Misao Lhahvom | No patients in isolation, but villagers still ill

S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, Jan 13: With the last five patients in isolation under treatment at District Hospital discharged today, the temporary isolation makeshift ward has been cleared of all the all patients who were rushed to the hos-pital after an unknown dise- ase struck Misao Lhahvom village on Monday last.


Forty eight patients were treated in the isolation ward since last week, and after doctors attending them discharged most of them as clinically stable the last bat-ch of five were discharged today.

Evacuation of the highly publicized ward is expected to bring smiles on the villagers but the entire affair appears otherwise as villagers still continue to reel under the illness with fresh reports of villagers being attacked by the same kind of illness continued to reach the media establishment here although the villagers shied away from being taken to the hospital.

‘It’s just that we were ashamed to be admitted to the hospital. But many of us are still suffering from fever, some as recent as last nig-ht,’ Seipao Misao a village elder told The Sangai Express.

On receiving reports about the illness still ravaging the village, this corres- pondent visited the village later in the day and witness-ed 7 fresh cases of similar symptoms among patients treated in isolation. There were more than 20 people who claimed they were not very well, but 7 of them said they had high fever that was compounded with hea-dache and cough since yesterday – symptoms similar to patients in isolation.

Chinkhothang, 48 and her 6-year-old daughter Niangmuankim were still under high fever when this correspondent arrived.

‘We have been suffering from fever and headache since yesterday, I can cope with it to an extent but she has not eaten anything,’ the ailing father said looking down at her still sobbing daughter who rested on his lap. Niangmuankim had been administered at-least 5 doses of medicines since morning but she fails to recuperate.

Vungzahoih, 42 and his son Seitinthang, 14 also claimed that they have been experiencing fever, headache and cough since last night. So was the case for 10-year-old Kamlunsang.

Kimluniang, 32 who had been in the isolation ward attending her daughter said she too developed an illness similar to her daughter since last night.

Lhailam, 70 and Zamng-aiching, 35 also claimed of similar illness but they were attended by a medical team led by the Chief Medical Officer after being directed by the Deputy Commissioner Sumant Singh to inquire on the reports about fresh cases of illness in the village.

Though it was not know whether the CMO team that stay put in village till dark and reportdly examined more than twenty villagers had inspect the above mention villagers, it is starkly clear that all was not well in the village.

A village elder Seilet was discharged from the isolation ward few days after he was admitted to the hospital, but he claimed that he actually was never well ever since he developed the illness on Monday last. Though he was hesitant to disclose the exact nature of his discharge he had hinted on disparity on the medical officials as a reason he was sent back home.

Source: www.thesangaiexpress.com

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Bang, Bangma, Bangmalou

-Shang Samte

Mihing hinkhuo ah theisiamlouna ,lungkhamna, lunggell vungvung na leh daana chite pen a um ding mawng ana hi daan hi. I kinep lou daan ahiei,I ki lamet loud an leh I ngaituophalou lou tan a lung ngaina te I tuah chiang in I ling gim in ngaituo na sang hi.


Tam bang hun chiang in ki lung gel a, apaisa hun a I gamtat daante ahiei I khohei gamtat daan teleh I hamkamsuo te bang I ngaituo kha let in ki gammang kha dehdeh hi. Tua chiin… Oh!! Tuo jieh ma hiding ave maw bang ki chi in I bawl I sep masang bang ki tuot tuot in I vang I ngaw ua,Pasian gawtna ahisih leh mi khat sapsiet n ate song bang hi ding in ki tuot thei hi. Ahilou tawp in jing bang e khat paap cxhiote bang ki ging maw hi. Tam bang hun chiang in eima ah dawhna tuomtuom thupi tahtah te in in khuai vaitung hing bang sah thei hi. Bang jieh adiei?? Bang chi daan? Bang chiiiiiinnnnn.

Tamte jieh mai hilou in siltha thutha leh sil lamdang tahtah te ahing tung chiang in jong a na ngah jing BANG(why) chi thuteng a um jing hi. Gentena in ; Bang diing a kum tha um thei a diei? Bang diing a vangpha /vang sia ka diei ? bang ding a kho um daan leh hui laan dante um thei a diei ?Bang ding a tam bang sil teng tung thei a diei??? Tam bang dawhna tepen nuijaat huai sim nanleh a tahtah ahi hi. Bang dinn ……. A bei ngai sih ding hi.

Tambang ahi taah leh ‘a jieh’ khat teitei beh um ngei ding chi na ahia, a um a ngaia a um ding mawng jong ahi. Ahin banging bang jih a diei chi chien tah a va thei tel chit chiat a a vas au kaan khelkhelding a poi maw na diei?? Khovel lam leh Telsuina te ah tam dohna ‘Bang’ chi pen silt eng bul ahia,ngaituo ngai tuo tuo a ngai tuo khiat diing ma ahi. Pu APJ Abdul kalam in a gel “Wings of fire”ah “Dream ..dream and dreammmmmm” ana chi hi. Ngaituo a hisap ditdet ding ma hi.

Ahin mihing niteng hinkhuo ah I khohei I gamtat nate tengteng ah tam dohna BANG chi pen ngai tuotuo poimaw khel khel lou ahi. A jiapen Telsuina hi vateh lou ahi man in. Pai suol thei na lampi jong ahi. Na tung a sil tung te ,hamphat hamsiet na , na nui na na taina leh na daa na cho te va kan a eima leh eima ki dawh doh pen damthei huai lou jaw hi. Bang jieh in chi in bang jia ma hing tun giep ding hi.

Thangpu pen Niang bawi in a itt mama a , nanleh bang ma thupi leh bang ma lou jien in a khen maw hi. Tuo chiin Niang bawi in naa a sa mama hi. Bang diin a tam bang teng nuo a ahing hichi bawl maw a diei chite bang a nagi tuo tuo a ma leh ama a ki dong dong mai ta hi. A jiah thei siam sawm tei tei in a ngao tuo tuo jing hi. A lungsima lung tang mai hilou in a tah as mel puoh ah jong akilang jou hial hi. Tua ma bangin Thang pu jong a tha lawp leh a tai tuom sih hi. Deinu a ofis a tun in a boss pan Pink Slip an ape hiau hi. Tam Pink Slip a mu tah in Deinu a mai suo ah thanuamna a um sih a bang ma thu ki gen nasa lou a laiki piah chi in a thei siam sih hi. Ofis a mun nei nonlou ahi man in inn lam a aki le mai a ngai ta hi. Bang jiah chi a diei chiin lam tung tawn ah aki ngai tyuo tuo mai hi. A ngai tuo na ah inn tung ta leh a pasal, a tehpu leh a tehpi leh a tate kung ah bang a gen ta diei chiin lam tungtawn in a tuattuat ta mai hi. Tuochiin mijousia in ama mai en a nuisat in a mu mawh hi. A mu ten sepna nei nonlou nu chia nuichiam na a jang uh bang in aki ngai tuo a amu mawh a a haasia hi.

Tam bang hunlaitah a silumdaan , a sil tung leh a um daan te sang in Bang jieh a diei chi thei chei a ut na a baei tuan soih a a thanuam na aa ngiam sah tuan sih a alian jaw hi. Tamte sang ma in bang chiin I sual ei?bang I chi ngaituo a bang I law a bang I chi te leh bang I chi pom ei chite a poimaw jotham tham a a thupi jaw hi. Tambang hun ah theisiam a pomsiam ding ahi leh silteng theisiam sese ngailou ahi chi I thei siam mama a ngai hi.Tam pen a poimaw en leh a lianpen ahi. Tuo chilou in I kipah in I lungkim thei sih dinghy.

