Result can be valid as it has signatures of authority: Legal expert
Imphal June 29: Education Minister L Jayentakumar has announced today that the result of the DPC of primary school teachers published in the Hueiyen Lanpao would not be valid.
The Minister made the announcement at a function held at the JN Manipur Dance Academy auditorium organised by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) to distribute awards to the position holders of the High School Leaving Certificate Examination 2010.
Minister Jayentakumar termed it unfortunate that before the result was officially approved, it was published in the newspaper. Some people had leaked it out which the Government views seriously. A high level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary has been assigned to look into how the result was leaked out to a newspaper before it was officially approved, the Minister said.
He said, steps were taken to declare the DPC result earlier, however, since the code of conduct for the Autonomous District Council elections had come into force, it could not be declared.
Now that the elections are over, the authority was planning to declare the result. Meanwhile, it was published in the newapaper Therefore, the Government is making arrangements to declare a new merit list, Minister Jayentakumar announced.
He further said that the problem was created by some dishonest officers in the Education Department. Any official found involved in the leakage of the DPC result by the Committee headed by Chief Secretary will be punished.
Meanwhile, expressing his opinion, an eminent legal expert told this newspaper that the Hueiyen Lanpao had not violated the Official Secrecy Act by publishing the result of the DPC for appointment of primary school teachers of Education (S), Governtment of Manipur. If the result was published without the copy of the order signed and issued by the Director of Education (S) on April 22, it could be said that it was violation of the Official Secrecy Act. However, since the report was based on the order, publication of the report and result can not be termed as violation of Official Secrecy, the advocate said.
He further opined that even if inquiries were made how the Hueiyen Lanpao could manage to get a copy of the order along with the result and from where, there can not be any definite legal binding per se.
Besides, the advocate argued that there is legal validity of the order as it has the signatures of the authority concerned. If those officials, who had signed the order and the result, claim and insist that the signatures were not theirs, then the validity of the order and the result is questionable, and the Government of Manipur can cancel the order on the ground that there were irregularities in the DPC. If the Government does not cancel the order, it has to remain valid, the lawyer contended.
Meanwhile, anyone can go to court to find out the authenticity of the signatures on the order. The signatures can be easily verified through forensic test. If the signatures turn out to be genuine, then those who gave the signatures can be given severe punishment, legal sources said.
What is noteworthy here is that even after a few days had passed since the Hueiyen Lanpao started publishing the result of the DPC, officially not yet declared, in series, no clarification from the department concerned as to whether it is genuine or not has been issued so far.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Result of primary teachers' DPC published in H-Lanpao won't be valid: Jayentakumar
CCpur students
LAMKA, June 29(IFP): The Churachandpur District Students Union, CDSU, held a consultative meeting today at YPA Hall on the theme of " Overlapping Census Operations in some pockets of Sadar Hills, Chandel and parts of Ccpur" in which so many leaders from philanthropic organisation apart from many others have participated .
The gatherings after sharing their point of view on the theme condemned the injustices committed to the tribals of the state and their land by including certain parts of Sadar Hills, Chandel as well as Ccpur to form a constituent units of valley district without their (Tribals) prior consent.
The students urged the authorities to exercise caution in resolving the issue of overlapping constituencies in the census exercise so as not to hurt tribal sentiments.Lal Thanhawla greets Mizos on accord anniversary
Urging the people to strive and ensure the peaceful scenario in Mizoram, Pu Hawla in an official release, said, "we must ensure law and order to march forward and to be able to live in harmony."
Stating that his government remains committed towards the upliftment and welfare of the poor, Pu Hawla said that they will continued to be the "priority of Mizoram Government." In this regard the government is going forward with the implementation of the New Land Use Policy, he added.
Highlighting his government achievements, he said the "NREGS (MNREGS) and JNNURM are implemented to give jobs to many poor people. The government is also putting all efforts for power generation and big projects like the 210 MW Tuivai Hydel project, 60MW Tuirial Hydel project and 460MW Kolodyne Hydel project are being pursued," Pu Hawla stated.
Mizoram is one of the most peaceful States in India and the accord signed by MNF rebel leader Pu Laldenga with the Centre is often taken as a model for peace settlements in the trouble-torn northeastern States.
At present Mizoram is the second most literate State after Kerala and it is "trying to over take" the southern State. Meanwhile, sources said that the Mizo National Front party is gearing up to mark the occasion at the party headquarters Hnam Run in Aizawl. "Several cultural activities and awareness campaigns will be held here and in party units across the State," MNF official said. (Agencies)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
ZHRF backs CDSU, calls for sanity
Lamka, Jun 28(TSE): Toeing the line of CDSU's opposition of the census 2011 in the light of overlapping villages, Zomi Human Rights Foundation today said they were equally concern over the operation in the contagious tribal owned areas.
The Indigenous Tribal lands, against the rights ensured by the Interna-tional Human Right Laws to the indigenous tribal people, have been continually encroached and snatched away by the successive Government of Manipur since 1960 by means of various forms. The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform Act, 1960; the Forest Policy etc among others, were the means deployed for this, alleged the rights group.
To substantiate their allegation, the ZHRF cited instances of 66 villages which are placed under the administrative jurisdiction of Bishnupur from Churachandpur since the 1980s. As a result there has been an overlapping of jurisdiction in these villages causing hardship and confusion to indigenous people. Government should immediately placed these 26 villages back to Chura-chandpur for end of justice, it pleaded.
Line tripping hits NE power generation
NEEPCO sources here said that the North Eastern Regional Load Despatching Centre (NERLDC) at Shillong has asked the Central sector power companies to reduce their generation to 569 MW. The power companies have the available capacity to generate 1,008 MW of power these days.
Since June 19, the NEEPCO power plants in the region have been generating around 890 MW of power with all their machines in operation. The NE states have been evacuating their share of power from the NEEPCO and they are selling over 150 MW of power during the off- peak-load hours to areas located outside the NE region.
Today, following the incident of tripping of the circuits of the 400-Kv Binaguri-Purnia power line of the PGCIL around 4 am, the NERLDC asked the NEEPCO to reduce its generation to 569 MW.
NEEPCO's Assam Gas-based Power Project at Kathalguri has been asked to generate 64 MW, against its available capacity of 200 MW, while the power company's Agartala Gas Turbine Project has been asked to generate 78 MW against its same available capacity. The Kopili Hydel Project of the power company has been asked to generate 24 MW, against the available capacity of 148 MW.
Similarly, its Doyang Hydel Project has been asked not to generate any amount of power against the plant's available capacity of 63 MW. The power company's Ranganadi Hydel Project has been asked to restrict generation within 350 MW, against its available capacity of 401 MW. Likewise, Loktak Hydel Project of the NHPC has been asked to reduce its generation to 53 MW, against the available capacity of 95 MW, sources said.
Also, due to the NE States drawal of around 570 MW, against their entitlement of 1,008 MW, NEEPCO has been compelled to reduce power generation in both its hydel and thermal plants.
NEEPCO sources said that in view of the above, if there occurs any load shedding etc, the Central sector power companies should not be blamed. As, load shedding will occur not due to non-availability of power, but due to some other reasons, sources said, adding, against its share of 465 MW of power, the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) has been drawing today 300 MW of power.
Instances are also there where it was found that the NE states used to sell their power to other areas even resorting to load shedding, they said.
Monday, June 28, 2010
New species of cat fish found in Mizoram
AIZAWL, June 27: Zoologists claimed to have discovered a new species of sisorid cat fish in Mizoram. The species of cat fish named Pseudolaguvia virgulata is recently discovered from the Barak river drainage in Mizoram, said Dr Lalramliana, Assistant Professor of Department of Zoology, Pachhunga University College, Mizoram. This finding has been published in Zootaxa by Dr Heok Hee Ng, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Singapore. ''Members of the sisorid genus Pseudolaguvia are small catfishes found in rivers draining the sub-Himalayan region and Myanmar,'' Dr Lalramliana said.
''They superficially resemble miniature species of Glyptothorax in overall morphology and in having a thoracic adhesive apparatus with a median depression, but can be distinguished in having prominent postcoracoid processes,'' he added.
