INPUI: Hmar News & Info

David Buhril

 

Hungtlung ding tarik December 16, 2011 (Friday) khin Happy Heart School Auditorium, Bethel, Churachandpur (Manipur) ah Pu Lalthlamuong Keivom chawimawina hun KEIVOM NITE chu nei ning a tih.
Hi hun a hin Pu L. Keivom a ram ngai hla hai chu Choir-in sak an ta, a hla lenglawng hai chu Solo Artiste dang dangin sak bawk an tih.
Chun, hi ni hin Pu L. Keivom puol lieu a siem lekhabu phek 300 chuonga sa IMPRESSIONS ON L.KEIVOM ti chu tlangzar ni bawk a tih.

IMPRESSIONS ON L.KEIVOM PREFACE 
“The hands that serve are holier than the lips that pray.”
- Mother Teresa.

I could not figure out the head or tail of an appropriate term to describe a living legend who plays many roles. Diplomat. Poet. Writer. Author. Composer. Translator. Traveller. Historian. Critique. Many more. Friend and father to me. That's L. Keivom. His journey from his cradle village – Pherzawl, tucked deep away in Manipur's Churachandpur district border – to everywhere and everything outside as India's diplomat is evidently an unending journey of harvest. The story of the legend cannot seem to stop.

Many a times I wonder how Keivom has discovered so much of the world and man and we failed to do a trifle about him and his abundant works. He often told me about the big distance between Pherzawl and his diplomatic life; that it is hundreds of civilizations apart. I have to forgive myself as I have encountered too many people who still could not believe that our planet Earth is round. These are people who cannot read or cannot afford to read, or have nothing to read. Meanwhile, there are people who have no time to read. There are also people who read little. There are people who read the printed words but do not understand the meaning. There are also people who are still trying to read. If anyone happens to belong to any of the above categories, there is not much chance to encounter the man, his world, his words and his songs. There is a price for everything. It’s not just about the paper money. Efforts. That's more of it. Nothing is for free. Not even salvation, even though it is born out of love. Without any effort, the man will ever be invisible.

Slowly but certainly, we are getting closer to resemble the tribe of blind-men who encountered an elephant. One touch and supposedly a know-it- all converts. We are not ashamed to lose our humility. Yet, Keivom is the host of humility. None would be able to rob that away from him. That must be one of the reasons why he has so much to give.

Keivom has given us so much. Yet we continue to miss his gifts. However, we cannot continue to allow ourselves to afford this comfortable numbness. That is one of the many reasons why “Keivom Nite” (A discourse with his songs and words) was conceived: to acknowledge to the man how blessed we are and how thankful we are to him. Moreover, this book – Impressions- is conceived to be a vehicle for expressing our unwritten words and unexpressed thoughts for the man we collectively love to contradict, debate, hate, treasure, celebrate, dread and fear. There is not much word from those who hate or dread him since blissful ignorance is never productive. Fear and dread only dwells in blank silence for they tend to be fed by hearsay. That's very un-Keivom.

‘Impressions’ is a collection of an array of memoirs. We made this book a tri-lingual because of the diversity of people that matters to Keivom. We actually had to compel ourselves to restrict only to three languages purely for the sake of convenience. We are glad to have more than enough memoirs for the book despite the short notice given. We profusely thank all of them for their gracious considerations. At the same time, we are sorry to say that we have to leave out many articles since we must rush to the press. For the same reason, we also have to reluctantly abandon the original plan to include brief details of all the contributors with photographs to make the book a valuable source of information for connectivity.
I am sure the use of 'Tr' in this book (Mizo section [Hmar/Lushai]) would receive its usual share of inevitable debate. The debate cannot be nipped by any man. However, 'Tr' is used in this book for the simple reason that it is not only more convenient but meets the international standard.

With “Keivom Nite” and the “Impressions”, it is my unhidden desire that we gather our little efforts together to say “Thank You” to L. Keivom who has given selflessly. Many of his works remain untranslatable, particularly his poems and songs in Hmar. They resemble the work of supreme culture. Yet, they speak of everything so common that they almost lick the soil of Pherzawl and the dews of Saidan. It is my desire that Keivom continues to spark an unbroken tradition and an undying culture.

Hmarkhawlien, Decmeber 5: The Surrendered Cachar Hill People’s Federation (SCHPF) on Monday asked the Government of Assam to keep its part of the peace deal by providing compensation to the 417 former militants.

 

In a letter to the Chief Minister of Assam, the SCHPF said that the hill traibes in Barak valley of Chachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi do not enjoy the status and facilities enjoyed by other Scheduled tribes in other parts of Assam.

