IMPHAL, May 27: One person abducted by unknown persons was released after being beaten up  and then reportedly served a monetary demand of rupees 5 lakhs.

According to a source, Nongthoubam Jila (50), son of late Manao of Haraorou Mamang Leikai of Kundrakpam was abducted by three/four unidentified persons who were armed  on Saturday from near Keishampat junction at around 9.30 pm. He was reportedly blindfolded and then given a electric shock before being beaten up. Later, he was released after being asked to hand over rupees 5 lakhs before 4 pm today.

IMPHAL, April 29: As a part of observing its silver jubilee for a whole year on account of turning 25 years of its existence, theWriters’ Forum, Imphal (WFI) along with the Manipur State Kala Academy is going to organize the Manipuri Sahitya competition and General Knowledge quiz competition including radio drama, cinema, song programs for students of XI and XII standards on April 30, 2013 at Lamyanba Sanglen, Palace Compound.

Informing this in a statement, WFI said the prizes for the written competition will be Rs 1000, Rs 800 and Rs 500 for first, second and third position respectively. The prizes for the oral competition will be Rs 5000 for first position, Rs 4000 for second and Rs 2000 for third. The 3 consolation prizes will be of Rs 800 each, the release said.

DIMAPUR, Oct 28: NSCN-IM leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah will have a crucial consultative meetings with the Naga frontal organisations including the Naga Hoho and the United Naga Council (UNC) on October 30 at Camp Hebron, off Dimapur. The NSCN-IM leaders are first expected to update the latest position of the talks with New Delhi to the Naga leaders before the 'crucial consultations'.

Sources disclosed Newmai News Network today that all the Naga tribe presidents from Manipur under the aegis of the UNC will arrive Dimapur on Monday to have the 'home consultations' on Tuesday. However, it appears that the Naga Hoho and the UNC teams will meet the NSCN-IM leaders separately.

Swu and Muivah had a meeting with top leaders of the NSCN-IM both from the civil and the military set up on October 25.

Meanwhile, separate sources said the NSCN-IM is expected to ink the would-be settlement within two months i.e either in November or in December. However, after the October 30 'home consultations' things may become clear on the talk position with the government of India. The 'home consultations' is not going to be like the usual meetings but 'crucial' in a way that in two months' time both the parties i.e. NSCN-IM and New Delhi are endeavouring to wind up the 15 years long dialogue while settling the vexed Naga political problem.

On August 14, the 'Nagas Independence Day', NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu in his speech had said that 'before signing the agreement we will come back to people for consultations." Given this background, many have speculated that the ongoing 'home consultations' are the final consultations by the NSCN-IM leaders with the Naga civil organisatiomns. "I think this leg of  Swu and Muivah may be the last one to Nagaland before signing the historic agreement," a Naga public leader expressed optimistically who does not want to be named.

Meanwhile, Naga tribe leaders from Manipur have started arriving Dimapur since today for the October 30 date with Isak Swu and Th Muivah. Around 50 delegations from Manipur are expected to participate in the 'home consultations' at Camp Hebron.

Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur  on violence against women

IMPHAL, October 3: The visit of Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Ms. Rashida Manjoo is scheduled to visit India next year 22 April to 1st May 2013.

Rashida Manjoo, Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences © OHCHRMs. Rashida Manjoo (South Africa) was appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences for an initial period of three years by the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2009 and commenced her functions in August 2009.

Rashida Manjoo holds a part-time post as a Professor in the Department of Public Law of the University of Cape Town. She is the former Parliamentary commissioner of the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) in South Africa, a constitutional body mandated to oversee the promotion and protection of gender equality. Prior to being appointed to the CGE she was involved in social context training for judges and lawyers, where she has designed both content and methodology during her time at the Law, Race, and Gender Research Unit, University of Cape Town and at the University of Natal, Durban.

She has held numerous visiting professorships including most recently at the University of Virginia, in the United States. She served as the Des Lee Distinguished Visiting Professor at Webster University, USA where she taught courses in human rights, with a particular focus on women's human rights and transitional justice. She was the Eleanor Roosevelt Fellow with the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School (2006-07) and also a clinical instructor in the program in 2005-6.

