A college student, Ningthoujam Rohit ka Kunao, 21, son of Ningthoujam Premchandra aka Makar, 53, of Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai was shot dead while his father and another person sustained bullet injuries in different election-related violence that took place in the intervening night of December 21 and 22 in Heirok Assembly Constituency in Thoubal district of Manipur.
Reports said that on hearing sounds of indiscriminate firing coming from Heirok Part-II Mayai Leikai Maning Leirak from around 10 pm. Around 12 midnight, Premchandra and son Rohit went outside.
On noticing that some miscreants were trying to break into their compound by pushing down the fence, Premananda shouted at them, telling them not to come inside, Rohit’s mother Eshabi said. However, the miscreants who were armed, approached them and opened fire towards Premchandra. Rohit was hiding inside the toilet when they shot him from a point blank range, she alleged.
Reports added that Premchandra and Rohit were not involved in any election-related activities but their eldest son, Roshan was involved in working for the Congress party. In connection with the incident, Roshan lodged a complaint report at Heirok Police Station on December 24 morning.
Before the father and son were shot, in another incident their neighbour Khundongbam Rakesh, 30, son of Shyam was also shot in the right arm by miscreants in front of Heirok Bazar at around 10.30 pm. He is also being treated at Raj Medicity.
After Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren’s assurance to the bereaved family and Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the killing of Rohit that the culprits would be booked within two days, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional SP Operation Thoubal Soibam Sachidananda was constituted to investigate the case and at least six persons including Thokchom Bishworjit aka Putro, a brother of former minister and BJP MLA Thokchom Radheshyam of Heirok AC MLA have been arrested on the charge of murdering Ningthoujam Rohit on December 24.
Reports said the arrested accused persons are namely, Thokchom Henrik aka Naobi, 29, son of Thokchom Ibosana of Heirok Part I Mayai Leikai; Khundongbam Nicky aka Anju, 33, son of Khundongbam Raghuchandra of Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai; Laishram Biken, 23, son of Laishram Bimol of Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai; Thokchom Bishworjit aka Putro, 40, son of Thokchom Ibochouba of Heirok Part II Thokchom Leikai; Ningthoujam Panan, 30, Ningthoujam Muhindro of Heirok Part III Tourangbam Leikai and Thokchom Sanathoi aka Lai, 34, son of Thokchom Dijen aka Lakhpati of Heirok Part II Mayai Leikai.
Senior citizens allege police of negligence in Heirok Killing
Senior Citizens of Heirok in Manipur’s Thoubal district alleged police personnel who were on duty in the area of acting as mere bystanders and not taking any action to control when the shooting occurred on December 21 night at Heirok assembly constituency.
Senior Citizens Forum of Heirok, convenor Moirangthem Rajmohon in a press meet held at Manipur Press Club on December 22, expressed fear that a full blown civil war might take place if the situation is not controlled in time. The forum had earlier given an ultimatum to the state government, including the governor of Manipur to restore peace, tranquillity, and harmony in Heirok.
However, the government neglected the incidents that took place in the first week of December adding that the government and authorities concerned remained silent instead of investigating the incidents. Another incident happened yet again on December 21 night and one youth died, while another is in serious condition, he added.
The law and order situation at Heirok is in total chaos at present with heavy-armed masked hoodlums in black attire running amok at night, shooting, ransacking, burning properties, and looting the homes of innocent villagers, thereby creating great unrest and panic among the local inhabitants of the areas, he said.
He requested the police personnel who were on duty in the area to protect them, but they allegedly said that they do not have the power to take action.
If no action is taken up by the authorities concerned, then locals will launch an intensive stir against the culprits, he added. He urged the civil society organisations to extend support and help in controlling the situation and protecting the locals from violence.
Nagaland Assembly Unanimously Resolved to Demand Repeal of AFSPA
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on December 20 “unanimously” resolved to demand the Government of India to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 from the Northeast, and specifically from Nagaland.
“The Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously resolves to demand that the Government of India repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 from the Northeast, and specially from Nagaland, so as to strengthen the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful political settlement to the Naga political issue,” said the resolution.
The Assembly also “vehemently” condemned the massacre that took place in Oting-Tiru village area in Mon district of Nagaland on December 4 in the “indiscriminate firing” by the 21 Para Special Forces of the Indian Army in which 13 innocent people were killed, followed by killing of one innocent person by security forces at Mon town on December 5 and injuring of 35 persons.
The house further called for an apology from the appropriate authority, along with an assurance that justice will be delivered by applying the laws of the land upon those who perpetrated the inhuman massacre and upon those who are responsible for the incident, reports added.
WAD Gender Journalist Award 2020
WAD – Women Action for Development conferred Gender Journalists Award, 2020 to four journalists of Manipur – Usham Joyshree of Impact TV News, Ngangom Surajkumar of Sanaleibak Daily, Babie Shirin of the Imphal Free Press and Sapam Aruna Devi of The Sangai Express on December 22 during a consultative meeting on “Gender Based Violence in Manipur” organised by the Women Action for Development.
Reports said a consultative meeting on “Gender Based Violence in Manipur” was held at the Hotel Imphal, Imphal on December 22 in connection with WAD’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Shija Academy is First to Launch Private Medical College in NE
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on December 22 inaugurated the first ever private medical college of Northeast India, Shija Academy of Health Sciences (SAHS), at its premises located at Health Village, Langol, Imphal West.
Addressing the inauguration function, CM Biren extended his words of appreciation to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Pvt Ltd for their ability to establish the first ever private medical college in the state with a total seat capacity of 150 when the state is in dire need to increase the number of physicians.
