Manipur News – Page 15456 – www.manipur.org/news

23rd edition of Imphal Book Fair gets under way

IMPHAL, December 15: The State government has taken initiative to open a National Book Trust of India branch in Manipur. Alongside, the government has been working towards revitalising the library

IMPHAL, December 15: The State government has taken initiative to open a National Book Trust of India branch in Manipur. Alongside, the government has been working towards revitalising the library movement in the State, said M Okendro.

The Education Minister of the State made the above statement, as chief guest on the inaugural function of the 23rd Imphal Book Fair held at Thangmeiband Athletic Union (THAU) ground here today, organised jointly by the State Central Library, Department of Art and Culture with Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata.

Okendra also said that the government will increase the Life Time Achievement award to Rs 5 lakh for writers to motivate them. Various awards for writers and publishers are also being prepared by the government, he added.

He also said that the government is trying to give facilities of e-library to 28 colleges through the Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, RUSA for the welfare of the students and their education.

The government is also taking necessary steps in connection with the vacant post of librarians in the 19 government colleges, which is going to be filled up through the MPSC. He appealed to the students to take maximum advantage of the book fair.

L Ibomcha, MLA of Keishamthong A/C speaking as the guest of honour lauded the organiser, saying that Imphal Book Fair is the only fair organised jointly with RRRLF and State Central Library.

The State Central Library, which is currently under the Art & Culture department, will be more appropriate if it comes under the Education department, he proposed.

He lamented that in such book fairs, sellers usually do not earn enough profit because there are not enough buyers. This may be due to lack of readers, which is worrisome, he added.

During the function, nine books were released, which include: `Pottery In Manipur`™ written by Dr M Broleshowri, `Panthoibi Langon Langdai`™ and `Maheigi Lairembi (Shilleima)`™ by Irabot.

IED explosion in the heart of city claims two lives, leaves four injured

IMPHAL, December 15: A powerful Improvised Explosive Device explosion near the City Police Station killed two persons and left four others injured one critically in the State capital this morning.

The explosion has been reported at 10:40 even as the Chief Minister and his deputy were welcoming altogether 57 cadres and leaders of three armed militant groups during a Home-coming ceremony at the Banquet hall of the 1st Manipur Rifles.

The IED exploded inside a shed where some non-locals were selling betel leaves opposite to Hotel Gallord at Mahatma Gandhi Avenue just about 80 metres on the western side of the City Police Station.

The two killed have been identified as Ramesh Sahani, 30 of Bihar who was hit by splinters all over his body and died on the spot, and Jailal Shah, 42, son of Thivaram of Bihar, who was hit on his right side of his stomach and lost both legs from the knees down, succumbing to his injuries at the RIMS around 4 pm.

While alive inside the Minor OT, RIMS, Jailal had talked to media persons providing his identity particulars.

The critically injured has been identified as Lishangthem Jilla alias Tomba Singh, 48 son of (L) L Govardhan Singh of Thoubal Leishangthem Awang Leikai. Jilla who vends milk in the area was standing nearby when the IED exploded and was hit by splinters in between his neck and chest. He is presently getting treatment at RIMS.

The other injured are identified as Vikash, 15, son of Rajender Sahani of Bihar at present staying at Thangal Bazar; Surender Sahani, 46, son of Ramdhari Sahani of Bihar; Sanjay, 17, son of Rudarchand of Bihar; and both presently staying at Paona bazaar.

The shed constructed between two buildings stands on the plot of Hanjabam Rajeshwor Sharma, 55, son of H Kunjakeshhwor Sharma of Brahmapur Thangapat Mapal.

It is learnt that the shed has been used since some time back by non-locals who are mainly from Bihar to sell betel leaves brought from outside the State.

Around 10 betel leaves sellers`™ kiosks stand face to face in two rows inside the shed selling the leaves.

One of the betel-leaves sellers who escaped unhurt said the explosive material could have been left inside a bag by the assailants who had come posing as customers inside the shed and later triggered it off using a remote controlled device.

