Mary Kom makes women's boxing's Olympic case stronger: Aiba president

NEW DELHI, Jan 27: MC Mary Kom's unprecedented four World Championship titles don't just make her a legend but also strengthen women's boxing's case for inclusion in the 2012 London Olympics, said Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) president Ching-Kuo Wu.Hailing the Manipuri pugilist's record feat, Wu said her remarkable achievement of winning medals in all the five world championships held so far has added weight to AIBA's effort to get women's boxing included in Olympics, a news agency reports."Having witnessed the excellent performances at the AIBA World Championships Ningbo City 2008, especially those of the very impressive Mary Kom, it illustrates how popular and successful the sport of women's boxing is right now and adds further weight behind including women's boxing in the Olympic Games," Wu said in an interview from AIBA headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.Mary Kom, a mother of two, came back from a two-year sabbatical to clinch her fourth successive world championship gold last year, a feat that prompted AIBA to describe her as 'Magnificent Mary'.The women's World Championship itself grew by leaps and bounds and in the fifth edition held in Ningbo City , China last year a record 41 countries competed.Wu said all this has made AIBA confident of getting International Olympic Committee's (IOC) nod for the sport's Olympic debut in 2012 London Games."AIBA has filed its application to the IOC to have women's boxing included into the Olympic Games. We now must wait on the decision of the IOC Executive Board. We are quietly confident but we must wait for the IOC, which is expected to make a decision in October this year," Wu said."We have submitted a comprehensive proposal and we dearly hope that women's boxing in the Olympic Games will become a reality," he added.Women's boxing is being considered for Olympic inclusion after squash and karate, short listed to replace baseball and softball, failed to get the required two-third backing in the IOC.Lauding India 's growing stature in boxing, Wu said the country's continuing rise augurs well for the Asian region. "To have such a passionate sporting country as India so strong in boxing is a key ingredient to the development of the sport, especially in Asia which is becoming one of the most competitive continents in the sport," he said.Men's boxing's format changes to three rounds of three minutes each from the earlier four rounds of two minutes each this year and Wu said this would make the sport more spectator-friendly besides presenting a tougher challenge to pugilists."Boxing has always been a sport of stamina, skill and concentration. The change to three rounds of three minutes will add weight to these key skill groups and provide a better spectacle for the boxing public and television audiences around the world," he said."The AIBA Medical Commission conducted a thorough study into the pros and cons of making such a change, and the AIBA Executive Committee was consequently thoroughly convinced about approving the move."All sports fans want to see the best athletes perform at their ultimate capacity and this change to the AIBA Technical and Rules will provide that," he added.

IM adamant on setting up camp at Ukl dist Cabinet discusses issue

Jan 28 : Refusing to budge from its stand, the NSCN (IM) has today made it clear that their objective is to open a camp at Ukhrul district and not as suggested by the Assam Rifles that the cadres holed up at Siroy be shifted to any of the three camps located at Bunning in Tamenglong district, Oklong in Senapati district and Phungchong in Chandel district.These camps have been there for a long time, much before the ceasefire agreement came into force, AR had earlier maintained. On the other hand, the State Cabinet which met today, discussed the Siroy crisis, said a reliable source.To have a detailed discussion on the matter a meeting of the Unified Command has been convened tomorrow which will be chaired by the Chief Minister. Representatives from the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF and State police will attend the meeting. Some days back, the IG AR (S) had also highlighted the matter during a meeting of the Strategic Operations Group chaired by the Chief Secretary. The State Government has also verbally communicated the Siroy situation to the Union Home Ministry.For the moment, the State Cabinet has decided to adopt the wait and watch policy, said a source and added that as per reports received, out of the 40 cadres who were intially holed up in the camp, there are now only 10 left. Interacting with The Sangai Express at Ukhrul district headquarters, Chief Administrative Officer of the Wung region of NSCN (IM), V Horam said that on January 23 it was agreed that both the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) cadres would withdraw from Siroy simultaneously within 72 hours.Once the cadres are shifted out from Siroy, they can be moved to a temporary camp while the NSCN (IM) looks for a suitable site to set up an official camp, said Horam. Once the site is selected then it would be notified by the NSCN (IM), maintained the CAO.However the Assam Rifles has been insisting that the cadres at Siroy should be shifted to any of the three camps in Manipur, either at Bunning in Tamenglong, Oklong in Senapati or Phunchong in Chandel.
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Border pillar disappears, Myanmar encroaching Molcham learns to live with bunkers

