Photo – Page 22 – Manipur News

Patil Flags in Indian Army Women Everest Expedition

MNS:- President Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Flags in the successful Indian Army Women Everest Expedition Team today, here, which has created history by putting seventeen climbers ontop of Mount Everest on 25 and 26 May 2012. One of them, Subedar Rajendra Singh Jalal climbed Everest without using supplemental oxygen, the first Indian Army man to do so.
It took one full year of training and two phase selections, one at Siachen Base Camp and the other at Manali, to find and prepare the final team of seven women and ten male climbers along with the support staff. The expedition was led by Colonel Ajay Kothiyal an experienced mountaineer. The expedition was ‘Flagged Off’ by Lieutenant General Ramesh Halagali, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, on 12 Mar 2012. They set off for Kathmandu on 22 Mar 2012 from Delhi and after a strenuous trek of eighteen days, the team reached the Everest Base Camp on 14 Apr 2012. Thereafter, the mettle of each member was tested in a climb which took 45 days to achieve their mission.
The conditions at Everest are unusually difficult this year. More than 200 mountaineers aborted their mission and went back to their countries because of these adversities, the team leader informed. The overall increase in temperature was 10 0C in the Everest region which caused unstable snow/ice conditions in Khumbu ice fall, triggered frequent avalanches and caused slides of rocks and stones enroute.
The Army team attempted to reach the summit on 19 May 2012 but was forced to come back to base camp due to hostile weather conditions and heavy winds enroute to the Everest. The team started again from Base Camp on 23 May 2012 to make their second attempt to reach the summit and this time they succeeded with flying colours. All seven women and ten men of the team stood atop Mt Everest proudly on 25 and 26 May 2012. Subedar Rajendra Singh Jalal climbed Everest without supplemental oxygen and became the First Army Man to have done so. Major N Linyu and Captain Smitha became the first women from Nagaland and Karnataka respectively to have climbed Mt Everest. Apart from marking these records, the team has brought accolades and enhanced the image of the country by helping other groups tremendously.
The expedition team comprised of:
Major RS Jamwal, Deputy Leader (Jammu & Kashmir), Captain Nitin Balram Ahuja, Medical Officer cum Base Camp Manager (Maharastra), Major N Linyu (Nagaland), Major Neha Bhatnagar (Rajasthan), Captain Namrata Rathore (Uttarakhand), Captain Poonam Sangwan (Haryana), Captain Prachi R Gole (Maharastra), Captain Deepika Rathore (Rajasthan), Captain Smitha L (Karnataka), Subedar Rajendra Singh Jalal, (Uttarakhand), Subedar Tajpal Singh Negi, (Uttarakhand), Subedar Prabhudayal Bisht (Uttarakhand), Subedar Khim Chand, (Himachal Pradesh), Havildar Sherab Palden (Jammu & Kashmir), Havildar Praveen Thapa (Uttarakhand), Havildar Sonam Targais (Jammu & Kashmir), Havildar Hoshiyar Singh (Himachal Pradesh), Havildar Chander Bahadur Thapa (Uttarakhand), Lance Havildar Sudhir Singh (Punjab), Naik Unnikannan (Kerala) and Lance Naik Daljinder Singh (Punjab).
The team’s brief stay in Nepal was marked with great bonhomie and camaraderie between Nepal Army and Indian Army climbers. Gen Chhatraman Singh Gurung, The Chief of Nepal Army visited the expedition members at Everest Base Camp, prior to their summit attempt and subsequently hosted a private dinner for the team at his house. Indian Army Women Everest Expedition Team members also met all Nepalese women mountaineers who have summited Mt Everest during the past few years.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/patil-flags-in-indian-army-women-everest-expedition/

Fair price

The fair price shop for distribution of APL rice at Rs 9 per kg will be held at Keishamthong, Malom, New Checkon, DM College western gate, Bijoygovinda Lampak, Palace compound, Thambalkhong Sabal Leikai, Chingmeirong west, Khurai Lai Awangba and Lai Haraobam Lampak, Wangkhei tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. according to Director CAF and […]

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fair-price/

UCM Foundation day

The 12th foundation day of the United Committee Manipur was held today at UCM office Lamphel. Leishemba Sanajaoba, Sunil Karam, Indrakumar Ningomba, Y. Leirik Leima, Ph. Shakhi Leima, were on the dais. Representatives of different Meira Paibis and Civi…

