IMPHAL FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER 2014 BJP frowns on 'Gadkari-for-CM' clamour New Delhi/Nagpur/Mubai, Oct 23 The central BJP leadership is sticking to Devendra Fadnavis as its first choice as Maharashtra chief minister and has taken a dim view of the lobbying for Union rural development minister Nitin Gadkari. BJP sources dismissed as inconsequential the "show of strength" by Gadkari partisans who, according to reports, had on Tuesday gathered more than 30 MLAs to sign on to the 'Gadkari-as-CM' campaign. "This was an amateurish and non-political act," said a senior party source, reflecting the leadership's annoyance. That the muscle-flexing by Gadkari loyalists came in spite of clear indications of the party leadership preferring Fadnavis for the top job was interpreted as an act of insubordination and has not gone down well with the leadership. Gadkari has distanced himself from the number-flaunting by his camp, saying he did not wish to return to state politics. The parade of MLAs organized by his backers came after the leadership decided to form the government without waiting for Shiv Sena to reveal its hand. Sena has since mellowed, with Uddhav Thackeray conveying his desire to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP sources said the firstever BJP CM of the state will head a lean team of ministers. In keeping with Modi's concept of 'minimum government, maximum governance', the ministry may comprise 25 to 30 members. Also, while earlier there were indications that Fadnavis would be sworn in on No help yet from State Govt Contd from page 1 a relief camp and gave shelter to 12 fire victims. Koirengei Welfare Club secretary Rocker Salam said that Heingang AC MLA N Biren had extended a monetary assistance of Rs 50,000 and 12 bags of rice to the relief camp while Seventh Day Adventist Church donated 10 bags of rice and BSF Koirengei provided Rs 15,000 to the relief camp. He added that Nilakuthi Post of 30 Assam Rifles also donated Rs 10,000 and assured all possible assistance. Rocker added that Rs 1.7 lakh had also been donated generously by different individuals and organisations of the State, both from hill and valley areas. The secretary thanked all the individuals and organisations who had extended assistance to the fire victims. He also specially thanked BSF Koirengei for their role in bringing the deadly fire under control. The inferno could have damaged more properties had the BSF team not arrived at the incident site on time. Ten houses were reduced to ashes after a speeding Hundai Getz car (MN01-W- 0093) crashed into a shop, which also sells petrol at Koirengei Bazar. Two persons including a minor died while another woman was seriously injured in the incident. Cash and property worth around Rs 1.5 crore were ravaged by the inferno. Rocker also appealed to all sections of the society to extend monetary and material help to the fire victims. ‘Nongsamei Puya’ Contd from page 1 Chaudhury and retired IAS officer AR Khan graced the function as chief guest and president respectively. All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association Vice-President Akhtar Hussain, former Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Maniruddin Sheikh and research scholar B Kulachandra also attended the function as guests of honour. MA Janab Khan Ifam said that the book not only mentions about the history of Manipuri kings, who ruled between 1606 and 1763 but also about Muslim entry to Manipur and contribution of Muslim people to Manipuri society. “Nongsamei Puya’ was originally written by one Lairikyengbam Dhananjoy. According to this book, Dhananjoy saved King Khagemba from the clutches of Muslim conquerors in 1606, Janab Khan said and added that the title of ‘Nongsamei’ was given to Dhananjoy for his bravery by the king. After the first edition of the book was published in 1973, the second has been brought out with 25 new articles on Meitei Pangals. B Khelchandra Sharma while speaking at the occasion said that around 1000 armed Muslim soldiers tried to overthrow King Khagemba in 1606. However, Meitei people wittingly captured many Muslim soldiers after overpowering them and made arrangement for their settlement in Manipur, he said and added that Meitei Pangals are the descendants Muslim men and Meitei women. CDA stalled, contractors left... Contd from page 1 only after the validity of the CDA expired, the Finance Department was intimated about it. When the matter was brought to the notice of the authority of the Works Department, it was maintained that the validity date can be extended. Towards this end a file was marked to be sent to the Works Minister for the extension of the validity period. The source said that this was totally unnecessary as the approval of the Works Minister was not at all needed for seeking extension of the validity and it could have been done at the level of the said official. Recalcitrant doc Contd from page 1 is sought. Three doctors were posted at Tamei PHC a few months back. Instead of reporting for duty, the doctors did not follow the posting orders. To protest the absence of doctors, locals had locked the PHC gate. With the posting of two doctors, the locked gate of the health centre was re-opened in the presence of local MLA and Health Director recently. Meanwhile, a source informed that the State Health Department is planning to make Behiang PHC in CCpur district functional 24x7. The department is also making arrangement to install an ultra-sound machine at the Behiang PHC, located near the Indo-Myanmar border. Circle MLA along with CCpur DC and Health Director would officially install the machine tomorrow. Monday, the tight line-up of events and delay in opening formal talks with the Sena may push back the function to Tuesday or Wednesday, sources said. Modi is certain to attend the swearing-in ceremony, sources said. On Saturday, the PM will be in Mumbai for the inauguration of a