The 19th Asian Games hockey gold medallist Shanglakpam Nilakanta Sharma, and bronze medallists Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu and Kharibam Bichu Devi were accorded a warm reception today upon their arrival at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport on October 8.
Functionaries of Manipur Hockey, family members, friends and hockey fans greeted and garlanded the athletes who shone at the continental showpiece which concluded on October 8.
“We went for the gold medal, but we won a bronze,” said Sushila Chanu, who scored a goal for the Indian women’s hockey team.
“We tried our best for the gold medal but we couldn’t get the result we desired.
However, we take motivation from this to work harder because victory and failure are part of the game,” added Indian team goalkeeper Bichu Devi.
Talking about the ongoing unrest in her home state for the last five months, Sushila said that the team was camping in Bangalore preparing for the Asian Games when the conflict started from May 3.
“When the crisis started in Manipur, we were preparing for the Asian Games and we couldn’t do much for the state.
But now we come back with medals and hope to help in restoring peace in the state,” said Shushila.
Nilakanta, who was part of the Indian men’s hockey team which won the gold medal at the Asian Games, got emotional not because of the overwhelming homecoming reception but because of the ongoing crisis in the state.
“When we got the Olympic medal, we came back proudly as the sons of Manipur.
But it is not the same feeling this time despite winning the gold medal because my state is burning and I am not in a mood to celebrate,” said Nilakanta, the Indian field hockey player.
He also said that the historic performance at the Asian Games by the Indian men’s hockey team was not attributed to an individual’s contribution but because of the ‘team’s effort’, reports added.
MU Forbids Employees Appearing on Public Platforms
Manipur University (MU) has cautioned its employees from appearing in public platforms that may have an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the University or the University Grants Commission or the Government.
According to a circular issued by Professor W Chandbabu Singh, Registrar of the university stated that the Deans’ Committee, in its meeting held on September 9, considered the appearance of the University employees in the public platform.
The circular stated that Clause 9 of the Ordinance-D-15 of the Manipur University states that “No employee shall, in any radio broadcast, telecast through any electronic media or in any published in his own name or in anonymously, pseudonymously or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in any public utterance, make any statement of fact or opinion which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the University or the University Grants Commission or the Government, or Which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the University and the Commission or the Government”.
The circular issued by the Registrar also stated that Clause No.9 of the Central Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 1964 (Criticism of Government) also cautions any government employee from criticising the State and Central Government.
The circular informs all employees of the University to comply with the Manipur University Act, 2005, Statutes and Manipur University Ordinances including Central Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 1964. In case of any violation of the above provisions, it may be compelled to take necessary action, the circular added.
COTU Urges Valley CSOs for Free Passage While Reclaiming Identified Bodies
In a new development, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills has decided to claim the identified dead bodies of the Kuki-Zomi people lying at the mortuaries in Imphal as well after lifting the almost two-month long economic blockade imposed by them.
CoTU also appeals to the authorities concerned to ensure safe transportation of the dead bodies and urges various civil society organizations based at Imphal to let the dead bodies be brought home and refrain from political mileage over the dead bodies.
It may be mentioned that CoTU had on October 4 lifted the almost two-month long Economic Blockade along the two important National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur road) and No.37 (Imphal – Jiribam road) as it considered the political dialogue between Government of India and UPF and KNO has reached an advanced stage.
A week after lifting the economic blockade, CoTU has now decided to claim the identified dead bodies of the Kuki-Zo people lying at the mortuary in Imphal for almost six months.
However, CoTU made it very clear that the decision to claim the dead bodies is not in any way related or a step towards the peace and normalcy initiative of the government.
Speaking to the media on October 10, CoTU Media Cell Coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen said that they appreciate the concerned authorities for facilitating the dead bodies of Kuki-Zomi to be finally buried with dignity in their homeland.
He continued that they had a consultative meeting with all the victim families from Kangpokpi district in the presence of the district authorities and unanimously decided to give their loved ones the highest dignity in the place of rest at the Martyr’s Cemetery at Phaijang village in Kangpokpi district.
