RPF refutes
IMPHAL, Sep 29: Refuting the statement of Addl SP of Imphal West (OPs) S Ibomcha published in media on September 23, chief of department of publicity, RPF GM Changjou has clarified that general secretary of Ima Leimarol Apunba Lup, Churachandpur unit Sanasam (O) Muktaleima Devi (34) w/o S Sobhamenon of Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai but staying at Dephailen, Churachandpur has no connection with RPF and its armed wing PLA.
Arresting a Meira Paibi leader while she is going for her own personal work by the Manipur Police Commandos and forcing her to attend a press conference in the barrack of the police commandos is despicable. Even if she had been arrested for some reasons on mere suspicion, she should be taken to the nearest police station, GM Changjou said, adding that the conduct of the police com- mandos to arrest innocent people from road and torturing them or snatching their belongings after being taken to their complex is not a new thing and recent incident showing disrespect to the Meira Paibis is yet another manifestation of such conduct.
For RPF, there no culture of firing gun at the time of paying homage to departed revolutionary leaders at their memorials and homage to the departed leaders should be paid under certain laid down norms, GM Changjou pointed out, adding that RPF has been observing Athoubasinggi Ningshing Numit every year on April 13.
Source: The Sangai Express
Lest we forget : Justice yet to be delivered in the murder of Dr Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen Lobbying does the trick, Pankaj Pal resumes duty in Bihar
IMPHAL, Sep 29: The then Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district, Pankaj Kumar Pal, who was placed under suspension pending an inquiry in connection with the killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan and his two sub-ordinate staff, has reportedly resumed official duty in Bihar after being released by the Government of Manipur. According to an informed source, intense pressure was exerted upon the Government of Manipur to release PK Pal and consequently the lobbying paid dividends as not only the suspension order of IAS officer was revoked but he was also freed from legal obligations in the case. It is said that being an IAS officer and posted as the Ukhrul DC on the basis of inter-cadre deputation, PK Pal had substantial support/backing in the Central Government whose pressure on the State Govern- ment finally paid off in the form of release order. PK Pal is from Bihar and is likely to be posted somewhere close to his home State.
Even though the source declined to provide details with regard to when the release order was issued, information has been received that it might have been sometime in March-April this year. As killing of the SDO, who was from Kangjabi Leirak, along with his driver Aribam Rajen of Uripok Khoisnam Leikai and Revenue Mandol Y token of Singjamei Yumnam Leikai, drew sharp criticisms and condemnations from various section of the society file process for revoking PK Pal’s suspension and his release from Manipur was carried out at the top level, the source disclosed adding that lower level officials in the Department of Personnel had no idea of even the process.
Mention may be made that taking into account the sensitivity of the triple murder case, Commissioner O Nabakishore (IAS) and IGP (intelligence) LM Khaute were appointed to lead the investigation but the findings, if any, are yet to be made public. PK Pal was placed under suspension and an inquiry initiated against him on the ground of duty negligence, lack of commitment and concealing vital information. With similar charges the then Superintendent of Police (Ukhrul) A Dorjee (IPS) was also placed under suspension pending an inquiry.
It is pertinent to add that on February 13 last year, Dr Kishan, Rajen and Token accompanied by Extension Officer in-charge RS Raising from Chongdal village (Ukhrul), village level worker S Ramthing of Kasom Khullen and (peon) Kapungkhui of Poharam village left the private residence of the SDO for Ukhrul in a Maruti Gypsy. After attending a meeting at the Ukhrul DC office the same afternoon wherein PK Pal was also present, Dr Kishan and five others were abducted from near the Gate of the DC Office by some armed cadres of the NSCN (IM).
While three of the Ukhrul residents showed up at their respective homes hours after their abduction, the mutilated bodies of Dr Kishan, Token and Rajen were discovered from near Lukhrabi Bridge of Taphou village under Senapati district on February 17 morning. Speaking to newsper-sons on February 21, 2009 in connection with the gruesome murder, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has declared that a criminal case would be taken up against PK Pal based on prima facie evidence.
When contacted Dr Kishan’s family members confided that despite invoking Right to information Act seeking whereabouts of PK Pal the Government declined to provide relevant details till date.
Source: The Sangai Express
Bonsai gains popularity in State
By Our Reporter
Shillong: At a time when the world is a victim of the global warming, Bonsai may help the world to fight the threat and conserve trees.
Bonsai is getting momentum in the State as people find it more convenient to grow.
To further aware the people about the practice, the Shillong Bonsai Society organised a two-day exhibition in the city where Bonsais of all sizes and shapes are being exhibited. The exhibition ended on Wednesday.
According to experts, the Bonsai which has all the features of an original tree and flower differs only in size and weight.
One of the features of the show is a small plant known as Vaccinium which is 32 years old and was found in the Sohra way back in 1970s.
A Bonsai tree Pinus Parviflora displayed at the exhibition is believed to be 145 years old and another oak tree known as Crocus is 60-70 years old.
Shillong Bonsai society secretary V Singhania said that the most important factor for the growth of a Bonsai is the tray in which the tree is nurtured.
