Manipur News

IMPHAL, June 13: In a stunning incident, a team of 22 Assam Rifles led by an officer on seeing a suspicious object believed to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by underground activists along the Imphal-Sugnu road blocked the road for a while to detect the bomb, however, the object later turned out to be a television set.

The incident took place today morning around 6 in an area situated between Wabagai Lamkhai and Lamjao village along the Imphal-Sugnu road under Kakching Police Station in Thoubal district.

According to reports, a team of 22 AR posted at Wabagai Keirak was on a Road Opening Party (ROP) duty when they saw a suspicious object believed to be an IED lying in a field along the Imphal-Sugnu road.

Assuming that the object was an IED bomb, the AR personnel immediately blocked the road and dispersed nearby villagers.

However, when they checked the object, it turned out to be a television set. Later, the television set was handed over to a villager of Lamjao.

A team of Kakching Police arrived at the area and seized the television set from the posession of the villager. According to them, the television set was kept concealed in the field by a thief, the reports stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/suspicious-ied-turns-out-to-be-tv-set/

By Paojel Chaoba

IMPHAL, June 13: If you come across an injured animal in the streets, the general reaction is to think that it is a sad event and generally walk past the harmed being. However, not all people are alike and there is one among the crowd that just do not show concern, but rather act on it.

One such person is Rajkumari Neha, a 12 standard student of North Point School. She was driving along Uripok Kangchup road to buy medicine, when their vehicle beam flashed on a cow lying bloodied near the road crossing of Uripok Khaidem Leikai. The cow`™s mammalary gland was torn apart (an earth mover had struck the cow with the teeth of the vehicle and drove away.) The scene was more poignant as a month old calf was braying for its mother to get up.

Neha decided to act on the situation and went to the local electronic cable channel, IS Tv to report the incident as the owner may come forward.

She was replied that it was too late for the telecast since it was almost 10.30 pm and the technical team had left. Undeterred, she went to two local newspapers to put an advertisement and was carried so today.

However, as the owner failed to turn up, Neha decide that the minutes were mattering and the cow`™s injury could turn fatal if left untreated. She called up friends and a relative of hers who owns a cargo vehicle. Then, with the help of people from the accident spot, the injured animal along with the calf were hauled up the vehicle and taken to the State Veterinary Department at Sanjenthong at around 10.30 am today. There, the staff told the team to wait and that the doctor would be arriving any minute. But, despite waiting for one hour and more, no doctor came nor was any emergency medical treatment given at the animal hospital. As the animal was severely bleeding, the wait would lead to certain death for the animal. So, the team got in touch with Dr. Devkishore, who runs a private veterinary clinic called `Claws and Paws`™at Keisampat area.

Today , the doctor was looking after his farm located at Meitei Langol, Game Village. The People for Animals, Manipur (PFA) also got in touch with Neha Rajkumari and together took the animal to the said farm. On arrival, the doctor who was planning a Saturday lunch with friends dropped everything and gave emergency treatment to the cow. Oxygen and anesthesia was administered along with intravenous saline solutions to prevent dehydration. The udder of the cow which was falling out was stitched again. The entire operation took nearly three hours to complete . It was a testing time for the PFA volunteers , Neha and the doctor. Finally, the operation was over at approximately 4 pm.

The cow was given fodder and water, it could not rise to its feet immediately but regained strength to sit up and eat. Nearby, the month old calf hidden from view of its mother also lay exhausted, as it could not nourish for more than 40 hours. As a PFA volunteer went upto it, the startled calf sprang to its feet and started to bellow! At that time, the mother heard the sound and also cried back to be reunited with her offspring but could not get up. It was a touching moment for all the people that present at that time. Dr Devkisore exclaimed that the reaction of the mother was a good sign and there is every hope of a speedy recovery. The injured animal would be looked after at the Langol farm till full recovery is made, the doctor added.

`The medicine and other materials are provided free of cost by the doctor from his own pocket for the treatment,` PFA managing trustee, L Bishorjit said. The profits which comes from the doctor`™s private clinic is used to treat animals in need. Bisorjit complained that it is the duty of the Imphal Municipal Council to impound the stray animals let loose in the municipal area. However, there is no heed for the law and IMC turns a blind eye to the stray animals, which endangers animal and public alike.

Neha Rk also mentioned that without the help of PFA and the doctor, the animal would have died for sure. She asked the role of Veterinary Department and the animal hospital, `I am doubtful whether the doctors really care to treat animals, perhaps they feel that `animals should be treated as animals`™ as they cannot voice their plight, ` she said.

The pertinent question is what the State Veterinary Department is actually doing ? The matter has been advertised in the papers and suo moto action could have been taken up. But, even when the injured animal was taken to the treatment centre, no medical aid was given nor did any doctor arrive. The best result is the exemplary initiative taken by a young girl and with her determination helped to save the life of a cow and her calf.

