Month: April 2015

IMPHAL, April 7: Minister Phungzathang Tonsing called upon the public to have their children between 0-2 years and pregnant women immunized to prevent affliction by life threatening diseases.

He was speaking on the launch of Mission Indradhanush Campaign at the YPA GHQ Hall, Hiangtam Lamka, Churachandpur District.

In the 201 High Focus District in India, four district of Manipur, namely Churachandpur, Senepati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul are included, he said.

In Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, 2821, 2286, 1418 and 1272 children respectively all in the age group of 0-2 years and 551, 948, 627 and 1282 pregnant women respectively were to be immunized, he said.

He said the number of immunisations sessions planned for Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul are 182, 306, 126 and 117 respectively, and the number of ANM/ASHA/AWW to be engaged for the job are 250, 556, 166 and 153 respectively.

As a strategic endeavour the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the `Mission Indradhanush` in December 2014 to achieve more than 90 percent full immunization coverage in the country by 2020.

During the inaugural function the Minister further said that every person must have their health checked regularly to keep healthy, and this needs to start from infancy thus it is a must to immunize both pregnant mother and child between 0-2 years.

The Mission Indradhanush initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is aimed at getting rid of life threatening infections of infants and pregnant mothers within the next five years, he said and added that the most important thing in life is health care thus every individual must cooperate in this endeavour.

Phungzathang Tonsing also appealed to the ASHA, ANN workers and concern authorities to engage full heartedly in this campaign.

He also announced that the Churachandpur District Hospital will be up-graded to full-fledged 200-bedded hospital within this year.

The Director, Health Society cum Director Health Mission, Okram Ibomcha said that the Government of India is committed to reduce child mortality and morbidity in the country by improving fill immunization coverage through universal immunization programme and introducing new and efficacious vaccines for vaccine preventable diseases such as diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.

Under Mission Indradhanush, the government has identified 201 high focus districts across the country. The nationwide mission intensified routine immunization drive for ensuring high coverage throughout the country which will be conducted between April-July for seven days per district, with the focus of 201 high districts of the country.

He continued that unimmunized and partially immunized children are most susceptible to childhood diseases and disabilities and run 3-6 times higher risk of death as compared with fully immunized children.

He said that the World Health Organisation, India will provide technical support to government by building sustainable instructional capacity for effective planning and implementation and undertake routine performance monitoring that district/block level for timely delivery of routine immunization services, and added that the UNICEF to support State, district and block level for social mobilization activities, dissemination of information and their monitoring through its social mobilization network.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/phungzathang-calls-on-all-to-make-mission-indradhanush-health-campaign-a-success/

IMPHAL, April 7: Volunteers of Khomidok Sorok Mapan Village Anti-Drug Committee (KSMVADC) during a drive conducted in and around Heikrumakhong under Heingang Police Station, Imphal East today pulled up 25 drug abusers including a police constable.

According to president of KSMVADC, M Amu, the police constable is identified as Sonlien, 28 son of Sonlien Yeiti. His constable number is 0904178 and is currently posted at Senapati Police Station.

Several items used in injecting heroin drug were seized from his possession. The volunteers handed over him to Heingang Police Station for further necessary actions.

Another individual identified as Md Itah Khan, 35 son of Md Nazimuddin was also rounded up along with one piece of heroin.

It is said that he managed to escape from the custody of the committee. He has been served two days of time to approach the committee failing which strict action will be taken up against him.

The individuals who were pulled up along with intoxicant drugs during the drive are identified as Khuraijam Nanao, 29 so of Kh Indrajit Singh of Mantripukhri Lamlongei; Oinam Redin, 29 son of O Rabei Singh of Mantripukri Lamlongei; Irengbam Abung, 25 son of Late I Binodkumar Singh of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai; Khangembam Thomas, 27 son of Kh Koireng of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi Ningthoujam Leikai and Wahengbam Subhas, 27 alias Abung son of W Babudhon Singh of Khurai Thongam Leikai.

Those who were pulled up along with drugs will be handed over to the police while those found without drugs will be handed over to their families, the president of KSMVADC informed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/drug-abusers-including-a-police-constable-pulled-up/

IMPHAL, April 7: The Zeliangrong Baudi, Assam Manipur Nagaland (ZB, AMN), Manipur, Zeliangrong Student`™s Union, Longmei Students`™Union and several other Longmei organisations have strongly condemned the act of inhuman treatment and torturing to one of the proscribe ZUF cadre by the 8 Assam Rifle on April 6.

