Mâtu (Madu), a modest Dai Village

Aug 2, 2013 [Dai_Groups] --- The original name of Madu Village is Mâtu. But it has been transferred to Batu, and then Batu became Matupi and Mâtu became Madu. "Tu" has been changed to "du." They took "tu" and gave us "du." They deliberately expropriated the name of our village for the name of their tribe. 

The original name of Madu Village Mâtu thus became the name of the tribe. The collective name of the sub-tribes Ngala, Cing and Doem became Matu since 1948. 

According to one Royal and Senior Pastor the name of the tribe Matu never appeared before 1948. What we find in this is that if Ngala, Doem and Cing claim and like Matu as the identity of their tribe, they were originated in Madu (Mâtu). And thus they were also originally Dais, as Dai has been registered as a tribe since 1890 by the British Government. The village situated in the South of and 30 miles far away from Matupi. 

It is one of the Dai villages in Matupi Township. It comprises more than 175 houses and the population is 987. 

The surrounding villages are: Aukkheng (Bü Si) Village (six miles) in the east, Vuilu Village (seven miles) in the south, Thungna Village (four miles) in the north, Mitu village (nine miles) in the south-west, Sihleh village (eight miles) in the north-west. 

There are rivers and streams around the village. In the east, there is River Lemyo (Phung Lawng), and River Awt Lawng in the west. These rivers are infested with fishes and some other aquatic creatures, i.e. crabs, prawns, edible frogs, mollusk, etc. We get these animals in the whole year. 

There are also small treams in the east side which are flowing into River Lemyo such as Yu Lawng, Awtpi Lawng, Kak Lawng, Hauhang Lawng, Ca Lawng and Humhang Lawng. 

There are also small streams in the west side which are flowing into Awtlawng such as Mhai Lawng, Hlüi Kyum Lawng, Da Lawng, Mtei Lawng, Hreitui Lawng and Pu Lawng. All these rivers and streams are perpetual and we can have fishing every season, and are capable to generate mini or mega hydro-electric power.

Transportation is so bad. No car can be driven up to the village because of the narrowness of the road. However, we can go by motor-bike day and night in every season up to Lungtu Village which is 25 miles far from Mâtu Village. 

In dry season you can drive two hours approximate, but in rainy season you will need about four hours between Mâtu and Matupi by motor-bike. Motor-bike carriers are available any time from any village of Khunu Zung (Khunu Mountain range). 

In the rainy season you may have problem on the way because the road is muddy and slippery and so your vehicle may be bogged down. But they drive every day. 

Regarding education, the Government of Myanmar has opened Basic Education High School. There are about 345 students in the School. Some graduated people are opening tuitions for Middle and High School level. There is also dispensary in the village where we can get medication and approach health workers 24 hours. 

Radio/wireless telegraph (RT/WT) is also available to communicate people who are in distance. The occupation of the people is shifting (jhooming) agriculture. There are few Government servants who are working in the school, in the dispensary and in communication department. 

There are also some religious workers including one Buddhist monk. There are also small shops where we can get things in the same cost of Matupi. 

We get any of our daily needs in these stores. There is no tea stall, but we can order coffee, tea, cold drinks and breads, or we can request the shopkeepers to prepare whatever we like. 

If you want strong drinks you can get somewhere. If you have good friends you can drink you can drinks local product fermented rice beer without pay. 

In Mâtu Village marketing is very sporadic because there is no market. Sometimes you may find moving market that comes to your home and you can buy vegetables and some confections (not every day); and there are also irregular butchers, mithun or pig is slaughtered at random by them for selling; this is a chance to eat meat in the village. 

In thanksgiving services you can also consume meat. Christmas and New Year feasts are also good seasons to eat meat. Mâtu villagers are generally friendly, affectionate, ruth, humble, broad-minded, fond of jokes and so on. If you go to Mâtu Village you will find people sitting together and laughing together. 

Women are also always making jokes anywhere they are. Vilifying people is not the conduct of most of the villagers. However, no one is perfect in the world. 

The weather of the village is moderate and healthy. There is no extreme climate in summer or in winter. Regarding religion, approximately 95% are Christians. Christians comprises four denominations such as Presbyterian, Baptist, Assembly of God and Roman Catholic. 

Presbyterian is the biggest and a dominant Church. There are some few people who are semi-Christians or semi-animists who are in lukewarmness. There are also some few people who espoused Buddhism for their religion. 

If you migrate and settle in Mâtu (Madu) village you are free to join any denomination or religion. Lip-service enterprises: The Government has a project of Hydro-electric power to generate 200 Kilo-watts for Mâtu and other surrounding villages, and to put a hospital in the village. 

An enterprise of road construction up to the village will be undertaken by a compassionate company. The village people are going to offer a good place of their land for establishing a town. But all these are only lip-services, not yet implemented.

ZYA GHQ Gen Secy Lunpi Hatzaw Delhi ah mualliam

New Delhi, Aug 2, 2013 – Mr KHAMSUANLUN @ Lunpi Hatzaw, General Secretary, Zomi Youth Association (ZYA) GHQ, Liver Cirrhosis natna zieh a AIIMS, Delhi a hun bangtan hiei a ki-etkol nung in tuni Aug 2, 2013 zinglam dah 10:00 vel in hingna beisan ta.Aug 3,2013 Delhi to Imphal flight masapen in a luong puoh hi ding chih ahi. Ama ahileh mi phattuamngai leh awlmona hau mahmah, mi kipezou leh Zominam sunga makai suanhuai khat ahi. Amah i it a, anutsiat a innkuanpihte i khamuan in, a nutsiat a ZOMI pih te'n sun thu i puang uhi.

