Police blitzkrieg leaves "tainted" legislators ducking for cover
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: A day after the arrest of a dozen underground activists from the quarters of several MLAs in the high-security Babupara area, the concerned MLAs went into denial, some denying that anyone had been arrested from their quarters, others saying they had no knowledge of the underground links of the arrested persons.
The MLAs are also calling the arrests a political conspiracy.
It may be mentioned, altogether 12 militants belonging to separate groups were arrested by police from the official quarters of MLAs and ex-MLAs located in the heavily guarded VIP colony at Babupara in a daylong cordon and search operation in the area yesterday.
The police raid in the area also yielded weapons parts, ammunitions and demand letters of the underground KYKL.
Reacting to the reports,
MLA, W Brajabidhu said at a press conference today that many of the youths rounded up from his quarters were staying there as his workers. "I have no idea of their being cadres of an outlaw organizationm" he added.
He said two of them, Lourembam Tiken and Engudam Ibosana, have been his active workers, for the past 10 years.
The MLA, who represents Lamsang A/C said he had fully given cooperation to the police operations. He added that he did not personally see any arrests being made, and was only told later that eight persons had been picked up from his quarters.
Regarding the recovery of disassembled weapons parts, Brajabidhu said, the septic tank where the weapons were detected was a common tank used by three MLAs residing in the vicinity, namely, Dr Kh Ratankumar, Md Alluaddin and himself. Hence, it would be wrong to attribute it to him, he said.
Brajabidhu also expressed that there was some political hand involved in the episode, which he maintained could be an attempt to defame his political reputation.
Ex-MLA N Sovakiran also strongly denying the police claim of arresting one KCP from his quarter said that during the search operation, the police had picked up three youths from his quarter but later released all of them after verification.
"I was astonished when newspapers reported the arrest of one KCP cadre from my quarter," he said.
MLA Bijoy Koijam, who spoke to media offices last night, had also made a similar statement, On the other hand, MLA Meghachandra was not immediately available for comment as he had left his quarters in the aftermath of the arrest of two militants, one PLA and another KCP from the place.
The Imphal police station has taken up a case under section 16/17/20 UAP (A) act and 25 (1-B) Arms Act. Cases have also been registered against the arrested cadres of the underground organizations
-------------------------------
Governor, CM and top state officials asked to reach Delhi today for security meeting
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: The Prime Minister`s Office, PMO has summoned the Manipur Governor, chief minister, chief secretary and principal home secretary to the national capital, New Delhi on August 20 to discuss security related issues.
Even though the official communiqué ³aid nothing except that it was a "meeting to discuss security related issues" with the officials of the Union ministry of home affairs, state officials here took the call seriously as it coincides with the state police`s exposure yesterday of an apparent link between some legislatures and outlawed organizations operating in the state.
There were no earlier plans or proposals for holding such a meeting between the state government and the MHA, the source said indicating that the meeting was fixed all of a sudden.
The official communiqué ¤ispatched today reportedly intimated the concerned top functionaries and administrators to rush immediately for the meeting.
Accordingly, state Governor Dr. SS Sidhu, chief minister O Ibobi Singh, chief secretary Jarnail Singh and the principal home secretary will fly to New Delhi tomorrow. The state DGP, Y Joykumar may also join the team, an official source said.
Yesterday`s police arrest of militants from the MLAs` quarters at Babupara in Imphal came amidst indications that the state based drugs agents may stop providing supplies to the state resulting in the scarcity of life saving drugs in the state.
A cabinet meeting which was to be held today to discuss the law and order situation was cancelled at the last minute.
The cancellation was reportedly related with the PMO`s intimation received today. The matter of scarcity of life saving drugs has apparently also already reached the ears of the Central authorities
-------------------------------
Bandh, blockade callers to be held responsible for loss to economy
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: Taking the stance that calling bandhs, general strikes, blockades and economic blockades is illegal and unconstitutional, the state government has declared it would henceforth take strict legal action against the sponsors of such disruptive activities.
The state Cabinet, in a meeting today, decided to crack down strictly on the imposition of bandhs, strikes and blockades by various organisations, NGOs and even underground groups in the state in view of the huge economic loss that these forms of protest cause.
It was also decided to fix responsibility for the economic loss sustained to the organisations or groups responsible for sponsoring the strike or blockade.
In an immediate follow-up to the Cabinet decision, a public appeal, under the signature of the state chief secretary, Jarnail Singh, has been issued urging all sections to refrain from resorting to such forms of protest against the government for any demand whatsoever.
The `appeal`, highlighting the judgement of the Supreme Court of India of November 1997 which affirmed the earlier judgement of the Kerala High Court declaring the calling of bandhs and strikes illegal and unconstitutional, stated that in the event of any such forms of protest, it would be taken as violation/contravention of the SC`s judgement, and also of the appropriate provisions of law.
