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.

Cabinet decides to rope in CBI MU teachers bay for VC’s head, hostelers leave rooms

IMPHAL, May 27: A special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today decided to rope in the service of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the assassination of Proctor of Manipur University Prof Md Islamuddin inside the university campus.The proscribed outfit KYKL has claimed responsibility for the killing.Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a Cabinet Minister informed that the special Cabinet meeting held today afternoon also decided to set up a police picket inside MU campus temporarily in view of the situation prevailing there.In addition to the ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakhs to be given from the side of the Government of India, it was also decided that the State Government would be providing another Rs 10 lakhs to the bereaved family members of Prof Islamuddin, the Cabinet Minister disclosed.Today’s special Cabinet meeting also decided that a family member of Prof Islamuddin would be appointed to the post of Grade ‘A’ in the University, the Cabinet Minister added.Meanwhile, in a statement, Senior SP of Imphal West District L Kailun informed that SDPO Imphal West S Ibomcha Singh is investigating the case of the murder of Prof Islamuddin of Manipur University, Economics Department on May 25.So far 13 persons have been arrested in connection with the case and they are under active interrogation after being taken into police custody, the SSP said, adding that he himself is directly supervising the investigation and it is making progress.On the other hand giving vent to their anger and frustration over the assassination of Professor Md Islamuddin inside the campus of Manipur University of May 25, the teachers of the varsity has demanded the resignation of Vice Chancellor C Amuba Singh for ostensibly failing to provide adequate security to the teaching faculty.

59 ministers, including 14 cabinet ministers, to take oath Thursday

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expands his council of ministers Thursday, adding 14 cabinet ministers, including three former chief
ministers and three DMK leaders, and 45 ministers of state. Of the ministers of state, seven will have independent charge. The cabinet ministers include Virbhadra Singh, former Himachal Pradesh chief minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh, former Maharashtra chief minister, and Farooq Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister. The others are Dayanidhi Maran, M K Azhagari and A. Raja of the DMK. From the Congress, the ministers will be Mallikarjun Kharge, Kumari Selja, Subodh Kant Sahay, M S Gill, G K Vasan, Pawan Kumar Bansal, Mukul Wasnik and Kantilal Bhuria. The ministers with independent charge are Praful Patel of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress' Prithviraj Chavan, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Salman Khurshid, Jairam Ramesh, Krishna Tirath and Dinsha Patel.

Bandh throws normal life out of gear

IMPHAL, May 26: Normal life in Manipur remained seriously affected today following the 24-hour bandh as well as the 12-hour general strike called respectively by Pangal Students’ Organisation (PSO) and Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) in protest against the killing of Proctor of Manipur University Prof Md Islamuddin.Stray incidents of violence in which at least one person was injured while scores of vehicles damaged have also been received from different parts of the State.Since early morning, a large number of people came out to enforce the bandh along National Highway 39 in between Mantripukhri and Lei-Ingkhol along with erecting road barricades and scattering of broken glass pieces to prevent movement of vehicles.Armed with sticks and slings, they also prevented any person from venturing out while the windscreens of vehicles plying in defiance of the bandh were smashed.At Minuthong Hatta, bandh supporters burnt tyres and erecting road blockade with bamboos and woods to enforce the bandh. They were also armed with sticks and slings to attack any person or vehicle plying in defiance of the bandh.At Top Khongnangkhong where barricade was erected near the bridge, suspected bandh supporters damaged an autorickshaw. They also shouted slogans decrying killing of innocent people.At Lilong, where the bandh was total, suspected bandh supports set on fir a tourist bus (MN01-1242) in the afternoon.

Deposited fund at TP Cell Vanishes

IMPHAL, May 26 : Just a day after the State Cabinet decided to abolish the Technical and Professional Cell (TP Cell) during the meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on April 29 last, the fund deposited by various Departments in the account of the TP Cell have vanished even as suspicions have been raised on diversion of around Rs 2 crores illegally.According to a reliable source, following the State Cabinet decision to abolish the TP cell and to set up a Committee with the Chief Secretary as chairman to look into the work process and fund deposited by various Departments in the account of the TP cell, the Finance Department had also issued an order in this regard.However, on May 2 when the Chief Secretary who is the Committee chairman deputed an Additional Secretary of the Finance Department to the Registrar Co-operative in connection with freezing the account of the TP cell it was learnt that the account was nil and there was no fund in it.

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.

