Day: April 23, 2015

Imphal April 23: The United Naga Council (UNC) has called a 48 hrs total bandh in all Naga inhabited areas of the State from the midnight of April 27 demanding intervention of the Government of India on the issue of Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur and the pending Indo-Naga political settlement.

According to UNC, it is during Chief Minister O. Ibobi`™s led 13 years of “communal” Congress Government in Manipur that many civilians including two innocents students, late Chakho Mao and Loshou Mao were shot death by his “communal” state forces on May 6, 2010 at Mao-Gate and late Mayopam Ramror Tangkhul and Ramkasing Vashi in Ukhrul district on August 30, 2014 respectively, and ten of hundreds were seriously injured and maimed, and also declared arrest warrant to former presidents of UNC and All Naga Students` Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and fixed them the reward tags and furthermore, attempted to declare UNC as un-lawful organization in the recent past while defending its inherent political rights is nothing but to derail and sabotage the on-going Indo-Naga political talks by state and non-state actors.

The UNC press statement furher alleged that the Naga people in its 3rd Naga People`s Convention (NPC) held on July 1, 2010 at Senapati had declared Autonomous District Council (ADC) election of 2010 `null and void` but in the name of democracy, the communal and oppressive Manipur Government is going to re-impose the already rejected ADC election of Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council 3rd Amendment Act, 2008 just to usurp and strangulate peoples`™ political aspiration.

“And also, for its construction of Mapithel and proposed Tipaimuk and Chakpi River Multipurpose Dams and other mega projects in Naga areas without peoples`™ consent and violation of National and International Laws/norms, attempts to grasp and include tribal lands of Chandel, Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts into valley districts in the name of its infamous district police boundaries, its persistent efforts to barter land measuring 1.40 sq. kms. of Choro Tangkhul village to Myanmar just to retain Moreh etc. are constantly pursued systematically to marginalize the tribal land and peoples`™ rights through various acts, laws, notification and orders”, the statement of UNC added.

“Dr. Manmahon Singh, the then Prime Minister of India had rightly pointed out that ` there is sharp social divide between the Meiteis and the Nagas in Manipur` at the 45th DGP Conference in New Delhi on August 26, 2010 but due to lack of political will, the situation have became compounded and aggravated day by day”.

Medical, water supply, electricity, educational institutions and media fraternity will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/unc-calls-48hrs-naga-areas-bandh/

IMPHAL, April 23: Around 30-long heavy thunderstorm that swept across the state yesterday late evening suddenly has devastated several residential houses in villages along Uripok-Kangchup Road apart from causing damage to properties in Imphal West areas.

According to Pradhan of Lairenkabi Kadangband Gram Panchayat, Nunglepam Bobi Singh, the thunderstorm damaged five houses at Phayeng, building of Don Bosco School Phayeng, three houses at Lamlongei and four houses at Lairenkabi Ward no 1.

Apart from several residential houses at Akham, Lamdeng, Laingamkhul, Taothong and Iroishemba, electric high and low transmission wires including posts were also shattered by the thunderstorm.

The impact of the thunderstorm was so powerful that roofing sheets covering residential quarters at Langol Game Village Zone I and II were blown away by the thunderstorm accompanied by heavy winds.

Meanwhile, families in Keishamthong Assembly Constituency which were damaged by the thunderstorm were inspected and provided financial assistance to mitigate the loss incurred.

The sudden thunderstorm that wreaked havoc also caused damage to several residential houses at Kwakta area in Bushnupur district. The heavy rainstorm blown away roofing sheets of the two-storey Unchi Wali Masjid at Kwakta Sevla which landed at the campus of Sevla Primary School around 100 feet from the masjid.

Supply of power current in the area was cut off after several electric posts were blown by the thunderstorm. Building of INA Memorial High School and residential properties at Kwakta Bazar and Ukha Tampak, Churachandpur were also shattered.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/thunderstorm-lashes-houses-properties/

IMPHAL, April 23: The All Manipur Hill District Contract Basis Teachers`™ Association (AMHDCBTA) has threatened the State government that they would further intensify their agitation until their demands are met.

