NSCN NNPG collaboration

 

Support to NSCN (I-M) & WC/NNPGs commitment for collaboration

The Dawn Tantak

DIMAPUR,Jan' 24, 23: APEX  bodies representing various Naga tribes, cultural groups and churches have congratulated Working Committee of the NNPGs and NSCN (I-M) for their historic commitment for forming ‘Council of Naga Relationships’ and Cooperation led by Convenor NNPGs and NSCN (I-M) chairman, for declaring their “unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreement with immediate effect for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the Government of India.”

The support to the joint commitment was declared at a meeting Monday under the aegis of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) besides full support to NNPGs and NSCN (I-M)’s determination.

The meeting also empowered the NPGs for finding realistic ways to move forward in an honourable manner without any interference from internal and external forces.
The meeting also resolved to call upon Naga people to find deep connection with one another and form a collective speech and function as a whole in strengthening the commitment “to explore, at the earliest, realistic ways to move forward on the basis of Naga historical and political right,” as reflected in “Nagas are Moving Ahead” on January 14, 2023.

On this note, the organisations assured to work with immediate effect and urge all individuals and organisations to avoid making statements that created further confusion and division. They also called upon all believers in Christ to support prayer programmes organised by churches and prayer centres for peace and harmony and triumph over the evils of hate, violence and malicious agenda. They also urged upon all followers of Christ to wage the test of antagonism and intercede to God for truth and righteousness to prevail.

The organisations also noted that, lessons from the immediate Naga context of being “managed” by hands from within and without, had taught each other and discovered ways to correct superfluity.

They said the moral centre of Naga people and fellow humanity were being discovered and the people were finding a communal and spiritual ecology to remake their world to generate change.
The organisations also stressed that in present global politics, all stakeholders must avoid unsolved conflict, noting that all powers were tested and their legitimacy and power were in question.
The meeting noted that the history of Naga political movement demonstrated that all lives converged. “Today our past is offering us the gift to change. To this, we have resolved to work with immediate effect,” it concluded.

The meeting was attended by Vezalhu from Naga Sisha Hoho, Timikha Koza from Tenyimi People’s Organisation, Rev Tusaya Kath from Assembly of God, T. Lanu Imchen from Central Nagaland Tribes Council, Rev Visor H Zeliang from Fellowship of Naga Baptist Association, Shikuto Zalipu from Nagaland GB Federation, Toniho Yeptho from Nagaland Tribes Council, K Elu Ndang from Naga Hoho, Prof Rosemary Dzuvichu from Global Naga Forum and Sarah Nuh from Naga Mothers’ Association, all of whom attested their signatures on the resolution.

CM N Biren Visited Jessami

 

Manipur CM announces to construct super specialty health care infrastructure in 4 hill districts

The Dawn Tantak

UKHRUL,19 Jan'23: CHIEF Minister N Biren Singh announced to the construction of super speciality healthcare facilities in the four hill districts namely Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel at the earliest. The initiative was taken up to address the grievances of travelling patients from far-flung villages to Imphal or other cities for treatment.

N Biren Singh declared this during the inaugural function of the Tekru-Nge Celebration at Jessami Village, Ukhrul district on January 19. The festival was celebrated under the theme “Walking through the diversity and richness of Jessami” and will continue till January 21.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, Biren said that despite the lack of specialist doctors in the hill districts, treatments for diseases requiring specialist doctors are conducted through Tele-ICU in the hill district hospitals.

The state government is also planning to increase the number of super specialist doctors, he added.

Highlighting the significance of setting up the Heritage Park at Makhel, Biren stressed strengthening brotherly relations between the communities to keep unity and integrity remain intact.

Biren said that launching of “Go to Village” and “Go to Hill” missions in the previous term helps to identify the lack of infrastructure including roads, schools, offices, and health facilities in the interior parts.

Biren also said that unfortunately in the last term, the government didn't get much time to work for the people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But even during that short period in the last term, various developmental projects were taken up.

Under Prime Minister’s guidance, who assured budgetary support to the Minority and Other Backward Classes Department, around Rs. 1200 crore was invested in projects in the hill districts. Some projects taken up are Model Residential School, LM Block, Ukhrul District and Women’s Market in the hill districts. Similar Model Residential Schools are being constructed at seven places, Sadbhavna Mandaps, Women's Markets, Oxygen Plants, transit accommodations, etc are constructed in the hill districts, he said.

He assured office buildings of Additional SP, ADC at the earliest and to further look into the memorandum submitted by the people including making of SBI branch operational to ease monetary transactions.

He urged the villagers to submit a report with proper geo-tagging and mapping through the DC for the development of a wildlife sanctuary at a nearby forest area which houses different faunas including the Nongyin bird.

The inaugural function was also attended by Minister Qr.Kashim Vashum,  MLAs Dingo and Wangkhei MLA Arun Kumar among others.

As part of the celebration, the Chief Minister also dedicated the Model Residential School, LM Block, Ukhrul and Cave Tourism Project at Khangkhui Cave to the public and inaugurated a display of Cultural and WWII-related items.

CM launch Start up Manipur 2.0

 

.
CM Biren launches Start Up Manipur 2.0

TDT Bureau
IMPHAL, 14 Jan' 2023: MANIPUR Chief Minister N Biren Singh has launched Start-Up Manipur 2.0 with a corpus fund of Rs 100 crore. The Start-Up Manipur 2.0 was launched as a part of the State Level Celebration on Emerging Manipur 2023 at City Convention Centre, Imphal East on Saturday.

The chief minister took to social media and expressed delight in launching the Start-Up Manipur 2.0, saying that the scheme has provided benefits to thousands of entrepreneurs, facilitating growth and development in the state.

"Delighted to launch the Start Up Manipur 2.0 with a corpus fund of Rs 100 Crore. Manipur Start Up Scheme has unlocked the potential of our youths providing benefits to thousands of youths in the state since its launch by GoM under the guidance of Hon'ble PM Shri@narendramodi ji," the chief minister said in a Twitter post.

It was on March 15, 2018 that the Chief Minister first launched “STARTUP Manipur” along with “Lairik Tamhanlasi”. He had then said that “STARTUP Manipur” would enable the youths/unemployed persons in the state to take up new ventures with new and creative ideas.

43 UG surrender to GOM

 

43- UG of 8 different groups surrender along with Arms

The Dawn Tantak

IMPHAL, Dec'7,2023: ALTOGETHER Forty-three (43)  cadres of different UG groups laid down their arms to the CM N Biren Singh during a homecoming ceremony at 1st MR Banquet Hall, Imphal, on Saturday.