While speaking at the press conference held at the Manipur Press Club, President of Longmai Students`™ Union Poujailung has stated that the inhuman treatment of torturing and dragging the civilian semi naked on the road of Noney Bazar by the AR is an act of barbarism and a gross violation of human rights.

The AR`™s beastly treatment of the people is not acceptable at any cost and as a citizen of the democratic Indian nation, every individual has the right to live freely within the country without unnecessary harassment from the security forces, he added.

An official source however said, Joseph is a self styled captain of the ZUF, and the Noney area commander, and a resident of the Noney-IV, Peaceland. The source also said he was caught with a 9mm pistol with 19 live rounds, along with Rs. 10,000.

The source also claimed the man was involved in two ambushes, one on the 8AR in the Noney area and another on 2/5 GR in L Khunou, both in March 2015.

However, in the press conference, Poujailong further narrated that during the incident on the afternoon of 6 April, the arrested cadre was pulled half naked tight with a rope and severely beaten in full public view and the 8 AR CO shouted in a very challenging tone `Come out women folk, now the war has begun, I command 2000 soldiers`. The act of the AR CO clearly showed that the AR behaved like an invading enemy and not as a protector to citizen anymore and it is not the 1st incident committed by the AR. Poujailong added.

Zeliangrong Students`™ Union State Secretary, Shangru Gangmei has said that the villagers are facing acute hardship with continuous atrocities causing fear and perilous situation under the spell of security forces terrorism.

The security forces torture, harass and violate Human Rights rendering the people helpless even as the agricultural season sets in and the public are fear ridden to move out of the villages or to return to their villages, he added. He continued that the presence of the AR is disrupting the economic life of the villages, frequent patrolling in the villages caused immense fear psychosis for health patients like BP ailments, old age persons, women and children.

During the Conference, President, Longmei Students`™ Union, Pouheilung Golmei has informed the media that a joint leaders`™ meeting was held at the office of Longmei Bazaar Board in connection with the issue in the evening of 6 April.

The Longmei organisations strongly demanded the security forces of 8 Assam Rifles posted at Noney (Longmai) to apologise to the people of Noney either through media and also urged the government of India, government of Manipur and the concerned authority of the security forces to intervene and prevent from illegal activities of the security forces and provide peace and stability to the poor innocent villagers.

ouheilung Golmei also said that if the concerned authority do not promptly act in this regard and if 8 AR failed to apologise for their misdeed the joint leaders of different Longmei organisations will not remain a silent spectator and further course of agitation will be initiated, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/inhuman-tortured-of-captured-zuf-cadre-by-ar-flayed-by-public/

IMPHAL, April 7: Funds for various development projects of the Government of Manipur at the three Longsai villages have been misused by the chairman of village and village chief for their personal ends, neglecting the village people`™s welfare said by Social Reformation Committee Chairmen Poulumdai Kamei today.

He further said that villages chief, Poujanglung Golmei, always do works for own benefits by discriminating the rights of villagers. He further charged that the chief also has been neglecting the development of the village school, which today has no teachers or substitute teachers attending regularly, and all money meant for salaries of teachers have been siphoned off.

He also appealed to the school teachers posted to Longsai Primary Schools to attend school for welfare of the village children.

While, Keystone Company Private Limited has been destroying the hillside in quarrying, Pamei Pouhuailung has been interested only in the benefits he reaps out of the deal, which is unjust as according to Rongmei Customary Land Laws, the land is owned by the villagers he said.

He further said that social reformation committee Longsai Tubung has strongly condemned the act and urge to settle the matter immediately.

Until and unless the matter is settled with the field owners, no vehicle or machinery of the Keystone Company Private Limited will be allowed to ply within Longsai Tubung Village jurisdiction, he said. If anybody flouts this restriction, the untoward incidents occur and damage or casualty result, the committee will not bear any responsibility, he added.

He said that the SRC also pointed out the teachers under district council posted in Primary School of Longsai Villages have never attended the school furthermore the villagers have never were aware that ASHA has been implemented in the village.

In these regard the committee has strongly appealed to the higher authority to look into the matter seriously for the welfare of the concerned people.

He also cautioned that if the village chief tried to use force, the SRC will face him for the welfare of the village.

The SRC also organized a one-day Awareness Programme of Longsai Tubung Villages under the theme of Transformation, which villagers including men`™s, women`™s and children`™s attended.

Longsai Tubung are a group of three villages under Khoupum Sub Division of Tamenglong District and is about 24km by road from Bishnupur Bazaar, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/longsai-villages-sore-with-chiefs-arrogance-src-chairman/

KANGPOKPI, Aprril 7: The United Naga Council (UNC) has today cautioned that any situation that endangers or jeopardizes the Naga political position will not be allowed into the land of the Nagas and will be treated as anti Naga.

