JAC seeks help for Pourabi blast victims’ treatment
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:55:13 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: With some of those critically injured in the Pourabi bomb blast of December 16 likely to require further medical treatment outside the state, the JAC, Pourabi has solicited assistance from the public to help meet expenses likely to be incurred by them.
In this connection, two helpline units are being set up at RIMS and JN hospitals from tomorrow, said a statement issued by the JAC, Pourabi.
The JAC has also expressed its profound gratitude to all those individuals, social organisations, meira paibi groups, transporters, doctors and hospital staff, and others who had extended their assistance to the victims of the bomb blast, whether by coming forward personally, providing vehicles, supplying medicines, or donating cash. It also acknowledged those who have issued statements of condemnation of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Centre of Child and Youth Development, Keibi Mayai Leikai, has demanded that the proscribed RPF/PLA should court martial the cadre responsible for causing the bomb blast, and punish him appropriately.
The CCDY, one of whose members, Soibam Bobi Meitei, died in the blast, during the meeting took the stance that the RPF/PLA should be held responsible for the loss of life and injuries in the incident, and further resolved to take up various lines of action if the RPF/PLA does not take the desired action by December 25.
The meeting, also attended by representatives of the Ideal Women’s Welfare Association, and Village Development Committee, Keibi Mayai Leikai, has also resolved to boycott the RPF/PLA and ban entry of its cadres into Keibi Mayai Leikai.
The meeting also observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect for the victims.
In the meantime, the underground KLO/KLA, has issued a statement highly condemning the December 16 bomb blast, stating that the plan of bombing to make life of the innocent people is not an act of a pure revolutionary. It also shared the pain and grief of the bereaved families, and also of the injured.
==========================================
Police refute RPF claim
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:53:09 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: The state police has categorically rejected the allegation by the proscribed RPF/PLA that the Pourabi bomb blast that killed altogether eight civilians and wounded dozens of others was deliberately triggered by the security forces after getting to know of the existence of the IED from two of its cadres arrested by them.
In a statement issued to the media today, the SP, Imphal east, S Kailun said the group was only trying to shift blame for the bomb blast to the security forces, and maintained that the two cadres named by the RPF/PLA, namely Haorangbam Kalamu alias Nganba, and Ibosana alias Elangbam Jayentakumar were arrested on the evening of December 16 itself and did not disclose their affiliation to the RPF/PLA till the next day.
The statement said they were picked up from Lamlong bazar at around 6:30 pm as they were moving in a suspicious manner.
They were brought to Porompat police station but did not admit they were PLA cadres during verification. They admitted they were members of the proscribed group only on the next day, the statement said.
It further said the pair were working under the command of self styled 2nd Lt Krishna, in division no III, auxiliary department of the PLA.
The statement further stated that the allegation of the PLA that the arrested persons have disclosed to the police about the planting of bomb at Pourabi on December 16 itself is not only false, but also a deliberate attempt made by the underground group to shift the responsibility for the bomb blast to the security forces.
================================
NIT at Langol opposed at unofficial ‘public hearing’
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:51:58 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: An unofficial ‘public hearing’ on the controversial issue of setting up the proposed National Institute of Technology, NIT, at Langol was conducted in Imphal today by an independent non-government fact finding team of rights activists from New Delhi, led by Dr. John Dayal, member, National Integration Council.
The ‘public hearing’, organised by the JAC for Protection of Residential, Agricultural and Wetlands, Langol-Lamphelpat and held at Shija Hospital junction, Langol, was attended by some 200 to 300 people, mostly those who would be affected if the NIT project goes ahead.
Speaking to the gathering, Dr Dayal expressed regret at the imposition of prohibitory orders in Imphal west district by the district administration ahead of the public hearing.
Under the Constitutional guarantee given by Article 19(i)(a) safeguarding the freedom of expression, people have a right to peacefully express their opinions and listen to others’ opinions, he said.
He stressed that the fact-finding team would furnish a factual report of the hearing to the Central government authorities, and not one composed of falsehoods.
Kim Gangte, ex-MP and chairperson of the JAC for Protection of Residential, Agricultural and Wetlands, Langol-Lamphelpat charged that state chief minister O Ibobi had misrepresented to the Central government that the people had given their consent to the construction of the NIT at Langol, and that compensation had been paid. She asked the gathering to make the true picture clear to the fact-finding team.
