Dhaula Kuan gangrape: Verdict likely tomorrow

29 Nov, 2009  PTI

NEW DELHI: More than four years after a Delhi University girl was allegedly abducted and gangraped in a moving car here, a city court is likely to pronounce its verdict on Monday against the lone arrested accused.

Additional Sessions Judge N K Gupta, on the conclusion of final arguments in the sensational case, had fixed the case for pronouncement of verdict on November 30.

The 20-year-old student of DU, hailing from Mizoram, was abducted at around 2.15 am on May 8, 2005 from Dhaula Kuan here when she was walking back home after buying food from a roadside eatery and was raped by four accused in a moving car, the prosecution had said.

The victim, who was later dumped near a Gurudwara in South Delhi, was accompanied by a friend who, however, managed to flee from the clutches of the accused.

Police, however, could arrest only one of the accused -- Ajit Singh Katiyar. The other three accused -- Danda, Jat and Tappe -- evaded arrest and were later declared proclaimed offender during the trial.

The prosecution, on September 9, concluded examination of witnesses with the recording of testimony of investigating officer (IO) Seema Singh as 31st witness.

Katiyar's counsel Manoj Sharma also examined three witnesses and claimed a frame-up alleging that the girl and policemen of Delhi Cantt police station gave contradictory statements regarding the offence and arrest of the accused.

‘Education Is More Important Than Right To Life’

Manipur is boiling in the aftermath of a TEHELKA exposé. TUSHA MITTAL questions Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on his inaction

Photo: SHAILENDRA PANDEY

Thousands of students in Manipur are boycotting schools to protest the fake encounter exposed by TEHELKA. They say the right to life is more important than the right to education and allege that the state does not guarantee them the right to life. Do you think any of their concerns are legitimate?
No. Education is more important than right to life. But the right to life is equally important. It is our responsibility to protect people's lives. We have already had the first round of talks with student organisations and are trying our best to resolve this.

Reports indicate that there have been more than 200 fake encounters in 2009.
That is totally wrong. We ordered a magisterial inquiry immediately after the July 23 incident. We looked at the sentiments of the people after the TEHELKA exposé and met their demands. If the findings and report of the inquiry are not satisfactory, we have no problem handing it over to the CBI. Whoever is found guilty will not be spared.

But the people have more faith in the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC). Why is your government trying to scuttle MHRC'S own inquiry?
We have already started one inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act. What is the problem? Is there any difference between this inquiry and that of the MHRC?

The MHRC inquiry began a month before the State's judicial inquiry. Why did you ask the Gauhati High Court for a stay order on MHRC?
If their approach is wrong, how can we accept it? We challenged it in the High Court because our legal expert said that their approach is wrong.

A few hours after the July 23 killing, you stated that Sanjit was an armed militant. After the TEHELKA photographs were published, you admitted you had been misinformed. Could it be the same for other cases?
I don't have any comments to make on Sanjit's killing. Let the judicial inquiry finish and people will know who is responsible. We do not allow or accept any fake encounters.

The Manipur DGP has challenged the veracity of the TEHELKA photographs. He says they are not authentic.
Let us wait until the inquiry report is out.

Instead of being on the back foot, why can't the government own up to its mistake and show that it is willing to make amends?
Let the experts decide whether TEHELKA's photographs are correct. We are not experts. I'm saying that the photographs are wrong. But it needs to be confirmed. Nowadays a lot of advanced equipment is available.

 

The nexus between the politicians, police and the militants in Manipur is no secret. In a recent raid, militants were found sitting in a Congress MLA's house. I have appealed to all my colleagues. We will take legal action if there is any specific information of nexus with underground militants. We will immediately withdraw their personal security. So you accept that such a nexus exists? Earlier it did. We have arrested some underground militants from official bungalows. It is not happening anymore? We hope so.

