Hills bandh continues peacefully

Imphal, July 21 : Normal life in hill districts of Manipur severely affected Monday on the first day of the 48-hour bandh imposed jointly by the Naga frontal organizations demanding review to the cabinet decision of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government to deploy Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Manipur police commandos in the hill districts.

Four inter-state passenger buses arriving this morning at Mao gate stranded owing to the bandh apart from more than 60 goods carrying trucks which have been stranded there since the commencement of the infinite blockade imposed by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur five day back from midnight of July 15 .

Reports received from four hill districts, Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel said bandh was total in the districts.

Entire streets in the district headquarters wore deserted look as all kinds of vehicles were off the road.

However, bandh has less impact in Churachandpur district.

Shops and other business establishments, government offices, private undertakings remained closed.

However, schools remained open.

The bandh exempted media, electricity, PHED, medical, fire-fighters and security forces.

No inter-district buses leave or arrived in the districts headquarters for the day.

No untoward incidents reported so far during the strike hour which commenced from last midnight and due to end by Tuesday midnight (July 21) .

The 48-hour bandh in hill areas of Manipur was jointly sponsored by the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students' Association, Manipur(ANSAM), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM), and the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) demanding review to the cabinet decision taken on May 19 to deploy IRB and Manipur police commandos in the hill districts of Manipur.

The bodies are alleging that the government move to deploy intended to terrorize the peace loving hill people.

They also lamented the government of ignoring the assertion of the Naga people against 'state militarization policy' in memoranda submitted to the governor and chief minister of Manipur as well as New Delhi.

Our district correspondents said that the bandh got support from various district level bodies in Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati districts.

The Zeliangrong Baudi, Tamenglong Zone announced support to the 48 hour bandh by imposing another 48 hour total bandh in Tamenglong district.

Our Tamenglong correspondent informed that total bandh was observing in the district on the first day of the 48-hour bandh stating that all institutions of both government and private are remaining closed.

Shops and business centres also remained closed for the day apart from remaining all kinds of vehicles off the road.

Our Chandel Correspondent adds: Normal life comes to a standstill in Chandel district as the 48-hour bandh called by several apex Nagas' bodies in the hill districts comes into effect.

All shops and institutions in the district downed their shutters and people resorted to remain indoor today.

No vehicle was seen plying on the roads.

However, there was no bandh-related violent incident today.

The bandh will continue till tomorrow.

In Ukhrul district also the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) jointly with other district based civil organizations endorsed the United Naga Council (UNC) sponsored bandh.

Normal life reported totally paralyzed in the district too.

Tangkhul organization for 48 hours bandh

Imphal | July 19  : The frontal Tangkhul organisations in Ukhrul district under the aegis of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) have decided to fully endorse the United Naga Council (UNC) sponsored 48-hour bandh starting from July 20. The UNC and other Naga frontal organisations have announced to call the 48-hour bandh from Monday in protest against the Manipur cabinet decision to deploy police commandos and Indian Reserve Batallion (IRB) personnel in the hill districts of Manipur.
The TNL said today that Tangkhul social and students' organisations are all set to impose the total bandh. "We are all here for the effectiveness of the bandh," a spokesman of TNL said today. The United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM) and the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) had arrived at the decision to pursue its resolute stand to democratically protest the state cabinet decision to deploy IRB and Manipur police commandos in the hill districts in a joint meeting on July 13.
This series of bandhs in Manipur imposed both by the hills and valley districts have been going on one after the other or even in collision on different issues. The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM)'s 120-hour bandh has been curtailed to 72-hour which ends on Saturday midnight. The Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) had just succesfully imposed 12-hour hill districts bandh on Friday demanding the early holding of elections to the Autonomous District Council (ADC). The indefinite economic blockade of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) is going on which had begun since midnight of July 15. Meanwhile, the IDF has announced to start its indefinite economic blockade from the last week of July.

SDO Dr Kishan, two staff abducted by NSCN (IM) found hacked to death at Taphou

48 hr general strike throughout state begins; bandh in Ukhrul and Senapati districts also underway
Triple murder shocks state

Imphal, February 18 : Sub-divisional Officer/Sub-Divisional magistrate (SDO/SDM) of Kasom Khullen Sub-Divsion of Ukhrul district, Dr Thingnam Kishan, kidnapped by miscreants along with five others including three employees of Revenue Department, was found brutally murdered today along with his two staff under the Lukhrabi bridge along the NH-39 in Senapati district.

The killing sparked off anger among the residents of Nagamapal, Uripok and Yumnam Leikai in Imphal where the murdered men hailed from, and a 48-hour statewide general strike has been called from 6 am tomorrow.

The residents also blocked the roads in their respective areas decrying the brutal murder this afternoon.

Separate bandhs have also been called by the district based civil organisations in Senapati and Ukhrul districts.

In Ukhrul, the bandh has started from 6 pm today while in Senapati, it commenced from 8 pm tonight, according to reports received here.

The three men were hacked with a hoe and smashed their heads with rock and other heavy weapons.

Marks of injuries indicating that their heads and faces were hacked with a hoe and smashed with heavy weapons were clearly visible.

