On guard!

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Source : The Hindu
V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

By winning a gold in the epee individual category of the South Asian Fencing Championship, Shagolsem Jayanta Singh has proved that he is here to stay.

He moves around with so much energy and exuberance that it's hard to miss him. Manipur fencer Shagolsem Jayanta Singh is making waves in the sport he chose ahead of football. Jayanta even played in a local football league in his State.



Sagolsem Jayenta



The 26-year-old felt that his future lay not in a team sport but in an individual discipline. That was when he decided to take up fencing in view of its popularity in the North-Eastern Region. 

Good show

 And, not surprisingly, Jayanta has already made a mark for himself at both the international and the national levels—winning a silver in the Commonwealth Championship and gold in the Senior Nationals. The latest gold in epee individual category in the second South Asian fencing championship in Hyderabad was just another reminder that he means business. 

Sporting background 

Jayanta, comes from a family which has a decent sporting background as his father Shagolsem Nabakumar was a football goalkeeper in Manipur. He is now gunning for bigger glory–win a medal in the next Asian Games. "Well, if everything goes well, no better feeling than making it to the Olympics too. But that is a huge task," he says with a big smile.

“We were unlucky to miss a medal in the last edition as we had to miss a teammate,” recalls the fencer, who first won an international medal (silver in the epee team event) in the Thailand meet at 2010.

For someone who credits Voleshor of Manipur for fine-tuning his raw talent at the Sports Authority of India also playing a big role, Jayanta feels that recognition for excellence in fencing is not certainly of the expected levels.

 Interestingly, Jayanta doesn't like to watch cricket. “It is boring. I can't sit for six hours to watch a match. I now love any sporting event which gets over in less than 10 minutes,” he jokes.

 Unlike many of his age group, this fleet-footed fencer, who works with the Manipur Police Department, has a clear-cut vision and a plan. “If I don't perform consistently and realise my dream of winning an Asian Games medal, then I will stop competing and focus on coaching young talent,” he says. He loves to browse the net during spare time.

“Well, my best companion is the Internet as I enjoy interacting on Facebook,” he signs off, before joining the team members to collect the gold medal at the valedictory function of the South Asian meet.

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Manipur social welfare department adopts abandoned boy

Imphal: The social welfare department in Manipur on Wednesday adopted a six-month-old male baby that was abandoned by his parents.

The adoption was done during the baby's 'chakumba', a Meitei ritual for initiating infants into semi-solid and solid foods.

The baby was abandoned
at a traffic island near Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Manipur capital Imphal more than a month ago. Police suspect he was left to die because of having been born with deformities in the limbs.

Ingocha Singh, officer in charge of Lamphel police station rescued the baby and admitted him at RIMS hospital where he stayed for more than a month.

"How can parents be so cruel?" asked social welfare director G Seitabati after organizing the baby's 'chakumba' ceremony at Bal Bhavan in Imphal's Khuman Lampak locality.
"We will be strict with parents who are found guilty of abandoning or trafficking children and penalized according to law."

Children with physical deformities have the right to live a decent life, the director said. She appealed to parents of differently able children to bring them up like normal children.

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Bomb attack condemned

IMPHAL, April 25: A sit-in protest was today staged at the courtyard of Dr Madhubala, an AMWAY diamond status holder, against the bomb attack carried out at her residence at Lamphel Sanakeithel by suspected militants, injuring two people yesterday.

The protest, which began at 10:30 am, was participated by Lamphel Sanakeithel Nupi Kanglup and distributors of AMWAY Company.

“The protest demonstration was organized to condemn the bomb blast and we appeal to all concerned to refrain from such violence,” L Nirmala, secretary, Lamphel Sanakeithel Nupi Kanglup told reporters.