From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 6, Issue 48, Dated December 05, 2009

Mega dams possible in NE: expert

Ajit Patowary
GUWAHATI, Nov 28 – Mega dams in the NE region are possible.
Technology these days has advanced so much that there can't be any
reason as to why apprehensions should be there on such dams in any
part of the earth. This answer came from renowned earthquake engineer
of the country Prof DK Paul, president of the Indian Society of
Earthquake Technology (ISET), to a question on the issue following an
expert lecture organised by the Guwahati chapter of the ISET here last
evening. Prof Paul delivered the lecture on 'Retrofitting the
Buildings Vulnerable to Earthquakes'.

Explaining his point on the mega dams, Prof Paul said, big investments
would give big returns. Dams are built in high-seismic zones nowadays.
What is important in this case is that such structures should be
designed and executed properly, he said.

Prof Paul is also the chairman of the Working Committee of Experts for
Vulnerability Analysis and Risk Management of the National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA).

He said in reply to another question, that high-rise buildings are
possible even in high-seismic areas like Guwahati or Assam. From the
earthquake point of view, height of the buildings is not a problem.
Japan and Taiwan, for instance, have high-rise buildings.

There should not be any inhibition on high-rise structures. Technology
has so advanced today that such structures are possible everywhere, he
maintained.

On the issue of seismic surveys proposed and carried out respectively
by the Oil India Ltd and the ONGCL respectively on the bed of the
Brahmaputra and near the archaeologically important monuments, he said
that any study for better understanding of the condition should be
allowed.

In reply to a question on the non-inclusion of the suggestions of
experts engaged in the preparation of the seismic micro-zonation
report for Guwahati, in the city master plan prepared by the Guwahati
Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), he said that unless an
expert committee was constituted, such recommendations could not be
implemented. He admitted that there was a big gap in executing the
recommendations and making the recommendations. This should be
removed, he said.

It needs mention here that Prof Paul, the present Head of the Centre
of Excellence in Disaster Mitigation and Management, IIT, Roorkee,
also headed the expert group that prepared the micro-zonation report
for Guwahati, as its chairman.

On the issue of earthquake prediction, Prof Paul said that he did not
believe in such predictions. "Whether you predict or fail to predict
an earthquake, you will have to live in the same house in which you
are living with your family.

"Therefore, the point is to make the structure of your house safe, so
that you can live in it safely. Prediction of an earthquake is not a
solution to your problem," Prof Paul said assertively. The questions
were asked during the interactive session that followed the lecture.

Prof Paul, while delivering his lecture, praised the building
structures of Assam, saying that buildings here are mostly constructed
adhering to the safety standards, compared to the buildings in other
parts of the country.

Senior engineers like Indrajit Barua, present in the function,
supported the views expressed by Prof Paul on the above issues.

Prof Swami Saran, Prof Emeritus of the Department of Earthquake
Engineering, IIT, Roorkee also addressed the function. Guwahati ISET
chairman Prof G Sarma, its General Secretary J N Khataniar and Dr
Biswajit Sarma also addressed the gathering.

The function was also attended, among others, by Dr Utsav Kalita,
former Professor of IIT, Guwahati, Dr S K Deb, Head of the Department
of Civil Engineering, IIT, Guwahati and Prof Dulal Goswami of Gauhati
University.

The ISET, Guwahati chapter was set up in 2001 with the aim to provide
a common platform to engineers working in various fields and to make
the people aware of the technological advancements made in dealing
with earthquakes.(AT)

