1
The People’s Chronicle can be contacted at 9436020649 (News), 8118936893 (Gas – from Gas agencies only) and office at 0385 – 2459175/2446562 A sister publication of ‘ Poknapham’ WEATHER FORECAST Wind 13 km/h Gust 16 km/h Rainfall 0 mm Min 8 0 C Max 21 0 C Regd. No. MANENG/2012/45461 Volume V, Issue 114 Imphal | ursday, January 05, 2017 | 10 Pages | `4.50 Mostly sunny and nice Sunday Thursday Sunday Thursday Theatrics Cyber crimes increased two-fold last year STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: e number of cyber crime cases in Manipur is increasing day by day. e number of cyber crimes increased two-fold from 2015 to 2016. In 2015, the number was 103 while 330 cyber crimes were reported in 2016. Even if the cyber crime unit of Imphal police station led by additional superintendent of police Dr S Ibomcha is understaffed, it has been able to solve most of the cyber crime cases in the state. In 2015, altogether 103 cases related to hacking into someone else's bank account, uploading morphed nude pictures of women, sending lewd text messages to women by using commu- nication devices, etc, were reported whereas 330 cyber crime cases, in- cluding 67 cases of sending of lewd text messages, uploading videos of women on social media sites such as WhatsApp and Facebook and adult websites, and other cases such as hacking of bank accounts, opening fake email ids in other's name and loss of mobile phone handsets were recorded. According to a report from the cyber crime unit, Imphal West, 37 cases related with sending extortion threats through messages, sending lewd messages to women and mis- leading messages about wives and girlfriends to hus- bands/boyfriends were reported the previous year. e unit was able to ar- rest those involved in 34 such cases. However, three cases are yet to be solved. It is worth mentioning that those who send offensive messages through communication devices could be put behind bars for three years or is liable to pay a fine under section 66 (A) of IT Act, which the Supreme Court had rescinded. Nevertheless, one should not suffer quietly if he/she is being harassed with unpleasant messages and should instead lodge complaint by reporting the matter to the nearest po- lice station or the cyber crime unit. Those involved could be put in jail or compelled to pay a fine under Sections 500, 504, 506,507, 508 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code. Cyber crimes are being committed in the popular new communication application known as WhatsApp. Six cases related with blackmailing women by sending their morphed nude pictures from unknown numbers, sending nude pictures and lewd messages were reported. Four such cases were solved and the indi- viduals involved in three cases were arrested. Police registered first information reports (FIRs) against them. Police are making all efforts to arrest the individu- als involved in the remaining two cases. In one case, it has been confirmed that the man involved is staying outside the state and police are awaiting his return. At least 23 cases related with spreading misinformation to malign women's reputation, sending lewd messages in a woman's account, posting vul- gar messages by posing as the woman concerned without her knowledge and sending nude pictures in facebook occurred last year. Ten such cases were solved and FIRs were registered against those involved in four cases. e unit was successful in arresting a man who uploaded nude pictures of a woman from Bishnupur in an adult website. j Continue on page 8 550 Imphal-bound loaded trucks leave Jiri STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: Altogether 550 loaded trucks including oil tankers have reportedly left Jiribam for Imphal under tight secu- rity measures on Wednesday morning. e security convoy, which had escorted empty trucks from Imphal and reached Jiri on Tuesday, is providing security protection to the Imphal-bound loaded trucks. Of the 550 trucks, there are 34 petrol tankers, 49 diesel tankers, eight ATF tankers, seven kerosene oil tankers, 22 LPG tankers, 37 FCI trucks, 141 cement trucks, one medicine truck and one oxygen carrier. Commando personnel of Imphal West, Imphal East, oubal and Bishnupur districts, personnel of MR, IRB, SSB, BSF, AR and 109 battalion of CRPF are pro- viding security escort along the highway to ensure safe passage of the goods trucks. Reports said that all the trucks have crossed Noney area at about 3.20 pm Wednes- day and they are expected to reach Imphal around midnight if nothing happens on the way. On the other hand, 375 load- ed trucks are still left strand- ed in Jiribam as there was not enough security personnel to provide protection to all of them. One of the drivers told e People’s Chronicle that they are always ready to carry out their services without any fear if the government provides enough security. Political parties call for ending blockade before polls STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: Manipur Democratic People’s Front (MDPF), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) jointly appealed to the state and Central governments to