Manipur News

Imphal, March 2: At least 1445 diesel autos are registered with the transport department for plying in the Imphal Municipal area, said Transport minister Kh Ratankumar during the question hour in the fourth day of the 10th session of the tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

He was responding to a question raised by Uripok A/C MLA, L Nandakumar on the actual number of diesel auto rickshaws plying in the Imphal Municipal area and whether they were registered with the district transport authorities of Imphal West or East.

Replying further, Ratankumar said all the registered diesel auto rickshaws are plying at the Imphal Municipal area with valid permits. There is a scheme for the conversion of diesel auto rickshaws into battery operated auto rickshaws. In this regard, the department is preparing a detailed project report under the National Electric Mission Mode Project (NEMMP) particularly for Imphal which will then be submitted to the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) of the Union government for consideration.

The air pollution and noise pollution caused by diesel operated auto rickshaws have caused serious health issues, he said, so it is mandatory for all diesel operated auto rickshaws to possess pollution control certificates.

The defaulters or offenders are liable to pay a penalty. The Transport department has no jurisdiction over noise pollution. So, the suspension of auto diesel permits is still in force. The traffic control police are regulating the movement of diesel operated auto rickshaws at Imphal, he said.

Responding to a question raised by Thangmeiand A/C MLA Joykisan on the amount of money expended for renovating the Yatra Niwas at Moreh so far, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said Rs 357.82 lakhs have been sanctioned from the North East Council (NEC) for the renovation of the Yatra Niwas till February 28 since its construction began.

NEC has released the funds partly for renovation, repairing and, in addition, for the construction of new bed rooms and security rooms.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/battery-auto-rickshaws-will-soon-be-introduced-in-state-ratankumar/

IMPHAL, March 2: A cabinet meeting held this afternoon has decided to table a bill, for the implementation of a law to safeguard the indigenous population of the State, in the Manipur Legislative Assembly tomorrow as a result the ongoing session which was suppose to end tomorrow might get extended further.

The cabinet meeting was held at the Chief Minister`™s Secretariat at 3 pm chaired by Chief Minster Okram Ibobi Singh to exclusively discuss about the said bill to be tabled tomorrow at the ongoing assembly session.

Govt spokespersons Moirangthem Okendro, speaking to reporters after the meeting said, the government is not trying to neglect the demand made by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System to introduce Inner Line Permit System to safeguard the indigenous population.

He further said the govt also understands the people`™s emotion as well as other political parties`™ interest regarding the issue.

However, the bill to be tabled comes under financial bill so a thorough discussion is needed and it takes time, he said.

`We need governor`™s approval/assent, opinions from constitutional experts and others.`

`We also need to consider about other communities residing in the State,` the spokesperson added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/cabinet-decides-to-table-the-bill-to-safeguard-indigenous-population-in-assembly-today/

IMPHAL, March 2: Urging the state government to fulfill a charter of demands which include salary hike the All Manipur VDF (Village Defence Force) Welfare Association in uniform gathered at Sagolband Tera Keithel and tried to take out a rally towards Assembly house.

Thousand of VDF from various district assembled to carry out the rally, holding placards but a team of Imphal West Police intervened the VDF from marching ahead to the Assembly House.

Speaking to media persons Deban, president VDF Welfare Association said that they have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister two months back but the government continues to remain a silent spectator over the matter.

He further stressed that their families are unable to run with the meager salary of just Rs 4000 a month and have been going through a very hard life.

If the government is at least concern for the life of the VFD, the government can hike the salary in which one can maintain a family.

Deban futher said that VDF does not want to launch any agitation against the government but as the government remain silent over the matter they are disheartened and remain helpless and decided to march towards the Assembly House to remind the grievances of the VDF.

The demands made by the VDF were; to increase the honorarium (nominal payment) of VDF, the VDF personnel should get 13 months pay and if not no duty should be assigned on Sunday and general holiday in a year, to establish a separate battalion for VDF personnel headed by a superintendent of police and to have separate color uniform.

