Matamgi Manipur

Dr L Krishnamangol wrote this article for The Sangai Express and Epao reposted it on 1 June 2015 There are many historical turning points in the evolution of the society and state of Manipur since ancient times. We can, therefore, imagine that there was “primitive communism” or primitive communal system in ancient times. And, the primitive communism is the earliest mode of production which is based on the common ownership of the means of production or the resources. This system still continues in some parts of the hill areas of Manipur. And, the system corroborates the empirical experiences/evidences that were found in different parts of the world in ancient times or early period of human civilizations. Coming to the case of Manipur, it is well known that the historical development of the state revealed that Manipur was defeated/conquered by the British in 1891, and that, thereafter, it became a princely state prior to 15th August, 1947.

Yambem Laba wrote this article originally for The Sangai Express and Epao posted it on 24 September 2014 A visit to the director's office at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal is akin to visiting an ultra high security zone. You go past unarmed guards provided by an agency and then you enter a fortified area complete with sandbagged posts manned by the CRPF wielding automatic weapons. Past that you are greeted with signs that read "Visitors not allowed beyond this point" and then you get to the ante room and find Manipur Rifles personnel armed with AK-47s — the personal security detail of the director. The aura of the institute being an advanced centre for medical sciences seems to have been lost somehow.

Editorial , The Sangai Express August 20, 2014  The Court of Sessions Judge, Imphal East has passed a landmark judgement today, the 19th of August 2014, and it would remain an outstanding milestone in the history of mankind’s struggle against controversial laws like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA which has its genesis in the British colonial era. Irom Sharmila is one universal name which symbolizes common man’s struggle against repressive laws enacted by ruling elites even though she is known more about her crusade against the AFSPA. For 14 long years, she has been fasting. The Sessions Court verdict says that Sharmila shows no intention of committing suicide either by way of continuous fasting or other means. Thus first ingredient of the offence punishable under Section 309 IPC, i.e to commit suicide is lacking. The Court’s verdict reads, “The petitioner (Irom Sharmila) be released from custody, if not required in any other case”. This is a highly signific...

by Yenning Source: The Sangai Express, E-pao,  Hoi Polloi And Mundanity Via an article posted on July 20, 2014  Clamping of prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 over Ukhrul town consequent to the killing of Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (ADC) member Ngalangzar Malue on July 12, 2014 has been interpreted by the frontal organizations of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) especially the United Naga Council, Naga Mothers' Union, All Naga Students' Association Manipur, Naga Women Union and Naga Hoho as a "systemic policy of sabotaging and jeopardizing the Nagas of Manipur through muscle power and military might". And such a move is taken by the frontal organizations of NSCN-IM as akin to keeping Unkhrul town under siege.

Sanatomba Kangujam wrote this article for The Sangai Express on 28 December, 2013   The Northeast region is set to witness large-scale violation of Human Rights in the backdrop of India's Look East Policy as the policy is predominantly guided by militaristic concern to subdue the armed struggles in the region The hype generated over India's Look East Policy did not come as a dramatic surprise to the people of Manipur since the opening of the "Eastern Gate" as a belief was rooted in their consciousness. It has been predicted in the ancient Manipuri sacred text called Puya that "Nongpok Thong" or the "Eastern Gate" would eventually open after a long period of "enforced closure". The general belief went parallel with India's announcement of a policy of looking eastward which marked a major shift in its economic and foreign policies. Even as the news of India's Look East Policy spread rapidly, people remained optimistic about t...

Two articles on the present situation of the NSCN-IM and their movement vis-a-vis Manipur and beyond, by Yenning. These articles were originally published by the Sangai Express and Hoi Polloi & Mundanity   Exposing the Urgency of Manipur NSCN-IM (Published in the Sangai Express on 10 Feb 2013) Political pundits are of the opinion that the political movement of NSCN-IM (frontal organisations included) have reached its zenith at least in the case of Manipur. Difficulty to manage the outfit’s demands at the constitutional level by India have turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the Union Government has given them a free hand to create a political space of their own. Equally true is the tempo in which Muivah is working realizing the timely need, or perhaps the last chance, to honourably exit from Nagaland, so as to join his wife and family in Ukhrul, Manipur. Three important factors that compel Muivah to hurry up his activities are discussed in today’s edition....

