Manipur News

KANGPOKPI, Jun 24: In yet another disturbing act perpetrated by Southern Angami People`™s Organization (SAPO) and Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO), two clothing shops belonging to Mao community were vandalized and Mao Union Kohima unit president physically assaulted and his mobile phone destroyed today at the crowded Kohima town around 3:15pm.

According to reliable sources, SAPO and SAYO volunteers numbering around 20 to 30 appeared at the crime scene with a pre-meditated motive and identification of the shop and suddenly began to vandalize the two shops run by owners identified as Salew Athikho of Shajouba village and Loli of Kalinamai Village.

The assaulted Union president is identified as Athikho aged 45 years a native of Kalinamai Village, Manipur presently residing at Kohima and was serving as a lecture at Modern College, Kohima.

Kohima police arrived at the scene after the crime and has secured the shops with shop materials kept under the custody of the police. In this regard an FIR has been lodged.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/angami-volunteers-assault-mao-union-kohima-president/

IMPHAL June 24: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today inaugurated several new constructions under the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, namely the Integrated AYUSH Hospital, Food Testing Laboratory, State Family Welfare Training Centre and the Medical Directorate New Building.

The 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital located at Lamphelpat, near Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) office complex, which comes under the Directorate of AYUSH was formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Health and Family Welfare and AYUSHminister Phungzathang Tonsing, MLA of Uripok A/C L Nandakuamr, principal secretary Health and Family Welfare Dr J Suresh Babu, director of Health Services, Manipur Dr O Ibomcha and director of

AYUSH Dr K Lokendro, former Minister Dr M Nara also attended the inaugural function.

AYUSH an acronym of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy have gain popularity. The Integrated AYUSH Hospital was set up by the State government under the Ministry of Health to enhance the health services provided to the public, stated Phungzathang Tonsing.

The Food Testing Laboratory constructed under the funding of the World Bank and the State Family Welfare Training Centre constructed under the funding of National Rural Health Mission (NHM) both located at RD Wing Complex Lamphelpat were also inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

The new Medical Directorate Building inside the Medical Directorate complex, Lamphelpat, was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Health Minister, Chairman of Hill Area Committee, Uripok MLA, Henglep MLA, Singhat MLA, Director of Health Services, AYUSH and other doctors and staffs.

Construction of the new building was funded under Special Plan Assistance of the Planning

Commission and was started in the year 2007 with an estimated cost of about Rs 6 crores by the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC), although the total cost at completion amounted to Rs 9 crores.

After an inspection of the construction, the Chief Minister expressed displeasure for using outdated tiles and plywood doors and windows for such an important building.

Speaking at the inaugural function, the Chief Minister said the completion of the various buildings inaugurated today will greatly enhance the service of the State Health Services.

Earlier after inaugurating the Integrated AYUSH Hospital, the Chief Minister had urged all those working in the medical sector to work with sincerity and dedication.

He continued there is a huge backlog of more than 200 post vacancy for doctors from Scheduled Tribes.

Keeping the shortage of doctors in mind, the two month rotational posting system of all specialist doctors was adopted so that the doctors could provide their services even in the remotest of areas, he added.

However, some specialist doctors are not complying with the system, the Chief Minister added in a disappointing note.

He added that the State Government will soon take up steps to upgrade medical facilities in all the districts of the State.

The existing district hospitals will also be upgraded to 100 bedded hospitals. `A cabinet decision has been taken and fund has also been earmarked for this`™ he informed.

In order to address the shortages of specialist doctors which have hampered in providing medical facilities especially to interior parts of our State, the chief minister said, `To increase the specialist doctors from the State, a medical college will soon be set up in the Churachandpur district`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/cm-inaugurates-four-health-related-infrastructures/

IMPHAL, June 24: Reacting strongly against the counter blockade imposed against its indefinite economic blockade along the national highways, the All Tribal Students Union Manipur Muan Tombing group has questioned the rationality/ validity of the arguments provided by the Meetei Youth Front South East Asia and the International Meetei Forum for counter blockade call.

