Manipur News

IMPHAL, Oct 25: The 1st Amur Falcon (Akhuai Puinah) Dance festival under the theme `Save Amur Falcon` will be held tomorrow at Indoor Stadium, Tamenglong Head Quarter.

The festival is organised by the Rainforest Club of Tamenglong.

Different traditional dance troupes will be performed traditional dances during the programme.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/amur-falcon-dance-fest-today/

KANGPOKPI, October 24: Believe it or not! the popular Trans Asian Highway No.1 or commonly known as National Highway No 2 passing through the illustrious and agriculture productivity rich Sadar Hills has become a brazen witness to countless ghastly potholes and bear a resemblance to the century old village roads.

Big in name, famous as lifeline of the State and worrisome as well in crossing, the Trans Asian Highway No.1 gained another popularity in lodging incalculable potholes which has adversely become a hazard to 10 and 100s commuters from various other States and the locals alike.

The Trans Asian Highway No.1 presents the perfect sorry pictures of untold misery of the road users as well as laissez-faire attitude of the State government and its concerned departments and contractors.

Forget about other places where the highways is passing through, the hazardous 40 km stretch between Taphou Kuki and Gamgiphai in Sadar Hills, gives a psychosomatic disorder with the ad infinitum potholes.

The stretch between Kangpokpi and Yaikongpao via Daili village has innumerable potholes rendering commuters enough hardships while similar dismayed picture is detected along another stretch between Kalapahar and Bongmoul village via Keithelmanbi (Champhai).

Worse situation is experienced between the stretch of Leikop and Koubru Leikha via Bimparao with oversize potholes enough to keel over heavy loaded vehicles.

While the Sapromeina to Hengjang village segment bears horrific deep hole in close environs, N. Songlung, Mongpijang, and Motbung are the worse rundown.

A continual problem every season, there seems to be no exception this winter too though some potholes in few segments of the road in Kangpokpi area have been patched up recently but culminated the work within a short span of time allegedly due to shortage of funding.

However, a reliable source said that the pothole mending activities is being carried out in the Sekmai stretch.

Vehemently enraged resident of Sapormeina said that a rollercoaster ride at this pathetic road takes you to hell like situation followed by a good traditional massage on reaching home while adding that the highway has become an intolerable experience for young and old citizens.

One driver narrated that I have to visit workshop at least twice a week for repairing my vehicle and expend at least Rs.2000/3000 in minimum due to the bad condition of the highway, which extremely have an effect on my meager earning.

Another resident of Motbung Village lamented the negligence of the State government and concerned department over the deplorable road condition of the highway rendered frequent road accident even in bazaar area of Motbung, which is becoming a big threat for the people.

One teacher at Keithelmanbi also said that the pitiable condition of the highway and the dreaded potholes has not only caused unutterable anguish to road users but also affected school going children and ailing persons in particular, and the public in one way or the other.

Another Kangpokpi resident complain that more than 100 loaded vehicles and oil tankers has been basically passing the highway apart from the inter-State and State passengers and private vehicles but the State government and concerned department shut an eye on essentiality of the Trans Asian Highway.

A CSO leader also alleged that it is obvious to the public that concerned department is not taking up any prompt action to mend the potholes when they were undersized while it would not be a financial burden to the concerned departments.

A visibly irked resident of Kangpokpi allegedly said that collusion between corrupt officials and contractors as well as the apathetic attitude of the State government is the major factor for such disgraceful road condition.

`Yet no action is ever taken against the guilty`, he asserted before adding that in case of deaths or injuries caused by the bad road the state Government will be held responsible.

Meanwhile, enraged with the never-ending deplorable road condition and the episodic wealthy potholes of the Trans Asian Highway No.1 local residents including various civil society organizations within Sadar Hills warns of intense agitation if the present condition of the road is not satisfactorily repaired within a week.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/potholes-on-tah1-irk-local-residents/

IMPHAL, 25 October: All Manipur Working Journalists Union president Wangkhemcha Shamjai today launched a 30 minute slot of Manipur and Assam News in `Sadhana Plus` a hindi-channel.
The launching function was held at the Manipur Press Club.

Speaking on the occasion, chief managing director of the Savannah Consultant Pvt Ltd Rajkumar Premjit said the consultant company has managed to francishee a 30-minute time slot in the TV channel for news of Assam and Manipur.

He said he has struggled for nine long years in the national capital in order to get the dedicated time slot for Manipur.

The 30-minute news programme will be telecast starting November 1 on the channel, he said.

Shamjai said the local media is doing well in disseminating news within their capacity however, when it comes to the national scene there has been a huge gap.

Manipur, although considered the gateway to the ASEAN countries, its current affairs are hardly reported by the national channels, he said.

The editorial is the backbone of a media house and subscribers should not skip it, he said,

He continued the letter to the editor is also important as anyone can do citizen reporting by writing a letter to the editor.

The launching programme was also attended by former Dean of Social Sciences, Manipur Prof. Ksh Bimola Devi as president and director Savannah Consultant Pvt. Ltd. Dr Savan Chongtham.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/state-news-programme-in-national-channel-launched/

IMPHAL, October 25: A mob erupted this evening at Mayang Imphal Bazar over the recovery of the body of a missing 13-year old boy hanging from a tree yesterday.