Rapping the State Government on the knuckles for the second time in less than 20 days, the Supreme Court today asked, “How can a State Government file an affidavit stating that they are killing ‘us’ and so we are killing ‘them’. Are we in a state of war ?” Are We In A State Of War? Supreme Court Tongue Lashes State Govt By a Staff Reporter of The Sangai Express, Nov 24 2012, originally published at  http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-21325-are-we-in-a-state-of-war-supreme-court-tongue-lashes-state-govt/ Rapping the State Government on the knuckles for the second time in less than 20 days, the Supreme Court today asked, “How can a State Government file an affidavit stating that they are killing ‘us’ and so we are killing ‘them’. Are we in a state of war ?” The latest tongue lashing comes close on the heels of the “Do it quickly. People are dying out there. File your report by November 19” instructions issued by the Supreme Court on November 5, when the State Governm...

by Avalok Langer This article was originally publsihed by the Sangai Express on 5 Nov 2012 After secret parleys with the Government, Th Muivah will meet other rebel outfits to push for a peace deal. But will they let him dictate the agenda? Avalok Langer reports NAGALAND IS buzzing with a sense of anticipation that a solution to the six-decade-long Indo-Naga political dispute is within reach. The sentiment was given a boost when National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IM leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Swu announced in Dimapur last week that a deal could be reached as early as March next year. However, having held talks with the Government of India (GoI) in isolation and secrecy, the biggest question is, will the solution — which will, in all probability, be only for the British-created State of Nagaland that will act as a political umbrella for all Nagas — and the leadership of Muivah, a Thankul Naga from Manipur, be accepted?

By Yambem Laba This article was published by the Sangai Express on 20 Oct 2012 On the 15th of October 1949 one of the most important chapters in the chequered history of Manipur took place.It was the day that Manipur’s destiny began to be tied with that of India then emerging as a brave new world of democracy heralding the beginning of the end of the colonial era worldwide. By the early 1960s Manipur merger with India came to be questioned with the formation of the United National Liberation Front advocating an armed struggle to regain Manipur’s lost sovereignity.By 2012 the number of armed groups formed in Manipur numbered about 50 with demands ranging from liberation of Manipur to influencing voters choice in Panchayat elections to award of lucrative contract works.

This editorial was originally published by the Sangai Express on 27 Sep 2012 Physically, not a rap on the knuckle. But the intent of statement is unmistakable. Behave, this is what Governor Gurbachan Jagat meant when he called upon the politicians and the bureaucrats to see themselves as in ‘service’ and not as ‘ruling class’. And this is saying a lot, coming as it has from a person who is not more than the nominal head of the State. Not all may agree with the view that good governance is the key to conflict resolutions, if conflict is understood only within the prism of the armed movement, but take it to a larger canvass to encapsulate the daily existence of the people then the profundity of this observation will not be lost on anyone. The seeds of ‘conflict’ sown by the ‘ruling class’ mentality have impacted on all spheres of governance and seen in this context, Governor Gurbachan Jagat could not have made a more opportune statement than on the first day of the three day seminar ...

This article by Ceety Khongsai was originally published by the Sangai Express on 10 Aug 2012 Introduction: The North East India has the unique characteristic of being the thorny states since Indian independence in 1947 and till today, the liberation movements in this part of the region has become a headache to the national policymakers and law enforcement agencies.

This editorial was published by the Sangai Express on 10 Aug 2012 If the Bronze medal winning effort from Mary Kom and the awesome performance dished out by L Devendro in the boxing ring has stirred the consciousness of the country to a place called Manipur, then it is also a question on the very idea of India as a Nation. A damning statement on how the North East States, perhaps barring Assam, have fallen off the map of India's consciousness. In all probability it was an error in Geography when Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachan referred to Mary Kom as someone from Assam but it is also reflective of the ‘chicken neck syndrome’, where the ‘ignorance’ hovers disturbingly close to a social and political conditioning promoted and protected systematically down the decades. A tragedy it would be, both to the idea of India as a Nation as well as to the spirit of the people of the North East region and Manipur in particular, if the Bronze that Mary won is to be equated with ‘recogniti...

By Usham Dhananjoy Singh This article was originally published by the Sangai Express on 28 Nov 2008 The election to the Manipur State Assembly began on 11th June 1948 and continued upto 27th July 1948. Out of the 53 seats, 30 seats were for the valley, 18 seats for the hills, 3 seats for the Muslims and 2 seats for the professional groups. In the election that followed, Krishak Sabha won 6 seats, Congress 14 seats, Prajashanti 12 seats and 18 seats were won by the Hill men. Praja Shanti formed a coalition Govt with the support of the Krishak Sabha and the Hillmen. In the given situation Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh did not even confide his own brother, MK Priyobarta Singh who was a potential claimant to the post of Chief Minister. The other claimants to the post were Sanasam Gourahari Singh, Maharaja's Private Secretary and Rajkumar Setu Singh.

by Dr. A. K. Chishti This article was originally published by Huieyen Lanpao and Sangai Express and later by E-pao.net in June 2010. While acknowledging the Second Administrative Reforms Commission for reposing confidence in the Association of Premier State College Seniors of Manipur (APSCS) and giving the privilege of making an effective representation of the people's interest about the State of affairs and the "Conflict Resolution" thereon by extending the time when the commission heard us at Imphal on the 28th July 2007, we wish to begin with a few words about our own Association, perhaps the first of its kind in the country.