MHA Asks NIA To Probe Kuki-Zomi Militant Groups
The National Investigation Agency is probing at least three Kuki militant groups and one Zomi militant group as forces behind the unrest in Manipur. The agency started the probe on instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which has said these groups intend to hive off an independent Chin-Kuki-Zomi State out of Manipur, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Two of these groups are under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Government, reports The Indian Express.
Thanglianpau Guite, who is allegedly from Myanmar, is the president of the ZRA.
Sources said the instructions had been passed on in July and the agency has been probing the link between these militant groups and the violence in Manipur. The militant organisations have been identified as Kuki National Army (KNA), Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), Kuki National Front (Nehlun faction) and United Kuki Liberation Army.
Both KNA and ZRA are under SoO agreement. The MHA has been holding talks with the representatives of their political wings for several years. Before violence broke out, these talks focused on achieving a peace deal with tribal groups in the hills of Manipur. Since May, these talks have focused on establishing normalcy in the State and finding a political solution to the crisis. An NIA probe into their activities could put significant pressure on the groups.
“It has been learnt that some Manipur-based Kuki militant groups are being provided funds from Chin-Kuki-Zo groups in Myanmar to perpetrate violence in the Imphal Valley. They have been asked to procure weapons and ammunition which are coming from Myanmar and some other North East States. They are supposed to create a separate Chin-Kuki-Zo State by hiving off areas from Manipur, Bangaladesh and Burma,” an official said summarising the communication sent to NIA.
An MHA official said these groups have allegedly been providing training to local people and armed men have been pushed to the foothills to target people in the Valley. “They have also been targeting security forces in sniper attacks,” the official said quoting the MHA communication.
Govt Bans Rallies, Protests, Gatherings
The State Government has prohibited the public from taking out processions, rally, protest, unlawful gathering, and public meeting using loud speakers etc in Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, Imphal East, Thoubal and Kakching districts with immediate effect as a measure of emergency under Section 144 of CrPc.
Imphal West additional district magistrate N Johnson Meetei on October 8 issued prohibitory orders that the public is prohibited from taking out procession, rally, protests, gatherings, public meetings using loud speakers etc. within the jurisdiction of Imphal West district with immediate effect.
The order is issued in exercise of the powers vested under Section 144 of Cr.P.C as a measure of emergency, the order stated. Prior permission for organising processions, rally, lawful gatherings, public meetings using loud speakers etc. must be obtained from the competent authority, i.e., the district magistrate concerned, it mentioned.
Certain groups of people are reportedly planning to organise processions, rallies, sit-in-protests, public meetings using loudspeakers, etc., and resort to other agitation methods in the city, it stated.
Similar orders have been issued in all districts except for Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenlong, reports added.
KIML Alleges Repeated Attacks By Meiteis
The Kuki Inpi Moltam Lhang (KIML) has alleged the Meiteis of attacking Kuki villages in New Keithelmanbi area October 8 being the latest.
It is the fifth incident of attacking the Kuki-Zomi villages in New Keithelmanbi and its adjoining areas ever since the eruption of violence on May 3, it stated.
KIML even accused Meiteis of donning camouflage and police uniforms while attacking Sinam Khaithong Kuki village on October 8 early morning at around 4.20 am. New Keithelmanbi and its adjoining areas were attacked on May 3 evening and May 4 morning, while it was attacked again after a gap of five months consecutively October 4 evening, October 5 morning, and October 8 morning, a release of KIML said.
NPF For Peace Initiative in Manipur
In a bid to restore peace in Manipur, president of the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Manipur State Unit, Water Resources Minister Awangbaw Newmai, expressed confidence in the party’s efforts during the Oath Taking Ceremony of its divisional unit, area unit, and frontal wing office bearers for the 2024-2028 tenure.
