Month: July 2017

IMPHAL | July 31

State unit of Janata Dal (United) has today lauded the role of national JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar in the recent Bihar controversy and congratulated him for making an alliance with the NDA government to fight corruption.

State unit president Hangkhanpao Taithul told reporters at its Hatta office that his effort to do away corruption in Bihar is commendable and he had taken the right step.

“Kumar’s leadership will be trusted like before,” he assured. “And we respect and appreciate the decisions he had taken.”

Commenting on the state’s situation, he pointed out that the BJP led government has also gained trust of the people by ending 15 years rule of Congress in the state which is actually not an easy task. He reminded the Biren led government that the trust of the people should not be shattered and it should convert words into actions.

The president pointed out that the education system be rectified first, especially classes from 9 to 12. “These classes are the most important juncture to be looked upon and the recent students’ agitation in the state is the exact example of polluted education system,” he added.

He suggested that transfer and posting of teachers should be done during vacations so that such agitations would not disturb the classes and studies of the students.

He also urged the government to strengthen the education system in hill districts and especially in the remote areas.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR |July 31

Former chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio, has been “selected” as interim president of NPF of the TR Zeliang group. The decision was taken at a meeting of the group held at the CM’s residential bungalow in Kohima this evening. 

This group also demanded the immediate resignation of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu from the office of the president of NPF party within 15 days.

In today’s meeting, 36 NPF MLAs including the chief minister attended. Neiphiu Rio, MP (Lok Sabha) was a special invitee at the meeting.

The meeting empowered the interim president (Neiphiu Rio) to appoint the divisional level office bearers and also to take necessary steps for organising a general convention of the NPF party at the earliest. 

It also empowered the interim president with all the functions and prerogatives of the president of the NPF under the constitution of the party, to take decisions in the overall interests of the Nagas with immediate effect.

The meeting appointed a search committee comprising Tokheho Yepthomi, Y. Patton, Dr. Nicky Kire, E.E. Pangteang and Imkong L. Imchen, to assist the interim president in order to put in place the state level organisational structure of the NPF party to be approved at the general convention of the party.

The meeting also resolved to appeal to all the ranks and files of the NPF to come and join the government and the majority, and that, “all decisions taken by the NPF party under the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu after July 13, 2017 shall be rendered null and void”.

By Steffi Soibam

IMPHAL | July 31

One of the biggest lift irrigation projects in Northeast the Loktak Lift Irrigation Project located in Bishnupur district and Imphal West district stands defunct since 1990 due to state government’s negligence.

The project was launched in 1972-73 after it was approved by Planning Commission in 1972 with an estimated cost of Rs. 462 lakhs.

It consists of three pump houses and five canal systems.

According to a source, the proposed net irrigation area of the project is 24,000 hectares which was commissioned in 1979 by the then Union minister Bhanu Pratap Singh along with Y. Yaima Singh, the then state irrigation minister at pump house number one Ningthoukhong.

The canals are Imphal Main Canal, Imphal Low level Canal, Imphal High Level Canal, Moirang High Level Canal and Moirang Low Level Canal and the pump number one and three are located at Ningthoukhong and number two at Bishnupur.

But pump number two and three have not been commissioned till today.

When the project was commissioned irrigation water was supplied to the paddy fields from Ningthoukhong to Hiyangthang and also from Ningthoukhong to Kumbi areas both for kharif or rabi and double or triple cropping.

All the farmers in these areas benefitted till the year 1990.

In an exclusive interview to IFP, a former executive engineer who doesn’t want to be named disclosed that the project has been totally defunct after 1990. “Since the Loktak Lift Irrigation Project has been in total limbo for the last 27 years, many farmers have not been able to benefit in terms of double or triple cropping,” he said.

Those hectares of land were acquired forcibly by the government at low rates compared to the local market rates.

Recalling the launch of the project, the former engineer said, “I remember many farmers were literally weeping when we had to destroy ripen standing crops in the name of the irrigation programme. We had to assure them of the benefits and regained their confidence.”

“However, our assurance has not been fulfilled except for a decade or so since the launch of LLI project,” he stated.

According to him, the canal bed silted continuously due to local rivers and theft of super passage pipes. The canals were used for other purposes by unknown local persons.

