Month: November 2013

IMPHAL, November 25: Social Welfare Minister Ak Mirabai today promised to give her best effort for the differently-abled persons and assured that their food allowances will be increased up to Rs 750 per month from 2014.

It was stated today at the occasion of Badhte Kadam 5, a mega discoverability awareness raising national campaign for persons with disabilities and initiative of national trust for the welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, government of India under the theme for this year “Alone We May Together We Can. Let Us Join Hands Towards a Better and Inclusive Society”.

The ceremony was held at Gandhi Memorial Hall organized by Spastic Society in association with the Department of Social Welfare. The main objective of the ceremony is to felicitate and honor 32 disabled persons who are role models and achievers in the field of sports, music, dance, arts, handicrafts and education.  

Further, Ak Mirabai reminded them that they still enjoy three per cent job reservation.

She appealed to the general public to provide encouragement to the differently-abled persons who are no different from normal persons, so that they can proceed to lead happy lives.

Deputy Commissioner, K Radhakumar Singh and Joint Secretary, department of social welfare H Rupachandra Singh also highlighted the need for encouraging differently-abled persons instead of discriminating against them.

In a press release distributed during the programme, the organisers stated that the purpose of the campaign is to increase understanding of the issues faced by people with disabilities in our community and to strengthen the Disabled People Organizations movements in the state by bringing them into the limelight.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/mirabai-assures-differentlyabled-increase-food-allowance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mirabai-assures-differentlyabled-increase-food-allowance

Jimmy Leivon

IMPHAL, November 25: The new traffic regulations enforced exclusively for the ongoing Manipur Sangai Festival, of late has created a complete pandemonium within Imphal especially in the evening during rush hour, apparently due to inefficient planning on the part of the tourism department.

After being marred with controversy for undermining IMC, the tourism department has treated the transport department similarly.

An independent investigation conducted by IFP found out that the ‘shuttle services of buses’ meant for ferrying visitors during Sangai Festival has turned out to be an utter failure. Even as it was discussed that 70 buses would be arranged for the purpose, the transporters are finding it hard to keep up with the figures with no takers for the service.

Speaking to IFP, a transporter revealed that the reason behind the failure was due to inappropriate allocation of parking spaces at the surrounding area of Sangai Festival including Andro parking which was notified as exclusively for buses operating for shuttle service.    

“With so many parking spaces being provided to private agencies, people are finding it more convenient to bring their own vehicles rather than wait for bus service”, he observed.  

An order issued by the Police department on November 19, mentioned that idle parking of vehicles will not be allowed on both side from Sanjenthong to Thangal General statue, the lane from Advanced Hospital to Harikhagok crossing and Thangal General statue to Minuthong bridge.

At the same time, unmarked vehicles without pass will not be allowed beyond Bheigo Saw Mill crossing, Haokip Veng crossing, Mahabali Picket crossing and Harikhagok Makhong crossing etc.

But, regardless of the restriction, parking spaces have been created along the stretch of Thangal General statue towards Minuthong (western wall of the former RDS High School) moreover, idle parking are also unchecked on the other side of the road despite the ‘no parking’ board being put up.

The scenario is similar along the Andro parking stretch of Wangkhei.

It may pertinent to note that a transport sub-committee for the Manipur Sangai Festival, 2013, of the transport department was also formed. On November 19, the committee in consultation with the police department had a deliberate discussion on the arrangement made by the committee.

As part of the outcome of the meeting, the parking arrangement be made by the Imphal Municipality Council charging Rs 10 and Rs 5 for four wheelers and two wheelers respectively in consultation with the local clubs.

But in contrary to that, the tourism department allegedly had sanctioned parking lots arbitrarily.

Besides this, the private agencies who are setting up parking lots are charging Rs 20 for four wheeler vehicles and Rs 10 for two wheelers.    

While the armed police and traffic control police are doing their best to ensure smooth flow of traffic, the transport department also on the other hand are undeterred by the factor being faced, operating handful of ‘shuttle service.’

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/mismanagement-of-traffic-creates-havoc-for-commuters/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mismanagement-of-traffic-creates-havoc-for-commuters

IMPHAL, November 25: AK Mirabai Social Welfare Minister today inaugurated a tailoring and weaving unit inside the Imphal Central Jail as part of a vocational programme taken up by the Imphal Central Jail and Manipur State Women Development Co-operation as a corrected measure for the jail inmates.

The inauguration was attended by Mirabai, SP Jail IK Muivah, Additonal SP Imphal Central Jail Subhaschandra, Joint secretary N Rupachandra and Additional Director Manipur State Women Development Co-operation Binod.

In his speech, Binod said that the vocational training programme for women inmates of the Imphal Central Jail for six months course has been taken up by the jail authority and the woman group as a correctional measure to augment their vocational skills and make them self-dependent when they walk outside after their terms. Such, they can have a prosperous life and not depend on others for their survival, he said

He further informed that from the year 2007 onwards MSWDC has been carrying out vocational training at Tabungkok for women from Manipur. The programme include six month course on tailoring with admission of 100 women per batch and three batches for weaving with 50 women each. After the training the trainees were conferred certificate, he said.

