Monday 20•02•2017
NORTH-EAST 3
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
sex scandal: After video 168 candidates in fray for first phase Manipur polls goesAssam viral, MLA denies involvement
Imphal, February 19 (IaNS): A total of 168 candidates are left in the fray for the first phase of polls in Manipur in 38 Assembly constituencies. The 38 hill and valley constituencies out of 60 will go to polls on March 4 in the state. There are 11 independents in the first phase. The BJP is the only party which is contesting all seats. There is no Congress candidate in the Churachandpur and the Kangpokpi constituencies. Most of the constituencies will see straight fights. However 11 candidates are in the fray in the Saikul constituency. Manipur's political heavyweight Phungzathang Tonsing, who was given a Congress ticket for the Churachandpur constituency, had resigned from the primary membership of the party. There is pressure on some tribal politicians not to contest on the Congress ticket. The lone tribal woman MLA Nemcha Kipgen also resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP. She is contesting as BJP candidate from the Kangpokpi constituency. On Saturday, there were protests as candidates of the Manipur People's Party were given two different election symbols -- of petrol pump and cycle. Protests went on till late on Saturday night. Some candidates of the Manipur People's Party were allotted the petrol pump symbol. They hung around the office of the Chief Election Officer till late on Saturday night demanding the bicycle symbol of the party for decades. However poll officials said, "The symbol cannot be changed now. Following court cases the Manipur People's Party was derecognised. Later the group led by N. Sovakiran was recognised as the MPP office bearers." Some of the candidates will now contest in the symbol of petrol pump. However, officials later said, "N. Sovakiran and some others will be allowed to contest in the bicycle symbol in the second phase on March 8." The officials explained, "There was no time for official processing of the documents while the court case was pending, with the result that the first batch of candidates was given the petrol pump symbol. But there will be time for allotting the bicycle symbol for the rest of the candidates." Electioneering is in full swing in these constituencies. There are reports of minor clashes among the workers and vandalising of cars and houses in some constituencies.
No force can disintegrate Manipur: Rajnath Singh
Imphal, February 19 (IaNS): Swearing by the territorial integrity of Manipur, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said no force in the world can disintegrate the territory and
that the BJP is the only alternative to save the people. Speaking at an election meeting here, Singh deplored that the Congress has been harping on the threat to the territorial integrity of Manipur as a result of the framework agreement between the Indian government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Issac-Muivah (NSCN-IM). "There is no such provision in the agreement. Even the name of Manipur is not mentioned in it," he said. The ruling Congress, for a long time has been making an election issue of it. Besides, the All Manipur Students' Union has been launching agitation and demanding disclosure of
the framework agreement. The Home Minister said, "The Manipur government did not send any representative for the first round of tripartite talks to end the economic blockade." Disclosing that the Centre had provided the paramilitary forces as sought by the Manipur government, he said, "I do not understand why the Centre is blamed for the blockade. India has the federal system of government and the Constitution clearly says that the Centre cannot intervene on a state subject like law and order." Singh described the Congress as a "sinking ship" and exhorted the people to vote for the BJP
for speedy development in the northeastern region. He claimed that insurgency in other parts of the country was contained. "But it is increasing by over 50 per cent in the state and it shows lack of effective governance," Singh said. "India has become stronger after the formation of the NDA government. We have been giving befitting replies to Pakistan," he said, adding that it was possible since there is a decisive government at the Centre. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said, "During his visit to Imphal on February 25 the Prime Minister should disclose the details of the agreement". aIzawl, February 19 (pTI): Mizoram Finance minister Lalsawta today said he was making preparations to present the state budget for 2017-18 during the budget session of the state legislature commencing from March 14. Lalsawta told PTI he would present the to everyone to support her," he had budget as real autonomy had been given to the states tweeted while urging people to doto a great extent. nate generously to her. "Our sources of funds are more or less certain as well PRJA is the first regional party in as our need for expenditure," he said. After becoming Manipur which has taken to crowdthe finance minister, Lalsawta sought to seek a vote-onfunding to finance the poll expenses account in 2014 and later presented a regular budget on in the state. November 11 that year. According to PRJA sources, onIn 2015, the minister against sought vote-on-account line crowdfunding with a slogan on two occasions before presenting the annual budget. "Ten For a Change" is an idea in orPresentation of a full budget was hindered by unavailder to involve more people, bring ability of state annual plan outlay after scrapping of the in transparency in election funding Planning Commission and uncertainty over the funding and reach out to the masses. pattern of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) "The online crowdfunding is in line with the party's call for accountable governance. When we started the party there was a lot of need for funds," a PRJA source said.