The 43 cadres of the different UG groups include 13 KYKL, 5 PLA/RPF, 5 KCP(N), 11 KCP (PWG), 5 UNLF, 1 PREPAK, 2 PREPAK (PRO), 1 NSCN (U).

Nineteen (19) arms including 13 pistols, 17 hand grenades, 5 handheld sets, one Kenwood set, 9 PEK, 5 IED, and 209 number of assorted ammunitions were surrendered.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mnp

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah 
inaugurated the 122 feet tall Marjing Polo Statue and also unveiled the 165 feet tall Tiranga at Azad Hind Fauj HQs in Moirang

Modi Not Only Connected NorthEast but also Connected Hearts: Amit Shah

(PM Modi liberated the state from bandhs, blockades ,curfews and insurgency; ; Congress took ‘Look East Policy’ but Kept on Looking, PM Modi focused on ‘Act East Policy’)

The Dawn Tantak/DIPR
IMPHAL, 6 Dec' 2023:  ADDRESSING  a gathering at Moirang in Manipur today, honorable Union Minister of Home and Cooperation today made a mocking remark at the Congress stating that congress coined the term 'Look East' and hence kept on looking. "But the Modi government has adopted the Act East Policy and we are working day in and out to develop and bring about peace in Northeast India" he said.

The honorable minister today laid the foundation of 9 schemes worth Rs.1060 crores and inaugurated 12 schemes worth Rs.300 crores.
He also said that only in the last year he himself laid the foundation of 29 projects worth Rs.2450 crores.

"This is the difference between the Congress and the BJP. In the last eight years the Modi government has spent Rs.3.45 lakh crores for Northeast India which is equal to what had been spent for the region in the 25 years before it," he added.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself visited the region 51 times."We promised the people of Manipur before the election that if a BJP government is formed we will liberate the state from bandhs, blockades ,curfews and insurgency. Six years have passed by and no such incidents have taken place here," he added.

He further said that Northeast India which was earlier infamous for bandhs, curfews, infiltration, drugs and arms trade, corruption terrorism and identity feuds."But in the eight years of Modi rule these issues have been replaced by amenities of development, connectivity infra, sports, investment in organic agriculture," he continued.

He also evoked the 3000 years old history of Manipur and said that Arjuna of Mahabharata married from Manipur and their son participated in the battle of Kurukshetra. He also commemorated the freedom fighters and great personalities of Manipur and said, "Maharaj Kulachandra fought against the British but when he was jailed in Andaman and Nicobar island the people of Manipur continued the struggle and ensured freedom. It is the BJP that named the place where Maharaj Kulachandra and 22 of his aides were prisoners after Manipur."

The minister in his emotional speech said that it is Moirang in northeast where the Tricolor was unfurled by none other than Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji’s Azad Hind Fauj. Speaking about his move to reveal a 165 feet long Tiranga in the same place today he said, "It was an emotional moment for me today to hoist the tallest Tricolor in the North-east there."

Commemorating Netaji he said that he covered an excruciatingly painful journey of 15,000 kilometers to make India free. From Calcutta to Berlin and then he came to India to make it free from the British. He was successful as he freed Manipur, he said.

He also thanked Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh for preserving the homes that suffered British shelling during the war the way they were when they suffered the damage and for making a memorial of the martyrs of the Indian National Army.

"This memorial apart from inspiring the youth of Manipur to live for the country will make for a great tourist spot, because Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it," he said.

He recollected the days of the BJP's struggle in Manipur and said that BJP used to get only .3% of the total votes polled.

"Journalists used to make fun when we made our attempts to win elections here. But the people of Manipur did the magic of giving the BJP a thumping victory," he said.

He also said that electoral pundits in Delhi called this victory a fluke and could not be repeated, but the people of Manipur proved them wrong again by seating a BJP government again in power.

"In the next elections our votes and seats increased and we formed a government with a full majority," he said adding that people voted in favor of peace and stability ushered in by the BJP instead of violence during the Congress regime when people had to buy a gas cylinder at an exorbitant price of Rs.3,000.

He also said that the Churachandpur Medical College built at a cost of Rs.46 crores, which he inaugurated today hosts 100 medical students of whom 22 are from other states.

"There was a time when students of Manipur used to leave the state to avail of education. But now it is just the opposite when students from other states have come here for their studies. This is a moment of pride for Manipur," he said.

He also appealed to Manipur University and Manipur Central University to research and prove that the modern sport of Polo originated in Manipur. The Minister also inaugurated a 122 feet tall statue of Polo in the Marjin Statue Complex.

He said that journalists often say that Modiji connected the northeast with road, rail and air but he said that it is a small achievement compared to what Modiji achieved in connecting hearts.

"Modiji with his sensitivity and hard work made the people of northeast feel that they are an integral part of this great nation and India is proud of it," he said.

He also said that the Modi government signed peace accords with the NLFT in Tripura, Bodo and Karbi Peace Accords in Assam, and Bru settlement accord in Tripura to ensure peace in the region.

"I remember that the women in Manipur agitated to remove AFSPA from India. But the BJP government ended the insurgency in Manipur which led to the removal of AFSPA from six districts in the state," he said.

He said that the journey of blockade-dependent Manipur to self-dependent Manipur that the state has embarked on would lead to the path of development.

"Manipur also got an inner line permit during the Modi regime to secure its unique civilization. To make Manipur a sports hub India's first sports university was opened in Manipur with an expenditure of Rs.816 crores and spread across 325 acres of land.This is the reason why sportspersons like Mary Kom and Meerabai Chanu are bringing laurels to the country. In the hill districts tribal museums are being constructed, under Ayushman Bharat Yojana 3.65 lakh people are availing of health insurance up to Rs.5 lakhs,Rs.6,000 per year is sent to 6 lakh farmers in Manipur by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,1.55 lakh free gas cylinders are distributed in the state,17 ima markets have been built with Rs.130 crores to empower female traders, 68,000 homes have been built for the poor,5,790 start-ups being provided funds of Rs.110 crores and diagnosis of 13 deathly diseases are done free of cost in homes and to make Manipur drug free 1780 acres of opium cultivation have been identified by drones and destroyed," he said.He also added that the Modi government has pledged to make India drug-free before India celebrates 100 years of independence.
"But in Manipur we will make the state drug-free before the next election itself," he said.

Mnp Final Elec rolls 2023

 

Manipur Final Electoral Rolls 2023: Female Electorates Exceed Male Electorates by 67,218 Electorates

The Dawn Tantak Bureau
UKHRUL, 5Jan' 2923: FEMALE electorates register 1,062,426 against 995208 male electorates and exceed male electorates by 67,218 electorates as the Chief Electoral Office, Manipur, published the Final Photo Electoral Rolls of all 60 (sixty) Assembly Constituencies on Thursday, the 5th of January 2023.

