Curfew period

Curfew periodIMPHAL, Feb 27: Curfew imposed in Imphal East and Imphal West districts since February 19 will be relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm from February 28 to March 2, informed two separate notifications issued by the District Magistrates of the two districts. However, prohibitory order restricting assembly of five or more persons and carrying of sticks, firearms, stones and other lethal weapons in the two districts will remain in force, it added.

JAC to squat at MLAs’ residences

IMPHAL, Feb 27: A public meeting convened by the JAC Against the brutal Killing of Dr Th Kishan, A Rajen and Y Token at Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak today resolved, among others, to stage sit-in-protests at the residences of Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) as a part of sustaining the ongoing agitation.The meeting organised in condemnation of the killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan, driver A Rajen and Revenue Department Mandal Y Token by the Naga rebel group NSCN (IM) unanimously resolved to stage protest demonstrations at the entrance gates of the MLAs.The public gathering also decided to organise mass protest rally in Bishnupur district headquarters on March 2 to demand arrest and punishment of the trio’s killers with similar agitation at Thoubal district the next day.It also resolved to appeal to Government employees to join the movement through mass casual leave on march 4 with future course of agitation to be decided based on response/reaction of the State authorities and report of the enquiry committee, which the Government had constituted to investigate the case.Arrest and punishment of the culprits according to law of the land and convening of emergency Assembly session for deliberation and definite stand of the Government on the issue were the highlight of the meeting.Addressing the gathering JAC chairman Lt Col (Retd) Soram Tiken categorically asserted that the killing of the three is a conspiracy and that the Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pal along with the NSCN (IM) cadres involved in the case deserve to be booked and punished for not only the murder but also for scheming communal enmity.Pointing out to all concerned, especially State authorities that the proclaimed law and court of the Naga rebel group have no validity or legal authenticity and the masses cannot not accept contention of the NSCN (IM), Tiken demanded a special security force, if needed, be set up by both the state and Central to reclaim custody of the killers from the NSCN-IM’s clutches.

18 expelled on Day-1 of HSLC/HSC exam

IMPHAL, Feb 27: On the first day of the Higher Secondary Examination 2009, 18 candidates have been expelled from seven centres of HSLC and HSE 2009 for using unfair means. Of these, 11 candidates were appearing in Higher Secondary Examination. While Lisam Sasanka Singh, Md Najir Ahamad, Chesam Farooque Khan were expelled from Khundrakpam, Mayang Imphal and Wangoi centres, Ch Shakhensana Devi, Hulang Toningam Anal, Khoichung Achun Aimol, NL Anjali, SH Magdalen Poumei, W Hemanjit Monsang, Naorem Sanjitkumar and Suraj Tongsin Anal were expelled from Chandel centre. Of the seven HSLC exam candidates, three each were expelled from Khangabok and Keithelmanbi centres while another was sent off from Heingang centre Meanwhile, in a serious case of discrepancy, names of two candidates appearing in HSLC exam at Motbung High School Centre were found not conforming to the names given in the admit cards issued by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM).Although genuine nam-es of the candidates do not match those given in the admit cards, the two students were allowed to give their exams for today. The two candidates with incompatible names are Thongam Jodhajit s/o Syamsunder of Kha Naorem Leikai and Kharbim Meitei s/o Shankar of Thongju Part II. Regarding their misnomers given in their admit cards, a complaint was lodged to the Manipuri Students’ Federation, the two students said. Speaking to reporters at MSF office today, Jodhajit and Kharbim said that after passing class IX examination from different schools, they consulted with one Chungkham Rameshwar of Thongju Part II to admit them at Motbung High School in class IX again. Rameshwar, an Assistant Teacher at Motbung High School also took Rs 4500 each from the families of Jodhajit and Rameshwar for their admission in Motbung H/S, the two students disclosed. Saying that they never attended class in Motbung H/S, they said that their admit cards were given only today. On noticing that the names given in their admit cards do not match their genuine names, they complained to the invigilator. But the invigilator told them to sit for the exam anyway saying that the blunder may be corrected in the course of the exam. The admit card given to Jodhajit was issued in the name of Soibam Premkumar (Roll No 12852) and the one given to Kharbim Meitei was issued in the name of Laishram Donkumar (Roll No 12824). Both the admit cards were signed by the BSEM Controller as well as by the Headmaster of Motbung H/S.

