Manipur News

IMPHAL, January 2: As per earlier announced by the Awang Sekmai Nongthonband Youth Club on December 16, failure of the government to begin road construction to the Nongthonbam to Sekmai Gas Bottling Plant by the deadline of December 31 has prompted the organisation to launch an indefinite road block.

Speaking to IFP, spokesperson ASNYC stated that the indefinite road block step started yesterday.

He further said that the road block will continue till the concerned authorities initiate the road construction work.

On the first day of the agitation, club members blocked 38 bullet tankers coming from Dimapur along with NH-32, while trying to enter the Gas Bottling Plant complex, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/road-block-at-sekmai-for-delaying-construction/

IMPHAL, January 2: Celebrating the remarkable 33rd years of publication of evening daily newspaper `Kangleipakki Meira`™ three outstanding journalists were felicitated today as part of celebration at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

The three awardees were Thongam Premchand Singh (Poknapham) as best male journalist from print media, Asem Bebicha Chanu (Huiyen Lampao) from print media and Yumnam Michealjit Singh (ISTV) from electronic media.

In the name of Kangleipakki Meira Family former staff and it`™s hawkers were also felicitated during the function. Among its hawkers one identified as Chirom Biren Singh who is 73 years of age and still continuing his work delivering newspaper at Kakhulong, nupi keithel, alu gali, Assembly road and khuyathong area carrying 250 copies of Kangleipakki Meira. He was today presented with a bicycle as an honour for his duty.

Chairman Manipur Pollution control Board and former Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Dr Ng Bijoy Singh as Chief Guest of the celebration function said that it is fortunate that the foundation day coincide with the auspicious day of Emoinu today.

He said that reading newspaper in the morning is like addiction and a day without browsing newspaper in the morning finds incomplete for the day. He asserted that Manipur print media has improved in its get up and quite improved in rendering information through print media. He said during his tour abroad he expressed that the newspaper from Japan is quite impressive.

He elaborated that media has contributed and played a major role in inclusion of Manipuri language in 8th schedule.

He said that Manipur has one of the largest numbers of different print media comparatively.

Manipur has shined in almost every angle, name it sports or art and culture but the state is lacking behind its economy he claimed.

Society without media is like Well Without Water saying this Dr Ng Bijoy Singh concluded that media would support in contribution to the development of society and to the state.

The 33rd foundation day celebration was also attended by Director Information and Public Relation W Rajen Singh (MCS), Addl. Chief Engineer, CADA K Manoranjan Singh as president and Guest of Honour, staffs of Kangleipakki Meira and veteran and renowned journalists of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/scribes-hawkers-awarded-on-meira-foundation-day/

IMPHAL, December 31: Troops of the 30 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR IGAR along with Heingang Police apprehended an active cadre of PREPAK (PRO) on December 30 in a joint operation launched in the general area of Pangai.

According to a release of the PRO Ar, the apprehendee was identified as SS Lt, Yumlembam Arjun Singh alias Chingkhei, 30 of Sungnu Mayai Leikai. On a follow up operation one over ground worker of PREPAK (PRO) identified as Soibam Shyamchand Singh, 41, son of Lt S Ibocha Singh of Haraorou Maning Leikai was apprehended from the area of Haroru on December 31.

From his possession an AK 56 Rifle along with magazine, a 9 mm Pistol along with magazine, 30 live rounds of AK 56 Rifle and 8 live rounds of 9mm Pistol were recovered. The apprehendees have been handed over to the Heingang Police Station, it said.

In another operation, troops of the 40 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector AR IGAR along with Imphal East Police Commandos apprehended an Arms smuggler on December 30 identified as Th. Henery Singh alias Jack, 32, son of Th. Guneshwor Singh of Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi Chabungbam Leikai in a joint operation in the general area Arapati.

A 7.65 calibre pistol (Made in USA) along with magazine, 1 live round of 9mm, one mobile phone with two SIM cards and Kinetic Honda bearing Registration Number MN 05 7752 were recovered from his possession.

