Day: April 16, 2015

IMPHAL, Apr 16: In a bizarre and shocking incident a married woman who was claimed to have been death for four years was found alive in Ukhrul district and married to another man by her first husband who had been charge of killing her.

Khonthoujam ningol Laishram ongbi Naobi Devi, 18 was married to Laishram Chaoba Singh, 25 of Tentha Marongbal, Thoubal in 2010.

After about just eight months into their wedlock, Naobi went missing on April 18, 2011 remaining traceless for long.

On September 21, 2011, reports claimed the Kumbi Police to have recovered a decomposed body of a woman from the Ithai River which was deposited to the RIMS morgue.

Naobi`™s parents claimed the body belonged to their daughter and that she was killed by her husband, reports had said.

The parents had also conducted her last rites in the presence of the locals. Following the development, an enraged mob led by Naobi`™s family went on a rampage and ransacked Chaoba`™s home.

Interestingly, it is also learnt that Naobi`™s in-laws were not informed of her cremation.

On September 22, 2011 Naobi`™s mother, Konthoujam Kunjarani, file a complaint at Thoubal Police station (a case with FIR No. 222 (9) 2011 Tbl. Ps, Under Section 364/302/34 IPC) alleging that Noabi was murdered by her husband and in-laws.

Following the complaint, Chaoba along with his father L Ibungo and mother L (o) Tharoangoubi were arrested and further was sent to judicial custody on October 1.

However, they were released on bail after spending six months in jail as no charge-sheets were filed against them.

After four years, Chaoba found Naobi alive at Nongdam Tangkhul Village and married to another man identified as Takcham Sanahal Singh, 30, son of Inaobi of Keibi Heikrak Mapal.

The family was found taking refuge at Nongbam Tangkhul Village.

Meanwhile, a Thoubal Police team accompanied by another team of Chaoba`™s family and local meira paibis rushed to Nongdam Tangkhul and took custody of Naobi and her family.

As a reprisal for framing them, Naobi`™s in-laws has filed a case against Naobi and her family and also demanded compensation for the lost inflicted due the wrong charges, sources said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/man-finds-deceased-wife-married-to-another-man/

IMPHAL, April 16: Imposing bandhs and blockades will not bring any solution to any demand, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said during the formal observation of the year-long 125th Birth Anniversary of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar at the Congress Bhawan today.

He asserted that sitting together and discussing the matter alone can bring any amicable solution.

Reacting to the recent agitations of the VDF personnel, the Chief Minister said their demands are genuine and the government is considering them, however, they need to cooperate with the government as materialising the demands would take some time.

He further appealed to all against imposing bandhs and blockades to make demands.

Ibobi also appealed to the people to cooperate and not to hamper or obstruct the construction work at Tombisana High School as it is to provide vending space to the women vendors who have no proper spaces.

Construction at the works site had been stopped for some time ever since human skulls and skeletons were recovered from the site.

Speaking further, he said considering demands from several sections of the society including NGOs, students`™ bodies and other civil organisations to hand over the investigation of the skull recovery case to the CBI, the State cabinet had discussed the demand and sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the issue.

Unfortunately, the MHA replied a few months back in the negative, the Chief Minister announced.

However, the government is ready if the organisations want to take the case to any other independent agency, he said.

Further addressing the observation, the Chief Minister said the people should not forget the pioneers who had drafted the Indian Constitution.

The Chief Minister also said that India is the world`™s largest democracy.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam said that being born in a lower class family, Dr Ambedkar has always opposed the system that favours discrimination. The rights, that the people of the country enjoy today through the Constitution is all because of Dr Ambedkar, he said.

Dr Ambedkar is well-educated person and having faced various humiliations at different stages of his life he took up the challenge to correct the social evils of caste system.

Gaikhangam said the caste system is not so inherent in the Manipuri society as it is in mainland India.

During the observation, floral tributes were offered to the leader as well as prizes were distributed to the winners of a quiz and essay competition which was earlier held on April 13 at the Standard Robert School.

MPs, MLAs, minister and others also attended the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/bandh-and-blockades-will-not-bring-solutions-cm/

IMPHAL, April 16: The Janata Dal United Manipur unit while welcoming the merger of six political parties under the umbrella group of Janata Parivaar has announced that they will field candidates for all seats in the upcoming Autonomous District Council election in the State.

The formation of the new national political party after the merger of the political parties was announced yesterday by the national leaders of the parties.

The parties that have merged are – the Samajwadi Party, the Janata Dal United, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (Secular), the Indian National Lok Dal and the Samajwadi Janata Party.

Stating that the newly formed party will field candidates in all 144 seats of the ADC election, Tombi said they are waiting for the central leaders to decide on the name of the new unified party, its symbol, flag and other details.

He said soon the secular force of the unified parties will defeat all the non-secular parties in the State.

