Day: October 30, 2015

IMPHAL, October 29: Angry residents of Kongpal Kangkham Leikai which is located outside the western gate of the JNIMS hospital has decided to close down the gate of the Hospital from today onwards. This resolve came after much deliberations with the State government failed to come to an amicable resolve.

The crux of the matter which was highlighted once again in a press release by the convenor of the `JAC Against The Closing of the Pong Lambi by JNIMS Authority` mentioned that the throughfare of the residents of Kongpal Kangkham Leikai has been greatly hindered as the passage which has been used since time immemorial has been blocked by the State government as being a main entrance way to the hospital.

It said that the road is the most viable route for many residents of the said area and is the shortest route to come to the city premises, moreover around a 100 students of the locality are suffering hardships as they have to take a much longer detour to get to the transit area or parking.

The roadway was promised to be opened following an assurance of the local MLA , but even despite the repeated promises, there is no clear sign that there will be any positive action to remove the walling, it said.

Angry residents today confronted the local MLA and gave a stern warning that the promise made to them must be translated into action, following which until and unless, the JNIMS gate will remain closed.

The standoff between the residents of the said area and the MLA and representatives of JNIMS hospital occurred in the afternoon and disgruntled residents voiced that their plight has not been acknowledged by the government.

The press release mentioned that the public has been taking a non violent stance till date, however, the only resolve left now is to take matters into the JACs hand and force their means. It said that the public who had complained about the blockade were shot at by security personnel recently, but even then, the locals have decided not to take up any violent responses.

But, as the legitimate demands have fallen on deaf ears, there is no alternate resolve then to block the JNIMS gate and halt entry of the employees and the sick being transported to the hospital. In the regard, the JAC apologetically states that the extreme step had to be taken and requests the public to co-operate with the agitation of the Khurai locals. It may be mentioned that a JAC was formed against the closing of Pong Road along with the people of the surrounding areas affected by the closing of the said road forcefully locked the gates of JNIMS`™ ATC, OPD and Administrative Block on October 26.

The agitators had after dividing themselves into groups at around 10:30 am started locking every gate in the buildings of JNIMS one after another.

People who were already inside the hospital buildings were not allowed to come out, as much as the people who were outside were also not allowed to enter the building, halting the functioning of the hospital .

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/jac-decides-to-block-jnims-entrance-against-govt-apathy/

IMPHAL, October 30: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh should be solely held responsible in case of any negative fallout due to the Naga Peace Accord, BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba said launching an attack on the Congress government.

He was speaking at the reception function of BJP candidate for the November 21 bye election of Thongju Constituency Th Biswajit Singh which was held at the residence of former Speaker Dr Sapam Dhananjoy this morning.

He claimed the BJP Manipur Pradesh has already announced its stand and decision on the NSCN (IM) Peace Accord that it should not affect the integrity of Manipur.

Continuing his attacking stance, the BJP State president said only the Congress will disturb the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Every time, the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam meet the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister in the national capital, the two will emerge smiling at the end of the meetings, however, once they reach the State they will change and blame the BJP for all the troubles in the State, he charged.

Now, Ibobi should be blame if the Peace Accord affects the State and if the Centre fails to pass the three bills awaiting the President`™s assent, he asserted.

The Congress government in the State should talk on the government level with the NDA government in the Centre to press for assent to the three bills, Chaoba said.

Former Speaker Dr Sapam Dhananjoy said he had also applied for the party ticket, however, considering the collective good of the party he decided to withdraw and support Bishwajit instead.

He said the Thongju BJP is now a united force and will defeat the Congress candidate in the bye election.

Meanwhile, Bishwajit also acknowledge the Dhananjoy`™s support and expressed gratitude on getting the support.

He said the BJP`™s hope of opening an account in the State is getting closure.

Meanwhile, it is also told that an ex-candidate of Thongju Constituency, Thingujam Chatukini of Janata Dal (Secular) had visited the BJP candidate this morning and shown his support for Bishwajit.

Chatuki had fought elections from the constituency in 1990, 1995 and 2000 on JD (S) ticket.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/ibobi-should-be-blamed-for-any-negative-fallout-from-nscn-im-peace-accord-chaoba/

IMPHAL, Oct 30: The United Naga Council (UNC) has imposed a 10-day `Economic Blockade` along National Highways and ban construction of National and International projects including Trans Asian Railways from November 2 to 12 midnight.

A statement issued by S Milan, general secretary of UNC, stated that the decision to impose the strike and ban was taken during a presidential council meeting convened on October 29 at its Office with Gaidon Kamei, president, UNC in the chair.