On a follow up operation another arm smuggle identified as Thingom Joychandra Singh, 37, son of Th. Saratchandra of Khurai Chaithabi Leirak was apprehended from the general area of Khurai Chaithabi Leirak.

The apprehendees have been handed over to the Irilbung Police Station, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/four-held-with-weapons-by-ar-and-police/

IMPHAL, December 31: The Dental College of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has once again come to the limelight for all the wrong reason, this time marred with allegation of irregularities being practiced while conducting interview for appointment of House Officer (Dentistry) of the College.

The report emerges in the wake of a case lodged against the former Directors of the RIMS by the CBI in connection with supply of dental chair for the Dental College.

Interacting with some of the candidates who have taken part in the interview it is learnt that the interview for appointment of four House Officer was conducted at the end of the November last year.

As per norms the interview has been conducted purely on merit basis. After evaluating the performances (marks) of candidates starting from their BDS first year till graduation, the candidate with the highest mark is appointed as House Officer. Besides, proper authentication of the certificate possessed by the candidates is carried out, the sources quipped.

However, it has been informed that the recent procedure adopted for the appointment of House Officer (Dentistry) was quite the reverse.

It has been alleged that a candidate whose overall mark with 63.5 percent (BDS first year to graduation) was appointed for one of the four House Officer posts dropping a more eligible candidate whose overall mark with 68 percent.

The faultily appointed candidate was reportedly serving with the dental college for one and a half year on honorary basis.

It is learnt that a Doctor is allow to serve on honorary basis in a department for one year at the most and six months at the least.

The same sources further appealed the Ministry concerned to intervene into the matter to cleanse up such malpractice in a premier institute.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/irregularities-in-rims-dentistry-department-appointments-alleged/

IMPHAL, December 31: The Governor of Manipur, Dr. KK. Paul has conveyed his heartiest greetings to the people of Manipur and wished them happiness and well-being throughout the year and hoped that the New Year will bring lasting peace, harmony and prosperity to all.

The Chief Minister of Manipur, O. Ibobi Singh has also conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Manipur on the joyous occasion of the New Year, 2015.

He said that New Year dawned with a renew hope and opportunity to make a fresh beginning for individual as well as collective well being.

He wished the people to resolve to work together towards building a strong, united and prosperous Manipur as every celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. The Chief Minister once again wished the New Year to bring, peace, progress and happiness to all.

Meanwhile, the Manipur People`™s Party has wished all the people on the occasion of New Year, 2015.

According to a release of the party, it prayed for peace and harmony to all. The party also wished for peace and tranquility with the coming of Emoinu Erat Thouni to be observed on January 2, it said.

The party also wished the believers of Tingkao Ragwang on the occasion of Gaan Ngai festival. It prayed that the festival will bring peace and harmony to all, it said.

In another release, the Minority Cell of the Manipur People`™s Party has said that with the end of 2014, it also wished that all the misfortunes will end as well and prayed that with the arrival of the

New Year, 2015, it will bring unity and harmony amongst the different communities residing in the state.

The Minority Cell has also wished the Muslims of Manipur on the happy occasion of Milad-un-Nabi.

According to a release of the Cell, it said that with the arrival of the festival, it wished for unity among all and to believe in their faith.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/governor-cm-wish-prosperous-new-year-for-people-of-manipur/

IMPHAL, December 31: The State government declaring 2014 as a year of achievement for the government is deliberate deception played on the people of Manipur alleged M Asnikumar General Secretary Administration BJP Manipur Pradesh.

In an interaction with media persons this afternoon at his office chamber, Asnikumar said the State government rather than achieving anything, had done nothing commendable for the State.

He further said the Ibobi-led Congress government failed miserably in implementing many Central government programmes. These include food security act which was pledged to the public that it would be implemented within 2013 by Chief Minister Ibobi.

The government has not even complete constructing the Sanjenthong bridge even now, though the government pledged its completion before the commencement of the Sangai Festival 2014.