In such an event, the government will take strict legal action including filing of a civil suit against the organisations, groups of individuals or individuals responsible, for recovery of the economic loss, the statement said.
The `appeal` also noted that organisers and sponsors of bandhs/general strikes/blockades/economic blockades are liable to be prosecuted under the provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, section 8B of the National Highway Act, 1957, and sections 384, 427 and 506 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
Highlighted that economic loss measures in terms of reduction in State Domestic Product during the past three years is estimated at Rs 1319.93 crores, the statement further stressed that the sponsoring of frequent bandhs, blockades and strikes badly affects the state`s economy and its development, thereby retarding its growth further.
In this connection, it appealed to all NGOs, senior citizens, social and political workers, students and individuals to help campaign for and promote awareness voluntarily amongst all sections of society against the ill-effects of these forms of protest.
---------------------------------
Govt told to disclose details of magisterial probes
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: The Manipur Information Commission has directed the state home department to provide total number of magisterial inquiries instituted by the Manipur government since 1980 till March 2007 along with the reports of the inquiries within 15 days to a petitioner who sought the information.
The state public information officer of the state home department was also informed to submit a show cause within 15 days from the receipt of the order of the chief commissioner why penalty as prescribed under section 20 of the RTI act be imposed to him for denying the petitioner the information he had sought.
The penalty that could be awarded for violation of the act includes a maximum of Rs. 25000 and recommendation for disciplinary action against him.
The ruling of the state chief information commissioner stated that copies of the magisterial inquiry reports which were considered by the state government along with their memorandum of action taken only in respect of those cases of such inquiry reports which had been laid before the state cabinet, discussed, approved and final action were over can be provided under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
The ruling was passed responding to a petition filed by one W Joykumar Singh of Huikap Mayai Leikai, Yairipok who failed to get the information from the state home department following an application made on May 19 this year.
As no response was received from the concerned official of the state home department, the applicant lodged a complaint with the chief information commissioner.
The commission had taken up the matter on July 27 by calling comments to be submitted within 10 days from the concerned SIPO. However no one turn up from the respondent`s side on the day of hearing which was fixed on July 30 this year.
Only after the commission gave second chance for seven day to submit explanation for not providing the information, the SIPO of the home department turn up and submitted his comment.
As per the comment of the SIPO, the home department is exempted from the purview of the Act except the cases involving corruption or human right violations, as the cases of magisterial inquiries relate to the activities of the action of security organizations, both Central and state.
Kanglaonline.com
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: A day after the arrest of a dozen underground activists from the quarters of several MLAs in the high-security Babupara area, the concerned MLAs went into denial, some denying that anyone had been arrested from their quarters, others saying they had no knowledge of the underground links of the arrested persons.
The MLAs are also calling the arrests a political conspiracy.
It may be mentioned, altogether 12 militants belonging to separate groups were arrested by police from the official quarters of MLAs and ex-MLAs located in the heavily guarded VIP colony at Babupara in a daylong cordon and search operation in the area yesterday.
The police raid in the area also yielded weapons parts, ammunitions and demand letters of the underground KYKL.
Reacting to the reports,
MLA, W Brajabidhu said at a press conference today that many of the youths rounded up from his quarters were staying there as his workers. "I have no idea of their being cadres of an outlaw organizationm" he added.
He said two of them, Lourembam Tiken and Engudam Ibosana, have been his active workers, for the past 10 years.
The MLA, who represents Lamsang A/C said he had fully given cooperation to the police operations. He added that he did not personally see any arrests being made, and was only told later that eight persons had been picked up from his quarters.
Regarding the recovery of disassembled weapons parts, Brajabidhu said, the septic tank where the weapons were detected was a common tank used by three MLAs residing in the vicinity, namely, Dr Kh Ratankumar, Md Alluaddin and himself. Hence, it would be wrong to attribute it to him, he said.
Brajabidhu also expressed that there was some political hand involved in the episode, which he maintained could be an attempt to defame his political reputation.
Ex-MLA N Sovakiran also strongly denying the police claim of arresting one KCP from his quarter said that during the search operation, the police had picked up three youths from his quarter but later released all of them after verification.
"I was astonished when newspapers reported the arrest of one KCP cadre from my quarter," he said.
MLA Bijoy Koijam, who spoke to media offices last night, had also made a similar statement, On the other hand, MLA Meghachandra was not immediately available for comment as he had left his quarters in the aftermath of the arrest of two militants, one PLA and another KCP from the place.
The Imphal police station has taken up a case under section 16/17/20 UAP (A) act and 25 (1-B) Arms Act. Cases have also been registered against the arrested cadres of the underground organizations
-------------------------------
Governor, CM and top state officials asked to reach Delhi today for security meeting
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: The Prime Minister`s Office, PMO has summoned the Manipur Governor, chief minister, chief secretary and principal home secretary to the national capital, New Delhi on August 20 to discuss security related issues.
