Month: August 2017

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 9

To safeguard the deteriorating habitat and environment of Shirui Kashong, the Shirui Kashong Area Forest Land Owners Conservancy (SKAFLOC) was formed on July 30.

The chairman SKAFLOC, Mayopam Shangh has stated that the body has been formed with a strong concern over the drastic ecological changes in the past 20 years, which has resulted in the extinction of valuable medicinal plants in the vicinity of Shirui Kashong. The survival of Manipur state flower Shirui Lily, state bird Nongyin and state tree Uningthou has now become endangered, he added.

During an interaction with the IFP correspondent, secretary of SKAFLOC, Khamshon Luirei has said that 40 local landowners in Shirui Kashong have come together to protect and preserve the forest area with due consent and knowledge of the Shirui village authority.

The members agreed to stop felling of trees, hunting of animals and check forest fire. They also have decided to prevent other resources from being extracted and promised to enhance the bio-diversity by taking up re-forestation programme in the days to come. The members of the body further appealed to the public to extend support in preserving Shirui Kashong.

Meanwhile, construction of PMGSY road from Shirui to Ngapum Zingsui and Sambu area has caused landslide at numerous places at the abode of Shirui Lily, and the source of water of Kokthi Kongrei and Namra Kong has also been disturbed. Shirui village is the main source of water supply for Ukhrul town and neighbouring villages.

However, due to rampant felling of trees and frequent landslide caused by the construction of PMGSY road at the foothills of Shirui Kashing has led to change in the level of water. Maiharam area which is a habitat and a home to Nongyin and Tragopan birds is also facing problems due to occurrence of frequent landslide.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Health minister L. Jayantakumar asked the people to focus and give special provision to children to make a strong nation as they are the future of the society.

He was delivering the chief guest speech during the launching function of National Deworming Day to be started from tomorrow till August 17 at Ramlal Paul Higher Secondary School, Keishamthong today.

The minister said that the duties of a government is to make a strong and healthy nation so all the departments give special focus to children in different ways as they are the foundation of making a healthy nation.

Many beneficiaries schemes and package are made available for the children, and it started from the pregnancy of the mother, added Jayantakumar.

Jayantakumar said as a result of environment changes many new disease arise and it becomes very challenging for the health sector to fight against such disease so the minister asked the people give cooperation in fighting against such diseases by following the do and don’t given by the health department.

He said that many doctors and nurses do not want to be posted in hill districts but there are many people in hills who need their help so he asked the doctors and nurses not not hesitate to work in hills districts and appealed to work with dedication.

The president of the function, health parliamentary secretary, S. Subhaschandra appealed to all the parents to make sure to deworm their children to make them healthy.

The function was attended by health services director, K. Lokendro Singh, family welfare director, K. Rajo Singh, health services, additional director, H. Ranjit Singh and education (S) additional director R.K. Tennedy Singh as guests of honour.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said it is time to tap renewable energy as alternate sources of energy at maximum level in view of growing concern about exhausting fossil fuel. He was speaking at the inaugural function of state level painting competition held today at Lamyanba Shanglen in Imphal.

The competition is organised as a part of the observance of World Bio-Fuel Day which is to be held tomorrow.

Deputy chief minister said, as the fossil fuel deposits in the world have been exhausting at a faster rate, now is the time to tap alternate sources of energy mostly renewable energy and bio-fuels to meet the growing demand of energy in the world. He said, bio-fuels have a major role and therefore, attention have to be drawn for all the concerns in the area. Although, there have been adequate sources of alternate energy in the State, tapping it still becomes a question to all.

Observing that, the state has maximum potential to generate renewable energy, deputy chief minister said, adequate solar energy can be generated to sustain its uses as an alternate source of energy. Wind energy can also be generated in large scale, he added.

Joykumar further said, younger generations should also be taught to know the potentials and possibilities to generate renewable energy as an alternate source of energy in the state in view of the exhausting non-renewable energy especially for fossil fuel.

Professor Ph. Ranjit Singh of Central Agricultural University, Imphal said, Manipur is one of the bio-diversity hotspots in the world and it has a huge potential to develop bio-fuels. Non-edible oil producing plants should be grown in the state so that bio-fuel can be developed as an alternate source of energy.