Speaking to media persons today, ATSUM president Maun Tombing questioned as to why the groups were referring to indigenous tribes of the State as foreigners in their own land.

He was referring to statements made by the organisations to media persons.

Tombing said instead of supporting and endorsing the demands of ATSUM, the two bodies have called a counter blockade.

The `Chingmi Tammi Amatani`™ is today reduced to a façade, he asserted.

He further claimed that the statements of the two organisations reported by local newspapers alleging ATSUM of supporting foreigners are completely illogical and unfounded.

Tombing said, ATSUM`™s charter of demands includes demands which are inalienable rights of tribes enshrined in the Constitution of India and for which the State government has been holding talks with the student body for decades now.

He further advice the MYF and IMF to abstain from dragging tribal issues into communal tones and to respect the sentiments of the other.

He continued that the student body will only intensify its agitations following consultation with ATSUM units.

Zeliangrong Students Union, Assam Nagaland Manipur president John Pamei said the economic blockade is continuing successfully in the hill districts.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/atsum-mt-reacts-against-counter-blockade-call/

IMPHAL, June 24: On the first day of the ensuing 11th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly to be started from June 26 at 11 am, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who also holds the portfolio of Finance will table the Budget Estimates, 2015-16 in the House.

Obituary Reference will be made as the first agenda on the first day of the Assembly session to be followed by presentation of Budget Estimates, 2015-16. There will also be agendas for Other Government Business, Introduction of Government Bill (if any) and Discussion on Governor`™s Address.

The second sitting of the House which falls on June 29 will be started with General Discussion on the Budget Estimates, 2015-16 as the first agenda to be followed by taking up of `Other Government Business`™ as the second agenda.

Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 will begin from the third sitting on June 30. Demands for State Legislature, Council of Ministers, Secretariat, Finance, Art & Culture and Economics & Statistics Department will be passed on the day in the House after threadbare discussion.

On the fourth sitting of the House on July 1, Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 for Police, Vigilance, Fire Protection and Control, Jails, Home Guards and Rehabilitation Department will be deliberated while on the fifth sitting to be held on July 2, there will be agenda for Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 for Land Revenue, Stamps & Registration and District Administration, Environment & Forest, Youth Affairs & Sports, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Minorities, Other Backward Classes and Scheduled Caste Department.

There will be agenda for Discussion on Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 for Education, Agriculture, Community Development and ANP, IRDP & NREP, Public Health Engineering, Minor Irrigation and State Academy of Training on the sixth sitting on July 3 while on the seventh sitting on July 6, there will be agenda for Discussion on Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 for Transport, Public Works Department, Commerce & Industries, State Excise, Sales Tax, other Taxes/Duties on Commodities & Services and General Economics Services & Planning.

Whereas on the eight sitting of the House on July 7, there will be Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 for Medical, Health & Family Welfare Service, Municipal Administration, Housing & Urban Development, Co-operation, Administration of Justice, Stationary and Printing, Science & Technology and Information Technology while there will be Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 for Labour & Employment, Animal Husbandry & veterinary including Dairy Farming, Power, Social Welfare, Tourism and Relief and Disaster Management on the ninth sitting.

Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants, 2015-16 for Information & Publicity, Tribal Affairs & Hills, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Election Fisheries, Panchayat and Sericulture will be deliberated on the tenth sitting.

While on the eleventh sitting which is the last sitting of the 11th Session of the House on July 10, there will be Consideration and Passing of Appropriation Bills.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/budget-estimates-201516-to-be-tabled-during-first-day-of-assembly-session/

LAMKA, June 24: The second phase distribution of the Indira Gandhi Old Age pension Scheme was held today at the District Social Welfare office, Churachandpur at Chengkonpang.

The pension distribution function was conducted by the SDO, CCPur Thienlaljoy Gangte amid a chaotic crowd of pensioners.

