Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 30 2012: Zoumi Football Club, Churachandpur and DM Rao, Sekmai will slug out for the title of the 17th M Chittamani Singh Memorial Winners' cup football tournament after outclassing their respective semifinal opponents in second-leg semifinal matches played today.
While ZFC sealed its final berth with a 6-1 aggregate victory after winning 2-1 against Yarthok United Football Club in the second leg home match played at Public Ground, churachandpur, DM Rao outplayed visitors YOSC, Khurai 3-1 at SKYC Ground, Sekmai.
The first leg semifinal between the two had ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
In ZFC's triumph today, Jamthianlal (34th) and Helun Haokip (89th) scored for the home team with Reisangmi netting the Yarthok goal in the 74th minute.
The other semifinal clash saw L Bharat providing the YOSC breakthrough in the opening minutes but failed to maintain the momentum as the home team came strongly after the break.
While H Anilkumar restored parity for DM Rao in the 53rd minute, goals from A Lenin (72nd) and Y Hemba (81st) ensured the comfortable victory and the rightful place in the summit clash, with ZFC scheduled to host the first final on November 1.The second final at SKYC ground is on Nov 3 .
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Tribal meet decides to oppose VA election
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, October 30 2012: A crucial meeting of tribal chiefs and leaders of tribal organisations has decided on Tuesday to oppose the upcoming Village Authority Elections 2012 seeking amendments to the Manipur Hill Village Authority Act, 1956 before the elections are conducted.
An emergency meeting initiated by All Tribal Chiefs Forum, Manipur (ATCF) and Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) was convened at Kuki-Inn, Imphal with the main agenda being the ensuing Village Authority Elections.
Representatives of different tribal village chief organizations including 150 village chiefs were also present at the marathon meeting.
The meeting that continued for about four hours condemned the Government order for Village Authority elections 2012 issued on October 1 .
The leaders of village chief organizations and village chiefs said holding of village Authority elections without making amendments to the Manipur Hill Village Authority Act, 1956 will endanger the tribal customary and traditional rights.
They said the existing Act is completely outdated and hence it requires amendment and raised stiff opposition against the State Government's preparation for the election.
T Kipgen, president ATCF chaired the meeting wherein BD Behring; ex-MP, Dr R Shanga, advisor, COPTAM; Letpu Haokip, chairman, COPTAM; Rose Mangshi, president, Kuki Women Union, Manipur and Thangkam Lupheng, general secretary, COPTAM were also present.
The meeting unanimously adopted five resolutions among which the decision to oppose the next Village Authority election was prominently highlighted.
It was also resolved that amendments to the Village Authority Act, 1956 should be made in such a way that the cultural and traditional rights as well as land rights of the tribals are suitably protected.
The election should be conducted in each village as per the respective custom and traditions.
The meeting further resolved that a sub-committee on Village Authority Act, 1956 comprising the presidents of all the tribal chief associations be formed and entrusted ATCF and COPTAM with the task.
Lastly, it was also resolved to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the issue.
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Koubru cave found sealed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 30 2012: Apart from erecting two crosses, the Koubru cave, which is considered to be a sacred site by the Meetei community, was found blocked by some unidentified miscreants along with pilling up stones at the mouth of the cave.
The incident came to light when a 40-member team of Poirei Amai Loishang, a branch of Apokpa Marup went to the cave for worship yesterday.
Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao in this connection, O Dilip, who was part of the team, informed that a 40 member team of the Poirei Amai Loishang went for a pilgrimage to the sacred Koubru to pray to Lainingthou Koubru Ashuppa.
The team included two pilgrims from Jiribam and another 26 from Cachar.
Dilip further informed that on reaching the peak of Koubru Mountain, the team was shocked to see that the mouth of the cave, where the believers offer floral tributes, was blocked with rocks and stones.
There were also leftovers of meats and drinks enjoyed by the miscreants at the sacred spot.
Dilip went on to say that the team also came across two crosses erected at the entrance of the cave on which the words 'Kuki Nampi Taona' (KNT) was written along with 'October 23-26' .
So, it is suspected that the blasphemous act may have been carried out some miscreants from Kuki community.
Expressing unhappiness over the incident, Dilip stated that the blasphemous act has defiled the sacred place of the Meeteis.
Expressing apprehension over possible unwanted events and misfortunes befalling upon the people of the state following the incident, Dilip also blamed the State Government with failure of coming up with certain strategies to protect and preserve the different sacred sites the Meeteis.