Day: January 12, 2018

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Jan 12

The Kuki National Front (KNF), an entity of the tripartite political dialogue with the centre and state government under UPF vehemently condemned the firing incident at Kangpokpi district yesterday evening in the alleged aftermath of attack on 38 AR Post Kangpokpi by some unknown miscreants.

The information and publicity secretary of the outfit, Lh. Stephen said that the firing incident at in the aftermath of the alleged attack on Assam Rifles Post Kangpokpi disrupted the prevailing peaceful environment in the district headquarters apart from composing fear and panic among the innocent civilians.

He continued that KNF highly condemned the incident which disturbed the peaceful environment in its operational area as the outfit keenly promote and maintain peace and harmony in the area.

The outfit also consoled the innocent civilians of Kangpokpi and its adjoining areas not to panic while maintaining the earned peaceful environment.

It also asked that whoever responsible in the alleged attack on the AR camp to declare publicly with their motive at the earliest in the larger interest of peace and harmony. The outfit also appealed not to repeat the disturbing incident in future.

Toilets poorly maintained

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 12

Despite state government’s efforts to excel in the Swaschhta competition for ranking in cleanliness under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), toilets of some of the premier colleges and schools in the capital city are in a sorry state of affair.

Currently an independent team is surveying the level of cleanliness in towns of the state under Swachh Survekshan (leanliness contest) of towns of the country under the SBM. Imphal city is yet to be surveyed.

Imphal city is among 500 cities across the country selected for the SBM (SBM) in the category one. In the category two 164 towns of the Northeast including 26 towns in Manipur will vie for the top positions.

The survey is currently on in small towns of the state.

Manipur ranked 15 th in the Swachh Survekshan 2015. It came down to the rank of 122 nd in 2017.

 It is during this crucial period that toilets of some of the government’s premier institutions, which are regarded as place of enlightenment, present disheartening pictures.

Though these toilets are well constructed there is no sign of proper maintenance.

A one day survey conducted by The Imphal Free Pres on Wednesday in some of the government institutions located in Imphal city found that the toilets are dirty and stinky.

At one of the toilets huge amounts of mud are accumulated on the corridor of the toilet and sanitary napkins are being thrown carelessly on the flasket of the toilet. The buckets are really dirty.

In one of the college toilets vines wwere seen entering the toilet through the ventilator. Water was not flowing from the tap on the day of the survey.

In a boys’ school wrappers of tobacco products were found dumped in the urine toilet.

CCPUR | Jan 12

Under the supervision of Churachandpur SP, Rakesh Balwal, a combine team of Churachandpur police, 25 AR, NAB and NCB destroyed opium plantation field of 51 acres in total area.

The opium plantation’s destroying in the field was ere back up by personnels from the Police and 25 AR numbering 100 where at the Patlien village

The team led by additional SP (Ops), Binod Ranjan, along with Major Radha of 25 AR and other police and AR personnel destroyed the opium field of 21 acres at Lanva village and 30 acres in Churachandpur district.

The action was taken up since yesterday by the police against opium plantation and continued till today.

As per reports from the police, drugs worth Rs. 12.99 lakhs had been seized so far under the supervision of Churachandpur SP, which included huge quantity of heroin, WY and SP tablets and liquors.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Jan 12

Personnel of 38 Assam Rifles blank fired for an hour over the alleged attacked to its post at Kangpokpi by unknown miscreants yesterday evening.

Since more than six years, there has been a peaceful environment in the town. However, the firing incident yesterday evening created an extreme fearful atmosphere among the innocent civilians of the town and its surrounding areas.

The 38 Assam Rifles post at the heart of Kangpokpi district was allegedly attacked with Chinese hand grenades followed by firing from two different directions in an alleged attempt to hurt the security personnel compelling the AR personnel to reiterate by opening blank fire at around 8:50 pm.

Grenades explosion and gun fire were heard by the locals, which were immediately followed by continuous gun shots till 10:10 pm creating extremely panic situation in the entire district. Many church goers for learning gospel hymns were reportedly struck at their respective churches till midnight while some spent the night in their friend’s house.

The AR post located in the heart of the town under the jurisdiction of Ward No.11 is surrounded by many government establishments including DC Complex and many other department offices in the west, District Hospital Complex in the north, Orthopedic Hospital, Orphanage Home, KT School and others in the south and national Highway-2 in the east. Many residential houses were also located near to the fencing of the AR post along the DC road where the alleged unknown miscreants suspected to have attacked and hurled the grenades.

