Manipur News

IMPHAL, April 12: Total bandh along the National Highway 2 and NH-37 will begin from April 21 to be imposed by All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU), Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) and Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) which will also be supported by several organisations demanding the safe release of school girl Alice Kamei who is in the custody of militant outfit Revolutionary Peoples Front/Peoples Liberation Army (RPF/PLA) since March 10.
The RPF/PLA says Alice Kamei is 16 years old and had joined the outfit on her own volition while the Zeliangrong organisations rejected the former’s version and accused the militant outfit of kidnapping the school girl to force her to join the group. The Zeliangrong organisations also said that Alice Kamei is only 14 years old.
On Friday, in a publuc meeting held today at Majorkhul Community Hall, Imphal convened by AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM, the participants resolved that the total bandh along the two national highways be imposed as long as Alice Kamei is in the custody of the RPF/PLA.
The meeting also resolved to stage democratic and peaceful public rally on April 19.
The public meeting also resolved to demand that the police should immediately arrest the principal of Grace Reach Academy where Alice Kamei was studying as per the case registered Under Section 406 IPC against him.
The public meeting further resolved to demand for the arrest of the absconder Shantipriya @ Ranjana Devi immediately.
It then said the government should investigate the functioning of the school thoroughly.
Today’s pubic meeting also resolved to submit a memorandum to the President of India and to stage sit-in-protest on the day of President of India visit in Imphal.
The meeting then decided to explore legal means to secure release of the minor school girl.
“The public meeting was held following RPF/PLA’s adamant stand to continue holding Alice Kamei in its custody who has been held captive since March 10. Similar public meeting was also held on March 19 and 26, wherein we had taken several decisions and consequently the 1st and the 2nd phases of democratic public agitation were demonstrated. The public participated at the meeting strongly condemned and disagree with the RPF/PLA’s prolong captive of the minor school girl without any logical reason,” the AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM expressed.
They then alleged that the RPF/PLA in the past had committed serious crimes against the people of Zeliangrong community such as killing of Engenchao Kamei, Chief of Uchiwa village in the year 1991, Amu Gangmei of Moirangkhom Zeliangrong village was shot on his arm in the year 1991 and and later one old woman Mrs. Meichalu Kamei of Konthoujam Zeliangrong village was also shot on her palm somewhere in the year 1993.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bandh-on-highways-from-april-21/

IMPHAL, April 12 MNS NNN: Manipur Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Friday discussed 13 different agenda, including the President’s scheduled visit to Manipur on April 15.
The Cabinet decided to recruit seven staff members, including Project Officer of Labour and Employment Department to fully implement the Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojana under National Health Insurance Scheme and to provide the benefit to the Smart Card Holders in proper manner, Government spokesperson and Education minister M Okendro told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
Besides, four private hospitals have been selected where the Smart Card Holders may avail the benefit of the scheme, he said. The clinics are Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Raj Polyclinic, Langol View and Charitable Hospital and Sky Hospital.
It also approved to extend the permissible age limit of recruitment to Manipur Forest Service from 21 to 30 as per the Manipur Forest Service Rule, 1986, he added.
The Cabinet further approved to appoint Thangjam Ritarani Devi, wife of late Thokchom Kiran of Thongju Part II, Koirou Mamang Leikai to the post of a grade-IV in Manipur Government’s Education Department.
The Draft Industrial and Investment Policy of Manipur 2013 was also discussed in the meeting, he said, adding the Cabinet later prorogued the fourth state assembly session.
As a security measurement a combing operation was taken up by the Manipur police in various places of Imphal city ahead of President of India visit on April 15:
Today, Imphal west police commando led by DSP S. Ibomcha conducted a combing operation at Thangmeiband and Chingmeirong area in Imphal west district where they rounded up hundreds of youths for verifications but no arrest was made during the operation.
The President would be arrive at Imphal airport by a special flight in the afternoon of April 15, around 4.30 pm and scheduled to leave Imphal for New Delhi in the morning of next day (April 16).
Announcing a boycott to the visit, Coordination Committee (CorCom) of six rebel groups (KCP, RPF, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), UNLF and KYKL) has called a statewide 26-hour general strike which would commence from 6 am of April 15 and to be ended at 8 am of next day.
Frisking and checking operations at sensitive areas, particularly roads leading to the Imphal city and stretch of the roads from Imphal airport to Chingmeirong Adimjati Shiksha Ashram complex have been intensified by opening mobile checking points at various places in Greater Imphal area.
Additional security personnel from state forces IRBns and Manipur Rifles have been called out to assist the police in stepping up security measures.
Meanwhile, authority of the state Public Works Department (PWD) has ordered to clear sand, stone chip etc. that pile up on the roadside on the stretch from Imphal airport to Chingmeirong via Imphal Raj Bhavan, the road which the President would travel.
The order has been issued as per request of the police in connection with security measures being taken up by them in these areas. There was high possibility of planting bombs by rebels taking advantage of these materials piling on the roadsides, an official of the department said as stated by the police.
Apart from remaining piling up sand and stone chips at various places on the roadsides along the stretch from Imphal airport to Chingmeirong via Raj Bhavan by contractors for repairing of roads, many individuals also do the same, he added.
They have been asked to clear immediately before the department takes up action ahead of the scheduled visit of the President.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cabinet-discusses-presidents-visit/

