Day: November 22, 2017

IMPHAL | Nov 22

The President of India Ram Nath Kovind today visited the Indian National Army Memorial Complex, Moirang, the place where the Indian Tricolour flag was hoisted for the first time on the Indian soil on April, 14, 1944.

 On the occasion, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind paid floral tributes at the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at INA complex. The President was accompanied by first lady of the country Savita Kovind and an entourage that included officials of Rashtrapati Bhawan, governor of Manipur Najma Heptulla, chief miniser N. Biren Singh, cabinet ministers and MLAs.

The President also visited the INA museum located within the INA Memorial Complex. The President was briefed by the officials of the department of art and culture, government of Manipur about history of the INA soldiers and the Battles of Imphal that happened during Second World War.

The President wrote on the visitor’s book of the Museum, “I offer my humble tribute to the brave soldiers of the Indian National Army who made supreme sacrifices to liberate Mother India under exemplary leadership of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. This monument reminds us of the valour of the INA and makes us commit ourselves to the service of the Nation.”

It may be mentioned that President Ram Nath Kovind is the second President of India to visit INA Memorial Complex, Moirang after President V.V. Giri who visited the INA Complex on 21st October, 1972.

The President Ram Nath Kovind who arrived in Imphal yesterday to inaugurate the NEDS 2017 and Manipur Sangai Festival 2017 reached Moirang by helicopter and visited INA Memorial Complex to pay floral tributes to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and martyrs of INA.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

An enraged passenger who missed her connecting flight from Kolkata to Patna due to delay of all flights at Imphal Airport with VVIP arrival at the airport, engaged tourism Union minister, Alphons Joseph Kannanthanam in an angry exchange upon the latter’s arrival yesterday.

The passenger identified as Dr. Nirala Singh who is currently a PG final year student in department of Obst and Gynae at RIMS booked a connecting flight from Imphal to Kolkata and from Kolkata to Patna to join the funeral ceremony of her brother.

But due to the delay of all the flights in connection with the VVIP arrival at Imphal Airport, she had already missed the flight from Kolkata to Patna before even boarding the flight from Imphal.

The video of the incident has gone viral in the social media. In the video clip the lady doctor was seen shouting at the Union minister Alphons on his arrival at the Imphal airport.

“I was waiting and crying so I approached the minister thinking a minister can do everything,” Dr Nirala said. Meantime the minister was seen trying to calm down the lady stating that all flights will take off once the President’s flight touches down at the airport.

In a statement, Indigo airlines said that her flight “was delayed for more than two hours for airspace closure due to the VVIP movement at Imphal.”

“3 scheduled flights were delayed by around 2 hours due to the President of India’s flight movement. We heard that one passenger who was travelling from Imphal to Patna argued with Union Minister KJ Alphons,” said an airport official.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

The High Court of Manipur on its own motion has taken up a PIL for the effective implementation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and its rules in the state.

The PIL is also incorporating a presentation submitted by People for Animal (PFA) to acting chief justice through registrar general of the High Court praying to give directives to authorities concerned in the connection with Cil. (P) case No.224 of 2017 in reference to FIR No.243(8) 2017, IPS u/s 11(a)(d)(k) of PCA Act in the court of chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West.

The presentation furnished by PFA maintained that on August 30 one L. Bishwajeet Meitei lodged a complaint stating that one eco van with registration No. MN04 A/9991 was carrying seven dogs in a very cruel manner.

The dogs limbs were found tied up by binding wires and all the dogs were adult and it is cleared that they were being transported for consumption, added the complaint.

Following the case the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West on August 31 convicted the accused persons and imposed a fine of Rs.50 each and directed the accused to deposit a sum of Rs. 5000 as expenses towards maintenance of the seized dogs.

The PIL also mentioned that Pony is one of the five recognised equine breeds of India is very important and critical for the state as well the country as part of the national gene pool.

It mentioned that the population of this highly valued pony breed is dwindling rapidly in recent times, from 1898 in the 17th Quinquennial Livestock Census 2003 to only 1101 in the 19th Quinquennial Livestock Census 2012.

Such situation now calls for immediate implementation of conservation programmes through formulation of a holistic policy on conservation and development of Manipur Pony and the state government has also declared Manipur Pony as an endangered breed in 2013.

The PIL also mentioned that most of the ponies were abandoned by their owners and they do not provide proper shelter, feeds and medical attention to their ponies.

The owner collect the horses whenever they need for polo matches or race etc and in the other time the abandoned horses wandered on streets and roads in search of food and shelter, added the PIL.