Business was normal this morning as usual and there were several customers including women, he said.

He continued six individuals including some who were passing by were hit by splinters. Holes were also seen on the GI sheets covering the shed where splinters had hit and damaged, he said. CI sheets erected against the walls on the northern side of the shed were also blown up.

Meanwhile, soon after getting information about explosion, IG (L&O)-I Clay Khongsai, DIG Range-I IK Muivah, SP/IW Dr Ak Jhaljit Singh, additional SP/ IW (L&O) Dr S Ibomcha Singh led police teams arrived at the explosion site.

Modi has failed to deliver: CPI (M)

IMPHAL, December 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to deliver his promises made to the people before the Lok Sabha elections, Communist Party of India (Marxist) central committee member

IMPHAL, December 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to deliver his promises made to the people before the Lok Sabha elections, Communist Party of India (Marxist) central committee member Khagendra Das said during the inaugural function of the 17th Manipur State Conference of the CPI (Marxist) at the Manipur Press Club today.

The conference will continue till December 17.

Elaborating further he said the Centre is yet to work on the issues of unemployment and price hike among other things.

He continued that more than 32 percent of the country`™s population continues to be homeless.

Owing to the steep price hike of commodities, coupled with the lack of commitment and negligence of the government since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, more than two lakh farmers have left farming, more than 46,000 others have killed themselves while another 69,000 others have attempted suicide, he said.

The North Eastern States are poorer as compared to other States, he said adding that although various schemes have been set-up, none have been properly implemented yet.

Das also said that the Centre has made promises from time to time to promote and develop the region, however, no efforts have been taken up to turn the assurances into action.

The Centre`™s lackadaisical attitude towards the region is unfortunate, he continued.

CPI (M) Manipur State Committee, secretariat member Yumnam Ratan speaking at the observation said the conference was held mainly to highlight proposals of the State committee for the 21st Party Congress which will be held in April 2015 at Vishakhapatnam.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/modi-has-failed-to-deliver-cpi-m/

Relooking Civil Society

That the huge expanse of the non state sector generally termed as the civil society is not always civil is axiomatic. In Manipur this ought to be obvious. The blockades,

That the huge expanse of the non state sector generally termed as the civil society is not always civil is axiomatic. In Manipur this ought to be obvious. The blockades, bandhs, strikes and many other disruptive activities, often for very sectarian causes emanate from organizations assuming the mantle of civil society vigilantes. The truth is, it is not just in Manipur, but the civil society in the entire northeast is badly fractured and ethnically riven and may not be quite what the term is generally understood to be. The term civil society itself presupposed certain shared democratic values and qualities regardless of religious and community affiliations and these values are what have been relegated into the background in our context. Hence when we talk of students`™ community or youth or women, in more ideal situations, there ought not to be any need for prefixing these understandings with community and religion specific qualifications. This however has been far from the truth in the northeast, and Manipur has been no exception in the regard. There is hence very little prospect to generalize the problems and prospects, and in fact the very status of the various civil society organizations in the northeast.

A few examples will illustrate this point. When we say students or youth or women communities, the nomenclatures themselves ought to have been self explanatory. The reality however is quite different in the Northeast where every ethnic community forms its own students, youth, women`¦ organizations, each with very different and more often than not sectarian agendas to pursue. Often again these pursuits of the different `civil society` work at cross purposes, accentuating, rather than solving problems. In Manipur such clashes of sectarian agendas are all too often. The almost entirely different objectives of organization such as the United Naga Council, the United Committee Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs Organisation, the Kuki Inpi Manipur etc, to name just a few, should suffice to make this point clear. The scenario would virtually be the same if we were to list the various students`™ organizations, or women`™s organizations in the state. As rule, except for a very few, all civil society bodies here are coloured by ethnic tints. The general understanding of the term becomes split into numerous smaller ethnic specific organizations. Contrast these with organizations on the other extreme of the civil society panorama such as the International Red Cross Society, Reporters Without Frontiers, Amnesty International, Medicine Sans Frontiers, Rainbow Warriors etc, just to have an idea of the direction civil society organizations in our own midst are heading.

