Third round of tripartite talk held at Senapati

Central government roles critical in the talk as the representatives throw the ball to the state government court

By:Rinku Khumukcham

The third round of tripartite talk between the center, state government and the Naga civil societies under the initiative of United Naga Council UNC failed to bring out any amicable solution as the later stuck to their demand for an alternative arrangement for all Naga people living in Manipur. While Chief Secretary DS Poonia who is leading the state representative said that they had good dialogue, Chairman of the, Committee for Alternative arrangement of the UNC Sword Vashum termed the result of the talk as not fruitful as the talk failed to arrive at any concrete decision for sorting out the demand of the Naga People. On the other hand central government representation to the tripartite talk appeared critical as they throw the ball to the state government in making any move for ending the present crisis.

Proscenium Dialogue :

A Paradox of Societal Reformation

Rinku Khumukcham

Like any other organs of mass media, proscenium theatre is very much a part of our life. The illustrators in this medium are as tough as those of the newsmakers. Like, the newsmen, who harness all their energies to alert or make aware of the day today happenings around us, these proscenium players forecast the reality of the present contemporary society. However, a slight difference between the two is that, while newsmen condemn the venality of politicians, law enforcers and corrupt administrators in the form of direct reporting or editorial write up; the proscenium players interpret the retrospection of the societal conflict and tension with stylization of the body movement and dialogue. However, this intrapersonal oral medium of communication cannot rally its impact to the society without the help of newsmen due to the limitation of its receivers. The paradox arisen here is that, this society still does not recognize the importance of this medium of mass media - on its roles on reforming the society. The ignorance of the theatre culture as a source of wisdom by the so-called bureaucrats or politicians is the most unfortunate part.

More Newly Constructed Drainage Side-walls plunge

Central team appreciation sours common people as matter of quality control remain unnoticed

Rinku Khumukcham

A day after DoNER Secretary Jayanti Chandra had expressed satisfaction to the progress of the various developmental project being undertaken by the state government, portion of a side wall drainage constructed under JNURM plunged today morning leaning to the opposite direction.

The incident happened near construction side of Capitol project at Chingmeirong. When our reporter reached the spot early today morning labourers were seen busied repairing the piece of plunged structure to cover up from getting notice of the higher authorities as well as the local people and media. The area has been expected to have maintained the highest quality control in the construction works due to the proximity of the Capitol Project where the Chief Ministers as well as other concern ministers frequently visited for inspection.

Speaking to our news reporter the contractor of the said portion explained the situation as negligence of the road construction labourer which has been taking up simultaneously. He said the portion of the drainage side wall was plunged after the roller rode close to the wall without checking the maturity of the constructed portion. But the explanation of the contractor failed to convinced our news reporter as he witness the mixture of concrete to be a third class one. One can easily plug out the cemented concretes with bare hands. 

On the other hand locals of Chingmeirong had questioned about the significant of the drain constructed along both the road sides as the level was comparatively higher from the residential area where hundreds of them have been settling. ISTV camera crew made no doubt to even a minor child that the drainage system will never serve to the residence of the area as the level of the drain was much higher (www.istvimphal.com June 8 English News). The same has been seen, being constructed along the MI road in between Keishampat to Khagempalli area. Even as uninterrupted works are being seen taken up along the proximity area of capitol project no authority seems to care about checking its quality.

The type of incidents which is a true lie about the maintenance of quality control is not the first of its kind, certain such incident had happened earlier. Appearance of cracks at the roof of the newly constructed Kwairamband Keithel Nupi Market complexes, breach of newly constructed retaining wall at Takyel area of Nambul River, collapsed of drainage side wall construction at Kakwa area, collapse of culvert at the right wing canal of Khuga multipurpose project had already been witness by the people of the state in the recent times.

Front page local media reports about the satisfaction of the central team led by DoNER Secretary Jayanti Chandra, Director for Ministry of Finance Vandita Kaul and others to the developmental project being taken up by the state government took most people by surprise. When it become an opened secrete to everyone that no central government sponsored project which are being taken up under NLCPR and Special Plan Assistance (SPA) had never been followed the original guidelines, how could they expressed dissatisfaction, a senior citizen question.

Dr. Thongbam while speaking to this journalist said if the central government team felt that quality is not the matter in taking up the Central government sponsored project then there is something going on between the visiting central team and the state government representatives.

In the feedback column of Sangai Express news a commenter wrote - The so-called high profile team visiting Manipur has no teeth, as there is no member in the team who has the technical and engineering knowledge about the projects being inspected. These bureaucrats only know about kickbacks/commissions and signing in the un-reviewed official documents. Such teams come and go and do not make any difference in the quality of projects being undertaken in Manipur.

SPF Govt. ‘No Mercy’ Eviction Drives Shattered Hopes of Many

Victims Spent Sleepless night Imagining the dark Future

Rinku Khumukcham
 

Evicted families of Lamphel area spent sleepless night protecting their young ones as unfriendly rains and summer heats falls upon them after the state government “no mercy drive” for development had left them homeless. It was disheartening to see the helpless parents watching their young ones collecting books and other materials from the mess up with tears rolling down on their cheek. The eviction drive was conducted within a short span of merely a month without making proper arrangement of the settlers along the site for some of them even over decades. The eviction drive began on June 6 afternoon all of a sudden putting everyone in surprise.

