Guwahati, Dec. 25. Shillong: Fr. PD Johny, former Principal of St. Anthony`s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, and a member of Don Bosco Educational Society, Guwahati Province has been awarded Guruvar ``Lifetime Achievement, East Zone at Durbar Hall of Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi on Wednesday by Hon HRD Union Minister Shri Kapil Sibal. Fr. Johny has also recently completed his PhD from Guwahati University and is now the Principal of Don Bosco College of Teacher Education, Tura. The award consists of a citation, trophy and a cash award of Rs 10 lakhs.
He hails from Ramalloor in Kothamangalam, Kerala (of Devassy and Thresia Parankamalil) and has been in the forefront of Education in the Northeast, particularly in Meghalaya.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is meant to honour a teacher who has spent a lifetime in the profession and influenced and nurtured several generations. The award is a small but important token of appreciation and acknowledgement. Fr. Johny has been nominated for this award by his former pupils who are now spread in different parts of the country and the world, who remember him with affection and respect.
Fr. Johny said that he was totally surprised to receive this award at a relatively younger age and was grateful to all his former students who voted in favour of him.
He said that the little contribution he made in St. Anthony`s Higher Secondary School was considered a great achievement by his students.
Shillong, Dec. 23: The North Eastern Hill University (Nehu) turned into a battlezone today as the security officer of vice-chancellor Pramod Tandon whisked out his pistol to scare away a group of “aggressive” employees who had gheraoed the official. They were demanding restoration of the Hills Area Special Allowance and release of advance pay for December.
Tension mounted in the evening as Nehu employees blocked all exit routes to prevent the vice-chancellor from moving out of the campus in Mawlai. Tandon’s official residence is outside the campus.
The university sought help from police but till late in tonight they were not able to enter the campus as all the routes were blocked.
The agitation by the staff — both teaching and non-teaching — which has been continuing for the past few days turned aggressive today with the tussle between the employees and the vice-chancellor.
Sources said the vice-chancellor was “almost manhandled” by the angry staff. Shillong city superintendent of police Claudia Lyngwa said the employees “were so aggressive that the PSO, a Meghalaya police constable, had no other choice”.
The Nehu staff — under the banner of the Joint Action Committee — started the pen-down strike on December 11 after the decision of the university’s executive council a day before to cancel the allowance.
The agitating staff also demanded the resignation of Tandon for his “adamant stand” and a letter in this regard was also faxed to President Pratibha Patil, who is Visitor of the university.
As tomorrow is the only working day before the university closes for Christmas, the employees sought the restoration of the allowance and salary for December.
All the students have vacated their hostels with the launch of the strike which also affected practical exams of the science and technology courses. After the incident, Lyngwa rushed to Nehu and the PSO was called back. The police later strengthened security outside the campus.
“The crowd was aggressive and the PSO was the only policeman who was guarding the vice-chancellor’s office,” Lyngwa said.
She said since the guard was the lone PSO, he was doing his duty and protecting the vice-chancellor.
On December 17, the employees had staged a protest march on Nehu campus against the cancellation of the allowance by the Nehu executive council. The spokesman for the joint action committee, Prof. Apurba K. Baruah, said today that the employees were agitated as they had not availed of the allowance as well as the advance pay for December. The vice-chancellor was also not ready to meet the staff, he added.
Moreover, the employees are yet to get 60 per cent arrears pending since 2006, as per the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations.
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| Students of Cotton College stage a streetplay in Guwahati on Wednesday to create awareness on witchhunting. Picture by Eastern Projections |
Future leaders of N-E
Students of the first batch of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Northeast campus, received their diplomas in the presence of the secretary of the North Eastern Council, U.K. Sangma, on December 15 on the institute’s premises.
Altogether 27 youths from all over the region were awarded diplomas in community organisation and development practice.
These students were nominated by various government bodies like the Bodoland Territorial Council, NGOs and eminent individuals of the region. These youngsters will now go back to their own areas and contribute significantly to the development of the region.
Apart from rigorous academic inputs, which are characteristics of a TISS programme, the students have been exposed to a plethora of issues and practice skills not related to the region but also outside the Northeast.
“Though I have been engaged in social issues for the past two years, I have greatly benefited from this programme. I am now able to see through and connect the local problems to the regional, national and international happenings,” said Habahun Shisha Niller, a candidate from Bethany Society, Meghalaya.
The Assam government has allocated land to the institute for it initial post-graduate academic programmes in social work, rural development management, health systems studies, human development and other certificate and diploma programmes.
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| The first batch of students of TISS, Northeast campus |
New ‘library’
The fully automated EXIM Bank Knowledge Centre at Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management Shillong was formally brought into operation on December 10, therein beginning a new journey in the field of technology with the implementation of the integrated library management system.
The integrated library system is not only a standards-based, fully integrated, flexible and open, but more. It has advanced features such as functional requirements for bibliographic records, update notifications through selective dissemination of information, user reviews and ratings.
The system completely fulfils requirements of the EXIM Bank Knowledge Centre. Because of its flexibility, it allows creation of customer profiles for the library and staff user and controls access to more than 600 functions throughout the system. It is engineered for the robustness and ease of use that library patrons and staff demand. In a nutshell, it allows setting of the rules and parameters that work best for the library.
CHIT CHAT
A popular talk on Primatology in the Northeast was held recently on the Digboi forest inspection bungalow premises. It was organised by the department of zoology, Digboi College, for the students of zoology of Digboi College and Margherita College.
Narayan Sarma, a doctoral research scholar of National Institute of Science Academy, Bangalore, delivered a lecture on the primates of India with special reference to the Northeast and Assam.
Another resource person, Sumitra Sankaran of Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, gave a lecture on the Western Hoolock Gibbon’s distribution and their biology. An interactive session with the resources persons was also carried among the participants chaired by the head of the department of zoology, Digboi College, Anu Borgohain. She also highlighted ongoing various courses in wildlife at the masters degree level in India, where a science graduate can begin his/her career in wildlife field. Later, Narayan Sarma gave a live demonstration on how to record latitude and longitude, way points, track records with the help of GPS to the forest officials of Digboi forest division.
KSU stand plays a part
Shillong, Dec. 15 : Meghalaya principal secretary, power, B.K. Dev Verma today said no decision was taken by the cabinet on the handover of two power projects — Leshka stage II and Umngot, to private companies, with the Khasi Students Union reiterating that it will oppose the move.
The students’ union had favoured the formation of a joint action committee to oppose any move to hand over the power projects to private companies after meeting the residents of the areas in Jaintia hills where the projects are located.
The KSU had also organised a public meeting at Amlarem on Saturday after getting inputs that the government was planning to take a decision soon regarding handing over these two projects to private companies.
The student group said its Amlarem unit, after the meeting, opposed any move on the part of the government to hand over the projects to private companies.
KSU president Samuel Jyrwa today said the state government should hand over these two power (above 100MW) projects to the state owned Meghalaya State Electricity Board. The state power board is at present executing the 126MW Leshka stage I hydel project.
In 2007, when the Congress-led government under the leadership of D.D. Lapang was in power, it had to keep in abeyance the power deal with the private companies after protests from the KSU and other pressure groups.
The erstwhile Congress-led government had also entrusted an official-level committee to look into the merits and demerits of the power deal with the private companies.
When the NCP-UDP led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) came into power in 2008, it had cleared two power projects, Umduna and Umjaut that are below 100MW. It decided to scrap two other major projects, Leshka hydel project, stage II, Umngot among others, which are above 100MW, as these did not follow the international competitive bidding.
However, after the new Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government came into power in May this year, no decision was taken regarding the projects.
Deputy chief minister in-charge, power, Mukul Sangma, told reporters today that the erstwhile MPA government had earlier decided that the private companies which are interested to execute the projects above 100MW will have to enter into a joint venture with the state-owned power board.
“We are studying the various decisions taken by the erstwhile MPA government so that we can decide what is best for the state,” Sangma said.
According to Sangma, the next cabinet meeting will take a collective decision on the handover of the projects either to the state power board or to private companies
Blame on lax security
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Itanagar, Dec. 13: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has voiced concern over the Khaplang faction of the NSCN’s “recruitment” of 18 youths from Tirap district, bordering Nagaland, last month.
The students’ union alleged that 18 youths, aged between 18 and 23, were recruited by the NSCN (K) from the remote Pongchau circle in Tirap district on November 19.