There are indeed ethnic specific problems which are best understood by the individual communities, so a degree of community leaning cannot be avoided. But by and large, there must be a general thread that binds all civil society bodies to more broad-based identities. Our youth must be able to identify, empathize and sympathize with the national and international youth movements. Only when this happens can a reverse flow of the same sentiments become possible. The need of the hour then is for an effort to reconstruct our civil society. Let us sit down and analyze where we have gone wrong and then seek to correct our mistakes. We must put our civil society movements on the track that will integrate us to the mainstream of humanity. We must open up the channels to communicate and share with the rest of humanity, and by this very process of sharing, mitigate our own burdens. The ethnic identity upsurge being what it is, we know it is not going to be by any standard easy to go about doing this, but it is one of those very vital and urgent issues at hand we cannot shy away from. It is also the only way we can make our civil society civil in the true sense of the words.

Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/relooking-civil-society/

Contemporary Manipur As Data for Experimental Economics: From non-competency-based to mutually exclusive governance

By Amar Yumnam Contemporary Manipur is a wonderfully interesting arena for the live examples of what should happen as the outcomes of the processes under way. It covers the sectors

By Amar Yumnam

Contemporary Manipur is a wonderfully interesting arena for the live examples of what should happen as the outcomes of the processes under way. It covers the sectors of community to the character of governance.

Let us start from the character and quality of governance. The government has been the only significant employer of people in the formal sector. This employment has not been for directly productive activities but in the expectation that their services should induce primarily productive activities among the people outside the employment under the government. In other words, this is a situation where the government should lead the people and society by example. This entails three conditions to be satisfied. First, the people in the government should have been relatively more competent than those who had attempted to enter that service; it is different story for those who never thought of joining employment under the government sector. Second, the society being in a very preliminary stage of development trajectory calls for these people, who had entered the government based on competence, to perform their governmental functions with dedication and fully conscientious of the social responsibilities. Third, the collective manifestation of the functioning of the people in the government should instil a spirit of collaboration and cooperation among the general populace.

Now let us examine if these conditions have been satisfied in the case of Manipur. The society of Manipur has experienced and knows pretty well that entrance into the employment under the government has not been based on competency. This has caused the divide we now see between governance and the governed. Effective governance requires the prevalence of a trust between the government and the governed. But in the case of Manipur this is simply non-existent. This has been coupled by a phenomenon of transfer of income and wealth from those who are outside the government sector to those who are employed in the government sector. This is a very disturbing process in an economy where the growth process is both weak and non-widening. As this is the wider social scenario, those employed in the government sector see and exploit the period of employment in the government sector as the period for accumulation of personal wealth. The capability to exploit this condition is not equally distributed among those who are in the government sector. Those in the decision-making levels are the ones best-positioned to take advantage of this scope. The transfer of wealth in favour of these groups of people have been socially most damaging both in terms of social lessons and encouragement of widely based productive activities. This being the character of the functioning in the office, there is no scope for instilling a spirit of dedication and cooperation among those in the lower rungs of the hierarchy in the governance. This is why we observe no coordination and cooperation among the various branches of the government in their various manifestations of functioning even if there are communications and understanding at the decision-making levels; the percolation of the understanding at the decision-levels to the lower levels is not spontaneous and has always to be accompanied by identification of the persons and directly instructing them to follow suit.

