ADC Churachandpur Stages Peaceful Demonstration in New Delhi

The Autonomous District Council Churachandpur (ADCC) of Manipur State 
held a peaceful demonstration in New Delhi, demanding greater powers for the council. 

Here are glimpses from our correspondent, Bruce K. Thangkhal.

“Why is the Manipur government neglecting the hills? 
Why are the rights of the hill people being disregarded?”
-----

Protest Rally in New Delhi by NSUD

Protest Rally by the Naga Students' Union Delhi (NSUD)

and 

Naga Peoples Human Rights Movement (NPHRM) Candlelight Vigil 
in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi

Here's a glimpses from the lens of our correspondent, Bruce K. Thangkhal.

----

GANG-RAPE: 2 NE Girls rescued from Human Trafficking in Delhi

New Delhi, Sept 18, 2014: In a shocking incident, two young girls—both underage from Manipur—were allegedly raped by a group of men in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar on Wednesday. On Tuesday, August 26, there was a party at one Ashu Kapoor’s residence where some boys entered, leading to a fight.

At the party, the girls were forced to drink alcohol. One of the survivors managed to escape, crying for help. Neighbours reported seeing the girl and informed the police, who then rescued her from being locked inside the house. The incident occurred at Khirki Extension, Malviya Nagar in South Delhi.

According to the FIR, the two survivors, hailing from Manipur, were lured by a girl from Nagaland named Manau under the false promise of a job at a beauty parlour. Manau brought them to Guwahati and handed them over to a man named Jimmy, who then brought them to Delhi and handed them to Ashu Kapoor in Malviya Nagar. Upon arrival, Ashu Kapoor told the girls that they were unfit to work as domestic helpers and instructed them to go back.

In such dire circumstances and without any money, the two girls were forced to sign a contract and subsequently coerced into a flesh trade operation run out of Kapoor’s home. “Men would visit us,” the girls lamented.

Both survivors provided statements before the magistrate at Saket Court on Thursday. A case has been registered at the Malviya Nagar police station under sections 376 (rape), 370 (trafficking), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (1860). However, no arrests had been made by the time of this report. According to the latest updates, MLC reports have confirmed the occurrence of rape.

Student leader checking.....

Some Northeast social activists.

Note: Victims identity undisclosed.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

Media In-charge
North East Support Centre & Helpline, New Delhi

Sikkim Observes Disaster Risk Reduction Day

Gangtok; September 18, 2014: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), East, in collaboration with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority and the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, commemorated Disaster Risk Reduction Day at the TNSSS auditorium in Gangtok on September 18.

The program aimed to raise disaster awareness among the public through skits, speeches, live demonstrations, and appeals.

GMC Mayor Mrs. Lassey Doma Bhutia, the chief guest, urged attendees to reflect on the significance of the day for self-awareness. She emphasized the importance of being responsible for preventing manmade disasters and encouraged students to spread educational information throughout the state. She also presented certificates and tokens to the winners of the elocution competition.

District Collector East Mr. Chewang Gyatso Bhutia recalled the tragic events of September 18, 2011, urging students to share knowledge about disaster preparedness, mitigation, and risk reduction with their families and communities. He highlighted the role of students as effective communicators, stressing the need for regular awareness programs. While natural disasters cannot be prevented, he noted that proactive measures and quick response systems can help mitigate their impacts. He also addressed the need for proper construction methods to enhance safety during earthquakes.

District Programme Officer Mr. Sonam Wangyal Lepcha outlined various activities conducted by DDMA East, including a Mega Mock Exercise on earthquakes, training programs, the formation of a Special Search and Rescue Team, and the establishment of an Early Warning System.

Retired DIG and Civil Defense Warden Mr. B.K. Roka discussed the concept of civil defense and encouraged students to engage in voluntary activities. He explained that first responders at disaster sites play a crucial role and advised students to keep emergency numbers handy.

Principal Mr. K. B. Chettri expressed gratitude to DDMA for selecting TNSSS as the venue for imparting valuable disaster management information and hoped for similar future initiatives.

Earlier, ADC Mr. Karma Bompu read the Chief Minister's message, announcing September 18 as Disaster Risk Reduction Day each year.

The event also featured a skit presented by the Arithang Women Welfare Association and an elocution competition among various schools. Students from West Point Sr. Sec. School, Tadong, Bojoghari, Rani Pool, Deorali, Enchey, and TNSS Sr. Sec. School contributed to discussions on disaster management.