This editorial was first published by the Sangai Express on 5 June 2012 Imphal may just about escape the tag of a slum but it is undeniable that it has all the trappings of one. Well almost, if not all. The booming private water tanker service is nothing but a reflection of the extremely poor water supply scenario in the capital of the State while the brisk sale of LED lamps and low cost generators brought in from across the border at Moreh says something significant about the power supply, which is more often marked by black outs and load shedding than actually lighting up homes and streets. One does not have to go to the village to get a glimpse of an inter-village road for a walk or a drive through any of the lanes and by lanes of Imphal would be more than enough experience. The slush on the road, which turns into dust, depending on whether it rains or not, the rotting garbage piled up on the sides of the roads, the all round confusion on the roads of Imphal, made worse by the dig...

by Dr Laifungbam Debabrata Roy. This article was published originally by the Sangai Express on 17 April 2012 The 'rights and interests of the citizens' is arguably a complicated question. Are we to be inclusive in its interpretation? India, after all, is a member of the United Nations Organisation (UNO), a state that is on its second term in the Human Rights Council and presently vying hard to become a permanent member of the Security Council. But more importantly, the question I raise is whether the Indian Armed Forces, trained to defend the country from external aggression and threats, is competent to deal with the question of rights and interests of citizens, which are the domain of civil, political, economic, social and cultural affairs. My answer is no, the Indian Armed Forces do not have the competence or the expertise to use the special powers given to them by AFSPA.

This news report was originally published by the Sangai Express on 2 April 2012 Click to check the photo of the brave girl here At first sight she looks like any other healthy, normal girl, but this fifteen-year-old girl, a victim of Pourabi blast in 2007, has been living with shrapnel that need to be operated. Wahengbam Bembem (15) daughter of W Pakpa of Keibi Heikak Mapan was injured in the Pourabi blast that occurred on December 16, 2007 when a bomb planted in the middle of the road exploded and ripped through the bus in which she was travelling. The incident claimed eight lives and injured more than 30 people.

Sanatomba Kangujam wrote this article for  The Sangai Express  and was webcasted by E-pao.net    on 9 March 2012  A keen observation of the prevailing conflict situation in Manipur reveals that military solution is out of question. This is primarily on account of the fact that neither side can win a decisive battle. Stringent military operations launched by the Indian State Forces have not been able to quell the armed resistance movement, on the one hand. On the other hand, the armed opposition groups are not in a position to achieve the sovereignty of Manipur by militarily defeating the Indian State Forces in the present context or in any foreseeable future. Moreover, prolonged military engagement is not favourable for all the stakeholders to the conflict as it has resulted in heavy loss of human lives and other collateral damages. This calls for early resolution of the prevailing conflict. But any such outcome may depend on at least three conditio...

By Yengkhom Jilangamba This article was published by the Sangai Express ( http://thesangaiexpress.com ) on 19 Mar 2012 at http://thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=13952 Yet again another election has been conducted in Manipur with a massive recorded participation by the voters. We saw moments of tension, marked by violence leading to loss of lives and property. We also saw the usual tactics of manipulation leading to claims and counterclaims and repolling in some areas. There has been an interesting exchange of opinions on the issue. The question that I would like to pose, here, is what is wrong in voters selling their right to freely exercise their vote? I do not intend to comment at the moment on how free this freedom is. Therefore, let us set that aside and begin from the premise that there is some level of free choice for the voter to select the candidate of one’s choice. The use of money and muscle power as one of the forms of manipulating voters in elections...

This article was published by the Sangai Express ( http://thesangaiexpress.com ) on 20 Mar 2012 at  http://thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=13972    It would be interesting if an extensive research on the character of Imphal city is carried out, for in many ways the very term, city, connotes not only the size, population, and infrastructure available but also sharply reflects the character, the mindset, the culture, the ethos and values of not only the Government but also its inhabitants. Imphal may not come under the category of a slum, but down the years it has become more and more clear that it fits in quite well with the description of a shanty town and this says something very, very significant for it is the capital of Manipur, one of the older kingdoms in South East Asia, with a recorded history of 2000 years. But it ends here for even as the world has moved into the 21st Century, where windows are no longer windows and where the apple is no l...