Day: October 30, 2017

IMPHAL | Oct 30

Governor Dr Najma Heptulla addressed the silver jubilee celebration of Council of Higher Education Manipur as chief guest on October 30 at MSFDC auditorium, Imphal.

The Governor recalled from her experience in education and politics that there were many things she had not known, and there are also many things nobody is expected to know. While imparting education we should ask how much the child knows, not how much the child does not know, she said.

“Students today are more independent as compared to our time as they can get every answer that we want and now the world is in our palm today,” she said. “Because of the availability of the facilities, research in science and technology is important.”

Dr Heptulla also emphasised the importance of preserving traditional knowledge. Students who do not want to go for higher studies but have skills in traditional arts and crafts should be educated through distance learning, she said.

“I want to tell teachers that the mind of the child is always questioning so the teacher should never mind the questions of the students as education is not just learning to read and write but knowing your surroundings, observing, questioning etc.” she said. Students should spend several numbers of hours on extracurricular activities as most of the time they are inside the four walls glued to their gadgets, she added.

The Governor lauded the council for its initiatives, particularly digitisation. “We have to work harder to make Manipur at par with other states of the country and will try to solve the problems that students of this state are facing in mainland India,” she said.

Remembering Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Dr Heptulla added that quality of mind is important to bring development and progress in the country.

The Governor said her office is planning a weekly interaction programme with students from next year. Students selected from all levels will be invited to the Raj Bhavan to discuss various issues concerning their studies, she said.

Minister of education, labour and employment Th Radheshyam Singh, who was also president of the function, said young minds have to bring solutions to the problems facing the state and that has to be the goal of education.

A souvenir and annual report of the council was released at the celebration. COSHEM chairman L Mahendra Singh and secretary Dr M Bidyasagar were also present at the event with academicians, teachers and students.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 30

Spokesperson of Lok Janashakti Party (LJP), N. Ibohal Meitei said immediate remedial measures must be taken in the increasing cases of racial discriminations against the people of the Northeast in Delhi and rest of mainland India.

Ibohal said the statement during a press conference held today at its state party office located at Babupara. He said since decades the Northeast people end up humiliated in most of the state and the government has never taken up necessary action for violating their rights.

He said in relation with such discrimination LJP had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister and home minister elaborating the grievances faced by the people of Northeast on October 28. The people of the region are living in great fear of being attacked just because they look different from other Indian.

He said the worst sufferer are the women as they have been abused physically, molested and even raped to death in many cases and police reports will substantiate all the facts.

Ibohal claimed no perpetrators have been punished for decades and because of the alarming rate of hate crimes committed against the Northeast people in the recent years LJP state unit has decided to send a delegation to Delhi to bring up the issues.

If the recommendation implement in Bezbaruah committee is not satisfactory to the present government then a new committee must be set up immediately by the Supreme Court. LJP demands to investigate all the cases of hate crimes pending in different police stations and courts across the nation to ensure justice at the earliest, Ibohal added.

Ibohal further claimed when Bollywood actor Salman Khan killed a deer police took cognizance of the case immediately and punished him under law. But the case of mystery death of Pravish Chanam recently in Noida is still pending though many civil organisations brought the issue on national wide.

LJP further demanded the inclusion of Northeast in NCERT syllabus, to set up a first track court for protection of Northeast people, to set up a scout and to create a Facebook page to bring up the issues faced by the Northeast people in other parts of the country.

On the other hand, Ibohal said the framework agreement between NSCN-IM and Central government has remained a mystery for the last twenty years and till date the contents of the agreement are kept hidden. He said LJP welcomes the framework agreement if it is does not affect in any state boundaries but is designed for the welfare of Nagaland.

Ibohal charged Naga People Front (NPF) is irresponsible and untrustworthy to handle the welfare of the state. The reason for NPF failing to turn up at the all-political party meet on Naga peace talks on October 28 at chief minister’s secretariat office is a proof of this. 

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 30

As the water level rises due to the incessant rain in the past 24 hours, the sluice gate number 4 at Itahi Barrage has been opened, but by 2.50 meters. The other four gates still are closed.

The water levels of the major rivers continue to rise. Major rivers namely Nambul, Imphal, Thoubal,Lillong and Irilbung are flowing dangerously above their flash marks. In the last few months, the state has also witnessed floods five time. Weather predictions though point that the rains will stop from Tuesday.