DoNER directs NE on student security

Dimapur | November 26 : The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has asked the resident commissioners of the north eastern states in Delhi to prepare publicity plans for their respective states on the 'North East Connect.' The North East Connect is a cell launched by the ministry to cater to security issues of north eastern students and youths based in Delhi.
According to a note today, a meeting was held at Sikkim Bhavan on November 23 with officials of the Ministry of DoNER and several decisions were taken. The resident commissioners are to publicize through the local Media in the respective states about the Do's and Don'ts for students and youth of the state and precautions to be taken before leaving for Delhi and during their stay at Delhi. The RCs will also prepare a directory of the youths or students of the respective state staying in Delhi to facilitate coordination. It was informed that the Ministry of DoNER will bear the expenses for the stated activities.
The activities of North East Connect will be in accordance with the Zero Tolerance Policy adopted by DoNER, which will act as a facilitator and coordinator with the respective law enforcing bodies and students of the NE region. This will be done through offices of the RCs and students' bodies and citizen bodies of the NER within Delhi/NCR, the note informed.

 

Morung Express News

Eight North East Boys Beaten in Gurgaon by Landlord, Two Seriously Injured Racial Attack Continues in National Capital Regions

For Immediate Release

Eight North East Boys Beaten in Gurgaon by Landlord, Two Seriously Injured

Racial Attack Continues in National Capital Regions

 

New Delhi, November 26, 2009

 

Racial Discrimination never ends to North East people in Delhi and National Capital Region. The matter has been put up to high level of police authorities and government heads. Still the crime continues and north east people brutalised. Eight boys from North East India are brutally beaten by property owner at Sikanderpur, Gurgaon, Harayana today afternoon at around 3 PM. The rented rooms are locked by the house owner and boys and girls forced out without any shelter.

 

According to source reaching to North East Support Centre & Helpline, Mr. Guddu S/o Ramher Yadam, a resident of Sikanderpur attacked on two northeast boys living in his rented house. Mr Guddu gather his neighbouring friends and started attacking other North East boys living in surrounding rented rooms. They punched on face, kicked on chase, chased them and fled to neighbouring homes and none came to rescue them. Two of them severely injured bleeding from mouth and nose.

As soon as the matter was brought to the notice of North East Support Centre & Helpline, Spokes person Mr. Madhu Chadnra contacted Mr. Anil Dawal – Deputy Commissioner of Police – Crime Branch Gurgaon, who was on his office trip to Rajasthan. The same was informed to Sub-Inspector Naresh Kumar of Crime Branch who informed SHO of DLP Phase 2 Police Station. The victims are taken to police station, no medication attention is provided until filing of this report. The written complaint is submitted to the concern police station. Mr. Naresh has assured North East Support Centre & Helpline to book the culprit repeatedly.

 

The victims informed North East Support Centre & Helpline after submitting the written complaint in local police station that police is bringing the culprits and negotiating the compromised. This is the shame on police part, which has played this dirty game of delay and reluctant to take the complaint and book the culprits according to the law of the land. The very mindset of police is sole responsibility of such repeated crimes on northeast people. Failure to take the law on the culprits has given wrong signal to commit the crimes. Until and unless, police perform their duty irrespective of people and communities, northeast people in Delhi and NCR will continue to suffer. All the promises from Prime Minister of India, Home Minister, Delhi Chief Minister remind just in air and not materialise any of their commitment, in spite of the fact that racial discrimination face by the community has reached at peak.  

 

In the month of November, the following crimes has already happened

On November 6 – A 20-year-old girl from Ukhrul district, Manipur belonging to Tangkhul tribe, was molested by her Show room manager in Metropolitan Mall, Gurgaon at 9.20PM after rejecting his advances by showing nude pictures in computer.

On November 4 – A 22-year-old boy from Churachandpur district, Manipur belonging to Paite tribe, was beaten by locals at Sikanderpur, Gurgaon at 9PM

On November 3 – Two boys of age 20s from Ukhrul district, Manipur belonging to Tangkhul Naga tribe, working in Mall in Gurgaon were severely attacked at 9PM in Sikanderpur Gurgaon, Haryana by locals.

On November 3 – Two girls of age 20s from Ukhrul district, Manipur belonging to Tangkhul Naga tribe, working in Mall in Gurgaon were attacked and pushed in drainage in Sikanderpur, Gurgaon at 8 pm. They managed to run away from the scene.

