Explosives found near Manipur police headquarters

Imphal, April 14 : Two improvised explosive devices were recently found near Indira Park opposite to the Imphal west district police headquarters.

Just a day after bomb squad disposed off the devices yet another IED with a cell phones attached to it as remote control was found at Kangla Park.

A team of the State police bomb disposal squad defused and got rid of the bomb and averted a major tragedy.

KCP (MC) Lanheiba, a militant outfit, has claimed responsibility for planting the IEDs.

Security has been beefed up in the state since then and police have been on a high alert.

"We have been physically searching each and every locality in order to prevent the planting of IEDs and bombs particularly in crowded places," said L. Kailun, IPS, Sr. S.P., Imphal West.

After the discovery of bombs in the city and frequent outbreak of violence in the State, people, particularly womenfolk came out to protest against such incidents.

"We want to live in peace in our state and so we are sitting for this protest so that such incidents do not happen again in future. We want to live in peace and harmony," said a resident woman in Imphal.

"Bombs are thrown and grenade attacks frequently take place in the state. Such attacks are not going to bring about any solution. Instead, in such incidents, innocent people are hurt. So it is our appeal that they should stop doing such things as ultimately it’s the people who are its victims," said L. Shuniti, another Imphal resident.

Militant activities in the state have really disrupted the normal life of the people of Manipur. They now want an end to violence, which they have been facing for a long time now.

Suspected militant gunned down in Manipur

Bishenpur (Manipur), Apr 13: Security forces shot down a suspected militant in Manipur's Bishenpur District last night.

A rebel training camp of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, Manipur (PREPAK), near Loktak lake, was destroyed in the fire fight, an army spokesperson said.

"An operation was launched last night that is night of April 11 and April 12. In the wee hours of the morning, there was an exchange of fire and a PREPAK camp which was there in the location, was destroyed," said Colonel Rajeshishra, Indian army spokesperson.

"The underground elements, without offering much resistance, have run away. In the exchange of fire, one underground element, possibly a PREPAK cadre, was killed and one weapon that is an AK-47 rifle was recovered from his possession," added Colonel Mishra.

Authorities have put the insurgency-hit Manipur on alert ahead of upcoming general elections, which are scheduled to take place on April 16 and 23.

As the elections are nearing, the militants are trying to create a fear psychosis amongst political leaders and workers.

Manipur Fest 2009 opens

IMPHAL, April 13 – Manipur Tourism Festival 2009 and ‘Best of Asia’ Expo have been formally opened here today. The festival will conclude on April 21.

Additional Chief Secretary DS Poonia (Home and Planning), Government of India and Major General A K Choudhary, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) were the chief guest and guest of honour at the opening session.

Kh Krishnan Singh, Managing Director of the event management group Nest Advertising, said that around 150 stalls including four from Thailand, one each from Pakistan and Veitnam are taking part in the festival.

Cong creating problems everywhere, says Prof. Gangmumei

Churachandpur, Apr 12 : BJP candidate for the 15th Lok Sabha election Loli Adanee inaugurated his information office at Rengkai road this afternoon.

The occasion was attended among others by RV Mingthing, ex-minister, Selkai Hrangchal, ex-minister, Prof Gangmumei Kamei, ex-minister, Samuel Jendai, ex-minister, Athuan Abonmai, Ringo Dilbung and Ramthing Hungyo.

There was a good turn out of supporters from the district in today’s inaugural function.

During his speech, Prof Gangmumei Kamei said the Congress was creating problems wherever they ruled in the north east and even in so many other parts of the country.

While castigating the party, he said that it claimed to be a secular party despite the fact that the party stalwarts selected candidates for the run up to the Lok Sabha election on party lines and caste consideration questioning how this party could be called secular.

He said they would never preserve secularism while highlighting the steps taken up so far by the BJP during their rule among which the inception of Look East Policy, at least 10 percent deduction of funds for the north east from the total budget of the 86 departments of the country are worth mentioning.

