KYKL claims hand in eliminating Prof Islamuddin

The proscribed KYKL has claimed responsibility for killing former Dean of Students’ Welfare, MU, Prof Islamuddin inside MU campus yesterday.A press release issued by the outfit publicity and research secretary Lan-ngamba Mangang said that Prof Islamuddin was given death penalty for his alleged unpardonable faults.It was Prof Islamuddin’s grievous faults that tarnished the image of Manipur University besides creating divisions among students, alleged the outfit. The main culprit behind the serious disturbance caused to the academic atmosphere of Manipur University was Islamuddin, it asserted.His faults and errors need not be mentioned again. All his malpractices and faults can be established by looking into the issue surrounding the last MUSU election, Lanngamba said.Making the issue complex and confusing, which at first was simple and could have been easily rectified, and telling lies to hoodwink people and to absolve him-self from his wrong doings was the ploy of Prof Isla-muddin, the outfit asserted.Saying that a clique of some corrupt, selfish teachers and students have been operating within Manipur University, the outfit alleged that the primary objective of this clique is to make MU their private fiefdom.

TSE investigates : Dr Kishan, A Rajen, Y Token, Kapangkhui, Ramthing, Ramshing abducted from Ukhrul Gate Four others held, murder trail from Ukl

IMPHAL, Mar 6 : The investigation launched by the State Government to get to the bottom of the brutal murder of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan and his two subordinate staff appears to be making some headway as the driver of the Bolero which was used by the NSCN (IM) cadres as well three people who provided them shelter have been picked up and sent to jail. Talking to The Sangai Express, a well placed source from the State Police Department said that from the disclosure of the driver of the Bolero (MN04/A/2645) and the three other persons, it has been established that six IM men lay in wait near the DC office on February 13. Once the SDO along with his five staff came out from the office of the DC a little after 12 noon on February 13, the Bolero, which was forcibly taken by the IM men, gave chase and over took the Gypsy near St Thomas School.Thereafter the Bolero stopped the Gypsy near the Naga Gate (Ukhrul Gate) at Hundung, said the source. After stopping the Gypsy carrying the SDO and his staff, the six IM men who were in the Bolero, driven by Mahei Kasar of Nungsong village told the officer to accompany them to Siroy for some talks, revealed the source further. The SDO and his men were however not taken to Siroy that day, February 13, for they stopped for the night at Langdang, a village situated between Ukhrul and Siroy. The officer and his men and the NSCN (IM) cadres spent the night at the residence of the former Head- man of Langdang village identified as Wungmasho.On reaching Langdang village, the number plate of as well as the beacon of the Gypsy allotted to the SDO were removed and the vehicle was kept out of sight. The next day, three employees who were abducted along with the SDO, Kapangkhui Zimik, Ram-thing Tangkhul and Ram- shing Tangkhul were let off by the IM men, said the source. After spending the night at Langdang, the SDO along with his two staff were bundled into the Bolero and along with three armed NSCN (IM) cadres, they were driven towards Seikhor village (Ukhrul west) on the Old Imphal-Ukhrul road. Seikhor village is located about 18 kms from Ukhrul district headquarters. Disclosing more details, the source said that at Seikhor village, the NSCN (IM) cadres got in touch with the village chief Soreingam Riphung and village secretary Th Zimik and the officer and his men spent the nights of February 14 and 15 at the residence of the village secretary. The following day the SDO and his two men accompanied by the three armed IM cadres as well as the driver proceeded towards Tora and passed through Tuinem and then reached Ngaingu junction, where one of the armed cadres got down, as it was getting cramped inside the vehicle. From Ngaingu junction, the six of them, that is Dr Kishan, A Rajen, Y Token, the two IM cadres and the driver took the Senapati- Phaibung road. The officer, his staff and the abductors reached Senapati a little after midnight and there, the Bolero with the driver was left near a stone crushing centre. From there the SDO and his men were taken on foot by the two gun wielding NSCN (IM) cadres towards Taphou Kuki village, said the source and added that the officer and his men may have been bludgeoned to death in the wee hours of February 17. After the ‘work’ was done, the two armed IM cadres returned to the site of the stone crusher where the Bolero and the driver were and they took the same route back.The former Headman of Langdang village in whose house the SDO, his men and the IM cadres spent the night on February 13 was picked up by the police on February 23 and he was sent to jail on March 1. The driver of the Bolero, which was forcibly taken by the IM men, Mahei Kasar of Nungshong village was picked up on February 25 and was sent to jail on March 4. The chairman of Seikhor village Soreingam Riphung and the secretary Th Zimik were respectively arrested on February 26 and 27 and were sent to jail on March 4, said the source further. To a query on the primary reason for the brutal killing of the SDO and his men, the source said that it is yet to be established as the alleged master mind of the dastardly crime self styled Lt Col of the NSCN (IM) Hopeson Ningshen of Nambisa is in the custody of the outfit. The statements of 30 eye witnesses have been recorded by the police, said the source and added that further investigation is on. The Gypsy that was found abandoned at Mahadev has been confirmed as the one allotted to the late SDO. On the other hand the IG (LO-III) V Zathang who has been in Ukhrul for the past days to investigate the case has returned to Imphal while Commissioner O Nabaki-shore and IG (Intelligence) LM Khaute are continuing with the investigation. The two men inquiry constituted by the State Government is headed by O Nabakishore and LM Khaute. The killing was widely condemned.

