Manipur Home Minister appeals not to believe in rumours

‘Manipur government has been in touch with the counterpart governments over the issue’

From our Special Correspondent

IMPHAL, Aug 17: The Manipur Home Minister G Gaikhangam has appealed to one and all not to be swayed by the rumours tendentiously spread thereby triggering a mass exodus of Manipuri students and employees from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. He said that the Manipur government has been in touch with the counterpart governments over the issue. The Manipur government has been assured of full protection to the Manipuris staying in these States. If needed some police personnel would be sent to these States.

Quoting the police officers of these States the Manipur government says that there is no basis in the rumour that the students from the Northeastern States are attacked. But then it was somewhat puzzling that the Manipur Home Minister was speaking in this manner without taking ground realities into consideration.

The return of a college student at Pune, Premchand Khomdram to Manipur after being beaten up at least three times has been overlooked. Khomdram was on the college campus in uniform when some other students asked him whether he is from Assam. But they stopped beating him when he explained that he was from Manipur. The same night he was accosted by some persons and using batons he was assaulted. He was shown video clippings of beatings and killings, probably taken in the carnage in Assam. Some persons rescued him and took him to the hospital in a motorbike. However, some others chased them and beat him up in the secluded place. The United Committee Manipur has taken a serious view of this assault. In a statement this organization said that it may amount to triggering a communal violence in Manipur.

On Thursday morning one Manipuri girl, Rojina Chirom, a student of dental college in Pune narrowly escaped when three motorbike borne youths swiped at her with a sword. Luckily she managed to dodge it. The terrified girl rushed into an alley yelling for help. The family members of the house where she took shelter informed the college authority. Police had urged her to lodge a complaint. However, fearing reprisals she decided not to file any complaint with the police. The college has arranged to buy ticket for her with the assurance that she would be escorted by police to the airport.

Despite these appalling developments the Manipur Home Minister is parroting the ministers and some police officials in these States. Meanwhile there is growing fear among the thinking sections that if the fanatics in Pune and elsewhere do not stop the indiscriminate attacks and intimidations to the students and employees from the NE region there may be retaliations for which the architects of the hate campaign will be responsible. In Assam it took several weeks to kill less than 100 persons. It should not be forgotten that in Manipur 102 persons were killed on a single day. The victims included a number of women and small children. It should be noted by the ministers and police officials in these southern States that the communal carnage in Manipur was triggered by rumour. It means that the tendentious rumour in these States may cause bloodshed also. In Manipur’s case members of a nascent underground organization had given money to a Mulsim gun runner. The gun runner however refused to supply the guns or return the money. When some members of the outfit went to his house to take back the money the gun runner had raised a ruckus saying that some persons had come to extort money. The local residents beat up the insurgents to pulp.

To settle scores with the people the members of the outfit spread rumour that Manipuri girls had been raped and murdered, innocent persons beaten up here and there. These had fueled a senseless violence claiming 102 lives. Once the mistake was known complete normalcy was restored from the next day. However, the bereaved families must still be nursing the wounds in their hearts. Many sections are angry that some organizations are instigating unprincipled youths in some southern States to attack and intimidate the people from the NE region in this indiscriminate way.

Chief Secretary, Nagaland writes to his Assam counterpart

‘Regarding the gruesome murder of  two Naga women on August 8 between Mariani and Jorhat inside Titabor area’

From our Correspondent

Kohima, Aug 17: The Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland Lalthara IAS today wrote a letter  to the Chief Secretary Government of Assam Guwahati, N K Das about the gruesome murder of  two Naga women. The letter stated that the incident must have come to his notice about the gruesome murder of two Naga women namely Tiakala and Bendangla belonging to Phom community from Yaong Village in Longleng district bordering Jorhat district. The incident took place on August 8 between Mariani and Jorhat inside Titabor area. Unconfirmed report indicated that the two victims left Haluating on  August 7 from their village. Reportedly their bodies were recovered in semi-nude condition with their hands and legs tied by ropes from the roadside locations. The manner in which they were murdered was brutal, inhuman and barbaric.

This incident has enraged the Nagas society in general and Phom tribal community in particular so much that it has potential to become a serious law and order problem.  The Phom Peoples’ Council has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Nagaland demanding the perpetrator/culprit of this crime/murders must be immediately apprehended by the competent authority at the earliest.

The Government of Nagaland should take the matter urgently with the Government of Assam. Moreover, there should be impartial investigation by the competent authorities within a limited time frame, the letter stated.

“Stringent action/punishment must be awarded to the culprits. Necessary precautionary measures must be taken so that such incident does not occur in future,” it added.

We will be compelled to take our own course of action to voice our grievances, if the culprit is not apprehended and given punishment.

The local administration and police may also be directed to put precautionary measure in place in these areas so that similar occurrences are prevented, the letter added.

