Category: Manipur Mail

Imphal Jun 29MNS UNA : Hundreds of people mostly women participated in a massive rally that meandered down the streets in Imphal on Saturday in a collective outcry against the growing incidence of atrocities against women, including rape in different parts of the state.
Starting from Thongju part-2, the rally marched on the streets along the Imphal-Moreh section of NH-2 upto Singjamei Bazar where a public meeting was held at the auditorium of the Leimayol Arts Centre (LAC).
Leaders and members of various NGOs and civil organizations, particularly working for the caused of the women and children also took part in the rally organized by the Women Action for Development (WAD). Opposition MLA Th Bishwajit of Thongju A/C flagged off the rally.
Placards with various slogans protesting against increasing violence against women like rape and murder of women and demanding befitting punishment to the culprits arrested in connection with recent rape cases and booking of those who were still at large were displayed during the rally.
Leaders of the NGOs and civil organizations who spoke at the meeting appreciated the state chief minister, home minister, home department and police department for their role in delivering justice to a victim of rape in the infamous U-morok (king chili) trader rape case in which the four rapists were awarded life imprisonment sentence.
They further lauded the public prosecutor of the case and counsel of the rape victim for their tireless efforts for justice, asserting that the historic judgment of the case would encourage the women, particularly rape victims, to come out and fight for justice in future.
Expressing hopes that authorities of the government would work sincerely to deliver justice to the recent rape of a 60-year old tribal woman of Ukhrul district and a girl student at Yairipok of Thoubal district, the leaders demanded speedy trial to the pending rape cases in the court.
They demanded a debate on the increasing violence against women in the state in the house of the ongoing monsoon session of the state Assembly, asserting that crime against women in the state has become very serious in the state as murder of women after rape have been reported frequently in the state.
It further raised the question of the conspicuous absence of any discussion or debate regarding the issue of violence against women which is widely prevalent in the society at present.
The meeting resolved to place a charter of demand to the chief minister to hold a debate on various issues confronting by the women of the state in the house of the Assembly by tabling the an action taken report of the rape cases that were registered by the police in the recent time.
To publish reports of investigations of cases of crimes against women, kinds of support mechanism in place for the victims, and also to equip the forensic department for an effective functioning were also resolved to press  the chief minister.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/protest-held-against-crime-on-women/

Imphal Jun 29 MNS/UNA : Congress legislator from Ukhrul district MK Preshow Shimray is all set to be the Deputy Speaker of the Manipur Assembly as he was the only one who filed nomination for the post till 4 pm of Saturday, the last date of filing the nomination.
He is likely to declare elected unopposed for the post on Monday in the house of the state Assembly which the monsoon was going on. Meanwhile, the ongoing monsoon session which had begun on June 10 last and which was earlier scheduled to conclude on June 1 is likely to extend for some more days as some important government agenda which has been approved by the business advisory committee of the Assembly were yet to be discussed by the house.
A meeting of the business advisory committee convened under the chair of the chief minister who is the leader of the house of Assembly has agreed extend the session. However, the number of sitting to be extended could not be confirmed from the source.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mk-preshow-new-deputy-speaker/

The Kuki Chief Association, Moreh Block today said Yangoupokpi to Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary as claimed by the Government authoirities is excluded from the Burma border Reserved Forest vide Court of Forest settlement Office order against objection Case No. 34 of 1946 from the proposed Burman Border reserved Forest under the Govt./ of Manipur Notification No. 56/65/60-M dated 18/12/64 following an objection petition dated 18/127 64 filed by the chief of Sibong Village (Khudengthabi). Similar Order was also passed in respect of New Mongjang(Khomunnom) village vide objection case No. 8 of 1996. Hence, there is no rights or authority from the side of the Revenue Department on the matter of the selling of a piece of land to the Assam Rifles by the Chief of New Mongjang Village which belongs purely to him only.
Also, the Kuki Chiefs’ Association, Moreh Block is surprised to learnt that Ph. Ibohal Singh SDC, Moreh and Ibomcha Singh ASO, Moreh had been suspended in connection with the gifting of land belonging to New Mongjang village. Has the Government Authorities snatched the personal properties of the people and claim them as the Government properties .
Ph. Ibohal Singh had been appointed as the SDC incharge of Moreh on 19th April, 2003 whereas the Deputy Commissioner Chandel had issued Recommendation for New Mongjang village in 2001 vide letter No. DC(CDL)/4/2/2/91(Pt) Dated 24th May, 2001 and that the Extra-Ordinary Gazette Order long before the appointment of Ph. Ibohal Singh as the SDC, Moreh. These two officials has no connection with the sale of part of New Mongjang Village land, neither of them is the authority at the time.
KCAMB demands immediate revokation of the suspension order of the two Officials on public interest and further warned that, any execution of Government Work Programmes by the Forest and Wild life Department within 14-Sibong ADC Constituency shall not be tolerated and shall be strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the Association.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kuki-chief-on-sale-of-land/