Police recovered a bloodstained hoe and some bloodied rocks from the spot where the dead bodies were abandoned after brutally killing them.

Their hands were also found tied at their back with clothes.

The dead body of the 39 year-old SDO, Dr Thingnam Kishan, son of Surendro of Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak, Meinam Leikai, along with bodies of his driver Aribam Rajen @ Amu (37), son of Ibopishak of Uripok Khoisnam Leikai, Imphal and a Mandal in his office named Yumnam Token (38), son of late Samu of Yumnam Leikai were discovered by the villagers of Taphou Kuki Village under the Lukharabi bridge, located six km south of Senapati Police Station this morning.

Senapati police retrieved the bodies around 7.30 am.

The spot where the dead bodies were found lying is located between the Taphou Kuki village and the battalion headquarter of the 9th Manipur Rifles.

Whereabouts of three other persons�a peon at the SDO office at Phungyar, Ukhrul and two workers, all hailing from Kasom Khullen village, who were abducted together with the SDO on February 13 on their way from Ukhrul district headquarters to Kasom Khullen sub-divisional headquarters, are still unknown.

Among the missing men, one Kapangkhup Jimmik is a peon in the office of the SDO, Phungyar, Ukhrul district, and the other two namely Ramthing Tangkhul and Ramshing Tangkhul of Kasom Khullen are said to be village level workers.

They were abducted by cadres of the NSCN (IM) led by a leader of the group well-known to the general people of the area around 2 pm from the office complex of the DC, Ukhrul, about 2 km from Ukhrul PS, reports said.

The government allotted vehicle, a Gypsy, bearing registration number MNG-04-5799 ridden by the officer of the Manipur Civil Service (MCS) cadre is also still missing, police said.

The officer was abducted with his companions came to the district headquarters to attend a meeting held at the DC office to discuss preparations for the visit of the Works Minister, K Ranjit last Sunday, February 14 at Phungyar, and a meeting in connection with the implementation of the NREGS in the district, reports said.

The meetings were held under the chair of the DC Ukhrul, Pankaj Kumar Pal, the reports added.

While leaving the DC office, Kishan had reportedly told that he would proceed to Kasom Khullen, but according to a staff of the DC office, he had seen the SDO heading towards Jessami.

Regarding the kidnap of the SDO along with his companions from the DC Complex, so far the DC or any of the authority of the office had not lodged any complaint with the police or informed the higher authorities of the state government, sources said.

Instead, they said that he had been on leave since the next day of his visit to the DC office.

Their abduction by the NSCN (IM) cadres came to light only when the SDO was not seen at the gathering at Phungyar on February 14, and SDO's home was informed of his missing by a staff of his office the same day.

Even though nobody has lodged complaint with the police, Ukhrul police took up asuo motu case on the kidnapping of the SDO and his companions around 7 pm yesterday under FIR 8 (2) 2009 under section 365/368/38 of the IPC of the police station.

According to the families of the deceased, the SDO with his driver and Mandal left home on the morning of February 13 around 7 am for Ukhrul district headquarters.

While leaving home, the SDO told his family that he would go to the district headquarter first and then to his office.

On the other hand, a joint meeting of the locals where the three victims hailed from, and members of the families held this evening formed a Joint Action Committee Against the Brutal Killing of SDO, Dr Kishan,Yumnam Token and Aribam Rajen.

Decrying the the incident, residents of Singjamei Yumnam Leikai, Nagamapal and Uripok, where the slain men hailed from, took to the streets on the NH-39 and Imphal-Kangchup road and blocked the traffic.

The blockade continued till late night.

Protesters were demanding clarification from the NSCN (IM) on the reason behind the murder of the three, punishment to the culprits, etc.

They are also demanding release of the three others who are still in the custody of the kidnappers and providing security escorts to the officials posted in the hill areas of the state.

The joint meeting also decided to hold another public meeting tomorrow and not to receive the dead bodies till their demands were fulfilled by the government.

Participants in the meeting had also expressed that NSCN (IM) killed the SDO and his staff for not allowing a demand of the outfit to pay them the funds released for the NREGS job card holders without any condition.

Works Minister tour remote areas of Ukhrul

Imphal, February 17 : Under the theme of Development for Peace, Works Minister K Ranjit has personally inspected the condition of the remote areas in Ukhrul district from February 14 to 15 .

Remote areas of Kasom Khullen, Phungyar and Sangshak have been covered during the inspection tour of the Minister who was accompanied by representatives of important departments and mediapersons.

Addressing public meetings at Kasom Khullen and Phungyar, the Minister announced that the State Government is planning to develop the road connecting Chandrakhong and Kasom Khullen into a double lane with funding from Asian Development Bank.

Estimation has also been made for providing adequate fund in connection with maintenance of the road so as to improve its present condition, the Minister added.

The Minister also informed that the State Government has already submitted a project proposal to the concerned Ministry of the Government of India for improvement of the road condition from Tengnoupal to Sangshak as the task has been now entrusted to the Public Works Department from the Border Road Organisation.

