Manipur News

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 16 : A memorandum was submitted to the Governor of Manipur on 16th July, 2013 by the All Manipur Government Higher Secondary Lecturers Welfare Association.
It said, “The Association is spearheading for improvement of Government Higher Secondary Schools in Manipur for the last many years. There has been a growing popularity of Government Higher Secondary Schools among the public. This is an indication of winning faith of the public towards the endeavour of the Government especially the sincere efforts made by the Education Minister, Shri M. Okendro to improve school education. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) bear fruit in Manipur and the enrolment in primary and secondary schools has been increased.
This year, many girl students thronged into T. G. Higher Secondary School for admission to Class XI especially in science stream. 2051 students submitted admission forms in the said school. In order to distribute the students rationally, the Government with a cabinet decision issued an order (copy enclosed) and allotted 750 girl students in science stream at Ram Lal Paul Higher Secondary School, Imphal which could not be materialised. The decision of the Government is a welcome move being an attempt to get the girl students admitted in a save and secure place having well infrastructure, including hostel facility. Unfortunately, the effort of the Government cannot be materialised yet. Governor may kindly look into this matter.
It demanded to take up necessary action on the following few points in connection with the Government Higher Secondary Schools.There is no uniform fee structure in the Government Higher Secondary Schools which causes a lot of confusion among the public and also lacks transparency. So, a uniform fee structure may kindly be maintained. We welcome the plan of issuance of common admission forms from the next academic session as proposed by the Association. This will ensure even distribution of students in the Higher Secondary Schools and shall avoid huge rush to a single school for admission.

The Association would like to propose formation of a cluster Higher Secondary Schools which are located in and around Imphal; namely T.G., Johnstone, C.C., Model, Lamlong,
Ibotonsana, Ram Lal Paul Hr. Sec. Schools and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy with I/I//-// facility in the campus. Uninterrupted power and water supply may be provided with hostel facilities in these schools. Installation of solar panels may be encouraged in view of the frequent power breakdown. For infrastructure development more funds may be allotted in Education sector. Higher secondary schools located in rural area may also be given equal emphasis.
Every effort of the Government will remain useless if competent persons are not posted at these Higher Secondary Schools. Principals who indulge in corrupt practices should not be given posting in the premier Higher Secondary Schools.
10+2 standard is a crucial phase for a student who is preparing to enter into the Higher education. In order to match the increasing application of information technology free laptops/tablets may be distributed to the students of 10+2 standard. The Central Government is prepared to launch Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) from this year in an attempt to increase the gross enrolment ratio to 30% by 2020 in higher education.
It is reliabjy learnt that some regular Lecturers are using Government buildings for private tuition/coaching which is unfair and demoralises the sincere teachers. Utilization of Government buildings for private tuition/coaching without proper permission may be checked.
At present, there seems to be a dearth of officials who are well experienced in the field of school education in the Directorate of Education (S). A competent person from amongst the Principals of Higher Secondary Schools may be appointed to the post of Additional Director, Education (S).
Manipur Education Service (MES) has been a long pending demand for the Association. We welcome the move of the Government for implementation of MES. The process for selection of qualified persons for MES through Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) may be accelerated to ensure a better administration. The nature of appointment of officers in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Novodaya Vidvalalaya Samiti may be applied in the state.
There are reports of mismanagement of electronic gadgets such as computers, digital projectors, etc. supplied by the Government for imparting computer education among the students in some premier Higher Secondary Schools, like Johnstone Hr. Sec. School. His Excellency may kindly take up necessary action by conducting an enquiry whether the supplied items remain intake.
It has come to the notice of the public that some students approached His Excellency in the pretext of improving infrastructure in T. G. Hr. Sec. School, Imphal. It appears that the students approached your kindness on the insistence of some Lecturers of vested interest. In order to unearth the truth, your kindness may kindly take up necessary action by conducting an enquiry in connection with the representation filed by the students’ union” according to a press hand out issued by M. Joykumar Singh, General Secretary, AMGHSLWA.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/lecturers-appeal-to-guv/

