Monday, November 23, 2009
Family members, neighbours, friends mourn over the body by blocking off the road at Nungpakthabi under Sekmai police station on 22 Nov.
Friday, November 20, 2009
An unconscious and the Gypsy which bore the brunt of the blast and an abandoned motorcycle at Singjamei Keithel along NH-39 at about 5.30 p.m. on 19th November 2009
I
MPHAL, Nov 19 : At least three AR personnel and two civilians have been injured in a grenade attack launched by unidentified persons targeting an AR convoy. The incident occurred while troops of 34 Assam Rifles, travelling in a Gypsy and a mini-truck, came under the grenade attack at Singjamei Keithel along NH-39 at about 5.30 this evening.
The two civilians hurt in the incident include a 52 year old woman. The woman has been identified as Oinam Bimola and she was rushed to RIMS for treatment. She was manning a grocery shop at Singjamei bazar at the time of the incident.
The other civilian has been identified as Arambam Karan (24) of Hojai, Assam. He was hit by splinters on the left arm and abdomen. He has also been admitted to RIMS.
A 65-year old woman, who was selling vegetables nearby, fainted on hearing the loud explosion. She has been identified as Nepram Mani of Bashikhong Torban and was taken to RIMS for treatment.
Two of the injured Assam Rifles personnel have been taken to the unit hospital of the IGAR (S) at Mantripukhri, while another was admitted to RIMS.
The personnel admitted to RIMS has been identified as Hardan Sanwar (22) of Arunachal Pradesh while on the other hand the identities of those taken to the AR unit hospital at Mantri-pukhri could not be confirmed.
MLA of Singjamei AC I Hemochandra visited the injured persons at RIMS and strongly condemned the bomb blast.
On being contacted by The Sangai Express , Colonel GS of IGAR (S) said that three AR men were hurt in the incident and added that it was a grenade attack.
On being asked about the identities of all the three personnel, the officer said that he could not tell it ‘off hand.’
The AR team was travelling from Imphal to Thoubal when unidentified persons lobbed the hand grenade, Chinese made, at them at Singjamei Keithel near Kumar Pharmacy. The grenade exploded inside the Gypsy, which was topless.
On the impact of the blast, the Gypsy caught fire and it was seen driven for about 10 metres before it came to a halt. The AR personnel were also seen dousing the fire using water from the nearby drains.
Following the explosion, Singjamei Keithel literally broke up.
Later a number police officials including SSP L Kailun, Additional SP AK Jhaljit and Commando OC Th Krishnatombi inspected the site. A commando team recovered pin of a Chinese hand grenade about 20 metres away from the spot of explosion.
Some other people who witnessed the explosion said that the grenade might have slipped down from one of the AR personnel travelling in the Gypsy.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
MLA's escort commander ‘beaten to death by fellow men over missing gun row’
I
MPHAL, Nov 9 : In a chilling development, that could have far reaching repercussions, the escort commander of MLA V Hangkhanlian, Havildar Oinam Inaotomba of the 1st IRB, was allegedly beaten to death by 8 of his subordinates following a row over a missing SLR loaded with three magazines last night. The deceased is from Bashikhong Kongjin.
The 8 jawans have been booked under murder charge and are in the custody of Lamphel police. A late evening report confirmed that the 8 personnel have been placed under suspension.
In another development, late evening today, report has come in that the missing gun has been recovered.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, CO of 1st IRB T Iboyaima said that the gun was recovered from the campus of the Bn Headquarters at Churachandpur today.
The CO said that the gun was deposited at the Bn Hqs by a former escort commander, when the personnel to whom the gun was issued, had gone on leave.
It was a case of communication gap, said the CO.
According to police sources, the information of the death of the Havildar was lodged with the Lamphel police station by the Assistant Commandant of the 1st IRB, N Manglemba of Bashikhong yesterday at about 11.30 pm.
As per the report filed with the police, an SLR gun with three loaded magazines and issued to Rifleman Tungachin Paite of the escort party of the MLA was found missing about 3/4 days back.
This reportedly led to high tension amongst the escort party, numbering 11, resulting in a row that led to the death of Inaotomba last night.
Incidentally at the time of the incident, two out of the 11 escort party were on leave.
The fight that ensued last night took place at the Lamphel official quarters of MLA V Hangkhanlian.
Inaotomba was brought to Shija Hospitals last night at about 8.30, but the doctors there pronounced him dead on arrival and hence the body was taken away to be deposited at RIMS morgue.