It may be mentioned that 13-year old Akoijam Monsai Singh son of Ak Nodiachand Singh of Mayang Imphal Thana Wangkhei Leikai who had been missing after going out of his home was found dead hanging from a tree yesterday evening around 3:45 at a paddy field in Mayang Imphal Yangbi Leirak under Mayang Imphal Police Station.

A large mob of womenfolk stormed the Mayang Imphal Police Station demanding the arrest of the boy`™s friends who had called him out on the October 22 morning. The boy had failed to return since going out of his home on the October 22 morning.

When the police replied that arrests will be made only after proper investigation, the mob turned violent and imposed a bandh at Mayang Imphal Bazar crossroads citing that the police have failed to arrest the accused.

Shops were also closed down immediately.

Motorists were attacked with catapults and stones pelted at, according to sources.

Meanwhile, police fired mock bombs and tear gas shells to disperse the mob during which one bandh supporter was injured.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/mayang-imphal-mob-blocks-road-against-suspicious-death-of-13yearold/

BISHNUPUR, October 25: A public meeting on the theme `Peaceful coexistence` was today convened at the Lamlanghupi Chothe Village organised by the Apunba Nupi Lup ANUL Bishnupur.

The meeting was attended by ANUL Bishnupur president Sumati Oinam, Art and Culture of Chothe chairman Yuhlung Maipak Chothe, Lamlanghupi Chothe Village vice chairman Thao Jatra Chothe, UCM vice president Sunil Karam and Mapi Council advisor Th Manihar as presidium members.

ANUL Bishnupur organization secretary Khaidem Pramo speaking on the occasion said the meeting was organised to maintain the peaceful co-existence of the different communities in the State following the signing of the peace accord between the NSCN (IM) and the GoI which is an attempt to create a divide by driving a wedge between the communities.

Sumati said the people of the hills and the valley are from the same ancestors and should maintain the unity and love which has been there for long.

She continued when the train arrives in the State, if the indigenous people continue to remain indifferent and aloof from one another, there is possibilities of the indigenous people going extinct.

She further encouraged the need for the people to be united.

Yuhlung Maipak Chothe said using separate terminology for people of the hills and the valley as `Chingmi`™ and `Tammi`™ is a main caused for the loss of love among the people.

It is better not to use the separate words at all, he observed.

There is no difference between the hills and the valley, he said.

The gods of the Meiteis live in the hill tops signifying that the Meiteis had also originated from the hills, he elaborated.

He said all the communities should live together peacefully by understanding the fact that all the people are from the same ancestors.

Manihar said the Indian government is trying to create a wedge among the communities of Manipur by driving a wedge among them.

He further called upon all to forget separate land for the Nagas, separate land for the kukis and to live together peacefully.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/chothe-village-hosts-peaceful-coexistence-meet/

IMPHAL, October 25: The State government has initiated a thorough inquiry into the recruitment process of police constable through the Home department, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam told media persons regarding a recent order of the Governor which had halted the ongoing viva voce test for recruitment of 2000 police constables.

The viva voce of the recruitment process was halted following alleged complaints of irregularities from various quarters.

Speaking to media persons in the sidelines of a film release function at the Manipur Film Development Corporation, Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio said a departmental enquiry has been initiated against the process so as to clear all doubts of the public regarding irregularities.

The government, he said is trying hard to clear all doubts of the public.

Follow up actions will be taken up once the departmental enquiry report is received, he added.

On being pressed against the reported daylight extortion committed by police Commandos from a civilian, the Home minister said the police department has undertaken an investigation on the issue.

He said the man who has alleged victimization by the police Commandos should also co-operate in the investigation.

If the report of the investigation find anyone involved in such activity, they will not be spared, he added.

Gaikhangam also said the MLA Nasir who is also the local representative of the alleged victim, accompanied by the State DGP had also convened a meeting on the issue with the Chief Minister at the CM`™s Secretariate hall.

On the other hand, speaking of the Congress candidates for the November 21 bye-election in Thongju and Thangmeiband constituencies, Gaikhangam who is also the president of the MPCC said the MPCC has already recommended two candidates for the bye-election yesterday to the AICC.

He identified the two as Bijoy Koijam for Thongju and W Jyotin for Thangmeiband.

He continued, there is no need for the party to call a star campaigner at the moment for the bye-election as the party has enough firepower at the moment to fight the bye-election on its own.

He said that the Congress will have no problem in fighting the two disqualified MLAs of Thongju and Thangmeiband.

Their disqualification means they are not good enough to be MLAs and that they had violated the trust of the people which was handed over to them after their winning the elections, he said.

He said the two were unable to stay put in a party for even five years, so we think the people of the constituencies are clever enough not to accept them as their representatives again.

As for the Congress, the MPCC has made its recommendation before the AICC regarding ticket allocations and the names of the candidates will be announced soon, he said.