Emergency meeting held at Phek

From our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug 17: An emergency meeting called by the administration with the departments of PWD (R&B) and PWD (mechanical) was held at the Deputy Commissioner office, Phek on Thursday and another meeting with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) members on Friday. The meetings were called in view of the landslides which has completely washed off a road (Chozuba-Phek) near Kutsapo village about 11 KMs away from Phek besides  other road blockages at Sataka-Phek road via Chepoketa, Losami-Phek road, Kutsapo-Phek road and Khuza-Phek road which have completely cut -off many towns and villages from the district Hq. The landslides have caused untold miseries to commuters including patients with emergency cases unable to reach Phek in getting timely medical attention from the district hospital. A fear psychosis has also been created in the mind of the public due to the recent twin earthquakes with the epi-centre both in the district creating fear that major disaster might occur any time in the district. It was also learnt that six villages under Khuza area near Phek, contributed some amounts and hired a JCB for clearing a road blockage passing through their area. Therefore sensing the emergency like situation the Deputy Commissioner said that the district administration would write to the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Commissioner and both the Chief Engineers of PWD (R&B) and PWD (mechanical) Kohima for immediate help and clearance of the affected roads to address the plight of the commuters at the earliest. The DDMA members also agreed to mobilize funds for use during any emergency situation which may arise in the future. It was further stated that machineries and other equipments will be needed for clearing the roads in the affected areas, therefore a special request was made to the authority concerned for providing the above to the district at the earliest.  A group of officials also visited the affected areas and made spot verification and the matter would be highlighted to the higher ups by the departments concerned.

Nando remanded to police custody till August 30

From our Special Correspondent

IMPHAL Aug 17: Nando Thokchom, the leader of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Nando faction) who was rearrested from the Sajiwa central jail has been remanded to police custody till August 30. He was rearrested on the suspicion that he had something to do with the grenade attack at the house of  Ahongshangbam Mobi, the president of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union on August 11. One faction of the Military Defence Force had served threat  to seven editors since they refused to publish the underground press releases of the KCP(Nando).

The rearrest followed the arrest of some ranking leaders of the outfit. Police fear that some members of the outfit have been making their presence felt as a faction of the Military Defence Force. In course of the investigation police also raided the cell where Nando was lodged. It is reported that one mobile handset was found. If it is a fact some evidences may be there. The police and security forces in Manipur are so well advanced in electronic facility that the telephone calls by insurgents can be pin pointed. Under the circumstances it is somewhat incomprehensible why telephone calls from inside the jail, if any, could not be intercepted and located. On the other hand, the promise of the government to instal jammers inside the jail remains as mere promise. Police are not coming out with a statement on whether there is any breakthrough in the investigation.

'Mankind will be able to achieve near eradication of HIV/AIDS'

From our Correspondent

DIMAPUR, Aug 17: Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar has expressed the hope that with concerted efforts, mankind will be able to achieve near eradication of the dreaded disease HIV/AIDS.

The governor who inaugurated the 3rd phase of the Red Ribbon Express (RRE) Train in Nagaland at Dimapur Railway Station on Friday said that India, which once figured high in the list of countries infected by HIV/AIDS, had in the last ten years been able to reduce the HIV prevalence rate by almost 50 per cent.

“This is a remarkable achievement and India’s efforts have been appreciated world wide”, Kumar said.

Kumar also congratulated Nagaland government and various agencies for bringing down the prevalence rate in the state from 1.5 per cent to 0.87 per cent in the last three years. It may be mentioned that Nagaland which occupied the second slot among states with highest HIV prevalence rate has presently climbed down to sixth position.

The governor hoped that the day is not far off when the society would be AIDS free.

While stating that the State government is alive to the burning issue of HIV/AIDS, the governor also appealed to the people to be alive to the menace of the dreaded disease.

Kumar said the public in general are the most important stakeholders in the fight against the dreaded menace of HIV/AIDS as without their active support and cooperation, any initiative against HIV/AIDS would prove to be a futile exercise.

Further, in the fight against the dreaded disease, the governor said the focus should be on migrant labourers, BPL families and people in interiors areas as these people are the most vulnerable section of society.

The governor accompanied by Nagaland minister for Health  and Family Welfare, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, and other officials also visited all the seven coaches of the RRE train. Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Kuzholuzo Nienu, in his keynote address attributed the success of healthcare and declining order of HIV/AIDS in the state largely to the constant support and concern of the Governor and Chief Minister.

The minister informed that Red Ribbon Express (RRE), the first of its kind to disseminate information about HIV/AIDS through a train, was launched in India on World AIDS Day (December 1) in 2007. Azo said RRE is the world’s largest multimedia, multi-sectoral mass mobilization campaign to mainstream the issue of HIV/AIDS through train. RRE is a special exhibition train which comprises of seven coaches.

The minister said the objective of the 3rd phase of RRE is to disseminate information regarding primary prevention of HIV and Services, develop and understanding about infection to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS; strengthen people’s knowledge about the measures to be taken to prevent HIV/AIDS and adopting preventive health habits and lifestyle.

