Month: January 2018

IMPHAL | Jan 4

The directorate of transport has notified the general public, specifically to the owners as well as transporters of trucks, tankers, LPG bullets that the maximum tonnage permissible is 25 tons.

A release said the permissible 25 tons is inclusive of the weight of the vehicle having 10 wheels, two in the front axle, four in the middle and another four in the rear axle of the vehicle in respect of Imphal – Dimpur sector and whereas 24 tons in respect of Imphal- Jiribam sector. In view of the above restrictions imposed, all the concerned stake holders are earnestly appealed to adhere , cooperate and maintain the above permissible limit of tonnage while pyling and operating vehicles on the National Highways in the state of Manipur as indicated above, it said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 4

An accused in a rape case was shot dead today by unknown armed persons while he was driving his vehicle at Zoo road, Iroisemba towards Lamdeng.

The deceased was identified as Laiphrakpam Sana Ningthem, 35, son of L. Inaobi of Lamdeng Makha Leikai and the incident took place at around 10.30 in the morning while returning back to his home after delivering bamboo.

All together eight bullets injuries were found on his front side of his chest, legs and arms. Later the body was taken to RIMS morgue for post mortem and police has registered a case regarding the incident.

Ningthem has been accused of allegedly raping a wife of a chowkidar of a private school located at Lamdeng Khunou in Imphal West district on April 26 evening last year and currently he is out on bail and a bamboo businessman.

According to statement of the investigating officer, Ningthem raped the woman by tying her hands and gagging her at the quarter of the chowkidar taking advantage of the husband’s absence as he went out to attend a marriage ceremony.

Earlier on July 28 last year Irom Bobo son of I. Kameshore who was charged with raping his 12 years old niece was shot dead and on August 8 last year Sandam Bhogen, 42, son of Sandam Bheiga of Sairem Khul who was accused of raping a minor was shot on his way back to his house after appearing before the court for the case. United National Liberation Front (UNLF) claimed responsible for both the incident as per their released.

Kishor’s Fire Ball claims to be hottest Indian artificial hybrid chilly

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 4

Imphal scientist Rajkumar Kishor has introduced “Kishore’s Fire Ball”, “hottest” Indian artificial hybrid chilly by crossbreeding two local hottest chillies Capsicum frutescens cultivar (Mashingkha) and Capsicum chinense cultivar (Umorok).

The new chilly is named after the scientist’s name Kishor who is also the managing director and chief scientist of  Kwaklei and Khonggunmelei Orchids Pvt. Ltd.

“Kishor’s Fire Ball” possesses the characteristic of hottest Indian artificial hybrid chilli pepper is believed to enhance its familiarity once again among the hot chillies found in the North East.

Kishor said of the two chillies crossed Mashingkha and Umorok, the latter needs lot of care as it grows wild. Mashingkha has an average pungency of 107200 SHU (Scoville Heat Unit) with 0.67% of capsicum content while Umorok has 280000 SHU with 1.75% of capsicum content. But after hybridisation the hotness and capsicum content of the chilli hikes to an average of 287400 SHU and 1.80% respectively.

Citing the required duration that takes to reach its genetic stability Kishore said “normally it takes 10 years to reach the level of genetic stability of this hybridised product, so the breeding trail was conducted in 2007. And analyses of the sample had performed at the analytical laboratory of spices board of Cochin. Now it is ready for field trial.”

Talking on the advantages of planting this hybridised chilly as “it is resistant to disease as well as high yielding. It can be cultivated in open spaces where sunlight can be directly heated”. It bears fruits twice a year without using much fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides, and advantageous to the farmers, he added.

The Kishor’s Fire Ball weighs 1.5-2 gm. It can grow up to 5 feet high and size of fruit is 2.5-5 x 1.5-2 cm which is slightly curled. The relatively thicker skinned green fruits turned red on maturity, he stated.

Kishore said “hybridisation of chilli is also being done in various part of India and it is not a new thing too. But the quality possess by this newly launched hybrid chilli is very different from other hybrid chilli.”

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 4

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today reaffirmed before the special judge, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance, Manipur that two accused involved in the infamous Pallel drug hauled case were absconder.