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ucm-foundation-day/

Acoam Lup foundation day

The 12th foundation day of Acoam-lup Kangleipak was held today at Manipur Press Club. H. Kula advisor Acoam-lup, Indrakumar Ningombam President Acoam lup and A. Bobo Meetei graced the occasion as the chief guest, president and guest of of honour. Leaders of Meira Paibis, civil society organizations, clubs were also present the occasion. Most of […]

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/acoam-lup-foundation-day/

PM announces Rs 500 cr assistance to Assam

Mail News Service
Guwahati, July 2 : Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, made an aerial survey of flood affected areas of Assam today. He along with Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Gagoi made an aerial survey of the flood affected areas of Jorhat, Dhemaji and Lakhimrpur districts. He witnessed the extensive damage that the floods have caused. The people of Assam are facing one of the worst floods in recent times. These floods have led to loss of lives and have afflicted considerable damage to crops, embankments, roads, and other infrastructure. About 77 people have died and 5 are missing and more than 2,000 villages and over 19 lakh people have been affected.
Till today, 77 people have been killed and nearly 20 lakhs people have been affected by the floods in Assam as the state continues to experience the worst calamity since the second week of June. The present calamity is said to be the worst since the 1998 floods.
All Assam Students Union (AASU) is not happy with the Prime Minister for not declaring the present Assam floods as ‘national calamity’ while the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) lamented that just Rs 500 crore is too small an amount for a big magnitude calamity like the present one.
Besides the human casualties large number of animals have also been killed by the floods including domestic and wild mostly from Kaziranga National Park (KNP).
Nearly 20 lakh people are rendered homeless from over 2000 villages in Assam since mid June.
Assam has since mid-June been experiencing the worst floods since 1998. Incessant rainfall across the state and the surrounding hills has deepened the crisis leaving 77 people dead and 19.5lakh people homeless in more than 2,000 villages.
Assam government has opened 768 relief camps for thousands of flood affected people.
Army and National Disaster Relief Force personnel have since June 27 rescued more than 8,000 marooned people. In some areas of Tinsukia and Sonitpur districts, the flood-affected people had to be airlifted.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pm-announces-rs-500-cr-assistance-to-assam/

IAF Helicopter on Relief and Rescue mission in the flood affected Assam on July 01

Pioneer health club

The foundation day of Pioneer Health Camp which was organized for senior citizens was held at the office of Union of Sociao Upliftment yesterday. At the beginning of the function, the gathering paid floral tribute to the martyrs of June 18. The former Project director, Thokchom Manihar who is also the club president stressed the […]

The foundation day of Pioneer Health Camp which was organized for senior citizens was held at the office of Union of Sociao Upliftment yesterday.
At the beginning of the function, the gathering paid floral tribute to the martyrs of June 18.
The former Project director, Thokchom Manihar who is also the club president stressed the need for remembering the sacrifices made by the martyrs.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/pioneer-health-club/