He also pointed out the irregularities in the recruitment of SI, ASI, charging many of them were found selected with fake certificate. The letters of the selected candidates are denied to this day because of this, he alleged.

He also said the recruitment result of round 2000 constables is pending till today. How can all this be termed as achievements of the State government, he asked.

He also charged that there is a complete breakdown of ht e PDS system and essential items continue to fail to reach the nooks and corners of the State.

He said the State government has not contributed the norms of 10 percent State share in the NGNREGS implemented in State and till today Job card holders haven`t been rewarded the promised 100 days works.

He said torture has become the norm of the security forces, hiding behind the AFSPA in all the 13 years of rule by Congress. In all there have been, 1600 fake encounter cases by the Central paramilitary forces and State forces, and all this will be unveiled very soon, he added.

The people are still exposed to blockades and bandhs on National Highway, there is still wide disparity in development between different districts of the State.

He also charged that the hills continue to be out of control of the State government and this was demonstrated by the repeated cancellation of official visit of the Deputy Chief Minister and other State cabinet ministers to Senapati district, under the pressured of NSCN-IM.

Instead, the State force are engaged in assaulting unarmed students, agitating for the implementation of ILP in the State. Now the nightmare of the discovery of human skulls and skeletons at Tombisana High school campus is unfolding, he said.

In this case too, the decision of State government to hand over investigation to the CBI is not a stand of the government but done under duress of pressure from the Manipur public, he claimed.

Finally he said the State government is still unable to declare assets of Ministers and MLAs but the real asset of 60 MLAs are and open secret with the people.

Asnikumar in his turn, wished a prosperous New Year 2015 to the people of the State and pleaded with them to discard the Congress and be on the side of the ruling NDA at the Centre. He also prayed for peaceful co-existence among the ethnic communities of the State.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/bjp-ridicules-con-govts-claim-of-2014-as-an-achievement-year/

IMPHAL, December 31: The State government has totally failed in maintaining law and order. It is giving more hardship to the people without any welfare measure seriously taken up.

Moirangthem Tombi, president of Janata Dal (U) expressed the above statement taking jibes on the State government of Manipur. He was speaking to the media this afternoon at the party`™s office at Babupara Imphal.

Tombi expressed concern over the increasing gender crimes, rapes, torture of innocent people by the security forces under the shadow of the AFSPA. He recalled the incident of Heirangoithong, RIMS massacre, Malom massacre and extolled the indomitable spirit of Irom Sharmila in her struggle against the black law.

He demanded that the case of recent discovery of skulls and bones from the premises of Tombisana School should be handed over to the CBI at the earliest. He said the people of the State want swift action on the part of the government regarding the case, not just verbal assurance.

Tombi also demanded that the government should give explanation over their failure of the intelligence department in collecting information in sensitive cases of bomb blast that have rocked the State repeatedly. He alleged that so far no substantial arrests have been made in connection with the blasts.

He also sought clarification from the department concerned of the government for still installing the defunct CCTV cameras in the Imphal areas. He said the CCTV cameras are not decoration objects to beautify the city. Some of the street lamps which were well lit during Sangai Festival have also been switched off, he lamented.

The JD (U) president also came down heavily on the failure of the government in controlling drug menace in the State.

He alleged that Imphal Post Office has become one of the safest routes for transacting huge consignments of banned drugs. The government has been a silent spectator of this menace, he said before alleging that till today, not a single person has been punished among those who were caught with huge consignments of drugs worth crores of money in the past.

Len Gangte, secretary general of JD (U) who was also present during the media interaction conveyed warm wishes for the New Year 2015.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/janata-dal-u-demands-swift-handing-over-of-skeletons-case-to-cbi/

IMPHAL, December 31: Two IPS officers holding the post of Additional Director General (ADG) Manipur Police have been promoted to the rank of DGP.

An order was by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reform, promoted ADGP Santosh Macherla to DGP intelligence and ADGP PM Goud as DGP (armed police/training/home guard).

