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| Shri S. K. Garg, CMD, NHPC Limited, (centre) Shri H. K. Sharma, CMD, SJVN Limited (extreme right) and Shri L. P. Gonmei, Principal Secretary (Power), Govt. of Manipur (extreme left) after signing of the MoU. |
A MOU has been signed amongst NHPC Limited, Government of Manipur and SJVN Limited for formation of a Joint Venture Company for implementation of 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (Multipurpose) Project in Manipur. NHPC Limited, SJVN Limited and Govt. of Manipur shall have a share holding of 69%, 26% and 5% respectively.
The MoU was signed by Shri S. K. Garg, CMD, NHPC, Shri H.K. Sharma, CMD, SJVN Limited and Shri L.P. Gonmei, Principal Secretary (Power), Govt. of Manipur on 28th April 2010 at New Delhi.
The 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (Multipurpose) Project is located in Churachandpur district of Manipur. The project is conceived as a multipurpose storage project with main objective of hydropower generation alongwith flood moderation of downstream area. The project is estimated to generate 3800 Million Units of electricity per annum and likely completion period is seven and a half years from CCEA clearance. |
Friday, April 30, 2010
MoU signed to form a Joint Venture Company for implementation of 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (Multipurpose) Project
Govt signs MoU with NHPC, SJVN on Tipaimukh Dam
Imphal, April 29 2010: Manipur government goes ahead with the construction of controversial 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (Multipurpose) Project as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on Wednesday with National Hydro-electricity Power Corporation (NHPC) and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVN) for formation of a Joint Venture Company for implementation of 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydroelectric (Multipurpose) Project on Wednesday.
NHPC Ltd., SJVN Ltd.
and Government of Manipur shall have a share holding of 69%, 26% and 5% respectively as per the MoU signed in New Delhi, the source added.
This project which will be one of the largest hydroelectric projects in Eastern India to date will be located 500 meters downstream of the confluence of the Tuivai and Barak Rivers in Manipur's Churachandpur district, near the Manipur Mizoram border.
The Project will have a 6 X 250 MW power house and will be completed in an estimated time of 12 years.
The reservoir capacity of this Project is 15.5 billion metric cubes shall be higher by 75% than the Bhakra reservoir.
After completion of this Project, the perennial flood problems in the Barak valley in the State of Assam will be stopped and fertile land in this plain shall become rice bound for entire North East, government expected.
The signing of MoU was amidst the strong oppositions from various sections of the society not only in India but also in the neighbouring state.
Bangladesh government had even assessed the impact of the purpose dam by sending experts of the country and diplomats.
The Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACTIP) termed the signing of the MoU as "undemocratic" revealing that Manipur government quietly signed the MoU at New Delhi without a clear consent of the people of the state particularly dam affected people.
"The act of the government is highly protest and we will organised a public meeting within short time to resolve future course of action against the government move," Kinderson, a member of ACTIP said.
The meeting will be held after May 4 as members of the body were out of station in Arunachal Pradesh to hold series of public discussion meetings as part of campaign against the proposed construction of various dams and mega projects in the north east, he said.
The meeting will chalk out strategy for intensifying protest agitations against the government move to take up the project without the clear mandate of the people, he said.
The indigenous and tribal peoples of three states of India those are Assam, Manipur and Mizoram and particularly the people from different communities of Cachar, have been building up strong movement against the proposed Tipaimukh Hydro Electricity Project.
If the Tipaimukh dam is constructed it would have adverse impact on the sensitive and vulnerable indigenous peoples as well as on their social, cultural, economic, political, demographic and environment prospect in the three states, they observed.
So the indigenous and tribal peoples of the areas are more vigorous against the dam.
The vigorous indigenous and tribal communities are Hamar, Zeliangrong, Reang, Khasi, Manipuri, Rongmei, Naga Kuki, Jishnu, Nanu Ngai and Bengalis.
Apart from Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project, organisations like Citizens Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), Committee on Land and Natural Resources (COLNAR) and various bodies formed by the affected people are protesting against the project.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Students smell rat in ADC Primary teachers recruitment
The student bodies have every reason to believe that many non-residents of the district were recruited in the process denying the people of Churachandpur their legitimate rights to be employed, said the statement that termed the practice as illegal and out rightly objectionable.
It also claimed that the recruitment was in excess against the number of posts mentioned in the advertisement.
Vowing to get to the bottom on the issue, the statement said they have taken the initiative in a bid to protect the interest of the district and the concerned authority.
Hills divide on ADC polls palpable
CCpur queues up for forms
By S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, Apr 28: Following the reception accorded to the ADC poll notification here, the district, having 24 MDC seats, and five sub-divisions witnessed an encouraging response with more than a hundred aspirants claiming the nomination forms within two days of its issuance.
Nomination forms for the 12 MDC seats under Churachandpur sub-division and 3 each from the remaining five sub-divisions of Tipaimukh, Henglep, Thanlon and Singngat were issued since yesterday at the DC's conference hall here.
With five nomination papers requested for Thanlon ADC Constituency so far, it remains the highest sought after seat while Hiangtam Lamka and Sagang in Churachandpur sub-division and Muollum in Singngat and Senvon in Tipaimukh sub-divisions followed suit with three forms issued against each constituency.
Kholmun in Churachandpur and Leimatak in Henglep sub-division remains the least sought after seats with 2 from each constituency. None of the 107 aspiring candidates who had so far sought the nomination forms had however submitted their nomination by 3PM today, the official closing time for any working day.(TSE)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
KIM for ADC polls under 6th Schedule
The apex body of the Kukis further drew the attention of the State Govt to the April 22, 2002 resolution adopted by the Hill Areas Committee wherein the Committee urged the 'Govt of Manipur to conduct elections to the DAC in the hill areas of Manipur as early as possible along with extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India'.(TSE)
Conflicting response from hills on ADC polls
Black Day declared, PM's intervention sought
Newmai News Network
Imphal, Apr 27: After meeting Governor Gurbachan Jagat today over the Autonomous District Councils election issue, the Mani-pur Tribal JAC Against Election Under Unwanted District Council Act (Manipur tribal JAC) has announced that April 26 will be marked as the "Black-Day" in the history of the tribal people of Mani-pur while the All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) has dispatched a missive to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh seeking the Union Home Ministry's interven-tion to rectify the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 2008.
The Manipur Tribal JAC said that since the State Government has ignored the tribal peoples' sentiments by notifying the detailed schedule on April 26 to hold the elections to the ADCs, the day will be marked as the Black-Day in the history of the Manipur tribals.
Meanwhile, the Manipur tribal JAC against the ADC polls under the present Act said that it had briefed the Governor at Raj Bhavan today regarding their displeasure on the move of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for "manipulatively" announcing the election schedule of the ADCs to be held under the 3rd Amendment Act of 2008 instead of the long pending process of Sixth Schedule, despite three recommendations to the Centre for its implementation.
In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs had sought an explanation of the rider "with certain local adjustment and amendments", but it has not been replied even as yet, thereby insulting the tribal people.
The JAC also told the Governor that in the Manipur valley there Nagar Panchayats under 11th Schedule, Imphal Municipality Council under 12th Schedule and also the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution whereas there is none in the Manipur hill tribal areas, hence the demand for the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India in the tribal hill areas of Manipur, which His Excellency seriously took note of.
During their meeting with Gurbachan Jagat, the Manipur tribal expressed its opposition to the ensuing election process of the ADCs and pointed out that the tribal body would fight tooth and nail.
It then said that the Governor appealed the JAC to go along with the election process, and to make all the necessary amendments after the elections are over. However, according to the JAC, it had made a counter appeal by asserting that the State Government could have done several amendments during the last 20 years, which was consequent upon the Hill Areas Committee's Resolution " No Sixth Schedule, no Council election".
"What the tribal people basically need is an early elections under 6th Schedule of the Constitution, but not the toothless 3rd Amendment Act, 2008 of the State Government. The JAC would continue to fight on till the aspirations of the tribal people are achieved, and anything short of 6th Schedule of the Constitution would not serve the purpose of tribal people of the State," the Manipur Tribal JAC fumed.