Meanwhile, general secretary JD (U) Manipur Len Gangte said the party has already screened 10 candidates for the upcoming ADC election and the names of the approved candidates will be soon declared.

He further appealed to all against disturbing the ADC election process and bothering the people from electing their genuine leaders.

The ADC election should be conducted in a free and fair manner, Len concluded.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/will-fight-adc-election-under-the-new-janata-parivaar-m-tombi/

IMPHAL, April 16: The national workshop on conservation and sustainable management of Sangai is much important which will discuss about how to protect the rear species and how to work together.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh asserted this during the inauguration ceremony of the two-day national level workshop organised by the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) at its campus, Takyelpat, Imphal Manipur.

He further said that both the central and State governments are taking up steps necessary for safeguarding Sangai and Loktak Lake from time-to-time.

He further appealed to all to work together for the protection of the rear species- Sangai which is also the State animal.

In his presidential speech, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said the Forest department is taking up the necessary steps to preserve the animal although the people are still not satisfied with the present Sangai population.

NNN adds: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said in order to develop and improve the condition of Keibul Lamjao National Park which is the only habitat of Sangai, the ecosystem and condition of the Loktak Lake needs to be developed first. The state government always welcomes any suggestions and feedbacks from the public and the NGOs regarding this matter in the interest of the state and its people.

He appreciated the concern of IBSD in organising such a workshop on Sangai and urged all to co-operate each other and collectively work towards the common goal of conserving `endangered`™ animals, especially Sangai.

Deputy CM Gaikhangam was the chief guest of the function.

He highlighted the importance of Sangai as the endangered deer has become the brand ambassador of Manipur to the rest of the world and even the mega annual festival of Manipur has been named after the animal as `Sangai Festival`™. He appealed all to play the role of `crusaders`™ to ensure better survival of Sangai. Gaikhangam also emphasized the need to conserve and improve Loktak Lake, which is the only habitat of Sangai. Gaikhangam added the government needs full co-operation from the public in making Manipur a major part of the global tourist map, and appealed the citizens preserve the rich flora and fauna of the state.

President of the function and IBSD Director Professor Deenabandhu Sahu reported that the present figure of Sangai deers is a mere 204, and suggested all to work with an scientific approach to preserve and increase the number of Sangai, which plays a vital role in the Manipuri society and arts and culture of the state. The Director said that the workshop is being organised to instil this scientific knowledge to the people, and appealed all to conserve the other rich bio-resources of Manipur.

The opening function of the two-day national workshop was also attended by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Bala Prasad; Additional Chief Secretary O Nabakishore; Vice Chancellor of CAU Dr M Premjit; environmentalist RK Ranjan; and noted scientists from parts of the countries among many others.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/development-of-loktak-essential-to-safeguard-sangai-chief-minister/

IMPHAL, April 16: The Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the alleged killing of Th Kelvin Singh has demanded that the culprits involved in the crime should be identified and punished at the earliest and that the FIR No registered in connection with the case and post mortem reports of the dead teen should be handed over to them.

Listing their demands, the JAC this afternoon submitted a memorandum signed by JAC president S Boro to the State Chief Minister.

It said the charge-sheet against all those involved should be framed at the earliest and that the government should helped all those injured during a protest demonstration against the incident.

It may be mentioned that the partly decomposed body of 16-year-old Thangjam Kelvin of Ukhongsang Mamang Leikai under Nongpok Sekmai Police Station was recovered on April 14 around noon from near the Ngariyan Catholic Teachers`™ Training College under Andro Police Station, Imphal East after he had gone missing since March 29.

On the day that he had gone missing he had left with a friend on his motorbike which is yet to be recovered.

The memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister also warned that in case the authorities refused to take measures to fulfil the demands, the JAC will resort to its own course of action. It also appealed to the State government to immediately constitute a probe against the alleged killing of Th Kelvin.

One of the JAC members informed media persons that the JAC members along with the family came from Ukhongshang to submit the memorandum to the Chief Minister but were stopped on their way by the Canchipur police.

The police took a few representatives and allowed them to hand over the memorandum to the Chief Minister, he said.

A copy of memorandum was also submitted to the SP Thoubal, SDPO Thoubal and DC Thoubal.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/jac-demands-swift-action-in-teenagers-murder-case/

IMPHAL, April 16: Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th Lokeshwar who was charged with impersonation has failed to appear in Court today.

Instead, a counter case has been filed by the Speaker himself to the Sessions judge, Manipur East on April 15.

The Speaker was charged that his name was used as Oinam Lokeshwar and not as Thokchom Lokeshwar while persuing higher studies at Manipur University.

But, in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India, he came under the title of Thokchom, thus creating the confusion and present legal scenario.

According to Criminal Revision case number 4 of 2015,under section 397 writ with S.399 of the CrPC the complainant Namoijam Shinghajit Singh is a defeated candidate of the last assembly election and the case was not filed by a public authority.