Of the 18 reported recruits, 16 are from Pongchau village while two belong to Bonia village under Pongchau circle.
Takam Tatung, the president of the apex students’ body, in a statement issued to the press last evening, condemned the recruitment drive by the Nagaland-based outfit and urged the state government and Delhi to act tough on the outfit immediately to stop such drives in the future.
“The recruitment of 18 youths from Pongchau and Bonia villages in Tirap district on November 19 has laid bare the loopholes in the state’s security system, making the youths vulnerable to external elements like the NSCN (K), which has been carrying out a recruitment drive in the district. The act on the part of the outfit within the territory of our state where there is an elected government is a matter of real concern and disturbing. Blame it on the security agencies operating in the area, which were caught napping during such a recruitment drive in the district.”
The union sought the immediate intervention of the state government and the Centre to bring the youths back to the mainstream. It also said law and order in the district was “dismal”.
The deteriorating law and order in the insurgency-ridden district had paved the way for the frequent recruitment drives by the Nagaland-based rebel outfits, it added.
Tatung said the CRPF, Assam Rifles, police forces deployed by the Centre and state police force have miserably failed to contain militancy in the district, which had been at the receiving end of insurgency spilled over from neighbouring Nagaland.
Sources said 39 youths were abducted by the NSCN (K) from Tirap in February last year. Of them, 29 returned home.
AAPSU had called for the boycott of goods coming from Nagaland and a statewide bandh on February 29, 2008, demanding the release of 10 Arunachalee youths allegedly abducted by the NSCN (K).
The sources said the youths were taken to the insurgents’ camp at Kamka, 40km inside Myanmar, the union then alleged, demanding a quick persuasion by the state government to pressurise the Centre to take up the issue with the authorities in Myanmar.
The students’ union also demanded that the state Assembly pass a resolution on the lines of the Assam Assembly for protecting the territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh. The Nagaland House had recently passed a resolution for the recognition of Naga outfits struggling for a “Greater Nagalim”.
The student body also decided to extend its ultimatum from a week to a month for the business community to dispose of Chinese goods in the state. This decision came after a request made by the Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
The union welcomed “the concern shown by the leaders of the BJP in Lok Sabha” regarding China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh.
Dibrugarh, Dec. 13: The Sivasagar unit of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) has called a 96-hour bandh of the ONGC from December 21 to protest against the company’s alleged move to privatise some of its operations in the state.
The AASU will take steps to block all ONGC operations across Sivasagar district such as transportation of crude from oil fields to the oil collecting stations, movement of men and machines to field and offices and dharnas in front of offices of the establishments in the district, among others.
The Sivasagar district unit of the AASU today issued a statement alleging that the ONGC had failed to clarify its stand on privatisation of some of its operations in Assam because of which the union had called for the bandh.
“We have been urging the company to clarify its stand on the issue which we feel would be totally detrimental to the welfare of Sivasagar district in particular and to Assam in general. But so far the company has not been able to come up with any convincing reply because of which we had to resort to agitation through democratic ways of protest,” the secretary of the Sivasagar unit of AASU, Manik Gogoi, said.
It had been largely speculated in various quarters that the ONGC is going to privatise its Assam Asset operations, which is located in various parts of Upper Assam.
The AASU alleged that despite repeated formal appeals and reminders, the ONGC had not properly replied to them on the critical issue.
The union had also staged a dharna in front of the company’s Sivasagar office on similar demands on December 4, but it failed to evoke any response from the company.
Deputy general manager (corporate communications and public relations), Dilip Kumar Das, said the allegations brought in by the AASU are not correct.
“We are trying to settle the issue and find an amicable solution so that the blockade does not take place,” he said.
GUWAHATI, Dec 10 – The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), observing its ‘Swahid Diwas’ today, reaffirmed its stand on expulsion of illegal migrants from the State. The students’ body asked the State government and the Centre to give a specific timeframe for implementation of the Assam Accord. “The AASU is firm on its longstanding demand of making the State free from the illegal Bangladeshis and ensuring the authority of indigenous people in the State. Though 30 years have passed since the AASU started fighting for this cause and 25 years have passed of signing the Accord with the Union Government, our borders are not yet sealed to checkillegal influx, let alone the question of finding and deporting the existing illegal Bangladeshis,” said AASU advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya, addressing the media today.
“On the other hand, it is unfortunate and a serious lapse on the part of the State Government that even the identified illegal Bangladeshis continue to ‘vanish’ in the State,” he added.
While demanding a special package for rehabilitation of families of those who laid their lives during the movement, and those who became physically disabled, the AASU said that all the political parties forming Government in the State ignored the sacrifice of these martyrs and their families.
“Swahid Kharageswar Talukdar sacrificed his life on December 10, 1979 while participating in the Assam movement and thus the day is observed to commemorate the 855 martyrs, who sacrificed their lives fighting for the rights of the people ofAssam,” added Sankar Prasad Rai, AASU president.
The students’ body has decided to help the families of Assam movement martyrs. As part of this initiative, it announced to help the family of Girish Chandra Nath of Nagaon with a pair of bullock, the family members of Dharani Roy of Bongaingaon with cow and a calf, and the family of Gahin Deka of Nalbari with a manually-operated loom. It also promised to further help these families in future.
The AASU reiterated its demand for constitutional safeguard, inner land permit and rights of indigenous people over land and natural resources.
On the other, the Asom Gana Parishad also observed the Swahid Diwas today. In a central function held at the Khanapara Ganesh Mandir Indoor Stadium the day was observed with various programmes and prayers in the presence of the AGP leaders Chandra Mohan Patowary, Prafulla Mahanta and Sarbananda Sonowal among others, mentioned a press statement.
GUWAHATI, Dec 8 – The State Government has tabled a Bill to establish an affiliating university of science and technology in Guwahati. The Assam Science and Technology University Bill, 2009, states that it seeks to establish a university exclusively for science and technical education by the name of ‘Assam Science and Technical University’ in Guwahati to boost science and technical education in the State, more precisely in the NE region.
The university will be affiliating in nature. All the engineering institutions offering degree and diploma in various branches of engineering in the State, including the private sector ones, shall be affiliated to it.
The university shall have its Court, Executive Council, Academic Council, Postgraduate Board, Undergraduate Board, Finance Committee, Selection Committee and such other authorities as may be declared by the statutes to be the authorities ofthe university, states the Bill.
The Governor of Assam shall be the chancellor of the university, while its Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor on the recommendation of an Advisory Board constituted by the Chancellor for the purpose.
This Advisory Board will consist of three members of whom one shall be nominated by the State Government, one member to be nominated by the Chancellor and the rest one to be elected by theExecutive Council. The Chancellor shall also appoint one of them as chairman of the Board.
The Vice-Chancellor shall be the principal executive and academic officer of the university. He shall be the ex-officio chairman of the Executive Council, the Academic Council, the Postgraduate Board, the Undergraduate Board, the Finance Committee and the Selection Committee.
He shall preside over all the meetings of the court and also the convocation, in the absence of the Chancellor. He shall be entitled to be present at and to address any meeting of any authority or committee ofthe university.
The Vice-Chancellor shall have the powers of convening the meeting of the Court, the Executive Council, the Postgraduate Board, the Undergraduate Board, the Finance Committee and the Selection Committee, whenever he finds it necessary.
However, the decision of the Chancellor on “whether any person has duly been elected, appointed, chosen or nominated as, or is entitled to be, a member of any authority or body ofthe University or whether any decision of any of the authorities or bodies or of the Vice-Chancellor of the University is in conformity with this Act,… shall be final.”
The Postgraduate Board, among others, shall have the power to recommend to the Academic Council, the pattern of postgraduate courses, the examination to be held for such courses and for their revision. It shall also have the power to approve the curricula and syllabi for the post-graduate courses and to modify them whenever needed.
It shall also have the power to make recommendations to the Executive Council for the institution of posts of teachers required for the postgraduate courses under the university and for the recognition of persons as teachers for any other course, and regarding their emoluments, duties and terms and conditions of their services.
Similarly, the Undergraduate Board shall have the power to recommend to the Academic Council the pattern of courses and examinations for the undergraduate courses and the revision thereof.
It too shall have the power to make recommendations to the Executive Council for the institution of professorships, readerships, lecturerships or other posts of teachers required for the undergraduate courses in the colleges and for the recognition of person as teachers for such courses and regarding their emoluments, duties and terms and conditions of services, the Bill states.