It is expected that necessary fund would be provided, the Minister said.

Stating that the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government is committed to development of both the hill and the valley districts at par, the Works Minister informed that gathering that he has out on the tour of the remote areas at the instruction of the Chief Minister to find out the developmental programmes being faced by people in the remote areas.

During the tour, the Minister also inspected the sites for construction of the office of Sub-Divisional Officer and staff quarters, etc at Phungyar sub-division.

Keishing points accusing finger at Erabot

Imphal, January 29: Independent MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing has accused FCS Minister Y Erabot of swindling 6635 quintals of rice meant for the people of Ukhrul district on two occasions in connivance with some officials.

The MLA has also demanded an inquiry into the alleged swindling of PDS rice.

Wungnaoshang alleged that the swindling of PDS rice meant for Ukhrul district by the FCS Minister has led to acute shortage of rice in Ukhrul district, particularly in the interior areas of Phungyar constituency.

In connection with the alleged swindling of such a huge quantity of rice meant for distribution to people at subsidised rate, written complaints have been lodged with the relevant Ministers and the Chief Secretary.

However there has been no positive action from the Government in this regard, the MLA said.

Wungnaoshang said that he was denied any opportunity to meet the Chief Minister to talk about the 'loss' of PDS rice twice.

Demanding a proper enquiry into the matter, he asserted that the SPF Government stands to lose faith of the people if the Government fails to establish the facts and circumstances under which the PDS rice meant for people was swindled.

However FCS Minister Y Erabot maintained that distribution of PDS rice is not done by the FCS Dept but by Deputy Commissioners.

He said that at the moment he could not tell whether there is rice in Ukhrul FCS godown.

Reaction to independent MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing's alleged 'vague allegations' about swindling 6635 quintals of PDS rice in connivance with some officials, Erabot said that the matter may be highlighted to the public.

On the other hand, talking about the persisting stand-off between Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) at Siroy, Wungnaoshang Keishing observed that because of the lingering impasse, people of the area have been facing a highly insecure situation fearing for the worst to the life and properties.

Asserting that the Government is acting like it does not know about the stand-off although it fully understands the situation, the MLA asked whether the Government wants that the people should die en-masse.

Naga MLAs will call on the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Union Defence Minister and apprise them about the resulting situation filled with high tension from the stand-off between the Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM) .

The Naga MLA will also be urging upon the Government of India to intervene into the impasse, Wungnaoshang said.

Even as the impasse has been continuing for weeks, the Chief Minister never bother to discuss the situation with Naga MLAs as if Ukhrul is not a part of Manipur.

Even when the Naga MLAs sought appointment with the Chief Minister on the issue, the Naga MLAs were not given any opportunity for a meeting, he decried.

Assam Rifles interacts at Ukhrul

Imphal, January 26 : As a part of building better co-operation between villagers and Assam Rifles authorities, Commander 10 Sector Assam Rifles under Hqs IGAR(S) interacted with representatives of NGOs and social organisations of Ukhrul town on January 24 at 17 Assam Rifles, Ukhrul.

The Commander emphasised on the need of joint efforts of Security Force and social organisations for overall development of society and Ukhrul town.

All the representatives expressed their views and acknowledged the efforts of Assam Rifles in maintaining peace in the area and promised their support in achieving the common goal of peace and prosperity, said a press release of PRO Hqs IGAR(S) .

Siroy : Manipur Govt's silence irks UCM

Imphal, January 23: Referring to the present stand-off between NSCN (IM) and Assam Rifles at Siroy in Ukhrul district, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has decried the stoic silence of the State Government even as the impasse has been continuing for the last three days.

In a press release, the UCM asserted that the lingering suspicion of the people of Manipur about the sincerity of the Central and State Governments even after deletion of the words "without territorial limits" from the ceasefire pact between NSCN (IM) and the Government of India has been proven true by the existence of the NSCN (IM) camps within the boundary of Manipur and the resultant stand-off with AR.

Recalling about the strong civil uprising of June 18, 2001 against extension of ceasefire without territorial limits in which 18 people lost their lives for the sake of the State's integrity, the UCM also reminded about the violent incidents including the burning of the State Assembly, offices of different political parties and Chief Minister's official residence.

Since the incident, the people of Manipur have been on alert against any threat to the integrity of Manipur, it said.

Alleging that the ceasefire ground rules are being followed only on paper and that every party is acting according to their own wish and whims, the UCM asked if this is the true essence of a democracy.

Further asking if the Central and State Governments are taking the people of Manipur for ride, the UCM urged upon the State Government to act immediately in the stand-off so that all camps of NSCN (IM) are removed from the soil of Manipur.

It further called upon the people to teach a befitting lesson to those intent upon disintegrating Manipur.

Physical Efficiency Test

Imphal, Jan 9 : Manipur Police Department has informed the candidates who could not appear for the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) for the recruitment of Sub-Inspector (female/civil) and Assistant Sub-Inspector (female/civil) for

Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati and Churachandpur districts that PET will be held on January 13.PET for the same posts for the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur will be held on January 14 .