Manipur Govt Announces Rs10 lakh For 'Magnificent Mary'

Imphal, Sep 20 : Manipur government today announced a cash prize of Rs10 lakh for star women boxer MC Mary Kom, who achieved a rare feat of five consecutive world titles in Bridgetown last week.

Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh announced the prize "in recognition of her (Mary Kom's) historic achievement," an official release said.

"A daughter of Manipur and sportsperson par excellence, Mary Kom has emerged as an epitome of inspiration and motivation of our youth today. Whole Manipur celebrates her achievement with indescribable joy," the release said.

Mary Kom is working as deputy superintendent of police in Manipur police department.

The 27-year-old mother-of-two clinched the fifth gold medal at the World Championships on September 18 by thrashing old foe Steluta Duta of Romania 16-6 in the light flyweight 48kg finals.

Dubbed 'Magnificent Mary' by the International Boxing Association for her historic feat, the diminutive counter-puncher is the only woman boxer to have clinched a medal in each of the six World Championships, starting with a silver in the inaugural edition in 2001.

Read full history - Manipur Govt Announces Rs10 lakh For 'Magnificent Mary'

Manipur Erupts in Pride and Joy For Mary Kom's Achievement

Imphal, Sep 20 : Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led the state in congratulating pugilist Mary Kom for winning the World Women's Boxing Championship for the fifth consecutive time, while people of the state erupted in celebrations after she brought home the Gold medal.

The 27-year-old prodigy is the only boxer who has got medals in all the six World Boxing Championships. In the first championship, she had bagged the Silver medal.

''It is a matter of immense pleasure and joy that Mary Kom, Khel Ratna awardee, has won the fifth World Women's Boxing title in Bridgetown (Barbados) on September 18.

It was a moment of supreme pride for the people of Manipur when overcoming all odds Mary Kom won the World Championship for the fifth consecutive time. Her feat will be recorded in golden letters in the annals of sports history of India and Manipur,'' the Chief Minister said.

''The whole state is in awe of her for this amazing feat; people are celebrating her success with indescribable joy and happiness,'' he further said.

Numerous sports organizations and NGOs also congratulated her.

Mother of two boys, Mary Kom defeated Steluta Duta of Romania 16-6 in the light fly weight 48 kg finals.

Read full history - Manipur Erupts in Pride and Joy For Mary Kom's Achievement

Ambassadors And High Commissioners Arrive in Manipur

Imphal, Sep 20 : A seven-member team of New Delhi-based ambassadors and high commissioners from South East Asian countries has arrived in Manipur to assess the trade relations between the countries and India, officials said today.

After arriving yesterday, the team leader and Malaysian Ambassador Dao Tan Seng Sungh said that the ASEAN diplomats would study whether international trade and commerce through the border town of Moreh in the state''s Chandel district could be realised or not.

Myanmarese ambassador Kyl Thei said that the trip was aimed at assessing the ground situation for opening international trade via Manipur.

The team, which met Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh yesterday evening at his office, would visit Moreh, about 120 kms from here and return to Imphal, the officials said.

Read full history - Ambassadors And High Commissioners Arrive in Manipur

Manipur CM Congratulates Boxer Mary Kom

Imphal, Sep 20 : Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has expressed 'immense pleasure' and congratulated boxer Mary Kom on her winning the fifth women's world boxing title at Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday.

In a statement in Imphal on Sunday, Singh stated that it was a moment of supreme pride for the people of Manipur that despite all odds, Kom won the World championship consecutively for the fifth time.

Her feat would be recorded in golden letters in the annals of sports history of India  and Manipur, he said.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Kom would bring more laurels for the state and the nation in the future also.

Several social organisations in Manipur also congratulated Mary Kom on winning the championship.

The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) and Ethno Heritage Council (EHC), a social organisation, said in separate statements that though Manipur was lacking in developmental fields, the state was going ahead in the field of sports.

They said several sports persons from the state had done very well in their respective fields at the international level and wished Mary Kom success in future also.