Cyclone Aila hits WB, over 20 killed

Kolkata, May 25; Cyclone Aila made a landfall in West Bengal today, killing over 20 people, affecting over a lakh and leaving behind a trail of destruction before gradually weakening."The cyclone, now lying stationery 50 km west of Kolkata, hit the West Bengal coast at 1.30 pm near Sagar Island. It is moving in a northerly direction and will weaken gradually," Regional Meteorological Centre Director GC Debnath told PTI tonight."Rains, however, will continue throughout tomorrow," he said.A severe storm with a wind speed of 110 kmph accompanied by heavy rainfall preceded the cyclone that had formed in the Bay of Bengal from a very deep depression last night.It ripped through Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Burdwan and East Midnapore districts at 110 kmph, killing at least 19 people and affected a population of 1.10 lakh, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Finance Minister Ashim Dasgupta told newsmen here. Unofficial reports, however, put the toll at 26 and the number of affected at over two lakh. The Chief Minister said that the cyclone's tail was now in neighbouring How-rah district and had spared Kolkata.Dasgupta said the army was moving into Sandesh-khali and Hingalganj in North 24 Parganas and Gosaba, Patharpratima and Sagardwip areas in South 24 Parganas districts.The BSF would rescue people marooned by heavy rains at Sandeshkhali tomorrow morning.Railway Minister Mama-ta Banerjee would visit Kakdwip in South Parganas district tomorrow.

Former Dean Prof Islamuddin assassinated inside MU campus

IMPHAL, May 25 : Unidentified gunmen shot dead Proctor of Manipur University Prof Md Islamuddin inside the campus of the University at around noon today.To protest the killing which has sent has shock waves across the State, Pangal Students’ Organi-sation (PSO), Manipur has called a 24-hour State wide bandh with effect from midnight today.Information culled from the site of the crime said that three persons on two Kinetic Honda scooters were seen coming from the side of boys’s hotel. The Kinetic Honda in front was driven by only one person while the other two persons were on the second Kinetic Honda following close behind.A student eye-witness who was present not very far from the site of the crime informed that Prof Islamuddin was coming out from his room and heading towards his car parked at the vehicle shed located in front of the road to the east of Economics Department and northwest of the University library when around three persons approached Md Islamuddin and took him along the footpath leading to the Library. Not long after that gun shots were heard and Prof Islamuddin was seen dropping down to his knees after being shot on his leg. While Prof Islamuddin was in that position, the unidentified gunmen shot two more rounds and he fell to the ground in a heap.Soon after committing the crime, one of the gunmen slipped the gun inside the tool box of the Kinetic Honda underneath the seat and all three of them left driving their Kinetic Hondas towards the boys’s hotel, said the witness.Police said that one of the Kinetic Hondas used by the killers belong to a student of the University.Prof Islamuddin was immediately rushed to RIMS Hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead at around 12.35 pm.A Professor of Economics, Md Islamuddin was the Dean of Students’ Welfare of the University before taking over the charge of Proctor.In connection with the incident, president of Mani-pur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) Mai-bam Ranjit said he was informed about a man lying dead and when he went to inspect it turned out to be Prof Islamuddin. Immediately, Prof Isla-muddin was taken to RIMS Hospital in his car but he could not be saved.A resident of Yairipok Changamdabi Mathak Leikai, Prof Islamuddin was 50 years of age. He is survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter. All his children are studying outside the State and he was staying along with his wife in the quarters allotted to him inside the University campus.There were two fatal bullet marks on the left side of the stomach. There was also a bullet mark on his left thigh.Strongly condemning the the killing, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has assured that the killers, whether they be members of UG groups or student bodies, would not be spared.Talking to mediapersons at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital where he had come to share the grief of the family members, Ibobi said killing of a Professor inside the campus of an educational institution which is not unthinkable even during war is an act of cowardice that can be committed only by some brazen criminals.The Chief Minister expressed apprehension that such senseless violences not only cause disturbance in the developmental activities of the State but may also discourage the Government of India from the efforts of setting up of NIT, IIT or IIIT in the State or the sites of these projects may be shifted to other North Eastern States.Education Minister L Jayantakumar said that killing of a University Professor could have been carried out only by those who do not think about the welfare of the students.Works Minister K Ranjit, MOBC Minister Md Allauddin Khan, PDA Chairman Kh Loken, MLA I Ibohalbi and MLA Th Lokeshore also visited the RIMS morgue.

Gen strike called

Crying for justice, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the Brutal Killing of Akoijam Priyobarta has called a 48-hour general strike in the State with effect from 1 am of March 21. Announcing this in a statement, JAC convenor Thoudam Sharat Meitei said that so far the agitation/protest against the brutal killing has been democratic and peaceful, but the JAC has been to go for hard and violent mean of protest as a result of the indifferent attitude of the Govt. The Govt has been given five days time to bring justice and truth but has failed to pay heed to the cry, the JAC rued. The JAC has also categorically warned that the responsibility for any untoward incident during the general strike should rest on the Govt. It may be recalled here that Priyobarta was allegedly killed by the Police Commandos during an encounter at Langol on March 15 and arms recovered from his possession. But the family members have refuted that police claim asserting that he was an innocent person and had gone out from home driving a Bajaj Pulsar and carrying Rs 8000.