Migrant workers back to work

IMPHAL, Mar 6: Amid heightened security measures and humanitarian initiatives migrant workers resumed their normal chores of earning livelihood away from their homes here in the State.Migrant workers had been shunning wage earning activities for the past few days following unidentified gunmen slaying three of them at different location of the capital city.Apparently fearing more such attacks the migrant work force had been taking refuge with security cover at the Marwari Dharmshala under the aegis of Imphal Bazar Board.Bazar Board convenor Amrik Singh Pahwa informed of the number of camper today decreasing to 70 from the original high of about 150 as they (migrant workers) returned to their works.Amrik Singh Pahwa also informed of a team of doctors having attended to medical requirements of the campers at the dharmshala where the Governor Gurbachan Jagat led other individuals/officials in extending financial and material assistance.Unidentified persons gunned down a barber at Bijoy govinda area of Sagolband on February 28, with two others – a sugar cane juice seller and a porter – killed at Kwaikethel and Chinga Makha respectively the following day.Bodies of all the three hailing from Bihar were cremated at Imphal.When contacted, Sub divisional police officer (Imphal West) AK Jhaljit described the situation as ‘improved’ in the capital with no fresh attacks being reported.“Nevertheless the state security forces continue to maintain sharp vigil to protect the non-locals and thwart any attempt to attack them,” the SDPO said.Meanwhile, the district authorities have taken up steps for payment of ex-gratia to families of the three slain migrant workers, officials sources said.On the otherhand, senior citizens for society, in a statement conveyed deep sense of shock and sorrow over the migrant workers’ killings and appealed to the perpetrators to ‘deeply introspect’ and stop such killing in the interest of peaceful co-existence and harmony in the pluralistic society.A statement released by the society’s general secretary, L Sadananda Singh appreciated the initiatives taken up by the State government for protecting the non-locals.

AE abducted, grenade found

IMPHAL, Mar 5 : An Assistant Engineer of the Food Control Division (FCD)-I of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been abducted by unidentified persons while a grenade has been found placed at the residence of an Executive Engineer of the same department.AE Md Liyaqat Ali was abducted on his way to IFCD head-office at Khoya-thong in the morning of March 3. The identity of the abductors and their motives cannot be ascertained till date.Demanding safe release of the AE at the earliest, IFCD employees staged a protest sitting in front of their head-office at Khoyathong today.Meanwhile, one Chinese hand grenade found near the residential gate of IFCD, FCD-I EE Chongtham Ranbir at Chingamakhong this morning has been safely retrieved by explosive experts of Manipur Police.The grenade was found near the security sentry post of the EE.Speaking to reporters by the sideline of the protest agitation at Khoyathong today, Ranbir said that he has no idea about the identity and motives of those responsible for abducting AE Liyaqat and placing grenade near his residence.Disclosing that there has been no case of any monetary demand from any UG group, the Executive Engineer recalled that there were instances of bomb/firing attacks at his residence in addition to the attempt to abduct his cashier in the past.