The PIL further prayed to the High Court to direct the state government especially veterinary and animal services of Manipur to construct proper animal shelters in all the districts at the earliest as stipulated in PCA Act 1960 and rules framed under it.

It also prayed for directing the SPCA of Imphal West or veterinary & animnal husbandry services, Manipur to take over the six numbers of dogs sheltering at the animal shelter of PFA which is at Thoubal Wangmataba as well as compensate the cost, effort of caring six dogs beyond 7 days as directed by CJM, Imphal West to PFA Manipur.

On being heard of the submission of PIL, advocate general has sought time for submitting relevant reports in connection with the PIL filed before the acting chief justice and he has fixed the matter to be heard on December 4.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

Special Judge Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substance (NDandPS) Manipur today recorded statement of the investigating officer of CBI who appeared as CBI witness in connection with the absconding of two accused person involved in the infamous Pallel drug hauled case involving former PRO, PIB Defence Wing, Imphal Ajay Choudhury.

The IO submitted before the court that the official team of CBI have conducted search for two accused person identified as Zaminthang Tuboi and Letminlal Haokip both from Moreh at their residences but they have been found absconding till today.

He added that more over their missing reports are also already published in both local and national dailies and prayed to declare them as proclaimed absconder. 

Meantime following the completion of submitting all the relevant papers in connection with the case before the court, the case is now under process of charge consideration.

Earlier the trial of the case was going at a snail’s pace due the failure of CBI to submit the relevant documents related with the investigation of the case. However with the submission of all relevant documents there will be possibilities of speedy disposal of the case by the court, said a source. 

Mentioned may be made that a huge amount of Pseudoephedrine tablets were seized by a team of Manipur police commandos from Pallel police check post on October 3, 2013 from the possession of former PRO, PIB Defence Wing, Imphal Ajay Choudhury and other 16 co-accused.

Later CBI took over the case and submitted charge sheet against the 17 accused persons including former PRO, PIB Defence Wing, Imphal Ajay Choudhury, Dhrubajyoti Das, Madho Das, Utpal debnath, Banamali Talukdar, Tiken Deka and Ajay Kumar Bhartia, Rajneesh Kumar, Ng. Brojen, Lhunkhohao Haokip, RK. Babloo, Diskant Goel, K. Ananda, Saikholen Haokip.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

Titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba has said that shumang leela plays crucial role in shaping the society in the right direction, speaking at the inaugural function of Sangai International Shumang Leela Festival 2017 which begin today at the Shumang Leela Sanglen, Imphal. 

Speaking as the chief guest, he elaborated the importance of shumang leela in shaping our society and its historical background. “Shumang leela begin from time immemorial. And day by day the value and importance of Shumang leela is increasing. Let us not forget that our unique performing art form helps in representing our state in other parts of India and even at international level,” he pointed out.

We should take care that the value of the unique art form is not diminished, he said, adding if possible proper documentation of any Shumang leela that have been performed so far should be maintained. 

Chairman of festival committee of Manipur State Shumang Leela Council (MSSLC) Wareppa Naba clarifying on the non-attendance of any foreign delegate in the festival said, “This year we regret that we are not able to invite any delegates from outside the country. But from next year we will surely have friends from abroad to take part in the festival.”   

President MSSLC M. Purnimashi Leima among others also attended the inaugural function of the festival. It may be mentioned that this is the third Sangai International Shumang Leela Festival organised by the council.

On the inaugural day Shumang leela ‘Nungsirabi Abem’ was performed by Sangai Artistes Association group. The festival will continue for eight days.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today submitted a memorandum to the President of India, seeking the latter’s intervention in pressuring the NDA government to disclose the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM).

Speaking to media persons in connection with the meeting with the President, MPCC President TN. Haokip, said he along with former chief minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh and senior Congress legislator, Gaikhangam, met with the President at 8.30 am wherein the memorandum was submitted.

The President was apprised of the uncertainty and apprehension surrounding in the state with the NDA government adamant to keep the contents of the agreement a closely guarded secret for too long, he added.

Subsequently, TN. Haokip said the three Congress leaders requested the President to press the NDA government to disclose the contents of the agreement. 

He revealed that the outcome of the meeting was satisfactory as expected with the President reportedly assuring the Congress leader to look into the matter.

Former chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, reiterated that the Congress government welcomes any initiatives to resolve a problem peacefully but not at the cost of territorial integrity of Manipur.

