Month: July 2012

To mark the 8th anniversary of martyrdom of three AR Jawan, a wreath laying ceremony was conducted by 23 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) at the Gorkha Mor War Memorial, Thong Ananbi near Litan on 28 Jul 12. The ceremony was attended by GB’s and Village Authorities of all neighbouring villages alongwith AR troops .Guard of Honour was given as tribute to brave soldiers followed by wreath laying on the war memorial. On the early morning of 28 Jul 2004, while troops of 19 Assam Rifles were on routine patrolling duty in Litan towards Mahadev Camp, unpredictably unknown terrorists supported by heavy weapons started heavy volume of fire on the troops at about 0725 hours near Thong Ananbi near Litan and troops also retaliated with heavy volume of fire and fought with bravery and determination. During the firefight, three brave Jawans of 19 Assam Rifles made their supreme sacrifice for the motherland and attained martyrdom. In honour of their sacrifice and valiant firefight, a War Memorial was constructed at the site.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/salute-to-heroes/

MNS: About 54% of people are consuming tobacco in Manipur. This was claimed by Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Head and Neck Surgeon, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai at one day meeting in Imphal today. He said,”Every one-fourth of cancer patient who visited TMH is from North East. 3, 43,576 people died prematurely because of tobacco consumption in Manipur so far. Different Ministries like Home, Finance and Education should come hand in hand to propagate and control the use of tobacco”.
Mr. Amal Pusp, Director, National Tobacco Control Programme, Government of India spoke about the brief overview of Anti-Tobacco Laws hi India. He also spoke about”Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Product Act (COTPA), 2003′.
Dr. Suresh Babu Singh, Principal Secy, Government of Manipur also spoke at the meeting. He said that/lndia ranks second next to China in tobacco consumption. Rehabilitation should be given to tobacco farmer to cease tobacco farming”, he added.
The one day meeting was organized by Regional Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, Imphal in collaboration with Dept. of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/54-consuming-tobacco/

MNSThe 120th birth anniversary of Mahakabi Hijam Anganghal organized by Kangleipak Loinasillon Apunba Marup was observed today at Manipur Press Club.
Prof. E. Dinamani president Manipur Sahitya Parishad and I.C. Ashem president KLAM graced the occasion as the chief guest and president. Dr. Rajen Toijamba associate Prof. M.U spoke bout the script and drama of Hijam Anganghgal.
Meanwhile The 10th foundation day observation of Animal Gym will be held at Shanker Talkies, Lamphel on July 30 at 10.30 a.m
Md. Nasir, agriculture minister, N. Maipak, Mr. India (1970) Elangbam Chand, MLA and Jyotin Waikhom, secy. MPCC will grace the function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Meanwhile a militant belonging to the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Noyon faction has been nabbed by Thoubal district police commandos.
The arrested KCP militant is identified as Md Salatur Rahman, 28, son of Md Ajijur Rahman of Lilong Mayai Leikai, Thoubal district. He was arrested by the commando team during a search operation carried out at Pallel Bazaar around 2:55 p.m. yesterday.
One Maruti van black in colour with registered number MN-01K/7865, two demand notes of KCP (Noyon) signed by its self –styled finance secretary, Tomthil Meitei, 15 live rounds of M-16, another five rounds of 9 mm pistol and one mobile handset with Airtel sim card were seized from his possession, the district Superintendant of Police said in a statement Saturday.
The statement said Rahman was working under the command of the outfit’s Thoubal district finance secretary named Bijen alias Wanglen.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/hijam-anganghal-remembered/