 

“Deprived of all the safeguards and protections guaranteed by the Constitution of India, Hmars and other minorities such as Chiru, Chakma, Gangte, Hrangkhol, Karbi, Khasi, Kuki, Mizo, Naga, Paite, Riang, Simte and Vaiphei have been demanding recognition as Scheduled Tribes (STs) for the last sixty years or so. But there was no concrete response from the government,” SCHPF said in a statement.

 

It may be noted that a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) between the armed CHPF and the Government of Assam was signed on March 18, 1996. However, after laying down their arms and ammunitions, Assam government did not provide the  “Surrender Package” that includes compensation, relief and rehabilitation to the surrendered CHPF militants.

 

The full text of the press release is given below- Editor, Inpui.com

Office of the

SURRENDERED CACHAR HILL PEOPLE’S FEDERATION (SCHPF)

Head Office: Chikhur-Lobonkhal,Cachar, Barak Valley, Assam

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ref. No. 15/2/2011 Date: 15/12/2011

To

The Hon’ble Chief Minister,

Government of Assam,

Dispur

{Through: The Hon’ble Minister, WPT & BC Department (Outside BTAD), Government of Assam, Dispur}

Sub : Regarding the “Surrender Policy” of the government of Assam and prayer for surrender package to provide compensation, relief and rehabilitation to surrendered armed CHPF militants there-of

Sir,

The Hill Tribes in the Barak Valley of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi are just minorities without any status as the Scheduled Tribes as their kindred tribes in other parts of Assam.

 

Deprived of all the safeguards and protections guaranteed by the Constitution of India, Hmars and other minorities such as Chiru, Chakma, Gangte, Hrangkhol, Karbi, Khasi, Kuki, Mizo, Naga, Paite, Riang, Simte and Vaiphei have been demanding recognition as Scheduled Tribes (STs) for the last sixty years or so. But there was no concrete response from the government.

 

No longer able to bear the wilful negligence and discrimination of the government, the hill tribes in the plains of Cachar led by Hmars took the initiative and launched a political movement through the Cachar Hill People’s Federation (CHPF) in the early 1990s.

 

As the CHPF movement gained momentum and assumed violent characteristics, negotiations soon followed resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) between the armed CHPF and the government of Assam on March 18, 1996.

 

And with regard to the 417 armed Cachar Hill People’s Federation (CHPF) militants laying down their arms and ammunitions, it was agreed by the signatories that government of Assam would work on a Surrender Package to provide compensation, relief and rehabilitation to the surrendered CHPF militants.

 

The sober reality, however, is that the surrendered CHPF is yet to receive “Surrender Package” from the state government. Nor have our relief and rehabilitation been taken care of and surrendered armed CHPF militants properly considered for nomination as members in the Barak Valley Hill Tribes’ Development Council (BVHTDC) during the last fourteen years.

 

That Sir, the policies regulating the surrender of armed militants are open policies of the government to encourage militants to come over-ground eschewing the path of violence.

 

The state government spent crores of rupees to rehabilitate surrendered militants in the state by giving them accommodation, cash to buy their essential commodities and other facilities over the last decade or so.

 

However, the 417 surrendered CHPF militants who are now living in horrendous circumstances have not been given the same facilities despite being “surrendered militants”.

 

Why should the surrendered armed CHPF militants be not treated at par with the surrendered Bodo (BLT) or Dimasa (DHD-J) militants in terms of access to compensation, relief and rehabilitation? Surrendered armed CHPF, therefore, demands that the government review its surrender policy in respect of the erstwhile CHPF militants.

 

The surrendered CHPF militants are entitled to the following schemes:

1. 100 percent Margin Money Scheme: The government of Assam must provide margin money of Rs. 50,000 each to the surrendered CHPF militants for rehabilitation and banks and financial institutions be asked to offer loan upto a limit of Rs. 1.5 lakhs to each surrendered CHPF militant against government guarantee.

2. Surrender-cum-Vocational Scheme: Vocational training be imparted to all the surrendered CHPF militants.

3. Good Behavior Assistance to Surrendered Militants Scheme: The government must provide a financial assistance of Rs. 2.5 lakh per surrendered CHPF militant (to be paid after ten years of good behavior) for their rehabilitation.

4. Surrendered CHPF Welfare Scheme: At least 10% of the budgeted amount prepared by BVHTDC be set aside annually for the welfare of the surrendered CHPF militants.

 

That Sir, the BVHTDC at times get embroiled in controversies but the re-constituted dispensation still remains the best suited for the hill tribes living in the plains of Barak Valley as the present dispensation is pre-occupied with the on-going developmental activities meant for the welfare of the Hill Tribes in Barak Valley.

 

Therefore, the suggestion put forward by a section of the people for re-constitution of the existing Council is of little importance to the ethnic hill tribes and the surrendered armed CHPF militants.

