India-Burma bi-annual military meet in Manipur

Chennai – The 38^th India-Burma bi-annual liaison meeting is currently being held in Leimakhong in Manipur, with Major General S S Pawar, Chief of Staff 3 corps leading the Indian delegation and Brig Gen Tin Maung Ohnn heading the Burmese delegation.

A 15-member Burmese delegation, including Brig Gen La Aye and other army officials arrived in India on Monday, India’s Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) said in a statement today.

The statement said matters relating to security of the border areas, particularly measures required to control insurgency in both countries were discussed in the meeting.

The movements of the insurgent groups also came up during the meeting and the delegates mulled over a plan of action to prevent them from indulging in illegal activities.

The insurgent groups on both sides of the border take undue advantage of the terrain to carry out undesirable activities, the statement said.

The meeting also discussed solutions to issues of concern to both the armies, based on the principle of mutual trust and respect.

It also emphasized the need for continuous synergy to meet other challenges that come in the way of cordial relationship between the two countries.

The Burmese delegation will be visiting the Eastern Command headquarters, in Kolkata and Bodh Gaya from November 11 to 13. The delegation is scheduled to return to Burma on November 14.

Cooperation needed for quality education: Jayenta

Imphal, May 25 : Education Minister L Jayentakumar today called for cooperation of all sections of the society in bringing quality education in the state.

Speaking as the chief guest during the 4th Foundation Day of Mega Manipur School, Yaralpat, L.Jayentakumar said that though several organisations have campaigned for quality education in the state, sadly, there has been no attempt to unfold the real meaning of quality education.

Education Minister Jayenta handing over memento to Dr Palin

He said if one cannot apply his/her education in the society, the same cannot be termed as quality education even the individual may be equipped with vast knowledge.

As such, imparting moral education is needed which will instill a sense of contributions to the society.

Contrasting the education systems in Mizoram and the state, the Education Minister said the literary rate is much higher in neighbouring Mizoram than here due to the sincere approach by the people.

He said that the education oriented scheme, Sarva Siksha Ahiyan (SSA) has been implemented in the state in 2004-05, four years later the launch of the scheme.

Jayentakumar said that food meant for mid-day meals were seized by undergrounds and instances of some groups taking hold of books meant for distribution to children saying they would distribute it.

The Education Minister appeals to shun the trend so as to create a viable and free atmosphere.

The function was attended by the Chairperson of Mega Manipur Society, Dr RK Nimai as the president while the guests of honour were Advocate General N Koteshore and the Chairperson of the Mega Manipur School management committee, Rupachandra Yumnam.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr RK Nimai said that the school has been set up with firm conviction to mould future leaders of the state.

The students are imparted not only classroom education but they are also given practical lessons.

Rewards were also given to donors, teachers, and students of the school during the function.

Various extravaganzas from the students were also shown during the Foundation Day of the school.

Ginger,flowers, Fruit Juice invited

New Delhi, February 16 : Consequent upon the Government's effort in exporting the products of North East States for economic development by way of organizing business summits regularly, specially for North East States, some prominent trade organizations in New Delhi have started looking for the unique products available in these States.

As there is not any nodal officer of the Government of Manipur based in New Delhi dealing in Commerce and Industries of the State, a few trading organisations frequently approached to the Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi for making arrangement of the supply of ginger, flower and fruit juice in bulk from Manipur.

The contact numbers of the Department of Commerce and Industries are also frequently disturbed.

Being felt that it would be a great opportunity for the entrepreneurs of Manipur who dealt in ginger, flowers and fruit juice etc, in the larger interest of the people of Manipur, the prospective entrepreneurs in Manipur dealt in raw ginger, flowers and fruit juice are asked to send their information on the products and the rates and other conditions to the Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi either by fax number: 011-23746361 or e-mail: maninformation@yahoo.co.in as early as possible so as to enable this Centre to introduce them to the trading organisations.

ZU declines to hold Lui Ngaini fest at Tamenglong

Imphal, February 2: THE ZELIANGRONG Union (ZU) Assam, Manipur and Nagaland has declined to hold the Lui Ngaini festival at Tamenglong this year, and asked the United Naga Council (UNC) to organise the festival elsewhere.

