Month: September 2014

IMPHAL, September 7: Irrespective of whether the FCI gives the clearance or not for transporting essential PDS items such as rice and sugar along the NH-37, there is no question of recalling the security forces from Ukhrul, stated Chief Mnister Okram Ibobi while interacting with the media during an inspection tour of JNIMS today.

He said even though there is no permit to lift essentials items like rice and sugar from the FCI gowdown in Jiribam due to the prevailing situation in the State; the government has given instructions to the FCI officials to dothe needful so as to enable ferrying these PDS items from Jiribam to Imphal.

The government will transport these PDS items along the NH-37 in the interest of the people of Manipur.

Replying to queries about the trucks ferrying PDS items not being included among those which were provided with security escorts on Saturday, he said people need not be worried as the stock of essential items like rice and sugar in the Imphal FCI godown will last for at least two more months.

The first priority of the government is on petroleum products like petrol, diesel and air turbine fuel, keeping this in mind, the government has decided to haul them first, CM Ibobi said, adding that the State government has taken up some policies to avoid this problem in the future.

Stressing that the withdrawing of security forces from Ukhrul solely depends on the law and order situation in Ukhrul, he said the condition that would warrant total withdrawal of the forces from Ukhrul does not exist as of now.

If the law and order improves in any given area or district why would the government deploy more forces there. The same goes for Ukhrul, he added.

He however assured that if the law and order improves in the Ukhrul, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC and the security forces will be removed automatically.

Shifting track on the two major national highways of Manipur, CM Ibobi said now we have to concentrate on the two lifelines of Manipur as an economic blockade has been imposed by UNC.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/extra-forces-not-to-be-withdrawn-from-ukhrul-immediately-essentials-to-be-lifted-along-nh-37-cm/

IMPHAL, September 7: The State government has today withdrawn prohibitory order imposed under section 144 of Cr PC from Ukhrul town, a day after it was relaxed for 12 hours on a trial run.

A statement issued by Dr J Suresh Babu, principal secretary Home stated that the government reviewed the law and order situation prevailing in Ukhrul town and was satisfied with the substantial improvement of the situation.

Hence, it has decided to withdraw the Prohibitory order, it said.

It further assured that the security forces deployed in Ukhrul town will also be withdrawn gradually if the law and order situation further improves or return to normalcy.

It may be noted that the prohibitory order was relaxed on a trial run following arrival of a high level committee comprising of Union additional secretary (Home) Rajiv Gauba, joint secretary (North east in-charge) Sambhu Singh and special secretary (Internal Secretary) Prakash Mishra.

The team met with the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister and took stock of the situation in the State after the Ukhrul firing incident.

It may be mentioned that on July 12 Ukhrul autonomous district council Ngalangzar Malue was killed by unidentified miscreants at Finch corner.

In response to the attack, the State government arrested 8 cadres of the NSCN-IM from Ukhrul subsequently imposing CrPC 144 in the district head quarter.

The imposition of prohibitory order invited mass criticism from various Naga organisation and widespread protest however things turned ugly on Augus 31 when two protestors were killed and several injured when police opened fire a protest rally held in Ukhrul.

Reacting strongly, the UNC imposed an indefinite blockade of all highways in Naga inhabited area from September 4. Meanwhile, Over 200 trucks including 30 empty oil tankers are reportedly stranded in various places of Assam.

Most of the stranded trucks are reportedly stationed at Moran under Sibsagar District and Jorabat of Assam.

Reports said that the oil tankers that have been stranded for about four days are now facing shortage of food supply. Concerned over the situation, the transporters union has prepared to dispatch a team to replenish stock for the stranded truckers in Assam.

Around180 loaded oil tankers are standing by at the ISBT Khuman Lampak.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/sec-144-crpc-lifted-from-ukhrul/

IMPHAL, September 7: BJP, national secretary in-charge of Manipur and Nagaland Tapir Gao has appealed to the United Naga Council and Naga leaders to withdraw their agitation of highway blockade.

Addressing a press conference this morning at the Nityaipat Chuthek office, Tapir said the NDA government has already sent three experts to look after the situation in the State, and attempts will be made to bring an amicable solution to the ongoing problem in Manipur.