Mail News Service
Imphal, July 16 : As declared by Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) in its press release on July 2, 2013, as well as decided by the MUTA Executive Committee on July 11, 2013; Manipur University Teachers will go on One Day Mass Casual Leave on August 1, 2013 as the beginning of a series of protests against the University Authority especially Prof. H.N.K. Sarma, the Vice-Chancellor, for his manipulation in the constitution of 3rd Executive Council (EC) of Manipur University (MU), and non-fulfilling of several demands of the Association.
That, so far as the constitution of 3rd EC is concerned, there were not only manipulation and dishonour of the proceedings of MUTA by deviating from the tradition/convention followed for more than 33 years in the history of MU, but also misused the Office of the Chancellor by misinforming the Association by Prof. Sarma himself that Chancellor desires to have six names as against 3 names submitted by MUTA Office. In fact, he misled the general public by giving press briefing that he has not done anything wrong and done everything as per University Act. Such act of deceiving the public is unethical, condemnable and unbecoming of a V.C. of an institute of higher learning. So, his claim is unacceptable to MUTA.
Further, in order to cover up his autocratic style of functioning and ad-hoc running of the University, Prof. Sarma declared in the press that he has been trying to fill up the statutory as well as non-statutory posts since 2010-2011, but no qualified applicants were found; then sitting idle for the last more than 2 years, instead of advertising for every six months; and promising to start the process of filling up of the posts shortly when things started appearing in the media, are all self explanatory excuses of his autocratic style of functioning and non-committal to his duties.
For instance, there is no question of advertising and recruiting the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC), as the senior most professor is normally/traditionally appointed as the PVC. Because Prof. Sarma himself was also the PVC earlier by virtue of being the senior most professor at that time. However, now even after nearly two years of assuming office of the V.C., Prof. Sarma fails to fill up the position of PVC by following the same norm, in spite of repeated requests and ultimatum dateline of June 30, 2013 given by MUTA. Because of Human Resources Development, UGC, etc.

Prof. Sarma himself knows best that by appointing the PVC, his unilateral decision making, autocratic functioning and ad-hoc running of the institute, without raising a single finger, will be hampered. And for the same reason he is not trying seriously to fill up all the positions by advertising regularly.
For Central Government Institutions and Organizations, if no qualified applicants of Finance Officer are found in repeated recruitment process, normally Comptroller Accountant
General of India is requested to depute a competent person to look after the office of finance officer, as this is the most sensitive and sometimes controversial section. Besides,
Manipur University Act, 2005, Statute 7(4) (p. 20) writes that “When the office of the Finance Officer is vacant or when the Finance Officer is, by reason of illness, absence or any other cause, unable to perform the duties of his office, the duties of the office shall be performed by such person as the Vice-Chancellor may appoint for the purpose”. Instead, Prof.
Sarma has been acting as Finance Officer, not only violating the act, but also making it apparently true of all allegations of misappropriation of public money.
What to talk about these, the extreme case of Prof. Sarma’s autocratic functioning is that he has extended the service of his wife after superannuation by giving monthly honorarium much above the guest faculties without the approval of the EC. It is even alleged by some quarters that Prof. Sarma himself chaired the selection committee for promotion of his wife.
Prof. Sarma also claimed, in his press briefing that there is a lot of improvement and beautification in the University Campus. It is true that there may be beautification in the University campus after becoming a central University in 2005. However, the irony is that more than 70% of the Plan Budget is used for Minor Works (beautification, drain and wall constructions, earth filling, building repairing, etc.) only, and less than 30% for infrastructural development. As a result, the University Administration Block is now converted to another PWD Office where contract works have been given the first rung, and academic works the second rung. Because of these, even if there is no dearth of fund, the MU is still unable to have a separate Advance Instrumentation Center except piecemeal purchase of one or two instruments. A number of buildings, some of which are 20 years or more, remain uncompleted; many departments having inadequate space; more than 50% of the Departments are understaffed, with a mere total of 172 faculty members only, even after 33 years of its establishment. Whereas, in Assam University, Silchar, there are more than 300 faculty members although it is quite young.
Considering all these facts, the MUTA Executive Committee, in its meeting held on July 11, 2013, unanimously decided to request the Office of the Honourable Visitor, Manipur University and President of India, to institute an inquiry into these matters and initiate appropriate disciplinary action before further deteriorating the state of affairs of the University, and serious protests and public outcries are made. The Committee also agreed to forward copies of the resolutions for information to the Prime Ministers’ Office, Ministry

