Manipur News

LAMKA, July 4: Residents of New Lamka today took on the work of repairing and mending roads in their area taking over the government department`™s responsibility in doing so.

The public exercise was led by newly elected MDC CT Lian Guite who called for volunteers to repair the roads in his constituency and hundreds came out.

Some also contributed trucks to transport the materials needed while other provided refreshment for the volunteers.

In a one of a kind case, the residents came and help the MDC whose called to the voters during the recent ADC election was `Give me votes for free and I will reciprocate with work for you and the society.`™

The volunteers were divided into four groups and work started from 9:30am and concluded at around 6:30pm.

Speaking to this IFP correspondent, Lian Guite said although the elected MDCs are yet to take oath of office, people have been coming to him with the request to repair their roads.

`I have been requested on several occasions by the people to mend the roads that were in pretty bad shapes.`

`And even without the formal induction, I decided to answer to their requests,` he added.

`I am surprise and fortunate that a lot of people came forward to help me in my endeavor which made the task cut down as so many volunteered to help,` he said continuing further that he had repeatedly urged the concerned authorities to repair the roads, but all response has been negative.

He said he started considering that he or the people cannot remain sitting idle and just wait for the government sanction to repair the road.

It was then decided that ballast and sand would be used to fill the pit-holes atleast, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/public-helps-newly-elected-mdc-mend-roads-in-ccpur/

IMPHAL, July 4: The government is committed to improving forests in the State as better protection and more sustainable use of forest resources will remain one of the main environment and social challenges of the coming century, asserted Chief Minister Okram Ibobi SIngh.

He was speaking at the 66th Van Mahotsav 2015 celebration held under the theme `My Tree, My Future`™.

The function was organized by Manipur Forest Department at Maharaja Gambhir Singh Samadhi, Langthabal today.

The CM led in planting of tree saplings at the campus of the venue.

Speaking as chief guest, the CM admitted that management of this huge resource is not an easy task given that there are lives dependent on it for their basic necessities.

He stressed on the importance of maintaining and improving the forests cover of the State by taking a collective responsibility.

The State also needs to develop economically and in infrastructure. Urban forestry including road side and avenue plantation besides plantation in residential and non residential complexes especially in Imphal and other major town areas of the State is to be strongly taken up and encouraged to make the environment better, he said.

Noting that the State needs to act responsibly in mitigating the issue of climate change which is becoming a global issue with its serious consequences through massive tree plantation efforts, Ibobi acknowledged that the Forest department has been working for creating sustainable livelihoods through medicinal plants which have vast uses.

Climatic change will also cause increased frequency of extreme events such as floods and droughts. These in turn will impact food security problems and water security. In Manipur itself changing patterns in rainfall and temperature are increasingly becoming evident, he maintained.

Quoting the Forest Reports 2013, he informed that the forest cover of Manipur is 16,990 sq km which is 76.10 percent of the total geographical area of the State as compared to the all India average of 21 percent.

The State as a whole stands to gain economically and ecologically by virtue of its forest, he added.

Stating that the Van Mahotsava festival which is celebrated during the monsoon in the first week of July intended to create an enthusiasm in the popular mind for the preservation of forest and planting of trees, the CM said that the festival reminds us as citizens of the country to the fundamental duties to protect and improve the natural environment.

He also urged the people of the State to take an active role in planting more trees in order to maintain better environment for healthy living.

Minister of Forest and Environment Th Devendro who presided over the occasion underlined the importance of conserving forests of the State and urged the people to actively participate in shouldering the responsibility to plant and protect the present forests.

He also talked of the benefits that forests provide to human society as a whole.

As part of the celebration, CM Ibobi distributed seedlings to school students and public as a symbolic gesture. A book was also released during the function.

Besides MLA of Langthabal Constituency Karam Shyam Singh and Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga who graced the occasion as guest of honour and special guest respectively, the function was also attended by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Bala Prasad during which he highlighted various new initiatives being taken up Forest Department as regards to sustainable livelihood through medicinal plants, feasibility study for Sustainable Forest Development in the three watersheds of Singda, Imphal and Thoubal River and Green India Mission.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/cm-stresses-on-importance-of-maintaining-states-forests-cover/

IMPHAL, July 4: Ex-MLA Okram Joy has come out hard against the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee president K Theirie`™s suggestion that the present Dzuko dispute could be settled through customary law and consulting former chief minister of Manipur and Nagaland Rishang Keishing and SC Zamir.

Stating that Theirie`™s suggestions is of an irresponsible political leader, Joy said it unfortunate and at the same time condemnable.

The British reign over India ended after India got its independence and wrote the Indian Constitution, he said.

He said State boundaries have been properly demarcated under Article III of the Constitution.

The seasoned politician further said the Constitution is the supreme law and none is above it.

Even the agreement between Keishing and Jamir when they were the Chief Ministers of the States in question cannot violate the Constitution, he continued,

The dispute, as such, cannot be solved through customary law, he observed.

Under Article 371 (A) which gives special provision to the State of Nagaland, customary lawa are applicable in the State, however, it is not applicable in Manipur, he continued.

It is unfortunate that the Nagaland Congress president has suggested application of a provision applied in Nagaland in Manipur, particularly when the issue at hand is regarding State boundary which is already under Article III, O Joy asserted.

Therie`™s irresponsible statement which is completely against the Constitution of India could fuel the fire of hatred between the two States instead of bringing settlement to the issue, he further observed.

He further suggested and appealed that it would be plausible if such irresponsible statements are not made without a proper knowledge of the Constitution.

The Indian government to playing the divide and rule policy and creating tension among the States of North East since a long time, he alleged indicating to the boundary issues between Assam and Nagaland, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh among others.

The Centre has decided to remain as silent spectators to all these issues, he said.

He suggested a joint survey conducted by the director general of survey with representatives of the concern States for amicable settlements of the boundary issues.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/o-joy-ridicules-nagaland-cong-presidents-suggestion-to-settle-dzuko-dispute-through-customary-law/