hold talks with the UNC for ending the on-going economic blockade before the state assembly election is conducted. Speaking to media-persons at Manipur Press Club here, JD-U parliamentary board chairman M Tombi highlighted that in-spite of the Election Commission of India announcing election code of con- duct for the state assembly, which will be conducted in two phases, people in both in the hills and valley would be deprived from exercising their franchise rights in a free and smooth manner on account of the on-going economic blockade. As the siege of the two national high- ways has been causing serious inconve- nience to the people, ending the UNC agitation through dialogue process will be helpful in ensuring that the voters chose their representatives without any man-made obstacles, he said. Tombi also opined that the ensuing election cannot be conducted in a smooth and peaceful way without ending the distressful UNC blockade. Asking the state and Central leaders to abstain from blaming one another on the blockade issue, he stated that going ahead with the election amid hardships being endured by the public will be an affront to the most important aspect of Indian democracy. j Continue on page 8 Economic blockade will continue: UNC STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: The United Naga Council (UNC) on Wednesday said that they will continue with the economic blockade despite the announcement of Manipur assembly elections by the Election Commission. According to the UNC elec- tions cannot be held peace- fully in the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur until the prevailing problems are re- solved. "e blockade will contin- ue. Solving Manipur's prob- lems has to be done through dialogue between the parties in conflict. So far, the govern- ment of Manipur has failed to respond politically. We have no other option but to inten- sify the blockade, no matter what the Election Commis- sion has announced regard- ing the polls in the state," KS Paul, former president of the UNC said, adding Manipur government has betrayed the Nagas. "We have been betrayed by the Manipur government, as it did not consult us on the creation of seven new districts out of our ances- tral land. We do not know whether the situation will be conducive for holding free and fair elections in the Naga areas of the state," said Paul. "Bulldozing the interests of the Nagas, particularly on the issue of our ancestral land, won't be compromised under any circumstances. We do not consider the Manipur government as a popular gov- ernment, as the districts were created without consulting us," added Paul. UNC general secretary S Milan also asserted that stand of the Nagas to safeguard their ancestral land remain intact. j Continue on page 8 Govt urged to bring back all stranded trucks IMPHAL: Manipur Drivers’ Welfare Association (MDWA) has drawn the attention of the state government for making necessary arrangements to bring back all the stranded loaded trucks from Jiribam at one go. While appreciating the escort team for ensuring safe passage of the trucks, MDWA, however, lamented that many drivers are facing inconveniences as the es- cort team could provide security to limited number of trucks. In a statement, MDWA president M Tomba Singh also regretted the token system introduced by Jiribam police at Leingangpokpi and alleged that the police are charging a lump sum amount of Rs 1000 in select- ing trucks for inclusion among the escorted convoy. j Continue on page 8 CM Ibobi briefs central leaders on state issues STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, accompanied by some his ministerial colleagues and party MLAs, called on Pres- ident Pranab Mukherjee, chief election commissioner Dr Nasim Zaidi and AICC president Sonia Gandhi at their New Delhi offices/residences on Wednesday. Ibobi and his companions, who are in the national capital since Tuesday, met Sonia Gandhi at noon after which they called on the President of India at 2 pm and Dr Zaidi at 4.30 pm. In all these meetings, the CM report- edly highlighted that no elections in the state were ever conducted under complete normalcy. Apparently referring to the on-going economic blockade by UNC, the Congress delegation is said to have informed the trio that disruptive acts are confined to only a few places and as such the agitation could be not be assumed as a law and order problem. ey also urged the President and the CEC to prevail upon the Union government for providing adequate strength of central se- curity personnel to ensure fair and peaceful conduct of the elections in Manipur. According to a source, Sonia Gandhi was apprised about the current ‘position’ of Congress party in the state along with urging her to extend all possible help in retaining power in Manipur. STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: Voters of Manipur will elect their representatives to the 11th legislative assembly in two phases – on March 4 and 8, as per the announcement made by chief election commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi at New Delhi on Wednesday. Besides Manipur, the CEC