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.

Barber shot dead

IMPHAL, Feb 28: A non-local barber was shot dead by an unidentified gun man inside his saloon at Sagol- band at about 7.30 am today.The deceased barber identified as Suresh Thakur (22) s/o Somnath Thakur was a native of Chhapra district, Bihar but staying near Uripok Cheirap Court.He was shot dead by a youth who came to the saloon on the pretext of having a hair cut.Suresh Thakur was hit by a bullet on the right side of his head.The saloon was opened/run by one Birendra Thakur just opposite to Bijoy Govinda Thangapat on the southern side of Imphal-Jiribam road.Birendra Thakur, a relative of Suresh, said that he saw one youth going inside the saloon when he was sun-bathing outside.Moments after, a gun shot was heard. On rushing inside the saloon, Suresh Thakur was seen lying on the floor. The assailant who wore jean pants and wind-proof jackets wielding small arms left the place in an auto-rickshaw heading towards Khwairamband Keithel, Birendra conveyed. The identity of the killer and the possible motive behind the killing cannot be ascertained as yet, said a senior officer of Imphal West Police. He said that investigation into the killing has been initiated.This is the first incident of attacking non-locals this year after 15 non-local labourers were shot dead by gun men at Hayel Hangoon and other areas of the valley on March 17 and 18 last year.Another four non-local labourers were also mowed down in the different areas of Imphal East and Imphal West districts on June 24 last year.

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.