The UNC caution comes after the Government of India committed in writing the setting up of a High Level Committee to work out and translate the Indo-Naga political dialogue into political reality recently.

A press statement of UNC Publicity Wing stated that `more than half a decade old Indo-Naga political dialogue has reached a point when a lasting settlement is eminent and at the same time the demand of the Nagas in Manipur for an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending Indo-Naga political settlement pursued through the democratic process of dialogue has reached a logical stage where the Government of India has committed in writing for setting up of a High Level Committee to work out and translate into political reality.`

Therefore, it said `any situation that endangers or jeopardizes our established position built up with blood and tears should not be allowed into our land.` It added that `any policies, programs and activities of any political party(s) or individual(s) who either in speech, written statement, visual display or in action opposing our established and registered political position will be treated as anti Nagas.`

It further reiterated the UNC`™s Declaration of the 3rd NPC of 1stJuly 2010 held at Tahamzam (Senapati) Hqtrs. which declared `severance of Political ties with the communal Government of Manipur and also, had been reaffirmed and reiterated time and again in the subsequent resolutions of the UNC Council Assembly and UNC Presidential Meetings that Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers and MLAs and un-mandated ADC Members of the communal Government of Manipur who have been suppressing and oppressing the Naga peoples`™ rights and its political aspiration are not welcome and their entry in Naga areas under the guise of development program/inaugurations/laying of foundation stones/seminars/workshops/conference in any manner and whatsoever.`

It said the presidents of `Naga tribe hohos and Naga Frontal Organisations are appeal to extend fullest co-operation and take up appropriate measures in their respective jurisdiction in the larger interest of the Naga people. Any group(s) or individual(s) defying the directive of peaceful and democratic appeal shall be at their own risk`.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/any-situation-that-endangers-the-naga-political-position-will-be-treated-as-antinaga-unc/

IMPHAL, April 7: In protest against the government`™s decision to transfer headmaster of Lamding Model High School which is the lone model school in Thoubal district and subsequently posting an Assistant Graduate Teacher to the school to take charge as a regular headmaster, students of the school on Tuesday refrained teachers including other staff from entering the school.

It may be mentioned here that the incensed students had already boycotted class in the school. They cautioned intense agitation will be launched in case the government fails to send a regular headmaster to the school before April 10.

Meanwhile, ZEO of Zone III Thoubal Kh Amuba paid a visit to the school today to take stock of the prevailing situation. Though he does not hold talk with the enraged students, the ZEO assured parents of the students that earnest efforts would be put in to fulfil the demand of the students within two/three days.

Speaking to media persons, one of the student protesters while strongly condemning the transfer order issued by Deputy Secretary (Education/S), Education Department questioned the government how a teacher who does not qualify Recruitment Rules could take charge as a regular headmaster of the school.

Pledging that the ongoing agitation of the students will not cease until and unless the government sends a competent headmaster to the school, the student warned that any untoward incident arises out of the situation should be the sole responsibility of the government.

Volunteers of AMSU Thoubal District Branch also visited the school to discuss the demand sought by the students. There, they observed that the demand of the students is genuine and that it deserved to be fulfilled at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/enraged-students-threaten-intense-stir-over-headmasters-transfer/

IMPHAL, April 7: About 100 meter long crack found along the HN-2 Imphal-Dimapur road at Maphiliu area under Senapati district indicating the likelihood fresh landslide, resulted in many heavy vehicles stranded waiting for an alternative route.

According to Saloni, EE PWD Senapati district, his department got the information of the landslide warning on this stretch of the road when locals reported crack above the road NH-2 this morning. The fresh landslide warning has prompted the evacuation of two three houses of five family this morning.

He further said that PDW Sanapati has requested the Imphal division for earth moving equipments to construct new road diversion on side of the road. The earth works for the road construction will start from tomorrow morning after the machineries reach the spot, he added.

Around seven houses will be evacuated on both sides of the road, he said.

The situation was aggravated last Sunday as rain waters accumulated as there were no drainage following a mudslide which blocked the waterway. The water thereafter all flowed toward the construction site on the eastern side of the road, he said.

The earth absorbed the accumulated water as as heavy loaded trucks passed over them the road began to crack in the middle, setting off the landslide alarm.

The PDW Senapati has promptly started working to remove the mud blocking the waterway, he said.

Meanwhile, the public of the area told media persons that the houses constructed on the eastern side found some water during earth work after Sunday heavy rainfall in the area.

Later this morning the situation reached alarming level as the crack increased, necessitating the evacuation of the houses and family on the advice of the DC Senapati, Jasintha.