Along with disappearance of border pillar 94 erected at Charoi village under Kamjong sub-division of Ukhrul district along the international boundary with Myanmar, the eastern neighbour has also claimed Charoi Khunou village as theirs.Even though the area around border pillar 66 erected at Molcham village in Chandel district is regarded as a disputed site between the two countries, Myanmar has been encroaching into the area.On the other hand, for the Assam Rifles and Army deployed along the interna- tional border with Myanmar, it remains a mammoth challenge to ensure security of the inhabitants. Under such circumstances, every household located in the border areas have been building bunkers inside their houses for their safety in the event of any gun battle between security forces and militants.These were observed by this reporter during an extensive tour of these villages located along the 350 kms long borderline with Myanmar starting from border pillar 39 erected at Singhat sub-division of Churachandpur district and covering villages along the international boundary in Chandel district till border pillar 129 erected in Chingai sub-division of Ukhrul district.During the extensive tour of these villages after the Somtal Operation where the security forces and insurgents are still engaged in gun fights, some villagers even asked this reporter if he didn’t fear for his life.

Phanek missing post CI Ops

IMPHAL, Jan 27 : Security forces who conducted search operation in some houses at Khoidumpat village after a shoot-out reportedly took away Phaneks (ladies’ lower garments/ a sarong/ a wrap around), gold ornaments, cash and other valuable articles besides destroying a large number of household articles.In the afternoon of January 25, ahead of the Republic Day, there was an exchange of fire between a combined force of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 21 AR and suspected MPA cadres at Khoidumpat.After the shoot-out, the combined force conducted search operation in some houses during the security personnel reportedly took away and destroyed several household articles. The villagers disclosed the matter to media persons yesterday. During the search operation conducted in some houses located under Sekmaijin Gram Panchayat ward no 4, the security personnel not only thrashed one 72 year old Laishram Angou but also took away one bed sheet, one kilogram of ngari kept for chura karan ceremony, 30 coins of Rs 5 (Rs 150), 60 coins of Rs 1, three Rs 500 notes, one san of gold and one mobile phone handset from Angou’s house. Dal and other food items stored in advance for chura karan ceremony were also scattered away by the security personnel, alleged the villagers. The security personnel did not spare even body soaps, toothpaste and power extension cord. The items allegedly looted by the security personnel from the house of one Laishram Maimu included one VCD player, one mobile phone handset, one wrist watch and one torch light, listed the villagers. Besides looting one phanek thambal leikhok, 10 other phaneks, nine khudeis (loin cloth) and one sword from the house of one Keisam Basant, the combined security team broke down almirahs and beds. Two phigey phaneks, eight other phaneks and two khudeis were also looted from the house of one Loushangbam Tollabi besides damaging almirahs and beds, added the villagers.

Three UG suspects slain in 3 incidents

IMPHAL, Jan 27 : Three suspected UG cadres have been slain in three separate incidents of reported encounters with security forces in Thoubal and Imphal West districts today.The first incident took place on the road from Kakching to Irengband under Kakching police station at about 5.15 am today, informed a police source.According to a press release issued by SP Thoubal Clay Khongsai, a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 21 AR was searching the area when 3/4 suspected militants were observed coming from Irengband to Kakching side. The combined team signalled them to stop for verification but the uniden-tified youths on seeing the security forces tried to escape. Suddenly one of the youths took out a hand grenade and tried to hurl it at the security forces.In the retaliatory firing, the combined team shot dead one of the youths at the spot while the others managed to escape along the canal leading to the Pat. One .36 hand grenade was also recovered from near the deceased youth. The slain individual has been identified as Khundrak-pam Bimol (35) s/o Mani of Khangabok Awang Leikai. Earlier he was a cadre of the banned KCP and had been imprisoned.The second incident took place at Chongtham Kona under Wangoi police station at about 4.15 pm. During the encounter which lasted for about 20 minutes, Imphal West commandos scalped one UG suspect. One 9 mm pistol and two live rounds were recovered from near the corpse of the slain UG suspect. Police have picked up the corpse and deposited it at RIMS mortuary. The third reported encounter took place near Ngariyan hills area. Another press release issued by SP of Thoubal District Clay Khongsai informed that based on specific information about movement of KCP (MC) cadres in and around Andro-Ngariyan hills area, Thoubal po lice commandos rushed to the area to intercept the UG cadres. At about 4.50 pm, three/four persons were observed moving in suspicious manner.On noticing the commandos, the unidentified youths fired at the commandos and ran away in different directions. The commandos chased them and one of the unidentified youths was shot dead in the ensuing shoot-out. On searching the encounter site, one pistol (Colt) along with three live rounds were recovered from the deceased.

