Journalists mourning demise of Rishikanta; Bijoy Koijam conveying CM’s message; and protestors enforcing blockade.

Journalist’s killing condemned, scribes on indefinite strike
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 18: Inspite of an agreement between representatives of the JAC, formed in connection with the killing of Konsam Rishi-kanta Singh and the State Government, the print and electronic media under the aegis of All manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) will suspend publication and broadcast of news item for an indefinite period with effect from tomorrow.
Decision to cease publication of newspapers from November 20 onwards was adopted at an emergency general body meeting of AMWJU held this afternoon at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul.
Among many other resolutions, it was decided to stage sit-in-protest till the culprits involved in shooting death Rishikanta are pulled up or identified.
The meeting was convened to deliberate over the future course of action in the aftermath of gunning down of 22-year-old K Ri-shikanta, who was a Junior Sub Editor of the Imphal Free Press daily.
Rishikanta’s bullet riddled body was found at near the Langol Hill range second home of the endan- gered brow-antler deer (Sangai) last evening.
Taking grim note of constant threat looming large over the journalist community of the State who have to dispense duties in an insecure atmosphere due to the prevailing conflict situation besetting manipur, senior journalists who addressed the meeting pointed out that Rishikanta is the sixth scribe to die an unnatural death.
Two journalists working in Churachandpur-based dailies and three others of Imphal-based dailies were shot dead in the past.
Conceding that journalists working in a conflict si- tuation like Manipur always face uncertainties the spea-kers also cautioned that as the journalists are wedged in between dichotomy of State and non-State actors the risks are even more.
Moreover, the fact that perpetrator/s of the criminal act ignored AMWJU’s standing appeal to either intimate Editor concerned or the scribes’ body in case any media person are found working in violation of norms of journalism, the meeting expressed concern that certain individuals or groups do not understand or acknowledge contributions of the news media to the Manipuri society.
Media personnel becoming a soft target of individuals with vested interest also came under sharp scrutiny at the congregation.
later in the afternoon a silent protest rally was ta-ken out upto the Chief Mi- nister’s official bungalow where a joint team of editors and AMWJU members submitted a memorandum to Okram Ibobi Singh.
The memorandum han-ded over to the Chief Mi- nister mentioned that ‘AMWJU has reasons to suspect involvement of security personnel in the crime as the spot where Rishi-kanta’s body was found is a highly secured area with personnel of State forces manning all three entry points. It is impossible for anyone to commit such a crime and escape scot free.’
Describing Rishikanta as a hard-working and honest journalist, the represen- tation categorically highlighted that ‘under the circumstances AMWJU feels that only a judicial inquiry can trace the culprit(s).
conveying the general body meeting’s resolution to suspend publication of newspapers from November 20 until the Government finds out and arrest the culprit(s), the scribes’ body demanded that in addition to the judicial inquiry, ex-gratia be extended to the bereaved family as per Centre’s scheme for victims of terrorist violence, ensure sense of security in the minds of journalists and take necessary measures for protection of working journalists of the State.
In response, the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh assured all possible assistance to the victim’s family.
Urging the media fraternity to grant some days to enable the Government investigate the matter, the CM asserted that if nothing concrete could be found out then not only a judicial probe be ordered but service of the CBI would be sought to crack the case.
Earlier, members present at the emergency meeting, held with AMWJU president S Hemant and Editor of Imphal free Press Pradip Phanjoubam as presidium members also unanimously resolved to constitute an investigation team of AMWJU for an independent probe into the killing and appeal to NGOs to extend all possible cooperation in unearthing the truth.
Regarding the resolution to stage sit-in-protest from tomorrow onwards at near Keishampat Power House all concerned involved in print and electronic media have been informed to report at the venue at 10 am.

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A villager in Thanlon sub-division displays the last remains of the rice procured from the Govt

IIngenious method used to receive mobile service in CCpur sub-divisions
Reporter’s CCpur diary : Tales of suffering, humanness
Laishram Shamungou
THANLON, Nov 16 : Living upto its image as one the largest armies in the world, the 12 Madras Regiment stationed at Thanlon and Tipaimukh sub-divisions in Churachandpur district has succeeded in tapping mobile connection and telephone line connection as well in these two remote places, where facilities for mobile phones and land line connections are absent.
Using a device manufactured in China, the troops in Thanlon and Parbung under Tipaimukh hit upon the idea of installing five SIM cards at one post located at Singnat sub-division, where mobile service is available, and connected them to a receiver at Thanlon located about 50 kms away by using a device known as Super Long Range Cordless Telephone.
The ingenious method means that the troops can contact their family members and the facilities are also being extended to the local people.
This story came to light during a recent trip to the interiors of Churachandpur along with the Army PRO Colonel Rajesh Mishra.
The ingenious method was put to use from January this year enabling the troops to keep regular contact with their family members. Moreover a separate line is also opened for the local population.
On the other hand, to extend mobile service to these interior areas, process of laying cable lines along NH-150 by private service providers Vodafone and Reliance has started.
In some cases, WLL sets procured from neighbouring Mizoram are being used for commercial purposes and the rate of one call has been fixed at Rs 10.
Electricity : There is no source of energy save for the power procured from the Solar Household Lighting System and Solar street lamps provided by MANIREDA and the Army in these remote areas. As such life in these two sub-divisions begins and ends with day break and sun set. Candle is the most sought after necessity there.
However the 12 Madras Regiment under 57 Mountain Division has provided a degree of reprieve to the people at Thanlon as it has managed to provide three units of power from its generator to 161 households till 9 pm.
Bamboo flowering : With the villagers facing the prospect of starvation due to the rodent menace following bamboo flowering, parents and elders are no longer able to meet the expenses of sending their children to school. Hence the drop out rate of students has seen a marked increase.
To supplement their income, the villagers have started felling trees on a bigger scale as well in hunting wild life.
Speaking to The Sangai Express a villager of Vaiphei Mol village said that from the two tins of paddy seeds he sowed this year, he could manage to harvest only seven tins. In other years, from two tins of paddy, the return was not less than 100 tins, he said and added that the poor yield was due to the havoc caused by the surging rodent population.
The harvested rice is yet to be eaten, but at the moment he has only two Kgs of rice procured from the Government agency. Once this stock runs out, the villager said, he would go hunting and if there is any catch the same would be sold at Thanlon to replenish the food larder from the rice sold by the Government. The rice is bought at Rs 20 per Kg, he informed.
Interacting with this reporter at Bukpi village at Thanlon sub-division, a school teacher, Vung Ngalmiang said that following the rodent menace, not many students are able to attend school.
Pitching in with aid, the 12 Madras Regiment has started footing the hostel fees and mess fees amounting to Rs 350 per month for 40 students of the two sub-divisions, disclosed Princi- pal of St Xavier’s School, Thanlon, Father Samy. The tuition fee, which is Rs 150 per month has been waived by the school authority.
Villagers of the two sub-divisions while interacting with reporters at Thanlon said that they have to cope with extremely bad roads, non-existent power supply, poor medical facilities and lack of food grain.
NREGS : Amid the gloom and sorry state of affairs, the NREGS has come as sort of a blessing for the villagers for with the prospect of getting paid for their labour shining bright, shop keepers do not shy away from selling them food stuff on credit, said the villagers.
On the other hand, the Army has started constructing some water tanks for the villagers.

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