Tributes given to June 18 martyrs

Imphal, June 18 MNS/NNN: Thousands of people in Manipur including various leaders from outside the state today paid fitting floral tributes to the 18 people who sacrificed their lives in safeguarding the territorial integrity of Manipur during the June 18, 2001 uprising.
The All Manipur Clubs Organization (AMUCO) observed the day as “Unity Day” while the United Committee Manipur (UCM) observed it as “The Great June Uprising Day.”
Y. Nabachandra president UCM, Akhup Serto Aimol, Asong Koireng, Lengkham Thangal, S. Tangkhul, C. Haokip, Modar Maring. Alu Kamei Pui, Lholar Kom, Rose Mangshi Haokip, Akim Serto, Haokhothang Baite, Md. Jakir Hussain, RK Ranendrajit, H. Ibotombi Khuman, Ph. Shakhi Devi, Y. Leirik Leima, Binod Khaba, Y. Devabrata, T. Shyamkeshwor were on the dais in the function organised by UCM.
The Government of India and NSCN-IM signed a ceasefire agreement “Without Territorial Limit” on June 14, 2001 that came to be known as the Bangkok Agreement, which sparked widespread violent protests in the state. The AMUCO called a 66-hour general strike to protest the Bangkok Agreement during which 18 people were killed.
The UCM, a conglomerate civil society of various NGOs which was formed after the June uprising also took major role in the unrest and in spearheading the mass movement against the policy of Indian government.
The main function of the observance was held at Kekrupat in Imphal, the memorial complex of the 18 people who were killed in the security force firing. Yumnam Nabachandra, president, UCM and KT Rahaman, president, AMUCO led thousands of people including ministers, MLAs, people from other states among others in paying rich tributes to the martyrs at Kekrupat.
As part of the 11th Unity Day observance, AMUCO organized a public meeting at Thangmeiband Thau ground here.
Speaking on the occasion, KT Rahaman, president, AMUCO said the major Naga ethnic group Zeliangrong has started to raise voice against the special administrative arrangement, a demand of United Naga Council (UNC) as it is based on communal line.
AMUCO has a firm believe that unity does not meant only for the Meiteis but it includes both the hills and the valley, he asserted while adding that AMUCO always stands for integration among all the ethnic communities in the state.
NC Modhuchandra, secretary general, AMUCO while delivering keynote address at the public meeting at Thau Ground said the Naga and the Kuki groups in the state are now trapped in the divide and rule policy of the Indian government.
He said the most unfortunate major controversy with regard to the state integrity is caused due to lack of unity between the hills and the valley people and a common political aspiration.
In the meantime, Yumnam Nabachandra, president, UCM while addressing the gathering at Kekrupat said the UCM is for all the people of Manipur and is an apex body in the state.
“The great heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Great June Uprising are a part of the history of Manipur and that we should never forget them”, he maintained.
He reiterated the martyrs laid down their lives for safeguarding the territorial integrity of the state so we the citizens of Manipur should not forget them.
“We the citizens of Manipur should not forget that we are all brothers and sisters,” the UCM president added. “We must all stand for our state and collectively fight for the unity and prosperity of the state,” he said.
On the other hand, as part of the June 18 event, the UCM also organized the 11th Voluntary Blood Donation Camp at Kekrupat. Two medical teams from RIMS and JNIMS conducted the blood donation camp.
In all, 42 people donated blood during the blood donation camp out of which 36 were male donors and six female donors.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tributes-given-to-june-18-martyrs/

M. Shashidhar Reddy Vice-Chairman, NDMA , P.P. Srivastav Member NEC and other NDMA members calling on Chief Minister, O Ibobi Manipur on June 18

UPA announces Pranab Mukherjee as Presidential candidate

New Delhi, June 15 (MNS/ ANI): UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was authorized by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to decide on the presidential candidate, on Friday evening announced Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as the ruling alliance’s choice for the coveted post of President of India
Dr. Manmohan Singh, earlier today met senior Congress colleagues, including Pranab Mukherjee, to discuss the presidential poll issue ahead of the UPA meeting.
Besides Mukherjee, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal were also present in the meeting.
The Congress Core Group, which met at the residence of the Prime Minister here on Thursday, is believed to have decided to put forward Pranab Mukherjee’s name for the coveted post.
“We want to be in the UPA. If they don’t want us in the government, that choice is with the Congress,” she told media here after meeting Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Banerjee also said Dr. A.P.J. Kalam was her first choice for the president’s post.
“Our formidable candidate is Kalam. They rejected the name of other candidates. So now Kalam is our candidate. We will be very happy if Kalam contest the elections and he will win the elections,” said Banerjee.
Mukherjee said “I accept this offer with all humility,” I have been fortunate to receive love, affection and the confidence of my party colleagues and also members and leaders of other political parties… I will now again seek their indulgence and support for the next few weeks,” ..
Without Banerjee, the Congress and its allies have 38 per cent of the vote for President. With Yadav and Mayawati, who has agreed to back Mukherjee, they hit 48 per cent. To cross the 50 per cent mark, they have lobbied the Left, which has said it will take a decision shortly.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday confirmed that the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, had called Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj to tell her about the United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA’s) decision to declare Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as the ruling alliance’s candidate for the post of president.
Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain told a television channel that Dr. Singh had sought the opposition National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA’s) consensual support for Mukherjee’s candidature.
He said that Swaraj offered her best wishes to Dr. Singh over Mukherjee’s selection, but said it would have been better if the UPA had taken constituents of the NDA into confidence about their plans well before unilaterally announcing Mukherjee’s name for the post of president.
Hussain said that with the announcement of the UPA candidate, the opposition NDA would now meet again to discuss the latest developments related to the July 19 presidential poll, and take its own considered decision on the issue, including the naming of its own candidate.