The JAC with the endorsement and supports of All Naga Students`™ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), KUKI Students`™ Organisation (KSO-GHQ), Zeliangrong Students`™ Union, Manipur (ZSUM), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Naga Students`™ Union, Chandel (NSUC), Zomi Students`™ Federation (ZSF), GHQ, Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) have been imposing the closure of all National and Central sponsored projects undertaken in Manipur since 9 April demanding the regularisation of hill district contract basis teachers 2006 batch, under the Directorate of Education (S) Hills.

Endorsing and extending support the ongoing agitation of the JAC-AMHDCBTA, ANSAM and KSO, GHQ also imposed 72 hours ban of the Inter-State Transport Service from 20 April.

While a media team today visited the Moa gate it was found that 100 of vehicles carrying essentials commodities and goods were stranded and passengers coming to Imphal stopped by the JAC-AMHDCBTA and volunteers and were asked them to cooperate and stay at the Mao gate until the 72 hours highway ban is expired which will end by April 24 midnight.

The passengers, driver who has been stranded due to the ban were having a hard time as the rice hotels, shops were also closed and few of the passengers are with their children facing more troubles.

While speaking to media, one of the JAC members asserted that understanding the hardship of the drivers who has been at the roadside since April 20 midnight and those passengers who has been awaiting to reach home the highway ban will be lifted for few hours but the JAC will continue with stronger agitation until the demands are met.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/hill-districts-contractual-teachers-to-continue-agitation/

IMPHAL, April 23: Owing to the ongoing cease work strike launched by daily wage staff of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in pursuit of their demands which started from April 21, normal post mortem examination of dead body at the hospital mortuary has been ceased.

According to reports received by IFP, there are 475 daily wage employees of the medical institute with 14 working at the mortuary. The 14 employees have been working at the mortuary ever since its establishment but they are still getting salary based on daily wages.

The daily wage staff had launched the cease work strike demanding removal of Director of JNIMS and service regularization of them at the earliest.

The higher authority of the institute while appealing the striking staff today to suspend the agitation immediately, assured them that an order will be issued regarding their upgradation to staff on contract basis within ten days.

Even if the employees agree to call off their stir following the assurance of the institute`™s authority, they will continue with their agitation to wear black badge.

It may be mentioned here that following the joining of the staff working at the mortuary in the cease work strike, post mortem examinations of two dead bodies kept at the hospital morgue were not performed in the last two days.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/cease-work-stir-halts-post-mortem-examination-at-jnims-morgue/

IMPHAL, April 23: Culling of fowls within the infected zone which is within a radius of 1 km aerial distance from the epi-centre ICAR, Lamphelpat, will be completed on April 24, Veterinary and Animal Hunbandry joint director Dr H Chaoba informed media persons today while speaking on the steps taken up by the directorate following the confirmed outbreak of the Avian Influenza in the State capital.

The next step, according to the jt director will be mopping and combing operation.

He also appealed to the general public, especially the poultry breeders to co-operate as the containment exercise is about to end.

The culling exercise was conducted today at various places including Lamphel, nearby ICAR complex, Police family line quarters, RIMS Nurse colony, AG colony, CRPF colony, Sinam Leikai, Watham Leirak, Lairenhanjaba Leikai, Hijam Leikai, PDA complex, Areas near Central School etc.

On the fourth day today, four more team (two monitoring teams and two mobile teams which included a camera team) were added to the previously existing 10 Rapid Response team, he said.

3007 adult boiler, 523 adult duck, 4065 chicken and 28 Turkey were culled today while 265 eggs, 780 kg of poultry feeds were also destroyed by the RRT teams with full co-operation from the public, according to an official statement.

Fresh Personal Protective Equipments were also issued to the RRT members with help from the North East Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Institute of Animal Health Veterinary Department Assam.