And a total of 220 third-gender electorates are also seen registered in the Final Electoral Rolls, 2023.

The press release from the CEO, Manipur, has also notified the general public/electors and representatives of political parties to verify the Final Photo Electoral Rolls at the offices of the EROs/AEROs and with all the Booth Level Officers (BLOs). They may also visit Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur’s website https://ceomanipur.nic.in to inspect the Final Electoral Rolls-2023.

The concerned Electoral Registration Officers furthered that one printed copy of the Final Electoral Rolls of each Assembly Constituency and another copy in Pendrive will be provided free of cost to the recognized National and state political parties. The recognized state/national parties may send one representative of their party, duly authorized (in writing), to the CEO’s Office for the purpose, added the concerned officers.

Any additional copy can be purchased @ Rs. 2/- per page and @ Rs. 1/- per half page or part thereof. Interested parties may also purchase DVD-ROMs from CEO’s Office, Lamphelpat@ Rs. 100/- per DVD-ROM per Assembly Constituency as per the press release from the CEO, Manipur.

The total number of electors as on the date of final publication is as follows

District’s Name

Electors as per Final Roll with respect to 01/01/2023 as the qualifying date

UKHRUL
Male 63584
Female 67516
Third Gender 0
Total 131100

Imphal East
Male 15399
Female 169470
Third Gender 72
Total 323541

Imphal West
Male 180605
Female 199055
Third Gender 74
Total 379734

BISHNUPUR
Male 88507
Female 93530
Third Gender 32
Total 182069

THOUBAL
Male 155270
Female 164591
Third Gender 32
Total 319893

JIRIBAM
Mala 15353
Female 14762
Third Gender 1
Total 30116

CHANDEL
Male 45611
Female 48898
Third Gender 0
Total 94509

KANGPOKPI
Male 51263
Female 52550
Third Gender 2
Total 103815

SENAPATI
Male 80893
Female 80517
Third Gender 1
Total 161411

TAMENGLONG
Male 52771
Female 56156
Third Gender 1
Total 108928

CHURACHANDPUR
Male 107352
Female 115381
Third Gender 5
Total 222738

STATE TOTAL:: 9952081062426220

TOTAL: :  2057854

Free ration to the poor under NFSA

 

Govt to provide free ration to poor people for one year under food law 

NEW DELHI, Dec23, 2022:  IN a major decision, the government on Friday decided to provide free ration to 81.35 crore poor people under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for one year. Under NFSA, also called the food law, the government currently provides 5 kilogram of food grains per person per month at Rs 2-3 per kg.

The families covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) get 35 kg of food grains per month. Rice is given to poor persons under NFSA at Rs 3 per kg and wheat at Rs 2 per kg.

Briefing reporters about the decision taken by the Union Cabinet, Food Minister Piyush Goyal said the Centre will bear the entire burden of providing free food grains under NFSA.

The annual cost to the exchequer is estimated at Rs 2 lakh crore.
Meanwhile, the government decided not to extend the free ration scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which ends on December 31.

Under PMGKAY, five kilogram of food grains per person per month is provided free to 81.35 crore beneficiaries covered under NFSA.
This is over and above the monthly distribution of highly subsidised food grains under NFSA.

Government officials described the latest Cabinet decision as a "new year gift for the country's poor", saying that over 80 crore people will now get free food grains under NFSA.

The beneficiaries will not have to pay a single rupee to get food grains. The Centre will now spend around Rs 2 lakh crore per year on this scheme, they added.
(Source: PTI/ Times of India)

ANSAM steadfast stands against ST's demand

 

ANSAM steadfastly stands against ST’s demand, submitted justifying grounds to HAC

TDT December 2,2022

THE  all Naga Students’ Association Manipur, an umbrella association of the Nagas considered the demand of the dominant community to enlist the Meeteis/Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list of India imperil the aim of the Constitution as it conveyed its steadfast stand against the STDCM demand.

The ANSAM had articulated the myriad of reasons and grounds of justification for standing against the STDCM demand for the inclusion of the Meeteis/Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list of India in its representation submitted to the Hill Areas Committee, Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

It stated that in the backdrop of the STDCM gaining momentum in the valley for enlisting the Meeteis/Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list of India, we felt pertinent to articulate in good faith our stand that the demand of the dominant community presently imperils the aims of the Constitution to protect, promote, and special care fo a weaker section and thus steadfastly stand our ground against enlisting the Meeteis/Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list of India.

Highlighting that the reversal of social strata is a backward process, it stated that ANSAM does not refute the tribal roots of any community whether big or small due to the fact that even the most civilized community and races of the world today such as Greeks, Romans, Aryans, etc. had tribal roots and in the case of the Meeteis/Meiteis, they must have all the characteristics of a tribal trait in the process of evolution but having undergone several phases of civilization for over a period of 2000 years dating back from 33 AD, they have superseded all tribal traits to be categorized in the list of the Scheduled Tribe.

Claiming tribal roots in the twenty-first century is an “ill-conceived” and “ill-timed” demand because it is a moment of the reversal of social strata, descending from civilized to uncivilized, urban to rural, literate to illiterate, light to darkness, forward to backward with an ulterior motive to further suppress and exploit the regressed tribal society, it stated.

It also stated that in the case of the Meetei/Meitei community for inclusion in the ST list, it is crystal clear that the criteria presently laid down for the specification of a community as scheduled tribes do not match in any manner since they have superseded all the characteristics of a tribe despite the valley brethren articulating that any community has the right to demand for inclusion in the ST list as per the provision enshrined in Article 342(1) and 342(2) of the Indian constitution and no organization has the locus standi to decide one’s status provided the criteria laid down for determining ST status is fulfilled.

Schedule tribes are spread across the country mainly in the forest and hilly regions who are segregated from the rest of the world socially and economically. Thus, in the context of India, scheduled tribe means the selected tribes for protective discrimination validated for 10 years only after the promulgation of the constitution of India but since the scheduled groups could not come up at par with the rest of the advanced society/community in every sphere of lives, protective discrimination continues even after a lapse of seventy-five years of Independence, it stated.

A case study with special reference to the Meetei/Meitei community of Manipur for inclusion in the ST list is quite debatable on the question of homogeneity of such ethnic group after centuries of ethnic mixing in the course of Civilisation with various ethnic groups at different points of time, specially with Burmese and their ethnicities who came in the course of several wars and demographic movement down the line and with a sizeable proportion of people from Bengal, Assam and Bihar who were merged into the mainstream ethnic fabric of Imphal valley by ties of inter marriage and cultural assimilation after the emergence of Shanti Das Gosai, a Hindu preacher from Sylhet during the reign of Garib Niwas in1728 AD. Thus, given to understand the above background, it is quite empirical to wonder or question as to whether the most advanced Meetei/Meitei group as a whole would even qualify to be a homogenous society leaving aside qualifying the definition of a tribe, it further added.