Mizo Fin Min ready to present full state budget for 2017-18
After Kejriwal, Bagwant Mann donates salary to Irom Sharmila’s party ChaNdIgrah, February 19 (pTI): A day after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal donated Rs 50,000 to rights activist Irom Sharila's party which is fighting Manipur elections, Aam Aadmi Party Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann followed the suit and donated his one month salary. "As a member of parliament m donating my one month salary to Irom Sharmila who is fighting against corrupt system n justice in Manipur (sic)," Mann, tweeted on Sunday. In response, Sharmila's PRJA party tweeted "Thanks a lot Mann sir for supporting our campaign and believeing in us. We will change Manipur for good."
Maan himself is fighting Punjab Assembly elections as AAP candidate from Jalalabad seat against deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. With shortage of funds and manpower, Sharmila's People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) party has taken to online crowdfunding to raise funds and campaigning on cycle to reach out to the masses. Kejriwal had on Saturday said he is donating Rs 50,000 to Irom Sharmila and also made an appeal to people on Twitter to help her. "I am donating Rs 50,000 as my small contribution to her and appeal
Short film ‘Aaba' wins int'l jury award at Berlinale
BJP vision document Tribal territories not the most congenial for elections: JAC-AATB The JAC-AATB then statment that passed the three the Joint Action Committurns focus on Highway anti-tribal bills under the in- tee Against Anti-Tribal Bills ed that in a clear indication struction of Co-ordination (JAC) submitted its Charter to his Government’s utter Protection Force The Joint Action Commit- Committee (CorCom), a of Demands on November 9, disregard for anything tribNewmai News Network Imphal | February 19
Imphal, February 19 (pTI): With the state facing economic blockade for three months, the Manipur BJP today stressed on raising a Highway Protection Force for ensuring a blockade free Manipur" in days to come, in its vision document. The 24-page vision document 2017, was today released by Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh and BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav in a programme attended by several intellectuals of Manipur. The party also promised that it is firmly committed to protect Manipurs territorial integrity, culture and its people. BJPs promise of Highway Protection force comes in the wake of indefinite economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1, 2016 against the state governments decision to carv off seven new districts in the land-locked state by bifurcating the existing ones. Supply of essentials, including fuel, to Manipur has been severely hit since November last year after the council declared indefinite economic blockade on NH2 (via Dimapur) and NH 37 (via Jiribam) - the two lifelines to the state. Apart from raising a Highway protection force for ensuring blockade-free Manipur, the BJP also promised to investigate fake encounter and corruption cases and punish the guilty. Taking note of the problem of drinking water in the state, BJP promised to provide piped drinking water to every household. "We will provide one job opportunity to every household of the state. We will give free education to woman till graduation. We will provide housing to all homeless citizens. We will construct all weather four lane roads in every district. We will provide health insurance to all BPL citizens," a BJP leader read out the vision document at the programme.