 

That Sir, future attempts at social cohesiveness and the maintenance of peace in the three Barak Valley districts greatly depend upon the way the CHPF Package is tackled in coming days.

 

We would extend all help to verify on the genuineness of CHPF militants laying down their arms even as the surrender package is being worked to provide compensation, relief and rehabilitation to surrendered CHPF militants.

 

With thanks and anticipation,

Yours sincerely,

(THANGA HMAR) President

(LALDITLIEN ) Secretary

Surrendered CHPF, Surrendered CHPF,

Barak Valley, Assam Barak Valley, Assam

 

Copy forwarded to:

1. Hon’ble Minister, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Government of Assam, Dispur for information and sympathetic action.

2. Hon’ble Minister, Excise and Youth and Sports Affairs, Government of Assam, Dispur for information and sympathetic action.

3. Secretary and Commissioner, Home Department, Govt. of Assam for kind information and necessary action.

4. Secretary and Commissioner, WPT & BC Department, Govt. of Assam for kind information and necessary action.

5. Director-General of Police, Assam for kind information and necessary action.

6. Inspector-General of Police (A), Assam for kind information.

7. Inspector-General of Police (Special Branch), Assam for kind information.

8. Deputy Inspector-General (Southern Range), Silchar for kind information and necessary action.

9. SP, Cachar. He is requested to make arrangement to prevent any untoward incident over the issue.

10. SP, Karimganj. He is requested to make arrangement to prevent any untoward incident over the issue.

11. SP, Hailakandi. He is requested to make arrangement to prevent any untoward incident over the issue.

12. Hon’ble MLA, Borkhola Constituency, Cachar, Assam for information.

13. Hon’ble MLA, Lakhipur Constituency, Cachar, Assam for information.

14. Hon’ble MLA, Sonai Constituency, Cachar, Assam for information.

15. President, Hmar Inpui General Headquarters, Churachandpur, Manipur for information.

16. President, HSA General Hqtrs, Churachandpur, Assam

17. Office File for record

Rengkai: The Joint Action Committee on Saikot sensing foul play in the upgradation of several blocks in Churachandpur District to sub-divisions has  also demanded a full flagged Sub-Division  status for Saikot.

 

On Monday, the Saikot Sub-Division Demand Committee JAC submitted a second memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur highlighting its demands.

 

“The Cabinet meeting held on October 29, 2011, the Government of Manipur (GoM) had taken a cabinet decision to upgrade some TD Blocks such as Tuibuong T.D Block and Sangaikot T.D Blocks to the Status of Sub-Division (SDO) circles in Churachandpur District. These upgraded T.D Blocks were created along with Saikot TD Block by Order No. 15/11/2003-DEV (P), dated Imphal, the 24th December, 2003 of the Governor of Manipur. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond our comprehension, Saikot TD Block has been left out in the process of upgradation, for which we are deeply shocked and disturbed. We feel that Saikot TD Block has been shown step-motherly treatment even though Saikot TD Block by all accounts is the most deserving Block worthy of elevation to SDO circle,” the JAC said in a press statement.

 

Speaking to Inpui.com Saikot Sub-Division Demand Committee (SSDC) Chairman Timothy Z. Hmar said: “We don't understand why the government is treating Saikot constituency like this. It should have gone by the rule book. We’ll continue to oppose this kind of unequal treatment.”

 

Earlier, the  SSDC had submitted a memorandum asking Chief Minister Ibobi Singh to intervene.

 

(Below is the full text of the press release. Memorandum not included)

 

To,

The Chief Minister,

Government of Manipur, Imphal,

Subject: - A request for Upgradation of Saikot T.D. Block to the level of SDO circle.

 

Hon’ble Sir,

While referring to the memorandum submitted earlier before your honour Dated 23th November, 2011, with received bearing No. 216 for redressal of Saikot T.D. Block to sub Division level, we the under signed have the honour to invite and plead your popular Government for immediate consideration of the demand that have been blessed for the second time .

 

To make it known constitutional and considerable a support of letters from various respectful communities is being attached here as per (Annexure –I,II,III,IV and V) references, in which the various leaders of communities states the genuinety for upgradation of the Saikot T.D.Block in Sub Division level and also for the reason that follows:

 

1. That, as per the Cabinet meeting held on October 29, 2011, the Government of Manipur (GoM) had taken a cabinet decision to upgrade some TD Blocks such as Tuibuong T.D Block and Sangaikot T.D Blocks to the Status of Sub-Division (SDO) circles in Churachandpur District. These upgraded T.D Blocks were created along with Saikot TD Block by Order No. 15/11/2003-DEV (P), dated Imphal, the 24th December, 2003 of the Governor of Manipur. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond our comprehension, Saikot TD Block has been left out in the process of upgradation, for which we are deeply shocked and disturbed. We feel that Saikot TD Block has been shown step-motherly treatment even though Saikot TD Block by all accounts is the most deserving Block worthy of elevation to SDO circle.