Dr Lalramliana told reporters that eleven species of Pseudolaguvia are considered valid so far and with this it become twelve. The new species can be distinguished from congeners in having a brown body with two or three narrow, pale longitudinal stripes and a pale Y-shaped marking on the dorsal surface of the head. Dr Lalramliana highlighted that fish fauna in Mizoram is poorly documented and credit should be given to Dr Tawnenga, Principal Pachhunga University College as he is the one who gave support to document the fish fauna of Mizoram which is undertaken by department of Zoology of the institution.
Zoologists have also recently discovered a new frog species at a national lake in Mizoram, about 100 kms from the state capital Aizawl.
The new frog species - Leptolalax Tamdil, named after the lake in which it was found - is diagnosed with unique features such as eyelids with tubercles, distinct tympanum and unusual folds, undiluted toe tips with dermal fringes, long hind limbs and distinct colour patches. (Agencies)
Cuckoo signals warmer Manipur - Environment experts see signs of climate change in bird sighting | ||
| KHELEN THOKCHOM | ||
Imphal, June 27: The vagrant cuckoo that carefully chooses its temporary resting grounds depending on climate and food has been sighted in Manipur after several decades — a sure sign of the state's warmer weather. "It was recently reported that cuckoos (locally known as kokil) were sighted by villagers in the hills. Though people said there were cuckoos in Manipur, they were not sighted in the past several years in the state," environmentalist and ornithologist Rajkumar Ranjan Singh said. Experts said cuckoos are found in other parts of India, which are normally warmer. They can also be spotted in the Corbett National Park, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Pench National Park and Barwala Bird Sanctuary. "Drifting species like cuckoo is normally found in warmer places. Their arrival in Manipur simply says that the state's climactic condition has undergone a sea change and the temperature is becoming similar to hotter cities like Calcutta," Ranjan Singh said. The state, which normally received heavy rainfall, has been suffering from rain deficit for the past 30 years, according to experts. It even experienced a draught last year. As a fallout, the temperature shot up. About two decades ago, the maximum temperature hovered around 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. Last year, the maximum temperature rose to 36 degrees Celsius. In the early 20th century, Manipur had about 500 wetlands. Today, the few remaining ones — 19 according to a recent survey — are on the verge of drying up because of the climate change. The change is also affecting fish, with a number of local species, nganap, ngamu, ngaton and khabak now on the verge of extinction. Widespread deforestation could also be one of the reasons for the gradual rise in temperature, experts said. |
Northeast Echoes
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| People take out a procession to protest Th. Muivah's visit and the economic blockade in Imphal. File picture |
Columnists can hardly be called peace builders. That would be overstepping the limits of journalism, which essentially means observing events and writing about them and their implications, political or otherwise. Columnists have only one added advantage — they can give their personal comments on events. In the multi-hued battle leading to the blockade of National Highway 39 and the proposed visit of NSCN (I-M) leader Th. Muivah to Somdal village in Ukhrul, many fundamental questions have been raised by this columnist, and others, on the propriety of the visit at a time when the Manipur hills were headed for a very controversial poll.
The articles have provoked several hate mails and angry rejoinders, asking why I have taken sides in the entire imbroglio. An analysis of a situation requires that the truth be brought up front even if it goes against the common discourse or breaks the thread of carefully constructed narratives.
Insofar as the blockade of a critical lifeline for goods is concerned there can be no two opinions. The act is inhuman and undemocratic because it does not punish the politicians who directly or indirectly have added to the problems of Manipur, but it created an economic crisis for the ordinary citizens. There is no other way to define the blockade except to call it "political blackmail".
The problem, however, is that the Nagas of Manipur do not see it that way. They consider it fit and just to punish a government that has been perceived as being antagonistic to their aspirations of a greater Naga homeland. They want all write-ups and opinions to fit into their political paradigm if not to simply dovetail into their current narrative. But columnists essentially analyse the narratives and expose the truth behind the rhetoric.
Recently Nandita Haksar did a piece on the Nagas of Manipur dialectics. She tells us about the history of Manipur before its rulers chose to be converted to Vaishnavism and to abandon their indigenous faith — the Sanamahi. This, she says is one landmark move that changed the course of Manipur's history and created a social divide between the hills and the valley.
There are as many histories as there are people in India. In the kind of liberal democracy we live in, each group is entitled to its own history so long as those do not superimpose on each other and lead to conflicts. Some believe that the political history of Manipur is cleverly crafted by the more advanced Meiteis, who because of their strategic location also gained control over the political and economic resources. There has never been any doubt at all that the hills of Manipur have not received adequate attention. In spite of all the problems that threaten peace in the valley there are visible signs of development and some form of governance. Economic transactions that help create livelihoods have their space in the valley.
Meiteis are educationally and intellectually advanced because most of the educational institutions, including the only central university are located in Imphal. The university is over-represented by one community to the exclusion of others. I recall a Zeliang friend saying his people in Tamenglong work very hard to prepare for their UPSC examinations so they can get into the civil services because that is the only way they can come out of the ghetto of neglect in that district.
The situation is quite same in the other hill districts. Healthcare in the hills is in complete disarray. Education, except for that provided by some of the missionary-run institutions, is in the doldrums. There are other development indicators such as road and rural connectivity, water and sanitation, agricultural advancements, life expectancy, social welfare and others which show how the hills have been completely marginalised.
Like every other state, development is visible only at the centre of power in the capital city of Imphal. But so is the case with Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. The further away the district is from the state capital the starker the neglect. But there are ways of addressing these concerns in a democracy. Specific research that (a) questions the allocation to outcome ratio in such districts (b) goes to the root of the matter to see why financial allocations have failed to bring about any physical, tangible outcomes, would help dispel the assumptions and the rhetoric.
Poverty alleviation schemes such as the NREGS, healthcare initiatives like the NRHM have made no dent whatsoever in all the districts of the seven states. So, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong are no exceptions. Mon district in Nagaland and other far-flung villages suffer a similar plight. But severing ties with the parent state is hardly the solution because the problem lies elsewhere. Holding the state to account makes better sense.
Many thinkers in the Northeast feel that the implementation templates adopted thus far and the actors responsible for carrying out the implementation processes — the bureaucracy — are both grossly inadequate. Governments function like automatons and change is the last thing you can expect from a clique that operates within a comfort zone. It is important to constantly challenge this clique and push them to go the extra mile even if that is a tall order.
Interestingly, if one were to measure the dissatisfaction levels of the citizens in Manipur, both in the hills and valley, the results would be almost similar. Those living in the valley nurse as much grouse against the government as those in the hills do. They too feel that the government has become only a symbol of power and authority, without the corresponding responsibility to serve the very people who have vested this power and authority on them.
Our system of administration has no measurement for inefficiency or non-performance. No one is penalised for abdicating his or her duties. Teachers in hundred of government schools in the seven states continue to draw their salaries without teaching or attending school. We have only perpetuated these depraved systems. So when Nagas of Manipur believe they would have a better future under a new arrangement one tends to be rather sceptical.
If Nagalim materialises it will only be a realisation of a long-nurtured dream. This might heal the psychological scars of separation and gratify those who cherish to live under the "broad" Naga umbrella. The boundaries of Nagaland, which will then be known as Nagalim will expand and so will the funds coming in from Delhi. That is, if Nagalim is still part of India. On the question of sovereignty there is a subtle difference in perception between the Nagas of Nagaland and those residing in Manipur. Whenever I have stated this up front, I have been accused of fomenting mischief and creating differences between people of the same origin but forced to live in different geographical-political spaces.
I reiterate my point that all Nagas do not think alike. If only there was a "non-threatening" space for them to express their views, we might still have an enlightening debate. A society that is steeped in the notion of consensus and where dissent is disapproved, if not totally silenced, cannot be called a democratic society. Sadly such societies stifle the intrinsic genius of their own youth and womenfolk. So does Nagalim mean a return to oligarchy? These are questions one raises as a firm believer in democratic tenets and without the intention to pompously pontificate to anyone about what they would choose as their way forward.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)
-The Telegraph
Elected members take oath; Ibobi pledges power to ADC
Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh felicitating an elected District Council member in Imphal, Manipur on Saturday, June 26 at Khuman Lampak stadium. (NNN Photo)
O Ibobi Singh also expressed happiness over the "successful" conducting of District Council polls in Manipur hills and pledged to take on the development in hill areas. "People inhabiting the hills cannot remain deprived of the democratic rights and developmental programmes," Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh told a gathering at the swearing-in ceremony of the 156 members of the six Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) at Khuman Lampak indoor stadium on Saturday. It is pertinent to note that altogether 144 members have got elected while 12 members are being nominated with two members each from six District Councils.