IMPHAL, Dec 7 : Kuki Students` Organization, Khengjoy Block, Chandel District has expressed immense gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner, Chandel and all the district level officers for conducting its first DLOs meeting. The meeting, the first of its kind in the block was hosted by Block Development Officer, Khengjoy T.D. block and releasing G.I. sheets under IAY Special package second phase held at Khangbarol village on December 4, stated a press release.
It further states that it has great expectation and believes that there will be a great impact from the said meeting. The KSO unit also appealed to all the concerned government departments to enact and discharge their responsibilities faithfully and bring changes in the block from backward to development.
Imphal, December 01, 2009: All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) set December 10 as the deadline for the government to fulfill various demands of the students' body including reservation for ST in recruitment of SOs under Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency.
A representation submitted to the Chief Minister by the ATSUM urged the government to fulfill the demands of the ATSUM by December 10 ‘without making the students' body to go to the people to launch all forms of agitations.
The ATSUM demanded ST reservation in recruitment of SOs under MSRRDA, recruitment of one Committee Officer without following reservation norms, non-implementation of reservation norms for ST in promotion of four leading firemen to Sub-officer, and the transfer f HS Verypam, i/c CE/PHED.
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| Students of Maharishi Vidya Mandir Public School participate in their annual sports day at Chandmari in Guwahati on Tuesday. Picture by Eastern Projections |
IIM Shillong — the youngest of the lot — has done itself proud by winning two flagship events,
Ashwamedha and
Kalpavriksha at
Ahvan ’09 — IIM Indore’s annual business summit.
Over 500 participants from the top 30 business schools participated in the event held from November 19 to 21.
While Ashutosh Dikshit from IIM Shillong won the solo
Ashwamedha event, the
Kalpavriksha, a team event, was won by a team of Prof. Swapan Kumar Majumdar, Neeraj Sharma and Hari Krishnan.
The top three in the
Ashwamedha event comprised Dikshit, Raghav Sehgal (IIM Ahmedabad alumnus) and Vivek Menon from IIM Indore.
The spotlight round followed in which there was a personality/stress interview conducted by the eminent jury of Prof. Chandrashekhar from IIM Indore, Prof. Vijay Menon (HR consultant and pioneer of the concept of
Ashwamedha) and Arvind Sharma, chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett.
One of the highlights of this round was Dikshit’s response to the question on whether IIM Shillong would live up to the standards set by brand IIM, to which Ashutosh replied: “Completeness and Nothingness are two sides of the same coin. In the same vein, standards are defined by perceptions that people have. As far as IIM Shillong is concerned, we have been first in a lot of initiatives — being the first centrally-funded institute to have implemented Enterprise Resource Planning; taking sustainability from concept to execution and the first B-school in the country to host inter-corporate golf tournament”.
Dikshit won the Ashwamedha crystal trophy and prize money of Rs 150,000.
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| Kamlesh Dutt Tripathi delivers the lecture at Tezpur University |
Lecture
Eminent Sanskrit scholar, theatre personality and professor emeritus of Banaras Hindu University Kamlesh Dutt Tripathi delivered the first Srimanta Sankardeva Lecture at Tezpur University on November 25.
Speaking on the important characteristics of
ankiya bhaona, Tripathi said various elements like
purvaranga,
sutradhara, entry and exit songs (
dhruva) and many other such features were a continuum of Sanskrit theatre.
Tripathi, however, said
ankiya bhaona is not a repetitive exercise of the earlier tradition. It is an expression of the creative genius of the great saint and composer Srimanta Sankardev.
Mihir Kanti Chaudhuri, the vice-chancellor of Tezpur University, underlined the need for extensive research on diverse facets of Srimanta Sankaradev’s contributions and ways to relate its relevance to the present day crisis in society.
CHIT CHAT
The National Education Foundation Law College, affiliated to Gauhati University, has set up a legal aid clinic on its premises, the first in the Northeast to do so.
Chief Justice J. Chelameswar of Gauhati High Court, who inaugurated it on November 26, congratulated the college for taking up such an initiative.
churachandpur, Dec 1 : The 45th Foundation Day of Churachandpur Government College located at the heart of Lamka Town was celebrated with pomp in a programme organised for the purposed as it begun at about 11: 30 am in the college multipurpose hall
During the observation various traditional dances from different communities were showcase alongside with special numbers being presented by the college students
The program apart from others has been marked by distribution of awards to several students who are currently reading in various classes of the college , observation of condolences in remembrance of those 44 teaching and non -teaching staffs who has gone into their heavenly abode over the last 45 years with speeches from the college principal Lalremthang Tusing over and above others .
The college which has produced a great many numbers of bureaucrates , army officials , politicians and many other dignified people has a record students strength of 1886 by this years from the various streams with almost exactly the same numbers during the preceding years .
The occassion was attended as chief guest by the minister Power , Hort & Soil Constvn, SC& Tech T Phungzathang as chief guest while T Goukhenpau Ex - minister acted as the president .
During his speech the minister exhorted the students to be a God fearing and respecting parents . " Education without God is blindness " he said
"You should lead a good moral character and this is the pillar for your success "he advised while pointing out his happiness over the ability of the various people of ccpur in understanding each others even when they speak in their respective languages but regrets for the lack of understanding amongst them
Earlier the minister inaugurated the newly construted academic building for the college which have been undertaken at the total cost of Rs 64 Launder the SPA funds .
Imphal, November 29 2009: Unidentified persons made abortive murder attempt on former president of Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) Khundongbam Ashok Kumar (34) s/o Maniram in the intervening night of November 27 and 28 at his home at Heirok Part II Thokchom Leikai.
Ashok Kumar was sleeping in an outer room adjacent to the verandah of the house when unidentified persons fired three rounds towards him through a ventillator above the window of his room at about 1.15 am of November 28, said a police source.
Luckily, the former MUSU president survived the murder attempt unhurt.
Empty cases of 9 mm ammunition and a shumbal (pestle or pounder) suspected to have been used by the assailants to reach the ventillator were found in the verandah.
Taking strong exception to the assault, a large number of people staged a protest demonstration at Heirok Thokchom Leikai.
Ashok Kumar, currently teaching Political Science at Heirok Higher Secondary School, said that he has no personal animosity with any body.
He grew up as a student activist and was elected as general secretary of DESAM in 2001.
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| Womenfolk demonstrating against the murder attempt on former MUSU president Ashok Kumar |
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He was also president of the Manipur University Students' Union in 2005-06 .
"There were certain incidents during those periods but all the problems have been amicably resolved.
Now I'm not related to any of those problems", Ashok Kumar said .
Meanwhile, a public meeting held at Heirok today has resolved to keep night vigil in the locality of Ashok Kumar until a definite explanation is received about the murder attempt.
They also appealed to all concerned to own and explain the murder attempt.
Imphal, November 26 2009: Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Khengjoy Block and Kuki Chiefs' Association (KCA), Khengjoy Block in Chandel district have expressed deep concern over the safety and security of the innocent local civilians in Khengjoy block, particularly in Old Samtal area where encounter took place between the insurgents and the security forces on November 23 .
In a joint statement, vice president of KCA Khengjoy Block Henkhongam Haokip and information secretary of KSO Khengjoy Block Letsei Haokip pointed out that frequent incidents of shoot outs in the area have disturbed the peaceful coexistence and normal life of the people.
Therefore, it is our appeal to the underground outfits not to carry out such unwanted activities in Khengjoy block in future for the sake of innocent civilians, the joint statement said.
It also appealed to the security forces and other higher authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of the innocent civilians and allow free movement to carry on their daily activities.
Imphal, November 25 : CAUCUS 2009, a two-day long academic programme being organised by All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has begun from today at the indoor stadium of Chandel district headquarters.
Being held under the theme of 'Envisioning change through education, Commissioner of Education (S) Prashantkumar Singh, IAS was the chief guest of the inaugural function.
Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district H Dilip Singh, IAS and Director of Education (S) M Harekrishna were also present at the function as president and guest of honour respectively.
In his address, Prashantkumar observed that change cannot be expected overnight but it should come through sustained efforts.
The Government of Manipur has been making consistent efforts towards improvement of the education system in the State.
So instead of criticising the efforts of the Government, it would be appreciable on the part of the public and other civil organisations to come up with constructive ideas, he said, adding that only then there can be change and development.
He also called on the people and the civil organisations of the district to work in close co-ordination with the Deputy Commissioner who is the head of the district administration.
