Manipur News

NEW DELHI May 5 (MIC): Wanglen Khundongbam`™s debut Manipuri feature film `“Pallefam (Destiny) is among the 48 best feature films of Pan-Indian Cinema to be screened in the 10thedition of the Habitat Film Festival to be held at India Habitat Centre, Lodi Road here from May 8 to 17, 2015.

Suraj Kumar Duwarah`™s Rabha film Orong (Strangers In The Mist); Diganda Mazumdar`™s Assamese film Borhxaranya (The Rain Forest); Bobby Sharma Baruah`™s Assamese film Adomya (Indomitable);Wanglen Khundongbam`™s Pallepfam (Destiny); Hiren Borah`™s Assamese film Khobh (Anguish); Moirangthem Maniram`™s Assamese film Xondhikhyon (Transition) are from the north east India to be screened in the festival.

The festival will open on May 8 with Shonali Bose`™s highly acclaimed `Margarita With A Straw`™ and `Teen Kahon`™ (Bengali) directed by Bauddhayan Mukherji.

One of the major highlights of the festival this year is a retrospective and an interaction with the unparalleled master of his craft – Kamal Haasan. Scheduled to open on May 9, the retrospective will begin with an interaction with the National Award winning actor, followed by the screening of Vishwaroopam.

Celebrating its 10th year, the Festival this year will screen several outstanding films including Marana Dandane (Kannada), Bey Yaar(Gujarati), Lajwanti and Gour Hari Dastaan (Hindi), Kuttaram Kadhithal (Tamil), Labour of Love and Chatushkone (Bengali), Quolf (Kashmiri), Shukha Asuchi (Oriya), Piku (Hindi), Elizabeth Ekadasi & Ek Hazarachi Note (Marathi), Ottal (Malayalam), Qissa, Punjab 1984 and Chaar Sahibzaade(Punjabi), Pallefam (Manipuri), Borhxaranya (Assamese) among a host of other wonderful films from various regions and 13 languages.

Fresh and innovative storylines, stunning cinematography, veteran actors and directors, rising stars and award winning performances of 2014-2015 are all an integral part of the festival apart from 19 National Award Winning Films.

Kamal Haasan`™s retrospective will showcase his amazing multifaceted talent with Vishwaroopam, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Sadma, Chachi 420 and Saagar, Hey Ram (Hindi) and Virumandi, Nagayan and Guna (Tamil).

The Habitat Film Festival provides audiences the unique opportunity to not just watch otherwise inaccessible films but also an interaction with directors in a post film Question and Answer session. This year, some of the actors/directors scheduled to attend are Kalki Koechlin, Shoojit Sircar, Ananth Mahadevan, Pushpendra Singh, Bauddhayan Mukherji, Abhishek Jain, Sohini Dasgupta, Atanu Ghosh, Hiren Bhora, Sajin Baabu, Moirangthem Maniram and more.

Apart from film screenings, there will be several other activities like Rhythm, Raga And Melody`”an exhibition throughout the festival at the Convention Centre Foyer in collaboration with the National Film Archive of India, Pune.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/manipuri-feature-film-pallefam-to-be-screened-in-10th-habitat-film-festival/

IMPHAL, May 5: Owing to the sheer number of aspiring candidates applying for BJP tickets, the party is unable to satisfy them all, State president Th Chaoba told a group of media persons today.

Altogether 340 aspiring candidates had applied for party tickets, he said.

The party`™s State Election Committee had screened all the aspirants and selected 130 candidates including five women for the 144 seats, he continued.

The huge increase in the number of aspiring candidates fighting for BJP tickets testifies that the Modi wave has also reached Manipur, he said.

In an obvious reaction to allegations of favouritism and bribery in the selection process of party candidates raised by Chandel unit president of the party, Chaoba said there were no favouritism and corruption during the selection process.

Any allegation of nepotism or corruption is baseless, he said.

The BJP Manipur Pradesh president also said that all supporters and members of the party should work together with the main objective of capturing maximum seats.

However, disciplinary actions will be taken up immediately if anyone is found involved in corruption or favouritism in any manner, Chaoba added.

The State government should conduct the election in a free and fair manner, he said adding that the upcoming election will determine whether the law and order situation in the State has really improved.

He further appealed to the other parties against showing money and muscle power in the election.

The BJP will lead all other parties if the election is conducted in a free and fair manner, he continued.

Chaoba continued that Manipur Pradesh Congress COmmiitee Gaikhangam is trying to draw sympathy votes from the public taking advantage of the reported restriction imposed on Congress candidates by some unlawful outfit.

This is shameful for the Congress, he continued.

The law and order situation in hill districts is quite unfortunate he said adding that policemen in the hill district hold sticks instead of guns.