24 members have been elected from each District Council. O. Ibobi Singh pointed out that there had been a disparity of development between the hills and the valley as elections to the District Councils could not be held for a long time.
He said, "Despite sincere efforts by the government, the Autonomous District Council elections could not be held for a long time. But this time round, we managed to conduct the polls successfully despite threats, intimidations and other problems".
The chief minister said that now that the polls were held, developmental schemes will be implemented in a better way at the grassroots level. "One must not construe the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) elections as an attempt by the state government to go against any tribe or organization. It was to bring development to the hills. After all, there has to be equal distribution of development," the chief minister said. Elections to the District Councils under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act, 2008 were held much to the chagrin of the Naga frontal organisations.
The United Naga Council (UNC) and its federating units have been opposing to the elections of the District Councils under the 3rd Amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 2008 saying that it deprives the tribal peoples' rights. In protest against the elections under the same Act, the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) had called 68 days of blockade on the two national highways in Manipur sector which was suspended on June 18.
Meanwhile, large number of tribal people in colourful attires participated Saturday's swearing-in ceremony of the elected members of the District Councils. A song entitled 'Hingmin Nasi Eikhoi" or Let us co-exist together enthralled the gathering at Khuman Lampak stadium where artists representing the different communities viz, Meeiteis, Nagas and Kukis sang the song in eight language/dialects of the state.
Six deputy commisioners carried out the oath taking to their respective District Council members at the programme. A grand feast was organised by the state government after the programme.
Army chief against changes to AFSPA
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has promised amendments to the Act that gives sweeping powers to the Army in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East, to make it more humane. Home Minister P. Chidambaram is also known to be in favour of diluting some of the provisions of the Act.
The Home Ministry has finalised its views and sent a note to the Union Cabinet. Comments of the Ministries of Defence and Law have been sought before the Cabinet Committee on Security considers the amendments.
Describing AFSPA as a "misunderstood Act", the Army chief told a defence journal, "All who ask for its dilution or withdrawal, probably do so for narrow political gains". Any dilution, he said, "will lead to constraining our operations."
He went on to emphasise, "We are very clear on the subject that soldiers operating in hostile environment need legal protection to ensure that they perform their tasks efficiently".
Killings of three Kashmiri youths by the Army in a suspected fake encounter in Machil in Kupwara district on April 29 has sparked off widespread protests in the Valley and strengthened the demand for amending the Act.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as well as political parties in the State are clamouring for dilution of the Act so that any Army personnel involved in extra-judicial killings are held accountable through civilian legal process rather than Army's internal mechanisms.
But, Gen. Singh has maintained during the interview that "adequate measures have been instituted at organisational and functional levels to ensure that the powers entrusted through the Act are not misused".
Security forces are required to undertake operations in J&K in "challenging circumstances" against highly-trained terrorists, armed and equipped with sophisticated weapons, the General said, adding, "therefore, we need requisite legal protection".
AIDS claims 171 lives in Mizoram in 20 years
Of the 171 deaths, three deaths were reported during April and May this year, State AIDS Control Society (MSACS) officials said.
HIV infection was first detected in the State in 1990.
Describing the increasing detection of HIV positive cases as "alarming", the officials said that 126 and 101 fresh HIV positive infections were detected in April and May respectively.
"The situation is more alarming due to the fact that the main factor for the spread of the disease is through sexual contact", the officials said.
Of the total HIV positives, 1,559 males and 1,349 females were infected through sexual contact, they said.
Meanwhile, 1138 men and 230 women became HIV positive through blood transfusion as they were intravenous drug users, sharing syringes and needles while taking drugs, the officials said.
The number of people turning HIV positive due to transmission from infected mother to babies during pregnancy was 171, they said.
MSACS officials said that people belonging to 25-34 age group were the most vulnerable as of the total 4,608 infected people, 1868 people belonged to this age group.
Even younger people are not immune from HIV with 183 people below 14 years of age being infected, the officials said. – PTI
Cong single largest party in Manipur ADCs
IMPHAL, June 27(AT) – The Congress party has emerged the single largest party in the six autonomous district councils (ADCs) of Manipur following the completion of the counting process to the recently conducted ADC polls.
ADC polls were held in two phases, after a gap of more than 20 years, despite opposition by Naga frontal organisations in Manipur. The Naga bodies in a meeting in Kohima had said that they will not recognise any council elected in the recent polls. Around 35 Congress candidates have won across the six ADCs, including 15 from Tamenglong alone.
Out of 24 DCCs in Chandel district, 12 were already declared 'elected unopposed'. In the remaining 12 DCCs, Congress candidates won eight seats while Independents won four. In Sadar Hills too, 12 seats were elected without going to polls. Independent candidates secured eight seats while Congress won in four seats.
Out of 24 DCCs, only 15 went to polls in Churachandpur district. Congress won six seats, Independents three and Trinamool Congress one. The other eight seats were won uncontested.
Out of six DCCs which went to polls in Senapati district, Independents and Congress won two seats each. Even as polling was conducted in the other two DCCs, both the DCCs recorded zero voter turn-out. While 12 DCCs were already wrested by lone candidates without going to polls, not a single candidate put up their names in six other DCCs.
In Ukhrul district, 20 DCCs were won unopposed. Of the remaining four DCCs, there was no candidate in two DCCs. The other two seats were shared between Congress and NCP. Four candidates won their respective DCCs uncontested in Tamenglong district. Congress won 13 of the remaining 20 seats while Independents wrested seven seats.
Newspapers fail to hit stands in Manipur
IMPHAL, June 27 – Newspapers in Manipur failed to hit the stands today as the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union decided not to bring out the publications in the wake of pressures by militant outfits, official reports said.
A militant organisation, Kangleipak Communist Party -Military Council (KCP-MC), which split into two factions, had threatened media houses and journalists if their diktat was not obeyed.
While one faction said their statement should be published the other said media houses would be attacked if the statement was published, the reports said. In the course of the tussle between the two factions, the AMWJU decided not to publish the papers.
A spokesman of the AMWJU appealed to the militant outfits not to put pressure on newspapers regarding the issue of publishing statements and leave the decision on the editors.
Earlier, no newspaper hit the stands for two days – June 14 and 15 – in protest against the militant threat. – PTI
‘Doctors without Borders’ set to enter State
3-year MoU for Mon District Hospital
Kevi Soho | EMN
DIMAPUR, JUN 27: The Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department is set to sign a three-year MoU with 1999 Nobel Peace recipient organisation
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors without Borders, to further health care delivery in the State with particular focus on Mon district.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror over phone, H&FW Commissioner and Secretary Menukhol John confirmed the move while stating that the innovative step will pave way for experts to come in and help out in Mon District Hospital. He also felt that the arrangement creates a win-win situation for both parties as the department and the MSF can learn from one another.
Once the MoU is signed, the MSF will bring in its own experts and equipment to run the district hospital and PHCs in Mon district in their own professional style, the Commissioner Secretary informed. The team will, however, be assisted by the senior officers deputed by the department.
The arrangement, a first of its kind, is also expected to train department officials on the professional modals of the MSF.
With regard to the focus on Mon district, John said the officials of the international organisation had expressed interest to work in the less accessible and difficult areas. Hence, they have accordingly chosen to work in Mon district, he informed.
Medecins Sans Frontieres, an independent medical aid organisation, was founded in Paris in 1971 by a small group of doctors and journalists which has today grown to an international movement. Currently, MSF has its presence in more then 70 countries providing life saving assistance to population in need, with no discrimination of race, religion, nationality or political affiliation.
Right now, there are approximately 2,500 expatriate workers in the field with MSF alongside 20,000 national staff delivering emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care in these over 70 countries.
In 2008, volunteer medical and non-medical professionals departed on more than 3,800 missions and joined approximately 22,500 locally hired staff to provide aid in projects around the world.
The organisation has also been awarded with Nobel Peace prize for its services in 1999.