Universal News Agency
Imphal July 28: To promote, acquired more quality and development in Manipuri films the Sahitya Seva Samiti kakching and Film Forum, Manipur announced that from September 2012 onwards the joint body is going to give Awards to the best Director, best male and female actor, best writer and best lyrics.
This was announced by the Sahitya Seva Samiti kakching (SSSK) and Film Forum Manipur (FFM), in a press conference held at Manipur Press Club today.
Speaking to the media persons Y.Nilachandra secretary SSS kakching said awards for the Director, actors and writer will be sponsor by the Azad cinema owner Moirangthem Ratan Singh, and for best lyric will be sponsor by a social worker Yambem Sheita Singh.
During the conference Y. Nilachandra stated that Samiti first started giving awards only to the Lifetime achievement of the cinema and Shumang Leela actor under the banner “Neta Irawat Lifetime Achievement Awards”. As part of prop up the Manipuri film another five awards is being added by the Samiti.
He further said that the awards distribution ceremony will kick off from Kakching in the month of September under the two banners “Sahitya Seva Samiti Film Awards” and “Neta Irawat Lifetime Achievement Awards” in connection with the birth anniversary observation of the Jananeta Hijam Irawat.
The awards will carry a sum of Rs 10000e each and it will also included a memento statue of Moirang Thoibi,
R.K Jnanranjan, Director, Screening committee for the Awards, also said that, uncensored films are not allowed for these awards.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sssk-and-film-forum-join-hands-to-promote-manipuri-films/

Imphal, July 28 NNN : The United Naga Council (UNC) has said it endorses the decision of the one day Convention on Petroleum Extraction held at Manipur Press Club, Imphal on July 16 to oppose oil extraction. The UNC assures the Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources that the Naga body will support and extend solidarity in the noble mission.
On Saturday, in a press communique, the UNC said that the ‘surreptitious activities’ of the Government of India and the Government of Manipur in licensing a multinational Company for oil exploration in Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Jiribam sub-division in Manipur without the free prior and informed consent of the people is highly objectionable.
Itt said innocent villagers of Tamenglong district, who have no technical knowledge of the far reaching impacts of oil drilling on the environment and habitation and the hazards of the activity are duped into signing agreement for seismic surveys by Alpha Geo company. It has also come to light that a leave and licence agreement has been signed by the Jubilant Offshore Drilling Company on perpetual use of 15 acres of land under Nungkhao(Luangkao) village in Tamenglong district for drilling purpose for a consideration of Rs 12 lakhs only, added the Naga body.
It states, “No environmental impact assessment on the activity has been carried out when it is obvious that oil spills during testing and drilling, accidents and bursting of pipelines will lead to severe contamination of water bodies and rivers. Also no assessment of the impact of influx of immigrants and increase in militarization that would arise out of oil exploration in the area. The terms and conditions of the licensing to the Jubiliant Oil and Gas private Limited nor the benefit that would accrue to the indigenous people from the oil exploration have not been made known to the public. The manner in which the whole process had been put into place reflects the lack of respect of the people and their right to decide how use, to control and manage their own resources. There is total lack of concern of how their lives will be drastically impacted upon by the activity. It is clearly driven by profit motive devoid of any human approach”.It stated that given the sharp social divide obtaining in the state of Manipur on communal lines, the grim situation will be aggravated as the land and resource on which the people depend for survival are taken away and contaminated.
The Naga body said the Hill Area Committee (HAC) which is constitutionally instituted under 371 C of the constitution has also not been approached for concurrence and approval of the exploration activity. Instead of according priority to settlement of issues that have raised, registered and recognized, sneaky attempts are being made to tap and take away our natural resources.
“In view of the above we endorse the decision of the one day Convention on Petroleum Extraction held at Manipur Press Club, Imphal on July 16, 2012 to oppose oil extraction and assure the Committee on the protection of Natural Resources instituted therefrom of our support and solidarity in their noble mission,” the UNC affirmed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-opposes-oil-extraction/

