Manipur News

IMPHAL, March 10 (NNN): An under-trial prisoner (UTP) who was in jail in connection with a murder charge died this morning, an official source said Monday.

Konjengbam Mani Singh (46), a resident of Moirang Siribom Leikai under Moirang police station of Bishnupur district has been in Shajiwa jail, Imphal after he was remanded to the jail in connection with FIR case no.26(3)2014 of Moirang police station under section 498-A/302 IPC by the Bishnupur chief judicial magistrate on March 5, 2014.

The deceased UTP was healthy and no report of illness while in the judicial custody. However, he fell unconscious suddenly inside his Sector no.7 room no. 2 and was rushed to MI room of the jail from where he was referred to JNIMS hospital, Imphal for further medical treatment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/-under-trial-prisoner-utp-dies-in-manipur-jail/

MPHAL, March 10: The Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council (CPI/MSC) carried out a procession from Irawat Memorial Park Chalon till CPI head office paying homage to its senior leader and former Minister, Pheiroijam Parijat Singh.

A floral tribute was also paid to the life-size image of Pheiroijam Parijat Singh by the members of CPI, friends and his beloved ones.

Speaking at the sideline to the reporters, Dr M Nara, secretary of CPI Manipur Council said that the demise of P Parijat Singh is a big loss, not only for Manipur but also for the country and those who love communist movement.

He was a true communist and he had revolutionary spirit since childhood.

It may be mentioned here that Pheiroijam Parijit Singh (June 7, 1943- March 6, 2015) joined CPI in 1964. In 2007 he was elected as to the Legislative Assembly of Manipur as the Communist Party of India candidate in the constituency of Lamlai tried to impart Marxism ideology and became CPI member in 1965.

He had been in cabinet for 3 terms and had been health minister in the state government, food and civil supplies minister, Power, Art and Culture, Agriculture, CADA and MI.

He had been elected from the same Assembly seat in the year; 2002, 1990, 1980 elections, finishing second in the year 2000, 1995 and 1984 elections.

Communist leader and former minister Pheiroijam Parijit Singh passed away at 72 following a BP stroke at Raj Medicity on March 6 at around 11.30 am.

He is survived by his wife and six children.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/cpi-manipur-pays-homage-to-parijat/

IMPHAL, March 10: Now that the state government has started construction of the approach road to IGNTU Makhan from National Highway-2, the KSO, ANSAM and IGNTU students suspended their ongoing agitation from March 10 said a join press release.

The release further said that as per the agreement reached between the state government and the two tribal apex student bodies of the state, Kuki Students`™ Organisation General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ) and All Naga Students` Association Manipur (ANSAM) on March 2 in connection with the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) issue KSO, ANSAM and IGNTU Students Union have resolved to suspend the ongoing agitation of picketing PWD offices in the hill districts and boycotting of classes at IGNTU from March 10.

The student bodies also appeal the PWD, Electricity Department and PHED to maintain quality in all construction works and also successfully complete the works on time as per the assurance given.

KSO and ANSAM expressed their profound gratitude to all the subordinate units and branches for their relentless support and cooperation in the interest of student community and welfare of tribals in general said that released.

The student bodies have been agitating since early January demanding electricity, water supply and construction of the approach road from NH2 to the IGNTU campus at Makhan so that the next academic session of the university starts at its permanent site at Makhan, Senapati district, said press release signed by Seiboi Haokip General Secretary KSO and Jonah K Mao General Secretary ANSAM.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/kso-and-ansam-suspended-agitation/

IMPHAL, March 10: Atleast three personnel of 8 Assam Rifles were injured in an attacked carried out by a well armed suspected Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) cadres this morning at around 7:30 at a place in Haochong village which is 18 kilometres away from None Police Station in Tamenglong District.

According to a source, the troops of 8 AR were doing their routine `area domination cum patrolling` duty in and around Haochong village when they were attacked using improvised explosive device (IED), remote control devices and automatic rifles.

The injured personnel have been identified as Rifleman No 5018494, Puia, 27, Rifleman No 5005924 Chirmani Jamatia, 32, and Rifleman No 5008349 Rajiv Kumar.

They received bullet injuries in their arms, legs, thighs etc.

They were rushed to Military Hospital at Leimakhong using helicopter.

Later, Rifleman Puia was referred to Shija Hospitals as he suffered more serious injuries.

There was exchange of fire between the militants and Assam Rifles personnel for a few minutes.

Till the filing of this report there was no report of casualty on the side of the militants.

High ranking police officials have headed to inspect the site.