Ministry of petroleum and natural gas in association with National Yuva Cooperative Society (NYCS) Limited is organising a series of nationwide events to create awareness about non-fossil fuels (Green Fuels) and it aims to bring into focus the various initiatives that the ministry is undertaking in the country in the field of bio energy. A cycle rally will also be organised tomorrow in Imphal.

100 students in category A (VIII-X) and 11 students in category B (XI-XII) participated in the painting competition.

IMPHAL| Aug 9

The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has informed that Sandam Bhogen (37) son of S. Bheigya from Sairemkhul Mayai Leikai was given punishment for raping a three and a half year old girl.

Bhogen was shot at yesterday near SAI complex at Takyel Khongban around 1.40 pm by UNLF, said a release signed by M. Sakhen, department of publicity.  Bhogen had raped the three and a half year old child, who was from the same locality where he resided, in the noon of December 3, 2013 when her family had gone to harvest paddies leaving the girl behind, it said. Bhogen committed the crime to the helpless child by taking advantage of the situation, it added

UNLF will continue to give stringent punishment against such criminals who are terrorising the women community by committing rape etc, it further said. The front has urged the people not to provide protection to theses criminals and requested to support the steps being taken by UNLF, it added.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

On the second day of the student’s agitation demanding withdrawal of the order for admission of 120 extra students in Dhanamanjuri College of Arts, students boycotted their classes and staged sit-in-protest at its college campus today.

Speaking to the media persons, Oinam Gandhi pursuing 5th semester in B.A. political science honours said, as a part of agitation administration block of DM Arts has been shut and in continuation of the agitation students staged the protest.

He said admission of first semester has already been started with one thousand students since July 4. But the government has released an order on last Sunday for re-admission of 120 more students.

The government must withdraw the order at the earliest. If the government fails to take action till tomorrow noon then intense agitation will be launched, Gandhi warned.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Chief minister N. Biren Singh stressed on promoting people to people connectivity between Manipur and Laos during his meetings with different ministers of the country yesterday.

At their capital Vientiane, the chief minister had separate meetings with Prime Minister’s Office Minister Alunkeo, Commerce and Industry Minister Khemmani Pholsena and Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Bosengkham Vongdara during his recent visit to the South East Asian country which began on August 6 and ended yesterday.

Biren had fruitful discussions on myriad issues including culture, tourism and trade potentials with the ministers.

He told the ministers that Manipur and Laos would automatically witness upswing in bilateral trade and co-operations once people to people connectivity is boosted apart from enhancing surface and air connectivity.

The chief minister pointed out that Manipur shares close affinity in terms of culture, customs and food habits not only with Laos but also with most of the ASEAN countries.

The ministers expressed astonishment when Biren mentioned about the similarities of Laos and Manipur in food habits and many other things.

All the ministers expressed their willingness to visit Manipur when the chief minister invited them to this year’s Manipur Sangai Festival.

Biren said that the government of India had transformed its ‘Look East Policy’ into ‘Act East Policy’ with a renewed vigour to enhance ties with ASEAN countries in terms of bilateral relations and trade.

The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, which would connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in western Thailand through Mandalay in Myanmar would certainly boost trade between Manipur and ASEAN countries, Biren observed.

During the meeting, the ministers sought investment in IT sector from the government of India.

Biren presented shawls having Sangai prints and Pakhangba mementoes to the ministers and top officials, whom he met during the tour.

The chief minister was accompanied by parliamentary secretary (Tourism) Dr. S. Ranjan, parliamentary secretary (Home) L. Susindro, advisor to CM Rajat Sethi and Personal Secretary to CM S. Rajen during his visit. The team returned Imphal today.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

An awareness programme on cyber crime was held today at Brilliance School, Uripok Imphal West. The programme was organised by Manipur Cyber Crime unit led by officer-in-charge state cyber crime unit Mohit Kumar Garg along with sub-inspector N. Bhubonchandra and his team under Swachata Abhiyan programme.

The programme was launched on August 7 and will continue till August 14.

During the awareness programme Mohit explained how to handle a social networking site in a safe mode like Facebook, WhatsApp, and bank fraud.

A slide show including fraud demo video was shown to the students of the school.

Speaking on the awareness programme, Mohit said people need to be aware of fraud calls and to avoid surfing in unknown web link. In this technological age many frauds are out to loot easily from the public who have less knowledge on cyber crimes especially from the older people.