House gutted in Bishnupur district

IMPHAL, Feb 26: In a devastating fire, the house of one Jonathan Varah of New Canan village under Litan police station in Ukhrul district has been gutted caus ing damage to several properties. The incident occurred at around 4 am today when the house went up in flame damaging properties of two rooms worth about Rs 4.5 lakhs, a granary stored with 200 tins of paddy, villagers said, adding the rooms were partially saved by joint efforts of the villagers.While exact cause of the fire is still not known there is strong suspicion of foul play, they said adding the police have taken note of the incident by conducting spot inquiry and an FIR has been registered with the police station. The villagers have also appealed the Government authority to provide all possible assistance to the house owner.

HSLC exam to commence today

IMPHAL, Feb 26: The number of students enrolled for appearing in the High School Leaving Certificate Examination to be conduc-ted by the Board of Secon- dary Education, Manipur this year has been recorded highest in comparison to the previous five years.In all 27,976 students would be appearing in the examination due to begin from tomorrow.Enrolment of students for the first public examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education had witnessed steady decline over the last five years.In 2005, 26,321 students were enrolled, 24,926 students in 2006, 23,228 students in 2007 and 24,864 students in 2008. But this year an increase of 3112 students in the enrolment has been recorded against that of the last year.Interacting with The Sangai Express in connection with the enrolment of more students for the examination this year, Secretary of Board of Secondary Education, Manipur L Rajmo- han Singh observed that it is a sign of improvement.He explained that the number of students appearing in HSLC examination under the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur had declined in the past five years due to various factors like students from the hills opting to appear in the examination under Nagaland Board, strict measures against use of unfair means in the examination and students preferring to write the examination under the National Open School.However, as the number of students opting for Na-galand Board has come down this years, the number of student enrolment under the Manipur Board has increased, he added.This year, students from 476 private schools, 224 Go-vernment schools and 85 Aided schools would be ap-pearing in the examination. For smooth conduct of the examination this year, in all 58 private centres and 30 Board centres have been set up and 15 flying squads formed, he informed.It may be noted here that the BSEM has been conducting HSLC examination since 1973. In the history of the examination so far, the year 1995 has recorded the highest number of students with a total of 49,216.Commencing from tomorrow, this year’s HSLC examination would continue till March 23.Class XI and XII examination conducted by the Council of Higher Education, Manipur would also be held along with the Board examination this year.

Safe explosion

IMPHAL, Feb 26: police bomb experts safely exploded a hand grenade recovered from near the entrance gate of one Md Khuyon of Keirao Makting, which is under the jurisdiction of irilbung police station, in Imphal East district. The bomb detected at around 5.30 am today was exploded at the nearby Keirao Awa-ching in late morning. Khu- yon is a Field Assistant in the Fishery Department. Meanwhile, meira paibis today staged a protest demonstration in condemnation of the bomb attack at the heirangoithong Yangam Leirak residence of Director (Retd) N Ibohal yesterday afternoon. Ibohal is presently a Project Consultant (Sericulture). A statement issued by Heirangoithong West yangam Leirak Nupi Association denouncing the bomb attack at residential area also demanded that armed group, if any, involved in the criminal act clarify what prompted such irresponsible action.

Sports recruitment

IMPHAL, Feb 26: As a part of ‘Mission Olympics’ initiatives of the Army, a team of Army Sports Institute (Pune), Army Boys Sports Company (Shillong), Artillery Centre (Nasik) and Ma- dras Engineering Group MEG Centre (Bangalore) would be arriving at Imphal to conduct recruitment of Manipuri sportsmen from March 4 till 6 at Koirengei, a PIB (DW) said.disciplines that will be considered in the Red Shield sporting talent scou-ting and induction rally are archery, athletics, boxing, canoeing, diving, kayaking, fencing, football, hockey, weightlifting and wrestling, it detailed while adding that recruitment will be conduc-ted two categories - for boys 9-16 years with a minimum qualification of Class V, and 17-21 years with 10 standard pass. Interested/eligible candidates are further informed to report at the recruitment venue from March 4-6 with relevant documents and two copies of passport size photographs.