IMPHAL, June 28 NNN: The Naga Peoples Front (NPF), Manipur State said the proposed Chakpi Multi-purposed Dam have affected many tribal villages and their lands would be submerged or displaced while ultimate beneficiaries will be non-tribals at the cost of the tribal people.
According to Athuan Abonmai, Manipur chief minister O. Ibobi Singh’s recent announcement to constitute a committee with a retired high court Judge to bring equal development to the hill areas is a blatant lie.
“How can the hill people expect a good thing from the Congress led Manipur government while their fundamental and constitutional rights were denied?” the NPF leader questions.
“Mr. O. Ibobi has stated that the hill people were the ones who misused the development fund of the hill area but we would like to know from the chief minister as to what funds and who had misused them?” the NPF also asked while further posing a question, “Mr Ibobi meant his Congress tribal MLAs or those un-mandated so called district council members?”
Posing a series of questions, NPF, Manipur State secretary Athuan Abonmai said, “What is the quantum of fund allocation for hill districts which is covering 90% of geographical areas of the state? How can a shoe string budget allocation of hill districts do any remarkable achievement in this vast hilly region? Besides,there is a provision of tribal sub-plan in each and every dept. through central funding. Where are all those fund gone? Who has been misappropriating those money? There is no any achievement from any dept. for tribal under tribal sub-plan except Tribal Development department Ibobi may lie but for how long will it last?”
Another discriminatory act of the Manipur government is the recently created/constituted Manipur Rural Development Agency (MRDA), pointed out the Naga party.
“That District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) is a centralised agency whose cannot be diverted/deducted by the state govt. That is why it has deliberately constituted the MRDA so that Manipur state govt. can divert fund meant for hill districts from DRDA. Moreover, it can be facilitating the valley based UGs to deduct DRDA fund of hill districts.
Since the handing over of DRDA to the District Council, the highly reputed agency DRDA is becomes farcical institution. No welfare schemes implemented properly and even the IAY which normally benefited for the poor villagers were totally misused by the so called councillors and distributed to their few selected relatives or dear and near one only. In the name of empowering to the un-mandated ADC Members, 25% of MGNREGS fund is also diverted. It is not empowering but depriving the tribal public in the hill districts of their due share,” the NPF, Manipur State said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npf-says-low-budget-for-hill-areas/