The living example of the quality of governance is vividly visible in the current road-widening project from Keishampat to Malom. By the standard of Manipur, this is not a small project; it requires the cooperation of the general population and, above all, an absolutely coordinated functioning among the various wings of the government. In other words, this is not a project to be treated solely as the responsibility of the works department of the government. This is a project which can show-case the character and capability of the government in a wonderfully positive way as it happens in a relatively crowded space. The telephone lines in this section have been killed since May of this year. If the wing of the government responsible for the revival of the telephone lines is responsive and rises to the occasion to restore the lines in the shortest possible time, it would at least have two spill-over effects. First, it would make the people feel that the various wings of the government are working in tandem. Second, this feeling would generate a spirit of goodwill and collaboration among the people for the road-widening project. The case of the telephone applies to the power sector as well. While the road-widening project would be highly facilitated with a ready goodwill and collaboration from the general populace, the general public now curse the road-widening as responsible for both telephone and power failures. This is where the character of governance comes out to the full. Any function performed by any wing of the government cannot and should never be treated as isolationist and exclusive domain of the wing in particular. The perfection of the road-widening project cannot be the sole function of the works department of the government. In fact, generating goodwill for the project depends on the functioning of the power, telecom and public health wings of the government and hardly on the works wing. The visibility of collective commitment and cooperative effort among the wings of the government is sorely absent.

Now from the government let us move to what is happening among the communities in Manipur. Very recently, a grade six student of the Mega Manipur School proved one core strength of the people in the valley. This boy took part in an all-India competition in Mathematics, and he participated in the competition meant for students of grade ninth and tenth. Lo, this boy stood first at the all-India level for the Silver category. Remember, this boy is already at the Eight Rank at the global level in the Wushu sports of his age group. Such news of excellence in competency in one area of high competition is relatively more common among the valley population. Now the challenge and urgency is the imperative to generate competence based efficiency among the mountain population. With the Act East Policy increasingly getting unfolded, this is paramount. Among the mountain population too, we now observe a deepening unequal distribution of wealth which is not based on the relative competence of individuals, as in the case of the valley. The greater danger among the mountains is that the scope for the poorer individuals to question the situation and rise is very limited; in fact, they largely have to allow themselves as political tools. This naturally has the effect of accentuating the unequal distribution forever, the ultimate outcome of which can never be good.

Well in fine, Manipur today is in a very precarious situation.

IMC chairperson receives grenade threat

IMPHAL, Dec 15: Early this morning around 5:30, an Indian made hand grenade was found at the gate of Imphal Municipal Council chairperson Aribam Nimai Sharma, son of (L) A

IMPHAL, Dec 15: Early this morning around 5:30, an Indian made hand grenade was found at the gate of Imphal Municipal Council chairperson Aribam Nimai Sharma, son of (L) A Chandraj Sharma of Brahmapur Aribam Leikai, Imphal.

The IMC chairperson along with his grand-daughter had come out to pick up the morning newspaper and found the grenade lying nearby, according to a source.

The grenade was however, safely collected up by the Porompat Police and registered a case in this regard.

Speaking to media persons, Nimai Sharma who is also the councillor of Ward No 14-Yaishkul constituency said he had received no threat or pressure from any organisation or individual and cannot understand who could have made the grenade threat.

He said he should be given a chance to clarify if he had unknowingly committed a mistake or if anyone has any complain against him.

Meanwhile, locals including meira paibis staged a sit in protest against the grenade threat in a residential area. The protest was held at the club premises of the YB Club.

Meanwhile, a family member of the IMC chairperson said the family would like the use of sniffer dogs or finger prints investigation to track the miscreants.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/12/imc-chairperson-receives-grenade-threat/

Contemporary Manipur As Data for Experimental Economics: From non … – KanglaOnline

Contemporary Manipur As Data for Experimental Economics: From non …KanglaOnlineNow let us examine if these conditions have been satisfied in the case of Manipur. The society of Manipur has experienced and knows pretty well that entrance into the empl…

Contemporary Manipur As Data for Experimental Economics: From non …
KanglaOnline
Now let us examine if these conditions have been satisfied in the case of Manipur. The society of Manipur has experienced and knows pretty well that entrance into the employment under the government has not been based on competency. This has caused …

Administrator turned entrepreneur returns to Manipur where he began his … – KanglaOnline

Administrator turned entrepreneur returns to Manipur where he began his …KanglaOnlineIMPHAL, December 15: Entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to resolve the problems faced by the people of Manipur, said C Balagopal, retired administrator and aut…