Meanwhile, the All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) in its missive signed by its general secretary Romeo Bundon to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh mentioned that the Manipur Hill Autonomous District Council Act 1971 was passed by the Parliament to protect the tribal people from exploitation by the majority community on the event of granting statehood to the Manipur in 1972. "The unit principle and spirit of the Act was to safeguard the marginalized community with distinctive of Article 371(C). The salient feature of the Act is involvement and participation of tribal in the administration and governance by the tribal alone without interference by the major community of the state. In Manipur there are six Autonomous District Councils which are separate, autonomous and independent in nature in the administration and governance. But lately, the hill autonomous district councils have been politically distorted and hastened as a mere state made by interfering at every possible way in the form of administration, legislation and management," said the memorandum.
The memorandum then stated that in subsequent consequences the state government is persistently indulging to enforce the reservation quota of the general, SC, ST, OBC etc where in the district council, no such principle is to be applied on the simple reason that the allotted district council is meant for the benefit of tribal marginalized community. "This is the principle of having Manipur Hill Area Autonomous District Council.
These are the main factors as to why the Tribal people of Manipur opposed the present Scheduled District Council election thus pledging the state government to defer and for amendment of the District Council Act 2008 under a special ordinance", it mentioned.
Being the condition as such, it is desirable and call of the demand for direct intervention by the Union Home Affairs to specify the salient features of the Act and prompt directive of the state government is the call of the hour in order to avoid any social pandemonium in the state, the AMTU said.
Conflicting response from hills on ADC polls CCpur embraces ADC poll notification
Lamka, Apr 27: Notwith-standing the opposition from some quarters of the State, the southern district of Churachand-pur has presented a collective opinion over the official noti-fication of the first phase of the ADC poll issued yesterday and warmly welcomed the announce-ment.
'It's time the (would be) elected MDCs fight for the desired Schedule of the Constitution,' P Simte, former President of KSO General Headquarters said today while adding that he personally welcome the poll notification.
The president of the Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Khaipao Haokip was much ahead on the issue as he promptly chose to refrain from commenting on the ground that he had already decided to be in the fray for one of the MDC seats. 'It will not be fair for me to comment now as I have already decided to contest the poll,' he said, in an evident indication of his undoubted endorsement.
A prominent hill based journalist, and editor of Manipur Express daily, L Chinkhanlian repeated the collective line saying, 'the sole political institution for the State tribals needs to be reinstated in any circumstances.'
'It is true, the present form of ADC is toothless, I have no doubt on this, but the losses without it should it even be in a nominal form are immense,' he said.
The organization spearheading the demand for ADC poll and an outspoken pro-poll alliance, the MTC said with a matter of relief, they appreciate the development.
'Finally our sweat and toil have been acknowledged by the State Government. We were ecstatic over the issuance of the election notification, grateful to all the people who advised and advocated our stand,' Pauzalal, the council's secretary said when asked for his comment.
'We all know about the powers and functions of the ADC in the present form. None of us (tribals) have raised any objection in sync with the development. We were already on track. So, it is for the elected MDCs to do what needs to be done,' he asserted.
An aspirant and a Congress ticket contender himself, Pauzalal said that any of his fellow contenders who are merely after the MDC seat should be rejected by the voters. (TSE)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
ADC election notification issued amidst furor raised over it in hill districts
IMPHAL, April 26: The State Election Commission has issued notification order for the Autonomous District Council election today, with the code of conduct coming in force from today.
After 20 years of not holding the ADC poll, district council constituencies of Sadar Hills, Chandel and Churachandpur will exercise their franchise on May 26 as the first phase of the ADC polls.
According to the notification issued today by the State Election Commission, the last date for filling of nominations of Sadar hill, Chandel and Churachandpur will be May 3, with the next day, May4 as the date for scrutiny of the nominations.
The notification has stated May 6 as the date to make any withdrawal of candidatures with May 26 as the date on which the poll, if necessary be taken.
It has further stated 7:00am to 3:30pm as the timing for the poll to be taken. June 6 has been stated as the date by which the election process is to be completed.
Th Citra, secretary state election commission while briefing media persons at the Lamphel office of th commission has stated that, under the Manipur (Hill Area) District Council (Election of Member) rules 2009 the state election commission has issued notification of Sadar Hills, Chandel and Churachandpur autonomous district council constituencies election as a part of the first phase of ADC election.
Sadar hills will have 169 polling stations, Churachandpur will have 225 polling stations while Chandel will have 128 polling stations, with a total of 552 polling stations for the first phase of the election.
According to the secretary each polling station will have 5 civil polling personal including the presiding officer. Each district council will have 28 constituencies. Altogether 72 members will be elected from the first phase of the election, which includes Sadar Hills, Chandel and Churachandpur.
Three Returning Officers will be stationed at Sadar Hills district. AC to ADC, Kangpokpi will handle 9 constituencies, while SDO, South Gamphazol will hold 6 constituencies. Another 9 constituencies has been handed over to the SDO, Saikhul. Chandel district will be covered by 5 returning officers.
The ADC, Moreh will hold four constituencies with SDO, Machi holding another four constituencies and SDO, Tengnoupal holding 3 constituencies. SDO Chandel will hold seven constituencies and SDO, Chakpikarong will hold 6 constituencies.
Churachandpur district will have five returning officers. SDO, Churachandpur will hold 12 constituencies. SDO Henglep will hold 3 constituencies.
The SDO, Thanglon, SDO Tipaimukh and SDO Singhat will held three constituencies each. After the completion of the first phase ADC election of the three district Council, election process for the remaining three district council will be undertaken.
Constituencies under the Chandel district council are Khoibu, Machi, Langol, Kangoi, Rilaram Centre, Sita, Aimol Tampak, Komlathabi, Purum, Aihang, Kantha, Chandel district headquarter, Vomku, Sibong/Khudengthabi, Moreh C, Moreh B, Moreh A, Songjang, Chakpikarong, Wankhira, Toupokpi, Sugunu Hills Area, Sajiktampak and Toulbung.
The secretary further stated that the constituencies under Churachandpur district are Khoushabung, Leimatak, Henglep, Chongkhozou, Thanlon, Parbung, Bhangai, Senbon, Ngazam Area, Tuivai, Lungthunang, Lanbha, Khormung, Tuibong, Hiyangtam Lamka, New Lamka West, New Lamka East, Zenhang lamka, Saikot, Sagang, Sangaikot, Haopi Range, Mullun and Singhat.
Constituencies under Sadar Hills are Mayang Khong, Kangpokpi, Irung, Tuyang waichong, Eru part II- Kalapahar, Keithelmanbi, Wakot Phai, Gamnom, Saparmeina, Motbung, Khenjang, Kangchup, Tintong, Bungtechiru, Molkon, Makokching, Saikul, Lungjang, Mapao, Chingdai Khullen, Kamoching, Nongmaiching and Bongbal Khullen, added the state election commission secretary.(IFP)
Notification for first phase issued, polling on May 26
Govt sets ball rolling for ADC polls amid opposition
IMPHAL, Apr 26 : With the Congress led led SPF Government under Chief Minister O Ibobi sticking to its stand of going ahead with the election to the Autonomous District Councils in the hill districts, despite opposition from some quarters, the State Election Commission today issued the election notifi-cation for the first phase.
After more than 20 years, the election to the six Autonomous District Councils in the hills is to be held in two phases.
Announcing issuing of the election notification for the first phase in a press conference at the office of the Commission located at Lamphelpat here this afternoon, Secretary of State Election Commission Th Chitra Devi informed that the notification for the second phase of the election would come out after a week.
The first phase of the election would cover the Autonomous District Councils of Chandel, Sadar Hills and Churachandpur while the Autonomous District Councils of Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong will be held in the second phase, she said, adding that the code of conduct of the election too has been effected from today.
According to the election notification, the last date of filing the nominations to contest in the first phase of the ADC election is May 3, scrutiny would be on May 4 and the date for withdrawal of candidatures is May 6. The polling would be held from 7 am to 3.30 pm on May 26 and the all the necessary election process would be completed before June 16.
Explaining that the election is to be held to elect 72 members and there would be 24 Constituencies in each of the Autonomous District Councils, the Election Commission Secretary further informed that the polling would be conducted in 552 polling stations including 169 in Sadar Hills, 128 in Chandel and 255 in Churachandpur.