The program was attended by Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh Chaudhary, other GMC councilors, the Additional Superintendent of Police, East, officials from HRDD, and students and teachers from around Gangtok. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from SDM Mr. K. L. Lepcha, and was conducted by Bijeta Kharel.

Two Manipur Youths Brutally Beaten in South Delhi

One of the victims.

JUST days after two northeastern girls were brutally attacked with knives in separate incidents, two youths from Manipur – Lun (21) and Let (18) – were viciously assaulted by four men in South Delhi on Saturday night, 14 September 2014. Both victims are undergraduate students.

Prime accused is the man with yellow & dark coloured T-shirt.

According to the victims, the attack occurred around 9:30 PM while they were chatting at Babulal Chowk, in the heart of Munirka village. “There were three boys sitting on a Honda Activa who started calling us derogatory names like 'Nepali' and 'Chinky.' We approached them and politely asked them to stop,” Let recounted.

“When we requested them to stop, the youths became angry, and an argument ensued. Despite our attempts to calm the situation, one of them called his elder brother, and they started beating us,” said Lun, who sustained 15 injuries in the assault.

Lun described how the elder brother, Rajesh, held him by the neck while the others repeatedly struck him with sharp objects like scissors and iron rods. “I was soaked in blood. Some northeastern girls passing by saw what was happening and intervened. They pulled me away from the attackers. I was completely exhausted and bleeding heavily. They rushed me to a nearby clinic in Munirka. If it weren’t for those girls, I might have been killed,” Lun added.

After receiving first aid at the clinic, both victims were taken to Safdarjung Hospital for further medical treatment.

Let also shared his experience of being struck with objects, though he managed to escape his attackers.

An FIR has been filed at Vasant Vihar police station under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

Out of the four accused, three – including two juveniles – have been apprehended by the police.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
Media Incharge
North East Support Centre & Helpline
New Delhi

Sikkim's New IT Hub: NIELIT Center Set to Launch in Pakyong

Gangtok, 15 Sep 2014: Mr. Rajesh Verma, Principal Director-cum-Secretary of the Information and Technology Department, Government of Sikkim, announced that approximately 9 acres of land in Pakyong, East Sikkim, recently mutated in the name of the IT Department, will be transferred to the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), an organization under the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.

During a press conference held at the IT Department's training hall, Mr. Verma described the land allotment for establishing a full-fledged NIELIT center in Pakyong as a milestone in Sikkim's IT development. He expressed optimism about increased activities at the NIELIT center, particularly after the completion of the airport. Currently, the Government of Sikkim utilizes the services of the NIELIT Gangtok branch to provide training to its employees, covering a wide range of topics such as cybersecurity, computer familiarization, and management information systems.

He also announced that to enhance the quality of candidates applying for computer-related positions, the state government has made it mandatory for candidates to possess an O’ level certificate for computer operators and an A’ level certificate for assistant programmers and programmers. These certificates from NIELIT will now be part of the eligibility criteria. Furthermore, the state government plans for the NIELIT center to include a state-of-the-art exhibition hall and conference room.

Dr. Ashwini Kr. Sharma, MD of NIELIT, revealed that a senior delegation from NIELIT Delhi and Kolkata, led by himself along with Mr. T.P. Singh, Mr. Arup Chattopadhay, and Mr. Anurag Gupta, met with Chief Secretary of the Government of Sikkim, Mrs. R. Ongmu, on Monday morning.

During the meeting, Chief Secretary Ongmu expressed her enthusiasm for the establishment of the IT center in Sikkim, viewing it as a positive step towards developing skilled human resources in the state. Dr. Sharma assured that the institute will provide free education to students holding Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe certificates.

He noted that NIELIT is in the process of setting up 20 centers in the Northeastern region to reach remote areas, with 15 centers currently operational. Computer concept courses are available in 22 Indian languages, including Nepali, and can be downloaded free of charge from the NIELIT website.

In alignment with the Government of India’s emphasis on youth skill development, NIELIT has been tasked with implementing numerous skill development and capacity-building projects across the country. Dr. Sharma expressed gratitude to the IT Department and the Government of Sikkim for the land allotment in the Pakyong area.

Govt Doubles Commitment to Northeast Development: Dr. V K Singh

New Delhi, 15 Sep 2014: The Centre has doubled its commitment to the development of the North East Region (NER), with a focus on completing ongoing projects, according to Dr. V K Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER). Speaking to the media on Monday, Dr. Singh emphasized that inter-ministerial consultations are ensuring a seamless implementation of development initiatives.