"We are proud of you Mary Kom," the AMFA said adding, "We always pray to God for your success."

Mary Kom who has settled in Imphal hails from the Churachandpur district of Manipur.

Read full history - Manipur CM Congratulates Boxer Mary Kom

Naga Blockade of Manipur Resumes

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

Imphal, Sep 19 : The United Naga Council has said the blockade would continue till the demands relating to the Naga issues were conceded

The United Naga Council, (UNC), a frontal organisation of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah group), imposed an indefinite blockade against Manipur from Saturday morning. This follows the expiry of the 113-day blockade spread over three phases.

In a press release, the UNC said the blockade would continue till the demands relating to the Naga issues were conceded. It said the Autonomous District Council elections in the hill districts were held against the “wishes” of the tribals. The ADCs would not be allowed to function in the “Naga areas.”

Other demands include the institution of a judicial inquiry into the May 6 firing in which two tribal students were killed at Mao Gate and withdrawal of the state forces from the “Naga areas.”

Sources said the government was not thinking in terms of instituting a judicial inquiry into the firing since a magisterial inquiry had already been ordered.

Read full history - Naga Blockade of Manipur Resumes

Naga Blockade of Manipur Resumes

By Iboyaima Laithangbam


Imphal, Sep 19 : The United Naga Council has said the blockade would continue till the demands relating to the Naga issues were conceded.

The United Naga Council, (UNC), a frontal organisation of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah group), imposed an indefinite blockade against Manipur from Saturday morning. This follows the expiry of the 113-day blockade spread over three phases.
In a press release, the UNC said the blockade would continue till the demands relating to the Naga issues were conceded. It said the Autonomous District Council elections in the hill districts were held against the “wishes” of the tribals. The ADCs would not be allowed to function in the “Naga areas.”
Other demands include the institution of a judicial inquiry into the May 6 firing in which two tribal students were killed at Mao Gate and withdrawal of the state forces from the “Naga areas.”
Sources said the government was not thinking in terms of instituting a judicial inquiry into the firing since a magisterial inquiry had already been ordered.


'PureFit Kothanur in Bangalore provides dance and fitness with personal training. This is a women led fitness and dance center providing Zumba, Aerobics, Bolly Aerobics, Power Yoga, Personal Training. We are devoted to the job of ensuring that every member who joins the dance or fitness has the best experience possible.'

Read full history - Naga Blockade of Manipur Resumes

How Tehelka Nailed Manipur Policie’s Lies

Thirteen months after the exposé, the CBI charges nine policemen in the Sanjit fake encounter case

By Kunal Majumder

 

The chargesheet corroborates Tehelka’s findings that Sanjit was made a scapegoat by Manipur Police

CHUNGKHAM TARATOMBI Devi’s fight for justice has yielded results. Fourteen months after her son Chungkham Sanjit Singh Meitei was killed in a fake encounter by Manipur Police, the CBI has filed a chargesheet against nine of the 14 accused policemen. Exposés in TEHELKA by Teresa Rehman (Murder in Plain Sight, 8 August 2009) and Shoma Chaudhury (Life in a Shadow Land, 15 August 2009) had detailed the coldblooded murder. Photographs published along with the story revealed the entire sequence of Sanjit’s death.

The chargesheet filed by the CBI on 9 September this year in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal, corroborates TEHELKA’s findings. It reveals how, on 23 July 2009, commandos led by then Imphal City Police Station in-charge Munal Singh picked up Sanjit from BT Road, took him inside the storeroom of a pharmacy and shot him dead. The CBI also found out that the 9 mm Mauser gun found on Sanjit was planted by the police.

That day, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told the Manipur Assembly that Sanjit was a People’s Liberation Army militant and was responsible for shooting six civilians. (The PLA is the armed wing of the Revolutionary People’s Front). The CBI now reveals that it was the police that was involved in the random shooting on BT Road that killed a pregnant woman, Rabina Devi. Sanjit was just a bystander who was made the scapegoat.