Speaking as guest of honour of the function, Harekrishna pointed out that of all the various schemes launched by the Government of India for the welfare of the students, the Government of Manipur is really concern about the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and feels that denial of its benefit to the young students is a crime.
In the first session of the academic programme today, principal of Blue Star Academy, Churachandpur Dr Dalian Haokip presented talk on the topic of 'Role of private institution in the development of tribal education in Manipur'.
On the second and concluding day tomorrow, former ATSUM president Dr John Pulamte would speak on the topic of 'Tribal education in Manipur: Problems and options' in the morning session while senior advocate of Gauhati High Court Samuel on 'Tribal rights and reservation in Manipur Problems and options' in the afternoon session.
Delegates of various student organisations based in the hill districts of Manipur are participating in the programme.
Imphal, Nov 24 : The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has alleged that some leaders of the agitating students' bodies–who have put the career of the students in peril in the name of campaigning for the right to life–have taken professional examinations conducted by MU.
A statement issued by the president of DESAM, LC Santosh today said that this shows the mindset of the agitating students who only think for their selfish end without caring for others.
It stated that the careers of other students are equally important like them.
People have to mull over the matter.
He said that the Apunba Lup and the three students' bodies, AMSU, MSF, and KSA have reduced the people's agitation against the Khwairamband incident into an agitation against the people.
He said that the un-thoughtful act of the three students' bodies in protest against the July 23 BT Road incident has rendered the people to turn against the agitation which compels the government to take more advantage of the situation.
The agitation is paving the way for the dawn of a 'depression government' by extending more support to the depressed government.It alleged the agitating bodies of supporting the 'police-raj'.
The acts of the three student bodies and the Apunba Lup are testimony that they are severing the suppression of the already depressed people.
Stating that DESAM has always stood against the violation of rights, fake encounter and atrocities committed by the police and the Army, the statement asserted that it is equally important for all people to stop the rights violations and atrocities.
But it is wrong to reduce the students to scapegoat in the agitation against fake encounters and rights violation.
The ongoing agitation is like terrorists taking students as hostages and killing them for not fulfilling their ransom demands.
It stated that it is justifiable that all sections of the society including the students took part in the agitation.
But turning against the students by denying their studies based on the justification would not bring any solution to the problem.
DESAM has clearly realised the expected outcome over the success and failure of the civil societies' agitation and what impression the government would have on the civil society organisations.
It noted that the failure of the agitation and the civil society organisations is a defeat of the people.
DESAM has taken its decision after realising all the things.
It is easier to start a war and participate in a war than winning the war or bringing an end to it.
In connection with the agitation against the Khwairamband incident, DESAM doesn't remain neither as an observer from outside the boundary of the agitation nor it acts as a judge.
The students' body supported the agitation.
The point with the DESAM is that the strategy or line of approach adopted should be to mobilise the people in order to ensure success with the participation of the whole people.
The agitating parties should now think on how to further the agitation.
They have to seek way in order to engage all sections of the people in the agitation, it stated.
It also derided the agitating parties for presenting themselves as champions through the media, calling bandh through telephones, issuing threats to schools' authorities, fearing the police lathi, fearing to be booked under NSA and serving jail term but who claimed to launch an agitation to secure right to life.
It urged the agitating parties to make it public that the agitation could not bring a solution.
It stated that DESAM is not against the agitation.
But it is standing against the process of turning future of the society into darkness by banning education.
The students' body will go with any organisations or individuals whether they be army, police militants, if they have similar aspiration to make education a free zone, to develop and improve education sector, and usher in quality education.
Stating that India won independence from the British rule after enjoying the benefits of education, the statement asserted that education is a deciding factor of life and death.
It noted that anybody raised without education is morally deprived be they in politics, bureaucratic hierarchy, police or any armed forces organisation.
Unwanted happenings in the society are taking places due to the presence of numerous such kind of people.
The ongoing agitation is termed 'agitational terrorism' as the agitators have resorted to ban class, issuing threats to school authorities, bus and van associations, and burning down schools, the statement justified.
On the usage of the term 'agitational terrorism,' the statement said that the term is an English vocabulary whether it be used by Indian soldiers.
Instead of arguing the usage of the term, the three students' bodies have first to introspect whether their act amounts to terrorism or not.
The frequent statement used by the student bodies like "ready to launch further agitations," "any outcome will be the individuals' responsibility" etc would be reduced to proverbial 'Bausing's left arm,' who fell flat before using his left arm in the boxing ring.
Rule of law would not be in force if the rule of law is violated by the students' bodies.
Further, the statement also urged the three students' bodies to restrain from arguing their points in an ad hominem way.
It stated that DESAM is very much able to pour diatribes on any individual.
Kolkata, Nov 21 Students of a high school today blocked the state highway near Lalgarh for nearly four hours in protest against the alleged torture of a schoolmate by joint forces.
Agitated students of Bikash Bharati High School blocked State Highway-9 at 11 am demanding immediate release of Lalit Mahato, a student of class-X who was detained by the joint forces, and apology from the district administration, police said.
The incident took place early in the morning when the groups of joint forces, who were returning after a gunfight with maoists at Joyalbahanga forest near Jhargram, held Mahato and two other students, who were going to take board examination, for questioning, they said, adding the security personnel left the two but took Mahato to the camp for further interrogation.
Manipur: Four lakh students, protesting against extra judicial killing may lose academic year
Around four lakh students may lose out on an academic year in Manipur, following a boycott of classes since September 9 in protest of the alleged extra judicial killing of a youth.
The All Manipur Students’ Union, Manipur Students’ Federation and Kangleipak Students’ Association had declared a boycott of all Educational Institutions in Manipur in response to the killing that occured in July this year.
The mass protest has continued for over two months and the student bodies are refusing to budge until their demands for Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s resignation is met.
Parents and educationists in the state blame the AMSU and government for the plight of these students.
"If classes are boycotted further, we do not know what will happen to the fate of lakhs of students in the state and thousands of them may also lose the opportunity to apply for professional courses next year," said a principal of a reputed government institution.
CCpur, November 20 : Smart Card facility was launched at the District Transport Office (DTO), Churachandpur located at Tuibuong today.
The inaugural function of the District Transport smart card was graced by Phungzathang Tonsing Minister of Power, Horti & Sc.Tech, TN Haokip Minister of PHED/IPR/TSM and L Jayentakumar Minister of Transport, Education as the chief guest, guest of honour and functional president respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, T Phungzathang recalled that the transport smart card has been initiated during his tenure as Minister of Transport in 2006 .
Ministers L Jayenta Kumar, Phungzathang Tonsing and TN Haokip at CCpur function
The state is not lacking behind in IT, he said and expressed hope that launching transport smart card will surely benefit the security of the people of Churachandpur district.
He said, use of smart card in issuing driving licenses and registration certificates will prevent frauds from forging driving licenses.
The minister further observed that the DTO building should be made smarter.
If Churachanpur is described as the second town of Manipur next to Imphal West district, facilities to suit the description should also be given.
TN Haokip observed that Churachandpur is the second district which enjoys the smart card facilities after Imphal.
He said, the same facility would be launched in other districts soon.
Eighty fire extinguishers were presented to various government high schools located in Churachandpur District on the occasion.
Minister L Jayentakumar urged the public of the district to maintain peace and harmony so that developmental activities can be witnessed in times to come too.
Transport Director, Devesh Dewal was also present on the occasion.
M Songgel Youth Club, Tollen Cultural Troupe and Young Paite Association (YPA) Cultural Troupe, Zenhang Lamka have presented cultural dances on the occasion.
| Jamir turns nostalgic at Assam Valley School’s Founder’s Day meet, recalls student days |
| DAULAT RAHMAN |
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| Maharashtra Governor S.C. Jamir (right) hands over the Best House trophy on the Assam Valley School campus in Tezpur on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections |
Balipara (Tezpur), Nov. 16: For once, the suave and sophisticated Maharashtra Governor S.C. Jamir was nostalgic, as he remembered the school building where he started his education back home in Nagaland.
The building of his school was a simple, kutcha house without electricity while the one he graced this weekend is one of the most modern of educational institutions in the country — the Assam Valley School (AVS).
“I really wish I was young and studying in this school,” Jamir said in his address as the chief guest of the 14th Founders’ Day celebrations of the school on its campus, located at the picturesque Hatichura tea estate, around 27km from Tezpur.