He noted that a review process for schemes under 53 non-exempted Ministries/Departments is underway, aiming to maximize benefits and enhance performance. New initiatives, including ‘Road Development’ and ‘Organic Farming,’ have been introduced alongside existing schemes. The Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) has sanctioned 1,596 projects worth ₹14,172 crore, with 833 already completed.

The total budgetary allocation by central ministries for NER is ₹53,705 crore for 2014-15, with ₹2,306 crore allocated to the Ministry of DoNER. Dr. Singh stressed the importance of proactive policies and detailed stakeholder consultations, highlighted by a Chief Ministers’ Conference held in Guwahati in August.

He also announced plans to refocus the North Eastern Council (NEC) on technical evaluation, capacity building, and as a key adviser for the region's eight states, while also launching campaigns to promote the region's handlooms and handicrafts for better income opportunities.

Mizoram is a Beautiful Place: Dr VK Singh

“Mizoram is a beautiful place in the Northeast,” remarked General (Dr.) V.K. Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Development of the North East Region, while responding to a query from The Mizoram Post. The question addressed the resignation of four Governors within a month, with concerns raised about whether Mizoram was being treated as a “dumping ground for BJP.” In his response, the minister stated, “Those [governors] have taken decisions on their own.”

Dr. Singh was briefing the media on the initiatives and achievements of the Ministry during a press conference held at the PIB Press Conference Hall, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi, on Monday (15 Sept 2014) evening.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

Special Correspondent

The MIZORAM POST | MANIPUR CHRONICLE | ZOGAM TODAY

KOMREM celebrates 23rd Freshers' Meet & Felicitation Programme in New Delhi

THE KOMREM Students’ Union Delhi (KRSUD) held its 23rd Freshers’ Meet and Felicitation Programme here in Mizoram House, New Delhi on September 14, 2014. Members of the Komrem community gathered for a vibrant celebration featuring a theme of unity: “How good it is when brethren dwell together in unity.”

Chongte Leivon performs a melodious song.

Thangzalun Khuptong, Assistant Director of the Parliament Secretariat (Rajya Sabha), graced the event as the chief guest, alongside various distinguished invitees.

KRSUD honoured Esther Serto, IFS, with a traditional shawl.

The program commenced with the KRSUD Anthem, “Reipar Kapo,” followed by an invocation prayer led by TC Kom. KRSUD President Haoneithang Hmangte welcomed attendees, emphasizing the union's commitment to guiding freshers in their studies. “We, the senior students, are always ready to help our juniors and freshers in their studies,” he said. Hmangte advised the newcomers to use their freedom wisely to shape their futures.

The audience was then captivated by a performance from singer Chongte Leivon, who stole the show with her enchanting voice.

In his address, Chief Guest Thangzalun Khuptong encouraged attendees to focus on the positive aspects of life in Delhi, urging them to strive for quality and excellence in their endeavors. He was honored with a traditional shawl from KRSUD as a token of respect.

Twenty-six freshers participated in the program, which included a blessing prayer led by Sumrengchung Hmangte and other elders. Sumrengchung prompted the freshers to envision their futures, sharing a personal story about the importance of investing in education over other pursuits.

Though the Kom community is one of the smallest in Manipur, it has gained international recognition through renowned boxer M.C. Mary Kom, a five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist. The recent release of her biopic has drawn large crowds to cinema halls, celebrating her as a source of pride for the northeast and India. Haoneithang Hmangte expressed his joy over the film’s success, noting its positive impact on the community.

Esther Laltankim Serto, an Indian Forest Services (IFS) officer, also spoke, advising attendees to remember God in all their endeavors. KRSUD honoured her for achieving a position in the IPS through the UPSC exam.

The newly elected office bearers for KRSUD for the 2014-2015 term are Thangrengkhup Karong as president, Alex Hmangre as general secretary, and Chongte Leivon as treasurer. A group of elders, including the chief guest, joined in a blessing prayer for the new executives, led by Khuplenthang Hmangte.

The first session was smoothly hosted by young ladies Elsie Rejoice and Hatneichin Leivon, concluding with a closing prayer from Serkhopao Hmangte at around 6 PM. Attendees enjoyed mouthwatering dishes prepared by the mess department, with many lining up for the delicious curry.

The much-anticipated announcement of the Mr. and Miss KRUSD Fresher 2014 titles added to the celebration, with Tuineilen Leivon and Babygrace Serto winning the honors.

The second session featured more entertainment, led by Ahao Serto, filling the hall with joy and laughter. As the event came to a close, KRSUD General Secretary Paul Leivon expressed gratitude, followed by a closing prayer from Thangrengkhup Karong, marking the end of a memorable gathering.