It also stated that the classification of social strata in the Meetei/Meitei community viz, General, Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Caste (SC), and the social fabric woven underneath its strata will be impossible to dissect or segregate.

It also indicated that as per the NER District Development Infrastructure index 2009, Imphal West ranked number 1 in the NE states, Imphal East ranked no. 6, Thoubal – 11, Ukhrul – 68, Tamenglong -75, Churachandpur – 76 and Chandel – 78 respectively.

As against the characteristics of a tribe/tribal, the Meeteis/Meiteis have the following indication of advancement.

Unlike the hill areas of Manipur, the habitation of the valley is well connected by 3 National highways, one (1) Asian highway, one (1) international airport(Tulihal), and railway line. The Meeteis/Meiteis have a rich cultural heritage and a well-developed sense of hygiene. They have a well-developed script/Meitei mayek and are in the 8th Scheduled of the Indian Constitution. The Meitei classical dances and music are of unparalleled finesse in the classical world. The Manipuri dance, referred to as the Manipuri Raas Leela is one of the eight major Indian classical dance forms originated and performed only by the Meiteis surpassing many well-placed Indian states. In terms of shyness of contact with community at large, it is just the reverse with a significant Diaspora within and outside the country. Unlike the tribal whose occupations are mostly hunting animals, trapping birds and stone carving, the Meeteis/Meiteis are well represented in service sector viz UPSC, MPSC, RBI, SBI, academician, and professional sectors like Medical, Engineering, sports, etc.

In the Legislative Assembly that has 60 seats, they are represented by 40 seats in an area just 10% out of the geographical expanse of 22,327 sq km having 90% of the hill areas with 19 +1 representation.

The Meiteis have all the amenities of a civilized world with all the mega projects concentrated in the valley. To cite a few, Manipur University, DM University, National Sports University, Manipur University of culture, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences(RIMS), JNIMS, NIT, CAU, NIELIT, Manipur Technical University, JN Manipur Dance Academy, CIPET, ICAR, SAI, ITP, and B.Ed Centres, etc are all in the valley.

The literacy rate being as high as 76-87 %, they are well represented in govt/public and private sector, political Institutions from local bodies to parliament.
Revered as the powerhouse of sports in India, Manipur is studded with Olympians and star sportspersons shining bright on India’s Map for being at the forefront of producing world class champions in Boxing, Weightlifting, Judo, Archery, Hockey, etc all belonging to the Meitei community except for MC Mary Kom.

Interestingly, Manipur is the birthplace of Polo known to Meiteis as Sagol Kangjei, an egalitarian game of the Meitei family owning a pony – a position even well-developed nations find it hard to achieve.
Similar to the Georgian Calendar, the Meiteis had not only invented the lunar calendar but also claimed that the concept of Era had been claimed to be well developed in the Kingdom of Kangleipak, the erstwhile name of Meitei kingdom, during the reign of Maliyapham Palcha in 1397 BC.

Unlike other Indian states, the tribals of Manipur are neither safeguarded by the sixth scheduled nor is administered within what the constitution calls “Tribal Areas” of the Fifth Scheduled. We are merely governed under Article 371(C) which has become redundant due to the non-implementation of the “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business”.

While placing its unequivocal and shared opinion before the HAC Chairman justifying its grounds of opposition against the campaign of the STDCM for inclusion of the advanced community in the ST list of India, ANSAM stated that intimidation in social media will exacerbate the fluid situation beyond repairs and to this end, it is beseeched to initiate prompt action to ensure that “fair play” is executed for the well being of all ethnic communities.

CSC studying GOI - Naga talks

 

CSC on Naga talks studying demand for separate flag & constitution

1st December 2022
THERE is some ray of hope in the Naga peace process as the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Naga peace talks is reportedly studying pros and cons of a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas.

The Union Government and the key player in the current peace process, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), are tight-lipped on the status of the ongoing talks in New Delhi, but according a source, the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Naga peace talks is currently studying the pros and cons of NSCN demand for a separate flag and constitution. The committee includes, among others, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

NSCN team, led by general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, is in the national capital having closed-door parleys with the Centre’s team headed by interlocutor AK Mishra.

After the matter was elevated to the Cabinet Sub-Committee, the Naga team was also having a regular meeting among themselves.

The Central Government was in hurry to ink the agreement with the NSCN before the general election in Nagaland but due to NSCN’s rigid stand on flag and constitution, deadlock remains.

All outstanding issues have been reportedly resolved except flag and constitution, according to the Government of India and NSCN.

But emerging issues like the demand for Frontier Nagaland State could delay the agreement. Reports are doing the round that the Centre and NSCN have agreed for territorial autonomous council for Nagas of outside Nagaland.

Maj Gen Gagan is new ADG NCC NE

 

Maj Gen Gagan Deep takes over as  ADG, NCC North East

(Maj Gen Gagan Deep)

The Dawn Tantak Bureau

Dec'2,2022:   Maj Gen Gagan Deep has taken over as the new Additional Director General (ADG) of NCC, NE region. An alumnus of Sainik School, Kunjpura and the prestigious National Defence Academy, Pune, the General Officer was commissioned into the JAT Regiment/Infantry in Jun 1991.

    The General Officer is rich in experience and wisdom, having tenanted various challenging command, instructional and staff appointments. He has commanded an Infantry Battalion, in Counter Insurgency Operations (CI Ops) and High Altitude Areas, a Mountain Brigade in CI Ops and held  staff and instructional appointments which includes, General Staff Officer of an Infantry Brigade, Infantry Division, Brigadier General Staff (BGS) of a Corps, in addition to holding important staff appointments in the Army HQ including that of Military Advisor to the Vice Chief of Army Staff and Director of Foreign Division.

Gen Gagan has served extensively in the Northern and Eastern theatres and his impressive career record include excellence in courses, including the prestigious courses in Defence Services Staff College  and National Defence College. 

    The General Officer is an avid reader, keen sportsman and carries a reputation of being extremely dedicated, industrious and professional. He has an excellent awareness of the topography and culture in the region and also has sound ground connect and can sense and appreciate the pulse of the region well .His assuming the appointment of ADG NCC is sure to ensure a fresh impetus and positive thrust to youth engagement activities in the States of North East Region.

Naga country ISO 3166-Country Code

 

A NAGA COUNTRY: THE IMPENDING NEED FOR A SEPARATE ISO 3166- COUNTRY CODE.