The MSF team in Mon district of Nagaland is expected to comprise of three medical doctors, administrators, technicians and clinicians.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
CDSU sees red in census exercise
Lamka, Jun 25(TSE): Pressing a panic button over the villages that were declared overlapping and left
off in the census exercise of the district, Churachandpur District Students Union today said these villages have never a part and parcel of the valley district and accused the government of discreetly seeking to grab tribal land.
'The so called overlapping areas had never been under the jurisdiction of valley district administration in the past, including the Maharaja regime and continues to be part and parcel of tribal areas in post independence period,' the union said. These operations among the districts of Manipur are attempts to encroach and grab the tribal lands in Sadar Hills, Chandel and Churachandpur districts, it added.
Besides, the CDSU statement signed by its President and Secretary and appended along with the lists of the villages in question also accused the concern authority of clandestinely scheming plans to grab tribal lands collectively with some vested interest group.
In the light of their observation, the union said it decided to oppose the exercise and request the government to hold up the census operation until the matter is solved favourably.
'Any attempt to test the patience of the tribal people will be dealt with firmly,' it warns further.
India highest consumer of heroin in S Asia: UN
India consumed 17 metric tonnes (mt) of heroine in 2008 and current opium consumption is estimated at some 65-70 mt per year. The opium consumed in India does not appear to come from Afghanistan, which is the largest producer of opium. In 2008, approximately 2,700 mt of Afghanistan's opium were refined into an estimated 380 mt of heroin to supply the global market. Placing a distant second is Myanmar and the Lao People's Democratic Republic production which yielded some 40 mt of heroin in 2008 - processed in Myanmar. The UN report stated that information provided by the Indian government indicated that foreign-sourced opium has neither been seized nor reported as trafficked into India.
"Consequently, such a consumption level (6 per cent of the estimated global total) would require the illicit cultivation of some 1,500-2,000 hectares of opium poppy on Indian territory," it said. Another possibility as a source of opium was the diversion from licit cultivation but the UN noted that this was unlikely because the limited size of licit cultivation (6,000 hectare in 2009) and the Indian authorities claim to be in control of this production. Opium is being increasingly consumed in India's neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal. But neither Afghanistan nor Myanmar appears to be the source of the contraband. Recent field research has confirmed the existence of (limited) illicit opium poppy cultivation in Nepal, as well as in the border areas of Bangladesh and India.
The estimated amount of heroin consumed in Bangladesh amounts to 4 mt in 2008, and Nepal's heroin consumption has also increased to around 800 kg. According to official reports from the governments of Nepal and Bangladesh, almost all the heroin consumed in those countries originates in India. The UN recommended in-depth heroin consumption and trafficking study to be carried out in India. The report highlighted that the lack of accurate and current information on the prevalence of opiate use among the general population in India did not allow a determination of the number of users.
In a national survey in 2001, a high prevalence rate was observed among Indian males (monthly prevalence rate of 0. 7 per cent among the male population, aged between 12-60 years old), but the lack of information on female opiate use prevents the calculation of reliable prevalence rate. The report also noted that there was a rise in cannabis use in the region over the past year but the two most populated countries in Asia - China and India - did not have estimates of cannabis users among the general population. A survey carried out in India in 2001 estimated a monthly prevalence rate of cannabis use at 3 per cent of the male population (aged between 12-60). However, the lack of information on cannabis use among females prevents an accurate estimate of the prevalence rate among Indians.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Panel suggests 70% weight for Class 12 marks in IIT entry
A cut-off list on the basis of the class XII result and the aptitude test will be prepared in the month of June every year and the top 40,000 will have to take the additional test for IITs. Right now, more than four lakh students appear for IIT-JEE in a single test.
The panel headed by Damodar Acharya, director of IIT Kharagpur, that gave its report to HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday, has also suggested that the aptitude test be an ongoing affair which students can take more than once.
However, the best score in the aptitude test -- which will have questions on reasoning, numerical ability and communication skills -- should be taken into account. It is only the add-on test for the top students that will have questions on physics, mathematics and chemistry. However, the panel has put a restriction on the number of times the add-on test can be taken.
Also, unlike the present system, right at the beginning, students will have to give their choice of IIT or other institutes -- like Indian Institute of Science Education & Research -- whose admission test is conducted through JEE. Students will also have to spell out their choice of branch of engineering or stream of pure science.
HRD sources said the ministry's first task would be to bring all state boards as well as CBSE on par with each other by developing a comprehensive weighted performance index so that there is no gross inequality among them and students do not suffer. Already, a core science and mathematics syllabus has been mooted by the HRD ministry and approved by the Council of Board of Secondary Education. "The move will ensure that students from small towns and even those who cannot afford expensive coaching can aim to be in IITs," a source said.
Govt vehicles for ADC members approved, census overlaps to be probed
IMPHAL, June 23(IFP): Owing to overlaps while carrying out census 2010 exercise in some part of Churachandpur, Chandel, Thoubal and Ukhrul districts over confusion of jurisdictions, a state cabinet convened this evening chaired by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh approved the setting up of a committee led by chief secretary, D.S Poonia to look into the matter.
The committee was formed to look into the causes of these overlaps and to sort the matter out and then submit the report to the concerned authority to ensure transparent census exercise.
Another agenda discussed in today's cabinet was about devolution of power and facilities to be provided to the elected members of the ADC.
The cabinet meet later approved for allotment of government vehicles to all the elected ADC members. However allocation of funds to the ADC members was deferred to be discussed in next sitting.
In the meantime, the state cabinet today also approved providing a suitable job preferably sub-inspector, SI, to son of late police inspector Lokhon.
The cabinet meet also approved giving ex-gratia amount of Rs. 1 lakh to the next of kin of deceased AHO namely N Sarat who was killed recently by unknown gunmen.
A proposal to give the post of SI to Sarat's son namely N Rajiv was also approved in today's cabinet meeting.
The cabinet meet also approved to give an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 1 lakh along with a government job to next kin of the family of late Rangneingam Kom assistant teacher of Khayom Primary School, who was killed by some armed miscreants.
In another agenda discussed in today's cabinet meet, it was approved to table Municipal Council, Community Participation Bill 2010 in the upcoming assembly session. In a bid to develop Manipur Meitei Pangal Madrasa Institute, the state cabinet meet decided to select 30 such institute by the government and provide necessary equipements like computers and others etc. worth Rs. 5 lakhs each to the institute.Pherzawl ADC in doldrums
Lamka, June 23: Even as the economic blockade in the national highways were opened and pave the way for development and growth, the condition of the office of the Assistant Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Pherzawl which was opened and inaugurated by the Chief Minister O Ibobi during 2005-06 is in ruin state.
The office premises, where the ADC office was proposed to be set up, looks like nothing sort of an administrative building and a property of the government department, it looks more like that of a cow grazing ground or deserted ghost house.
Talking to this correspondent, the villagers said that the ADC office premise has been lying like this for many years, and there are no staffs present to be seen not to mention for works. The people have high hopes that the ADC shall function properly and that the people of the area will be able to solve various officials' problems and not have to come a long way to Churachandpur.
"However, all our dreams were shattered and we do not have much hope of the office being run and things implemented as long as the present government is in place," said one villager who declined to be identify.
(Hueiyen News Service)
It maybe mentioned that the Pherzawl ADC was inaugurated at the time of Dr Chaltonlien Amo being the minister of Health under the Ibobi government. Dr Chalton was instrumental in formation of the ADC and he told that Rs.5 crores was sanction way back in 2006 for the construction of the said office.
Students from the areas said that they have to run or come up long way to Lamka just to get simple official papers and they have to spend more than their monthly school fees just to get a certain certificate. Therefore, the Ruonglevaisuo Students Union (Tipaimukh Area Students' Association) urge the government to look into the matter and try to establish the Pherzawl ADC as it should be so that any problems face by the people may be solve.
"Sometimes we heard only names of the official who were supposed to be posted here, and see no face at all," lamented one village elder.
The people of the village are fully depending upon their village Chief Mr. Lalhmangpui who is contesting the MDC elections - and just won the concluding ADC elections - since they have no more confident to the local MLA or the government in Imphal to look into their problems and grievances.
It maybe mentioned that Pherzawl in Tipaimukh sub-division lies about 200 Km from the district headquarter Churachandpur, and any developmental activities are as good as nil. Proper medical facilities are a far cry and the people just have to bear the brunt of disease and many died before they could reach Churachandpur.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Is Ibobi and the Meiteis really serious about the territorial integrity of Manipur?
