Day: November 15, 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 15

The report on the alleged rape case of a minor by a founder of North eastern Children’s Home Renkhai submitted by the investigating officer of the case, Sandy Lalningsangi Tonsing, was cross examined today by the special judge POCSO, Imphal West.

The accused, Timothy L. Changsan, 55, son of late Thangzakhan of Renkhai village Churachandpur was arrested by police on July 24, 2015 in compliance with the High Court order related with a petition filed by the parent of the victim on alleged charged of molesting and repeated rape of their child at the children home.

On July 6, 2015 the High Court of Manipur had stayed the bail order of the accused passed by the special judge POCSO, Churachandpur stating that the bail order of the accused is null and void and release of accused person during the very stage of trial is likely to hamper the investigation.

Later on January 2016 the trial of the case was transferred to special judge POCSO, Imphal West from special judge POCSO, Churachandpur following an order passed by the High Court of Manipur.

The investigating officer of the case who appeared as prosecution witness before the court submitted that the statement of victim minor girl was recorded by the police during which she disclosed that she had been repeatedly molested and sexually assaulted since December 2014 by the accused person.

Moreover during the investigation they had collected swab samples and other relevant materials from both victim and accused, added the officer.

The statement of the officer was recorded in the presence of the accused person who is still under the judicial custody.

 

IMPHAL | Nov 15

In line with the State Government’s popular slogan, ‘Go to the Hills’, a State Cabinet meeting was held at Tamenglong district headquarters today.

Tamenglong became the third hill district which hosted a Cabinet meeting after Churachandpur and Chandel.

The State Cabinet meeting held at Multipurpose Hall, DC Office Complex with Chief Minister Shri N. Biren in the chair, approved the revision of existing terms and conditions of the Advocate General of Manipur. The revision was necessitated as the existing terms and conditions which were fixed about seven years ago do not commensurate with the current price index. The existing terms and conditions of the Advocate General were revised in 2010 vide Law Department’s Order No. 8/1/2007-AG /L dated 24/05/2017.

Among others, the revision of terms and conditions included enhancement of monthly retainer fee payable to the Advocate General of Manipur from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to appointment of 37 former Contract Veterinary Officers (VOs), who are still available and willing to work. Their service was reinstated considering their past service, and also to comply with the Court’s directive.

These VOs were inducted into service on Contract basis on May 5, 1999 following a State Cabinet decision taken on March 16, 1999. Their contract engagement was extended from time to time till February 28, 2003.

The Cabinet also approved one-time relaxation of recruitment rules for promotion in the Electricity Department, which has already been unbundled and corporatized into two companies namely, Manipur State Power Company Ltd and Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd.

Later, the Cabinet also reviewed different developmental works and projects being taken up Tamenglong district. Tamenglong DC Shri Armstrong Pame presented a PowerPoint presentation before the Cabinet and Administrative Secretaries concerned.

IMPHAL | Nov 15

Governor of Manipur Dr. Najma Heptulla said that the land of Manipur is very fertile not only in biodiversity but for future development of the youths which is why she is totally involved with the young children and youths of the state. She stated this while inaugurating the 2-Day National Conference on ‘Promoting Business Opportunities in North Eastern India and India’s Act East Policy’, to be held on 15th and 16th November, 2017, today, at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University organized by the Manipur Institute of Management Studies, Manipur University in collaboration with Centre for Global Management and Responsible Leadership, XLRI, Jamshedpur.

Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla addressing the gathering said that the  Prime Minister of India is sincerely concerned about the issue of backwardness in the NE region. His look east policy also includes work east policy. Clarifying on the notion that the government has never been bothered about the NE Region, she said the problem is the distance (accessibility) from the rest of the country.

Dr. Najma Heptulla said after taking charge of the State her first suggestion was to improve the conditions in the hill region as many areas lack basic infrastructures including medical facilities. Due to difficult terrains, doctors and medical staffs are unable to provide even the basic medical facilities.

Villagers residing in remote areas are also unable to reach to the nearest medical facility due to lack of transport facilities including bad road conditions. Deeply concerned about the issue, the Governor requested the Prime Minister for ‘flying doctors’ to treat the people. The Prime Minister and NE council accepted the allocation of fund for flying doctors.

She said that she is pleased to learn that since its inception in the year 1995, the Manipur Institute of Management Studies has been imparting management education in the region and striving for growth with quality.

She said that she is happy to learn that the Institute is focussing on the quality of the young minds, reminding of her late grandfather, the first Education Minister who laid the foundation of quality education in the country. She said the Manipur Institute of Management Studies is a fast growing Institute with a mission to instill potential and practicing managers with analytical skills, leadership qualities, achievement motives and a vision, all so crucial to the steering of enterprises.

She expressed her belief that policy makers, researchers and practitioners from different parts of the country participating in the Conference will explore ways and means to promote business opportunities in the North Eastern States. The abundance of natural resources in the region presents a huge investment opportunities and growth of enterprise in the region.

However, the region is facing innumerable challenges like sustained conflicts, geographical isolation, militarization and migration, lack of economic and social development which has led to a drying up of industries and investments in the region.

The Act East Policy of the Government of India is opening up many opportunities in this part of the country. Apart from the commitment of the Central and State Government, the capacity building needs of the people in the region have to be acknowledged and addressed.

After discussion with  Prime Minister on skill development called the Livelihood Programme, Workshop on skill development has been organized at the Raj Bhavan, Imphal in collaboration with the Central Ministry.

She also announced that a livelihood mission project has been approved by the State Government which will be launched soon. Manipur is a powerhouse of energy and have enough people to be developed and trained in small scale industries in organic farming. We can really develop a large scale of export of the products. Of late, great initiatives have also been taken up by the Government of India with regard to the Act East Policy which includes tri-lateral highways passing through Imphal and connecting to ASEAN countries, railway lines up to the border town of Manipur, bilateral and multilateral agreements with the ASEAN member countries, trade negotiations and many more.

However, few issues and challenges too need to be focused and they are law and order, political will, internal conflicts, physical infrastructure like road, telecommunication, banking and so on, she added.

Terming the conference as a platform for policy makers, researchers and practitioners to present their understanding on how business opportunities can be promoted in the region she said she is fully confident that the practitioners and experts will present papers for deliberation on how business opportunities could be promoted in the region. She also said that she would like to look up the recommendations of the conference which could be beneficial for the development of the state.

Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University; Prof. N. Lokendra Singh, Dean, School of Social Sciences, Manipur University; Prof. P. Venugopal, Chairperson, CGMRL, XLRI, Jamshedpur; Mr. Nakib Ahmed, Advisor, NE Initiative, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata; Prof. Ch. Ibohal Meitei, Director, MIMS, Manipur University, delegates, entrepreneurs of the state and students attended the inaugural ceremony.