Month: August 2017

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.

IMPHAL | Aug 5

Social welfare director, Jacintha Lazarus along with the officials of the department conducted a spot enquiry to investigate a report regarding finding of cockroaches in a food supplement packet at Ghari, Imphal this morning.

During the investigation, the official team thoroughly checked packets of the supplementary food and interacted with beneficiaries of the area. They were shocked to hear that no one had any idea about this complaint and they expressed they were all satisfied with the food.

Addressing media persons following the inspection, the director said in spite of the positive report, in order to clear all doubts regarding the issue, the samples of the food packets has been sent for testing to the Imphal West Food Safety department.

She also asserted that distribution of the supplementary food in the said area will be stopped for the time being till the report arrives.

She also explained that prior to distribution of the food supplements, the department never fail to send samples to Kolkata for proper testing so as to ensure that there is no adulteration.

The director also said that social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen is also very concerned about the issue. She also said that the Minister herself checks the food products herself before distribution to ensure that the food items are safe for consumption.

During the press meet, the complainant expressed apology that she acted hastily. She said that the food product was used earlier and the cockroach was found only when she opened the packet for the second time and as such, she was not sure whether the insect had entered the packet after it was opened.

Food Safety officer Dinesh Singh, representatives of AISF student body and officials concerned also attended the press meet.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Aug 5

Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang has filed a composite disqualification petition against 10 MLAs to the Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly today. The 10 MLAs are supporters of former chief minister, Dr Shurhozelie Lizietsu.

The MLAs are Kiyanilie Peseyie, Y. Vikheho Swu, Chotisuh Sazo, Kuzholuzo Nienu, Yitachu, C.L. John, Thonwang Konyak, P. Longon, R. Tohanba and Torechu. The petition was filed in Form P-2, as prescribed by the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2003, according to the chief minister’s office.

 In the petition to the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly today, T.R. Zeliang stated that the 10 “NPF MLAs be declared as disqualified under paragraph 2(1) (b) of the Tenth Schedule as all these ten NFP MLAs absented themselves from attending the sitting of the House held on July 19 contrary to the direction issued to them and received by them”.

T.R. Zeliang stated that the ten NPF legislators were fully aware of the sitting of the House and they were to attend the House invariably on the said day as proper communication was rendered to them.

“However, the ten NPF legislators had acted contrary to the direction issued by him on July 18 as the whip of NPF and as well as for acting contrary to the communication allegedly issued by Kiyanilie Peseyie, MLA, on July 18, asking the NPF MLAs to be present in the House on July 19,” the chief minister maintained in the petition.

As such, these ten NPF MLAs had violated the Whip as well as the communication, therefore they are liable for disqualification under paragraph (2)(1)(b) of the Ten Schedule, it stated.

It may be recalled on August 2, the NPF headed by Dr Shurhozelie suspended Neiphiu Rio from the primary and active membership of the Naga People’s Front (NPF). Interestingly, former chief minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio was ‘selected’ by 36 legislators supporting TR Zeliang as the ‘Interim’ president of the NPF on July 31.

The August 2 decision of the DR Shurhozelie group of the NPF came a day after Neiphiu Rio had said he “was humbled by the decision of the NPF Legislature Party led by Chief Minister TR Zeliang for electing him as the interim President of the NPF party”.

CM clarifies on hoax Raksha Bandhan letter

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 5

A hoax letter which “notifies” all government employees to attend Raksha Bandhan on August 7, has been doing the rounds in the social media. The matter was further aggravated when a local newspaper carried the news without authenticating the source. The letter had such an impact to the general public that chief minister N. Biren had to clarify in his Facebook post.

The letter supposedly from the department of personnel and administrative reforms (Personnel Division) bearing number 23/120/2017-Misc/DP mentioned that “It has been decided to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan on Monday, the 7th August, 2017. In this connection, all office/departments shall remain open and celebrate the festival collectively at a suitable time wherein all the lady staff shall tie Rakhis to their male colleagues and all are requested to wear traditional attire on that day,” the circular was purportedly signed by undersecretary of DP, Ph. Bhavadanda Sharma.

Imphal Free Press called up under-secretary Bhavananda, whose name was wrongly spelt and asked him if he had any knowledge. He clarified that the letter is a hoax and the matter has already been clarified by the CM as he is the concerned minister in-charge of the DP. Regarding the hoax, sources mentioned that a case is to be registered with the cyber-crime department.

Chief minister N. Biren in his Facebook post said a newspaper had carried the hoax report without any authentication and it is a malicious attempt to malign his government, “legal action has been initiated against the newspaper for trying to spread false news without any attempt to verify from the concerned department,… I request users to be careful with such malicious attempts to malign my government,”  Biren posted on his Facebook page this morning. After his clarification, the issue fizzled out in the social media.

It was learnt that a legal notice has been served to a vernacular paper, which carried the report.

IMPHAL | Aug 5

Civil bodies urged the state government to review the 105 megawatt Loktak project and to take appropriate steps to decommissioning Ithai barrage at the earliest. The civil bodies are The Loktak Project Affected Area Action Committee, Committee on Human Rights Manipur (COHR), Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM) and Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM).

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, CRAM secretary, Jiten Yumnam said that the absence of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and state government on the operation of the Loktak project which was commissioned way back in 1984 is a matter of serious concern.

The non-existence of the MoU on the project has been confirmed by the NHPC on May 9, 2017 after filing a RTI application by one Joy Haobijam, whose land was submerged and affected by the project, he added.

The secretary said that, “it is very unfortunate that the NHPC has been given a complete free hand without any monitoring or regulation by the state government.”

He claimed that the project is responsible for the recurrent floods in the state and has destroyed more than 50 thousand hectors of agriculture land. But NHPC refuses to take responsibility for such loss of properties during flood and land submerged, he added.

Moreover the project is responsible for the continued suffering of fishermen by implementing the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection, Act 2006, continued Jiten.

The civil bodies asked the state government to urge upon the NHPC to take responsibility and accountability for the sufferings unleashed and for the environment devastation caused in Loktak lake.

The bodies further asked the state government to repeal Manipur Loktak Lake Protection, Act 2006 to recognise the rights and role of fishing community and to uphold the true spirit of Ramsar conventions.