Heist at Imphal Post Office mail van Computer components hijacked

IMPHAL, Mar 20: Unidentified persons reportedly hijacked consignments of computer parts and other electronic items worth Rs 15 lakhs from the mail van of the post office here yesterday.The consignments which send in the name of the General Post Office, Imphal had been brought from Guwahati by a cargo plane of the Indian Airlines.In protest against the hijacking, staff of the General Post Office today suspended their normal work and staged a protest demonstration.According to an official source from the General Post Office, Imphal, the consignments have been send from Guwahati in a cargo plane of the Indian Airlines which landed at Imphal airport at around 1 pm yesterday and were being brought from the airport by the van driver of the Post office and four other Group-D employees, when it was hijacked along the way by the unidentified miscreants.As the van carrying the computer parts and other electronic items packed in 51 different packages approached Leirik Memorial Hospital, the unidentified miscreants numbering around four of them who were already there intercepted the van and made it to be driven till Nepra Menjor Pukhri Mapal.There, all the packages from the van were loaded to a waiting DI Tata of blue and white colour and after that the driver and the staff of the mail van were told to go. The released staff arrived at the post office at around 2 pm.Along with reporting the matter, a case has been registered by the Lamphel police in connection with the incident of hijacking the consignments worth around Rs 15 lakhs.Even as the police have recorded the statements of the five staff who have gone to pick up the consignments from the airport yesterday, a departmental inquiry has also been started from the side of the Post Office.

Non-local shot at, hurt

IMPHAL, Mar 20 : After three non-local labourers have been shot dead sometime back at different places in Imphal, unidentified persons shot another non-local labourer and injured him.The injured victim is identified as Pramo Yadav (30) s/o Ganesh of Shyampur, Bihar but staying at Thangmeiband, informed a police source.A carpenter by vocation, Pramo Yadav was working at Lamphel Super Market, opposite to MACS office when he was shot by one unidentified youth at about 9 am today.A bullet grazed through the left side of his chest.Quoting Pramo, the police source said that three rounds of bullet were shot at Pramo. While two rounds got missed, the third round grazed through his chest. He was given first aid at RIMS.This is the fourth incident of targeting migrant la-bourers this yearafter one non-local barber was shot dead at Sagolband on February 28 followed by the killing of one sugar-cane juice hawker at Kwakeithel and another porter at Chingamakhog on March 1. Victim succumbs : After more than 3 months of undergoing treatment, a 24-year old youth who was shot at his neck by unidentified armed persons succumbed to the injuries.The victim identified as Md Tomei alias Nashir Khan (24) of Khelakhong Mayai Leikai was admitted to the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute after being shot on his neck by some unidentified armed persons at a place called Jabar Salam, located not far from his house on the night of November 30 last year. Tomei succumbed to the injuries yesterday after more than 3 months of treatment. His body has been handed over to the family members after post-mortem examination at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital today.

40 percent females illiterate : Dr Jamini

IMPHAL, Mar 20 : Almost 40 percent of the female population of Manipur are still illiterate, said Chairman of the Manipur State Commission for Women, Dr Ch Jamini. Dr Jamini was speaking as chief guest in the inaugural function of a two-day seminar on Women Empowerment and Development with Special Reference to Manipur at Manipur College today. She noted that education is the basic foundation for empowerment and development of women.Irrespective of one’s gender, one can know about an individual’s rights and can improve his/her socio-economic conditions only when they become literate, she observed.As per the census report of 2001, female literacy rate of Manipur was 60.5 percent while the male literacy rate was 77.87 percent. Whereas the female literacy rate for India was 54 percent. Coupled with their illiteracy, customs and traditional beliefs inherent in each community and values of women defined by men have been major impediments in the effort to empower women, Dr Jamini asserted. One major contributing to the relatively lesser percentage of female literacy is the preference of sons over daughters in the society.Although, several laws have been enacted for empowerment and protection of women, none of these laws are implemented in letter and spirit.Giving key-note address of the seminar organised by Manipur College under the sponsorship of Indian Council of Social Science Research, North East Regional Centre Shillong and Directorate of University and Higher Education, Government of Manipur, S Benjamin Nattar, Political Science Lecturer of Manipur College, observed that despite some indicators about development of Manipuri women in certain fields, the condition of Manipuri women cannot be termed any better in several other areas. Various issued being endured by women in the State including violence and discrimination would be studied during the two day seminar, he said. The inaugural function of the seminar was graced by former Chairman of the Manipur Human Rights Commission WA Shishak as guest of honour and Principal of Manipur College Dr Lalit as functional president. WA Shishak was also chairperson of the academic session during which Prof Archana Sharma of Gauhati University, Dr Bijyalakshmi of Manipur University, Dr Priyadarshini, Konika Khuraijam of DM College of Teacher Education, Director of Gender and Child Unit Imphal, Nandini Thokchom, Nalini Nongmeikapam of Thoubal College, retired Science Promotion Officer A Sabita presented papers as resource persons. The afternoon session was moderated by Prof Gangmumei Kamei.