Manipur Chief Minister also said that 50 percent of the seats will be reserved for state government nominees while the rest will be reserved for private admission.
CM Biren showed his gratitude to SHIJA for providing more than 12,000 cataract operations and around 4000 corrective surgeries free of cost. On top of this, around 57,000 patients were treated under Chief Minister gi Hakshel gi Tengbang and Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojaya, the CM said.
Chairman cum Managing Director of the institute, Dr Palin Khundongbam said that after due inspection and screening, Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Pvt. Ltd is now permitted to start a new private medical college with 150 students intake capacity per year by National Medical Commission under the name Shija Academy of Health Sciences from the current year, reports added.
CM Distributed Rs 3 Lakhs to State League Teams
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has distributed cheques of Rs 3 lakhs each to all participating teams of the 14th Manipur State League 2021 at his office secretariat at Babupara, Imphal on December 24.
The 15 teams who have received the cheques amount of Rs 3 lakh each are DM Rao Sekmai, GSC Churachandpur, SSU Singjamei, YUFC Ukhrul, SU Sagolband, KLASA Keinou, KIYC Kshetrigao, MPSC Police HQ, NISA Thangmeiband, Muvanlai Athletics, AIM Khabam, YPHU Lalambung Makhong, NACO Nambul Mapal, AFC Thoubal and UKB Churachandpur, said a release of DIPR.
Two more teams who have featured in the Hero I-League namely, Neroca FC Sangakpham and TRAU FC have been provided Rs 1 crore each along with a women team KRYPSA Naoremthong, who have participated in the Indian Women League with the same amount for making it to the national level.
CM Biren said, “As a priority of the state government and as I have been a footballer, I had a long yearning dream to help out clubs. This seems to be fulfilled today with the distribution of some monetary help to them. Team building by a club is not an easy task and participating in league and tournament, the hardships faced by clubs officials is enormous and somewhat beyond the imagination of all”.
The chief minister further added that an amount of Rs 15 lakh will be marked in the state budget for CC Meet. The scholarship allowance of Rs 200 provided to sportspersons will be increased to Rs 500. This has already been announced and the same will be reflected in the budget, the release said.
Miscreants Open Fire in Lamlai
Some miscreants allegedly opened fire at the gate of residence of Sagolsem Lakpati, Secretary of Napet Palli Village Managing Committee in Lamlai Assembly Constituency, Imphal East on December 23.
Reports said the incident took place at around 8.30 pm and soon after, a team of Lamlai police station rushed to the spot for spot enquiry and a magazine of a firearm loaded with 5 live rounds was found.
Lakpati told the media that he does not have any enmity with anyone, and expressed his confusion about the incident. He appealed to those behind the act to clarify why they opened fire at his residential gate.
Meanwhile, in connection with the incident, locals of Napet Palli Mayai Leikai, Napet Palli Youth Club and Napet Palli Meira Paibi Lup staged a sit-in-protest at the community hall on December 24.
Firing on Congress Workers Protested
People of Mayang Imphal Bengoon came out to stage a Sit-in-Protest on December 24 against the firing on Congress workers who were conducting house to house election campaign for former Minister, Dr Kh Ratankumar in Mayang Imphal on the night of December 23.
During the incident, several rounds of bullets were reportedly fired upon a vehicle of a noted Congress worker, Md Altaf Hussain.
Reports said, speaking to media persons at the protest site, Altaf Hussain said that he and his team were followed by some miscreants suspected to be “supporters of rival party” before the first firing incident occurred at around 7.30 pm when he was at the residence one Azizur at Bengoon Loukok.
Soon after the incident, he informed police about the incident and with the assistance of the police team he went on to carry out the campaign till Uchiwa Wangbal. But they were attacked yet again at around 9.30 pm near Salamad Bazar after returning from Uchiwa Wangbal, a few minutes after the police team departed, he added.
Such an attack amidst the rising call for conduct of free and fair elections is an outright challenge to the democratic system and condemnable in the strongest terms, he said.
JP Nadda Praises Manipur Women Role in History
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda visited Imphal for one day on December 24 for addressing a “Mahila Rally” held at Sagolband, the Assembly Constituency of Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren’s son-in-law MLA R K Imo who defected from Congress and joined the BJP recently.
Reports said JP Nadda received a warm welcome by BJP leaders of Manipur, including Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, BJP state president A Sharda, Northeast Zonal Secretary of BJP Ajay Jamwal & BJP Manipur-in-charge Sambit Patra, among others.
During his address in the “Mahila Rally”, Nadda referred Manipur as another name for women empowerment. He further added that women hailing from this Northeastern state has brought laurels for the country by flaunting medals. Commencing from Commonwealth Games or Olympic Games, Manipur has shined throughout all international sport platforms.
BJP National President JP Nadda tweeted, “Addressed a women’s rally in Imphal today. Manipur is another name for women empowerment. The social and economic contribution of the mother power here is very deep. Be it Commonwealth Games or Olympic Games, the players of Manipur have brought laurels to the country by flaunting medals.”
The BJP President further charged that under the reign of Congress, the northeastern state of Manipur was known for 3 I’s, ‘Instability, Insurgency & Inequality’.
Meanwhile, under the reign of BJP, these 3 I’s have transformed into ‘Innovation, Infrastructure & Integration’, Nadda further claimed.
He said under Congress, the state was known for 3 I’s
Instability
Insurgency
Inequality
Under the BJP, the 3 I’s have changed.
Innovation
Infrastructure
Integration