IMPHAL, June 28 MNS NNN: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today admitted some boundary pillars on the Indo-Myanmar border have been misplaced due to being weathered.
Naoria Pakhanglakpa constituency MLA RK Anand from the ruling Congress party moved a calling attention motion in the House when he expressed prudence about the looming
lose of more boundary area in the Chandel district’s commercial hub Moreh that borders Myanmar.
He said the Government needs action with serious introspection to defend the border of Manipur as its boundary area has reportedly been shrunk adding it is not good news.
The construction of integrated check-post at Moreh has come to a halt with the Government of Myanmar telling the India side to stop it by claiming it as a disputed site, Anand said.
He said a risk persists now after Moreh Gate-1and 2 are being located inside the neighbouring country’s area and what’s more there is quite possibility that The Tamil Sangam Temple in the town will be added further into the border of the neighboring country in near future.
Anand said that it is never a right move of the Government to sit idle when the crucial issue of boundary comes up and it should also reveal its policy to address the issue in the interest of the public.
Responding to it, Ibobi admitted that some boundary pillars erected along Indo-Myanmar border have been found missing, saying it must have been due to being seasoned.
He said India and Myanmar has started establishing cordial relations after the Look East Policy.
The countries now are to conduct survey at Boundary Pillar-9 and the remaining are pillars 76, 91, 92 and 94, the Chief Minister informed the House.
The loss of pillars on the border must have been due to being seasoned, he said, adding the boundary dispute between the two countries is caused by pending demarcation on the border area.
The two countries have already conducted joint survey on the border thrice, Ibobi informed clarifying that the question of infringement of the Tamil Sangam Temple does not arise in the border dispute.
Ibobi further clarified that Mynamar has never asked the Indian side to stop the pillar construction works being taken up along the border but it has instead asked for a proper demarcation of the location to continue the works.
The Government is expecting an early settlement of the border dispute, Ibobi assured while affirming that there is no question of compromising the state’s boundary.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today said efforts are on to open a passport office.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/early-solution-expected-over-land-dispute-in-border-areas-cm/

Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, June 28 : Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today said there is no formal complain regarding the killing of NSCN K cadres by Assam Rifles. He said as there is no formal complain no investigation is going on . Meanwhile Publicity Secretary. Naga Women’s Union (NWU) condemned the cold blooded murder of six NSCN (K) cadres by the 10 Assam Rifles (AR) at K. Songlung on 22 June 2013. All cadres were dressed in civil clothing and carried no weapons when they were invited for a friendly discussion and taken away by the Major of 10 AR, the merciless killing of the cadres in cold blood is very inhuman and gross violation of human rights it was alleged. “No one is given license to kill – whether army, civil or armed groups”. There is no war in Manipur and NSCN (K) is under ceasefire with the Government of India, as such killing of the six cadres by the 10 AR is against the law of the country. The perpetrators should be booked and given befitting punishment for committing crime against the innocent cadres and also demand concerned authorities to make proper investigation of the incident and deliver justice to the victims and their families at the earliest.
Women’s security and safety is severely threatened in the society today where women are continuously targeted and crime committed against them is on the rise. Women have no security everywhere whether at home, in the markets, learning institutions, offices, jungles, on the road, in the field and so on. NWU denounces crimes against women and strongly condemned the rape of an old aged Tangkhul woman of K. Somrei Village, Ukhrul District by Muhammad Sanayai 30 years son of Ibothem of Mayai Keithel, Heirok, P.O. Yairipok, Thoubal District in the jhum field and robbed her of Rs. 9,000/- which is hardly possessed by a poor farmer like her. Also rape of a 17 years old girl from Yairipok Changamdabi, Mathak Leikai who was abducted from the gate of Universal College, Yairipok, Thoubal District by unidentified persons and gang raped her on 19 June 2013, who went to college to get admission form.
In relation to the cases, NWU urged the Government to do proper investigation of the cases, give befitting punishment to the culprits for the crimes committed, to compensate the victims and deliver justice at the earliest.
There have been several cases of rape and Violence against Women (VAW) and many of the rape survivors were left without any rehabilitation and compensation. NWU further demands the concerned authorities to speed up trail for all pending cases.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/no-formal-complain-regarding-killing-of-nscn-cadres-dy-cm/