Meanwhile, suspected PLA cadres attacked 24 Assam Rifles `B`™ Coy personnel at a place in Satang village near Border Pillar 81 on March 6 at around 2 pm. No personnel of AR were hurt in the attack.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/three-ar-personnel-injured-in-attack-at-tamenglong/

IMPHAL, Mar 10: The Revolutionary People`™s Front, in a strongly worded press release today blasted the State Home Minister, Gaikhangam, for claiming its armed wing People`™s Liberation Army, PLA, was responsible for the February 5 morning bomb blast near Nambasi which resulted in the death of Adison Jajo, 36, and wounding of Hitler Keishing, 34.

The release said this was only to be expected of a puppet government playing to the tune of its masters in New Delhi who are determined to sow the seed of division amongst fraternal communities of the State.

It said the RPF and PLA has never hidden its achievements or failures in the past, and has always had the courage to admit to costly mistakes it has made. This was the case in the August 14, 2003 Lilong Bridge blast, and the December 16, 2007 Pourabi blast both of which caused immense casualties amongst ordinary folks.

The RPF and PLA still would not hide its mistake it said, reiterating that neither the RPF or PLA were responsible for the Nambasi blast, as alleged senselessly by Gaikhangam.

It further alleged that the bomb was probably planted by the Indian Army to confuse the people and tarnish the image of revolutionary organisations such as the RPF who are fighting for the liberation of the land from colonial yoke.

It said this ploy is not new, and in 2006, after a series of bomb blasts went off along the Lilong to Singjamei stretch of the road, the State`™s intelligentsia came to guess it would not be feasible for any underground organisation to do this, and that the needle of suspicion would have to point towards the security forces.

Again, it reminded that the recent recovery of eight skulls and skeletons at Tombisana High School campus where once the CRPF was stationed, is another proof of the secret missions of the security forces.

The skeletal remains were accidentally recovered while digging at the place to build a shopping complex, it further recalled.

The release said truth can never be hidden forever, and however secretly these murderous operations are carried out, someday or the other, they will come to public light. Giving example, it said even similar activities of the mighty USA in its Guantanamo Bay and Abu Graib detention centres, where under trial prisoners were tortured and murdered, came to light and earned the USA universal condemnation.

It claimed the USA punished its officials responsible for these atrocities, but in India, all such offender are allowed to go scot free. At best the eye wash of commissions are formed to dilute the issues and if this does not succeed, compensations of a few lakh rupees are paid to families of the victims, as if there is a monitory price for life.

It said in the past, these secret operations are carried out by local puppets, such as a Manipuri Major in the Indian Army once posted at the hillock inside the Manipur University campus.

The release appealed to the people to be wary of these puppets and their operations. It also appealed to the people to support the revolution being waged by the RPF for the freedom of the land its people.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/rpf-lambasts-hm-for-accusing-it-of-nambasi-bomb-blast/

IMPHAL, March 10: The BJP Manipur Pradesh has demanded a white paper on the expenditure of funds sanctioned by NEC, NLCPR, DoNER and Tribal Developments for developmental works in Nungba, said M Asnikumar General Secretary BJP Manipur Pradesh.

This was mentioned during a mass enrolment mega campaign cum one day political conference held at Laphok 19-Dolang under Nungba Assembly Constituency Tamenglong District today.

Asnikumar further charged that the local MLA who is now holding the very responsible post of president of MPCC as well as serving as Deputy Chief Minister, Horticulture, Tribal Development, has done nothing for his own constituency since 2002.

The road communication in the area is in deplorable condition, there are no proper health care centres, no proper electricity supply or safe drinking water either for the people of Nungba Constituency, he claimed.

Since 2002 the Congress government has been in power in the state under Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, but Nungba has seen no development, he said. `We need accountability and must demand to know what was done for the welfare of the people of Nungba by this government,` he added.

The PDS system has totally failed in Nungba and there is no transparency in the tribal development and welfare schemes, he also charged.

What is the excuse of the years government for not doing anything for the entire Tamenglong district in the last 13 years, he said.

He said the BJP Manipur will demand a white paper of expenditure sanction for the development of Nungba since 2002.

He further said that some political leader of the hill districts have been spreading the false propaganda that the BJP is communal and anti-Christian for their own selfish gains. But he rested confidence in the people that they will not fall for such falsehood.

He said the Constitution of India is the religion of the BJP. We need public support to strengthen the BJP to bring a new non-Congress government in Manipur. New changes have come at the Centre with 282 seats for the BJP in Parliament under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

This mass enrolment is targeted to increase the party membership to 10 crores by the end of March 2015 he said. He said the mission has been successful in every state and Manipur must also make it a success.

