IMPHAL, Nov 20 : The UPF, one of the two conglomerates of Kuki militant groups under SoO pact, has warned that the ongoing bandh in pursuit of Separate Kuki State should not be enforced in areas dominated by the front. Talking to The Sangai Express over the phone today, UPF chairman ST Thangboi stated that the bandh should not be enforced in all areas of Chandel, Sadar Hills and Churachandpur which are dominated by the front. The chairman also appealed to all the people residing in areas dominated by the front to return to normal life. People should feel free while moving around.
He also asked KSDC to stop all its ongoing activities from November 21 in areas dominated by the front. He further appealed to all transporters including passenger carriers and oil tankers to resume their normal service. This is line with what the UPF has been maintaining, while asserting that it would not support the public blockade called to raise the banner of a Kuki State under the Kuki State Demand Committee. The UPF had maintained that its aspiration is for a State within a State, which could mean more autonomy.
IPKF, UPF hum contrasting tunes IKPF threatens to support bandh
IMPHAL, Nov 20 : The Indigenous Kuki People’s Forum (IKPF) has threatened to support the ongoing bandh being imposed by KSDC in case the Government does not take up some concrete steps by November 22 towards bringing a political solution to the issue of Kukis. Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, IKPF general secretary Lian Gangte reminded that Kuki UG groups entered into SoO pact in 2005. Even though it is seven years since the tripartite SoO pact was signed, neither the Government of India nor the Government of Manipur has shown any interest in bringing a political solution for the Kukis of Manipur.
Pointing out that the existing SoO pact would expire on November 22, Lian Gangte said that IKPF would support the ongoing bandh if the Government of India does not take up some concrete steps by this date to work out a political solution for the Kukis in Manipur. He went on to assert that Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis are all separate communities who have their own languages, cultures and traditions. Even if the people should suffer, IKPF would support the bandh because neither the State Government nor the Government of India is listening to the demand of Kukis.
Any form of dialogue towards bringing a political solution to the issue of Kukis should be at the level of the Union Home Ministry if the dialogue is with the Government of India or at the level of Home Minister or Chief Secretary if it is with the Government of Manipur. IKPF president RR Chothe alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam talked in a pro-Naga tone recently. Though Manipur has three MPs, they never put up the burning issues of the State in the Parliament.
Asserting that the existing issue can be resolved only through dialogue, RR Chothe said that IKPF would take up necessary measures to protect territory of ethnic Kuki tribes before ‘outsiders’ take control of the said territory. He also sought support of indigenous Kukis, Nagas and Meiteis in the IKPF’s efforts.
Talk with Govt fails to break ice, KSDC to continue with stir Gaikhangam secures free passage for Sangai fest and TET candidates, demand for Kuki State begins to straddle different issues.
IMPHAL/ Lamka, Nov 20: Against the expectation that Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam will manage to win over the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) and secure a relaxation of the public blockade when he met them today, the KSDC today said their three days old public blockade will continue as the State Government has failed to give a written assurance on the date for initiating a political dialogue. Gaikhanngam however managed to secure free passage for those participating in the Sangai festival and candidates appearing for the TET exam. The Tet examination is scheduled to be held on November 27 while the Sangai festival will start from November 21 and go on till November 30. However, the demand for carving out a separate Kuki State was not included in the meeting’s agenda, said Gaikhangam, after the meeting with KSDC earlier in the day.
“Considering the appeal made by the representatives of the State Government to suspend the public blockade in view of the Sangai festival and TET exams, special considerarions will be given to the participants with valid documents for Sangai festival with prior information to the committee and candidates for TET examination,’ the KSDC spokesperson K Khongsai told the press today. “During today’s talk held in Imphal, the Deputy Chief Minister informed us that political dialogue between the Centre and leaders of the Kuki militant groups would be initiated after the ensuing Parliament session and that Central officials would be sent to Manipur to chalk out modalities for the talks,” Benjamin said. “We appreciate the initiatives of the Deputy CM to address the long standing demand for a separate Kukiland, but we are not happy with the Centre’s indirect response. If they (Centre) are as serious towards our legitimate demand as they are towards the Nagas, they should have given us an official statement for holding the political dialogue,” reacted Benjamin. “This being the case, we will continue our stir until and unless the Centre gives us an official intimation for holding a dialogue with the leaders of the Kuki militant outfits,” he added.
Meanwhile the KSDC’s information and publicity secretary George Guite has expressed annoyance against the State police who he alleged ran over a blockade supporter identified as Nemkim, 45 years today. “Even as the State Government invited the KSDC for a talk, the State forces in connivance with some vested interest parties have caused injury to a bandh supporter at Mongneljang on Imphal-Ukhrul road. The incident was against the spirit in which the KSDC was invited for a talk,’ he charged. Nemkim, he said, is under treatment at Christian Hospital in Deulahlane, Imphal.
Earlier in the day, the State Government held a meeting with KSDC. At the invitation of the State Government, the State Government held a meeting with a five-member delegation of KSDC in the office chamber of Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam this morning. Apart from Gaikhangam, Education Minister M Okendro, MLA Yamthong Haokip, Chief Minister DS Poonia and DGP Y Joykumar were present at the meeting.
Briefing media persons after the meeting, Gaikhangam stated that the meeting ended on a positive note with both sides showing clear understanding of the issue at hand. KSDC delegates were conveyed about his meeting with Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde about initiating political dialogue with Kuki UG groups as well as Sushilkumar’s response to send a team of Home Ministry officials to Manipur after the Parliamentary session to prepare the ground work and finalise the modality for political dialogue.
Pointing out that the Centre has agreed to initiate political dialogue with the Kuki UG groups, the Deputy Chief Minister appealed to the KSDC to call off the bandh in view of the Sangai Festival, Indo-ASEAN car rally and TET exam. At this, KSDC delegates maintained that they would take a concrete decision on the ongoing bandh only after a meeting of their leaders this evening. The demand for carving out a separate Kuki State did not figure during the meeting as the matter should be discussed with the Centre. The Centre’s willingness to initiate political dialogue is a good step, Gaikhangam remarked.
Source:TSE
Public hearing on oil exploration in CCpur today
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Jiribam, November 20 2012: Organised by Manipur Pollution Control Board, a public hearing on oil exploration in Manipur with specific reference to seismic aspects to oil exploration and drilling will be held at Ankhasuo also known as Sibapurikhal in Churachandpur district, about 35km from Jiribam town on November 21 .
For this very purpose, Hill Areas Committee (HAC), government of Manipur chairman and Tipaimukh constituency legislator Dr Chaltonlien Amo and Churachandpur deputy commissioner Jacintha Lazarus have already reached Jiribam on November 20 .They will be escorted to the village tomorrow where a public hearing is slated to be held amidst tight security arrangement.Journalists from Silchar representing various national and local media will also attend the hearing.
The Netherland-based Jubilant Oil and Gas Pvt Ltd. was offered exploration rights in two blocks of Manipur by the Union Ministry of Petroleum in 2009 in 3,957 sq km in the Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Imphal East districts.T
he Hmar Inpui (Hmar Supreme House) and the Village Authority Association of Tipaimukh Sub Division, Churachandpur district, Manipur had on November 15 made a press release wherein they voiced strongly against oil exploration in the Hmar areas.The total land area granted for oil exploration is 3850 sq.km.which is almost one sixth of the total geographical area of Manipur, the two associations stated.
The drilling site will be located at 12 Hmar villages in Churachanpur and Imphal East districts.Several protests have been organised against oil exploration moves in Manipur's Hmar areas, including the ongoing environmental public hearings organized by the Manipur Pollution Control Board.