also announced that Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa will pick new assemblies between February 4 and March 8, in the biggest popularity test since the Lok Sabha polls of 2014. With the formal announcement of the election dates, the model code of conduct will also come into force with immediate effect. e 38 assembly constituen- cies, where election would be held in the first phase, includes Khundrakpam, Heingang, Khurai, Kshetrigao, ongju, Keirao, An- dro, Lamlai, angmeiband, Urip- ok, Sagolband, Keishamthong, Singjamei, Yaiskul, Wangkhei, Sekmai (SC), Lamsang, Konthou- jam, Patsoi, Langthabal, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, Wangoi, Mayang Imphal, Nambol, Oinam, Bish- nupur, Moirang, anga, Kumbi, Saikul (ST), Kangpokpi, Saitu (ST), Tipaimukh (ST), anlon (ST), Henglep (ST), Churachandpur (ST), Saikot (ST) and Singhat (ST). In the second phase polling on March 8, the voters will seal fate of the candidates of Lilong, oubal, Wangkhem, Heirok, Wangjing-Tentha, Khangabok, Wabagai, Kakching, Hiyanglam, Sugnu, Jiribam, Chandel (ST), Tengnoupal (ST), Phungyar (ST), Ukhrul (ST), Chingai (ST), Karong (ST), Mao (ST), Tadubi (ST), Ta- mei (ST), Tamenglong (ST) and Nungba (ST) assembly segments. As per the latest electoral rolls, Manipur has 18,07,843 eligible voters and they will exercise their franchise rights in 2794 polling stations. Briefing media persons on the minutes of the model code of con- duct, chief electoral officer (CEO) Vivek Dewangan informed that there would be complete ban on process for fresh recruitment and action would be initiated against all concerned in case the guide- lines are violated. Seeking cooperation of all po- litical parties in ensuring free and fair conduct of the polls, the CEO said that the formal notification will be issued on February 7 for the first phase and on February 9 for the second phase. j Continue on page 8 State to have two-phase elections, job drive banned BJP hails ECI, urges to pursue state govt IMPHAL: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appreciated Election Commission of India (ECI) for declaring the election notifi- cation and appealed to the ECI and state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to facilitate free and fair conduct of the election. e party also asked the state police department to act neu- trally and perform their duty to help ensure free and fair election. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Biswajit has also urged party workers and leaders to work sincerely and collectivelyfor installing a pro-people government in Ma- nipur. 3G Connectivity In 1200 Polling Stations Five-state battle between Feb 4 and Mar 8 NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa will pick new assemblies between February 4 and March 8 in the biggest popularity test since the Lok Sabha polls of 2014. e results from all the states will be known on March 11, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said on Wednesday while unveiling a slew of new election-related rules. e exercise will involve 160 million voters and a total of 690 assembly seats, 403 of them in Uttar Pradesh alone. Zaidi said the Model Code of Con- duct would come into effect from now and would be applicable to all can- didates, political parties, concerned state governments as well as the central government in as much as its decisions relate to the five states. Almost all the main parties in the fray - the BJP, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) - welcomed the much awaited election schedule. is will also be the first electoral contest since the November 8 de- monetisation, which has triggered an unprecedented cash crunch. j Continue on page 8 Pol parties welcome poll date announcement IMPHAL: Political parties in Manipur on Wednesday welcomed the an- nouncement of two-phase Manipur polls by Election Commission of India (ECI) to be conducted on March 4 and March 8. Manipur unit BJP general secretary Nongthombam Nimbus told Newmai News Network that the party wel- comes the poll announcement. He appealed to all sections to maintain calm and sanity amidst the present volatile and sensitive situation in poll-bound Manipur. Nimbus called for a free and fair election and appealed to all com- munities to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. He informed that issuance of forms to party ticket seekers will be done shortly after a joint meeting of the party office bearers and core com- mittee. is, he said, will be decided after party president Kshetrimayum Bhabananda Singh, now in New Delhi, returns from Delhi on January 8. Manipur Pradesh Congress Com- mittee (MPCC) media cell chairman L Memo Singh said that MPCC welcomes the decision of the ECI. “e Centre’s decision is very historic for Manipur at this crucial hour. e poll announcement and its timing are very much welcomed,” Memo said. j Continue on page 8 WE HAVE NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO INTENSIFY THE BLOCKADE, NO MATTER WHAT THE ELECTION COMMISSION HAS ANNOUNCED REGARDING THE POLLS IN THE STATE UNC volunteers enforcing office-picket stir MLA Landhoni to