Brojen Sinam, vice president, JAC for Preservation of Lamphelpat as Wetland, recalled that repeated appeals have been made to the Ibobi Singh-led government by submitting representations, apart from numerous democratic protests including sit-in demonstrations and rallies, against the proposal for locating the NIT at Langol, but the government has paid no heed.
He argued that rather than using up scarce agricultural land for the project, consideration of less productive land wherever there is alternative will serve the interst of the state as well as the people who are critically depending on it.
Sinam also expressed concern over the concentration of development efforts in the valley areas, to the exclusion of the hills.
One Langol resident, a widow, very emotionally stated that she would not give up her land even onto death, as it was left her by her late husband who had scrimped and scraped to buy it.
The panel conducting the hearing includes, apart from Dr John Dayal, Dr Shyam, national secretary, Independent People’s Tribunal, Albert Loyo, and Medha Chand.
===================================
Chandel conference calls for peace
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:50:45 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: A one-day Chandel district peace conference was organised today by Rural Education and Action for Change, Manipur, at St Joseph’s School, Kuraopokpi.
M Lunminthang Haokip, ADC, Chandel, attended as chief guest of the inaugural function of the conference.
In his address, Lunminthang Haokip observed that restructuring of society is very much needed for mantaining peace in the region.
He said, peace must start from the self, and maintaining of peace of mind would not be possibile without first restructuring the existing deteriorating situation of society, and restructuring of society can only succeed when every individual of various communities follow the rule of law.
Apart from the effort being made from the government side for various aspects of development, and restoring peace in the region, it is the responsibility of the people to devote greater effort towards this end with sincerity and true heartedness if they truly wanted the restoration of peace in the region, he said.
He further suggested that in order to avoid contradictory thinking among different sections, such sharing of minds for common purposes need to be organised more often, where every individual regardless of caste, creed or sex could participate and share their ideals for bringing peace.
Rev Fr KC George, parish priest, St Paul’s Parish, Liwachaning, in his address eleborated on the word peace as reflected in the Bible and said the Cristians from various communities seem to have different concepts of peace, as a result of which there has been lack of peace within the Christian communities.
Ramesh, a social activist from Henry Martin Institute, Hyderabad, observed that solving of conflicts in the region cannot be termed as bringing of peace, and in order to maintain peace there is need of restructuring of existing society towards a common platform of understanding and peaceful coexistence by following the principle of forget and forgive.
Representatives of Chandel Naga People’s Organisation, Kuki Chiefs’ Organisation, Chandel, Kuki Students Organisation, Chandel, Naga Students Union, Chandel, Kuki Women’s Human Rights Organisation, Molnoi areas, Naga Women’s Union, Chandel, Hill Tribal Council, Moreh, attended the meet, and expressed their desire for living peacefully with understanding among various ethnic groups of the region.
A seven point declaration was finally adopted at the end of the discussion, agreeing that peace is the need of the hour, and every organisation and individual in the district should make all efforts for peace and communal harmony in the district, and in the state.
It was also resolved that the conference should be considered a stepping stone for restoration of peace in the whole state of Manipur, that all should act as peace makers, in the Biblical sense of the term, and create a congenial atmosphere in the district for their children and generations to come.
The meet was attended by about 200 people, including village chiefs, students, women leaders from Tengnoupal, Chandel, Chakpikarong, Khengjoi areas etc.
======================================
Ibobi calls for farmer friendly regional bamboo policy for NE
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:49:18 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: The Manipur chief minister has urged the Union ministry of Development of North East Region that a bamboo plan should be executed to increase the value addition of the bamboo resources available in north eastern region, NER through a farmer friendly regional policy, an official said Wednesday.
While urging the DoNER, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh, who was participating in the North Eastern Council, NEC meeting at New Delhi, stated that the National Institute of Rural Development, NIRD has also recommended the need for special attention to the poor among the non-agricultural sector, particularly among the artisans and handloom weavers and small traders.
The two day meeting which discussed the plan size of the NEC for the next five year plan concluded yesterday. About 17.1 percent of households in Manipur, 8.9 percent in rural and 27.8 percent in the urban, depend on non-agricultural sector for their livelihood.