On 25 August 2009, Sanjit’s mother approached the Gauhati High Court seeking justice. The court handed over the case to the CBI. Two days later, the Manipur government instituted a one-man commission of inquiry led by Justice PG Agarwal, a retired judge of the Gauhati High Court. Both TEHELKA’s Managing Editor Shoma and then Northeast Correspondent Teresa deposed before the commission and were interrogated by the CBI. Photographs in TEHELKA’S possession were shared with the probe team.

The commission asked TEHELKA reporters to name their sources and the name of the photographer who had captured the damning evidence. But they refused. After the exposé, journalists and activists in Imphal tried to deter TEHELKA journalists from visiting Manipur. “We cannot assure your safety,” they warned. “The commandos are looking everywhere for the photographer who gave you the pictures.”

TODAY, THE chief minister is not available for comment. “He is too busy with the Pradesh Congress Committee elections. He doesn’t have time for the people. The people of Manipur are grateful to TEHELKA for this exposé,” says a senior minister on condition of anonymity.

In the dark shadow land of Manipur, Sanjit was one among hundreds of young men and women who had disappeared, been raped or killed. Justice may be steps away for Sanjit’s ema (mother in Manipuri) but it remains an illusion for many others.

Read full history - How Tehelka Nailed Manipur Policie’s Lies

How Tehelka Nailed Manipur Policie’s Lies

Thirteen months after the exposé, the CBI charges nine policemen in the Sanjit fake encounter case

By Kunal Majumder

 

The chargesheet corroborates Tehelka’s findings that Sanjit was made a scapegoat by Manipur Police

CHUNGKHAM TARATOMBI Devi’s fight for justice has yielded results. Fourteen months after her son Chungkham Sanjit Singh Meitei was killed in a fake encounter by Manipur Police, the CBI has filed a chargesheet against nine of the 14 accused policemen. Exposés in TEHELKA by Teresa Rehman (Murder in Plain Sight, 8 August 2009) and Shoma Chaudhury (Life in a Shadow Land, 15 August 2009) had detailed the coldblooded murder. Photographs published along with the story revealed the entire sequence of Sanjit’s death.

The chargesheet filed by the CBI on 9 September this year in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal, corroborates TEHELKA’s findings. It reveals how, on 23 July 2009, commandos led by then Imphal City Police Station in-charge Munal Singh picked up Sanjit from BT Road, took him inside the storeroom of a pharmacy and shot him dead. The CBI also found out that the 9 mm Mauser gun found on Sanjit was planted by the police.

That day, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told the Manipur Assembly that Sanjit was a People’s Liberation Army militant and was responsible for shooting six civilians. (The PLA is the armed wing of the Revolutionary People’s Front). The CBI now reveals that it was the police that was involved in the random shooting on BT Road that killed a pregnant woman, Rabina Devi. Sanjit was just a bystander who was made the scapegoat.

On 25 August 2009, Sanjit’s mother approached the Gauhati High Court seeking justice. The court handed over the case to the CBI. Two days later, the Manipur government instituted a one-man commission of inquiry led by Justice PG Agarwal, a retired judge of the Gauhati High Court. Both TEHELKA’s Managing Editor Shoma and then Northeast Correspondent Teresa deposed before the commission and were interrogated by the CBI. Photographs in TEHELKA’S possession were shared with the probe team.

The commission asked TEHELKA reporters to name their sources and the name of the photographer who had captured the damning evidence. But they refused. After the exposé, journalists and activists in Imphal tried to deter TEHELKA journalists from visiting Manipur. “We cannot assure your safety,” they warned. “The commandos are looking everywhere for the photographer who gave you the pictures.”

TODAY, THE chief minister is not available for comment. “He is too busy with the Pradesh Congress Committee elections. He doesn’t have time for the people. The people of Manipur are grateful to TEHELKA for this exposé,” says a senior minister on condition of anonymity.

