Terrorism, migrants issue put up by state at CMs’ conference, Role of intelligence, media also mulled
By : Thingbaijam Dhamen/IFP 12/22/2007 1:44:43 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 21: Strengthening of state machineries for gathering intelligence in respect of terrorism and suspicious elements, including outsiders and to enhance checking of illegal migrants and overstaying of foreigners in the state were among the issues taken up in the context of terrorism in Manipur at the chief ministers’ conference at New Delhi on Thursday.
Exploring the issues needed to be tackled by the state, the Manipur delegation led by state chief minister proposed to set up/strengthen anti-terrorism squads or special task force to deal with terrorist activities, an official source said Friday.
While stressing on the need to lay greater attention on verification of identity documents and background check on Bangladeshi migrants and overstaying foreigners, particularly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, and suspicious movement of any outsiders in the Manipur, the delegation proposed for strengthening the state police and its special branches, the source said.
A delegation from Manipur led by state chief minister O Ibobi Singh comprising of state chief secretary Jarnail Singh, principal secretary home and state DGP Y Joykumar participated in the conference of chief ministers on internal security on Thursday (December 20) at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
The state needs to improve the network with private security agencies, NGOs and other vigilant public groups and proactively maintain a regular dialogue with community leaders at different levels so as to detect fringe local elements who provide logistical support and ‘foot soldiers’ to the external elements in pursuing their terrorists agenda.
Apart from strengthening of the special branches, there is need for the revival of the traditional beat constable system to gather human intelligence in respect of terrorist and suspicious elements, including outsiders, the state proposed.
“It is necessary that intelligence regularly flow not only between the Centre and the state but also between the states,” the state delegation stated according to the source.
For effective implementation of the state proposal it will need to establish institutionalized arrangements to facilitate smooth inter-state sharing of intelligence, in coordination with intelligence bureau, IB.
The sharing of information obtained during interrogation of arrested terrorists by some states is also equally important with the concerned authorities in other states, the state proposed.
Manipur needs a massive programme of installing access control systems, CCTVs cameras etc. at public places on a priority basis in the context of management of private establishments such as malls shopping complexes, cinema halls, public parks, etc.
These places need to be looked after by professional private security agencies apart from physical security, the delegation stated.
Citing that it has not been possible for the state law enforcement agencies to successfully investigate many of the cases of terrorist violence particularly in the hinterland, the state also laid emphasis on the requirement for establishing concurrent jurisdiction of a Central agency to take up investigation of selected cases of terrorism and related crimes which have inter-state/external ramifications.
The state put up the proposal in view of the fact that such cases have variably inter-state/international linkages, the source said.
The need for regular sensitization of the media about the role they can play in preventing and dealing with terrorist activities also focused in the conference, the source informed.
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CM led delegation meets PM on delimitation issue
By : Manipur Information Centre 12/22/2007 1:43:36 AM
NEW DELHI, Dec 21: The delegation of all political parties of Manipur led by state chief minister O Ibobi Singh met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh this morning at 9.45 am at his residence here and submitted a memorandum in the matter of delimitation process in Manipur.
The memorandum stated that the delimitation process on the basis of 2001 census was objected to by the government of Manipur since 2003 onwards. All political parties of Manipur in their memorandum dated September 18, 2005 submitted to the chairman, Delimitation Commission of India, the Prime Minister and the home minister of India raised the same issue and appealed for directing the registrar general of census for re-census or maintenance of status quo. The state Cabinet on 30-7-2007 again took a decision rejecting the census of 2001 in respect of Manipur. The state legislative Assembly on 1-8-2007 also took a resolution objecting to the process of delimitation on the basis of 2001 census.
The memorandum also mentioned that all political parties once again approached the Delimitation Commission, the Prime Minister and the home minister in August 2007 with another memorandum requesting not to proceed for the delimitation based on the 2001 census as the issue was pending in the Supreme Court. The hearing of the case would begin from January 25, 2008.