State student hurt in Shillong inferno

IMPHAL, Feb 26: A Mani-puri student studying in class XII at Assam Rifles Public School in Latkot, Shillong had a providential escape with burnt injuries when fire broke out his in sleeping room under suspicious condition.The injured student has been identified as Shivraj Sharma of Chingmeirong. He is the son of BK Sharma, who is the Deputy Director in the Transport Department, Govt of Manipur.According to family members, Shivraj was slee-ping along with 15 other students in the AC House Dormitory of the School when the fire which had already caught his blanket was detected in the wee hours today.In a state of daze, Shivraj who had no idea how the fire broke out tried to flung the blanket and in the process a part of the burning blanket stuck to his body causing the injuries. The school authority admitted Shivraj to hospital and informed family members about the inci- dent at around 11 am today. After passing Cl-X from Maria Montesorri School here, Shivraj was admitted to the Latkot school for his 10+2 studies. He is to app-ear in the CBSE conducted class XII exam scheduled to begin from March 1.

RIMS morgue to Gandhi Ghat : Three souls take last journey

As the mortal remains of SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan, driver Aribam Rajen, Mandal Yumnam Token take their last journey the public let go off their pent up emotions and anger to bid them farewell

IMPHAL, Feb 23 : Mortal remains of SDO Thingnam Kishan, Mandal Yumnam Token and Driver Aribam Rajen who were brutally murdered by cadres belonging to the NSCN (IM) were claimed by respective family members amidst a tearful funeral procession.As per an understanding reached between the family members, JAC and the Government, the last rites of the three slain employees were performed at Gandhi Ghat, Uripok.Following an agreement between the JAC and the Government, family members, relatives and a large number of people including members of different civil society organisations came to RIMS mortuary to claim the mortal remains this morning.As the mortal remains were brought out from the mortuary, a large number of people particularly women broke down and sobbed giving vent to their emo- tions. The lifeless bodies were then put on three trucks one after another in three well decorated coffins. Thereafter a large number of people took out a funeral procession starting from Lamphel traffic point. From there, the procession snaked through RIMS Road, Nagamapal, Waheng-bam Leikai, Keishampat and Singjamei Yumnam Leikai through Keishamthong.At Yumnam Leikai, the birthplace of Yumnam Token, people paid floral tributes to the three persons who were found murdered in the most primitive method using crude weapons.From Yumnam Leikai, the procession headed to the homes of the other two victims at Uripok and Nagamapal carrying all the three coffins. The rallyists who took part in the funeral procession held placards which read as, “Let truth be your walking stick, Ibobi”, “Truthful persons are unable to live”, “Why are the unbridled rulers so afraid”, “Won’t the Government protect lives of innocent citizens.” IM’s peace in the hills, deaths in the valley !Earlier, as the three trucks carrying the three coffins approached RIMS Road Crossing, police halted the procession and asked the people to take the three coffins to their houses separately. To this, the shocked and aggrieved people maintained that they would take the three corpses together as they died together. Enraged and visibly upset by the police instruction, a large number of people lay prostrate on the road in front of the vehicles carrying coffins.

Seven UG cadres arrested

IMPHAL, Feb 23: Thoubal district police commados arrested one PREPAK cadre namely Thokchom Shyamkanhai alias Inao (38) s/o Th Thoiba of Thoubal Wangmataba from Thoubal Wangmataba Mathak Leikai today.In another incident, troops of 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under Hqs IGAR(S) launched operation in the general area Kamu Leirak and arrested one PREPAK cadre today. The cadre has been identified as Mani Mohan alias Gaolen (23) s/o Ranbir of Yairipok Poirou Khongjin. He has been handed over to Yairipok Police Station today. Thoubal district police commados also arrested one UNLF cadre namely Moirangthem Noren (31) s/o Sajou of Kakching Kadajit Pareng from his locality yesterday at around 4 pm. Earlier at around 2 pm, district police commandos arrested one KCP cadre from Sekpi Khongnangkhong identified as Soibam Inao alias Premjit (36) s/o Ibocha of Thoubal Achouba. At around 3 pm the same day, district commandos arrested one PLA cadre namely Laishram Kanhai (33) s/o Ningthem of Khangabok Mayai Leikai Part-II from Wangjing Bazar. Later at night at around 11 pm, the commandos arrested one PREPAK harbourer identified as Yumnam Kumarjit (37) s/o Tomba of Kiyam from Kiyam Lai Haraopham, said a press release of Thoubal SP. Imphal East district police commandos arrested two KCP cadres namely Moirangthem Sanatomba alias Sana (29) s/o Thoiba of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai and Takhellambam Dineshchandra alias Nanao (27) s/o Biren of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai from Sangaipat on February 21. One 9 mm pistol loaded with six live rounds in the magazine from the possession of Sanatomba, said a press release of Imphal East SP.