Security stepped up

IMPHAL, Mar 2: Following the incident of killing migrant workers over the last couple of days, security measures have been stepped up in Imphal, East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. According to sources from Imphal West District Police, evacuation of migrant workers from different parts of the district has begun and keeping them together at Dharmashalla and the complex of Imphal Police started. Apart from stepping up security measures at places where the migrant workers resided, they have also been advised against going to far off places for work. According to information received by the press, in all 86 migrant workers are staying in Dharmashalla where the DC and the SP of the district visited today to inspect the accommodation arrangement being made for them. The meals for the migrant workers evacuated at Dharmashalla are being arranged by the Imphal Bazar Board. In Imphal East too, besides stepping up patrolling of the security personnel, migrant workers have been dissuaded from going far in search of work. Even as security alert has been sounded in all the police stations in Bishnupur district, the Thoubal police have also toed the line in putting in necessary security arrangement. Meanwhile, the bodies of barber Suresh Thakur who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Sagolband on February 28 and sugarcane juice seller Rajkumar Choudhury who was shot dead at Kwakeithel yesterday have been handed over to his family members today after post-mortem examination at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital.

AR rescues two non-locals

Kohima, Mar 1: In a major achievement, personnel of 26 Assam Rifles Kohima on Saturday managed to rescue two non-local businessmen reportedly abducted by unidentified NSCN-K cadres on February 26 last. Assam Rifles sources revealed that on receipt of reliable intelligence report that the two abducted businessmen would be brought to Axis Bank Kohima for withdrawal of ransom money, personnel of 26 Assam Rifles laid a trap within the vicinity of Axis Bank, Opposite Kohima College this morning. All suspected entry and exit routes were kept under surveillance and a tight dragnet was established to apprehend the culprits, sources said.Subsequently, at around 11:00 am on Saturday, the Assam Rifles tracked some persons moving suspiciously in close proximity with two non-locals. As the group entered the bank, 26 Assam Rifles personnel challenged them, which created panic and taking advantage of the heavily crowded market place the miscreants managed to escape. However, the Assam Rifles team present on the spot exercised utmost restraint to avoid any collateral damage and did not resort to any firing, sources said, adding however swift action ensured that the two non-local businessmen identified as M Gurung and S Dey were rescued from the clutches of the abductors.Sources also said that on interrogation it was found confirmed that the two individuals were abducted on February 26 by suspected NSCN-K cadres and were kept under captivity. An undisclosed ransom amount was agreed upon to be paid by the individuals for assured safe release which led the group to Axis Bank on Saturday.Meanwhile, Assam Rifles authorities has stated that a strict round the clock vigil is being maintained in Kohima to thwart any attempt of underground groups to violate laid down cease fire ground rules (CFGR) or vitiate peace and tranquillity in civilian area. It has also warned of adopting stringent measures against any miscreants to ensure that peace and security prevails in Nagaland.

Mangani Leihun performed

IMPHAL, Feb 28: Along with taking out mass procession by thousands of mourners here today on the occasion of Mangani Leihun Tamba ceremony of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two sub-ordinate staff, driver Aribam Rajen and Revenue Mandal Yumnam Token, who were brutally murdered by armed cadres of NSCN (IM), a three-point memorandum has been submitted to the Governor.Signed jointly by three convenors of the JAC formed against the triple murder, the memorandum demanded immediate criminal proceedings against the suspended De- puty Commissioner of Ukhrul district Pankaj Kumar Pal by registering an FIR for his criminal connivance in the murder of his own sub-ordinate staff, murderers of the three Government officials be punished immediately and the other three ‘rescued’ officials who had accompanied the three victims at the time of abduction by the armed cadres of the Naga rebel group be produced before the public within 48 hours.Carrying photographs of the deceased Government employees in three different decorated Palanquins, the procession of the mourners started from their respective resi- dences and converged at Gandhi Ghat, Uripok where their mortal remains were consigned to flames, together for performing the Mangani Leihun Tamba rituals of the departed souls.After the rituals, the mourners were marching towards the Raj Bhavan to submit the memorandum to the Governor when police stopped them from proceeding further beyong Keishampat Junction. However, some representatives of the JAC were allowed to go and submit the memorandum. The memorandum was submitted to the Governor through his Under Secretary.In the memorandum, the JAC also contended that initiatives being taken up so far by the Government of Manipur in connection with the killing appear to be simply silencing the aggrieved public and the families of the deceased persons.While returning back from submitting the memorandum, the mourners shouted slogans against NSCN (IM) and demanded handing over the killers who are in the custody of the Naga rebel group.