He further continued that the Public Distribution System is a failure in the hill districts and all funds meant for the people are usurped by the MLAs and ministers from the Hill districts.

In the meantime, the rift within the BJP further widens, in the run up to the ADC poll.

Following the resignation of the party`™s Chandel district president and others, a key member of the BJP Tamenglong has tendered its resignation from primary and active memberships of BJP.

The executive member has been identified as R.K Athuan, organisation secretary of BJP Tamenglong district.

In his resignation letter, R.K Athuan said the he is no longer in the position to be in the party any longer under the leadership of Th Chaoba, president BJP, Manipur Pradesh.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/bjp-to-field-130-candidates-in-adc-poll/

KANGPOKPI, May 5: The proposed 24 hr total bandh from midnight of May 6 by KSO Sadar Hills has been postponed to May 7 midnight considering the scrutiny of 5th ADC Election candidates while the All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) conveyed its endorsement of the KSO Sadar Hills stir.

President KSO Sadar Hills, Thangminlen Kipgen has said that May 7 being the scrutiny day for the upcoming 5th ADC Election in the state, the proposed 24 hr total bandh has been postponed the next day i.e. May 7 midnight while adding that they respected and honoured the Government`™s constructive policy but will not tolerate it`™s (the Government) communal attitude.

Even after the situation has gone from bad to worse the Government still remained unvoiced and paralysed over Moidangpok incident as well as the unconstitutional act of its police personnel and the New Keithelmanbi Development Association alleged Thangminlen while adding that not a single person involved in the incident have been arrested so far by the Government while no action has been initiated till now to those police personnel and the ASI who allegedly handed over the van driver to the unlawful people at Moidangpok.

He also pointed out that even the misery of the injured victim who escaped death from the clutch of those scandalous people is not addressed and is neither attended nor assisted by the Government so far.

The incident of Moidangpok is an attempt on life which is truly the handiwork of New Keithelmanbi Development Association with the support of Patsoi and Thanglongbung police asserted KSO Sadar Hills President who asked, `Who are the men in uniform who escorted the van driver only to throw him in the pitch of death?

Thangminlen Kipgen further asked whether the police personnel of Patsoi and Thanglongbung PS are Manipur Police or Meetei Police, who opined that the whole incident transparently showed how communal the Government of Manipur i.

Land allotment for Cultural University at L. Tangnuam village in Saitu-Gamphazol Sub Division of Sadar Hills by intentionally claiming the land to be of Koutruk village under Lamsang Sub Division of Imphal West is also another communal approach of O. Ibobi led SPF Government in Manipur charged Thangminlen Kipgen.

Taking into account the communal governance of Ibobi led Manipur state Government it will be wise on the part of the Centre Govt. to imposed President Rule in Manipur said KSO Sadar Hills supremo. He continued that the proposed 24 hr total bandh will be enforced with the support of various tribal bodies from midnight of May 7 which will be subsequently followed by indefinite economic blockade in all tribal areas in the state until the communal state Government bunged its challenge and communal mindset towards the tribal people.

Meanwhile, conveying its deep concern over the alleged discriminate attitude of the state Government towards the tribal people, ATSUM expressed its endorsement towards the KSO Sadar Hills stir stating that the incident of Moidangpok and land allotment for Cultural University at L. Tangnaum village is completely against the tribal people in the state.

ATSUM President, Emboi Serto said that the state Government of Manipur has completely and intentionally failed to address any tribal related issue before thing turn revolting while adding that the unresponsive wave of the state Government over the issue of Moidangpok incident and land allotment for cultural university at L. Tangnaum village is painful for all the tribal community.

Therefore, ATSUM urges the state Government to addressed the issue before it too late and also help the innocent victim appropriately at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/ksosh-postpones-24-hr-total-bandh/

IMPHAL, May 5: National Games medalists from the State have threatened to lock down the Khuman Lampak sports complex if the State government fails to materialise its earlier assurance to provide the medallists with cash incentives.

Speaking on behalf of the medallists at a press meet held today at Manipur Press Club, Nandeibam Roshan Meitei, a Wushu player, recalled that the Chief Minister announced the incentive award days before the sports delegation left for the 34th National Games at Jharkhand.

Roshan was flanked by other medalists of the 34th National Games during the press conference.

The government had assured cash incentives in different categories including individual event, team event and record holders, said Roshan adding that in the individual event any player who secured a gold medal was to be awarded Rs 3 lakh, silver medalists with Rs 2 lakh and bronze medalists with Rs 1 lakh each.

In the team event the players who win gold medal were assured of Rs 1 lakh each, Rs 50000 for silver, Rs 30000 for bronze medallist and Rs 5 lakhs for record holders, he continued.