“The Ithai Dam should be reviewed and if necessary be decommissioned to save the Loktak lake and to prevent frequent floods in the valley,” environmental activist RK Ranjan said.

He stated that the sluice gates of the Ithai dam are not controlled by the state government. “Even if the water level rises, the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has to be requested for the Ithai dam sluice gates to be opened. The request needs to be okayed from their counterparts of the Project at Delhi, and then only the gates can be opened” the activist pointed.

He said it is ridiculous that despite the flood situation, the state cannot open the gates of the Ithai barrage without permission from higher authorities.

It may be mentioned that the chief minister, N Biren had stated that the Ithai dam needs to be reviewed and Works minister Th Bishwajit had also approached the Governor to brief the Central government of the demerits of the Ithai barrage and the need for a revision.

Fisher folks and of the Loktak Project affected families also appeal to the state government to review the Ithai barrage and to preserve the Loktak lake from which the families are earning a living.

According to an IFCD official, the main problem of the flooding in the valley area is the Ithai barrage and is closed sluice gates. The urban and rural areas of the valley get flooded if there is heavy rainfall for 48 hours.

It may be mentioned that the state has witnessed floods five consecutive times in 2017. The worst affected areas are valley districts inclusive of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Chandel.

The Ithai barrage project requires Loktak surface to be 768.9 metres above mean sea level throughout the year to produce profitable electricity. RK Ranjan stated that “we are now getting power from the national grid and not from the NHPC, the state authorities need to inquire how much power the Loktak Project is supplying to the state and the information needs to be made public.”

He added that the decision to open the sluice gates is not within the ambit of the state and urged that it should be made so. He stated that the agreement between the state government and the NHPC should be made public.

According to reliable sources, the contract with the state government and the NHPC is not available at present.

IMPHAL | Oct 30

A team of district police, Churachandpur seized one 9mm pistol along with five live rounds from the owner of the house at New Lamka, Churachandpur on October 27, said a release by Pro Police.

It said, the owner was identified as K. Ginzalian (70), son of (Late) Tualzalam of Vengnuam, New Lamka. A case has been registered at Churachandpur police station and investigation is going on.

Meanwhile, the team of district police, Churachandpur arrested one arms dealer from his residence and he was identified as Zamkhanpou alias Apao alias Papau (48), son of (Late) Tualkhanpau of Vengnuam, New Lamka.

Investigation revealed that Zamkhanpou received the arms consignment from Ginlianthang (47), son of Chingkhogin and Nengkhanlun (34), son of (Late) Khamgou of of Suangdoh village, Singngat sub-division, said the release.

Zamkhanpou also revealed that he had transported the arms with the help of Ginsianmuan (27), son of Tualgoupau of Gouchinkhup Veng, New Lamka in Hyundai I10 Magna bearing registration number MN01X-3208 owned by Ginsianmuan. Later, police seized the car along with two magazines of 9mm pistol and cash of Rs. 17,500 and arrested Ginlianthang and Nengkhanlun along with cash of Rs. 15,170 and other incriminating articles.

A case has been registered at Churachandpur police station and investigation is going on.

Moreover, a team of district police commando, Thoubal and district police, Kakching arrested one active member of RPF/PLA from Kakching Chumnang Leikai near bus parking.

It said, the arrested person was identified as Moirangthem Rajkumar Singh (47), son of (Late) M. Mangijao Singh of Kakching Wairi Sabal Leikai Leishangthem Pareng.

A case has been registered at Kakching police station and investigation is going on.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 30

Parliamentary secretary for minor irrigation, CADA, agriculture, works and sericulture, Awangbow Newmai today said talks between NSCN-IM and Government of India is a peace talk for the country and not a talk to create conflicts and divisions in the nation.

He said that the recent spate of comments on the ongoing talks between the two parties is unfortunate and he urged all not to create confusion in the minds of the people with apprehensions and presumptions.

He was making this statement in the Chaga Ngee celebration held today at Namraining Tamei headquarters as chief guest of the function.

He said that Manipur has had enough of conflicts because of apprehensions and that it is time now to try to live peacefully with love, respect and understanding to have progress in our society.