Villagers allege UG harassments

IMPHAL, Feb 28: Even as the fourth round of meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group was held today along with leaders of Kuki UG groups which are signatories to the Suspension of Operation (SoO) truce with the Government of India and Manipur, reports have been recieved of constant harassments meted out by armed cadres of the SoO signatories to the people of villages situated along the embankment of Thoubal River in Imphal East district.According to reports, the armed cadres in camouflage have been coming to these villages at night time and harassing the people with monetary demand and snatching of mobile phones and in case of failing to entertain their demands, the armed cadres subject the people to physical torture.As a consequent, the people of these villages, who rely mainly on agricultural activities and gather- ing of pebbles from Thoubal river, have not be able to take rest at night after the day’s hard work fearing atrocities of the armed cadres. In such a situation, vigilant Meira Paibis have been taking their turns in patrolling the area at night time by dividing themselves into groups.In protest against the conduct of the armed cadres of the SoO signatories, a Wakat Meepham was also staged today at the community hall of Leirongthel Pitra today.After the Wakat Mee-pham, a protest rally was also taken out in and around the area later during the day.Participating in the rally, the protestors carried placards inscribed with slogans like ‘Allow us to live in peace’, ‘Don’t deny our rights to live peacefully’, etc.According to people of Leirongthel Pitra, the armed cadres have been frequent-ly coming to the villages at night and after gaining for-ced entry search the houses by pulling out mattresses and opening almirahs.Sometimes, the armed intruders identify themselves as KNF-P and sometimes as USRA cadres.If the monetary demand of the armed intruders were not entertained, the family members were threatened and their mobile phones snatched and anyone who tried to stop the armed intruders from snatching the mobile phones were beaten up.The armed intruders also repeatedly pestered the family members with questions like who else in the family are UGs.Over and above deman-ding Rs 5,000 from every rice mills, Rs 50,000 from every saw mills, Rs 5000 from every owner of Jeeps, Cars and Tata trucks, Rs 10,000 from bus owners, the armed intruders like never before have also recently demanded payment of hou-se taxes ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 10000 and even upto Rs 1 lakhs in accordance to the condition of the houses.Following the presence of the armed cadres, none of the trucks from Imphal have been able to come to the area for collecting the pebbles gathered by the villagers from Thoubal river. Even the autorickshaws are plying in the area after paying monthly taxes to the armed cadres who do not even spare the labourers engaging in breaking boulders and collecting sand from the with demand of Rs 100 each. From each quarry sites, the armed cadres have also imposed taxes upto Rs 10,000 and above.It is conveyed that the eastern headquarters camp of KNF-P is located at Bongba Khullen situated not very far from the post of the IRB deployed for the security of Mapithel Dam and IRB personnel could no nothing to stop the KNF-P cadres from sneaking to the nearby villages, though there had been instances in the past in which IRB personnel beaten up KNF-P cadres after being rounded up for their alleged excesses.The villagers also informed that the secretary of Leirongthel Youth Development Club has not been able to go out for work for around 2 months now after being beaten up by the alleged KNF-P cadres for failing to collect and hand over the demanded amount/taxes.

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.

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.

Declare culprits as terrorists: MPP

IMPHAL, Feb 20 : The Government of India should declare the particular organisation involved in the brutal murder of SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan, Revenue Mandal Y Token and Driver A Rajen as a terrorist organisation in case hints and evidences suggestive of the group’s involvement are established.MPP MLAs O Joy, Dr Ng Bijoy and RK Anand led by its president Dr L Chandramani visited the bereaved families today and shared their pain and sorrow. Talking to the visiting MLAs, JAC members and family members decried that the scheduled joint meeting of the three JACs constituted in connection with the triple murder to find a solution to the issue could not be held because of imposition of curfew. Countering how they can solve the issue while the public are being denied any movement, the family members appealed to the MPP MLAs to work for curfew relaxation.Assuring that they would call on the Chief Minister and urge him to relax the curfew, the MPP leaders said that they would also urge the Chief Minister to punish the culprits and trace the three missing employees abducted together with Dr Kishan besides seeking protecting for the bereaved families.BJP general secretary and ex-MLA M Bhorot was also with the MPP MLAs during the visit.Later speaking to media persons after calling on the Chief Minister, MPP Legislature wing leader O Joy observed that the muder of SDO Kishan and his two staff was different from other incidents of violence both in manner and degree. Saying that the murder seems to be motivated by communalism, Joy asserted that if concrete evidences can be collected on the involvement of any organisation in the murder, the Government of India should declare the particular organisation as a terrorist group.

