Manipur News

IMPHAL, July 3: The Students`™ Union, Pettigrew College, Ukhrul has set July 15 as deadline for the government to replace the college principal in charge.

The student union has charged the prinicipal in charge identified as Dr Ninghorla Zimik of misappropriating funds meant for the development of the college.

Speaking to media persons at the Viewland office of the Ukhrul District Working Journalists Union office, general secretary of the student body AS Tuishang said the University grants Commission, North Eastern Regional Office, Guwahati had sanctioned Rs 40,50,000 as grant in aid during the XIIth Plan period for the college to procure equipments for the college on March 10, 2012.

He said according to the principal in charge, out of the total amount, Rs 16,75,000 have been used to upgrade the laboratory equipment, Rs 8,25,000 was used to procure a power back up facility, Rs 13,00,000 to procure several teaching aids and the remaining to buy certain items like computers and printers.

The students`™ union believed him and remained silent, however, last month on June 24, a combined team of the student union and the Tangkhul Katamnao Long conducted an inquiry and found that nothing worthwhile have been procured for the college with the fund, he charged.

He continued, not a single piece of equipment were found bought for the laboratory, or the electronic power back-up and the teaching aids, except for three lap-tops and three printers which were not working.

The items are lying unused in the college computer room, Tuishang a member of the TKS said at the press meet.

SUPC executive member Shanreipam Ningshen said Dr Zimik is neglecting her duties and is at most times out of station without caring for the college.

She said stays at most times in Imphal, Ningshen continued.

Considering all these, the student body is demanding the government to replace her, Ningshen said adding that in case the government fails to meet the demand, the student body will launch democratic forms of agitation which would include sealing of the college indefinitely.

Any eventuality should be the sole responsibility of the government, the student union continued.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/pettigrew-college-students-union-sets-july-15-deadline-for-replacement-of-principal-in-charge/

IMPHAL, July 3: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) celebrated its 15th Foundation Day at its premises with president of IPSA Kh Chingkhei; president of UPF O Bikramjit; vice- president of NIPCO M Medun Maring; president of AMKIL Ph Shakhi Leima; president of PANDAM Yumnamcha Dilipkumar; president of ACOAM-Lup Ksh Somendro and secretary of KANGLAMEI Yumnam ongbi Kamalini Leima as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, president of UCM Elangbam Johnson said that the committee was founded 15 years back with the firm objective of protecting the territorial integrity of the state from any potential threat.

He said that there is still an imminent threat to the territorial integrity which has also arisen the need for unity amongst the people belonging to different communities of the State.

The stand-off between Mao and people of Nagaland is not a new issue. It all started in 1985 when some people of the State while trying to enter their land at Mao, they were rounded up by Nagaland people and later handed over to Nagaland Police, he said.

Later in 2000, Zesima people of Nagaland constructed a guest house at Mao Kozarii area, which was destroyed by Mao people triggering a stand-off between them, he narrated.

Claiming that Mao people were restricted to enter Nagaland by its people following the demolition of the guest house, he pointed out that the Mao issue continues to haunt due to the failure of the government of that time to resolve the impasse over the land dispute for once and forever.

He recalled that Tenimiya People`™s Organization (TPO) under an umbrella organization had tried to resolve the issue in accordance to Naga customary law, prompting the Mao people to call off their agitation believing that an amicable solution to the issue will be brought.

However, the organization failed to do so following which legal help was sought in 2013 to resolve the long standing skirmish over land dispute, he continued.

The relevant documents shown by the Mao people in support of their claim also went in vain, he added.

Referring to the recent statement made by Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang that the land encroachment at Dzuko Valley has to be solved in accordance to Naga customary law not by Government of Manipur, he termed the statement of the CM as an attempt to disintegrate Manipur

Some parts of Mao were included in the formation of the Nagaland State in 1963, he said, contending that the parts were not included in the territorial boundary of Manipur when the State attained statehood in 1972.

Urging the State government to set up a police outpost in area 15 km from the boundary shared by Manipur and Nagaland to look after encroachment of land belonging to the state of Manipur, he said that the information provided in Class IX and X textbooks prescribed by NBSE that the Siroy Lily flower is grown in parts of Nagaland was unfortunate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/ucm-calls-for-unity-among-all-communities-on-15th-foundation-day/

IMPHAL, July 3: Condemning the sitting MLAs for not raising the issue regarding the implementation of Inner Line Permit System or a similar Act to check the incessant influx of outsiders into the state, members of All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) today burnt effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi; Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Lokeshwor and MLA RK Anand in front of DM College Gate, Thangmeiband.

