KNF (S) Designated Camp Opened in Lhanjang village

Imphal, Aug 28 : The designated camp of SoO signatory, Kuki National Front, Samuel group, was inaugurated today at Lhanjang village, about 27 kms from here amidst an impressive participation from the neighboring villages.

The group that has just shifted their alliance to KNO from UPF early this month has been settling in the camp since last year though the official inauguration was held today, sixteen months after the construction started.

Armed cadres of KNF(S) at the opening of their camp

Spreading over three low lying hill-tops, the designated camp christened Gilgal has four barracks, including one for the officers, dining hall, administrative block, drill ground, a Church and an arms depot besides others.

"We have spent over Rs 80 lakhs though the Government have only sanctioned around Rs 38 lakhs so far in constructing the camp," said Issak Kuki the groups' information and publicity in his report.

Issak also claimed that the organisation has till date paid Rs 3000 stipend entitled to each of their cadres timely and that all the members of the group strictly adhere to certain set of rules that have been laid down.

Some of the rules which he claimed was strictly conformed to include daily roll-call of all the cadres and obtaining prior permission to move in or out of the camp.

Free medical treatment, ration supplies to family members, construction of houses for about 10 cadres a year based on seniority and discipline, bearing all monetary expenses for any of their cadre who had served the organization for more than five if they tie the knot in a holy matrimony were the other facilities offered by the organization, said Issak.

Also speaking on the occasion, KNO's home secretary Antone urged the attending chiefs and commoners to preserve the land's natural resources.

"Otherwise when we get what we were fighting for, there shall be nothing to inherit," he said.
A handful of MDCs, numerous village chiefs, civil society and student leaders, artistes and representatives from other armed wings of the KNO were also in attendance.

via The Sangai Express

Manipur Minister Counters Rebels’ Scam Claims

N. Biren Singh

Imphal, Aug 9 : Manipur’s minister for sports and youth affairs N. Biren Singh today said legal action would be taken if allegations of swindling money meant for development of sports infrastructure and organising games against officials of his department, were found true.

Reacting to Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council)’s allegation that funds had been siphoned off by some officials of the department, Biren Singh said a senior official had been placed under suspension and a departmental inquiry would be ordered to ferret out the truth.

The outfit exploded a hand grenade at the private residence of sports director W. Boby at Loklaobung in Imphal West on Thursday night. No one was, however, injured.

Claiming responsibility for the attack, the outfit had accused the minister and the director of indulging in financial irregularities in the sports department.

“Legal action, including termination of services, would be initiated if there is any truth in the allegations. No guilty official would be spared,” Biren Singh told this correspondent.

He said the superintendent of the sports department, Naorem Open, had been placed under suspension following allegations of misappropriation of funds.

“Action was initiated before the KCP (MC) had made the allegations,” the minister said. The outfit alleged that Open in collusion with district sports officers had swindled Rs 31.5 lakh sanctioned by the Union sports ministry for development of sports infrastructure and organising games in the districts under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan scheme.

The aim of the scheme is to create a network of basic sports infrastructure throughout the state and provide universal access to sport in the rural areas.

Under this scheme, to harness talent among rural youths financial assistance is given for development of sports infrastructure, acquisition of equipment and organising sports meets.

The outfit alleged that money was swindled without organising any sports meet.

Boby had clarified that the money was spent for organising sports meets in 10 disciplines in the districts and the boys and girls selected had been sent to national meets.

He said all the district youth affairs officers and sports officers had been instructed to submit detailed reports of utilisation of funds provided under the scheme. “Necessary action would be taken after getting the reports from the district officers,” the director said.

He urged everybody to extend help to the department’s efforts to groom talents and improve infrastructure in the state.

The outfit had also demanded a white paper on the use of the Rs 1 crore provided to the sports department by the Union sports ministry for organising the Queen’s Baton Relay in Manipur for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

Biren Singh said the agencies and firms engaged for organising the baton relay were yet to be paid. There was no question of misuse of funds, he said.