A police team led by Ccpur OC Inspector N Thangzamuan and Ccpur women police station OC sub inspector Sandy Tonsing managed to control the crowd and averted a stampede like situation.

However, before the arrival of the police team, there was only chaos as more than 3000 pensioners rushing in to stand ahead in line inside the DSWO office. Old and firm people holding Red and Blue cards had started arriving at the campus since 7am although the distribution of pension started only from 10 am.

It was sheer luck and chance that no casualty was reported in the tussle among the pensioners. With only three policemen on duty in the early hours, the media persons who had come to cover the event had to step in and help the weaker pensioners from getting crushed and restore normalcy.

With all the jostling among the pensioners, some falling from the corridor, some pushed against the wall, many could have been choked to death considering the fact that many of the pensioners were quite old and in fragile health.

A woman who had arrived from a faraway village who was found helping herself using her card to fan herself said she was more than 70 years old and had been standing in queue since 7:30 am.

She complained the much stronger card holders have all forced themselves in the line ahead with brute force.

She said little strength was left in her and she could not hold any longer as she had came without having lunch.

Many of the pensioners also complained that a little more spacious venue could have been selected and pensions distributed serial wise which could have been flashed through the local media.

Proper sitting and resting places could have also been arranged, they complained.

Interestingly, there are also allegations that being old is no guarantee to get the old age pension amount and one needs political patronage to get listed for the pension scheme.

Meanwhile, a local social worker John neihsial asked as why the department forced the Old people to open bank accounts if they were going to distribute the pension in cash.

He continued the DSWO could have taken help of local organisations so that there were more man-power to accelerate the process.

The DSWO and the SDO however asserted that it was a direct order from the director to deliver the pension amount in cash.

There are altogether 6187 Red card holders in Ccpur who are between the age of 60-79 years and 386 Blue card holders who are aged 80 years and above.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/stampede-like-situation-averted-during-pension-distribution-in-ccpur/

IMPHAL, June 24: Despite the ongoing indefinite economic blockade imposed by All Tribal Students`™ Union (ATSUM) – Muan Tombing Group along the National Highways in protest against the failure of the government to fulfil its long pending demands entering its fourth day, the government has not made any specific arrangement to bring back the loaded oil tankers stranded outside the State due to the blockade.

As stated by a leader of one of the oil tanker`™s associations, around 300 oil tankers are stranded outside the State unable to proceed due to the ongoing economic blockade.

Out of the total 300 tankers, 100 are loaded with fuel while the remaining 200 are empty tankers.

Once the indefinite economic blockade is lifted, the empty oil tankers will be heading for Imphal after fetching fuels from various supply points.

He lamented that the government has not come up with any arrangement to bring back the tankers being stranded outside the state despite passing of three days of the blockade.

Normally, the oil tankers are escorted by CRPF personnel. However, additional escort is required by the tankers whenever sudden economic blockade is imposed along the National Highways, he said.

He further said that the concerned authority will be urged to make special arrangement to bring back the tankers here in the capital at the earliest.

Asserting that there will be no shortage of fuel for the people at present as there is enough stock of fuels for 20 days in the depot of Indian Oil Corporation, he said that drivers and handymen of the oil tankers stranded outside the state would face immense hardship if they the tankers are not brought here at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/stranded-oil-tankers-plea-for-escort-arrangement/

IMPHAL, June 24: The central and state government should consider the irrigation problem in the state and revive various irrigation projects taken up earlier to avail adequate supply of water to famers of the state, demanded president of Manipur Loumi Lup N Mangi Singh during a press meet at Irabat Bhawan here today.

He alleged that various schemes and projects taken up by Minor Irrigation Department have failed to function accordingly posing a threat to crops sown by farmers in vast agricultural fields.

Although Irrigation and Flood Control Department is in the belief that farmers are availed with adequate supply of water in most of the parts but the truth is that water is yet to reach many of the agricultural fields. The government should discuss the matter in the Assembly and Cabinet to revive the schemes and projects at the earliest in the interest of the farmers, he said.