Dr S Xavier Pamei, general secretary of ZU (AM&N) stated in a press release issued today that the Union welcomed the decision of the Lui Ngaini celebration committee, declaring Tamenglong headquarters as the venue for Lui Ngaini 2009 .

But the ZU and Zeliangrong public, after considering all factors, find it impossible to host the state level Lui Ngaini festival at the eleventh hour, it stated.

In this connection, the ZU, AM&N had requested the celebration committee to shift the venue to some other suitable place to organise the state level Lui Ngaini with great pomp and gaiety, the ZU press release stated.

However, it is unfortunate to learn that the officials of UNC had requested the authority concerned to release fund for organising the festival at Tamenglong headquarters in spite of best efforts to avoid any ugly scene.

Therefore, the ZU (AM&N) and Zeliangrong people will never allow any organisation to hold Lui Ngaini 2009 at Tamenglong headqurters to make a mockery out of it, the general secretary warned.

Hotel set afire in Imphal

Imphal, February 2 : TWO UNKNOWN persons who were having tea at a fast food hotel located at the Churachandpur parking on Tiddim road near Keishampat junction here sprinkled petrol in the bedroom of the workers and set on fire.

The incident happened at Shanti Fast Food Hotel at about 2 pm today.

One Kangujam Chaoba (35) runs the hotel by employing some Bihari workers.

One of the Bihari workers who was a witness to the whole incident told reporters that the two persons entered the hotel to have tea.

After having tea and some snacks, one of them went out and brought a bottle of petrol, and told him (Bihari worker) that it was very costly, he bought the petrol at Rs 40 .

Then he entered the room where the workers sleep, and poured the petrol in the room and lit it.

The two persons immediately left the hotel.

Fire Service reached the hotel at once and extinguished the fire before it could spread and cause heavy damage.

MPLF eggs on students to support principals

Imphal, January 31 : THE MANIPUR People's Liberation Front (MPLF), a united body of several outlawed rebel organisations of Manipur, has called upon the people, specially the student community to stand solidly behind the suspended principals of seven government higher secondary schools.

In a press release, the convenor of the MPLF stated that the announcement of suspending the teachers on the ground that their schools did not participate in the celebration of India's Republic Day is an act of the marionette government to punish the innocent and the weak when it can't tackle the real and bigger problem.

Expressing joy to the people for having successfully boycotted the celebration of Republic Day in Manipur also, the MPLF stated that this is a clear example of the people of Manipur standing against India's rule and that celebrations like Republic Day have no meaning to the people.

The press release further said, the fact that democracy has been reduced to a mockery in the largest democratic country was vividly proven by the incident of distribution of bundles of corrupt money in the parliament some months back.

However, in Manipur, the rule of the army, deployed behind the veil of democracy that has been reduced to a mockery, is keeping the people gagged and is indulging in wanton killing, bashing and arrests of people at will, it stated.

The one and only way to escape from this oppression is to restore sovereignty and independence of Manipur, the MPLF stated.

If those, who defied the appeal of MPLF and took part in the celebrations, are found taking part again in future, it would be considered a challenge to the MPLF and appropriate action would be taken against them, the convenor warned.

MPLF calls general strike on Jan 26

Imphal, January 23 : Calling upon the people of Manipur to boycott all Republic Day functions, the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF) has called a general strike all over the State with effect from 1 am of January 26 till 6 pm of the same day.

A press release issued by the MPLF convenor reminded that different insurgent outfits of the North East region including MPLF, KLO, TPDF and ULFA have issued a joint statement regarding their boycott call of the Republic Day celebrations in the region as in the previous years.

Asserting that January 26 was the day when the Constitution of India was forcibly imposed on the region 58 years back, the MPLF appealed to the people not to venture out of their homes and to suspend all forms of transport service during the general strike.

It further asked all the people not to undertake any business activity or screening movies or organising any entertainment programme on the day.

The MPLF also asked all concerned to cancel all flights to and from Imphal on January 26.However, media, medical service and water supply will be exempted from the purview of the general strike.

People's stationary protest demonstrations against the State may be staged during the general strike.

The MPLF also called upon the people to ponder over the alleged degenerated condition and inhumanely low living of the people since the Constitution of India was forcibly imposed in the region 58 years back.