Brutal murder of SDO and two subordinates

Late Dr Thingnam Kishan
IMPHAL, Feb 20 : Literally pointing the finger of accusation against the NSCN (IM) in the abduction and brutal murder of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan his two subordinate staff, driver Aribam Rajen and Mandal Yumnam Token, Chief Minister O Ibobi has written to the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to get in touch with the leadership of the outfit and to instruct them not to repeat such act in the future. Disclosing this to The Sangai Express a reliable source said that in the evening of February 17, the day the bludgeoned bodies of the SDO and his two subordinates were found near Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district, the Chief Minister convened a high level meeting at his office chamber.The Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DGP, GOC of 57 Mountain Division, IGAR (South) were among the officials present at the meeting, said the source. The missive was sent to the Union Home Minister after the meeting, informed the source further. In the missive, the Chief Minister categorically urged the Union Home Minister to instruct the leaders of the NSCN (IM) that the Government will not tolerate the cadres of the outfit moving openly with arms as well as not to repeat such heinous crime, added the source. The State Government has been providing inputs to the Union Home Ministry daily since then. On the other hand to trace and rescue the other three abducted men, security forces have been co-ordinating with each other, said the source. The wife of the slain SDO had yesterday informed some sections of the media that a number of district officials of Ukhrul district had informed her that her husband was in the custody of the NSCN (IM). The NSCN (IM) had on the other hand condemned the killing of the SDO and his subordinates and even claimed that it would investigate the case and crack it.Newmai News Network reports that the NSCN-IM while appreciating the statement of the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF), has said that vital clues have come from the testimony of Dr Th Kishan’s wife Romita which will serve as an important tool in the investigation conducted by the outfit into the brutal murder of the late Kasom Khullen SDO and his two subordinate staff.

Students union supports decision to suspend Ukhrul DC and SP

IMPHAL, Feb 20: The Kasom Khullen Sub-Division Students Union has expressed its support to the decision taken by the state chief minister O Ibobi Singh in suspending the Ukhrul deputy commissioner and superintendent of police in connection with the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO, Dr. Th Kishan Singh alongwith two of his subordinate staffs.According to the statement of the students union president, SP Chuireingam, the government`s decision of suspending the Ukhrul DC and SP for dereliction of duty and for not maintaining coordination was a prompt action taken by the state government to probe the case.Expressing satisfaction over the decision, he said that till the case was solved, the suspended Ukhrul DC should not be released from Manipur and should be placed under government custody as he was one of the most corrupt DC`s of Ukhrul district.The union also demanded the concerned authorities book the culprits involved in the gruesome murder and award them befitting punishment. It further appealed and prayed to the abductors for safe release of the still missing three innocent staff on humanitarian grounds.

RIMS belies trust

IMPHAL, Feb 17: The tall claims of those in authority to make RIMS at par with AIMS sounds hollow if one takes cognizance of the non-functional ultrasound machine and absence of separate Gynae Operation Theatre in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ward have been causing severe inconvenience to patients.Speaking at a discussion programme on child health held in the complex of Women and Child Development ashram at Changangei Uchekon today, Associate Professor of RIMS Dr S Randhoni disclosed that ultrasound machine of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department has not been functioning for the last 5/6 years. Observing that non-functional ultrasound machine has been causing immense inconvenience to patients admitted in RIMS, Dr Randhoni said that patients are compelled to go outside the institute to take ultrasound which is essential in most cases of child delivery and related medical examinations.Besides the financial burden faced by poor patients, taking ultrasound outside RIMS causes great hardships at times of emergency, she noted. Another major problem faced by patients is the absence of a separate OT for the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. With the general OT occupied most of the time for emergency cases like bullet/bomb injuries, the OT was not available when situation demands surgical operation for child delivery, she said.Unavailability of OT in such situations put both the mother and child at great risks. To redress these problems, the department has repeatedly approached the RIMS authority to make the ultrasound machine functional and also to open a separate OT for the department, Dr Randhoni said.Informing that around 1000 children are born in the hospital in a month on the average, she said that 30 percent of these child delivery cases need operation.The discussion programme held under the aegis of the Manipur State Commission for Women was also participated by MSCW Chairperson Dr Ch Jamini, former Director of Family Welfare Dr Th Biren, Additional Director dr H Ibemhal, Joint Director Dr Y Ibechoubi and Imphal East District Welfare officer Dr Momota Mukherjee.Dr Y Ibechoubi said that only 60 percent of children can be immunised in Manipur. She noted the importance of giving health awareness to the people so that women and children can enjoy all health care facilities.Dr Jamini said that necessary recommendations would be forwarded to the relevant authority to redress the problems plaguing Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of RIMS.

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.