He added that Indian government is trying and will bring an amicable and an acceptable solution for the problems facing by the people of the state.

The parliamentary secretary said that Chaga-ngee is one of the most important festivals of Liangmai tribe and he appreciated the efforts of the organising committee for taking forth the important tradition of Liangmai culture.

He also said that he would try his best to make this day a restricted holiday of the state. He said that he had spoken to the chief minister Nongthombam Biren about this and received a positive response.

Chaga-ngee is a celebration to mark the season of reaping which also serves as a time for renewed strength for the future of an individual and a community as a whole.

It is celebrated every year on October 30. Nagaland recognised October 30 as a state holiday for the Liangmai community to celebrate with cultural and religious fervour.

The grand event was organised by Chaga-ngee Organising Committee and was attended by around 1700 people.

IMPHAL | Oct 30

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on October 30 that it is the state’s collective responsibility to root out any form of corruption so as to bring inclusive development.

Observing ‘Vigilance Awareness Week’ which began today and will conclude on November 4, the chief minister said corruption is a contagious disease adversely affecting the socio-economy of Manipur and widening the disparity among the rich and poor in the country.

He said the new BJP-led state government has taken certain steps since coming to power to tackle the issue of corruption, such as setting up of the anti-corruption cell, grievance cell and monitoring cell in the CM secretariat. Appropriate actions have been taken against corrupt officials, he added.

To make Manipur free of corruption, anti-corruption drives are being conducted against people responsible for misuse or misappropriation of public funds, Biren said. Complaints related to corruption cases can be filed through grievance cell and the website of anti-corruption cell, he added.

He said to hear the grievances faced by the common people and minimise corruption in the state, Meeyamgi Numit and hill leaders’ day is being held every month.

On such occasions, Biren said, officials of various departments such as medical, education (S), youth affairs and sports, minority and other backward classes, social welfare, police, Manipur State Co-operative Bank Ltd and Manipur State Illness Assistance Fund are deputed to provide immediate assistance such as medical aid, loans, scholarships etc. to citizens.

Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed throughout the country. This year’s theme given by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is “My Vision – Corruption Free India”.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Oct 30

With Hornbill Festival just a month away, a meeting to discuss and improvise activities for the upcoming ‘Festival of Festivals’ was convened today at State Banquet Hall chaired by Chief Minister, TR Zeliang.

The 10 day festivity celebrated from December 1 every year, is likely to be cut-down to a 7-day event from 2018. From this year the Hornbill Festival will be a plastic-free event where only the use of paper bags and recyclable materials will be permitted. While the dates of VVIPs’ attendance, including the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, is yet to be ascertained; the popular Music Rock events may be shifted to Agri-Expo, Dimapur considering the flagrant traffic problems and security related matters in the State Capital during such events.

Tourism Department, the Nodal Department which has been overseeing the conduct of the festival so far has been assigned to start arrangements for the much awaited festival which attracts several international and domestic tourists every year. Considering the number of unfortunate vehicle accidents and unruly incidents that occur during this period, the use of IMFL will be restricted as per the State Liquor Prohibition Act although Naga local brew would be exempted. The assistance of youth and public organisations would be sought for volunteering works in controlling illegal activities including the sale of IMFL and other illegal substance.

On the presence of uniformed armed personnel within the venue during the festival which is considered as an unpleasant sight for visiting tourists, the district administration would ensure that armed forces conduct their drills and patrols outside the periphery of the festival venue. While the quality of sound system at the venue would be up-graded, all media personnel possessing proper identity cards would be allowed free access to the venue unlike in the past where purchase of access-tickets were mandatory.

While priority on catering services would be given to local entrepreneurs for income generation and as a means to enhance their business skills, uninterrupted power supply during the entire period of the Festival would be looked into with field staffs of Power Department posted on duty round the clock. The Government would be inviting all North-Eastern States to be part of this year Hornbill Festival, intended to be among the best so far, before it is privatised in the near future to save time and resources of the State Government.

Apart from the much favored cultural dances, wrestling, racing and eating competitions which have gained wide popularity since its inception, this year’s International Rock Contest is likely to be the best one held so far with around 26 Rock Bands, including one each from Singapore and Bhutan, slated to perform.