The three-day celebrations concluded yesterday.
The former Nagaland chief minister recalled his own school to highlight the contrast and told the attentive students, “Your school is, perhaps, the best school with all the amenities and a beautiful ambience. I was thrilled to see the vast playfield, the sprawling green campus and the aesthetically built building.”
Jamir felt that India’s transition to a knowledge-based economy would require a talented pool of manpower and the products of AVS are sure to fit into the role.
Maj. Gen. R.S. Chand, the GOC of the Tezpur-based 4 Corps, was equally impressed by the sporting talent in AVS and was confident that it would be able to produce Sachin Tendulkars, P.T. Ushas and Abhinav Bindras.
Gen. Chand — the chief guest of the annual athletic championship held yesterday morning — said he was highly impressed by the sporting spirit of the students and predicted that they would make the country proud in the near future.
The AVS, founded in 1995 by the Williamson Magor Education Trust, is rated among the 20 best residential schools in the country and is the only exclusive co-educational boarding school affiliated to the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination.
The headmaster of the school, D.N.A. Mountford, said in his Founders’ Day lecture, “At AVS, we are committed to the building up of young people for a globally-connected life in the 21st century.”
That the headmaster was right could be gauged from the all-round talent that the students of the school showcased. It started with an exhibition where the students presented fascinating model on various issues from China’s increasing aggression over Arunachal Pradesh to the Naxalite problem in the country.
The dramatic skills of the students were at its best when they staged Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
Assamese actress Zerifa Wahid, among the special invitees, said she could hardly believe that such young students could play the role of tough characters with so much passion and skill.
The celebrations ended with an athletic meet where students showed their skills in different disciplines.
The school went on a vacation for a week from yesterday. “The vacation is a much deserved break for students after the month-long preparations to make the 14th Founders’ Day celebration a great success,” a faculty member of the school said.
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Imphal, Nov. 13: Manipur today distributed fire extinguishers to schools to save educational institutions from being torched.
Education minister L. Jayentakumar Singh today distributed two fire extinguishers each to 10 schools in Hiyanglam Assembly constituency of Thoubal district during a tour of the constituency to assess the academic situation and security measures.
The minister accompanied by works minister K. Ranjit Singh and local MLA E. Dwijamani Singh also visited Langmeidong High School in the constituency, which was set on fire by suspected supporters of the class boycott campaign on the night of November 10.
So far five schools have been torched in different places in the valley areas to counter the government’s efforts to reopen schools.
Education institutions have been closed since September 9 after the All Manipur Students Union, Manipuri Students Federation and Kangleipak Students Association launched a class boycott campaign as part of the ongoing agitation against the July 23 firing in Imphal city in which passerby Rabina Devi and former militant Ch. Sanjit were killed in an alleged fake encounter.
The government strengthened security for the educational institutions and appealed to guardians to send their children back to school and college. However, despite the appeal student attendance remained very poor in most of the institutions.
Jayentakumar Singh said fire extinguishers would be provided to all educational institutions and a police outpost opened in Langmeidong to guard schools and colleges in the area.
The minister said repairing of the damaged schools would be completed soon. The ministerial team visited a few educational institutions in the constituency to see the academic situation and security. He said he found some schools running regular classes.
The Government Recognised Private Schools Welfare Association has convened a meeting of founders, principals and teachers of the private schools on November 15 at Hatta in Imphal city to discuss the ongoing academic situation.
Imphal, November 14 : Mao Students' Union (MSU) has expressed strong resentment that Government of Manipur is yet to provide security to the Tadubi branch of State Bank of India.
Speaking to some mediapersons during a recent inspection tour of Mao and nearby villages, MSU president Lokho Ojo Mao said due to constant appeals by various organisations of mao and nearby areas an official team of SBI conveyed its willingness to establish a branch office at a suitable location in between Mao and Maram.
Consequently spot location surveys were jointly conducted by mao area organisations and the SBI officials that resulted in identifying a private building at near Tadubi bazar which is also close to the National Highway 39 .
Informing that the SBI officials were also impressed in finding the double storey building which is flanked by a post of the Assam Rifles at about 200 metre distance and Tadubi police station even more nearer at about 150 metres, Lokho also said the bank officials pledged commitment in the setting up of the SBI branch.
However, joy of the locals that the long awaited bank branch would be a reality was short-lived as the State Government snubbed public proposal to provide at least 15 personnel exclusively for duty in the SBI branch.
He opined that refusal of the state authorities to assign requisite number of security personnel at the bank is yet another manifestation that Government of Manipur is undermining interest of people in Mao-Maram areas as well as denying economic rights of the locals.
the MSU functionary pointed out that benefits supposed to be reaped by the local workforce engaged in welfare programmes including NREGS is insignificant as the people have to withdraw wage money from either Maram or Senapati district headquarters.
Recounting that a memorandum proposing security personnel provision for the SBI branch had already been submitted to the Chief Minister, Lokho cautioned that failure to redress problems faced by the Mao-Maram people would compel resorting to intense agitation.
AASU’s Human Chain along the Indo–Bangla Border
Human Chain along the Indo - Bangla Border
Thousands people from various parts of Dhubri district recently thronged to the Indo-Bangla International Border at Lakhimari village under the Sonahat Border Security Force outpost to form a human chain in protest against the unabated infiltration across the Bangladesh border and demanding complete seal of Assam-Bangladesh border.
This human chain along the border, however, reminded the villagers of one such human chain programme that was organized by BJP at the Satrasal border, a few kilometres away from the Lakhimari border and spearheaded by Uma Bharati in 1994.
A cross section of people irrespective of caste, creed and religion and a large number of students assembled at the Indo-Bangla Trade Centre Ground.
Romoni Adhikari, an elderly villager of Tokrerchara - III village calls the human chain programme an alarm bell on the porous Indo-Bangla border which is not reaching the ears of the Central and state government.
“The situation is getting worse day by day and things being as they are, the Central government is paying the least attention to the border villages,” Adhikari said.
Aftab Uddin, a teacher of a venture school in Ratiadoh area under Golokganj police station of Dhubri district who went to the Lakhimari border to attend the human chain programme said that the border has been left to the border security forces and nobody knows what is happening there as after the sun sets, no one is allowed to venture on the border road. “So villagers do not know how the Bangladeshis are entering Indian territory and who are involved in trans-border smuggling including cattle. They (BSF) are the sentinels on the border but after 62 years of partition from India, infiltration continues into India through the porous border”, Uddin resentfully stated.
Speaking in a open meeting at the Indo-Bangla Trade Centre Ground, AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya lambasted the state and Central governments for their total failure in sealing the Indo-Bangla border and as a result of which, not only do the people of Bangladesh have free access to Assam but also many a fundamental militant organization has transformed this border into their haven.
Bhattacharya also said that though it is matter of national security as the border remains unprotected but despite their best
Participants of the human chain programme
efforts and the people’s support, the Centre is not taking the thing seriously and no political party has shown interest in solving this problem of unabated infiltration across the border.
“We will continue to fight till the whole Assam-Bangla border is sealed and farmers whose lands fall behind the barbed fencing are compensated,” Bhattacharya said.
Addressing the meeting, AASU president, Sankar Prosad Roy said that the human chain programme at the Lakhimari border has been organized in protest against the slow pace of barbed fencing works in the border and unabated infiltration across the border.
Roy said that it is almost 24 years since the Assam Accord was signed between the Central government and AASU but many a clausesof the Accord is yet to be implemented.
“The barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangla border, first erected in 1987, proved to be redundant as it could neither stop infiltration nor trans-border movement of insurgent groups through the porous areas of the border,” Roy said.
Roy also said that AASU wants the sealing of the 272 kms Indo-Bangla border in Dhubri and Karimganj sector with barbed fencing.
While expressing deep resentment over the poor quality of barbed fencing works, Roy said that AASU is raising the demand for the compensation against land which fell behind the barbed fencing.
He said that owners of the l1000 acres (approx) of land can not go to their land freely for cultivation as there is restriction imposed by the Border Security Forces. So it is better for the government to acquire the land and compensate the poor farmers who lost almost everything during the partition of the country.
Roy claimed that renewed movement against the foreigners would remind of the Assam Movement of 80’s which began with a human chain programme from Dhubri.
Roy added that a similar human chain programme will be held at the Karimganj sector soon.