On the other hand, co-convener of Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) Students`™ wing Oinam Nandababu condemning the failure of state Government to implement the ILPS in the state said in a press briefing at Dewlahland that it is regrettable that all the 60 MLAs have utterly failed to put up the issue in the ongoing Assembly session.

He continued that they should retire from their respective political career for failing to work according to pulse of the people.

He also condemned high handedness of state forces committed during a rally taken out by students at Chingmeirong today in which 15 students received injuries.

Agitation will only escalate till the demand for implementation of ILPS or similar Act in the state is not fulfilled, said member of JCILPS Students`™ Wing Sarangthem Manjeet.

Mention may be made that a protest rally was demonstrated by more than 1000 students from different educational institutions under the aegis of JCILPS Students`™ Wing today at Chingmeirong.

During the tussle with the state forces, 15 students received injuries. They are being treated at Raj Medicity.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/amsu-burns-ministers-effigies/

IMPHAL, July 3: The total personnel strength of the Manipur Home department is 33,745 and there is a vacancy of 7557 posts of which 4393 posts are to be directly recruited, State Home minister Gaikhangam told the House today replying to a question raised by MLA Th Shyamkumar.

Elaborating further in his reply, he said of the total posts vacant, 3164 are reserved to be filled through promotion and die in harness scheme.

Replying to a question raised by MLA K Shyam on the construction of RLI schemes on private land by the Minor Irrigation department, the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said around 157 schemes have been taken up in private land so far.

He said the schemes have been taken up since 1998/99 in accordance to understandings with the land owners and as such no compensations are paid to the land owners.

Replying to a different question from MLA Shyam on the issue of electricity bill clearance by consumers, the Chief Minister said Rs 443,62,94,497 have been collected as of March 31, 2015.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/home-dept-has-7557-vacancies-gaikhangam-tells-house/

IMPHAL, July 3: The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed six demands amounting to Rs 23,86,14,72,000 today.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who is also the leader of the House tabled the demands for discussion during the sixth day sitting of the ongoing 11th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

The demands are Demand No 10 Education amounting to Rs 1197,18,84,000; Demand no 17- Agriculture Rs 146,58,04,000; Demand no 20 `“ Community and Rural Developmend Rs 679,29,80,000; Demand no 22- Public health Engineering Rs 272,25,56,000; Demand no 36- Minor Irrigation Rs 85,79,60,000 and Demand no 42- State Academy of Training Rs 5,02,88,000.

The discussion and voting of demands for grants was actively participated by four Opposition MLAs who raised motions for disapproval of policy cuts.

During discussion on the demand for Education, MLAs Th Shyamkumar, L Ibomcha, K Shyam and Dr I Ibohalbi raised motion for disapproval of policy cuts on account of failure to improve the standards of the government schools in term of passing HSLC examination, failure to increase the number of approved teachers/ Lecturers in private schools, failure to shift Johnstone Higher Secondary School from the heart of the city to a suitable place like the foothill of Langol Hills, failure to estend 6th pay scale to the government aided school teachers, alleged appointments of unqualified college principals in government colleges, absence of goals/ objectives in the department, lack of necessary reforms for improvement in the educational system in the State, lack of maintenance of school buildings and irregular utilization of SSA teachers.

In his clarification, the concern minister Moirangthem Okendro said the department is trying hard to extend the 6th pay scale for the aided school teachers, however, this will need an additional fund of Rs 12 crore in a year as there are 1749 teachers in 604 aided schools.

He said the Johnstone higher Secodnary schools which was established in 1885 is considered to be a heritage school, and shifting it is a very difficult task.

Okendro said the Bengali High School in under consideration to be replaced by the Ram Krishna Mission School. The government has also identified Khomdonbisana School in Uripok as the second possible site for the setting up of the Ram Krishna Mission School.

At present there are only about 34/35 students studying in Bengali high School, he said.

He continued that the performance of the government schools is unsatisfactory at the moment; however, the State government has identified eight schools in Imphal area as a pilot project towards bringing quality education in the State.

And there is a visible improvement as the number of students getting admission in the eight schools rose to 2800, he said.

He said there is a shortage of 947 Arts teachers in government schools, 1388 teachers in primary schools, and 639 Hindi primary teachers.