CM tells Delhi to tell IM to hand over ‘killers’

IMPHAL, Feb 23: A day after the NSCN (IM) admitted that one of its Lt Cols identified as Hopeson Ningshen masterminded the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan and his two staff, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today has sent a missive to the Union Home Ministry to instruct to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to hand over the killers to the custody of the State Government.The message which was sent before the Chief Minister left Imphal categorically stated that the present case has shown that the NSCN (IM) has been letting loose a reign of terror in Manipur and demanded that the accused be handed over to the State Government to deliver justice.In his missive, the Chief Minister also recalled the past instances when the IM group had subverted the process of law.The Chief Minister is set to meet the Union Home Minister and highlight the role of the IM group in the killing of the SDO as well as recall past incidents, such as the cases of Hrinii Hubert and Muheni Martin, said the source. The Naga rebel group, which is engaged in peace talks with the Government of India for 11 years now, yesterday disclosed that three persons who were suspected to be involved in the killing have been taken into custody for further interrogation.Accordingly, the Chief Minister today communicated with the Home Ministry to give necessary instruction to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group for handing over the three suspects who are in the custody of the NSCN (IM) to the State Govt so as to help in dispensing of justice, disclosed a Cabinet Minister of the SPF Govt. On the other hand, according to a top police officer, interrogation of the three staff who were abduc-ted together with Dr Kishan but rescued from Tolloi in Ukhrul district by a joint team of Assam Rifles and Manipur has led to some conclusions that are similar to the disclosure of the NSCN (IM). The police officer conveyed that the black colour Bolero used for transportation of the three staff rescued from Tolloi has been recovered. The three rescued staff are being kept in the custody of the Assam Rifles on security reason, the police officer explained.

Quizzing of PLA cadres on

Shillong, Feb 23: The four PLA cadres arrested from the bordering village of Shella in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya have claimed that they had crossed the interna-tional boundary with an objective to surrender. The Meghalaya Police which are carrying the interrogation in Shillong confirmed the confession of the arrested militants, but were categorical that their statements cannot be taken for granted. The PLA men arrested by the BSF before they were handed to the police last week are identified Krishna Mohan Singh and Self-styled sergeant major Sushil alias Shanti were remanded to 14 days police custody while their wives Lata Devi and Shyam Lata were remanded to judicial custody, police sources said today. Last week the BSF apprehended four militants including two women cadres and a courier of the Manipur-based PLA alongwith one Khalif Miya from the border area of Beltoli in East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya while they were trying to sneak into the country from Bangladesh. The BSF found some Indian currency and six mobile phone handsets with two Indian SIM cards and a Bangladesh SIM card were seized from them.