Deban also said that if the government fails to fulfill the demand then the VDF Welfare Association will launch a stronger agitation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/rally-by-vdf-personnel-foiled/

IMPHAL, March 2: A committee of five members has investigated whether five CBSE affiliated schools were truly recognised by the CBSE, stated Moirangthem Okendro in the fourth day of the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

Okendro was clarifying during a discussion on a matter of public interest moved by MLA Th Shyamkumar, L Ibomcha and Dr I Ibohalbi on not issuing admit cards to the students of non-affiliated CBSE schools in our State.

Th Shyamkumar alleged that the government has put the careers of 2500 students at stake after the concerned department failed to monitor the mushrooming of private schools in our State. He asked as to how the private schools got recognition even after the State cabinet had decided to allow only two CBSE affiliated schools in every district.

The government remains like a silent spectator even as the number of private schools continues to grow. The problem aggravated because the Directorate of Higher Education didn`™t keep a tab on the establishment of privates school.

Such negligence has put the careers of more than 2000 students at stake even if the concerned authorities were aware of the precarious condition the students were in from a long time. Due to the failure of the Education department and negligence of the State government, the careers of innocent students are being affected. The government needs to arrange a special examination for those students under BOSEM and COHSEM, he demanded.

Taking part in the discussion, Keishamthong A/C MLA L Ibomcha said the bogus schools not recognised by CBSC should be booked. The concerned authorities of the State must also investigate whether how many of the students were genuine. The government have to enact a law to prevent such cases in the future.

Oinam A/C MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said the State government has to prepare two crisis managements strategies – an acute crisis management plan and a long-term management plan – for preventing such incidents and to ascertain the actual number of genuine students eligible for appearing in the exam among the 2500 students. After one or two months of finding the Council or Board must conduct special exam of X and XII for them.

Clarifying to the allegations levelled against the government of putting the career of the students at stake, Education minister M Okendro said a committee has been constituted after admit cards weren`™t issued to the students studying in five schools namely the Ram Krishna Higher Secondary School, Ghari; Central Institute of Science, Keishampat Hodam leirak; Akash Higher Secondary School, Changangei; and Akash Institute of Science and Arts, Uchekon.

The department has taken an immediate action on the matter to those false promises to students but the school authorities have absconded till today. On February 25, a committee of five members led by the director of education as the Chairman was formed to investigate the matter.

He said the committee is directed to submit the report within one month and after submitting the report, the State government will take an action after considering it thoroughly. He said that there is no written complaint filed to the department on the issue till date from parents of the student facing such problems in the last four months.

A regulation is being prepared for monitoring private and government schools of both the State board and CBSE.

The detailed report will be published and will be uploaded through the internet so that people will be aware of whether which school is affiliated or not. Here, the parents are also appealed to ascertain the authenticity of the school before admitting their wards, stated the Education minister.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/shyamkumar-demands-special-exams-for-students-of-unrecognised-cbse-affiliated-schools/

IMPHAL March 2: The banned UNLF has in a press release said it will setup a fact finding team in connection with the issue of around 2500 students not being able to appear in the CBSE exam 2015.

It has also assured that those found guilty will be punished.

Some schools have failed to make arrangement for around 2500 students to appear in the CBSE exam 2015 leaving them high and dry while wasting their labour, time and money which cannot be returned, the release said.

It said that the schools authorities as well as the state govt very well know in advance that things will fall like this in the end.

Some government schools when they were run by private owners produced many bright students. But after the government took over the said schools, they have been left completely neglected, it changed.

Today there are enough well paid teachers at government schools and colleges however there are no students, it said.

The rich sends their wards to highly paid private schools providing much better education, while the majority poor further goes into miserable lives, it said and added that this is the educational policy of a colonial rule.

Around 2500 students under CBSE not able to give exam is a well planned policy of the colonial rule, it charged.

A Manipuri student who stood first in the all India CBSE exam was given the opportunity to study at a college in Delhi however the student later finds out that he could not pass the exam there changes his college, it said and added that this was quite an embarrassment.