“There is the need to upgrade their skill in design and finishing touch with modern machineries and equipments to increase value of their products in the market,” the chief minister said.
NIRD also suggested that to organize artisans and weavers in groups for production, create yarn banks, diversity production, introduce computer aided design, improve looms and tool kits and adopt common region specific brand name.
The chief minister in his lengthy speech also suggested setting up of farming certification agency in Guwahati, and urged the DoNER to set up a unit in each district or at least one in each state capital of the northeastern states.
“The setting up of the units will facilitate access to the farmers,” he observed, the official added.
Singh also suggested the need for investment on strengthening infrastructure in agriculture and allied sector and minor irrigation for better productivity and also urged all concerned that a bamboo plan should be executed to increase the value addition of the bamboo resource available in NER through a farmer friendly regional policy.
The agricultural productivity improvements and growth of non farm sectors are the sine quo non of poverty reduction, he said while extending his support to the recommendations of the National Institute of Rural Development, NIRD.
Mention may be made that NIRD recommended improving agricultural productivity by taking up remedial measures for neutralizing of soil acidity through application of lime, introduction of short duration improved seeds, commercialized agricultural production by formation of farmers SHG and introduction of suitable area specific crop combination and empowerment of farmers with techno-managerial skills.
One of the important goals of the five year plan is to reduce poverty and aim at a certain level of growth of aggregate output, GDP, as a pre-condition to alleviate poverty, Singh observed and said that several approaches have been used to alleviate poverty.
The NE states while trying to bridge the infrastructure gap with the rest of the country has been implementing several poverty alleviation programmes over the year and making efforts to equalize the inequality that exists in the region and districts in the state.
Till this Source: The Imphal Free Press
========================================================
Bomb attack
IMPHAL, Dec 19: A police team on frisking duty near Kwakeithel police outpost came under attack from some suspected UG cadres at about 8.25 tonight.
According to information received from police, the police personnel on frisking duty signalled a white Maruti car heading towards North along Tiddim road to stop.
However the car instead of stopping sped up and the unidentified persons travelling in it hurled a bomb and opened fire towards the police team who also retaliated.
There was no casualty on the part of the personnel.
Yet, the bomb explosion caused some damage to the steel shutter of the OISCA located just opposite to the police outpost. On receiving information about the incident, Imphal West SP Clay Khongsai rushed to the spot. It is reported that the explosive used by the unidentified persons might be a Chinese made hand grenade. On the other hand, a country made bomb placed on the compound wall of the private residence of Minor Irrigation Dept EE Laishom Madhop by some unidentified persons at Khonghampat at about 4.30 pm today was safely retrieved by explosive experts of Manipur Police.
=============================
NIT at Langol
Not after compensation : JAC
Newmai News Network
Imphal, Dec 19 : Amidst the imposition of restriction under 144 CrPC in the whole district of Imphal West by the District Magistrate, the National Fact Finding team comprising representatives of National Integration Council, Government of India, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and Dalit Education Society, conducted a public jury hearing today at Shija Hospital junction, Langol, Imphal in connection with the recent announcement by the Government to set up a National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Langol, Imphal by uprooting agricultural land, wetland and a number of buildings.
The national fact finding team includes Dr John Dayal, member of National Integration Council, Government of India, Albert Lael, National director of Dalit Education Society and Madhu Chandra, national secretary of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and spokes- person of North East Support Centre and Helpline, New Delhi and Sampaul of Arunachal Pradesh.
The convenor of Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Protection of Residential, Agricultural Lands and Wetlands of Langol-Lamphelpat Areas, Kim Gangte told NNN that the people of Langol area do not want any compensation, but “ what we want is to shift the proposed construction of NIT to other place where people have offered their land for the construction of the same”. Kim Gangte, who is also an ex-MP of the Lok Sabha said, “Wrong step of the government has invited the angst of the people. The government should have felt the pulses of the people first before jumping to a conclusion”.
She said, “If the government tries to forcibly take away agricultural lands and residential lands, the outcome could be disastrous. So in order to avoid such pandemonium the government should listen to the voice of the people.”
