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Congress party leaders attend the flag hoisting ceremony of INC's Konthoujam candidate K Sarat on Wednesday

Regd. No. MANENG/2012/45461 Volume V, Issue 147 Imphal | Thursday, February 09, 2017 | 10 Pages | `4.50

MPSC-A claim N Hazari state polo crown

P10Delightful with a full

day of sunshine

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FUEL ALLOCATION ON P6

MORE STATE NEWS ON PAGE 7

KSO Chandel defers total bandh

IMPHAL: Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Chandel has postponed the proposed total bandh in Chandel and Tengnoupal districts which it planned to protest life attempt on KSO Gunpi block president and his driver. The students’ body had earlier called to-tal bandh in the two districts from Wednesday midnight. A release issued by KSO Chandel president Douma-ng Haokip said that the decision to postpone the total bandh in Chandel and Tengnoupal districts was taken during a joint emergency meeting of KSO Chandel and its constituent units Wednesday. The indefinite total bandh will be imposed in Chandel and Tengnoupal district from February 13 in collaboration with KSO units including KSO Chandel if no positive response come from state government and authority concerned within this week.

NPF working president resignsSENAPATI: Solomon Veino, working president of the Manipur State Unit of NPF has tendered his resignation from the said post as well as primary membership of the party on Wednesday. Solomon contended that denial of party ticket to him to contest the ensuing Manipur assembly poll is the reason for his resignation. P8

NCP demands lifting of blockadeIMPHAL: NCP national secre-tary and Northeast in-charge Narendra Verma has demanded both the state and the Central governments to get the more than 90 days economic block-ade lifted at once. P7

Sunday SpoilerThursday TheatricsSunday SpoilerMotley MondaySunday SpoilerThursday TheatricsSunday SpoilerThursday Theatrics

Blockade affecting assembly poll process in stateNEWMAI NEWS NETWORK

IMPHAL: Election campaigning in Manipur have been severely af-fected by the United Naga Coun-cil (UNC)’s indefinite economic blockade imposed since November 1, 2016. Scarcity of fuel is really hitting hard on poll campaigns. Though polls are barely a month away, the economic blockade has come to dominate the household talk these days and not the assem-bly election.

Usually during election rallies and meetings in Manipur, it is the political parties and the candi-dates that provide transport to the public. Especially in the hills, the more the number of vehicles the larger is the size of gathering. Organising community feasts are synonymous with political meeting or campaign in the hill districts.

With the sky rocketing prices of commodities and the depletion of stock due to the economic block-ade, election meetings have been tremendously affected. This sce-nario has also contributed to the slow pace of electioneering in the state this time.

In the valley, tension still sim-mers due to the district creation issue. Civil society organisations and public leaders are engaging more in dealing with the prevailing situation than on the assembly election. The February 7 decision of the ‘Presidential Council meet-

ing’ of the UNC to continue the agitation has changed the whole mood in the valley.

After the February 3 ‘tripartite talk’ in New Delhi involving the Government of India, Manipur and the UNC, there were speculations in the media that the UNC would lift the economic blockade after its February 7 meeting.

As the UNC is determined not to succumb to any pressure or al-lurement policy of the government but “to continue to fight against the insidious design of grabbing our land on the pretext of admin-istrative convenience till the same is withdrawn,” the situation is not going to get any better soon.

On February 7, UNC had resolved that “the Nagas would also reject and fight against any other moves that would affect our land and identity".

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STAFF REPORTER

IMPHAL: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Wednesday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give his word over the Naga Frame-work Agreement that there is no content in the pact detrimental to territorial integrity of Manipur during the latter’s proposed visit to the state.

He was speaking as chief guest at the flag hoisting ceremony of MLA K Sarat, who would be con-testing the assembly election as INC candidate from Konthoujam assembly constituency.

Ibobi denounced BJP as a double standard party, which makes several assurances and do nothing to translate them into action and said that the party made its presence in the state with the assurance of National Sports University but failed to set up the university till date.

Despite the state government providing the required land, the BJP government at the Centre is delaying the matter citing vari-ous unrealistic reasons, he said, adding that it is unfortunate for the BJP to play politics in culture

and sports. Ibobi also asked the central

government to introduce the bill for National Sports University in the ongoing parliament session and pass it.

While welcoming the proposed visit of PM Modi to the state for election campaign of BJP, the chief minister urged the PM to bring along the Act for setting up National Sports University.