Administrator turned entrepreneur returns to Manipur where he began his …
KanglaOnline
IMPHAL, December 15: Entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to resolve the problems faced by the people of Manipur, said C Balagopal, retired administrator and author during the `Incubating New Ventures in Manipur` programme held at JCRE Skill …

‘Hebron Camp threat forced Manipur deputy chief minister to cancel trip’ – Eastern Mirror

‘Hebron Camp threat forced Manipur deputy chief minister to cancel trip’
Eastern Mirror
Manipur deputy chief minister who also holds the home portfolio cancelled his visit to Senapati district after the NSCN-IM threatened him, according to BJP, Manipur unit chief. Manipur BJP chief Th Chaoba today demanded the Manipur Government to …

'Hebron Camp threat forced Manipur deputy chief minister to cancel trip'
Eastern Mirror
Manipur deputy chief minister who also holds the home portfolio cancelled his visit to Senapati district after the NSCN-IM threatened him, according to BJP, Manipur unit chief. Manipur BJP chief Th Chaoba today demanded the Manipur Government to …

56 militants of 3 outfits surrendered in Manipur – Eastern Mirror

E-Pao.net

56 militants of 3 outfits surrendered in Manipur
Eastern Mirror
Fifty six militants hailing from three outfits surrendered along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition before the Government here today. The militants gave themselves up before Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during a ‘home coming ceremony’ at the …
Ex-chairman of PREPAK, 58 cadres of 3 groups lay down armsE-Pao.net
Chief Minister welcomes surrendered militants into mainstream societyKanglaOnline

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E-Pao.net

56 militants of 3 outfits surrendered in Manipur
Eastern Mirror
Fifty six militants hailing from three outfits surrendered along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition before the Government here today. The militants gave themselves up before Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during a 'home coming ceremony' at the …
Ex-chairman of PREPAK, 58 cadres of 3 groups lay down armsE-Pao.net
Chief Minister welcomes surrendered militants into mainstream societyKanglaOnline

all 4 news articles »

One killed, five injured in Manipur blast – Zee News

One killed, five injured in Manipur blastZee NewsSahani and three of the injured belong to Bihar and the others are from Manipur. Security forces led by inspector general of police Clay Khongsai and deputy inspector general of police I.K. Muivah have l…

One killed, five injured in Manipur blast
Zee News
Sahani and three of the injured belong to Bihar and the others are from Manipur. Security forces led by inspector general of police Clay Khongsai and deputy inspector general of police I.K. Muivah have launched a combing operation to nab the militants …

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Manipur: Bomb blast kills one, injures five – Firstpost

FirstpostManipur: Bomb blast kills one, injures fiveFirstpostManipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh strongly condemned the blast. After visiting the injured persons at RIMS hospital, the chief minister, along with Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, assure…

Firstpost

Manipur: Bomb blast kills one, injures five
Firstpost
Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh strongly condemned the blast. After visiting the injured persons at RIMS hospital, the chief minister, along with Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, assured that the state government would extend all necessary …

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Manipur: 1 Killed, 5 Injured in Bomb Blast near Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in Imphal – International Business Times, India Edition

International Business Times, India Edition

Manipur: 1 Killed, 5 Injured in Bomb Blast near Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in Imphal
International Business Times, India Edition
One person was killed and five others sustained injuries in a bomb blast near Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in Manipur’s capital Imphal on Monday. Bomb blast in Imphal. The labourer who died instantly after the bomb exploded in Imphal town. Twitter/Abhijit Deb.
Manipur: One Killed, Five Injured in Bomb BlastOutlook
1 killed, 5 injured in Imphal blastHindustan Times

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International Business Times, India Edition

Manipur: 1 Killed, 5 Injured in Bomb Blast near Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in Imphal
International Business Times, India Edition
One person was killed and five others sustained injuries in a bomb blast near Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in Manipur's capital Imphal on Monday. Bomb blast in Imphal. The labourer who died instantly after the bomb exploded in Imphal town. Twitter/Abhijit Deb.
Manipur: One Killed, Five Injured in Bomb BlastOutlook
1 killed, 5 injured in Imphal blastHindustan Times

all 11 news articles »

