Senapati village wishes to join Tamenglong dist
Imphal, December 29: The Khonglong Kabui Village, which is under Senapati district, has expressed its desire to be associated with Tamenglong district at the Public Hearing of the Committee on Re-Organisation of Administrative and Police District Boundaries held in the office chamber of the Chief Secretary, Manipur in the Old Secretariat today.
Speaking to media persons after giving his statement in the public hearing, Tomba Gangmei, Village leader of Khonglong Kabui Village, Senapati district, said that if the government is to re-organise the district boundaries of the state, the Khonglong Kabui Village, which is under Senapati district should be brought under Tamenglong district.
He pointed out that prior to 1950, Khonglong Kabui Village Part II was under Tamenglong district but later on it came under the jurisdiction of Senapati district.
From the point of administrative conveniences, Khonglong Kabui village should be placed under Senapati district. It will also be more convenient for the people of the village to go to Tamenglong district head quarter instead of heading for Senapati, Tomba Gangmei asserted.
The members of Liangmai Naga Council and United Voluntary Organisation, Oinam, Bishnupur district also gave their statements in the Public hearing today. However, representatives of Saiton Area Chiefs’ Organisation, which was in the list of organizations for giving statements in the Public hearing, failed to turn up.
The public hearing was attended by Chief Secretary DS Poonia, who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Re-Organisation of Administrative and Police District Boundaries; Revenue Commissioner Sunderlal and Under Secretary (Revenue) Balkrishna Heisnam.
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Election scene hots up in Manipur
Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, Dec 29 – Hectic election activities are on in Manipur with Manipur unit of Rashtriya Janata Dal (United) move to join pre-poll alliance of Manipur People’s Party(MPP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)and Janata Dal(U). This move has been made to defeat the Congress party in the forthcoming 10th Manipur State Assembly elections scheduled to be held on January 28.
The move by RJD came a few days after the alliance had made an announcement on the 44th foundation day of MPP on December 26. President in-charge of the State unit RJD (United) K Kumarjit informed that the support to the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front(SPF) government has been withdrawn forthwith. The stand of the State unit was taken with the approval of the Central leaders, Kumarjit added.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State unit is yet to announce its formal pre-poll alliance with any like-minded political party.
However, claiming that the ruling Congress party will bag 40-45 Assembly seats in the ensuing election, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh speaking to party workers and supporters on the occasion of the 126th foundation anniversary celebration of the Indian National Congress here on December 28, had once again said that the Congress will forge alliance with like-minded parties to form the next Government.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has announced the first list of 19 candidates. A second list of candidates may be announced by January 3.
On the other hand, the United Naga Council (UNC) has reportedly decided to openly support the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in the Naga-dominated hill constituencies of Manipur. But Ukhrul Assembly constituency is likely to have a different story, sources claimed. Five out of seven intending candidates in Ukhrul are running for Congress ticket while one each for Trinamool Congress and NPF.
The party-wise position in the last Assembly poll was – INC (30), MPP (5), CPI (4), NCP (4), RJD (3), National People’s Party (3),Trinamool Congress (1), Independent (10). One seat each of Congress, CPI and Independent are lying vacant in Manipur valley due to untimely demise of respective MLAs.
Anti-dam protesters serve ultimatum
LAKHIMPUR, Dec 29 – As the blockade against carriage of construction materials of NHPC continues, the group spearheading protest against Lower Subansiri hydroelectric project today threatened to launch an economic blockade if talks were not held by tomorrow, but the Assam Government rejected the demand, reports PTI.
Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) chief Akhil Gogoi, who is spearheading the anti-dam protests since December 16, served an ultimatum to the Government to hold talks by tomorrow or face an economic blockade both against Arunachal Pradesh and the National Hydro-electric Power Corporation.
NHPC is constructing the Lower Subansiri project, the biggest hydroelectric project undertaken in India so far, which is located near North Lakhimpur on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi, however, said, “We will not be intimidated by anybody when it comes to national and state interest.”
“There should be a proper atmosphere for talks which cannot be held with anyone using abusive language against a duly elected Chief Minister,” Bordoloi told reporters here.
Lokpal Bill in Budget session: Govt
NEW DELHI, Dec 30 (IANS): The government Friday put up a brave face after it failed to get the Lokpal bill past the Rajya sabha, saying it would be brought in the budget session of parliament in March 2012.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal, Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy told reporters that the bill will come in the next session and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “double speak.”
“The Lokpal Bill is still alive and it will be taken up in the budget session of parliament,” Bansal said at the customary post-session press conference here.
