Day: August 5, 2017

IMPHAL | Aug 5

Chief minister N. Biren Singh left for Lao People’s Democratic Republic today to attend the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India dialogue relations celebration on August 7 at Vientiane, which is the capital city.

 He will attend as special guest and will deliver the keynote address at the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India dialogue relations celebration which is to be held at Muong Thani Hotel. He was accompanied by advisor, Rajat Sethi.

The event is jointly organised by the ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC), Lao PDR chapter and embassy of republic of India in Lao PDR and supported by Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) of Lao PDR.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 5

The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) Imphal West today remanded the two accused who were arrested in connection with the Oinam Sawombung hooch tragedy, remanded to further police custody for four days.

The accused, mother and son, identified as Apu Kamei alias Kamei Apu, 24 and Bina Kamei, 45, produced before the JMIC.

During their appearance, the IO of the case while pleaded the court for police remand submitted that the accused have confessed that they supplied the liquor which claimed five lives and hospitalized 89 others.

The IO further said that the accused also confessed to have supplied the liquor to one Oinam Shyamkumar and Elangbam Imo from Oinam Sawombung, who are presently in police custody.

The police further submitted that Apu and Bina, although confessed to have manufactured and supplied the liquor, are still concealing fact leading to the death and hospitalization of several others.

Moreover, it further submitted that examination of several prosecution witnesses was yet to be completed during the police custody period.

After having examined the plea, the court remanded the accused mother and son to police custody till August 8.

By Pheiray Tenno

UKHRUL | Aug 5

The name Sivathei comes from the word ‘Siva’ which means Mithun in Chatric dialect and ‘Thei’ means fruit in Tangkhul dialect. Literally, it means Mithun fruit.

Chatric also known as Siyang is a Tangkhul Naga village located southeast of Ukhrul in Ukhrul district, of the state. The village is about 123 kilometers from Ukhrul Headquarter and is partially connected by Ukhrul-Kamjong state highway.

This ‘hidden paradise’ along the international border will attract a large number of tourists if the road connectivity leading to the village is maintained by the authority concerned.

The village is flanked by Chamu Tangkul village in the north, Chahong Tangkhul village in the south, the Chindwin River (Myanmar) in the east and Langli Tangkhul village in the west. Chatric is an Indian border village with Myanmar, passing through international border pillar No 117 and 118.

Mt. Chawki, the highest peak of Angoching mountain range (Indo-Myanmar Border) and the beautiful Chindwin river valley of Myanmar could be seen from this place. Liabi/Liabee the exotic waterfall and the majestic Sanalok and Nambalok rivers are a home to fresh water fish. Chatric is one place which can become a hot spot for tourism.

The village is also well known in the district for the supply of fresh water fish abundantly made available in the local market. It is also famous for Sivathei (King Chilly).The villagers depends mostly on forest resources.

The village is home to people of Tangkhul Naga tribe. All of the inhabitants are Christians. Agriculture is the primary occupation of the inhabitants. This place is well known in the district for its scenic natural beauty and rich flora and fauna. The village has a large span of natural forest stretching till the international border with Myanmar.

The locals speak Chatric dialect which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. The village is divided into two major parts with separate settlements; Chatric Khullen and Chatric Khunou.

According to 2011 census, Chatric has 142 households with the total of 854 people of which 445 are male and 405 are female. Of the total population, 117 were in the age group of 0–6 years. The average sex ratio of the village is 919 female to 1000 male which is lower than the state average of 985.

The literacy rate of the village stands at 74.22 percent which is lower than the state average 76.94 percent. Male literacy rate stands at 80.72 percent while female literacy rate was 66.95 percent.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI |Aug 5

A day ahead of attaining 8 months, newly created Kangpokpi district is likely to experience the first ever collective stir after on August 7 and a total shutdown on its 8 months anniversary over the controversial National Sports University at the so called Koutruk in Imphal West.

Earlier, the civil voluntary organisations of the district have decided to severe its commitment of pioneering a bandh-free district and begin its first ever intense form of agitation from 6 am of August 7 if their demand over the issue of the university is not addressed positively within the stipulated time.

In connection with the ultimatum due to expire tomorrow, the CSVOs of Kangpokpi held a joint meeting today at Saitu-Gamphazol sub divisional headquarters at Gamnom Sapormeina where it decided to go ahead first with a peaceful but massive sit-in-protest on August 7 to be followed by a total shutdown the following day.

The joint meeting of the CVOs Kangpokpi was hosted by Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi district and also chaired the meeting while having a threadbare discussion and exchange of views and ideas over the university and the course of agitations.

Speaking to media persons, Lamminlun Singsit, general secretary, Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi district said that the Kuki Inpi of the district consider the issue of the proposed university at the so called Koutruk in Imphal West and the laid-back attitude of the state government.

He continued that Kuki Students’ Organisation has been entrusted to deal with the national Sports University issue in collaboration with all civil voluntary organisations of the district while fully endorsing and supporting the KSO Sadar Hills.

