourism festival for the past four years as an annual feature but even the organizers claimed this one as the biggest so far, it failed to attract crowds as in previous years.

Last year, traffic police at the Palace gate entrance to the venue of the festival had a hard time controlling the thronging crowd on the last day but, it was not so this year.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi at the closing ceremony of Manipur Sangai festival.

The concluding function was held this evening with state Governor Gurbachan Jagat as chief guest.

The Chief Minister presided over the function in which state tourism minister, TN Haokip, MLAs T Mangibabu and I Hemochandra, chief secretary DS Poonia and tourism comisisoner, KK Chhetry attended as guests of honor.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Governor, Gurbachan Jagat expressed concern over the present law and order situation asserting that it has posed a hindrance to the development of tourism in the state.

He said, "With a view to improving the state's economy, tourism should be developed in the state and, for which all sections of people should work without any bias and prejudice." He also added that a positive attitude of appreciating the beauty and good work of fellow people should be inculcated by all.

The Governor hoped the Manipur Sangai Festival will motivate al people to work for development of tourism to make the state rich and economically independent.

Exploring the aspect of development of tourism in the state, Gurbachan Jagat said that Manipur has a rich heritage in the field of art and culture which is acclaimed the world over citing the Raas Leela dance form and the pung cholom.

The indigenous games of Polo, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna, Kang, etc., make the people of the state very athletic and enthusiastic of sports.

"This is why Manipur although a very small state in area has produced high-quality world class athletes like Mary Kom, Dinku, Suranjoy, Kunjarani, etc.," he said.

Chief Minister, O Ibobi who presided the closing ceremony asserted that acknowledging the importance of tourism for the development of the state, his government is taking up various infrastructure development works.

He said, Loktak lake, the only fresh water lake in the northeastern region of the country, has potential for attracting tourists, and that the state government has drafted a mega tourism project which has been submitted to the Union ministry of tourism for funding the project.

State tourism minister, TN Haokip, MLA T Mangibabu, MLA I Hemochandra, state chief secretary DS Poonia nd tourism commissioner KK Chhetry attended the closing function as guests of honour.

Abducted Manipur PCCF rescued

IMPHAL, Dec 2 – Manipur Principal Chief Conservator of Forest who was abducted by some unknown Kuki militants has been rescued today.

S Singsit, PCCF was abducted from his mother-in-law’s house at Keithelmanbi area under Kangpokpi police station around 8.30 pm last night, police sources said.

He was then taken along with his brother-in-law towards Senapati district in a Maruti car but before reaching Kangpokpi police station his brother-in-law was released and he was shifted to a motorbike, the sources said.

But in an accident the official sustained injury and was evacuated to a government health centre at Senapati, where suspected Naga rebels rescued the official and sent him home, the source added.

However, the reason behind the abduction could not be established.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh while addressing a World AIDS Day function here today informed the gathering about the rescue.

Meanwhile, the section officer of Fisheries department Ved prakash who kidnapped by suspected militants reportedly escaped from a place in Lourembam area under Nambol police station in Bishnupur district around 9 am yesterday, reports said.

He was kidnapped from his office in Lamphel area on November 26 at gun point.