Imphal Jun 28 UNA : Several students were Friday injured in police action dispersing them while attempting to storm the state Assembly demanding implementation of inner line permit (ILP) system in Manipur.
Three of them critical injured when they were beaten up by the police in a bid to foil their attempt to storm the Assembly complex today around 11.30 am while the Assembly session was in progress. One of them admitted at a private hospital in Imphal has been referred to JNIMS hospital after his condition becomes critical. He suffered severe injury in his head.
Students of Johnston Higher Secondary School and CC Higher Secondary School were agitating under the banner of the students’ wing of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System in Manipur.
Around 11.30 am a large number of students of CC Higher Secondary School marched towards the Assembly complex from their school campus at Palace gate. Police blocked them in front of Imphal Municipal Council office.
Despite repeated warning of the police, the students marched ahead to break the barricade erected on the police to block them. There was a struggle between the students and police which compelled the police to use force to disperse them. In the struggle, several students injured.
Among them three of them were critically injured and immediately rushed to nearby hospital. Leaders of the joint committee on ILP alleged that the students suffered injuries in police baton charge.
Police further resorted to firing tear gas shells and mob bombs to quell the student. More students injured in the firing.
After their first attempt to storm the Assembly complex was foiled, the students of CC higher Secondary School was joined by the students of Johnston Higher Secondary School and took out another rally targeting the Assembly complex.
Police had to use force once again to foil the rally.
The students’ wing of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System in Manipur has been launching a series of protest pressing the government to translate into action the resolution adopted by the state Assembly regarding the extension of Eastern Bengal Regulation for introduction of inner line permit system in the state.
Yesterday also students who attempted to storm the Assembly from four directions were foiled by the police by using tear gas and other mob dispersion devises.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/students-injured-in-police-action-ilp-stir-2/

A man was killed and 12 others injured in a bomb blast at Uripok. They were living in a rented house Two activists of underground outfits have been nabbed during separate counter insurgency operations launched by the security forces at separate places.
An active member of the PREPAK (PRO) was arrested by police commandos attached with Imphal West district police from Yumnam Leikai near Thumbuthong Bridge yesterday (June 26). The arrested activist has been identified as Gurumayum Milan Sharma alias Melei (30) of Bamon Leikai Brahmapur Nahabam Guru Leirak.
In another counter insurgency operation troops of 15 Assam Rifles have nabbed a PULF (Farooq faction) identified as Md Altaf alias Manoj alias Atajudin (31) of Kwatha Tera Khongsangbi Ward No.2 from Bishenpur Bazar in Bishenpur district yesterday. The Assam Rifles claimed that the arrested cadre is a self styled corporal of the group who had undergone training in the 3rd batch in February 2007 at Laira Khullen of Ukhrul District.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/one-killed-in-blast-3/

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 27 : 18 SIKH under the aegis of Headquarters 9 Sector AR, Headquarters IGAR (S), held a Wreath laying ceremony at Imphal Airport to pay tribute to Martyr Soldier, Late Sepoy John Lalumi Vaiphei of 35 Rashtriya Rifles (1st Assam Regiment), who laid his life during the recent Terrorist attack in Srinagar. The wreath was laid by 18 SIKH on behalf of GOC 3 Corps, GOC 57 Mtn Div, IGAR(S) and Station Commander, Leimakhong as a mark of honour to the brave heart.As a special gesture and symbol of joint-ness, Inspector General of Police (Manipur) and Superintendent of Police, Imphal West also attended the ceremony and laid wreaths. The mortal remains of Late Sepoy John Lalumi Vaiphei was accorded full military honour at the Imphal Airport before being dispatched to the native village in Ccpur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/wreath-laying-ceremony/

Imphal, June 27 UNA : A rally organized by the peasants under the banner of the Loumi Singmi Apunba Lup (LOUSAL) was blocked by the police at Keishampat Junction after it was kicked off from Keishampat Lairembi Lampak.
The peasants carried out the rally after a sit-in-protest was staged at Keishampat Lairembi Lampak demanding protection of the agricultural land among others.
Leaders of the LOUSAL expressed concern over diminishing cultivable land of the state. He said it has been trend in the state to convert cultivation land into brick fields, schools or other business house.
“If the trend continues, there are possibilities that the state will not have any more agricultural land for cultivation in the near future,” they said.
Slogans demanding a land policy for agricultural land and introduction of a bill related with a policy to protect agricultural land were displayed at the protest site.
Even though the rally carried out after the sit-in-protest was foiled, after a brief negotiation, leaders of LOUSAL were allowed to proceed upto chief minister’s bungalow and submit a memorandum containing their demands.
The rally of the peasants was coincided with discussion for passing the budget allocation of state agriculture department by the house of the Assembly. In the discussion opposition members drew the attention of the house for introduction of an agriculture land policy to safeguard the agricultural land of the state.
They observed that agricultural lands in the state have been fast converting into industrial estate decreasing the area of cultivable land of the state. Opposition leader Dr I Ibohalbi said that most of the agricultural land has been converted for commercial purposes.
If this has not been check timely the area of agricultural land would be decreased remarkably. Another opposition member L Ibomcha moved a policy cut to the discussion for passing of the demand on the ground that the agriculture department alleging that the department has failed to take up farmers oriented policies.
The department was not able to establish soil testing laboratory in all the nine district of the state, asserting the need of such testing centre so that farmers could choose crops suited to their lands.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/farmers-stage-rally/