In the dark shadow land of Manipur, Sanjit was one among hundreds of young men and women who had disappeared, been raped or killed. Justice may be steps away for Sanjit’s ema (mother in Manipuri) but it remains an illusion for many others.

Read full history - How Tehelka Nailed Manipur Policie’s Lies

Naga Council Threatens Blockade

By Sobhapati Samom

Imphal, Sep 18 : The United Naga Council of Manipur threatened on Friday to turn its off and on agitation on three highways of the state into an “indefinite blockade” from Saturday morning. “As there is no tangible response by the government of India to our prolonged grievances, the UNC is constrained to intensify

its ongoing agitation into indefinite economic blockade,” the organisation said in a statement on Friday. The central and state governments have appealed to UNC to call off the blockade. Manipur Chief Secretary D.S. Poonia had said the blockade was uncalled for since the governments “are always open to a dialogue…”

The step is a resumption of the Naga unrest that started on  April 11, when the All-Naga Students Association, Manipur launched its highway agitation, which ended on June 18.

Read full history - Naga Council Threatens Blockade

Naga Council Threatens Blockade

By Sobhapati Samom

Imphal, Sep 18 : The United Naga Council of Manipur threatened on Friday to turn its off and on agitation on three highways of the state into an “indefinite blockade” from Saturday morning. “As there is no tangible response by the government of India to our prolonged grievances, the UNC is constrained to intensify

its ongoing agitation into indefinite economic blockade,” the organisation said in a statement on Friday. The central and state governments have appealed to UNC to call off the blockade. Manipur Chief Secretary D.S. Poonia had said the blockade was uncalled for since the governments “are always open to a dialogue…”

The step is a resumption of the Naga unrest that started on  April 11, when the All-Naga Students Association, Manipur launched its highway agitation, which ended on June 18.

Read full history - Naga Council Threatens Blockade

7th Manipuri Film Festival 2010 Kicks off in Imphal

Imphal, Sep 13 : The 7th Manipuri Film Festival 2010 commenced here on Saturday, as the Manipur Governor, Gurbachan Jagat inaugurated the gala event.

Also present on the occasion was eminent filmmaker Aribam and Shyam Sharma who wished a wide exposure to the movies from the northeast.

This is the first time where video films have been allowed to take part since earlier all the entries were in celluloid version.

""In the last many years that is upto the sixth Manipur state film festival all the entries were mostly of celluloid films. But after six film festivals we did not have more celluloid films due to financial problems. At the same time you know there was a full gap when the celluloid films could not be produced enough in number. The filmmakers have increased the make of low budget digital films. As you know Manipur is the land of the culture and the filmmakers are very much aware of filming many aspects," said K Sobita Devi, Director of Manipur Film Development Corporation.

Only one celluloid feature film titled 'Yenning Amadi Likla' and 13 video feature films were chosen out of total entry of 77 feature films including the video versions.

Among the selected films are 'Khangdreda Nongdamba', 'Tayai', 'Poukhum', 'Novab', 'Bomb Blast', 'Naoshum', 'Kaboklei', 'Ingao Ngouna', 'Basanta-gi Nonganlamdaida', 'Mami Sami', 'Chumthang Makhong', 'Hayengna Kanna-ga Pagani' and 'Ningthem'.

Another 15 non-feature digital films and one celluloid film have also been recommneded for the five critic and book awards.

A hallmark of this year's event is a photo exhibition on journey of Manipuri cinema.

"I have seen more or less 90 percent of the films, which is so far in digital format. And there are some good films of course. All are good but there are some films which have got upto the mark," said Romi Meitei, a film director.

An open forum on different films related issues including journey of Manipuri cinema from celluloid to video, film prospects, film music in Manipuri cinema, original film script and screenplay, importance of non-feature films and audience was organised during the course of the festival with different film personalities and experts.