Inclusive of the presiding officers, 5 polling personnel would be deployed in each of the polling stations and a total of 3035 polling personnel including those in reserve would be utilised in the first phase of the election.
Election in the ADC Sadar Hills would be conducted under the super- vision of three Returning Officers (ROs). There would be nine constituencies under jurisdiction of SDO Kangpokpi, six under SDO Saitu-Gamphajol and nine constituencies under SDO Saikul.
For ADC Chandel, conduct of the election would be supervised by five ROs and there would be in all 4 constituencies each under ADC Moreh and SDO Machi, 3 constituencies under SDO Tengnoupal, 7 constituencies under SDO Chandel and 6 constituencies under SDO Chakpi- karong.
In case of ADC Chura-chandpur, the poll would be conducted under the supervision of five ROs.
There would be in all 12 constituencies under SDO Chura-chandpur, 3 constituencies each under SDO Henglep, SDO Thanlon, SDO Tipaimukh and SDO Singngat, Chitra said.
The security requirement and the security categorisation for ensuring the smooth conduct of the first phase of the election would be arranged by the Home Department of the State Government, she added.
In response to a question on whether filing of nomination papers would be allowed at Imphal in view of the opposition in the hills over the demand for rectifying the ADC Act, Chitra said that the Commission would have no problem in giving its approval to the suggestions given by the District Election Officers and ROs from time to time.
To a question on the possible impact of the ongoing cease work strike of the employees in the conduct of the election, she promptly replied that as of now there has been no problem and nothing could be said about the future.
It may be recalled here that after deferring issuing of the election notification for the first phase on April 15 and for the second phase on April 22, the conduct of the ADC election has been rescheduled following a State Cabinet decision on April 22.(TSE)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Process on to issue ADC polls notification
Chief Minister O Ibobi, while striking a tough pose, yesterday had announced that the ADC polls would be held as announced and that the poll process would be set in motion soon.
The stand of the Chief Minister comes in the face of the stiff opposition from some hill based organisations, particularlty the United Naga Council and the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur.
The Kuki Students' Organisation, General Head- quarters had also called for a wider consultation on the proposed election to be held under the 3rd Amendment Act of the ADC, 2008.
An informed source said the with the State Cabinet approving a new schedule for election to the six District Councils during a meeting held last night, the State Election Commission too have been sounded to issue a formal notification to revive the long-delayed functions of the Councils.
The first phase polling would cover the districts of Chandel, Churachandpur and Sadar Hills with Ukhrul, Tamenglong and senapati going through the democratic process in the second phase.
It is informed that nearly seven lakh voters would exercise their franchise rights in 1020 polling stations to elect 144 Council members.
It is pertinent to mention that Ministry of Home Affairs had intimated to the State Government that the former would bear all security-related expenses to be incurred in the District Council elections.
Meanwhile, over 100 vehicles which were stranded beyond Mao Gate due to imposition of blockade by organisations demanding amendment of the District Council Act, have been brought back to Imphal under strong security escort tonight. Police sources said some suspected blockade supporters stoned the vehicle convoy at near mao and Tadubi section of the National Highway 39. Among the vehicles, there are 40 loaded trucks, 44 oil tankers, six bullets tankers (LPG carriers), nine 407 (mini) trucks and four passenger buses. police authorities have reportedly instructed Mao police to register case against the blockade sponsors as well as supporters/enforcers.(TSE)
Abducted
IMPHAL, Apr 23: Unidentified gunmen have reportedly abducted a youth who had participated at a recently held Army recruitment rally and was awaiting conduct of medical test.
The youth identified as Neklalsiam Vaiphei (20) s/o (L) Lianpou of Phovaibi village under Saikul sub- division of Senapati district is said to have been whisked away at gunpoint from New Checkon Bazar area at around 3.30 pm yesterday.
Neklalsiam was staying at a relative's place in New Lambulane Lane III, said volunteers of Vaiphei Students' Association, whose president Haominthang Vaiphei also spoke to newspersons about the incident at Manipur Press Club today.
Haominthang said some 4/5 unidentified persons wearing civil clothes took away Neklalsiam in a white colour hard-top Maruti Gypsy having no registration number plate.
The vehicle had tinted glass shield, he recounted while conveying that after taking part at the Army recruitment rally conducted some days back at Bishnupur district headquarters the youngster was staying at his aunt's place waiting for the medical test.
Confiding that as far as knowledge of functionaries or members of the student body is concerned Neklalsiam has no connection with any armed group, Haominthang fervently appealed to both UGs and security forces (if involved in the abduction/arrest of Neklalsiam) to clarify the reason. further informing that a report has already been filed with regard to the incident at Porompat police station, the student activist expressed concerned that there is no information about the youth's whereabouts.
meanwhile, a joint release of Kuki Students Organisation (Imphal Branch), Vaiphei Students' Association (Imphal Block), Tribal Youth Club (New Lambulane), Young Vaiphei Association (Imphal Block) and Vaiphei Chiefs' association (Eastern Block) fervently appealed to all concerned to release Neklalsiam without any harm at the earliest. These organisations also pledged unstinted support to any movement for securing release of the 20 year old youth.(TSE)
NE India needs separate time zone: Mizo CM
AIZAWL, APR 23 (AGENCIES): Claiming that the Northeast suffers heavily from sharing a single time zone with the rest of India, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has stressed upon the need for a separate time zone to catch up with the rest of India. Speaking at a regional seminar on separate time zone for the NE region at Vanapa Hall here today,
Mr Lal Thanhawla said, ''We have to think how we economically suffer from sharing the Indian Standard Time with the rest of the country.'' The demand for a separate time zone should not be construed as a separatist movement. If India considers the Northeast people as Indians, it must set an eastern time for North East India, including West Bengal, he added.
Mr Lal Thanhawla recollected that the idea had been mooted in 1980, 2001 and 2004.
''Till today the Indian government could not agree with it. The matter is now in the hands of the science and technology department at the Centre,'' the chief minister said.
The day-long seminar was organised by Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo students association), under the aegis of Northeast Students Organisation. It had noted filmmaker Jahnu Barua as a resource person and scholars and academicians as speakers.
Though India is covered by a single time zone, there is almost two hours time lag in sun rise in eastern and western most corners of India, said supporters for a separate time zone.
''The time difference between the eastern-most and western-most borders of the country is almost two hours,'' said Mr Barua, who is a former Indian Space Research Organisation TV producer.
Mr Barua argued, through a detailed presentation that caught up within the existing single Indian Standard Time (IST), that the Northeast had suffered colossal losses in the last 62 years of Independence. ''It has created unproductive tendencies, more alienation, imbalance in biological clock, degeneration of society, wastage of electricity, loss in productivity and so on,'' he said.
Based on 20 years of research on the matter, he pointed out that despite two hours time lag in sun rise in the eastern most and western-most corners, the country continued to follow a single, undifferentiated time zone.
On the other hand, western parts of the country are far ahead of the NE states due to the single time zone.
All the prosperous and most productive states of the country, such as Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat, lie on the west of the Indian Standard Time longitude.
''Being situated in the far east, the northeast wastes two to three hours of daylight every day and ends up being the least productive, least progressive and least prosperous,'' Mr Barua rued.
Mizoram Universitys Registrar Benjamina, who attended the seminar as the guest of honour, disclosed that this was the first time he attended a function which was not an university related issue.
''I am so interested with the idea for a separate time zone for the Northeast India. That's what brought me here,'' he stated.
Prof Lianzela, from the department of economics of Mizoram University, and Prof P Rinawma, from the department of geography, delivered speeches in the afternoon session.
There were participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Manipur.
