Northeast Platform

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): She is young, confident and raring to "bridge the gap" between her home region, the northeast, and the rest of the country. Agatha Sangma, the youngest minister of the Manmohan Singh government, may not be "choosy" about her portfolio, but is sure geared up to work for grassroot development. Looking confident as she handled scores of media queries in near-impeccable Hindi right after the news broke, 27-year-old Sangma said that in all probability she will get the rural development ministry.   "I am privileged and since this is my first opportunity, I will not be choosy. Whatever position I am given, I will be happy," the first time minister, who hails from Meghalaya and is the daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A.Sangma, told IANS.   "Like last time, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Parful Patel got the civil aviation ministry and Sharad Pawar got the agriculture portfolio. Therefore if the status quo is maintai...

Imphal, May 27: Alleging constant disturbance and harassment by the security personnel in the aftermath of the killing of Prof Islamuddin of the Manipur University, students started vacating their respective hostels since Thursday. About 600 students from the boys hostel number 1, 2 and 3 left their hostels after the Vice Chancellor failed to give assurance on the action by the security personnel. Speaking to media persons in this connection a hosteller, who is also spokesperson of the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUTSU), Tingjinlung Panmei, informed that a joint meeting was held between the MU authority including the Vice Chancellor and the hostellers, during which the students demanded an end to the follow up action by the security personnel which had caused constant disturbance and harassment day and night to the hostellers. He also informed that this was despite the fact that the semester examination was going on. Panmei further stated that the Vice Chancellor informed that ...

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS): After three days of intense negotiations, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's new coalition government took final shape Wednesday with 78 ministers including 33 in the cabinet and with the Congress party accounting for three quarters of the three-tier ministry. The selection of ministers -- a blend of youth and experience, first-time winners and veterans -- showed the touch of an assertive Manmohan Singh who was clear who he wanted in the government and who should be kept out. Congress president Sonia Gandhi gave him her full backing.  Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi finally did not make it -- on his own choice, disappointing many in the Congress who wanted to see his stamp in the government too. With the average age of the ministers put at 57, Agatha Sangma, daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma, is the youngest at age 27. The oldest is External affairs minister S.M. Krishna (77), one of 19 cabinet ministers who took oath May 22 and one of...

IMPHAL, Mar 28: The independent candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Valley Rose Hungyo today filed her nomination for fighting the Outer Manipur seat, while seeking the votes of the people of Manipur and promising to fulfill their expectations.Speaking to media persons, Valley Rose maintained that successive governments had failed miserably to govern on all fronts during the last few decades and had not safeguarded the lives and properties of the citizens. The social fabric had been fragmented to pieces and the seeds of hatred sown deeply among different groups of people, she said. The weak and the poor have been discriminated and further marginalised with the gap between the rich and the poor widening, she said adding that the land has been ruled by lawlessness and rights violation is the least concern for any group perpetrating it.She further promised that if she gets elected with the love and support of the people she would work for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special...

IMPHAL, Mar 29: Many agitations and protests have been held to bring quality education but where is that quality education gone, asked education secretary of the DESAM, Arambam Thoithoi at a press conference held at its head office at Keishampat today.He further said that on March 4 at around 5 pm an unbelievable and cowardly act was carried out by two teachers named Meisnam Binoy Singh, vice principal, 40 years, son of late M Biramangol and another assistant teacher named Thokchom Romen Singh, son of Th Raghumani Singh, 40 years, at the hostel of Budhachanddra Academy, Kongba Laishram Leikai.On that particular day the warden went for a wedding ceremony and both the teachers forced the students, specially the girl students, to take alcohol and M Binoy tried to molest the students.When the DESAM came to know of this incident it took certain strong decisions which include that M Binoy, who is the vice principal, cannot take charge in the Budhachandra Academy and also cannot work in othe...

IMPHAL, Mar 29: After the recent announcement of the Manipur People’s Party (MPP) candidate for the Inner Manipur constituency for the upcoming 15th Lok Sabha elections, the party has today changed its candidate and announced another candidate in place of the previous one.The candidate for the Inner seat announced earlier by the party was Prof. N Mohendro and the newly announced candidate is Th Chaoba, ex-Union minister. Regarding the change of candidate, MLA O Joy stated today that the decision was taken after the party held a meeting and the decision was approved by the working committee.He further said that with the new candidate contesting the Bishnupur area would be a vote bank of the MPP. He also added that the matter of the present law and order situation in the state and territorial integrity would be taken up strongly as issues in this election.Meanwhile, a meeting of the JD(U) held today at the residence of RK Dorendro, former chief minister at Moirangkhom, announced that the...

TAMENGLONG, Mar 29: As many as 345 Zeliangrong people from eight villages of Haflong force fled and are camping as refugees at Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district of Manipur. The incident took place after the recent violence in Haflong areas of North Cachar Hill district in Assam in which five persons were killed and another three persons were injured by armed cadres of DHD (Jewel) faction few days back.Out of 345 Zeliangrongs who are taking shelter at Tousem sub-division as many as 220 people are sheltered at Mandeu village, 55 at Tousem headquarters, 50 at Njunkuak village and 20 more at Zenning village. They are staying at their relatives, a source said.Many Zeliangrong organizations, communities, NGOs and relatives have condemned the incident. Among the Zeliangrong organizations, the Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur (ZSUM), Zeliangrong Students Union Tamenglong District (ZSUTD), Zeliangrong Students Union Tousem Area (ZSUTA), Zeliangrong Pui Baudi and Zeliangrong Baudi Tam...