The eight-day film festival would continue till September 20

Read full history - 7th Manipuri Film Festival 2010 Kicks off in Imphal

7th Manipuri Film Festival 2010 Kicks off in Imphal

Imphal, Sep 13 : The 7th Manipuri Film Festival 2010 commenced here on Saturday, as the Manipur Governor, Gurbachan Jagat inaugurated the gala event.

Also present on the occasion was eminent filmmaker Aribam and Shyam Sharma who wished a wide exposure to the movies from the northeast.

This is the first time where video films have been allowed to take part since earlier all the entries were in celluloid version.

""In the last many years that is upto the sixth Manipur state film festival all the entries were mostly of celluloid films. But after six film festivals we did not have more celluloid films due to financial problems. At the same time you know there was a full gap when the celluloid films could not be produced enough in number. The filmmakers have increased the make of low budget digital films. As you know Manipur is the land of the culture and the filmmakers are very much aware of filming many aspects," said K Sobita Devi, Director of Manipur Film Development Corporation.

Only one celluloid feature film titled 'Yenning Amadi Likla' and 13 video feature films were chosen out of total entry of 77 feature films including the video versions.

Among the selected films are 'Khangdreda Nongdamba', 'Tayai', 'Poukhum', 'Novab', 'Bomb Blast', 'Naoshum', 'Kaboklei', 'Ingao Ngouna', 'Basanta-gi Nonganlamdaida', 'Mami Sami', 'Chumthang Makhong', 'Hayengna Kanna-ga Pagani' and 'Ningthem'.

Another 15 non-feature digital films and one celluloid film have also been recommneded for the five critic and book awards.

A hallmark of this year's event is a photo exhibition on journey of Manipuri cinema.

"I have seen more or less 90 percent of the films, which is so far in digital format. And there are some good films of course. All are good but there are some films which have got upto the mark," said Romi Meitei, a film director.

An open forum on different films related issues including journey of Manipuri cinema from celluloid to video, film prospects, film music in Manipuri cinema, original film script and screenplay, importance of non-feature films and audience was organised during the course of the festival with different film personalities and experts.

The eight-day film festival would continue till September 20

Read full history - 7th Manipuri Film Festival 2010 Kicks off in Imphal

Irom Award Shot in Arm For Anti-AFSPA Campaigners

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap

A prestigious peace award to activist Irom Sharmila and a Gauhati High Court order to Manipur to re-open the Manorama fake encounter case have put new life into the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state.

Sharmila, who will soon complete 10 years of fast-unto-death demanding repeal of AFSPA, has been conferred the Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM). The award carries a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh, a gold medal, a citation and a shawl.

Sharmila, 40, began her hunger strike in December 2000 after 10 villagers were shot dead by security forces. She is currently being treated in a special security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal under custodial remand.

Last week, the Gauhati High Court ordered Manipur to act on an inquiry report on the rape and killing of Manorama Devi, a woman militant, by Assam Rifles men in July 2004. The killing had sparked massive protests in Manipur.

Assam Rifles had challenged Manipur’s jurisdiction to institute an inquiry against its men, contending that it enjoyed immunity under the AFSPA, but the High Court ruled that the state government could institute an inquiry into such incidents.

The ruling and the award to Sharmila have fired up the activists campaigning for repeal of the draconian law. Manipur Senior Citizens’ Society Sunday asked the Centre to scrap the law as it was “a constant threat to human rights” and “violates the right to life of a citizen”. Several other human rights organisations have also stepped up their campaign against the Act.

Nearly 52 years after the AFSPA came into force in the Northeast, security forces have killed at least 500 persons “on the basis of mere suspicion”, according to Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of the Imphal-based Human Rights Alert.

In fact,the National Human Rights Commission had last year asked the Manipur government to make its stand clear on the 111 alleged fake encounters by security forces and police in the state in recent years.

Read full history - Irom Award Shot in Arm For Anti-AFSPA Campaigners

Irom Award Shot in Arm For Anti-AFSPA Campaigners

By Samudra Gupta Kashyap

A prestigious peace award to activist Irom Sharmila and a Gauhati High Court order to Manipur to re-open the Manorama fake encounter case have put new life into the campaign against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state.