Tension grips Mizoram
AIZAWL, APR 23 (IANS):
Tension gripped Mizoram's capital Aizawl and other parts of the state after a powerful NGO imposed a "people's curfew" asking non-Mizos to remain indoors for four days following the alleged rape of a 13-year-old Mizo girl, officials said Friday. The influential Young Mizo Association (YMA) imposed the curfew Thursday after Laxman Ravi Das, 25, allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl here late Tuesday. Police immediately arrested Das, a non-Mizo cobbler, who was living with his family here. Police said the victim's family lived next door to Das and both families were close to each other. "Even though there was ethnic tension because of the imposition of the curfew, no incident was reported from anywhere in the state," Director General of Police Lalrokhuma Pachuau told reporters.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Storm causes havoc in CCpur
Lamka, Apr 21: A strong windstorm on Tuesday night caused havoc to several villages in Churachandpur devastating almost 200 houses, mainly in the interior sub-divisions of Singngat and Henglep.
The storm that swept across the district at around 10 pm on Tuesday damaged 85 houses in Singngat proper, 11 in Thadou Veng, 11 in Vengnuom, eight even in Khomunnuom, seven in Saichang, eight in Jabellei, five in Jalenphai, 15 in Tangpijawl, 10 in Hiangtam, 5 in Hiangtam and 10 in Teikot. Other structure hit the storm in Singngat A/C, according to sources include the AR and Army posts at Singngat and Muallum, PCI (R) Sunday School in Singngat and the EBC Church there.
Singngat MLA T Hangkhanpau today visited the villages that were devastated by the storm and promised them to rebuild the losses through the centrally sponsored IAY scheme or through his local development fund.
He also handed over some monetary assistance to the victims as an interim aid.
The storm also caused innumerable damages to Munpi village in Henglep sub-division with the sole MPCS mission school and its hostel flatten to the ground. Nine other structures, most of them residential buildings were also damaged during the fury said the village chief.
In Tamenglong district, 18 houses and newly built community hall at Taosang Khullen village were damaged by a strong storm on the night of April 16 and 17, said a press release issued by the secretary of the village authority.(TSE)
ZAA hails State Government
Lamka, Apr 21: Hailing the Congress led SFP Government for inaugurating AIR Churachandpur station, Zogam Artiste Assciarion said, this is the much awaited dream of the local artiste as it would explore their talents that were otherwise impaired by lack of infrastructure, reports our CCpur correspondent. "The tribals, by large, have talents in music and sports, but the absence of infrastructure impaired our talents to bloom fully," said the ZAA in its statement that also praised Chief Minister O Ibobi, Minister TN Haokip for their untiring efforts to bring out the full shape of the AIR station. The body mentioned the painstaking initiative of former IPR Minister M Kunjo and the Minister in-charge of Churachandpur T Phungzathang in setting up the station. "The AIR, Churachandpur Station will serve as an important nerve centre for singing, music and in exploring the local talents,' it said.
Maoists plan to issue counter ultimatum to Manipur rebels If non-Manipuris are driven out of Manipur, Manipuris will also be driven out of Bihar, Jharkhand, WB, UP:Maoist
Ramashankar of the newspaper reported from Sheohar that a member of Tirhut sub-zonal committee of the Naxal outfit Sher Khan said on Tuesday that a delegation of the CPI (Maoist) visited Manipur recently and found the militants' ultimatum true.
"We are with the labourers of Bihar and Jharkhand.
If they are forced to leave the state, we will not remain silent on the issue," he said.
In an interview with some local media persons Khan said that the CPI (Maoist) would also issue an ultimatum to the students of Manipur enrolled in different educational institutions in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to leave these places by June 30 .
Even the people working in other organizations in the four states would not be spared.
"We have clear stand on the issue.
If ill-treatment being meted out to Bihari labourers is not stopped immediately, we will decide other course of action also," Khan said.
Khan, who was part of the delegation, said that a large number of labourers from Bihar and Jharkhand were engaged in work in Manipur.
"The militant outfits want them driven out from the state as they apprehend threat from them," he added.
He said that the decision to issue a counter ultimatum to the residents of Manipur to leave Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal was taken at a meeting of the leaders of the four states of the banned outfit on Bihar-Nepal border.
Khan, said to be a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was in Sheohar-Champaran region to review the organizational set up of the outfit.
"We are trying to strengthen our base in the districts bordering Nepal," he added.
KSO sees no point in having toothless District Council
Imphal, April 21 2010: The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) GHQ has affirmed solidarity with other tribal bodies in opposing the proposed election to the Autonomous District Councils, and pledged that it would support any kind of agitation launched by ANSAM and ATSUM regarding the issue.
In a press release issued today, the president of KSO, GHQ, Peter H Mate said that the KSO feels that the proposed ADC elections have far-reaching implications for the indigenous (tribal people) of Manipur.
The KSO questions the logic behind the proposed holding of elections to the Autonomous Councils, which had been discontinued for more than 20 years, with the indigenous (Tribal people) demanding for the 6th Schedule by the district councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura which are established under the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.The demand for the sixth schedule has not been conceded till date, citing logical reasons as it requires as Amendment of the Constitution, the State Government, irrespective of the party in power, has not really pursued this matter wholeheartedly, the press release stated.
The KSO/GHQb fails to understand the rationale in holding the MDC elections for the hill-Districts of Manipur, without the provisions of the sixth schedule.
What is the logic behind and the motive of SPF Government in holding elections to the Autonomous District Councils of the hill- Districts of Manipur, which are autonomous only in name sake but not in reality, it further said.
President of KSO, GHQ, Peter H Mate asked, "What is the point in having an Autonomous District Council which does not enjoy any judicial and legislative power? An Autonomous District Council in which financial power is limited-where the district councils are not empowered to mobilize sources of income,–an Autonomous District Council comprising elected representatives of the people, who for all practical purposes, are under the Deputy Commissioner of the District, is nothing but a mockery of democracy and shame on the people" .
The KSO/GHQ also expressed apprehension that the ADC issue is being used as an instrument to divide et impera (divide and rule) by the powers that be, to divide the unity of the indigenous people (tribal people) of the state.
The 3rd Amendment Act of Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 2008 is nothing but ambiguous.
The KSO feels that the existing Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and subsequent Amendments have failed to protect and safeguard the interest of the tribals of Maipur, nor does it satisfy the aspirations of the tribal people in the state.
The KSO requests the SPF Government not to muddle through this sensitive issue, but to rather take more time for a wider consultations and dialogue and should strive instead to reach a solution which would be acceptable to all concerned.
In fight for the constitutional and inalienable rights of the indigenous people of the state, the KSO's approach will brook no compromise and will always stand shoulder to shoulder with sister organizations like ANSAM and ATSUM, stated Peter H.Mate President KSO/GHQ in press statement
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Killings at Thangjing Ching New twist to the story, KSO alleges
Lamka, Apr 19: A day after Pilgrims at Thangching hills killed two and injured several others in an alleged mob violence, a fresh twist has emerged today with KSO Churachandpur issuing a statement that their findings, upon conducting a spot inquiry, were contrary to the allegations made in The Sangai Express.
'The KSO after conducting a spot inquiry and collecting statements from the injured victims and the villagers found that the allegations made in The Sangai Express were contrary to what actually happened,' wrote the organisation that sought to clarify their claims in eight points.
A couple of victims injured in the alleged mob violence, other than those treated in Imphal also narrated their side of the story to the local media today.
The student body, in their points of clarification, argued that there neither was there any grouping at the spot nor robbing of money or cell phones. 'Instead it was the mountaineers and the killers who robbed the dead body of the two youths and those severely injured,' it charged.
If the victims were so armed, then why didn't they fire at least a round or two in defence, it said raising doubts and asserted that the absence of any sort of proof when the police picked up the corpses only validate the claim of the victims being robbed of their wallets, cell phones, braclets and others.
The corpses were found at the gathering place itself and not at a shadowy area, it also contended and asked how could a group of ten harass or molest 10,000 pilgrims who were present at every nook and corner of the hill range.
The brawl, according to a friend of the deceased Thensei Khongsai, started when he mistakenly stepped upon one pilgrim's foot. 'After that the mountaineers went on a rampage,' the KSO statement said and identified Jangminlun Chongloi, one of the deceased, as a Class XII student of VK Tawna College here.
The mountaineers also asked all the injured their identities, it further contended and revealed that the injured father son duo were hired by vendors of the local wine/alcohol to elude the Army post and alleged that most of the mountaineers were under the influence of alcohol.
The KSO further appealed to the fourth estate not to 'kindly' publish only one-sided story or without proper information on incidents which could disturb the minds of the people and hinder the peaceful coexistence.