The project was abandoned by the state government and left unchecked since then. No comprehensive benefits have given to farmers till date, he alleged.

If the project is revived and implemented properly it will benefit Assembly constituencies of Kumbi, Moirang, Bishnupur, Oinam, Nambol, Konthoujam, Wangoi, Naoriya, Lamsang and Patsoi, he said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 31

North East Dialogue Forum today discovered holes believed to be made during oil exploration survey inside 42 Assam Rifle camp at Kangvai village, Churachandpur during a visit by.

More than eight holes were found in the area with one was fitted with underground pipes surrounded with barbed wires and some of them were covered with soil.

According to a villager, no one knows why the holes were drilled and when they asked the reason for drilling of many holes in the nearby area, they were answered as it is for construction of water pump.

According to one of the officials of 42 Assam Rifles, it is for construction of water pump. While drilling they did not found water, so more holes were drilled in order to find water. One hole has been found from where water can be extracted, official said.

The official further said after fixing a turbine beneath the hole, water is to be extracted. After filling at a reservoir the water will be supplied at nearby areas.

Speaking to the media persons, U. Jenison, member of the North East Dialogue Forum said if the holes are meant for water pumps then why they drilled eight holes in nearby places. If they want to construct water reservoir then they can pump water from the stream which is near the holes they drilled.

He said Kangvai village is included in the map of crude oil found in the state and the process of drilling for water pump is also suspicious. “We have a suspicion that Armed Forces Special Power Act 1957 is not to contain insurgency but to extract the natural resources easily,” he said.

Experts and authority concerned should investigate into the matter and find the real reason at the earliest as drilling could be for exploration on oil, he demanded.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 31

A cordon and search operation for drugs was conducted by Imphal East district police comprising of 28 police personnel including women police under the supervision of SP, Kabib K at around 4.20 pm.

The operation was condducted at Khergao Makha Leikai.

During the operation 15 suspects have lifted for further verification.

Among the suspects three of them were found involved in the case of assaulting and obstructing some police personnel from performing their duties on July 29.

According to the police three persons are identified as Md. Alfash (22) son of Md. Babu of Khergao Makha leikai, Md. Najakat (19) son of Md. Liyakat Ali of Khergao Makha leikai and the third person was identified as minor.

As per the legal provision the juvenile was handed over to the juvenile police officer for producing before principal magistrate JJB/IE for further formalities. The other two accused were arrested in connection with the case.

The remaining 12 persons were released on PR and bail bond after proper verification and handed over to their respective guardians.

It may be recalled that as a part of a drive against drugs, on July 29 at 4 pm, while a team of Imphal East police was conducting a drug raid at the residence of one Abir Khan (35) son of Md. Pishak of Khergao Yumkhaibam leirak, and found 50 Spasmo Proxyvon capsules and 11 WY tablets.

The team also recovered one gram of number 4 heroine powder from the house of one Md. Khomei (42) son of Md. Mangi Khan of Khergao Yumkhaibam leikai.

While the team was trying to arrest the drug peddlers, they were physically prevented by a local mob with sticks and stones, according to the police.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 31

Karam Shyam, minister in-charge of rehabilitation today informed that House that the state government has decided to increase the monthly stipends of surrendered militants to Rs. 8000 and 4 lakhs one time grant.

Karam Shyam was replying to cut motion moved by Opposition bench on demand No.34 rehabilitation during the ongoing budget session.

He revealed that the decision to increase the stipends was taken by the cabinet during a meeting convened on May 21 and to implement it the state is waiting for the approval from the ministry of Home Affairs.

The surrendered militants have been getting a stipend of Rs. 4000 monthly and a 2.5 lakhs one-time payment, which is deposited after three years from the date of surrender into their bank accounts as fixed deposit.

The minister further informed that altogether 584 cadres have surrendered individually to the government out of which 396 cadres have completed their vocational trainings.

Stating that 407 cadres surrendered after signing Memorandum of Understanding, he said that a total Rs. 26,36,5549 have been expended for building of designated camps, incentives for surrendering arms etc. Similarly, an amount of Rs. 6.85,3829 was also used for the expenditure of rehabilitation for individually surrendered cadres, he added.

Karam Shyam pointed out that the rehabilitation package particularly security related expenditure is fully funded by the Centre government.