Source: The Shillong Times
NEHU employees ‘derecognise’ Prof Tandon
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The cup of woes of NEHU Vice-Chancellor Pramod Tandon is spilling over even as the teaching and non-teaching staff of the university have decided to ‘derecognise’ Tandon as the Vice-Chancellor of NEHU forthwith.
Prof Tandon, whose term as the Vice-Chancellor expired on September 12, is alleged to have indulged in certain financial irregularities and wrong doings in the University.
NEHU employees in their general assembly here on Wednesday also resolved that Prof Tandon, who is forcibly holding on to his position in the university, should not be allowed to function in the university campus.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), a conglomerate of NEHU employees, has also stated that the Registrar of the University, being a subordinate officer, has no authority to notify Prof Tandon’s continuance in the office after the expiry of the present term.
The JAC also directed all the staff attached to the VC to stop working for him.
It may be mentioned that the different organisations have been demanding that Prof Tandon should immediately step down. The KSU sent a memorandum to the MHRD seeking removal of Prof Tandon.
The employees have also declared Prof Tandon as a persona- non- grata because of his illegal, non-statutory continuance in the VC’s office and held him responsible for bringing down the reputation of the University by earning the dubious distinction of being the first VC in India to be summoned by a Court to appear personally to face charges of contempt.
The employees are likely to meet on Thursday to review the situation after the incumbent VC arrives in the city.
Source: The Shillong Times
SMB action against 7 more shops in Polo
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) has downed the shutters of seven more shops in Polo area after they failed to produce the valid trading licenses on Wednesday.
Last week the SMB had closed down as many as 19 shops in the area for doing business without obtaining legal trading license from the municipal board.
However, the SMB has allowed the Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlour at Majestic Hotel to reopen.
It may be reminded that the ice-cream parlour was among the 19 shops which were closed down after failing to produce valid trading license.
“We have allowed the ice cream parlour to re-open after they produced valid documents before the Board, ” SMB CEO Tableland Lyngwa said.
Meanwhile, the municipal board had issued show-cause notices to over 100 shopkeepers in the area on September 9 asking them to reply within 15 days why their shops should not be shut down. The SMB CEO informed that the closure was necessitated since these shopkeepers operated without valid trading licenses and they had also failed to respond to the show-cause notices served to them in the past. It is learnt that the SMB is planning to carry out similar drives in other localities of the city in due course of time. It may be mentioned that the KSU, Mihngi circle, along with the District Administration had recently conducted a surprise check in Polo market area and found that many shops in the area were engaging in business without proper documents and trade licenses.
Source: The Shillong Times
MPSC hurries with results, raises eyebrows
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: On the eve of the departure of the Chairperson of MPSC, the results of various examinations/interviews including the one for recruitment of journalists to the DIPR, which was conducted barely three weeks back, have literally tumbled out.
The present incumbent, Sonachi B Sangma, retires on September 30.
Observing this inconsistent attitude of the Commission which sometimes takes several months to come out with the results, frustrated aspirants, some of whom are gold medallists from NEHU, feel that the corrupt practices in the Commission are at the expense of those qualified and deserving unemployed educated youth who have put their best foot forward to get a job in the Government sector.
“Selection of candidates for various vacancies in the Government department is dictated by considerations other than merit and members of the Commission are known to include their kith and kin or those who can pay up in the list of successful candidates, sources close to MPSC said on Wednesday.
“Here only money speaks; no amount of sincerity pays, ” observed some of the parents of job aspirants after the results were declared on Wednesday for the post of Taxation Inspector also.
“There is evidence to suggest that the English and Mathematics question papers for the examination to the post of Taxation Inspector were leaked before the examination, even as written answer scripts were provided to candidates,” sources said. This correspondent is privy to an essay being written by him for the English paper on the request of an aspirant.
Each vacancy for the post of Taxation officer is alleged to have been ‘sold’ at a whopping Rs 11 lakh, while that of the journalists were ‘priced’ at Rs 4 lakh each. The number of candidates recruited is sixty-five and nine respectively. Incidentally, none of the working journalists of the State found favour in the list of successful candidates irrespective of experience and dedication.
The MPSC has lately been hogging the limelight for wrong reason forcing KSU, FKGJP and I-Care to ask for appointment of the next incumbent from a list to be suggested by an independent search committee that is free from political encumbrances.
The leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Conrad Sangma has also complained about irregularities in the case of appointment of doctors and sought an enquiry to make MPSC more accountable, responsible and efficient.
Source: The Shillong Times
‘HSPDP lost lion due to poor show in polls’
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The snatc-hing away of the lion symbol from the HSPDP has nothing to do with protests from animal rights activists but everything to do with the percentage of votes polled in successive elections.
“No party which is de-recognised is allotted a permanent symbol by the Election Commission (EC),” Chief Election Officer Prashant Naik told reporters here on Wednesday.
According to him, the lion symbol of the HSPDP would not have been taken away if it was a recognised party.
Respecting the sentiments of animal lovers, he said the EC has decided not to allot the symbol of animals to any new political party while adding that the Commission had decided to retain the animal symbols of all the recognised parties.
Citing an example, Naik informed that both Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have retained elephant as symbol.