North East Support Centre & Helpline (www.nehelpline.net) is combined initiative of various human rights activists, social workers, students, journalists and lawyers seeking to prevent harassment and abuses meted out to women, North East People and tribal communities of different states.

 

 

Released by

 

 

 

Mr. Madhu Chandra

Spokes Person

North East Support Centre & Helpline

 

HPC-D urge govt to initiate tri-partite political dialogue

Newmai News Network
Aizawl | November 24 : Hmar People's Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) has urged the government of India to initiate immediately a tri-partite political talk involving the Mizoram government, the HPC-D and the government of India in pursuit of long cherished political aspirations of the Hmar people in Mizoram.
In this connection, a memorandum addressed to the Union Home Minister dated November 17, 2009, the Hmar militant outfit said, "As stated above, the HPC (D) stands to realize Hmar political aspirations with the creation of Hmar Territorial Council (HTC) within the framework of the Sixth Scheduled of the Constitution of India. We firmly believe that this is consistent with the principles of the Constitution of India. HPC (D) represents the collective interest and aspirations of the Hmar people and boldly speaks on their behalf.To bring about a permanent political solution of the Hmar people in Mizoram, the HPC (D) firmly believe that a tripartite political dialogue involving the Government of India, Government of Mizoram and HPC (D) is immediately initiated," asserted the HPC-D missive signed by Lalhmingthang Sanate, president of the outfit and its general secretary Zosangbera.
The memorandum then stated that t he July 27, 1994 Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) between the Government of Mizoram and the Hmar People's Convention (HPC) was a political blunder. "Hence, it was not accepted by the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic), which is the breakaway group from signing the blank document," the memorandum added. It also said that fifteen years after the signing of the MoS, it has proved to the world that the documents hold no water and, does not stand to fulfill the aspirations of the Hmar people to secure their political future.
"As such, in pursuance of the unfinished agenda of the Hmar people, the HPC (D) is committed to find political solution to the Hmars' political aspirations with the creation of Hmar Territorial Council (HTC) in the state of Mizoram within the scope of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. This will be of mutual benefit and based on the long-term interest of both the Sinlung originated Hmar peoples and the Government of Mizoram," the HPC-D missive to the Union Home minister demanded while adding, "We remain firmly committed not to seek separation from Mizoram. Rather, we are seeking a solution to the unfinished agenda of the Hmar people, which is compatible with the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India. The HPC (D) firmly believes that the protection of Hmar identity, culture, tradition, language, land and resources and political development lies in the creation of Hmar Territorial Council."
The HPC (D) desires that the Hmar people actively participate and contribute to the economics and political development of Mizoram. "However, we would like to ensure that this happens without losing unique identity, culture and core values and without putting our distinct and fragile ancestral land resources that are at risk," it affirmed.
The commitment of the HPC (D) in seeking a political solution of the Hmar people within the state of Mizoram is clear and unambiguous, the memo also said. Despite the armed movement, which was inevitable, HPC (D) firmly believes that the unfinished agenda of the Hmar people could be resolved through dialogue, the Hmar outfit said.
"While we are committed to fully respect the territorial integrity of Mizoram, we also expect the Government of Mizoram and the Government of India to recognize and fully respect the political rights of the Hmar people by creating Hmar Territorial Council (HTC) in the state of Mizoram. HPC (D) believes that this is the basis for resolving the Hmar political aspirations," the Hmar organisation added.
HPC (D) advocates a long-term solution that addresses and ends the political marginalization suffered by the Hmar people. It also believes that no solution will lead to peace if it is not just; and it won't be just if it does not advance the Hmar people's political aspirations. "We firmly believe that no political solution will be complete without the creation of Hmar political aspirations," further affirmed the HPC-D.