Police expose UG groups’ extortion module

Some of the underground organisa-tions operating in Manipur have started using drug addicts including those living with HIV/AIDS and widows as go-between in extortion activities, claimed SP of Imphal East District Th Radheshyam.Talking to mediapesons at the district police headquarters at Porompat today, Radheshyam disclosed that of late underground organi-sations like PULF, KRA (U), KLA, KCP-MC and some other groups have started using drug addicts and widows as go-between in ser- ving demand notes and collection of the amount from Government Departments, private establishments and individuals.The SP said that among seven UG cadres including three cadres belonging to KLA/KNO and four others to PULF (Kazi Umar) arrested by the District Police Commandos from two different places yesterday, two of the arrested PULF cadres have been identified as widows.Some days earlier too, out of two KLA cadres arrested, both of them have been confirmed to be HIV/AIDS patients who are under ART treatment, the SP said, adding that it would be appreciable on the part of the NGOs to take serious note of the matter and play an important responsibility in stopping such trend.The SP identified the three KLA/KLO cadres arrested by the District Police Commandos at around 2.20 pm yesterday as Nokhulun Haokip (42) s/o Thehang Haokip of Veitum Khullen, Laishram Jiban (43) s/o late Nongthon of Sagolband Thangjam Leirak and Sana-sam Birmangol alias Bira- mani alias William (45) s/o (late) Ibotombi of Tera Lou-krakpam Leirak.One 7.65 mm pistol made in Italy, two live round of ammunition and 10 demand note of KLA were recovered from the possession of No-khulun who is also a Grade-IV employee in the BSNL, the SP informed.All three of them are wor-king under the command of one Haopu Kuki and they have extorted Rs 2 lakhs from Forest Department, Rs 20,000 from Babina Diagnostic and Clinical Labora- tory, Rs 50,000 from Imphal Hospital and Rs 20,000 from child specialist Dr Ratan of Sagolband Moirang Leirak and the same handed over to Haopu.Further, the SP identified the arrested four PULF cadres as Md Abdul Latif (38) s/o Jalllaludin of Phoubak-chao Heibungyangbi, Md Aboy Khan (18) s/o Md Abdul Latif of the same locality, Miss Leihao (24) d/o late Md Ibocha of Kshetri Awang Leikai and Nong-maithem Shanti Devi alias Nisa alias Dr Asha (38) d/o (late) Ibotombi of Thang-meiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai.All four of them were arrested by the Commandos from Khurai Lamlong at round 5.10 pm yesterday.In all 20 demand notes of the outfit have been seized from the possession of Ab-dul Latif, the SP informed, adding that Shanti Devi alias Nisa is a self-styled assstant project officer of the outfit.Meanwhile, troops of the Assam Rifles and Imphal West district police comma-ndos in separate operations have apprehended eight activists of underground or- ganisations in the past 48 hours.While PRO IGAR (S) informed of AR troops nab- bing two UNLF and one KYKL cadre from different places today, SSP (IW) L Kailun issued a statement regarding commando personnel rounding up five KCP activists from the house of one Takhellam-bam Tomba Singh of Kong- ba Uchekon Khunou at around 3.30 pm yesterday.The KYKL cadre identified as P Ibohal alias Bobojit (23) s/o P Jadumani of Po-rokhongjam was nabbed from Yairipok-Angtha road and has been handed over to yairipok police station.The UNLF cadres identified as Md Ayub Khan (22) and Md Riyauddin (27) - both from Thoubal were arrested by troops of 29 AR manning a mobile check post in between Sita and Tengnoupal.The UNLF duo, who were riding a motorcycle revealed that they had pur- chased the bike from Imphal and were taking it to 292 MPA Bn of the UNLF, the PRO release maintained. Both the captive along with recovered items are being handed over to Tengnoupal police station, it added.The KCP activists have been identified as Md Zaul-haque Moinam (18) s/o Md Abdul Kalam of Shamu-shang Santipur in Mayang Imphal, Kongba Uchekon Khunou residents Takhellambam james Singh (21) s/o T Tomba Singh, Takhellambam Domba Singh (19) s/o T Ibotombi Singh and Athokpam Sanjoy Singh (29) s/o A Ningthemjao Singh, and Leishemba Maibam (19) s/o Nila Maibam of Shangakpam Bazar. The five reportedly disclosed of working under the command of Athouba mangang - Valley Operation Commander of KCP, and assigned to extort money from the general public, shopkeepers, saw mill proprietors and Government employees of Kongba area. In all five demand notes of KCP signed by Athouba Mangang were also seized from them, the SSP statement added.
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