retire from active politics STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: Two-time MLA of Khangabok AC Okram Landhoni, wife of chief minister Okram Ibobi, will not contest the 11th assembly election. Her son Okram Surja- kumar (Kenedy) will now represent Indian National Congress from the said assembly segment. Sangaiyumpham Election Committee expressed elation and accorded a warm welcome to Surjakumar at Sangaiyumpham community hall on Wednesday afternoon after Khangabok Block Congress Committee decided to field him in the ensuing election. In his address at the event, attended by people from 11 polling stations of Sangai- yumpham, Khangabok Congress Committee president Kh Ibotombi said the committee convened a meeting on December 31 last year with the participation of all the mem- bers of youth and mahila units of the block. j Continue on page 8 Picketing of govt offices in Tamenglong continues TAMENGLONG: Most government offices in Tamenglong district headquarters remained closed on Wednesday following the inten- sification of picketing by volunteers of the United Naga Council (UNC). As UNC volunteers disrupted the func- tioning of government offices, employees left their respective work places. j Continue on page 8 IED found, defused IMPHAL: An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) weighing around 1 kg was found fitted under a culvert at an area be- tween inungei and Phubala under Bishnupur police station on Tuesday night. e IED was detected by an ROP team of JK Light Infantry at about 10.30 pm on Tuesday. Soon, a team of Bishnupur police team rushed there and cordoned off the area to avoid civilian casualty. Manipur Police bomb disposal squad safely defused the IED on Wednesday morning at around 4. Petrol/diesel sale at Uripok pump IMPHAL: Petrol and diesel will be on sale at Uripok Energy Station, Uripok Khaidem Leikai on urs- day for persons/vehicles autho- rised by the government (govt deposited) while on December 6 there will be open sale to the public. e sale on ursday includes 12 kilolitre diesel and 20 kl petrol. On December 6 a total of 20 kl petrol and same quantity of diesel will be made available to the public. Stray bullet hits minor girl IMPHAL: A three years old girl suffered injuries on her both thighs after a bullet fired from unknown direction December 31, 2016 night hit her while she was asleep. P3 ere is no rule of law in state: O Joy IMPHAL: e achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in two and half years are more than those achieved by the Con- gress party during its 60 years in power, stated senior politician Okram Joy on Wednesday. P8 Public foil attempt to let off accused IMPHAL: In a weird event in today’s scientifically advanced society, police attempted to prove an accused person’s in- nocence by letting him swear in front of a local deity at Konchak Mamang Leikai. P3 AMCOM opposes formation of Kangchup Geljang Sub-Div IMPHAL: All Meetei Club Organisa- tion Manipur (AMCOM) has strong- ly opposed formation of Kangchup Geljang sub-division. P3 Vehicles overturned during the clash at Ukhongshang MPP prez lands in police custody CORRESPONDENT THOUBAL : Former Heirok MLA and president of Manipur People’s Party N So- vakiran has landed in police custody on the charge of allowing his escort personnel to open fire towards people and indulging in vandalism. After he was pro- duced before the CJM oubal, the MPP president was re- manded to four days police custody. e MPP president was also ac- cused of thrashing a local BJP worker and damaging some vehicles be- longing to a rival candidate aspirant. Sovakiran allegedly intruded when a meeting of BJP workers was held on Wednesday at Ukhongsang where he also resides and beat one angjam Radheshyam of Ukhongsang Mayai Leikai ward number 8. Radheshyam told media persons that a meeting for local BJP workers was organised at his residence. As the meeting was on progress, a group of people led by Sovakiran and his escort team intruded into the meeting venue at about 8.45am. j Continue on page 8 CEO Vivek Dewangan briefs newspersons on the ensuing assembly polls State BJP hopeful of winning assembly poll STAFF REPORTER IMPHAL: With timely announce- ment of the election date by Election Commission of India (ECI), BJP Manipur Pradesh president Kshetrimayum Bhabananda on Wednesday expressed optimism that the next government in state will be formed by his party. Briefing media persons at the party office here, Bha- bananda said the party praises ECI for announcing the dates of election of the 11th Manipur Assembly in two phases. e party is well prepared to face the upcoming election, he said, adding that election is an important event in a dem- ocratic country. He also appealed to ECI to make the election free and fair. j Continue on page 8 P3 MS Dhoni steps down as captain of India ODI, T20I teams P10 9 Sector AR commander Brig Jai Singh Bainsla interacts with children before he flags off National Integration Tour to Delhi and Agra DDK Imphal station director Hemanta Naorem launches Diamond Radio Station, first ever community radio service in the state at Khongjom