The department is facing certain difficulties due to shortage of funds, however, the problem will be solved at the earliest, he said.

During discussion of Demand no 17- Agriculture, Opposition MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi Singh and K Shyam moved motion for disapproval of policy cut on account of `Failure to develop Agro-based industries in the State, improper use of land resources and lack of practical approaches. During discussion of Demand no 20- Community and Rural Development, Dr I Ibohalhi and Th Shyamkumar moved motion for disapproval of policy cut on account of `Failure to develop a system to stop the system of minus bidding in the e-tender of the PMGSY, Manipur and failure to submit proposal for setting up of rural technology park in the State.

Opposition MLAs L Ibomcha Singh, K Shyam and Th Shyamkumar also moved motion for disapproval of policy cut during discussion on Demand no 22- Public Health Engineering, while MLA K Shyam moved another motion for disapproval of policy cut during discussion on Demand no 36- Minor Irrigation.

During discussion on Demand no 42- State Academy of Training, MLA Shyamkumar moved a motion for disapproval of policy cut on account of `Improper training programmes for teachers (non-scheduling of training programmes).

However, the Opposition MLAs withdrew their motions following clarifications from the concern ministers.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/house-passes-six-demands-amounting-to-rs-2386-crores/

IMPHAL, July 3: Barely a month after NSCN (K) led militant team attacked a convoy of the 6th Dogra Regiment near Paraolon Village in Chandel district on June 4, a cadre of the NSCN (K) has been killed during another gun-fight between cadres of the outfit and a combined security team under 57 Mountain Division in the State this early morning.

According to the police, the gun-fight occurred at Mukti Khullen under the jurisdiction of Nungba Police Station in Tamenglong district.

The exact spot is said to be around 20 kms south of the Nungba Police Station.

Further according to the source, on getting confirmed information about the presence of NSCN (K) cadres in the area, a combined team of para regiment and the Assam Rifles proceeded towards the area since midnight and kept the area surrounded.

At day-break, the security forces launched an operation during which the armed confrontation occurred, according to the source.

A cadre of the NSCN (K) was killed in the confrontation. The cadre has been identified as Ningailung Kamei, 25, son of Chingong Kamei of Tongtao Village, under Tousem sub-division in Tamenglong district.

It is also learnt that he was found wearing a camouflage shirt and a jeans half-pant.

The body which has been recovered by the police from the gun-fight site is being kept at the Nungba Police Station and will be brought to Imphal for post mortem at the JNIMS Morgue tomorrow morning.

A HK-33 5.56x45mm assault rifle along with a magazine having 15 live rounds were recovered from him, informed the police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/nscn-k-cadre-slain-in-early-morning-shootout-with-sf/

THOUBAL, July 3: DESAM has successfully organised rally at Kakching today demanding Education Sector to become disturbance free educational zone.

The rally was jointly participated by students, teachers and the public in general.

The rally was flagged off from Kakching Higher Secondary School by Kakching Block SDO, Th. Charanjeet and finished at Sumak Leikai Community hall. A public meeting was also held at the spot.

During the rally, the participants carried ply-cards demanding prohibition of political intervention in education, make education sector free zone, full utilization of RTI act, etc.

The public meeting was also attended by ZEO, Zone 3 Thoubal, M. Maniram, DESAM H/Q President, M. Angamba Meitei, SDO Kakching Block, TH. Charanjeet (MCS), ZEO Zone 3 Kakching Block President, Y. Shamu, ICDS Project, Kakching Block CDPO, M. Memcha, AMESTA Kakching Block President, Sh. Nimai, AMESTA Thoubal Block, President, Sh. Shamu, CBSE Monitoring Cell Chairman, Ksh Chaoba, Thoubal District Private School Development Committee President, Kh. Menjor and ICDS Thoubal Project CDPO, T, Anita.

DESAM President, Angamba during the meeting has appealed to stop any form of threat against education sector in the state. He further appealed to stop demand for cash from schools apart from continuous bandhs and blockades in the state.

Recalling the recent ban on Catholic schools, Angamba further said that it is unfortunate to consider schools as some form of money making scheme. He also appealed not to consider students as a form of political weapons.

On the other hand, blaming the government, Angamba further said that the government has not made any legal work regarding centrally sponsored schemes and transfer policies of teachers.

