Manipur News

CCPUR, October 26: Commanding Officer of the 7 AR, Col.Aditya Verma, paid a visit to the family whose house was hit by a bullet fired in celebration during Puja festival on October 19. A 5mm bullet had pierced the corrugated steel roofing of the house.

The CO, had also already visited and apologised to the family last week in the presence of ADCC Chairman Mr.Langkhanpau Guite, the areas MDC Mr.T.Khaikhanmang and Mr. CT Lian Guite MDC present.

He had said then he regretted the unfortunate incident and further admitted that the soldiers should in future tell people in advance about such firings. He said he was even more worried because of the present tense situation in Lamka where people are still mourning the deaths of nine peoples.

Today`s visit was the second by the CO to show the ARis concerned for the wellbeing of the general public after the stray bullet allegedly fired by his soldiers pierced the steel roof of the house. The projectile then fell on the floor of the house after rebounding from the steel almirah in the bedroom of Khumkhenmang.

During today`s visit, the CO also called on the concerned MDC and chief of the village and promise that he personally will take care of the poor family, and will gift them with rationed steel roofing material as replacement for the damaged material.

He said the motto of his force is that they are `the friends of Ccpur. People” and reiterated that his force is not afraid to say sorry when they have made mistakes and are ready to make corrections.

On condition of anonymity, some people of the village told IFP that it seems like a genuine, non-targeted firing by uniform security forces during their an annual rituals celebration of Puja.

They said nonetheless the Army as well as the police have been maintaining extreme restraints in Ccpur. in recent days and their overall performances were laudable. However, such celebratory firings must be announced ahead of time so people are cautious.

Such mistakes can cause misunderstandings between the forces and the people, and must not happen again, they added.

Recall may also be made that such celebration firing is common practice among security forces since many decades.

The victim who is a carpenter by profession lives with his wife, two school going daughters and an infant son. They had all rushed to the nearby concrete building in panic on that fateful night.

Surprisingly, on being asked, some of the immediate neighbours said they did not hear any kind of gunshot and that it was the tension of the a war-like situation in Ccpur that startled them and made them flee in panic.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/ar-co-tenders-apology-to-family-whose-house-was-hit-by-bullet-from-puja-celebration/

IMPHAL, October 26: Report No 1 of 2015 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed gross financial mismanagement in the State`™s Veterinary & Animal Husbandry (Vety & AH) Department.

An amount of Rs 47.32 lakhs meant for 756 officials utilized/engaged in the Nineteenth Quinquennial Livestock Census, 2012 had been transferred to the Bank Account of Deputy Director (Statistics).

According to the CAG Report, livestock rearing is one of the most important economic activities in rural areas of the country providing supplementary income for most of the families dependent on agriculture. It is a source of nutrition in the form of milk, eggs and meat.

The livestock census conducted once in every five years is the main source of such Data in the country. It is conducted as a fully funded central sector scheme and is implemented through the Animal Husbandry Department of the respective State and Union Territory.

The Nineteenth Quinquennial Livestock Census 2012 should be conducted in 100 percent villages and wards in all the Districts of the State.

As in population census, primary workers undertake house to house enumeration and ascertain the number, age, sex etc of livestock and Poultry possessed by every household and institution in rural and urban areas.

The Nineteenth Quinquennial Livestock Census, 2012 was to be conducted with reference date October 15, 2012, commencing from September 15, 2012 and to be completed by October 15, 2012.

Various species of animals and poultry birds possessed by households, enterprises and institutions were to be counted at their site.

The Ministry released (2012-2014) Rs 119.62 lakhs including revalidated amount of Rs 1.62 lakhs for census.

The department could utilise Rs 116.97 lakhs during 2012-2014. Even after lapse of two years from the stipulated date of completion of the census, the final census report could not be made available to audit. In the absence of the census report audit could not ascertain status of all round development of the livestock in the State.

The Department drew Rs 47.32 lakhs in March 2013 and February 2014 for payment of TA/DA/Honorarium of 756 officers and officials (624 Enumerators, 106 Supervisors, 21 Scrutiny Officers and Five State Level Livestock Census Officers) for counting the Nineteenth Quinquennial Livestock Census.