(Representational Pic)

A compact and contiguous territorial homeland of the Nagas measuring approximately 1,20,000 km2 that lies between India, Myanmar, and China is the much historical claim of the undivided country of all the Nagas. This God-given, natural and ancestral land of the Nagas with beautiful hills & valleys, mountains, flora and fauna, and incredible natural resources are still inhabited by the Nagas themselves along with their other kindred tribes. It was the British colonial authority and its illegal successors who had arbitrarily divided the Nagas and their country into different administrative setups under alien rule. Recognition of the Naga country as a single political entity by the international community especially India & Myanmar has been the essence of the popular Naga aspiration, powerful political locomotion of the Naga national struggle. The dark conspiracy and repressive policies against such collective aspiration of the Nagas have time and again re-consolidated the national struggle and the spirit of oneness in Christ among the Nagas. Who can undo the will of God in re-peopling the Nagas as a new nation? Who can force us to do what is against the will of God?  Who really can stop the working of the Holy Spirit of God for bringing a just and lasting peace in this part of the Naga world? India, the largest democratic nation in the world whom Nagas as of late has put their credence will help in bringing genuine peace and comprehensive progress in consonance with the genius of the Naga people.

               It is high time for the Nagas to critically understand about a country that they have been fighting for with more than 2.5 lakhs of precious lives of the Nagas being sacrificed. The modern concept of a country began in the 17th century. The Peace Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 was considered a turning point in international relations between different territorial entities. The American Revolution  (1775) and the French revolution (1789) that articulated popular sovereignty further contributed towards the growth of the country-based nationhood. There is no universal definition of the term “country” to date. A country according to Webster's dictionary means land or territory of a nation or state that includes the peoples themselves. Oxford (Lexico) gives the meaning of a country as a nation having its own government occupying a particular territory with separate citizenship rights. The Montevideo Convention (Treaty) of 1933 threw some light for the first time on the creation of statehood with obligatory rights and duties. Article 1 of the treaty says a state is a person of international law which must possess (a) a defined territory (b) permanent population (c) Government and (d) the capacity to enter into relations with other states. Here, ‘state’ is a legal term for a country. Articles 3 further declares that statehood is independent of recognition of other states. A country is meant to still exist even in the absence of recognition by other countries. This legal premise is based upon the principle of the declarative theory of statehood. The constitutive theory of statehood on the other hand defines a state or country as a person of international law if, and only if it is recognized as sovereign by other sovereign states. Recognition by sovereign countries is a prerequisite to becoming a country under this theory. Meaning, in both theories the state/country must be a person of international law having the capacity to enter relations with other countries.
  The formation of the United Nations Organization (UNO) in1945 initially with 51 nation-states and the subsequent emergence of many other sovereign nation-states have brought a new dimension in international law and structure of relations. Self-determination means the legal and political rights of people to decide their own destiny in the international order.  It is the core principle of international law and such national right is protected under the new international order of the UN regime. Various provisions under the UN Charter (1945), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR (1966), Universal Declarations on Human Rights, UDHR,(1948)and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UNDRIP(2007) give cognizance of right to self-determination. In the given perspective, self-determination without its own flag and constitution is no self-determination at all either internally or externally or both. In the new international scheme of countries, there are currently altogether 249 countries having separate ISO – Country Codes- 3166 out of which only 193 are sovereign independent UN member-countries whereas the remaining 56 are Non- UN member but sovereign and independent and semi-independent countries having their own ISO country codes under UN jurisdiction.ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. The changing dynamics of international laws and practices that efficaciously accommodated separate ISO-country codes to many new countries of different political status and varied geopolitical size including many indigenous nations by blending the noted two theories is indeed greatly ushering the building of comprehensive & meaningful world peace.  

Categories of states entitled to get separate ISO- Country Codes are; UN member-countries, UN observer states, sovereign but Non- UN member states, self-governing associate states (unincorporated), and dependent territories(unincorporated) having an international personality. All these categories of states are sovereign & independent and/or semi-independent states with their own flags and constitutions as separate nations or sub-nations having expressive right to hold a future referendum. The point is that in order to get a separate country code, the state in question must be an international person subject to international law either wholly or partly. Meaning, the only technical requirement to become a new country and obtain her separate country name & country code into ISO 3166 -1 under the guidelines of ISO 3166 Maintenance  Agency (UN) is to get registered in one of these two sources i.e. (i) United Nations Terminology Bulletin on country names; or (ii) Country and Region Codes for statistical use of UN Statistics Division. Again to be enlisted in the above noted (i) UN Terminology Bulletin on country names, that applicant-country must be at least;  a member state of the United Nations; or a member of one of the United Nations’ fifteen (15) Specialized Agencies; or party to the statute of the International Court of Justice. The country name will be added to ISO 3166-1 once it appears in either of the said two sources.
  When and how will the Nagas get a separate country code? The present Nagaland which is the 16th state of India governed by the constitution of India is not a country at all. Article 371A neither provides real internal autonomy nor a clause for future referendums as it does not possess even a characteristic of a quasi-country like sub-nation. However, Article 371A provides to the Nagas some constitutional safeguards pertaining to land and natural resources, customary laws, social, and religious matters almost resembling the protective rights given to many Scheduled Tribes and other minorities. Like any other Indian state, Nagaland cannot secede from India and accordingly cannot become a country unless it is critically transformed and restructured along with other outside Naga territories that equally constituted the undivided Naga country. The correct remedial approach will be a logical and honorable conclusion of the ongoing Indo-Naga negotiation which has made India duly recognize the legitimacy of the pending Naga national movement based on Nagas’ unique history and their right to self-determination as a separate entity. The Indo- Naga Framework Agreement (FA) 2015 signed under the most dynamic, visionary, strong, and principled leadership of (L) Isak Chishi Swu, His Excellency, the then Yaruiwo of NSCN/GPRN and Th. Muivah, Hon’ble Ato Kilonser, and present Chief negotiator have made the most pragmatic and middle path win-win agreement to resolve the pending oldest Indo- Naga political conflict. The FA provides some significant attributes:
(1) Recognition of the unique history and position of the Nagas (It means recognition of the historical fact that Nagas have not been a part of India either by consent or by conquest and hence the legitimacy of their national struggle. It further means taking cognizance of the Naga issue as an external matter of India and thereby treating them as a separate entity),
(2) Nagas’ appreciation of the intricacies of the Indian system (It means that as an act of reciprocity to the above recognition, Nagas appreciate the difficult situation of the Indian system of governance that primarily involves their security concerns having direct geopolitical and strategic proximity with the Nagas in the eastern frontier. This further signifies the mutual agreement for a joint ventures on security issues identical to both sides.
(3) Recognition of the universal principle that in a democracy, sovereignty lies with the people (It predominantly means India’s recognition of the system and structure of Naga democracy & governance and recognition of the right to use the universal principle of conducting a referendum to democratically determine any issue relating to the territorial integrity & sovereignty of the Nagas),
(4) Agreement to share sovereign powers between India and the Nagas as defined in the competencies to bring enduring and inclusive new relationship for peaceful co-existence of the two entities (It means a mutual agreement for sharing sovereign powers: defense, external affairs, currency, etc. as two separate entities in terms of extra-territorial relations). No political agreement has ever been made by India with any one of the existing states for sharing sovereign powers except the FA signed with the Nagas on the basis of Nagas’unique history.
(5) Agreed to abjure all forms of violent confrontation once for all(It means the interpretation, as well as the implementation of the detailed workout of the FA, must be carried out lawfully and peacefully without any coercive act to bring permanent solution once for all. Forcibly putting the Naga issue at par with post-independent intra-territorial problems of other ethnic minorities/peoples within India will clearly contradict the already agreed principles.
The interpretation of FA should necessarily be made in tune with the relevant legal principles of interpretation and as well as in corroboration with all the Naga historical facts and circumstantial materials leading to the signing of the Framework Agreement and the objective thereof. Meaning, the legal version of the agreed principles and recognitions made in the Framework Agreement itself embodies a Naga country having her own flag & yezabo (Constitution) outside the Union of India.  