Mirabai said women has been playing a major role in our society and the opening of such training centres at Imphal Central Jail will help the women inmates to stand on their own feet after they leave the correctional facilities.

She further assured that if any women inmate felt the need to procure machines for tailoring to start earning their livelihood, the social welfare department will be ready to offer them assistance.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/mirabai-inaugurates-tailoring-and-weaving-unit-inside-imphal-central-jail/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mirabai-inaugurates-tailoring-and-weaving-unit-inside-imphal-central-jail

IMPHAL, November 25(NNN): The Muan Tombing group of All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM-T) has suspended its agitations which was going on under the code name ROTO (Reckoning of the Other) that started from the midnight of November 11.

As a part of the agitation, the student body was banning national projects in the hills and against government offices since November 19, 2013. The agitations have been suspended after successful talks between the state government and the tribal student body, in which the government responded positively to the demands made by ATSUM (T).

ATSUM`s demands are that the condition of educational atmosphere in the hill districts is improved by appointment or recruiting adequate teaching and non-teaching staff and necessary infrastructure for schools in the hill areas. In this regard, ATSUM also demands for the setting up of BEd centres in the hill districts. It then demanded for the early solution to the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) crises.

Another demand of ATSUM is the improvement of healthcare in the hill districts by making all PHSC, PHC, CHC and DHC functional. It demanded that proper equipments with required specialist doctors and nurses in the district hospitals of the hills be posted.

One prime demand of ATSUM has been to establish a separate state Commission for Scheduled Tribe (ST) in Manipur.

ATSUM also said ST reservation norms as per the latest roster be adhered.

It further demanded for encouraging equitable development through special economic package for the hill areas of Manipur.

Effective governance of the hill areas also another key demand of the tribal student body.

According to ATSUM, to have effective governance there are certain areas that should be revamped.

Securing the proper functioning of the Hill Area Committee (HAC) and requiring the Governor of Manipur to discharge his special responsibilities under 371-C of the Constitution on India is one area. To bring the present Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur at par with other ADCs in the North-Eastern states of India is also one of the areas.

ATSUM also said re-organisation (Delimitation) of assembly seats on the basis of the latest population census and sharing 30/30 seats between the hills and the valley is one area that should be done for the effective governance.

ATSUM also demands for the protection of tribal rights on land and natural resource.

Meanwhile, during the talks today, the state government has agreed to implement to the ATSUM-T`s demands by promising to regularize the lecturers serving as contract teachers in the hills. Regarding this, the government has directed all concerned ZEOs in hill districts to meet the Principal Secretary Dr. Suresh Babu along with the documents in 2-3 days time. The government has also assured that a tribal Manipur Civil Service (MCS) officer will be posted as Additional Director (Hills), Education. The shortage of a qualified ZEO in the hill districts will be fulfilled by posting one in each hill district within a week.

The shortage of doctors and medical helps will be supplied in the hill districts within November, 2013 which will remove the backlog faced by the hospitals. To ease the problems of tribals in Manipur, the government will allocate a separate State Commission for Scheduled Tribe (ST) within three months. The government has also promised to fill up the backlog posts in every department of the state by conducting a special recruitment drive for ST which will help in reducing unemployment.

The government’s order for deletion of Additional English in lieu of MIL for unrecognized tribes in the new scheme of study in Class IX from academic session 2014-2015 and in next year under Board of School Education, Manipur (BOSEM) has been withheld for consideration, said ATSUM-T.

Today`s meeting was held at the chief minister’s bungalow in the presence of chief minister O Ibobi, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, health minister Phungzathang Tonsing, minister for sericulture and Industries Govindas Konthoujam, MLA Yamthong Haokip and officials.

About 22 ATSUM-T members participated in today`s meeting led by its president Muan Tombing and general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang which started at 12:30 pm and went on for 4 hours.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/atsum-suspends-roto-agitation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=atsum-suspends-roto-agitation

UKHRUL, Nov 25 (NNN): Ukhrul district has witnessed 8 bomb blasts in just past two months and irked by this grim situation, a group of people identified themselves as Tangkhuls on Facebook has decided to observe a candle-light vigil against the blasts on Tuesday.

The Tangkhuls on Facebook said today that they will begin their programme at 3:30 pm at Gandhi Statue, Phungreitang in the heart of Ukhrul town tomorrow.

“Our land, our home, and our people, known by others as a peace loving hill people. Set atop a beautiful serene mountain, is now becoming a home for anti-socialist/anti-social elements. Making their presence aloud with Bombs/explosions, instilling insecurity and fear among us. There had been 8 explosions accounted for in the past 2 months. Every rightful citizens and fellow friends, We are innocent and  it is time for us to raise our voices and reclaim our town’s tranquility once again. We shall not be intimidated by such cowardly acts but rather join our hands and filter them out from the society,” the Tangkhuls on Facebook group stated..

Tangkhuls on Facebook is organizing ‘Candle Light Vigil’ as a sign of protest and condemnation of such incidents and acts.