GUWAHATI, August 24 (Agencies):  The influential North East Students Organisation, an amalgamation of main students' bodies of all the seven northeastern states has called for a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh in six states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya -- from the 5 am on September 6 next, will hold a public rally at Guwahati in Assam on the issue of recent exodus of NE people from outside states and presence of illegal foreigners in the region.

NESO chairman Dr Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya said that the organisation felt that the twin issues needed be highlighted loudly have led to unrest in the region that is already plagued with many problems.

"When the six states observe the bandh, we will hold a massive meeting and take out a procession in Guwahati, the gateway to NE.”

“In order to facilitate people's participation in the rally, we have not called the bandh in Assam," the NESO leader said.

The NESO is inviting representatives of governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and all seven NE states and also the members of NE MPs' Forum to the meeting to be held on September 6 in Guwahati.

The NESO has recommended for setting up of nodal agency in all the States that witnessed mass exodus of panic-gripped NE people to coordinate safe return of the NE people who had fled those states leaving behind their jobs and study.

The NESO has decided to form NE people and students welfare coordination committee at its own initiative in those states for the benefit of the N-E people and students residing there.

The North East Students Oorganisation has expressed its gratitude to the people and governments of the affected states as well as members of both Houses of Parliament for showing their concern over the exodus NE people and standing by the people of the region.

On the issue of illegal migrants, Dr Bhattacharyya said the NESO was firm on its demand before the governments that all illegal people must leave the state and country.

He also demanded that the government must ensure that no illegal migrants are rehabilitated in the riots-hit areas of western Assam.

The North East Students Oorganisationdemands that the Central government should facilitate a meeting of the chief ministers of all the north-eastern states to work out a coordination to respond to the threat posed by the unabated illegal migration from Bangladesh to the region.

The North East Students Oorganisation demanded immediate steps from the government of India to detect and deport all the illegal migrants especially those coming from Bangladesh and also those Bangladeshis who have gone untraced after entering the country with valid documents.

The main constituents of North East Students Oorganisation are All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), and Tripura Students’ Federation (TSF).

IMPHAL, August 22: The Chairman of the banned United National Liberation Front, Manipur (UNLF) RK Meghen alias Sanayaima and a host of other leaders would be produced before the NIA special court on Thursday, according to reports from Guwahati.

Sanayaima was produced by a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 4, 2010 in Guwahati after his ‘staged’ arrest in Motihari of Bihar. Sanayaima had claimed before the media persons that he was kidnapped by Bangladesh agencies on September 29, 2010 and handed over to Indian authorities.

The NIA had already filed charge-sheets against Sanayaima and 17 other leaders of the banned UNLF for waging war against the Indian Union under section 120 (B) IPC, 121, 121 (A), 122 IPC and 16, 17, 18, 18 (A), 18 (B) & 20 Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 as amended in 2008.

As the NIA special court at Guwahati gears up for hearing, Sanayaima and 15 others would be produced before the court besides 2 others who were earlier given bail.

The hearing would commence on 6 September, according to sources. M Gunadhor is appearing on behalf of Chairman Sanayaima.

Besides the UNLF leaders, 2 activists of the Maoist Communist Party, Manipur and 4 activists of the banned RPF/PLA are presently lodged at the Guwahati Central Jail, the sources added.

Universal News Agency
Imphal, Aug 21: In commemorating of the “1st State Level tribal Cultural Festival” held in last November at the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) on the theme “ Harmonizing and Honoring our Culture” the  Minister of  Home and Tribal Affairs & Hills G. Gaikhangam released a souvenir and further launched a website; www.trimanipur.com  at his office chamber on Tuesday.

During the releasing of souvenir and launching of web site, MLAs of the Hill districts DK Korungthang, Preshow Shimray, Yamthong Haokip, Victor Keishing, Vumzagin Valte and Kikhonbou Newmai were also present as guest of honour.

Addressing as a chief guest, G. Gaikhangam, Home minister and TA, & Hills, Tribal Research Institute has been the common forum exposure of the culture of our different tribes, So he hope of holding such culture festival at regular intervals other than state level culture festival will greatly help in bringing out a congenial atmosphere amongst our different tribes.

And further, said that the culture has remained one of the most important stabilizing and unity factors of all societies from time immemorial. It is expected for the life for individuals and societies alike. It functions as the identity of the society and has remained inseparable from the character of the society.

