Month: August 2017

IMPHAL| Aug 11

Health minister  L. Jayantakumar Singh inaugurated “Interactive Meet on Medicinal Plants With District Level Farmers/Collectors” , Innovation of Mainstreaming of AYUSH & “365 days Activities at School Level”, today at Chandel Indoor Studium, Chandel. 

As Chief Guest of the function, minister explained about the importance of   Medicinal Plants found in the state. He said that growing of medicinal plants will help to generate income of the farmers. Different types of medicinal plants of high value are found in Chandel District, which is not found in the rest of the state. He advocated that the traditional methods of treatment using the medicinal plants during the past were of immense significance.

Minister stated that such programme is launched under the National Ayush Mission.  He also informed that AYUSH has become a supplementary and complimentary to Allopathy. It has reduced the cost of medicine, he added. He also appealed the people to be aware about the value and usefulness of the traditional medicinal plants.

Presiding the function, Parliamentary Secretary Shri S. Subhachandra Singh said that the Government has introduced many schemes to bring a better Health Caring Society. YOGA is also one of such examples, which is recognized by the World Health Organisation, he added.

Prizes were also distributed to the winners who participated in the competitions of various disciplines organised by the Manipur Medicinal Plant Board.

The function was attended by MLA Mayang Imphal A/C K. Robindro Singh, MLA Sekmai A/C H. Dingo Singh, DC Chandel Krishna Kumar, Director AYUSH,Manipur A Gunesor Sharma as Guest of Honours. Staff and Officials of Health and Family Welfare, AYUSH, students from different schools and others were also present at the function.

Later the ministerial team inspected the work progress of the new building of District Hospital, Chaldel that is under construction. Ministerial team also visited the District Hospital and interacted with the staff.

The Programme was jointly organised by Manipur State Medicinal Plant Board, National AYUSH Mission, Directorate of AYUSH & Organisation for Tribal Benefit Programme(OTBP), chandel.

From Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG | Aug 11

Inclement weather in Tamenglong is playing spoilsport as the district is gearing up to celebrate the 71st Indian Independence day celebration of the country in the district headquarters on August 15, 2017.

While the district administration making hectic preparation amidst the weather condition, those who are taking part in the rehearsal of the march past parade particularly students are experiencing untold hardship.

According to Zonal Education Office (ZEO) Tamenglong, as many as 35 contingents including students, police, ASHA, band party, Manipur Rifles and VDF are taking part in the rehearsal at the lower ground of Tamenglong district head quarter.

The contingents particularly students are made to participate in the rehearsal in the muddy lower ground and amidst rain.

On seeing the ground reality of Lower ground (Apollo Ground) Tamenglong, many have raised their eyebrows on the district administration on social media.

Nevertheless, it is learnt that the district administration has no other options to organise such a big event in Tamenglong district headquarter.

Despite the weather condition the joint rehearsal will continue till Saturday and all participants are asked to come with full uniform, it has been informed.

Meanwhile, parents of the students who are taking part in the parade rehearsal have expressed their strong concern on the safety of the children.

A parent, under condition of anonymity, told Imphal Free Press that her son returned home with torn shoes after participating in the rehearsal at muddy ground.

Another parent further informed that his son has fallen sick after practicing in the rehearsal in muddy ground and amidst rain.

It has been witnessed that most of the children had to rehear with their bare feet due to the dilapidated condition of the ground.

The children cannot escape rehearsal as they fear that they might get punishment in the school.

As a result, parents have asked the concerned authority to cancel or omit the students from participating in the rehearsal.

One of the teachers, who are supervising the rehearsal, alleged that they were not getting refreshment of any kind.

The teacher further disclosed that in the previous years the district administration gave Rs. 10 per students daily for tea refreshment excluding teachers guiding the contingents.

Armstrong Pame, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Tamenglong is going to unfurl the tricolours national flag of the country as chief guest during the Independence celebration.

With the construction work of the sport complex in district headquarter is yet to be completed, the ground is left isolated.

Recently the district administration has repaired the ground for football tournament, which made the condition of the ground worse.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 11

Official at the agriculture “intentionally re-wrote” the subject course of a student and excluded the candidate from the merit list in the recent examination of All India Entrance Examination Admission (AIEEA) 2017 under Indian Council of Agricultural Research held on June 10.

Assistant secretary general, Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, Sheetal Oinam said during a press meet today at its temporary head office located at Sagolband Moirang Leirak.

Sheetal said after passing AIEEA, students can get admission for studying at five different degree courses in agriculture under state quota. 