Delhi ah ZYA Gen Secy mualliam

Unaupa Sia KHAMSUANLUN @Lunpi Hatzaw, General Secretary, Zomi Youth Association Gen,Hqtrs (ZYA Hqtrs), Liver Cirrhosis natna ziak a AIIMS, Delhi a hun bangtan hiam aki etkol nung in tuni Aug. 2, 2013 zinglam dak 10:00 vel in honna beisan ta.

Ama ahileh mi phattuamngai leh awlmona hau mahmah, mi kipezou leh Zominam sunga makai suanhuai khat ahi.
Amah i it a, anutsiat a innkuanpihte i khamuan in, a nutsiat a ZOMI pih te'n sun thu i puang.

SHO Calls NE Students in Vasant Vihar Police Station

NE Girl Thrown Out by Landlord in Munirka, Now DCP South Wants to Meet NE Students

New Delhi, Aug 01, 2013: A meeting with SHO Vasant Vihar Police Station, Anil Sharma, was held on Wednesday evening in Vasant Vihar PS, South Delhi, attended by Northeast students. The meeting discussed the steps taken by Delhi Police to ensure the safety and security of NE people in Delhi. The SHO also assured the safety of BPO employees, especially NE women residing in Munirka. He stated that the police had started night patrols in Munirka. 

Dr. Alana Golmei, founding member and General Secretary of the North East Support Centre & Helpline (NESCH) Delhi, and its media incharge, Bruce K. Thangkhal, also attended the meeting. Dr. Golmei stressed the need for prompt action from the police and called for stricter measures against any lawbreakers. Representatives from the NE student community also shared the challenges faced by NE people. The meeting ended on a positive note. However, the problems persist—the same night proved it.

A 23-year-old girl from Nagaland, who lives with her brother and sister-in-law in Munirka, was allegedly thrown out of her room by the landlord, Dariyao Singh Tokas, and his two sons, Prashant and Rohit, around 9 PM. Many of her belongings were damaged by the landlord and his sons, the victim told our correspondent.

The victim had been renting a room in Munirka’s House No. 118-A, owned by Dariyao Singh Tokas, since December last year. “My brother paid the electricity bill of Rs 1,108 on Tuesday evening. Soon after, our landlord locked our room and told my brother, his wife, and their eight-month-old child to leave. When I reached home around 9 PM, the landlord and his two sons began throwing out all our belongings. I begged them to wait just five minutes to vacate the room, but they refused to listen and abused us,” she said.

The victim, who works in a spa, stated that her landlord and his sons were ferociously damaging many of her belongings as they threw them outside the room.

A case has been registered at Vasant Vihar Police Station under sections 448/427/34 of the IPC on the same night. “The culprits will be booked and punished according to the law,” said SHO Anil Sharma.

“Most of our problems arise from Munirka. The landlords and local people must understand our culture, food habits, and way of living, just as we understand theirs. There is no sense of brotherhood or love in the minds of these people. That is the biggest problem,” said Huten Alexander, General Secretary of the Naga Students’ Union Delhi (NSUD), who assisted the victim.

Munirka, one of the most densely populated localities in the national capital, is home to many Northeast students, government employees, workers, musicians, and professionals. Munirka frequently makes headlines for the wrong reasons. “Most of the locals and landlords here in Munirka are impolite and abusive towards NE residents,” said John, a Munirka resident and BA student at Motilal Nehru College.

It may be noted that Delhi Police has often failed to curb crimes against women in the national capital. Earlier in April this year, the force drew the ire of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Both reprimanded Delhi Police for failing to curb crimes against women. Under public pressure, two top police officers were removed from their positions. Sources indicate that DCP South Delhi, Chhaya Sharma, was transferred to Mizoram in the wake of the gruesome Delhi gang rape incident, which sparked massive nationwide protests. DCP Prabhakar was reassigned to the Prime Minister’s security contingent following the recent rape and brutalization of a five-year-old girl in Gandhi Nagar, East Delhi. Additional CP Sanjeev Kumar was also transferred to the PM’s security. BS Jaiswal replaced Sharma as DCP South, while Ajay Kumar took over as DCP East.

Now, DCP South BS Jaiswal has called upon NE students for a meeting at Hauz Khas Police Station on August 3. Delhi Police has been initiating various measures to ensure the safety of Northeast people, a police officer said. 

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

Media Incharge, North East Support Centre & Helpline, Delhi
(Special Correspondent, The Mizoram Post, Manipur Chronicle, Zogam Today)

 

Demand for a Separate Time Zone for Northeast India

New Delhi, Jul 31 : Once at loggerheads, the Assam Congress and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have both come together for demand of a separate time zone for the northeast region.

There is an annual loss of at least Rs. 94,900 crore in the region because of redundant power consumption, according to calculations by noted filmmaker and former ISRO scientist, Jahnu Barua.
While the demand is a key point in ULFA’s ongoing talks with the government, a team of MLAs from Assam on July 25 has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a separate time zone for the seven states.

