| Wife suspects abduction by rebels, neighbours hold sit-in for his release | ||
| OUR CORRESPONDENT | ||
Imphal, Oct. 29: A lawyer who was served an extortion notice of Rs 1 lakh by a militant organisation a year ago went missing from Imphal after leaving home to repair his car on Sunday morning. Though the family has not received any ransom call yet, his wife is certain that it is a case of abduction by suspected militants. This, in fact, is the first instance when a lawyer has been targeted by suspected rebels. Manoharmayum Ibotombi Sharma, 54, practises at Gauhati High Court. “He went out of the house at 9am on October 25 in his car. Before leaving, he told me that he would be going to a garage to get some parts of his car repaired. Since then his whereabouts are not known,” Sharma’s wife, Dhaniya Devi, said. No militant group, however, has claimed responsibility for the alleged abduction or made any contact with the family. “When he failed to return home till evening, I was worried and tried calling him on his mobile phone. But his phone was switched off,” Dhaniya Devi said. That evening, she lodged a complaint with Imphal police station about her missing husband. The police, too, believe it is a case of abduction and have begun investigations. But they are still clueless on Sharma’s whereabouts, Dhaniya Devi, said. Militants have earlier attacked senior officers in the state after alleged extortion demands. But this is the first time that a lawyer has been abducted by suspected militants. Sharma’s family, however, failed to name any suspected militant group for the abduction. Dhaniya Devi said nearly a year ago, a faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Wanglen Group) had demanded Rs 1 lakh from her husband. But Sharma did not give them the money and the group did not persist with the demand either. “I cannot say if the same group is responsible for the abduction. So far, we do not have any clue about my husband. We suspect that some militants could be holding him for ransom,” Dhaniya Devi said. Residents of Singjubung in Imphal city staged a sit-in today demanding Sharma’s release. “We want the lawyer safely released and also a clarification on why he was abducted by the group,” said Ranisana Devi, one of the protesters. The alleged abduction comes just days after the murder of retired doctor Huidrom Binodkumar Singh. Singh, who retired in February as the medical officer of a government hospital in Bishnupur district, was robbed and murdered by unidentified persons in Imphal East on October 22. All government and private hospitals and clinics across the state suspended OPD and routine operations yesterday to protest against the murder. |
Manipur lawyer goes missing
Nagaland lifts force from border
Manipur protest pays off
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, Oct. 14: Manipur moved a company of India Reserve Battalion to Akash post at Jessami in Ukhrul district along the state’s boundary with Nagaland as Nagaland Armed Police withdrew today.
The Nagaland government agreed to withdraw the force from the post following a directive from the Union home ministry to facilitate Manipur to open a post of its own force.
Nagaland police had moved into the security post after troops of the BSF were withdrawn for deployment elsewhere about six months ago.
An official source here said the Union home ministry made the move after chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh sent a protest representation to home minister P. Chidambaram against the opening of Nagaland Armed Police on this side of the border.
Ibobi Singh lodged the complaint on October 9 after it was reported that the Nagaland Armed Police had opened a post at the border village on Jessami on Manipur land.
The source said Navin Verma, the joint secretary (Northeast) in the Union home ministry, in a fax message informed Ibobi Singh that the Nagaland government had been directed to withdraw its force and directed him to open a post of the India Reserve Battalion to replace the Nagaland post.
After receiving the home ministry directive, Manipur director-general of police Yumnam Joykumar Singh spoke to his Nagaland counterpart to facilitate the change of forces at the Akash post, located near Akash bridge across the Tizu river that divides Manipur and Nagaland. They fixed today as the day for the replacement.
Another official source in Ukhrul said over phone that one company of the 6th India Reserve Battalion, comprising more than 90 personnel and led by one assistant commandant, left the district headquarters this morning for Jessami, which is about 135km away.
Top
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, Oct. 14: Manipur moved a company of India Reserve Battalion to Akash post at Jessami in Ukhrul district along the state’s boundary with Nagaland as Nagaland Armed Police withdrew today.
The Nagaland government agreed to withdraw the force from the post following a directive from the Union home ministry to facilitate Manipur to open a post of its own force.
Nagaland police had moved into the security post after troops of the BSF were withdrawn for deployment elsewhere about six months ago.
An official source here said the Union home ministry made the move after chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh sent a protest representation to home minister P. Chidambaram against the opening of Nagaland Armed Police on this side of the border.
Ibobi Singh lodged the complaint on October 9 after it was reported that the Nagaland Armed Police had opened a post at the border village on Jessami on Manipur land.
The source said Navin Verma, the joint secretary (Northeast) in the Union home ministry, in a fax message informed Ibobi Singh that the Nagaland government had been directed to withdraw its force and directed him to open a post of the India Reserve Battalion to replace the Nagaland post.
After receiving the home ministry directive, Manipur director-general of police Yumnam Joykumar Singh spoke to his Nagaland counterpart to facilitate the change of forces at the Akash post, located near Akash bridge across the Tizu river that divides Manipur and Nagaland. They fixed today as the day for the replacement.