However the body was deposited at the morgue much after 8.30 pm, said sources. Officially it has been reported that the body was deposited at the morgue at 11 pm yesterday.
In the report submitted to the police, the Assistant Commandant of 1st IRB N Manglemba said that there were beating marks on the buttocks, face and other parts of the body of the victim.
The Assistant Commandant also verbally informed that the other 8 personnel of the escort party accused Inaotomba of being the man behind the missing SLR gun. However no written statement to this effect was submitted to the police.
Significantly MLA V Hangkhanlian could not be contacted for his comments on the incident. Efforts to meet him at his residence proved futile as the ‘On Tour’ notice was found put up at the gate of his quarters.
With Lamphel police registering the case, a formal intimation was sent to the CO of the 1st IRB, requesting that the eight escort personnel be handed over.
Accordingly, the eight were handed over to Lamphel police today and were booked under a murder case under IPC 302.
Meanwhile speaking to the media at the Manipur Press Club, Prem Oinam, a relative of the deceased said that they have every reason to suspect a conspiracy behind the murder.
Recalling his interaction with Inaotomba some days back, Prem said, “while he was on a two day leave some days back, Inaotomba had talked something about the missing gun and he seemed disturbed. Since he is the only man, who can be the escort commander, he had requested the Assistant Commandant of his unit to post someone, who can also be given the responsibility of the escort commander.”
Inaotomba went back to his duty after the guard commander, AS Marah informed him that one rifleman, Basant had applied for leave, recalled Prem.
“Till yesterday evening he was in touch with his family members,” said Prem and added that till evening today, the IRB authority had not given any official report about the death of Inaotomba. This is disgraceful, he added.
Asserting that they would not accept any charges levelled against a dead man, the family members demanded that all the guilty be booked and punished and warned that they would not take back the body until justice is delivered. The body is still lying at RIMS morgue.
Prem Oinam further said that the family members were deeply troubled when a team led by the Assistant Commandant of the 1st IRB came to their house at about 11 last night and conducted a search for the missing gun.
Fearing the worst, they proceeded to the quarters of MLA V Hangkhanlian last night but on reaching were told that the escort party has been changed.
The guards at the gate said that they knew nothing of any incident, said the family members.
Thereafter the family members turned back and thought of proceeding to Kangla, but changed their mind and went to Lamphel PS.
At the police station, they met the Assistant Commandant of the 1st IRB, N Manglemba, they said adding that they were told of the death of Inaotomba there.
MPHAL, Nov 9 : In a chilling development, that could have far reaching repercussions, the escort commander of MLA V Hangkhanlian, Havildar Oinam Inaotomba of the 1st IRB, was allegedly beaten to death by 8 of his subordinates following a row over a missing SLR loaded with three magazines last night. The deceased is from Bashikhong Kongjin.
The 8 jawans have been booked under murder charge and are in the custody of Lamphel police. A late evening report confirmed that the 8 personnel have been placed under suspension.
In another development, late evening today, report has come in that the missing gun has been recovered.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, CO of 1st IRB T Iboyaima said that the gun was recovered from the campus of the Bn Headquarters at Churachandpur today.
The CO said that the gun was deposited at the Bn Hqs by a former escort commander, when the personnel to whom the gun was issued, had gone on leave.
It was a case of communication gap, said the CO.
According to police sources, the information of the death of the Havildar was lodged with the Lamphel police station by the Assistant Commandant of the 1st IRB, N Manglemba of Bashikhong yesterday at about 11.30 pm.
As per the report filed with the police, an SLR gun with three loaded magazines and issued to Rifleman Tungachin Paite of the escort party of the MLA was found missing about 3/4 days back.
This reportedly led to high tension amongst the escort party, numbering 11, resulting in a row that led to the death of Inaotomba last night.
Incidentally at the time of the incident, two out of the 11 escort party were on leave.
The fight that ensued last night took place at the Lamphel official quarters of MLA V Hangkhanlian.
Inaotomba was brought to Shija Hospitals last night at about 8.30, but the doctors there pronounced him dead on arrival and hence the body was taken away to be deposited at RIMS morgue.
However the body was deposited at the morgue much after 8.30 pm, said sources. Officially it has been reported that the body was deposited at the morgue at 11 pm yesterday.