He said Sonia Yenkokpam daughter of Y. Somendro form Top Awang Leikai bearing roll number 1601109 who appeared in the recent examination of AIEEA for B.Sc. community science was not in the merit list of the results declared on July 22. From this year the score card of all candidates who appeared the examination were published on its official website, he added.

Sonia said as her mark score was more than the one who was selected in the second position for the course under unreserved seat. Sonia put an application seeking re-check of her results to the director, department of agriculture. When she checked her application form on July 27 the course of study was found changed into B.Sc. agriculture instead of B.Sc. community science after erasing with ink remover.

When a team of DESAM volunteers along with Sonia and her guardians investigated regarding the issue on August 7, there were two committees, one is Merit Preparatory Committee having six members and another is Selection Committee having three members including one from the government.

In the investigation DESAM also found the course that she had selected was rewritten into B.Sc. Agriculture by erasing with ink remover.

DESAM warned, the culprits must clarify within three days which has over yesterday. Sheetal said an enquiring committee must form to investigate the matter at the earliest and Sonia must put in the selection list as she is qualified according to her marks. Enquiry committee must find out the culprits at the earliest and must take legal action against the culprits, Sheetal claimed.

KOHIMA | Aug 11 (NNN)

Taking a sharp dig on Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya for dismissing Dr. Shürhozelie’s Government and installing TR Zeliang’s unconstitutional Government in the state, the Naga People’s Front under the banner of Youth Wing today began its four-day sit in protest in front of the Raj Bhavan, Kohima.

Demanding that the Centre recall back the Governor immediately, hundreds of NPF youths gheraoed the Raj Bhavan and asked for dismissal of the unconstitutional Zeliang government.

The agitators strongly voiced that if the Indian government considers Naga people as its citizen, the right form of Constitution should be made functional to run the Nagaland government.

Angered with the way the Governor “hijacked the mandated Shürhozelie’s Government”, the youths further warned that if the Centre do not recall back the Governor, the youths would be “compelled to seek other ways and means to chase him out.”

“The Governor being the Custodian of the Indian Constitution in the state should protect the state but instead, he is breaking every norm of the precious Constitution”, the youths expressed.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA, Yitachu maintained that the Governor who earlier talked about corruption in various department has “lost his integrity and principle and is indulging himself in the mother of all corruption by installing an unconstitutional government.”

“In no state, we expect a Governor like PB Acharya who is supposed to be the guardian of the law of the state to snatch away the rights of the people in this manner”, Yitachu said.

Yitachu also said that if the Indian Government really has concern for the fate of the Naga people then it should send some better person as the Governor of the state who can abide and function according to the Indian Constitution.

The MLA also reiterated that if the octogenarian Governor thinks Naga people will not raise their rights for his unconstitutional politics then it will be his “biggest mistake and miscalculation.”

Yitachu also maintained that if the Governor thinks the Indian Constitution is not for the Naga people, we can understand him but if the Indian Constitution protects the Naga people then immediately Zeliang’s government should be dislodged.

Therefore, Yitachu strongly urged upon the Centre to recall back the present Governor and appoint a person who is well versed with the constitution and act accordingly for the welfare of the people.

Hitting hard at the Rio’s appointing as Interim President of their so-called NPF party as the biggest blow to the Naga people, he said Naga people were not foolish enough to accept such kind of self-style Interim President.

The recently launched Democratic People’s Party (DPP) is the son of Neiphiu Rio and this cannot be forgotten by any Nagas. Instead of nurturing his infant party, Rio is now trying to hijack and dismantle the whole NPF set up through his money power, Yitachu said and asked, can such kind of leadership quality take the Naga people to any greater heights?

The MLA also maintained that the younger generation cannot be underestimated by such leaders, the Naga people are well aware of the power hungry and the truthful leaders.

However, Yitachu said that no matter how hard they try to play with the NPF, Naga people will raise their voice of the NPF and the party will always speak for the Naga people.

Another NPF MLA, Tohanba also raised in the occasion that the Naga people will never accept the violation of the Indian Constitution by the Governor and the Speaker. NPF will always be there to protect the rights of the Naga people, he added.

Tohanba also pointed out that in NPF constitution there is no Interim President post and only one president is mentioned which is occupied by Dr. Shürhozelie.

The NPF working President, Huskha Yethomi in his speech urged upon the Centre that if the Indian Government wants the Naga people to live under its Constitution, Acharya should be called back. The Naga people is not against a person in the stature of Governor but it will go against any Governor who do not uphold the Constitution and protect the people with the law, Huskha said adding that if there is no law in the state, the Naga people can enter inside the Raj Bhavan and remove Acharya from the office. He also warned that before the whole Naga people run out of patience, the Governor should either dismiss the unconstitutional Zeliang’s Government or retreat himself from the Raj Bhavan.