During his speech Loli Adanee has said that he was hungry for justice and he would put in his best efforts to serve all the needy people.

“I am a BJP Christian,” he said while maintaining that he has been given befitting supported by one and all and has the chances to be voted to power.

He said on being elected he would construct an Outer Manipur Ring Road covering all the hill areas so as to create an alternative route for passing over bandhs at certain areas of the state.

He further said that he would take steps to rectify all anomalies in the functioning of the district council as it was not effective in the present conditions.

He further said he would work for the final and peaceful settlement of the SoO groups apart from taking measures to provide relief to the people afftected by Mautam.

Highlighting certain other steps which he planned to take up, he urged the people to give him a chance at least once so as to prove himself.

Later, he was presented with a traditional shawl by three village elders.

Father, daughter shot dead by armed men

Imphal, Apr 12 : An elderly man and his daughter were shot dead by unidentified armed persons yesterday at Uyumpok Mamang Leikai under Lamlai police station.

The incident took place yesterday night around 11 pm and the deceased were identified as Laishram Ibomcha, 70, of Uyumpok Mamang Leikai and his daughter Laishram Ibechaobi, 26.

According to sources, during the night two persons came and took out Ibomcha and beat him up badly. When his daughter tried to stop the two unidentified armed persons from assaulting her father, the miscreants shot dead both the father and daughter.

Meanwhile, two suspected militants were shot down in an encounter with the Imphal east police commandos today at Chingnungkok under Lamlai police station.

The incident took place this morning around 11 am and the two persons were identified as Ningombam Open alias Leingakpa, 29, son of N Tomba of Ningomthong Kitna Panung and Soibam Narjit, 28, son of S Babudhon of Langmeidong. One carbine, one pistol with four live rounds and one hand grenade were recovered along with the dead bodies.

CEO directives

Imphal, April 12: Acting on report of the NSCN (IM) intimidating voters, Chief Electoral Officer has directed the DGP for taking up necessary measures in this regard even as the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur has been entrusted to conduct an inquiry into the recent election campaign of PDA candidate Mani Charenamei held at Churachandpur.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source informed that taking serious note of the report, CEO today directed the DGP for taking up necessary measures in connection with the allegation of NSCN (IM) threatening the voters.

Moreover, based on the media report of the election campaign of PDA candidate Mani Charenamei held at Churachandpur on April 8, the office of the CEO today entrusted the Deputy Commissioner of the district to conduct an inquiry on the matter.

Along with directing the conduct of the inquiry, the CEO has sought not only the video recording of the said election campaign but also a report in this connection from the election observer of Churachandpur district.

On the other hand, the Election Commission of India has given instruction today that apart Prime Minister, no Chief Minister or other political leaders should be allowed to use the Government helicopters or the aircrafts of public sector undertaking in the election campaign.

The instruction of the Election Commissioner, however, noted that there is no problem in using he private aircrafts/helicopters in the election campaign.

The instruction of the Election Commission has come about in the backdrop of reports of using Government helicopters by some of the Chief Ministers.

Furthermore, the Election Commission directed that SPs of the districts concerned should be responsible for replacing the vehicles of the security personnel on election duty in case of breakdown or filling the fuel in case of requirement.

General strike called in Manipur on April 13

Imphal, Apr 11 : A 14-hour general strike has been called by a local committee on April 13 next to press the Manipur government to book those responsible for killings of Sub-Divisional-Officer (SDO) Th Kishan and his two staff in in February last.

In a statement here last evening, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed by local residents, said the committee would also impose a 'public curfew' in the state on the night of April 17 to press their demand.

Stating that the authorities had not taken any concrete step to arrest the culprits, the JAC said they would also organise a public rally throughout Imphal town on April 18 to draw the attention of the public to the failure of the government.

It said they would also burn the effigy of NSCN-IM leader Th Muivah throughout the state on April 18 to show that NSCN-IM was a terrorist organisation as its members were responsible for killings of Kishang and his two staff members, A Rajen and Y Token.