Meyanungsang Kichu
Dimapur, November 6 (MExN): A Naga scholar Meyanungsang Kichu, a final year PhD researcher from Macquarie University in Sydney, on October 2 won the first prize in a poster presentation competition by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute Incorporated. The institute had conducted its annual one-day symposium on Natural Products Chemistry, in the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales. A total of one hundred and fifty participants from universities and companies around Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, attended the conference.
Meyanungsang Kichu, who is currently working on Nagaland medicinal plants, won the first prize in the best poster presentation competition. The prize was awarded for his work entitled “TLC-bioautography-guided isolation of antibacterial compounds from a Nagaland medicinal plant.” It describes his research on the isolation and identification of 11 known compounds with biological activity against pathogenic microorganisms from a plant being used by Chungtia villagers for treating skin related infections.
This work is part of his PhD thesis on Nagaland medicinal plants. His major objectives are to systematically document first-hand ethno-medicinal plant knowledge of Chungtia village and to apply this knowledge to identify medicinally important compounds following targeted chemical and biological studies. For this project, he has established a collaborative research partnership with Chungtia Senso Mokokchung Town (CSMT) and Macquarie University for best ethical practices. They follow the principles of the Convention of Biological Diversity Act and the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia, to conduct research with indigenous people.
Associate Professors Joanne Jamie, Jim Kohen and Subramanyam Vemulpad, who supervised Kichu’s research work, are very proud of his achievements and his commitment to help his community in Nagaland. Kichu has presented his research findings at international and national conferences in Australia and India. Prior to pursuing his research at Macquarie University, Australia, he had worked as a lecturer in Biotechnology at St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore.
IMPHAL, Nov 5 – Even as the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students Federation (MSF) and Kangleipak Students Alliance (KSA) have affirmed on Tuesday not to resume classes, the Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has resolved to resume classes immediately in a meeting held here on Monday. The student bodies have been boycotting classes since September 9.
In the meeting, DESAM has also resolved to form an organisation comprising of 20 clubs which would be responsible in taking up steps for the resumption of the classes immediately. Thestudents ’ body also resolved not to use education as a means of agitation and to make education free zone. They also stated that the civil society organisations should show its solidarity in the move of DESAM for the resumption of the classes.
About 500 people hailing from 50 social organisations attended today’s meeting, out of which 450 individuals were not in favour of the ongoing boycott.
It may be recalled that in the wake of the July 23 fake encounter incident the classes have been boycotted by All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) and Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) since September 9 as part of the ongoing mass movement under the aegis of the Apunba Lup demanding the resignation of Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh. The threestudents’ organisations are agitating against the July 23 ‘fake’ encounter incident.
It is worth noting that the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has also been advocating for the resumption of classes. ATSUM had convened a public meeting on October 24 in this regard.
On Sunday, the agitating AMSU, MSF and KSA had warned any organisation or individual attempting to sabotage the ongoing ‘peoples’ movement including the boycotting of classes. The threestudents’ bodies pledged not to allow the classes to be resumed unless the State Government obliges the demands of the organisations.
Meanwhile, the Inpui (Kabui) Students’ Union has said the closure of educational institutions as a mark of protest is not right. The Inpui students’ body said that the closure of the educational institutions has caused irreparable loss to the students’ community.
Kohima, Nov. 1: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has demanded the immediate intervention of Governor Nikhil Kumar, who is also the chief rector of Nagaland University, in the reservation system of the university.
The federation said the university authorities have violated the reservation policy of the ministry of personnel and pensions of the Centre.
NSF president Mutsikoyo Chakhesang said the reservation quota in the Nagaland University is not in accordance with the office memorandum of the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions department.
The memorandum, issued in July 5, 2005, states that Nagaland can avail of 45 per cent reservation in the group C and D posts in any central office.
“A recent advertisement for recruitment to various posts in Nagaland University show a violation of the policy,” he said recently.
He said in contrast with the other states, more than 80 per cent of the population of Nagaland included the Schedule Tribes.
The Naga students said unless the reservation quota was increased, the educated unemployed would be deprived of opportunities.
The federation also lamented that all the vacant posts were not included in the recent advertisement for non-teaching posts under Nagaland University.
They urged the governor to consider the sentiment of the Naga students.
The Nagaland University Teachers Association has also charged vice-chancellor K. Kannan of making illegal appointments in the university.
It urged the state government and Centre to intervene and stop such practices.
The NSF has taken exception to the backdoor appointment of teachers in government higher secondary schools across the state. It said the state government has already appointed over 113 teachers for nine schools without conducting interviews.
The NSF’s president said the current system of appointments deprived qualified and capable persons of their rights. It has urged the state government to cancel all such backdoor appointments immediately and conduct interviews for the posts.
It also demanded an immediate explanation from the commissioner of school education, Banuo Z. Jamir.
The federation said if corrective measures were not taken immediately, they would resort to their own course of action in the larger interest and welfare of Naga students.
Imphal, November 2 : The Standing Committee of the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) has dissolved the Central Cabinet of the KSO General Headquarters in toto as per article No 10 of the KSO constitution and fixed the date of election of the KSO Central Committee, a statement issued by the secretary of the KSO Standing Committee, Lunkhothang informed.
The standing committee shall hold the office of the KSO with immediate effect until a new Central Cabinet of the KSO General Headquarters is duly constituted, it stated.
The committee also retained Paotinthang Lupheng, the incumbent education secretary as its office secretary for the whole duration of KSO GHQ election.
According to the statement, nomination may be filed from November 9 to November 16 while the election date has been fixed on November 17 .
The election will be held at Kuki Inn, Imphal.
Imphal, October 31 : The Manipur Students' Association, Delhi has come out strongly against the brutal murder of Ramchanphy Hongray by an IIT student at Delhi.
In a statement, the student body said that the people of North East have been subjected to racial discrimination for long and chronicled some recent events.
Stating that the North East people are no longer safe in India, MSAD said that Delhi is a glaring example of the series of unabated and deliberate racial discriminations against the people of the North East.
Stating that the murder of Ramchanphy was not the first instance of singling out people from the North East, MSAD said that on April 17 this year, Giupuilu Gangmei, a five year old Zeliangrong girl, was raped and murdered in broad daylight in Mahabalipur.
In the night of September 20,2009m a Chiru Naga boy was severely assaulted with iron rods by local goons at Outram Lines, said MSAD and added that in the night of September 21, 2009, a Moyon Naga girl was molested and beaten up by the neighbours at Munirka.
On October 11, 2009 a Naga couple was assaulted by local goons and the police at first refused to register an FIR.
The FIR was registered only after a hue and cry was raised.
Again on October 14, 2009, locals of Nariana assaulted and attempted to rape a Mao Naga girl, while on October 24, 2009, a 21 year old girl from Arunachal Pradesh was molested by a team of students of a Government run school at Bharat Nagar, claimed the student body.
Imphal, October 31 : An emergency federal assembly of the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), which was held today at its office located at Old Lambulane, endorsed the recommendations of the Public Meeting convened by the students' body on October 24 on the indefinite closure of educational institutions in some valley districts of the state.
Sharing the pains and sorrows of all bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones caused by state and non-state actors especially those of July 23 at BT Road, the federal assembly of ATSUM appealed both the government and the agitating students' bodies (AMSU, MSF and KSA) to lift the 'ban' imposed on all educational institutions, including institutions under CBSE/ICSSE by October 2009, according to a statement issued by the assembly secretary of ATSUM, Ningthou Kamei and its speaker Tonghen Kipgen.
"We justified the agitations launched under the banner of Apunba Lup in protest against the July 23 incident of BT Road.
However, the indefinite closure of all educational institutions in some valley districts as a part of the agitation is uncalled for and is taking the issue beyond the limit," the ATSUM statement noted.
Appealing for allowing private schools to collect their normal school fees so that ttheir teachers continue to get their meager salaries, the ATSUM demanded that the government to treat the ongoing impasse as 'calamity' and compensate the private school teachers if their appeal is not heeded.
"If these two terms are not accepted, ATSUM will use all its might and resources to make a 'token' payment to these teachers even if it is just Rs 1 for a teacher," it asserted.
The TASUM also requested that exams conducted by BSEM, COHSEM and MU be held on normal scheduled.
In case normal classes were not resumed by November, ATSUM will organise 'residential coaching class' at selected centres across the state especially for HSLC and Class XII candidates.
All interested students - tribal and non-tribal - will be welcome for the coaching classes, it added.