Living with fear & loss of belongingness

By: Pastor Graceson Kamei

The whole world is in the last moment of 2008! Yes, Time and Tide waits for none. Think across the days how swift it was. Weeks, months and years left us without noticing. With so much of struggle, strife and pain, the year came to an end. How pitiful and unfortunate for those whose life was being threatened and attacked. As a matter of fact, some individuals are living in a Death row.

One of the worst part of all episodes of 2008 is none other than recruitment of children for underground militia. There were unexpected turns, difficult places, unfortunate up shots and pivotal moments for all citizens of Manipur.

Whatever be it good or evil acts, or be it humanitarian service or Satanic work that had happened in this year shall have carried away. And remember an old adage says. "Even a god cannot change the past". 2008 shall be just a memorable or deplorable past history for us after a few hours from now. All of us irrespective of poor or rich, educated or uneducated desire to live in peace, in hope and in love. Besides, every citizen regardless of ethnic differences long to have the sense of belongingness to our loved ones, homes and to our state.

Albeit, I am 100% Manipuri by blood, I start losing the sense of belongingness to Manipur year by year. It because all kinds of wickedness and uncertainties of life are prevailing here. As such, I feel, for these reasons the Manipur politicians, the rich people are buying Flats and plots in Delhi, Kolkata even in Singapore. Perhaps, it is the wish of the people that these people could build skysrapers and beautiful Bangalows in our hometown. So that Imphal can also have another M.G. street like in Banglore and Pune city.

Losing sense of belongingness to our state is impending impediment to bring development and to do good things for Manipur. Every citizen must dote for where he or she hails and lives. Feeling of detachment to Manipur take place in the mind owing to many reasons together------ insurgency problem, communal feud, depravity, corrupted politicians, injustice bureaucrats and the selfish social leaders. The impure thoughts selfish motives and the likes should ne washed out. The mind of our leaders must first be purified. Because mind makes the man. The outward force is the result of inner thoughts and feelings.

Take note of this. On the way to Tamenglong H.Q., from Khongsang village, a milestone was nearly erected in which '4500 kms' to Bihar was written by charcoal. It was written by one Bihari C.P. Labor (BRTF). Here, the essence of his writing on this new milestone was Belongingness to his native state. District does not matter for him, he longs to there.

Can we have this sense of missing in our mind? Can a child of drunkard or cruel father have this sense of attachment to his father? We are overwhelmed with Fear and sorrow for many in human acts are happening every day in our state. Where fear, insecurity and injustice reign, peace, joy and love cannot be preponderated. But where justice exists, where love rules, and where Equality is put into practice, there is a peace like a child sleeping'.
Imphal is no longer a safe place. Hills and valley are not free from the clutch of insurgency. There is no any exceptional. Collecting taxes, extorting money, and threatening freedom of expression are apparently seen every where. Some overground and underground group aligned together so as to procure illegal business. Many a time, innocent public become a victim of unwanted accident. Killing public without judicial enquiry or without interrogation by S.F. commandos and militant group has turn out to be a normal judgement. Kidnapping children for ransom abducting social leaders and officers has also become a maxim of the militants.
Any family members who succumbed to unfortunate defamatory event or torture to death caused/done by Government machinery or any organisations is appeased by rendering compensation of Rs. one Lac to two Lacs. Thus human value is equal with that amount of money. Will this trend go on perpetually? Is this a universal truth? Let join in hand together to speak out and act against this horrific force. For the capitalists and reputed people, Law of this land is just like a cobweb in which a kite can fly through. But for the common people, the law of this land is like the cobweb in which the files cannot fly through.
Indeed our society is deprived and stunned by the evil force----greedy for money devaluing moral principles. Our present society is encircled with negative influence.

In every zone in our state is being intimidated. Mention can be made, RIMS, Raj Bhavan Minister's Quarters and academic Institution including Shopping places are the eyes of culprits and the thugs. R.S. Sutrees one said, "Better be killed than threatened to death".

All Manipuris have come across with such disturbed, fearful experiences. Enough is Enough! Let Manipur be Manipur. Let its citizen live in peace and property. Let them have the sense of Belongingness to Manipur.
Stop planting Bomb. Plant Boon
Stop Killing. Show Kindness
Stop looting. Start loving
Stop Corruption. Conquer Corruption
Wish you all a Happy & Peaceful New Year, 2009!