Both the IPS officers are of 1984 batch.

It said that the officer will enjoy HAG pay scale of Rs 75,500 (@ 3 percent increment) 80,000 nationally with immediate effect from January 1, 2014 and actual cash payment with immediate effect against the posts created vide order No. 3/8/2014-IPS dated December 16, 2014.

Their appointment is subject to concurrence of the Ministry of Home Affairs to the upgradation of the two posts of ADGP to the rank of DGP within a period of three months, it said.

With the two new DGP posts the total number of DGP post in the Manipur police has increased to four including the DGP Manipur Police and DGP Prison.

In another development, two Additional Superintendent of the Jail Department, Manipur have been promoted to Superintendent in-charge with immediate effect from today.

Th Subhaschandra Singh additional SP Manipur Central Jail, Imphal has been SP in-charge Manipur Central Jail, Imphal and W Phanitphang Tangkhul additional SP Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa to SP in-charge Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa. The promoted officers will be exempted from enjoying any extra allowance.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/two-police-officers-promoted-as-dgps-two-more-as-sps-incharge/

IMPHAL, December 31: The Auxiliary Service for Human Affairs (ASHA) has said that the six weeks training programme on `EDP on fruits and vegetable Preservation and Processing`™ which started from November 19 was concluded on December 30 at Sagolmang.

According to a release of ASHA, the training programme was participated by around 30 single and married women. The programme was organised under the leadership of National Mission on Food Processing, Government of India and jointly organised with State Mission Directorate, National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP), Manipur, it said.

The closing programme of the training was attended by Department of Commerce and Industries, ASDO, L. L. Ibohalbi Khumancha as chief guest, Supervisor of ICDS Project, Saombung, T. Memcha Devi as president and retired Head Master of Sagolmang Primary School, Khuraijam Yaima Meitei as guest of honour.

The training programme was held under the guidance of experts on method of turning fruits and vegetables into processed food items. The experts also taught the trainees on practical and theories of the processed food. The trainees also displayed the products made by them, it said.

The future aim of the programme is to help produce successful entrepreneur and to provide help to them with support from concerned departments, banks and NGOs. In the 6 weeks training, the trainees produced fruit candies, pickles and sweets. ASHA will conduct a follow up programme for a year, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/fruit-and-vegetable-processing-training-ends/

IMPHAL, December 31: Manipur Police in close coordination with other Security Forces deployed in the State, maintained law and order, besides prevention and detection of crime during 2014.

According to a release of the PRO, Manipur police, the police has been striving to bring normalcy in the state by way of dialogue/negotiation with the misguided youth of the state.

Due to coordinated effort of Police and SFs, 1(one) valley based extremist group, viz., KCP (K K Nganba) group signed MoU with Government of Manipur during 2014, the release said. In all 37 cadres along with 31 arms attended the `Home Coming` ceremony.

Further, 19 cadres along with 17 arms of KCP (Nongdrenkhomba) group, which had already signed the MoU in 2013 also joined the ceremony during the year. In addition, due to the concerted effort of Manipur Police and SFs, 98 insurgents surrendered to the State Government at individual level along with arms/ammunition during 2014, it said.

The subversive activities of UG groups, both hill and valley based, were under check. However, sporadic violent incidents involving misguided youth resulted in loss of life and damage to property.

Manipur Police on its own and in joint operations with Security Forces achieved commendable success in containing the movement and activities of insurgents. Main achievements during 2014 are arrest of 670 insurgents, 9 insurgents killed in encounters, 108 numbers of arms seized (1890 numbers of ammunition seized, 106-hand grenades, 141 detonators recovered/seized, 10 IEDs recovered, 32 numbers of explosive sticks seized and 46 number of gelatine pieces recovered/seized, 5.4 kg of explosive material seized and a total of Rs. 6, 24, 915/- recovered/seized from insurgents, it said.

