Day: November 29, 2015

IMPHAL, November 29: The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) issuing strong warning against any divisive police divulged to jointly counter floating of new militant groups in wake of the ‘common political objectives’ ventures of the two constituent groups.

In a joint statement issued by the convenor and co-covenor of the joint conglomerate, it reiterated that the two constituent groups being committed to the political survival of their people entered the suspension of operation (SoO) with the Government to initiate a peaceful political process.

The three anti-tribal bills recently passed by the Manipur State Assembly have awakened the political consciousness of the tribal which also triggered waves of mass movement against the Bills leading to the lost of our nine martyrs, it said.

Saluting the martyrs for their supreme sacrifices and sharing the grief and sorrow of the bereaved family members, it said that the incident has become an opportunity to highlights the inevitable political separation for the tribal of Manipur.

Thus, the KNO and UPF unanimously decided to pursue ‘common political objectives’ which would be nothing less than a “State status”, send joint delegation to Delhi and recently worked out its ‘common political road map’ on November 25, it said.

“As we remain vibrant and committee to our political causes, we also reiterated our support to the Joint Action Committee anti-tribal Bills, Joint Philanthropics Organisation (JPO), Manipur Tribal Forum formed in various cities and towns, Inpis, Church leaders and a host of civil organisations in their movement against the three Bills”, it continued.

The groups further urged the torch bearers to remain focus and not to be misled by the subsidiary issues that can disturb the hard-earned unity, it asserted.

“We understand the sentiments of the people and welcome various opinions expressed for the betterment of the people. However, we are completely against the divisive approaches of some section of the people and warned them to stop their activities henceforth”, it opined.

Moreover, the formation of new outfit from this juncture, under any pretext, shall be countered collectively and effectively as we remain affirmative to the positive outcome of the ongoing peace process, concluded the statement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/soo-groups-upf-and-kno-warn-against-divisive-policy/

IMPHAL, November 29: “Of late, there has been an alarming decrease in the population of the indigenous polo ponies in Manipur”, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said today on the concluding day of the 9th Manipur Polo International 2015.

The Chief Minister said to protect the indigenous ponies from the threat of extinction the government of Manipur has initiated the establishment of an exclusive sanctuary for the Manipuri pony.

“I am sure the polo fraternity all over the world will surely appreciate to know of this initiative taken up by the Government of Manipur to protect the Manipuri Pony,” he said.

Further in his speech, he congratulated the officials of the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association for their effort in organising the tournament, the 9th Manipur Polo International 2015 and making it a grand success.

This year the tournament played at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung- the oldest living pologround in the world was participated by teams from only India (Manipur), USA, Thailand, Australia and England.

The Chief Minister also thanked the polo players who had come from different parts of the globe to take part in the tournament and displayed their skills in the true spirit of the game.

Observing that Sagol Kangjei, which is now known as Polo, internationally, has been played in Manipur since time immemorial, he said “We are indebted to our forefathers who have handed down to us this game which has now become a popular game across the world.”

Sagol Kangjei has been played traditionally on the indigenous Manipuri pony, which is one of the five species identified by the Government of India, he added.

He further extended his invitation to all the international Polo fraternity to participate in the next year’s edition of the tournament.

The concluding day function was also attended by Rural Development and panchayati Raj Economic and Statistics minister Francis Ngajokpa as the president and Social Welfare/ Co-operation minister Ak Mirabai, MLAs Nemcha Kipgen and O Landhoni Devi as guests of honour and State Bank of India Guwahati chief general manager PVSLN Murty as special invitee.

Later in an exciting and well deserved final match, team USA defeated the India (Manipur)team by 5-4 in extra chukker.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/cm-highlights-initiatives-to-safeguard-pony-from-extinction/

IMPHAL, November 29: There have been several complaints from various sections of the public that the Sangai festival is not public friendly and objected more towards pleasing VIP and other national and international delegates.

More complaints have also cropped up over misuse of VIP and VVIP passes issued specifically for the deserving dignitaries.

It was found that even school vans and diesel auto-rickshaws were driving inside the Sangai venue with ease and none of them were carrying any important dignitaries. Police posted at the main entrance which allows only the VIP card pasted vehicles complained that they are having a hard time managing the crowd and also checking the vehicles.

Some authorities suspect that the passes may have been photocopied, but cannot ascertain the authenticity as there are no bar codes nor any specific vehicle number designated on the VIP passes.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/fake-vip-vehicle-pass-circulation-suspected/

IMPHAL, November 29: The All Manipur Unemployed Veterinary Doctors Association (AMUVDA) has demanded fresh recruitment of posts in the Veterinary Department like in other Departments to run efficiently.