The two individuals identified as Zaminthang Tuboi and Letminlal Haokip both from Moreh were reaffirmed as absconders as CBI police were unable to find and arrest them.

The investigation officer of the CBI submitted that their missing reports have also already published in both local and national dailies and now the court can be declared them as proclaim absconder.

In the meantime following the completion of submitting all the relevant papers in connection with the October 3, 2013 Pallel drug hauled case involving former PRO, PIB Defence Wing, Imphal, Ajay Choudhury, the court has fixed the charge consideration of the case on January 31.

The trial of the said case have remained non-progress due the failure of CBI to submit the relevant documents related with the investigation of the case, but with the submission of all relevant documents there will be possibilities of speedy disposal of the case by the court, said a source.

Huge consignment of pseudoephedrine drugs were seized by a team of Manipur police commandos from Pallel police check post on October 3, 2013 from the possession of Ajay Choudhury and other 16 individuals.

Later the case was investigated by the CBI and they have already submitted charge sheet against the 17 accused persons involved in the case.

IMPHAL | Jan 4

The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has claimed the shooting of Laiphrakpam Sananingthem today around 11 am at Lamdeng Khunou, under Lamsang police station, Imphal west district, saying he was given punishment for brutally raping a married woman. 

A release signed by director, department of publicity, M. Sak-hen said the Sananingthem not only raped the helpless women but also tried to kill her in order to cover up the crime. Therefore, the punishment was served upon Sananingthem for raping and attempting to kill a woman, it said. Such cruel individuals attack Manipuri women and leaves them traumatised and disabled for life, the release said. In the present day, the numbers of women who are being assaulted by such persons are increasing day by day, it continued. UNLF would like to express that the organisation is able to carry out many work so far by the help of the people, the release informed. 

Looking forward, regarding the actions taken up by UNLF to prevent incidents of rape and such ill motives that tarnish the image of the society, the people especially the women who had been suffering, are urged to take bigger roles in making a formidable society, it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 4

Former president of Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) N. Rajendro today provided financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 to Thiyam Nandalal, who created waves by making a robot, in a simple function at the Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Imphal.

The function organised to felicitate Nandalal and to boost his morale was jointly organised by the school authority and ICHAM. School education director Th. Kirankumar and adivisors of ICHAM, teachers and students of the school attended the programme.

Hailing from Nambol Nandalal is a class XI student of the school. He created waves when he brought his robot, made of waste materials like syringe, discarded table lamps and electronic items to his school in November.

Nandalal’s robot bagged the first position in the State level science, matheematics and environment exhibitionn for children 2017. He is one 20 state students who will be participating in the Eastern India Science Fair being held from January 9 to 13 at Kolkata.

Nandalal named his robot Jon 17, taking the name of Johnstone, the first letter of his name N and 2017, the year he made the robot.

Handing over the amount Rajendro, who is now advisor of ICHAAM, said he was providing the financial assistance to help the student to improve his robot and also take up further projects.

“The money is for improving the robot. We are here to help you,” Rajendro said.

 Thongam Phulchand, president of Thongam Angouba Singh Memorial Trust also handed Nandal a sum of Rs. 10,000 to the student. The school authority provided Rs. 2000 to the school’s chemistry teacher jaichand Oinam for giving guidance to Nandalal in his robot project.

Expressing his gratitude to those who provided financial assistance to him and school teachers for their help and encouragement Nandalal said “I am not satisfied with the present functioning of the robot. I wish to make another life-sized robot.”

Nandalal’s father Thiyam Ishorchand, who was also present at the programme said he would like the teachers of the school to give guidance and all the necessary helps to his son to realise his dream.

Lauding the support given to Nandalal by the school teachers, Kirankumar appealed to the people to extend support to Nandalal.

During the programme Nandalal demonstrated how his robot functions.

THOUBAL |Jan 4

The play ‘Fambal Khubam’ (The Throne) by Academy of Performing Arts, Thoubal has been selected to perform at Lingen, Germany as a part of 15th World Festival of Children’s Theatre annually held from June 22 to 29.

