Gen Balaram Sougaijamba remembered on Death Anniversary

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

IMPHAL, May 2: Among the three recipients of the title “General” in the history of the state, General Sougaijamba Balaram , an unsung hero has been remembered in culmination with his 123rd Death Anniversary today at Moirangkhom, Sougaijam Lampak.

The observance was graced by MLA Elangbam Chand and Sougaijam Saraju Devi (granddaughter of the general) as the chief guest and president respectively. Among the members of the dais included Prof Arambam Lokendra, former editor of IS Tv, K Madhumangol, director of Mutua Museum, Mutua Bahadur and, B Kulachandra Sharma, historian and author of the book “ The Life Story of General Balaram Sougaijamba”.

The dignitaries, family members and other invitees offered a floral tribute to the photo of the general at the outset of the function.

Cultural historian , Prof Arambam Lokendra in his speech mentioned that Sougaijamba Balaram was an administrator, a warrior, a visionary and one among the unsung heroes of the state. He continued that Longjamba Roma, Sougaijamba Balaram and Thangal are the only three persons to have held the rank of general during the monarchial rule of the state.

Further, he stated that the General played an important role in shaping the destiny of the state beginning from 1824 to 1889 and will be forever etched in the annals of history. He however claimed that proper recognition is not tendered by the state government as deserved.

“The contribution of General Balram is not given credit by the state as compared with other historical figures”, he said before adding that mention of the general is left void in state held observations of Khongjom Day and Patriots’ Day.

Lokendra emphasized on the need to give due recognition by the state and the public to the memory of such unsung heroes of the state.

B Kulachandra, author of the book “The Life Story of General Balaram Sougaijamba” also gave a detailed speech on the endeavors and achievements of the general. He highlighted that the date of birth of Sougaijamba is still unclear and needs further research. He stated that the birth date should be 1805 and not 1816.

“I am not saying that the earlier date is wrong ,but the record is based on the British journals, he would have been eight years old when inducted in the Manipur Levy”, he said.

Sougaijam Saraju Devi in her presidential address mentioned the need to institute a research centre so that those interested in proper analysis of the history of the state and the other unsung patriots can be better facilitated. “We need to have a research centre so clear records can be maintained and that historical doubts can be cleared”, she said.

The chief guest , MLA E Chand Singh also voiced the function was a revelation to him about the historical facts of the state.

It may be mentioned that General Balaram Sougaijamba was awarded the ‘Kendet Medal’ by the chief commissioner of Assam on behalf of the Government of India for his services in 1885.

Captain E.W. Dun in his book “Gazetter of Manipur”, written in 1886 also describes “ The only two important and powerful subjects are the two ministers- Thangal Singh and Balaram Singh. Thangal Singh is the most forward and active and readiest of the two,Balaram Singh is the most astute. They may be fairly described as representing in Manipur the Liberal and Conservative parties.”

Political agent, James Johnstone in his book “Manipur and Naga Hills” mentions, “The practical ministers were Balaram Singh or Sawaijamba Major and Thangal Major. They were both faithful adherents of the Maharaja”.

During the reign of Chandrakriti Maharaj in the 19th century, General Balaram was in charge of administration of the Kuki at the southern end of the valley and the whole of the hills west of the valley. The north eastern corner including the Somrah basin and Kabow valley.

In the book “A Tribute to Balaram General (Bolai Singh) , it was mentioned that “General Balaram Singh was an able,dynamic and competent leader as well as an expert war strategist. As the ‘Tulihal Major’, he commanded one of the seven regiments that composed the Manipur Army and occupied an important place in this state administration. He was also called ‘Bolai Major’. As the Chief Major, he was also known as ‘Sougaijamba Poila Major’. He subdued many rebellious tribes in the southern hills and brought them under control. He also took part in many expeditions against the Awas. He faced and fought the riotous Kuki tribes inhabiting the hills in the south. Through his tireless efforts, he earned the confidence of the tribal chiefs and brought truce with them, he made tribal chiefs and their people loyal subjects of the king.He always remained a trusted minister of Maharaj Chandra Kriti Singh”, it said.