Now that the Naga have already gone far away from the concept of a united Manipur, the Chin-Kuki-Zomi group is going to follow suit in no time. If Meiteis can refuse to listen and understand each other in a democratic way, if Meiteis can outrightly insult the Naga tribals by bulldozing over their just demands and treating them like criminals, what can Chin-Kuki-Zomi people expect from a Manipur, which is hopelessly divided emotionally and its territorial integrity held together with plasters called IRB/ Police commandos.
Let us give the tribal its dues. We have shared a common history with them but let us accept that we have different cultures, social values and way of life. But instead, with our superiority complex, we have been saying that whatever tribals are shouting about is harmful to the Meitei society, confident that the table can be always turned and project the tribals as oppressors and deserving of brutal suppression. That tribals of Manipur had always been distrustful of the Meiteis was evident even when the Manipur constitution was being drafted in May 1947, preparatory to the withdrawal of British paramountcy. The hill leaders, including Mr Tiankham, secured the incorporation of a clause on pg 12 that provides for "the right of any section of the hill people to secede at the end of the 5 year period, should conditions within the constitution not be satisfactory." But the integrated Manipur administration of Hills and valley started functioning on 15th April 1947 with high handedness and thus the Naga tribals launched a "No-tax campaign" in Mao area refusing to pay the hill house tax and demanding the merger of Naga areas with the Naga hills under Assam and in the campaign three Nagas gave their lives on 27th August, 1948 at Mao Gate. This is not the genesis but a landmark in history which continues to be relevant and is being reenacted all through these years since then, the recent sacrifice by 2 students on the 6th May, 2010 at Mao Gate being another one.
At the present moment, the ADC issue explains the continuing distrust and why it is so ? Tribals want greater autonomy of the hill areas and we the Meiteis with our majority 40 MLAs in the house of 60 for sometimes said 'yes', sometimes " with local adjustment" but finally after more than 20 years we manipulate the equation and come out with an act that enables us to take away their lands, override their traditional institutions and customary practices. It was done so very stealthily that the tribals of Manipur in general were unaware of the implications even when it was notified for suggestions and objections. But tribals are no more ignorant and stupid. A vigilant somebody raised hue and cry. The ANSAM and the UNC then took over the lead to protest. Now the tribals are angry not only because their inherent rights are being threatened but are greatly infuriated by the deceitful and subtle engineering to hood wink them into getting the Act passed in the form and content that serves the interest of the Meitei people alone. Even as the protest became visible and organized, the Government of Manipur decides to impose the ADC elections under this very unwanted Act, instead of listening to the demands of the hill people and accommodating their will and wishes. Yes, it is in the interest of Meiteis, mostly our economic interest that the territorial integrity of Manipur must be continued. But as the tribals are getting organized, even with the disadvantage of physical distance between them, absence of a unifying common language, access to media etc., we must not fail to see the writings on the walls.
These confrontations and the contest of strength in terms of force, publicity and media coverage, lobbying with Delhi and national political parties will continue. Then one day, which may not be far away, when the tribals get better organized, better equipped and have mustered their collective strength, what options will be left to us, the Meiteis. As of now we are at leisure callings the shot. Let us think seriously. Can we not change? Is there no other way to address the issue of Manipur integrity, besides using force or trying to divide the tribals by wedging in whenever there are local conflicts among them, setting one tribe against the other or promoting some treacherous tribals, who did not represent the will and wishes of the tribal people as leaders and using them to parrot and campaign the issue of Manipur's territorial integrity. This is the age-old policy and technique of divide and rule. But all these tricks are evident to the tribals and they are not being taken by surprise.
Immense resources, in terms of fund and manpower are deployed by the Ibobi government to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur. But what about building bridges, both physical and metaphorical , constructing roads or providing electricity or health services ? Where is the fund, the will and the desire to truly provide governance to the people of the state. Look at the inordinate quantum of food supply brought into Manipur inspite of the ANSAM economic blockade to augment the already available stock of food grains produced from the rice bowls of Imphal valley and the artificial scarcity and deliberate price hike that is being orchestrated to defeat the voice of the tribals. The agitation of the tribals for their rights is being judo-ed and made into a humanitarian issue. But will we Meiteis not come together to question Ibobi and his abuse of power to save his seat by using the name of territorial integrity of Manipur. Manipur and its resources are not his personal fiefdom to be used to perpetuate his reign in power. To save his chair, the Muivah mantra is conjured up by Ibobi. But to save Manipur, the rights of the tribals have to be addressed.
The economic blockade has been temporarily suspended with Ibobi seemingly emerging victorious. But will the issue die? The tribals will come back again more resolute, prepared and with greater strength. The point therefore of this article is that tribals have reasons to be dissatisfied with the present arrangement where the 40 MLAs of Imphal valley can decide on any issue any day and willfully ignore, neglect or reject the wishes, will and interest of the tribals represented by their 20 MLAs. See ! the equation is so very tempting and comes naturally to every normal person to capitalize on the advantage that has been built up over the year since 1949 when the integrated administration of the hill and valleys began after the independence of India. Even a good man like Ibobi, who not so long back had stuck to the end to protect his poor commandos who shot dead a youth in broad daylight in the crowded Khwairamband bazaar and skillfully turned Manipur into a failed state., would be compelled by his natural instincts to perpetuate this arrangement.
So without breaking up the territorial integrity of Manipur, let there be a separate administration for the five hill/ tribal districts and another for the four Meitei districts of Imphal valley to administer over areas and aspects that are specific to the respective areas. A common state government that has representation from both the tribal and Meitei administration in proportion to population can be put into place for governance and administration on issues , projects, and programmes that concern the State as a whole with Imphal city continuing as the state capital .This new arrangement will bring about a win-win situation for everybody and all communities in the present state of Manipur. With a contented Naga population, We Meiteis will not need to fear Muivah nor any other.
This is the essence of the only arrangement that will ensure the territorial integrity of Manipur. Otherwise let the Nagas in Manipur, with their land integrate with Nagaland state and the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people and their land join the brethren in Mizoram. The Imphal valley can remain as 'Sanalaibak' undefiled with tribal mixtures.
But I do not think that we, Meiteis can live happily with themselves only. Without tribals to put down, we will turn on each other and we can very well imagine that world. Our mental and social upbringing are like that as we are so very unaccommodating of others then our own individual self. Meiteis should end and change their attitude to life and their world view or otherwise the tribals would continue to go away and farther. Consensus must emerged out of a sober and rational discussion on this line so that Manipur and its people can be saved. Muivah is not the issue but the tribal people and their yearning for autonomy and their inherent rights definitely are.
Ch. Jugindro Singh, MSW
at Senapati Dist. HQ
Source:TMEx
Mizoram to hike petrol and diesel price
Stating the reason for hiking petrol and diesel price, the chief minister said that as the state government had spent Rs. 4046 lakhs for buying rice so in order to stabilise the financial condition of the state it had to hike the prices of petrol and diesel.
Mizoram also have very less rice quota unlike previous months. The state government had to buy rice through economic cost from the centre monthly incurring a loss of Rs. 1190 per quintal. This is the fact that while Mizoram buys rice from outside at Rs. 2137 per quintal, the state government had sold rice at Rs. 950 per quintal. As per statistic from Agriculture department, Mizoram had 29,646 metric tons of rice during 2006-2007, 15,688 metric tons during 2007-08 and 68,917 metric tons during 2008-09.
On the other fronts, the Cabinet meeting gave nod to a one-time relaxation for one year in the recruitment rules for selection of Science, Mathematics and English subject teachers and also decided to relocate Sainik School and its related matters from the Home Department to the School Education Department. The Cabinet meeting also approved in principle the Sixth Pay Commission Report, and agreed to implement it at the earliest, after making necessary revisions as per the suggestions of the Employees' Federation. The Cabinet meeting then approved in principle to implement the "Scheme of Revision of Pay of Teachers and Equivalent Cadres in Universities & Colleges on the Recommendation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission", and re-arrangement of various posts among different Departments in the Secretariat.
A decision on proposed New Land Usable Policy (NLUP) Grant-in-aid Rules, 2010 (Grant-in-aid to Executing Agencies and Individual from NLUP Board and Grant-in-aid to NLUP Board from the Government) has been postponed for reconsideration in future meetings.