He said the HSPDP was derecognised because it failed to get the requisite votes in the last Assembly as well as Lok Sabha elections held subsequently.
“As per the norms of the EC, a party should get at least one-sixth of the total vote share during the election. However, the HSPDP was far below the target set by the Commission,” Naik said.
The Chief Election Officer also said it is unlikely that the HSPDP would be able to get back the lion symbol since it would be considered a new party even if it were to gain recognition from the EC.
It may be reminded that the HSPDP has been contesting the elections in the state on lion symbol ever since it was formed in 1968.
Source: The Shillong Times
Orientation cum awareness camp
ITANAGAR, Sep 29: A one-day orientation cum awareness camp for two farmers club and a self-help group was conducted by Rural Development Society (RDS) under the supervision of Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank (APRB) at Barapani, Naharlagun yesterday.
Over 30 participants, mostly women, of Barapani Women Farmers’ Club and Farmers Club attended the programme and they were taught about various activities in the field of self reliance, rural development, record keeping etc. Budhin Dutta, branch manager, (APRB), Naharlagun and S Ch. Bharali, branch manager, United Bank of India, Naharlagun were the resource persons. The programme was sponsored by NABARD, Itanagar.
Source: The Arunachal Times
Campaign in support of Teji on
ITANAGAR, Sept 29: Continuing the campaign to draw support for Toko Teji across the North East state, Arunachal Citizens Rights (ACR) chairperson Bamang Tago today addressed media person at Aizawl Press Club. He appealed to the people of Mizoram to vote for Toko Teji who has reached the final of the reality show, India’s Got Talent Khoj-2, on Colors channel.
The press meet was attended by all the Aizawl based media institutions including PRO to Mizoram Government. Muanpuia Punte, Vice President, North East Students Organisation cum advisor to MZP, VL Kroshnehzova, President MZP, Vanlal Ruata, President, People’s Right to Information and Development implementing Society of Mizoram(PRISM) a Mizoram base civil society also joined in the press meet and assured that people of Mizoram will vote for Toko Teji.
Meanwhile Adi Student Union, All Upper Siang District Students Union (A.U.S.DS.U), J.N College students Union, All Bogong Students’ Union (A.B.S.U), All Mebo Students’ Union (A.M.S.U), All Ruksin Area Students union (A.R.A.S.U) under the aegis of All East Siang District Students’ Union (A.E.S.D.S.U) has appealed to people of Arunachal to vote for boy wonder Toko Teji and make him worthy winner. Nyishi Elite Society and Arunachal Law Students have also urged people of state to support Teji by voting for him through sms and phone calls. One can vote for Teji by sending TT to 56882.
Source: The Arunachal Times
East Siang students register protest
ITANAGAR, Sept 29: A day after AAPSU took out historic rally against state government’s decision to grant permanent residential certificate (PRC) to non-APST in Lohit and Changlang districts today more student organizations came out strongly against this order. With anger spreading throughout the state like a wild fire, oldest town of the state, Pasighat today witness huge symbolic peace rally carried out by the student communities of the district in solidarity with the apex student’s body of the state AAPSU against government decision to grant PRC to non-APST. Rally which started from J.N College campus passing through the main thoroughfare of the Pasighat Township finally culminated at Gandhi chowk.
Conglomeration of different student organization like Adi Student Union, All Upper Siang District Students Union (A.U.S.DS.U), J.N College students Union, All Bogong Students’ Union(A.B.S.U),All Mebo Students’ Union (A.M.S.U),All Ruksin Area Students union (A.R.A.S.U) under the aegis of All East Siang District Students’ Union (A.E.S.D.S.U) protested strongly by shouting slogan against the government for its meek stand on the contradictory directives of the court which has almost made the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 redundant.
Taking part in the protest, AAPSU Spokesperson Tobom Dai, while addressing the gathering stated that our state government made a big blunder by issuing this order. He also pointed out on an emotive note that with unaccounted numbers of Chakma-Hajong Refugees whose populations are running into lakhs becoming majority in many areas, even they will seek PRC sometimes in future if this order is not revoked. Further Tobom, term the directives as a calculated ploy to dismantle the very social fabric of the indigenous populace of the state and urged every Arunachalee to raise concern against this order in one voice.
David Gao, Vice President of All East Siang District Students union earlier elaborated the gathering about the Eastern Bengal Frontier regulation of 1873 and urge people of Arunachal to continue fighting against such anti-tribal policy of state government. Meanwhile Arunachal Students Union Shillong while criticizing state government’s decision has drawn attention towards children of non-APST men getting ST certificate and PRC in the name of their APST mother. Union has termed this a big problem for state and also vehemently opposed decision of issuing PRC to non-APST in Lohit and Changlang. Arunachal Capital Student’s Union of Monpa’s while terming issuing of PRC to non-APST as illegal stated such decision will turn Arunachal into another Tripura or Assam. Union has drawn attention of authorities towards non-Arunachalee getting PRC and ST certificate in Tawang and West Kameng district. They have expressed deep concern over this trend and urged authorities to check these rampant problems.
Source: The Arunachal Times