Except for a stray incident at Langol Tarung Village today there was no untoward incident reported during the entire exercise in the past few days, Chaoba said.

He continued that after the culling operation is completed, the infected areas will be sensitized and cleaned and sanitization certificates for the areas concerned will be issued, he continued.

It will take another 10 days for the entire process to complete, he said stating that consumption of already dressed poultry will be allowed though there could be some restrictions on transferring of live fowls.

The concerned DC will also urged to issue notification regarding safe consumption of poultry, he continued.

He said distribution of compensation for culled poultry which were recorded will also be taken up soon.

Compensation will not be provided to anyone found hiding their live poultry, he continued.

He said the Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N!) can`™t survive in water boiling upto 70 degree Celsius and as such after sanitization certificates are issued people can start consuming poultry properly cooked.

However, samples of fowls will be sent for testing to the ACT Directorate National Institute of High Security Animal Disease, Bhopal every fortnight as part of surveillance exercise, he added.

This exercise will be continued for two months after which the infected areas can start rearing poultry with proper surveillance for another three months, he said adding that very soon an expert team from Delhi will be arriving in the State to initiate the surveillance exercise.

He also said that the areas will also have to be declared free of Avian influenza by the OIE World Animal organisation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/90-percent-culling-of-fowls-in-infected-zone-complete-vety-jt-director/

IMPHAL, April 23: Altogether 42, 903 people of 7952 families in areas within 3 km of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Lamphelpat, Imphal West have been surveyed so far by health officials during its ongoing extensive survey on flu which started from yesterday.

The survey is being executed by 13 Sectors comprising of medical experts under Health Services Manipur following the confirmation of the contagious Bird Flu outbreak which was first reported from chicks reared at the Poultry Unit of ICAR Lamphelpat on April 18.

According to reports gathered from Health Services Manipur, a total of 18, 292 people of 3663 families in Imphal West within 3 km of the epicentre were done survey yesterday. However, no one was found infected with the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus, Bird Flu.

As for today, the survey was conducted on 24, 611 people of 4289 families in Imphal West within the surveillance zone but no one was found acquired symptoms related to transmission of Bird Flu.

The survey will be conducted further on people residing within 3 km of the ICAR complex, the reports added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/bird-flu-outbreak-42903-people-surveyed-so-far/

By Alex Guite

LAMKA, April 23: The unfortunate village of Hengken, Sangaikot, TD Block, whose villagers had in the past threaten to collectively burn their job cards as they have received no benefit whatsoever, fell victim to a storm which created havoc and damage approximately five houses of the village yesterday.

Fortunately, there were no human casualties.

The roof of one of the houses was totally blown off by the fierce wid accompanying the storm.

A chunk of the newly constructed Hengken Village community hall`™s roof was blown off and fell some 50 metres far at the village chief`™s compound.

A villager, who identified herself as Lamlhing said it was around midnight when they heard a cracking sound and found a portion of her kitchen damaged.

The wind was making fearful sounds, making them confused whether to run away from their house or to stay put, she said.

Another villager, Seilienlal whose house roof was blown off completely during the storm said it was sere luck that his family survived.

MDC Churachandpur member Tongkai Baite visited and consoled the affected victims today.

Another intending candidate of the ADC election Pumtulthang visited two other houses in another village Tuining Village which were also damaged by the late night storm.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/hengken-village-hit-hard-by-storm/

IMPHAL, April 22: The United States `“ India Educational Foundation (USIEF) has extended the application deadline for joining International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) which is for full time school teachers (grades 6 to 12) teaching English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and Special Education at schools in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal up to April 30, conveyed a press release of USIEF.

This U.S. Government sponsored program will provide international teachers with unique opportunities to develop expertise in their subjects, enhance their teaching skills and increase their knowledge about the United States. The semester- long non-degree, non-credit academic program at a U.S. University includes seminars on new teaching methodologies, curriculum development, lesson planning, and teaching strategies.