In the report submitted to the police, the Assistant Commandant of 1st IRB N Manglemba said that there were beating marks on the buttocks, face and other parts of the body of the victim.
The Assistant Commandant also verbally informed that the other 8 personnel of the escort party accused Inaotomba of being the man behind the missing SLR gun. However no written statement to this effect was submitted to the police.
Significantly MLA V Hangkhanlian could not be contacted for his comments on the incident. Efforts to meet him at his residence proved futile as the ‘On Tour’ notice was found put up at the gate of his quarters.
With Lamphel police registering the case, a formal intimation was sent to the CO of the 1st IRB, requesting that the eight escort personnel be handed over.
Accordingly, the eight were handed over to Lamphel police today and were booked under a murder case under IPC 302.
Meanwhile speaking to the media at the Manipur Press Club, Prem Oinam, a relative of the deceased said that they have every reason to suspect a conspiracy behind the murder.
Recalling his interaction with Inaotomba some days back, Prem said, “while he was on a two day leave some days back, Inaotomba had talked something about the missing gun and he seemed disturbed. Since he is the only man, who can be the escort commander, he had requested the Assistant Commandant of his unit to post someone, who can also be given the responsibility of the escort commander.”
Inaotomba went back to his duty after the guard commander, AS Marah informed him that one rifleman, Basant had applied for leave, recalled Prem.
“Till yesterday evening he was in touch with his family members,” said Prem and added that till evening today, the IRB authority had not given any official report about the death of Inaotomba. This is disgraceful, he added.
Asserting that they would not accept any charges levelled against a dead man, the family members demanded that all the guilty be booked and punished and warned that they would not take back the body until justice is delivered. The body is still lying at RIMS morgue.
Prem Oinam further said that the family members were deeply troubled when a team led by the Assistant Commandant of the 1st IRB came to their house at about 11 last night and conducted a search for the missing gun.
Fearing the worst, they proceeded to the quarters of MLA V Hangkhanlian last night but on reaching were told that the escort party has been changed.
The guards at the gate said that they knew nothing of any incident, said the family members.
Thereafter the family members turned back and thought of proceeding to Kangla, but changed their mind and went to Lamphel PS.
At the police station, they met the Assistant Commandant of the 1st IRB, N Manglemba, they said adding that they were told of the death of Inaotomba there.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Migrant workers taking shelter at the Dharmshala relief camp following of spate of violence against non-locals
Sunday, November 1, 2009
State Devt report moots repeal of AFSPA, toe Reddy Commission report
I
MPHAL, Oct 31 : The Manipur State Develop-ment Report, prepared by the State Planning Commi-ssion has come out with a number of significant re-commendations, which if implemented in letter and spirit could have far reaching impact.
The draft report prepared by the State Planning Commission was discussed with Chief Secretary DS Poonia in the chair today and attended by top ranking Government officials.
After going through the minutes of the draft report, the Chief Secretary instructed that if any Department wants certain changes or modifications in the report, then the same may be intimated to the Planning Department, said a source while speaking to The Sangai Express today.
The draft report, a copy of which is available with The Sangai Express deals with core areas for immediate intervention in order of priority and covers a whole range of subjects such as infrastructure development, food security, sustai- nable natural resource management, employment and social security, decentralisation and governance etc.
Under decentralisation and governance, the draft report has recommended the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act as per the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission recommendation.
The Jeevan Reddy Commission was instituted following the huge demand to repeal the Army Act following the custodial killing of Th Manorama in 2004.
The formation of the Commission was announced by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, when he visited the State in 2004.
Other than this, the draft report also recommended extension of a more democratic and representative version of the Sixth Schedule to all the hill areas of Manipur.
The 6th Schedule has been a long pending demand of a number of tribal civil society organisations.
To give a boost to infrastructure and minimise room for incompetency, the draft report also suggested banning private contractors from constructing infrastructure.
It was also recommended that each village be provided one telecom tower, reduce restrictions on provision of cellular services in border areas to the extent feasible in order to promote communication through cellular services (a Home Ministry order) and extending and improving broadband services in all districts.
To improve road quality, monitoring the use of adulterated bitumen was also mooted.
On economic development, special emphasis was placed on the power sector, with the draft report suggesting that strategies to reduce cost be adopted. This include reducing Transmission and Distribution losses and utilising capacity to its optimum level.
The report also suggested making the idle plants operational reactivating the non-functional plants as most of the capacity created in the State are lying idle and serve as mere standbys to the regional grid.