Newmai News Network
ADC vote counting in CCpur today
From Kaimuanthang
Lamka, June 21(IFP) : Counting of votes for the rencently conducted Autonomous District Council , ADC, (MDC) election will be held tomorrow at the DC / Ccpur office campus from 8 am as well.
The counting will be performed in 12 tables in an alphabetical order of the constituencies name said an official sources
The counting will be done for 15 constituencies out of the 24 ADC seats in ccpur while 9 others need no more counting as the candidates have none to contend with after most of the persons who fielded as contenders beat retreat in a dramatical development.
Thus the nine contestants mostly from the INC candidates have been elected unopposed already.
As a result only 15 candidates have been left behind on the fray and taking a clue from sources of polling proceeds chances of the INC winning most of the seats are high yet is open to one and all to wait and see.
With stages set ready for the counting tomorrow the much awaited result could be at every ones disposal.
ADC vote counting for all hill districts begins amidst tight security
The counting of vote that commenced from early morning today is still underway till the filing of this reports and it is likely to continue till tomorrow.
According to reports provided by the concerned authority, till 8 pm today, the INC is leading with 32 of its candidature being elected while 18 Independent candidates have so far been declared elected.
The NCP and Trinamool Congress have open their accounts winning one each seat.
Counting for Sadar hills DCC, Chandel DCC, Senapati and Ukhrul were reportedly over however the counting for Churachandpur and Tamenglong DCC are yet to be over.
It may be recalled that out of 24 DCC 12 seat were earlier declared duly elected as un-contested for Sadar Hills DCC while the remaining 12 was declared today which includes 8 Independent, 4 INC.
Similarly 12 DCC was earlier declared elected as un-contest for Senapati while 6 DCC remained vacant. Out of the remaining 6 seats two DCC were declared nil today and out of the four seats elected two were bagged by the INC and two seats by the Independent candidate.
For Ukhrul district out of 24 DCC seats 20 seats were earlier declared elected un-contest but two remained vacant while out of the two seats reaming INC and NCP bagged one each.
Out of the 12 remaining seats for Chandel DCCs, eight seats were bagged by the INC and three by Independent.
For Tamenglong district, the counting of votes was over for only 14 DCC out of 20 DCC while 4 were earlier declared elected as un-contest. Out of the 14 seats declared today 11 seats were bagged by INC and three by Independent.
In the meantime, glorification of the Congress by a achieving absolute majority at the recently held election to the Members of District Council in 52-Tamei sub-Division all nine congress candidates from nine constituency out of 10 constituencies of the Tamei Assembly were felicitated by the local public and leaders of the Congress party during a simple gathering held at the residential complex of former minister Z Mangaibou at Langol Tarung village this evening.
Attending at the function, former minister Z Mangaibou stated that success of all nine Congress candidature in nine constituency of the MDC under Tamei assembly constituency will surely strengthen the activities of the Congress party towards the welfare and development of the areas in the future.
He also gave his words of appreciations to all Congress candidates in the constituency who have honestly fought election to the District Councils at the very constituency despite of serious threats and obligations both from the armed and unarmed organizations.
Later, social worker Athuan Abonmei in his speech mentioned that the success of the Congress candidates shows the need of the people to preserve the democracy in the region and the success of nine Congress candidates in 10 constituencies shows the impotency of threats and obligations from some sections of organizations. This overwhelming success of the Congress party has shown that people of the region wanted development and peace.
Later, all the nine successful Congress candidates from Tamei Assembly Constituency made their common observations to go jointly to every aspects of administrations towards bringing development in the region.
Our correspondent adds from Churachandpur: Seven INC candidates have been elected as MDC with one from the Trinamool Congress as well as another one from the Independant candidates respectively in the votes counting of election held earlier today in the DC/ Ccpur office premises which has started from 8 am .
The vote count has started with 1 / Khousabung ADC which soon ended with the winnings of Thangkhomang from the Trinamool Congress , TC, which may very well be taken as bad omen for candidates of consttituencies the counting of which is yet to follow .He secured as many as 2334 routing his nearest rival P Soiliankhum Vaiphei who got 2128.
The successive result declared have turn the balance in favour of the Indian National Congress , INC , disppelling the anxiety of many INC hopeful candidates .
As soon as the 2/ Leimatak ADC result were Demmang Haokip an INC candidates emerged victorious by getting 2480 votes. P Paukham stood second getting 2062.
The same trend of success was followed suit when Paolal an INC Candidates from the 3 Henglep constituencies got again elected . The NCP candidates Thenkhohau have secured 1397 and ranked second.
The next result was success after success in favour of the INC with Genneikhup from the 4 /Chongkhojou ADC winning after getting 3395 votes . H. Jamkhanpau Simte INC from 5/Thanlon have got 3859 and won against his sole contenders L Howpu NCP candidates getting 2317.
From 6 / Parbung Lalhmangpui INC Candidates too got elected after getting 1644 votes .Lalhossan of the same INC candidates from 7/ Vangai ADC have also won by getting 2576 votes . Sumlianthang from the INC have also got elected from 8/ Lanva constituency.
The last none congress to have won the MDC election are Lalditsang of an Independent candidates from Senvon ADC .There are altogather 15 polling stations The DC / CCpur have declared 144 CrPc into the the town areas till the counting of votes are over.
Nine INC candidates have all been declared elected uncontest in the initial stages They are Mangchinkhup from New Lamka West , Goujamang New Lamka East , Khaikhanmung Zenhang Lamka , Ms Zamngaihching Mualtam , Pauminlian Haopi Range , Suanchinpau Lungthul , Langkhanpau Tuivai , M Ginzapau Ngajam , T Sianzadong Singngat.
AMSU delegation visits Mizoram
IMPHAL, June 22(IFP): A delegation of the AMSU visited the office of the MZP (Mizoram students body) to apprise of the present situation in Manipur that has risen out of the unwarranted blockade of both the National Highways, NH-39 & NH-53, which are the life-lines of Manipur.
In a release, the AMSU said the whole population of the state were kept at ransom for more than two months by the economic blockade which was against any form of humanitarianism. The AMSU feels that the suspension of the blockade is not sufficient as res-imposition of the same looms large.
The AMSU remains indebted to MZP for their effort in organizing a press conference where AMSU could clarify many intricate issues revolving around the current blockade, the release said adding the students body is willing to host a direct talk with the NSF and AMSU under the aegis of the NESO as proposed by the MZP.
The AMSU also alleged that the central government has not been doing much to diffuse the situation and this intervention has been a little too late as the damage had already been done. The AMSU accused central government of igniting the unwanted issues due to which it resulted in such an ugly situation.Buses attacked on NH-39, Senapati bandh called
Reports said the buses were carrying several passengers mostly non-locals travelling from Imphal to Mao and onwards.
Some miscreants who tried to stop passengers from boarding resorted to physical assault on two persons and also damaged the two buses.
A woman passenger and a driver were injured when the two buses were attacked.
In protest, the Senapati District Motor Vehicles Owners Association, Manipur has called a 24 hour bandh on passenger vehicle services in the district on Tuesday.
The Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) also strongly condemned the incident and asked the concern authority to book the culprits at the earliest.
The attackers are suspected to be supporters of Drivers Council of Manipur which has said no freight and commercial vehicles should ply the NH 39 until the demands spelt out by the council is addressed and met by the state government.
The foremost of these demands is an assurance that there would be no extortion or harrassment of truckers on the highway by unauthorised organisations.
Meanwhile under the escort of troops of the IRB, Manipur Rifles, Imphal West Police and CRPF, 10 trucks carrying fertilizer,16 carriying edible items,13 cement, 5 carrying iron rods, 6 passenger buses, 4 oil tankers, 1 gas bullet, 2 Tata wingers and 2 trucks carrying sugar for the FCS department arrived via the NH 53.
The first incident occured near the 2nd MR gate when the bus(MNO1/1167) was stoned and a passenger riding in the front cabin sustained injury on the head. The driver of the vehicle also sustained some injuries.
The person is identified as Ningthoukhongjam Jamini Devi (35) W/o Rajendro from Malom.
The second incident happened in a similar fashion and the bus MNO1/0341 was stoned near Sanglakpham at Chingmeirong.
No was was hurt in the incident and the bus window panes were damaged.