Even though the official communiqué ³aid nothing except that it was a "meeting to discuss security related issues" with the officials of the Union ministry of home affairs, state officials here took the call seriously as it coincides with the state police`s exposure yesterday of an apparent link between some legislatures and outlawed organizations operating in the state.
There were no earlier plans or proposals for holding such a meeting between the state government and the MHA, the source said indicating that the meeting was fixed all of a sudden.
The official communiqué ¤ispatched today reportedly intimated the concerned top functionaries and administrators to rush immediately for the meeting.
Accordingly, state Governor Dr. SS Sidhu, chief minister O Ibobi Singh, chief secretary Jarnail Singh and the principal home secretary will fly to New Delhi tomorrow. The state DGP, Y Joykumar may also join the team, an official source said.
Yesterday`s police arrest of militants from the MLAs` quarters at Babupara in Imphal came amidst indications that the state based drugs agents may stop providing supplies to the state resulting in the scarcity of life saving drugs in the state.
A cabinet meeting which was to be held today to discuss the law and order situation was cancelled at the last minute.
The cancellation was reportedly related with the PMO`s intimation received today. The matter of scarcity of life saving drugs has apparently also already reached the ears of the Central authorities
-------------------------------
Bandh, blockade callers to be held responsible for loss to economy
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: Taking the stance that calling bandhs, general strikes, blockades and economic blockades is illegal and unconstitutional, the state government has declared it would henceforth take strict legal action against the sponsors of such disruptive activities.
The state Cabinet, in a meeting today, decided to crack down strictly on the imposition of bandhs, strikes and blockades by various organisations, NGOs and even underground groups in the state in view of the huge economic loss that these forms of protest cause.
It was also decided to fix responsibility for the economic loss sustained to the organisations or groups responsible for sponsoring the strike or blockade.
In an immediate follow-up to the Cabinet decision, a public appeal, under the signature of the state chief secretary, Jarnail Singh, has been issued urging all sections to refrain from resorting to such forms of protest against the government for any demand whatsoever.
The `appeal`, highlighting the judgement of the Supreme Court of India of November 1997 which affirmed the earlier judgement of the Kerala High Court declaring the calling of bandhs and strikes illegal and unconstitutional, stated that in the event of any such forms of protest, it would be taken as violation/contravention of the SC`s judgement, and also of the appropriate provisions of law.
In such an event, the government will take strict legal action including filing of a civil suit against the organisations, groups of individuals or individuals responsible, for recovery of the economic loss, the statement said.
The `appeal` also noted that organisers and sponsors of bandhs/general strikes/blockades/economic blockades are liable to be prosecuted under the provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, section 8B of the National Highway Act, 1957, and sections 384, 427 and 506 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
Highlighted that economic loss measures in terms of reduction in State Domestic Product during the past three years is estimated at Rs 1319.93 crores, the statement further stressed that the sponsoring of frequent bandhs, blockades and strikes badly affects the state`s economy and its development, thereby retarding its growth further.
In this connection, it appealed to all NGOs, senior citizens, social and political workers, students and individuals to help campaign for and promote awareness voluntarily amongst all sections of society against the ill-effects of these forms of protest.
---------------------------------
Govt told to disclose details of magisterial probes
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 18: The Manipur Information Commission has directed the state home department to provide total number of magisterial inquiries instituted by the Manipur government since 1980 till March 2007 along with the reports of the inquiries within 15 days to a petitioner who sought the information.
The state public information officer of the state home department was also informed to submit a show cause within 15 days from the receipt of the order of the chief commissioner why penalty as prescribed under section 20 of the RTI act be imposed to him for denying the petitioner the information he had sought.
The penalty that could be awarded for violation of the act includes a maximum of Rs. 25000 and recommendation for disciplinary action against him.
The ruling of the state chief information commissioner stated that copies of the magisterial inquiry reports which were considered by the state government along with their memorandum of action taken only in respect of those cases of such inquiry reports which had been laid before the state cabinet, discussed, approved and final action were over can be provided under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
The ruling was passed responding to a petition filed by one W Joykumar Singh of Huikap Mayai Leikai, Yairipok who failed to get the information from the state home department following an application made on May 19 this year.
As no response was received from the concerned official of the state home department, the applicant lodged a complaint with the chief information commissioner.
The commission had taken up the matter on July 27 by calling comments to be submitted within 10 days from the concerned SIPO. However no one turn up from the respondent`s side on the day of hearing which was fixed on July 30 this year.
Only after the commission gave second chance for seven day to submit explanation for not providing the information, the SIPO of the home department turn up and submitted his comment.
As per the comment of the SIPO, the home department is exempted from the purview of the Act except the cases involving corruption or human right violations, as the cases of magisterial inquiries relate to the activities of the action of security organizations, both Central and state.
Kanglaonline.com