The Home minister also said that, TRI played a main role for the preservation of various communities’ culture, costume and traditions, and urges the general public of Manipur to give full cooperation to the Tribal Research Institute.

Mention may be made here that the Tribal Research Institute, Manipur was established in the year 1987 on 16th September at Adimjati Complex, but remained as section of Directorate for Development of Tribal and Schedule Caste, Manipur till 31st 2007, recently, the TRI was burificated from TD department and now TRI is separate department.

GUWAHATI, August 20 (Agencies): Stepping up its drive against “erring” portals, government has ordered blocking of more than 250 websites in which morphed images and videos were uploaded to incite people leading to exodus of people belonging to the northeast from Karnataka and some other states.

Home Ministry officials said more than 130 websites have been blocked till now while the rest will be blocked shortly. “We are planning to block some more sites,” an official said.

The government is also contemplating to take up the CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team-India) findings at the international forum as it has turned out to be the biggest instance of cyber warfare on India in recent times.

A Pakistan-based hardline group is suspected to have been involved in doctoring images and spreading them across social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and You Tube to incite people and create panic among people of north-eastern region living across India.

Most of the online content started getting posted from July 13 and fake profiles were created for spreading morphed pictures, according to a Home Ministry report prepared in the wake of mass exodus of people belonging to the north east from Bangalore, Pune, Chennai and Mumbai following rumours about possible attack on them.

IMPHAL, August 20: The 96 hour bandh called by the United Naga Council (UNC) seeking ‘alternative arrangement’ has been called off following an invitation from the Union Home Ministry for tripartite talks in the last week of August.

A statement issued by the Publicity Wing of UNC said, the decision for calling off the bandh followed an emergency meeting today.

The meeting had considered the letter received from the Union Home Ministry today afternoon wherein it was informed that the next round of tripartite talks of the Union Government, Manipur Government and the UNC would be held in the last week of August as per the convienance of the UNC.

The UNC had earlier called the 96 hour bandh, suppose to begin tonight, to protest the lack of sincerity and political will on the part of the Union government and the state government to carry forward the democratic process of dialogue on the demand for an alternative arrangement outside the Manipur government pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.

As per the statement, representatives of the UNC will be holding the 4th round of tripartite talks with the GOI and GOM on 31 August at New Delhi.

While asking for prayer support on the success of the talks, it has acknowledged the ‘preparations made by the tribal hohos and frontal organizations for the proposed bandh.

IMPHAL, August 20: After the recovery of two more bodies near New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, the death toll has risen to four including one from Manipur on Sunday.

The deceased has been identified as one Md Sarif son of Md Jonamuddin of Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi, Thoubal district, who is a student of M.Sc Geography first semester in Bishop Cotton College Bangalore.

The Train (Guwahati Special No 3) was carrying a large number of people who had hurriedly left Bangalore apprehending serious threats from radical elements in the Karnataka capital.

The Northeast Frontier Railway authorities are yet not sure of the cause of the fight inside the special train that led to the deaths of North Easterner.

However, the two bodies found yesterday were those of passengers hailing from Hailakandi in Assam. Cachar district is on high alert after the incident. Sources said unidentified persons attacked passengers traveling in the special train and also snatched their luggage and belongings.

Meanwhile, after receiving the news of the death of a Manipuri student an emergency meeting was convened today at Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi by the locals. During the meeting a JAC against the brutal killing of Md Sarif Ahmed at NJP, West Bengal was formed, said Md Zaki rHussain, convener of the newly form JAC during a press conference today evening at Manipur Press Club.

He told media persons that the family members of Md Sarif Ahmed were informed by the Lilong police about his death.

He further continued that an emergency meeting has resolved to demand the state government to take up immediate steps to bring out the culprits involved in the crime and to punish them.

The meeting has also resolved to urge the state government to make security arrangement for the students studying outside the state.

The meeting further resolved to submit a memorandum each to Chief Minister, Home Minister, and other concerned officials with a charter of demands and if the state government failed to fulfill the demands by August 25, the JAC will launch various forms of agitation, he added.      

Meanwhile, a joint statement of the All Manipur Muslims’ Organization Coordinating Committee (AMMOCOC), Muslim Students’ Union of Manipur (MSUM) and Pangal Students’ Organization (PSO) Manipur has strongly condemned the killing of the Manipuri student.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee meeting the invitees, at an Iftar party, hosted by him,  at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 17, 2012.