The Manipur Police also achieved success in checking the menace of drugs by way of pro-active enforcement work. The concerted efforts resulted in seizure of large quantities of contraband drugs are 1.400 kg of heroin, 3033 kg of ganja, 71 kg of opium, 2.4 kg of brown sugar, 13,31,889 SP capsules, 58, 674 N-10 Tablets, 2378 bottles of 100ml cough syrup, 4.6 kg and 950 tablets of pseudoephedrine, 8841 tablets of Amphetamine tablets and 636.8 acres of land with illicit poppy cultivation destroyed in hills and valley districts of the state, it said.

During 2014, Manipur police also destroyed seized drugs under Section 52A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, after obtaining prior permission from the concerned Court. In June, 5445.927 kg of ganja seized in connection with 32 FIR cases were destroyed by burning.

Again, in November, 390688 strips, 219976 nos. & 44.017 kg of Ephedrine /Pseudoephedrine tablets, 3298 strips & 226787 numbers of SP capsules and 12800 strips of N-10 tablets and 5.557 kg of heroin seized in connection with 25 FIR cases were destroyed by burning, based on Court orders. The pre-trial disposal of drugs was done as per procedure prescribed by law.

In the coming year, Manipur Police plans to modernise its functioning by initiating cyber crime investigation, enhance mobility of the force, better communication system, upgrading the striking capability with induction of sophisticated weapons, increasing the office space and housing satisfaction level of lower subordinates, procuring security gadgets, to professionalise its working.

Efforts are also on to upgrade the knowledge and skills of all field operatives especially the armed police by putting them through Refresher Training Courses both within and outside the State.

Manipur Police appeals to the members of public for their continued support and cooperation to enable it fulfill its mandate in maintaining peace and tranquility in the society, besides timely detection and prosecution of offenders.

The Manipur Police also conveyed its best wishes to one and all for the coming year, 2015, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/success-in-getting-some-ug-groups-to-agree-to-leave-violence-biggest-achievement-of-2014-manipur-police/

IMPHAL, December 31: The year 2014 recorded the highest crime specially against women, said Women Action Development general secretary M Sobita Devi in a press meet at Manipur Press Club today.

She said this year altogether 313 women and children were subject to assaults, including sexual harassment, molestation, murder and rape, but unfortunately the government has not taken up any initiative to end such crimes.

Sobita also said in this year a total of 84 missing cases, among them women and children, were reported to police, however police has not taken any action.

She also said that Manipur police personnel have time and again proven incapable of investigation into crimes, therefore the need of the hour is proper training as well as infrastructure for the police department.

She also highlighted incidents of bomb blasts and injuries, as per her organisation`™s documentation from newspapers this year stands at 210 bombs was planted, and 85 bombs explosions.

The highest number of bomb blasts was in Imphal West District with a total of 76 blasts, and the lowest was at Senapati District with total of two, while in Imphal East saw 36 bomb blasts, Bishnupur 26, Tamenglong 11, Chandel 10, Thoubal 23, Churachanpur 10 and Ukhrul 16. In all 26 bomb cases were claimed by their perpetrators and 184 bomb remains unclaimed.

She also said that the 210 bomb cases included 80 IED, 116 hand grenades, 11 lathod bombs, 2 Chinese hand grenades and 1 RDX.

In all 102 persons were injured by in these bomb blasts and they include 24 security personnel and 78 civilians. Seven security men were killed and 10 civilian including 2 women and one child also died.

Sobita also asked how all these bombs could have been planted amidst tight the security cordons and CCTV vigilance. It shows that the government is not functioning proper, she added.

She also accused the DGP, Home Secretary, Principal Secretary and other top government functionaries are simply holding their posts rather than striving to fulfil their responsibilities. They should already resigned from their posts on moral ground, if they were honourable men, she added.

She also expressed her shock at the discovery of eight skulls inside the Tombisana High School complex, and urged foreign expert be employed to find out how this came to be.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/01/2014-saw-highest-number-of-crime-against-women-wad/