It further stated that the Draft Delimitation Process worked out by the commission had seriously affected the demographic balance of the majority population. The arrangement of seats as worked out by the North Eastern Areas (Re-Organisation) Act, 1971 had now been violated. 40 seats for General would come down to 35, for Schedule Tribe (ST), it would increase from 19 to 23 and for Schedule Caste (SC) from 1 to 2. If the process for delimitation was further allowed to go ahead on the basis of 2001 census, there would be very serious problem in Manipur, it added.
In the memorandum, the all political parties of Manipur requested the Prime Minister of India to exempt the case of Manipur from the purview of the Delimitation Commission as done in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, and also requested him to see that the delimitation process of Manipur be entrusted to the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs to address the genuine grievance or be exempted from the purview of the Delimitation Commission.
After patient hearing of the delegation, the Prime Minister expressed that he would consider the matter positively. The delegation also met Union minister for external affairs Pranab Mukherjee, chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs at 11 am today and appraised the situation.
The signatories of the memorandum were O.Ibobi Singh, chief minister of Manipur, Gaikhangam, president, MPCC, Phungzathang Tonsing, minister (power), Md.Allauddin Khan, minister (rural development), Dr. L Chandramani Singh, president, MPP, O Joy Singh, MLA, MPP, W Nipamacha Singh, president, RJD, Md Helaluddin Khan, MLA, RJD, Dr. Y Mahendra Singh, CPI(M), Sarat Salam, state secretary, CPI(M), P Parijat Singh, minister (health), CPI, Dr. M Nara Singh, CPI, Radhabinod Koijam, president, NCP, K Saratkumar Singh, general secretary, NCP, Dr. S Dhanajoy, president, Samajwadi Party, S Lala Singh, Samajwadi Party, Dr. H Borobabu Singh, president BJP, Prof. S Tikendra Singh, BJP, W Kulabidhu Singh, ex-MP, president, JD(S), N Dhiren Singh, JD(S), Y Mani Singh, ex-minister, MSCP and M Ibomcha Singh, president, Samata Party.
In today’s meetings with the Prime Minister and the Union minister of external affairs, the Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh who led the delegation accompanied T Phungzathang Tonsing, minister(power), O Joy Singh, Dr. L Chandramani, Dr. H Borobabu Singh, Sarat Salam, K Sharatkumar Singh, Kh Jibon Singh, ex-minister, E Kunjeshwar Singh, Congress MLA, and E Dwijamani Singh, Congress MLA.
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Orange Queen crown for state student studying in Chandigarh
By : Jinendra Maibam/IFP 12/22/2007 1:42:45 AM
NONEY, Dec 21: The Orange Queen crown for 2007 has gone to LK Nitha, a 23-year old student currently studying in Chandigarh, while the First Runners-up title went to Masuma Quareshi, 17, from Top Khongnang Makhong, and the Second Runners-up title to Rebecca Neihsial, 18, from Lenglong.
The Orange Queen pageant was held yesterday evening at the Longmai III grounds as part of the annual Tamenglong Orange Festival.
LK Nitha, daughter of LK Ningam, who also has the 2002 Anal Lilruwng Taangpi beauty contest title in her kitty, won a cash award of Rs. 50,000 plus gifts. The first and second runners-up received cash awards to the tune of Rs. 30,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.
1st Runners-up Masuma Qureshi also won the Perfect Ten title. Of the other sub-titles, Sonia Sapam of Changangei was adjudged Miss Catwalk, Ganga Pamei of Namdulong, Imphal was adjudged Miss Beautiful Eyes, Joicee K Neihsail of Lenglong was adjudged Miss Beautiful Hair, Ksh Nirupama of Kakching won the Miss Beautiful Smile title, while Machunlieu of Longmai was adjudged Miss Photogenic.
The seventh Tamenglong Orange Festival was held on a smaller scale than in previous years, with just a fraction of last year’s participation due to connectivity and transportation problems. For the 8th edition, preparations will begin from January 2008, according to the organisers.
A meeting will be held in this connection in the next month, the organisers informed, adding that the organisers are looking for commercial sponsors for the festival.
