More Myanmar Refugees Move Towards Manipur
Around 400 Myanmarese, mostly women and children have moved towards Indian State of Manipur crossing Indo-Myanmar border especially at Phaikoh village and Huimin Thana under Kamjong district.
According to Ukhrul Times, the illegal migrants have moved towards Indian side for safer accommodation due to the ongoing conflict between the military government and anti-Junta armed groups in Myanmar. More than 400 Myanmar refugees entered into Manipur state. They are taking refuge at Phaikoh and Huimin Thana. The Myanmar nationals are from Aungzaya village and Mongjang Momo village of Myanmar, fleeing the military junta crackdown, coupled with increasing resistance attacks against the establishment. More refugees are likely to enter into Manipur State border for refuge.
Deputy Commissioner of Kamjong district, Rang Peter along with Additional SP of Kamjong, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kamjong and OC of Chassad Police Station are currently staying at Phaikoh village to get stock of the situation, providing basic amenities, the report said.
One Dead, Five Injured in PDF Attack
At least one person was reportedly killed while five others left injured in a bomb attack carried out by People’s Defence Force (PDF) towards the cadres of an underground group of Manipur at Min Thar under Sagaing Region of Myanmar, in between Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar 90-91 at around 4 am on November 22.
The deceased cadre of an armed group of Manipur is identified as Naorem Naocha aka Kohe, 37, son of Naorem Kala of Yairipok Top Mathak Leikai. Of the five injured, one is in critical condition, reports said.
Naocha was earlier arrested by security forces and had been in Guwahati jail. He rejoined the group after completing his jail time. Lamlong Khunou and Namlee villages under Kamjong district which lie near the border pillar where the incident happened.
SP Kamjong P Manjit, OC Kasom Khullen Marchang Wungmahai and some villagers went across the border to follow up the incident from Namlee side. There have been no latest reports of the team led by SP returning back to the border till late evening on November 22.
However, villagers of Namlee heard sounds of numerous bomb explosions across the border after the incident, reports added.
Seven Bunkers Destroyed, Arms Recovered
At least seven bunkers were destroyed and arms, weapons recovered on November 22 following search operations conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.
A combined team of commando units, Kakching and one team of KCG-PS conducted a search operation at Kakching Moramba Chingjol area on November 22. The team conducted the operation from 4 am till 6.20 am based on reliable information about arms being concealed in the said area. One Japan-made 6 round revolver and two 36 hand grenades were recovered from the Kakching Moramba Chingjol area near an apple farm which was suspected to be concealed by unknown miscreants.
The recovered items were formally seized at around 6.20 am from the spot and handed over to Kakching Police Station for further necessary action.
Joint search operations were also conducted by a combined team of Imphal East District Police, 20 JAT, CRPF 216 Bn, BSF E Coy 119 Bn at Sabungkhok Khunou, Shanti Khongbal and Phaimol hill ranges near Thamnapokpi village from 9.30 am to 1 pm.
Five bunkers were destroyed at Phaimol hill near Thamnapokpi village and 2 bunkers at Shanti Khongbal by the combined forces during the search operation. No weapons or ammunition were recovered. Readjustment and re-allocation of CAPF coys were also discussed by Themthing Ngashangva, IGP (Zone-) and Brig Sandeep Kapoor, Commander, Indian Army, Imphal East.
Imphal West District police conducted search operations at the Kasturi Crossing area of Thangal Bazar covering Dharamsala, Ngari Gali, Bora Gali and Yaima store areas from 2:20 pm till 3:00 pm. During the search around 112 persons were verified in which 3 persons were handed over to City PS for further verification.
A combined team of Imphal West district police, 136-Dcoy CRPF and 7th MR under the supervision of SP Imphal West conducted search operations at Koutruk Makha, Mayai Leikai village areas under Lamsang Police station in which 65 houses were searched and 95 persons were verified. No arrest or recovery was made during the search conducted from 8.30 am till 10 am.