The Killer Roads

By: Phanjoubam Chingkheinganba

Little wonder that a murderer is on the loose in the broad daylight; in the night too. Ironically, there are no personnel or "department" to pursue, book and bring to justice; the killer. Of all the 'highly intellectual solutions' reached by our social organizations and their 'leaders'; why is it that we have overlooked the problem that political parties of the developed countries considers a major issue for election their campaign? Do deaths have different ways of arousing public concern? Does insurgency related deaths need more discontent from the general public than any other form of unnatural deaths? Sufferings, illness, losses have no social barriers, caste, creed, ethnicity. Robert Browning once said that 'ignorance is not innocence but a sin'. Had he been aware of the state of Manipur, he certainly would have shaken his head in disapproval at the state of the affairs, here.

Take look or walk around and we see, feel and hear its presence all around us, every time we go to any predetermined destination.

Within the heart of the Imphal town, the arteries that serve as a means of transport are all together choked with every possible symptom of diseases while those who uses the streets are waiting to line up in queues, in the not-so-distant future in local hospitals. The amusing part of the story is that things are accepted as it is: as if it is a part of our culture and traditions, on which we have made it a point to present and take pride every now and then. Why care of it, less it concerns us, but hey it touches us all! Today we are, literally, driving our vehicles at the edge of a cliff. One simple mistake, we are in deep gorge and that sort of death won't serve as a way to the attainment of nirvana to our suppressed souls.

Interesting things happens here. Roads that have been black topped, after a few months of inconvenience caused to the general public, finds itself dug up the very next morning of its completion so that pipelines of water supply and telephone cables can be laid down. An indeed act of 'co-operation and planning' between the several departments of the government of Manipur. On the other hand, the digging up of roads to broaden its width has created two different layers, having a gap of some 4 to 5 inches. The chance of vehicles tumbling is very high, especially in the night time when the streetlamps don't function. Also, the delay in completion of construction of roads has yielded unimaginable concentration of dust all around our breathing space. The humor going round the daily conversations between different genders is that there is no need for applying make-ups for girls as the dusts will automatically do so while coming over the place to where the conversations are taking place. Many a time the whole condition seems familiar to the dusty roads of Africa where car rallies take place. In fact it may seem hard to believe but at some point there is a necessity to put on headlight for a clearer view. Altogether, the medical concern that needs to be assessed and though over is how much our lungs must be coping with the unnatural, unwanted and self-created threat to our very own survival.

Every break of dawn wakes up several of those who take delight on the prospect of experiencing fresh morning air. For what? Of course, for health. However, what is the use of it if all day continuous doses of dust are breathed in and out.

Proceeding further to the perilous journey one gets to see the psychological breakdown of our fellow travelers. Struck in a traffic jam is the last thing a late office - goer would wish for. No matter how hard it is for him, it simply doesn't make any sense to go on honking. It's no magic wand that will just make the other vehicles disappear to let him pass by. A colleague once overheard someone saying a mental institution may be more serene and organized than the streets of this state of "overflowing patriots".

Infect the increasing risk of deaths apparent from the multi-faceted problems, associated with the streets, is quite alarming.

While the roads ply with numerous under-aged drivers who had their licenses issued in a day by some petty clerks at the sight of a mere hundred rupees note. Add to it the reckless drivers, incompetent traffic police, barricading of the roads for security reasons; and we have the perfect embodiment of a society in chaos, unsure of where it's headed for.

But who cares? As long as the dinning plate is filled with fried fishes, what does it matter if the serial killer is no he prowl, waiting for its next victim? However, are we really immune to the 'disease'? Losing a family member, in an avoidable accident, is just as painful for the family, no matter the social class it belongs to.
Living alongside with inconvenience in all spheres has become our national or stately habit. Death of one or two person, daily, is not worthy of consideration unless the statistical data on the number of death reaches some "respectable" position say some five persons etc...

Every single individuals sums up to build a society. Social 'diseases' are the handiwork of every individual. Naturally, changing a society must have more implications on the mindset of our immediate circle of individuals and groups. It's the responsibility of everyone to make their small contributions at their own levels.

We are at the risk of total annihilation from all the sides. Should the future generations to come, will ever refer to the modern times as something similar to, the one known in the tumultuous history of the state as the "seven years devastation".