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mu-teachers-to-go-on-mass-casual-leave-on-august-1/

IMPHAL, July 16 NNN: Tension was running high at Jiribam police station ( in Manipur) bordering Assam when the Assam Rifles and the Manipur police commandos confronted each other physically. However, not a single shot was fired.
It all began when the 22 Assam Rifles led by one Major Ajay Kante demanded to hand over the self-style general secretary of United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) identified as one Seinio Guite, (29) s/o Lamthang of New Lamka, Churachandpur who is being detained at Jiribam police station.
Reports said that on July 10, a demand letter of Rs 10 lakh along with a hand grenade attached with a telephone number was found planted at an oil pump in Jiribam. The demand letter was in the name of KRA(U).
On July 15, the police commandos dialed the telephone number left by the extortionist and asked him to come and collect the money at a place called Irabot Statue in Jiribam. The police commandos disguise themselves as the owner of the petrol pump.
Shortly, a numberless Maruti Gypsy led by Seinio Guite came and collected the money from the police commandos who were in civvies. However, it is not clear with whom the UTLA leader came along. Minutes after the handing over the money, the police commandos nabbed Seinio Guite and took him to the Jiribam police station, sources said.
Today, personnel of 22 Assam Rifles led by one Major Ajay Kante came to the Jiribam police station and surrounded it and demanded from Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) one O Menjor of Jiribam Police Station. Major Ajay reportedly demanded that UTLA leader Guite be handed over to them as the militant outfit would be signing the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the government on July 17. However, the police officer refused. In the process, Assam Rifles Major Ajay roughed up O Menjor. The escort team of the police officer and other police commandos in turn caught hold of Major Ajay and assaulted him, the sources said.
Due to some unknown reason the Assam Rifles team left the police station.
Meanwhile, it is said that not a single shot was fired.
UTLA leader Guite is still being detained in the police station, the sources stated.
An FIR has been reportedly filed by the police against the Assam Rifles major for assaulted the police officer.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-demands-release-of-extortionist-assault-police-officer/

IMPHAL, July 16 NNN: The National Highway 2 along Imphal-Moreh road was choked today due to the 24-hour bandh wihich was imposed since 6 a.m. in the morning by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the brutal killing of DK. James @ Moshilpha Maring of Laiching Minou in Chandel district.
The bandh was called in protest against the alleged interference from certain people in the police investigation into the murder case.
DK James alias Mosilpha, the first cousin (brother) of Tengnoupal assembly constituency MLA DK Korungthang was found murdered on July 3.
Today, large number of the bandh supporters mostly women blocked the section of National Highway 2 at Kakching Lamkhai and Pallel by burning of tyres and piling of logs and boulders along the road.
During the bandh, several vehicles including two wheelers were damaged by the bandh supporters who were armed with sticks and stone.
At Kakching Lamkai, the bandh supporter were confronted with the Police personnels who used to fire tear gases to disperse the mob.
While briefing the media persons at Kakching Lamkhai, Gabriel Chinir, Convenor of the JAC condemned that some unscrupulous persons trying to interfere with police investigation against the crime by imposing bandh yesterday. He appealed the public to help the police in their investigation to book the culprits and deliver justice to the bereaved family at the earliest.
DK James (57), s/o late DK Koin of Laiching Minou, Machi Block of Tengnoupal subdivision, Chandel district was found murdered.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/highway-blocked-to-protest-james-killing/