She also dubbed the present Manipur government as known for waking up after imposing bandhs, strikes, burning effigies, etc. While condemning the imposition of 144 CrPC in Imphal West district, Kim Gangte also said that in a democratic set up the voice of the public is the most important thing. The fact finding team would leave Imphal tomorrow and the report of the hearing conducted today would be submitted by the team to the state government as well as the Central government by tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Senior Citizens for Society (SCS), Manipur has urged the government of Manipur to review the decision to locate NIT in arable land in the foothills of Langol which is also uprooting many residents.
In a release, the SCS has argued that NIT at the cost of agricultural land, which is also illegal under Manipur Land Revenue Act 1960, should be withdrawn though setting up of it might be a positive note in a backward state like Manipur. It further suggested that the institute might be set up in other places of the state which have unproductive high grounds.
======================================
UNLF seizes Zarda worth Rs 12 lakhs
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 19: A huge quantity of Zarda worth Rs 12 lakhs was seized by the Central Special Force (CSF) of the proscribed UNLF when it was being transported from Dimapur to Moreh on December 12.
While disclosing that the seized Zarda belonged to one Jitendra Bihari of Thangal Bazar and Khumak Kuki of Moreh, the CSF has warned the two individuals to surrender to the outfit by December 30.
The huge quantity of Zarda reportedly seized by a team of CSF from a spot along NH-39 on December 12 was handed over to Youth Welfare Club, Sagolband Thingom Leirak after which the seized item was consigned to flames at the Club’s ground by its volunteers at about 9 am today.
Speaking to reporters on the seizure at a place in Imphal West district today, CSF spokesperson Lt Atai Tangkhul said that a team of CSF, on receiving specific information about a consignment of Zarda heading towards Imphal from Guwahati, intercepted the particular truck at a spot along NH 39 on December 12.
The CSF team seized 44 cartons of Zarda of different brands from the truck which would be about Rs 12 lakhs in monetary value.
From the apprehended driver and helper, it has been learnt that tobacco product belong to Jitendra Bihari and Khumak Kuki, conveyed the spokesperson.
Even though the driver and helper have been set free, the party cadres are looking for the two Zarda dealers, he disclosed.
Disclosing that Jitendra had asked the outfit to pardon him with a gift of Rs 2 lakhs through some persons earlier, the spokes- person maintained that the party would never compromise its stance on tobacco trade or other intoxicating substances with money.
The money given by Jitendra is intact with the party, he said while warning Jitendra Bihari and Khumak Kuki that they should accept whatever punishment awarded to them in case of their failure to give in to the party by December 30.
The spokesperson also appealed to all the transporters to avoid importing tobacco products and other intoxicating substances into the State.
In case any vehicle is caught transporting such products into the State, the vehicle will be banned from operating for good and also, the owner will be punished accordingly, cautioned the CSF spokesperson.
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Cell phone service slumps in Tamei sub-div
Newmai News Network
Imphal, Dec 19: Cell phone service provided by the BSNL at Tamei area has conked out for quite sometime now but concern authorities continue to display their indifferent attitude on the matter inspite of the repeated highlightings in the media.
The people of Tamei sub-division were overjoyed when the BSNL mobile phone connection became operational some eleven months back but the celebration was short-lived.
Regular interruptions ha-ve been the state of affairs of the only communication facility that became functional in the month of January this year.
Irked by this deplorable manner of the BSNL service, the poi-holloi of Tamei public along with the frontal social organisations are contemplating to resort to some drastic forms of expressing their anguish over the case.
Social worker K Dilinbou of Tamei Hqs felt that, if at all there exist a government, priority attention should be given to such problem.
The social worker said that after the introduction of BSNL mobile phone service in the area like Tamei, the convenience enjoyed by the general public was commendable.
However, the lethargic attitude of the concern autho- rities/Departments in maintaining the affairs in this regard has been the main cause for the grim functioning of the service.
Tamei is a subdivision under Tamenglong district where fixed phone or land-line phone connection facility is not available even in this 21st century where globalisation is a house-hold word elsewhere.
The poor transport system coupled with pathetic health-care facilities, the people of Tamei area, have been, somehow finding solace in the BSNL mobile phone facility of late but only to find themselves back to square one, thanks to the State Government.
K Dilinbou earnestly appealsed to the Government to do something in res- toring the functioning of mobile phone service that has been down for months now.