Speaking at the function, Prof. Gangumei Kamei said now the BJP is emerging as the most reliable political party for India. People recognised that the BJP believes in positive secularism. The hill people of Manipur are now joining the BJP in huge number. Now it has become the foregone conclusion that the BJP will one day rule in Manipur, he said, appealing that the people should now strengthen the BJP for new hope for change in the state.

In the political conference around 700 people were present and was started from 9:30 am to Prof. Gangmumei Kamei Co-Chairmen State Core Committee, Khaishim Ruivah former Minister member BJP Core Committee, M Asnikumar General Secretary Adminsitrative BJP Manipur Pradesh, Samual Zendai former Minister, Danial ADC Member Dolang and O Malesh President BJYM Manipur were present at the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/bjp-demands-white-paper-on-expenditures-on-developmental-work-in-nungba-asnikumar/

IMPHAL, March 10 (NNN): Agitating teachers of government colleges today staged a sit-in-protest at the gate of the Modern College, Imphal as part of their ongoing cease-work strike.

Teachers of the government colleges under the banner of the All Manipur College Teachers`™ Association have been on cease-work strike since February 18 last.

As state government is yet to address the demands of the teachers, classes of almost all the colleges in the state remained cancelled for around two weeks even though students of the colleges have been pressing the authority to resume their classes.

Students of government colleges had even resorted to violent agitations in their respective colleges after government had failed to heed to their demand for immediate resumption of classes by setting a three-day deadline which was expired on February 28 last.

Teachers under the banner of All Manipur College Teachers Association (AMCTA) have been launching the cease-work strike after government failed to fulfill their demands which include among others cancelation of recent orders regarding appointment of principals of colleges and fresh notification for appointment of regular principals of the colleges among others.

Teachers who participated in the sit-in-protest reaffirmed that they will continue their stir until their demands were fulfilled by the state government.

The blamed the alleged state government`™s indifferent attitude towards fulfilling their demands despite several rounds of talks and repeated calls.

The teachers were also demanding removal of the existing commissioner of higher education P Vaiphei from the higher education department while alleging that his poor administration has failed to uplift the higher education in the state.

Other demands of the association includes immediate release of pending due allowances that is career advancement schemes, travelling allowances etc. entitled to the college teachers and equivalent cadres by making correction of Revision of Pay orders of August 12, 2011 as top priority and immediate release of fresh notification/ OM considering local condition in respect of recruitment and appointment of regular principals to all the government colleges of Manipur.

Regarding their demands, the authorities had given verbal assurances to address the issues responding to memoranda submitted to the state chief minister and education minister on November 18,2014, they maintained.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/college-teachers-ceasework-strike-continues-to-disturb-normal-classes-in-colleges/

IMPHAL, March 10: Though Swine flu was positively detected in the state on March 5, there is no cause for panic said Principal Secretary Home & Health J Suresh Babu at a press meet held at old secretariat conference hall today.

He further added that another three suspected to be infected with the virus are under observation and their swab specimens have been sent for laboratory test and reports are awaited.

`General public of the state need not to panic for the state health department is fully equipped to fight the eventuality of an outbreak of swine flu` said Suresh Babu and added that the state has flown in 3000 stripes of Tamiflu tablets all the way from Hyderabad.

He asserted that these preventive tablets are not for general public but are prescribed for those who are directly involve with infected patients or for those who are high risk of exposure to H1N1 virus.

He said that the government hospitals already have spare isolated wards to accommodate infected patients and the treatments will be free of cost.

The Principal Secretary Health said that as of now only one patient is confirmed infected with H1N1 influenza virus which causes swine flu. He continued that as a preventive measures advertisement are carried on every leading print and electronic media of the state.

Also speaking at the press conference, Director Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Ch Arun, said RIMS hospital is also prepared to tackle the swine flu disease round the clock. He added that isolated rooms equipped with ventilators are also made available for the infected patients.

He further mentioned that an enquiry committee has been instituted for referral cases to fully equipped private hospitals.

Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Director, Dr. M Shyamo also told the press conference that the JNIMS is getting every support from the heath directorate in connection with tackling swine flu.

He said a separate building of the JNIMS has been allotted to accommodate swine flu infected patients. He further added that common cough and swine flu are different and suggested not to get confused. He said that for the precautionary measures one should use a mask at public places.

The only confirmed patient with swine flu which is currently undergoing treatment at Shija Hospitals, Langol is in a critical condition mentioned MD Shija Hospitals Dr Kh Palin. He said that the last six days the state was gripped with fear of the outbreak of the swine flu. He said that the confirmed patient infected with H1N1 influenza virus is being accommodated at isolated room and is in critical condition as she was admitted late. He added that two more patients suspected to be infected with swine flu are also undergoing treatment and swab samples tests are yet to return from laboratories.