Arson or wildfire, no answer yet...Inferno ravages Keibul Lamjao

IMPHAL, Feb 22 : The only natural habitat of the rare Sangai (Brow Antlered deer), Keibul Lamjao National Park was ravaged by fire today.According to the people of Keibul Lamjao Chingmei, the inferno broke out early morning today.The origin of fire which spread to a large area of the Park, however could not be ascertained till the time of filing this report.On receiving information of the fire, a team of media persons rushed to the Park at about 4.30 pm. On reaching the Park, the fire was seen burning extensively at Nongmaikhong, Ngakha Pat, Haorang side of the Park and Toya hills.On being observed from the watch tower installed at the southern side of Keibul Lamjao Tourist Home, it appeared that almost three quarters of the National Park covering about 40 sq kms have been ravaged by the fire. In addition to being the only floating park and the lone natural habitat of rare and endangered species of deer, Sangai, in India Keibul Lamjao National Park is also a source of food (vegetables) for the surrounding villages. At about 5.30 pm, Sangais were seen running beyond the fire lines made by Forest Department from the watch towers. According to some women of Keibul Chingmei who went to Keibul Lamjao National Park to pluck/collect vegetable items today at about 11 am as usual, the fire was seen already spreading over an extensive area.They said that they sometimes saw fire in the Park but today’s fire was most ferocious and the most extensive in recent times.As the reporters were watching the fire on the last tower, several rounds of gun shots were heard. After retreating from the Park, the media team interacted with villagers of Keibul Lamjao Chingmei. The villagers said that gun shots might have been fired by the Army. Even as an extensive area of the Park was ravaged by the fire, no responsible official of Forest Department came to assess the damage till late evening.Nevertheless, officials of the Department stationed at the Park moved in to control the fire though it went in vain. One boatman of Forest Department, L Saratchandra said that reports of the fire was received at about 11 am.At about 12 noon, a team of five led by Forest Guard N Manimohon moved to the direction of Thangbaral Yanbi as another team led by Beat officer S Sonamani moved from the direction of Chingmei Nachan to control the fire.But they retreated unable to control the ravaging fire. Notably, they did not take any equipment necessary for fighting fire. Although they should have informed Fire Brigade, they did not do so as Moirang Fire station exists just for name’s sake, L Saratchandra said.After the two came out unable to control the fire, the Forest Ranger was informed about the fire, N Manimohon conveyed.However, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest S Singsit said that a team of Forest Department officials including District Forest Officer and Rangers have rushed to the park to assess the damage.Saying that they have not received any report of Sangai dying in the fire, S Singsit said that details of the incident would be known only after the official team submit their reports. Incidentally, an official team of Wildlife Institute of India has been conducting a survey at the Park at present.

KCP (MC) chief Lanheiba held

IMPHAL, Feb 22 : Hard-core KCP (MC) leader Lanheiba Meitei alias Rajen Singh alias Rajesh Singh has been apprehended by troops of 57 Mountain Division from his house at Aizawl yesterday. According to a PIB (DW) press release, the hard-core militant was arrested in a meticulously planned and well coordinated operation code named “Op Grand Slam II).”Following a tip off provided by 57 Mountain Division, a joint operation was launched by a joint team of 57 Mountain Division, Mizoram Police and Manipur Police. The operation was coordinated by the GOC of 57 Mountain Division himself. On receiving information from their own sources that Lanheiba Meitei was taking shelter in his Aizawl house for quite some time, a joint team of officials of 57 Mountain Division and Manipur Police was dispatched to Aizawl on February 8.Since then the house of Rajen alias Lanheiba was kept under constant surveillance.On February 20, specific information was received about the presence of Lanheiba Meitei in his house. Subsequently a trap was laid and Lanheiba Meitei was apprehended by a joint team of 57 Mountain Division, Manipur Police and Mizoram Police in a swift operation on February 21. On interrogation, the apprehended person confirmed himself to be the S/S C-in-C of the banned outfit KCP (MC).Involved in a number of extortion cases, Rajen Singh was earlier apprehended on two occasions. He has been kept in the custody of Mizoram Police for further interrogation.Arrest of Rajen Singh alias Lanheiba Meitei, S/S C-in-C of KCP (MC) has proved a major blow to the outfit, asserted the release.

Khaplang calls for retrospection

IMPHAL, Feb 22: Greeting the Nagas on the occasion of the two day ‘Naga Convention for Reconciliation & Peace’ being held at Kohima, NSCN Chairman SS Khaplang shared his firm belief that ‘revolution begins from the mind of the people and not from the barrel of guns’.a statement of the Chairman received here today accused Government of India for being indifferent to the Naga political issue for the past many year thereby reminding the Nagas that any political settlement with the Indian Union ‘is subject to which path the Nagas decide to walk today’.Appreciating all the Naga frontal organisations for the initiative in bringing the Naga brethren from ‘all corners of Naga homeland’ to the February 21-22 Convention, he also expressed strong resentment that in displaying domineering attitude the commonness of the struggle has suffered besides providing opportunity to adversary forces to sow seeds of distrust amongst the Naga people.Cautioning that a solution without consensus of all Nagas would be a mere wish, SS Khaplang further highlighted ‘What nagas witness today is a further fragmentation of our society owing to inflexibility and rigidity of our earthly wisdom’ and prayed to the Almighty for better destiny of the Nagas.Saying that fear becomes a mere tool to delay the inevitable and upholding will of the people as supreme, chief of the rebel group also cautioned that a leader who fails to heed voice of the people ‘becomes a people’s tyrant’.Pointing out futility of the polity that ignores the people’s voices with the assertion that a leader of such mindset is certain to live in oblivion, he called upon all concerned to be shed off impractical philosophy/principle.“I have met and listened to many respectable men and women representing many social forum and groups. I have also met and listened to pleas of common Naga men, women and youths who have great desire to see their homeland free of foreign domination and internal strife,” the Chairman’s message conveyed while stressing on impossibility of existence of freedom in an intolerant and divided society.