The Sangai Express
========================================
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:55:13 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: With some of those critically injured in the Pourabi bomb blast of December 16 likely to require further medical treatment outside the state, the JAC, Pourabi has solicited assistance from the public to help meet expenses likely to be incurred by them.
In this connection, two helpline units are being set up at RIMS and JN hospitals from tomorrow, said a statement issued by the JAC, Pourabi.
The JAC has also expressed its profound gratitude to all those individuals, social organisations, meira paibi groups, transporters, doctors and hospital staff, and others who had extended their assistance to the victims of the bomb blast, whether by coming forward personally, providing vehicles, supplying medicines, or donating cash. It also acknowledged those who have issued statements of condemnation of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Centre of Child and Youth Development, Keibi Mayai Leikai, has demanded that the proscribed RPF/PLA should court martial the cadre responsible for causing the bomb blast, and punish him appropriately.
The CCDY, one of whose members, Soibam Bobi Meitei, died in the blast, during the meeting took the stance that the RPF/PLA should be held responsible for the loss of life and injuries in the incident, and further resolved to take up various lines of action if the RPF/PLA does not take the desired action by December 25.
The meeting, also attended by representatives of the Ideal Women’s Welfare Association, and Village Development Committee, Keibi Mayai Leikai, has also resolved to boycott the RPF/PLA and ban entry of its cadres into Keibi Mayai Leikai.
The meeting also observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect for the victims.
In the meantime, the underground KLO/KLA, has issued a statement highly condemning the December 16 bomb blast, stating that the plan of bombing to make life of the innocent people is not an act of a pure revolutionary. It also shared the pain and grief of the bereaved families, and also of the injured.
==========================================
Police refute RPF claim
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:53:09 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: The state police has categorically rejected the allegation by the proscribed RPF/PLA that the Pourabi bomb blast that killed altogether eight civilians and wounded dozens of others was deliberately triggered by the security forces after getting to know of the existence of the IED from two of its cadres arrested by them.
In a statement issued to the media today, the SP, Imphal east, S Kailun said the group was only trying to shift blame for the bomb blast to the security forces, and maintained that the two cadres named by the RPF/PLA, namely Haorangbam Kalamu alias Nganba, and Ibosana alias Elangbam Jayentakumar were arrested on the evening of December 16 itself and did not disclose their affiliation to the RPF/PLA till the next day.
The statement said they were picked up from Lamlong bazar at around 6:30 pm as they were moving in a suspicious manner.
They were brought to Porompat police station but did not admit they were PLA cadres during verification. They admitted they were members of the proscribed group only on the next day, the statement said.
It further said the pair were working under the command of self styled 2nd Lt Krishna, in division no III, auxiliary department of the PLA.
The statement further stated that the allegation of the PLA that the arrested persons have disclosed to the police about the planting of bomb at Pourabi on December 16 itself is not only false, but also a deliberate attempt made by the underground group to shift the responsibility for the bomb blast to the security forces.
================================
NIT at Langol opposed at unofficial ‘public hearing’
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:51:58 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: An unofficial ‘public hearing’ on the controversial issue of setting up the proposed National Institute of Technology, NIT, at Langol was conducted in Imphal today by an independent non-government fact finding team of rights activists from New Delhi, led by Dr. John Dayal, member, National Integration Council.
The ‘public hearing’, organised by the JAC for Protection of Residential, Agricultural and Wetlands, Langol-Lamphelpat and held at Shija Hospital junction, Langol, was attended by some 200 to 300 people, mostly those who would be affected if the NIT project goes ahead.
Speaking to the gathering, Dr Dayal expressed regret at the imposition of prohibitory orders in Imphal west district by the district administration ahead of the public hearing.
Under the Constitutional guarantee given by Article 19(i)(a) safeguarding the freedom of expression, people have a right to peacefully express their opinions and listen to others’ opinions, he said.
He stressed that the fact-finding team would furnish a factual report of the hearing to the Central government authorities, and not one composed of falsehoods.
Kim Gangte, ex-MP and chairperson of the JAC for Protection of Residential, Agricultural and Wetlands, Langol-Lamphelpat charged that state chief minister O Ibobi had misrepresented to the Central government that the people had given their consent to the construction of the NIT at Langol, and that compensation had been paid. She asked the gathering to make the true picture clear to the fact-finding team.
