Day: November 10, 2014

IMPHAL, November 10: “Kakching Kabok has been dominating the sales record with Rs 20 to 30 thousand per day, followed by Jiri Chempak with Rs 8 thousand per day. And Mukhi Pan has also been in demand”, observed a volunteer of Chinjak Festival.

This year’s edition of Chinjak Festival at the Nambul River side of Pisumthong Nigombam Leikai, Imphal has been a crowd puller, added the managing director of the festival Khuraijam Athouba today at the premise of the festival.

He said that the 5th day of the festival already attracted more than 7000 food aficionados. The ethnic foods are still in high demand and we expect more visitors in the remaining six days of the festival.

He elaborated that to boost up the festival, the organising committee has planned to add up entertainment programmes during the festival. He added that on Saturday, a Delhi based professional DJ will ‘shake up’ the festival with his performance.

On the coming November 13, National Small Industries Corporation, NSIC will conduct a free awareness programme promoting Self Help Groups, Small Business Enterprises and small business firms, Athouba added.

He further informed that in the upcoming Sangai Festival, 30 stalls have already been reserved for ethnic food items. He added that the organising committee of the said festival as a gesture to promote ethnic food, a subsidy of Rs 2000 for each stall has been granted.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/chinjak-fest-kakching-kabok-jiri-chempak-major-crowd-puller/

IMPHAL, November 10: As part of the hectic preparation works taken up for the forthcoming Sangai Festival in Imphal by the government of Manipur, a team of Manipur police led by SP (Ops) Imphal West, K Meghachandra conducted search operation at North AOC areas today.

According to sources, areas of Zomi Villa and Kekru Villa of North AOC were searched by the police team. Altogether 157 persons including five personnel of Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) were held from the said areas during the operation for further verification.

Out of the 157 detained, 100 of them are male and 57 female. It has been learnt that most of them are drug abusers, sex workers and drug peddlers.

Sources continued that the five IRB personnel were found in an inappropriate manner in company with the sex workers.

It may be mentioned that the organisers of the Sangai Festival have been frantically working in Imphal areas, particularly on improving the approach roads leading to the festival venue. With the non-completion of the Sanjenthong Bridge, which is one of the important connecting bridges between the twin districts of Imphal, the government has been taking out road repairing works at various places in order to ease the flow of traffic along the festival routes.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/police-raids-north-aoc-as-part-of-sangai-festival-drive/

IMPHAL, November 10: The students’ wing of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS), Imphal West has cautioned that they are ready to launch different forms of intense agitations if the Government does not have a positive answer to the demand for implementing the ILPS in the State by November 18.

In this regard, a press conference organised by the newly elected general secretaries of student’s unions of six colleges of the district was held at Lamlong Higher Secondary School today.

Speaking to the media, Nongthongbam Umakanta, general secretary of Naorem Birahari, college said that the students’ wing will continue to extend support to the movement of JCILPS.

He added that the students’ wing had submitted an ultimatum to the government to take up the necessary step regarding the ILPS implementation.

However no positive response has been received so far, and if the government continues to remain silent over the issue, the students would resort to different kinds of agitations, he added.

On the other hand, the representatives also demanded befitting action against Imphal West Additional SP Y Victoria for her excesses on the member of JCILPS students’ wing.

Representatives of Birmangol College, Maharaj Bodhachandra College, Liberal College, Standard College, Modern College, Lamlong Higher Secondary School and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary School also attended the press meet.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/jcilp-students-wing-gear-up-for-intense-agitation/

IMPHAL, November 10: Research and Strategic Development Organisation for the Northeast today organised a round table on Indo-Myanmar synergy in socio-economic and cultural development – the voice of the third space. The round table was organised at Hotel Imphal.

Former chief minister of Manipur, Radhabinod Koijam, who is also the president of Research and Strategic Development Organisation for the North East (RESDOR-NE) said that efforts have been made to bond Northeast India especially Manipur and Nagaland with Myanmar in economic and cultural development through India’s Look East Policy.

He said that the efforts can only be addressed to the levels of government to government and government to business houses for the promotion of commerce and industries of the said states.