He further pointed out that under the rehabilitation policy a total 40 surrendered cadres have been absorbed as riflemen in state force in 2005 and 15 cadres are under process to give employment (as linemen) in MSPDCL.

Informing that the present government has plans to further enhance the rehabilitation policy, the minister claimed that some of the cadres have come back to mainstream and leading a normal life.

With regards to clarification on numbers of Burmese refugees in the state, the minister in-charge of the rehabilitation, said on April 1, 1980 initially 67 numbers of refugees were given shelter by the Indian government at Leikun, who fled their country from the military regime.

In 1990 for their maintenance the ministry of Home Affairs sanctioned Rs. 2, 89,226 after which another sanctioned of Rs. 2, 84,982 was made by the state government in February 2016.

He said that of the total 54 refugees at present, four refugees are in Leikun, 13 in Moreh, two in Imphal, 25 at Churachandpur, one in MU and five in Delhi, two each in Komlathabi and Chandel.

With military regime over in Myanmar due process is under way in consultation with the Centre for their deportation, added the minister.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh who is in-charge of tourism, responding to queries raised during the cut motion moved with regards to department said that the state is taking up all the possible steps to boost tourism sector in the state.

He maintained that the government is sending project reports for approval to DoNER ministry and North Eastern Council (NEC) and other source like Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) 

“We are trying our best to complete the projects which was left incomplete with funds from NEC, NLCPR and DoNER for this we have made a special proposal of Rs. 193 cores”, he said.

The chief minister further revealed that the government has also taken up new projects to further develop tourism spot in the state.

Proposal for development of Tharon cave, Tamenglong, Khangkhui cave in Ukhrul, etc. have been sent, he said adding that Rs. 5 crore have been sanctioned for Khangkhui initially. Another Rs. 15 crore has been sanctioned under NLCPR for the construction of Imphal view tower at Chingmeirong that overlook Imphal valley Loktak, further added Biren.

He claimed that numbers of foreign tourist have increased during the past few months, which are a sign of improving law and order situation in the state before adding even investors from Singapore, Malaysia and Macau, have shown their interest in the state.

Horticulture minister, Th Shyamkumar Singh, replying to policy cut motion on horticulture, noting the meagre amount of fund reflected in the budget for the current year assured the House to increase in the next fiscal year.

He further assured that the department will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that schemes and projects are availed to genuine beneficiaries particularly in the hills. To do so, he said the officials have been also instructed for monitoring various schemes through Geo-mapping.

Altogether, four demands amounting to Rs. 146, 75, 82,000 was passed by the House unanimously after the cut motions were withdrawn by the Opposition bench.

The demands passed by the House includes demand No.34 rehabilitation Rs. 4,24,14,000, demand No.41 arts and culture Rs. 23,82,41,000, demand No.43 horticulture and soil conservation Rs. 81,63,35,000 and demand No.45 tourism Rs.37,05,92,000.

The MLAs who participated in the cut motion and discussion were Kh Joykishan, D Korungthan, Alfred Kanngam Arthur, Surjakumar Okram, K Meghachandra, Dr Chaltonlien Amo.

IMPHAL | July 31

 Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has demanded that the candidate Neha Jain who cleared the NEET examination in 4th rank must not be allowed to be listed under state quota reserved for Manipur.

DESAM seeks to find out how the student from Rajasthan managed to get a domicile of Manipur state and allowed to be included in the list for the state quota, said a release. The student body has demanded for immediate action against those who are involved in allowing a non-local to own a false domicile certificate in order to study MBBS.

 It said the candidate must not be enrolled amongst the 105 candidates of RIMS and JNIMS in regards to the admission for MBBS.

The government and authorities concerned must initiate an enquiry into the issue and cancel the candidate within 5 days, or extreme measures will be taken up, it added. The demands stated by DESAM are also backed up by other student bodies like Imphal College Students’ Union and Oriental College Student’s Union.

In another matter, DESAM has expressed that the exclusion of DM College of Teachers Education amongst the list of institutions to be included under a cluster university, is a wrong decision made by the government.

DESAM urged that the state cabinet must include the teacher training college in the Dhanamanjuri University Bill – 2017, which is to be produced at the house.