“We will now approach the political leadership of all the other NE states to press for a separate time zone,” said Debabrata Saikia, MLA and son of former Assam CM Hiteshwar Saikia.

While it is being articulated in political circles now, a separate time zone has been a long-standing demand of eminent personalities hailing from the region.

The east-west spread of India extends across 28 longitudes accounting for about two hours as a result of which the sun rises two hours earlier in the extreme eastern part of the country than the western tip.

The Union home ministry had proposed a separate time zone for the region in 2009-10. Former home secretary GK Pillay had told HT: “We have to change our mindset. The demand for a separate time zone for the northeast is a valid one and I hope it is granted. There is a lot to be gained from it”.

Source: sinlung.com

JNU student girl still critical in Delhi

New Delhi, August 1, 2013 [IANS] --- A day after being brutally attacked with an axe by a besotted classmate who later committed suicide at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here, Roshni, 22, remains critical, a police officer said Thursday.

Doctors attending to her at Safdarjung Hospital said Roshni is in the Intensive Care Unit, and has suffered four deep injuries on the skull. Blood vessels supplying the brain have been damaged. 

She has a major brain clot and her right wrist was badly slashed in the attack, a doctor said.

Police said that the family members of Akash, the 23-year-old student of Korean in the university's School of Languages, who attacked Roshni, have reached Delhi from Bihar.

After the attack, Akash committed suicide by slitting his throat and also drinking a poisonous substance. 

A police officer said a four-page note written in Hindi and English by Akash had been recovered.

"We have recovered a four-page suicide note from Akash, were he has written that whatever happened between both of them (Roshni and Askash) is known to their friends. So we will question friends of both of them to know what triggered him (Akash) to indulge in such a brutal attack," the officer said. 

The incident has shocked students and faculty at the JNU. The campus is known as the hub of radical thinking. 

DCP South wants to meet NE Students

MEETING CIRCULAR : DCP South wants to meet NE Students

::: Yesterday there was a Meeting, Yesterday there was a Problem :::

NEW DELHI, AUG 01, 2013: A meeting with SHO Vasant Vihar Police Station was held yesterday evening, 5pm-7pm. Few representatives from the NE community attended. The problem never ends, the very night itself proved it. 

A NE girl, who stays with her brother and sister-in-law (with also a little kid) in Munirka, was forcibly thrown out of her room by the landlord Dariyao Singh Tokas and his two sons Prashant and Rohit at around 9pm. Many of her stuffs were damaged by the landlord and his sons.

An FIR u/s 448/427/34 IPC was registered in Vasant Vihar PS the same night with the assistance of Mr Huten Alexander, general secretary, Naga Students' Union Delhi (NSUD) and Mr Bruce K. Thangkhal, journalist & media incharge, NE Helpline Delhi.

Mr Anil Sharma, SHO, Vasant Vihar PS told NE HELPLINE this morning that the culprits will be booked and will be punished according to the law.

Again, there will be another important meeting with DCP South on 03rd August, 2013 (Saturday), 4pm at DCP Office, Hauz Khas. Delhi Police has initiated various steps for the safety of the Northeast people.

It will be an opportunity to address the issues and problems face by the NE people. All NE students/community/church leaders are kindly invited to attend the meeting. Your kind presence will speak volume to the Delhi Police.

In Public Interest,
North East Helpline Delhi

Northeast Community Meets SHO Vasant Vihar, Delhi | NESCH Initiative

On July 31, 2013, members of the Northeast community living in the capital, led by the Northeast Support Centre & Helpline (NESCH), held a meeting with Mr. Anil Sharma, Station House Officer (SHO) of Vasant Vihar Police Station, South Delhi.

The meeting aimed to address key concerns of the Northeast community and strengthen communication and cooperation with local law enforcement.

The following photographs from the meeting were captured 
by Mr. Bruce K. Thangkhal, Media In-Charge, Northeast Support Centre & Helpline.

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Girl student attacked in JNU campus with axe, attacker dies

New Delhi, July 31, 2013 [ZEENEWS] --- A Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) female student was seriously injured in an attack by a male student with an axe in the college campus on Wednesday. While the girl's condition is stated to be critical, the attacker later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

The incident took place today morning around 11 am at the JNU campus where Akash and Roshni were studying Korean language in the university's linguistic department.

The attack took place in room number 203 of the university after both the students reportedly entered into an argument.

After attacking the girl, the accused reportedly tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat and consuming pesticide.

The attacker was admitted to the AIIMS hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, the victim has been admitted to Safdurjung hospital and her condition is stated to be critical.

The cause of the attack is still not clear as the victim is still critical and not in a condition to give a statement.

A country made pistol was also recovered by the police from the spot.

Bassi to head Delhi Police as Commissioner of Police today

New Delhi, July 31, 2013 [IANS| Pic: GGN] --- Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Bhim Sain Bassi will take charge as Delhi Police chief today, succeeding Neeraj Kumar.


The new commissioner will take charge at 1 p.m., a police official said.

A 1977 batch IPS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, Bassi, 57, was the front-runner for the post.

Currently special commissioner of police (administration), he previously headed the Delhi Traffic Police and was also Goa's director general of police.

Bassi has also been the special commissioner (vigilance), joint commissioner (southern range) and additional commissioner (northern range).