10 new parking lots on Govt agenda

IMPHAL, Jan 25 : The Government of Manipur is planning to construct 10 parking lots for city buses in greater Imphal area.An official source in the Department of Transport informed The Sangai Express that identification of the areas where the parking lots would be constructed has been completed.The greater Imphal areas identified for construction of city bus parking lots are Sekmai, Lilong, Wangoi, Nambol, Pangei, Irilbung, Top Moirangkampu, Lamlong, Lamsang and Keithelmanbi along NH-53.According to the State Government’s estimation, construction of each parking lot would cost Rs 10 lakhs. As such, the State Government has proposed the total estimated amount of Rs 100 lakhs to the Centre.Once the planned parking lots are constructed, city buses coming to Imphal city from different direction will not be allowed to park in the city area. After passing through Imphal, buses should park at the proposed parking lots in greater Imphal area, conveyed the source adding that the new initiative will be able to reduce the ever increasing traffic congestion in Imphal city.The State Government is also planning to construct terminals for inter-district buses in all the nine districts. Estimated at Rs one crore for each terminal, the Government is proposing another Rs 9 crores for the bus terminals to the Centre.Noting that the section of NH-39 passing through Senapati district is prone to landslides during rainy season, the State Government is also working on a plan to construct an inter-State bus terminal at Mao. The inter-State bus terminal at Mao would also provide accommodation to stranded drivers and helpers in times of landslide along the highway, informed the source.Preparation of detail project report for the proposed inter-State bus terminal has been already completed.Moreover, construction work of the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Dewlahland having parking capacity of 300 buses at a time would also be taken up soon.

My City, My Life. Lack of toilet facilties trouble women vendors

IMPHAL, Jan 25: ‘‘Those who are not bold enough leave their goods behind and go to the Sulabh at Waheng Leikai while those who are bold enough simply ease themselves in the open along the embankment of Nambul river.”These words of a woman vendor who has been selling fishes for the last 15 years from the market located in front of Uripok Cheirap Court complex here sum up the predicament of the shop-keepers and customers alike in most market places of Imphal if they have to answer the call of nature.Talking of keeping the city neat and clean, providing public convenience facilities at proper places is very much essential. But the ground reality tells a different tale in Khwai-ramband Market, the largest commercial centre of the city and other important markets located around the city.Public convenience facilities in the three women market sheds of the Khwairamband Bazar and the market shed in front of the Cheirap Court complex as well as in the parking lots at Moirang Leirak, Waheng Leikai, Nagamapal, Kang-lapat within the Imphal city itself and in other surrounding markets like Tera Keithel, Singjamei Keithel, Kwakeithel Bazar, Lamlong Bazar, , Lamlong Bazar, Pureiromba Ima Keithel, etc are at the most non-existence or even if there are such facilities, they are more inconvenient for the public to use them due to want of urgent repairing.No doubt, public conve-nience facilities have been installed at some places either by private individuals or bus owners, but the existing ones are inadequately less in keeping up with the growing demand.Moreover, inspite of the obvious biological difference and need between man and woman as well as the associated social mores, there are no separate toilets for man and woman in most cases, thus causing lot of inconveniences to a many a women when they have to use these toilets.Talking to The Sangai Express, 57-year old Jamuna, who has been selling fish from the market in front of Uripok Cheirap Court complex for the last 15 years said there is no toilet facility in the market shed where hundreds of women are coming to sell their goods every day. So those who are not bold enough have to leave their goods in the care of someone and go to the Sulabh at Waheng Leikai and those who are bold enough simply go along the embankment of Nambul river to ease themselves.