Mohit advised that people must aware as many skilled robbers have come to the society so people should not give any bank details to any unknown person. With the opening of cyber crime unit in the state, the unit has able to solve 80 percent of the cyber crimes cases. People can get help from its official website cybercrime.mn@gov.in and can also ask any queries related to cyber crimes, he added.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Aug 9

The Kukis across Manipur from various congregate this morning at Kangpokpi DHQs and held rally in support of the Indo-Kuki political talks prior to the scheduled third round of tripartite talks today at the national capital involving the UPF-KNO, representing the Kukis and government of India and government of Manipur.

The support rally was jointly organized by various Kuki civil society organizations spearheaded by Kuki Women Union to show their endorsement and support towards the UPF and KNO who represented the 23 cognate tribes of the Kukis in the talks.

The rallyist mostly men and women in good numbers gathered at Brig. Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi DHQs at around 7:30 am in the morning and after a minutes speeches and deliberation marched towards Kangpokpi Bazar via the Trans Asian Highway No.1.

They hold several giant banner and pamphlets written words of support and demand like, “We Support Indo-Kuki Political talks”, “We endorse UPF & KNO”, “Expedite Indo-Kuki Political Talks”, Statehood, the long cherished dream of the Kukis”, “Kuki National Assembly’s memorandum to the PM, 1964-Statehood for the Kukis, Haipi Declaration of the Kukis, 2015-Statehood for the Kukis, UPF&KNO today-Statehood for the Kukis”, “Why not Statehood for the Kukis”, etc.

Traffic flow along the Tans Asian Highway No.1 was disrupted for few minutes during the support rally and a simple ceremony held at the traffic point of the District HQs main bazar.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Aug 9

The third round of Indo-Kuki political talks involving United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO) with the government of India and government of India was successfully held today at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi.

The almost three hours long meeting attended by 6 delegates on the part of the government of India and government of Manipur was chaired by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary, NE where the newly appointed Interlocutor was officially announced.

The other delegated on the part of the government were Dr. J. Suresh Babu, principal secretary (Home); Dineshwar Sharma, interlocutor; Pramod Asthana, ADGP, Intelligence (Law & Order), Manipur; Col. Amit Tiwari, DGMI and Dr. Baljit, Ministry of Home Affairs (IB).

While the United People’s Front (UPF) was represented by 10 member delegates led by its spokesperson, Aaron Kipgen and Kuki National Organization (KNO) was represented by 9 member delegates led by its negotiator Seilen Haokip.

Handing over the political dialogue to the newly appointed interlocutor, Dineshwar Sharma and extension of the Suspension of Operation agreement for the next one year was the main important thing discussed in the meeting.

The Suspension of Operation agreement effective upto June 8, 2017 on the part of UPF and upto July 21, 2017 for the KNO is further extended by all the parties in the meeting today for another year till August 31, 2018.

The extension of SoO agreement for another year was signed by Aaron Kipgen, Calvin H, L. Sanga Hmar, Romeo Haokip and David Chongloi on the part of and T.S. Haokip, T. Samuel, David Hangshing, Lalpu Hangshing and L.M. Dimo Zou on the part of KNO while Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (NE), MHA and Dr. J. Suresh Babu, ACS/Home Department, government of Manipur signed on the part of the Governments.

Speaking over the phone, UPF Spokesperson Aaron Kipgen said that during the meeting the Joint Secretary (NE), Satyendra Garg officially announced the appointment of Interlocutor for the UPF and KNO while introducing him to the august house.

He also said that the political issue of the Kukis shall be henceforth dealt minutely by the newly appointed interlocutor while he will visit the Kuki inhabited areas in Manipur shortly in connection with the Kuki political issue.

“The chief minister of Manipur is keen to resolve the aged old political issue of the Kukis and the SoO groups to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur and it is one of the factor as to why interlocutor have been appointed to expedite the political settlement”, the UPF spokesperson quoted Dr. J. Suresh Babu, chairman of the Joint Monitoring Group as saying.

On query, the UPF spokesperson said that the political demand of the UPF and KNO still remains the same, i.e. statehood and the interlocutor shall call another meeting shortly to discuss the political agenda.

He further said that the delegates of UPF and KNO want the government of India to respond to the demand for statehood that was submitted during the second round of talks held on October 19, 2016 but the government said that the new interlocutor shall have a threadbare discussion on the political agenda in the following rounds of political dialogue.