Later in the morning, it was discovered that one domestic pig belonging to Lhingpi Khongsai, a resident of Ward No. 11 residing near to the fencing of the AR camp was killed during the blank fire while most of the houses on the same direction bore multiple bullet marks. However, no human casualty has been reported on the part of the security forces and civilian as well. Two crater of grenade explosion also found inside the AR Camp while another unexploded grenade was found inside the camp, which the AR personnel with bomb expert exploded safely at around 3 pm this afternoon. Multiple splinter marks and bullet marks were also seen in some structure inside the AR camp while a water tank (Sintex) near the barrack of the AR also bore one bullet mark.

Meanwhile, the local civil bodies under the aegis of Kangpokpi Town Committee including Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organisation and Kanggui Youth Union held an emergency meeting today afternoon at Kanggui Youth Union office chaired by chairman of the town committee, Chonkam Kipgen. The meeting vehemently condemned the alleged attacked of the 38 AR Kangpokpi post and demanded whoever the culprits to come up openly with their motive at the earliest for the larger welfare of people of the district.

It also condemned in strongest term the alleged provoked firing of the Assam Rifles personnel in the aftermath of the alleged attack creating an extreme unease atmosphere in the town rendering innocent children, women and the general populace.

It further resolved that the local civil bodies will not tolerate if any innocent civilian was harassed by the security forces in the aftermath of yesterday’s incident.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 12

Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) arrested one drug peddler today from Samurou bazar near Machu cinema hall with fine quality of heroin No. 4 and WY tablets that would worth Rs. 70 lakhs in the international market.

Inspector General of Police (administration), S. Ibocha Singh during a press conference held today at his office chamber, said with the instruction of chief minister, N. Biren NAB in collaboration with police personnel are still continuing the drive of illegal drugs and alcohol.

He said on specific information a team of NAB police under the supervision of SP NAB, W. Basu arrested the drug peddler identified as Makakmayum Hassan, 26, son of M.K. Kasim of Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, Thoubal district. He was arrested from Samurou bazar near Machu Cinema hall while he was carrying the drugs in a backpack.

From his possession forty caps of heroin number four powder containing thirteen grams each with a total of 520 grams and thirty packets of World is Yours (WY) (Amphetamine) tablets totalling to 6000 were recovered. The approximate value of the seized drugs in local market is Rs. 13.4 lacs and about Rs. 70 lacs in international market, said the senior police officer.

Ibocha said Manipur is becoming a market place of illegal drugs smuggling and to abolish the market mass illegal drug is started. The drive will continue until smuggling of drugs is completely abolished from the state, he added.

Besides, the IGP also clarified that NAB and state police had seized huge number of drugs but due to pre-trial disposal procedure the seized drugs are not yet disposed. They are kept in safe place under locked and key, he added.

In 2016 huge numbers of seized illegal drugs were disposed in front of media with the permission of magistrate. Likewise all the seized drugs will be disposed after pre-trial disposal procedure is completed, he added.

Ibocha further states that drug abusers, smugglers and one constable who was involved in smuggling of drugs were not produced other than his name and identity because if an accuse is produced during case identification period and if the accuse has a former case on drugs then the former case will not be admissible.

A case has been registered at NAB police station against Hassan for further investigation.

From Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG | Jan 12

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday afternoon laid four foundation stones and opened State Bank of India (SBI) at Tamei which is among the less development part of Tamenglong district.

The four foundation stones were laid for constructions of Tamei Police Station and Administrative Block, R Tale Memorial women’s market, employee station at Tamei and another employee station at Impah village, Tousem sub- division. The employee stations are to accommodate specially teachers and medical practitioners. All the four constructions are to be carried out by Manipur Police Housing Corporation.

The chief minister was accompanied by O. Lukhoi Singh, MLA Wangoi AC, Dr. S Ranjan MLA Konthoujam AC, parliamentary secretary Awangbou Newmei MLA 52 Tamei AC, Adim Pamei, vice chairperson, State Disaster Management Authority, R.R Rashmi,chief secretary, L.M Khante, DGP Manipur, Vaneet Joshi, principal secretary  (Planning) and S Romendra, additional chief engineer Police Housing Corporation among others.

Biren Singh said with the coming of Modi government many things have changed drastically as he said without development in the Northeast India, India cannot say that India is developing country.

Similarly without development in the hill, Manipur will not developed and live together peacefully. ‘Go to hills’ was declared on the day BJP government sets in. He said the words ‘go to hills’ was inspired by God to speak out.