Chandel district administration celebrates advent christmas

CHANDEL, Dec 14: The celebration of an Advent Christmas with Deputy Commissioner of Chandel, , Ningthoujam Geoffrey as the lead host of the function held today at the DC office

CHANDEL, Dec 14: The celebration of an Advent Christmas with Deputy Commissioner of Chandel, , Ningthoujam Geoffrey as the lead host of the function held today at the DC office Complex in the district head quarters has sent out the right message of peace for all.

The celebration with District Administration Chandel as the organiser demonstrated the good turn out of people belonging to different communities of the district.

Speaking as the messenger of the day, Parish priest of St Peter `s Parish, Monsang Pantha, Rev Fr Victor quoted the Holy scripture and said Jesus is the one who brought peace to the world in different dimension.

Explaining the dimension Victor said that peace is nothing but a gift to others.

Fr. Victor urged the gathering to resolve that peace is not achieved by conducting peace rally, and peace is not achieved by conducting sit-in protest and demanding from others but it can be achievd when we wished peace to each other and begin to give peace to others.

Deputy Commissioner Chandel, Ningthoujam Geoffrey welcomed all distinguished guest and invitees of the function and then went on to highlight the purpose of celebrating the day.

Lady staff of DC office presented Christmas hymns moreover. S

MLA St Nunghlung Victor, CNPO president Ws Kanral Anal and general secretary of KSO Doumang spoke on the occasion and greeted the people with the joy of Christmas as AC to DC Neilenthang Kom proposed a vote of thanks. After the function Christmas lunch was served for all.

MLA of 41 Chandel St Nunghlung Victor, top district level officials including ADC Moreh Khestrimayum Robert Singh, ADC Chandel Ln Kashung, SDO`™s, top district security and police officers, leaders of the civil bodies, tribe leaders, chiefs church leaders participated in the celebration.

Dismayed vendors appeal lifting of ban on eateries inside Ima keithels

IMPHAL, December 14: The government imposed temporary restriction on small eateries set up inside the Ima Market during the Sangai Festival which ended on November 30, is yet to be

IMPHAL, December 14: The government imposed temporary restriction on small eateries set up inside the Ima Market during the Sangai Festival which ended on November 30, is yet to be lifted much to the dismay of the women vendors.

Altogether 53 small time women vendor who have set up eateries serving rice meals inside the Purana Market of the Ima Keithel today called a press conference at the Manipur Press Club charging the government to victimising them.

The women vendors claimed that the government is victimising them by creating this restriction on their livelihoods.

One of them said, since they are not vending their spaces are lying vacant and taking advantage of the situation, others have opened stalls in their spaces.

A vendor Yumnam Shakhi said for the past more than 40 years, several women vendors have been running small rice eateries inside the Purana Market, Ima Keithel.

She said during the initial stages of the construction of the three Ima Keithels, the Chief Minister had himself assured none of the women vendors making a living from inside the market would be disregarded or displaced.

Again during the inauguration of the Bir Tikendrajit flyover, the Chief Minister had reassured that no woman who has been vending in the Ima Keithels for more than 20 years would be neglected and left out, she continued.

She said foreign tourists including from countries like Netherlands and Thailand visiting the State had even tasted their food and commended them for their hard working nature.

However, whenever there is any festival like the Yaoshang or the Sangai Festival when there are several foreign tourists visiting the State, the Imphal Municipal Council has always cited maintenance of hygienic conditions in the keithels before the foreign tourists and restricted them from opening their eateries, she continued.

On November 18, some 10 days before the Sangai Festival, an official order was issued banning these eateries inside the keithels, she said.

Since November 18 onwards, the City Police personnel started seizing any stove including chullas found in the keithels, she said adding that they were told it would be only for 10 days and that they can re-open their hotels once the Sangai Festival concluded.