It further said that the meeting seriously reviewed the overall political development and situation prevailing in the state of Manipur particularly Nagas and tribals in the hills aftermath of the passing of infamous three anti tribal Bills and two resolutions by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 and consequent upon killing of 9 innocent civilians including a minor on August 31 and September 1 by the `communal state forces`™ while defending the inalienable rights of the tribal people and whose bodies are still laying at the morgue of the Civil Hospital, Churachandpur district head quarter.

The Nagas and tribal people have organised series of Bandhs, rallies, dharnas, public curfews and submitted representations to the Government of India (GoI) for its political intervention on the three Bills and two Resolutions and also, to address the political aspirations of the tribal people, it said.

For its stoic silence over the sensitive issue on the part of the Government of India, we are compelled to take up democratic form of agitation to draw the attention of the Government of India for immediate political intervention to safeguard our inalienable rights, further continued the release.

It further pointed out that as per the resolution No. 4 of the UNC presidential council meeting of the September 7, 2015 official intimation were served to all the 7 (seven) Naga MLAs to resign from their irrespective membership for not defending the rights and interest of the Nagas and tribal both inside and outside the Manipur Legislative Assembly on September 9 and also convened a joint meeting on September 14, 17 and 19 however none of them have tendered their resignation defying the directive of the Naga peoples.

Therefore, UNC Presidential Council Meeting reaffirmed its previous resolution and banned the movement of 7 Naga MLAs of Cngress party in Naga territory with immediate effect till they resign from the membership of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, it held.

Subsequent upon the band, it revealed that the UNC had informed and directed tribes Hohos and Naga public not to give them any position and platform in Naga society including tribe, church, women, student, organisation/association, village level etc. Social sanction in any form will be imposed upon any one defying this directive.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/unc-announces-highway-blockade/

IMPHAL, October 30: The number of job seekers of Manipur has reached a staggering 7, 37, 563 of which 5, 23, 076 are male and 2,14,487 while summing up the registration with the employment exchanges in different exchanges of the state till the end of September last.

According to monthly statement issued by the DIPR based on a progress report on the working of Employment service, Manipur issued by the Directorate of Employment, Manipur, Imphal West district has the highest number of job seekers with a total of 1,92,465 including 1,25,122 male and 67,343 female followed by Imphal East district with 1,17,529 job seekers including 82,891 male and 34,638 female.

Thoubal district has 1,24,375 job seekers of which 97, 286 are male and 27,089 female and in Bishnupur 70,840 thousand including 52,509 male and 18,331 female.

Among the four hill districts Senapati has the highest number of job seekers with a total of 61,614 including 44,332 male and 17,282 female followed by Chandel with 31,450 including 21,432 male and 10,018 female.

In Ukrul there are altogether 29,980 which included 20,875 male and 9,105 female while Tamenglong has 26,026 including 19,628 male and 6,398 female, it said.

The number of those registered as physically challenged are 2,762 including 1852 male and 910 female and under U.E.I and G.B are 6,672 including 3,094 male and 3,578 female.

In September alone a total of 1,003 applicants including 605 female applicants got themselves registered with the employment exchanges in Manipur as against 1,863 applicants of the previous month, concluded the release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/over-737-lakhs-job-seekers-in-manipur/

IMPHAL, October 29: Despite the State having enough stock of fuel, panic buying grips the population once again and long queues are lined up at the petrol pumps. There is no need for the public to be apprehensive as there is enough stock at the Chingmeirong oil depot to last for weeks; official reports from the Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution mentioned.

At present the Indian Oil Corporation depot has 553 kilolitres of petrol which would last more than a week.

Ample amount of diesel is stored amounting to 1717 kl which can last for approximately 11 days. Besides the fuel stored at the depot, there are other loaded trucks still waiting to deposit their tanker loads at the IOC. In view of the prevailing bandhs and subsequent economic blockades, the Chief Minister discussed the matter with representatives of the CAF and PD, Home departments today at his bungalow.

The representatives in the meeting gave their views and suggested that security measures be taken up at the Sadar Hills area to facilitate transport of goods trucks arriving along the NH 2.

Sources said that police commandos will be detailed along the stretch from Kangpokpi to Taphou area to prevent untoward incidents and facilitate free movement of good trucks.

The CRPF has been mainly tasked for transportation of goods trucks and 70 loaded fuel trucks will arrive from Khatkhatti tomorrow for Imphal. At around 2.30 pm, empty trucks will again be escorted from Imphal to procure more fuel. Hence, the economic blockade called by the Kuki Peoples Liberation Front which started from October 20 midnight has not been very effective as procuring fuel is concerned and proper security for transport is being taken up.

It was also mentioned that there is no need for the public to be apprehensive about the 20 days economic blockade called by the Kadangband JAC along the highways as a solution may be brought earlier before the deadline, sources added.

A petrol pump proprietor told IFP that there is no need for the public to queue up as there is sufficient amount of fuel in the Chingmeirong depot.

The panic situation only adds misery to the public itself only and adds profit for the black marketers, he said.