State Govt takes stock of situation

UKHRUL, Mar 10: A day after the major fire incident at Wino Bazar which reduced the commercial hub of the district to cinders, a Ministerial team today rushed to the district headquarters along with relief materials and conducted an on the spot assessment of the catastrophe.The Ministerial team comprising Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii, Works Minister K Ranjit Singh and Education Minister L Jayantakumar was also accompanied by MLAs I Hemochandra and Mairembam Prithiviraj, Commissioner of Relief and Rehabilitation Dr Sohail Akhtar, MPCC secretary Victor Keishing, Ex-Ministers A Aza and AS Arthur and ATSUM president Thomas Kaisa during the spot assessment.However, as the Ministerial team got down from their vehicles for the spot assessment at around 2 pm, a commotion was erupted with agitated victims of the inferno blocking the Ministerial team from entering the fire-ravaged site citing delayed response from the side of the Government. The agitated victims were, however, pacified soon after and the Ministerial team conducted a detailed survey of the damage.Although the official report of the police quoted the number of shops and buildings damaged in the fire at 49 only, the report furnished by the Relief Committee set up in the aftermath of the catastrophe cited that a total number of 55 shops, 53 residential buildings, five Government teachers’ quarters, a mini cinema hall, office of the Tangkhul Shanao Long were gutted in the fire.The report of the Relief Committee also mentioned that major communication installations like Airtel tower, BSNL cables and electric wires were among the assets destroyed beyond redemption in the fire.36 other structures that were affected by the blazing inferno and were standing in precarious condition have been reportedly pulled down to avoid any untoward incident.The total loss of properties and other assets is still being estimated although an unofficial put the figure at Rs 30 crores.Yesterday’s devastating fire has rendered 370 members of 9source 3 families homeless, out of which around 70 Non-Manipuris have taken sheltered in the nearby Durga Mandir.Assam Rifles has been providing food and other essential commodities to the affected people who are putting up in the makeshift relief camps at Ukhrul Town Hall and the Assembly hall of Tangkhul Naga Long as well even as relief materials have started pouring in from NGOs and other well-wishers of the town.

Stay out, tells IM to UNLF

Dimapur, Mar 10: Reacting to the statement of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the NSCN-IM has asked the former not to poke its nose into the latter’s business. The NSCN-IM also advised the UNLF to do “proper homework” to shake the consciousness of the Indian authorities over its movement. The NSCN-IM also advised the UNLF not to meddle into the Naga issue.“When the government of India and NSCN entered into ceasefire agreement in August 1997 it signifies the recognition of the Naga political problem from the historical point of view as military solution was ruled out. It is better to be realistic then simply beating about the bush to mislead the people it claimed to represent. Truly speaking, the whole Nagas lauded the historic step taken by NSCN in signing the 2nd Indo-Naga ceasefire. The 1st Indo-Naga ceasefire was in 1964. The UNLF by questioning the wisdom of NSCN in signing such ceasefire is going against revolutionary spirit and defies the fundamental objective of laun- ching liberation movement. No liberation or revolution movement came to fruition without negotiation. In any revolutionary movement lapses comes in plenty, and unfortunately it started playing into people’s sentiment. NSCN never argues the perfection of its cadres,” the NSCN-IM statement explained.It also said that black sheep are many within the organization and they become the source of public nuisance in many occasions. “There is no running away from the people’s scrutiny and we cannot stay apart from people’s aspiration. Corrective steps are therefore part of the disciplinary reformation in NSCN. When UNLF started meddling into Naga issue and started getting censorious of NSCN activities it became a matter of fishing into troubled water. This is un-revolutionary and bereft of any validity worth considering,” it added. Further, the NSCN-IM statement then said that spitting venom by using divisive language is all the more harmful to the spirit of co-existence among the people-the hills and the valley.“By questioning the long term political strategy of NSCN the UNLF is simply going overboard, and should learn to mind its own business. Rather it should concentrate giving historical education to its own people and not over stretched its hand to neighbours’ socio-political issue. This impulsive reaction to the situation is impolitic and avoidable. UNLF is therefore advised not to poke its nose into NSCN business. When UNLF yet to do proper homework to shake the consciousness of the Indian authorities over its movement, there is no point taking the course that is politically incorrect,” advised the NSCN-IM statement.