Lungkim jawsem leh kipah josem a I umthei na ding a poimaw pen ahi leh … A poimaw lou tantan pi a sil tengteng pi lungkham pipi ding hilou ahi chi ahi. Lungsim tawldam na pen poimaw masa jaw hi. Kipahna,Taina,lungkimna te a ding a amelma lianpen uh “Bangjieh a diei” chi thuteng ahi. BANG ah AJIAHPEN chi um nanleh bang tengteng TAM jiehahi chi ngaisese lou ahi. Lunggimpi a ngaituo tham ngaitua thamlou sil um taluo hi. Ngaisah ding a um a, ngaisah lou a na suohsuoh ki suo tow chi nuasia ding jong a um hi. Bangteng sang an nangma poimaw jaw nahi daan na thei chet a ngai jaw hi. Na deidaan, na hatna , na lawchiin na, lawsapna leh bang tengteng nangma ahing choutu ten a thei ngai hi. Eima ki thei chian lkoupi ami dang teng I theisiam a, asil teng pi leh I hun teng pi vasen ding hilou daan ahi. Pu Albert Einstien in a shi kuon in “ Sometimes I suspect that my life has been a waste . I inquired into the farthest star and forget completely to inquire into myself……….. And i was the closest star” ana chi hi.

Silteng theisiam poimaw lou ahi chi ka thei siam theina ding in ka hinkhuo pumpi kana subei kha hi chiin French President lui Rene Coty in a chi hi. Khovel a sakhuo umtengteng phial in I kim I pam a sil tung teng ngaisah a thei chet sawm ding in koima a haanthawn kha sih hi. Guru Granth Sahib in khovel leh a sung asil um teng theisang in eime leh eima ki theisiam jo ding in a nuojuite hasot hi. A gena ah eima jong kithei loupi a miteng siltengteng I theisiam sawm pen I buaina thupi pen ahi ana chi. Laisiangthou in “ Mihing kal suon na teng Mangpan a chiamsa/a gel/ a tuot sa ahi a ,Tualeh mihing in a gamtatna bang a chi thei jou ding uoi “ a chi hi(Proverb 20:24)

A tawpna ding ah…. Very often as we move on life,mysteries and open ended situations we left behind, start falling into place . And invariably we realize as the coins starts finding their slots that every thing had a reason and time …………. And much as we have imagined , didn’t need us unraveling or understanding it………. Hei sung mun ahiei khat ah a silteng thei bukim khat a um hi……….. The Almighty.

Bang teng khu bangmalou ahi. Gualjawlna naah maw?...............???????????!!!!!!!!!!!

Source: www.zabelleivangkhuoblogspot.com

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THE DA VINCI CODE SUICHIENNA

Cover of The Da Vinci Code

Rev. Hangpi Manlun, Churachandpur

Tulai a leitung buppi in a buaipi leh nasatah a kidou dal khu The Da Vinci Code thu ahi. Ajieh ahileh tam thu khu Khristiante Pasien gensietna leh tanchinpha nangawn dalthei ding khop ahijieh in eiten zong i sui chien ua, i thei chien uh kul-in-apawimaw hi.


1) Background: Harvard University a Professor of Religious Symbology Dr. Robert Langdon in Paris khuopi a Louvre Museum lamkaipa Jacques Sauniere (Sa shina) shina tungtang a suina lam ah Jesu tanchin lamdang tah, hunsot tah sahkhuo sil jieh a na kigen khielou thu a mukhieh thu a gen hi. Jacques Sauniere luong khu Louvre tung ah guahtang (sa guah) mu ahi. A tahsa ah ama sisan ngei in thuguh lamdang tah tah (Cryptic message) a kigel hi. Ama lah milim gel siem leh minthang Leonardo Da Vinci milim gel khat ‘Vitruvian Man’ bangin alim agel hi.

Tuachiin, Sauniere that tu mukhie ding in a tahsa a thuguh kigelte khu thei chien a kul hi chiin ang sui chien ta hi. Tua thuguh kigelte thei chien som a ang sui chientah in, Jesu khun zi in Mari Magdalini a nei ngei hi chiin Sauniere a mukhieh thu a gen hi. Tamthu guh khu leitung buppi thei a puan khieh mai ding chi a jau jieh in a that uh hi. Asil mukhieh khu Da Vinci suloupi ding a milim gel siem leh minthang The Last Supper (Jesu leh anuajui 12 ten Mangpa vumkhawl An aiim lai lim) toh kizopna aneisah ta zel hi. Tam lim a gelna ah khun Leonardo Da Vinci khun siem tah mai in Mari Magdalin khu Jesu nuajui 12 lah a tah lam a tou in agel hi.

Tuachiin, tualthana huaisie tah suikhieh somtu Robert Langdong (Tom Hanks) leh thuguh suisiem (Cryptologist) Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) te kitheituahna khun ma ahing son tah tah hi. Sauniere khu Jesu leh Mari kitenna theipitu, ahin miten a theilou na dinga pawl bang a kipunkhawm Preory of Sion um ahi uh chi a thei khie hi. tuabang ma in Langdon, seppitu Na Sophie Neveu zong khu Jesu hah-le-suan ahi thu agen uhi.

Tualeh tam thuguh a suichien na lamah hamsatna dangin ang tuom tou zel hi. Ajieh ahileh Vatican panpina a kiphut Catholic pawl khat ten leitung mite thei a puan khieh ahilou na dingin Preory thuguh (Jesu leh Mari kitenna) thuguh) khu ana sui uh chiin a gen hi. Tuabang a theitop a silni (thuguh) tualthana leh Jesu thu abuaipi laiin Robert Lengdon (a tangvalpa) khu Captian Bezu Fache (Reno) lamkaina FBI te khun Souniere thatu ah alegen ta uhi....chite in agen tou peh uhi.

Tualeh amasang in zong Jesu zinei a, hah-le-suan nei a, ahah a suante zong tuni tanin a um uh chi thudihlou gingta pawl Priory of Sion a phut ua, tuate lah ah leitung a mi minthang tam tah a pang ua, etsahna ding in Isaac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci te ahi uhi. Tualeh French mi, Judate haw zing mai leh mi a sol hat jieh a suangkul a zong na lut ngai Pierra Plantard (1920-2000) in, document a bawl tom a, Les Dossiers Secrets di Herre Lobineau (The Secret records of Herri Lobineau) khu a kingahna uh ahi. Ahin tam document khu Plantard in kum 1993 a ana bawltom mai mai ahi chi zong French Court ah apuang khinta uhi.

2. Koi e le Dan Brown khu?

US a Jewste laigel siem thriller writer ahi. Tualeh Novelist minthang tah zong ahi. Best Seller laibu tam tah zong agel ta hi. Tualeh ama-le-ama a kigen dan in ama khu Painter, Architech, Philosopher, Poet, Composer, Sculptor, Athlete, Mathematician, Inventor and Anatomist te in a kigen va ia hi.

Ama khu English leh Creative writing a zilsahna uh Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy apat a graduate ahi. Baptist University, East Texas apat in Religious Degree a la kia hi. Azi zong khu Art Historian, Painter, Front-in-line Editor chite in a kihan hi. Tam tangthu bu zong khu azi Blythe min a agel ahi a, peh 605 hiin bung 105 aum hi. Tualeh i gensa bangun ama khu tangthu phuah siem leh gelsiem minthang tah ahi. Tuaban ah angaituanate ahoi a, a simtu zousie lungsim ding zong lah mangdan a siem hi. Alaibu gelte khatvei min a phen a asim leh sim suohlou in a koingai sih uh a kichi hi. Alaibu gel dangte: Digital Fortress, Angels and demons, Deception Points, 187 Men to Avoid; A survival guide for the Romantically, Frustrated Women chite zong best Seller ngen ahi uhi. Agel nu khia pen khu tu a ibuaipi uh The Da Vinci Code ahi. Tualeh ama tanchin theichieng utte ading in www.danbrowm.com a et thei zing ahi.

3. Ahi leh Da Vinci Code khu bang e?

I gensa bangun Jesu leh Mari Magdalin te kiten thu leh ahah-le-suante uh peitou zel in French leng inkuonte toh kiteng in tuni chieng tan in ahah-le-suonte uh umthu “Theory” khat “Bloodline theory” tanchin tumasang in zong TV channel ah mu thei in ang kisua hi. Ahin sil gintat huai loutah ahi a, ahin sil gintat thu a kigen, “William Shakespeare khu kawl/vai (India) ana hi khien khien ve le, amin dihtah zong Sheshap Iyer ahi” chi leh “Jesu khu Kross a ashi ding (maban) pumpel in, Siberia kan tan in a taimang a, gam ning lam khaw neu tah khat Shingo-ah ateng den a, tuni chieng in ahah-le-suonte leh asulnua zong mu ding aum” chi toh zuau thu leh bu-le-bal neilou ahithu i thei uhi.