“We therefore, request each and every one to show your support in making our home a better and safer place to live in,” it appealed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/ukhrul-to-observe-candlelight-vigil-against-blast/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ukhrul-to-observe-candlelight-vigil-against-blast

IMPHAL, November 25: Amidst the tight security blanket cover arranged by the state police, a bomb exploded at Mayang Imphal bus parking near Keisampat and just a stone throw away from the Raj Bhavan today. An AR personnel succumbed to injuries inflicted by the blast and a civilian also suffered concussion from the impact.

The Improvised Explosive Device was suspected to be triggered by underground elements and the explosion occurred at around 4 pm. The blast occurred inside the gate of the Zonal Water Reservoir campus which is located between the Haipou Jadonang Park and the Manipur State Archives Building. It may be mentioned that there are teams of security personnel stationed at the gate of Paona Bazar entrance and at the adjacent Keisampat powerhouse.

The splinters of the bomb caused grievous bodily injuries to the personnel of the 40 Assam Rifles, Charlie Company identified as Rajiv Sharma,32, of Himachal Pradesh. He was part of a routine road opening party duty and had stationed himself at the Bus Parking area.

Due to the high impact of the blast, a tin roof and the wooden wall of the nearby shop and the gate of the Water Reservoir was damaged. A shopkeeper identified as Mutum Komol, 52, son of late Jatra of Sagolband Meino Leirak was concussed from the blast and fell unconscious inside his shop. The force of the blast damaged his ear and he along with the AR jawan was rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment. Rajiv Sharma bore multiple splinter wounds and succumbed to his injuries at around 7.20 pm.

According to the pump operator of the water reservoir, Md Rajauddin, he had no knowledge of any suspicious movement or objects lying within the campus and he was inside his quarter at the time of the explosion. He however stated that grocery items of the nearby shopkeepers are sometimes kept inside the campus overnight.

Post the blast, a large number of the police personnel including IG (LO-I) L Kailun, Superintendent of Police of Imphal West, L Jayentakumar and other police personnel rushed to the spot. Experts of Forensic Science Department also arrived and inspected the blast site.

According to police, the blast was suspected to be triggered with a remote. It may be mentioned that before the beginning of the Sangai Festival, security in Imphal area was beefed up and routine checks were increased in the city.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/blast-kills-ar-jawan-injures-civilian/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blast-kills-ar-jawan-injures-civilian

DIMAPUR, November 25 (NNN) : Amidst much media hype that talks between the government of India and NSCN-IM have begun, a source from the Naga outfit has confided today that `formal` talks are yet to start.

“Yes, informally there have been meetings between the NSCN-IM leadership and the government of India representatives since November 20 but the dialogue is yet to resume formally,” clarifies the NSCN-IM source, adding, “It is very difficult to say when the formal talks will begin.”

Meanwhile, a separate source informed NNN that this time round the angle of talks between the NSCN-IM and the government of India will be quite different from the past talks.

A 5-member committee of the government of India set up to see the `concrete` NSCN-IM proposals has been studying the proposals in the past one year and when the talks resume formally in the next few days, New Delhi will give its views regarding the proposals.

The source then disclosed that the `concrete` NSCN-IM proposals are the products of the 15 years talks. However, attempts to confirm about this NSCN-IM proposals by NNN from the NSCN-IM proved futile.

It can be mentioned here that NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu, the outfit`s general secretary Th Muivah and 12 other NSCN-IM leaders had left Dimapur for New Delhi on November 19 to resume the peace parley.

It is also worthwhile to note here that the last time NSCN-IM leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Th Muivah had met the representatives of the government of India was the first week of December last year. Since then both of them chose to remain mute while the elusive Naga political solution keeps laymen as well as intellectuals busy in the world of speculations.

As reported earlier by Newmai News Network, election times are the period when colourful and unexpected promises are made by the government of India. This news agency had speculated that the `wintry feeling` is here and the Central government must be busy packing hollow “Christmas gift” for the Nagas, as were the `Supra-State` and `Bhutan-type` arrangement for the Nagas and what more.

Two years ago, Guwahati based newspaper Seven Sisters Post (SSP) had reported about the Nagas` Supra-State status which was reported to be a Christmas gift of that year. The report had swayed the social tidings in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh opposing that purported arrangement. The hype got over with the withering of Christmas trees and the fading of colourful Christmas stars atop the Naga houses.

Again, the hype got climaxed last year`s Christmas time after Union Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde had assured that the Naga political issue will be settled by March 2013, the time the Nagaland assembly election process got over.That situation was even buttered it by the concerted show of the now-unheard Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) formed by the 60 MLAs of the Nagaland legislative assembly of the previous tenure to push for the early settlement of the Naga political problem.

Now, it has been over 11 months that the dialogue between the government of India and the NSCN-IM has not been resumed.

NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah had come to Nagaland on December 18 last year for the Christmas and ever since he was confining to the outfit`s base Hebron, off Dimapur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/11/nscnim-goi-talks-yet-to-commence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nscnim-goi-talks-yet-to-commence