Brojen Sinam, vice president, JAC for Preservation of Lamphelpat as Wetland, recalled that repeated appeals have been made to the Ibobi Singh-led government by submitting representations, apart from numerous democratic protests including sit-in demonstrations and rallies, against the proposal for locating the NIT at Langol, but the government has paid no heed.
He argued that rather than using up scarce agricultural land for the project, consideration of less productive land wherever there is alternative will serve the interst of the state as well as the people who are critically depending on it.
Sinam also expressed concern over the concentration of development efforts in the valley areas, to the exclusion of the hills.
One Langol resident, a widow, very emotionally stated that she would not give up her land even onto death, as it was left her by her late husband who had scrimped and scraped to buy it.
The panel conducting the hearing includes, apart from Dr John Dayal, Dr Shyam, national secretary, Independent People’s Tribunal, Albert Loyo, and Medha Chand.
===================================
Chandel conference calls for peace
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:50:45 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: A one-day Chandel district peace conference was organised today by Rural Education and Action for Change, Manipur, at St Joseph’s School, Kuraopokpi.
M Lunminthang Haokip, ADC, Chandel, attended as chief guest of the inaugural function of the conference.
In his address, Lunminthang Haokip observed that restructuring of society is very much needed for mantaining peace in the region.
He said, peace must start from the self, and maintaining of peace of mind would not be possibile without first restructuring the existing deteriorating situation of society, and restructuring of society can only succeed when every individual of various communities follow the rule of law.
Apart from the effort being made from the government side for various aspects of development, and restoring peace in the region, it is the responsibility of the people to devote greater effort towards this end with sincerity and true heartedness if they truly wanted the restoration of peace in the region, he said.
He further suggested that in order to avoid contradictory thinking among different sections, such sharing of minds for common purposes need to be organised more often, where every individual regardless of caste, creed or sex could participate and share their ideals for bringing peace.
Rev Fr KC George, parish priest, St Paul’s Parish, Liwachaning, in his address eleborated on the word peace as reflected in the Bible and said the Cristians from various communities seem to have different concepts of peace, as a result of which there has been lack of peace within the Christian communities.
Ramesh, a social activist from Henry Martin Institute, Hyderabad, observed that solving of conflicts in the region cannot be termed as bringing of peace, and in order to maintain peace there is need of restructuring of existing society towards a common platform of understanding and peaceful coexistence by following the principle of forget and forgive.
Representatives of Chandel Naga People’s Organisation, Kuki Chiefs’ Organisation, Chandel, Kuki Students Organisation, Chandel, Naga Students Union, Chandel, Kuki Women’s Human Rights Organisation, Molnoi areas, Naga Women’s Union, Chandel, Hill Tribal Council, Moreh, attended the meet, and expressed their desire for living peacefully with understanding among various ethnic groups of the region.
A seven point declaration was finally adopted at the end of the discussion, agreeing that peace is the need of the hour, and every organisation and individual in the district should make all efforts for peace and communal harmony in the district, and in the state.
It was also resolved that the conference should be considered a stepping stone for restoration of peace in the whole state of Manipur, that all should act as peace makers, in the Biblical sense of the term, and create a congenial atmosphere in the district for their children and generations to come.
The meet was attended by about 200 people, including village chiefs, students, women leaders from Tengnoupal, Chandel, Chakpikarong, Khengjoi areas etc.
======================================
Ibobi calls for farmer friendly regional bamboo policy for NE
By : A Staff Reporter 12/20/2007 1:49:18 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 19: The Manipur chief minister has urged the Union ministry of Development of North East Region that a bamboo plan should be executed to increase the value addition of the bamboo resources available in north eastern region, NER through a farmer friendly regional policy, an official said Wednesday.
While urging the DoNER, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh, who was participating in the North Eastern Council, NEC meeting at New Delhi, stated that the National Institute of Rural Development, NIRD has also recommended the need for special attention to the poor among the non-agricultural sector, particularly among the artisans and handloom weavers and small traders.
The two day meeting which discussed the plan size of the NEC for the next five year plan concluded yesterday. About 17.1 percent of households in Manipur, 8.9 percent in rural and 27.8 percent in the urban, depend on non-agricultural sector for their livelihood.