Sources mentioned that requesting calls came from authorities of the State Veterinary Department not to disclose this matter to the media.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/girl-rescues-injured-animal-veterinary-hospital-defunct/

IMPHAL, June 13: The All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) has said that it had unanimously appointed advisors and Manipur Press Club Management Committee (7 members) for the period 2015-17 during a meeting presided by the Union`™s president, W Shyamjai, on June 4.

A statement issued by the newly appointed general secretary of AMWJU, Jit Ningombam, stated that the union has appointed veteran journalists Tombiraj, Salam Bharat Bhusanand as advisors and advocate Chongthem Ngonno as the Legal advisor.

It said that the union also appointed 7 members for the Press Management Committee including senior Journalist Imocha Elangbam of Ireibak daily, Dhanabir Maibam of Imphal Free Press, A Chandani Devi of Athouba (monthly journal), Nomita Khongbantabam of Hueiyen, Lanpao, S Maniton of Kangla Pao, Ramananda Leishangthem of Impact TV and Taorem Biswajit of Sanaleibak.

The statement further said that felicitating the newly appointed members of the AMWJU including the newly appointed Indian Journalists`™ Union secretary, Ratan Luwangcha and Editors, a `Get together` programme will be organised tomorrow at the Manipur Press Club at 6 pm.

The programme will be attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam, Commerce and Industry minister Govindas Konthoujam, Social Welfare minister AK Mirabhai, Agriculture minister, Abdul Nasir and AMWJU`™s president W Shamjai, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/amwju-appoints-advisors/

IMPHAl, June 13: The Agricultural Technology Management Agency, AITA Churachandpur today organised a Within State Farmers`™ Training programme on `Integrated Farming System towards Sustainable Agriculture` at the conference hall of the Directorate of Agriculture.

Speaking at the workshop, Agronomy HoD, Central Agriculture University L Nabachandra said there is a rapid improvement of new technologies in the field of farming and it is vital for the farmers to educate themselves on the new technologies.

This will help in increasing their productivity, save energy and time and most importantly help them economically, he added.

He further said that if the farmers can accept the coming of new technology and get used to it, agricultural productivity in the State can be abundant and help in economic crisis.

He also highlighted the importance of crop diversification stating that various kinds of crops should be planted and farmers should not stick with just cultivating a single crop.

Single crop plantation will eventually aggravate the quality of the soil which will lead to decrease in productivity, while multi crops farming will maintain the quality of the soil, he observed.

AITA, Churachandpur project director, M Gyanendro said there is a huge lack of information among the farmers about the new technologies used in farming. The main objective of the training programme is to educate the farmers about the new technologies they can use in farming, help them in capacity building and at the same time provide up-to-date information in the field of farming to improve their fields productivity.

Gyanendro further appealed to the farmers attending the programme to cooperate and assist them in making the training programme a success.

Today`™s function was also attended by State Agricultural Management & Essential Agency Institute (SAMETI) deputy director as guest of honour.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/farmers-should-adopt-new-technologies-to-increase-production/

IMPHAL, June 13: The All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur (ATSUM) led by Muan Tombing, has threatened to close down higher secondary schools in the entire hill districts with effect from June 14 in case the State government fails to meet the deadline served by ATSUM to fulfill its charter of demands.

Announcing the decision during a press conference held at its office today, Muan Tombing revealed that ATSUM will resort to cut off all communications including ban on national projects, as second phase of its agitation.

It may be mentioned that ATSUM submitted an ultimatum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, on April 13 reminding the latter to fulfill its long pending demands within the stipulated time of April 14 to June 14, 2015.

The ATSUM`™s president recalled that on October 22, 2014 the executive members of the ATSUM met the Chief Minister of Manipur wherein the CM had agreed to meet several terms of the ATSUM.

Elaborating on the agreement reached, he said assurance was given by the Chief Minister for setting up and making ST commission functional on the eve of new year 2015 which has remain mere wishful thinking.

Subsequently, the ATSUM felt that it was pertinent to serve an ultimatum in the interest of the tribal for early activation of ST commission on or before June 14, 2014.

With regards to the regularisation of 705 contract lecturers, the government was reminded to complete the special formalities of regularisation before the commencement of the academic session 2015-16, he added.

To streamline and strengthen the functioning of the education department, the Government of Manipur in an order Imphal, June 1 2007 had bifurcated the duties and responsibilities between the directors and additional director of Education (S) department, Tombing pointed out.

At the same time, the same was agreed upon in the discourse between GOM and ATSUM, Education Minister and director Education (S) had given the assurance to publish it in a gazette very shortly. However, nothing has been implemented till date besides the additional directors (hills) has been given neither the responsibilities of the hills nor the power to function as given in the order, continued the ATSUM president.