To avoid further cost and time over runs, the report also suggested providing adequate funding to complete ongoing small and medium power projects that are acceptable on eco-sociological grounds.
Constituting a State electricity regulatory commission capable of evolving a fine balance between recovering cost and encouraging the use of power, has also been suggested.
Protecting bio-diversity also figures in the draft report and towards this it has suggested stopping rampant exploitation by illegal traders and contractors.
On agriculture, the report has suggested the setting up of a Land Commission to protect the access of women and other weaker sections to productive resources, land and forest.
Taking on the entire expenditure on growth centres as Central assistance, with a ceiling of Rs 15 crores per centre, to promote industrialisation has also been mooted in the draft report.
The draft report also suggested tapping the creative, traditional legacy of Manipur along the lines of countries such as China and Thailand and to penetrate international markets.
The State must spearhead India's economic links with ASEAN and South East Asia, mooted the report.
Encouraging adventure tourism such as rafting expeditions on the Barak river and trekking across frozen rivers on the way to Dzuko valley are some other suggestions mooted in the draft report.
The report has also suggested adopting the mother tongue as the medium of instruction at the primary level, development of books in the mother tongue, increasing the State's budget in Education etc.
MPHAL, Oct 31 : The Manipur State Develop-ment Report, prepared by the State Planning Commi-ssion has come out with a number of significant re-commendations, which if implemented in letter and spirit could have far reaching impact.
The draft report prepared by the State Planning Commission was discussed with Chief Secretary DS Poonia in the chair today and attended by top ranking Government officials.
After going through the minutes of the draft report, the Chief Secretary instructed that if any Department wants certain changes or modifications in the report, then the same may be intimated to the Planning Department, said a source while speaking to The Sangai Express today.
The draft report, a copy of which is available with The Sangai Express deals with core areas for immediate intervention in order of priority and covers a whole range of subjects such as infrastructure development, food security, sustai- nable natural resource management, employment and social security, decentralisation and governance etc.
Under decentralisation and governance, the draft report has recommended the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act as per the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission recommendation.
The Jeevan Reddy Commission was instituted following the huge demand to repeal the Army Act following the custodial killing of Th Manorama in 2004.
The formation of the Commission was announced by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, when he visited the State in 2004.
Other than this, the draft report also recommended extension of a more democratic and representative version of the Sixth Schedule to all the hill areas of Manipur.
The 6th Schedule has been a long pending demand of a number of tribal civil society organisations.
To give a boost to infrastructure and minimise room for incompetency, the draft report also suggested banning private contractors from constructing infrastructure.
It was also recommended that each village be provided one telecom tower, reduce restrictions on provision of cellular services in border areas to the extent feasible in order to promote communication through cellular services (a Home Ministry order) and extending and improving broadband services in all districts.
To improve road quality, monitoring the use of adulterated bitumen was also mooted.
On economic development, special emphasis was placed on the power sector, with the draft report suggesting that strategies to reduce cost be adopted. This include reducing Transmission and Distribution losses and utilising capacity to its optimum level.
The report also suggested making the idle plants operational reactivating the non-functional plants as most of the capacity created in the State are lying idle and serve as mere standbys to the regional grid.
To avoid further cost and time over runs, the report also suggested providing adequate funding to complete ongoing small and medium power projects that are acceptable on eco-sociological grounds.
Constituting a State electricity regulatory commission capable of evolving a fine balance between recovering cost and encouraging the use of power, has also been suggested.
Protecting bio-diversity also figures in the draft report and towards this it has suggested stopping rampant exploitation by illegal traders and contractors.
On agriculture, the report has suggested the setting up of a Land Commission to protect the access of women and other weaker sections to productive resources, land and forest.
Taking on the entire expenditure on growth centres as Central assistance, with a ceiling of Rs 15 crores per centre, to promote industrialisation has also been mooted in the draft report.
The draft report also suggested tapping the creative, traditional legacy of Manipur along the lines of countries such as China and Thailand and to penetrate international markets.
The State must spearhead India's economic links with ASEAN and South East Asia, mooted the report.
Encouraging adventure tourism such as rafting expeditions on the Barak river and trekking across frozen rivers on the way to Dzuko valley are some other suggestions mooted in the draft report.
The report has also suggested adopting the mother tongue as the medium of instruction at the primary level, development of books in the mother tongue, increasing the State's budget in Education etc.