IMPHAL, June 27 MNS NNN : At least 10 volunteers of the student wing of the Joint Coordination Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) were injured on Thursday after the police resorted to heavy lathi charge at them without warning after some 200 volunteers of the wing tried to storm Manipur assembly now in session pitching up its demand for introduction of ILP in Manipur.
They organised a protest rally demanding introduction of ILP in Manipur. The protesters coming from different sides first gathered in front of LMS Law College, Imphal at Chingmeirong. At the moment, a large number of police personnel arrived at the scene. They then lathi charged them heavily without warning, injuring 10 volunteers after a skirmish ensued between the two sides. One of the injured was admitted in Public Hospital Hatta here. The police again detained five student protesters, who were later freed, following the lathi charge that dispersed them in front of LMS Law College, Imphal.
Addressing the media shortly after the incident at the All Manipur Student’s Union (AMSU) office, JCILMS student wing convenor M Angamba condemned the Thursday’s police action against the student protesters.
He called upon all the political parties and the people of the state to join hands in the campaign for implementation of ILP system under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873.
Angamba also urged the state police not to harass the students protesting against non-implementation of ILP in the state saying they are not working and struggling for their own welfare but for all.
Since June 1, the state government has been on high alert keeping up tight and strict security measures to thwart any untoward incident arising out of the ongoing agitation.
With the dateline of the ultimatum given to Manipur Government to clear its stance on introduction of Inner Line Permit system in the state had ended last month, JCILPS had stopped visiting of non-locals (people from mainland India) to the state from June 1-5 and it had prevented the outsiders to enter into the lanes and localities of the state from June 6-15.
Representatives of JCILPS had met the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and other Cabinet ministers on May 20 during which they had discussed seriously about the ultimatum served JCILPS to the Government to announce its stance on implementation of ILP system in the state, the committee’s convenor Sapamcha Jadumani had said.
He had also said that during the meeting the Government side called for withdrawal of the committee’s decision to stop non-Manipuris from coming to the state. Jadumani had lashed out at the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for allegedly being double standard and accused the Congress Government of ignoring the resolution of the state assembly with regard to introduction of the ILP system under Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873.
The design to convert Manipur into a ‘hybrid state’ was never right and the integrity of the nation could only be protected only when there was ILP system, Jadumani had commented earlier this month.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/students-injured-in-police-action-ilp-stir/

Imphal, June 27 MNS/NNN: Manipur will have more contract lecturers.
On Thursday, Manipur Education minister M Okendro assured Manipur assembly on Thursday that the Manipur Government will take up obligatory steps for regularization of more contract Higher Secondary school lecturers in the state.
During the Question Hour in the House, Trinamool Congress (TC) MLA Th Shyamkumar asked whether any policy has been taken up for the contract Higher Secondary school lecturers who have been working as part-time teaching assistants by dedicating for over 15 long years.
Education minister Okendro in reply to the question assured the House that the state Government will definitely take steps to regularize them soon.
The Andro constituency MLA Shyamkumar after hearing the response from the minister then said that these lecturers have been playing a great role in imparting education to the students of the Higher Secondary schools for quite a long time and hence it is paramount to level them out.
Responding to the suggestion, Okendro supplemented his answer that the Government is focusing on it and informed that there are currently 1049 contract lecturers out of which 432 have been regularlised while there are still 617 part-time lecturers.
Opposition members in the Manipur Assembly Thursday expressed serious concern over the state having no definite policy to check air pollution caused by smoke emission from vehicles.
Earlier, state forest and environment minister Th Debendra informed that house that Manipur was yet to have a definite policy to check pollution emitting from passenger or commercial vehicles, said state minister
“Environment pollution directly affected the human health and leaving it unchecked is a violation to the right to life enshrine in the constitution of India by not allowing the citizens to live with good health”, said opposition member RK Imo of Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP).
He demanded that checking of vehicle for control of environmental pollution should be made mandatory. “Government should check these vehicles every three months or six months so that we could keep our environment secure from pollutants,” he said pointed out some examples regarding the rules being followed in other big cities of the countries like Delhi, Kolkatta and Mumbai etc.
Admitting the observation made by the oppositions, forest and environment minister said that the problems of emitting from the commercial vehicles should be checked by the transport department in convergence with various departments like environment wing and the Manipur Pollution Control Board.
The level of pollutants emitted from the commercial vehicles in the state especially in the capital city was becoming a major threat to the health of the people, he said, adding that even though plantation has been taking up for synthesizing of pure oxygen the quantity of carbon monoxide emitted from the vehicles has been endangering the purity of the oxygen which simultaneously become a health hazard.
The minister assured that the government would take up steps to check such pollution.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/contract-lecturers-to-be-appointed/