AMWJU, EF suspend two editors for issuing I-cards to UG leaders

IMPHAL, Jan 23: The All Manipur Working Journalists Union, AMWJU, has in an emergency meeting today decided to indefinitely suspend the editor of the afternoon daily Kanglaipaki Meira from the union for having personally issued press identity cards to certain leaders of the KCP, who were arrested from outside the state recently, a press statement by the AMWJU said.It may be recalled, two editors, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai of the Kangleipaki Meira and Saikhom Jugol of Meeyam a morning daily, were reported to have personally issued press identity cards to some of the leaders of the KCP arrested from Delhi and Bangalore recently.The AMWJU in follow up action, confirmed the report from the Bishenpur district police SP and also from the two editors themselves, and have as a consequence decided on the action.Jugol who is also a member of the Editors` Forum, has been dropped from the forum, according to the report tabled before the AMWJU by representatives of the Editors` Forum, it said.Further, the AMWJU meeting also decided that the AMWJU would institute an inquiry into the incident by a enquiry team headed by the AMWJU general secretary, it said.The report of the enquiry team would be tabled before a general body meeting of the scribes body within a week, the statement said.Yesterday, in a release from SP, Bishnupur district had said two of the five KCP leaders arrested in New Delhi carried with them press identity cards issued by two newspapers in Imphal.The arrested men are Chongtham Manglemjao alias K.K. Mangang alias Ngouba alias Irabot alias Koi age 56, son of (late) Ch. Mani of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, Imphal West, general secretary cum foreign secretary of KCP; Naorem Amumacha alias Yambung age 56, son of N. Hera of Kakwa Naorem Leikai, president elect of KCP; Chongtham Ibomcha Singh age 35, son of (late) Mani of Singjubung Leikai, Imphal West, collection of finance in-charge KCP; Ngarianbam Ratan, 36, son of Ng. Ibobi of Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai, assistant aid of K.K.Mangang.They were arrested from their hideouts in Delhi on January 17. A case has been registered and presently they are in Delhi Police custody.Two other hardcore leaders of KCP, Naorem Brojen alias James alias City Meitei alias Hobi, 32, son of N. Nara Singh of Tentha Khunou Bazar Naorem Leikai, Thoubal District and Naorem Romesh Singh, 31, son of N. Manihar of Tentha Khunou Bazar Naorem Leikai, Thoubal District, at present residing in Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Imphal West District were also arrested from their hideouts in Bangalore on January 19 and brought to Imphal today. A case has been registered against him by the police.Among those who carried a press identity card was Amumacha, the KCP president elect. He had a valid Sub-Editor I-card of Kangleipak Meir, the police statement had said. The other arrested man who had a press identity card in his possession was Ngarianbam Ratan. He had a reporter`s card of Meeyam morning daily, according to the police.

Two BSF men killed in MPA ambush

IMPHAL, Jan 24: Two personnel of BSF have been killed in an ambush launched by the proscribed UNLF’s armed wing MPA near Ithai Barrage under Kumbi police station in Bishnupur district at about 4.45 pm today.This was the first incident of the year in which security personnel have been killed in UG attack.The BSF personnel came under attack when some of them came out without arms to buy articles from the market located near Ithai Barrage. The BSF personnel belong to 193 B BSF D-Coy, stationed at Ithai Barrage which is a part of the Loktak Multipurpose Project, informed a police source.Three personnel sustained injuries in the attack launched by some persons who came on motor cycles. Even as the three personnel were rushed to RIMS immediately, Sishpal (42) and Sukhdev (42) succumbed to their injuries at RIMS.The third injured personnel identified as Chandrakanta is currently undergoing treatment at RIMS. He was hit by a bullet on the right side of stomach. Meanwhile, the proscribed UNLF has claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesperson of the outfit informed that the attack was launched by a special team of the MPA in protest against the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.All the MPA cadres involved in the attack have returned to their camp safe and sound, conveyed the spokesperson.