Source said the loyal employees of the Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had began the ‘No Mercy Drive’ after he directed to do so during his recent visit at the site for construction of NIT. Around 20 houses and many shops in Yaipha Leikai Mamang in Lamphel area near the Employment Exchange office were evicted using three bulldozers and four tippers. According to official source, SDO Radhamani Mutum had issued the eviction orders on June 3. On June 5, Lamphel police had reportedly warned the residents to shift from the houses, shops and hotels at the earliest. The official source was however different from those of the statement of the settlers which had been evicted. They said they were not given adequate time for shifting of their house. As bulldozers accompanied by a large number of police force came all of a sudden on Monday morning and started destroying their houses one after another people of the area helplessly streams tears witnessing the scene. Some of them busied trying to collect their belonging while other screams with pains helplessly.

State government Works Minister, PDA Chairman and other officials were also present when the “no mercy government action” was underway. Some villagers said that they had been residing in the area since the last 50 years and that they owned dag chitha – that is, land owner certificate of the areas where they were residing. They also said to their surprise, Lamphel police came on June 5 at around 11 am and pasted an eviction order dated June 3 on a pillar near the Lamphel Employment Exchange Office and began the eviction work Monday morning. They termed the act as biased since the police did not carry out evictions in the adjoining areas. Meanwhile, students of the evicted families stand stunned after seeing their houses destroyed while returning back from school. Some of the children cried with utmost pain and sorrow while the younger ones were received by their parents. The parents had left no choice but to feed their children in the open space where their houses were evicted.

Government “no Mercy eviction drive” perhaps may have been a far sighted dream for the Okram Ibobi led SPF government to develop the state. But it is no right to drive out the helpless and poor without giving them alternative means for survival said a senior citizen. He also said that people knows why these development project have been taking up at one time in a hasty manner without making a way out for public conveniences. He further said the government might be able to fool some people for sometime but not all the time. It may be mention that the eviction drive was conducted in the presence of  Imphal West DC, Lamphel SDO, Works Minister K Ranjit, PDA Chairman Kh Loken, I/W Addl SP Herojit, SDPO Lamphel Balram and OC Ingocha. Out of the 20 houses evicted yesterday around 10 of them possesed dag chitha for their land.

MLA Wungnaosang Keishing escapes militants’ ambush; 7 security escorts killed, 6 injured

Imphal 15 april, 2011;

Phungyar Assembly constituency MLA Wungnaosang Keishing today escaped militants ambush at Rehang area under Lamlai Police station. Seven of his security escorts including his driver were killed in the ambush while six other personnel were injured. Wungnaosang sustain minor injury at his hand and was immediately made way towards Imphal in an Ambassador car. The ambush happened at around 2.30 pm on his way back to Imphal after attending an awareness campaign on HIV and AIDS at Hera village under Pungyar Assembly constituency. Report reaching here said heavily armed militants numbering around 30 came down heavily using automatic machine guns near Rehang area which is about 2 kilometer from Yainganpokpi towards Ukhrul side. The vehicle at which Wungnaosang Keishing was travelling falls into a gorge. The driver of the vehicles along with one security escort died on the spot however, Wungnaoshang Keishing made a narrow escaped from the militants’ strike. Six other security escort sustained injury during the attacked. All the injured were immediately rush to RIMS casualty and those in critical condition were evacuated at Shija Hospital. The militants reportedly leave the spot after attacking the MLA and his security escort.  Luckily the media team distance themselves from the MLA’s vehicles as they went sometime ahead. Wungnaishang Keishing was on his way back to Imphal after attending an awareness campaign on HIV and AIDS organized by Manipur Legislature Forum on HIV and AIDS at Hera Village. The team of media went along with the MLA for media coverage of the HIV and AIDS awareness campaign. None of the underground group claimed the ambush at the time of filing this report.

Mentioned may be made that Wungnaoshang Keishing has recently supported the demand for establishment of a full-fledged Pungyar District which is presently under Ukhrul district. A memorandum on the regard was submitted to the Chief Minister at which the later gave them positive responses. The demand was however opposed by the Naga Apex Body UNC and called upon the district demand committee to withdraw the representation submitted to the government. The UNC in a press statement said that the demand for a new district is the handiwork of the adversaries to vitiate and derail the Alternative Arrangement process which is in progress peacefully and democratically.

The United Naga Council also said that the Naga people in the State of Manipur have severed all political ties with the Government of Manipur demanding the intervention of the Government of India for an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur.

The UNC statement was strongly reacted by Wungnaoshang Keishing saying that the diktat of the UNC is anti development. It is worth mentioning here that UNC is a Naga organization which has been supporting the cause of the NSCN-IM which is currently undergoing peace talk with the government of India.