Sharmila, who will soon complete 10 years of fast-unto-death demanding repeal of AFSPA, has been conferred the Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM). The award carries a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh, a gold medal, a citation and a shawl.

Sharmila, 40, began her hunger strike in December 2000 after 10 villagers were shot dead by security forces. She is currently being treated in a special security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal under custodial remand.

Last week, the Gauhati High Court ordered Manipur to act on an inquiry report on the rape and killing of Manorama Devi, a woman militant, by Assam Rifles men in July 2004. The killing had sparked massive protests in Manipur.

Assam Rifles had challenged Manipur’s jurisdiction to institute an inquiry against its men, contending that it enjoyed immunity under the AFSPA, but the High Court ruled that the state government could institute an inquiry into such incidents.

The ruling and the award to Sharmila have fired up the activists campaigning for repeal of the draconian law. Manipur Senior Citizens’ Society Sunday asked the Centre to scrap the law as it was “a constant threat to human rights” and “violates the right to life of a citizen”. Several other human rights organisations have also stepped up their campaign against the Act.

Nearly 52 years after the AFSPA came into force in the Northeast, security forces have killed at least 500 persons “on the basis of mere suspicion”, according to Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of the Imphal-based Human Rights Alert.

In fact,the National Human Rights Commission had last year asked the Manipur government to make its stand clear on the 111 alleged fake encounters by security forces and police in the state in recent years.

Read full history - Irom Award Shot in Arm For Anti-AFSPA Campaigners

Manipur Civil Right Activist Awarded Tagore Peace Prize

Imphal, Sep 11 : Civil rights activist, Irom Chanu Sharmila of Manipur was awarded Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize-2010 by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) today in Imphal.

She has been on a fasting agitation unto death since November 4, 2000 demanding the Government to withdraw Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur.

The award consists of 51 lakh rupees in cash, one shawl and one citation. The peace prize was handed over to Sharmila at her special security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal where she is kept under custodial remand.

Handing over the award to Sharmila, Founder Chairperson of IIPM, Dr. M.K. Choudhuri said that, Rabindranath Tagore always stood for peace and against barbaric activities.

He added that his institute will try at its best to inculcate the morale of Sharmila who is fighting against barbaric activities to bring peace in the state.

Receiving the peace prize, Sharmila said that, the money of the award will be donated to the services of containing anti-social elements and helping the welfare activities of the people.

Read full history - Manipur Civil Right Activist Awarded Tagore Peace Prize

Manipur Civil Right Activist Awarded Tagore Peace Prize

Imphal, Sep 11 : Civil rights activist, Irom Chanu Sharmila of Manipur was awarded Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize-2010 by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) today in Imphal.

She has been on a fasting agitation unto death since November 4, 2000 demanding the Government to withdraw Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Manipur.

The award consists of 51 lakh rupees in cash, one shawl and one citation. The peace prize was handed over to Sharmila at her special security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal where she is kept under custodial remand.

Handing over the award to Sharmila, Founder Chairperson of IIPM, Dr. M.K. Choudhuri said that, Rabindranath Tagore always stood for peace and against barbaric activities.

He added that his institute will try at its best to inculcate the morale of Sharmila who is fighting against barbaric activities to bring peace in the state.

Receiving the peace prize, Sharmila said that, the money of the award will be donated to the services of containing anti-social elements and helping the welfare activities of the people.

Read full history - Manipur Civil Right Activist Awarded Tagore Peace Prize

Manorama Devi Rape And Murder: Assam Rifles Indicted

Imphal, Sep 11 : In what could be a landmark judgement against the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Guwahati High Court on August 31 this year has authorized the state of Manipur to act on the report of the one man commission in the alleged rape and killing of Manorama Devi by the armed forces in 2004.

"The Prime Minister and the Home Minister must now open the report submitted three years ago in the Manorama killing incident. The Centre went to the High Court delaying the issue.