As part of the academic program, participants will work in groups to develop a unique teacher professional development module. The program participants will have the opportunity to observe an American classroom and team-teach with U.S. teachers in a U.S. secondary school near their host university. Cultural enrichment, mentoring, and support will be provided throughout the program. The program will commence in January 2016 and conclude in May 2016. The selected Indian teachers will travel on J 1 visas and receive round-trip airfare, maintenance and other applicable allowances.

For more information, interested persons may contact Shevanti Narayan, Regional Officer, USIEF Kolkata Regional Office, American Center, 38 A, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata 700 071.

Phone no of the office is 033-3984 6310, E-mail: and Website: www.usief.org.in, the release informed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/usief-extends-deadline-for-joining-ilep-program/

SENAPATI, April 22: With support and endorsement from several tribal bodies of the State, the 72-hour total bandh of the All Manipur Hill Districts Contract Basis Teachers association (AMHDCBTA) for all Inter State Road Transport Services on National/Trans Asian Highways particularly Imphal-Dimapur Road NH-102, Imphal-Silchar Road NH-37, Imphal-Aizawl Road NH-150 and Trans-Asian Road, Pallel-Moreh NH-102 has been running successful.

More than 200 buses and trucks ferrying passengers and commodities have remained stranded since the bandh was enforced.

The bandh has been enforced since April 20 by a JAC formed within the association demanding the State government for service regularisation of the hill districts contract basis teachers of 2006 batch.

These hill districts contract basis teachers were appointed by the Directorate of Education following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Manipur and difference tribal civil organisation spearheaded by the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur following a 53- day long economic blockade. Their appointment was made to cater to the needs of the government schools in the hill with acute shortage of teachers and headmasters/headmistress way back in 2006.

After their appointment for about two years, they have neither been utilised nor paid remuneration till date according to a report received from the spokesperson of the JAC, AMHDCBTA.

The appointment and engagement of this contract basis teachers were made after due advertisement and also obtaining the finance memo from the Finance Department, GOM and that, the service extension order of this contract basis teachers and payment of remuneration was made only up to 2008 and thereafter, no extension order was made despite of rendering their valuable services for the past many years, the report said.

In November 2011, the physical verification accompanied with relevant documents was conducted by the Directorate of Education (S) for service extension/regularisation and in the due process, 772 numbers of contract basis teachers were found genuine by the concerned directorate and had put up to the higher authority for necessary action. However, no concrete development has been ruled out till date as according to the reply of the spokesperson of the JAC when asked.

It is also asserted that, countless numbers of representations approaches were made to the State government by the JAC and various hill and valley based students`™ bodies and many civil society organisations of the State had initiated steps to redress the hardships of the association and to provide adequate teachers in the schools of the hill but, the GOM has remained silent compelling the JAC to enforce ban of national and central projects since April 9 till date.

The Naga People`™s Organisation (NPO) had also urged the government, earlier to do the needful as deemed fit of the demands made by the JAC.

The spokesperson of the association observed that the State government is adopting the Use and Dispose policy towards the long suffering teachers of the hills which is purely a violation of the Human Rights.

In a joint press statement, the All Naga Students`™ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and the Kuki Students`™ Association, General Headquarter (KSO-GH) too had urged the State government, endorsing and to support the ongoing agitation of the JAC, AMHDCBTA.

Further, the two student bodies had warned the GOM to call it as a State issue if the government fails to redress the matter before April 25.

The JAC further warned the state government to initiate a harder form of democratic agitation if the government fails to the needful at the earliest.

Chandel: Normal life have been affected along Imphal -Moreh section of NH 102 for the second day due to the 72 hours blockade called by the Joint Action Committee of All Manipur Hill Districts Contract Basis Teachers Association (AMHDCBTA).