         Naga flag and constitution is an essential prerequisite for the Nagas to obtain a separate ISO 3166-1 country code by becoming a new country ( Associate state/Dependent territory of India or both India & Myanmar) having at least a membership to one of the fifteen (15) Specialized Agencies of UN, such as an International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Health Organization(WHO), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), etc. Secondly, India cannot have a joint defense or foreign affairs with any one of her existing states as the matter falls to the center's prerogative. However, in the case of the Nagas, the much talk about the new Indo- Naga relationship through the shared sovereignty method (joint defense & joint foreign affairs,etc.)will be legitimate and workable only when Nagas are treated as a separate entity as already agreed upon in FA. This is in tune with universal principles and available international models. It may be good if the People's Government of Nagalim, a member country of UNPO initiates minimal international relations, especially in socio-economic and cultural matters. Thirdly, the construct of the system and structure of Naga democratic government (Legislative, Executive, & Judiciary) are to be made up of many Naga native terminology and nomenclatures that appear to have been included in the proposed draft agreement. It will suffer defeat for want of constitutional sanction during a parliamentary passage for endorsement unless it is supported, determined, and be implemented by a Naga yezabo(constitution)of its own. Indian constitution per se cannot sanction separate Naga native nomenclatures & structure of governance. Indian constitution may, however, be partially applied in Naga territory strictly as regards to those shared competencies only. Fourthly, Naga country as a separate entity i.e. Associate state / Dependent territory (both unincorporated state models) will enable the restoration of the Naga territories presently in Myanmar, an equal partner in Naga national struggle who have been suffering the most, in defense of an undivided Naga country. The surging India being the larger entity needs to consider the application of relevant international law and models including international models of unincorporated territories such as; Cook Islands-New Zealand and Puerto Rico-USA(Associated statehood models)and Anguilla, Bermuda, Falkland Island, St. Helena-United Kingdom, UK (Dependent territories) to resolve the long-drawn Indo-Naga conflict in the interest of peace and justice. Lastly, the Parliament of India may cause the necessary amendments of Article 260 and Article 2 of the constitution to enable the signing and the implementation of the proposed Indo- Naga final draft agreement. To collectively materialize this political roadmap of a Naga country, all concerned Naga stakeholders who are engaged in talks with GOI are earnestly appealed to come together in the spirit of oneness and resolve the oldest Indo- Naga political conflict once for all. Give peace chance!
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Naga Indigenous Peoples Alliance, NIPA

2 MNPF cadres arrested

 

2 MNPF cadres arrested in Imphal East

The Dawn Tantak Bureau
IMPHAL 21Nov'2022:  A  COMBINED team of 4 Assam Rifles and special commando unit of Khabeisoi arrested two active cadres of an underground outfit Manipur Naga People Front (MNPF) from the gate of Santhei Natural Park, Andro, Imphal East at around 12.14 pm on Sunday.

The arrested persons have been identified as Abner Jajo, 35, son of Asopeter Jajo of Khuntak village, Khuntak Yairipok, Kamjong district and Mashungkhui Jajo, 26, son of Paothingam Jajo of Sotung (Somthar), Kamjong district.

They were arrested during frisking and checking by the combined team acting on an information received from 4 Assam Rifles regarding the presence of two suspected persons of the outfit in the general area of Andro near Santhei Natural Park’s gate.

The combined team under the command of officer-in-charge, special commando unit, Khabeisoi, subedar L Bebekananda Singh under the supervision of SP/Railway and in-charge of special commando unit, Khabeisoi, Th Krishnatombi during frisking and checking detained the Abner and Mashungkhui for verification.

During verification they disclosed their identities and revealed that they are active cadres of MNPF. On further verification Abner disclosed that he joined the outfit in 2016 through one David of Chadong village, Kamjong district, who is holding the post of surgeon major of the outfit. He said he received basic military training at 252 Battalion Khoiriphaba, Myanmar and presently holds the post of corporal of the outfit. Presently both cadres are working under the command of chairman of the outfit, Francis, he revealed.

Mashungkhui disclosed that he also joined the outfit through David in 2012 and got basic military training at Heikol, Myanmar. Presently he is holding the post of lieutenant of the same outfit. They disclosed that both are working for the same outfit under the command of chairman of MNPF, Francis.

Both Abner and Mashungkhui were arrested on the spot and handed over to Andro police station for further action against them.

ST issue Flashpoint for violent Ethnic conflict

 If Neglected, Contested Issue Over ST Demand for Meitei May Become a Flashpoint For Violent Ethnic Conflict

Imphal Nov'27,2022
WHILE the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) has intensified its agitation by visiting the residennces of the elected leaders and submitting memorandum for their demand to include Meitei in the list of Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution of India, the All Tribal Students’ Union (ATSUM) vehemently opposes and urges the tribal leaders and Union Ministers not to concede the demand of the STDCM.

ATSUM’s oppoistion to the demand of STDCM for inclusion of Meitei in the ST list under the Constitution of India has been brought to the notice of the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Union Law and Justice Minister, and Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe, Government of India; besides the elected tribal leaders of Manipur to State Legislative Assembly and Indian Parliament.

A team of ATSUM on November 19, 2022 met Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda in New Delhi and apprised him of why the Meitei community should not be given ST status.