Picking up another topic the Principal Secretary Home & Health announced that the executive committee of the Indian Medical Council has recommended to the Central Government to renew permission for admission of the 6th Batch of 100 MBBS students at JNIMS for the academic session of 2015-2016.

He also announced that mini passport office will also be opened in the state at old assembly building complex tentatively on the 25th of this month.

Another press meet was also held at the Manipur Press Club with the same subject attended by Director Health Services O Ibomcha, President All Manipur Working Journalist Union W Shyamjai and other Union members.

During the press meet O Ibomcha said that there is no need to panic and swine flu can be cured if certain precautions are followed like frequent hand wash, using a mask at public places and using a handkerchief while sneezing.

He also appealed that one should not travel outside the state without precautions. He said that H1N1 virus is not related with pig or pork meat and it is safe to eat if someone wants to.

He later announced that the state health directorate is equipped with 40 ambulances with GPS installed especially for medical attention for pregnant women and Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).

He said that the said ambulance can also be utilised for other medical emergencies and they can be communicated on hotline No. 102 covering all the districts of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/swine-flu-confirmed-but-no-cause-for-panic-says-principal-secy-health/

IMPHAL, March 10: There is a strong suspicion that the person who is taking over the post of Director in charge in the State Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Services (Dept), after the retirement of Dr Saidokhum Joute on February 28 last, is appointed against the seniority list.

An official order letter signed by A Subhash Singh, Deputy Secretary, Government of Manipur, dated February 26, 2015, said consequent upon the retirement of Dr Saidokhum Joute, i/c Director (Vety & AH), Manipur on February 28, Dr N Rajendro Singh, Joint Director (Vety & AH) shall hold the charge of Director (Vety & AH) with effect from March 1, 2015.

There were in total nine officers in the seniority list of Joint Directors (regular).

When six of the officers in the list got retired only three were left in service. They were Dr S Joute, Dr K Gopal and Dr N Rajendro Singh.

Earlier, Dr S Joute was in serial number 2 while Dr K Gopal and Dr N Rajendro Singh were in serial number 8 and 9 respectively.

But after the six officers got retired, the three officers became serial number 1, 2 and 3 in the seniority list.

When Dr S Joute got retirement on February 28 last, instead of promoting Dr K Gopal who was second in the last, they promoted Dr N Rajendro Singh who was stand in third in the list.

Uripok MLA Nandakumar Singh wrote a letter dated February 16 to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh requesting him to appoint Dr K Gopal Singh as the Director claiming that he was the right officer for the post according to rules.

` Shri Dr Konsam Gopal of Uripok Sinam Leikai, RIMS Road, Imphal of my constituency, a holder of Master Degree in Vety Science with Ph.D (Vety Medicine) and trained in Vety Laparoscopy, Zoonotic disease, Field Vety Epidemiology, Disaster Management`¦..`

`He is an awardee of Bharat Jyoti (for meritorious service, outstanding achievement) in the year 2012 and recipient of Indira Gandhi Excellence Award, 2013 (for outstanding individual achievement & distinguished service to the Nation, presently working as Joint Director of Vety Department) and posted at Senapati since January 1, 2015.`

`He is in serial number eight of the seniority list of the Joint Directors in the Vety Dept.`

`…Present incumbent Director of Vety Dept who is in the SL No 2 (two) of the seniority list is retiring from February 28, 2015. After his retirement Shri Dr Konsam Gopal Singh will be senior most Joint Director in the Vety Dept.`

`He has got all the experiences and qualification for being considered for appointment as Director of Vety & AH. After his promotion, he will have the opportunity of serving as Director for a period of about 6 months only.`

`Considering his experience and service in the Vety Department Hon`™ble Chief Minister may kindly consider for his appointment as Director of Vety & AH considering favourably of the retirement of the present incumbent.`

Considering MLA L Nandakumar Singh`™s request, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh wrote a letter to Vety & AH services Minister Govindas Konthoujam.

“¦.Please arrange to give either in-charge basis or regular after the present incumbent is retire if the propose Dr Konsam Gopal Singh is the senior most as a temporary arrangement`¦,` the Chief Minister`™s letter mentioned.

However, Dr K Gopal was not promoted; instead Dr N Rajendro Singh who was next to him in the list was promoted as the Director (in-charge) in the Directorate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/promotion-in-vety-ah-dept-not-following-seniority-list/