Day: October 15, 2017

IMPHAL | Oct 15

An emergency special general body meeting of Manipur Government Services Federation was held on October 12 where the verbal status report of principal secretary (Finance) on the Fitment Committee and their appeal to extend sometime to complete its working was minutely, elaborately and precisely discussed.

A release issued by general secretary of the federation, Purujit Lairikyengbam said that the meeting unanimously decided and re-affirmed the schedule of strike as already notified, that is, mass casual leave on October 25 and cease work strike on November 2 since the state government does not take up the matter very seriously, timely and concrete result is not found till date.

It asked all the heads of the departments to furnish the information relating to existing posts in their respective departments to the Fitment Committee immediately and their respective employees associations should also follow up the issue.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 15

At least one killed and 12 sustained injuries when a passenger vehicle coming from Jiribam plunged into a gorge near Awangkhul along National Highway 37 Imphal-Jiribam road in the wee hour today.

According to reports the road mishap occurred around 3 am in between Awangkhul and Tamlok about 75 km away from Imphal.

The passenger vehicle (Tata winger) bearing registration number MNOIS-2338 reportedly felt into a gorge about 200 feet deep killing a passenger and injuring all the occupants.

The deceased has been identified as P. Kadinglungbou, 40, son of P. Hengsongbou of Tamei.

As the report of the mishap spread, a team of the 14 Sikh regiment rushed to the incident site and rescued the injured victims.

The victims initially were evacuated to Noney PHC and unit hospital of 8 Assam Rifles where they were given with first aid and later shifted to hospital in Imphal.

Further Newmai News Networks adds that former vice president of Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), P. Kadinlungbou, was killed in the accident.

In its condolence message, Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) said that Kadinlungbou had served as VP and speaker of the council on different tenures. The Liangmai body maintained that Kadinlungbou was sincere and had rendered his best of service for the people as an LNC leader.

He was the President of Liangmai Naga Katina Ruangdi (LNKR), the apex student body of Liangmai tribe, before he joined LNC.

His sudden demise is a great loss for the Liangmai community, and “the vacuum he left behind will be difficult to be filled”, the release said, and shared the grief of the bereaved family members during this difficult moment.

Meantime a release of the PIB (Defence) said a quick reaction team of 40 men of Tamei Battalion deployed at Awangkhul Company Operating Base undertook the rescue operation in the wee hours.

The TATA Winger had fallen approximately 200 meters down the road and needed major effort to rescue the survivors. The team without losing any time tied ropes and other ancillaries to reach the victims who were injured, unconscious and fallen along the course of the vehicle, it said.

After three hours of rescue operation along with Noney Police, 12 passengers were saved, it added.

By Ashem Lalit

MOREH| Oct 15

The Kwatha village being a part of the history of Manipur, though small in size, is a very important village. It is located at a distance of 109 kilometres from Imphal and 20 kilometres from the border town Moreh.

The village has been in existing since 1469 AD, now has a population of 410 villagers consisting 74 households under different surnames. According to history, it is also believed that original settlers of the village were of Manipuri refugees who were fleeing the State during the period of Seven Years Devastation.

The village still maintains the tradition of the feudal days therefore courtiers and attendants still are in vogue even today. Villagers also follow the old Meetei faith.  The shrine of Nongpok Ninghtou Nongpok Panthoibi is located at a little distance from the village.

Even though the village takes an important place in the history of Manipur, it is being neglected by the State due to its geographical location. As for instance, the connecting roads to the village have never been black-topped.

This has caused the villagers to face challenges and difficulties in matters of economy, health care, education, roadway connectivity, and other basic necessities of life. The sole means of livelihood for the villagers are agriculture, fermenting of bamboo shoots and other allied activates.

It may be mentioned that the per capita income of the villagers is a meager Rs. 27.20, making a total of Rs. 9928 in a year.     

Though the per capita income is low, the village has many potential for developments. If the mineral resources, forest, flora and fauna, and its natural beauty are preserved and utilised, it will bring in a speedy development.

The fermented bamboo shoots, which are the biggest source of income to the village, are a delicacy of Manipuris in general. Unfortunately, the bamboo flowering that occurred in the previous year, 2016 has dwindled the production of bamboo shoots for the next ten years. This will give a huge blow to the economy of the village.   

Regarding this matter, the State and central government have not taken up any measures to provide a solution. The residents of the village have appealed to the government to draw attention to the prevailing issue.

However, the Kwatha festival which started last year has provided an opportunity for the villagers to reach out to the public as well as take initiatives to better the economy by using available resources.

 The second Kwatha festival will be held for three days from October 27 to 29.  As a part of the festival, medical camp, trekking and moonlight camping, music, folk dance, matam eshei, Mangka live state, thang ta, Nokphade, jumba dance, Manipuri bruce lee show, photography competition, tree plantation, flute music, Cajon Dairies, rock show and thabal chongba will be featured.

Above all this, stalls that highlights the resources of the villages will be opened. The public have started giving opinions that the village, which has roots in the history, must be protected by the people and the government.