Those killed in today’s ambush at Rehang village has been identified as one Kunjo of 6^th MR and one Sunil of 2^nd MR. Others are yet to be identified. Those injured currently undergoing treatment at RIMS casualty were identified as MD Ali Rahman and Takhelambam Zilabanta of 1^st MR and Sangthem Mangi of 6^th MR. The other three injured evacuated at Shija Hospital has been identified as Stefen Keishing, Thokchom Sunindro and Voria Keishing of the Manipur Rifles battalions. Most of the injured are stated to be in critical condition and the number of death might increase. 

Upa Pradhan Among 2 Arrested Along With Hand Grenades and Detonators

Two persons including an upa pradhan allegedly came to hurl bomb to civilian residence were arrested by Imphal West Police Commando along with three hand grenade and three detonator.

According to police both were cadres of proscribed PREPAK working under the command of one Chaoba also known as Pakhangba of PREPAK project one. One among the arrested person identified as Khaidem Ibomcha Singh also known as RK or Rohit is the upa pradhan of ward number 6 of Khurai Laishram GP. He is about 38 years old and is a resident of Khurai Kongpal Sajor Leikai. The other arrested person has been identified as 38 years old Leihoarungbam Robinchandra of Khurai Puthiba Leikai of Khurai Lamlong. Both of them along with the articles seized from them were display today to media persons at Imphal west district police commando complex.

(In Photo:Above : the grenades and detonators seized ; below the two persons arrested)

Speaking to media persons DSP of Imphal West district Police commando Ibomcha said the two persons were nabbed along with three hand grenade and detonators when they were on their way in an Activa Honda bearing registration number MN01R-8981 to hurl the bomb at Singjamei area by a team of police commando who were conducting duty after receiving specific information about their presence. He said both the persons were used by the PREPAK to transport arms and ammunitions of the outfit besides hurling of bomb to civilians and government employee’s residence. The police also seized two mobile phone, three identity cards and the grey colour Activa Honda that were riding. On further interrogation the police team also learnt that the three hand grenade were collected from a lady at Uripok. 

KCP claims responsibility over the shooting of Reliance tower Caretaker at Wangkhei; JAC against the killing condemn the mindless killing

11.pm 6 April 3011

Armed group KCP today claimed responsibility to the killing of Reliance caretaker Oinam Borobabu at his Wangkhei Wangkheimayum Leirak residence on Monday night. A press statement released through e-mail by one Yaiphaba, of the Information and Public Relation Department of the outfit said Borobabu was awarded capital punishment by the outfit after giving repeated warning. It may be mentioned that Borobabu was shot death in front of his wife and son by an armed assailant.

Meanwhile, JAC against the killing, today accepted dead body of Borobabu and performed last rite after Chief Minister Okram Ibobi had given assurance to fulfill their demand. The JAC has been demanding punishment of the culprits involved in the killing, adequate livelihood to the victim family beside compensation.

A large number people today staged a rally till JNIMS Morgue and brought the dead body to perform last rite at his locality. The deceased Borobabu was shot death by the armed assailant at his bed room in front of his wife Sandhyarani and son Devaraj. He is survived by his wife and three children including a daughter. A JAC formed against the killing had yesterday submitted memorandum to the chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh demanding punishment of the culprits involved in the killing. MLA E. Suraj and Reliance Mobile service provider agent W. Kemchand among others met the Chief Minister on Tuesday afternoon to submit the memorandum. Member of the JAC while speaking to media person question on the nature of freedom struggle that the armed group has been demanding. He said such killing is an act of terrorism and such act should not be repeated.

Meanwhile, Manipur DGP Y. Joykumar has said that all efforts are being made to arrest the culprits involved in the shooting of Oinam Borobobu. In a telephonic conversation with the ISTV News, Joykumar said a meeting for all district superintendents has been convened to strengthened security measures for controlling of the anti social crimes. He said police department has also taken up additional measures to protect the people and their properties. When asked about the deadline provided by an armed group to the non Manipuri, the police chief said the police force has been keeping vigils from before to counter any untoward incidents committed by anti social elements.

At another development a  sit in protest was staged today at Leimapokpam in protest against the bomb attack carried out at the residence of Oinam Angangjao aged 75 of Leimapokpam Awang leikai. The grenade exploded at the court yard and instantly killed one dog and damaged some portions of the roof and wall of the house. Meira paibees of Leimapokpam lambasted such violent acts in the crowded residential areas and sought clarification from the concerned party. A woman who took part in the protest expressed unhappiness over the incident and appealed not to repeat such intimidating act in future. She also maintained that due to the threats from some armed group doctors posted at Leimapokpam primary health centre could not attend for the last two months and have caused immense problems and inconveniences to the locality of the area and appealed to lift the threat imposed to the doctors in the interest of the locality.On the other hands women folk of Haobam Marak Marak Chingtham Leikai today staged a sit in protest against bomb threat to one RK Chitaranjan of the locality. Chitaranjan was around 50 years old and is serving as an inspector in the taxation department. The bomb was handed over by miscreants to a nieghbour by wrapping in an envelope at around 3.30 pm yesterday. Several placards decrying the bomb threat were used during the protest.