Meanwhile two of the victims of that fateful night recounted their story to this correspondent today at the District Hospital.
One Ginminlal, 20, son of Genpu of Kangvai village said he along with two other were enjoying the sight of the pilgrims when they heard about a brawl. 'We went to have a closer look but some people asked our identity and when I responded to them with 'Vaiphei' they began thrashing me,' he said. He claimed that he was knocked unconscious for three consecutive times, each within a minute of gaining consciousness.
Sitting by his side, his mother said, 'Had it not been for Hillun, the chief of Gothol who rushed my son to the hospital on the same night he would be dead by now.'
Ngamhao, 25 son of Hemlun managed to barely narrate his story as he was brought to the hospital only at about 10 am today.
'I have been left in the jungle as a dead man,' he said.
He allegedly went to the pilgrim site along with one Nanao of Moirang, but lost contact as it was too crowded. Not long after he lost contact with his friend, some people asked him to reveal his identity, and upon revealing he was beaten by the group.
'When I regained consciousness it was raining and I was in a pool of blood. Tree leaves and branches were all over me,' he recounted of the horror he underwent.
Managing to reach Molcham village after trekking through the jungle at around 1 am early today, he was brought to the district hospital here by leaders of the KSO.
Terming the entire incident as brutal, Churachandpur District Students' Union in a formal condemnation issued today said all and sundry must avoid such cowardly act in future.(TSE)
Youth killing condemned
From Kaimuanthang
Lamka April 19: The Kuki Students Union, KSO, Churachandpur has clarified that Jangminlun Chongloi , 23, s/o Paosat Chongloi and Thensei Khongsai ,19, s/o Helthang Khongsai a resident of Phaikot Village as well as T Thingjang who were brutally done to death yesterday were innocent youth. A statement also condemned the incident.
The KSO said it has conducted spot enquiry and undertaken statement from victims and villagers over the circumstances and events which of the crime.
It said there were no armed mobs at the spot of the incident saying the youths who were killed were only defending themselves by firing several rounds.
The KSO further clarified there were no robbing of money and stealing of cellphones as has been accused in some reports saying instead it was the mountaineers who robbed the dead bodies of the youths and those of the ten severely injured civilians.
It said according to one of the deceased Thensei's friend the brawl started when mistakenly he happened to step one of the pilgrims foot and mountaineers reacted sharply by beating them.
One of the deceased Jangminlun Chongloi has been a permanent resident of Phaikot Village under Saikul sub division Senapati district presently putting up at at Zalenmun village Chrachandpur and is reading class XII at VK Tawna College it clarified
The Churachandpur District Students Union, CDSU, also issued a separate press statement condemning the incident of killing of the two youths in the strongest terms.
It urged one and sundry to desist from brutal act in future to anybody as it can jeaopardise the hard earned peace in the state.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Mizoram to open second trade centre
Silchar, April 16: The Mizoram government will open its second international trade centre near Tlabung on the Indo-Bangla border to boost bilateral trade.
This trade centre, built at the cost of Rs 27 crore, will help curb smuggling along the border with Bangladesh.
Mizoram director of trade and commerce Laltharmawia today said the final project report for setting up this trade centre would soon be sent to Delhi seeking the Centre's approval and funds.
The director said in order to monitor the trade transactions in Tlabung, an integrated checkpost under the government's land customs department would be set up.
Tlabung, a town on the bank of Karnafuli river on Mizoram's southern flank, is 332km from Aizawl along the Silchar-Aizawl-Lunglei National Highway 54.
Laltharmawia also said the whole project and its ancillaries like customs office, an immigration centre, banks, post and telephone complexes and the accommodation for police and BSF would be built in three years.
Mizoram's first international trade centre at Zokhawthang near the district headquarters town of Champhai on the state's northeast border with Myanmar and 208km from Aizawl is expected to be inaugurated in May or June by Union commerce minister Anand Sharma.
The construction of the trade centre in Zokhawthang began in 2002 and was completed early this year at a cost of Rs 9 crore.
The delay in setting up this centre was attributed to the slow pace of construction and delay in the periodic grant of the sanctioned amount by Delhi.
The total cost of the project shot up from Rs 5 crore when it was envisaged to Rs 9 crore at its final stages because of the delay.
The Mizoram government said to facilitate a wide ranging and no-restriction border trade, a minimum customs tariff would be imposed by both the Indian and Bangladesh governments on their respective goods intended for the cross-country entry.
While such goods as ginger, orange, squash and bamboo from Mizoram will find their way into Bangladesh, goods like melamine products, cotton textiles and fish will be imported from the neighbouring country. ( The Telegraph)
Mary Kom honoured | ||
Imphal, April 16: Champion boxer Mangte Chuneijang Mary Kom added another feather to her cap when she was awarded the Tejaswini award given to young women achievers for 2010. Mary Kom could not be contacted as she is undergoing training at Bhopal for her forthcoming Asian Championship at Kazakhstan in May this year. However, when The Telegraph contacted her husband Onlar Kom, he said it was great honour for Mary and that he was very happy for her. Mary Kom, is the defending world champion in the women's 48kg category for the fourth time. She had earlier bagged Arjuna Award in 2003, was conferred Padmashree in 2005 and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2009 for her contribution to women's boxing. |
Aizawl ready for talks with Hmar rebels
Representatives of the Hmar community, coordination committee of village councils under Sinlung Hills Development Council, met the Chief Minister urging him to initiate peace talks with the Manipur-based underground HPC-D to solve the Hmar insurgency problems.
The committee said the community living in the areas adjoining Manipur border have been facing extreme hardships due to insurgency for years. The State Government would talk to the rebels if and only the rebels themselves come forward. The Chief Minister reportedly said the government did not find it necessary to make the first move.
HPC-D is an offshoot of the Hmar People's Convention (HPC), which came into existence in 1986, as a political party spearheading a movement for self-government in the north and northeast of Mizoram. The HPC and the government of Mizoram signed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) on July 27, 1994, for establishing the "Sinlung Development Council" and subsequently, 308 HPC militants surrendered along with their arms. Dissatisfied with the implementation process, a section of the cadres parted ways with the over ground HPC and formed the HPC-D in 1995. (UNI)
Friday, April 16, 2010
ADC poll notification put on hold
Notably, it was already slated that notification for the first phase would be issued today.
According to an official source in the State Election Commission, the schedule of the two-phase elections recommended by the Commission to the State Government was approved by the Government.
In the meantime, the Commission has completed compilation of electoral rolls and identification of polling stations on March 27.
Even though the Government approved the election schedule, the State Election Commission was yet to receive any official intimation to go ahead with the schedule till date.
With the Government's green signal not forthcoming, the Commission could not issue notification for the first phase today.
As per the schedule proposed by the Commission to the Government to elect 144 members to the six Autonomous District Coun- cils, notification for the first phase of polls to be held in Churachandpur, Sadar Hills and Chandel was to be announced ADCs should have been issued today (April 15) while the polling was fixed on May 17.
The same schedule fixed the date of notification for the second phase covering Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati ADCs on April 22 whereas date of polling was fixed on May 24.
With the whole schedule put into disarray following the Commission's failure to issue the notification today, it can be assumed that the whole schedule has been cancelled, informed the source.
The election schedule will be fixed anew, it added.
Subsequent upon deferment of the ADC polls notification, the matter would be discussed in a Cabinet meeting on April 21.
More than seven lakh electorates are expected to exercise their franchise during the two phase elections spread across 1020 polling stations.
On being enquired about the inability of the Election Commission to issue notification today, a top official of Tribal Development Department said that the Department had not receiving any official permission from the State Government till date to go ahead with the election schedule already announced.
However, one Minister in the SPF Government said that the State Cabinet took a decision and approved the election schedule prepared by the State Election Commission.
Another Minister said that the polls has to be deferred as preparations for the elections are not fully in place.
Efforts to contact the TD Minister regarding the matter proved futile.
Notably, some organisations have been imposing economic blockade on national highways demanding amendment of the District Council (Third Amendment) Act. (TSE)
CDSU lauds Government
Lamka, Apr 15: The decisive step taken by the state government in inaugurating the AIR station and ADC building here besides the exercise of laying foundation stones for three crucial projects in the district has drawn applause from the district students' apex body, the CDSU.