Tambang a thu dihlou leh bul bal nei lou theory tungton in ‘Ten men in one’ chi khop a agen uh Leonardo Da Vinci khun lim gel minthang tah mai ni a nei a, tuate khu “The Last Supper” leh “Mona Lesa’ te ahi uhi. Tualeh tam na ‘The Last Supper’ (Mangpa vumkhawl an) aim lai uah lim a, Jesu ziet lang a tou, Johan lim kichi khu aman pasal lim hilou in numei lim ahi zaw achi hi. Tua numei khu koima dang hilou in Mari Magdalin ahi achi hi. Tuami apat in sil tam tah ang belap tou zel zel hi.

Aman agenna ah Jesu in Peter Kung hilou in Mari Magdalin kungah Matthai 16:18, 9. Hattuom phu a sawm thu a gen a, tua khu Peter in aza da ma ma a, Mari zong amuda law hi achi hi. Aman Jesu khu numei toisangtu (feminist) ahi a, Mari Magdalin toh zong nu-le-pa hina ah zong thanghuai tahin aum uhi achi hi. Tualeh Jesu Kross a kikhai lup lai tahin zong Mari khu agai a, anaupai kilepna ding in Jesu sanggam pa, Aruimathai khua a mi Joseph panpi na in Holy Land khu taisan in Franch gam ah apemta hi. Tuachiin, France gamah khun nau nei in amin ding in Sarah ahi sah hi. Tuachiin, khum ahah-le-suonte uh hing peitou zel in, a tangthu gelna a pangtu khat Sophei Neveu zong Jesu leh Mari Magdalin suante apat hiin agen moh hi.

Tambang a thu dihlou leh bulbal neilou theory tungtonin Dan Brown in ang phuah tom khu khu ‘The Da Vinci Code” ichi uh ahi. Tam laibu khu kum 2003 April ha in England a Bantam Press ah asua khie ua, kum 2004 in aman tom zaw in Gorgi Edition sua khieh ahi kia hi. Ang sua khie apat in mite ngaisah leh soisel alaw pai a, ahin New York Times gen dan in tam laibu khu Best Seller ahi pai hi. Kum ni a chin masang in leitung pumpi gam 150 sunga laibu kizuah tampen ahiban ah, million 30 a kizuahta hi.

4. The Da Vinci Code Film bawl thu.

A laibu a miten asim thei uh huntoh sa lou in Hollywood a Director minthang tah mai Ron Howard lamkaina in film ang bawl ua, a tangval (hero) ding in Tom Hanks apang hi. Tam film khu Minutes 149 asau ahi a, tam khu May 19,2006 in Columbia Pictures ten ang hakhieta uhi. Tuachiin, ei India gamah zong doudalna tam tah kalah May 26 in sua in ang umta hi. Gam chin a nualna leh deilouna kom kal ah kal khat sung in sumtang in $ 224 million amungal ua, leitung a film lah a sum mu tamna pawl ahi.

5. A tangvalpa Tom Hanks hinkhuo:

Ama khu actor lawching leh sum tam mu pawl ahi. September 7,1956 in Comcord, California ah a pieng hi. Azi khu Rita Wilson (actress) toh kiteng in tapa thum leh tanu khat a nei uhi. Aman film alah ban ah Producer - Director - screen writer - song writer nate a sem khawm hi. Ama khu multi-talented akichi hi. A siem jieh in Oscar Patoina nivei amu hi. Tualeh Patatna a hatan a, Show Bussiness sung leh pua lam ah zong ‘Compliments’ amu tam hi. “The nicest guy in show bussiness’ chite leh “The New Jimmy Steward” chite in a kihan hi. Tualeh a film lah minthang deuhte - Philadelphia (1993), Forest Gump (1994), That thing you do (1996), You’ve got mails (1998), Saving Private Ryans (1998), Cast away (2000), Band of Brothers (2001), Catch me if you can (2002), The Da Vinci Code (2006) te ahi uhi.

6. The Da Vinci Code laibu leh Film Bible thu toh akituah louna khen khatte:

a) Tam laibu/film sunga thute khu zuau thu phuah tom ahi chi thei masah ding ahi. Ajieh ahileh a laibu komah zong “Fiction” (Tangthu phuah tom ahi) chin agel hi. Tam khu “title page” ah agel hi. Tam tangthu bu art work, architecture documents leh sel-le-sang kagen zousie thudih sieng ahi achi hi.

b) A tangthu ah khun Jesu khu mihing ahina lam bou sui in, tam leitung a mihingte khawsah dan zousie hing zui in asui moh hi. Tualeh tam laibu/film khu Jesu tanchin dihloutah a thezahna ahi ban ah, Jesu Pasian hina nualna leh Sahkhuo thugin gensietna ahi chi i thei siemding uh ahi. Ajieh ahileh Jesu khu Mari Magdalin toh kiteng a suan leh pah nei in agen hi. Tam zong i Bible uh leh i thugin uh toh akikal hi.

c) Dan Brown in tam laibu khu Gospel of Philip pansan in ahing bawl dan in agen hi. Ahin tam Gospel khu zilsahna dihlou ahiban ah Gwostic tegel ahijieh in i Bible lah uah zong apang sih a, Pasian huha khum ahisih chi i thei ding uh ahi.

d) Tualeh i Bible uh adieh in Thuhuntha khu Kum AD zali 4 na lai vel a Roman Emperor Constantine in laibu tuom tuom a dei a atel tuomte lah ah Bible zong apang in agen hi. Tam khu ei Khristiante Bible pom dan toh zong a kikal ma ma hi.
e) Thuhuntha Hattuam khu Mari Magdaline puihuaina nuai a hing kiphut bang in agen hi. Aman Matthai 16:18 a Jesu Peter kung a hattuom phu ding leh thuneina apieh thu khu Peter kung hilou in Mari Magdalin kung ah ahi achi hi.

Tuabanah aman Jesu khu numei toisangtu (feminist) ahi achi hi. Tualeh Mari Magdalin toh zong nupa hina thanghuai tah in amang ua, ta zong anei ua, ata uh khu Sarah ahi chite in a gen hi. Tam thute khu i Khristian thugin leh i Bible uh toh a kikal ma ma hi.

f) Tualeh tam laibu/film khu minthan utna jieh leh sum-le-pai deina jieh a hing kibawl lel ahi. Tualeh Khristiante Pasian suh minsietna ding leh khantanhoi dalna ding a Setan vanzah poimaw tah ahijieh in, i dou un, adihlou dan khu hangsan tah in i tangkoupi ngam ding uhi.

g) Leitung pumpi in a doudal dan: Tam film khu release ahimasang apat in doudalna a kipan hi. Tuachiin leitung mun tuomtuom adiehin Samoa, SolomonIslands, Sri Lanka, India leh mun tuomtuom ah kham in a um hi. Ei khristian gamte mai banah Mosolman gam Pakistan, Fiji, Papua, New Guinea, Kenya te ah zong nahpitahin a kikham hi.

Tualeh India gam a State tuomtuomte Punjab, Nagaland, Goa, Tamilnadu te ah zong kikham hi. Tunaiin All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) ten zong Dt. 25/6/06 niin Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) huang ah CD leh tam laibute demna anei ban uah, ahaltum ua, tamkhu setan vanzah ahijieh in zong alawching hi chiin nahpitah a dem uhi. Tuachin, amauhten Chief Minister kungah Memorandum pie in, alaibu leh film kham ding in ngetna asiem ngal uhi.

Tuabangma in Mizoram Film Producer Guild te in zong tam laibu leh film (CD) khu adeilou dan uh etsahna in Dt. 8 June 06 laibu geltupa Dan Brown lim leh The Da Vince Code laibu leh film khu ahal uhi. Tuajiehin tam laibu leh film khu eiten zong dou a, i sim/ i et khah leh zong adihlounate theia asim leh et ding ahi.

