Wednesday, April 30, 2008

manipur news

UG cadres held
IMPHAL, Apr 29: Four KCP (MC) activists have been apprehended by Imphal East commandos on April 26, informed a press release issued by the SP, Imphal East.
At about 5 pm of April 26, two KCP activists identified as Thounaojam Janek alias Jalk alias Sunil alias Purel (33) s/o Th Nabakumar of Moirang Oksubung and his wife Thounaojam ongbi Sachirani alias Iteima (28) were apprehended from Palace Gate along with some incriminating documents.
Further on the disclosure of Janek alias Sunil alias Purel, two more activists of the outfit were also arrested from their respective houses.
They are identified as Dr Imo Wahengbam (55) of Sagolband Sayang Pukhri Mapal and Nongthombam onbi Sharmila alias Shalini (28) w/o N Anand of Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai, added the release.
Peace Brokers appeal for peace
IMPHAL, Apr 29: The Zeliangrong Elders’ Forum of Peace Brokers has appealed to both the factions of NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) to shun violence and to maintain peace in the Zeliangrong region of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
A press release issued by the Forum asserted that ‘Naga National workers’ should give peace a chance to bring a congenial atmosphere to help the people decide what is best for all.
Taking serious note of the precious lives lost in the factional killings, the Forum appealed to all to support the peace initiative being taken up by the Forum under the aegis of the Zeliangrong Union (AMN) for the security and well being of the public and national workers of all factions.
VA complains
IMPHAL, Apr 29: Drawing the attention of the Government of India, Government of Manipur and all other authorities concerned, the Nungba Area Village Authority Association has complained against non-payment of the wages under the NREGS works for 45 days for the year 2007-08 to the job card holders despite the works having completed within March 31, 2008.
In a statement, NAVAA chairman G Poukhuilung has urged all concerned for taking up necessary prompt action.
NEDFI PLR
IMPHAL, Apr 29: As per a decision adopted during a recent meeting of its Board of Directors, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFI) has revised its PLR (Prime Lending Rate) from 10 percent per annum to 10.75 percent per annum with effect from April 1, informed a NEDFi release.
TSA condemns bomb blast
IMPHAL, Apr 29: The Thadou Students’ Association, Sadar Hills has strongly condemned the April 24 bomb blast at near the Babupara quarter of PHE Minister TN Haokip as well as the attempt to abduct Moreh College Principal and pledged its support to any movement launched by the HTC on the latter issue.
On other issue, the TSA decried that official works of the Division Forest Officer, Northern Division HQs Kangpokpi is being carried out from the Imphal office of the Department.
Reminding that TSA had already apprised the Forest Department authorities (PCCF) through a memorandum on April 5 for shifting the Division Forest office to its original location in Kangpokpi, the student’s body cautioned that as the ten day timeframe on the matter had ceased without any positive response from the Government any undesired incident that arises as a consequent of TSA’s movement for justice should be borne by the Government.
It also prevailed upon the Government to ensure completion of renovation/repairing works of NH-39 before the onset of rainy season to prevent the TSA from pursuing its own course of action.
PREPAK refutes
IMPHAL, Apr 29: The proscribed PREPAK has denied any relation between the outfit and K Ningthem alias Ibomcha (35) s/o K Gobar-dhan and Kh Ojit s/o late Kh Kumar, both belonging to Ningel Mayai Leikai.
Ningthem and Ojit were pulled up by a team of 34 Assam Rifles on the charge of being PREPAK cadres during a search operation at Ningel on April 27, said a release issued by the PREPAK Thoubal district commander Ajit Meitei.
The statement of the AR that both Ningthem and Ojit are cadres of the PREPAK and that Ningthem a Sergeant Major of the outfit is totally baseless and unfounded, asserted Ajit.
Clarifying that there is no Sergeant Major by the name of Ningthem or any cadre by the name Ojit, the outfit accused the security forces of committing various atrocities on the people of the land.
It alleged that there is nothing in security forces committing excesses against innocent civilians under false and fabricated charges.
AMWJU GB
IMPHAL, Apr 29: Annual general body meeting of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) for the year 2007-08 will be held on May 11 at 10 am at the Manipur Press Club, informed an AMWJU release while intimating all the mem -bers to attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, it is reported that noted photo journalists Raghu Rai will be arriving at Imphal tomorrow.
He would be attending an interactive programme with the photo journalists of the State at 3 pm at Manipur Press Club tomorrow.
Village authority decries
IMPHAL, Apr 29: The Pongringlong (Charoipandongba) Village Authority has decried the deed of lease signed between Gainaichung Malangmei of Pongringlong village and Heikrujam Thoithoi Singh of Khumbong on August 11 for leasing out land/farmland of the village measuring an area of 200 hectares for a period of 99 years without the knowledge of the village authority.
An emergency meeting held on April 22 at the public ground of Pongringlong village has also resolved to oppose the lease signed between the duo for the purpose of setting up a bamboo plantation/farm under the ownership of the Manipur State Young Farmers’ Association for which Thoithoi is the president, according to a statement jointly issued by chairman of the Pongringlong village authority G Lungaingam and secretary of Pei (Thoubei) of the village G Ningtoulung.
Auto-rickshaw drivers appeal
IMPHAL, Apr 29: The All Manipur Auto-Rickshaw Owners’ and Drivers’ Association has appealed to all UG groups concerned to withdraw the monetary demands they made to the auto-rickshaw drivers.
A press release issued by the Association said that almost all the auto-rickshaw drivers belong to the economically underprivileged sections and are living on the meagre income earned from their daily service.
Informing that one UG group has withdrawn its demand, the Association asked two other groups whose demands still stand today to withdraw their demands considering the plight of the auto-rickshaw drivers.
It further appealed to all UG groups not to make any monetary demand to the auto-rickshaw drivers who are living hand to mouth.
UNC, ANSAM, NPMHR, NWUM condemn
IMPHAL, Apr 29: The United Naga Council, Naga Women Union (Manipur), All Naga Students’ Association Manipur and Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights strongly condemned the recent Cabinet memo to go ahead with the Mapithel Dam construction activities.
Terming the Cabinet stand as dictatorial and insensitive, a joint statement of the tribal bodies decried that instead of relying on democratic means to resolve the issue by accommodating genuine and legitimate demands of the Dam affected people, the Government is attempting to muffle voices of the people through heavy deployment of security forces.
The bodies also observed that setting up of the ‘expert review committee’ to look into grievances of the affected people is merely an eyewash as the Government is adamant to consider recommendations of the panel.
Prevailing upon the State authorities to adopt pro-people policy instead of attempting to use military might in trampling rights of the people, the bodies reminded that the tribal people will uphold its inherent and inalienable rights over land, forests and other natural resources at any cost and any untoward incident arising out of the issue would be responsibility of the Government.
Aquaculture training
IMPHAL, Apr 29: A training programme on “Intensive Aquaculture in Ponds and Tanks and Reservoirs Fisheries” sponsored by the National Board of Fisheries Development, Hyderabad started from today at the training of KVK, Hengbung, Senapati district, informed a release.
Altogether 30 fish farmers are participating in the training programme, it added.