2. That, While waiting patiently for many years for your government’s positive measures to improve the functioning of the Saikot T.D Block at par with the other T.D Blocks created along with Saikot T.D Block, the Government of Manipur (GoM), applying the spirit of nepotism inequitably left out Saikot T.D Block in the recent elevation and upgradation of its counterpart T.D Blocks such as Tuibuong and Sangaikot Blocks in to the status of Sub-Division level (SDO). And that, we consider this kind of step-motherly treatment given to the people of Saikot T.D Block unjustifiable and we feel that the Government of Manipur (GoM) is promoting the policies of exclusion to the people of Saikot T.D Block. The people of Saikot T.D Block have seriously heard the message of the Government of Manipur (GoM) that we are being denied Justice: economic, social and political.

3. That, Saikot T.D Block has a population of 19,256 consisting of 3,222 households and with 39 villages is a strategic location with some important Government Offices and institutions such as Primary Health Centre, Nursing Training Centre, Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Government High Schools, fairly developed State Highway (Sugnu Road) and Public transports, post offices with speed post and Saving Account facilities. Saikot T.D Block is also agriculturally a self-sustained economy with many other added advantages because of its strategic location and inner strength. We are fully confident that, if objectively assessed, Saikot TD Block will meet the requirements for elevating TD Block to SDO circle.

Our fervent request to you is that the Government of Manipur (GoM) should re-examine the genuine case of Saikot T.D Block with sincerity and for the interest of all and in the greater interest of the people of Saikot T.D Block. We earnestly pray and trust that you will look into our grievances favourably and to reconsider our case and take immediate action to upgrade Saikot T.D Block into Sub-Divisional Status (SDO) for the larger interest of the people of Saikot T. D Block and for the end of justice.

Thanking you in anticipation,

(Timothy Z. Zote), Chairman,

(R. Lalkaisanga), Secretary

 

Saikot Sub-Division Demand Joint Action Committee (JAC).

Copy to:-

1. Pu T. N. Haokip, Honourable Minister, I & PR, Tourism, PHED, Govt. of Manipur.

2. Pu Phungzathang Tonsing, Hon’ble Minister, Power, Hort. & Soil conservation, science & technology, Manipur

3. Shri. Deben Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Revenue/Forest & Environment/Law & LA, Govt. of Manipur

4. Shri. Ph. Parijat Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Agriculture/CADA/Labour & Employment, Govt. of Manipur

5. Shri. Md. Alauddin Khan, Hon’ble Minister, RD & PR/Printing and Stationary, Govt. of Manipur.

6. Shri D.S Poonia, I.A.S, Chief Secretary, confidential & Chairman, Committee on Re-Organisation of Administration and Police Boundary, Govt. of Manipur.

7. Pu P.C Lawmkunga, IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary, ( Election/R.D & P.R), Govt. of Manipur

8. Shri S. Sundertal Singh, IAS, Commissioner, Revenue/MHUD, Govt. of Manipur

9. Shri. Langkhanpau Guite, Chairman, ADC, Churachandpur

10. Smt. Jacintha Lazarus, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Churachandpur District, Tuibuong.

(R. Lalkaisanga)

Secretary

Bangalore, December 3: Sikpui Ruoi, a post harvest festival, was celebrated by the Hmar community here with pomp and show.

 

Organised by the Hmar Students’ Association the event witnessed a “high Sikpui spirit” with shows of cultural dances and songs.

 

“We must not forget our roots... There might be several changes in the way we celebrate Sikpui Ruoi when compared to the days of our forefathers. However, carrying on their traditions is necessary to keep our culture alive and Sikpui Ruoi is a part of that process,” Sikpui Pa and Inpui.com admin Robert L. Sungte said on the occasion.

 

A modern day traditional dress show with designs by Pi Emily and Pi Christina was one of the biggest attractions during the event. Prizes were also distributed to winners of the HSA  Annual Sports, Luck Draw and others.

 

The Bangalore Hmar Directory 2011-12 booklet was released by HSA adviser Pu Jonathan Kungate.  Besides these, Sikpui Miss and Mr were chosen by the participants. This year Miss and Mr Sikpui Ruoi went to Miss Lalsangzuol Paruolte and Mr Lalramsan Tusing respectively.

 

At the end of the day, Sikpui Ruoi (sikpui feast) was arranged and around 70 people partake in the feast.

 

 

Pic courtesy: Hmarram.com and Mesak Lalzuilien Darngawn (via Facebook)