hospital and on Sunday, he is hosting a 'chai pe charcha' for NDA constituents, which Sena too will attend. The meeting of new BJP MLAs with central observer Rajnath Singh will happen only on Monday, and it is only after that that the swearing-in can take place. Fadnavis landed in Nagpur from Mumbai on Tuesday night, soon after a group of Vidarbha MLAs had called upon Gadkari at his residence and said he should be CM. Fadnavis refused to speak on the issue on Wednesday, saying, "What is wrong on the part of newly elected MLAs, many of them firsttimers, if they call on a senior leader?" The Nagpur South-West MLA, who won an election for the fourth time, spent the day meeting people at his residence. He is expected to stay put in Nagpur for the next couple of days and celebrate Diwali with family. Looking his usual calm self, Fadnavis seemed to exude confidence on Wednesday. However, sources in the party said the bitter factionalism that has come to the fore in the Maharashtra BJP has dented the BJP's reputation as a party with a difference. "At this rate, the BJP will start looking and behaving like the Congress party which is a web of camps and groups," a senior party functionary remarked. On Wednesday, state BJP leaders Sudhir Mungantiwar and Vinod Tawde indicated that they wanted Gadkari to occupy the CM's 'gaddi' and three Nagpur BJP MLAs said they would vacate their seats for him. "There is a section in the party which feels Gadkari should be at the helm if the Sena is to join the government. He can keep the Sena on a tight leash," said the party functionary. On the other hand, Fadnavis' supporters argue that the Sena has learnt its lesson, and there is no need to further snub the party. "Fadnavisji may lack Gadkariji's aggressiveness. But Fadnavisji will surely develop his own way of engaging the Sena," said a Fadnavis loyalist. "However, the bald truth is that the state BJP is divided into the Gadkari-Fadnavis camp, and this seems like the Congress AFSPA against international covenants : PREPAK Contd from page 1 The mass movement, although slow in pace, is gaining momentum. India is well aware that the movement of the people, being legitimate, cannot be suppressed, it further asserted. High officials of the Army are convinced that the movement cannot be subdued without repressive laws like AFSPA. Recently, the GOC of 3 Corp, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat remarked that AFSPA is necessary to tackle the movement of Kangleipak by the military. The remark is self evident that the mass movement cannot be curbed with the might of the military without AFSPA, the statement maintained. Although Lt Gen Rawat said that revolu- tionaries are our brothers who are misled, he on the other hand conveyed his wish that AFSPA be imposed in the entire State by re-imposing the Act in the seven Assembly segments. This signifies that the Army have a firm stand to outwardly preach brotherhood while their inner intention is to obliterate the people. They are shedding crocodile's tears. Urging the people to remain alert against such ploy, the statement said AFSPA is used as a tool to suppress and torture the people in contravention of international laws. The UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and People is defeated by AFSPA, it alleged and added that AFSPA is totally against the provision of ICCPR that forbids punishment of anyone before a free and fair trial. Uttering that people of WESEA are brothers and imposing AFSPA on the other hand is more than indicative that India is talking in double tongue. Such a machination is a means to achieve a hidden agenda of the ‘military Government’ in the guise of democracy to obliterate the people. The manner in which India turns a deaf ear to several recommendations to repeal AFSPA including UN Special Rapporteur Rashida Manjoo's shows that the movement is gaining momentum and no force on earth can suppress the movement of the people who were once independent under the scope of international law, it said. Kashmir flood victims demand compensation for losses RAJOURI, Oct 23 The people, mostly shepherds, have demanded compensation from the government for the losses incurred by them because of the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir. They are demanding compensation for their cattle and herds that got washed away in the flood waters. In far flung areas of Rajouri district, the shepherds were on higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range and their cattle, mostly sheep and mules, got washed away when the flood hit the region. Abdul Rashid, a victim, said the people at upper reaches of Pir Panjal mountain range did not receive basic relief, which was provided to others. "We appeal to the government to give us some compensation as they have given 50 kg ration to other victims. We didn't get tents and not even a relief house in lieu of our destroyed ones. We should have been given basic relief," Rashid said. The victims also complained that the government did not pay any heed to their losses and is not issuing compensation for the same. Zulfikar Ali Choudhary, a legislator of Rajouri region, said the government should also focus on migratory population of the state. "We plead the government that instead of examining their case minutely; they should pay off their compensation. The government is asking for photographs of cattle killed. How would they produce photographs of animals that have died and flown to Pakistan with the floods? From where would they bring pictures of dead animals,” said Choudhary. party," he added. The spectre of the BJP's Congressification in the days to come haunts many in the party, especially those steeped in the RSS 'pracharak' tradition, said BJP observers. The RSS has kept itself aloof from the groupism in the state BJP. "The RSS is in no way concerned with the latest goings-on in the BJP. It is for the BJP to iron out its internal issues," said