She further appealed not to open fire or hurl bombs in lanes and neighbourhoods for any monetary demand while suggesting that it is better to solve problems through negotiations.
Meanwhile, a PRO IGAR (S) release said discovering the movement of UG cadres in Pukhao Khabam Leikai, trrops of 23 Assam Rifles of 10 sector under HQ IGAR (S) launched an operation in the area and apprehended one alleged KYKL cadre identified as Thokchom Ningthem alias Sanatomba, 30 son of Th Manimohan Singh resident of Pukhao Khabam Mayai Leikai, Lamlai, Imphal east. He was later handed over to the Lamlai PS, it said.

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Blood sucking man caught

IMPHAL, April 25: In a shocking incident amidst reports of child kidnapping, a person allegedly sucked blood from his own 3 year old nephew at Keirao Mayai Leikai today.
The person identified as Maibam Jiban was caught by local meira paibis at Keirao Mayai Leikai on Wednesday. He was later picked up by the police.

He however denied the accusation and said he was only playing with the child.
Maibam Jiban, aged 38, son of M Iboyai of Yairipok Yambem is a drug addict, according to reports.

He was caught by local meira paibis of Keirao Mayai Leikai after one of the locals saw him sucking blood from the 3 year old at the boy’s residence, Wednesday afternoon at 12:10pm.
The victim boy has been identified as Pukhrambam Prithiviraj, son of P Surjeet of  Keirao Mayai leikai.

Accused Jiban was seen holding a sickle on the boy’s throat with one hand and sucking on the boy’s palm at the veranda of the house of the boy by a local who called the meira paibis of the area.

The incident happened when the boy’s mother who is the accused’s younger sister had gone out to attend a religious feast in the neighbourhood. The boy’s father was also not at home during the entire episode.

At the time of the incident, the boy’s grandmother and his one and seven month old brother were inside the house.

Maibam Jiban was staying at his sister’s residence since Tuesday evening. He was brought along by his brother in law after they met at Palace compound Tuesday evening.

Soon after he was caught by the local meira paibis, someone had tipped the Irilbung police following which the personnel of the police station arrived and took control of the situation before it went out of hand.

However, when the police tried to whisk the accused away, a brief scuffle ensued between the police and the locals.

The angry mob turned its ire towards Sanjit’s house saying that the family was trying to protect the drug addict uncle.

The mob tried to dismantle Sanjit’s house. However, timely intervention of the Irilbung PS prevented any untoward incident.

Jiban is reported to be a driver of a truck engaged in delivery of chicken to the army.

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Assam Rifles-NSCN (I-M) stalemate ends with return of arms