A release from the academy said the play ‘Fambal Khubam’ (The Throne) enacted by child actors whose age range from 6 – 12, will represent India to take part in the festival. Amongst the 18 theatre groups that had been selected after studying the recorded videos of the plays that were sent from all over the world, ‘Fambal Khubam’ (The Throne) was included.

However, the academy being short of funds does not have the means to reach Germany. Therefore, the academy has appealed to the chief minister of Manipur to draw his attention to the matter, so as to prevent losing this rare opportunity to showcase the culture of this region and put our identity in front of the entire world. 

IMPHAL | Jan 4

The State Cabinet has approved re-designation of the State Vigilance Department as the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department.

Accordingly, the new department, which will now have an Anti-Corruption Bureau, will function directly under the administrative control of the chief secretary cum Vigilance Commissioner with single file system.

The landmark decision towards checking the menace of corruption was taken in a Cabinet meeting held at chief minister’s secretariat with chief minister N. Biren Singh in the chair today.

The office of SP (Vigilance and Anti-corruption) will now function as the Police Station (Anti-corruption), which shall have jurisdiction over the entire state of Manipur.

The Anti-corruption Bureau will deal specifically with trap cases, disproportionate assets cases, embezzlement of Government funds and misuse of office.

The bureau will have an SP, two additional SPs, eight Dy SPs, 22 Inspectors, 14 Sub-Inspectors and 22 Constables.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved that one post of deputy director be created to strengthen the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department and the existing post of Director (Vigilance) be re-designated as Director (Vigilance and Anti-corruption).

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department will designate nodal officers for coordinating with the Anti-Corruption Cell in chief minister’s secretariat.

The State Cabinet also decided to recommend summoning of the fourth session (Full Budget session) of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly from February 2, 2018.

The Cabinet also resolved to cancel the ongoing process of direct recruitment of 272 posts of Office Assistant and 410 posts of Multi Tasking Staff in Education (S) Department due to detection of irregularity in the recruitment rules and procedures.

Instead, the department will conduct another direct recruitment afresh for a total vacant 291 posts of Office Assistant and 413 posts of Multi Tasking Staff after making necessary amendments and revising the recruitment rules in order to facilitate holding of a recruitment which is fair, competitive and transparent.

The Cabinet also approved the proposal for direct purchase of land at Chandel and Tamenglong for the construction of new Government Polytechnics.

It also gave its nod to amendment of Manipur Finance Service Rules, 1998 to streamline the financial system of various government departments to facilitate better cadre management and timely promotion of the officers belonging to Manipur Finance Service.

The Cabinet also decided to establish one State Level Technical Cell (SLTC) and seven City Level Technical Cells (CLTCs) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) in the state for a period of one year.

The SLTC will have five experts – town planning specialist, social development specialist, IEC/knowledge management specialist, MIS specialist and municipal civil engineer while CLTC will have two experts each – MIS specialist and municipal civil engineer.

The appointment process of the said experts will be undertaken by Manipur Urban Development Agency (MUDA) with payable honorarium as per capacity building plan approved by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The Cabinet also approved increase in the restricted tender limit in Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and restricted tender for Water Supply Scheme by water conservation at Tamenglong Hqs (NLCPR).

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 4

Chief minister N. Biren Singh clarified to the media today regarding the paper belt scam report published in today’s edition of this paper (Jan 3 edition) during a press conference at his secretariat conference hall today.

He said that the sample of the belt approved by the tender committee was given for inspection with the other belts which were supplied then and the Line Committee had inspected the specifications. He produced the belt sample signed by three Line Committee members. Imphal Free Press source had stated otherwise.

He also contended that the value of the belts amounting to Rs 23,40,000 will be recovered from the Line Committee members comprising of SP F. Gonglin, ASP M. Kumarjit and retired IGP S. Manglemjao and that a departmental inquiry is still underway.

When questioned why the charge submitted by IGP( Administration ) S. Ibocha had mentioned only 20 belts, the chief minister replied that it was for sampling purpose and all the 20,000 belts supplied back in 2014 are still in storage.