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The child is father of the man

Joel Mangboi Haokip

This line which occurs in a poem of William Wordsworth beginning “My heart leaps when I behold” formulate the view that the qualities shown by a child are often indications of what the child is going to be when he grows up to be a man. It is the qualities--physical , mental, and spiritual, which will be found in the grown up man--may be found in germ in the child. It might not be wholly true; yet it is generally true that man grows up to be what he is as a child.


As Milton says:

The childhood shows the man,
As morning shows the day.

But the utmost need of the child to bring up in the way he should be is, to impart training in the right way. Every child is unique in his own way. As the Scripture tells us, “Train up the child in the way he should go”. This clearly indicates that the habits and traits of a man are often only the development of the habits and traits he had as a child. It is pertinent to bring him up in the ways of honesty and uprightness, as a child brought up in surroundings that encourage filthy habits will most probably retain the filthy habits throughout life. The early training of a child is a matter of supreme importance. Just as the twig is bent, the tree inclined.

While we talk about the need of proper training of a child in the early period, one cannot ignore the basic needs and the environment where the child is being brought up. To have a look at the present condition, one may obviously argue that enough is not being done for the children of our State is evident from such disturbing features like infant mortality, child morbidity, child malnutrition, childhood disability, child abuse, child labour, child marriage; juvenile delinquency, drug addiction, the broken homes and the like. A great literary figure has said that ‘his name is today’ meaning that the basic needs of the child cannot be postponed. His need for milk; nutritious food, care of the mother, schooling, appropriate Medicare cannot be postponed. In other words, if we neglect the care of children, we are jeopardising the future of the society.

At every stage the child needs the loving care of the family and society. In the prenatal and impressionable years of childhood the child require proper immunisation, preventive health care, nutrition, proper weaning, love and security. For a child to be healthy, the mother too has to be healthy. Where the incidence of maternal mortality is high, the mother is anaemic and the infants die before they rise to see their first birthday. It should be presumed that the state and the community are not doing their duty towards neither the mothers nor their children. The fact that there is still poor enrolment in elementary education and that many dropout of schools for reasons of poverty or burdensome and lacklustre curriculum makes millions of children ill-equipped to face the responsibilities of the future. Poverty of their parents and our failure to make elementary education a universal phenomenon has helped spawn the ugly phenomenon of child labour. India has the dubious distinction of producing the largest child labour force in the world. Some of the States including Manipur have introduced mid-day meal schemes to attract poor children to schools and retain them, but still the problem of children staying away from school poses a great challenge.

Indiahas around 157.86 million children below the age of six years constituting 15.37 percent of its population. Following the adoption of the National Policy for Children in 1974, the ambitious scheme of integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) was launched in 1975. The scheme provides a package of services comprising supplementary nutrition, immunisation, health check-up, referral services, pre-school education and health and nutrition education for mothers. The target groups are children in the age group of 0-6 years and expectant mothers and nursing mothers. The other schemes of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Balwadi Nutrition Programme (BNP) are being implemented in the areas not covered by ICDS centres. An effort is going on to finalise a National Charter for Children with the aim to ensure that no child remains illiterate, hungry or lacks medical facilities. This Charter, once finalised, will supersede the National Policy for Children, 1974.

While one might claim that the government has done a lot to better the life of children, there is hardly any room for complacency. There is a gulf of difference between what has been done and what needs to be done. The rights of the child are being violated everywhere. If the future of the child is bleak, can we hope for a better tomorrow? Don’t we feel guilty when somewhere an inter-state racketeer kidnap children, maim or even killed them? Young girls are being driven into prostitution and boys into drug peddling. Many of the destitute homes for children are not functioning the way they ought to. Children are the responsibility of the home, the community and the government. None of us has any right to trifle with their future. They need care and congenial atmosphere and support to grow. If we help them grow into wholesome personalities, they, in their turn, will help build a world far better than the present an ideal tomorrow of which every parent, neighbourhood, society and nation could be really proud of. In short, the process of socialisation of children right from infancy to adulthood should be ‘acceptable’.

But what is our contribution in alleviating children’s misery? Just a passing sympathy on seeing heart-rending pictures of emaciated children, doing menial jobs with their tender hands as child labour in fields, hotels etc. will not do. Let’s celebrate Children’s Day with a commitment for positive action to transform the lives of these children who have little to celebrate.

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What next for George W Bush?

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

By Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC News, Washington

"We've been in the spotlight now for 14 years. President Bush joked with reporters at his final news conference. "We've lived in the Governor's Mansion and the White House. It's going to be an interesting adjustment."


George W Bush is unlikely to disappear completely from view, but in an exit interview with ABC News last month, he hinted at a desire for a quieter life.

"I'd like to live life without the limelight for a while. I don't - I think it's going to be real important for me to get off the stage. We got a new man coming on the stage - I wish him all the very best," he said.

No more perks

Once that new man, Barack Obama, is sworn in, at midday on 20 January, Mr Bush will cease to be president of the United States.

He gets to keep the title, as all former presidents do, but the power and status will disappear.

As will the perks - the White House, Air Force One and the presidential motorcade.

George W Bush will leave the corridors of power in Washington DC, and head back to his home state of Texas.

He is set to move into a $2m house in an upmarket part of Dallas.

His soon-to-be neighbours are said to be delighted. As well as the prospect of seeing a former president putting the rubbish out and watering the plants, security on the street will be guaranteed, as President Bush will continue to be protected by secret service agents for years to come.

And once he is installed in this pad, what does life have in store for the 43rd President of the United States?

He has already said he plans to work on his presidential library, and write a book.

There is speculation that he could tour the lecture circuit, a cash cow many former world leaders have banked on.

'Unpopular'

Robert Draper, author of a biography of Mr Bush, Dead Certain, has interviewed the president about what his next moves might be.

"He talked to me in December 2006 about going on the lecture circuit. He was unpopular then but he's even more unpopular now.

"I don't think he's going to be raking it in the way Bill Clinton did," he told me.

"For his book, publishers have been suggesting that both due to his unpopularity and the state of the economy, he's not likely to get a big advance right now. He'll certainly get an advance in the millions of dollars - but the low millions, so $4m or $5m."

In fact, Mr Bush's wife Laura has beaten him to secure a book deal.

Publishing house Scribner is expected to release her memoirs in 2010.

In a statement, Mrs Bush said it would "tell the stories of the extraordinary events and people I've met in my life, particularly during my years in the White House."

Championing causes

All the signs are that the president will not be troubled by the fact he has yet to sign a deal for his memoirs.

He has no urgent need of the money, Robert Draper suggests, as he still has millions of dollars in the bank from the sale of the baseball team he used to own, the Texas Rangers, in 1998.

"The truth is that George W Bush never really craved the limelight. He didn't seek out the presidency all his life the way other American politicians have," he said.

"I think it will not be as crushing a thing to lose that from his life as it might be for others. He'll recede somewhat gracefully."

The president has said he is confident he will adjust to life after Washington.

His main focus will be the institute he is planning to build at Southern Methodist University in Texas, as well as his library and archives.

He is likely to use the institute to champion causes he believes in. Pete Wehner, a former deputy assistant to Mr Bush, thinks the ex-president might aim to promote liberty and democracy around the world.

Aside from that, it is likely he will enjoy life outside the fast lane.

He will continue to exercise - something he is said to enjoy - and keep watching his favourite sports, like baseball.

In Mr Wehner's view, he is the kind of person who knows when to let go.

"I think as a general matter he's going to be an ex-president who embodies grace. His dad is going to be a model for him.

"I don't think he's going to be in the spotlight and I don't think he wants to be. He's not going to be an outspoken public critic, or a critic at all of President Obama."

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7817000.stm

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Churachandpur teachers protest demanding salary hike

Lamka, Jan 12: An estimated 300 to 400 numbers of teachers from government run schools at various places in the district of Churachandpur launched a sit-in protest at the Churachandpur government high school today from about 10 am.


The protesters were demanding implementation of the 6th pay commission in toto and the protest was organised by the Churachandpur District Teachers Association in collaboration with the All Manipur Elementary School Teachers Association, AMESTA.