Neeraj Kumar, a 1976 batch IPS officer, took charge of Delhi Police from B.K. Gupta July 1 last year. His tenure saw the brutal Dec 16, 2012 gang-rape of a young woman, which unleashed unprecedented mass protests in the capital. The woman died while under treatment in Singapore Dec 29.

Koite gei ah Shaktiman accident

July 30, 2013 ni dah 1:30pm velin Lamka apat gamlalou Koite hanmuol phah masang a Kingstone Public School mai ah eimite Shaktiman khat accident. Vangphat huoitah in Driver-pa le Handyman-pa kitawm khia man uh hin thutut kimu. Lamka lam zuon a gari horn siem dia hing tai lai un singphung khat aphu zou a lamhang feet 30 vel a sang nuoi ah lengkhia kichi.  Tami shaktiman driver-pa’n ‘Steering Failed’ jieh a accident ahidan gen, shi leh aliem umlou. 

~ ZOGAM TODAY

Lia Rosie Simt ein BSc Physics ah Topper

Tutung Manipur University result suo ah Lia Rosie Lamthiankim Simte (23) d/o Pu H. Donghao & Pi Niangzaching, Bible Hill Rengkai in BSc Physics Honours ah Topper (Rank 1) in pang. Unau pasal 1 leh numei 2 lah ah amilai ahi. Blue Star Academy apat Class X (2008) leh Rayburn College apat Class XII (2010) first division tuohin ana zou hi. MU ah M.Sc sutzop sawm a, PhD (Doctorate) zaw chia Professor (sangsia) a pan a ut thu gen hi. Zogam Today in kipahpih mama mai, alungtup muolsuo hing di’n a deisah thu tami tungtawn in puong hi.  

Pic: simtepeople.com

700 trucks carrying essentials enter Manipur

IMPHAL: At least 700 trucks carrying fuel, lifesaving drugs, oxygen cylinders and edible items, including baby food, entered Manipur through Jiribam subdivision along the deplorable Imphal-Silchar road on Monday morning.

The flow of commodities in landlocked Manipur along the Imphal-Dimapur highway, its key supply route, has stopped owing to a massive landside near Kohima 17 days ago, triggering sudden inflation even as BJP leader LK Advani urged Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to resolve the crisis urgently.

The price of one litre of petrol has soared to Rs 150 in the grey market and Rs 90 for a litre of diesel. People were seen standing in long queues at certain outlets where the sale of fuel has been started under the government's supervision.

Prices of onion, potato, pulses, baby food and certain household items also jumped up considerably in the open market. Of the 700 trucks that entered Manipur with security escorts, 16 carried medicine, 30 urea, 2 carried filled oxygen cylinders, 20 SK oil and 26 each carried LPG and petrol. Others were laden with baby food and other food items, sources said.

A leader of All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union said the trucks are expected to reach Imphal on Tuesday morning.

Union minister of state for defence Jitendra Singh assured to upgrade the 221-Km Imphal-Jiribam stretch to an "all-weather road" at the earliest.
Source:indiatimes.com

Ashwini Kumar sworn-in as Manipur governor

Imphal: Ashwini Kumar, the Governor of Nagaland, has been given the additional charge of Manipur after the former incumbent Gurbachan Jagat ended his tenure last week, official sources said.

Mr Kumar, who arrived in Imphal on Sunday from Kohima by road, was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Manipur High Court A M Sapre at a simple function held at the Raj Bhavan, the sources said.

The post of Manipur Governor fell vacant following the completion of tenure of Mr Jagat who left for his home state Punjab on July 24.Source: ndtv.com

Brief profile :
Dr. Ashwani Kumar, the former Director of Central Bureau of Investigation and Director General of Himachal Pradesh police served Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh with utmost distinction, dedication and devotion for more than 37 years.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar was born on 15th November 1950 and belongs to Nahan, District Sirmour of Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar is a visiting faculty to many Universities, colleges and Institutions.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar joined the Indian Police Service in 1973 and was allotted to the Himachal Pradesh cadre.

PRICE OF INDIGENEITY: Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe Status(Republished from kanglaonline)

By:
Seram Neken, Imphal based Freelance Journalist

Simply speaking, groups with indigenous character are termed as ‘Scheduled Tribes’ in India. The word ‘Indigenous’ as used by the international community, is not used in Indian constitution as it refers to some sense of political self-determination. Perhaps, the framers of the Constitution gave room for cultural self-determinism of some specific groups in the form of Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste under Clause 1 of Articles 341 and 342. Besides their primitive nature and geographical isolation; the Scheduled Tribes are identified with their social, educational and economic backwardness. Taking into account the presumed sufferings from extreme backwardness on account of the primitive agricultural practices, lack of infrastructural facilities and geographical isolation, the Constitution made provisions for safeguarding the interests and for accelerating the socio-economic development of the scheduled communities.

Indigenous peoples are peoples defined in international or national legislation as having a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory, and their cultural or historical distinctiveness from other politically and socially dominant populations. They are determined to preserve, develop and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, identity, cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems. A special set of political rights for the indigenous peoples have been set by international organizations like the United Nations, the International Labour Organization and the World Bank in accordance international law. The United Nations have issued a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to guide national policies of various countries to collective rights of indigenous peoples—such as culture, identity, language and access to employment, health, education and natural resources. India has the most substantial population of indigenous communities which are recognized as Scheduled Tribes in its Constitution. In Himachal Pradesh, Rajputs and Brahmans are schedule Tribes. In Tripura, the descendents of the Kings are scheduled tribes. In Sikkim, the Bhutias are scheduled Tribes, so on and so forth.

