Politics / Manipur

IMPHAL, March 19 ? The Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district of Manipur, Yambom Thamkishor, was abducted by unidentified gunmen from near the electricity colony in Chandel district yesterday. Reports said the incident took place when Thamkishor was going from Uripok Yambem Likai in Imphal West to Chandel district. The Deputy Commissioner was without his escorts at the time of abduction. Sources here said that though the identity of the group abducting him has not been ascertained, the DC had received a demand letter from one underground outfit operating in the State. According to reports...

Dimapur, March 18: The Government of People?s Republic of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) reacting sharply to the incident in which eleven of its cadres were killed by the Indian Reserve Battalion, IRB has questioned the ?act of insanity? perpetrated at around 8 pm on March 15, at Pallel in Chandel district. The NSCN (IM) publicity wing said, IRB personnel ambushed the NSCN (IM) cadres traveling in a vehicle. They were on their way to celebrate Naga Republic Day. It further said, among the under unfortunate 16 NSCN (IM) cadres, 4 of them escaped amidst rains of bullets, while one Sergeant Hirakalung was...

KOHIMA, March 18 ? The NSCN (I-M) today said the killing of 11 of its cadres in an encounter in Manipur was an ?act of barbarism? and urged the Centre to clarify its stand on the incident and book the culprits to uphold the current Naga peace process and prevent ?undesirable reprisals,? reports PTI. Condemning the killings of its cadres in Chandel district yesterday, Information and Publicity wing of the underground outfit in a statement here claimed their cadres were on their way to celebrate ?Naga Republic Day?, when the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel allegedly ambushed them...

Imphal, March 17: Additional security personnel have been deployed at the 2nd IRB post at Molnoi village in Pallel after last night?s encounter between IRB jawans and NSCN (IM) militants in which 11 cadres of the latter were killed and 15 arms, two hand grenades and several rounds of ammunition recovered. A police statement issued today said the jawans and officers who carried out the operations have been awarded. Their cases for Gallantry and other awards are being taken up. Official reports said security in other hill districts have also been tightened up in view of the high casualty on the...

IMPHAL, March 17 ? Eleven members of the banned National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) were killed in an encounter with India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel at Pallel area in Manipur?s Thoubal?s district, last evening. Security personnel also received a large number of arms and ammunition from the site. Police sources said, the encounter took place around 7.45 pm yesterday when the heavily-armed ultras coming in a 407 mini Tata truck (MN01-3365) coming from Chandel side towards Thoubal suddenly started firing from the vehicle when the IRB personnel, on routine patrolling and checking...

Imphal, March 15: Despite senior leaders ruling out internal dissension within the newly installed Secular progressive Front (SPF) ministry, not all seems to be well within the coalition Front and the lingering dissatisfaction among Congress MLAs has put a big question mark on its life span. Hardly has the controversy over the ?unanimous? election of O Ibobi as the Congress legislature leader died down, the allocation of portfolio may turn out to be the Achilles heels of the SPF government. Though the Governor approved the portfolio list submitted by O Ibobi yesterday, it could be only...

Imphal, March 14: The Congress led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government has drawn up the tentative list of portfolios for the 21 member strong Council of Ministers amidst some high voltage drama and frayed tempers. The Council of Ministers includes 17 Cabinet ministers and four MoS. Chief Minister O Ibobi retained the key Finance and Home portfolios. Ibobi also retained Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Cabinet and other departments not allocated to the any of the ministers. The tentative list of the portfolios are : K Govindas (MSCP, PHED), Ph Parijat (CPI, FCS), C Doungel (NCP...

Imphal, March 13: Disgruntled Congress (I) MLAs who had staged a late night ?tea party? yesterday to show their dissatisfaction after failing to make the ministers? list in the first expansion of O Ibobi ministry have hinted at another expansion in the state council of ministers within three or four days. The legislators, after holding talks with chief minister O Ibobi and senior party leaders today, also denied that there was any move afoot to split the party. Last night senior party leaders including chief minister O Ibobi and Rishang Keishing had to rush to the official residence of Nambol...

Imphal, March 12: Even though the Congress led Secular Progressive Front cruised through the confidence vote by a voice vote during the first sitting of the Assembly today, internal revolt is threatening to rock the boat of the fledgling Government. Late developments in the evening today suggested that not everything is alright within the fledgling coalition Government as 7 Congress men and two MSCP men have deserted their camps and are camping at the official residence of Congress MLA N Loken. However a late evening report put the number of disgruntled Congress MLAs at nine. Unofficial...

Imphal, March 12: The Indian National Congress MLA representing Saikot Assembly constituency, TN Haokip, was today elected as the 14th Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. The election, held in the later afternoon at the state Assembly hall, ran along expected lines with Haokip, the Ruling front candidate, securing 36 votes and his lone opponent, O Joy Singh of the Democratic People?s Alliance, securing 24 votes. The only hiccup to the proceedings was an objection raised by the Opposition candidate to one of the nominations filed on TN Haokip?s behalf, on the grounds that it had a...