Speaking to the media at the protest site president of the CDTA said that in line with the implementation of 6th pay commission elsewhere in In dia prices of all commodities had been spiralling whereas their salary amount remained the same.

While highlighting the hardship faced by the public he said that the government had to reconsider their stand before things went out of hand.

The protest will continue till the demands are met otherwise the body would not hesitate to even court mass arrest, the president said.

The protest sat for dharna upto around 3.30 pm today.

Source: Imphal Free Press

Major shake up in govt schools on anvil, sports gold medallists to get jobs, 1350 more SPOs soon

IMPHAL, Jan 12: The state cabinet today made some major decisions which are predicted to have pivotal effects on the general policy direction of the Congress led Secular Progressive Front, SPF, government headed by chief minister, Okram Ibobi.


In particular the mixed bag contains a policy pledge to give suitable government jobs to all sports persons who win gold medals at the national and international levels, recruit another 1350 Special Police Officers, SPOs, over and above the 300 already recruited from Heirok, and to begin the process of amalgamation and rationalisation of government schools.

Of the welcome news is the new focus on incentive for sports achievers, coming as it has at a time sport men and women from the state are making an exodus looking for greener employment and career opportunities in other states.

Sports persons who have been goodwill ambassadors giving the world a positive picture of the state which has only been known for violence, drugs and disease, will now get some of their rightful dues if today’s decision materialises into concrete and actionable policy guidelines.
The policy will apply when the 17 currently vacant posts in the home department are filled in a short period from now, a knowledgeable source said.

Equally if not more welcome is the cabinet decision to revamp its school system, an area which has been in the government’s policy blind spot for much too long to the utter detriment and dismay of several generations of education seekers in the state.

Doubtless, some measures contemplated to rejuvenate the school system are radical. According to a reliable source, in view of the fact that so many government schools today exist only on paper, employing teachers and staff but virtually with no students enrolled, the government proposed to shut down many schools, or else club them together and amalgamate them.

In the first phase, 37 lower primary schools, 13 primary schools and 1 junior high school would cease to exist if the cabinet decision gets to be translated into policy.

Some schools on the other hand would be upgraded. This will include 5 lower primary schools which would be made into primary schools.

In Somtal in Ukhrul district, NK High School will be made into a higher secondary school. Likewise Hengbung Junior High School will be made high school. In Churachandpur district, Phungkhuthang Junior High School will be upgraded to high school. In Bishenpur district, Kwakta Junior High School will be upgraded to high school.

Four junior high schools on the other hand would be downgraded.

Taking cognizance of the fact that many students in government schools are handicapped by their unfamiliarity with English, today’s cabinet also decided to consider the conversion of the teaching medium of some “special” category government schools to English from the traditional Manipuri.

It also decided that the viva voce screening of candidates who appeared in the written test for the recruitment of 83 Hindi graduate teachers, 65 Hindi matriculate teachers and 1075 primary teachers would be held at the soonest.

The cabinet also charted out a new scholarship scheme for meritorious students whoexcel in Class 10 and 12 public examinations. For the current year the scholarship would be from the non-plan head and for the next year it would be from the plan fund, the source clarified.

In all 300 students from Class 10 would get a scholarship of Rs. 6000 per annum for two years, and another 300 from Class 12 would be given Rs 12,000 per annum for three years, the source said.

Of the 300 Class 12 scholarships, 125 each will be for science and arts streams and 50 reserved for commerce stream.

The cabinet also proposed a novel public-private partnership to train students between 15 and 30 years of age to develop skills of their choice that would enable them to enter different careers.
Under this scheme, certain companies would be identified to be the government’s partner to train 5000 students into job skills in two phases.

The decision to push ahead with the government’s policy to raise civil militia under the guise of Special Police Officers, SPOs, however will continue to be controversial with strong opinions pro and against never in short supply.

The source said the Union ministry of home affairs, MHA, has sanctioned the recruitment of 1350 more SPOs over and above the 300 already recruited at Heirok.

Of this, 250 would be from Lilong Chajing, the source said.

The recruited SPOs would be attached to various police outposts and stations in the valley area, the source said.

The cabinet also decided that the policemen who died in an ambush by militants at Langathel under the Kakching police station on December 8, last year would be awarded Rs. 5 lakh ex-gratia each.

Cabinet Highlights

• Jobs for sports gold medallists
• 1350 more SPOs to be recruited
• 51 govt schools to be scrapped
• Some schools to be upgraded
• Special English medium govt schools to be created
• Viva voce for teachers recruitment to be held soon
• New Class 10 and 12 scholarship scheme announced
• Govt to partner with private companies in job skill training
• Langathel police victims to get Rs 5 lakhs each

Source: http://ifp.co.in

Manipur cabinet for change in education system

Imphal: With the aim to bring about massive changes in its present educational system, the Manipur cabinet on Monday has charted out a number of plans and policies. These plans which are intended to give a new touch to the educational system is also seen as a big boost for the students of the state.


Briefing media persons, state education minister L. Jayentakumar revealed that the state cabinet, chaired by the chief minister, on Monday discussed and also approved some plans and policies of various Departments with main focus on the education department.

The minister revealed that the Monday cabinet deliberated framing of merit scholarships, incentives for the students, upgrading, amalgamation and abolishing of schools, adopting the public private partnership (PPP) system etc.

The minister further informed under the merit scholarship 300 students each from the 10th standard and 12th standard will be provided with scholarship. While an amount of Rs. 6,000 would be given to the Class X students annually for a period of two years, a sum of Rs. 12,000 would be given annually to the students of Class XII for a period of three year, disclosed the minister.

Apart from that the minister also informed that incentives and assistance will be provided to the first division holders in examination conducted by the Board of Secondary and added that a sum of Rs. 5000 would be given to students securing above 75 percent and Rs. 3000 to student securing between 65 percent to 75 percent. The education minister also informed that Rs. 1000 each from these incentives would be for the school management and teaching staff.

Regarding the upgradation of schools he informed that four junior high schools will be upgraded to high schools and added that abolishing and amalgamation of schools will be conducted after a proper survey. The minister also informed that so far 37 Lower primary schools, 13 primary schools and five junior high schools were under the abolishing list and that one junior high school was under upgradation list.

The education minister also informed that one special category English medium government schools would be established in each of the districts besides necessary recruitment of teachers and lecturers. The minister also further pointed out that under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and at the cost of Rs 4.2 crore, the education department will tie up with a company and a recruit a target 5000 students who will be trained by the company for skill development besides providing job opportunities to the recruits.

While further informing of the cabinet meeting the minister said that recruitment for 1350 Special Police Officers (SPOs) have been sanctioned by the ministry of home affair (MHA) with another 250 for Lilong Chajing who will be attached to police stations under the supervision of the concerned superintendent of police. The minister also informed that the cabinet has given a nod for providing government Jobs to the national gold medalists.

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/11551.html

‘Prepaid connections to be banned in NE’

NEW DELHI : Come February 22, millions of pre-paid cellular users in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast states may no longer be able to use their mobile phone connections. The Centre is examining the possibility of banning pre-paid cellular services in security sensitive areas from this date.


Telcos which ET spoke to said that so far the government had given no indication that this deadline would be extended. An executive associated with an operator was of the view that while the Department of Telecom (DoT) is likely to extend the deadline in J&K, it may impose a ban on pre-paid services in northeast.

Officials in the communication ministry say that this is cannot be done at the discretion of DoT. They said the final decision on extending the deadline rested with the home and defence ministries, which would take into account the opinion of security and intelligence agencies.
November end figures show a total of 10 million mobile users in J&K and northeast. The ratio of pre-paid to post paid connections here are not known but nationally, 90% of the country’s 375 million mobile users prefer pre-paid. Over 95% of new subscribers too choose the same option. Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the body representing all GSM players, has already taken up the issue with DoT. “We had recently brought up this issue with the government and we understand that they are considering our request for an extension,” COAI director-general T V Ramachandran told ET.