The ATSUM also requested the state government to intervene so that any student who is desirous of shifting their institutions within one Board can do it freely.
It further added that ATSUM will be compelled to think of 'alternative options' if the present impasse continues beyond the limit.
Imphal, October 30 : Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Imphal Branch has demanded clarification on the reported abduction of Thangpao Kipgen on October 27 from Leimakhong Bazar as to why he has been abducted.
A statement issued by the information secretary of KSO, Imphal D Letminthang Haokip informed that Thangpao Kipgen (25), son of (L) Lhukhokai Kipgen of Nongmaipal village, Sadar Hills was abducted by around five persons in a white colour Maruti Van (bearing registration number MNA-01-1279) from Leimakhong Bazar.
Stating that the abducted person was innocent, the KSO statement pointed out that he was going to Leimakhong to drop food items for his brothers and sisters studying at Leimakhong.
It added that Thangpao was preparing for the coming VDF recruitment.
Drawing the attention of all concerned authorities, the KSO statement urged the kidnappers to release the abducted person immediately.
ITANAGAR, Oct 29 : The apex students organization of the State, All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) today called for sincere and concerted measures from all concerned to curb the repeated violence being inflicted on students from the North-east studying in various parts of the country.
The Union condemned the molestation of an Arunachalee girl and the gruesome murder of a Naga girl in New Delhi in the last couple of days. It expressed fear that such incidents would have far reaching consequences and would further aggravate the imbalance between the region and mainland India. It urged upon the Delhi Government as well as the Central Government to deal with iron hands with perpetrators and sympathizers of such crimes.
The Union is leading a delegation to the national capital on October 30 next headed by its president Takam Tatung to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other Central leaders. Besides the issue of safety of North-east students and crime committed by mainstream Indians against people from the region, the Union would raise the issue of the repeated claims over Arunachal Pradesh by China.
The Union said, all elected members of Parliament from the region and all State governments of the North-east, cutting across party lines, needed to get together to voice their stand against all atrocities committed on people from the region.
It has further resolved to take the issue to the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) platform to give a united stand of the North East.
GUWAHATI, OCT 29 – The AASU has reiterated its demand to remove politicians from the governing body of all educational institutes of the State. The Government, it may be mentioned, had issued an order seeking removal of all the politicians from the governing body of the educational institutes.
However, another notification from the Principal Secretary, Education (Higher) issued on October 9 conceded that majority of the colleges are yet to abide by the earlier notification and further issued a fresh order stating that the senior most of the two University-nominated would be appointed as the interim-chairman of the governing body of those colleges, which still has politicians in the governing body.
Asked to comment, AASU adviser Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya, “We demand that the same rule be made applicable not only for colleges but for all theeducational institutes in the State.”
IMPHAL, Oct 25 : The All Tribal students` Union Manipur, ATSUM in a public meeting held today at the auditorium of the Tribal Research Institute, Adimjati, in connection with the closure of educational institutes, adopted many resolutions after a detailed discussion.
Spokepersons from different organizations and individuals, including KSO, UNC, CNPO, ZSUM, Zelianrong Baudi, Poumei Union, Kuki Inpi Manipur bodies, ex-MP Holkhomang Haokip, Samuel Jendai, gave their views and opinions.
After the discussions, recommendations were adopted by the organizing committee of the ATSUM for further discussion in their federal assembly to chalk out further stands.
In the recommendations the dignitaries, parents and guardians agreed to share the pain and sorrow of the victims of July 23, as a mark of solidarity and also resolved that such discussion was being organized by ATSUM irrespective of community affiliations solely for the benefit of the future generation.
The gathering also agreed to endorse the agitation against fake encounters in the state including the July 23 incident but opposed the boycotting of educational institutions saying this was to much, considering the general loss.
The meet however agreed to ban or boycott government offices and other programme in the state.
It also resolved to appeal to both the state Government and Apunba Lup for bringing an amicable solution before October 30, failing which the students bodies would pressurise the government for conducting compulsory classes for Class X and XII examination as per government schedule.
Recommendations also underscored the necessity for private schools to pay salaries to the private teachers and for parents and guardians to pay fees including to coaching centers and school van services.
It also adopted to appeal the state government to treat the current impasse as natural calamity and rightly compensate the helpless teachers.
It was also agreed that if a negative outcome arises despite the points adopted today the ATSUM would in an effort to save the academic atmosphere starts a free residential coaching programme especially for the Class X and XII for minimum of two months with contribution form the general public and also noted about the apprehension of the centrally sponsored school examinations probably be effected by the boycott stand of the three students` bodies.
While sharing their opinions during the open discussion David Adani, president of the ANSAM urged for a joint fight together in connection with the July 23 incident however he expressed that it was not right to give hindrances to education.
According to L.C Santosh, president of the DESAM, if the present agitation of class boycott continues the loss may be irreversable adding that the DESAM has been contributing its mite to ensure right to education and making education a free zone.
He requested the concerned organizations to repeal the boycott stance and instead adopt other means.
While delivering his key note address during the meet, Thomas Taishya, president of the ATSUM, revealed that the union is deeply pained and distressed by the BT Road incident and asserted they condemn the incident terming it as barbarous act of the state police leadinh to loss of precious human lives.
While stating that the ATSUM shares all the pain and loss of the victim families inflicted by both state and non-state actor, it asserted the agitation launched to protest the July 23 incident under the banner of Apunba Lup and the two JAC formed in connection with the said incident was justifiable in all respect.
He further held that the accusation hurled at the state police, commandos and IRB personnel by individuals and civil society seems to hold water as with even the media have come out with it openly and to the point of boycotting the state government and it is also the responsibility of the government to find a ways and means to resolve the impasse to restore normal life functioning of education in the state.
Lamka, October 24 : Claiming that something fishy is going on in the entire affairs of the UBI scam, wherein more than 4 crores was withdrawn fraudulently by unidentified persons, Churachandpur District Students' Union has petitioned the Officer-in-Charge to include the circumstances under which huge funds for MSDP were credited into EE/DRDA's (an individual's) account.
The CDSU noted that was really doubtful why and how such a huge fund of the Government meant for development programme was not deposited into the department's account but in an individual person's account.
"Is the MSDP fund already stolen or was it deposited into an individual person's account with an evil intention to steal them instead of giving away to the beneficiaries," the union asked in its petition to the OC.
Accodingly, an FIR No.55(10)09CCP-PS was registered under section 419/420/468/471/120-B IPC by the police.
Though, unconfirmed there were reports about the UBI terminating the services of some of its employees and the police investigation making a credible headway.
IMPHAL, Oct 23: The Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, DESAM, today informed the media that if the three students organisation, AMSU, MSF and KSA, spearheading the class boycott agitation failed to withdraw their stance by the month of October, 2009, the DESAM would organize a public meeting on November 2 at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theater.
In this regards a press conference was held today at the office of the DESAM, at Keishampat, during which the president of the students` body, revealed that considering the importance of right to education, All Tribal Students` Union Manipur (ATSUM) and DESAM had planned to organize a public meeting on October 21 however due to pressures from senior citizens, parents and guardians, the meeting has been delayed, the DESAM president said.
He said right to education was the ideological foundation of the DESAM and considering this, the DESAM decided to convene the meet and also urged students, parents and guardians to attend the meeting.
The DESAM further said that the resolution taken in the meeting would be converted into action by the students` body and appealed from any individuals against this would not be entertain by DESAM, he said.
It may be recalled ATSUM and DESAM in had planned to organize a public meeting on October 21 however it was postponed and the ATSUM is now set to organize a public meeting in this connection on October 24.
The boycott call by the AMSU, MSF and KSA was on the issue of making the government accountable in the July 23 daylight fake encounter killing of a young ex-militant, Ch Sanjit at Khwairamband.
The students along with the Apunba Lup are demanding the chief minister, Okram Ibobi to vacate office on moral ground.
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| AASU activists burn the effigy of food and civil supplies minister Nazrul Islam in Guwahati on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections |
Guwahati, Oct. 19: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) refrained from celebrating the birthday of its advisor, Samujjal Bhattacharyya, today and instead took to the streets to protest against the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.
The AASU activists also burnt the effigy of food and civil supplies minister Nazrul Islam to protest alleged government failure to control the price rise in the state.
A senior leader of the students’ body said they did not celebrate Bhattacharyya’s birthday because the soaring prices of essential commodities had badly affected the poor, lower middle and middle class families.