Instead of disbursement of the withdrawn amount to the concerned officers and officials, the amount was transferred electronically to the Bank Account of the Deputy Director (Statistics) of the veterinary & Animal Husbandry Department APRs of the concerned officers and officials were not available.

During the exit conference, the Department stated (October 2014) that TA/DA was disbursed through the District Census Officer. APRs were submitted for receipt of money by the concerned District Census Officers.

However, APRs for distribution of TA/DA/Honorarium to the concerned Officers/Officials who had conducted census could not be produced to audit. Thus, disbursement of TA/DA/Honorarium of Rs 47.32 lakhs was doubtful.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/rs-4732-lakhs-meant-for-vety-ah-dept-livestock-census-transferred-to-deputy-directors-account/

IMPHAL, October 26: A JAC formed against the closing of Pong Road along with the people of the surrounding areas affected by the closing of the said road stormed JN Institute of Medical Sciences at Porompat today.

Womenfolk forcefully locked the gates of JNIMS`™ ATC, OPD and Administrative Block and finally sat in front of the main gate blocking even the pedestrian.

The agitators dividing themselves into groups at around 10:30 am started locking every gate in the buildings of JNIMS one after another.

People who were already inside the hospital buildings were not allowed to come out, as much as the people who were outside were also not allowed to enter the building, halting the functioning of the hospital today.

When, some womenfolk numbering around 5 or 6 tried to lock the gate of the Administrative Block building, a police personnel posted there visibly alone, first tried to prevent them from locking the gate by warning them verbally.

As the group did not stop he fired a shot in the air. Hearing the sound of bullet firing more people came rushing towards the police personnel and surrounded him instead of running away.

The situation became more intense. There were pushes and pulls between the agitators and some police personnel along with the hospital guards posted there who were trying to save the police personnel from the mob.

The mob which was larger in number took full control of the situation however they did not beat up the police personnel or cause any damage to anything in the compound.

However there was a lot of verbal confrontations, pushes and pulls with the police personnel, who fired the shot, and the mob. In the process the police personnel shirt buttons were torn off.

The police personnel was rescued after higher ranking police personnel arrived and took control of the situation.

Angered by the incident the mob also closed down shops including medical stores at the surrounding areas infront of the main gate of JNIMS.

Later, at around 12:30 pm a few members of the JAC were called inside the office room of Director of JNIMS for dialogue.

After this a little calm returned for a while.

However as the Director and the JAC members could not reached an agreement an intense drama started again and blocking the main gate of JNIMS continued.

JAC convenor Tomba speaking to media persons said the JAC had repeatedly approached the JNIMS authority and had submitted memorandums regarding the issue.

He said the JAC after convening a public meeting at Manipur Press Club on October 14 had also announced through the media that the JAC would close down JNIMS if their demands to open the road were not fulfilled by October 25.

However their demands were never taken seriously by the State Government or JNIMS authority until an agitation is launched.

When asked was it right to close down hospital for their demands, he replied that if the JNIMS staffs can launched cease work strike for weeks just because of not getting their salary what is wrong in their action as they are suffering badly because of the closure of the Pong Road.

He also strongly condemned their local MLAs namely Khurai Kendra MLA Bijoy, Khetrigao Kendra Amin Shah and MLA Biren for their inaction towards the issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/trouble-break-out-at-jnims-over-pong-road-closure/

IMPHAL, October 26: The elected Autonomous District Council members of Sadar Hills District has fixed October 31 a deadline for declaration of Sadar Hills as full-fledged District of Manipur and warned if government failed to do so, various agitations will be launch in the Sadar Hill`™s area.

In this regard a sit-in-protest was held at the campus of ADC office Kangpokpi by the Elected Members of ADC in collaboration with various civil society organization and women union today.

In the side line of the sit-in-protest Thangkham Misao Vice-Chairman of ADC Sadar Hills District and also the District Congress Committee President said Sadar Hills district has not been declared as full-fledged district even though it fulfils all criteria, even though the demand is 43 years old.

The people of Sadar Hills have always been given step motherly treatment, he said. This ADC has enough infrastructures to be full-fledged district. It has three assembly segments and eight blocks which five block is fully functioning after the Chief Minister approved them, and has a population of 1.93 lakhs and 1698 square Km of area.