People of the state are also anx-iously waiting for the content of the Indo-NSCN (IM) Framework Agreement to be made public, the chief minister further said, while daring the Prime Minister to give his assurance that there is nothing in the agreement which could affect the territorial integ-rity of Manipur even if the BJP

government does not want to disclose its contents.

Asserting that NSCN-IM is behind the indefinite econom-ic blockade of UNC and it has become an open secret, the CM also demanded the Prime Min-ister to clarify his stand over the assumption of BJP having nex-us with NSCN-IM by declaring non-alliance with NPF.

Regarding the ongoing eco-nomic blockade of UNC and state government’s reluctance in opening NH 2 by force, Ibobi categorically that the state gov-ernment has its power in opening NH 37 since areas along the high-way controlled by UNC are not large. However, almost the entire stretch of NH 2 is stronghold of UNC, where the Naga body often

convenes its key meetings. As such, using force to open the highway may result in violent altercation, which may even lead to human casualties.

Despite such possible situa-tion, Centre is pressing the state government to open the high-way anyhow so that it could take advantage of the deteriorating law and order situation and do whatever it likes by imposing President’s Rule.

Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, commerce and industries minister Govindas Konthoujam, MLA N Loken and MLA Y Surchandra attended the function as presidium members. Supporters of MLA K Sarat also participated in the flag hoisting ceremony.

Ibobi dares Modi to pledge Manipur’s integrity‘Fruitful talks with

UNC unlikely, Centre should ask NSCN-IM’

IMPHAL: “In the light of the recent events, it is highly unlikely to arrive at an understanding with UNC despite several rounds of talks. Instead, Cen-tre asking NSCN-IM to withdraw the indefinite economic blockade would be the most effective strategy now,” said Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhan-gam Wednesday.

Speaking at the flag hoisting cer-emony of MLA K Sarat, INC candidate of Konthoujam A/C for the ensuing state assembly election, Gaikhangam observed that the indefinite economic blockade of UNC has indirect link with BJP. Only if the Centre is committed enough to make NSCN-IM understand that economic blockade which is be-ing endorsed by it violates the ground rule of the peace talk, then UNC would automatically withdraw its agitation. Since UNC is not the one that holds the real power to make decision, it would not be fruitful to talk with UNC, Gaikhangam, who is also in charge of home department, added.

He went on to say that denial of the BJP of having any alliance with NPF is just to fool the people of the state. Everybody knows that NPF and NSCN-IM are two faces of same coin, Gaikhangam said.

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LJP, NEIDP finalise first list of candidatesSTAFF REPORTER

IMPHAL: Sitting MLA of Langthabal assembly constit-uency Karam Shyam is among 11 party candidates, who have been approved by Lok Jan-shakti Party (LJP) national president Ram Vilas Paswan, to contest the upcoming 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

While seven of the candi-dates would vie for the same number of seats in the valley districts, the remaining four will fight the polls in assembly constituencies of Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts.

Announcing the official list of nominees at its Babupara office on Wednesday, Karam Shyam, who is LJP national

general secretary and par-ty’s north-east in-charge, in-formed that the second list of candidates would be finalised and announced in a day or two.

The first list of nominees also included Wungshim Angkhang (Phungyar assembly constitu-ency), Worthington (Ukhrul), Thang Khan Gin (Thanlon), Holkholun (Saikot), Takhel-lambam Samananda Singh (Keirao), Athokpam Kishor Singh (Yaiskul), Konthoujam

Manoranjan (Naoriya Pa-khanglakpa), Moirangmayum Thoiba (Wangoi), Ningom-bam Ibohal Meetei (Kumbi) and Kangabam Jadumani (Wangkhem).

Informing that the second list will be mostly candidates for ACs spread across the hill districts, he highlighted that LJP’s has unflinching com-mitment towards uplifting socio-political and economic conditions of dalits, scheduled tribes and scheduled castes.

Shyam said LJP has been gaining popularity among the hill people on account of the party’s emphasis on improving condition of the economically underprivileged section of the society.

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UNLF greets people on MPA anniv CHRONICE BUREAU

IMPHAL: On the eve of 30th anniversary of its armed wing Manipur People’s Army (MPA), the proscribed Unit-ed National Liberation Front (UNLF) has greeted the people of Manipur and leaders and cadres of all other fraternal revolutionary groups.