Numerous government policies aim at promotion of tribal communities inhabiting all over India. The central and state governments have made sustained efforts to provide opportunities to these communities for their economic development by eradicating poverty and health problems and developing communication for removal of isolation of their habitats. Although Article 14 provides for equality before law and equal protection of law to all people, Article 15(4) allows the States to make special provisions for the advancement of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. In matters of employment or appointment to any office, Article 16(4) mentions that the State should make provisions for reservation in favour of any backward class citizen who is not adequately represented in the services. Article 16 (4A) and 16(4B) empower the States to make provisions for promotion in the services in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Article 46 directs the States to promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Article 275(1) makes provisions for grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India for promoting the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes and administration of Scheduled Areas. Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in Parliament, state Legislature and in Panchayats is provided under Article 330, Article 332 and Article 243(D) respectively.

Even though the Meiteis in Manipur valley have fulfilled the criteria for being listed in Scheduled Tribes list, they have long been denied these opportunities due to non-inclusion in the list. After Manipur’s merger to Indian Union, Meiteis were given the status of the General Category. In spite of the Meiteis’ belongingness to the Mongoloid stock, a few influential people of that time introduced Meiteis as the descendents of the Aryans to the government of India. People of hill areas were given the status of Scheduled Tribe, while Lois and Yaithibis were categorized as Scheduled Castes. Meiteis have lagged behind other communities of Manipur in matters of appointments to various jobs and promotion to higher ranks due to its being in the general category. Now, Meiteis may also be given the opportunity to preserve and protect its unique culture and tradition under the Constitution. Moreover, in order to being balanced development of the various communities and to narrow down the apparent disparity among communities in Manipur, Meiteis should be accorded Scheduled Tribe status by declaring the whole state of Manipur as hill state. Recognition of Meiteis as a Scheduled Tribe will minimize the apprehension created by onslaught of outsiders from within or without the country. It will help preserve the composite identity and territory of the land.

Recognizing certain religions as religious minority under National Commission of Minorities Act 1992, the Government of India provides assistance in the education of children belonging to these religious minorities. Although National and State commissions have been set up to protect the people of religious communities, Sanamahi religion is yet to be recognized under this category. As Meiteis are adopting all the age-old indigenous traditions, the community can well be categorized as tribal. Meiteis worship Sanamahi deity and follow their age-old traditions during various ceremonies. Even after adopting Hinduism, Meiteis are still following the primitive culture and heritage of the forefathers. Meiteis particularly those following Sanamahi faith are fit to be recognized as Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution of India. Sanamahi faith may also be recognized as a religious minority. Non-inclusion of Meiteis in Scheduled Tribe list is a historical blunder. As an indigenous group, Meiteis need to protect and preserve its age-old customs, traditions and territory under the provisions of Indian Constitution. Right thinking individuals of the state should support the move for recognition of Meiteis as a Scheduled Tribe, even though it is a bit delayed.

Source: kanglaonline.com

From Lamka to Mumbai for Modelling

Manipur Tribal Rights Forum Delhi kiphut khia

New Delhi, July 28, 2013: Tuni nitak lam in JNU ah Manipur singtangmi te'n Meiteite scheduled tribe (ST) demand toh kisai in meeting nei uh. Tuana'h Kuki, Naga, Zomi leh Hmar leh adang dang apat mi bangzat hiam khat kisuh tuah uhi.

Manipur a tribal mite ban ah tribal rights leh tribal gamte humbit theih sem ahihna di'n kithukim tak in Manipur Tribal Rights Forum Delhi (MTRFD) kichi phukhiat in om.

Himi forum a lamkai dia kitel khete: Dr Lam Khan Piang (as Chairman), Mr Kokho (as Secretary), Dr David Zou, Dr Lianboi Vaiphei, Dr. Tennyson, Dr Alana Golmei, Mr Lalremlien Neitham, Ms Ninglun Hanghal, Mr Thangminlen Kipgen, Mr Bruce K. Thangkhal leh Mr Zimik.

~ Joint Editor, Zogam Today

Manipur Tribal Rights Forum Delhi FORMED

New Delhi, 29 July 2013: A meeting was held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on 28 July, where members of the Manipur tribal communities discussed the demand by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

In response to this ongoing demand, a group of scholars, students, social activists/workers, private employees, and journalists from the Kuki, Naga, Zomi, and Hmar communities of Manipur unanimously formed the Manipur Tribal Rights Forum Delhi (MTRFD) at JNU, New Delhi, on Sunday evening, 28 July 2013. The forum aims to protect the rights, identity, and land of the tribal people in Manipur.

During the panel discussion, members strongly opposed the ST demand by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) and termed it a tactic to undermine the rights of the tribal people.

The office bearers of MTRFD include Dr. Lam Khan Piang (Chairman), Mr. Kokho (Secretary), Dr. David Vumlallian Zou, Dr. Lianboi Vaiphei, Dr. Tennyson, Dr. Alana Golmei, Mr. Lalremlien Neitham, Ms. Ninglun Hanghal, Mr. Thangminlen Kipgen, Mr. Bruce K. Thangkhal, and Mr. Zimik.