The vehicle plying on the road have been stopped and diverted to an alternative route along the old district hospital. The concern SP K Kavit and PWD National Highway Division II EE Dinesh lead a team and inspected the area and instructed not allow to heavy vehicle on the road from 3 pm today.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/nh2-cracks-at-maphiliu-prompting-landslide-fear-stranded-vehicles-await-alternative-route/

IMPHAL, 7 April: Commenting on the new policy of NDA government of co-operative federalism, all the state received funds accordingly to the size and population of the states. Manipur received Rs. 236 crores and this shows that BJP is not biased on which parties rule in each state, said Irom Mangiton Vice-President BJP Manipur Pradesh.

This was mentioned during a one day BJP political awareness cum Mega BJP online enrolment campaign held at the residence of Woba Zoram BJP Executive member of BJP, Tugngam Afii village Paomata under Mao constituency Senapati District.

He further said that the upcoming ADC election in 6 hill districts can give a political impact to the present situation of Manipur Politics. A new hope and aspiration of the people of Manipur can be given a ray of hope for development and good governance, he said.

He said that this is the right opportunity for the hill people to look for a change in the Manipur political scenario under the People representative Act 1951 which can choose the people`™s own leaders through election.

The BJP can bring development and good governance under the leadership of NDA government lead by Narendra Modi. It is time to make a change in hills people from this ADC election as part of grass root for a bright future, he said.

M Bhorot ex-MLA and former President of BJP said that the first BJP leader who showed the seed of BJP in Hill is Asoso Uno in 1989. After him now Woba Joram is the new BJP seed in the hill, he said. Further he appealed the people to make BJP candidates succeed in ADC election and the 2017 Assembly election.

Salam Ibohal member core committee of BJP said that BJP is working to keep five commitments of nation integration, strengthen the democratic value, Gandhian way of socialism, respect of caste and creed and believe in value base politics.

He said that BJP germinating in the hills after prolong years is a sign of that image of development and good governance is reaping result in the Senapati area especially in Mao constituency.

Prof. S Tiken said that the propaganda that BJP is anti-Christen is false and propagated by the Congress party.

Woba Joram execultive member of the BJP Manipur Pradesh said that Mao has 9 ADC seats and this time BJP will take all the seats. The ADC election the preparation for the upcoming general election 2017, and hopefully here too the BJP representative will be elected as MLA from Mao Constituency, he said.

He said that the motto of BJP is to bring new hope and bring change.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/upcoming-adc-election-can-begin-the-process-of-ushering-in-a-new-government-in-manipur-bjp/

IMPHAL, April 6: The results of the first election of BAR Council of Manipur were declared today at the High Court of Manipur, Mantripukhri.

The election for the Bar Council of Manipur was held on April 4 and counting of the election was conducted on April 5.

Out of the 29 candidates contesting in the election only 15 were elected as the executive members. As the election was conducted late they will hold the office for two years only but from next term the elected executive members will render their services for complete five years.

The elected members of the BAR council of Manipur are Okram Madhuchandra Singh (got 458 votes), Namoijam Ibotombi Singh (got 446 votes), Kangabam Rabei Singh (416 votes), RK Nakulsana Singh (409).

Further, Ramung Shimrah Reisang (404), Khaidem Santa Singh (403), Ashangbam Jagjit Singh (384), Lamabam Shyamkishwor Singh (383), Yelam Ramananda Singh (372), Irom Lalit Kumar Singh (365).

Furthermore, Chingangbam Dhananjoy Singh (364), Naiyem Kumarjit Singh (354), Khwairakpam Iboyaima (341), Kongjenbam Manorama Devi (334) and Soibam Devajit Singh (308).

The election was conducted by N Robot Singh as the returning officer. He said that the election was conducted in a very fair manner. 632 voters turned up to vote during the election at 4 booths.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/fifteen-members-elected-to-bar-council-office/

CHANDEL, April 6: Many homes including agriculture and horticulture crops of villages located in and around the district head quarters Chandel have been affected by the terrific thunder storm accompanied by hailstones that occurred Sunday evening.

This is the first natural disaster of its kind, recorded in the district during the year where thunder and lightning amidst the heavy rainfall accompanied by falling of hails measuring about 2-3 cm in diameters have perforated GI Sheets of many houses and also affecting many agri-horti crops.

Most of the villages located in the district head quarters area including Riverlane, Lambung, Phunchung, Chandel Christian, Mantri Pantha and Hnahringkhu villages were affected by the hail and storm.