Issues pertaining to manipulation and exploitation of tribal quota in Manipur legislative Assembly, transfer of land records and special recruitment drive in JNIMS etc are featured in the demands of the ATSUM.

The press meet held at its office located at Nagaram, Imphal was also attended by ATSUM finance Secretary SR Andria, Education Secretary Lovejoy Shimrah and its Vice President Korophun.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/atsum-warns-closure-of-hr-secondary-schools-in-hill-districts/

LAMKA, June 13: Newly elected members of the Autonomous District Council Churachandpur who fought the recent election as independent candidates today formed a new party called the Hills People Alliance, HPA, according to reliable sources.

According to the sources, the 17 independent candidates who won the election had camped themselves somewhere in Churachandpur ever since the declaration of the election results to decide on the future course of action.

Although no official statement has been issued to confirm the formation of the new party, it is speculated that the party will be led by chairman of the last ADC Langkhanpau Guite of 12-Tiuivai DCC.

He won the election garnering 3691 votes out of 3693 while his lone opposition Suantak garnered only two votes.

Sources also said that the newly formed party will seek official recognition of the party soon and lay claim to the ADC Churachandpur.

Prior to the election they had expressed displeasure with the responses of both the State and Central governments in regarding to the demand for devolution of power to the ADC and opted to fight as independent candidates.

Of the six DCC, in the State Churachandpur is the only one where independent candidates secured the most seats with the national parties securing only six seats between them.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/independent-candidates-float-new-party/

IMPHAL, June 13: A two-day consultation workshop on `Orphan and Vulnerable Children`™ (OVC) was inaugurated today at the Conference hall of Hotel Nirmala participated by Children Living With HIV/AIDS and People Living With HIV/AIDS.

The workshop organised by the World Vision in collaboration with the Manipur network of Positive people or MNP+ aims to identify and address the issues confronting the children.

Children attending the programme today also submitted a set of recommendation to State Social Welfare/ TA and Hill principal secretary SK Dev Verman and deputy director (Care Support and Treatment (CST), IEC, M&E, Blood Safety) MSACS Dr RK Rosie seeking government attention against the issues encountered by CLWHIV and PLWHIV in the State.

The children pleaded the government officials to help them avail counseling at all the ART centres in the State and ask doctors to spend more time with the children, concession for medical expenses, proper nutritional supports, fee concessions and quota in private schools and colleges and to held mass awareness and sensitization programs in various medium to help mitigate the stigma and discrimination faced by the CLWHA.

The recommendation submitted to the officials also include IEC materials (Information, Education and Communication) and social protection schemes to be made available in different dialects of the State, criteria relaxation while applying for Social protection Schemes, uninterrupted supply of medicines OIs (opportunistic infection), ART in all centres etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr RK Rosie asserted that there are 2971 infected children as per recent MACS record.

She said that the number of new HIV infection has reduced much since the conduct of awareness programme, however there is a rise in the number of infected persons recorded as more persons who had been affected much earlier are coming forward only now to register themselves at the ART centres as they came to know that medication can help them prolonged their life span.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/clwhiv-seek-governments-attention-to-address-issues-confronting-them/

IMPHAL, June 13: United Naga Council (UNC) has announced today to impose 48 hours bandh of vehicular traffic along the national highways in Manipur hills from midnight of June 16 as expression of resentment for non-fulfilling with tangible solution pertaining to the Alternative Arrangement.

However, educational Institutions, medical, water supply, electricity and media are exempted from the purview of the bandh.

In a statement, the UNC reiterated that the Naga people of Manipur had convened the 3rd Naga Peoples`™ Convention (NPC) on July 1, 2010 declaring severance of political ties with the `communal Government of Manipur`™ and to demand Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending the Indo-Naga political settlement.

The demand was registered with the intervention of the then Prime Minister of India thus, the 1st Round of Tripartite Talks was held on September 21, 2010 in New Delhi, it said.

The statement continued that the last 7th Round of Tripartite Talks on Alternative Arrangement for the Nagas of Manipur was held on February 6, 2014 at Tahamzam, Senapati.

The political talk agreed to constitute a High Level Committee to translate the demand into political reality, it continued.

As the land, history, time honored institution, culture and tradition and identity of the Nagas could not be defended and protected under the incumbent oppressive political system of the communal Government of Manipur, the attention of the Government of India was drawn for its intervention with an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending Indo-Naga political settlement, it said.

Appealing the tribe presidents, Naga frontal organizations, regional apex organizations to implement the bandh effectively in their respective jurisdiction, the UNC in its statement cautioned that anybody violating the bandh should be at his own risk.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/06/unc-fuels-aa-demand-with-48-hour-vehicular-bandh-along-highways/