Former Member of Parliament Mr. Mani Charanamei also attended the meeting and shared his views on the issue.

The meeting resolved to initiate broader discussions among tribal communities in Delhi on tribal issues in Manipur, with MTRFD set to convene the next gathering.

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Delhi ah Manipur Tribal Rights Forum Delhi kiphut khia
~ ZOGAM TODAY

New Delhi, July 29, 2013: Pasianni (Jul 28) nitak lam in JNU ah Manipur singtangmi te’n Meiteite scheduled tribe (ST) demand toh kisai in meeting nei uh. Tuonah Kuki, Naga, Zomi leh Hmar leh adang dang apat mi bangzat hiai  kisuh tuokhawm uhi.

Manipur a tribal mite ban ah tribal rights leh tribal gamte humbit theih sem ahihna di’n kithukim tak in Manipur Tribal Rights Forum Delhi (MTRFD) kichi phukhiat in om. Tami forum ahileh tunai a Meitei khenkhat pawl in ST demand a bawl zieh ua hing piangkhia ahi. MTRFD in maban ah Manipur tribalte (singtangmite) toh kisai thu poimawte buoipi ding uh chin kiza hi.

MTRFD lamkai dia kitel khete: Dr Lam Khan Piang (as Chairman), Mr Kokho (as Secretary), Dr David Vumlallian Zou, Dr Lianboi Vaiphei, Dr. Tennyson, Dr Alana Golmei, Mr Lalremlien Neitham, Ms Ninglun Hanghal, Mr Thangminlen Kipgen, Mr Bruce K. Thangkhal leh Mr Zimik.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
Special Correspondent

The Mizoram Post, Manipur Chronicle, Zogam Today

Manipur Photography Club gathers at Deer Park

A group of young photographers from Manipur gathered for the first time at Deer Park in South Delhi on Saturday evening. Coming together under the banner of the Manipur Photography Club, the enthusiasts introduced themselves and connected with one another. They planned to share their experiences in their next meeting. 

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Manipur tuolkuon khanglai photography lam lunglut te’n Kiginni (27.07.2013) nitah lam in Deer Park, South Delhi ah kimu khawmna nei uh. Mailam hun ah photography toh kisai kikupna nei din lemgel uhi.  Tambang a lunglut jieh un facebook ah Manipur Photography Club chin ana kikai khawm uhi. Tualeh Deer Park khu Delhi adia mun minthang khat ahi. India leng 'Mughalte hunlai a Sakhi ana tamna mun ahi jiehin ‘Sakhi Huan’ (Deer Park) ana kichi den hi. Deer Park khu south Delhi a veng thum Hauz Khas, Safdarjung Enclave leh Green Park kikal a um, mun nuam mama khat ahi. Singkung leh loupa hiing (green grass) a tam a, amunpen damthei huai mama in kigen. Loupa, singkung, sinou atam jieh mahin huisieng (fresh air) umna mun khat in jong kigen. Tami park khu Delhi Lungtang (The lungs of Delhi) a kichi lai hi. 

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL

Special Correspondent

The Mizoram Post, Manipur Chronicle, Zogam Today

When “tribe” definition ceases to be anthropological and becomes constitutional

By Pradip Phanjoubam

The storm in the tea-cup over the demand from certain sections of the Meitei community for inclusion in the 5th Schedule of the Indian constitution which lists an ever increasing number of recognized tribes in India, is unfortunate for many radically different reasons. Obviously, the tribal status in India is no longer defined by anthropological or sociological parameters, but by the cravings of the incentives accorded to this status.

In this way, the conditions for an ever proliferating number of demands from different communities to be given the tribal status, and equally importantly, the reason for perpetuating this retrogressive social status by those who are already classified in this category, are inherent in the constitution itself. Let there be no dispute about this, what the section of the Meiteis are demanding is not the tribal status but the incentives that come along with it, just as the opposition to the demand by tribal students bodies in the state, is not to another community joining the tribal ranks, but the fear that there will be more competitors of these same incentives and governmental doles.

Both, are pathetic in equal measures, and in fact are the two sides of the same coin. The Meiteis should not be wanting to be tribals, I will give some of my reasons why, and on the other hand, the tribals should have been happy at the prospect of an expanded fraternity. That both parties see it other than this way, is nothing short of a tragedy of a grand story being reduced to a trivial and mundane one. On the wide canvas, the harmatia (or fatal flaw in personality) as the Greeks call it, is that of the incentive structuring of the Indian constitution, and not so much of the much visible dramatis personae of the current issue in Manipur.

I will not go further on whether the tribal status is good or bad for communities which are already listed in the 5th Schedule of the constitution, considering the sensitivity of the issue, but here are some of my reasons why the demand from a section of the Meiteis for tribal status is a bad idea, and I am not saying this out of sentimental reasons, but sound economics. It is a bad idea because the gains can only be short term, and the unseen prices paid for it will be far heavier. I have not done any empirical survey on the matter, so what I say here will be from general observations alone.