A group of contract teachers and volunteers blocked the Imphal-Moreh Section of National Highway 102 by piling up of woods and boulder near Thamlapokpi Village in Chandel District and burned down goods after pulling down essential commodities from vehicles.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/vehicles-stranded-along-highways-due-to-72hour-bandh/

IMPHAL, April 22: Governor of Manipur, Dr. KK Paul has extended his heartiest greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Khongjom Day, 2015 which falls on April 23.

In his message, the Governor said, “™Khongjom Day is celebrated in Manipur to remember and pay homage to the forefathers who laid down their lives bravely for the freedom of their motherland. They fought valiantly against the mighty British in the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 and made the supreme sacrifice without the thought of compromise or surrender ever crossing their mind. Their patriotism and courage are stuff of the folklore now,`™`™.

Requesting the people of the state to preserve and defend the sovereignty of the country and prepare to face all challenges that come in the way, the Governor wished for all the people to forget their differences and join hands to work for the cause of the nation, to put the country on the path of development and unhindered progress with the coming of Khongjom Day observation.

Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th. Lokeshwar Singh also greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Khongjom Day and paid tribute to the forefathers who fought bravely in the Khongjom War for the sake of the people.

A message from the Speaker said in 1891, the then ruler of Manipur and forefathers without proper machineries fought against the mighty British for the freedom of the motherland. Although the forefathers knew beforehand that they will be defeated in the war, they still fought valiantly.

The people of the state are proud of being descendants of such brave men. Like the brave martyrs, people of all communities living in the state should live together in harmony and try to build a developed Manipur, the Speaker said in the message.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/guv-speaker-greet-on-khongjom-day/

IMPHAL, April 22: At least five persons including two women were injured when a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by unidentified persons exploded near the 1st Gate of the Manipur University under Singjamei Police Station, Imphal West this evening around 4:10.

The injured persons have been identified as Ningthoujam Romeo, 19 son of N Tombisana Singh of Khangabok Partb II Maisnam Leikai; Irengbam Jugeshwar Singh, 63 of Irengban; Khomdram Bijen Singh, 23 son of Kh Birkumar Singh of Yairipok Khoirom; Ngangom Asha Devi, 26 daughter of Ng Dhananjoy Singh of Langpok Maning Leikai and Chanambam Anjana Devi, 31 wife of Ch Sanajaoba Singh of Bihnupur Ward no 4.

According to reports culled from the spot, one of the injured Ningthoujam Romeo works as a mason at the construction site of a culvert near the Iron Gate constructed by PWD along the highway and around 20 meter north of the 1st Gate of the university.

The IED bomb wrapped in a plastic bag was found planted along the roadside of the Indo-Burma Road.

Unaware of the contents of the bag, another worker of the construction site had moved it to an open space.

The IED went off suddenly when Romeo tried to open and look inside.

He was hit by splinters in different parts of his body and is undergoing treatment at RIMS Hospital in a critical condition.

The four others who escaped with minor injuries have been discharged from the hospital.

The impact of the blast was so powerful that it left a one foot deep pit with a 2.5 feet radius.

The splinters of the bomb also hit the pillars of the Iron Gate and flex signboards put up nearby.

On receiving reports of the blasr, a team of Imphal West District Police led by additional SP Dr S Ibomcha rushed to the spot and inspected the site.

Bomb experts of Manipur Police and CRPF along with sniffer dogs and metal detectors also arrived at the area, reports stated.

It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam will be passing through this route to take part in the Khongjom Day observation at Khebaching at Khongjom tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Manipur has strongly condemned the blast.

In a statement, the AAP Manipur said triggering bombs in public places and killing innocent people by several unknown extremists/vested groups have deeply shattered the normal life and natural freedom of the common people.

It futher appealed to all concerned irrespective of ideologies to refrain from terrorizing innocent public in any manner from today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/five-civilians-injured-as-powerful-ied-explodes-near-mu-gate/

IMPHAL, April 22: The BJP Manipur Pradesh has filed an RTI seeking a detailed report on use of funds and developmental works taken up by the 60 sitting MLAs of the State during 2012 and 2015.