CCpur shares success of SRI farming

S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, Nov 24: A one-day workshop on the experience of the advanced variety of rice, SRI (System of Rice Intensification) was held here at Synod Hall with two agencies from the district sharing their debut yield with the innovative method of farming.
Rural Aid Service and Relied and Development Depart of EAC - the two NGOs pioneering SRI cultivation here had a power point presentation each, sharing their ultimate experience with the novel farming.
ECA, which experimented in a poorly irrigated region, said that it was successful in enhancing production although it failed to double the yield with the SRI cultivation.
RAS however presented a different story with achieving the targeted double yield in most of their projects.
Nevertheless, the NGO duo declared that SRI system of cultivation was very much practicable in the district and urged upon the Government and NGOs to promote it and called on the local farmers to adopt it.
SRI, according to its promoters was already adopted in 49 countries including India.
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were the most successful among the States; and in the Northeast, Tripura and Assam are leading the initiative.
With a meagre 2 kg of seeds needed for cultivating an acre of land, as against the traditional 30-40 kg, SRI system is manageable with reduced labour costs and allegedly yielded double the product of the traditional method.
"As our initial initiative was evidently successful, we are looking forward to extending our project to at least a hundred farmers from twenty with the advent of a new cultivation,' Holkhomang, co-ordinator of RAS said.

GK Pillai assures elections to ADC

Ninglun Hanghal
NEW DELHI, Nov 22 : Demanding election to the Autono mous District Council, the Manipur Tribal Council, represented by its president HK Joute and the general secretary H Pauzalal submitted a memorandum to the President of India Pratibha Patil today.
The MTC leaders also met the Outer Manipur MP Thangso Baite and Home Secretary GK Pillai, besides other political leaders and put forward their grievances.
Speaking to this correspondent the Tribal Council Secretary H Pauzalal said that Home Secretary Pillai had given his assurance that the council election will be held at the earliest. He assured that he will pressurize the State Government for the same.
Further the Tribal Council secretary questioned why " the Panchayati Raj in the valley areas are being held regularly and are effectively functioning but why are the elections to the district councils being withheld ? If other North East States could enjoy such provisions, why not in Manipur ? "
He further noted that the special provision under the Indian Constitution, Article no 371 (C) has no meaning if the election of the districts is being delayed or withheld.
He said, " this is injustice and a step motherly treatment by the Centre as well as the State Government to the hill tribals of Manipur".
In the memorandum submitted to the President which was also addressed to the Prime Minister , the Chairperson of UPA Government, the Opposition leader, the Union Home Minister and the Governor of Manipur, the Tribal Council leaders requested that the State Government be asked to hold the ADC elections on or before 2009.(TSE)

DoNER sets up Cell for protection of NE students

DoNER sets up Cell for protection of NE students

 NEW DELHI, Nov 13 – In the face escalation of violence against students hailing from the north-eastern region, the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has formally announced setting up of a Cell to take stock of the implementation of the action plan chalked out for their safety. A list of Dos and Don'ts are being readied for students studying in the national capital.

The Cell would be headed by a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of DoNER and comprises Resident Commissioners (RCs) of the eight Northeastern States, a deputy secretary and under secretary in the Ministry, an official source said. 

Asserting that a 'Zero Tolerance Policy' has been adopted, the Ministry has elaborated the slew of measures taken by it since these incidents of attacks against Northeasterners increased. The Cell has been christened 'North East Connect'. 

Sources said DoNER has taken up the issue with the Union Home Ministry and the Delhi police to ascertain the steps taken by them for the safety and security of the students in Delhi. 

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary DoNER, PK Pattanaik with the RCs of NE States on October 27. The RCs were advised to disseminate the instructions issued by Delhi Police to community members through Associations. 

As reported in this newspaper, it was decided to maintain a directory containing the names, contact numbers and addresses of people from North East in Delhi. Secretary, Ministry of DoNER, Jayati Chandra has also requested the Chief Secretaries of the Northeastern States in this regard. The DoNER would bear the expense to obtain these details.

