Manipur

In separate encounters, the security personnel have gunned down four militants in eastern Imphal and Bishenpur Districts of Manipur.

Reports reaching here from Imphal said that a joint team of police commandos and Assam Rifles raided Sanjenbam village in Imphal East District on Saturday morning after getting some leads on militant movement in the area.

During the search operation, the militants shot gunfire at the security forces and vice-versa. One militant was gunned down during the retaliatory fire from the security personnel. Rest of them managed to rescue.

Authorities in Imphal seized huge quantities of arms and ammunitions from suspected militants.

Talking to mediapersons, Brigadier Balbir Singh, Commander, 26 Sector Assam Rifles, said, "A huge quantity of arms and ammunition was seized from militants in the form of heavy caliber weapons that is the LMGs, AK-47s, RPGs and various smaller weapons."

"By seizing these we have been able to avert major tragedy in the area," he added

For long Shillong has been known for its captivating environs and music culture. But the State capital is also gaining reputation as an education centre.

Local residents believe Shillong is all set to become a Mecca of learning for students from the north-east region of the country with the opening of the first branch of the premier Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

The first batch of IIM here started in July 2008 here. The Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management (RGIIM) in Shillong is the seventh branch of IIM.

Having suffered militancy for a long time, people in the north-east are now well aware about the malicious intentions of ultras here.

People from all walks of life in Manipur state are now coming out and showing their disapproval of the highhandedness of the militant groups, as was witnessed in Imphal recently.

A number of local residents here recently staged a demonstration to protest against the placing of a bomb by unidentified militants at the residence of Loukham Mani Singh, a jewellery shop owner here in Wahengbam area.

Whether it is an educational institute, a government office or a business firm, militants in Manipur have spared no one. The state has not been able to actualize its potential and march ahead on the path of development, as unending militancy keeps dragging it back.

Senior citizens in the state want an early end to violence and the restoration of peace and normalcy. These people, who have completed more than half their life''s journey and seen many ups and downs in their life, consider militant activities, as the biggest hurdle in the path of the state''s development.

Indigenous games and martial art forms are an integral part of Manipur''s culture that is well known through out the northeastern region. Some of the oldest art forms are still popular. Among them is Cheibi, an ancient martial art.

Recently, the All Manipur Cheibi Association of Manipur organized the 9th State Level Cheibi Championship 2008 at the Khuman Lampak Main indoor stadium of Imphal.

The championship, which was organized to further popularize and promote the martial art, had about 180 participants from 21 clubs of Manipur.

It looks as if the militants in Manipur cannot differentiate between those who try to control them and the ones who are just devoted to the service of common man.

The recent victim of militants belonging to the banned outfit Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) was Manipur''s rural bank. The militants forced the bank to close down for an indefinite period while making the hapless staff of the bank go for a sit in demonstration against widespread militant activities.

Manipur Rural Bank has 18 branches throughout the state. It works for the uplift of the rural masses.

Five militants were killed in separate incidents in Manipur last night.

Following an information that some persons are moving in a suspicious manner, security forces raided Phunal Maring hill area in Imphal East district, official sources said on Friday.

In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed. Two 9mm pistols, eight live rounds and a grenade were recovered from the possession of the slain ultras.

Imphal, Sept 12 (ANI): Protests against militancy continue in Manipur with people in the state coming out openly against the highhandedness and brutal activities of the militant groups. The staff of the Sericulture Department recently held a demonstration in West Imphal against underground groups, which have been trying to extort money and threatening officials.

Staff of the Sericulture Department in Manipur is on a warpath against militants'' highhandedness in the State.