It may be mentioned that the sit-in-dharna will end on  August 14.

IMPHAL | Aug 11

All the affected land owners will call an “Indefinite Bandh” on the 22 bridges constructed between 145 km to 216 km on Phaitol to Barak road of NH-37 from the midnight of August 17 if the state cabinet fails to issue an order for disbursement of compensation, said a release.

The release said that the land owners have no other option except to impose bandh in their portion of land where the bridges had been construction without any payment of compensation till today.

It further said that in connection to the said 22 bridges, an estimate for land acquisition and compensatory payment was submitted by Tamenglong DC vide letter number DC (TML)/11/296(NHDL) 97(Pt-2) dated January 10, 2013 received on January 21, 2013 at 765 BRTF and accordingly DPR for the subject work had been processed for sanction of the competent authority vide letter number 2233/BJ/LA22 bridges/km145-km216/06/E2 dated February 4, 2013.

“It is further intimated that the DC/TML and 765 BRTF that as soon as the DPR gets sanctioned, the payment will be made to DC/TML immediately without any delay for further disbursement to beneficiaries,” it added.

It further said that since the compensation has been sanctioned and deposited in Tamenglong DC bank account, the Social Welfare Forum, Barak to Phaitol (NH-37), Tamenglong demanded its disbursement for several times since 2014 in all concerned offices from DC/LA/Tamenglong to Deputy Commissioner, Revenue office, it continued. However, the DC wrote for the decision of the state cabinet on July 19, 2017.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Aug 11

People of Kangpokpi district organised a lighting rally against the UNC’s decision of roll back of recently created seven new districts in Manipur ahead of the tripartite talks involving government of India, government of Manipur and United Naga Council (UNC) today at Senapati district.

Hundreds of people lined up along the Trans Asian Highway-1 and passed through the district headquarters of Kangpokpi displaying their strong resentment, over the UNC firm stand to roll back the newly created districts.

Braving the scanty downpour along the highway, the lighting rally participants hold giant banners printed with, “No Roll Back of Kangpokpi District, No Alteration of boundaries”, etc. while placards which read, “Kangpokpi District for Administrative Convenience and Justice”, “No Roll-Back of Kangpokpi District”, “No Alteration of Kangpokpi District Boundaries”, “Kangpokpi District is Sadar Hills”, etc. were displayed to the Senapati’s Tripartite Talks.

Men and women from different communities shouted slogan as ‘No Roll Back of Kangpokpi district’, ‘No alteration of its boundaries’ when the delegates were passing through the town. All business establishments in Kangpokpi town were remained closed during the lighting rally which began from 8 am to 1 pm, while movement of traffic continued normally.

President of Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills, Thangminlen Kipgen handed over a memorandum addressed to the Prime minister of India to be submitted through Joint Secretary, NE, Ministry of Home Affairs, Satyendra Garg and to chief minister of Manipur to be submitted through chief secretary, Government of Manipur, R.R. Rashmi, and to the Agriculture, Veterinary and AH minister, V. Hangkhanlian and TD and Hills minister, N. Kayisii who are going to participate in the tripartite talks.

The memorandum stated that Kangpokpi district was created on December 8, 2016 by the state government on administrative convenience. However, the constant threat of roll back of Kangpokpi district instilled insecurity on the minds of the people. It also said that Kangpokpi district was created after a long suffering and politicisation of the creation of district spearheaded by United Naga Council (UNC) is uncalled and vehemently opposed by the people of the district.

The memorandum which was signed by president of Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi district, Seikhomang Khongsai and president of KSO Sadar Hills imploring the Prime minister of India and chief minister of Manipur to intervene in the matter to safeguard Kangpokpi district and to ensure no roll back of the created districts.

Speaking to the media, Thangminlen Kipgen said that people of Kangpokpi are very much pleased with the government creating the Kangpokpi district for administrative convenience and development and the people will not tolerate on alteration of its existing boundaries.

A giant banner with ‘No Roll Back of Kangpokpi District, No Alteration of Boundaries’ welcomed the delegates and other representatives of the Senapati Tripartite Talks at Gamgiphai, the entry point of Kangpokpi district from the state capital.

Newmai News Network

SENAPATI | Aug 11

The third round of the ongoing tripartite talks between Government of India, Government of Manipur and United Naga Council (UNC) was held today at the DRDA Conference Hall, Senapati Distict Headquarters with Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (NE), Minister of Home Affairs, Govt. of India in the chair, witnessed “fiery expressions” from the United Naga Council (UNC) team before they signed a 4-point agreed term. The talks which started at 11 am were chaired by Satyendra Garg, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, and went on for about 4 hours.