Murder of SDO and subordinates NSCN (IM) rounds up three ‘killers’

IMPHAL, Feb 22 : Keeping in line with its pledges that nothing will be left to chance to expose the people behind the brutal murder of the SDO of Kasom Khullen and his two subordinate staff, the NSCN (IM) has rounded up three suspects. Disclosing this while speaking to The Sangai Express today evening, a spokesman of the Law and Order Department of the Wung Tangkhul Region said that three persons have been taken into custody in connection with the abduction and later brutal murder of the SDO, Dr Th Kisan, his driver Aribam Rajen and Mandal, Y Token.The three have been identified as Lt Col Hopeson Tangkhul, Apho Sibo and Major Ashang. Newmai News Network has reported that the armed wing of the NSCN-IM has admitted that one of its ‘commanding officers’ (CO) was behind the brutal and inhuman killing of Kasom Khullen SDO and his two subordinates. Informing this today, “Naga Army’, the armed wing of the NSCN-IM said that ‘commanding officer’ (CO) Lt Col H Ningshen was the masternind in the killing of Dr Th Kishan and his two subordinates.In a statement, the armed wing of the NSCN-IM said, “In what can be termed as the most shocking revelation, one of our senior officers has turned out to be the black sheep of the family. To our utter disappointment, it has been established that the Commanding Officer of Kiusumong Battalion (Siroy), Lt Col H Ningshen was the brain behind the brutal killing of the Kasom Khullen SDO and his two aides. What prompted him to undertake such severe measure against the civil servants of Manipur Government cannot justify the inhuman action metted out under his command,” said the Naga Army of the NSCN-IM tonight.The NSCN-IM’s official statement in this regard will be issued on Monday, according to the outfit’s Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP).Sources in the NSCN-IM said that on Monday the outfit will decide what step should be taken against ‘Lt Col’ H Ningshen.The NSCN-IM’s ‘home minister’ has already said that whoever big or small, in the event of the outfit’s personnel involved in the brutal and inhuman murder of the SDO and his two staffs would not be spared but awarded the ‘severest’ form of punishment.Another source informed The Sangai Express that Apho Sibo a Town Commander while Hopeson Tangkhul was the commander of the Siroy camp which was recently evicted. Speaking to The Sangai Express, the spokesman of the Law and Order Department of the Wung Tangkhul Region said that the GPRN did not issue any order to kill the SDO and his two men.The three were acting on their own individual capacity, said the spokesman and added that the killing was the machinations of gangsters.They do not represent the GPRN in any position, asserted the spokesman and maintained that investigation is on to round up all those involved in the heinous crime.Details of the case will be issued within three days time, asserted the spokesman.

Missing trio rescued: CM

IMPHAL, Feb 21: The three employees abducted toge-ther with Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan, Mondal Y Token and Driver A Rajen have been rescued by a combined team of Assam Rifles and police from Tol-loi, Ukhrul district this morning.The rescued employees are Extension Officer in-charge RS Ramsing, village level worker S Ramthing and Peon Kapangkhui.People believe that the State Government can now ascertain the identities, motives and details of the cul- prits involved in the barba-ric murder. Conveying about the successful rescue operation during a press meet this afternoon, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said the three abducted employees were rescued after a joint operation by Assam Rifles and police led by an IG.During the press meet which started at about 2.45 pm, the Chief Minister said that the rescued employees were being brought to Im-phal by an AR team. They would be arriving at Imphal within 10/15 minutes, Ibobi maintained.The AR team was entrusted to bring the rescued employees to Imphal to avoid any misadventure on the way, he stated.“The three employees would be fearing both the murderers and the Government. As their minds would have been already troubled with the possible threats to their future lives when they disclose the truths and facts of the gruesome murder, they would be ques- tioned with the assurance of full protection in their future lives,” the Chief Minister conveyed. To a query raised by scribes about the people’s lingering suspicion of NSCN (IM)’s involvement in the brutal murder, Ibobi said that the State Government would exert pressure upon the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to take up ne-cessary actions against the rebel group in case their involvement is confirmed prima facie.