Another official source in Ukhrul said over phone that one company of the 6th India Reserve Battalion, comprising more than 90 personnel and led by one assistant commandant, left the district headquarters this morning for Jessami, which is about 135km away.
Top
Normal life affected in Manipur due to general strike
Imphal, Oct 15 (PTI) Normal life was today affected in Manipur due to a general strike called by insurgent outfits to protest the merger of the state with the country on October 15, 1949.
Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed while transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states were cancelled.
Attendance in government offices was almost nil as employees could not reach offices due to absence of transport services, reports said.
The strike also affected normal life in the interior districts.
Security forces were deployed at important points in the capital town here.
The Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), formed by some major insurgent organisations, has called the 24-hour strike.
Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed while transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states were cancelled.
Attendance in government offices was almost nil as employees could not reach offices due to absence of transport services, reports said.
The strike also affected normal life in the interior districts.
Security forces were deployed at important points in the capital town here.
The Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), formed by some major insurgent organisations, has called the 24-hour strike.
Govt asks MHRC to abort July 23 probe
Imphal, October 8 : Along with directing the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to wind up its investigation into the July 23 Khwairamband Bazar incident for the second time, the State Government has also asked the Commission to withdraw the summons served on the Imphal West SSP and Commando OC.
According to a reliable source, in a letter dated September 29, but received by the Commission only yesterday, Under Secretary of Home Department, Government of Manipur Priyadarshini Laishram directed the Commission, for the second time, to wrap up its investigation since a State-sponsored Judicial Inquiry is to be conducted.
The Commission had received similar instruction from the State Government last month as well.
The source further disclosed that in the same letter, the Under Secretary has also asked the Commission to withdraw its summons issued on September 29 on Imphal West SP and Commandos OC to appear before the Commission to record their statements on the BT Road incident that left two people killed, and five others injured in alleged police firing.
Regardless of the instructions, the Commission has taken serious note over the failure of Imphal West SP and Commando OC to appear before the Commission today for recording their statements.
Accordingly, the Commission has issued an arrest warrant of the two police officers.
Addressed to the DGP, the warrant has asked that the two absconding police officers be arrested and producing before MHRC by October 9 definitely, the source disclosed.
The Commission is likely to discuss the directives of the Government to wrap up its investigation into the July 23 incident.
However, it is very likely that the Commission would not accept the proposal of the Government, the source added.
Meanwhile, public protest over the July 23 incident continued with demonstrations in different parts in pursuance of the demand for punishment of the police commandos involved in the incident and resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on moral ground.
At Tera Lukram Leirak, Poirei Iata and Tera Lukram Leirak Apunba Nupi Lup joined hands in staging a protest demonstration.
Placards inscribed with slogans like 'Remove all black laws from Manipur ', 'Give befitting punishment to the police commandos involved in the BT Road incident', 'Take action against the police officers who are protecting the guilty police Cdos', 'Step down CM Ibobi on moral ground ', etc were seen.
According to a reliable source, in a letter dated September 29, but received by the Commission only yesterday, Under Secretary of Home Department, Government of Manipur Priyadarshini Laishram directed the Commission, for the second time, to wrap up its investigation since a State-sponsored Judicial Inquiry is to be conducted.
The Commission had received similar instruction from the State Government last month as well.
The source further disclosed that in the same letter, the Under Secretary has also asked the Commission to withdraw its summons issued on September 29 on Imphal West SP and Commandos OC to appear before the Commission to record their statements on the BT Road incident that left two people killed, and five others injured in alleged police firing.
Regardless of the instructions, the Commission has taken serious note over the failure of Imphal West SP and Commando OC to appear before the Commission today for recording their statements.
Accordingly, the Commission has issued an arrest warrant of the two police officers.
Addressed to the DGP, the warrant has asked that the two absconding police officers be arrested and producing before MHRC by October 9 definitely, the source disclosed.
The Commission is likely to discuss the directives of the Government to wrap up its investigation into the July 23 incident.
However, it is very likely that the Commission would not accept the proposal of the Government, the source added.
Meanwhile, public protest over the July 23 incident continued with demonstrations in different parts in pursuance of the demand for punishment of the police commandos involved in the incident and resignation of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on moral ground.
At Tera Lukram Leirak, Poirei Iata and Tera Lukram Leirak Apunba Nupi Lup joined hands in staging a protest demonstration.
Placards inscribed with slogans like 'Remove all black laws from Manipur ', 'Give befitting punishment to the police commandos involved in the BT Road incident', 'Take action against the police officers who are protecting the guilty police Cdos', 'Step down CM Ibobi on moral ground ', etc were seen.
Rahul effect: Cong leaders visit Dalit homes in UP
Union Ministers Jitin Prasada and Sri Prakash Jaiswal, UPCC president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, CLP leader Pramod Tewari and cricketer-turned-politician Md Azharuddin travelled to Dalit-dominated villages in their respective constituencies and discussed their problems.
While Joshi visited at Hardiya village on Mirzapur-Allahabad border, Tewari went to a village in Pratpgarh district and MP Azharuddin was in Moradabad.