tee Against Anti Tribal Bills (JAC-AATB) said today that the prevailing situation in the "tribal territories of present Manipur" may not be the "most congenial" for elections at this point of time. The JAC-AATB in a statement said that "while welcoming the conduct of timely assembly elections, the cries of the tribal people in the hills of present Manipur are not for elections, but rather for constitutional protection". The JAC-AATB statement said that "with the communal Manipur Government repeatedly ignoring" the cries of the tribal people for an acceptable and sustainable solution, coupled with the continuing economic blockade and the unsolved issue of the three anti-tribal bills, the disquiet in the hills is palpable. The JAC-AATB then strongly reacted to a reported accusation of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who allegedly said the nine "tribal martyrs" that included an 11-year old were “hired by rebel groups.” The JAC-AATB said that the Deputy Chief Minister's comment came while remaining "unmindful of the fact that it was his very own Govern-
conglomerate of proscribed Meitei militant groups, exposes the Ibobi-led Congress Government’s sheer disinterest to bring about any solution to the current tribal impasse". According to the JACAATB statement, it has been 538 days since the "communal" Manipur Government "resorted to using live bullets on unarmed indigenous tribal youths" to quell the spontaneous tribal reactions following the passing of the three "infamous anti-tribal bills" by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015, namely the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015; the Manipur Land Revenue & Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015; and the Manipur Shops & Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015. According to the JACAATB statement, the Manipur Government "admitted to having murdered the nine tribal martyrs" by performing Hiamkhaam on November 2, 2015 – a tribal customary practice performed by the guilty party acknowledging their crime. Subsequently, on the State Government’s invitation,
2015, and met with the State Government again on December 29, 2015. However, the Ibobi Singh-led Government is yet to address the JAC’s Charter of Demands till today, the JAC-AATB said. "In fact, it was during the meeting on December 29, 2015 at his chamber that Chief Minister Ibobi Singh confessed that the three anti-tribal bills were passed due to pressure from CorCom," the tribal JAC added. It then said that instead of making any genuine attempts to bring about a sustainable and acceptable solution for the tribal people, the communal Manipur Government has resorted to spreading lies and playing divide-and-rule among the tribal people, an art it has so skilfully perfected over the years. "The State Government has even resorted to stealing the mortal remains of one of the nine "tribal martyrs" through one of its many ‘agencies’ on December 22, 2016, with the Chief Minister Ibobi Singh himself visiting Bijang in Southern Manipur on the very same day to personally verify the success of the mission," stated the JACAATB.
al, the Chief Minister of 15 years has repeatedly tried to deceive the public by proclaiming that “land belongs to the Government, and not to any tribe. "For a tribal, his ancestral land is very much the core of his identity, and his existence; and the Chief Minister’s words simply showcases his ignorance of the un-concocted Manipur History and tribal land rights, and also exposes his antitribal mind-set and stand," it added. The JAC-AATB then said that it is time the tribal people in present Manipur realize that despite their sugarcoated ‘communal harmony’ speeches, the actions of the "communal Manipur Government and their cohorts indicate otherwise, thereby blatantly showing their lack of commitment towards bringing about any kind of solution". "Instead, the Government’s actions including the creation of seven new districts merely indicate that they are hell-bent on creating problems and divisions among the tribal people with the sole aim of securing the maximum seats in the upcoming State Assembly elections," it stated.
Pema Khandu for probe into Kalikho Pul diaries by agency ‘deemed fit’ by MHA guwahaTI, February 19 (Ie): One day after former Arunachal chief minister Kalikho Pul’s wife Dangwimsai appealed to the Chief Justice of India for a CBI inquiry into the allegations mentioned in her late husband’s diaries, the Pema Khandu government has asked the union home minister to conduct an investigation by any agency it deemed fit. A meeting of the Khandu cabinet that was held in Itanagar on Saturday evening, which discussed in detail the contents of Pul’s diary that has been in circulation in a section of the media, also dismissed the allegations against some senior government functionaries contained there as “totally baseless, false and without any evidence/basis.” “The Cabinet further resolved, without any prejudice to the matter being sub-judice in the Court of the CJM, ICC, the said note ‘Mere Vichar’ –
guwahaTI, February 19 (INdIa Today): The BJP leader Ramakanta Dewri has denied his involvement in a video purportedly showing the MLA from the Morigaon Assembly seat in sexual act. The video has gone viral on social media leaving the ruling BJP red-faced. The video apparently shows Ramakanta Dewri in a compromising position with a woman in a hotel. However, speaking to local TV channels, Ramakanta Dewri said that the video was a conspiracy to defame him. "It is purely a conspiracy hatched against me by my political adversaries to malign my image as I am a contender for a berth in the ministry, which will be expanded soon," Ramakanta Dewri said. The Morigaon legislator has demanded an inquiry including a forensic test of the video. Dewri said, "Let there be a forensic test of the video. If it establishes that I am the man featuring in it, I will quit politics." The BJP has not yet reacted to the sex scandal.
Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu. (PTI Photo)
which is in circulation in the media, to be forwarded to Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for investigation by any agency as deemed fit,” a press release issued by the
CMO in Itanagar quoting the cabinet resolutions on Sunday said. The Cabinet also noted that the names of senior leaders and politicians in general have been
referred to in the copy of ‘Mere Vichar’ downloaded from the news portal that had carried it last week. “The Cabinet, after detailed deliberations on the observations made by Late Kalikho Pul in his note ‘Mere Vichar’ against all the aforementioned Government functionaries resolved that they are totally baseless, false and without any evidence/basis,” it said. Pul, who had lost his chief minister’s post in July last year following a Supreme Court verdict, was found hanging in a room in the chief minister’s official bungalow in Itanagar, which he was still occupying, on August 9. The post-mortem examination report said ‘the cause of death was due to asphyxia resulting from hanging by a ligature and suicidal in nature.’ The Magistrate had seized various documents including five copies of “Mere Vichar” and other articles from the
room in which Pul was found hanging, which were handed along with his report to the police on August 10, 2016, the press release said. “The sealed cover of notes ‘Mere Vichar’ was opened by the police during investigation and resealed after perusal of its contents. In the notes there was no mention of Pul’s intention to end his life and there was also no accusation against anyone for being responsible for the same,” the press release said. The final report of the case, which was submitted to the CJM’s Court in Itanagar on October 24, 2016 said that “as per investigations, Late Kalikho Pul committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan in the Pranayam Room of the CM’s official bungalow between 5 AM and 9 AM on August 9, 2016 and there was no foul play behind his death,” the press release quoting the cabinet meeting said.
berlIN, February 19 (IaNS): Amar Kaushiks "Aaba", the sole Indian film in competition at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival, won the Special Prize of Generation Kplus International Jury for Best Short Film, an official announcement read. The festival concluded on Sunday. The 22-minute film, shot entirely against Arunachal Pradesh background, revolves around a girl and her grandfather reaching the terminal stages of lung cancer. Producer Guneet Monga posted on Facebook on Sunday: "And then, this one makes us specially proud! Congratulations Amar Kaushik on winning the Special Prize for the Best Short Film for 'Aaba' in the Generation section at Berlin International Film Festival! Congrats also to Raj Kumar Gupta and Onir for producing this gem. Big big hug everyone." Starring Sunku Dani, Randa Dani and Chuniya Dani, the film's story has been written by Amar's mother Shashi. The film marks his directorial debut. He had previously worked as an associate director on the 2011 thriller "No One Killed Jessica".
Woman complains of assault, verbal abuse during train journey ThIruvaNaNThapuram, February 19 (pTI): A 30-year-old woman from Meghalaya has filed a complaint with the railway police alleging that she was assaulted and verbally abused by a co-passenger during her journey to this city. Railway police at Thampanoor have registered a case under section 354, 354 A(1)(iv) of IPC against the passenger, who was in an inebriated state and is suspected to have alighted at Ernakulam. The incident is said to have occurred in the wee hours of February 17 when Guwahati-Thiruvananthapuram express had not reached Kerala, police sources said. The train had reached the state capital on February 17 night. The woman, travelling in the second AC compartment, works as a domestic help here, and was returning after a visit home when the incident occurred. Railway police said they were going through the chart list of passengers who had travelled in the seats near the complainant.
3 killed, 2 injured in mishap morIgaoN, February 19 (pTI): Three persons were killed and two others injured when a truck rammed into a van at Baghara on Jagiroad-Morigaon Road today. Police said the fish-laden van coming from Morigaon collided head on with the truck at around 5 am, killing three persons on the spot. Two more were injured in the mishap and shifted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. The deceased have been identified as Jiabur Rahman, Mahibur Rahman and Rafique Ali, police said.
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