The observation held today was organized by members of General Balaram Foundation. (IFP)

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Apex court quashes quota benefits for SCs, STs, OBCs in promotions

NEW DELHI, May 2 (Agencies): Terming the move unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has quashed Uttar Pradesh government's decision to provide reservation benefits for SCs, STs & OBCs in promotions to higher posts saying the same was done without any sufficient data.

Upholding a bunch of petitions filed by aggrieved general category employees challenging the reservation in promotions, the apex court said the state failed to furnish sufficient valid data to justify the move to promote employees on caste basis.

"The conditions precedent have not been satisfied. No exercise has been undertaken. What has been argued with vehemence is that it is not necessary as the concept of reservation in promotion was already in vogue.

"We are unable to accept the said submission, for when the provisions of the Constitution are treated valid with certain conditions or riders, it becomes incumbent on the part of the state to appreciate and apply the test so that its amendments can be tested and withstand the scrutiny on parameters laid down therein," a bench of justice Dalveer Bhandari and justice Dipak Mishra said.

In this case, the employees had challenged the validity of the provisions contained in Rule 8-A of the UP Government Servants Seniority Rules, 1991, which provided for promotions to SC, ST, OBC employees for higher posts.

While a two-judge bench of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court had quashed the rule as unconstitutional, another two-judge bench of the high court upheld the reservation, after which the employees and the UP government filed appeals in the apex court.

The apex court said the rule was contary to the various judgements by the Constitution benches in the M Nagara, Indra Sawhney and various other cases wherein it was provided that reservation in promotions can be provided only if there is sufficient data and evidence to justify the need.

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MHA nod must for prosecution in AFSPA cases: SC

NEW DELHI, May 2 (Agencies): The Supreme Court has ruled that in a case of `fake encounter’ killing by an army personnel in an area which is under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, an investigating agency would have to seek the home ministry’s sanction to prosecute the accused. However, there’s no need to secure the sanction if the personnel is court-martialled under the Army Act.

In a first-ever ruling that distinguishes between the code of criminal procedure - which regulates criminal proceedings under the Indian Penal Code and similar laws - and the Army Act, the court on Tuesday held that sanction in a criminal case such as the encounter killings of seven innocent persons allegedly by army personnel in Pathribal, J&K, 12 years ago, is necessary.

Sanction is required to “assess the act complained of.This would also include the assessment of cases like mistaken identities or an act performed on the basis of a genuine suspicion,” said the court.

“We are therefore of the view that such immunity clauses have to be interpreted with wide discretionary powers to the sanctioning authority in order to uphold the official discharge of duties in good faith and a sanction therefore has to be issued only on the basis of a sound objective assessment and not otherwise,” the top court said while issuing a slew of directions in fake encounter cases by army personnel in J&K and the insurgency-affected Kamrup in Assam in 1994.

The trial of suspected army personnel has been unduly delayed due to the prolonged litigation on whether a civil court could take cognisance of the grave offence committed by the army personnel, without sanction from the appropriate authority.

While in Pathribal killings, five armed personnel were involved in the crime, in the insurgency-affected Saikhowa Reserve Forest in Kamrup, Assam, army personnel were accused of killing five local residents under the pretext of exchange of fire with armed insurgents.

According to CBI lawyer Ashok Bhan, “This ruling is guidance for the civil and army authorities when they face cases relating to suspected fake encounter killings by the armed personnel.”

The Judges granted two months to the army authorities to take a call on whether they want to invoke the Army Act, otherwise they must inform the respective chief judicial magistrates so that the process of trial under the IPC could be resumed. But, the court martial proceedings must start immediately, judges said.

According to the CBI chargesheet in Pathribal case,the then Col Ajay Saxena, Major rajendra PratapSingh, Major Sourabh Sharma and Subedar Idrees Khan `hatched’ a conspiracyto cover up the fake encounter killings. It also said in the chargesheet that innocent persons were killed in Pathribal soon after the terrorists had gunned down 36 Silkhs in village Chittising Pora, District Anantnag on March .