Military Affairs Commit-tee (MAF) of the outfit also extended revolutionary sa-lute to all those who were martyred and injured at the hands of Indian forces during the course of revolutionary movement.

In a message, MAF chair-man Kh Pambei said the ongoing economic blockade which is having severe impact

to entire sections of people in Manipur is a result of India’s prolonged administrative dominance in Manipur.

While terming the ongo-ing blockade as a conspiracy hatched by India and its ally to achieve their hidden agen-da, Pambei said the extreme form of protest is not only a heinous crime against hu-manity but also communal, anti-people and genocide in nature.

Despite rendering immense hardship to entire sections of people in Manipur, the ongoing protest by certain sections of people to achieve their selfish gains, however, gives positive impact to lib-eration struggle.

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Cash withdrawal limit to be `50,000 from Feb 20

AGENCIES

MUMBAI: The limits on savings bank cash with-drawals post-demonetisation are to be with-drawn in two stages, the Reserve Bank of India announced on Wednesday, with the limit slated to go up to Rs 50,000 per account from February 20 and to cease from March 13.

The announcement was made by RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi following the fiscal's last monetary policy review announcement by the central bank at which it kept its key interest rate unchanged at 6.25 per cent, saying it awaited data on the full impact of the government's demonetisation drive three months ago.

On January 30, the RBI had ended all curbs on withdrawals from Current Accounts, Cash Credit Accounts and Overdraft Accounts.

The limits were placed following the No-vember 8 demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes. The upper limit at ATMs was just Rs 2500 initially and was later raised to Rs 4500. In January, the RBI had hiked the daily ATM withdrawal limit to Rs 10,000.

While lifting of ATM withdrawal limits from March 13 will represent coming full circle for these machines in respect of demonetisation, it is to be seen whether the amount of cash supplied by RBI will be able to satisfy the demand of citizens in future.

ICHAM urges govt to rehabilitate displaced Chadong villagers soon STAFF REPORTER

IMPHAL: Pointing out that the state government is yet to rehabilitate the displaced villagers of Chadong even after four years since flow of the river was blocked by Thoubal Mapithel Dam located at the conjoining areas of Ukhrul, Senapati and Imphal East districts inundated the village, Infor-mation Centre for Hill Areas, Mani-pur(ICHAM) president Nongthombam Rajendro has cautioned the govern-ment that it would not remain a si-lent bystander if the villagers are not rehabilitated at the earliest.

Speaking on the sidelines of an inspection tour of the areas that the government has set aside for reset-tling the displaced villagers, Rajendro lamented that the resettlement area, is not fit for human settlement.

The inspection tour was organised by Joint Action Committee Rehabili-tation and Resettlement of Chadong village.

Chadong has remained under water due to construction of the Mapithel Dam some four years back, he said, questioning what kind of politics the government is indulging in by forcing the displaced villagers to exist by moving from one place to another.

Reiterating that the resettlement area set aside by the government is not in a condition fit for human settlement, he pointed out no clean drinking water, electricity or proper road are available in the area.

The policy of the government to complete the construction of the dam before providing a proper place of accommodation to the displaced vil-lagers is erroneous, he added.

Court decrees for ensuring four-convoy a week

STAFF REPORTER

IMPHAL: A full bench of High Court of Manipur comprising Chief Justice RR Prasad, Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Kh Nobin Singh on Wednesday asked the state government and Indian Oil Corporation to bring in petroleum products not less than four times a week.

Hearing a petition filed by members of Bar associations on Wednesday, the full bench also instructed Advocate General of the High Court to issue notice, through the print and electronic media of Manipur, for summoning functionaries/representatives of the agitating United Naga Council (UNC) to justify impo-sition of the economic blockade for such a long time.

Complying with the Court's directive, Di-rector General of Police LM Khaute, IGP Law & Order-II L Kailun and IOC’s divisional manager (sales & retail) SI Singh appeared before the full bench, during which the trio were unanimous in stating that poor con-dition of the road in Imphal-Jiribam sector of National Highway-37 has been hindering movement of loaded commercial vehicles.

They deposed before the court subsequent to a directive for explaining reason on the failure to bring in 400 oil tankers every week.