He said that in the up gradation to full-fledged district of the state government, there will not be any extra financial involvement for its infrastructure construction or other purpose. In the past various Chief Ministers of Manipur have signed a number of MoUs for the declaration of Sadar Hills as a full-fledged district. However, till today the dream is not realised and Sadar Hills continues to be kept under Senapati District, and this has cost the region dearly in terms of development.

He further said that in 1971 the Parliament of India had created six ADC in Manipur. Five ADC out of six have been upgraded to full-fledged District of Manipur and today they function smoothly in state. Only Sadar Hills have been left out.

He said declaring Sadar Hills as a full-fledge district will not affect Manipuri Integrity. `We want development for Sadar Hills District people. It will not hurt the Manipur state,` he reiterated.

`Sadar Hills has lagged behind in terms of developmental work. Other hills districts have already shot ahead in development. Full-fledge district means speedy development and administration,` he added.

He said ADC Sadar Hills and its elected members cannot serve the people fully because Sadar Hills is still not a full-fledged district. `So we have decided to launch various agitations if the government does not declared Sadar Hills a full-fledge district by October 31,` he warned.

Meanwhile, Lunthang Haokip, Executive Member of ADC Sadar Hills and District Vice President of Congress Committee said that during July 14, 1982 former Chief Minister Rishang Keising was prepared to declare Sadar Hills as a full-fledged district, and his cabinet had passed resolution in this regard, along with separation of Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, to be inaugurated as separate districts after boundary adjustments.

However, Sadar Hills was left out again when Thoubal and Bisnupur were inaugurated as full-fledged districts in 1996/97.

On January 10, 2000 during W Nupamacha as Chief Minister under the resolution of cabinet agenda number 12 Sadar Hill was processed to be inaugurated as full-fledge district but it also failed. Till today, Sadar Hills District Council is being kept as name only under Senapati District, he said.

`We therefore demand full-fledged district status for Sadar Hills,` he said. `We have suffered step motherly treatment for more than 43 years, and now the limit has been reached,` he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/adc-serves-deadline-of-october-31-for-declaration-of-sadar-hills-as-fullfledged-district/

IMPHAL, October 26: A Junior Commission Officer (Naib Subedar) of Assam Rifles was killed and few other were injured in an ambush laid by militants this morning at around 9:15 at Khaikai under Chassad Police Station in Ukhrul District.

It may be mentioned here that it was only yesterday a personnel of Assam Rifles was killed and two others were injured when militants laid an ambush at Satang Village near Kwatha Village under Moreh Police Station in Chandel District.

The today`™s incident site is around 60 kilometres away from Ukhrul District headquarter towards South-East and it is only a Kilometre away from Chassad Police Station.

The Junior Commission Officer (Naib Subedar) was reportedly killed on the spot by the bullet wounds he received in the ambush.

The Assam Rifles of Chassad Post were doing their normal patrolling duty when they were ambush by the militants, who were already waiting for them in hiding, with sophisticated weapons.

The Assam Rifles retaliated and there was an exchange of fire between the two groups however any casualties on the side of the militants could not be confirmed.

When IFP contacted Ukhrul Police Station, they informed that the police team from Chassad Police Station as well as from Ukhrul District Police Headquarter have not return from the incident site so no detail information was available however they confirmed the ambush report.

Meanwhile, the banned Revolutionary People`™s Front (RPF) has in a press release signed by its secretary publicity Roben Khuman claimed that the ambush was laid by its armed wing PLA`™s tactical command.

The release claimed that two personnel of 44 Assam Rifles have been killed and many were injured in the ambush laid by them. They have also claimed recovery of an Assault Rifle and some ammunition in the ambush.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/assam-rifles-jco-killed-in-another-militants-ambush/

IMPHAL, October 26: Trading is one activity that can boost the economy of the state hence promoting trade and commerce is important. Manipur has the potential to produce commodities that are highly in demand in the rest of the world but they remain stagnant because of frequent bandhs and blockades said Minister Commerce & Industries Govindas Konthoujam who spoke as guest of honour during the inaugural function of two day national seminar on Food and Beverages of Manipur: Cultural Heritage, Entrepreneurship & Contemporary Challenges held at Centenary Hall, Manipur University.