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Two students booked for Manipur boy’s murder

BANGALORE (PNS ):  he Bangalore Police on Tuesday booked two students — Ayed Afzal Ali and Vishal Banerji — for the murder of Richard Loitam, 19-year-old second semester student of the Acharya NRV School of Architecture in Bangalore. Even though the police have booked the two students for the alleged murder of Loitam, they have not made any arrest so far.

A Manipuri student was found dead in his hostel bed on the afternoon of April 18. While the police are awaiting the final forensic report of his death, his friends and family are crying foul. They allege that Richard was brutally assaulted by his seniors the night before he died.

According to the FIR filed with the Madanayakanahalli police by Richard’s hostel warden S Sudhakar, the student met with an accident on April 16 and was subsequently treated at Sapthagiri Hospital. On the night of April 17, he reportedly quarrelled with his roommate Vishal Banerjee over watching an IPL match. Another roommate, Sayed Afzal Ali, intervened and hit Richard on the face and head. Following the altercation, Richard returned to his room and was found dead the next day. However, with the post-mortem report being inconclusive, police had been looking for more leads. They said they were waiting for the report from the Forensic Science Laboratory.

“The post-mortem shows it is a homicide or by physical assault. So, I want that the case be converted into homicide case. We demand justice and the culprit should be punished,” Dr Vidyabali Devi, Richard’s mother had said earlier. Her anger was echoed by Richard’s friends and several other students who held protests at the Jantar Mantar in the national Capital and at the Town Hall in Bangalore over alleged police inaction in the case.

The police had earlier registered a case of death under suspicious circumstances. However, Richard’s family had been alleging foul play since the first day.

This comes a day after the Bangalore Police said that the reason for the Manipur boy’s fight with his friend could have been a two-wheeler accident. The police had also said that Richard was injured after the accident.

According to sources on the night of April 17, Richard reportedly quarrelled with his hostel mate Vishal Banerjee over watching an IPL match. Another student, Syed Afzal Ali, intervened and hit Loitam on the face and head. Following the altercation, Loitam returned to his room and was found dead the next day.

The management of the college has assured the police of full support in the probe. “The police have already interviewed several students, teachers and hostel authorities. Action should be taken against whosoever is involved,” the college management said in a release.

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Karnataka CM orders to register an FIR in Richard Loitam’s case

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister D SadanandaGowda has ordered the police to register an FIR in death case of Manipuri Student Loitam Richard. The order came after Sunil Deodhar, national convener of BJP’s North east India Sampark Cell, called on Gowda Monday night demanding a through investigation in the case. Gowda assured Deodhar that the investigation will be foolproof and there will be no loopholes. The Inspector General of Police (Intelligence),GopalHosur has asked the local S.P. to file a case of murder against unknown persons.
As a fallout of unrest in North Eastern population across the country in the case of death of a Student from Manipur, Richard Loitam, Shri Sunil Deodhar rushed to Bengaluru yesterday for timely intervention. North East India SamparkCelll is formed with specific object of providing helpline to the north eastern people in the rest of India.

Sunil Deodhar along with Omprakash (President, Manipuri Meitei Association Bengaluru) and Tiken (President, Manipuri Students Association Bengaluru) also met the Karnataka State home minister R. Ashoka and requested him to look in to the matter seriously. Home Minister assured immediate action once the forensic report is received which is expected within one week.

There is a view in media that this is a case of racism but Deodhar does not subscribe to this view. He asserted that one should wait for forensic report and completion of investigation by police before coming to any conclusion.

Richard Loitam a Manipur student was found dead in his hostel room on 18th of this month. He was a student of B. Arch (1st year) at Acharya College, Bengaluru. The circumstances under which he was found dead were mysterious and needs investigation.

The immediate action and support by the BJP’s cell has given some solace to the parents of the victim in particular and the Manipuri migrants in the city.