It can be pointed out that the police department had procured the belts for use in 2014 and as per reply of the chief minister, all the belts are lying in the 1st MR storage room. When inquired if the police department is not using any belt from the said supply, he said that the previous government will have the knowledge.

The chief minister stated further that a cross verification should be done before any report implicating the present government is published. 

It may be mentioned here, in a bid to authenticate the report, the CM was contacted on his mobile by IFP on Dec 31, but the call was answered.

It was inquired also if the CM would give an action taken report about the wireless scam of Rs 3 crore and the CCTV scam during the conference, he replied that the report along with several others will be revealed in due course of time.

According to a press handout, the government clarified that the state had ordered an inquiry for supply of uniform and web equipment items to police department in 2013-14. The inquiry report submitted that the 20,000 leather belts costing Rs 23,40,000  supplied by M/S Md. Abdul Gani Khan was found to be defective and poor in quality.

Accordingly, an FIR was lodged against the said supplier and the investigation is going on. The supplier was also blacklisted but the High Court of Manipur had quashed the government’s order.

However, a show cause notice was submitted on December 20 last to the said supplier. Imphal Free Press in its Jan 4 edition had carried the response of the supplier that the government had mentioned only 20 belts and it was negligible.

The release continued that the state government had suspended two working officials of the Line Committee and pension benefit of retired Manglemjao was held back. It stated further that the suspension of the two officers has been revoked by the state government and ordered that the officers shall be prosecuted under the Manipur Public Servant Liability Act and pass necessary order for recovery under the Act.

A departmental inquiry has also been proceeded against them and in respect of the retired IGP, the state government has written to MHA for institution of a disciplinary proceedings against him, the release concluded.

CM announces direct flight from Imphal to national capital

Chief minister informed the media persons that as promised earlier, Imphal-Delhi direct flight service had been introduced from January 2 this year. There would be two flights in a week on Sunday and Tuesday as of now, he added.

Biren further said that he has had talks with the top officials of Air Asia and Airports Authority of India to facilitate launching of daily Imphal-Delhi direct flights. He asserted that Air Asia may introduce daily flights between Imphal and the national capital from the first week of April this year.

He also said that he requested Air Asia officials to introduce direct flights from Imphal to cities like Chennai, Bengaluru and others, where many of Manipuri people is residing.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 4

National Investigation Agency (NIA) today submitted charge sheet against two individuals in connection with the killing of former PREPAK chairman, Ningombam Nabachandra alias Nongdrenkhomba and his driver Leishangthem Sanjit Singh on the intervening night of June, 21 and 22, 2016 inside their quarter at 7th MR, Kabeisoi.

The charge sheets were submitted against one Sairom Rabichandra of Uripok Yambem Leikai and Sapam Basanta of Sagolband Sapam Leirak before the special court NIA through their counsel.

Earlier NIA has submitted charge sheet against five other accused in connection with the killing against Thokchom Gouri of Wangoo Sadnagkhong, Ahongsangbam Kingson of Thangmeiband Khondram Selungba Leikai, Laichombam Naocha of Sugunu Wangpokpi Mamang Leikai, Urikhinbam Budhichandra of Sekmaijin Thongam Leikai and Haobam Lemba of Kwakeithel Akham Leikai.

Moreover NIA has submitted that one absconding accused person Urikhinbam Budhichandra who is the publicity secretary of PREPAK had send weapon to the killer through Rabichandra who later got arrested.

On the other hand at present the accused persons, Gouri, Kingson, Naocha and Lemba are in judicial custody and K.K. Nganba who was arrested in connection with the crime was released on bail and accused Budhichandra alias Poirei still remains absconded.

According to the charge sheet, during investigation NIA learned that Budhichandra was tasked to get Nongdrenkhomba killed by senior cadre of the outfit for surrendering before the state government in December , 2014.

Later Budhichandra contacted T. Sanjit for killing Nongdrenkhomba and offered Rs.20 lakh for the same and further Sanjit hired Gouri who in turn instructed Kingson and Naocha for the killing.

Kingson and Naocha killed Nongdrenkhomba and his driver Sanjit and two 9mm pistols used in killing were also recovered from the accused possession by the NIA, it added.