He came on road as he wanted to see the ground reality and living condition of the people, he added.  

He expressed unhappiness that due to lack of bank at Tamei, 50 beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awaj Yojna have been cancelled. He directed the newly open bank to functioning by February 2018. He urged the 14 Sikh Regiment and the people to give full cooperation to the bank.

A scheme for poor family anyone sick will be given financial assistance if the patient at Tamenglong district hospital and health centres, said the chief minister.

He also informed that he is going to launch 10 ambulance on the statehood day and provide ambulance if necessary. He also assured to find out way and means to put fire service at Tamei headquarters.

Many schemes including central and state are on the pipeline to announce on the statehood day, added the chief minister.

He also assured to open science stream at Langmei Higher secondary School at Tamei, headquarters. He assured that he will go through PHED project and take up project implement in the next year to supply drinking water at Tamei headquarters.

Armstrong Pame, deputy commissioner said N. Biren Singh is the first chief minister of Manipur to visit Tamei on land route which show really love and concern for the people.

Parliamentary Secretary & MLA 52 Tamei AC, BJP Manipur Pradesh vice president Kikhonbou and Namsinrei Panmei, Chairman ADC Tamenglong also spokes on the occasion.

People of Tamei received the chief minister team with great happiness in traditional attires. Numbers of memorandum were passed on to the chief minister.

After the programme the official team went to Makui Silver Jubilee celebration.

MPHAL | Jan 12

CAF & PD, Karam Shyam has appealed the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to make the petroleum products available through pipeline medium during the launching ceremony of a 3-day Indian Oil Kisan Mela held at Lamsang Oil Service, Imphal divisional office, Lamdeng Khunou, Lamsang today.

Lamsang Oil Service(Kisan Seva Kendra) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited , Imphal Divisional Office, Congress Bhavan, B.T. Road jointly organised the event for the second time under the initiative of IOCL.

It aimed to let the farmers and the local people avail useful items, products and services, not the usual diesel, petrol & lubricants from the Kisan Seva Kendra of IOCL.

Lamsang Oil Service(Kisan Seva Kendra) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited , Imphal Divisional Office, Congress Bhavan, B.T. Road jointly organised the event for the second time.

Minister of CAF & PD, Karam Shyam speaking as the chief guest highlighted that any minister, MLA or elected leader of the state should take initiative in creating awareness about the welfare schemes of the central government for the public so that civilians can demand their rights and avail of them.

The minister appealed to the IOCL officials to make the petroleum products available through pipeline medium as the new process will cure 70-80 % of the various ills and vagaries surrounding the availability of these products to the customers in the state.

Now that oil adulteration has been monitored and banned in Manipur to a considerable extent, the situation relating its availability, procurement and fair distribution to the public has improved, he said. He also assured that issue of black petrol and diesel has been solved by and large.

“We need to streamline some initiatives to bring the expected changes in our respective departments,” said the minister.

Security advisor, IOCL,IPS, B.K. Ravi, commisioner, CAF & PD, K. Radhakumar, executive director, IOAOD, SO Dipankar Ray, chief general manager(RS),IOAOD, SO, Uttiya Bhattacharjee, general manager, security, IOCL, Manoj Yadav, eminent scientist, Dr.M. Priyodatta and proprietor, Lamsang Oil Service, R.K.(O) Shantinibala Devi shared the function dais.

Drawing attention that all kisan sevas will be operated by solar energy, Uttiya Bhattacharjee said out of 27,000 retail outlets in the country,7500 sevas are focussed on providing facilities to the kisans like farming equipmens, seeds etc.

Dipankar Ray elaborated not to mistake the mela as a mere petrol pump service but as a low cost model but towards a more sustainable development of getting fuel, seeds, fertilisers & agricultural related items apart from solarisation.

Radhakumar threw light on providing sevas to the kisan at the right place and right time as farmers’ property is state property.

IPS B.K. Ravi wished everyone as the kisan mela is the first initiative of the Indian Oil in Manipur.

Scientist Dr.M Priyodatta spoke in detail on crop management, animal husbandary and plant protection by highlighting on the ill-effects of the use of fertilizers, insecticides & other harmful chemicals as manures in agriculture after prolonged human consumption.

Highlights of the mela includes Aadhaar enrolment and rectification facility, free servicing camp for tractors, display of solar energy and sales of agricultural related equipment by Agritech Manipur, Uripok.