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday hosted an Iftar reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan that was attended by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and senior BJP leader LK Advani, among others.

Among other dignitaries who attended the Iftar were Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Union ministers Sharad Pawar, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Vayalar Ravi. Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechuri was also present, besides other MPs and heads of diplomatic missions, senior officials, scholars, religious leaders and public figures from various walks of life, a statement said.

"The President mingled with the guests and exchanged Ramadan greetings with all invitees before inviting them to break their fast, offer prayers and then join for dinner," it added. 

Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.

IMPHAL, August 17: Road connectivity from Imphal to Moreh will be developed within the next 5 years as the route is important with regard to India’s Look East Policy and furtherance of bilateral ties with the Myanmar government, according to Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.

The seniormost Indian diplomat was speaking to mediapersons at the sidelines of an international conference held today at Manipur University.

The Jadavpur Association of International Relations in collaboration with Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, India Council of Social Sciences organized an international conference entitled “Revisiting Relations with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives”, the conference was hosted by the School of Social Sciences, Manipur University today.

Ranjan Mathai mentioned that his earlier visit to Manipur was in 1975, his second visit to the state saw paramount development occurring in the state. He said that the objective of the conference is to strengthen the multilateral ties with India and its neighboring states and to focus on mutual development.

Emphasizing on the need to foster connectivity among the neighboring countries to escalate trade ventures, he observed that a dynamic relation has to be established instead of being in a static state of affairs. He elaborated on the present international relations with India’s neighboring countries.

His Myanmarese counterpart, Daw Yin Yin Myint from the Ministry of External Affairs also touched on certain issues that needs to be addressed to augment better relations with India. She stated that Myanmar has historical ties with India and international relations have improved since the head of State of both countries conducted mutual visits recently. Emphasizing on the Look East India policy, she maintained that boundaries have to be properly demarcated and there has to be a secure environment in the border area.

Further, there should be management of cross border traffic to ensure improved trade among the countries. “Myanmar is second globally in export of beans and pulses, I feel that effective trade will better ensure a holistic food security policy to the Indian nation”, she said.

In the special session of the conference, Mahbub Hassan Saleh , Bangladesh diplomat, exclaimed that there will be no enemies of India on Bangladeshi soil and the ruling President Sheikh Hasina has made sure of that. “ There is no place for any enemy of India, it has been demonstrated through concrete actions, I feel that there is no need to elaborate further”, he said.

It may be mentioned that UNLF Chairman , Rk Meghen was arrested from Bangladesh last year by Indian security forces as claimed by the arrested, whereas Indian officials claim that the underground supremo was seized from the State of Bihar. It may be stated that there is no extradition treaty within the said nations.

He further mentioned that Bangladesh aims at harnessing the water resources to produce electricity. Questioned in the regard with relevance to Tipaimukh Dam, he said that a joint monitoring group of India and Bangladesh which are the primary stakeholders has to be initiated to craft a way forward.

Manipur Education minister M Oken said India today has become the vortex of global shifts in the geo-politics, international trade and international diplomacy. "This is because of the rising importance of South East Asia, China and South Asia, in global economic scenario of the future and because of this factor, today India is perusing the so called Look East Policy.

Source: IFP
IMPHAL, August 17: The JAC against the alleged kidnapping of Irabanta by NSCN (IM) alongwith several civil society organizations of the state today staged a sit in protest at the Keishampat Lairembi Shanglen expressing strong disapproval over the callousness of the state government regarding the investigation the case.

The JAC has also condemned the free hand given to the NSCN (IM) to carry out its mischievous activities in the state where the ceasefire is not operational.

Speaking on the sideline of the protest demonstration, a member of the JAC said that the instead of relying in delaying tactics the state government should ensure immediate release of Irabanta who has been missing since May 27.

The demonstrators had also submitted a memorandum to the state Governor, Union Home Minister and the state Home Minister.

The memorandum while narrating the details of the case said Irungbam Irabanta Meitei, 38 son of (Late) I Kerani Meitei of Nongdam Maning Leikai, Lamlai, Imphal East left his rented residence from Porompat for Ukhrul on May 27, 2012 along with one Winner of Ukhrul on his White Gypsy bearing regd no MN )1K 2171. He has been missing since then.