The body of Ningombam Satyabama, which had been lying untaken for seven days in a mortuary here since her death on April 5, was on Thursday claimed by the Joint Action Committee seeking justice for her killing.
The JAC said that it has claimed the body on Thursday in consideration of the pain of her family but not in harmony with the state Government.
It said that the Government has not addressed yet a single demand of the JAC till date.
Earlier in the morning, representatives of various social organizations and the JAC held a joint meeting at Kakwa Community Hall during which the decision to take the body of Satyabama was taken.
The decision was taken considering the distressed family of the victim, it said.
The 31-year-old single woman was found dead in a field at Bashikhong Wangkhei Loumanbi Loukol in Imphal East on April 5 and since then her body had been laying unclaimed in the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary here.
Three accused in the sensational murder case were arrested by Manipur Police on April 5.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/satyabhama-cremated/

The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai has convicted the then Deputy Commissioner of Customs & then Appraiser of Customs, Chennai in a bribery case and sentenced them to undergo one year Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 6,000/- each. A case was registered on 06.01.2010 based on the complaint of a Proprietor of Cuddalore District(Tamilnadu), alleging that V.S. Sundararajan, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, and D.Ramani, an Appraising officer Customs both of Courier Cell, Air Cargo Complex Meenambakkam Chennai had conspired together and demanded a bribe of Rs. 2,500/- for clearing the consignment of the complainant who imported two numbers of printed circuit boards, which were sent to Colombo for repair through an authorised courier service company. CBI laid a trap and both the accused were caught red handed while demanding & accepting the bribe amount from the complainant.After investigation, a chargesheet was filed before the Designated Court at Chennai. The Court found both the accused guilty and convicted them.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/dc-sentenced/

Imphal Apr 12 UNA: Four district hospital will be privatize under Private Partnership Project (PPP) for phase-1, to developed health care services in the state said Deputy Secretary Health Services of Manipur on Friday.
Dr. Shyamsunder Singh, deputy secy. Health services was speaking to the media person in the sideline of prize distribution of the 3rd Journalist Sports Meet held at Manipur Press Club.
For the first phase a district hospitals of Churachandpur, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Ukhrul will be privatized very soon under PPP so that a better health care service can be provided to the public of the state added the doctor.
By privatizing the public will not face finance burden as it will still go under the policy of the government inform deputy secretary.
It can be noted here that few days backs All India Trades Union Manipur (AITUC) has disapproves the government plan of privatizing the government hospitals in the state by saying it will only add a burden to the poor people of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/district-hospital-of-ccpur-thoubal-bishnupur-and-ukhrul-will-be-privatized/

IMPHAL, April 12 MNS NNN: Manipur State Shumang Leela Council today observed the “Shumang Leela Numit (day) 2013” at Thokchom Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound here.
Shumang Leela artiste Ayekpam Inakhunba, popularly known as ‘Devadas Saaba’ was conferred with the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Award, 2013 by MSSLC at the occasion. The award has been given to him in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of the one of the hottest performing arts of Manipur. The award carries Rs 10, 000 and a citation.
MSSLC observes April 12 as Shumang Leela Numit every year.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Sugnu constituency MLA and MSSLC advisor K Ranjit Singh and General Secretary, CPI Manipur state, Dr M Nara graced the function.
Gaikhangam while addressing the function highlighted the significance of the performing art of Manipur shumang leela. Shumang leela literally means ‘courtyard play.’
He said this art form gives a clear picture of Manipur society while entertaining audiences.
Gaikhangam further acknowledged that shumang leela makes the beauty of the state by exposing it in other parts of the country as well.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said shumang leela artistes should be esteemed and recognized considering their dedication and contribution in the society.
Earlier, an academic session was also organized as part of the observation. A large number of students representing various schools took part in the session.
H Dilip Singh, Director, Education (S), P Dhanakumar Singh, Chairman, Board of Secondary Education, Manipur and Sanakhya Ibotombi Haorokcham, theatre scholar, were also present at the event.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shumang-leela-day-observed/