Tapir has further appealed to all communities of Manipur to cooperate with BJP in bringing a solution, so that normalcy returns in the State, adding that he would like to visit Senapati to meet the leaders of UNC and other Naga leaders. He mentioned that Manipur is facing lots of difficulties due to the indefinite blockade called by the UNC following the Ukhrul August 30 incident.

Clearing doubts over the leadership crisis within the State BJP unit, Tapir maintained that it is a family matter. He ruled out the possibility of a change in the State leadership of the party. The post of the president will not be changed without the incumbent completing his tenure, he added.

Tapir alleged that the Congress led government has bungled with the ILP issue in the State. He said the issue has been left pending for the last ten years. He added that the controversy regarding the K-Pro Ltd over the cleaning of Loktak Lake will be thoroughly investigated under the initiative of the NDA government.

Tapir exuded confidence that his party will win the by-election of Hiyanglam Assembly constituency, which is likely to be held either by September end or early October this year. The party is also equipped to fight in the upcoming Autonomous District Council election, Tapir added.

Later, five politicians got officially enrolled to the BJP from today. The leaders are; Salam Joy Ex-MLA Wangoi Assembly constituency, AR Khan Retd IAS ex-candidate of Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency, M Daniel, Member ADC 19 Dollang Constituency Tamenglong, Haokholal Singson ADC 24-Langpi Tamenglong and H Santosh Singh Member IMC Ward no 4 Uripok

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/efforts-on-to-bring-normalcy-in-the-state-says-tapir-gao/

IMPHAL, September 7: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said that the ongoing infrastructure construction at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences should be complete by this year-end. “The hospital should be ready before a team of the Indian Medical Council comes on an official visit to the State,” he said.

The Chief Minister accompanied by the Works minister Kh Ratankumar Singh and Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing inspected the ongoing construction work at JNIMS auditorium, college blocks, OPD block, Gynaecology ward, ladies hostel, etc. today.

He instructed the contractors working on the college block to complete the construction works within September and October.

The contractors were instructed to increase more labourers if needed to meet the deadline.

He rebuked that he got information of the contractors bringing in more labourers immediately before his arrival on getting information beforehand of today’s official inspection.

There is no financial crunch if the work is properly completed and fund will be released for work well done, but the works must be completed within the set deadline, the Chief Minister told the contractors.

The deadline has already been fixed by the Indian Medical Council and they will be coming for inspection, he said before strictly instructing the contractors to complete the work well in time.

He further directed the concerned contractors to repair the old OPD portion without dismantling the rooms and further suggested shifting the casualty ward to the ICTTU building of the Medical block while the repairing works is underway.

The Chief Minister and his team also interacted with the nurses and doctors on duty at the Gynaecology ward and asked about their problems.

He was told by the staff that since the appointment of a professor in the ward, the number of child deliveries has increased creating lack of beds and nurses.

In the Gynaecology ward there are at least 150 delivery patients, which have exposed the insufficient numbers of duty nurses working 24×7, they told the Chief Minister.

They further appealed to the Chief Minister to strengthen the number of staff at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Ibobi also expressed concern over the condition of the toilets in the Gynaecology ward and said the sweepers are recruited to keep the toilets clean and hygienic and they cannot remain sitting like officers.

He further expressed that the attendance registers will be checked to see their attendance.

Considering the condition of the toilets it is better to keep the sweepers on contract basis, he declared.

Ibobi also discussed with his team and the staff as to whether keeping someone to monitor the attendance of the doctors and nurses or to install bio-metric attendance recorders in the hospital would be more to the purpose.

He instructed the concerned officials to shift the Ayush department from the JNIMS old building and to dismantle the building.

As for the Ayush department, it could be shifted to the Urban Health Centre at Singjamei, the Chief Minister directed.

After shifting the department, the building leaving aside the TB portion should be dismantled, he continued.

Doctors should not be involved in the contract work of the said dismantling work instead they should be more sincere in carrying out their duties, he said.

The contract for the dismantling work should go to a proper agency, he continued.

The Chief Minister also inspected the lifts with defects and told all concerned to fix the defects.

Such problems should be fixed at the earliest and not left unattended to cause more hardships for the patients, the Chief Minister asserted.

He further questioned the PHED officials regarding the insufficient water supply in JNIMS and said water and power supply in the hospital should be properly maintained.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/cm-censures-jnims-contractors-says-work-should-be-completed-by-year-end/

IMPHAL, September 7: The vice president of the Senior Citizen for Society former minister, Laishom Lalit has been appointed as the acting president until fresh election said Khaidem Mani, secretary SCS during a press conference held today at the Manipur Press Club.