Health, education important : CM

The chief minister of Manipur Shri O. Ibobi said, the govt will give priority to health and education. Although students reading in Delhi are proud of their qualities, they felt wonder and apprehension as Ismat of Zenith Academy stood fire in the All India CBSE examination. The CM was speaking at a function to felicitate Ismat, topper of CBSE exam.a t his school at Zenith Academy, Sangaiprou today.
The students should not feel worry as they can’t admit outside. Teachers should try to produce quality students. The CM announced to give Rs. Five lakhs to the topper and Rs 10 lakhs to the school from govt side. He also assured to extend financial assistance to the topper and school from the CM’s discretionary fund.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/health-education-important-cm/

Rishang Keishing feted

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 14 : In connection with the diamond jubilee celebration of the Indian Parliament, a function to felicitate Shri Rishang Keishing MP Rajya Sabha organized by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee was held today at Congress Bhawan Imphal.
O. Ibobi chief minister Manipur, Gaikhangam home minister, other ministers and MLAs were present the occasion. O. Ibobi released a booklet on Rishang Keishing. T. Mangibabu MLA and vice-president MPCC spoke on the brief history of Rishang Keishing. Garlands and shawls were presented to the veteran politician Rishang Keishing.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rishang-keishing-feted/

Tanker recovered

A loaded oil tanker bearing registration number MN 05 – 3747 overturned on the National Highway 2 near Jwalamukhi Village in Senapati District. On the request from the vehicle driver, security forces personnel immediately responded to assist the …

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tanker-recovered/

Rural road connectivity within three years MGNREGS implemented best in Manipur : Jairam Ramesh

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 10 : The MGNREGS a flagship programme of the government is implemented best in Manipur in India, Jairam Ramesh , Minister, Rural Development said here today addressing the media at Old Secretariat. He said all rural roads will be connected within the next three years. I Hemochandra, Minister and Francis Ngajokpa , Minister also attended the conference.
Ramesh said he would send a team to look into the way the programme is implemented . If the data provided is true it would be a big achievement he said. The national average is 45 days of employment in a year while in Manipur it is 80 days. Only eight percent household can be given 100 days of assured employment in the country but in Manipur 32 percent household are covered. It is an amazing accomplishment, Jairam said. This year Rs 650 cr was given for MGNREGS and next year will Rs 950 cr will be sanctioned.
He further said he discussed the issue of road connectivity in rural areas in Manipur with Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh last evening for about two hours. It has been decided that all villages with 250 plus citizens will be connected within the next three years in the state. What the government has achieved in the last 12 years should be accomplished within the next three years he said.
Though there are 1044 villages only 245 have been connected and the government of India has yet to approve connectivity for 554 villages he said. This year Rs 670 cr will be given to the state government to ensure road connectivity in rural areas. The report is prepared by Manipur state officials and approved by state technical agency (STA) , Silchar. It has been decided that henceforth the Manipur Institute of Technology will be responsible for assessing the reports. He asked the state government to oursource the planning so that works can be expedited. He also asked the government to expand the Manipur Rural roads Agency. There is shortage of young energetic engineers to carry out the works he said and more engineers should be recruited.
Francis said as the centre has banned recruitments in the state a policy is required to appoint engineers.
To improve water supply the state PHED has proposed a Rs 64 cr project to replace the old polythene pipes he said. Out of 160 Gram Panchayats in the state only two GP are under Nirmal GP. Within five years all 160 will be covered and open defecation should become history within five years he instructed the state government. Rs 10,000 will be given to construct a toilet to every household.
He also inspected some women Self help groups in the state and he was surprised that there is no banking facilities in rural areas. Out of 60 blocks only 30 blocks have banking facilities and only 16 blocks have internet connectivity. With banking and internet facilities in the blocks the women working various self help groups can not be given full assistance. He said it is the responsibility of the central government to assure banking and internet facilities. He assured that after reaching New Delhi he will discuss the matter with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister.
To ensure that schemes are well implemented social audits should be done twice a year which is not done anywhere except Andhra Pradesh. He also assured to increase the assistance under Indira Awas Yojana from Rs 48,000 to Rs 75,000. He also received a proposal to construct a balley bridge from Thanga to Karang at Loktak lake. He further said a botanical garden can be maintained inside the Kangla.