While saying that UNLF will stand for the CBSE students, the release also said that the outfit will also correct the education system in Manipur which is trying to spoil the future human resource.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/unlf-to-look-into-cbse-issue/

IMPHAL, March 2: The State finance department has allocated Rs 5.51 crores for repairing the 150 CCTV cameras in Imphal and to expand the areas they cover, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi in the fourth day of the 10th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

Replying to a calling attention motion by Thangmeiband A/C MLA Kh Joykisan on the reports of the non-release of funds for maintaining the CCTV cameras installed in Imphal, the Chief Minister said funds are yet to be released from the finance department for repairing and maintaining the CCTV cameras. The defunct CCTV cameras will be repaired soon with the area covered by it to be expanded till Singjamei and Mantripukhri with the finance department earmarking Rs 5.51 crores for it.

He said the Home department is preparing to call for bids in an open tender through the internet from well known dealers across the world. After the process of the tender bids is over, the funds will be released within 21 days or a month from the finance department.

He said for the CCTV cameras to be fully operational, the State lacks 24X7 power supply so additional funds to arrange an alternative means of power from solar energy is required. The State government knew that CCTVs installed in Imphal city help the State police department in keeping the law and order situation under control.

Raising the calling attention motion, Kh Joykisan alleged that the State Home department was not properly maintaining the CCTV cameras and that the Finance department has not released the funds needed for repairing the CCTV cameras.

He further said that in the recent days, bomb blasts took place in the heart of Imphal killing and injuring many innocent civilians but if the existing CCTV cameras were fully functional, it might help in saving innocent lives.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/around-rs-551-crore-allocated-for-repairing-150-cctv-cameras-and-expanding-its-coverage-area/

THOUBAL, March 2: In connection with the incident of stabbing and critically injuring a teacher of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Chandel with a knife by his student on February 10, the Naga Students` Union Chandel (NSUC) and Naga Women Union Chandel (NWUC) stormed the Vidyalaya and shut it down indefinitely after receiving information that the accused student is coming to appear in the examination today.

A large number of volunteers of the two unions most of whom were womenfolk gathered at the JNV premises gate at Liwa Khullen Sarei in Chandel district since 8 am and detained the school Principal.

The volunteers also seized the question papers of today`s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class XII examination.

Moreover, the volunteers blocked the Chandel District headquarters road temporarily in front of the school gate by putting logs along the road after a brief confrontation with the police personnel.

However, considering the academic career of the innocent students of the JNV, the Unions allowed to conduct the examination after locking and sealing the principal office only besides detaining him at the Vidyalaya`™s gate.

While speaking to the media persons, Joyningam, president of NSUC said that they received information that arrangement are being made for the accused student to appear in the examination at the centre.

He said that they cannot remain a mute spectator after such an incident creating fear psychosis in the minds of the students and teachers.

The Union demands that the accused should not be allowed to appear in the examination at this centre and he should be booked and given befitting punishment for his alleged crime, he added.

He demanded the transfer of the Principal of the Vidyalaya immediately while charging him that the incident happened as a result of poor administration.

The student leader questioned why the accused student was not expelled from the school even after committing the crime.

However, Principal of the Vidyalaya told the media persons that the arrangement has been made for the accused student to appear in the CBSE`s Class XII Examination following a Court Order and instruction given by Vidylaya`s higher authority.

Meanwhile, Joyningam Anal, president of the Naga Students Union Chandel informed media persons over the phone that the Union has shut down the Vidylaya indefinitely with immediate effect until their demands met.

However, the ongoing CBSE Examination will be exempted and the students will be allowed to appear the said Examination in the Vidyalaya, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/volunteers-of-nsuc-nwuc-storms-jnv-chandel/

IMPHAL, March 2: The State government has suspended the Principal of Lilong Haoreibi College and constituted a high power committee to conduct an inquiry over the misappropriation of college funds, stated M Okendro in the second day of the 10th session of the tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly today.

The issue of fund misappropriation was raised by Andro A/C MLA Th Shyamkumar during the calling attention motion hour. The concerned minister Moirangthem Okendro replying to the calling attention motion stated that the Higher Education department has taken up appropriate actions against the Principal of the Lilong Haoreibi College.

He has been suspended and vigilance case filed against him for misappropriating around Rs 83.32 lakhs sanctioned by the UGC. The issue came to light when the Principal who was transferred to another post didn`™t vacate his post and refuse to hand it over to the newly appointed Principal. A high power committee led by the Chief Secretary grilled him to take further actions against him and the misappropriated funds will be recovered from him, he said.