According to Manipur Police Control Room, 02 (two) arms (Carbine with magazine-01 and 9 mm pistol with magazine-01) and 01 (one) MI6 empty magazine were recovered near Lower Canal between Irengbam and Keinou, Bishnupur District.
Moreover, two arms (Carbine with magazine-2) were recovered from Heichanglok village in Churachandpur district.
The security forces also recovered five arms (two 7.62 mm SLR Rifles with two magazines, an M1 Assault Rifle with Magazine, a country-made pistol with magazine, one SBML gun), seven country-made pumpi guns, 38 ammunitions (eight 7.62 mm sniper ammunitions, 10 7.62 M16 ammunition, five AK-47 ammunitions, five 5.56 mm INSAS ammunitions, 10 9 mm ammunitions USA-made), 16 explosives (15 improvised bombsa and a local-made bamboo bomb) along with 4.175 kg of gunpowder and 42 electric detonators from L Cananphai, Churachandpur District, the police said.
Arms, Ammunition Recovered
Security forces recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition on November 19 following search operations held in various districts across Manipur. According to the Manipur Police Control Room, search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.
Thoubal District Police seized arms, ammunition and explosives during a search operation at Gwarok Reserve Hill range, south east of Pechi, under Yairipok Police station on November 19.
The combined team of Special Operation Group (SOG) Thoubal along with COB Lilong, COB Thoubal 33 AR led by OC, Thoubal Commando under the supervision of SP Thoubal, Sachidananda Soibam, MPS conducted the search operation following a tip-off about some unknown arms miscreants storing arms, ammunition and explosive at Gwarok Reserve Hill range south east of Pechi. The massive search operation at the said area started from 4.30 am and continued till 6:30 am after the security forces received information at 4 am.
The combined force recovered one factory made Pistol along with magazine, one country made Pistol along with extended magazine, five 36 HE hand grenade, two 80 (WP) Grenade, seven 9 mm live rounds, three 5.56 mm live rounds, three 7.62 mm live rounds and 12 7.62 mm live rounds at 6am. A case has been registered at Yairipok Police station.
Further, one 303 Rifle bearing Regd. 36681 along with one empty magazine, one local made 9 mm pistol along with one empty magazine and three numbers of 36 HE Hand Grenade were recovered from Kakching Mantak ITI Panmamei Road, Kakching District, the release said.
Moreover, one AK-47 assault rifle with one magazine, one 303 rifle with one magazine were recovered from Lungjang village 2 km East of AR COB Behiang in Churachandpur District.
The release of the Police Control Room added that a total of 135 Nakas/Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and Police detained 141 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the state.
UAV Disrupts Flight Services in Imphal
Manipur’s Imphal International Airport was compelled to halt flight operations when an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) reportedly Unidentified Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) was detected in the Imphal’s controlled airspace. The sighting of the UAVs occurred around 2.30 pm on November 19.
As a result of the sighting of UAVs several flights to and from Imphal were delayed.
Additionally, incoming aircrafts that were due to enter Imphal airspace were redirected to alternative airports.
The Indian Air Force Eastern Command at Shillong was informed of the development, the official said. Accordingly, the Eastern Command of the Indian Air Force activated its Air Defence response mechanism.
In a post on X, Eastern Command said, ‘IAF activated its Air Defence response mechanism based on visual inputs from Imphal airport. The small object was not seen thereafter.’
The arrival of Indigo flight, Kolkata to Imphal was reportedly instructed to hold overhead till clearance is taken from security agencies, CISF and SP Imphal West. Moreover, a flight with full passengers was reportedly held overhead for 25 minutes and thereafter diverted to Guwahati. Another Indigo flight from Kolkata was diverted from Guwahati while an inbound flight from Delhi was diverted to Kolkata, reports said.
Three flights in Imphal airport sat for over three hours and two inbound flights took a diversion towards Kolkata after the air traffic controllers reported the unidentified flying object near the runway.
According to the technical staff of the airport, the air traffic control and people in and around flight saw the drones around 2 pm, and then the three flights were told not to take off.