Jairam Ramesh reviews rural development projects

Imphal. June 9 MNS/NNN: Union Rural Development minister Jairam Ramesh visited Bishenpur and Churachandpur districts of Manipur to make a field inspection of the projects and programmes being implemented in the two districts of Manipur under the rural development ministry of India.
The minister landed at Imphal Tulihal airport at around 1 p.m. Saturday along with a team of MPs of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personal Grievances, Law and Justice.
The Union minister and the team of Parliamentary Standing Committee was received at Tulihal airport by the Public Health Engineering Department minister of Manipur Irengbam Hemochandra, Rural Development minister Francis Ngajokpa, Hill Areas Development chairmanDr.Chatolian Amo and MLAs Prithiviraj and Mangibabu.
The Union minister also visited the Indian National Army museum at Moirang and directed the ministers and officials of the state to develop the site as a National Heritage site in view of its historic significance in the Indian freedom struggle.
The minister also visited Thanga to inspect the inter village road construction and other rural development schemes being taken up in the area.
Later, he left for Churachandpur along with the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
The minister also met representatives of All Manipur BAR Association and High Court BAR Association in which memorandum was submitted to Jairam Ramesh in connection with appointments of judges and improvement of infrastructures of the various session courts in the state.
The Union minister will also meet the chief minister of Manipur and will be holding the night at the Raj Bhavan today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/jairam-ramesh-reviews-rural-development-projects/

Watermelon festival begins

The first state level watermelon festival 2012 organised by Nahakpam Foundation for development was ebgun today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen Palace compound. M. Kuber Singh joint director horticulture and soil conservation govt of Manipur, Ng. Maimu chief food technologist horticulture dept. govt of Maniur. S.V Namlekar general maanger OIC and Khamba Salam president ISTV network grace the occasion as chief guest, president and guests of honour.
Altogether 13 stalls of watermelon growers of different districts of Manipur are taking part at the festival.
It will continue till June 12. About 50 tonnes of watermelon of different varieties are being displayed. All the watermelons are sold at the rate of Rs. 20 Kg. The festival is sponsored by horticulture mission Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/watermelon-festival-begins/

Manipur annual plan 2012- 13 finalized at rs 3, 500 crore

Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, June 6: The Annual Plan for Manipur for the year 2012-13 was finalized at Rs.3, 500 crore at a meeting held at Yojana Bhavan here today between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh.
In his comments on the performance of the State, Montek Singh Ahluwalia said the State had been performing satisfactorily. He suggested that the infrastructure gap in the State needed to be bridged on priority. The State should encourage private participation in infrastructure development. He said the GSDP at current prices of the State had increased from Rs.5,133.66 crore in 2004-05 to Rs.7,184.09 crore in 2010-11.
Recent analysis revealed differing levels of growth rate of different sectors of the Economy, during the period 2000-2009. Of the sectors considered, electricity, gas and water supply and public administration were found to have grown slowly. Fishery, Manufacturing with its sub-sector Unregistered manufacturing and Transport, storage & communication with its sub-sector communication had grown faster.
Education and Health indices threw up a mix of the good and not so good. Literacy rate, standing at 70.50% in 2001 had improved significantly to 79.85% in 2011. Overall, in Male literacy rate had increased by about 6% to 80.33% in 2011 while female rate had gone up by 12.64% from 60.53% during the same period. Health indicators are good with Crude Birth Rate (CBR) and Crude Death Rate (CDR) estimated at 14.9 and 4.2 respectively as against 22.1 and 7.2 respectively at All-India average (SRS-2010), and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 14 per thousand at (SRS-2010) as against 47 at All-India average.
The State Government had identified particular sectors for faster growth of economy and provision of services. Those were: of providing better road connectivity improving availability of power and drinking water; expanding the network of health care facilities, and better schools throughout the State. Other focus areas included irrigation facilities and youth development through promotion of sports.
Briefing the Commission on the development strategy of the State, the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that the main thrust would be on reducing Infrastructural deficit and expanding and strengthening capacity of key social sectors – Health, education, women and child welfare, nutrition and food security.
He said there was a need for closing the gap between the deprived local population and the rest of the country. He emphasized enough investment for expansion of social infrastructure for covering the disadvantaged section, backward, remote and border areas.
He said skill development programmes would be expanded to meet growing demand of industry and service sectors. He said greater powers would be devolved to the hill areas and new policy initiatives will be taken to encourage investments in these areas.