“There is the need to upgrade their skill in design and finishing touch with modern machineries and equipments to increase value of their products in the market,” the chief minister said.
NIRD also suggested that to organize artisans and weavers in groups for production, create yarn banks, diversity production, introduce computer aided design, improve looms and tool kits and adopt common region specific brand name.
The chief minister in his lengthy speech also suggested setting up of farming certification agency in Guwahati, and urged the DoNER to set up a unit in each district or at least one in each state capital of the northeastern states.
“The setting up of the units will facilitate access to the farmers,” he observed, the official added.
Singh also suggested the need for investment on strengthening infrastructure in agriculture and allied sector and minor irrigation for better productivity and also urged all concerned that a bamboo plan should be executed to increase the value addition of the bamboo resource available in NER through a farmer friendly regional policy.
The agricultural productivity improvements and growth of non farm sectors are the sine quo non of poverty reduction, he said while extending his support to the recommendations of the National Institute of Rural Development, NIRD.
Mention may be made that NIRD recommended improving agricultural productivity by taking up remedial measures for neutralizing of soil acidity through application of lime, introduction of short duration improved seeds, commercialized agricultural production by formation of farmers SHG and introduction of suitable area specific crop combination and empowerment of farmers with techno-managerial skills.
One of the important goals of the five year plan is to reduce poverty and aim at a certain level of growth of aggregate output, GDP, as a pre-condition to alleviate poverty, Singh observed and said that several approaches have been used to alleviate poverty.
The NE states while trying to bridge the infrastructure gap with the rest of the country has been implementing several poverty alleviation programmes over the year and making efforts to equalize the inequality that exists in the region and districts in the state.
Till this Source: The Imphal Free Press
========================================================
Bomb attack
IMPHAL, Dec 19: A police team on frisking duty near Kwakeithel police outpost came under attack from some suspected UG cadres at about 8.25 tonight.
According to information received from police, the police personnel on frisking duty signalled a white Maruti car heading towards North along Tiddim road to stop.
However the car instead of stopping sped up and the unidentified persons travelling in it hurled a bomb and opened fire towards the police team who also retaliated.
There was no casualty on the part of the personnel.
Yet, the bomb explosion caused some damage to the steel shutter of the OISCA located just opposite to the police outpost. On receiving information about the incident, Imphal West SP Clay Khongsai rushed to the spot. It is reported that the explosive used by the unidentified persons might be a Chinese made hand grenade. On the other hand, a country made bomb placed on the compound wall of the private residence of Minor Irrigation Dept EE Laishom Madhop by some unidentified persons at Khonghampat at about 4.30 pm today was safely retrieved by explosive experts of Manipur Police.
=============================
NIT at Langol
Not after compensation : JAC
Newmai News Network
Imphal, Dec 19 : Amidst the imposition of restriction under 144 CrPC in the whole district of Imphal West by the District Magistrate, the National Fact Finding team comprising representatives of National Integration Council, Government of India, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations and Dalit Education Society, conducted a public jury hearing today at Shija Hospital junction, Langol, Imphal in connection with the recent announcement by the Government to set up a National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Langol, Imphal by uprooting agricultural land, wetland and a number of buildings.
The national fact finding team includes Dr John Dayal, member of National Integration Council, Government of India, Albert Lael, National director of Dalit Education Society and Madhu Chandra, national secretary of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and spokes- person of North East Support Centre and Helpline, New Delhi and Sampaul of Arunachal Pradesh.
The convenor of Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Protection of Residential, Agricultural Lands and Wetlands of Langol-Lamphelpat Areas, Kim Gangte told NNN that the people of Langol area do not want any compensation, but “ what we want is to shift the proposed construction of NIT to other place where people have offered their land for the construction of the same”. Kim Gangte, who is also an ex-MP of the Lok Sabha said, “Wrong step of the government has invited the angst of the people. The government should have felt the pulses of the people first before jumping to a conclusion”.
She said, “If the government tries to forcibly take away agricultural lands and residential lands, the outcome could be disastrous. So in order to avoid such pandemonium the government should listen to the voice of the people.”