Pramod Bapat, senior RSS functionary who is in charge of the coastal Konkan region, including Mumbai. However, Bapat said it would be "preposterous" to say that the on-going spat over CMship indicated that the BJP was set to go the Congress way. "It would be too early to talk of the BJP's Congressification. The developments that are happening are topical in nature," he pointed out. Man drowns while saving girl Contd from page 1 among the picnickers, swung into action to save the girl from drowning. Sangribou succeeded in pulling the girl out of the river. But he himself could not come out of the river current. Moments later, he disappeared under the water. After a frantic search for about 45 minutes, his body was found under the river. He was rushed to nearby NHPC Ltd hospital. He was referred to Loktak Hospital from where he was again referred to RIMS. Sangribou was declared brought dead by doctors at RIMS. His body was deposited at the hospital's morgue for post mortem examination. Meanwhile, the Central Union of Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi (LNKR) and LNKR Imphal Unit have condoled the tragic demise of Sangribou. The Union expressed pride at his sacrificial deeds while also sharing the grief of the bereaved family members. No tax to GPRN reaffirms Kuki CSOs Contd from page 1 Cautioning the GPRN to mind and check their tongue in the name of KTU in future so as to avoid communal tension or else be held responsible for the same, the Kuki CSOs reminded the GPRN that the Kukis are peace loving people. ‘Terrorism a threat to India when Pak is frustrated’ GURGAON, Oct 23 Defence expert Lieutenant General (retd.) Raj Kadyan on Thursday said that terrorism becomes a real threat to India when Pakistan is frustrated. “Terrorism continues to be a great threat to India, particularly now, when Pakistan is frustrated. They cannot wage an open war against India and they have been unable to internationalise the Kashmir issue. Thus, the only recourse open to them is to create internal problems, be it fighting a proxy war in the Kashmir Valley or causing problems further inside,” Lieutenant General (retd.) Kadyan told ANI here. Speaking on reports of two Indians being arrested for allegedly wanting to join the Al Qaeda, the defence expert said that the terrorist organisation has been trying to establish itself in India. “The news of the Al Qaeda and the IS trying to make a base in India has been coming for some time. Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri recently appeared in a video, stating that a new base of his organisation will be set up in this part of Asia, including neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar,” he said. Lieutenant General (retd.) Kadyan also spoke of the need for preventive rather than reactive action as far as tackling terror threats is concerned. “Any terror threat by such extremists should be taken seriously by our intelligence agencies and they should take preventive action to make sure that attacks do not take place,” he said. “We are good at investigations but we need to be good at preventive measures. For that, we need a strong central intelligence agency which can collect, store, analyse and disseminate information in real time,” he added. Pak trying to divert attention from internal strife by ceasefire violations, says defence expert: Defence expert Lieutenant General (retd.) Raj Kadyan on Thursday said the frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border are an attempt aimed at diverting attention from its own internal strife. “Pakistan is trying to divert attention from its own internal strife. Nawaz Sharif is under siege and Islamabad is still full of protestors. He has lost credibility and popularity but elections are still far off. That country has a pathological hatred for India and Kashmir is just a manifestation of that,” Lieutenant General (retd.) Kadyan told ANI. “Sharif is trying to bring the issue on to the international table. They want this ceasefire violation to continue in the hope that the interna- tional community puts pressure on India to resolve the issue over Kashmir,” he added. Lieutenant General (retd.) Kadyan also said that Pakistan, fearing an open war with India, was resorting to creating internal problems via terrorism. “Terrorism continues to be a great threat to India, particularly now, when Pakistan is frustrated. They cannot wage an open war against India and they have been unable to internationalise the Kashmir issue. Thus the only recourse open to them is to create internal problems, be it fighting a proxy war in the Kashmir valley or causing problems further inside,” he said. Earlier in the day, Pakistan had violated the ceasefire by targeting Indian Border out Posts (BoPs) along the international border at three places in the Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts. —ANI Chakkouba greetings Contd from page 1 Manipur Baptist Convention also greeted the people of the State on the occasion. In their message, MBC said., “It is our earnest prayer that as we shower our love to our sisters, we strengthen the bond of love and unity among all the families as well. We also pray that the celebration may bring peace, progress and prosperity among all communities of Manipur. Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council, United Committee Manipur (UCM), National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO), All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association, United Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation and All Manipur Nupi Marup also extended their greetings on the occasion. Sangai festival Contd from page 1 In order to promote tourism in the State, the meeting minutely deliberated on showcasing traditional dresses, cultural items and musical instruments and polo during the festival. The meeting also deliberated on inviting tour operators from outside the State to explore potential tourist spots free of cost. Organising a seminar on tourism as part of the festival was also discussed during the meeting. Meanwhile, the State Govt has initiated the process for inviting foreign diplomats including Japan and British ambassadors to the Sangai Festival. The State Govt has also already started roads repair works ahead of the festival. Chavan Kumhrin Contd from page 1 celebration of the festival from 1978 in Chandel district. The then DC Larenga declared the day as district holiday, he recalled. Saying that the Anal community well appreciate the Ningol Chakkouba festival, the MLA also extended best wishes to all the married sisters and daughters of the State. The function was attended by Pastor ST Mono of ABC Imphal, KL Kapoor and SR Onesima. Presentation of songs and cultural dances marked the programme. PM announces Rs 745 Cr relief for flood hit J and K Contd from page 1 Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is a constituent of State Economic Reconstruction Forum (SERF), claimed that their representatives were dropped from the list of people scheduled to meet the Prime Minister. "Apparently some mischief has been played which will send wrong signals to the business community," a KCCI member said. He said KCCI was informed by the State administration that the names of chamber representatives were recommended for the meeting but were dropped by the Prime Minister's Office. Earlier, the Prime Minister visited Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield of the world, to spend Diwali with the soldiers posted there. TDC, AMRTDMWU stick to stir stand Contd from page 1 festival. Saying that driver Niman Lama was assaulted without his fault, the two functionaries said that it was the weakness of the IOC to put on hold fuel due to the incident. They also demanded to know why the driver was assaulted and to whom the gun, Bhupenchandra Ghosh used to threaten the driver, belongs. They added that a case was registered against Bhupenchandra at Lamphel PS on Oct 21 regarding the incident. The two secretaries also urged the SP (Imphal West) and the State Home Minister to intervene into the matter and book the culprit for the sake of justice. Transporter associations suspend stir Contd from page 1 incident that took place near Sangakpham IOC depot a few days back, he added. Inaoba said that following the understanding arrived at between the two sides, the transporters decided to suspend their stir and resume unloading of fuel with immediate effect. Taking part at the press conference, All Manipur Petroleum Transporters Association general secretary A Deben said that tanker driver Nirmal Lama must tender apology to association president Bhupenchandra Ghosh for wrongly implicating him in an ugly incident. He added that the association would no longer consider Nirmal Lama as a petroleum tanker driver. MPs throw weight behind ILPS Contd from page 1 The meeting which was held at the Old Secretariat was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also the Chairman of the Committee. The Committee is likely to meet Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on October 27, official sources informed. They said the Committee is preparing to submit a detailed report to the Chief Minister on all the suggestions and opinions collected from intellectuals and legal experts concerning practicability on ILP or a similar law. The meeting also discussed about the tribal dominated areas of Imphal-Jiribam, Imphal-Ukhrul, Imphal-Moreh and ImphalMizoram highways which are considered as corridors for outsiders to come to Manipur. It further dwelt on finding ways to check illegal migrant influx into the State through these routes. All the ILP systems enforced in States like Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh would be discussed by the Committee with the Chief Minister in the proposed meeting, the sources said. If need be, a decision would also be taken by the Committee in the meeting to visit these States to learn the facts on the implementation of ILP Systems in these States, they said. Chacko accuses BJP of playing politics with J-K NEW DELHI, Oct 23 Congress leader PC Chacko on Thursday said it is extremely unfortunate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is playing politics with Jammu and Kashmir, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the floodravaged state will help the ruling party at the Centre. “Playing politics with natural calamity affected State is unfortunate; everyone knows that the Prime Minister’s visit to Kashmir is going to help his party the most,” said Chacko. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi appreciated Prime Minister Modi’s decision to visit Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Diwali. “This gesture by our Prime Minister to light the lamp of faith and belief among people who have suffered due to the floods is highly appreciable,” said Naqvi. Another BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh echoing similar sentiments said the Prime Minister’s visit sends out a message to the people of Kashmir that the Government of India is with them. “Playing politics with natural calamity affected State is unfortunate” Prime Minister Modi left on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir earlier in the day. He began the day with a visit to Siachen in Jammu and Kashmir, the world's highest battlefield. He is the first Prime Minister to visit Siachen in 10 years. After spending some time with the soldiers, he will go to Srinagar to spend Diwali with the people affected by the last month's flood. He will reportedly review rehabilitation measures and visit a relief camp. Prime Minister Modi is expected to announce a central package for the flood victims before flying back to Delhi in the evening. The Prime Minister is likely to meet delegations from various sections of the society at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar. —ANI