The report is in a sealed cover. The issue in this case is not about the validity of the Armed forces act. It shows how some section of the Army can use this act to do criminal activities," said Colin Gonsalves, a lawyer.

Justice Upendra Singh who headed the Commission of Inquiry found the security men guilty of excesses.
"The security people do not care for the law of the land," said Justice Upendra Singh.     

The Assam Rifles had challenged the validity of the commission arguing that they are governed under a special act and only the Centre can set up a commission of inquiry not the state.

Six years after Manipur erupted with the defining image of anger against the killing and resistance to the Armed Forces Act this judgment could be crucial in understanding that the Act is meant to aid civil powers and not substitute it.

Except the armed forces almost everyone agrees that the AFSPA requires amendment. It has already been reviewed.

And the judgment may have just come at the right time when the government is has indicated considering dilution of some of the provisions of the Act.

 

Read full history - Manorama Devi Rape And Murder: Assam Rifles Indicted

Manorama Devi Rape And Murder: Assam Rifles Indicted

Imphal, Sep 11 : In what could be a landmark judgement against the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Guwahati High Court on August 31 this year has authorized the state of Manipur to act on the report of the one man commission in the alleged rape and killing of Manorama Devi by the armed forces in 2004.

"The Prime Minister and the Home Minister must now open the report submitted three years ago in the Manorama killing incident. The Centre went to the High Court delaying the issue.

The report is in a sealed cover. The issue in this case is not about the validity of the Armed forces act. It shows how some section of the Army can use this act to do criminal activities," said Colin Gonsalves, a lawyer.

Justice Upendra Singh who headed the Commission of Inquiry found the security men guilty of excesses.
"The security people do not care for the law of the land," said Justice Upendra Singh.     

The Assam Rifles had challenged the validity of the commission arguing that they are governed under a special act and only the Centre can set up a commission of inquiry not the state.

Six years after Manipur erupted with the defining image of anger against the killing and resistance to the Armed Forces Act this judgment could be crucial in understanding that the Act is meant to aid civil powers and not substitute it.

Except the armed forces almost everyone agrees that the AFSPA requires amendment. It has already been reviewed.

And the judgment may have just come at the right time when the government is has indicated considering dilution of some of the provisions of the Act.

 

Read full history - Manorama Devi Rape And Murder: Assam Rifles Indicted

9 Manipur Cops Charged With Fake Encounter

New Delhi, Sep 10 : The CBI has filed a chargesheet against nine Manipur Police commandos for allegedly killing a young boy in a fake encounter in Imphal in January 2009.

The incident had triggered widespread protest in the state, forcing the Gauhati High Court to order an independent inquiry.

The agency had registered a case against the accused policemen, including two senior inspectors, in January and after nine months of investigation has now filed a chargesheet against them.

The accused face murder and other charges.

The writ petition was filed at the Gauhati High Court by Chungkham Taratombi Devi, mother of deceased Chungkham Sanjit Meitei.

In her complaint, she had alleged that her son was shot dead by the Manipur Police commandos for no rhyme or reason.

Read full history - 9 Manipur Cops Charged With Fake Encounter

9 Manipur Cops Charged With Fake Encounter

New Delhi, Sep 10 : The CBI has filed a chargesheet against nine Manipur Police commandos for allegedly killing a young boy in a fake encounter in Imphal in January 2009.

The incident had triggered widespread protest in the state, forcing the Gauhati High Court to order an independent inquiry.

The agency had registered a case against the accused policemen, including two senior inspectors, in January and after nine months of investigation has now filed a chargesheet against them.

The accused face murder and other charges.

The writ petition was filed at the Gauhati High Court by Chungkham Taratombi Devi, mother of deceased Chungkham Sanjit Meitei.

In her complaint, she had alleged that her son was shot dead by the Manipur Police commandos for no rhyme or reason.

Read full history - 9 Manipur Cops Charged With Fake Encounter