Reports from a reliable source stated that the Drivers Council held another meeting today and further reaffirmed its stand that all vehicles which comes under the Council will ply on NH 53 only.
Presently passenger buses bound for Assam are plying along this highway at present.
Meanwhile the injured passenger Jamini has been admitted at RIMS Hospital. The driver of the bus who too received injuries has been identified as Shekho.
A reliable source said that she was among the passengers who will proceed to Guwahati with a bus engaged by a inter-state booking counter in Imphal for onward journey to Guwahati.
It may be mentioned that even though the council imposed ban on the vehicles travelling on the Imphal-Dimapur section of the NH-39, most of the booking counters of Imphal to Guwahati were open and sell tickets.
When enquiries were made, they said that they were selling tickets for buses on NH-53 Imphal-Jiribam.
Air travellers to be compensated for delayed, cancelled flight
NEW DELHI, JUN 21 (PTI): Air travellers would now be compensated for cancellation or delays in flights which have not been caused by situations like fog
or any reason beyond the control of the airlines, if a new draft rule is implemented.
New rules detailing the conditions of compensation have been drafted by the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which has invited comments from the public before finalising them.
The decision came in the wake of rapid expansion of air services on domestic and international routes and the necessity for the government to ensure appropriate protection for air travellers in case of flight disruptions, denied boarding, cancellations and delays without due notice to the passengers, an official spokesperson said.
As the distinction between scheduled and non-scheduled services was coming down, such protectionary measures would also be provided to passengers travelling on non-scheduled flights, like charters, also.
The new rules or the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) would bring the Indian aviation law in tandem with the Montreal Convention in regard to the liabilities of the airlines.
The operating airline would, however, be under no obligation if the cancellations and delays are caused by events beyond its control, like natural calamities or political instability.
Under the draft CAR, the financial compensation would be given only if the amount of tickets cost is higher than the compensation amount.
It would be Rs. 2,000 or the value of the ticket whichever is less for flights having a block time of up to and including one hour. Till two hours, the compensation would be Rs 3,000 or the value of the ticket whichever is less.
Similarly, if the delay is more than two hours, the amount would be Rs 4,000 or the value of the ticket whichever is less.
The draft rule provides that alternatively, the passenger would be offered the choice of a refund at the price it was purchased, a flight to the first point of departure and alternative transportation to the final destination wherever applicable.
Besides, the passengers shall be offered free of charge meals and refreshments and hotel accommodation, including transfers, when necessary.
The extraordinary circumstances, when the airlines would not be liable to compensate, range from political instability, natural disasters, riot or insurrection, floods, explosion, government regulation or order affecting aircraft, strikes and labour disputes causing cessation, slowdown or interruption of work or any other factor beyond the control of the airline.
The draft rule also said that the airlines would not be liable to pay any compensation if cancellations and delays are clearly attributable to Air Traffic Control, meteorological conditions, security risks or unexpected flight safety situations.
If boarding is denied to passengers against their will, the airline shall as soon as practicable compensate them, the draft rule said.
Airlines overbook their flights in order to reduce the possibility of departing with empty seats because of some passengers who do not report for travel despite firm bookings before the stipulated time.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Muivah wants Govt. to resolve the issue soon(An exclusive I'view with Muviah)
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) General Secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, on Monday said the Central government must recognize the unique history of Nagas and resolve the issue soon.
Muivah is presently in India to hold talks with the Central government on the Naga issue.
Muviah in an exclusive interview to Asian News International said he is optimist of finding solution to the prevailing problems.
"We have confidence to have an honourable solution because the Government of India recognizes uniqueness of Naga history and situation. On that basis something honourable could be worked out. If Government of India is going to deny the historical facts of the Nagas, we will not place ourselves at the mercy of the Indians. We cannot do that," said Muivah.
Muivah, is camping at Jotsoma, around five kilometers from the capital city Kohima.
He has reportedly been asked by the Central government to postpone his visit to his native village that falls in the adjoining Manipur state, till normalcy returns to the State.
Reacting to this, Tribal groups from Nagaland state had blocked supplies to Manipur.
The Naga leader expressed his displeasure at what he called the Central government using Manipur state against the Nagas.
"By using the Manipur state government, they wanted to insult us. The central government wants to insult us that we cannot accept it," said Muivah.
He, however, said the central government has the authority to resolve the issue.
"Everyone knows that central government is not subject to Manipur state. Manipur state is subject to the Central government so they can solve. They have the authority to do it but they don't want to do it, why, because probably they have the personality and that problem would have to be solved by them first," said the Naga leader.
Muivah said that he was ready for the next round of peace talks.
The Nagas have been demanding a free Nagalim state carved out of the northeastern region, including parts of Manipur.
Manipuris oppose this and see Muivah's attempts to visit his village as undermining their territorial integrity. (ANI)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Northeast Echoes
PATRICIA MUKHIM
 |
| Blockade Bane |
Finally, it's curtains for the two-month-long economic blockade in Manipur. This comes ostensibly on the request of the Prime Minister and Union home minister to the Naga Students' Federation. The student body relented, but not before publicly castigating Union home secretary G.K. Pillai for fomenting discord when he announced some days ago that force would be used to break the blockade. So while one section of Delhi is talking tough, (and I suppose that is what got the Nagas into a huddle about ending the economic cordon), the other is showing its soft underbelly.
Henceforth, those in a position to blackmail the state will be called for talks and "requested" or "appealed" to refrain from breaking the law. The court had earlier declared the economic blockade illegal. And rightly so! No group or individual can hold an entire state and its people to ransom, no matter how weighty the issue. But politically, things have reached a flashpoint. Those with any grievance will now want to talk directly to the PM of this country and no one less.
Whether the blockade on NH39 was called to protest the hill council elections or as a show of solidarity with NSCN (I-M) leader Th. Muivah who was not allowed to visit his natal habitat has become the current polemics as if the reasons for the act are more important than the act itself.
The Nagaland Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) now blames the media for mixing up the issues. They say the blockade has nothing to do with Muivah's visit but everything to do with an election imposed on an unwilling people. But were the people really against the autonomous council elections? If so, would over 58 per cent have come out to vote? In the first phase of the polls as many as 72 per cent voted. Are there hidden variables here that we are missing?
It is common today to speak of the hills of Manipur as if those are inhabited by a homogenous group with a common ideology and a familiar homeland. But even as the Nagas take up strong positions, other groups who also have a claim to homelands in Manipur are getting restive at the propensity of a few to punish the many without any regard for the fact that they too might have a viewpoint.
The Nagas of Manipur have every right to demand the revocation of an election they feel is of no benefit to them. But they cannot ignore the views of other indigenous communities.
The argument that unlike the ADCs created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the Manipur Hill Areas District Council Act, (1971) does not provide legislative and judicial powers to the ADCs but merely vests limited administrative powers under the pervasive control of the state government, has its merits.
Further amendments to the 1971 Act empower the ADCs to make recommendations to the state government to legislate on matters concerning welfare of Scheduled Tribes, such as (a) appointment or succession of chiefs (b) inheritance of property (c) marriage & divorce and (d) social customs. The ADCs are, however, not empowered to generate their own revenue but are dependent on grants-in-aid from the state government.
The Nagas see this as a placebo which only mimics a "real" legislation for empowerment of tribal bodies in a manner that grants them sufficient financial and administrative autonomy.
The Bodoland Territorial Council is the model that every minority tribal group living within a geographical territory ruled by a dominant "plains" community, is striving at.
This gives them enough money to play around with and perhaps to create public assets, which at the moment are completely invisible in the hill areas of Manipur, particularly in Ukhrul. In fact, it would have been an eye-opener for Muivah to see his sleepy little hamlet, Somdal, in the very same condition when he left it four decades ago.
Except for the special intervention made by the International Fund for Agricultural Development's poverty alleviation project for the past 10 years, nothing has changed for the people of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Churachandpur.
Those in the government counter the allegation by saying that militants do not allow development to happen. This is the typical argument of a political system and a bureaucracy that has learnt to cover up its inadequacies, albeit with a fig leaf.
The way Manipur is administered today gives every militant group the alibi for extortion. So it is possible that the NSCN (I-M) is asking for a cut from development funds. But so do the three dozen-odd Meitei outfits in the valley. The fact of the matter is that development has not been equitable.