Stating that the NDA Government sent Minister to the state to inspect various problems including irrigation but their assurances remain only in words, he demanded investigation by CBI into the failure of the irrigation schemes and projects in the state to function despite its completion.

He reiterated that Manipur Loumi Lup submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister on November 29, 2014 urging to address various issues for development including irrigation of the state.

Taking the memorandum into consideration, the NITI Aayog (State Plans Division) sent a reply back to the organization on May 1, 2015 explaining about the issues mentioned in the memorandum. The matter was referred to NITI Aayog by PMO, he said.

On the issue of providing irrigation facilities in Manipur, demand for renovation and revival of all the completed and defunct irrigation projects and thorough investigation into the implementation affairs of the irrigation projects in Manipur to find out the cause of their failures, the NITI Aayog clarified that this is entirely and issue of implementation of the programme and lies in the domain of the state government.

Irrigation as per the constitution being a state subjects, it`™s planning, funding implementation and completion in time is primarily rest with the state government. The central government is already providing assistance under accelerated irrigation benefits programme to Thoubal and Dolaithabi Projects. The assistance provided till 31.03.2015 for these two projects are Rs 800.34 crore (Since 1997-1998) and Rs 230.77 crore (Since 2002-03) respectively, it said.

Regarding the demand for dredging and deepening of the Loktak Lake intensively and taking up of extensive a forestation works on a war footing in the catchment areas, the NITI Aayog in its reply explained that the peripheral area of the Loktak Lake, is in the process of dredging to clear the siltation including the removal of floating Bio-Mass (Phumdi) in order to increase the depth of the Loktak Lake towards Fisheries enhancement process including the adopting of integrated fish farming along the peripheral region of the lake.

The welfare of affected Fishing Communities who are dependent on Loktak Lake may be taken up with the department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries (DAH, D&F/NFDB) for fisheries/aquaculture programme oriented supports in a projectisation mode, subject to its admissibility under the terms and conditions laid down norms and availability of fund under the DAH, D&F and NFDB. In this connection, the scope available under other social sector schemes may also be explored, it further clarified.

Whereas on the issue of reintroduction of the Inner Line Permit System which was in force in Manipur till 1950 with suitable modification, it answered that that since this particular issue is dealt by MHA, the same may be taken up with MHA.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/manipur-loumi-lup-bats-for-cbi-probe-into-failed-irrigation-projects-in-state/

KANGPOKPI, June 24: In an unexpected incident an iron rod-loaded truck was burnt partially by suspected volunteers of ATSUM (Tombing) group in between Koubru Laikha and Sapormeina this afternoon at around 1:50 along the Asian Highway 1.

The Kuki Students`™ Organisation, Sadar Hills condemned the incident stating that no civil organisations in Sadar Hills endorse and support the ongoing economic blockade.

The truck bearing regd no MN07C-3611 was loaded with the iron rods from Satyam Industries, Taphou Kuki and was heading towards a godown in Mantripukhri, Imphal when the incident occured.

The driver of the ill-feted vehicle has been identified by the police as Md Hallal, 55, son of (L) Md Shirajuddin from Singa Yairipok. The handyman of the truck has been identified as the driver`™s son SM. Shajad, 18.

Md Hallal speaking to media persons said that some unidentified miscreants numbering around four stopped us in between Koubru Laikha and Sapormeina and shouted, `Aren`™t you aware of the Economic Blockade?`

He continued that before we could say anything one of them took us away a few distance from the spot and the remaining three set the truck on fire using some petrol which they seem to have bought in a water bottle.`™

The one who took us away freed us only after his friends burnt the vehicle continued the driver.

Immediate intervention and praiseworthy action of Sapormeina Police, AR and locals of Sapormeina managed to doused the fire and save the truck from completely burning.