The ATSUM team, led by its President Paotinthang Lupheng and General Secretary SR Andria, called on the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda at his official quarter at Tughlak Road, New Delhi, and apprised him of the threat and insecurity felt by the tribal people of Manipur due to the alleged illogical and illegitimate demand of the STDCM for inclusion of Meitei community into Scheduled Tribes categories of India.

Moreover, after meeting and submitting a memorandum to the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, the team of ATSUM met Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju on November 20, 2022 in New Delhi on the issue of STDCM demand for inclusion of Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list of India and submitted a similar memorandum pointing out the reasons why the Meitei community should not be given ST status.

The ATSUM said that they were compelled to submit a representation as the demand for inclusion of Meitei community in the ST category has been gaining momentum with most of the legislators from the valley including Manipur’s lone Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba openly declaring his support without taking into account the “irrationality” of the demand and sentiments of the tribal community of the State.

Besides meeting the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and the Union Minister for Law and Justice, the team of ATSUM team reached the office of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe (NCST), Government of India on November 22, 2022 and called on the Chairperson of the NCST, Government of India, Harsh Chouhan, at his office in New Delhi, and with the submission of a memorandum discussed the persistent demand of the STDCM to recognise Meitei community as Scheduled Tribe.

The ATSUM leaders also explained that the STDCM demand for ST status is nothing but a policy of the Meitei community to circumvent the existing laws in Manipur to enable them to buy and own lands in the hill areas. The ATSUM leaders also had a serious deliberation on the plausibility of the demand to jeopardize the constitutional protection of tribal people of Manipur with the Chairperson, the ATSUM said.

Earlier, before reaching out to the Union Ministers and NCST, a team of ATSUM led by President Paotinthang Lupheng and General Secretary Sinruwung Andria on November 15, 2022 knocked on the doors of Tribal leaders in the present Manipur Assembly, including Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency MP, Lorho S Pfoze, where they submitted a memorandum in regards to the ST demand made by the STDCM, which is not acceptable to them.

The team of ATSUM first went to the official residence of the Minister of Animals husbandry & Agriculture and Transport, Khasim Vashum and appealed to him to oppose the ST demand by the STDCM.

The ATSUM also met the Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly; Dipu Gangmei but he said that there is no need to panic due to the demand made by certain communities for inclusion as ST saying that in a democracy everyone has the right to demand. The most important thing is its genuineness and there are competent authorities like the National ST Commission, the Union Government and State Government who will study and act upon it, he said.

In their memorandum, the ATSUM, time and again, unequivocally expressed its stated position on the contested demand of the STDM for inclusion of Meitei, the majority community of Manipur, in the ST list as it poses serious threat to the land and existence of tribal people with the empirical reasoning that the Meitei community are an advanced community marked by 2000 years of civilization, unbroken lineage of kingship, superlative cultural advancement with its exquisite classical dances purportedly shown as the finest form of arts, Meitei Language (Manipuri) recognised under the Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution, urban civilization for eons, participation and signing of international treaties with the British in 1762 AD and 1826 AD, academic advancement with high literacy rate.

The ATSUM, in the memorandum, said that the fact that the Meitei community has done exceedingly well in the fields of technology, medical, engineering, sports and civil services under UPSC is indicative of their advancement. For instance, 15 students from the community cracked the NDA examination last year, two civil services this year and the bulk of MBBS successful students in the whole North-Eastern States came from the Meitei community while it may be noted that all the states and central higher educational institutes in Manipur are concentrated in the Meitei dominated valley districts, particularly Imphal East and Imphal West districts. ATSUM also pointed out that recruitments conducted in all these institutions under Unreserved (UR) category are being filled up by the members of the Meitei community. This is just one of the evidences to show that Meitei is an advanced community rather than “backward”, it added.

ATSUM also stated in the memorandum that the land of the tribal indigenous peoples in the hills of Manipur is protected by the constitutional provisions which restricted purchase of land in the hills by non-tribal people, including the Meiteis and the demand for ST status by the Meitei now, 70 years after the Constitution of India made provision for Scheduled Tribes, is only a nefarious policy to gain constitutional means to grasp the lands of the tribal people in the hills.

However, the STDCM, while strongly condemning the ATSUM for objecting their ongoing demand on inclusion of Meitei in the ST list, has urged ATSUM to withdraw their stand as the STDCM would not affect any particular community.

Convenor of STDCM Laishram Romesh said that objecting their ‘legitimate demand’ on inclusion of Meitei by ATSUM is unfortunate. From early part of their agitation, ATSUM has been opposing the demand while STDCM has been approaching the union to clear their misconception of ineligibilities of Meitei in ST list.

“ATSUM objecting to STDCM demand on the ground that Meitei are in higher class is not acceptable at all. The Imphal valley, having a size of just around 1,843 square kilometers, doesn’t have any constitutional rights to protect the land. On the other hand, there is a consistent influx of migrants. What would be the condition of the valley once Asian Highway and railway projects are fully functional,” he questioned while stating that allowing or disallowing Meitei in ST list should be decided by the Registrar General of India and Tribal Affairs Ministry.

Also stating the stand of Protection and Preservation Committee, Manipur (PPCM), Romesh recalled that PPCM, in the year 2017, had submitted memorandum to Manipur Government seeking not to send recommendation for inclusion of Meitei in ST list and calls on them to withdraw their stand considering the essence of bringing unity and integrity in the state.

Meanwhile, the Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL) has strongly come out on November 24, 2022 against the ATSUM and questioned their agenda for road-blocking the demand of ST status for Meitei community.

Speaking to media persons on November 24 at its office at Paona Keithel, the KKL Secretary Ngamkheingakpa Luwang said the demand for ST status is to safeguard the Meitei and ensure their survival as an ethnic community of Manipur.

ATSUM submitting written representations to the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs and Tribal Commission is most unfortunate. Whether to grant ST status or not is the sole right of the competent Ministry of the Centre. ATSUM has no say in this regard and it should not interfere, said the KKL Secretary.

“Are all the constituent indigenous tribal student bodies on the same page with ATSUM? They should provide an answer and make their stand clear within 15 days,” the KKL Secretary said.

If an answer is not given, KKL would be launching protests against ATSUM. Good or bad, all activities of ATSUM will be boycotted. Further, ATSUM’s office in Imphal will also be closed if it doesn’t respond and gives a clear answer, he said.

“There are lots who are not indigenous people but protected by the Constitution as Scheduled Tribe. If they act against the interest of the indigenous people (Meitei) when the community is facing threat of being extinct in the near future, then we will also act against their interest and contest their Constitutional status, the KKL Secretary said.