Relief, heartache mark curfew relaxation

IMPHAL, Feb 21: Wareda ! Curfew Ashi Loishilla-ningleda (Woe is brimful, wish the curfew is lifted).These are the soulful words that Ibechaobi, who missed the bus following re-imposition of curfew, utte- red. She was returning from selling fishes in the Khwai-ramband Market when the curfew was reimposed after being lifted from 1 pm to 3 pm today.After the 48 hours State wide bandh and general strike called by various organisations including the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Dr Th Kishan Singh, Y Token Singh and A Rajen Sharma in protest against the killing, from 6 pm of February 17 to 6 pm of February 19, imposition of indefinite curfew by the district admi-nistration of Imphal East and West with effect from 5 pm of February 19 has caused untold miseries to many daily wage earners like Ibechaobi.A resident of Mayang Imphal in Imphal West district, Ibechaobi came to the Khwairamband Bazar to sell fishes on hearing the news of lifting the curfew from 1 pm to 3 pm today.However, at around 3.30 pm, Ibechaobi and two other women fish sellers namely Chaobisana and Sana were observed walking along the road of Wa- hengbam leikai as they missed the bus for returning home following reimposition of curfew.Two more women from Nambol selling Ngakra and Ukabi were also found wal-king down along the road of Keishampat carrying loads on their heads after missing the buses.Talking to The Sangai Express, Ibechaobi said when the cost of 1 kg of rice has reached Rs 22, inability to come to the market and sell fishes has forced her to borrow rice from the neighbour to feed her family.

Query on IM camps irks CM

IMPHAL, Feb 21: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has iterated that the ceasefire agreement between the Naga rebel group NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is confined only in Nagaland and there is no camp of the Naga rebel group in Manipur.In response to a query during a press conference at his office chamber here today, Ibobi asserted that there is no designated camp of NSCN (IM) in Manipur.“Can you identity any of the designated camps of NSCN (IM) in Manipur ?”, the Chief Minister retorted in response to the query posed by a journalist who quoted Assam Rifles sources that said such camps are in Manipur but the State Government has not taken note of them.The Chief Minister’s clarification or rather the outburst came in the backdrop of public suspicion on possible involvement of NSCN (IM) cadres in the recent killing of SDO of Kasom Khullen Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two subordinate staff after being abducted from Ukhrul district.The JAC formed in denouncement of the brutal killing had also demanded the State Government that no NSCN (IM) camp should be allowed to exist within the territory of Manipur.It may be recalled here that recently a stand off occured between the Assam Rifles soldiers and armed cadres of NSCN (IM) at Siroy village in Ukhrul district over setting up of a camp by the Naga rebel group.

NSCN-IM reiterates ‘action’ vow

Feb 21: On the brutal killing of SDO Th Kishan and his two staffs the ‘Naga Army’, the armed wing of the NSCN-IM has affirmed that whoever may have committed such heinous crime, it has nothing to do with any ‘official sanction’ of the ‘Naga Army’ authorities whatsoever. “In the event of any Naga Army personnel found to be involved, ‘Naga Army’ will not fail to give the punishment to those perpetrators befitting the crime as per the army rules,” PRO of the Naga Army (NSCN-IM) Col. Levi Zimik said tonight in a statement.The statement expressed that the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr. Th Kishan and his two staffs has come as a great shock to ‘Naga Army.’Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM Kilo-Kilonser (Home Minister) said that taking into consideration gravity of the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staffs, the NSCN stands by its statement that it has no hands in the killing. “But in the event of some NSCN members found to be involved in the killing, befitting punishment will be given and justice shall be delivered. No such persons, big or small shall be spared from facing the severest penalty,” said the NSCN-IM Home Kilonser.