Tuesday, 24 April 2012

Source : Nagaland Post
Dimapur: As reported in Nagaland Post , the five-day standoff between the Assam Rifles and NSCN(I-M) after the April 19 incident near Hebron Camp was resolved after the NSCN(I-M) returned back weapons and ammunition seized from five Assam Rifles jawans who had gone too close to the NSCN(I-M) designated camp without any prior information. 
That had triggered the crisis when the AR violated the cease fire ground rules. In response, the Assam Rifles also withdrew all the mobile checking posts on routes leading to all NSCN(I-M) designated camps including Hebron. 
The steps taken were followed the meeting between CFMG chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd) N. George and NSCN (I-M) leaders, Monday at Chumukedima Police complex where reportedly both the parties “mutually” arrived at an “arrangement”.
On Tuesday, NSCN (I-M) representatives led by its cease-fire monitoring cell (CFMC) convenor Vikiye Awomi handed over the arms and ammunition to CFMC official at the community hall Monglumukh village in the presence of CFMG, AR, Dimapur police and Dimapur district administration representatives.
While NSCN (I-M) had made it clear that the same was expected from AR, AR representatives were yet to hand over the seized arms of NSCN (I-M) card holders.
The released documents were signed by CFMC convenor on behalf of NSCN (I-M) and CFMG staff officer, G Rengma on behalf of CFMG office while SP Dimapur Z. Mero and ADC Dimapur Sedevikho signed as witnesses.
After the signing of documents, the released arms and ammunition was thoroughly checked by AR troops led by 29 AR Col. Rakesh Bhardwaj after which the same were taken in possession by AR.
Vikiye Awomi said the arms were released in the “interest of peace” adding that as per “discussion” held Monday, the government of India has given the “clearance” to withdraw all “military operations” in entire Naga inhabited areas.
Asked if NSCN (I-M)’s seized arms have been released, Awomi asserted that the release of five arms of the four NSCN (I-M)’s card holders seized by AR were in “process” adding that they (NSCN (I-M) were in touch with the district administration. 
When asked about the release of reportedly over 200 arms seized by AR during the past many years, Awomi, while stating that it was a “different process”, disclosed that the release of those arms were in “process” as the group had discussed the matter in 2009 in Delhi.
Talking to Nagaland Post, CFMG chairman, while not admitting it was withdrawal of “military operation” as claimed by NSCN (I-M), however, confirmed that the check posts set up around NSCN (I-M) camps by AR were removed Tuesday.
Asked when the seized arms of NSCN (I-M) would be released, CFMG chairman said that “four instances” highlighted by NSCN (I-M) leaders on Monday meeting would be “reviewed” following which the seized arms of NSCN (I-M) card holders would be released at the “earliest”.
“Arms have been handed over to police… it cannot be handed out by me and given immediately”, said CFMG chairman. Queried about reports of arms to be handed over by Wednesday, CFMG chairman clarified that he had not given any “commitment” that the arms would be released by then but maintained that since the arms were with police it would be handed over “immediately” after official procedures. 
It may be mentioned that, NSCN (I-M) on April 19 detained five AR personnel namely “naik subedar K D Tiwari, havaldar Sooarn Singh, rifle man Ravi, rifle man Balvi Singh and rifle man Rahul Kuhmar along with four AK 47, one INSAS, 360 live rounds and 13 magazine, two wireless set, six handset, four bullet proof with pouch, one INSAS rifle pouch and four bullet proof cap.

Manipur: AR withdraws troops

Assam Rifles (AR) authority Tuesday withdrew its troops from cordoning off NSCN (I-M) camps.
Highly reliable sources here said that AR started withdrawing its troops after an understanding was reached over the impasse between AR and NSCN (I-M) at Dimapur Tuesday.
AR troops were intensifying “patrolling” nearby NSCN (I-M) camps located in Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul districts of Manipur even though AR authority refused to comment on the matter. 
NSCN (I-M) maintaining cease-fire truce with Government of India had opened camps in the Naga majority four hill districts - Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel. 42 AR in Chandel withdrew its troops surrounding the NSCN (I-M) camp at Bhungjang around 3 p.m. Around the same time, AR troops surrounding the camps at Grihang in Ukhrul and Oklong in Senapati also withdrew.

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New twist to Richard’s murder

IMPHAL, April 24: A new twist in the Loitam Richard killing case popped up today, with the father of the first year engineering student claiming that Richard’s dead body was shifted to the Hospital mortuary at 1:30am of April 18 which conflicts with (L) Richard’s hostel warden’s report to the police.

In his FIR, the hostel warden had said that he was informed that Richard was bleeding from his nose at 1:30pm of April 18, after which he called the college doctor who confirmed his death.

Richard Loitam of Uripok Yambem Leikai, an Architecture Engineering first year student of the Acharya NRV School of Architecture, Bangalore was reportedly beaten to death on April 18 night in his hostel.

Speaking at a press conference at his Uripok Yambem Leikai residence today Dr L Rajesh outlined his findings in his recent trip to Bangalore and to the institute.

Dr Rajesh urged the state government to give adequate pressure to the Karnataka government for solving the case and to book the culprits.

While negating the various news reports regarding the cause of his son’s death Loitam Rajesh said, his son is an avid sports lover while adding that there is no way he could have changed the TV channel while everyone was watching an IPL match.