“The bill will come up in the next session,” Khurshid told reporters and blamed the opposition for trying to politicise the issue.
“They are looking for ammunition, they are not looking for something good for the country,” he said.
“They were so arrogant, believing that they had the majority and would do whatever they wanted. They should have acted more responsibly and wisely. If a game is played, it’s played on both sides… why were they playing a game,” Khurshid asked.
Narayanasamy too blamed the opposition and accused the BJP of “double speak”.
“Definitely we will bring it in March in the Budget session…We have to study the 187 amendments brought by opposition parties as most are overlapping. Some amendments relate to only a part of a clause and not the entire clause, some demand removing the entire part of the bill,” he added.
The Rajya Sabha failed to pass the Lokpal bill Thursday with the house being adjourned sine dine amid chaos.
Referring to the amendments moved by key United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partner Trinamool Congress, Narayanasamy said its reservations only related to the appointment of Lokayuktas in the states and “they have no grievances against the Lokpal.”
“They voted with us in the Lok Sabha though they had some reservations about the constitutional amendment…we are talking to them…there is still some time and we will bring them around,” he said.
Bansal also accused BJP of playing politics, saying the party’s amendments to the Lokpal bill were meant to ensure that it is not passed.
He said he was pained to hear Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley saying that the debate was choreographed by the government with the idea of avoiding a vote on the bill.
“I in fact level this charge on them. The BJP was participating in the discussion and they did not at any time say, let’s end the debate and go for clause by clause consideration of the bill. They kept fielding their own members for debate till the last,” Bansal said.
“BJP did this to play politics and they changed their stand as they said something in Lok Sabha and something else in the Rajya Sabha,” he said.
Defending the government, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh tweeted: “187 Amendments given till 6 pm on the day of debate and those too contradictory to each other. Extension of the House not within powers of RS (Rajya Sabha).”
The BJP has demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh resign for running away from voting in the Rajya Sabha.
NCP, MPP forge pre-poll alliance in Manipur
Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, Dec 17 – With the Manipur Assembly polls knocking at the door, electioneering has slowly started to gain momentum with the opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Manipur Peoples’ Party (MPP) forming a pre-poll alliance.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State unit has also invited like-minded parties to join hands to face the Indian National Congress in the forthcoming polls.
Appealing to the like-minded political parties to join hands to beat the Congress in the forthcoming Assembly polls, expected to be held in February next year, BJP’s State unit president Shantikumar informed the media today that BJP national President Nitin Gadkari will be arriving here on Monday to address a public rally at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre here along with National Vice President Najma Heptulla, party spokesman Prakash Javadekar and other party leaders.
The leaders of MPP and NCP including Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma made an announcement about the formation of the pre-poll alliance in a joint press conference here last evening.
Agatha Sangma, who was here on a three-day visit last evening said that NCP has all its doors open for formation of a pre-poll alliance with any like-minded party.
The move has been taken up to put an end to the Congress rule and bring up an alternative government in the State, said MPP President Dr Nimaichand Luwang in the presence of former Union Sports Minister Th Chaoba of MPP, former Chief Minister RB Koijam of NCP and former Deputy Chief Minister Dr L Chandramani of MPP.
Dr Luwang added that people of the State have got nothing but suffering from the Congress-led SPF Government. The people of the State are looking for a change. The change cannot be brought only by the NCP or MPP or any other Opposition party. So, the party has come up with the decision of forming pre-poll alliances.
Radhabinod Koijam, NCP State President said that NCP stands for withdrawal of AFSPA and wishes to end the insurgency movement in the State through political dialogue.
Source: Assam Tribune
Opposition picks holes in Tripura Lokayukta Act
Correspondent
AGARTALA, Dec 17 – Picking holes in Tripura Lokayukta Act, Opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath on Saturday alleged that the appointment of Justice (Retd) PK Sarkar as Lokayukta was yet another step to safeguard corruption and malpractices in the Marxist-ruled Tripura.
Under the Act, the Lokayukta could not undertake investigation against the Chief Minister without approval by majority members of the Assembly which means it (Lokayukta) would not work independently, said Nath while addressing a press conference here.
“The Chief Minister will take the decision whether the Lokayukta can initiate probe against any Minister after receiving corruption complaint”, he said.
Expressing surprise at barring the entire bureaucracy right from Chief Secretary to Director to employees and Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council from the ambit of the Act, Nath said “The Act is nothing but eyewash of the CPM- led Left Front Government to cover up the corruption that has been legalised under the regime of Manik Sarkar”.
