Month: January 2015

IMPHAL, January 12: The All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) has notified that I-Card with hologram will be issued to its members from January 16 onwards.

According to a release of AMWJU, members who have not yet submitted their complete bio-data, photo and blood group are requested to submit before January 20 to the Manipur Press Club.

Stickers with hologram for vehicles will also be issued for the members, however, the members must submit their vehicle registration number, name of the journalist, Xerox copy of the I-card issued by the editor or DIPR on or before January 20, it said.

The union has stated that the step is taken up as several individuals have been found using Press stickers on their vehicles.

It further stated that the union in collaboration with Manipur Police will soon start rounding up of vehicles without AMWJU`™s hologram Press written on their vehicles, it said.

On the other hand, the union has also appealed for raise is salaries of journalists in the State.

In reply to a writ petition, the Supreme Court had issued an order (Civil No. 246 of 2011) in February 7, 2014, stating that the wages of journalists should be given according to the recommendation of the Majithia Wage Board.

The wage must be fully paid along with the arrear from March 2014 in 4 installments, it said.

An order by the Supreme Court has stated that the revised wage must be paid from April 2014. The union has appealed to provide the accurate wage for the journalists, it said.

The Union has also condoled the death of retired Chief Justice RK Manisana of Gauhati High Court. It prayed that for the soul for its heavenly abode and also share the grief of the bereaved family members, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/amwju-to-issue-icards-for-members/

IMPHAL, Jan 12: Some `Bank Mitra`™ working under Manipur Rural Bank, Kumbi Branch are charging Rs 50 each from the public while opening zero balance account as a part of the first phase of Jan Dhan Yojana, said MUGA in a press release.

The Mass United Green Association (MUGA) has appealed the concerned authority of Manipur Rural Bank to look into the matter as soon as possible.

MUGA in its press statement further said that while applying for the bank pass book for Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL) scheme some Bank Mitra takes Rs 300 from the public under Moirang Khunou Gram Panchayat but in the pass book only Rs 100 is entered.

Some Bank Mitra of United Bank of India, Moirang Branch have also made the Jan Dhan Yojana meaningless by opening bank account but not providing the bank pass book intentionally for using it as a means to pocket extra money, it charged.

`Are the people who cannot afford to pay this extra money not supposed to open bank account? Who is training the Bank Mitra? Are they taught to siphon off public money?`

`Who should we blame for this fault of opening bank account but not able to provide bank pass book?` MUGA questions.

If the concern banks do not take any action regarding the matter, the complaint will be sent to the Prime Minister as well as Reserved bank of India, it added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/muga-complains-on-bank-mitras-conduct/

IMPHAL, Jan 12: A powerful IED bomb was found planted near the gate of 40 Assam Rifles D company post on NH-102 (Imphal-Moreh road) at near Lilong Police Station this morning.

The news came close on the heels of two unknown youths on a motorcycle attacking the post by lobbing a hand grenade last night.

Three children came across the said bomb early this morning at around 6. Security forces block the highway and secure the area as soon as they came to know of the bomb being planted there.

Thoubal SP K Radhashyam also came and inspected the site.

Bomb experts successfully neutralized the bomb at around 9:30 am.

According to bomb experts, it was a very powerful remote control IED, there were batteries, steel bolts and highly explosive RDX. It weighted around 4 to 5 kilogram.

Later the bomb was safely exploded at the firing range at Thoubal Khunou at around 10:30 am.

Meanwhile, normal traffic along the Imphal-Moreh stretch of the National Highway 2 was disrupted for few hours today following report of IED being planted along the route.

Reports said that following report of IED in between Saibon and Thamnapokpi a team of Pallel police closed down the road and conducted an extensive search. Later the reports turned out to be hoax.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/bomb-attack-at-lilong-ar-post-continues/

IMPHAL, January 12: A fate similar to the one which befell Kabui Keioiba in the popular folktale will befall the State government led by Okram Ibobi when Union ministers start paying fortnightly visit to NE under instructions of the Prime Minister, said State BJP chief Thounoujam Chaoba.

In his speech at the National Youth Day observation today at the BJP office, Chaoba said the financial condition in the state is getting worst as funds meant for developmental schemes are all siphoned off. The new NDA government is demanding utilisation certificates which the State government is unable to submit, he added.

`Developmental works are found only on paper and used for directing developmental funds to the pockets of some influential ministers. Spot verifications will start as soon as Union Ministers begin their visits to the NE every 15 days. The financial condition in the state will only worsen because without any audit reports of a project the NDA government will not sanction more funds`, the State BJP chief said.