Speaking on the sideline of the event held at Hotel Imphal in Imphal on October 9, Awangbaw called upon all the people of Manipur to embrace forgiveness and initiate peace from within themselve, as he highlighted the NPF’s commitment to peace and progress.
Awangbaw Newmai, re-elected as the president for the fourth consecutive term effective from January 1, 2024 till December 31, 2028, recently took the oath in Kohima.
The Oath Taking Ceremony on October 9 witnessded Awangbaw Newmai administering the oaths and was graced by the presence of minister Khashim Vashum, working president of NPF, MSU K Raina, as well as advisors of NPF, MSU, ST Victor Nunghlung, and Solomon Veino, among other dignitaries, reports added.
Govt Warns Against Encroachment of IDP Lands
The Manipur Home department on October 10 issued an order, advising the respective deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to take suitable action as per the Supreme Court order issued on September 25 for protection of properties and religious sites of displaced people due to the ongoing turmoil.
The order issued by the state Home department mentioned that the Supreme Court had passed an order dated September 25, in the Special Leave Petition (Civil) Dairy number 19206/2023 (Dinganglung Gangmei versus Mutum Churamani Meeitei and Ors). The Court had directed that the sites of these religious buildings be protected from encroachment and the buildings be protected from damage/destruction.
The SC has given directions as “(ii) The situs of these religious buildings be protected from encroachment and the buildings be protected from damage/ destruction” and “(iii) The Government of Manipur should ensure the protection of the properties of the displaced persons as well as the properties which have been destroyed/ burnt in the violence and prevent their encroachment.
In case any property has been encroached, the encroachers be directed to forthwith remove their encroachment, failing which the person concerned would be liable for contempt of court for non-compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court of India.”
It further mentioned that the government of Manipur should ensure the protection of the properties of the displaced persons as well as the properties which have been destroyed/burnt in the violence and prevent their encroachment.
In case any property has been encroached, the encroachers are directed to forthwith remove their encroachment, failing which the person concerned would be liable for contempt of court for non-compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court, the order stated.
Manipur CS Briefs Governor
Manipur Chief Secretary (CS) Vineet Joshi met Governor Anusuiya Uikey at the Raj Bhavan on October 10 to brief on the development of the present ground situation in Manipur.
The CS also updated the various initiatives and programmes taken up by the state government for relief and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and measures for restoring peace and normalcy, the Governor’s Secretariat, Raj Bhavan stated in a release.
On being asked by the Governor regarding the availability of essential commodities in affected areas, the CS informed that efforts are being made by the state machinery and security forces to ensure free flow transportation of essential goods in all the districts, mainly the violence-hit districts. He further said that prices of essential commodities are now under control and District Commissioners are keeping an eye on it, the release said.
The CS asserted that all the schools are now reopened barring a few schools which are being used as relief camps and attendance of the students have also increased by 10 percent. For those schools that cannot be re-open in hill districts at present, an alternative mode of learning has been planned to be implemented soon, he added.
While highlighting the introduction of Chopper services from Churachandpur to Aizawl and Kangpokpi to Dimapur, the CS also informed about the progress of prefabricated houses that are being constructed in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. Governor instructed for completion of the prefabricated houses at the earliest to ease some of the problems faced by the IDPs in relief camps, the release said.
Former Minister Mangibabu No More
Former Manipur Minister and member of Manipur Legislative Assembly for three times from Thanga Assembly Constituency Tongbram Mangibabu passed away in the morning on October 11 at 5 am at Shija Hospital. He was 75 and is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.
Late Tongbram Mangibabu first got elected as the MLA of Thanga Assembly Constituency to the 6th Manipur Legislative Assembly in 1995 as Janata Dal candidate. In 1996 he split from the Janata Dal and merged to Congress and later become the Deputy Chairman of Manipur State Planning Board. In 1997 Mangibabu became Cabinet Minister of Co-operation and Arts & Culture.
He was reelected in 2007 to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly and in 2012 to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly as Congress MLA.