Asserting that corruption has become the single biggest challenge in the Marxist-ruled Tripura, Nath said that the suggestions of Left Front allies like RSP, CPI and two opposition parties – Congress and Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) were ignored while formulating the Act.
Nath also pointed out finger at the provision for the appointment of the Lokayukta. “The Lokayukta must be appointed after consultation with the Chief Justice of High Court instead of political choice”, he said.
Branding Justice Sarkar, the first Lokayukta of the State as a CPM cadre, Nath said “He has neither high integrity nor has he prominence to assume such a high-profile post. Justice Sarkar’s appointment is nothing but a desperate attempt of the CPM in establishing party raj in Tripura”.
He further demanded resignation of the Lokayukta to pave the way for the most deserving candidate for the post. It may be noted that Justice (Retd) Sarkar was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor Dr DY Patil at a simple ceremony in Raj Bhavan here on Friday.
Source: Assam Tribune
Meghalaya Govt issues notice to NBFCs for fraud
SHILLONG, Dec 17 – The Meghalaya Government has issued notices to several non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) operating in Jaintia Hills district for allegedly duping investors of crores of rupees.
“We have issued notices to five NBFCs operating in Jaintia Hills,” Deputy Commissioner T Dkhar said.
“The district administrator was acting on complaints received from several people who were lured into investing huge amounts of money into these companies,” he said. – PTI
Source: Assam Tribune
57 militants in Manipur surrender
Newmai News
IMPHAL, Dec 16 – Fifty-seven cadres of 17 different underground outfits surrendered in Imphal on Thursday along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition before Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during a surrendering ceremony held at the Headquarters IGAR (South) at Mantripukhri here.
The surrendered 57 cadres included five from United National Liberation Front (UNLF), 15 from People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), two each from PULF (UF), UTLA and People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak PREPAK (VC), one each from PULF (MI Khan), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) MTF, KCP (City Meitei), KCP (Tabongia), PREPAK (PRO), People’s Revolutionary Army (PRA) and NSCN (K), six cadres each from PREPAK, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Kuki National liberation Front (KNLF) and four from Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL).
Speaking at the function, Ibobi said that cadres of various underground outfits entering into the peace initiatives is a significant trend and their decision to come back to the mainstream is extremely helpful to the development of the State. The Chief Minister also assured that the outfits’ initiatives for peace would be honoured and the government would also make its best efforts to redress their grievances.
The Chief Minister appealed to all other underground outfits which are not under SoO to abjure violence.
Source: Assam Tribune
Abducted father-son duo found killed
Correspondent
IMPHAL, Dec 16 – A bodies of a father-and-son duo, who were abducted by suspected militants 10 days ago, were found in Manipur’s Thoubal district this morning.
A police team recovered their bodies from a place near Lemba Khun, 9km north west of the police station around 6.30 in the morning.
Officer-in-charge of Yairpok Police station told this reporter that they have registered a case in connection with the incident. They have also recovered two cartridges and a projectile from the spot.
Sources in Imphal said Soram Ibomcha ((58), a chowkidar with the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and his son Yaipu (25), were abducted at gunpoint from Irilbung Water Supply Project in Imphal East district on December 7 night. The abductors, suspected to be KCP (MTF) Kesho Meitei group cadres, have reportedly demanded a huge sum from the department for their release, sources said.
Source: Assam Tribune
United Naga Council endorses peace talks
Correspondent
DIMAPUR, Dec 16 – The United Naga Council (UNC), in a joint meeting held with tribe presidents, regional presidents and frontal organisations and representatives of political parties at Tahamzam, Senapati in Manipur today, has endorsed the Naga peace process while urging the negotiators for early settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.
The other resolutions adopted at the meeting, convened by the UNC, included endorsement of the objection to the attempt to bifurcate Naga areas for upgradation or creation of Sadar Hills, Jiribam, Tongei Marin, Phungyar, Tegnoupal and Kakching districts. It also acknowledged and endorsed the initiative of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation for bringing peace and reconciliation among the Naga brethren. Further, on the demand for an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur, it once again urged the Government of India to intervene immediately with an alternative ‘political and administrative’ arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.
Strongly endorsing the aspiration of the Nagas to live together under a single administrative roof, it cautioned that any political party or individual(s), who either in speech, written statement, visual display or in action, oppose the established and registered position of the Nagas will be deemed to be anti-Naga. The policies, programmes and activities of any political party which does not subscribe to the position of the Nagas will not qualify for the support of the Naga people in any manner whatsoever, it was resolved.
Source: Assam Tribune