However, three delayed flights took off for Delhi, Patna and Guwahati at around 6 pm. One Indigo flight was to fly to Bangalore and two flights were to fly to Delhi and Kolkata respectively.
Later, Airport director, Chipemmi Keishing of AAI, Imphal International Airport in a statement confirmed that due to the sighting of an Unidentified Flying Object within the controlled airspace, two flights have been diverted and three departing flights have been delayed. The flight operations commenced after receipt of clearance from competent authority, the release said.
Two Killed In Kharam Vaiphei Ambush
Two individuals, including one personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), were killed in an ambush carried out by unknown miscreants in the morning on November 20 at Kharam Vaiphei, 5 kms north to Kangchup Police station in Kangpokpi district.
According to official reports, an olive green colour Gypsy with two individuals coming from Kharam Vaiphei village was ambushed by unknown armed miscreants at around 9.30 am near the village. The two individuals Thangminlun Hangshing, son of Lunkhongam Hangshing of Khunkho village, and 6th IRB personnel Henminlen Vaiphei, son of Luntinlal Vaiphei of Mission Veng Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district died at the spot.
The olive-green colour gypsy did not have a registration number. Gamnom Sapermeina Police station has registered a case even though the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Kangchup Police Station, as it is not yet a full-fledged police station.
A police team led by IG Zone-3 Nishit Kumar Ujjwal, DIG Range-1 N. Herojit and SP Imphal West Ksh. Shivakanta reached the 136-CRPF Post Kadangband Part-2 to follow up on the incident at around 2.15 pm.
According to reports, soon after the ambush, Kuki militants started attacking Koutruk Ching Leikai under Lamshang Police station by firing guns and bombs while the team of IG Zone-3 was still in Kadangband.
All three bombs fired by the Kuki militants exploded. IRB personnel posted at Koutruk Ching Leikai also retaliated to the attack, reports added.
Flag March Conducted at Moreh
After Moreh SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar, MPS was shot dead by a sniper, security measures in the border town Moreh have been intensifed. A joint team of district police, Tengnoupal and Rapid Action Force on November 20 conducted a flag march in the border town, Moreh.
The district police was commanded by Additional Superintendent of Police (Ops), TS Chamna Anal and the RAF was led by Dy CO RAF Srikant and AC RAF Vinayak.
The flag march started from 3 pm from command post Moreh town towards Gate number 1 crossing Mission Veng, Tamil Mandir, gate number 2, Nepali and Muslim Basti, Canan Veng and ended at Forest Gate at around 4.30 pm, reports added.
Former Mister India Nongthombam Maipak Passes Away
The inspiration and mentor of many body builders of Manipur, former Mister India Nongthombam Maipak, fondly called ‘Oja Maipak’ by bodybuilders of Manipur and entitled as ‘Maipak, Son of Manipur’ passed away at RIMS ICU on November 20 after battling with an illness. He was 88.
Mr. Maipak, one of the pioneer bodybuilders of the state, was born on June 12, 1935 at Uripok Sorbon Thingel Sinam Leikai. Maipak is the second son of Nongthombam Komol and Tampaklei.
It may be mentioned that during his bodybuilding career, he won the Mr India title in 1970 and then represented India in the Mr Universe Contest held on September 27, 1971 at Paris, France and was honoured with the ‘Best Indian Style Mythological Pose’.
In 1953, he participated in the 4th Mr Manipur Contest held at Rupmahal Theatre in Imphal. Soibam Megha of Soibam Leikai got the title and Irom Lekhendra was in second position. Known as the ‘Tarzan of Manipur’, Irom Lekhendra had been the champion from 1951. Maipak could finish in the third berth. However, in the weightlifting competition, Maipak got first position.
By 1948, he began to explore a game that could identify Manipur to the outside world. Besides bodybuilding, Mr. Maipak was also a renowned athlete in Hammer Throw, Shot Put and Discus throw events. During the national games held at Delhi in 1958, he broke the national records in hammer throw and shot put events on behalf of the Manipur team.