Whatever else may be said, the Meitei economy today is one of the most diversified, if not the most diversified in the entire northeast region, including Assam, precisely because its growth has been intrinsic in nature, and not so much a result of pre-fabricated, one-size-fit-all economic models dropped from above. It may not be a monetarily rich economy yet, but have no doubt it would prove the most resilient ultimately. In it is practically every component of a naturally cultured, therefore multifaceted, life’s battle hardened economy. Look at the range of professions the community has nurtured. From cycle repair shops to excellent motorcar workshops, from watch mechanics and TV repair professionals to medical professionals of the highest standards, from traditional doll makers, truck drivers, weavers, to media professionals and academics of repute. Blacksmiths, goldsmiths, gunsmiths, sportsmen, professional dancers, farmers, carpenters, masons, computer hackers… you name it and the Meitei society would have them. Many of these professions were groomed by survival needs, and most began as, and still are extremely lowly paid jobs. Yet they have managed to survive as economic traditions.

This range and reach could not have happened in a completely sponsored economy, which are essentially top heavy and bottom empty. The top is essential no doubt, but ultimately it will be the bottom which will make the difference, once the sponsors retreat.

In fact, most of my criticisms of the Manipur government’s employment, therefore economic policies have been from this standpoint. No government has done much to build the place’s modern economy from this rich traditional foundation, by striving to enrich the environment in which this diversification can thrive and expand, such as by ensuring electricity availability, improving road and internet connectivity, extending better credit facilities to prospective entrepreneurs etc. Instead, today gainful employment has come to mean only garnering government jobs, and we all know government jobs have a very low ceiling, and in fact this ceiling has already been reached. Nonetheless, creating jobs in the government’s parlance continues woefully to be confined to raising more police constabularies etc.

Let those amongst the Meiteis who want the 5th Schedule tribal status do some serious rethinking. Even the OBC status they are now classified into should be treated as a temporary measure. Imagine how hollow and vulnerable an economy which has only government job holders and nothing else would be. There is much wisdom in the saying “Phadi leitana imung keidouneida oiroi” (a household without phadi/towel, can never be complete).

But as I mentioned earlier, if the demand for tribal status by the Meiteis (or at least a section of the community) is bad, the opposition to it from those already classified as tribals is as shameful for it demonstrates how uncivil our “civil society” still is. Indeed, the debate over who or what should constitute the rather ethereal notion of “civil society” gets all the more intriguing in a conflict situation, such as in Manipur. The question is, should “civil society” have a technical definition and be treated as constituting of the occupants of a space earmarked between the State and private vested interests, or other power players, such as the militant challengers to the State’s authority and legitimacy?

While this definition of “civil society” is definitely not sufficient, it has been indeed a convenient one. The trouble however is, when there is a technical definition of “civil society”, it invariably turns into a hotly contested space, and in fact often readily transforms into an extension of the conflicts they are supposed to be arbitrating thus becoming in the process an instrument of the same war, though by other means.

Manipur is familiar with this phenomenon. The “civil society” space has been deeply fissured on sectarian ethnic lines, demonstrations of which are never in short supply. Such wars by other means are fought on practically every issue involving any two or more communities of the state’s multitude of communities. The division is also seen along other broader lines such as between the hill districts and valley districts, between the tribals and non-tribals etc.

It is not uncommon to even hear of self proclaimed human rights organisations, thrown up by mutually antagonistic ethnic communities, speaking two different languages on the same issue. It is as if there is nothing universal about even human rights. How then can the “civil society” be the agent for the much hyped problem solving discourses, is a question much ignored.

The technical ear-marking of a so called “civil society” space leads to another familiar problematic situation. The conflicting parties themselves begin actually to contest for this space by putting up their “civil society” proxies, having realized how powerful these bodies can be in force multiplying their agenda through precisely the “wars by other means”.

The result is a complication of the conflicts themselves. So much has already been written about how even students’ movements have become organs of those behind these conflicts. Some even float their own “civil society” bodies. Must this not be considered a corruption of the popular understanding of “civil society”? A rethink is vital to consider if the definition of civil society must not have some qualitative elements over and above just the quantitative.

A weak State has not helped matter one bit either. Here, legitimate powers that should vest only with it often get wrested away by numerous “civil society” bodies, adding to the general residue of insecurity amongst a larger section of the society. The Weberian notion of legitimate violence is no longer a monopoly of the state, precisely because of its ineptitude and lack of commitment. This legitimacy vests in the hands of so many so called “civil society” bodies, precisely because of the state defaulting. Take the latest case of the hauling up of ice-cream manufacturers for unhygienic factory environment by a students’ body. The vigilant act which would have gained them public legitimacy should have rested solely  with the government had it also been as committed to public interest.

Although in a different context, and lacking half the gravity of the powerfully communicated despair in Macbeth’s last word for his queen at the news of her death, in considering Manipur politics, one is reminded of how the great Shakespearean character summarised his wife’s life, “….a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

There are many issues of extreme urgency awaiting government attention. Law and order without dispute would rank as number one among all of these. I am not simply referring to the obvious case of insurgency but also again to the manner in which a major portion of what should have remained as sole governmental responsibility, as well as the seal of authority that should have been exclusively the government’s, are being allowed to be wrested away systematically by non-governmental players in the state’s sordid power game.

Or are we witnessing a cruel parody of what Karl Marx called the “withering away of the state”, to give way to a “dictatorship of the proletariat”. The presumption seemed to have been, when the masses are the dictators over their own affairs, rooms for injustice and oppression would be automatically eliminated. The lessons of the atrocities of the French Revolution, which too had justice and equality as its slogans, were surprisingly missed, and VI Lenin’s interpretation of Marxism took cognizance of this problematic area when he stressed on the centrality of the Party of elite thinkers and leaders in any Communist revolution.