He said the Education department has constituted a State level UGC project screening committee to monitor all the projects and schemes being funded under the UGC in every college of the State. Earlier, the colleges were working randomly without the consent of the committee on construction of infrastructure etc, he added.

The committee now screens every projects or schemes taken up in colleges and submit a report to the State government, and the State government will again submit the same to the UGC, the Education minister said.

Meanwhile, Andro A/C MLA Th Shyamkumar alleged that if the colleges utilise UGC funds independently without the consent of the State department then it is apparent that the government has no authority.

The State authorities are not monitoring the existing colleges and schools for studying with field visits. Shyamkumar said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/lilong-haoreibi-college-principal-suspended-vigilance-case-to-be-filed-against-him-for-fund-misappropriation/

SENAPATI, March 2: In response to a press report which appeared in the Herald Today, a Senapati local English daily in its February 28 issue regarding a ban imposed by National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) on Poumai Naga Union (PNU) for its anti-national activities and violation of Universal Human Rights principles, the Union in a press statement said the news report is shocking and unexpected from any organization.

The release said the PNU is the apex body of Poumai Naga tribe duly constituted by the people for the people, and `therefore, it has its own jurisdiction to deal with any issues arising within our people at our own disposal.`

It said `Historically, traditionally and geographically, Thiwa village is one of the Poumai Naga revenue villages. However, the NSCN(IM) has twisted the name of the village into Theiva, which has no legal sanctity as there is no such village name called Theiva in the Official record, Government of Manipur.`

The PNU release said `It is unfortunate on the part of the NSCN(IM) to issue the order banning the Apex body of the Poumai Naga tribe without hearing the Poumai Naga Union on this problem.`

It further said that `It is felt that the order was issued only after hearing the version of some vested people the village and as such the order was based on wrong facts,` therefore `in view of the facts narrated above, the Poumai Naga Union does not deserve to be branded as Anti-national and violation of the universal human rights principles in the absence of any evidences.`

It explained that `the fact is that, there is an internal misunderstanding between some inhabitants of Thiwa Village and the Poumai Naga Union,` and that `the Poumai Naga Union has been trying to solve the internal problem which is under process to settle down within ourselves.`

The PNU urged `the leadership of the NSCN(IM) not interfere into family problems in the future which can be settle at our level as per Naga Customary law and its usages,` adding that `the Poumai Naga Union expresses our hope that goodwill will prevail upon the NSCN(IM) leaders while deciding such matter.`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/poumai-naga-union-decries-ban-imposed-on-it-by-nscn/

IMPHAL, March 1 (NNN): With CBSE`™s Class-X and Class-XII final examinations are all set to begin from Monday, Manipur police chief has asked SPs of all district to take up necessary security measures in all examination centres within their respective jurisdiction.

In Manipur, the examinations will be conducted at 25 centres across the state amidst the controversy that surfaced after the authorities of some schools failed to issue admit card to their students preparing for the said examinations.

Acting on a letter from state joint secretary (school education), the DGP of Manipur police has instructed SPs of all districts of the state to provide necessary assistance in the smooth conduct of the examinations at the 25 centres right from the commencement of the examinations till the end.

Maintaining that copies of the joint secretary`™s letter were also forwarded to the SPs, the DGP has on Saturday reminded the SPs to do the needful within their respective jurisdiction, an official source said Sunday.

The CBSE examinations are to be conducted amidst the controversy that surfaced to atleast six schools after the schools were found not recognized by the CBSE and the students were left no admit card till today, on the eve of the commencement of the examinations.

Around 2000 students preparing for sitting in the examination will miss the exam as they will not be allowed to sit the examinations without the admit card issued by the CBSE authority.

Police have already taken up a FIR case regarding the controversy that surrounds over the recognition of the schools by the CBSE.

The case registered at Lamphel police station of Imphal West district was based on a complaint lodged a student among the victimized ones on February 24 last.

He alleged that the authority of his school has failed to distribute admit card even though students of other schools affiliated to the CBSE have already received the same.

He further alleged that the registration number (number provided by CBSE to the students studying in schools affiliated to the board) which was given to him and his colleagues were turned out to be a fake ones.

