Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Zokuomthawn Daily News

ATSUM sets Sep 9 deadline

Imphal, Sep 4 : The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) has sent a representation to four Ministers of the Government of Manipur giving midnight of September 9 as the deadline to solve the issues raised by ATSUM, after a lapse of one week time set by the Government on August 19.

According to the ATSUM’s representation, the long-standing unsolved issues includes reservation in the promotion of 31 Jamedars to Subedars; demand for the setting up of high level committee to look into the problems of the tribals in Manipur University to be headed by a senior Cabinet or the State’s Chief Secretary; demand for the extension of contract basis teachers where replacement was not given; opposition to setting up of NIT in the congested Imphal valley.

The representation also warned the Government to be prepared to accept and take responsibility on whatever decision the student body takes and any action the ATSUM initiate after that.
The four Ministers whom the ATSUM addressed were K Ranjit Singh (Works), N Biren (IFCD), DD Thaisii (TD) and L Jayentakumar (Education).

Meanwhile, in a separate press statement, ATSUM endorsed the demand of Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) to hand over the construction works of Kaiphundai-Tousem road, IT roads via Kangpokpi-Tamei, Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong road, and Tamei-Tening road to Border Roads Organisation (BRO/BRTF).

ATSUM warned that ,the Government should fulfil their demands within seven days from September 5, failing which it the government within seven days from September 5, failing which ATSUM warned that it will not remain a silent spectator over the grievances suffered by its constituent units.

It also urgently urged the Government to clear the landslides and mudslides between Churachandpur and Tipaimukh village along NH 150, as food stock for Tipaimukh villages had been stranded at various places between the places for the last 10 days.
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ZSF decries

Lamka, Sep 4: The Zomi Students Federation condemn in the strongest term, the brutal murder of T Nengkhogin of Leijangphai and question the motive behind such a callous act on an imbalance, innocent and an elderly man. Urging the ‘cowardly miscreants to reveal their true identity and not to repeat such diabolic act’ the federation said, their heartless crime could jeopardize the hard earn peace in the trouble torn district. It also express its heart-felt condolence to the bere- aved family and urge the concern authority to book the culprits at the earliest and award befitting compe-nsation to the family.
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Tangkhul Hundung shoot out - KLA asks IM to clarify

Imphal, September 04: Reacting very strongly against the action of NSCN (IM) in which ten KLA cadres were killed by the former at Tangkhul Hundung under Litan Police Station, the information and publicity secretary of the KLA, Malsawm Kuki has asked the IM leadership to return the arms taken away from the slain men as well as to make up for the killing by paying the customary fines.

In a statement, Malsawm alleged that 10 KLA cadres led by Timothy Kuki and Sgt Jonah were killed without any reason by the IM cadres and added that Timothy along with his 11 men were called by the NSCN (IM) cadres to talk about an internal affair.

After the meeting got over, the NSCN (IM) cadres suddenly opened fire killing ten KLA cadres while two others managed to escape.

The KLA has asked the NSCN (IM) to return the seized weapons within a short period, between September 5 and 7 and added that the killing should be compensated according to Kuki’s customary law.

If the condition laid down by the KLA is not followed then the outfit will follow the policy of an eye for an eye, added the statement.

In another statement Addy Kuki of the KLA said that the NSCN (IM) should clarify the reason for the killings.

According to Addy Kuki the KLA cadres were under the command of Home Secy Timothy Kuki while the IM men were under the command of Paiso CO of Kaqchimung Bn Singkap.

Timothy went to the village after getting the permission from Ayo Tangkhul on August 31. The cadres of NSCN (IM) and KLA met at Hundung Khunou village and stayed together for 2 days, alleged Addy and added that when the KLA cadres wanted to leave, the IM cadres ensured to drop them by two Jeeps.

The first Jeep was occupied by the KLA cadres with the IM cadres sitting on the second Jeep.Even as the sitting arrangement was made a Sgt of the IM group ordered his men to fire and 10 KLA cadres were killed in cold blood, alleged the statement.

Luckily the Home Secy and one of his men managed to escape the attack, said the statement further.The KLA has demanded an explanation from the NSCN (IM) for the killings.

Meanwhile the bodies of nine out of 10 KLA cadres slain in Tangkhul Hundung under Litan police station yesterday morning have been brought to RIMS morgue this evening.

names of the nine could be known even though other particulars like age, exact addresses etc could not be ascertained.

The deceased include Joanah Kipgen (21), Lewis of Assam, Jampao Khongsai of Kamu Lamlai, Tilsei Khongsai of Saijang, Lelet Lupheng Zilkhai of Saikul, Vikum Lhanghal of Churachandpur, Papao Lhanghal and Jimmy Vaiphei.