On behalf of the CVOs, Thangminlen Kipgen, president, KSO said that in view of the neglected and lackadaisical attitude of the state government under the leadership of chief minister N. Biren Singh towards the public concern and disagreement over the proposed university they are going to launch the agitation.

He said that the CVOs Kangpokpi had earlier placed an objection before the chief minister regarding allotment of 137.62 acres of Haraothel, now L.Tangnaum village land as under C.S. Dag.No.1 of 47-Koutruk and demanded immediate ceasing of all ongoing construction works at the dispute site while inviting for an amicable and peaceful solution.

While stressing the serious discontentment of the CSOs Kangpokpi over the state Government, KSO Sadar Hills supremo, Thangminlen Kipgen said that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh must stop lying to himself and to his councils and instead admit that no rule of law was followed in passing of the allotment under No.21/167/2016-R, dated 28th December, 2016.

He further said that emergency services, including medical, media fraternity, religious ceremony, electricity, water supply, etc. will be exempted from the purview of the 24 hours total shutdown on August 8.

IMPHAL | Aug 5

Information and public relations minister, Th. Biswajit today instructed officials to send proposals of all the necessities of the department including strengthening of man-power, infrastructure and equipment so that the government may look into it.

Chairing the monthly review meeting of the department this evening at his new secretariat conference hall, Th. Biswajit expressed the need to strengthen man-power as well as procure more equipment so that the department may carry out its responsibilities properly.

He said the department’s authorities should also send proposals for purchase of required vehicles for the department.

Expressing the need to set up district information offices in all the districts of the State including the newly created ones, he said the department should initiate process to open DIO offices. He added that office buildings should be rented if it is necessary.

He said once the district offices are opened, required number of staffs should be provided for the new offices to function properly.

Further observing that spreading awareness on social issues including the misuse of social media it is the responsibility of the IPR, the minister said, adding the department should consult with the authorities concerned about the do’s and don’ts of social media and erect hoardings in all major towns to spread awareness among the public. 

In response to an observation from the Tamenglong DIO regarding encroachment of the Tamenglong office, Th. Biswajit strongly instructed the department officials to ensure that all land records of the offices and plots are in the name of the department and concerned district offices.

The minister also said the publication section of the department should ensure timely publication of annual calendar and diary. He said the department should also maintain quality in the publication of the calendar and diary.

He further observed that secretariat officials of the department and staffs at the directorate should work in proper coordination for the smooth functioning. He also instructed the authorities to apprise the contractor concerned working at the Keishampat complex of the department to expedite work and complete the ongoing portion of the construction before the set deadline.

Today’s meeting was also attended by IPR commissioner, K Radhakumar Singh, director Meghachandra Kongbam, deputy secretary Maibam Kamala, deputy secretary Ch.Sachi Devi, APO (P), DIOs of all districts among others.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 5

Communist Party of India state secretary, Moirangthem Nara today urged the government to translate the assurances given by it in the recently concluded Assembly session into action.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s head office located at Rup Mahal Tank, Nara appreciated the House for discussing the hardships faced by the public.

He said, according to the Parliamentary procedure and conduct of business of the House, there should be not less than 55 days of session in a year. But Assembly session in the state hardly lasts for 30 days and for good governance frequent Assembly sessions should be held.

Appreciating the ruling party for giving assurances for the welfare of the state the CPI secretary said if the assurances are not going to be converted into action then there is no meaning of the assurances.

He expressed the doubts that the government is not going implement the assurances.

He said scarcity of fertilizers in the state should be addressed. But fertilizers are available in market and some businessmen are selling it at high rates. The concerned authority should take initiatives to remove the hardships faced by farmers, Nara asserted.

He also said National Food Security Act has been implemented and under this act public can get rice at Rs. 3 per kilogram. “In many constituencies the concerned MLAs and ministers do not distribute rice properly but the rice is sold at markets, which is an open secret,” he alleged.

Price of petroleum products are fluctuating every day, this is not a good policy of the central government. This not only affects the poor but also supports the rich and businessmen. The policy must be reviewd at the earliest, Nara demanded.

Issue of Inner Line Permit in the state is not a new issue and CPI state unit also demands to enact appropriate law for protection of the non-locals since years.

On December 18, 2012 Ardhendu Bhushan Bardhan while he was the secretary, Communist Party of India wrote to the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on ILP issue.

In that letter he demanded legislation for the small state of Manipur in the North-East which is threatened with internecine tension and conflicts due to large scale migration from outside the state. This may lead to tremendous instability not only in Manipur but also in the entire North-East, in addition to deaths and other causalities in the coming days.

Corruption in the state must be uprooted and the public must take the initiatives. Electoral system at the time of election should be changed which is taking and giving bribe must be avoided. If the system continues then steps to eradicate corruption would not be possible, Nara said.

CPI appreciated the present government for organising the tripartite talks involving the United Naga Council, the central government and the state government on the district creation issue which will be held on August 11 at Senapati district headquarter. This talk would bring transparency among the various ethnic groups of the state, he added.