Regarding the construction of the Tombisana market shed, he said the government has fulfilled all formalities for the construction of the market and has followed all requisite rules and regulations for the construction.

He said once the market shed is completed, it will solve many problems of the women vendor sitting along the streets.

He said construction of the market shed is not undertaken with personal interest but it has been undertaken in considerations of the State`™s interest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/constables-recruitment-and-allegation-of-daylight-robbery-by-cdos-cases-under-departmental-probes-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, October 25: The Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur has appealed to the concerned authorities to postpone the screening test for the recruitment of Assistant Professors to be conducted by MPSC on October 27 asking to conduct the test after clearing all the confusion and issues of the candidates.

DESAM president Moirangthem Angamba along with around 20 rejected candidates of the said recruitment exam called a press conference today at the student organisation`™s office at Keishampat.

Angamba said the MPSC had issued a notification on December 15, 2014 for the recruitment of 240 vacant posts of Assistant Professors in 28 government colleges in the State.

However, due to some confusion in the essential qualification for the posts around 600 candidates have been rejected, he said.

One of the essential qualifications for the said recruitment exam is for candidates to be NET or SLET or SET qualified, Angamba said.

At the same time some candidates have been rejected because they had received their PhD degrees before 2009, when the UGC had issued a regulation regarding PhD degrees, he said.

On October 19 this year, the MPSC issued another notice saying that those candidates who received PhD before 2009 can appear in the exam after submitting a compliance certificate before October 24, Angamba further said.

Those candidates approached the Manipur University for compliance certificate but Manipur University denied giving compliance certificate to them saying that before 2009 no entrance test as well as no course work was conducted for PhD, so the people who were awarded PhD before 2009 cannot be treated like the people who have been awarded PhD after 2009, he said.

Now what the rejected candidates want is for the State government to make some rules and regulation to allow them to appear for the said exam like the way it is done in other states like Kerala, Mizoram, Nagaland, Guwahati University etc, he said.

These States have made some rules and relegation and allowed candidates who have been awarded PhD before 2009 to appear in Assistant Professor Recruitment exams without appearing NET or SLET or SET, he said.

Why in Manipur there is no such initiative?, he questioned.

They should be allowed to appear in the exam by making rules and regulation like in the other States, DESAM president Angamba demanded.

If not these candidates right to appear in the exam will be violated, he added.

Meanwhile around 35 candidates who appeared in the recruitment exam for Assistant Professor of Education were rejected as they have done their master degree in Education.

But according to UGC`™s latest rule and regulation, MA in any subject, MSc, MCom with MEd should be treated as equivalent with MA in Education degree holders for appearing in the Assistant Professor for Education, Angamba said.

In the NET exam also these candidates appear in the Education as well as NCTE also treats MEd and MA in Education as equivalent.

This simply means that the rejection is not reasonable and they should be allowed these candidates to appear in the recruitment exam, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/desam-wants-mpsc-to-settle-confusions-before-conducting-recruitment-of-assistant-professors/

IMPHAL, October 25: A personnel of the Assam Rifles was killed and two other injured when militant cadres laid an ambush on a 24 AR team this morning around 6:40 at Satang Village near Kwatha Village under Moreh Police Station.

The area is around 30 km north east of the Moreh Police Station.

According to reports received by the IFP, the 24 AR team was on patrol duty in the area this morning, when the militant cadres lying in wait to ambush attack the AR team using sophisticated weapons.

During the attack, a personnel was killed on the spot.

Soon after getting information about the ambush, additional forces of the AR arrived and exchanged heavy gunfire with the militant cadres; however, any casualty on the part of the militants couldn`™t be confirmed.

The dead personnel has been identified as rifleman no G/5009338 Paokholet Paite, 21 from Moreh Ward no 7, however, details of the two injured cannot be ascertained till the filing of this report.

It is also leant that the two injured have already been shifted to the Leimakhong Military Hospital.

It is also learnt that the AR conducted a massive operation in the surrounding area using mortars till around 10am today.

Meanwhile, when IFP contacted the Moreh Police, it was informed that till 7:30pm today the Assam Rifles hadn`™t made any official report of the incident and as such the detailed official report is awaited.

At the same time, it is also learnt that the body of the slain personnel has been deposited at the JNIMS morgue by the Assam Rifles and even if the AR fails to provide the official report, attempts are being made to get the information from the JNIMS morgue, the police said.

Meanwhile, a team of CRPF narrowly escaped as a grenade lobbed at them failed to explode here in Imphal.

This evening around 7:10 unidentified miscreants lobbed a hand grenade at a truck carrying CRPF personnel along the RIMS Road, which however, failed to explode.

The CRPF personnel were from the 86 BN CRPF Lamphel.

The truck was bringing personnel to replace the other who were on duty at Khwairamband Keithel and its surrounding areas.

The grenade was lobbed inside the truck when it reached the Nityananda Mandir, however, soon after the grenade fell inside the truck one of the personnel threw it out.

However, the grenade failed to explode.

Soon after getting information of the incident, high ranking police officials rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/ar-personnel-killed-in-ug-ambush-two-others-injured/