The memorandum has also reiterated its previous demands which were taken as resolutions during its July 26 meeting.

The resolutions say that the JAC condemns the callousness and delaying tactics of the government of Manipur in delivering justice in the case and that the government should ensure immediate and safe rescue of Irungbam Irabanta.

Other resolutions include demands for booking and punishing the key suspects/conspirers in the abduction of Iranbanta without any further delay.

The memorandum has also expressed the frequent involvement of the militant outfit NSCN (IM) in intimidation and criminal activities in Manipur.

It has also condemned the free hand given to the NSCN (IM) to carry out its mischievous activities in the state where the ceasefire is not operational and the militant outfit’s stoic silence over the case. The JAC has also demanded the NSCN (IM) to come out with an official statement on its involvement in the case.

It ended with a stern warning of stronger modes of protest and movements incase the government fail to pay heed to the demands and concerns of the JAC and the civil societies.

IMPHAL, August 17: Armed cadres suspected to be NSCN (K) cadres this early morning shot dead two individuals identified as the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Tamenglong general secretary and a suspected NSCN (IM) cadre at Nungkao, Tamenglong district under Tousem PS.

The incident happened this morning around 7:30am.

Meanwhile, decrying the twin killing, the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur volunteers have started blocakading road with immediate effect, informed a statement of the union.

According to a reliable source, the dead student body general secretary is identified as Chunthuigai Kamei, 35 of Marangching near Noney while the NSCN (IM) suspect has been identified as Jenao Golmei of Namdailong village, Cachar district, Assam.

Sources informed that the two could have arrived in the area to mobilize volunteers for the August 20 general strike called by the UNC and for the public hearing to be conducted at Nungba today.

It is also learnt that two armed persons entered the house where Chunthuigai and Jenao were staying at Nungkao and without saying anything one of the two fired from his AK rifle at Jenao killing him at the spot.

The two armed persons spoke with Chungthuigai for some-time and fired at him and killing him too, the source added.

It is learnt that four empty cases of AK 47 ammunition, one misfired round.

Police are yet to picked up the two dead bodies till late in the evening.

Nungba bazar remained closed today.

Meanwhile, the Zeliangrong Youth Front, AMN and the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur have condemned the twin killing.

A statement of the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur said the body is anguished over the killing without warning.

It said that the militant outfits had always used student leaders including Chunthuigai Kamei as neautral agencies whenever violence took place anywhere.

It has further appealed to the militant outfits to shun violence and killings among themselves

It has also continued that the ZSUM volunteers have started blocakading road, i.e lightning bandh with immediate effect which will continue till amicable solution is brought out of the incident.

The Zeliangrong Youth Front, AMN has also condemned the incident.

NEW DELHI, Aug 17: To check spread of rumours which has led to exodus of north eastern people from certain states, government banned from on Friday bulk SMSes and MMSes for 15 days across the country.

“We have banned bulk SMSes and MMSes for 15 days,” Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh told PTI.

The decision was taken after reports of widespread circulation of SMSes and MMSes containing misleading information about Assam violence, threats to people of north-eastern origin living in other parts of the country and doctored videos.

The Home Ministry has asked Department of Telecommunications to implement the order through the telecom operators.

From Friday onwards, no one will be able to send more than 5 SMSes in one go and more than 20 KB of data through mobile phones during the ban period.

The ban came into force after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that spread of rumours by miscreants had led to people belonging to the north east to flee from Bangalore, Pune and some other parts of the country.

Noting that the guilty should be brought to book, the Prime Minister said that at stake was not just unity and integrity of the country, but also communal harmony.

“Any miscreant fanning rumours should be brought to book,” he said.

BANGALORE, Aug 17: Three people were arrested Friday for allegedly assaulting three workers from the northeast at a shopping mall in the city centre, a senior police official said.

"The three accused - Abrar Ahmed, Salman and Vinay - aged around 22-24, were arrested under section 153 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for assaulting three people from Manipur," Bangalore Deputy Commissioner of Police (central) Ravikante Gowda told IANS.

The victims had gone to Big Bazaar located in the Shantinagar bus terminal of the state-run Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for shopping when they were attacked.

Police withheld names of the victims for their safety and security reasons.