To make the festival successful, the roadway connecting the village is currently being repaired and camping sites along with parking areas are being constructed.

From A Correspondent

IMPHAL | Oct 15

Indian U-17 world cup goalkeeper Dheeraj Moirangthem landed to a grand reception by well-wishers when he touched down at Imphal Tulihal International Airport today.

Despite the total shutdown call by underground outfits, challenging the forced merger of Manipur into Indian Union in 1949 this day and observing it as National Black Day, the young goalkeeper was mobbed by well-wishers, garlanding him with flowers and showered with money.

Dheeraj’s parents also accompanied him from Delhi. Dheeraj hails from Moirang which is about 40 kilometer from Imphal.

Dheeraj who has earned rare appreciations, from including USA coach and expert commentators for his daring display under the bar, was lost for words at the welcome he received despite the fact that India lost all theirs three matches and made a sad exit from the tournament.

Dheeraj acknowledging the support of the people said, “I am really happy to be accorded a warm welcome and I will keep working hard until my goals are achieved.”

He further said, “There is U-19 AFC qualifiers coming at Saudi Arabia and I am really looking forward to it. The team will be picked up from among the U-13 as well as U-17 players for the meet.”

Though refusing to divulge on offers by clubs in the aftermath of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, he said, ‘”I am not mature enough to speak about the offers.”

It may be mentioned that seven players including Indian skipper Amarjit Kiyam, Borish Thangjam, Jackson Thounaojam, Md.Shah Jahan, Nongdamba Naorem, Suresh Wangjam and Ninthoingamba Meitei had already arrived yesterday.

Except for Borish and Ningthoingamba who are from Imphal, all the other players reside in far flung villages of Manipur.

The state government has promised an incentive of Rs. 5 lakhs each to the eight players while Manipur sports minister Letpao Haokip has provided Rs 10,000 each to the eight players from his personal ends.

Meanwhile it is reported that several players of U-17 squad had received job offers, including from AIFF, but some are reluctant to put their signature to the dotted line because of the nature of contracts.

Some I-League as well as ISL teams are trying their best to rope in some of the leading players, including Dheeraj and Jeakson Singh.

Meantime, the All Manipur United Veteran Football Association will be felicitating the eight state footballers who donned Indian colour in FIFA U-17 World Cup at a simple function at Malom tomorrow at 10.30am.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 15

Premjit Thokchom, President of and NGO called Sangai Youth Tobacco Free and Educational Association today claimed the he has been duped by a fake online company, Amazon Prime Express Courier, after he had been cheated into depositing Rs. 20, 000 into the bank account of the company, under Allahabad Bank.    

Premjit, told reporters at Manipur Press Club that they applied for opening a franchise of Amazon Prime Express Courier in Manipur, which was allegedly advertised by Guwahati branch of the fake organisation.

The advertisement for this was published in a one local paper on May 26, he said.

“The advertisement seemed genuine at first, so we applied for it on June 10, and after a gap of three months, on October 3, the fake company’s agent one Raman Tanuli sent a mail and even called saying that our company has been selected for that franchise”, Premjit said.

“He told us to deposit a cash amount of Rs.20,000 on October 5-6 if not we will not get a chance. So we deposited the said amount on October 6, in the account number they have sent which is in the name of one Rituparna Hazarika under Allahabad bank”, he continued.

But as soon as the money was deposited, the said fake company had stopped taking calls from them and does not even reply to mails and Whatsapp messages till now, Premjit said.

He continued further that they have all the details of the company that contacted them. They were Sanjeeb Hazarika, Rituparna Hazarika, Raman Tanuli and Sangita Hazarika.

Later they confirmed it from Amazon head office, Bangalore that they have no agent from Guwahati with those names and also informed that there is no such company as ‘Amazon Prime Express Courier’ under its operation.

They have filed a complaint case in CID crime branch, cybercrime branch and also in Assam, Guwahati regarding the fraud case.

He urged the public to be aware of such fraud cases and not to fall into trap of the fraudsters in the future.

IMPHAL | Oct 15

Hundreds of people turned up to highlight their grievances to the chief minister on the sixth edition of ‘Meeyamgi Numit’. As usual the Chief Minister, N. Biren attended to the grievances of the people at the CM’s secretariat today. 

Biren gave first preference to differently-abled persons, widows, and old-aged people to hear and resolve their grievances and issues. He personally attended to around 200 complaints and met nearly 1000 people from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Among different issues, demands like difficulties faced by the transporters, issues of die-in-harness appointment, assistance to earthquake victims etc. were common. 

Unlike the previous Meeyamgi Numit, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) organised public screening of film/documentaries highlighting the achievements and new developments in the State including the achievements within 100 days of the new government in the past seven months.

Health department officials had been deputed at CM’s secretariat for the day to attend to the people, who seek medical assistance, reimbursement and health care in government medical hospitals.