As their wards were sure to miss the examinations, Guardian Association of CBSE Victim Students, a newly formed body, today drew the attention of the Manipur government to arrange a special examination for the victim students.

Addressing a press conference held at Manipur Press Club today, secretary of the newly formed association L Tampha appealed the state government to conduct the special examination for the victim Class-XII students so that their wards do not miss the year.

He suggested conduct of the special examination in the form of compartmental examination for the Class-XII students while drawing government`™s attention to take up the matter of Class-X students with the authority of the regional office of the CBSE in Guwahati to allow them appear the examinations due to commence from tomorrow on special consideration.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/district-sps-ask-for-security-protection-at-cbse-exam-centres/

IMPHAL, Mar 1: An Area Domination Patrol Party of Territorial Army G-Coy recovered two hand grenades wrapped in a plastic bag and hung to a roadside tree in between Khongkhang and Lokchao on Imphal-Moreh road today at around 10:30 am.

Bomb experts retrieved the bomb and safely exploded it at around 7:40 pm.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/sfs-retrieve-hand-grenade-hung-on-a-tree/

IMPHAL, March 1: The Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPM has declared to join in the further course of action taken up by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) with public support to safeguard the indigenous population.

This was informed by representatives of the two parties speaking to media persons at a press meet held today evening here at Irabot Bhawan, BT Road.

The meet was attended by CPI Manipur State Council Secretariat member L Sotin Singh, Surchand Singh and CPM Manipur State Committee Secretariat member Y Ratan.

The three speaking to media said, we have seen various forms of agitations launched by civil society organizations led by JCILPS demanding reintroduction of Inner Line Permit System (ILPS) to safeguard the indigenous population of the State.

And after seeing the agitations, Manipur Legislative Assembly also discussed to introduce ILP in the State. The State Govt even formed an All Political Party Committee on ILP to discuss the matter more seriously and further collected suggestions/opinions from the experts, they said.

Furthermore, the govt had also announced earlier that the ILPS will be introduced by passing a bill in the 10th session of the tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly which commenced on February 25, they said.

However the assembly session is now coming to an end with only two days remaining and still there is no sign of passing a bill on ILP, they said disappointingly.

According to India Constitution Article No 19 (5), the state government has been provided with the power to implement such an act in the interest of the public.

While saying that the CPI and CPM are losing faith in the Govt that it will introduce the bill in this current session, they have announced to join in the further course of actions taken up by JCILPS with public support.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/cpi-cpm-announce-support-to-the-course-of-action-taken-up-by-jcilps/

IMPHAL, Mar 1: The All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) is organizing the 4th Annual Journalists`™ Sports Meet 2015 for four days beginning March 5.

Seven sports disciplines including Cricket, Football, badminton, volley ball, table tennis, athletics and chess will be played in the meet, while the torch rally will be staged on March 5 from Kangla fort at 7 am.

The union has informed to all desirable participants to submit their names with verification letters by their respective editors and the disciplines they would take part to the office staff of Press Club by March 3.

Editors, reporters, photo and video journalists, sub-editors, correspondents, desk staff, DTP and news readers are eligible for taking part in the sports meet.

The union requests the media houses to nominate at least five employees from each house for joining the torch rally.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/annual-journalists-sports-meet-2015/

IMPHAL, March 1: Patriotic Writers Forum, Manipur has organised a book release function at Lamyanba Shanglen, Imphal today of two books that it has published. Altogether two books written by Dr Haobam Indrakumar were released today titled `Langtai Warel`™ and `Meitei Yawol`™.

Both the books are written in the Bengali script are abstracts of books which are already in print, stated the writer, Dr Haobam Indrakumar. He also added that the age-old traditions and custom are being neglected by the younger generation. He said re-releasing the abstracts in a more integrated version is necessary as the society, especially the younger generation, tends to forget the historical aspects of our community.

The book release function was attended by Professor Sairem Nilbir and Patriotic Writers`™ Forum, Manipur president Raghu Leisangthem as the chief guest and president respectively.

Professor Polem Nabachandra and Dr Sagolsem Lanchenba Meetei shared their ideas and talked about their books.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/pwf-manipur-releases-two-books/