Manipur News

IMPHAL, Oct 15: The UKAL has said that a discussion on the topic `Umanglai amasung Lai Haraobagi Kanglonshing Liklam Chumhanba`™ will be held on October 19 at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound. A press release of UKAL said the meeting will be attended by Chief Minister, O Ibobi, Works and Transport minister, Dr. Kh. Ratankumar and former Education minister, L. Jayantakumar. The lup has appealed to the people of the state not to spread any false rumors.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/umanglai-discussion/

IMPHAL, October 15: The North East Film & Television Producers & Directors`™ Association has taken serious note over the non-continuation of commissioning programmes by Doordarshan in a general body meeting held this week at Guwahati.

According to a statement of the Television & Cine Foundation Manipur, its president, Sanzu Bachaspatimayum, who was present in the meeting, had apprised the members that despite many representations sent to DDG Northeast, DG and CEO Doordarshan, Mandi House; highlighting the grievances of private television producers, the Prashar Bharati officials have not given any response.

It continued that Sanzu also drew the attention of the members, particularly on the plight of many film makers, following the non-continuation of commissioning programmes. Sanju maintained that DD is virtually shutting down a viable avenue of creative expression. Commissioned programmes of DD provides a fertile ground for honing skill, and by discontinuing, it has robbed off the platform for aspiring film makers as well.

Further it said that Sanzu had highlighted the need for attention to be given to the film makers of the Northeast region by Prashar Bharti, emphasizing that there is no corporate sponsorship available.

Sanzu also had commended the members of Tripura and Assam for their concerted effort to impress upon the ministry of Information & Broadcasting and authorities of Doordarshan regarding the matter, before adding that it is unfortunate that the authorities have failed to give any response.

`This is an issue where we, from the region, and also as a regional body, must organise ourselves and resist this adverse policy of discontinuing commissioning program to private producers in the Northeast region`, Sunzu had added.

The meeting had unanimously decided to draw a concrete line of action to give more pressure to the authorities concerned, said the release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/prashar-bharti-is-depriving-rights-of-northeast-film-makers/

THOUBAL, October 15: The Thoubal District bandh imposed by All Wangjing Development Organisation will not be called off.

Speaking to media persons, a spokesperson of the organization said that the bandh will not be called off until and unless the three arrested in connection with the death of a VDF personnel are released unconditionally.

He identified the three arrested persons as the secretary of Sokdek Club, Wangjing Wangkhem its joint secretary and another identified as the owner of the bicycle which was allegedly lifted by the VDF personnel for which he was allegedly attacked by a mob.

The bandh has been imposed since midnight of October 13.

He said the bandh has been imposed against the failure of the government to look into the demand of the people and not against any person or organization.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/no-respite-in-thoubal-bandh-local-body/

IMPHAL, October 15: Political parties that missed out wooing voters yesterday at Hiyanglam were seen scurrying to their last minute campaigns today organising press conferences in their last bid to woo voters.

Campaigning for the October 17 Hiyanglam by-poll concluded today, however, with the CorCom imposing a general strike today, there were not much election campaigning activities.

Both the MPP and the AITC conducted press conferences today as part of their campaigning.

Due to the general strike called by the CorCom, the Manipur People`™s Party had to end its Hiyanglam by-poll campaign with a press conference today, said party president N Sovakiran during a press conference at the party`™s office.

He said everyone is aware of the No 1 enemy of the country and the State. Contrary to what the people has conceived, the Congress has always acted against the welfare of the people, he said.

He said it was the Congress who gave away Kabo Valley to Myanmar and implemented AFSPA in the State.

He continued the Congress had bifurcated Andhra Pradesh into two States just to strengthen its position.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have never considered a thing for Manipur, he said before urging the Hiynglam public to elect the MPP candidate.

At the same time, speaking at a press conference called at his Langmeidong Bazar, Hiyanglam home, All India Trinamool Congress candidate Dr Y Radheshyam Singh said the party will win the Hiyanglam seat which has been left open by the demise of party MLA M Kunjo.

This election is very important for the party and it will allow the BJP which is in power in the Centre and Congress which is in power in the State to manipulate the public of Hiyanglam, he said.

Trinamool Congress`™s primary objective is to improve supply of water and road connectivity in the constituency, he said.

The condition in the constituency has been deteriorating, which is very unfortunate, he said before appealing to the public to cast their votes for him with the hope of seeing development in the constituency.

The party`™s State and general secretary L Premananda Singh said they were confident of the party candidate winning the by-poll.

He said the party candidate is the best choice for the public.

Vice president State unit M Thoiba was also present in the press conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/mpp-and-trinamool-congress-conclude-hiyanglam-bypoll-campaign-with-press-conferences/

IMPHAL, October 15: The number of medical staff who will be accompanying Irom Chanu Sharmila on her New Delhi trip for court appearances on October 30 and 31 is likely to be cut-down as the Home department has failed to sanction the required funds for the journey.

Sources said only Rs 1,24,000 has been sanctioned this time as against the usual Rs 1,38,700 sanctioned for Sharmila`™s earlier trips to the national capital in connection with a case.

The anti-Armed Forces Special Powers Act crusader is supposed to make physical appearances on October 30 and 31 before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House regarding a case FIR No 222/06 under IPC section 309 (attempt to suicide) filed by the Parliament Street Police Station against her. The case was registered against her holding a hunger strike demanding repeal of AFSPA at Jantar Mantar, in 2006.

However, since, the Home department has sanctioned a lesser amount of fund, the jail authorities submitted a written official missive seeking its permission to cut down the number of medical staff accompanying Sharmila.

Sources said the Jail authority had earlier decided to bear the added expenses and asked for reimbursement from the government later, however, after failing to get an assurance from the government on the reimbursement part, it was decided to instead cut down the number of medical staff.

Sources also informed that the jail authorities are waiting for an approval from the Home department to start preparations for the trip including booking of tickets, medical examination of Sharmila and seeking permission from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

During her earlier trips to the national capital, Sharmila was attended to by a three-member medical team led by a doctor of the State Health Services. The medical team has to look after the condition of the hunger striker. Her team also includes two policemen including an officer and two jail staff other than the three medical staff.

The entire expenses for the eight-member team including for their stay at Delhi and flight tickets amount to around Rs 1,38,700, informed the source.

The last time she was produced before a court in New Delhi was in May 28, 2014. Source said Rs 1,38,700 was sanctioned for the trip.

Sharmila was supposed to appear before the court on July 17, however after the State Home department failed to sanction the required fund for the journey, it was deferred to October 30-31, sources said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/jail-authorities-waiting-approval-to-downsize-medical-team-escort-for-sharmilas-delhi-trip/