Five killed in North Cachar hills

Unable to bear the grief wife of one of the victims faints

Newmai News NetworkGuwahati, Jun 3: At least five persons died while a minor was injured when unidentified gunmen, suspected to be members of the Black Widow faction of tribal Dimasa insurgent group Dima Haolam Daogah, opened indiscriminate fire on a Naga village in restive North Cachar Hills district of Assam on Wednesday.According to reports reaching here, a group of militants swooped down on Borochenam village, located around 28 Kms from district headquarters Haflong, in the wee hours of Wednesday and opened indiscriminate fire, killing five persons and injuring a minor.“All the five persons died on the spot. The minor injured in the incident was rushed to Haflong for treatment,” official sources said.As panic-stricken residents fled the village, the gunmen set their houses on fire. Fifty-four of the total 58 houses in the village were gutted, the sources said.They added that senior officials of the district administration rushed to the site to take stock of the situation while police and para military forces cordoned off the entire area and launched a search operation to nab the assailants.With this, altogether 29 persons have been killed while over 350 houses torched in the ongoing bloodbath in NC Hills. The victims were both Nagas and Dimasas. In the wake of the violence, the authorities rushed a large number of security personnel to this hill district but they could do very little apparently owing to poor road communication, lack of coordination among the various security wings and the hostile terrains.

ATM booth in Senapati

IMPHAL, Jun 3: The State bank of India, Senapati branch inaugurated its automated Teller Machine (ATM) on May 29, 2009 thereby bringing the latest convenient banking technology to the people of Senapati, said a Bank release issued today by its Branch Manager S Besii Bosco.Informing that it is the only ATM at Senapati district headquarters installed along the national Highway-39 in between Kohima and Imphal, the release listed Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG/Range-IV) M Sushil Kumar (IPS) and SBI’s Assistant General Manager Ranjit Kumar Borkotoky among those present during the inauguration programme.While the branch Manager himself briefed the gathering on utilities of ATM card and other facilities available at the branch such as internet banking, mobile banking, SMS banking, RTGS, NEFT etc., DIG Sushil Kumar highlighted how modern technology has transformed the economy from barter system to the present day ATM and core banking system which has reached even remote and rural places such as Senapati, the release maintained.Ranjit Borkotoky is said to have encouraged the people to avail ATM facility to avoid crowding at the banking hall and to be relieved from the problem of waiting in queue besides explaining how ATM card can be conveniently used for shopping, especially in shopping malls without the risk and burden of carrying hard cash.The Assistant branch manager, however advised the customers against divulging the ATM pin to anyone, the release added.

Non-local killed

IMPHAL, Jun 3: A non-local trader who ran a grocery shop along Ayangpalli Road of Khurai Lamlong Keithel under Porompat Police Station was gunned down by unidentified armed persons inside his own shop. According to police report, the incident occurred at around 2.10 pm today. The victim has been identified as Havinder Yadav (50) of Supara district, Bihar but staying in a rented house at Khurai Lamlong Keithel Ayangpalli Road. There were bullet marks all over his body including head. He was rushed to JN Hospital but died enroute. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing and a case has been registered in connection with the killing.

Meira scripts history as first woman Speaker

NEW DELHI, Jun 3: Congress candidate Meira Kumar was elected Speaker of the 15 th Lok Sabha unanimously on Wednesday. As soon as the Lok Sabha session began, Sonia, according to the agenda, proposed Kumar as the Speaker of the new House. Her name was seconded by Leader of Opposition LK Advani and other political leaders. Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Advani then accompanied her to the Speaker's chair completing the formality. With every side deciding to endorse her candidature, her election to the top post was a unanimous affair. Altogether 13 sets of nominations were submitted on Tuesday by Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee to Lok Sabha secretary general PDT Achary. Among those who backed her bid for the Constitutional post were UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition LK Advani, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mukherjee led a group of UPA leaders to the secretary general's office in a formal show of solidarity behind Kumar. Among them were Pawar, Farooq Abdullah, Lalu Prasad and E Ahmed. While Sonia's proposal was seconded by Mukherjee, that of Advani was done by his party colleague Sushma Swaraj. Kumar, who was part of the delegation visiting the secretary general, later termed her ascent to the Speaker's chair as a historic moment. "It is both historic and overwhelming," she told reporters. A five-time MP, she resigned as Minister for water resources after Congress backed her for Speaker. Not originally her party's choice, Kumar found strong support from the Congress leadership on two counts—a woman, she carries a rich dalit legacy. Precisely for this reason, the BJP was reluctant to oppose her. For its part, the Opposition party moved a notch up in the game of identity politics by proposing a tribal—Karia Munda—for the deputy Speaker's post.