Further, the affidavit of the Speaker was sworn in on January 11, 2012 and the complaint was filed on March 30, 2015 and as such is being barred by limitation.

Citing many references, it was prayed that the revision petition of Lokeshwar be admitted and the earlier order against him be set aside as the complaint is filed by an unauthorized person and barred by limitation.

In this regard, the order of the Sessions judge ,Manpur East stayed the order of the earlier order(Cril. Case no.35 of 2015) passed against Lokeshwar by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal East on March 30 last has been stayed and further proceedings have been fixed on 29/4/2015.

It may be mentioned that the earlier petitioner namely N Singhajit had disclosed the case of impersonation to the media on April 3 last at Manipur Press Club.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/speaker-fails-court-appearance-in-impersonation-charge-files-counter-case/

IMPHAL, April 16: The president of the All Manipur Bar Association, AMBA, Khaidem Mani, in a statement today made in response to the IFP news of April 14 `Bar association cries foul at CM`™s alleged recommended of a junior officer for HC Judgeship` denied his organisation ever made the statement.

`At the outset as President of All Manipur Bar Association, AMBA, I have no knowledge about the alleged `AMBA memo`™ as quoted` by the newpaper, the press statement said.

It also said there was also no `such resolution of the Bar to submit or send such letter/memorandum on the subject concerned to any authority.`

In a telephonic conversation with IFP, Kaidem Mani, who is currently out of station, said he suspects impersonation and forgery of his office stationary and seal by certain interested parties. `Since January, there have been four executive meetings and no decision remotely close to what is alleged, has ever been taken,` Mani further said.

Furthermore, many information contained in the alleged `memo`™ is unwarranted and misleading, the press statement said. As for instance the High Court of Manipur was inaugurated not in the month of December, 2011 as alleged but on March 23, 2013.

`As a matter of practice the AMBA till date has never questioned nor interfered in the wisdom and decision of the Hon`™ble Judges of the High Court in the affairs of posting and selection of their officers,` Mani`™s statement said.

The advocate also clarified on phone that the procedure of appointing judge is initiated not by the Chief Minister, but by the High Court. `Normally, three HC judges first have to recommend the appointment of a person and seek the approval of the Chief Minister and the Governor, and not the other way around,` he said.

He also said Judgeship does not follow any time scale promotion scheme, and appointments are made strictly on merit, though seniority is given some consideration.

`This culture of crab in the bucket mentality in the legal profession whereby colleagues are too eager to pull down the brightest amongst them to their own levels is very unfortunate,` Mani said.

Highlighting a point of law, he said as per Article 217 (2) (a) of the Constitution of India `A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a judge of a High Court unless he is citizen of India and has for at least ten years held a judicial office in the territory of India.`

This being the case, `any judicial officer who has held judicial office at any level for at least 10 years is eligible to be considered for judgeship of the High Court`™` Mani further said.

Seniority therefore is not the top priority in the appointment of a judge at all. Instead qualities given a premium in such appointments are suitability, integrity, reputation and temperament, etc, the senior advocate said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/amba-suspects-impersonation-and-forgery-in-alleged-memo-on-hc-judge-appointment-amba-president/

IMPHAL, April 16: Social Welfare minister Ak Mirabai and director Rangitabali Waikhom should be held responsible for the April 15 death of an old age pensioner at the 1st Manipur Rifles grounds while waiting in queue for her pension amount of Rs 4800, demanded the Janata Dal United today.

Addressing a press meet at the party`™s Babupara office, the party`™s State president M Tombi said such an unfortunate incident should not be repeated again.

The concerned Social Welfare department to come up with alternative means for distribution of the old age pension, he said while hinting that the pension amount could be distributed through postal services or by opening bank accounts for the beneficiaries.

Otherwise, the government could also involve the local MLAs in the distribution of the pension scheme, he said adding that his party will also provide the same pension amount to the aggrieved family at the earliest.

It may be mentioned that in an unfortunate incident yesterday, 75-year-old Irengbam Purnimashi Devi of Khagempalli Pankha Ningom Leikai vomited blood while waiting for her pension at the 1st MR ground and was rushed to RIMS where the doctors declared her brought death.

JD (U) general secretary Len Gangte charged the Social Welfare minister of being insensitive to the issue and at the same time incompetent in delivering her duties.

The minister, he said is unable to chalk out a proper system for the pension scheme.

He said she should be fully held responsible for the death of the pensioner and the Chief Minister should take stern action against her for her incompetency.

He also charged director Rangitabli of being negligent and that the pensioners had already complaint of various inconveniences they had to face on the first day of pension distribution.

The minister and the director could have distributed the pension through bank accounts of the beneficiaries or engage the local clubs for the distribution, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/jd-u-blames-minister-and-director-for-pensioners-death/