He continued that for the upliftment of cultural development there needs a third space for People to People (P2P) interface, mainly of small businesses, civil organisations, and individuals for active and fruitful exchanges, co-operation and synergy.

Further he said that the present Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has initiated a process to foster good relations with neighbouring countries with the strong message that India cares for good, friendly, genuine, lasting and mutual beneficial relations with them.

Radahabinod pointed out that the PM’s upcoming visit to Myanmar for 12th ASEAN – India Summit and the 9thEast Asian Summit is expected to chip in for more improved relation in trade and commerce including P2P model.

He urged the people of Northeast of India to extract maximum benefit from the Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ policy with his innovative idea of skill, scope and scale (3Ss), before adding that the Round Table is a step towards building cooperation and synergy among the people of India and ASEAN countries, in particular our immediate neighbour, Myanmar.

The programme was also attended by P. P. Srivastava, member, Advisory Council, Asian Confluence Centre and former member, NEC, former advisor to Government of Manipur and Sabyasachi Dutta, director, Asian Confluence.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/ne-needs-multiple-approaches-to-boost-trade-and-cultural-ties-with-myanmar/

IMPHAL, November 10: The appointment order of State Commissioner for the Persons with Disabilities, Social Welfare department of the government of Manipur has been kept in abeyance by a ruling of the Manipur High Court.

The notification for appointment of the said post was issued on June 28, 2014, by H Rupachandra, Joint Secretary (SW), government of Manipur, in accordance with a recruitment notification issued by the Director of Social Welfare on November 21, 2013.

It may be mentioned that according to the appointment order, L Ibomcha Singh, son of late L Ibobi Singh of Wangkhei Lourembam Leirak Imphal East District, was appointed as the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

However, on November 4, 2014, a Single Bench ruling by the Chief Justice, Laxmikant Mohapatra of Manipur High Court had ordered the appointment order to be kept in abeyance.

The court order pointed out that L Ibomcha, who had been appointed as State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities does not have 15 years’ experience in Class-1 post either in the State or Central government, which is against the criteria of the said post.

The court further directed the State government to make alternative arrangement during the pendency of the writ petition for smooth functioning of the office.

It may also be mentioned that the writ petition was filed by Dr Rajkumar Kumarjit Singh, son of late RK Manisana of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai Imphal West, on November 4, 2014 through his counsel M Rarry, challenging the appointment order. Respondent L Ibomcha was represented by advocate SN Meitei.

The other respondents were: State of Manipur represented by Chief Secretary; Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Director of Social Welfare and Secretary/Deputy Secretary (DP), government of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/appointment-order-of-state-commissioner-for-disabilities-under-temporary-suspension/

IMPHAL, November 10: Health minister Phungjathang Tonsing has highlighted the rich treasure trove of medicinal plants of the State in the Sixth World Ayurveda Congress which concluded on November 9 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Tongsing represented the State government in the Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo, 2014 which was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and went on from November 7 to 9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest.

Speaking to media persons in the press meet at his resident this afternoon, Phungjathang said the congress was an International conference with eight ministers from foreign countries participating. In the congress, officials and delegates from 40 countries also took part.

He said he delivered a speech in the congress which was appreciated by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan. Over 1200 varieties of medicinal plants are found in the State, he added.

The Union Health Minister has assured to look into the matter stating that there were some budgetary constraints in the last financial year but the financial allocation to the health services sector all over the India has been increased to Rs 5000 crores from the Rs 1600 crores earmarked in the financial year 2013-14, he added.

He has also assured that the financial allocation will be proportionally shared among the States of India, Phungjathang said, adding the requirement of all the States of India will be soon fulfilled.

“I have urged the Union Health Minister to give attention to the State although we have two medical institutions. RIMS hospital is not under the State government but Centrally run so we need another medical institution in the hill districts just like JNIMS in the valley,” he said.

He requested the Union Health Minister to approve and provide necessary funds for the establishment of a medical college in Churachandpur. The State cabinet has already decided to establish a medical college for the hill districts by upgrading the 100 bedded constraints to 200 bedded hospital in order to promote medical education and improve health care facilities in the five hill districts, he added.