48-hour Manipur bandh begins today
IMPHAL, Oct 1 – A 48-hour Manipur bandh has been called from midnight of October 1 in protest against the “irresponsible and unstable” SPF-led Government of Manipur for “denying the genuine demands” of the joint action committee to resolve the “chronic cases” of 835 teachers of the six Autonomous District Councils appointed in 2006 by the State Government.
In a press release issued by the convener and co-convener of the JAC on Wednesday, appealed to the people for their co-operation in the fight for the rights of the victimised teachers who have been working for the cause of education in the State.
Meanwhile, an indefinite economic blockade had been imposed along the National Highway 39 and 53 from midnight of September 29 by the JAC against the State Government’s directive for holding DPC for fresh recruitment of primary teachers for six hill districts without settling the cases of the 835 primary teachers who were appointed in 2006 and who had been drawing regular salaries for the last 10-11 months since their induction.
It is worth noting that the Naga Peoples’ Organization (NPO) had stated in a press release on Tuesday that the JAC does not exist in Senapati district and as such the NPO will not support the economic blockade called by the JAC, and will ensure free flow of vehicles carrying goods on National Highway 39.
The NPO had further stated that the 835 teachers who were appointed in 2006 should sort out their problems with the appropriate authorities instead of imposing economic blockade.
In a press release issued by the convener and co-convener of the JAC on Wednesday, appealed to the people for their co-operation in the fight for the rights of the victimised teachers who have been working for the cause of education in the State.
Meanwhile, an indefinite economic blockade had been imposed along the National Highway 39 and 53 from midnight of September 29 by the JAC against the State Government’s directive for holding DPC for fresh recruitment of primary teachers for six hill districts without settling the cases of the 835 primary teachers who were appointed in 2006 and who had been drawing regular salaries for the last 10-11 months since their induction.
It is worth noting that the Naga Peoples’ Organization (NPO) had stated in a press release on Tuesday that the JAC does not exist in Senapati district and as such the NPO will not support the economic blockade called by the JAC, and will ensure free flow of vehicles carrying goods on National Highway 39.
The NPO had further stated that the 835 teachers who were appointed in 2006 should sort out their problems with the appropriate authorities instead of imposing economic blockade.
Bandh, boycott won’t bring solution: Manipur CM
Imphal, Sep 30: Calling bandh and boycotting classes will bring no solution, stated Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh while addressing in the closing ceremony of the 2nd School Meet at Khuman Lampak today. The Chief Minister appealed to the students’ organizations, All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Manipur Students Federation (MSF) and Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) to stop their agitation of boycotting the classes and requested them to come forward for talks.
Stating the July 23 shoot out at Khwairamband Bazaar as unfortunate, O Ibobi Singh who presided as the chief guest at the 2nd School Meet maintained that several agitations have erupted since the incident.
He also asserted that the government had decided to initiate a magisterial probe on the July 23 incident. However, in the interest of the general public the Judicial Enquiry has been initiated.
The Chief Minister has also appealed to the people of Manipur to come forward and furnish their statement in connection with the incident.
Asserting that the police officials involved in the July 23 incident to have been suspended, O Ibobi stated that the police officials cannot be just dismissed without appropriate enquiry.
Ibobi Singh said that he had received information of providing bullets to some schools by the boycott supporters for conducting classes.
Instead of agitating and boycotting the classes, the boycott supporters should come forward and talk and resolve the matter, stated O Ibobi Singh.
He also stated that such activities are not meant for the students.
Maintaining that the Government has always given the first priority to education in the State, O Ibobi further asserted that the performance of the Government schools’ is deteriorating every year. The school authorities must complain to the higher authorities to improve the performance of the government schools, added the Chief Minister.
He also assured that the government would support such annual school meet. About 777 students from all the nine districts of the State participated in the second school meet.
Stating the July 23 shoot out at Khwairamband Bazaar as unfortunate, O Ibobi Singh who presided as the chief guest at the 2nd School Meet maintained that several agitations have erupted since the incident.
He also asserted that the government had decided to initiate a magisterial probe on the July 23 incident. However, in the interest of the general public the Judicial Enquiry has been initiated.
The Chief Minister has also appealed to the people of Manipur to come forward and furnish their statement in connection with the incident.
Asserting that the police officials involved in the July 23 incident to have been suspended, O Ibobi stated that the police officials cannot be just dismissed without appropriate enquiry.
Ibobi Singh said that he had received information of providing bullets to some schools by the boycott supporters for conducting classes.
Instead of agitating and boycotting the classes, the boycott supporters should come forward and talk and resolve the matter, stated O Ibobi Singh.
He also stated that such activities are not meant for the students.
Maintaining that the Government has always given the first priority to education in the State, O Ibobi further asserted that the performance of the Government schools’ is deteriorating every year. The school authorities must complain to the higher authorities to improve the performance of the government schools, added the Chief Minister.
He also assured that the government would support such annual school meet. About 777 students from all the nine districts of the State participated in the second school meet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)