Plant trees to protect environment

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 5: World environment day organised by ” vision foundation Manipur and Indo Asian friendship organisation Manipur” was observed today. About 300 trees were planted at Thaba Ingkhol Achanbigie Awang Leikai lead by Kambam Seityajit Chairman vision foundation Manipur along with “Kangleipak Medical and nursing institute”.
Konsam Ibohal singh (Chairman Indo Asian Friendship organisation Manipur, Senjam Kulla singh , Takhelmayum Tomba (Vice- Chairman Indo Asian Freindship Organisation Manipur and others attended it.
The world environment day organized by directorate of environment was held at Kangla Hall today. The year theme is green economy, does it include you.
It was also observed at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen. The day organized by 63th battalion, CRPF was also held at Mantripukhri. Saplings were planted in and around the campus of the battalion.
Lions club also planted saplings at NG. College campus. The plantation of saplings led by MLA Joykishan was also held at Cheiraoching. The 31st world environment day was also held at Eco Green Park, Sanjenbam.
As usual the world environment day 2012 was observed today at different places of Manipur. The theme of the year is green economy.
As a part of the observation, the wild life wing govt. of Manipur and Sangai Express jointly organized a one day discussion on climate change today at press club. A documentary film produced by Sangai Express was also released at the occasion. MK Preshaw Shimray MLA, A Mobi president AMWJU and L. Joykumar DFO department of forest were the chief guest, guest of honour and president.
Dr. Kh. Palin and RK Ranjan M.U spoke on climate change. BB Sharma AIR Imphal was the moderator.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/plant-trees-to-protect-environment/

TC protest price hike, killings of Richard

The Manipur Pradesh Trinamool congress today staged a sit in protest demanding the justice for the killing of Richard and Laba at Khuyathong. Kim Gangte president MPTC, Seven MLA’s of the party were present at the protest.
Kim Gangte speaking the media said that the party demands to resolve the murder case of Richard and Laba. It demanded to hand over the case to CBI, save guard for the students of north east.
The party also opposed the price hike on petrol and diesel and other essential commodities. It will support the country wide agitation against the price hike on petrol on May 30. Though the party is an alies of the UPA govt. at the centre, it opposes the price hike on petrol.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tc-protest-price-hike-killings-of-richard/

India, Myanmar agree to launch Imphal Mandalay passenger service

Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), May 28 (ANI): India and Myanmar on Monday emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity between the two countries as a means of promoting commercial, cultural, touristic and other exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.
In a joint statement issued after one-to-one and delegation-level talks, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Myanmar President U Thein Sein expressed satisfaction at the steady progress being made on the Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project.
Both welcomed the finalisation of the site of the Land Customs Station at Zorinpui (Mizoram) following joint inspection by Indian and Myanmar delegations in April 2012.
It was noted that the project would enhance bilateral trade, people to people contact and contribute to the development and prosperity of the people living in the ‘land locked’ North Eastern region of India.
Dr. Singh also announced that India would undertake the task of repair/ upgradation of 71 bridges on the Tamu- Kalewa friendship Road.
The two leaders decided that India would undertake the upgradation of the Kalewa-Yargyi road segment to highway standard while Myanmar would undertake that of upgradation of the Yargyi-Monywa stretch to highway standard by 2016.
This project would help in establishing trilateral connectivity from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar.
Both leaders welcomed the revival of the Joint Task Force on the Trilateral Highway between India-Myanmar –Thailand. It was agreed that efforts would be made to establish seamless trilateral connectivity by 2016.
Taking into account the importance of enabling people-to-people contacts, the two sides agreed to launch a trans-border bus service from Imphal, India to Mandalay.
Both leaders directed the concerned officials from both sides to finalise all modalities to enable its early operationalisation.
They also welcomed the signing of the new Air Service agreement, which would enhance direct air connectivity and facilitate easy business interaction, tourism and people-to people exchanges.
The two leaders decided to constitute a Joint Working Group to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of cross-border rail links and the commercial feasibility of direct shipping links between the two countries.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of Indian participation in development of key infrastructure projects, like Dawei port in Myanmar.
In this context, both leaders welcomed the holding of the first meeting of the bilateral Regional Border Committee whose deliberations were useful in promoting such cooperation and understanding for better border management.
They reiterated the assurance that territories of either country would not be allowed to be used for activities inimical to the other, including for training, sanctuary and other operations by terrorist and insurgent organisations and their operatives.
Both Dr. Singh and President Sein also alluded to the importance of sound border management as an intrinsic part of maintaining border security.
They directed their respective survey departments to inspect and maintain boundary pillars in a systematic manner.