The students and youths would be sensitised before they leave their respective State about the social environment, cultural differences and prevailing situation in Delhi and follow a list of Do's and Don'ts.

The Government of India would arrange talk shows, panel discussions on local TV channels and media to create a sense of awareness in the people about the situation in Delhi.

RCs have also been asked to get in touch with people hailing from respective States and identify their grievances and facilitate them besides taking up their problems with MHA, Delhi Police.(AT)

Police inaction flayed

 GUWAHATI, (AT) Nov 13 – Taking note of "unabated racial attacks on people of Northeast communities" in New Delhi, the Northeast Students' Organisation (NESO) has condemned the failure of the police to take speedy action against the perpetrators. In a press meet held here today, the organisation demanded that the authorities concerned must recognise the severity of the problem and make immediate interventions so that such offences did not take place again. 

To bring the issue into focus, NESO yesterday sent a letter to Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, demanding "urgent necessary action". 

The letter mentions that there have been frequent unwanted incidents of atrocities, molestations, assaults on students of NE region in New Delhi. Although such incidents have been denounced by the Delhi Government, the youth from the Northeast communities continued to endure aggressive and violent acts. 

The letter called for "mental, social and physical security" to the people of Northeast India living in the national capital. 

Meanwhile, the Dwarka-based Northeast Support Centre and Helpline in an official statement to the media observed that attacks on youth from the Northeast have continued even after assurances made by the Delhi Government and the police. 

In the most recent instance, one 24 year-old youth from Imphal was beaten up by Dharmendra, a Bihari youth. The reason behind the attack was the victim asking for his money back which he had paid to Dharmendra as expenses for a ticket and visa to travel to Russia. 

The attack left the youth from Manipur severely injured, and he had to be taken to the hospital by members of Naga Students Union, Delhi and other community members. 

According to the North East Support Centre and Helpline, there were at least nine attacks on people from the Northeast between October 12 and November 6 this year. In case of any complaints of harassment and violence against people from the North East, victims and families can contact nesupportcentre@gmail.com

Bru rebels kill Mizo youth
Newmai News
 AIZAWL, Nov 13 – Tension is running high in Mizoram after suspected Bru rebels shot dead a Mizo youth identified as Zarzokima at Bungthuam today, police said.

The youth was shot dead when he and some friends were collecting animal fodder in the forest on Friday morning. The killers are suspected to have fled to Tripura.

CCpur gets 65th public sub-health centre

From M Kaimuanthang
Lamka, Nov 5: Another primary health sub-centre, PHSC, has been opened today in New Lamka areas which has a record of nine government recognised villages covering a population of 2,0000, at Lamka college campus in a well attended function whcih began at 11 am yesterday.
This is the 65th PHSC in the district.
The function was attended by the states power, hort & soil conservation as well as Sc & Tech minister T Phungzathang as chief guest while Ph Parijat minister health & CADA and Motilal Singh, director health were president and guest of honour.
T Phungzathang while addressing the function said the the state government as well as the Central government is paying utmost importance to the health sector of its population.
Highlighting about how such a health care centre has become possible he said medicines and other neccessary equipments will be installed at the centre and for this he would do his best.
Coming to his department he said at Khengjang power sub station another 32 KV will be installed shortly while at New Lamka areas 5 more MVA will set up after it has been procure from the department.
The health minister Ph Parijat said PHSC is meant for giving treatment and cure of people who are about to get sick while urging all such persons to step into it in case of need so that without the neccesity of going to the the hospital one may get his health problems solved.
He said health is the basic needs of all citizens while adding different types of vaccination meant for children and adult will be installed at the centre and will be manned by five staffs including 3 ANM.
Pointing out the average health awareness level of the publics in the state he said 95 percent of people goes to the hospital for delivery in the district while it is not the case with respect to other district like Imphal and others.
The health director Dr Motilal has said that in the centre many types of life saving drug will be installed soon so as to make it as one of the most dependable one considering the number of people it is going to serve.
After the meeting health minister along with the power minister inspected the district hospital ward by ward and with an attempt to identify the shortages and lacks of the hospital.
He assured 4 more doctors and 5 nurses will be added with the existing staffs and then a round the clock OPD will be opened as has been demanded by the ZSF.
Maintaining it is the governments attempt to deploy more specialist he the hospital will be upgraded he said now under the NLCPR Rs 3 crores are sanctioned by the central government for upgradation of the hospital though the requirement is Rs 7 crores.
He further pointed out that cabinet decision was taken tom appoint 326 doctors including 56 specialist , and another 2200 JNM and 2000 ANM will also be recruited in the near future.
The power minster T Phungzathang said the present way of constructing buildings at the district hospital is very haphazard while stressing the need to appoint contractors people from the district to construct any infrastructures in the hospital.(IFP)