Speaking to media persons in this regards during a press meet today at the party`™s office, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba informed the RTI was filed by the party`™s RTI Cell.

Expressing seriousness on the matter, he said all units of the party including from the block and district levels will hold a meeting to meticulously discuss the issue.

The meeting, he said will emphasized on three main issues including the series of scams reported in the Minor Irrigation department, the recent death of an old age pensioners while waiting for her pension amount and the grievances of the VDF personnel on strike.

Further elaborating on the course of action regarding the issues, Chaoba informed that the BJP will conduct spot investigations of all the dam sites under MI department wherein scandals have been reported like at Wanghemkhuman, Kabowakching and Sanjenbam-Pukhrambam areas of Nambol under Bishnupur district, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West districts etc.

To mount further pressure on the government, the BJP would be staging a series of demonstrations, added Chaoba.

With regards to the death of the old aged pensioner at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground, he said that BJP will collect the list of detailed information about old aged persons who are yet to receive their pension amount starting with the 40 Assembly Constituency of the valley district.

At the same time, he urged the concerned minister to resign on moral ground taking full responsibility for the ill-fated incident.

Moreover, the BJP will come out with a list of pensioners, most of which are close relatives of MLAs and minister who are enjoying the pension scheme beyond norms, said Chaoba.

On the VDF issue, the BJP Manipur president said the VDF personnel are being exploited by the State government.

Recalling how the VDF came into being following the Heirok incident, he said that the central government had recommended recruitment of only 1000 VDF, however, the Congress government taking advantage of its stability recruited more than 12 thousand to woo voters just ahead of the 2012 election.

Unfortunately, those MLAs who won the election by virtue of the VDF votes today have remained silent spectators watching them get exploited, said Th Chaoba.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/bjp-files-rti-seeking-report-of-developmental-works-undertaken-by-60-mlas/

IMPHAL, April 22: Altogether 6289 poultry were culled today by 10 Rapid Response Team of the State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry in connection with the confirmed outbreak of Bird Flu in the State.

According to the official report of the directorate, the RRT also destroyed 264 eggs as well as 376 kg poultry feeds.

Today`™s bird culling operations were conducted at 10 different locations within the 1 km radius from epicenter ICAR Lamphelpat where the outbreak of the HPAI was declared.

A RRT led by Mayang Imphal Veterinary Hospital, veterinary officer Dr T Indumati Devi conducted the operation at Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai and Tarung Villages, whereas Sekmai Veterinary Hospital veterinary officer Dr Kh Ibetombi Devi led another team in the area around ICAR, Lamphelpat.

In the areas of Lamphel Officer Colony behind Lamphel Police Station and Officer`™s Club area Hiyanglam Veterinary Dispensary veterinary officer Dr RK Imochouba Singh led a team, Veterinary Hospital Kangpokpi, veterinary officer Dr L Ronibal Devi led another RRT and conducted the culling operation around AG Colony, CRPF Colony and adjoining areas.

Sabal Leikai Veterinary Hospital Officer veterinary officer Dr TH Sukumar Singh lead his team and conducted operation at PDA Complex and adjoining areas, while, veterinary officer of Pony Sanctuary, Heingang Dr M Menjor Singh and his team conducted the operation at Thangmeiband Hijam Leikai.

Veterinary officer of Cattle Farm Turibari Dr N Padam Singh led his team around Tarung Village upto road approaching the village while, DVO, Senapati veterinary officer Dr Muhindro Singh led his team in conducting the culling operation at Central School, Imphal Road.

The RRT led by AEO of DVO, Imphal East conducted the operation along the road approaching Shija Hospital and Research Institutes.

An official of the directorate said the public had fully cooperated during today`™s operations and that the RRTs were accompanied by a medical and revenue team.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/vety-officials-continue-culling-of-poultry/