UCM demands unconditional release of agitators
Imphal, August 3 : The United Committee, Manipur threatened to call a general strike on August 5 unless the persons arrested for anti-ceasefire protest are released unconditionally on or before August 4. In apress release, issued by the three convenors of the committe, the general strike would commence from 5 am of August 5 to 5 pm of the same day. The committee demands the unconditional release of the AMSU leaders and all others arrested during the anti-ceasefire movement. The press release said that fire services, medical services and water supply would be exempted from the general strike.
(August 3: 0800 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Security forces arrested 14 insurgents
Imphal, August 3 : As a part of crackdown on the insurgents, security personnel arrested 14 insurgents belonging to different organizations. Imphal west district police arrested publicity secretary of Kuki Liberation Army, Sgt. Major Paojangam Lupheng alias Helun alias Angam of Saikul in 9.30 pm of August 1. He was arrested from National Games Village, Imphal. In another incident, Imphal west district police arrested three members of UNLF from Changangei Mayai Leikai at 9.30 am of August 2. The arrested persons are Lance Corpl. Sapam Samananda alias Rana of Singjamei Sapam Leikai, Kangujam Singhajit alias Boycha alias Malemkanba of Khongman Okram Chuthek, Leishangthem Imocha alias Doren of Singjamei Leishangthem Leikai, Imphal. At 9.30 am of July 31, 12 Assam Rifles nabbed two members of PLA/RPF from Kshetrigao village. The arrested persons were Md. Mijan and Md. Aziz Ali, both of Keikhu Makha Leikai. In the evening of July 31, Assam Rifles arrested a member of UNLF, R.K. Kemao of Kwakeithel Leikai and a member of PREPAK, Longjam Nanao of Pishumthong Oinam Leikai. In another incident, 15 Jat Regiment arrested 6 membes of the PREPAK from Mayanglangjing area.
(August 3 : 0800 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Highway looters arreted
Imphal, August 3 : Assam Rifles arrested six highwayman who were involved in looting of Guwahati-Imphal bus on July 17 at Piphima town of Nagaland. One of the looter was an ex-cadre of the NSCN (IM). The looters were arrested with the cooperation of the local youths. The looters were handed over to the civil police.
(August 3 : 0800 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

High Power Meeting convened by PM
Imphal, August 3 : A meeting to discuss the ongoing India-NSCN (IM) peace talk was convened yesterday night by the Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee at Delhi. The meeting was attended by the Home Minister L.K. Advani, Army Chief General and Home Secretary Kamal Pandey. It is speculated that the meeting was about the appointment of P.A. Sangma as chief negotiator of India for talks with the North East insurgents.
(August 3 : 0800 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Another Naga bandh
Imphal, August 3 : Another Naga bandh looms large over the people of Manipur. Naga Students Front, based in Senapati and Tangkhul Coordinating Committee based in Ukhrul have called a 24 hour bandh beginning from 6 am of August 3 to 6 am of August 4. Meanwhile, the Naga bandh called by the Naga Youth Front and United Naga Council have ended. The band affected lives in Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts. However, the bandh could not affect the whole Churachandpur districts.
(August 3 : 0500 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Return of the MLAs
Imphal, August 3 : Some MLAs who have been camping in the New Delhi returned to Imphal. They are not greeted with a hero's welcome. Disgraced, disgruntled, deceived, it is what they have felt for the past few weeks after GOI overruled their resolution in the state assembly. State assembly have taken many resolution not to extend the Naga ceasefire to Manipur. But GOI overruled the assembly resolution and extended the ceasefire to Manipur. Then all the hell is let loose. The GOI have to retract their steps and confined the ceasefire to Nagaland state only.

Bandh supporters attacked the convoy
Imphal, August 3 : Bandh supporters attacked the convoy near Mao gate causing damage to 12 oil tankers. The convoy is returning to Imphal carrying fuels from Assam with armed escorts. Some Naga organisations are calling bandh in hill district against the decision of GOI to limit the ceasefire to Nagaland state only.
(August 3 : 0500 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Abolition of posts not a good sign : Bimal Basu
Imphal, August 2 : The decision of the Government of Manipur to axe more than 14 thousand posts is not a good sign said Left Front Chairman, Bimal Basu. In a press conference held today at State Guest House, Imphal, Bimal Basu said that the move to abolish 14,385 posts would be a terrible blow to the unemployed youths. He appealed to the people to raise voice against the policy of the Government which is against the desire of the people.
(August 2 : 2100 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Editor of a Manipuri monthly arrested
Imphal, August 2 : A team of Imphal West Commando arrested three journalists including the editor of an Imphal-based Manipuri monthly from Paona Bazar area. The arrested persons are Heisnam Shyam Mangang, editor, Moirangthem Rajesh, reporter cum distributor and Moirangthem Naresh Meitei, reporter cum distributor. Police also confiscated November 1995 issue and September 1996 issues of the publication Mirol along with some letterheads. The journalists were reported to be collecting donations from the public to resume the publication.
(August 2 : 2100 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

AMUCO to organize Integrity Day
Imphal, August 2 : Integrity Day will be observed on the August 4 to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur, announced AMUCO, a constituent of the United Committee, Manipur. The function will be participated by both hillmen and plainsmen, said the spokesmen of the organization in a press conference. Homage would be given to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the movements to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur.
(August 2 : 2100 hrs : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Fresh talks with NSCN (IM)
Imphal, August 2 : To defuse the misunderstanding arising out between the GOI and NSCN (IM) over the GOI's decision not to extend the ceasefire beyond Nagaland, special emissary K. Padmanabhaiah is expected to fly to Amsterdam for a fresh round of talks with NSCN (IM) leaders. He is expected to fly on Friday.
(August 2 : 1400 hrs IST : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)

Padmanabhaiah faced the ire of Advani
Imphal, August 2 : Padmanabhaiah faced the ire of Union Home Minister L.K. Advani for messing up Naga talks and giving a wrong impression to the government about the response of the NSCN(I-M) group to a review of the ceasefire extension terms. Advani is said to have scolded Padmanabhiah for reporting to the Centre, after his latest round of talks with NSCN (IM) leaders in Bangkok, that the NSCN (I-M) had agreed to continue the dialogue even if the terms of the ceasefire extension are amended. Following this feedback that the government removed the term "without territorial limit" from the ceasefire agreement, thereby restoring status quo and limiting the ceasefire to Nagaland, a source in the Home Ministry said. But, it turned out that the review was not acceptable to the Naga rebels causing embarassment to the GOI.

Advani also expressed anger over Padmanabhiah’s reluctance to keep the Home Ministry regularly informed of his talks. As an Officer on Special Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat, Padmanabhiah was reporting to Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra. During the tenure of Indrajit Gupta, Padmanabhiah often caused conflict for his preference to deal directly with the Prime Minister rather than reporting to Gupta.
(August 2 :1400 hrs IST : Manipur Online/Hueiyen Lanpao News Service)