Day: September 23, 2015

IMPHAL, September 23: Several organizations and individuals came together to celebrate the upcoming reaffirmation of UN`™s 193 member countries commitment to 17 international development goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at Nupee Lal Memorial Complex today.

As the UN General Assembly adopted the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development” with the objective of saving the people and the planet on September 25, the civil society in welcoming this monumental moment celebrates across the globe. In India, 15 cities including Imphal celebrated the commitment today.

The celebration held under the theme `Light the Way- Manipur`™ was meant to spread the awareness and the significance of these goals which will determine the priorities of the governments for the next one and half decade.

RK Imo Singh, MLA of Sagolband A/C and S Saratkumar Sharma, Chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights graced the function as chief guest and guest of honor respectively.

All the participants partook in lighting of the candle to symbolize the hope of prosperity and development.

The celebration was adorned with Violin Recital by Kabigailiu, Joana Gangmei, M. Anshakla, W. Lillian, Yumnam Jinet and R.K. Deepika, of Indigenous and Contemporary Music Studies Institute (ICMSI); Guitar Duet by Khawaish and Parash of ICMSI and a Musical Concert by Bulu Maishnam and Jack.

Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director, Human Rights Alert in his keynote address said, `SDGs are about our lives. It targets ending poverty and hunger, improving health and ensuring quality education, making cities more sustainable, combating climate change, and protecting our oceans and forests etc. by the year 2030`™

He said, “™We want the people of Manipur to know the significance of the SDGs and also realize them. Civil society representatives from Manipur are already in New York to be part of this historic process in the UN Head Quarters. In Imphal too we are putting together a cultural afternoon to welcome the SDGs and to urge our leaders to Light theWay`™`™.

R.K. Nolinikanta shared about the significance of the celebration and the need to monitor the 17 goals in the next 15 years. `The accountability of these dreams will mark the upliftment in our lives and on this planet`™ he said.

The event was organized by Human Rights Alert, Big Sisters`™ League in partnership with Community Network for Empowerment (CONE), Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM), Extrajudicial Execution Victims Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) Indigenous Perspective (IP), Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR), Sustainable Livelihood Forum Manipur (SLFM), United Voluntary Youth Council (UVYC) various other civil society groups and individuals.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/importance-of-sustainable-development-goals-stressed/

BISHNUPUR, Sept 23: Altogether seven residential houses at Macha Ibema Khudi Thibi Leikai, Ningthoukhong Ward No 3 in Bishnupur district, were dismantled in an eviction drive conducted by the government officials in the locality using two JCB vehicles on September 21.

Guarded by personnel of Loktak Police Station and VDF, the eviction drive was led by SDO/SDM Bishnupur L Radhakanta and several other government officials.

According to family members whose houses were dismantled in the drive, the SDO/SDM Bishnupur issued an eviction notice under Manipur Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1978 on September 18.

They said family members who received the eviction notice had thought of meeting the SDO/SDM Bishnupur at his office on September 19 and 20 but could not do so as the days were holidays.

But all of a sudden, the SDO/SDM accompanied by government officials and guarded security forces arrived at the locality yesterday morning and started dismantling the houses without giving any chance to the family members to accommodate themselves in some other places.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/houses-dismantled-in-eviction-drive/

TAMENGLONG, September 23: Due to the 96-hour chakka bandh clamped in Tamenglong district from the midnight of September 19, many loaded trucks coming from Jiribam have been stranded at Khongshang area.

The bandh was imposed by the Joint Forum for Transport Welfare Association, Tamenglong demanding repair of the 39.5 km Tamenglong-Khongshang Road which is lying in deplorable condition.

Bandh supporters reportedly damaged a vehicle at Irang. All types of vehicles stayed off Tamenglong-Khongshang and Tamenglong-Tamei Road for the last three days due to the bandh.

It may be mentioned that a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) dated August 6 from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways was sent to M/S Woodhill Infrastructure Limited, Ghaziabad asking to take up `Temporary Restoration Works`™ of Tamenglong-Khongshang Road.

The total sanction amount for the restoration work is Rs 13, 23, 91, 325. It is said that the restoration works of the road will be commenced after the end of the monsoon season.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/loaded-trucks-stranded-due-to-tml-96hr-bandh/

IMPHAL, Sept 23: The Maring Uparup Assembly (MUA) has refuted the news reports published in a local daily on September 19 by one Medun Maring, president of NIPCO wherein he stated that the three bills passed by the State Assembly on August 31 do not affect the tribal.