At present, prepaid users from other states are not allowed ‘roaming’ while visiting J&K and the northeast. ET has learnt that the Centre has no plans to lift this restriction in the near future. Critics are of the opinion a mere ban on pre-paid connections will not address security issues. People have access to other technologies such as internet telephony, e-mail, internet chat and satellite phones.

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/11548.html

State catches the attention of International investors

Imphal, Jan 12: Manipur is all set to go international! Lately, the “Switzerland of the East”, Manipur, has become the centre of interest and attraction for vari- ous international countries like Thailand, Japan, Czech Republic, Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea who are ready to invest in the State.


If reports are to be true these countries have shown their interests in the state of Manipur and are to invest in various sectors such as food, tourism and trade. As per reports, the neighbouring country Myanmar was one of the first to show interest in the state when a 17 (seventeen) members team comprising of the members of Border Trade Chamber of Commerce (BTCC), Myanmar, industrialists, entrepreneurs and businessmen arrived in the State capital, Imphal on September 3, 2008 with the aim to discuss and improve the trade relations between India and Myan-mar especially implementa- tion of road construction between Imphal (India) and Mandalay (Myanmar). That delegates were head-ed by U Hla Maung, presi- dent of BTCC.

Following that visit, a 7 (seven) points agreement was also signed between U. Hla Muang, president of BTCC and Y. Nabachandra, president of National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) on September 6 last which agreed on trading of 22 (twenty-two) items between the two sides.

Even functionalism of Letters of Credit system both by the United Bank of India and the Myanmar Economic Bank, promotion of tourism on both sides were also proposed, as per reports. Besides these agreements, Manipur’s NIPCO also reportedly agreed to cooperate in obtaining visa for pilgrims to Bodh Gaya as travel was possible only by air as per Indian law and not land via Tamu-Moreh.

And following closely behind the heels of this report, a team of experts from Japan were to visit the sericulture office of the state at Sangaipat, Wangkhei in Imphal East which is under construction.

According to various reports, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh and various concerned officials and minister of the sericulture department have called for completion of the department at the earliest possible.

According to reports, the team from Japan was supposed to arrive in Novem- ber last. However, with the construction of the sericulture office still incomplete there is a possibility that the team might arrive in the month of March this year, stated a report.

Japan, known for its technology and scientific advancement could sure be a big boost to the sericulture department of the state should the proposal to visit materialise. Besides these countries, Bangladesh and Czech Republic have also reportedly shown interest in investing in the food processing of the State.

According to certain reports, this was conveyed to the state officials during the fourth North East Business Summit which was jointly organised by the ministry of DoNER and the Indian Chamber of Commerce at Guwahati in Assam on September 15-16, 2008. Even VISA conveyed its interest of setting up a mining unit in the state, added the report.

Apart from food proces-sing, Czech Republic has also reportedly shown interest in launching a heli- copter service between Imphal and Moreh in a bid to boost the bilateral trade between India and Myanmar through Moreh.

In this connection, head of political, development and trade of Czech Embassy at New Delhi, Jan Kreuerter reportedly visited Imphal in December last and even met the chief minister with interest to launch the chopper service between Imphal and Moreh.

As per reports the choppers will have a capacity to carry two tonnes of goods and 20 (twenty) passengers. And even as the Czech Republic is reportedly looking for a local partner to run the service, this should come as a big relief to the various traders between the two destinations with the recent reports of various crime related news along the route.

Thailand is one country that has lately shown interest in the state of Manipur too. A report stated that the Thailand government is setting up a Thai Trade Information Centre and Tour- ism Information Centre at Imphal in order to boost up the trade relations between Manipur and South Asian countries. This two centres could come up as early as in March this year, stated the report adding that the trade information centre would be open by the Royal Thai Embassy which is based in New Delhi.

According to reports Tharadol Thongraung, Councillor Commercial of the Royal Thai Embassy will soon be visiting Imphal to inspect the site for the Thai Trade Information Centre and that Thongraung himself would personally set up the centre here in the state capital, Imphal.

And the latest report is that the Republic of Korea has shown interest in the state and is ready to invest in various sectors such as sports, IT, language, culture and even man-skill. According to reports, education minister of the state, L. Jayentakumar met Young Sun-Back, Ambassador of Republic of Korea on December 30 last in Delhi who showed interest in helping the State of Manipur and has asked for proposals from the minister.

According to reports, the Korean ambassador also proposed for a Korean language department in the Manipur University (MU) apart from providing help in sports, IT and culture. Due to lack of man-skill in Korea, the ambassador reportedly stated that those trained in these sectors with the help of Korea, would then be provided with job opportuni- ties in Korea. In this connection, the Korean ambas- sador has reportedly asked for a proposal from the state government.

With all these reports and links with international countries, it appears that the state of Manipur is also all set to go international should all these materialise. And in a bid to materialise these, reportedly even Manipur has done its bid. According to reports, T.N. Haokip, minister of Information and Public Relations (IPR) had urged the central government for foreign exchange facilities in the state.

For the moment, Mani-pur going international does not appear to be a far off dream with steps and processes taken as fast as possible.

Source: Newmai News Network

Manipur: Another Year in Strife

Sandipani Dash
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management

Manipur was brought under the Armed Forces (Assam & Manipur) Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, for another year with effect from December 1, 2008, "because of violent activities of various extremists/insurgent groups" as a result of which "the entire state of Manipur is in such a disturbed condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary." Manipur has been under the AFSPA since the late 1970s.


The insurgency in Manipur has, over the years, become increasingly homicidal, and trends in 2008 only demonstrate a further acceleration along this trajectory. While 388 deaths were caused by militancy in 2007, fatalities increased to 484 in 2008. The State, thus, remains most violent in India’s troubled Northeast, leaving behind the much larger Assam (384), and Nagaland (201). Manipur has just 8.52 per cent of the territory and 6.12 per cent of the population of the Northeast, but accounted for as much as 47 per cent of the terrorism related fatalities in the region in 2008.

Insurgency related Fatalities in Manipur: 2001 - 2008

Year	Civilians	SFs	Insurgents	Total
2001*	70	25	161	256
2002*	16	03	71	90
2003*	13	03	70	86
2004*	88	36	134	258
2005*	158	50	202	410
2006*	96	28	187	311
2007*	130	39	219	388
2008 (January-August)* (September-December)** Total	96 40 136	12 04 16	206 141 347	314 185 499

*Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India
** South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP)

The persistent violence in Manipur took an abrupt turn for the worse in year 2004, when terrorism related fatalities tripled, as compared to the preceding year. This steep escalation coincided with the alleged rape and custodial death of a female insurgent, Th. Manorama Devi, at the hands of Assam Rifles personnel on July 10, 2004. While year 2006 saw some improvement, violence has tended to escalate since the Manorma Devi incident. The State registered 388 fatalities in 584 insurgency-related incidents in 2007, according to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). MHA data indicates that year 2008 saw 465 such incidents, claiming the lives of 314 persons till August 31. According to the SATP database, another 185 persons, including 40 civilians, four Security Force (SF) personnel and 141 militants, were killed in the subsequent four months yielding a provisional total of 499 fatalities in the year, including 136 civilians, 16 SF personnel and 347 insurgents.

At least 24 major incidents of militant violence, involving deaths of three or more persons, took place in Manipur in 2008. The most significant among these included:

December 8: Five suspected People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) cadres were shot dead by Thoubal District Police at Langathel Thongkhong under Kakching Police Station.

November 26: Five workers in the Maphou dam site in Nongdam Tangkhul, at the tri-junction of Imphal East, Senapati and Ukhrul Districts, were killed by unidentified militants.

October 23: Five cadres of the Military Council (MC) faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) were shot dead by SFs during an encounter at Heingang Heibimakhong Ching under Heingang Police Station in Imphal East District.

October 21: At least 18 persons were killed and over 30 persons injured when a bomb fitted to a motorcycle exploded near the high security Ragailong gate in Imphal. The KCP-MC claimed responsibility for bomb blast.

September 8: Five suspected PREPAK militants were shot dead by SFs during an encounter at Ngakrapat in the Bishnupur District.