Quite contrary to the warden’s FIR which said, “As per his (Richard) room-mates I (warden) came to know that Richard met with an accident on April 16, 2012, he got his treatment in Sapthagiri Hospital on April 16”, Rajesh claimed that his son had met with an accident along with a friend while driving a Pleasure moped and had recieved minor injuries on April 15. He along with his friend had received first aid from Sapthagiri Hospital on April 15, he added.

He further said his wife had received a call on April 16 morning from his son, telling her that he had lost his mobile and that he would like to buy a mobile.

His wife sent the money the same day. Richard didn’t call them the next day on April 17. Anxious since he had just lost his mobile, he contacted a family friend Nazim whose nephew also studied in the same college as Richard late in the evening at around 9 pm.

The nephew told Rajesh that he was not in the hostel, but informed that Richard was in the hostel as he was having an intern paper the next day. Thinking that he might be busy with his preparation, they felt satisfied, however the next day at around 3:30pm on April 18, the college doctor called the family up and informed about Richard’s death, he said.

The family immediately flew into Bangalore.

On reaching the college, the college authorities claimed ‘accident’ as the possible cause of death. However, when they enquired of some students about the death it was found that one Syed Afjal Ali had beaten Richard on April 17. They also found bloodstains on the door knob of Richard’s hostel room and windowsill, which points to a quarrel, he further told media persons.

They found Richard’s body in a decomposed state at the morgue raising new questions on the time of his death, he stated.

The students further told the family members that, Syed had assaulted Richard while he was playfully quarrelling with one of his seniors.

Further alleging lapses on the part of the college authorities for Richard’s death, the aggrieved father said his family was not informed by the college authorities but by the college doctor which is absurd.

He further expressed his surprise over the Karnataka police filing a simple FIR and stuck up in procedural matters like 174 CrPC.

He however said that he had full faith in the Karnataka administration and police and believe that the state will conduct the investigation properly.

Neighbours demand thorough investigation

Local meira paibis and club members of Uripok Yambem Leikai came out today in strong protest against the alleged killing of Loitam Richard.

Demanding proper investigation of the death, the protestors held a sit in protest at the locality, holding placards that read ‘Don’t kill Richard Loitam twice’, ‘Investigate properly the killing of Richard Loitam’, ‘Who killed Richard Loitam’, ‘We demand fair investigation from Bangalore Police’, ‘Protect Manipuri students outside Manipur’ and ‘Give death penalty to the killer’ etc.

Speaking to media persons one of the protestors urged the Karnataka police to start investigations on the case at the earliest and further expressed hope that the Karnataka police will conduct the investigation in an unbiased and transparent manner.

The protestors further demanded action against the college, as laxity on their part had resulted in the death, said the protestors.

Meanwhile, the protestors further said that the government should take up action to safeguard all the people from the state who are staying outside the state. (IFP)

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Grenade explosion injures two

IMPHAL, April 24:  A grenade lobbed at the residence of AMWAY Diamond status holder couple left two injured this evening at 6:45pm at Sanakeithel Lamphel. The two were later provided with first aid and discharged from RIMS.

The two have been identified as N Joysana, 35 son of N Tombi of Langmeidong Bazar and presently staying at Sanakeithel, and Sorokhaibam Naoba, 29 son of (L) Mangi of Tentha Heibung.

OC Lamphel Police Ingocha arrived soon after and conducted a spot enquiry.

Meanwhile, unidentified individuals suspected to be militants lobbed a hand grenade at the residence of an EE of the Minor Irrigation identified as Keisham Romi at Sagolband Khuraijam Leikai at 7pm. However, no casualty has been reported from the second attack.

Meanwhile, The Ethno Heritage Council, HERICOUN has expressed concern over the ever increasing bomb threats placed at hospitals and doctors in the state.

A statement of the council has said that such threats have frightened the public from going to the hospitals. (IFP)

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