However, the IMC is yet to lift the restriction and allow reopening of their eateries in Purana Keithel, she claimed.

Another vendor Phajabi Mayengbam said if the IMC is concerned about maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the market place, then they can understand that the women vedors are keeping their vending spaces and surrounding areas clean by conducting regular cleanliness drives.

She said the IMC has asked them to only sell things which can be brought inside the keithel.

She further appealed to all concerned to lift the ban and save their livelihood.

ADC Sadar Hills member reaches out to Children Home

KANGPOKPI, December 14: You are not forgotten but always remembered physically, mentally and emotionally with love and care said Kaikhosei Lhouvum, member of ADC Sadar Hills from 11-Motbung District Council Constituency while visiting Compassion Children Home at Damdei Taloulong in Sadar Hills yesterday.

Accompanied by Letkhohao Lhouvum, president, Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council Teachers`™ Association the ADC member, who is also the chief of Motbung Village, donated 10 bags of rice and a bag of sugar to the children home.

Lauding the founder of the home, rev V Sitlhou, the ADC Members said that he and his family have done a noteworthy effort in the society by establishing such a home and providing not only shelter to the children but also family values, education, security and a means to make their life more important and reputable in future.

Kaikhosei Lhouvum averred that there is no such assistance and relieve from the part of the government to such home and children.

He further urged particularly the civil society organisation within Sadar Hills to initiate in helping such children home within Sadar Hills to strengthen their hope of livelihood and to let them know that they are also a part of the society and not forgotten.

Imphal East villages oppose attempt to construct godown at playground

IMPHAL, December 14: Residents of the adjoining areas of Kongba and Bamon Kampu will confront and oppose the attempt of the government to construct a common godown for the PWD

IMPHAL, December 14: Residents of the adjoining areas of Kongba and Bamon Kampu will confront and oppose the attempt of the government to construct a common godown for the PWD and the Electric department at a local public ground, said meira paibis of the area today.

Speaking to media persons today, meira paibis of Naharup Huirem Leikai and Bamon Kampu said since some days back, the government has been attempting to acquire the public ground lying in between Kongba Lairenpat and Kongba Electricity sub-station which the locals had reserved to be used as a playground for the local children.

Government agencies have started depositing earth and levelling the ground escorted by the public, said a meira paibi adding that on enquiry with the accompanying SDO, it was found that the ground has been handed over to the Electricity and PWD for the construction of a godown.

When former local Th Nandakumar had proposed construction of the Imphal East District Commando Complex at the ground, the locals had opposed it and had decided to preserve the ground as a playground, she said.

Even as the public were considering the matter of preserving the ground and constructing a playground with the present MLA Amin Shah, the government has silently allotted the land to its departments which is unfortunate, the meira paibis echoed.

They claimed that they will not remain silent on the issue but will stage various forms of agitations unless the government revokes its decision.

They also said that the locals had already provided land when the expansion of the electricity sub-station was proposed; however, the locals cannot allow the government to take more land, they added.

Appointments letters for ASIs could be handed out soon: Gaikhangam

IMPHAL, December 14: Appointment letters of the selected assistant sub inspectors of the State Police will be handed out soon, although an exact date is yet to be set, said

IMPHAL, December 14: Appointment letters of the selected assistant sub inspectors of the State Police will be handed out soon, although an exact date is yet to be set, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam replying to a media query today.

The deputy Chief Minister who is also the State Home minister was attending the closing function of the Rongmei Christian Centenary Celebration, 2014, celebrating 100 years of Christianity in the community which concluded today at Rongmei Naga Baptist Association or RNBA centre church complex at Tarung, Imphal.

The last day of the four-day long celebration witness a mass Bible reading, a 1000-voices choir group and more than 15000 people participating.

Addressing the function, Gaikhangam had said the main objective of the function is to bring peace, love and unity among the people of the State.

He further wished the people of the State on the coming Christmas and wished for peace to prevail in the State during the festive season.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the function, chairman of the celebration committee Rev L Timothy Phaomei said the main purpose of the centenary is to highlight the great work of Jesus.