One of the points said, “In terms of the agreement of the March 19, 2017 talks to redress the grievances of the United Naga Council (UNC) in respect of the creation of the new districts, the Government of Manipur will initiate appropriate steps in right earnest in this regard”. The agreed point of the March 19, 2017 states that “the grievances of the United Naga Council which led to the imposition of the economic blockade by them was recognized as there was non-adherence to the four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Government of India’s assurance on the matter. The Government of Manipur agrees to start consultation with all stakeholders to redress the same”.

UNC sources informed Newmai News Network this afternoon that, in the course of the talks today the UNC team almost walked out of the hall as they demanded from the Manipur Government representatives to “nullify” all the measures including official procedures on the new districts and the various comments of Chief Minister N Biren Singh on the issue in recent times.

The UNC sources also said that the spirit of the tripartite talks was undermined by the measures taken up by the Manipur Government on the new districts. “We have pointedly told the Manipur Government representatives about all these things,” further stated the UNC sources. The UNC leaders also told the Manipur Government representatives that they have been made a hostage of the tripartite talks and victimised by the measures taken up by the latter such as constitution of ‘Boundary Commission/Committee’, ‘assertion of the Chief Minister not to roll back the new district creation’ followed by certain official proceedings on the new districts. “We told the Manipur Government’s ministerial team that the Nagas are all prepared to resume the agitation and we have already taken the position to do so,” said the UNC sources.

Responding to the charges of the UNC, the three ministers of Manipur State Government told the UNC team that “they are participating the tripartite talks for the first time, and that, they will go back and convey things to the Chief Minister”, according to the UNC sources. The UNC team then cautioned the Manipur Government team that there will not be “any next tripartite talks” if the Manipur Government continues to have the “same attitude” as it has been doing things in the past months.

Meanwhile, the other three points of the agreement signed today are that, the “UNC appreciates the Government of Manipur for complying with the May 19, 2017 agreement of conducting the talks at the political level, while expressing resentment on some recent developments”. The next round of talks will be held in the month of September, 2017, and then, “both the State Government and the UNC agreed upon to mutually respect the agreements signed in the previous talks to avoid any provocative action till the dialogue process is taken to its logical end”.

Unlike the earlier round of talks, today’s talks were brought up to the political level with the participation of three cabinet ministers of Manipur, which includes Agriculture & Veterinary Minister V. Hangkhanlian, Tribal Affairs & Hills Minister N. Kayisii and Education & Labour and Employment Minister Th. Radheshyam. Apart from the three cabinet ministers, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Dr .J. Suresh Babu and Commissioner (Works & IPR) K. Radhakumar Singh also participated the talk from the side of the Government of Manipur. The UNC team was represented by Gaidon Kamei, President of UNC, S. Milan, General Secretary of UNC, UNC Advisor L Adani, former UNC president Paul Leo, another former UNC president Samson Remmei, UNC executive Kaikho, UNC Information Secretary Stephen, Seth Shatsang, President of All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Asha Wungnam, President Naga Women Union (NWU) and few others.

IMPHAL| Aug 11

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said, Government is planning to establish a Science City in Imphal very soon. He was speaking at a Lecture Programme held at Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) at Takyelpat in Imphal today.

Deputy chief minister said, to infuse basic knowledge of science to younger generation in the State, Government is planning to establish a Science City in Imphal. Consultations with experts are on and will try to conceptualize it at the earliest. Besides this, Science Centres have been established in some of the districts in the State. He said, with the advancement of Science and Technology, all aspects of life is changing and therefore, we should try to expedite ways for a better living through its application.

Joykumar Singh further said, the State has a number of Institutes and Universities like IBSD, ICAR, Central Agricultural University that have been dwelt upon the application of science and technology, agriculture, agronomy, horticulture etc. for human benefits. Lots of research work should be done to generate new ideas which will be helpful in increasing productivity and overall growth in the State. He appealed for coordination among such institutes for the beneficial of the people as a whole.

Dr. Manju Sharma, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India who delivered on “Biotechnology for Human Welfare” said, Biotechnology though it came late in India, has now become an important field through which societal benefit can be made. Biotechnology Industry may become the single largest sector in the years to come for employment of skilled human resource. She said, North Eastern states are bestowed with enormity of bio resources which can be used in sustainable manner for the future generation.

 Director IBSD, Dr. Dinabandhu Sahoo said, IBSD has been trying to expand its facilities with the development of state-of -art infrastructures in the campus. 11.5 acres of land have been acquired and development of infrastructures will be taken up soon, he added.