June 11/12: Four militants belonging to the Azad faction of the PULF, including one ‘District commander’ Altab Ali alias Sana, were killed when a combined force of Imphal East District Police and troops of Assam Rifles neutralised a hideout of the outfit at the foothills of Urup Kangthak village under Irilbung Police Station.

March 18: Unidentified militants killed seven non-local labourers and injured two others. While five persons were killed at Thumbi foothill in the Kangla Sangomsang area of Imphal East District, two others were shot dead at Kakching in Thoubal District.

March 17: At least seven non-Manipuris were shot dead by unidentified militants at Mayang Imphal Hanglun in Imphal. The victims were sellers of tobacco products, which were ‘banned’ by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

February 22: Five Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) militants, including an old man and four child recruits, were abducted and subsequently killed by suspected militants of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) at an unspecified place along the road leading to Thangal Surung from Ekou Bazar under Saikul Police Station of Senapati District. One of the slain militants was identified as Hanpau Chongloi, KRA’s Public Relations Officer.

The escalation in violence is not only reflected in fatalities, but also in the number of bomb explosions triggered by various militant groups. According to the SATP database, 37 explosions were carried out throughout the State, including 27 in capital Imphal, in 2007, killing 14 and injuring another 66. This number went up to 60 explosions, with 35 in Imphal, in 2008, registering 28 fatalities and 60 injured. The worst of these was on October 21, 2008, when at least 18 persons were killed and over 30 injured, when a bomb fitted to a motorcycle was triggered by the KCP-MC near the high security Ragailong gate, close to the rear headquarters of the Assam Rifles and the Manipur Police Commando Complex, in capital Imphal.

The insurgency is spread over all nine Districts of the State including four in the Valley and five in Hill areas. As noted repeatedly in SAIR, the relentless hostility between the Hill tribes and the Valley dominated by a Hindu Meitei population, has provided sustained momentum to the extremist groups. In January 2006, more than 20 women were molested by the Valley-based United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and KCP militants at Parbung and Lungthulien under Tipaimukh Sub-division in the Churachandpur District. A Commission headed by S.P. Rajkhowa was subsequently set up to probe the incident. The Commission submitted its report to the Manipur Government on May 31, 2008. While findings of the report and the status of their implementation have so far evaded public knowledge, the Hill based Hmar People's Convention – Democracy (HPC-D), in July 2008, alleged that the UNLF and Military Council faction of the KCP frequently rape tribal girls and are trying to separate the smaller communities in the State. The Hill based groups also perpetrate violence in the Valley areas, often provoking extra-judicial vigilante action by local people. On December 16, 2008, for instance, the locals of Kwakta lynched a suspected Kuki National Front (KNF) cadre while he was trying to abduct two Muslim elders, identified as Mohammed Ahmad and Mohammed Itao of Kwakta village under Moirang Police Station in the Bishnupur District. Three days later, on December 19, the Military Council (MC) faction of the KNF served a threat of ‘capital punishment’ to seven persons residing at Kwakta village for their alleged involvement in drug smuggling and subsequent violence at same village, involving KNF cadres and villagers, resulting in the death of two persons and injury to four others.

The militants have not confined their influence to the remote corners of the State, but have displayed their full potential in the ‘fortified’ State capital, Imphal, by attacking the offices and residences of political authorities. On March 8, 2008, for instance, PREPAK militants drove up to the heavily guarded Manipur Assembly complex and exploded a bomb, though no fatalities were caused. Again, on April 24, at least five persons, including a woman, were injured when a remote controlled improvised explosive device (IED) fitted on a scooter was detonated by unidentified militants at the Babupara VIP colony near the Chief Minister's bungalow in Imphal. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Further, on May 8, unidentified militants lobbed a Chinese hand grenade at the residence of the State Health Minister Pheiroijam Parijat in Imphal. Later, on July 28, two bombs were hurled by militants at the residence of the State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Y. Erabot at Khurai Ahongei in the Imphal East District, causing damage to a vehicle and the residence. Similarly, on September 26, suspected militants lobbed a hand grenade at the residence of Legislator S. Kunjakishore alias Keba at Tera Sapam Leirak in the Imphal West District. Again on October 19, a grenade was exploded by suspected militants in front of the Chief Minister’s bungalow damaging a vehicle. On December 21, a Chinese hand grenade was exploded by militants belonging to the Lanheiba Meitei group of the MC faction of KCP at the south eastern side of the Governor’s House complex in Imphal, though no casualty was reported. Political authorities were targeted by militants in the areas beyond State capital Imphal as well. For example, on May 21, suspected militants exploded gas cylinders targeting the residence of the State Agriculture Minister N. Loken at Leimapokpam in the Bishnupur District.

Militant attacks are often related to the all pervasive extortion activities in Manipur. Places of worship, educational institutions, health centres, commercial establishments and related economic undertakings have been systematically brought under the extortion net, by almost all the outfits operating in the State. On March 30, 2008, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh stated that militant groups were extorting money out of donations given in the name of God at various temples. Educational institutions are also targeted by the extortionists. On September 12, 2008, the Kanan Devi Memorial School at Pangei in the Imphal East District was closed for an indefinite period due to a demand by the KCP for INR 500,000. Three days later, on September 25, extortion demands forced the closure of two Government colleges in Imphal. Hospitals have similarly been affected by the extortion networks. On January 18, for instance, two private hospitals, Langol View at Lamphel Sanakeithel and Imphal Hospital, in Imphal, were closed down due to extortion demands of INR 500,000 each served on them by a militant group.

Commercial establishments are, meanwhile, worst hit by the ongoing extortion drives. On August 28, hundreds of commercial establishments, including chemist shops, located on both sides of the Tiddim Road along National Highway – 150 from Keishampat to Kwakeithel in the Imphal West District remained closed to protest the unbearable monetary demands served on them by Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) cadres. Later, the shopkeepers along the Dingku Road of Imphal West District revealed that the businesses were divided into three categories by the militants – bigger shops were asked to pay INR 30,000, middle size shops INR 20,000 each, while the small ones were asked to pay INR 10,000. In a similar incident, on October 29, chemist shops in and around the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital at Lamphel in the Imphal West District remained closed for the day in protest against extortion threats. Extortion drives were backed with widespread intimidation of, assaults on and armed attacks against target groups of the population.

The militant groups also demonstrated their power, as has been the trend in previous years, by issuing numerous ‘decrees’. On January 31, 2008, the KYKL reiterated its ‘diktat’ of using Meetei Mayek language on signboards of shops, offices and institutions in the four valley Districts – Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal. Again, on April 23, the KYKL ‘banned’ the thabal chongba (dancing ceremony) at Khongjom in the Thoubal District. Similarly, on April 29, the KYKL and UNLF ordered a halt on the hike in the price of kerosene oil in local markets. The PLA ‘banned’ the export of rice or paddy outside Manipur with effect from December 12, to discourage the growing of cash crops. With the State’s ability to provide security to its citizens virtually non-existent, any refusal to fall in line with these diktats has proven fatal. On March 17, at least seven non-Manipuri traders selling tobacco products and mitha manna (betel leaf), which were ‘banned’ by the PLA, were shot dead by PLA militants at Mayang Imphal Hanglun in the capital.

Media in the State has also been forced to walk the tight rope between presenting an unbiased narrative and becoming a mouthpiece for the militant outfits, who use the Press to announce their ‘party programmes’. Both the English language and the vernacular media are told to carry verbatim Press Releases by the militants and a failure to do so is often accompanied by threats and/or actual reprisal attacks. On August 4, 2008, the Military Council (MC) faction of the KCP imposed an ‘indefinite ban’ on a widely-circulated popular Manipuri daily Poknapham, after the newspaper published a statement issued by the outfit in one of its inside pages and not on its front page, as demanded by the KCP-MC. Poknapham’s publication was suspended for at least a week. On November 17, a junior sub-editor of the English daily Imphal Free Press, Konsam Rishikanta, was killed by unidentified militants at Langol in the Imphal West District. The incident led to the suspension of publication of all newspapers in the State for over a week, as a mark of protest. In the end, however, no outfit apologized or promised not to repeat such attacks.