As a matter of fact, infrastructure facilities viz; mini-secretariat building, AIR station, District Council Office, Sports complex and FCI godown have been the long cherished dreams of this infrastructure deficit town for decades, declared the CDSU in a communiqué today.
On the achievement of some of these projects, the union, 'particularly applauds O Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur, Jacintha Lazarus, Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur and other dedicated officials for their keen efforts in fulfilling the aspiration of the people,' it said.
The remarkable achievement is also a result of the tireless efforts put forward by the individuals, public leaders, social workers and civil society groups with a vision for unity and prosperity, it adds.
It nevertheless calls on all sections of the society, irrespective of caste creed or religion to uphold the values of fraternity and mutual co-existence by shedding the past differences and misunderstandings. Let us strive collectively for a lasting peace and development in the district, it said.(TSE)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Chief Minister keeps date with CCpur, Ukhrul Grand reception at Lamka, AIR station starts broadcast work
Chief Minister O Ibobi inaugurating the AIR station at CCpur
LAMKA, Apr 13: Along with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh inaugurating the newly constructed adminis-trative office building of Autonomous District Council (ADC) at Tuibong in Churachandpur district, the All India Radio (AIR), Churachandpur, the local radio station has started broadcasting programmes in Paite dialect as the link language from today.
The inaugural function of the administrative office building of ADC as well the AIR, Churachandpur station and broadcasting of the programme was also attended by Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, PHE Minister TN Haokip, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii, Works Minister K Ranjit, Sports Minister N Biren, MLAs of Churachandpur districts and other district level officials.
The administrative office building of ADC, Chura-chandpur, which was inau- gurated today, had been reportedly constructed under the supervision of its Chief Executive Officer at an estimated cost of Rs 1.56 crores.
The AIR local radio station which began broadcasting programmes from today in Paite dialect as link language is to be operated as an FM channel. There would also be facilities for broadcasting programmes in various dialects spoken by different communities settled in Chura- chandpur.
Prior to the inaugural function, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh laid the foundation stones of the District Sports Complex, Mini Secretariat complex and the FCI godown which is to be constructed at Tualnuam.
The sports complex at Tuibong is to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 10.6 crores with funding from NLCPR. The DPR had already been submitted and sanction is being awaited.
The proposed sports complex would have facilities for main stadium, VIP and public galleries, football ground, athletic track, indoor stadium, practice field, basketball ground and 80-bedded sports hostel as well as staff quarters.
The estimated cost of the Mini Secretariat complex is Rs 40 crores and it is being targeted to be completed by 2013.
Addressing a public meeting at the office complex of the ADC, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that inability to start the pro- gramme of AIR Chura-chandpur local station for so long though the Government of India had given the approval around 10 years back was unfortunate.
With Paite community being the majority in the district, the State Government had recommended Paite dialect as the link language. So it is not about the hegemony of Paite commu- nity. At the time of broadcasting the programmes of other communities, it would be in their respective dialects, the Chief Minister clarified, while calling for social harmony among the different groups of people.
The Chief Minister further said that the plan being worked out to construct the FCI godown at Tualnuam which is located within zero kilometre of the district headquarters is after taking into account of administrative conveniences.
Similarly, the Mini Secretariat complex is to be set up for the betterment of administrative work.
The complex is to be constructed at an estimated cost of over Rs 40 crores and efforts would be made to complete the construction work within two years, the Chief Minister said, while assuring that there would be no dearth of fund in this regard.
The Chief Minister further said that for the construction of the district sports complex, the State Government would not wait for funding from the DONER Ministry. Necessary fund would be earmarked in the State budget so that construction work can began at the earliest possible.
With regard to upcoming election to the Autonomous District Councils in the hill districts, the Chief Minister explained that the role of the MLAs is
only to frame policies and enact laws. It is the people who are the supreme authority. Efforts would be made to complete the process of the election within May, he said, while appealing to all concerned not to cause disturbance in the conduct of the election.
The Chief Minister also informed the gathering that for constructing the quarters of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Autonomous District Councils as well as for other necessary developmental works, the 13 Finance Commission has provided a sum of Rs 50 crores besides another 50 crores from the DONER Ministry.(TSE)
Paite to be link language for AIR CCpur: CM
From M Kaimuanthang
Lamka April 13: The Link language of Prasar Bharti AIR, Churachandpur station will be Paite. The official decision was taken at the appropriate level by virtue of Paite being the language of majority of people inhabiting Churachandpur district.
This has been stated by the chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh during his speech as chief guest at the inaugural function of AIR Churachandpur in a function held today from about 11 am.
Paite will be the language of the programme conductor whereas all other major communities will be allowed to conduct their programmes in their own languages.
This is also the pattern in the case of the AIR, Imphal where Manipuri has been used as the host languages the chief minister elaborated.
The deputy director general NER-II C Lalrosang in his turn termed the event as historical while stating there will be three broadcast time in which all the minor communities will be given programmes.
He said as infrastructures will be further improved more transmission will be launch side by side with it with more broadcast time.
According to Mohammad Uddin an official of the AIR the radio station's transmission frequency is 60 KW FM , 1015 MW and will have a reception radius of 50 km.
The chief minister came to Churachandpur today on an inauguration spree of the various projects.
The chief minister termed the delay in the inauguration as a result of 'lack of communication and mistrust' among the various communities. He lifted off by chopper after the inauguration of four other projects at around 1:30 pm.
Earlier he inaugurated the construction for Mini Secretariat at Tuibuang Horticulture farm which is occupied by the Army as sector headquarters. Soon after he opened the Sports Complex at Tuibuang Peace Ground located adjacent to the mini secretariat.
The chief minister and his ministerial team then went straight to Tualnuam village near Thingkangphai and upon reaching the spots again inaugurated the FCI godown which he term as a good development for one and all.
Speaking here as chief guest he regretted the inability of the government to take up time bound schemes and projects in time inspite of earmarking huge amounts of fund due to major and minor problems which crop up time to time.
The FCI godown will be constructed on a war footing so as to benefit all.
The chief minister then inaugurated the administrative buildings of the Autonomous District Council at Tuibuang
He reiterated during his speech as chief guest here that it was regrettable the mini secretariat and other infrastructures could not be completed when in all other districts the same is almost ready for inauguration. He urged the concern parties to spare no efforts in trying to complete the project within two years.
Regarding the FCI godowns he said there are so many rats at the Sangaiprou godowns eating away rice meant for the people of Churachandpur district while pointing out his desire to ensure that Churachandpur quota be delivered to the Churachandpur distribution centre directly.
He said the FCI at Tualnuam is meant for the benefit of all.
He further said if the people near the mini secretariat claim that its theirs alone and give no chances for others to benefit it's wrong and shameful.
If just because one is a Paite or a Thadou-Kuki and others are not allowed to live in a particular areas, then the same group of people who rejected the former may be rejected at another places thus suffering the same fate he said.
He said all Indians and can live anywhere in India.
He said if we say non-Manipuris have to go then there are so many from the state who live and study outside the state who may suffer the same fate. He calld for all to tolerate each others for the sake of development.
The chief minister was accompanied by the T Phungzathang minister power, TN Haokip minister PHED, N Biren minister IFCD, K Ranjit Singh minister works, DD Thaisi minister tribal development, Thangso Baite MP Outer Parliament Manipur, T Manga MLA, T Hangkhanpau MLA, V Hangkhanlian, Ngursanglur MLA and a host of dignitaries from the state government and officials of the district including the DC and the Sp Churachandpur.(IFP)
More autonomy assured for NE ADCs
Agartala, April 13 (IANS): The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is keen to give more autonomy to the autonomous district councils in northeast India for the development of the tribals, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy said Tuesday.
'Congress governments, both at the centre and states, are always sincere for the development of tribals and to grant more autonomy to the backward tribals,' he told reporters here.
In the northeast, there are 16 tribal autonomous district councils (ADCs) - constitutional autonomous bodies to facilitate the socio-economic development of tribals, who constitute 26.93 percent of the northeast's total population of 38,857,769 (2001 census). Of the 16 ADCs, six are in Manipur, three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram and one in Tripura.