Nongthombam Maipak served as sports officer at the rank of Sub-Inspector in Manipur Police from 1970 to 1973. Afterwards, he worked in the fields and reared animals before being an employee of the State Education Department in 1977 after the then Chief Minister Yangmaso Saiza created a special job for him in the Education Department. Later on, Maipak became the Bodybuilding Coach in the state Sports Department, sources added.
“Rites-de-passage” of Sanamahism
Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey visits on during a 15-day workshop on “Rites-de-passage” of Sanamahism (Sanamahi Laininggi pokpa, Luhongba amasung korou Nong-gabagi thouramsing) held at Haying Khongbal Uphong Yumpham, Imphal on November 20. The workshop kicked off on November 11 and had been jointly organised by Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board and Manipur University of Culture.
She stated that Manipur, a land with unique cultural and historical heritage, had been cornered into an unfortunate event for so long and it was time for everyone to do their part in instilling normalcy in the state.
She called upon all sections of people in Manipur to strive collectively in fostering and restoring peace and normalcy in the state.
The demonstration cum performances classes kicked off during the governor’s visit on November 20. She pointed out hardships and challenges were unavoidable parts of the human experience and it was time for the people to focus on reconciliation and restoration of peace.
“Several untoward incidents have happened in the past few months which were extremely unfortunate but we must keep the ball rolling and look over the horizon towards a peaceful Manipur,” she said..
“It is my privilege to attend such an event which honours the ancient belief of several indigenous communities in the state. Sanamahi is a crucial part of the Meitei community and is followed by every Meitei across the globe,” Anusuiya Uikey said.
“Although we cannot stop the winds of modernity, we must strive to retain traditional values and practices which are vital to the identity of communities in Manipur,” she added.
Publish Only Verified News: IPR Minister
Manipur Information and Public Relations Minister Sapam Ranjan on November 21 appealed to all journalists and firms to properly verify news and information before disseminating and publishing it on their channels and social media handles.
He was speaking at the World Television Day, 2023 observance on the theme ‘Accessibility’ at Manipur Press Club, Imphal which was jointly organised by The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) along with four broadcasters under the union.
“Mediapersons must be extra careful in dealing with sensitive information. Verification and confirmation of the information must be done before publishing or broadcasting,” he said.
AMWJU organised the event as part of its year long Golden Jubilee celebration.
The IPR minister maintained that a tremendous leap in technology had made information dissemination more accessible. “The technology has evolved so much that everyone in modern society carries a piece of it in their pockets everyday,” he said.
On the occasion, Ranjan expressed gratitude to AMWJU for organising the first formal observance of World Television Day. “Television has changed so much over the years but its core usage still remains the same,” he said.
President of Editors’ Guild, Manipur (EGM) Khogendra Khomdram, president of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) Bijoy Kakchingtabam and journalists from various media firms along with other eminent personalities took part in the event.
The observation was divided into two sessions with a panel discussion on ‘How can peaceful coexistence be re-established’ in the technical session. Eminent academicians and professionals took part in the discussion, reports added.
Many Condemn Threats to Okram Joy
Social workers and different organisations of meira paibis and localities from different assembly constituencies on November 20 unanimously condemned the threats issued to veteran politician Okram Joy in the strongest terms and demanded for an investigation to take up appropriate action.
The decision was taken during a joint meeting of social workers, representatives of different organisations and localities from different assembly constituencies. The meeting was presided by president, Langthabal Kendra BCC L Nabachndra, ZP Langthabal Leimajam Roshan, Pradhan Oinam Thingel GP Guneshore alias Dara and former Pradhan Sharat Singh and social worker S Rajen Singh, reports said.
The meeting also unanimously declared that the people of Manipur know well about the veteran politician Okram Joy. As an advocate of democracy and a legislator, he always welcomes debate, discussion, dialogue and is not a threat, the meeting announced.