Further, reiterating that patenting is very important to tag ownership of a commodity he said the state indigenous `Potloi`™ is beginning to use in the fashion parades in international ramps and he expressed fears that others may patent it taking it away from its roots.

Tender bamboo shoots for use in the restaurants in the entire nation is imported from China, said Govindas and added that Manipur can enter the market and replace China in supplying this commodity to the Indian market.

For this, he said bamboo shoots available in the state must be standardised, so it could be exported.

The indigenous food `Usoi`™ is also liked by the people of Japan and even the Japanese have been placing big order. They also love indigenous items, including local brews of Sekmai, Andro and Fanyeng and if this demand is taken care of the state economy can receive a fillip, he added.

Commerce & Industries Minister also elaborated that one litre of Sekmai liquor is Rs 40 to 43 and the same can be sold at 10 USD, that is Rs 650 approximately and the premium brand could fetch Rs 885 per litre.

He further said that if local brews of Sekmai, Andro and Fanyeng is illegalised for export, the state could possibly earn an extra Rs 8000 to Rs 10000 crores annually.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi who spoke as Chief Guest said that tapping resources of the state is very essential to promote economic sustainability. He said he wants recommendations from the two day national seminar to uplift the state economy and to boost trade and commerce activities of the state.

Ibobi further said that the law and order of the state is big challenge in any effort to promote trade and commerce.

He said he was told by some of high ranking officials of the military that they were of the opinion that the Manipur`™s law and order situation is far more complex than Jammu and Kashmir`™s. The state is paralysed by six months of rainfall, numerous bandhs, blockades and indefinite economy blockades. He said that he is hopeful that after the thorough discussion in the seminar proposals would come up to tackles all these odds.

Ibobi also announced that Imphal city has been shortlisted for upgrade to smart city by the Centre and this was a welcome decision. He further said the centres new proposal for 50-50 share between state and centre in footing the bills fo state budgets is not realistic for the Northeast states.

The inaugural function was also attended by MLA Kakching A/c Y Surchandra Singh; Consultant to Government of Manipur Dr RK Nimai Singh, IAS (Retd); Vice Chancellor, Manipur University Prof. HNK Sarma as Guests of Honour and President of the inaugural function and Managing Director, Bena Enterprises (P) Ltd., Tokyo, Japan as special invitee.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/state-must-explore-possibilities-for-legal-trading-of-local-brew-govindas/

IMPHAL October 26: The State Government and Police Department refused to take immediate action even after the victim volunteered to identify all three Police Commandos who looted and severely tortured him. The victim had also also furnished the names of the three to the authorities.

This was disclosed by Anjuman, Convener of the JAC formed in connection with the crime that happened in the heart of the city, the old Assembly road on 22 of October around 10.30 AM.

Four Police commandos on duty with chest nameplates James, Ratan and Bishorjit had abused, looted Rs. 6 lakhs and severely tortured Md Ataur Rahman (31) of Lilong Bazar on his way to procure goods for his shop AR Enterprise, the convener Anjuman narrated.

Despite these testimonial evidences, the Government and the Police is not willing to go for a Test Identification Parade even though the victim is willing to identify his perpetrators, he alleged.

Instead of punishing the erring Police Commandos, the Imphal West SP Dr Akoijam Jhalajit Singh tried to protect such guilty personnel. Hence the first round of meeting which lasted two hours was not conclusive and another round of meeting was held for three hours later in the evening yesterday, he informed.

We demand that a special investigation team/ crime branch should conduct an independent enquiry to identify the involving personnel and award them befitting penalty of dismissal from service besides recovery of the looted six lakhs and support to the brutally tortured victim who is still undergoing treatment in the hospital. An order in this regard is assured by the Home Department to expedite the investigation, he said.

The JAC expressed their gratitude to the thousands of people including several organizations who had rallied from Lilong to Imphal yesterday showing solidarity to such criminal act of the Police.

Following the assurance from the government, we will suspend further forms of agitations for one month as agreed by both parties. However if the Government fails to comply to the mutual agreements, we will not cease to agitate for the victim`™s rights, he warned.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/govt-takes-no-action-against-alleged-cdo-looters-even-after-victim-provided-their-names/