As is the familiar scenario in all northeastern states, development funds are cornered by a minuscule ruling elite located in the state capitals, and by those ideologically close to this power centre. Development is simply a process of converting "government" funds into private investments. A meagre amount that can be spared goes towards development.
Hence, when any group perceives it is on a losing wicket because it has no grip on the political economy and virtually no profile to engage in rent-seeking in the manner that those vested with political authority do, they begin to use identity as leverage for greater political and financial autonomy. This is the all-too-familiar story of every "homeland" claim in the Northeast. But as stated earlier, Manipur hills are not the exclusive homelands of the Nagas. There are the Kukis who form a fairly good chunk of the tribal population but who were at the receiving end of the ethnic cleansing by Nagas in the early 1990s. Do they not have a right to articulate their own arguments on the inadequacy or otherwise of the autonomous councils under the present arrangement? While calling for the economic blockade, were the Kukis and other tribes consulted or were they simply bulldozed into endorsing the diktat of Ansam?
Meanwhile, there is continued exodus of Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and others from the state of Manipur because it is becoming unliveable. Healthcare has collapsed after the recent blockade. Essential commodities are available at a price no longer affordable to the ordinary citizen.
The neighbouring states of Assam and Meghalaya are bearing the brunt of this exodus. Shillong, with an area of 10 square km is housing a Naga Tangkhul population of nearly 3,000 and counting. Guwahati with a bigger size might have more. Pilangkata, near Beltola, supposedly belonging to Meghalaya but located in the heart of Assam has become an area of domicile for a large number of Tangkhul Nagas.
The population will only grow as more and more Tangkhuls find it easier to live, work and conduct their businesses in these states outside "Nagalim". But at what cost to the host states? Hardened ideologies and behavioural traits are often hard to jettison. Is it not possible that these new "homelands" might become the next theatres of more contumacious inter-ethnic conflicts?
I have never understood why the Nagas of Nagaland who ostensibly take up the cause of their Naga brethren in Manipur with so much fervour have also served "quit notices" on the Tangkhuls in Nagaland? This is a difficult equation to crack.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)
(The Telegraph)
Youth trails lore, finds war wreck - Plane, skeleton, bullets found in Seppa
| ATONU CHOUDHURRI | |||
Itanagar, June 20: A village schoolteacher chasing a folklore and fear of the unknown, unearthed remnants of a World War II aircraft, a skeleton and four-inch bullets on a perilous forested hill in Arunachal Pradesh. Tani Bagang, a 28-year-old man from East Kameng district, had heard legendary tales of arre, an unknown object in Nyishi, that scared his ancestors, and had even performed rituals to deal with the "terror", till he decided to take on the unknown headlong. He trekked through Lolum, 180km from Seppa, the district headquarters of East Kameng, braving snakes and inclement weather, and stumbled on metal objects strewn across the hills. Further down, he lifted a veil of foliage that canopied a metal structure lying near a gorge. A little research on the recovered plate, with the inscription, ST 95T6 BLACK HAWK 7.26.1943SPMCO, made Bagang realise that it could be the wreckage of a World War II aircraft that might have crash-landed at the spot. "My grandfather and father always used to tell me about a mysterious object that scared them all their life. A hunter from our locality, Kasee Bagang, once sighted the remnants from a distance but never mustered courage to go near the wreckage site. Though many of my family members and relatives tried to dissuade me from visiting this inaccessible wilderness with snakes and wild animals, I made up my mind after performing rituals on June 10. I strayed into another jungle after trekking for five days and again took another route to reach Lolum, where I spotted broken parts of metal on June 17. I was not even aware that these are wreckage of a World War II aircraft until I got a nameplate ST 95T6 BLACK HAWK 7.26.1943SPMCO emblazoned on it. A skeleton, some bones and four-inch bullets were also found on the spot," Bagang told The Telegraph over phone from Seppa. He carried the metal plates, bullets and bones with him to show the district planning officer, Vijay Sonam. Deputy commissioner Tope Bam came to know about the discovery and informed chief secretary Tabom Bam about it on June 18. The skeleton has been sent for DNA test. "We were shown all the remnants of the aircraft, which, after examining, appeared to be wreckage of a World War II fighter plane that might have been lost during operation as another skeleton with parts of jeans was found in Yangfo village near this place way back in the fifties. We thought it to be the corpse of a person who was on board," Sonam said. Army officials from 5 Mountain Brigade at Tenga of West Kameng district summoned Bagang to ask about the plane. A US aircraft, B-24 J, nicknamed "Hot As hell" that met with an accident on January 25, 1944, was also found by villagers in East Siang district in 2007. Several other US fighter planes were found in Dibang Valley, Papum Pare and Lohit districts over the past few years. More than 430 aircraft and hundreds of crewmen of the US air force went missing in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh since World War II. Former US Consulate general at Calcutta, Henry V. Jardine, who visited the state in 2008, also announced plans to send a team to search for the wreckage of missing fighter planes. (The Telegraph) | |||
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Kom people to launch non-coop. movement
Imphal, June 20: The JAC formed in connection with alleged prevention of Kom people in exercising their franchise in the last ADC election today warned that they will be compelled to launch non-cooperation movement including boycott of ongoing census if their demand for re-poll is not considered by the state government.
The JAC in a statement signed by its secretary L Thakpu Kom warned that if the authority concerned fails to order an enquiry and re-poll for the polling stations within the 20 Sagang ADC Constituency where Kom villagers were prevented to cast vote during the re-poll, they will be compelled to launch a non-cooperation movement against the state government including boycott of the ongoing Census 2010.
The JAC also condemned the act of one Ngamjang Hmangte of Kurbung village and his two accomplices who forcibly attempted to take the signatures of Kom voters to admit that Kom voters had cast their votes at the Saiton Khullen polling station.
The decision to launch protest was taken decrying state government failure to take up steps towards fulfilling the demands of the JAC even after the intervention of the Governor of the state. The state government will be responsible for any untoward incidents arising out of the proposed non-cooperation movement, the statement added.
Manipur forces withdrawn from Mao Gate
State forces including police commandos, Manipur Rifles and India Reserve Battalion were stationed at Jessami and Liyai village in Manipur's Ukhrul and Senapati districts since June 3 following reports that Muivah will visit his native village Somdal in Ukhrul.
Sources said Muivah is presently staying in Jotsoma village near Nagaland capital Kohima after his recent visit to Pfutsero town in Phek district. Earlier, he had stayed at Viswema for almost a month.
Centre may amend AFSPA
NEW DELHI, JUN 20 (PTI): Notwithstanding opposition from the Army and faced with reports of fake encounters, the government is planning to go ahead with certain amendments in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which includes handing over of an Army personnel in case of extra-judicial killings to the state authorities.
While of late, Army officials have been raising issues and even terming AFSPA as a 'holy book', government sources feel that there was a need to give a fresh look to the act and make it more humane.
A draft note has been circulated to the law and defence ministries for their comments as the UPA government continues to strive hard to fulfil the assurance made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in carrying out a thorough review of the AFSPA and making it more humane, the sources said.
Once an view is firmed up, the amendments would be listed before the Cabinet Committee on Security, they said.
The AFSPA gives the Army the powers to detain and, if the situation warrants, eliminate suspected terrorists when they are fighting insurgents without the fear of prosecution.
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act only in force in some areas in Kashmir and insurgency-affected states in the north east.
The Second Administrative Reforms Committee had suggested to the government replacing of the Act with an amended law which gives the centre the right to deploy the Army or para-military forces in situations involving national security.
According to the sources, the amendments also include handing over of Army personnel, who allegedly indulge in fake killings, to the local police authorities for prosecution.
The issue of amendments has been regularly been raised by Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah with several senior Central leaders including the Prime Minister and home minister P Chidambaram.
Northern Army Commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal, in his recent interview to a news channel, had said, "I would like to say that the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Power Act are very pious to me and I think to the entire Indian Army.
"We have religious books, there are certain guidelines which are given there. But all the members of the religion do not follow it, they break it also. Does it imply that you remove the religious book or you remove this chap?"
Recently, Jammu and Kashmir Police had faced an uphill task while dealing with the Army when three youths were allegedly shot dead in a fake encounter.
Among the accused was an Army major. There have been demands for scrapping of the Act from some of the north eastern states especially Manipur where several civil rights activists have been blaming the Army for misusing it.