He further stated that the Union Minister has assured special care of Manipur which already submitted a proposal for establishment of new PHSCs under NHRM programme for the year 2013-14. He added that he requested the Union Health Ministry to approve his proposal at the earliest in order to implement the scheme during the current financial year.

He narrated that he reflected on some points of Manipur in his speech that traditional medicine is practised by village priests and priestess known as Maibas or Maibis and added that he drew the attention of the Minister to develop traditional medicine by bringing in more investment.

He said he had also appealed the Union government to provide a special grant-in-aid assistance of 40 crores for establishment of a full-fledged separate directorate of Ayush. He added that the state is about to complete a 50 bedded integrated Ayush hospital building.

He said that the State has already opened a 10 bedded Ayush Hospital at Singjamei and already implemented Ayush centres in various PHCs and PHSCs etc in the State despite facing financial constraints.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/health-minister-highlights-states-rich-trove-of-medicinal-plants-in-world-ayurveda-congress/

IMPHAL, Nov 10: The dead body of a 28 year old man was found floating at the Thangapat of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, under Imphal Police Station, at around six in the morning today.

The body has been identified as Hijam Dolen Meitei alias Dokey, 28, son of H Rajen Meitei of Nagamapal Paonam Leirak Imphal. Dolen’s lifeless body was picked up a team of Imphal PS.

Sources said Dolen had been running a beauty parlour shop at Tera Keithel. His shop had been closed since the last 3 months. Dolen had not returned home for two days since he went out, the sources added.

No superficial wounds or marks were found on Dolen’s body. His body has been handed over to his family members after post mortem at RIMS, informed a police source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/beautician-found-dead/

NEW DELHI, November 10 (MIC): Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today met Union Minister of Forest and Environment here and drew his attention for issuing necessary orders on the clearance of its Ministry as soon ad possible in regards to the construction of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal BG railway project.

Mention may made that the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Finance and Climate Change (MoEFCC) during its meeting held on 22-23 September 2014, discussed 37 proposals for diversion of forest land for non- forest purpose. Of these 9 proposals including ‘Northeast Frontier Railways-Jiribam-Imphal-Tupul BG railway project’ in the transport services segment were recommended by FAC.

Forest Advisory Committee recommended diversion of 1,005.055 hectares of forest land for construction of 111 km long Jiribam-Tupul-Impal railway line in Manipur. Completion of the project will lead to Imphal getting connected to India’s railway network.

Northeast Frontier Railway’s (NFR) Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal BG railway line project was sanctioned way back in 2003-04. However, the project could not make much progress due to lack of environmental clearances. Work on the project gained pace only after intervention of the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) under the Cabinet Secretariat. MoEFCC was asked by the PMG to expedite grant of clearances for the project.

Work on the Rs.60 billion project is being taken up in two phases. Under Phase -I, 84 km Jiribam-Tupul section will be completed by March 2016. Remaining 27 km stretch between Tupul and Imphal will be taken under Phase -II and will be commissioned by March 2018. The project will also feature tallest girder rail bridge in the world. Bridge no 164 will have a pier height of 141 metre. At present, Mala-Rijeka viaduct on Belgrade-Bar railway line in Europe has the tallest pillar of height 139 metre.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/cm-ibobi-meets-union-minister-of-forest-and-environment/

IMPHAL, November 10: Senior journalist Yambem Laba and the newspapers, The Statesman and Huieyen Lanpao, have been ordered to submit written replies within November 20 by a court, State BJP president Thounaojam Chaoba said at a press meet in the party office at Nityaipat Chuthek held in connection with the enrolment of new members this morning.

This much publicised defamation case related to a hard hitting news published in these newspaper that the BJP State president was implicated in the sensational corruption case of former RIMS director, Dr. S Sekharjit, now under CBI investigation.

The news reports had alleged that among the documents found by the sleuths was a note by the ousted director to BJP president asking him to return Rs. 1 crore paid to him by the former for assurance that the CBI would be kept away from investigating the RIMS affairs.