While speaking to the media he appealed the Government of Manipur to take up reasonable steps and tackle the pending issues in positive ways which are prevailing in the State.

Khaidem Mani elaborated on the issue of ILP system and stated that the failure to implement ILP poses threat to the identity, culture, and also to the local languages and dialects of the State.

He further maintained that according to provisions of Article 19(5), the State legislature can pass laws to protect the interest of the indigenous people of the State, and added that the public demand for implementing ILP in the State should not be misconstrued as an attempt to stop the entry of migrants or to drive out migrants from the State.

He appealed to the government to make a new law to control the influx of many illegal migrants as it is a must for the well-being of the indigenous people in the long run.

Khaidem Mani also stated regarding Irom Sharmila that the government is solely responsible for safeguarding and protecting Sharmila who has been fasting for 14 long years demanding the removal of the AFSPA 1958.

He also noted that if the government is serious to save Sharmila, then the government should help her by removing the draconian AFSPA 1958 from the state.

Khaidem Mani also noted on the incident of Ukhrul that it was very unfortunate and further stated that it is the duty of the government to bring peace and normalcy in Ukhrul.

Khaidem Mani stated that economic blockade; frequent bandh in the State will not bring any positive solution, only common people suffer from such type of protest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/govt-must-make-new-law-to-protect-indigenous-peoples-khaidem-mani/

IMPHAL, Sept 7: Residents of Mayang Imphal bazaar stormed the local police station late Sunday night demanding custody of armed miscreants who threatened a businessman of the locality in connection with extortion.

Reports said that around 10 pm, armed miscreants coming in a four wheeler barged into the residence of Laishram Amuba Singh, son of L Ibotombi of Mayang Imphal bazaar, a businessman and brandishing a small firearm threatened the man.

Meanwhile, a reliable source has identified the leader of the group as Kayenpaibam Sanjit of Tera Amudon.

It is also learnt that he had come along with three of his accomplices, two of whom managed to escape.

The other accomplice nabbed by the locals is identified as Khomdram Suren, 36 son of Tombi of Naoremthong Khulem Leikai.

The two caught by the locals were thrashed, however, police intervened and rescued the miscreants from the mob.

Amuba’s house is situated just a stone throw away distance from the Mayang Imphal Police Station.

Subsequently, the enraged locals stormed the Mayang Imphal Police station demanding custody of the miscreants.

In the process, the mob pelted stones at the police station, which resulted in the police firing live   rounds in the air and tear gas shells.

To control the mob additional forces rushed to Mayang Imphal and the situation is said to be charged till the filing of this report.

A late night report said Surjit is presently undergoing treatment at RIMS.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/mob-erupts-after-police-save-extortionists/

IMPHAL, Sept 7: Condemning the belligerent attitude of the State government and the Union government for being a bystander, the Naga Women’s Union has stated in a press release that it is organising a sit-in-protest in all the four Naga districts on September 9 to protest against the unabated assault on the rights of the Naga People and the tribals by the State government with the sole motive of keeping them under perpetual suppression.

The recent senseless act of killing two persons namely Mayopam Ramror and Ramkashing Vashi; injuring 34 civilians and damaging about 15 private vehicles;  and  snatching away mobile phones and money by the Manipur Police Commandos and IRB at Ukhrul on  August 30 manifest the prejudice and intolerant policy of the government, the press release further stated.

The two surviving wives of the deceased have to bear the brunt of the tragic deaths of their husbands who are both in advanced stage of pregnancy expecting their first child, the statement from NPW’s publicity wing said, and UNC has imposed indefinite ban on vehicular traffic on National and state Highways, and construction works of National Projects from 6.00 am of September 4 following the incident.

Stating that it has been more than 50 days since 144 CrPC was imposed in Ukhrul and it continues to be in place, it further said that despite the consistent demands for the revocation of the same the State government has refused to pay heed.

Instead of listening to the voice of the people and addressing the grievances and concern of the people, the State government continues with its militarisation policy of the Naga areas, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/naga-womens-body-condemns-state-govts-unabated-assault-on-the-rights-of-nagas-and-tribals/