In a press release, the MUA asked the person to clarify his statement at the earliest and said that Maring apex body does not know who Medun Maring is.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/maring-uparup-assembly-rebuffs-report/

IMPHAL, September 23: The United Naga Council (UNC) has extended utmost appreciation to Lalthanhawla, Chief Minister of Mizoram; TR Zeliang, CM of Nagaland and PA Sangma, former Speaker of Lok Sabha and other political leaders and parties for their bold decision and supporting the tribal people of Manipur and urging the President of India, Prime Minister and Governor of Manipur not to give assent to the controversial `anti-tribal`™ bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.

In a statement, the UNC also appreciated Thangso Baite, Outer MP and Khekiho Zhimomi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Nagaland for their solid support to the tribal cause.

While the whole nation is condemning the most controversial `anti-tribal`™ bills and resolutions, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has been defending both the bills and resolutions just to fulfil his selfish end by selling out his own flesh just to secure his personal position, it alleged.

It also welcomed the bold step of MLA Chandel A/C Victor Nunglhung, MLA Karong Alexandra Pou, MLA Mao L Dikho and MLA Ukhrul Samuel Risom of NPF in resigning themselves from the membership of Manipur Legislative Assembly for the tribal cause and in protest against the passing of the controversial bills and resolutions.

All Naga Ministers and MLAs should follow the same immediately in order to protect and defend the land, identity, history, culture and time honored institutions, the UNC in the statement said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/unc-applauds-nagaland-mizoram-cms-and-exlok-sabha-speaker/

IMPHAL, September 23: In the wake of the unrest and violent incidents in the hill districts mainly in Churachandpur following the passage of the three bills by the Manipur Legislative Assembly to safeguard the indigenous people, the State Cabinet convened a meeting today during which the prevailing situation was reviewed.

Chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, the meeting began at 4 pm at the CM`™s Secretariat.

According to Education and CAF & PD Minister Moirangthem Okendro who is the spokesperson of the government, the Cabinet meeting had a threadbare discussion on bringing in peace and normalcy in the State at the earliest.

He said that the meeting resolved to urge the Central government to appoint an Interlocutor so as to initiate political dialogue with Kuki underground outfits under Kuki National Organization (KNO) and United People`™s Front (UPF) which have inked Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Government of India and Government of Manipur.

Elaborating on the meeting, Okendro said that the meeting decided to take up necessary measures to bring back normalcy in the hill districts including Churachandpur at the earliest.

The Central government will be urged to appoint an Interlocutor to start meaningful political dialogue with the Kuki outfits and find a permanent solution for the sake of peace and tranquility in the State, the Minister asserted.

Informing that the Cabinet meeting also gave approval to extend the maternity leave to 180 days from 135 as availed to female employees under Central government, Okendro explained that this is in compliance with the recommendation of 6th Central Pay Commission.

Discussion was also held to conduct Combined Civil Services Examination every year by Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC), he said, adding that a calendar will be prepared in which schedule of preliminary, mains and viva-voice of the examination will be included.

The Minister went on to inform that the meeting also gave nod to direct recruitment of 13 posts of MCS, 16 MPS, 41 SDC, 4 MSS and 1 Election Officer for this year.

He disclosed that 108.55 acres of land situated in between the two Revenue Villages namely 4-Chingkhu and 11-Khundrakpam will be acquired as direct purchase for setting up of a Film Institute/Film City in the State.

The Cabinet meeting also decided to present one tine incentive cash award to those players who bagged medals in the 34th and 35th National Games, the Minister further informed, adding that coaches who participated in the games and those players who failed to clinch medals will also be presented with the award.

Apart from deciding to set up a Food Commission as part of the measures to implement National Food Security Act, 2013 in the State, the meeting also gave approval to Draft Manipur State Water Policy, 2015 and Draft Manipur Cultural Policy in principle.

The Cabinet meeting further gave consent to establishment of Manipur Tourism Corporation Limited, recruitment of required 192 contractual staff under ICDS Mission being taken up by Social Welfare Department and outsourcing of 10 Data Entry Operators, Minister Okendro concluded.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/09/cabinet-reviews-prevailing-situation-post-passage-of-bills/