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Farmers still wary of ‘field schools’ despite IPM success
By : A Staff Reporter 12/22/2007 1:41:56 AM
IMPHAL, Dec 21: With the introduction of “Farmers Field School” campaign programme, IPM team can now select out real farmers and teach them latest technique of farming method.
In the previous campaign programme conducted by the agriculture officer (chemistry) of the state agriculture department maximum participation of people was witnessed, but most of them were seen attending the programme only out of curiosity sake.
However, since the introduction of the Farmers Field School in which farmers are taught at the field regarding modern techniques of growing crops under Integrated Pest Management programme, only actual farmers turned up to participate in the programme.
Though small in number, it seems the farmers present are taking keen interest in the IPM experts’ demonstration. They are involved confidently in the demonstration and trying to adopt the methods applied in the demonstration. They understand and adapt quickly.
Experts of the IPM also agreed there was less participation of farmers in the newly introduced method in an interaction today at a “Farmer Field School” programme conducted at a field at Kakching Khunou area where farmers are preparing for growing pea for this season.
At the same time, they claimed success and a more effective new method.
“Those farmers who participated in the new programme were seen taking full interest. They raised many questions till they themselves fully understood,” said members of the expert team.
Regarding the response to the “Farmer Field School” campaign AO (Chemistry) Ph Rajen who led the IPM team said that in the new method farmers were not given any participation allowances.
He said in the previous awareness programme, farmers were given participation allowance of Rs. 50 or above apart from supplying note books and pencils or pen so that they could note down important points given by the resource persons.
The team also could not identify the actual farmers attending the awareness programme, he said adding that no benefit could be seen after the programme. The farmers neither apply the method in their field nor follow the instructions given by the resource persons.
“So all the efforts of the agriculture department went in vain,” he observed.
Acknowledging the fact, the new method has been introduced to the farmers of the state, he added.
The Integrated Pest Management, IPM in its continuing effort to give maximum coverage to areas of the state where rabi crops are planted conducted the awareness programme at Kakching Khunou today in collaboration with Society for People Advancement, Manipur.
At the introduction of the “Farmer Field School” to the farmers, Rajen said farmers need to follow the instructions given by the experts for not only high yields but also good quality crops free from health hazards.
While talking to the farmers, he said Manipur could produce 16,300 metric tones of cereal crops against the estimated requirement of around 19,654 metric tones for its own consumption. The state still needs to produce more to bridge the gap of around 3,350 metric tonnes.
In today’s programme, agricultural scientist associate prof Herojit and assistant prof Ibohal of Central Agriculture University, CAU demonstrated to the farmers special precautions to be taken for controlled application of fertilizers and pesticides before sowing and at the time of sowing seeds.
Associate prof Herojit said, apprised the farmers of the damage caused to the soil, vegetables, crops and health of the consumers by the excess application of chemical fertilizers and appealed to the farmers to control the use of same in their field.
Assistant prof Ibohal while demonstrating the treatment of seeds before sowing said that seed treatment in proper way could protect the plant from various diseases.
Farmers can assume that 30 percent of the diseases which could infect the crop plant during its growing period have been protected, he said. It can also help in the reduction of use of chemical pesticides which are a health hazard.
Meanwhile, according to Hemanta, a member of the Society for People Advancement, his society in collaboration with the farmers wilh the help of the state agriculture department is planning to produce for self sufficiency in the state.
The society is cultivating 160 hectares of pea, 120 hectare of mustard, 90 hectares of potato, 10 hectares of tomato and 15 hectares of chilli in fields across the state
The Imphal Free Press
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UNC critical of ‘unification’ move
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 21 : Taking serious note of the recent move by the ‘Unification Team’ for initiating a unification process among the Naga armed outfits, the United Naga Council (UNC) observed that the whole process has demeaned the very purpose of Naga political struggle which is more than seven decades old.