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THAPA AND KRISHAN CONTINUE GOOD FORM IN KAZAKHSTAN

New Delhi: After a scintillating performance at the AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Event in Astana, Kazakhstan, Youth Olympic silver medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) continued his brilliant from at the 3rd International ‘Republic of Kazakhstan President’s Cup’ with a hard fought victory in the preliminary round on Tuesday (1 May 2012). World Championship bronze medallist Vikas Krishan (69kg) was also in great shape as he continued to ride his purple patch after the bronze medal winning performance at the 43rd Czech Grand Prix. The two Olympic bound boxers registered contrasting wins on the opening day of the event, which is being held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. While Shiva had to dig deep against Prudkiy Oleg of Ukraine, Vikas powered through with ease against local lad Ashkeev Madiyar.

Thapa, who secured his London Olympics berth en route to winning the bantam weight title at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Astana last month, faced some tough opposition from the Ukrainian boxer. He was down a point after the opening three minutes of play (3:4), but came back strongly in the second round. With some swift counter attacks and combinations the 18 year old turned the table and soon gained the advantage (8:7). In the final round every time Prudkiy stuck, Shiva immediately reciprocated with his lightening fast jabs. He finally won the contest on points 12:10. Thapa, who became the youngest Indian boxer to secure an Olympic berth, will have to be on the top of his game in the next round as he takes on Cuban boxer Alvanes Estrado.

In the welter weight division, Vikas faced little resistance from Ashkeev Madiyar of the Almaty team. The 2010 Asian Games gold medallist dominated proceeding right from the beginning, never letting his opponent settle into a rhythm. After the first two rounds, Vikas was leading 6:4, when he launched an offensive onslaught to which the Kazakh boxer had no answer. The 20 year old Indian went on to win the bout on points 11:5. He now takes on Kojabekov Bakhitjan of the Kazakhstan 2 team in the next round.

But there was disappointment for India in the light heavy weight and the light weight categories, with two other Olympic bound boxers losing out in the preliminaries. 2010 Youth Asian Championship silver medallist Sumit Sangwan (81kg), up against Abdullev Askar of Kazakh 3 team, gave a good account of his skills in all the three rounds. But after nine minutes of some intense action, which saw the scored knotted at 7 all, the 19 year old Indian ended up on the losing side on individual judge’s score. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jai Bhagwan (60kg) came up short against Bashnev Samat also of Kazakhstan.

Day two of the tournament will also witness the other two London Olympics bound boxers Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manoj Kumar (64kg) and L Devendro Singh (49kg) take to the rings. While Manoj will take on Ulihanov Ashat of Almaty team, Devendro will lock horns with Egorov Vasily of Russia. 2010 Asian Games silver medallist Manpreet Singh (91kg) will also be seen in action as he goes up against Teslenko Alexander of Ukraine in his opening round bout.

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13th IFMA India National Muaythai Championship at Chennai

KOHIMA, May 2 (NEPS): Muaythai Federation of India (MFI) will once again conduct the exciting 13th IFMA India National MuaythaiChampionship 2012 from July 7 to July 9, 2012 at Chennai.

Muaythai during fight

 MFI Unit Body in Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Amateur Muaythai Association, will host this historic IFMA India National Muaythai Championship series that will be participated by over 500 players and officials from across the country. Ministers, International Sports personalities, Indian Olympic officials, IFMA leaders, are among others who will attend this prestigious 13th IFMA India National Muaythai Championship 2012 at Chennai.


This Championship is also the “Qualifiers” for the upcoming “World Muaythai Championship 2012” to be held from September 5 to 13, 2012 at St. Petersburg, Russia.


The Championship will be held under the supervision of MFI President Oken Jeet Sandham, besides host of IFMA Qualified Referees and Judges would conduct the bouts.


The Tournament will have various Divisions for Male, Female, Junior and Sub-Junior. Only one team from one state is allowed and also only one fighter in one weight category is allowed from a State. Only MFI Member states are invited to this historic event at Chennai. 

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