Day: December 16, 2017

IMPHAL | Dec 16

The Village Chief Association Tamenglong and Noney, has appealed to the state government to postpone the Village Authority Election of the said areas which have been scheduled within the month of December.

The said association decries the state government’s order for conducting the aforementioned election during the celebratory season of Christmas, which is one of the most significant occasions for the Christian community, a release said.

In light of the importance of Christmas and the concern of the people, the association request the state government to postpone the said election by about two or three months, the release continued.

Lastly, the Village Chief Association Tamenglong and Noney informed that if its stated appeal is not acted upon, co-operation with the state government will be suspended, it added.

JIRIBAM | Dec 16

Yumnam Dilibala Devi (48), daughter of (L) Yumnam Chouduri Singh and Yumnam (O) Kahsbati Devi,  who was missing since the morning of November 24 had been found as a dead body on December 14 at Lalkham, Chotbekra (Border to Chingmun near Doltang Village). 

Her lifeless body was discovered by a local who went to cut bamboos at the said area.  The police after receiving the news collected her body and brought it to Jiribam Hospital for the procedure of post mortem. The dead body was later confirmed as Dilibala by her family members and she was handed over to them.  

No information was available at the time of filing this report whether this was a case of murder or she had committed suicide.

At first sight, it was difficult for her family to recognise her as the body had heavily decomposed. However, they were able to recognise her from the clothes on the dead body. After the post mortem analysis, the doctors of Jiribam will refer to Imphal for more advanced and detailed report. 

A JAC has been formed titled ‘JAC against the brutal killing of Y.Dilibala Devi, Dibong,’ as per the convenor of the JAC, Hamom Dhoni Meitei. The JAC will urge the government to find out the truth behind her death.

It may be recalled that Yumnam Dilibala Devi had been missing since the morning of November 24 after she had went out of her house for which her family had filled a missing person report to Jiri Police after they could not find her. He sister Ibemcha Devi had sought the help of media and requested the public for information about her missing sister.

IMPHAL | Dec 16

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh said that the root cause of the present unrest in the state is due to mistakes committed in the past. The CM was speaking as chief guest at the 9th and 10th Manipur State Film Awards Distribution Ceremony held at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) today.

He stressed that various issues such as conflict between the communities, illegal migrant and other issues can be erased if people of the state worked together for a common goal. Past is past but the present generation should be cautious to avoid mistakes done in the past, he added.

He also stated that the present government will ensure transparency in governance to avoid the past mistakes.

Condemning the burning of CM’s effigy recently during a protest, N. Biren stated that the present government is committed to bring positive change in the state and will not do anything wrong which is against the people of the state. He further stated that the present government has already initiated several schemes which aim to deliver good governance.

Stating that government’s intervention is needed to support the artists of the state, he said that the government is working out a welfare policy for better livelihood, to uplift the living standards and welfare of the performing artists and their families. The CM lamented that though Manipur is a small state, the films made here have brought many laurels at national and international arena. He mentioned that the state has huge potential and talent in the field of cinema however there are less number of people who appreciate and support.

Mentioning some of the initiatives of the present government, N. Biren Singh said that ‘Imphal Evenings’ was introduced to present an opportunity to the people to spend some quality time with their families and friends together and to show to the world that Manipur is no more a conflict state. He stated that various MoUs worth 5000-6000 crores had been signed with different companies during the recently concluded North East Development Summit (NEDS) 2017. The government would be signing MoU with a company for setting up of a private medical college in the state soon, he added.

On the occasion, he announced that he would be visiting Behiang, border village between India and Myanmar on December 19 and would be laying the foundation stone for the construction of Maharaja Chandrakriti Memorial Park.

Delivering his presidential speech, minister for Art and Culture, L. Jayantakumar Singh said that the journey of Manipuri films has just begun but it has brought many laurels to the state in both national and international platforms in a short span. He announced that MSFDS would be screening films from various states and countries on every Saturdays and Sundays soon.

On the occasion, the CM conferred Lifetime Achievement Award to the veteran artists, Oinam Biramangol Singh and Lourembam (O) Pishak for their contribution towards Manipuri cinema. Various film awards in the different categories were also given to various artists during the award ceremony. The award ceremony was organised by MSFDS.

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Dec 16

All Manipur Muslim Organisation Co-ordinating Committee (AMMOCOC), Islamic  Cultural and Research Organisation (ICRO), Ensure Gather Organisation (EGO) and Youth Voluntary Club (YVC) have conducted an inspection drive today to check the roadway at Lilong Haoreibi and its Community Health Centre.

Advisor, All Manipur Muslim Organisation Co-ordinating Committee (AMMOCOC) Lilong Local Council, Md Hellaluddin said the roadway is in a pathetic condition and the CHC is lacking in many facilities. The roadway connecting Samurou Bazar to Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai is no longer in working condition, he said. 

It is unfortunate that the government has not undertaken any initiative after many complains and reports were submitted to the concerned authorities, he further said. They are prepared to take up intense agitations if the government fails to draw attention to the issue and take up concrete actions, he added.  

He further said the people are going through many hardships as the roadway from Lilong Litan Makhong to Imphal Barrage which goes near the bank of Imphal River under Lilong assembly constituency is in a deplorable condition. The students, the elderly women and people who have to travel down the road for work are facing many difficulties due to its extremely poor conditions, he added.  

The suspension bridge that is built above Lilong Haoreibi Makha leikai Imphal Barrage is the sole means of connectivity between Samurou Bazar and Lilong Haoriebi. No repairing work has been taken up at the bridge since it was constructed during the times of former chief minister, RK Ranbir Singh.  The hardships of the people had been highlighted several times through the media, he said. Previous request had been made to deputy commissioner Thoubal, chief engineer Thoubal, MI, IFCD PWD department and former governments, he maintained. However, not a single step had been taken up by the government.  

The public felt dismayed and demoralised as no actual work was taken up after one local MLA had expressed that the plans for the construction of an RCC bridge were included in the work programme. 

There has been an incident about a certain death of a student who fell into the river though a hole from the bridge. The locals who witnessed the incident could not save the student, he said. To provide some relief, Citizens Development Club (CDC), representatives of Nagar Panchayat and social workers had contributed cash from their own pocket and made some repairing to the bridge. However, the repairing made would not last for more than five days. Therefore, it is appealed to the government to urgently construct a new RCC bridge, he said. 

The Community Health Centre at Lilong Makha Leikai that was built in 1996 by the funds provided by Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP) under Ministry of Minority Affairs, now suffers from lack of facilities. There are no trolleys for emergency patients and medical equipment including dental machine are now lying defunct after being submerged in the recent flood. Appeals have been made to the concerned authorities but no mechanic has been provided so far, contrary to what was said.         

Above all this, the hospital which should be running 24 hours suffers from lack of doctors and staffs. Only three doctors and three nurses are running the hospital when there should be eight doctors and nurses, due to being utilised at other institutions.  

Extreme agitations will be taken if the government fails to draw attention to the issue and take up concrete actions within five days and government will held responsible for any untoward actions, he said.