A statement issued by UNC general secretary Azang Longmei informed that it is deeply concerned about the unification process as thousands of Nagas belonging to both small and big tribes have laid down their lives for this ‘noble cause’, particularly when responsible leaders have officially declared that the unification will be ‘exclusive’.
Stating that its statement should not be misconstrued, the UNC maintained that it should be viewed with due consideration for it concerns the Naga people and “the profound recollection of historical foundation laid down by our great pioneers, past leaders and the present leaders for their resolute determination to sustain our struggle for freedom thus far”.
The UNC was very much a part of the discussion of the consultative meeting of all Naga tribe Hohos, churches, women bodies, human rights organisations, youths and students’ organisations held under the aegis of Naga Hoho on December 2 at Kohima and also the subsequent proceedings which was published in the media on December 4 which declared that, “any kind of unification must be inclusive of all Nagas and that unification must be achieved in uniformity with the political aspiration of the Naga people and the ongoing political negotiations”, reminded the UNC.
It observed that collective understanding of the core issues confronting Nagas in many facets can be a milestone in the Naga struggle for just peace.
However, at the given situation if some Naga leaders, intellectuals and organisation prefer to take the role of neutrality, then it will be negating the very essence of true healing and also the reconciliation process, alleged the UNC.
“We are firm and we stand by the unification of all Naga family with true healing and reconciliation, with accountability and transparency and inclusive process and in uniformity with the hard won peace and ongoing political talk, as it deals with out sacred struggle with clear common vision derived from the basis laid down by our pioneers, elders and leaders from generation to generation”, declared the UNC.
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Orange beauties LK Nitha (C) Masuma (R) and Rebecca (L)
IMPHAL, Dec 21 : Twenty three year old Miss LK Nitha daughter of LK Nigam of Chandel wowed the audience and the judges alike to walk away with the Miss Orange title during the pageant held at Noney in Tamenglong district yesterday in connection with the State Level Orange Festival, 2007.
Along with the coveted she also walked away with a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
The first runner up spot went to 17 year old Masum daughter of Mustafa Qureshi of Top Khong-nangkhong while the second runner up spot was bagged by Rebecca Neihsial (18) daughter of Simon Neihsial of Lenglong.
Meanwhile the best orange grower carrying a cash prize of Rs 30000, title went to Ki-urang Wanglemba of Tame- nglong, while the 2nd position was bagged by K Kei- riging of Haochang (Rs 20000) and the third spot went to T Pamei of Naga-ching (Rs 10,000).
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KIM, UNC hum together unity tune
By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, Dec 21: Terming it as a historic moment, the Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) and the United Naga Council (UNC) have finally come together and pledged to “work hands in hands” for the peaceful co-existence and communal harmony amongst all the communities. Both the important tribal social organisations have also agreed to “defend and develop the common tribal interest.”
The KIM and UNC in a programme what they called it as “Get-Together “ on December 15 had taken this decision to work for the common cause.
Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) general secretary Thangkhosei Haokip and UNC Care-Taker Samson Remmei informed this development to Newmai News Network this evening while appealing to all the civil society organisations not to call any bandh/strike, blo-ckade during the Christmas and the New Year season.
The two organisations also appealed all the underground groups operating in Manipur not to carry out violent activities during this festive season.
“KIM and UNC send out the joyous greetings and wishes to all the people a merry Christmas and a happy New Year,” stated the message of the two bodies while adding, “May this Christmas and New Year bring eternal peace, commu-nal harmony and under- standing amongst all the communities.”
KSO decries: Taking serious note of the con- struction work being taken up by the State PWD on NH-39 between Imphal and Moreh, Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Chandel district has pointed that maintenance of the quality of the work is wanting.
In a statement, secretary of information and publicity of the student body James Baite said that the importance of this road is fast gro- wing in view of the India’s Look East Policy. However, while black-topping the road, the contractors and the labourers concerned ha-ve not even used the hot- mixture which is essential for maintaining the durability of the road. In his regard, the student body has urged the State Government and other related authorities to cancel the work order of the same and pull up the contractors concerned for their negligence.
The Sangai Express
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