Chaoba vehemently denied the veracity of the report and warned the defendants to apologise publicly for the defamation caused to his reputation as a political veteran built over the last 50 years.

When this was not complied, he threatened to sue the parties for Rs. 50 crore each, and finally did when there still was no compliance.

The court will fix the date of hearing after November 20, he added.

Meanwhile, the BJP leader gave the nod for the induction of new members such as Phijam Pakchao who represented the CPI in the last assembly elections, Potsangbam Gram Panchayat pradhan Meisnam Mangi Singh, Awang Wabagai GP ward member Okram Ibungobi, Potsangbam GP ward member Khundongbam Dhiren Singh and Mayengbam (O) Purnima Devi, also a ward member of the same GP.

This was done as a part of the nationwide drive initiated by the BJP to enrol new members that started yesterday. The State BJP is setting a target of enrolling at least one lakh members in the State with 50 members from every polling station along with five active members.

The State BJP will organise a conference at every assembly constituency. The newly enrolled former CPI candidate Pakchao along with his colleagues can contribute to the Lamshang BJP Mandal, Chaoba said.

“The aim of the BJP is to root out corruption by the Congress government. Funds which are meant for job card holders under the MGNREGA have not been issued for 100 days but misappropriated by the ministers. The BJP will organise a meeting with Pradhans and ward members on this issue,” he stressed.

Speaking at the press meet, Pakchao said local MLAs in the last 15 years haven`t taken up any substantial developmental works in his Kendra which have led to people urging him to fight the elections with the support of a big political party like the BJP.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/court-asks-yambem-laba-and-two-newspapers-to-send-written-replies-in-defamation-case-says-chaoba/

IMPHAL, November 10: “Development of the State should include every citizen. There cannot be development for a particular community or individual”, said Oinam Rajen, secretary, All Loktak Lake Areas Fisherman Union at the one day convention held at the Manipur Press Club here today.

The convention was organised by Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur on “Climate Change, False Solution and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Manipur.

While delivering the keynote address at the convention, Jiten Yumnam, secretary, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur said that the consultation was organised in the context of deepening climate crisis amidst aggressive introduction of large scale development projects in Manipur.

The industrial zones and other development such as mega dams, oil exploration, and large infrastructure projects such as road and railway which involve either submergence or destruction of forest and water will ultimately contribute in climate crisis in Manipur, he added.

During the convention the participants discussed the ongoing aggressive push by the government to promote false solution to climate crisis such as reducing emission and forest degradation and deforestation.

The resolution taken during the convention were concern with worsening climate in Manipur, frequent floods, droughts, species loss etc and impact on the indigenous people’s cultures, tradition and their survival.

The meet also expressed concern over the government of Manipur’s MOUs with corporate bodies for mega dams and to drill oil and gas in Manipur. The colossal forest area submergence of these mega dams, including 27,000 hectares, by the planned 1500 MW Tipaimukh dam will aggravate climate crisis, it maintained.

It further took serious note on the increased agriculture land grabbing by mega projects such as the Film Institute, Sports University, Trans Asian Highway and Railway. Loss of agriculture land will deepen climate crisis and undermine food sovereignty of Manipur, it observed.

The meet also pointed out that increased investment of International Financial Institutions namely Asian Development Bank for mega infrastructure projects such as Imphal Town Ring Road without detailed impact assessment, option assessment and consent of communities is deplorable.

It demanded that all MOUs on mega dams should be revoked and policies that facilitate such projects, namely the Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012 and Manipur State Action Plan on Climate Change should be repealed.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation should cease all efforts to seek carbon credits and additional profits from the Clean Development Mechanism by classifying the controversial 105 MW Loktak Project in Manipur as clean and renewable energy project, it maintained.

The meet also demanded that the process of tackling global climate has unfortunately been considered as an opportunity for economic benefits. Climate crisis cannot be resolved within the framework of “market solutions” and the State should abandon all false solution to climate change that negates Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

The function was also attended by Phulindro Konsam, chairman, Committee on Human Rights and Dr RK Ranjan, senior environmentalist.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/cra-deplores-states-false-solution-on-climate-change/