Four years has lapsed since the 34th National Games was held during March in 2011, however, the players are left high and dry, lamented Roshan who was himself a gold medalist.

He further asserted that the medalists had apprised the concerned authorities including YAS director, Y Ashokumar; consultant to the State government RK Nimai Singh and parliamentary secretary Pithriviraj but to no avail.

Recently, the Chief Minister had again assured during the `Players Day`™ observation on February 25 to fulfill the earlier promise by the month of April, yet nothing positive has came forth, he added.

Instead of giving encouragement to the players the very act of the Government has not only demoralize the players, but it is also mentally harassing for the players, said Roshan.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/natl-games-medalists-demand-govt-to-fulfill-cash-incentives-assurance/

IMPHAL, May 5: The State Cabinet has given a nod to sanction the required fund of Rs 4,38,80,850 for keeping 15, 000 metric tonnes of urea as buffer stock to meet the requirement of farmers for the kharif season.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh which was convened at the CM`™s Secretariat today at 3 pm.

Talking about the meeting, CAF & PD and Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro who is also the spokesperson of the government disclosed that the meeting also decided to freshly fill up 113 vacant posts in District Institution of Teacher Education (DIET) centres according to the need arises.

He asserted that the government will put in earnest efforts to procure 15, 000 metric tonnes of urea in advance from Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited, Namrup along Imphal-Silchar road to meet the requirement of farmers for the coming kharif season.

Out of the 113 vacant posts to be filled up in DIET centres in different districts, 49 will be for new centres to be set up in Imphal East under Restructuring and Re-organization of Teacher Education. The Central Government will borne 90 percent of the total amount that will be required in setting up the centres, the Minister informed.

Elaborating that a need has been arisen to make the DIET centres fully functional at the earliest mainly for those Elementary Teachers who had started working though untrained, he further informed that one Principal, nine Vice-Principals, 54 Senior Lecturers and 17 Lecturers are included amongst the 113 vacant posts.

Okendro maintained that the Cabinet meeting also resolved to form a committee to be led by DC Senapati in connection with acquisition of required land for setting up of an IIIT centre at Mayang Khangingthoupham village in Senapati district.

The required land for setting up the centre is around 100 acres which will be purchased directly. A decision has also been taken to constitute DC Thoubal-led committee to directly purchasing of 16 hectare of land for setting up of a 400 KV power Sub-Station at 19-Yaithibi village in Thoubal district, he added.

The Minister also said that the meeting further resolved to directly purchase 12.5 acres of additional land at 91-Kaina village for the project `Development of Integrated Mega Tourist Circuit for Marjing, Polo-Kaina-Khebaching (Khongjom) in Manipur`™

Apart from concluding to directly purchase 98.86 acres of land at (Tera Urak) 34-Tengkhal Khunou in Bishnupur district, 176.7 acres at 59-Kakching Khullen and 223.3 acres at 60-Thoubal Laijing under Commerce & Industries Department, the Cabinet during the meeting also given nod to directly purchase 7.28 acres of land for setting up of a Border Haat at Moreh; Okendro said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/state-cabinet-okays-earmarking-fund-for-stocking-urea-to-help-farmers/

IMPHAL, May 5: Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur will support the Mao Students`™ Union`™s demand for the State government to conduct a transparent investigation into reports suggesting encroachment of the State`™s territory by a neighbouring State at Dzuko, ICHAM president N Rajendra said.

ICHAM supports the May 7 deadline set by the Mao Students`™ Union`™s for the State government to produce legitimate reports on the issue, Rajendra said.

He said the student body has warned of agitations if the government fails to meet the deadline.

Speaking at a press conference held today at the Manipur Press Club, Rajendra said the Manipur-Nagaland border conflict at Dzuko has been an issue since the past many years.

ICHAM had earlier conducted an inspection visit of the border area and found that the neighbouring State has constructed a circuit house and tourist huts inside the land of Manipur, he said.

The issue has also been raised in the State Assembly by Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar during which the leader of the House, the Chief Minister had assured to look into the matter seriously, he continued.

In 2008, ICHAM had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister seeking the State government to safeguard the territorial boundary of the State, which was not properly addressed by the State government, he added.

He continued that ICHAM will take a media team to inspect at least 7 km of land allegedly encroached upon by Nagaland soon.

He further called upon all civil society organisations of the State and the general public for co-operation on the issue.

ICHAM publicity secretary Ambition Anth said that the beauty of Manipur is in the integrity of the different communities residing in the State.

The 7 km land encroachment by Nagaland is very unfortunate, he said urging the political leaders to think beyond vote bank politics and start acting like true leaders.

He further urged the State government for timely intervention.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/05/icham-urges-govt-to-investigate-land-encroachment-at-dzuko/