“It is hard to celebrate when the rising prices has put a great burden on not just the poor but also on the middle class,” an AASU member said.
The activists of the “anchalik” units of the AASU burnt the effigy of the food and civil supplies minister in their respective areas across the state today.
In Guwahati, the members of All Guwahati Students Union set Islam’s effigy on fire near Gauhati High Court around 12.30pm and shouted anti-government slogans for its failure to arrest price rise.
The protesters alleged that the worthlessness of the minister and the state government had led to a rise in the prices of essential commodities in the state.
They also criticised chief minister Tarun Gogoi for indirectly supporting the price rise by arguing in favour of the traders.
The AASU activists will stage a dharna at all district headquarters of the state tomorrow to protest the government’s inaction. The sit-ins will be organised outside the deputy commissioners’ offices.
The Opposition AGP this evening announced a Dispur chalo march on October 26 to protest against price rise.
Agartala, Oct. 19: The euphoria over recognition extended by the Medical Council of India (MCI) to the Tripura Medical College (TMC) has now given way to desperation, owing to the low-key response from students for admission to the first year MBBS course.
The college is in a dilemma over the lack of response from the students, apparently due to a relatively high admission fee fixed by the Society for Tripura Medical College.
The latter, which runs the college, is a government-sponsored society headed by health commissioner Yashpal Singh.
Out of a total of 85 seats under state quota, only 37 seats have been filled up by local candidates. The society and B.R. Ambedkar Hospital had prepared a waiting list of 35 candidates.
Official sources said that if the state quota seats remained open even after intake from the waiting list, an open entrance examination, regardless of ranks in the joint entrance examination, would be held after the last date for admission (October 20) is over.
Sources said that while disposing of a case on October 9 filed by the college on the issue of MCI recognition, the Supreme Court had directed that the process of admission for the current academic session be completed by October 20. “As things stand, we will have to draw upon the waiting list and if the quota is not filled up, even then we will have to conduct an admission test at the earliest. Fifteen of the total of 100 seats fall in the central quota,” said Dr J.K. Nag, the superintendent of TMC.
“A new entrant to the first year will have to deposit Rs 3.5 lakh as tuition fee, Rs 50,000 more for caution deposit and an additional Rs 24,000 as hostel charge. This sounds exorbitant in a state like Tripura but there is no other option because the state government is not in a position to subsidise the expensive medical education in the state,” Dr Nag said.
He also added that the fee structure would marginally fall in the remaining three years of the course for students because no security money would have to be deposited afresh.
The lukewarm response to the admission process and fee structure has already triggered a controversy with the Opposition leader Ratanlal Nath pointing out the difference in fee structures of the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and the TMC.
“In AGMC, students are required to pay Rs 1 lakh for the first year excluding caution money and hostel charge and Rs 65,000 for each subsequent year. In contrast, the fee structure at TMC appears exorbitant,” Nath said, describing the difference in fee structure as an “instance of gross discrimination”.
He also asserted that the state government was “actually planning to hand over the management of TMC to a private party very soon and that is why the government is determined not to compromise on the fee structure despite demands from the people”.
Imphal, October 20 : Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Chandel and Naga Students' Union Chandel (NSUC) have urged the Tribal Development Minister to give preference to local candidates in selecting the teachers under ADC for which written examination was conducted on October 11 .
A memorandum submitted jointly by the two students' bodies has also urged the concerned minister to cancel roll numbers from 01 to 200 in the recent recruitment examination in respect to Chandel district.
The memorandum informed that the two students' bodies will look into the matter of alleged bribery and pledged to take up appropriate and necessary action against anyone found indulging in bribery - be they Ministers, MLAs, bureaucrats, or CM.
The students' bodies also warned that excess number of teachers and illegal appointment should not be committed while pointing the existence of such case in the recruitment of teachers conducted in 2006. Asserting that provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 will be used in checking answer scripts in the event of any discrepancy, the KSO and NSUC warned to launch any form of democratic agitation if the authority fails to fulfill the demands.
IMPHAL, Oct 17: Alleging that the H.S.L.C certificate, 1997 of the present Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chandel district autonomous council was fake, the Thadou Students Association, TSA, demanded government to take appropriate actions against the CEO, S. Wurngam Anal, and also to replace the CEO, with another qualified person.
While briefing media persons, the president of the TSA, Nagmboi Haokip, revealed that the state vigilance commission has taken investigation under an FIR case No. 23 (10) 2000 VPS U/S 471/1488/420 IPC on 4/10/2000 besides the issue has also be taken up at the floor of the state Legislative Assembly during which it was informed that his (CEO) case was under investigation.
However, the TSA held that so far there has been no development in connection with the investigation and urged the concerned authority not to declare the results of the primary teachers candidates of Chandel district from Roll No. 1 to 200 adding that the president further alleged that manipulations has been carried out by the CEO.
Further, Ngamboi Haokip, pointed out that while recruiting 80 teachers for district autonomous council, in 1993 only five Thadou Kuki were appointed besides that no Thadou Kuki were selected in 1996 where in no advertisement was also made in that regards etc, said Ngamboi and further asserted that there has been no interest following such disparity around 15 schools in the Chandel district were without any Thadou Kuki teachers and urged the concerned authority to select more Thadou Kuki in the recently concluded primary teachers examination.
TAMENGLONG, Oct 17 : The Zeliangrong Student`s Union Manipur, ZSUM want free and fair and select on the merit basis of the candidates who appeared in the written test for recruitment of the primary teachers under Tamenglong Autonomous District Council. The written test for recruitment of the primary teachers under Tamenglong Autonomous District Council was held on 11 October 2009 at Tamenglong.
While disclosing to media persons at Tamenglong today K. Humaliabou, Chairman of ZSUM said that concern authority should be maintain free and fair and select the educated talented candidates on merit basis of the primary teachers. He also requested all NGOs and specially the underground groups not to give pressure or give hindrance to the selection committee on the process of selection of the primary teachers.
He also maintained that the ZSUM is ready to take up any actions if the concern authorities are taking bribe, not select the educated and talented candidates and found any unfair means in selection process.
He also mentioned that some rumors after the written test was over, the UGs and some social leaders are pressuring the ADC officials to allot or select under their quotas. It also spread rumors that some officials are taking bribe from the candidates by collecting huge amount of money. He appealed all concerns not give any hindrance in the selection process in the larger interest of the Zeliangrong people.
Further he appeal the concern authority of the ADC to declare the written test results of the recruitment without any delay.
Imphal, Oct 17 : The newly formed All Manipur Students Guardians` Organisation (AMSGO), Manipur, said the organisation has been running from pillar to post to have the administration intervene and ensure the condition whereby schools and colleges can resume classes.
The general secretary of the organisation O Yaima Singh said they have met several key figures in the government including the chief minister to press them to resolve with the Apunba Lup and other leaders of the current stir against the July 23 killings by commandos at the Khwairamband Bazar.
He said in a meeting the chief minister has assured them that hectic efforts are being made by the state government to restore peaceful academic conditions of the state by holding talks with the agitating student bodies in connection with the total paralysed of educations arising out of the Khwairamband bazar incident of July 23.
According to the AMSGO general secretary the education minister, L Jayantakumar, works minister, K Ranjit, power minister, Phungzathang Tonsing, IFCD minister N Biren and director education (S) Here Krishna were present at the meeting.
The organisation spkesperson further mentioned that, the organisation in their memorandum to the government called for appropriate resolution to the current turmoil in the education arising out of the unfortunate incident at Khwairamband bazar on July 23.
Their memorandum further narrated that, after the july 23 incident at BT Road all the educational institutions in the state are not imparting regular classes since, August 9, this year thereby creating turmoil in the areas of education.
The students at large are left with an uncertain future it said.
Further, the memorandum also mentioned that, the AMSGO, had called a meeting of parents of students on October 14 this month at the premises of Iboyaima Shumang Lila Shanglen, Imphal, to know what they are feeling about the education of their children.
In the said meeting the guardians and parents equivocally appealed all concerned, both government and agitators to agree with the proposal that all educational institutions should be declared as free zone and students should be allowed to go to schools from October 21.
The memroandum of AMSGO further elaborated that, the Parliament passed the Right of Children to free and compulsory education Act on August 14, 2009 making education a Fundamental Rights for every child of the country.
The deprivation of such a fundamental right of children will have far reaching consequences to the society`s future it said.
This being the case, there has arisen an urgent need for an administrative intervention to end the crisis.
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