She also dubbed the present Manipur government as known for waking up after imposing bandhs, strikes, burning effigies, etc. While condemning the imposition of 144 CrPC in Imphal West district, Kim Gangte also said that in a democratic set up the voice of the public is the most important thing. The fact finding team would leave Imphal tomorrow and the report of the hearing conducted today would be submitted by the team to the state government as well as the Central government by tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Senior Citizens for Society (SCS), Manipur has urged the government of Manipur to review the decision to locate NIT in arable land in the foothills of Langol which is also uprooting many residents.
In a release, the SCS has argued that NIT at the cost of agricultural land, which is also illegal under Manipur Land Revenue Act 1960, should be withdrawn though setting up of it might be a positive note in a backward state like Manipur. It further suggested that the institute might be set up in other places of the state which have unproductive high grounds.
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UNLF seizes Zarda worth Rs 12 lakhs
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 19: A huge quantity of Zarda worth Rs 12 lakhs was seized by the Central Special Force (CSF) of the proscribed UNLF when it was being transported from Dimapur to Moreh on December 12.
While disclosing that the seized Zarda belonged to one Jitendra Bihari of Thangal Bazar and Khumak Kuki of Moreh, the CSF has warned the two individuals to surrender to the outfit by December 30.
The huge quantity of Zarda reportedly seized by a team of CSF from a spot along NH-39 on December 12 was handed over to Youth Welfare Club, Sagolband Thingom Leirak after which the seized item was consigned to flames at the Club’s ground by its volunteers at about 9 am today.
Speaking to reporters on the seizure at a place in Imphal West district today, CSF spokesperson Lt Atai Tangkhul said that a team of CSF, on receiving specific information about a consignment of Zarda heading towards Imphal from Guwahati, intercepted the particular truck at a spot along NH 39 on December 12.
The CSF team seized 44 cartons of Zarda of different brands from the truck which would be about Rs 12 lakhs in monetary value.
From the apprehended driver and helper, it has been learnt that tobacco product belong to Jitendra Bihari and Khumak Kuki, conveyed the spokesperson.
Even though the driver and helper have been set free, the party cadres are looking for the two Zarda dealers, he disclosed.
Disclosing that Jitendra had asked the outfit to pardon him with a gift of Rs 2 lakhs through some persons earlier, the spokes- person maintained that the party would never compromise its stance on tobacco trade or other intoxicating substances with money.
The money given by Jitendra is intact with the party, he said while warning Jitendra Bihari and Khumak Kuki that they should accept whatever punishment awarded to them in case of their failure to give in to the party by December 30.
The spokesperson also appealed to all the transporters to avoid importing tobacco products and other intoxicating substances into the State.
In case any vehicle is caught transporting such products into the State, the vehicle will be banned from operating for good and also, the owner will be punished accordingly, cautioned the CSF spokesperson.
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Cell phone service slumps in Tamei sub-div
Newmai News Network
Imphal, Dec 19: Cell phone service provided by the BSNL at Tamei area has conked out for quite sometime now but concern authorities continue to display their indifferent attitude on the matter inspite of the repeated highlightings in the media.
The people of Tamei sub-division were overjoyed when the BSNL mobile phone connection became operational some eleven months back but the celebration was short-lived.
Regular interruptions ha-ve been the state of affairs of the only communication facility that became functional in the month of January this year.
Irked by this deplorable manner of the BSNL service, the poi-holloi of Tamei public along with the frontal social organisations are contemplating to resort to some drastic forms of expressing their anguish over the case.
Social worker K Dilinbou of Tamei Hqs felt that, if at all there exist a government, priority attention should be given to such problem.
The social worker said that after the introduction of BSNL mobile phone service in the area like Tamei, the convenience enjoyed by the general public was commendable.
However, the lethargic attitude of the concern autho- rities/Departments in maintaining the affairs in this regard has been the main cause for the grim functioning of the service.
Tamei is a subdivision under Tamenglong district where fixed phone or land-line phone connection facility is not available even in this 21st century where globalisation is a house-hold word elsewhere.
The poor transport system coupled with pathetic health-care facilities, the people of Tamei area, have been, somehow finding solace in the BSNL mobile phone facility of late but only to find themselves back to square one, thanks to the State Government.
K Dilinbou earnestly appealsed to the Government to do something in res- toring the functioning of mobile phone service that has been down for months now.
The Sangai Express
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