Narayanasamy, who is also a Congress general secretary, was in Tripura to supervise the party's organisational activities ahead of the May 3 elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
'Late prime minister Indira Gandhi and the Congress had taken bold steps to constitute these ADCs in northeast India,' he said, charging the Left Front government in Tripura with utterly failing to ensure the development of the tribals and to solve their problems.
'The CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist)-led Left Front government has been allocating fewer funds for the tribals even though they (tribals) constitute one-third of Tripura's 3.5 million population,' the minister said.
Criticising the Left Front government, Narayanasamy said that due to its misrule, Tripura has been lagging in many sectors compared to the other northeastern states.
His remarks drew an angry response from the CPI-M.
Terming the allegations as 'rubbish', CPI-M Tripura state committee secretary Bijon Dhar asked: 'If Indira Gandhi had constitute the ADC in Tripura, why the Congress had boycotted the first ADC elections in 1985?'
'After a long struggle by the CPI-M and its frontal organisations, the ADC had been constituted in 1982, and the Left Front government had over the years strengthened the autonomous body. We want to give more power to ADC,' Dhar, also a CPI-M central committee member, told reporters.
'Congress is responsible for the backwardness of the tribals across the country,' he alleged.Tuesday, April 13, 2010
CM's CCpur date today, bandh dropped
Lamka, Apr 12: Following hectic parleys and a couple of delays over minor local issues, the Chief Minister is finally set to visit the district tomorrow to unveil the five biggest projects ever undertaken in the district.
The district bandh called by the JAC of DPC faced primary teachers for ADC has also been called off following assurance from the Government.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of a ZEPADA function at an interior village today, Power Minister T Phungzathang announced that Chief Minis- ter O Ibobi will visit Chura-chandpur on a chopper tomorrow for a record event in the district.
'Tomorrow the Chief Minister will visit the district to unveil five mega- projects,' he told a handful of journalists.
The Chief Minister, he said, will first lay the foundation stones for mini- secretariat and mini-stadium at Tuibuang Peace Ground, a stone's throw away from the helipad where he is set to land.
He will then proceed to Tualnuam village, an out-skirt locality in the south to lay another foundation stone for the FCI Godown. From there the Chief Minister and his entourage will return to Tuibuang village to inaugurate an AIR station, the commissioning for which was delayed for more than a decade due to a tussle among the kindred tribes, against the Ministry's sanction, for the link language.
The Chief Minister's visit will finally wind up at the ADC compound where he will address a public meeting after inaugurating the newly constructed ADC office; a structure that is also all set to house the ADC secretariat after the much hyped MDC election.
Tonsing also assured before the media that DPC result for primary teachers under ADC will be declared before the MDC election notification, prompting the JAC to withdraw its proposed bandh on Tuesday and boycott on the Chief Minister's visit.
Also addressing the media moments after minister's assurance, JAC Chairman Lalpi Guite said the proposed bandh and boycott they had earlier announce through the media was call off. 'There will be no bandh nor any form of boycott tomorrow,' he said.
(TSE)
Coffee project launched
S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, Apr 12: A coffee project of the ZEPADA named after the incumbent Union Home Secreteary GK Pillai was launched by the state Horticulture Minister T Phungzathang today at Tangpizawl village, about 5 kms from the sub-divisional hqtrs of Singngat.
The 50 hectare project undertaken by ZEPADA with the active support of Coffee Board of India was the pet-project of a 2008 Seminar initiated by Pillai, the then commerce Minister. 300 Ha of coffee planta- tion was approved for the district by the Coffee Board during 2009-13, and today's programme unveil commencement of plantation in above 30 Ha as the first phase. The project expansion will depend on the success of the nursery that was raised by the agency at Tangpizawl and Salvaphai villages, said Dutta, Coffee Board's Joint Director.
Being a shade and rain loving plant, the coffee project will depend on how well they receive the two, he said. 'I believe, within 5 to 6 years with the initiative of ZEPADA and the farmers Manipur would come under the Coffee Map,' he adds with optimism, hoping the now barren lands would transform for a more favourable ecology with the colle- ctive effort of the people.
Land lease agreement for 30 years that will require farmers to pay a loyalty fee of Rs. 200 per Ha to the donor- the village Chief was also penned on the occasion. Hailing the initiative taken up by ZEPADA for realizing a stable land base farming to ensure a stable livelihood as 'a milestone,' Tonsing assures all forms of assistance from his side to ensure that the cash rich crop succeed in the district. (TSE)
A red-letter day for Churachandpur district today
This day will be a special day for the All India Radio too ! .
For, the All India Radio Churachandpur station will be officially inaugurated tomorrow after 10 years of completion of the construction of the station complex, and having all the necessary machineries, equipments and staffs.
State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi will inaugurate the station at a glittering function to be held on the premises of the radio station at Churachandpur tomorrow morning.
Minister of Power, Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Science & Technology, Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister of PHED, Information & Public Relations and Tourism, TN Haokip and other MLAs of assembly constituencies of Churachandpur district are expected to be present on the historic occasion.
Deputy Director General, All India Radio, North East Region-II, C Lalrosanga will also attend the function.
He has been camping in Imphal for the past three days specially for the inauguration of the Churachandpur station of AIR.
Chief Minister Ibobi will anounce the most eagerly awaited "link-language" of the AIR Churachandpur station during the inaugural function tomorrow.
It is worth mentioning here that preparations for commisioning the AIR Churachandpur station were completed way back in 2000 .
However, due to a dispute regarding which dialect would be the link-language, the commissioning of the station had remained postponed for the last almost 10 years.
Earlier, Prasar Bharti had approved Paite dialect as the link-language of the station.
But controversy arose, and commissioning of the AIR Churachandpur station could not materialise.
The matter was taken to Gauhati High Court.
The High Court later ordered that the decision on which dialect should be the link-language of the AIR Churachandpur should be taken by the Government of Manipur.
After years of procrastination, for fear of treading on communal sentiments, the Government of Manipur under the leadership of Chief Minister O Ibobi has recently taken a bold decision to commission the AIR Churachandpur station.
Most reliable sources told this newspaper that the State Cabinet recently took the decision on which dialect should be the link-language of the station.
However, due to fear of a possible communal backlash, the authority decided that it would be the best to keep the link-language as a secret till the inauguration, when the Chief Minister himself would make the historic announcement.
Sources said that the earlier dispute regarding the link-language had been solved under the initiative of Chief Minister O Ibobi.
That is how the AIR Churachandpur station is going to be inaugurated tomorrow, the sources said.
Deputy Director General, AIR NE Region-II C Lalrosanga told this newspaper that the All India Radio would go along with the decision on the link-language taken by the Government of Manipur.
Superintending Engineer of AIR Imphal, Md Kamaruddin told the Hueiyen Lanpao that the AIR Churachandpur is going to be an independent radio station, with its own station director, programme executives, staffs and all.
It's not going to be a local branch of AIR Imphal.
To start with the programmes, the AIR Churachandpur will relay the programmes of FM Rainbow of New Delhi from 4 pm to 5.30 pm.
From 5.30 pm onward, direct local programmes will be broadcast.
The daily programmes will start from 4pm and close at 9.30 pm.
The AIR Churachandpur station will cover the entire district
Source: Hueiyen News Service
CM visiting CCpur, Ukhrul: Security tightened up
Imphal, April 12 2010: Elaborate security arrangement has been made for the Chief Minister's visit to Churachandpur in view of the bandh and other disturbances that are likely to come up in the wake of objection to the ADC election.
Additional police personnel for deployment at the function sites have been called out from Thoubal and Bishnupur district, a highly placed official source said adding that IG (Law and Order-II), Christopher is the overall in-charge of the security deployment.
He will be assisted by IG, L&O-III Shantikumar.
Chief Minister, O Ibobi is visiting Churachandpur and Ukhrul district tomorrow to attend public functions at the district headquarters.
He will be lifted by helicopter.
The chief minister is scheduled to land at Churachandpur first and lay the foundation stones for the construction of two buildings of Mini Secretariat of the district at Horticulture Farm and near the Peace Ground.