Deputy commissioner, Dimapur, Husheli Sema who chaired the inaugural programme also delivered welcome address.

Journey of Red Ribbon Express in Nagaland

From our Correspondent
DIMAPUR, Aug 17: The first Red Ribbon Express arrived Dimapur Railway station on March 10, 2008. The train was inaugurated by the then principal secretary, Government of Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir. During its two-day stay in Dimapur, 6035 people visited HIV coaches. Naga Mothers’ Association, Bharat Scouts & Guides, NGOs and youth workers were trained on counselling and other issues related to HIV/AIDS. The bus caravan covered 16 venues reaching out to about 8000 people. The second phase of RRE arrived on July 1, 2010, with Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Kuzholuzo Nienu as chief guest and Lok Sabha MP, CM Chang as guest of honour, who flagged off the caravan. The bus caravan visited 30 villages in Dimapur and Peren districts. In the second phase, 4788 people were sensitized, 129 tested, 558 availed general health check-up along with free medicines. In the third phase, the bus caravan will cover Niuland, Chumukedima and Medzhiphema in Dimapur district.

48-hour blockade: Manipur wallows in scarcity of fuel, consumer items

From our Special Correspondent

IMPHAL Aug 17: Manipur is once again wallowing in artificial scarcity of fuel and consumer items as a result of the 48-hour blockade in Senapati district. Since the National Highway-39 which is the main lifeline of Manipur snakes through this district the transportation of fuel and consumer items was affected.

Some tribal orgnizations in the district were not happy with the diversion of 25 per cent of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme fund to the autonomous district councils. The organizations have been demanding to stop it. Since the government does not listen to it the 48 hour blockade against Manipur was called from Thursday.

Armed CRPF personnel escort the trucks transporting consumer items and oil tankers along this highway in view of the presence of armed militants and other sleazy characters. However, the CRPF personnel escorting about 300 trucks and tankers yesterday appeared to be mere decorative pieces. The activists of the Joint Action Committee spearheading the blockade attacked the drivers and cleaners with catapults and stones. Windscreens of over 100 trucks were smashed. Besides big boulders were rolled down from the mountains perforating the oil tankers. Precious petrol and diesel had spilled over. Over 10 drivers sustained bleeding injuries.

Some of the trucks and oil tankers managed to reach Imphal. But many others were stranded. The drivers told The Sentinel that instead of chasing away the activists the panicky personnel asked the drivers to drive faster. In the process some trucks met with accidents. Fate of the trucks which were stuck up in the national highway in the district is best left to imagination.

From Friday morning all petrol pumps faced shortages. There were long queues of cars and two wheelers in front of the oil pumps everywhere. By late evening all petrol pumps were out of stock. There is no explanation from the government since Manipur usually has fuel stock to last about one month. But then many sections of officials are personally benefitted from the sale of fuel on the blackmarket.

The organizations are theatening to intensify the agitations if their demands are not granted by the end of the present 48-hour blockade. Prices of the consumer items have been increased on the explanation that the same cannot be brought to Imphal. There is no price fixation committee and the hamstrung government cannot ensure that there is no hoarding or overpricing.

14-year-old raped: one held

From our Special Correspondent

IMPHAL, Aug 17: One  person working in a hotel in Manipur has been arrested on the charges of rape and impregnating his step daughter. The accused has been identified as Sanjay Rajbangshi, resident of Guwahati.

The accused has been staying in Manipur for past several years. He was running a small hotel at Moirang in Bishnupur district. Sources said that the mother of the victim was married to one  Mithun. But after the death of Mithun she married Rajbangshi.

The victim is the offspring of the first marriage. It is alleged that Rajbangshi had an evil eye on the 14-year-old girl who is his step daughter. Reports say that he raped the step daughter several times as a result of which she was six months pregnant.

The girl victim has been lodged at the New Life Foundation which is running the Glory Children Home, Imphal. Womenfolks are demanding deterrant punishment to the culprit who is now in police custody.

In Manipur such sex maniacs are given death sentence by the insurgents. It is very much on cards that Rajbangshi may not be able to stay in Manipur even if he escapes with a light punishment for raping his step daughter in this manner.

Two persons shot dead

From our Special Correspondent
IMPHAL, Aug 17: The secretary of the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur Chungtheigai Kamei (32) son of Makuphun Kamei of Marang Ching village in Tamenglong district and another person Zianao Riangmei (40) of Bamgaijang village near Jiribam were shot dead on Thursday night at 7 pm. In protest against the killings of these two persons all shops, educational institutes and offices in the district were closed today. The students’ body and other civil organizations condemned the killings of the unarmed persons. Some volunteers of the organization had rushed to Jirbam adjacent to Silchar to fetch the bodies. There will be a condolence meeting tomorrow during which all vehicular movements in the National Highway-37 will be blocked.