The IOC has rationed the fuel to the pumps earlier following the KPLF blockade news, then the public was in panic buying mode but dissipated the next day as assurance was given from the State government`™s side. Similarly, the announcement of the Kadangband JAC`™s 20 days blockade appeared in the papers today and this is the main reason for the public panicking once again. He said that there is no dearth of fuel and the stock is being replenished four times in a week despite the economic blockade.

It was also learnt the government is trying to diffuse the Kadangband JAC matter with the concerned by taking up appropriate actions as demanded by the JAC, it may be mentioned that the JAC is demanding a probe report for the killing of Khupneilal Neihsiel and Robert Hsei Kipgen. A solution may be brought before the deadline of November 3, a source added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/no-dearth-of-fuel-in-state-public-should-avoid-panic-buying/

IMPHAL, October 30: Two young legislators from the Congress party were called upon for a meeting by Rahul Gandhi, vice president, AICC at his residence at 12,Tughlak Lane in New Delhi on October 28.

Sagolband MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh and Moirang MLA M Prithiviraj Singh were personally invited for a closed door discussion with the Congress vice president along with representatives from other states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, according to a source.

Though the topic of discussion varied from various national issues to State issues, the two spoke about various issues related to Manipur and the steps required to be taken up to strengthen the Congress Party in the run up to the next Assembly Election in 2017, sources said.

It is also learnt that during the meeting which lasted almost an hour, Imo on being asked to speak first, spoke on the development in recent months regarding the NSCN IM framework agreement signed between the outfit and the GOI.

According to the same source, the MLA said that the Central leadership should be taking more keen interest to put up this issue in the national level despite Rahul Gandhi himself intervening in the Parliament.

It is an issue which is so delicate that any agreement which could hurt the interest of Manipur would not be welcome in any manner, he told Rahul Gandhi, informed the source.

He further requested Rahul Gandhi to push the central government for the declaration of the said framework agreement to the general public in Manipur.

Regarding the ILP issue, RK Imo Singh further stated that it is an issue which is very important to the people of Manipur where the State leadership along with the central leadership of the Congress Party should pursue the matter to the NDA government for the required assent as the State Assembly has already passed the Bill sometime back.

The Churachandpur issue wherein many lives were lost was also discussed in depth during the meeting, informed the source.

The meeting also discussed the role of youth in the party for the forthcoming assembly election and the need for better communication between the Block Unit of the Congress and the PCC for better understanding as this is the nodal point which is the foundation for the Congress Party.

Prithiviraj Singh talked in length about the importance of the NSCN IM agreement which could have adverse effect in Manipur, informed the source.

He reminded the Central leadership that it was during the rule of NDA when the Bangkok Declaration was signed and now it is also the NDA government which has proposed this framework.

He also said that there should be more transparency and communication between the people and the government for better governance, the source informed.

He further said that the Churachandpur issue has been taken very seriously by the state government and have time and again proposed for a dialogue with the concerned party. He also stressed that the ILP Bill does not harm the interest of the people from the Hills.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/congress-mlas-highlights-states-major-issues-before-rahul-gandhi/

IMPHAL, October 30: The High Court of Manipur has issued a direction to put an end to the menace of engaging/employing government doctors by various private hospital and nursing homes in the State of Manipur by installing CCTVs in operation theatres and OPD premises of all private hospitals and nursing homes.

The Human Right Law Network in a statement said that on May 29 while hearing a PIL filed by one Thangjam Bilabati Devi, a division bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising of Chief Justice Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra and Justice Kh Nobin Singh has asked the Government of Manipur to consider its suggestion of installing CCTV in the operation theatres and OPD premises of all private hospital and nursing homes and the footage whereof be recorded and placed before the Government.

Consequently, today during a deliberate hearing of the PIL, the Advocate General, Manipur had produced a copy of memorandum (dated October 22 issued by the Director, Health Services, Manipur directing all private hospitals and nursing Homes to install CCTVs in operation Theatres and OPD premises within thirty days at their own cost.

The High Court, after considering the submission of the Advocate General has directed him to inform the High Court as to whether the said order passed by the Director, Health Services has been complied with or not when the matter is listed after six weeks.

It recalled that the petitioner after her son`™s death, expired on November 30, 2012 at RIMS, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on February 21 last.

Prior to the death of the Petioner`™s son at RIMS, the deceased was admitted to CMC Hospital Koirengei, wherein Dr W. Ibochouba Singh (who was then serving as Medical Officer at the Thoubal district Hospital at the relevant point of time) had given anaesthesia and thereafter her son started experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, it said.

In order to prevent recurrence of engaging Government doctors by private hospitals, to punish those Government doctors and private hospitals, she filed the PIL.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/hc-directs-private-hospitals-to-install-cctvs-in-ot-opds/