Speaking to newspersons here at Manipur Press Club, president of AMUVDA Th Chaoba lamented that the Veterinary Department has not conducted any recruitment of posts since the last 18 years, affecting its functioning.

However, annual selection of doctor as government nominee in the Department still continues, she said.

She reminded that that last recruitment conducted in the Department was way back in 1998 that also only for doctor but after the government issued an order in 1999 banning recruitment of posts in all the Departments; there had been no fresh recruitment in the Veterinary Department till date.

Though the ban on recruitment of posts in all the Departments was lifted in 2005, the Veterinary Department has not conducted any single recruitment, creating vacancy of various posts, she said.

Regretting that many doctors passed in Veterinary have been facing grievances mainly of age bar due to non-recruitment in the Department for the last many years, Th Chaobi reiterated that AMUVDA had submitted memorandum to the Chief Minister and the concerned authority on two occasions urging to conduct fresh recruitment in the Department through MPSC.

There are more than 50 posts lying vacant in the Veterinary Department, she claimed, appealing the government to conduct direct recruitment of the posts not on adhoc and contract basis.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/amuvda-demands-fresh-recruitment-in-vety-dept/

IMPHAL, Nov 29: The Hornbill International Music Festival 2015, one of the biggest music festivals of the country will be kicked-off on December 1 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Hockey Ground, Kohima, Nagaland.

The participation of internationally renowned bands such as Helloween, one of the most influential metal bands and official tribute band of ABBA from Sweden has been confirmed apart from live performances of musicians across the globe.

It is learnt that organisers also will make a surprised announcement on the first week of December for the special appearances of other internationally renowned musicians.

As per the sequence of the Hornbill International Music festival, the music fest will begin on the first night of the festival. On December 1 evening, the stage will be shared by Joshua and the Note Ninja, Cadence, Infuse, Purple Fusion and other local artistes.

On December 2 the official tribute band of ABBA will take the stage followed by performances by Colored Keys, Mengu Suokhrie and Viriezhunuo Solo on the same night.

On December 3 to 6, the Stadium will be all set to welcome the selected 25 bands to compete for the Hornbill International Rock Contest (HIRC).

Close to hundreds bands were auditioned for this year’s edition, however, only 25 bands have made the cut to compete for the ultimate title of HRIC 2015 including five local bands, one international band and 19 national bands (seven from North East region).

The prize money for the top three winners has been fixed at Rs 10 lakhs, Rs 5 lakhs and Rs 2.5 lakhs respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/hornbill-music-fest-to-kick-off-on-december-1/

IMPHAL, November 29: A literary forum on “Trend of Manipuri Literature Outside Manipur” & Literary Meet was organised by Sahitya Akademi in collaboration with Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Meghalaya in Shillong, Meghalaya today.

H. Behari Singh, convenor of Manipuri Language Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi; Yengkhom K. B., president of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Meghalaya and Gopal Chandra Barman, Regional Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, Regional Office, Kolkata graced the occasion as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

During the programme, Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh, Assistant Professor, Manipuri Department, Kha Manipur College, Kakching, Manipur gave a talk on the topic, “Novels and Short Stories outside Manipur with special reference to Meghalaya.”

The second paper reader was Shri. Ashangbam Netrajit. His topic was: “Poetry writing outside Manipur with special reference to Meghalaya.”

In his speech, H. Behari Singh gave a background on the function that is being held today. He also addressed some of the comments and questions raised by the delegates during the interaction session.

He then urged all the lovers of Manipuri literature to work hard for the development of Manipuri language and Manipuri literature.

Yengkhom K. B. expressed happiness on the success of the programme and showed his gratitude towards all the delegates in making the programme a grand success.

His said that more actions should be taken on recognising the various literature bodies of Manipuri language so that more activities can be taken up.

A poetry reading session was also held during the session.

Rajamani Nongthomba, Kavi Ratna awardee, and advisor of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Meghalaya was the moderator of the function.

The poets who read poems during the meet are K. Nilakanta, Shantikumari Nongthombi, Kh. Japan, M. Bhagat, Dr. Kshetrimayum Dedrilkumar, Ningombam Rojit, and Raju Maibam.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/manipuri-sahitya-akademi-meghalaya-hosts-trend-of-manipuri-literature-outside-manipur-forum/

IMPHAL, Nov 29: The proscribed UNLF has said that Yaikhom Premkumar alias Ratan who was arrested by a combined team of police commandos and 12 Bihar regiment on November 26 at Lilong Chajing, is not related with the UNLF in any ways.

A statement issued by M Sak-hen, Director Department of Publicity of the outfit, said that the claim made by the security forces that Premkumar helped in recording a song called “Chingkhei Phidup” of the UNLF was unfortunate adding that the outfit has nothing to do with “Chingkhei Phidup”.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/unlf-refutes-police-claim/