The current government has not made any real steps to develop education sector. Angamba brought to mind that without education progress is impossible. He also pointed out that everyone should face forward so that strict monitoring can be made on knowledge industry to bring development and peace.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/desam-takes-out-rally-seeking-disturbance-free-education-sector/

IMPHAL, July 3: Students of Tiny Tots`™ Unique School; Sangai Higher Secondary School and EK Higher Secondary School today who tried to storm the Assembly complex demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) were baton charged by police.

The students were demanding the legislators of the State to pass the ILPS bill during the ongoing 11th Session of 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The student protestors marched toward the Assembly but they were stopped by security personnel at Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak. They were made to retreat up to MBC Church and later sent back to their schools.

On the other hand, students of Sangai Higher Secondary School and EK Higher Secondary School, pressing for the same demand took out a mass rally starting from Chingmeirong side.

They too were blocked by security personnel and were forced to turn back to their respective institutions.

During the process, a scuffle broke out between the security personnel and students. As the students refused to retreat, police resorted to baton charging.

Later, they were forced to return back to their schools.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/students-face-police-during-rally-in-demand-of-ilps-implementation/

IMPHAL, July 2: Senior Citizen Kakching, Consumers Forum Kakching and a team of Manipur State Power Distribution Corporation Limited led by Deputy General Manager, Kakching Circle and his Staff convened a joint meeting on June 30 at the office premises of the Kakching G.P.W Consumers Welfare Union at 3 pm.

According to a statement of the union, the meeting was chaired by presidum member Nimai Singh, president – Senior Citizen, Y Satya Singh – President G.P.W. Consumers Welfare Union and Shri L. Selungba Singh deputy general manager MSPDCL.

It said Consumer Forum on behalf of the consumers stated that the electric bill collected by the corporation is disproportionate in comparison to other nearby villages and towns and a flat rate of Rs. 480 to each household of KaKching is exorbitantly high for the poor consumers.

The forum also observed that it is also quite obvious that the monthly electric tariff prescribed by the corporation shows quite dissimilarities among the consumers. Consumers in the village of Khongjom are presently paying Rs. 304 while the people of Kakching pay Rs. 480.

The forum also highlighted grievances such as long time disconnection of power due to overload, lack of necessary infrastructure, exorbitant monthly fees and delayed prepaid project during the meeting.

The Deputy General Manager and his Staff heard the grievances and inconvenience faced by the general public and he assured all the members who were attending the meeting that he would take up precautionary measure in no time, it said.

The statement also said that he further swore to Forum members that the prepaid project along with requisite infrastructure will be completed by the end of August this year.

The meeting was concluded with an amicable resolution in order to manage until the assurances given by the corporation are fulfilled, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/consumers-forum-kakching-informs-mspdcl-of-high-electricity-bills/

IMPHAL, July 2: Director of Minorities and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) Department has registered a case against an employee of the department identified as Shaikh Mujibur Rehman for siphoning off a scholarship amount of Rs 1, 67, 000 to be given away to a student, revealed Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

He was responding to a motion for disapproval of policy cut raised by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh while putting up Demand No 47 `“ discussion on grant of Rs 34, 87, 58, 000 for Minorities and Other Backward Classes (MOBC) for 2015-16 in the ongoing 11th Session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

The CM said that the incident of fund misappropriation that cropped up in the MOBC Department has tarnished the image of the government.

The employee of the department involved in the fund embezzlement will not be spared, he vowed.

Maintaining that a clear communication has been established between educational institutes and the concerned Ministry through direct online for awarding scholarship amount to students, Ibobi admitted that the government had not been able to verify the scholarship process through scholarship amount had been given away to deserving students.

Therefore, the state government has urged the concerned Ministry to allow an officer not less than the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) to verify the scholarship process, he said.

Ibobi then briefed the House about various measures taken up by Youth Affairs and Sports Department for welfare of youths and sportspersons of the state.

MLA Dr I ibohalbi while raising the motion for disapproval of policy cut claimed that the scholarship amount swindled by the employee of the MOBC Department was for a poor student namely Nongyaimayum Afzal Ali pursuing B Tech in Food Technology in an institute in Gangtok, Sikkim.

Surprisingly, the student was quoted as studying B Tech in Civil Engineering in NERIST in the list notified for awarding scholarship amount making him to miss out his scholarship, he said.

He also said that the MOBC Department has been plagued with scandals, which needs prompt intervention by the government to ensure transparency in the department.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/case-registered-against-mobc-employee-for-swindling-scholarship-amount-cm/