He said the Central government likes transparency in development works and if the State government has committed mistakes or has indulged in corrupt practices, it would be in trouble. The visits are especially arranged for the NE because PM Modi is aware that all the states depend on the Centre for funds. Means to rectify such tradition and finding an alternative means instead of perpetuating the dependent culture which breeds corruption will be the focus of Union Ministers during their fortnightly visits, he added.

The State BJP chief said the ideology of Prime Minister Modi and his government is development for all the people of India by following the ideas of prominent persons like Swami Vivekananda, still an icon for Indian youths, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, imitating their lifestyles and living with discipline. The PM is against corruption, favouritism and nepotism, he added.

Now many intellectuals are following the ideology of Narendra Modi and have even started joining the BJP during the mass enrolment drive, Chaoba said, adding that none of the Indian Prime Ministers has considered the NE region a part of India`™s past history.

Narendra Modi delivered his opinion on the people of NE region and Manipur, and about its youths being overwhelmed by drug abuse, he said. Modi wants to inspire youths of Northeast India by emphasising their role in construction of a glorious future, he added.

He said from today onwards, youths must work sincerely to bring a bright future from this auspicious occasion on National Youth day.

BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary M Asnikumar said PM Modi has changed the political landscape of the country in the last Lok Sabha polls. It was a historic win with an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha enabled by the support of Indian youths. Youths handed him a mandate with the victory, so leaders of the NDA government are emphasising on youths, he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha is taking a vital role in the enrolment drives conducted across the state. Aribam Victoria Sharma of Thangmeiband has been selected as the state level membership drive publicity and propaganda in-charge while Bikramjit Kongkham of Nagamapal Soram Leirak was selected as the state level membership drive social media-in-charge today, he said.

BJYM president O Malesh said youths are the pillars of a nation and without youths no development can be brought in a society or a country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving full encouragement to the Manipuri youth by earmarking Rs 100 crores for the establishment of a National Sports University in Manipur, he added.

A blood donation camp is being organised by the BJYM in connection with the National Youth Day observation on the birth day of Swami Vivekananda. He further said that about 30 BJYM volunteers are donating their blood to the JNIMS Hospital today.

Meanwhile, the State BJP chief opened the complaint box placed at the gate of the BJP office in Nityaipat Chuthek to the public today. During the occasion, he told media persons that the complaint box is for those people who can`t openly complaint against corruption cases in the state. They can now raise complaints against corruption which will be delivered to the Central leaders who will then take necessary actions.

The complaint box will be opened after three days and the complaints will be assessed and then send to the Central government. However, the complaints should contain relevant documents and can be about any discrepancies in developmental projects, PDS items distribution etc, he added.

In another development, the BJP Manipur Pradesh has announced the names of members and their designations in its reconstituted State Vision Document Committee.

The committee will function under the chairmanship of Dr RK Ranjan Singh with Prof N Joykumar Singh as the co-chairman, M Asnikumar as the convenor, PA Theko as co-convenor and former minister Haokholet Kipgen), S Premananda Sharma and RK (O) Pramodini Devi as members.

The State Vision Document Committee of the BJP will draft documents related with development activities of connectivity and other social Infrastructure, water bodies and land resources, population and human resources, economy of state, agriculture and allied sectors etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/state-govt-is-doomed-like-kabui-keioiba-says-state-bjp-chief/

IMPHAL, January 12: The Imphal Ring Road Affected People Association, Khabam Lamkhai has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging against the revision of the already aligned route for the Khabam Lamkhai stretch of the proposed Imphal Ring Road, association spokesperson Yenkokpam Priyokumar told media persons today during a press meet at the Manipur Press Club.

Citing that any re-alignment of the route would affect more residents, Priyokumar said in case the government fails to listen to the demand of the people, the association will take up various agitations including taking help of legal means.

He said the previously aligned route starts from the Khabam Lamkhai turning point on the National Highway 39 and continues for 300 metres east of the NH along the IVR into Khabam Village.

He said according to the official map prepared and published so far, the schedule area of the ring road runs on the northern side of the said IVR and is intervened by a canal from Khabam Lamkhai turning point towards the east.

However, it is learnt that the previous earmarked area is to be dropped and a new aligned route starting from the highway on the existing IVR has been prepared by the concerned authority he said.

The new re-align route will affect many homes and other structures including pucca building, whereas the previous route affected only two-three buildings he said.

He has also mentioned that the existing IVR of Khabam lamkhai to Khabam Village has been already earmarked and the list of affected pattadars published for expansion of the IVR in view of the ongoing development work of the Marjing Polo complex, Heingang.

Priyokumar said both sides of the IVR had already been marked for expansion which the locals had welcomed as a good initiative for development and as such several residents had already started constructing their houses well inside their patta lands.