In a way he anticipated a basic foundation of modern electoral democracy too, for indeed, democracy is also about a people electing its elite leadership to be in charge of their affairs till so long as they enjoy their confidence as expressed in their periodically renewed electoral mandates. In this way the quality of a democracy is also determined by the capability of an electorate to choose the best amongst its elite. You get the elite you deserve.

In Manipur, the state is withering away, not by any grand Marxian design, but precisely for the abject lack of a will or imagination to come up with a design. For our elected elite, the needs for accountability or good governance are secondary to their personal agenda centred around the competition for the spoils and clout of office.

A rule of the masses has thereby been unleashed, leading to a mad contest for the powers of governance amongst various “civil society” organisations. Today many of these mushrooming power centres have naturally filled in where the government is absent and have even assumed the judicial powers of summons, inquisitions and trials, executive powers of levying taxes, excise duties and even to mete out summary punishments.

They legislate too through diktats and decrees. And yet the government continues to pretend there is nothing seriously wrong and that the law and order situation has improved. Time for all, most pertinently the government, to wake up.
Source:kanglaonline.com

ATSUM hits back to ST Demand Committe Manipur & Prime Minister

Memorandum submitted by ATSUM to shri Dr. Manmohan Singh, the ho'ble prime minister of India regarding the Demand of ST status by Meiteis

Dated July 25th, 2013

Greetings from the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM). Allow us to air our displeasure over the demand of ST status for the Meiteis (Manipuri) under the name of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur Valley (STDCMV) who are given your audience along with Inner Manipur MP, Dr. T. Meinya on July 10, 2013. While we understand that the demand raised by the above mentioned Committee is an issue related with the Meitei/Manipuri community of Manipur, we are compelled to raise few relevant issues before this demand is ever being considered either in the state or central government level.

Firstly, we are bound to ask ourselves if our Meitei brothers are really trying to assert their true identity by demanding ST status. If so, why should not be inclusive of all the Meiteis of not just Manipur valley but also those of Assam, Tripura and elsewhere without being grouped into General, OBC, SC or ST? Tribals of Manipur have always aired our displeasure over the Government of Manipur for being Valley centric. The hills have been neglected for the past more than sixty years. And the piecemeal development undertaken in the hills are just eyewash and excuses. The reservation policy followed by the state is also not in sync with the tribal population of the state. Whereas the population of the tribals of the state has crossed the 37% of the total population of the state, the percentage of state government employees is not even 21%. This is an absurd injustice. 

The tribals have been demanding greater autonomy of the existing Autonomous District Councils by extending the Sixth Scheduled provision of the constitution to them. This rightful demand is however being put in cold storage for years. The excuse being the extension of the said provision will lead to more demands and finally a full fledged state by the tribals of the state. Besides, Manipuri, the official language of the state of Manipur is already being listed in the 8th Scheduled of the Indian Constitution way back in the early 1990s due to immense pressure given by the people of the said community. The Meiteis who used the said language as their mother tongue from time immemorial and who are included in the GENERAL CATEGORY are given the benefit of writing exams conducted by UPSC in their own language after that recognition of their

language. However, not satisfied with their performance in such all India level exams and with greed running over community pride and ego, they again successfully demand the inclusion of their community to Other Backward Classes (OBC) some years back. 

We now suspects that the prime motive for demanding ST status for the Meteis of Manipur valley is to do more with political opportunities than socio-economic and educational benefits for their people and communities. We may not be well versed nor bothered much with the criteria and guidelines on who is qualified to be included as Scheduled Tribe and who is not. We however are convinced that this demand is raised by the said Committee is with the tacit support and approval of the major NGOs of the community and even on government and political level.

Finally, before initiating any positive steps on the demand raised by the said committee, the views and opinions of all stakeholders needs to be sought and studied extensively. The tribals who for decades feel unsecured and neglected by the majority communities of Manipur will be compelled to take extreme steps if our interest and rights are being overlooked by the authority concern. Having our good faith in your good self, the tribals of this Manipur state request you to use your good office so that thrust, peace and development will hold supreme instead of misunderstanding, disunity and chaos due to this STDCMV's unethical and unreasonable demand.May good sense prevail?

On behalf of the All Tribal Students' Union

Manipur (ATSUM),Emboi Serto, President,

Marahang Ngiimai, Gen. Secy., Adani David

Mao, Speaker.

UTLA clarifies: Terminates its former GS

JIRIBAM (Manipur), July 26, 2013 [TSE] --- The United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA-SK Thadou) has denied report that the outfit terminated its former general secretary, Seineo Guite alias James Kuki of New Lamka following his arrest on July 16 at Jiribam.

Speaking to media persons yesterday, information and publicity secretary of UTLA (SK Thadou), George Simte clarified that Seineo Guite was only rank downed for violating party rules and not terminated as reported in some section of the media.

George also denied the involvement of the outfit in a gun fight that occurred at Phaituol village on July 21.

Meanwhile, the outfit also informed all those left out cadres in the home coming ceremony held on July 17 to report to the chairman within 30 days.

George Guite added that the Government is all set to set up a permanent camp of the UTLA (SK Thadou) at Vangai Chungpao.