Officials of Manipur State Co-operative Bank Ltd, education (S), youth affairs and sports, minority and other backward classes, social welfare and police departments and Manipur State Illness Assistance Fund related staff were also deputed to attend to the grievances of the public.

The chief minister’s secretariat made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the general public. Light refreshments including water, tea and snacks were provided to the visitors. A medical team along with an ambulance and a team of Manipur Fire Service were kept on stand-by at the complex for any unforeseen emergencies.

CCPUR | Oct 15

A two-year-old boy identified as Lunmuanlal, son of H. Goukhanmung of Friendship Road, Vengnuam, New Lamka died after falling into a well at V. Munhoih this morning at around 11.20 am, where his family  went to have lunch at their maternal  grandparents’ place.

Sources said that Lunmuanlal accidentally fell into the well, which was only three feet deep. The minor was taken out from the well and rushed to the district hospital but he succumbed before being administered any medical treatment, it added.

Mentioned may be made that last Sunday, a minor from Lailam Veng died under similar circumstances at Canaan Veng, New Lamka.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 15

A Manipuri actor turned seri-culturist, complained that he and two other families who worked with him for two and a half years were not paid wages in a row by the sericulture department of the government of Manipur.

The actor who does not want to be identified said that he had been working for sericulture department for the past two and half years now, with an aim to give awareness about the benefits of sericulture and also to earn.

Talking to the IFP, he said that in 2015, he applied for sericulture farming after attending a training programme in sericulture. He took to the fields after getting 1000 mulberry plants from the department. He has his farm in Sawombung Wairi, Imphal East district.

His plantation grew to be the biggest and he said he was the No.1 in the state for best production, the actor claimed.

He even made a nursery of around two lakhs plantation. “The sericulture department used to come and check but never bought the products,” he accused.

“The two and a half years was a round of plantation of mulberry in bulks with good results, but the sericulture department neither bought our products nor paid our wages,” he said.

He pointed out that he is ready to expose further wrongdoings of the sericulture department.  He said he and other colleagues in the business have worked so hard to get to this phase, but the government has not acknowledged their work.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 15

Normal life was affected in the state today on account of the 18-hour state wide shutdown called by many outlawed armed groups under the CorCoM and separately by KYKL, NLFT and KCP. The shutdown was part of the observation of the “National Black Day”, commemorating the controversial merger of Manipur with India which came into force on October 15, 1947.

Security personnel were heavily deployed at different areas of the valley in anticipation of trouble, however there were no reports of untoward incidents from anywhere. Unlike any other bandh or strike, this time no supporters or protestors were seen on the road although the roads remained largely empty.

Business establishments, educational institutes, petrol pumps, shops and markets remained closed. However hospitals and medical stores remained opened. Some shops started to open late in the afternoon. Inter-district transport services were also affected by the shutdown.

The otherwise busy market places like Paona Keithel, Thangal Keithel, Nagamapal, BT road and Wahengbam Leikai areas wore a deserted look as shop shutters were down and only few pedestrians were seen on the road.

This is in spite of the seasonal rush of shoppers this time of the year generally witness on account of approaching festivals like Ningol Chakouba and Diwali.

A few private vehicles were seen moving in the day time and later in the afternoon. Some passenger auto rickshaw were seen plying on the roads.

Though there was no holiday in the government offices, there were little or no sign of government employees attending their offices.

Interestingly, as soon as evening came, people began thronging the recently launched weekend event nigh plaza, also known as ‘Imphal Evening’. In no time, visitors along the stretch along the Kanglapat road teemed with life, and business went on as usual. 

It may be recalled, Manipur King, Bodhachandra, during a routine visit to Shillong was kept captive there at Redlands, the Manipur royal’s residence in Shillong, by Indian forces and forced him to sign the infamous Merger Agreement on September 21, 1949.

The signed agreement came into force on October 15 the same year and today’s shutdown was in protest of this.

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Oct 15

The annual felicitation programme of the private school, Wisdom Foundation located at Khongjom under Thoubal district was held yesterday at the campus of the school. The occasion was attended by noted theatre personality, Ratan Thiyam as chief guest, DPO of ICDS Imphal, Kh. Barpananda as president, Dhanabir Laishram, manager of Bank of India, Thoubal, Deepak Khaidem and president of KSA Imphal, M. Laxman attended as guests of honour.

Ratan Thiyam lamented that educated people are unable to utilise their education. He expressed that the people have the habit of wasting time and many opportunities have come and gone. He further laid down the advantages of following values of truth by students and stressed that teachers should try to impart education in such a way that creativity is nurtured.

Teachers must be able to carry all the reference of a word on their fingertips, should know a lot and must be voracious readers as everything depends on teachers, he said. He further expressed his belief that students of wisdom foundation will continue in producing good students.

Principal of the school, L. Subha, laid down the achievements of the school. She said it is believed that school will go into a new change in a few years which would be possible with the support of the people.

Afterwards, toppers from the school were felicitated by giving encouraging words and modest rewards.