He will also inaugurate the Local Radio Station of AIR Churachandpur, office buildings of ADC and Additional Deputy Commissioner of the district at Tuibong there.
A public meeting at Peace Ground will be held as per the tentative schedule of the Chief Minister's tour programme.
After the public meeting there, the Chief Minister will take the chopper flight to Ukhrul district where he will lay the foundation stone of the District Sports Complex at Ukhrul district headquarter, the source informed.
Bandh called off
IMPHAL. April 12: The propose bandh called by JAC 2009 DPC /ADC Teachers tomorrow ie Tuesday has been called off when the minister power gave an assurances that the DPC result will be declared well before the MDC Election notification .
Talking to the Medias on the sidelines of the inauguration today the minister has said without declaring the result no MDC Election will be conducted.
At the same occasion the JAC Chairman Lalno meet the press and decled the proposed bandh has been cancelled as the govt gave an assurances to concede with their demands.(IFP)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Flushing out UGs from Myanmar Yangon seeks Delhi's aid
NEW DELHI, Apr 11: Action against Indian insurgents in its territory will be initiated only after receiving military assis-tance from India, Myan- mar's Ambassador to India U Kyi Thein said on Saturday.
"We have informed India of our requirements to help us in fighting against the insurgents," the Ambassador said.
He, however, refused to divulge details about the kind of assistance it had sought from India. "India has agreed to provide us our military requirements, but I cannot share with you our requirements," Thein told a news agency in Shillong.
Thein, who was here to attend an international seminar on 'From Landlocked to Landlinked: North East India in BIMSTEC' at North Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya, further said: "We also shared the same problem (insurgency) like India. This problem will be sorted once India meet our requirements."
There are at least 15 insurgents' camps operating from Myanmar soil, fighting either for an autonomous or independent homeland in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam. Myanmar shares some 1,643 km long border between them.
The Centre has been requesting Yangon to take action against the rebels which include Manipur-based United National Liberation Front, People's Liberation Army (PLA), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak; Assam-based United Libe- ration Front of Asom and both the warring factions of National Socialist Council of Nagaland operating from Sagaing division and the Chin State of Myanmar.
Thein, however, made it clear that the problem of insurgency across the India-Myanmar border can be sorted out through infrastructure development.
"We (India-Bangladesh) now plan to develop infrastructure in the border with special emphasis on enhancing connectivity," the Ambassador informed.
Meet convened on ADC polls
The seminar is being organised by the All India Tribal Association, Delhi.
Speaking to media persons at Hotel Tampha here this afternoon, president of the All India Tribal Association Delhi, K Zou said that the association has no objection to District Council elections.
But it needs a collective understanding of the various controversial matters surrounding the District Council elections.
After the District Councils were formed in 1973, 594 people were given appointments in Churachandpur district, 554 in Senapati district, 750 in Tamenglong, 674 in Ukhrul, 510 in Chandel and 655 in Sadar Hills.
However, these District Councils were slowly dissolved in phases, Zou said.
If District Councils are not constituted through elections, there would be no separate fund for development of hill areas.
Reiterating the need to resolve the controversies and misunderstandings about District Councils, K Zou said that the roles of village chiefs in District Councils and decentralisation of greater power to District Councils would be discussed during the seminar.
The meet would also study which would be better––to review the question of ADC polls or defer the poll schedules or allow the Government to go ahead with its already announced poll schedules. Moreover, a public recommendation would also be adopted at the end of the seminar, K Zou added.(TSE)
CCpur bandh
An executive body meeting of JAC for 2006/2009 Autonomous District Council DPC Faced Candidates, Parents & Guardians held today at Old Bazar Community Hall, Lamka has resolved to observe total bandh in Churachandpur district from 6 pm of April 12 till 6 pm of April 13.
Stating that decision to call the bandh is in protest against the delay in declaring DPC result for enrolment of primary teachers under hills' autonomous district council, the JAC release also reiterated an earlier resolution to boycott inauguration function of the ADC Administrative Block and District Council Hall, Churachandpur which is scheduled for April 13.
Mizos pay over Rs 5 crore per month as mobile phone bills
Aizawl, April 11: An economic survey of Mizoram, recently released by the government, estimated that the spent at least Rs 5 crores per month for a mobile phone bills. Till January 2010, there were 5,61,917 mobile phone subscribers in Mizoram which has a population a little more than 9 lakh, according to the economic survey.
"Assuming that each subscriber spends Rs 100 per month for mobile phone bills, the total expenditure of the consumers comes to more than Rs 5 crore," the source said. Mobile telephony was introduced in Mizoram in February by the BSNL.
"The mobile bills paid by subscribers in Mizoram have been estimated at the least possible amount. Some mobile phone users are paying as much as Rs 2,000 per month for the bills," said a source in the department. There are six service providers in Mizoram among which Airtel was the largest with 1,92,000 subscribers as on January 2010, followed by BSNL with 1,20,378 users. (UNI)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Congress committed to people’s cause
From Kaimuanthang
Lamka April 10: The Congress Party has been the best with a good principle and is committed to the cause it championed thus making it as a party which could be relied upon .
This has been stated by Gaikhanngam MPCC(I) president during his speech as chief guest at the 125th Congress Foundation Day celebration held at Synod Hall located at IB Road from about 11 am .
The occasion has been attended as functional president by T Phungzathang minister Power , while TN Haokip IPR Minister acted as guest of honour with T Manga Vaiphei MLA as well Chaltonlien ex MLA as special guest of the function.
The Congress President further said that due to efforts put in by the Congress MDC election which has not been conducted since the last 20 years or so are possible to be conducted within the next month while highlighting many of the achievements made by the Congress since it was at the helm of affairs.
He said at so many districts of the country MNREGS has been implemented thus benefiting the masses while pointing out the genuine love the Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi has for a tiny state like Manipur.
The power Minster has pointed out there are many seekers of the Congress tickets for the forthcoming MDC election but admitted about the impossibility to grant the same for all while urging the few would be unlucky people to learn how to come to terms with their fate .
On matters of the recent CPI mass Rally over skyrocketing prices he said that was the CPI's political ploy to hoodwink the publics so as to some of their candidates got elected at the MDC election.
IPR minister TN Haokip has said India has been a country of village with villages forming part and parcel of the country where woman are treated dotingly.
He said as part of the central governments move to empower women in the country a new bill for seat reservation at the parliament for them are yet to be passed shortly in which 23 percent reservation will be made.(IFP)Power crisis grips Northeast
Agartala, April 10: The Northeast has been plagued by a power crisis for a month following a prolonged dry spell and falling water level in rivers and water reservoirs. Soaring temperatures - on an average 35 degrees Celsius - have aggravated the living conditions in the mountainous region.
"The water shortage has reduced generation capacities of the six regional hydel power projects to 370 MW from 860 MW," Tripura Power Corporation engineer Kumaresh Chakraborty, who supervises power distribution in the entire region, told media persons here.
The regional hydel power projects that supply power to the northeastern States are — Khandong (50 MW) and Kopili I and II power projects (225 MW) in Assam, Ranganadi hydro power project (405 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh, Doyang hydro power plant (75 MW) in Nagaland and Loktak hydro power project (105 MW) of Manipur.
Chakraborty said the Tripura Government-run Dambur hydro power project (15 MW) had stopped production. The Meghalaya government's 175-MW capacity Umiam hydel project generates on an average 50 to 60 percent of its actual capacity for the respective States.
"The rainfall was much less than normal in the last monsoon. That's why the water level in the reservoirs of the power projects has significantly gone down, severely affecting their power generation capacity," Tripura's principal secretary (power) Sanjeev Ranjan said.
He warned that the situation might deteriorate further if rains do not occur within the next few days.
Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey said: "The demand and power supply gap ranges between 60-70 percent in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim."
"The electricity demand has risen by 25-30 percent due to the soaring temperatures coupled with high humidity," he said.
Tripura has taken measures to deal with the situation. "We are spending additional Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) every day to purchase extra power from the regional grid to cope with the situation," Dey said.
He added that two gas-based thermal power projects with generation capacity 21 MW each would be commissioned in Tripura soon to meet the growing power demand. (IANS)