However, the front part of the vehicle had already been totally damaged by the fire when the police, AR and the locals swung into action.

Interestingly, while the police personnel including AR and the locals of Sapormeina were busy fetching water and struggling hard in dousing the blazing fire, Fire Service, Kangpokpi reached the spot only after 2/3 hours of the incident said one local of Sapormeina.

Hectic efforts are on to nab the culprits said the Second Officer-in-charge of Sapormeina PS.

In the meantime, Kuki Students`™ Organization Sadar Hills intensely condemned the incident and term it as an act of `trepidation`.

No civil organizations in Sadar Hills endorse or support the ongoing ATSUM (Tombing) economic blockade in Sadar Hills and they ATSUM (Tombing) have no right to carry out such unnecessary activities within the jurisdiction of KSO Sadar Hills lamented Kuki Students`™ Organization Sadar Hills president Thangminlen Kipgen.

He continued that Maun Tombing`™s term had already ended last April and it is very much unjustifiable on the part of the ATSUM (Tombing) to call and impose such kind of agitation(economic blockade) even after expiry of the tenure.

Therefore, it will be a wise step on the part of the law enforcement agency to nap the culprits under NSA so as to ensure a good exemplary to such civil organizations and the people as a whole who have no reputable administration and functioning, KSO Sadar Hills supremo added.

He further said the unexpected and perhaps an astonishing act of Maun Tombing and his so called volunteers engaged in the vile incident today is also an indirect tackle towards the CSOs of Sadar Hills. Sadar Hills CSOs including KSO Sadar Hills will no longer endure if repeated in future without maintaining its

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/atsum-volunteers-set-truck-ablaze-ksosadar-hills-condemns-economic-blockade/

IMPHAL, June 24: The North East Dialogue Forum conducted a survey of paddy fields in three districts today and talked to farmers about water scarcity.

The NEDF team accompanied by media persons visited Sagang in Churachandpur district, Langmeidong in Thoubal district and Litan in Chandel district.

Farmers claimed drought like situation and shared their grievances with the team.

At Sagang Village, M Abum a farmer said the farmers are all set to sow paddy in their fields, however, due to the scarcity of rain, the fields are all parched.

He said agriculture is their only source of income and if it fails the people will suffer.

Farmers have been facing scarcity of water due to little rain for the past five-six years, he continued.

Any delay in the sowing process will only lead to decrease in yield, he continued.

The villages where the NEDF team visited today lacks water pumping facilities as there is no River Lift Irrigation schemes in the area, according to locals. Locals at the three villages also complained that they have to buy potable water at Rs 30 per 100 litre from private water tankers.

The NEDF team held meeting at the residence of Sagang Bazar board secretary M Asong in Sagang Village and at the Common Vision Coaching Centre in Langmeidon Village.

At Langmeidon, Thounaojam Angoubi Singh a farmer said the canal from the Sekmai River Barrage is constructed at a much higher level from the ground hindering proper flow of water from the river to the fields.

Distribution of water pumps and seeds to farmers are only heard of, but never seen in reality, complained Yumnam Lashmon, a farmer from Hiyanglam Maning Mayai Leikai.

He continued the local representatives like the pradhans, members, MLAs neglect the grievances of the people especially the farmers.

A farmer from Litan, Nelson said neither local leaders nor the concern authorities have visited them and considered their grievances.

He said last year the paddy yield in Litan area was next to nil due to water scarcity.

However, farmers were also hopeful of receiving help from the government though a little late.

A farmer at Sagang suggested lifting water from the Imphal River at Wangoo and feeding the Sangang Canal which is only 2 kms far which could help the farmers.

Another at Langmeidon the farmers also suggested that feeding the Sekmai Barrage with water from the Sekmai River and providing diesel to the farmers to use pumps could help them.

Farmers in all three villages lamented that the government has failed to look into the grievances of the farmers and provide any long term planning to fight the water scarcity issue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/farmers-claim-drought-like-situation/