On June 25, a cadre of NSCN (K) Army No 10354 SS Capt K Rajanglung @ Raja r/o Nonei village, Tamenglong district surrendered to Security Forces of Red Shield Division. K Rajanglung joined NSCN(K) on 16 Feb 1997 and went through rigorous military training for three months in eastern area of Myanmar near Mon District. On 24 Jun 2013, he reported at Nonei Battalion of Red Shield Division to surrender as he feared for his life from NSCN (K) after the operation of Security Forces in Shonglung. Formal acceptance of surrender was completed on the evening of 25 Jun 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nscnk-captain-surrenders/

The Manipur banch called by JAC formed in connection with the missing of Irungbam Irabanta affected the normal lives in Imphal east. Due to the banch, no vehicles were seen plying on the road. The bandh was effective at Khurai area.
Traffic along Imphal-Ukhrul road was brought to a grinding halt .
The bandh could not affect normal life in the state, barring Lamlai area, Napetpalli and Yorbung along Imphal-Ukhrul road in Imphal East district on Wednesday.
Bandh supporters in Yorbung area were dispersed by police by firing several rounds of tear gas canisters around 10 am after they tried to stop movement of people in the area. However, no one was injured in the incident.
Normal traffic on the Imphal-Ukhrul route was halted due to the strike that began 5 am.
However, a few educational institutions in Imphal were remained close although almost all the Government establishments could be seen as normal.
No untoward incident was reported during the course of the bandh that will end at 5 am tomorrow.
Irabanta, a sand supplier for Maphou Dam construction, was allegedly kidnapped by the NSCN-IM on May 27, 2012. Since then his whereabouts is unknown till today. He is a resident of Nongdam Maning Leikai in Imphal East.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bandh-affect-lives/

IMPHAL, June 26 NNN : Neighbouring states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya, which are also well known for their bamboo products, surpassed Manipur in utilizing bamboo in more scientific way, according to PC Lawmkunga, Additional Chief Secretary of Manipur.
Lawmkunga was speaking at the inaugural function of a 4-day training workshop on ‘Building with Bamboo’ being organised by South East Asia Bamboo Foundation (SABF) in collaboration with Manipur State Bamboo Mission, Forest Department at the conference hall of Forest Department here. It has been arranged under the sponsorship of Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMPTC), New Delhi.
He said people has been using bamboo since very long time, but added that the neighbouring states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya surpassed Manipur while using bamboo in more scientific way.
Lawmkunga further said that China is the topmost country in the world which makes use of bamboo in extra scientific way and hence the state should learn this method.
RK Nimai, Commissioner, AK Rana, IFS, PCCF also attended the function.
AK Rana also shared his knowledge on different bamboo verities grown in the state.
He said Manipur has as much as 35 different verities of bamboo tree and two percent of the forest area of the state is covered by bamboo trees.
Rana also said the climbing bamboo tree breed of Manipur is indeed distinctive in nature and added that lack of proper transport and communications bars right usage of bamboo in the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/use-of-bamboo-should-be-promoted/