Even though the exact amount of rainfall and the total loss of damage to properties and crops have not been measured or estimated, many of the village chiefs have informed this correspondent who along with president of Chandel Naga People`™s Organisation (CNPO) Ws Kanral Anal went on for enquiry to the affected village, that several GI sheet roofed-houses were perforated and several crops were also destroyed in the calamity.

According to the chief of Riverline village, Ws Boyesh Anal, around 22 houses have been affected in his village while 20 houses have been affected in Phunchung and Lambung village respectively.

While visiting Riverline village, president of CNPO Ws Kanral Anal handed 5 bundles of GI Sheets to the chief Ws Boyesh for distribution among the affected villagers.

Later talking to this correspondent, president Kanral appealed district administration for quick assessment of the damages done and to extend all possible help to the affected villagers as soon as possible.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/thunder-storm-affects-many-villages-in-chandel-cnpo-extends-help/

IMPHAL, April 6: A four day state level mega workshop on Decentralized Planning `Bottom `“Up Approach` was launched today at Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat organized by the State Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj as a part of National Initiative for Transforming India (NITI) AaYOG.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa speaking at the function said, `Decentralization is the new mantra to rural development.`

He reemphasized on the importance of all the stages of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Director of RD & PR, Dr K Shyamsunder Singh said, `We hope that this workshop will benefit the Zilla Parishads and Pradhans as they lead the rural planning for all the Flagship Programmes in future.`

On the opening day, three topics were presented in the technical session namely `General Framework of Decentralised planning-a new initiative of NITI Aayog`™, `Roles of elected functionaries in the preparation of village plans with special reference to the planning process`™ and `Imperatives of Area Planning under NITI Aayog; a case study of Imphal Municipality or any Municipal area`™ by Dr Prof N Mohendro Singh, Dr E. Bijoykumar Singh, Dean, Social Sciences MU, and N Geetkumar Singh, Director, MAHUD, respectively.

Resource person Prof Dr N Mohendro Singh explained the new need based decentralization under the new NITI AaYOG during the technical session. He further elaborated on the participatory planning process, designing result targets, convergence & linkages and the imperative need of monitoring all implementation.

Y Dashumati Devi, Adhyaksha IW, Kh Surnolata Devi, Adhyaksha Thoubal, P Bimola Devi, Adhyaksha IE, Th Ithoibi Devi, Adhyaksha Bishnupur were also present at the inaugural function.

The workshop is participated by Zilla Parishads and Pradhans from all the four valley districts.

It may be mentioned that National Initiative for Transforming India (NITI) AaYOG is a modified approach to the Planning Commission`™s erstwhile approach. It aims to recognize the practical variations of different states and thereby the different needs. It gives space for the rural bodies to plan their requirement and developmental needs.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/decentralisation-is-the-new-mantra-to-rural-development-ngajokpa/

IMPHAL, April 6: Pointing out that more than 600 communal riots have taken place in different parts of the country under the BJP-led NDA Government at the centre, secretary of Communist Party of India (CPI), Manipur State Council Dr M. Nara contended that the Land Acquisition Ordinance is against the welfare of farmers as 35 percent of arable land will be acquired by corporate sectors in the name of development.

He was addressing media persons at the office of CPI Manipur State Council at Irawat Bhawan, BT Road today following his participation as one of the delegates in the 22nd Congress of CPI held at Pondicherry from March 25 to 29.

Dr Nara stated that he along with ten delegates from the state briefly highlighted the present political situation in Manipur during the conference while adding that top leaders of left party including CPI, CPI (Marxist), Al India Forward Block, RSP, Socialist Unity of India also participated in the historic event.

The Land Acquisition Ordinance is being opposed even by some leaders of BJP. Unable of the ordinance to be passed in the Rajya Sabha is a clear indication that majority of the House are against it, he said.

Informing that a one day massive nation-wide protest will be launched by the left party to register strong condemnation against the policy of the government on May 14, he said that members and workers of CPI Manipur State Council will also take active participation in the protest demonstration to extend solidarity.

Core issues pertaining to the state including the draconian Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), 1958 and safeguard of territorial integrity of the state were also minutely discussed during the gathering. The conference unanimously resolved to support Irom Sharmila who has been on fast demanding repeal of AFSPA, Dr Nara said.

He announced that CPI will launch phase wise agitation against the failure of PDS implementation in the state.

N Mangi of CPI who was present during the meet said that the party will launch series of agitation to demand conservation of wetland of the state. He also said that the party will also conduct seminar to sensitize the people about the unwarranted Land Acquisition Ordinance.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/dr-nara-highlights-political-situation-in-manipur-in-22nd-congress-of-cpi/