He said that the Congress will not be part of the drafting committee of common memorandum to be submitted to the Prime Minister and delegates to visit to Delhi until the government come out with a clear explanation on the NPF’s stand on Manipur’s territory.

Of the five point memorandum, the Congress mentioned that the so-called “conspiracy of silence” may tell heavily upon the peace process and may even invite an uneasy beginning of the end.

It further said, “One fact is reaffirmed and made categorically clear that the threat to the integrity of Manipur; territorial, administrative, financial, cultural political, can never be tolerated under any design of settlement. Manipur should remain “Manipur” as it is today”.

Any attempt to destabilize the status-quo of political and economic structure rooted in the history of Manipur, should be construed as negation of political maturity and ideals of human civilization fraught with grave consequences, it said before adding that it will create a catastrophic for Manipur and devastating for the region.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

The two-day business summit of Northeast India and Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries concluded today at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound signing 39 agreements worth Rs. 4000-5000 crores.

Chief minister N. Biren in the valedictory function said that the summit was an effort to showcase and explore the potential of North East India in establishing itself as a hub of India’s Act East Policy.

He contended that the summit also marked the beginning of the government as well as the private companies’ commitment towards collective efforts of building partnerships to address the aspirations of the people by unlocking the full potential of the State.

The positive outcomes from this summit would transform the business and development environment of the Northeast region in general and Manipur in particular, he added.

Out of the 39 memorandum of understandings (MoUs) signed today; the state forest department signed four MoUs – two with HSMM Group for Agarwood plantation and production of essential oil, commercial production of orchids and essential oils.

The department also signed MoU with NRL for production of biofuels from bamboo and with TRIFED for minimum support prices for minor forest produces.

Higher education department signed MoU with M/s UNESCO Center (UK) for setting up a private university in Manipur. Finance department signed MoU with INDO SWISS Centre (Switzerland) for facilitating attracting investment, trade, tourism.

Agriculture department signed MoU with MSTC for e-marketing of agricultural produces from Manipur. Tourism department signed MoU with Lao PDR for development of tourism. Tourism department also signed MoU with M/s Star Track Business House Pvt Ltd Mumbai for infrastructure development project for Rs. 50 crore.

Manipur Police Housing Corporation (MPHC) signed MoU with M/s Fitzroy Salai Holdings, Kolkata for Cable Car Project.

With the signing of these MoUs, the chief minister expressed hope that both the state as well as the investors will be benefited with great return. 

The valedictory function was also attended by health minister, L. Jayantakumar, DoNER secretary Naveen Verma, Union tourism secretary, Rashmi Verma, Keirao A/C MLA, L. Rameshwor, Manipur Infrastructure and Development Agency (MIDA) vice-chairman, M. Asnikumar and additional chief secretary (home) and MIDA chief executive officer, J. Suresh Babu attended the function as presidium members.

The historic event for the state and the region as a whole was held as part of Sangai festival for business development of the state. It had five sessions focusing on areas of trade and investment, connectivity and infrastructure development, tourism development in the region, skill development, capacity building and entrepreneurship.

The summit was organised by India Foundation in collaboration with the government of Manipur. It was inaugurated yesterday by the President of the nation, Ramnath Kovind Singh.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 22

The All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association (AMPPTA) has announced they will go on an indefinite strike with immediate effect from late in the evening today demanding the Indian Oil Cooperation Limited (IOCL) cancel its newly floated tender for the transporters.

Speaking to media persons late in the evening at Nirmala hotel, secretary AMPPTA, A Tamphayai, contended that the rate offered in the newly floated tender is much lesser than the rates quoted in the year 2014 and that even after adding maximum price band of 10 percent to it, the amount of transportation rate come much less than what they (transporters) are getting presently.

He said that despite repeated appeals and meetings between both sides, with the latest meeting held just recently, to rectify the newly floated norms the IOCL remained deaf ear.

“Much before the tender was floated, our association has highlighted various concerns which if not addressed properly would bring a tussle. This was reminded to all the officials of the IOC since February 2016 and also it was conveyed in the presence of the concerned minister,” he said.

The transporter leader said that the newly floated tender will go online from 3pm tomorrow amounting to adding salt to the wounds.

Contending that the new rate was fixed only for the transporters based in Imphal, he said the aggrieved transporters are left with no choice to go on agitation to save the jobs of 1200 drivers and handymen under the association.

It has been informed that all oil tankers currently outside the state and also in the state ferrying petroleum products from Malom depot will stay off roads during the strike.