Universal News Agency
Imphal July 28: For the last three decades Manipur PWD has failed to maintain 95 km from Tamenglong- Tousem via Haflong, Assam said Dikham Gonmei, chairmen Development Committee Tousem Block-52 Tamei A/C on Saturday.
According to the chairmen that the Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong Road (95 Kms) funded by North Eastern Council (NEC) and which was included in the sixth five year plan was executed during 1980-1993 by PWD Manipur.
But the PWD Manipur failed to complete the work despite its construction for long 13 years and handed over to BRO in 1994 during a President rule imposed in Manipur added Dikham.
The work kept pending over the controversy arise on alignment and sub-standard of work. Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) seriously agitation were launch immediately for resumption of work by BRTF.
Following to this effect MOU were signed on 1st April 1997. But the work cannot be carry out in full-swing due to controversial funding.
Therefore, BRO dropped the work on 7th July 2000 when the advisor (Transport and Communication) NEC issued an order to the Director General of Border Road Organization to stop the construction of Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong road further said Dikham.
Subsequently, special Development Seminar wewe held on 10th & 11th November 2000 at Tamenglong Head Quarter with the MHA and the Government of Manipur.
During the seminar a sum of Rs. 42.71 crores was earmark for this project and WAPCOS were engaged by NEC to prove the survey and analyzed the Proposed Alignment of BRTF.
It was done during 9th January to last part of February 2001. The report of its finding and recommendation was submitted to NEC for allowing the BRO to go ahead with the work. But the Government is reluctant to the term imposed by NEC.
Meanwhile, the secretary of the Development Committee Tousem block Mr.Haimasuang also added that on this issue, public pressures were made repeatedly through memorandum, representation/ultimatum to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Ministers of Disinvestment in NEI and Minister of DoNERs etc,
And also protest in democratically by none participation in the Independence Day on 15th August 2002 and worn the black badge on the 53rd Indian Republic Day 2003, which was launched to protest against the non fulfillment of this road.
Secretary of the Development Committee further mentioned that contrary to the interest of the public, the government of Manipur has taken back from BRO-BRTF out of the revised estimated sanction order from NEC for resumption of the balance work. Then the NEC has released Rs.2 crore on 6th January 2004. But the condition of the road remains the same without making any sign of improvement and progress.
He further added that during the visit of PR Kyndiah Tribal Welfare minister to Tamenglong Hqtr on 3rd October 2006, while addressing the gathering he had openly declared to primarily take up the work for the construction of the Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong road.
Following to his assurance on February 21, 2007 a team of union minister government of India and all Indian Congress Committee visited Tousem sub-division HQ led by O. Ibobi Singh chief minister of Manipur and they also make assurance in the public meeting to expedite construction of the 95 km long road under the direct initiative of UPA government.
The Union Minister of Home Affair P.Chidambaram also visited to Tousem Sub Division on 3rd November 2011 and further reassured to the general public of Tousem for immediate construction of the Roads on priority basis. But so far nothing concrete step has been not taken-up till date.
Over and above to make the matter worse due to recent incessant rainfall and subsequent flooding the Baily bridge over Makru river between Tousem and Azuram has been totally cut off on July first week, he added.
The Development Committee Tousem block secretary Mr.Haimasuang appeal the concern authority to kindly review the outstanding promises and fulfill the long aspiration of the poor people of Tousem sub-division challenging to historic failure of 30th years of long construction of the said roads.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tamenglong-tousem-road-in-pathetic-conditions/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 28: Shakuntala Gamlin, joint secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, underlined the urgent need to erect a boundary wall of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal . She also called for a master plan for the construction of high rise buildings which will last in future generation also.
She was interacting with Prof S. Sekharjit, Director, RIMS and other high officials in the conference Hall of RIMS last evening in course of her visit to Imphal. The other official was G. R. Khetarpali iDeputy Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
Stating that RIMS is one of the centres of excellence she said that efforts should be made to check the brain drain and the tendency among some patients to go elsewhere for treatment. Apart from prohibitive expenses the patients face many practical difficulties elsewhere. Appreciating the College of’Nursing which is providing nursing education at nominal expenses to the students of this region she also said that demands for technicians and paramedics are growing. She praised the nurses from this region for their excellent services elsewhere.
She was concerned over the sinking buildings in the 300 acre RIMS campus and said that a second campus should be searched. The total absence of water supply and unreliable power position had. surprised her. She underlined the need to address these issues since a modern hospital cannot be run without the same. Being a central institute there is no dearth of fund, she said.
Some post graduate .students informed her about the shortage of hostel rooms. She was of the opinion that it Will take about one year to complete the construction of hostels. She added that alternative! temporary hostel accommodations for the students are being considered for urgent implementation.
After a graphic presentation of the RIMS backgrounder Prof Sekharjit tabled many issues. These include the pay disparity between faculties of RIMS and other central institutes.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/boundary-wall-for-rims/