Academic session to be extended till Feb

IMPHAL, Nov 5: The state education department and principals of the some schools convened a meeting yesterday and resolved to extend the current academic session till February 2010 in view of the loss of academic days due to indefinite class boycott call by some students organisations.
The meeting also resolved to reopen schools in Imphal East and Imphal West district in respond to the call of the DESAM.
According to a reliable source, a meeting was attended by officials of the state education department and principals of some schools situated in the Imphal east and west districts.
They resolved to extend the academic session till February 2010 with the objective to cover the loss of academic sessions for at least two months due to the current boycott of educational institution by some students' bodies of the state.
The extension would especially be for the classes X and XII standards.
Although there has been no positive outcome in the talk between the agitating groups and the government, more schools in Imphal East and West district have started resuming classes in response to the call of the DESAM and other students' bodies.
The schools are being opened under the watchful eyes of the state police forces.
It may be recalled that the Apunba Lup and three students' bodies AMSU, MSF and KSA have been endorsing the current agitation in connection with the July 23 Khwairamband incident demanding resignation of chief minister Ibobi Singh, punishing guilty police commandos and taking up actions against superior police officials who were trying to cover up the July 23 incident.
The three students' bodies have been boycotting educational institutions for more than two months in the state.(IFP)


IDF not amused with ADC polls process
Newmai News Network
Imphal, Nov 5: A sign of the process as well as the progress taken up by the State Government to hold elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) in the five hill districts of Manipur and the Sardar Hills, is evident now with the publication of the District Council Rules (Manipur Hills).
After having had repealed the erstwhile District Council (Manipur Hills) Rules of 1972, the volumous modified Rules have been published by the State Government on October 21, 2009.
Given this development, the wheel for conducting polls to the Autonomous District Councils in the hill districts by the State Government is moving.
It has been over 20 years now that the elections to the Autonomous District Councils of Churachand-pur, Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Sardar Hills have been held up by the State Government.
However, the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF), an organisation spearheading agitation for the early polls of the district councils is not amused even with this latest development.
"After the publication of the Rules, the State Government should notify seeking public suggestions within 15 days but that has not been done," said IDF supremo Ngachonmy Cham- roy to Newmai News Network while expressing his anguish . He terms it as the lethargic attitude of the State Government for failing to invite the public suggestions which is mandatory. "But whatever may be the case, if the State Government is serious in conducting the ADC polls, it should announce immediately the dates of the elections," asserted Cham-roy. The IDF president is apprehensive that the State Government is playing a game which he terms it as 'delay-tactics'. "This has been the tactics of the state government how the polls to the ADCs have not been conducted in the last 20 years or so," pointed out the IDF chief. Meanwhile, it is likely that the PIL entitled 'Ng Chamroy Vs the Government of Manipur' regar- ding the ADC polls is likely to be disposed by the Gau-hati High Court on either November 9 or 10, according to a well placed source.(TSE)