Moreover, the World Meitei Council has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India to delete the Chin-Kuki groups settling in Manipur from the list of the Scheduled Tribes of India.

According to a press release issued on November 25, 2022 by the Chairman of the World Meitei Council, Nabashyam Heikrujam said the ATSUM leaders who are camping in Delhi and meeting Union Ministers are giving wrong information. The ATSUM cannot represent the indigenous people of Manipur, the memorandum added.

While the Meiteis demand their right to include in the ST list, the Chin Kuki groups in the ATSUM objects and tries not to include Meitei in the ST list. The Chin Kuki groups are from Myanmar and they are migrants. The Constitution does not provide to include them in the ST list and they have been included illegally. Therefore, the Chin Kuki groups should be deleted from the ST list, the Meitei should be included in the ST list, the release said.

Now, the latest developments over the issue of STDCM demand for inclusion of Meitei in the ST list turn out to be coloured with communal tones piting one against another while Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has been working hard at his level best since his frist term to bring oneness of all the ethnic groups of Manipur and live in coexistence peacefully.I

If both the Government of India and Government of Manipur does not tackle the vulnerable and contested issue over Scheduled Tribe demand timely, and allow the present situation to continue; it may become a flashpoint for violent ethnic conflict.

By: RAJKUMAR BOBICHAND

Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics

Mnp Tourism Dept'

 

To,
       Ibohal Singh
       Director Manipur State Tourism

Sir,
      I will like to request your esteemed good office to kindly pay the money which is due to me since May 24,2022.(During the State 4th edition Shirui Lily festival).

Regarding my humble Tourist magazine 'Ukhrul Paradise ' . I have also submitted an application of the same according to your advice and came to your office 3/4 times but unfortunately your deputy staff has bargain me to take @6000/- of which honestly I feel insulted. Iam a journalist not a contractor or businessman so it's not my ethics to go table to table to pursue or loopy to cash the bill.

So, once again I conjure your understanding to do the requisite.

Regards,
Addie Chiphang

Miss India grand Finale will be held at Imphal

 

Manipur to host Femina Miss India 2023 Finale

The Dawn Tantak

IMPHAL, 17 Nov'  2022:  IN a significant development  the Government of Manipur has signed the partnership agreement with Times Of India to host the Grand Finale of the Femina Miss India 2023.

The signing agreement of GOM and TOI was attended by  Vineet Jain, Managing Director, Times of India(TOI) Group and Ministers, MLA and State Govt. officials.

This will be the first time that the mega event is being organised in the North East. Hosting the event in Manipur will surely inspire the local youths as well as provide an opportunity to promote ecotourism and showcase Manipur’s rich culture and traditions.

Assembly Polls in 3 NE states

 

Election Commission begins preparations for assembly polls in 3 Northeast states

TDT Bureau
9th November 2022: THE Election Commission has directed the Nagaland Election Department to undertake a special summary revision of photo electoral rolls with reference to January 1, 2023 as the qualifying date, officials said on Monday.

The Commission in a separate order to the Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura said that no officer connected directly with elections shall be allowed to continue in the present district of posting if they are posted in their home district.

If the officer completed three years in a district during the last four years or would be completing 3 years on or before March, 31, 2023 shall not be allowed to continue in the present district of posting, the EC order said. An official of the Nagaland Election Department said that now onwards, the annual summary revision would be conducted with reference to January 1 of the year as qualifying date, with three subsequent qualifying dates of the year are April 1, July 1 and October 1.

As per the directives of the EC, the integrated draft electoral roll would be published on Wednesday and after the special summary revision the final photo electoral rolls would be published on January 5. Similar special summary revision of the photo electoral rolls already started in Tripura and Meghalaya many weeks ago. Assembly elections to Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura are expected to be held in February 2023 after the assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

The five-year term of the Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura assembly would end on March 12, 15 and 22, respectively.
(Source: IANS)

Mnp CM launches P-tax enrolment drive

 

Month-long statewide professional tax enrolment drive  launched by Manipur CM N.Biren

The Dawn Tantak

IMPHAL, 9th Nov'2022:  MANIPUR Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday launched a month-long statewide Professional Tax enrolment drive.

This initiative is yet another effort of the state government towards improving the ease of doing business and improving tax administration and compliance, the state department of taxes said in a statement.

"The enrolment drive will cover private schools and colleges, private hospitals and clinics, private nursing homes, pharmacies, cable services, newspaper publishing house, hotels, restaurants, stone crushers, brick kiln, all shops, handloom and handicrafts units, furniture shops, quarries, mills, other service providers etc. Essentially, it will cover all kinds of professions, established trades and employment of all Individuals who earn a living through any medium," the state department of taxes stated.

During the launch, a new application developed by the National informatics Centre (NIC) to facilitate online enrolment of these institutions/bodies/units was also rolled out which will help broaden the professional tax base in the state.

The enrolment drive will be carried out in all the districts for which district-wise teams have been constituted to assist and facilitate the enrolment process under the supervision of the OCs, the department of taxes stated.

Department appealed to all the private traders, professionals, institutions, service providers, etc. to extend cooperation by enrolling themselves during the special drive and contribute in augmenting the resource base of the state.

The Professional Tax is derived from article 276 of the Constitution read with entry 60 of the list-Il State List of the Seventh Schedule. The state government is empowered under Article 276 of the Constitution of India to levy professional tax on professions, trades, callings and employment with a maximum cap of Rs 2500 annually.

3Mnp nurses recieved National FN awards

 

Three Manipur nurses receive National Florence Nightingale Awards 2021

(A total of 51 nurses, including three from Manipur, were awarded the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2021)

The Dawn Tantak Bureau
UKHRUL 7th Nov'2022:  PRESIDENT Droupadi Murmu on Monday presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2021 to the nursing professionals at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

A total of 51 nurses, including three from Manipur, were awarded the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2021.

The Three nurses from Manipur were Thaimei Sanahanbi (ANM), Wairokpam Hemabati Devi (LHV) and Takhellambam Helena Devi (nurse).

Taking to Twitter, the President said that COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the formidable spirit of our nurses.

"Delighted to present National Florence Nightingale Awards 2021 to nurses for their exemplary work and selfless service. COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the formidable spirit of our nurses — working overtime, away from families, and serving in extremely demanding conditions," the President tweeted.

The President wished the nursing fraternity the best while stating that their contribution in strengthening healthcare delivery has been "exemplary".

The contribution of nurses in strengthening healthcare delivery has been exemplary. These awardees will inspire young nurses and midwives in the country to work with commitment and compassion for the betterment of fellow citizens. My best wishes to the entire nursing fraternity," the President said in another tweet.

The National Florence Nightingale Awards were instituted in the year 1973 by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals to the society.