Any new alignment for the ring road on the existing IVR will only affect this newly constructed houses also and as such the government is appealed to continue with the previous aligned route for the ring road, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/ring-road-affected-residents-call-against-realignment-of-route-at-khabam/

IMPHAL, Jan 12: A joint team of the Myanmar and Indian officials left Imphal today on a survey tour of the proposed route for the Imphal-Mandalay International Bus Service.

Myanmar delegate also arrived in Imphal yesterday.

The team started around 7:30am today from the Classic Hotel where the delegates of both countries were staying after their separate arrival in Imphal yesterday.

The Myanmar team including 10 officials is being led by DG Rail Transport, Myanmar U San Aung and include superintending engineers, Sagaing Region, Public Works Ministry of Construction U Than Toe Aung, U Kyaw Kyaw, U Aung Soe, U Kyaw Thu Zaw.

The Indian team is being led by under-secretary Ministry of External Affairs Mini Kumam includes two superintending engineers Prasad and W Blah Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, superintending engineer, PWD Road and Bridge division Kh Temba and deputy director Transport BK Sharma.

The joint team will assess all the requirements for the international bus service from Imphal to Mandalay.

It is also learnt that the Indian team will submit a report following the survey to the Centre.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/joint-survey-of-impmandalay-bus-route-begins/

KANGPOKPI, January 12: Three persons including the driver and the handyman of a Tata truck plying along National Highway-2 have been feared abducted by unknown miscreants yesterday night at round 9 pm.

The driver of the Tata truck bearing Registration No.NL01L-4485, L. Ibochaoba Singh, 25, and his brother L Tondonba Singh, 17, the handyman of the vehicle, of Kanto Santipur and their friend Romen, 21, from Khurkhul village were abducted along the National Highway 2 between Keithelmanbi and Kalapahar in the Sadar Hills area while they were heading towards Kangpokpi the night before.

According to sources, the vehicle belongs to one Anil Pandey of Kangpokpi Ward No 7.

Before their abduction, the trio had arrived from Imphal at Kanto Santipur to visit the ailing father of the driver and handyman.

From there they were heading towards Kangpokpi for Dimapur and had made an entry at the Saparmeina Police Station at around 8 pm, it said, adding that L Ibochaoba Singh had replaced his ailing father L Kesho Singh as the driver of the vehicle after the latter took ill for quite some time.

Surprisingly, no monetary demands have been made to the vehicle owner or the family members of the abducted trio nor any communication has been made so far by the abductors.

A case has been registered at the Kangpokpi Police Station while efforts are on to nab the unknown abductors, a police source said.

In the meantime, civil bodies of Kangpokpi including Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization and Kangpokpi Youth Union have jointly condemned the incident, stating that such `uncultured activities` are not welcome in the peaceful environment of the area.

The civil bodies have also jointly appealed against the abductors to release the abducted trio without any preconditions on humanitarian ground in consideration of the hardships faced by the family members of the abducted trio at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/three-including-driver-and-handyman-of-truck-abducted-from-nh2/

IMPHAL, January 12: Maj. Ralengnao `Bob`™ Khathing was remembered fondly during a simple ceremony at his home Valley View, Mantripukhri today on his 25th death anniversary.

The ceremony organised by family members was attended by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Manipur Assembly deputy Speaker MK Preshow Simray, former Chief Ministers Radhabinod Koijam and Rishang Keishing, IGAR (S) Major General Rajeev Chopra, IAS (retd) RK Nimai Singh, eminent writer Prof Gangmumei Kamei.

Rich floral tributes were offered to his tombstone.

Speaking on the occasion, Major General Rajeev Chopra said major Bob Khathing was a young commissioned officer of 19th Hyderabad Regiment (which later became the Kumaon Regiment) during the World War II and was deployed to Victor or `V`™ force ops as local captain, Manipur sector.

Bob Khathing was later awarded with the Member of the British Empire (MBE) and the Military Cross for his gallantry, he said.

Major Bob Khakhing was also conferred the Padmashri in 1957.

Deputy Chief Minister said Major Bob Khathing is a source of inspiration.

He is a true patriot of the State and a legendary symbol of the State in the country, Gaikhangam observed.

He said he was no personal acquaintance of the late Bob Khathing, however, during his childhood he did recognise Bob`™s signature from his (Bob Khathing) school register.

Gaikhangam said Bob Khathing attended the Khanginlung Higher Secondary School at Gaidimjang Khoupum which was established by Gaikhangam`™s father Khangsinlung.

The younger generation of the State is unaware of Major Bob Khathing`™s patriotism and sacrifices and the government need to observe the day on a much larger scale to ensure that the people are aware of the legend.

Five meritorious students were also felicitated as part of the observation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/legendary-bob-khathing-remembered-on-25th-death-anniversary/