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KIKD endorses boycott of NPF in Kangpokpi district

CORRESPONDENT

KANGPOKPI: Reaffirming its endorsement and support to JAC Sadar Hills over the boy-cott of Naga People’s Front (NPF) in Kangpokpi district, Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi District (KIKD) has appealed to the people of the district to dis-sociate themselves from the boycotted party.

Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi Dis-trict also asked all NPF can-didates belonging to Kuki community for the 11th Ma-nipur Legislative Assembly election to honour the Inpi decision.

It also cautioned that any candidate from Kuki com-

munity who defies the Inpi decision will be considered as anti-Sadar Hills (Kang-pokpi district) and they will be held solely responsible for any eventuality in this regard.

Earlier, the JAC Sadar Hills had on November 30 last declared boycott of NPF, allegedly sponsored by Unit-ed Naga Council (UNC) in Sadar Hills now Kangpok-pi district. The decision to boycott NPF was taken after declaring UNC as anti-Sadar Hills (Kangpokpi district) as the JAC considered NPF as the sponsored political party of UNC.

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Forward Block releases election manifesto

STAFF REPORTER

IMPHAL: In connection with the upcoming 11th Manipur State Assembly election, All India Forward Block (AIFB) officially released its election manifesto at Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday.

The party’s election man-ifesto which highlights 20-point programmes was released jointly by state chairman Khwairakpam Ap-anthou, state secretary Kh Gyaneshwar and Janata Dal (S) Manipur Unit secretary K Loken.

Among the programmes which the party promises to take up and fulfil if it comes to power in the state included –

enactment of a legislation to protect and preserve the ter-ritorial integrity of Manipur, indigenous people along with their culture and traditions; abolition of corruption; re-moval of AFSPA; establish-ment of government run old aged homes; special benefits for sportspersons and artistes to promote them; timely in-tervention in all social issues; provide potable water to ev-ery household; initiation of different entrepreneurship programmes for the educat-ed unemployed youths; free health care facilities and free medicines; proper education system for the upcoming youths.

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‘Forcibly Opening NH-2 Will Lead To

Human Casualties’

SITTING MLA REVEALED THAT EVEN THOUGH LJP IS AN ALLY OF THE NDA GOVT AT THE CENTRE, THE NATIONAL PARTY WILL EXPLORE ALL MEANS TO PLAY A DECISIVE ROLE IN FORMING THE NEXT GOVT IN MANIPUR

State polls a battle for preserving integrity: BirenSTAFF REPORTER

IMPHAL: The 11th Manipur Assembly Legislative elections will be a battle for either to preserve the state's territo-rial integrity or tear it apart, stated BJP

Manipur Pradesh Election Manage-ment Committee co- convener and former Heingang MLA Nongthom-bam Biren.

He was addressing a congregation during the flag hoisting ceremony of BJP candidate in Khurai con-stituency assembly Leishangthem Susindro (Yaima) at the latter's Khurai Sajor Leikai residence on Wednesday.

The upcoming polls is a battle between those trying to protect Manipur and those hell bent on dismembering it, he stressed.

Alleging that the Congress pre-tends of loving the state by promis-ing something and doing something else, Biren said Congress insists verbally that Manipur's territorial integrity cannot be compromised but secretly signs many agreements

conceding to the demands which affect state's integrity.

The former Congress legislator contended that people are now fed up of the lies of the Congress party and government.

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Cong govt is for wealthy people: BhabanandaIMPHAL: BJP Manipur Pradesh president Kshetrimayum Bhabananda Wednesday claimed that the Congress govern-ment in the state is only for wealthy people while completely ignoring the poor.

He was speaking as chief guest at the flag hoisting ceremony of BJP candidate of Mayang Imphal assem-bly constituency K Robindro at Mayang Imphal Thana Awang Leikai.

Speaking on the occasion, Bha-

bananda charged the Congress gov-ernment of completely ignoring the poor people and interior pockets of the state

with the whole resources utilised in construction of some buildings in Imphal. Under the Congress rule, liv-ing condition of poor people deteriorated every day while wealthy people enjoy all the benefits. Under the Congress

rule, the number of poor families has increased significantly, he said.

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MU VC Dr AP Pandey speaks during concluding session of two-day seminar on emerging crops of NE India at CAU, Imphal, Wednesday

Ksh Johny being honoured best staff of the year 2016 award by MS of Jivan hospital Dr Jivanlata during 6th Foundation Day at Kakching on Wednesday