Five students booked under NSA, 8 get bail

The arrested students being brought to the court of the Additional CJM, Imphal West
IMPHAL, Jun 2 : Of the 13 students apprehended by police following the killing of Prof Islamuddin, five have been detained under National Security Act while eight other have been released on bail. Soon after the killing of Prof Islamuddin in MU campus on May 25, seven persons were picked up by police from MU campus on suspicion for verification. They were formally arrested the next day. Six other persons were also arrested on May 26.All 13 of them were produced before the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West. Even as the Prosecutor pleaded to grant remand till June 16, the Court did not consider the matter as orders to detain five of the arrested persons under NSA had been already issued. However, eight of them were released on bail after surety bond of Rs 30,000 was furnished as sufficient evidence could not be produced to indict them in connection with the killing of Prof Islamuddin.Objecting to the plea for granting remand, lawyers appearing on behalf of the eight individuals pleaded to release their clients on bail. After hearing the plea, the Court granted bail to the eight individuals. Those who have been released on bail are Laishram Bijenkumar Singh (25) son of Bishambor of Kha-Sanjenbam Makha Leikai, Khomdram Ranabir Singh (26) son of Thoiba of Nambol, Kshetrimayum Ranjan Singh (28) son of Nimaichand of Kongpal Naoroibam Leikai, Laishram Joyprakash (30) son of Manaoton of Utlou Mayai Leikai, Namoijam Dinesh Singh (19) son of Manglemjao of Oinam Utlou Mamang Leikai, Sairem Robindro Singh (26) son of late Rajendro of Nambol Kha-Jiri, Wahengbam Binoy Singh (27) son of Meidha of Toubul Maning Leikai and Rajkumar Suresh Singh (28) son of Gouri of Kakwa Asem Leikai. Those detained under NSA have been identified as Thoudam Shyam Singh son of Megha of Thoubal Leishangthem, Thangjam Lankishore Singh (30) son of Angou of Ukhongshang Mamang Leikai, Phijam Dinesh Meitei (29) son of Deben of Changangei Mamang Leikai, Kshetrimayum Kiran Singh (29) son of Tomchou of Kakching Khunou and Arambam Thoithoi (28) son of Biren of Khurai Nandeibam Leikai

UCM office bearer looted

IMPHAL, Jun 2: The district affairs secretary of Central Committee, UCM was allegedly looted at gun point by some individuals who identified themselves as members of KCP (MC) as well as Police Commandos.The incident reportedly occurred at a spot in between Waithou and Tangjeng along National Highway-39 in Thoubal district at around 4 pm yesterday while the district affairs secretary of Central Committee, identified as Md Iqbal Shah Khulakpam, was on his way to the office of the Deputy Commissioner to seek permission for using loudspeaker for publicity in connection with upcoming 8th June 18 Uprising Day observance.Addressing a press conference at the office of UCM at Lamphel-pat here this afternoon, its information and public relations secretary Kh Nilamani Kha-Nganba, informed that the two armed persons who came in a numberless black colour Bajaj Pulser and were inconsistent in identified themselves as either members of KCP (MC) or Police Commandos waylaid Md Iqbal who was also driving another Bajaj Pulser and looted him of Rs 1600, his driving license and other vehicle documents.Condemning the incident, Nilamani also called upon the SP of Thoubal District as well as the leaders of the proscribed KCP (MC) to take up necessary action and dispel the confusion from the mind of the people.Md Iqbal, who was also present during the press conference, recounted that after being waylaid, the two armed looters who identified themselves as members of KCP (MC) at one time and later as Police Commandos, at first demanded to hand over the Bajaj Pulser he was driving. As he did not agree, one of them took out a 9 mm pistol and pointed at him while the other started searching his body. In the process, they laid their hands on Rs 1600 he was carrying besides taking away the driving license and other vehicle documents.The armed looters have also asked him to come to Sugnu on June 3, Md Iqbal informed.

Tourist homes reduced to a gravy train

IMPHAL, Jun 2: The State Tourism Department has been incurring a loss of Rs 48,46,700 as tourist homes have been occupied by security forces for CI Ops and any effort to draw the attention of the Home Ministry and the authorities of Army and Assam Rifles to pay up the due amount of rental charges for occupying the tourist homes has come to naught.According to sources from the State Tourism Department, a sum of Rs 9,38,900 is due for payment for occupying four double bed rooms, one kitchen and dining hall of the Moirang Tourist Home by the security forces since July 1995.However the amount has not been paid till today.Similarly, a due amount of Rs 9,77,800 incurred for occupying four double bed rooms of Phubala Tourist Home since November 1995 and Rs 10,43,600 for occupying Khongjom Tourist Home since June 1994 have not been paid, sources said, adding that the unpaid amount for occupying the tourist homes at Moreh, Churachandpur and Sendra have also added upto Rs 10,68,600, Rs 6,62,400 and Rs 1,55,400 respectively.Over and above losing its income due to occupation of these tourist homes by the security forces, the Department has been discouraged from setting up new tourist homes, sources said.While pointing out that the tourists homes have been set up in the first place for the conveniences of the visiting tourists with an eye on developing tourism activities in the State, sources lamented that after the occupation of these tourist homes, the security forces have put restrictions on the entry not just of the visiting tourists but also the officials of the Department.In such a situation, the efforts being made by the Government of Manipur to tap the potential of tourism in the State would be wasted, sources observed.Security forces not paying up the rental charges have been highlighted earlier.