Kwakta tense after UGs-villagers clash

Tension reigned at Kwakta Ukha Tampak in Bishnupur district following the killing of at least two persons and injuries inflicted on four others besides five houses being razed to the ground as violence erupted between two groups of people (belonging to different communities) late last evening. The violence between the two groups erupted at around 8.30 pm yesterday at Kwakta Ukha Tampak after two persons were shot and injured by armed persons suspected to be from a militant group of a particular community. Following this, an irate mob formed by the community the victims belong to burnt down five houses belonging to the community to which the armed cadres hail from. According to one Pc Boisi, a resident of Ukha Tampak, though she heard some noises that evening, she could not figure out what was going on. Later, she rushed out of her house after realizing that some nearby houses were in flames and it was then that she came across a huge number of people, most of them from another community, said Boisi. The mob however left the place after setting ablaze the houses, she added. She revealed that out of the five houses, one of the owners of the house identified as one Manglam Hao- kip, 45, was charred to death and added that soon after that the community living in the area fled from there homesteads. On the other hand, according to one Ibetombi, 20, who claimed to be the first victim to encounter the armed persons revealed that on sighting some persons beating up some kids she approached the armed persons to enquire what was happening.

Ukhrul Village of Manipur

No Electricity, No Kerosene and candles are too expensive. A mother helping her child preparing for her school exam in the light from a burning firewood, in a village in Ukhrul

UG suspect killed, boy hurt

A suspected underground activist was reportedly killed during an alleged encounter with a combined force of Imphal East Police Commandos and personnel of 32 Assam Rifles at Langdum Mamang Leikai under Irilbung Police Station at around 1.40 pm today.A 10-year old boy was hurt in the cross-firing.According to police report, the encounter took place when the combined force rushed to the area on receiving specific infoma-tion about the presence of underground activists.The body of the slain UG suspect was found lying at Lairam Loukon area of Langdum and one 9 mm pistol loaded with two bullets have been recovered from the site of the incident.Though there is no official report on the identity of the slain UG suspect, according to information received by the press he is likely to be one Ashem Bihari (34) s/o late Mangi of Keirao Langdum Mamang Leikai. The spot where the body was found lying is on the paddy field located just next to his house.The young boy who sustained injuries in the incident has been identified as Yumlembam Jenith (10) s/o Ibomcha of Khannarok Makha Leikai.The young boy has been admitted to the RIMS Hospital with bullet injuries on upper side of his left foot. He was collecting straw from the paddy field when the shoot out took place and he was hit by a bullet.Meanwhile, Imphal East Police Commandos apprehended an activist of the proscribed KCP-MC after a hot chase just outside the complex of RIMS at around 3 pm today.The arrested activist has been identified as Thok-chom Toni (25) s/o late Babumacha of Naorem-thong Takhellambam Lei- kai. He was arrested after a hot chase and was hit by a bullet on his left arm . He has been admitted to the RIMS Hospital for treatment.

MSAD condemns molestation

Manipur Students’ Assn, Delhi (MSAD) has also strongly condemned the incident of assault after molestation of two Manipuri girls by the landlord and his son at Gurgaon on Decembee 13.In a statement issued by its Human Rights Committee and Women Committee, the student body also shared the pain and trauma of two girls from Manipur. Descri-bing the conduct of the landlord and his son towards their tenants as ‘barbaric’, the statement said that the intention of the woman members of the landl-ord’s family who become a party in disgracing the mo- desty of their own gender have shown patronage towards crime against women. The student body also decried the conduct of the police personnel in handling the case.

Demanding to save the life of Irom Chanu Sharmila

Members of Sharmila Kanba Lup continuing its relay hunger strike demanding to save the life of Irom Chanu Sharmila

IRB man beaten up for snatching mobiles

One Havildar of 6th IRB, current-ly attached to Imphal West Commando has been beat-en up by a crowd for robb- ing mobile phones from two individuals by brandishing gun. The injured Havildar identified as Ksh Subash of Singjamei Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai has been admitted in Shija Hospitals and Research Centre.The incident of confiscating mobile phones and subsequent thrashing of the accused took place at Wangkhei Ayangpalli under Porompat police station at about 8 pm yesterday.According to information received by press, Subash confiscated two mobile phones from two individuals when they came back after purchasing recharge vouchers by brandishing a gun. However, the duo managed to overpower the Havildar and the local people were informed. Soon a large crowd collected and they started thrashing Subash. It is reported that one pistol, SP capsules and a Honda Activa (MN-1R/1793) were recovered from his possession.Imphal East commandos took him away from the place of the incident, informed the local people.However, one officer of Imphal West police contended that Subhash was beaten up by some persons suspected to be drug abusers when he was returning back after attending a Swasti Puja. Maintaining that Subhash committed no fault, the officer said there was some noisy altercations and Subhash identified himself as a commando personnel.Subhash has been attached to Imphal West commando since August this year.
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Iraqis demand release of shoe-hurling journalist

BAGHDAD (AP) — Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets Monday to demand the release of a reporter who threw his shoes at President Bush in anger at U.S. policies, as support for the act and the journalist flowed in from across the Arab world.
The protests came as suicide bombers and gunmen targeted Iraqi police, plus U.S.-allied Sunni guards and civilians, in a series of attacks Monday that killed at least 17 people and wounded more than a dozen others, officials said.
The journalist, Muntadhar al-Zeidi, was being held by Iraqi security Monday and interrogated about whether anybody had paid him to throw his shoes at Bush during a press conference Sunday in Baghdad, said an Iraqi official.

Showing the sole of your shoe to someone in the Arab world is a sign of extreme disrespect, and throwing your shoes is even worse. Iraqis whacked a statue of Saddam with their shoes after U.S. Marines toppled it to the ground after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Al-Zeidi was immediately wrestled to the ground after throwing the shoes, by Iraqi security guards. But the incident raised fears of a security lapse in the heavily guarded Green Zone where the press conference took place. Reporters were repeatedly searched and asked to show identification before entering the compound, which houses al-Maliki's office and the U.S. Embassy.
Meanwhile, newspapers across the Arab world Monday printed front-page photos of Bush ducking the flying shoes, and satellite TV stations repeatedly aired the incident, which was hailed by the president's many critics in the region.