Manipur’s woes, emanating from ‘indigenous’ militant outfits, have been further aggravated by the overflow of militancy from neighbouring Nagaland – the oldest theatre of conflict in the northeastern region. Major parts of Manipur’s four Valley Districts – Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel – remained affected by the activities of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) in 2008, as in earlier years. The NSCN-IM has not only carried out unceasing extortion and abduction activities in these Districts, but has intermittently engaged in fratricidal clashes with its rival Khaplang faction (NSCN-K). As all routes out of Manipur pass through one or the other of these Districts, the domination of the Naga groups over these areas, virtually translates into an undisturbed domination over the entire State of Manipur.

Counter-insurgency operations have primarily been led by the Army and the central para-military forces (CPMFs), with the State Police playing only a subsidiary and marginal role. The Army, in January 2008, claimed to have dislodged the UNLF from its last bastion inside the State, the New Samtal area spread over 1,000 square kilometres in the south-western Chandel District. Within the next three months, however, the UNLF cadres, who had simply vacated the villages and retreated into the forest areas, or had crossed over into the safety of adjoining Myanmar in the wake of counter-insurgency operations, had returned to the area, and started ambushing SF contingents. Till the month of December, ‘successes’ of the SFs in the area comprised of countering such ambushes and recovering arms and ammunition from the militants.

The Manipur Police’s irrelevance in the counter-insurgency operations has persisted despite the fact that the State boasts a Police-population ratio (Policemen per 100,000 populations) of 627, much higher than Nagaland (475), Assam (176) and the Indian average of 125. Manipur’s Policemen per 100 square kilometer area ratio of 73.2, is far in excess than Assam (66.4), Nagaland (62.2) and the national average of 45.

While the lack of adequate support from the State Police has been the bane of the SF operations in Manipur, the State has consistently failed to take advantage of the popular discontentment against the militants. In May 2008, the State Government, in response to an appeal by the people of Heirok in Thoubal District to arm them against militants, recruited 300 Special Police Officers (SPOs). However, in the face of a clampdown by the UNLF and KYKL militants, who clearly dominated the area, the entire programme was more or less abandoned. The UNLF and KYKL cadres stopped the people of Heirok from moving out from their villages and, on occasion, carried out attacks on them. Public transport services on the Heirok-Imphal and Heirok-Thoubal routes were suspended for days together as a result of militant action. There is no word on the part of the Government on the construction of barracks for the SPOs, nor has there been any move to deploy them. The Government has, moreover, failed to protect the people of Heirok from militant reprisals.

The only silver lining in Manipur has been the August 2005 Suspension of Operations (SoP) agreement between 19 Kuki militant groups and the Union Government. Although little progress has been achieved in terms of solving the problem of Kuki militancy in the Hill Districts, the agreement continues to hold. The three year-long ceasefire agreement, however, has not affected the abduction and extortion activities of these outfits. Three rounds of talks – two in New Delhi (on May 19 and August 22, 2008) and one in Imphal (on December 19, 2008) have been held. The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG), following the third round of meetings, issued "strong instructions" to 19 tribal militant groups to refrain from abduction and other unlawful activities and decided to finalise the process for issue of identity cards to around 1,745 militant cadres.

The neutralization of the all-pervasive threat of militancy in Manipur remained a chimera in 2008. Worse, the conflict dynamics in the State have become the more complex as a result of the intervention of a new player – the Left Wing extremist Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) – in the State. The PLA inked a three-point pact, on October 21, with the CPI-Maoist – the group already known to be active in over 220 Districts in 22 States across the country. Both outfits called for consolidation of "mutual understanding and friendship" to "overthrow the common enemy", the "reactionary regime of India". The actual ramifications of this agreement are yet to be manifested in Manipur, but there is little evidence that peace is a proximate possibility in the State.

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Manipur Timeline - Year 2009

January 2	Two suspected militants are shot dead by Police during an encounter in the Bishnupur District. One 9-mm pistol with some rounds of ammunition, two Chinese hand-grenades and seven extortion letters are recovered from the possession of the slain militants. 15 empty gas tankers on the way to Assam to collect cooking gas were turned back by some persons claiming to be NSCN-IM cadres at Maram in the Senapati District. However, the Chairman of the Cease-fire Monitoring Group (CFMG), General Mandhita, while speaking to the Manipur Government officials denied the involvement of the NSCN-IM in levying ‘tax’ of INR 1.5 million from the Sekmai Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Bottling Plant as well as LPG distributors.
January 3	A suspected People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cadre is shot dead by a combined force of the Thoubal District Police and Army during an encounter in the Haraorou-Iroilok area. While other militants manage to escape, one AK-56 rifle, one magazine with seven live rounds of AK ammunition, eleven fired cases of AK ammunition, one misfired shell of lethod bomb and one fired case of lethod bomb are recovered from the encounter site. A Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) cadre, P. Prem Kumar alias Iboucha, is arrested by the Assam Rifles personnel during a search operation between Yairipok and Top Chingtha in the Thoubal District.
January 4	Two suspected cadres of Military Council faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) are shot dead by unidentified militants at Koutruk Lairou under Lamsang Police Station in the Imphal West District. Two suspected People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) cadres are shot dead by a combined force of the Imphal West District Police and troops of the Maratha Light Infantry at Ishok under Wangoi Police Station. A Chinese hand grenade and one .32 pistol with two live rounds are recovered from the possession of the slain militants. A minor boy of three years sustained injuries when explosive experts of Manipur Police were defusing a hand grenade lobbed at the residence of the Commander of 2nd Battalion Home Guard by unidentified militants at Ghari Maning Leikai. Surrendered militants and their families numbering 37 households are evicted from the 2nd battalion commando complex in Imphal to build quarters for the State Police at the site. The report adds that altogether 84 militants are under the care of the State Government and 47 were given appointment forms and offer forms as trial riflemen in 2005. The remaining 37 have not got their offer or appointment forms but are employed as trial followers in the 4th IRB, a spokesperson of the surrendered militants said. An achievement report released by the Superintendent Police of Imphal West District, L. Kailun, states that 91 militants, including 37 cadres from KCP, 20 from PREPAK, one from PLA, eight from PULF, five from UNLF, seven from KYKL, nine from KRA, one from NNC and one from NSCN-IM, were shot dead and 343 others, including 91 cadres from KCP, one from Military Council faction of the KCP, 74 from PREPAK, 41 from PLA, 15 from PULF, 13 from UNLF, 48 from KYKL, four from KRA, five from NNC, 12 from NSCN-IM, two from NPC, five from KLA, six from NSCN-K, one from NNLA , two from KNA , six from KNF , one from UKLF , five from UNPC and one from ZDA, arrested by the District Police during counter-insurgency operations in 2008. The report said of the 343 arrested, 83 were detained under the National Security Act (NSA). 88 assorted weapons and 989 ammunitions were recovered from the arrested and slain militants, the report adds. In addition, the report further says INR 1, 95,280 were also recovered from these militants.
January 5	A KCP cadre, Islauddin, is arrested by Assam Rifles personnel from Moreh in the Chandel District.
January 6	A cadre of the General Secretary faction of the KCP, identified as Laishram Kiran alias Momo alias Anoppa, is arrested by a combined force of Imphal West District Police and Assam Rifles from near Krishna Premi oil pump at Moirangkhom. A gun of 7.62 calibre and four live rounds are recovered from his possession.
January 7	A cadre of the Umar Farooq faction of the People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), identified as Mohammed Jalaoruddin alias Sabir alias Anil, is arrested by the Thoubal District Police from near Ngariyan hills along Imphal-Yairipok road. 10 of the 37 surrendered militants whose homes within the commando complex at North AOC were demolished on January 4, refused to vacate the place where their old quarters stood and erected shacks there to shelter themselves.
January 8	Two women cadres belonging to the Military Council faction of the KCP, identified as Gurumayum Kunjarashi and Pebam Sophia alias Sanathoi, are arrested by the Imphal East District Police.
January 9	Sangai Express reports that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved recruitment of more than 1300 Special Police Officers (SPO) for deployment in the four valley Districts of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Imphal East and Imphal West. Subsequent to the approval, the State Government hands over the task of SPO recruitment to the State Director General of Police.

Source: www.satp.org