He said the centenary also teaches people to love one another.

JCILPS demands copy of All Political Parties Committee report

IMPHAL, December 14: The Joint Committee on implementation of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur has expressed displeasure over the failure of the State government to hand over a copy

IMPHAL, December 14: The Joint Committee on implementation of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur has expressed displeasure over the failure of the State government to hand over a copy of the report prepared by the All Political Parties Committee, APPC in regard to the implementation of ILPS.

According to a release, it however lauded the effort of the government for instituting the committee formed by all political parties, following widespread protest by the people for implementation of ILPS to protect the indigenous peoples of Manipur.

It also lauded the effort of the all political party committee for preparing the report, which was submitted to the government of Manipur on December 11, adding that the people of the State must acknowledge the endeavour of the committee for coming out with the report within a short period of time.

The release recalled one of the agreements JCILPS had with the State government during its intense agitation, which was precisely about availing a copy of the recommendation furnished by the APPC. It is deplorable that the government has not issued a copy to JCILPS as agreed, the release added.

Further the release exuded confidence that the government of Manipur will positively discuss the issue of ILP in the ensuing Winter Session of the State Legislative Assembly in the interest of the people.

It also maintained that influx of non-locals without valid identification documents have been increasing day by day. Most of them come into the State via the two National Highways, and this needs regulation urgently, it added.

In this regards, JCILPS has been taking out verification drives in different parts of the State. During the drive, JCILPS in association with the local club members and meira paibis will take care regarding the convenience of the non-locals while moving in and out of the localities, starting from January 1, 2005, the release added.

KBC brings week-long centenary celebration to an end

KANGPOKPI, December 14: A week-long celebration of Kuki Baptist Churches Centenary at Tujangvaichong came to an end with hilarity today. The concluding day of the historic celebration was attended by

KANGPOKPI, December 14: A week-long celebration of Kuki Baptist Churches Centenary at Tujangvaichong came to an end with hilarity today.

The concluding day of the historic celebration was attended by Nemcha Kipgen, MLA, 50-Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency, Lunminthang Haokip, deputy commissioner Churachandpur and Christopher Doungel, Inspector General of Police (Adm.).

Shouting `Halleluiyah` `“a theological ways of saying Praise the Lord, followed with the same word by the titanic congregation, the lady MLA spoke her words of gratitude, contentment and wishes.

Applauding those involved in the significant celebration possible, the MLA pointed out that it is a collective effort and persevering struggle to make the celebration commemorating 100 years of the faith possible.

The MLA continued that Christianity was pioneered some hundred years ago in the area through the faithful missionaries who chose to follow God`™s voice and carry out the mission while adding that God already had a plan for us when He sent His workers for us.

While we are grateful to the pastors and church leaders who have kept the church going over the years we also remember the first missionaries who came with the good news to our area and showed us a different way of life based on the Bible added the MLA.

She asserted that we have left behind many of our ancestral ways of life and have come to follow the Biblical teaching and it is certainly due to our faith that we are a transformed society today.

Altogether 22 choral groups including one choir representative each from KBC 19 Gambih and KWS, Shillong Choir, Centre Choir and Kuki Gospel Voice-India took part in echoing the Gospel hymns during the commemoration while eight centenary speakers from different places including abroad presented the Gospel messages to the colossal congregate in every four service conducted in a day during the weeklong celebration.

Rev Thangsat Kipgen, chairman, Centenary Celebration Planning Committee said though the locality of the celebration is a remote area more than ten thousand participants from various place took part in the centenary celebration which truly signified the miracle of Gospel.

The Chairman further said that the remarkable celebration will surely bring spiritual, physical, mental and social unity among the people before adding that the people should go forward with Christ as is the theme of the celebration in spreading the message of Gospel in other years to come.

Various Kuki civil societies including Kuki Inpi Manipur and other Church organization also attended the valedictory function of the celebration.