"The victims filed a complaint at the Wilson Garden police station that they were chased by the accused from the shopping mall and beaten up suddenly when they were walking on the Double Road leading to the Lalbagh garden," Gowda said.

Police began interrogating the accused to ascertain why they had attacked the three Manipuris and if more people were involved in the incident.

"We are investigating the incident from all angles. The accused will be produced in a local court Saturday after interrogation and for further remand," Gowda added.

Meanwhile another news agency has reported that five persons were arrested on Friday on the charge of spreading rumours that triggered the exodus of people hailing from Northeastern states residing in Karnataka, Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar said on Friday.

He said four other persons have been identified and they are going to be arrested soon.

“Five persons have already been arrested (for spreading rumours). Some four more people are there. Their names have been identified. They (Police) are going to arrest more persons also,” Shettar told reporters here.

In an effort to instil confidence among fear-stricken people of the North East residing in the state, the Chief Minister claimed normalcy has returned to the state with no reports about exodus on Friday.

He warned more arrests are likely in connection with the incident and reached out to people from the region that they can be as safe as they were earlier in the southern state.

IMPHAL, August 9: In continuation of security measures taken up in the twin districts of Imphal West and East in consideration of the upcoming Indian Independence day celebration, the police to the two districts conducted different search operations in their respective jurisdictions.

A team of the Imphal West Police led by Addl SP (ops) Herojit conducted a search and frisking operation along the Bir Tikendrajit Road in front of the state PWD office building this morning around 10:30am.

Altogether 17 individuals who were unable to produce their valid id cards were rounded up and taken to the Imphal West Police Station for further identification.

The police team also conducted a drive against tinted vehicles window panes during the said operation.

Meanwhile, an Imphal East police team led by Addl SP (ops) W Rajen conducted a similar operation in and around the Mahabali village in the evening around 4:30pm.

32 individuals without proper verification were rounded up and taken to the Porompat PS.

It may be mentioned that with the August 15 Independence day celebration approaching fast, the state police have been conducting a series of search operations in an around the Imphal area since the past few days.

On August 4, the IW police had conducted a search operation along the Governor Road.

On August 7, a team of the Imphal West district police led by DySP, cdo Sarangthem Ibomcha had conducted a search operation at Dharmashala and the adjoining areas of Thangal bazar, while the Imphal East Police led by Addl SP W Rajen had conducted a similar operation at Brhamapur Guru Aribam Leikai.

On August 8, commandos of Imphal East district conducted combing operation at Nongmeibung Pung Makhong, Lisam Leirak and Academy road, while, a team of CDO Imphal West had also conducted a cordon and search operation from Mass Hotel, Thangal Bazar to MG Avenue areas.

New Delhi, August 9: Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated Mary Kom on her winning the bronze medal in women’s boxing at London Olympics-2012.

Mary's twin sons are seen during  her semi-final bout .

In the congratulatory  message, PM said, ‘'I join the nation in congratulating boxer Mary Kom for winning the Olympic bronze medal in the 51 kg women`s boxing event. She showed great discipline and determination and has done India proud.’'

MOREH, August 8: The Solidarity Committee for Burma Democracy Manipur today unveiled the statue of Myanmar democracy icon, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the Social Science Study Centre, Moreh today at 9:30am.

The committee also convened a meeting at the Moreh Trade centre, meeting hall regarding the 24th anniversary of 8888, Burma.

The meeting was attended by chairmen Solidarity committee for Burma democracy, Manipur, Laisaram Sotinkumar and working committee members of the Solidarity Committee for Burma Democracy, Manipur, Aribam Balkrishna Sharma, Sarat Salam, Kshetrimayum Santa, Khomdram Gyaneshwor and Dr Manglem as presidium members.

The meeting deliberated upon and lauded democracy leader, Daw Sung San Suu Kyi for her efforts to bring democracy into her country.

The members echoed that Manipur has much to benefit from the advent of democracy in the neighbouring country of Myanmar.

They also reiterated that Aung San Suu Kyi believes in the path of non-violence as followed by Mahatma Gandhi and in peace.

Her efforts to bring democracy in her country have been acknowledged by several countries of the world with awards including India, the members said.

They also expressed their beliefs that in the coming 2015 Myanmar election, the NLD party will win 82 percent seats and bring certain changes and development to the country. Once Myanmar turns towards democracy, the neighbouring countries will also benefit.