Vendor stalls on SBI-Cash less transaction, Honda 2 wheelers and potato seeds and services also opened today.

IOCL gifted 500 saplings to the government of Manipur for promoting sustainable development.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 12

A group of civil service aspirants, who didn’t clear the state civil service mains exam 2016, has appealed the government to investigate over the alleged fraudulent examiner claiming that the forensic test results conducted in Kolkata proved unfair examination of the answer scripts.

The Manipur Public Service Commission, MPSC declared the final result for the Manipur Civil Service Combined Competitive Examination, MCSCC 2016 in December, same year.

Convenor of the aspirant group Arbind Salam said, on suspicion of forged signatures by different persons other than assigned examiner, the candidate pursued on their independent capacity for verification five sample answer scripts were sent to Truth Labs: Forensic Services Kolkata on December 1 last.

The reports received on January 8 stated that out of the five signatures on the answer script, only three are of the same person while the remaining two raised serious doubt whether they are of the same person or not. Moreover the experts of the lab are willing to testify their findings in any court of law if summoned during the course of legal proceedings, said Arbind.

He said civil service examination of our state which is regarded as highest level of competitive examination is no more trustworthy. Most of the aspirants who wrote the mains exams but didn’t get through viva are suspicious that some biases are conducted in the selection process.

He said around 275 candidates who flunk in mains exam suspiciously asked for paper checking through RTI. The candidates who got their RTI copies of the answer scripts observed that there is a wide variation in the signature of the examiner of the essay paper which according to the Manipur public service was evaluated by only one examiner.

He said “We really wanted to send more paper to the lab but the cost of verifying the signature is very high as it charges Rs. 5000 per paper.”

He appealed the present government to consider the suffering of the Manipur civil service aspirants otherwise credibility of this commission would be lessened. He also appealed the MPSC to explain the need of engaging other persons other than examiner for the evaluation.

The group hoped that the government will deliver justice to them.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 12

High Court of Manipur has directed the state government to appoint chairperson and members of Manipur State Human Rights Commission within three months from the date of passing the order.

A double bench of the high court comprising acting Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Kh. Nobin Singh passed the order on January 4 on a public interest litigation filed by Th. Suresh, chairman of Dr. Suresh Centre for Foreign Studies and Placement in January 2014.

The high court also directed the state government to appoint other officers and staff commensurate with the responsibilities and status in a time bound manner as absence of adequate officers and staff to assist will not be in a position to function effectively and efficiently.

The high court also directed the state government to issue notification inviting applications for the post of two members of the commission for a longer period of time of at least one month.

Praying for direction to the state government to fill up the vacancies of members and other supporting staff within a specific time framme Suresh sought deputation of an officer not below the rank of a secretary to the state government and a police officer not below the rank of inspector general of police as provided by sections of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

In its order, the bench said after tracing the history of the enactment of the Protection of Human Rights Act, the Supreme Court made it abudantly clear that setting up of a State Human Rights Commission is a madatory requirement and is not dependent upon the discretion of the state government.

The bench also said the Supreme Court expressed great distress at the non-functioning of the State Human Rights Commissions because of non-appointment of the chairpersons and members and directed the states to intiate steps for filling the vacancies within three months.

The bench held hearings for 34 times and the judgement was reserved on September 7 last year, Suresh told a press conference at the Manipur Press Club today. The certified copy of the judgement was issued yesterday.

The state commission has not been functioning since 2010 as the state government failed to appoint the chairperson and members.

Reports said the state government has been searching for a candidate eligible for the post of chairperson.

Suresh said he would not rest till the chairperson and members are appointed.

IMPHAL | Jan 12

 Thounaojam Shyamkumar, minister of forests and environment, MAHUD, Town Planning and Horticulture and Soil Conservation today appealed to unite Inpui community on the second day of the Inpui Karing Ngei 2018 organised by Inpui Naga Union at Haochong sub-division, Tamenglong district.

Addressing the gathering, minister Shyamkumar said it is necessary to preserve the age-old traditions, which is the identity of our culture. He said the warm welcome accorded by the people of Haochong and the cultural programmes performed during the function shows that Inpui community is a highly disciplined community.

Stating that the festival is the celebration of humankind, he said communities need to unite for development and Inpui community of different villages must unite. He appreciated the organising committee and the locals for organising the festival in grand way despite many hindrances.

Th. Shyamkumar said he is grateful to the Inpui community for inviting him for the festival as it was his one of the desires to visit the Haochong subdivision. The festival will conclude tomorrow.