June 2014 – Page 67 – Manipur News

Manual inked for chartered flight between Imphal and Mandalay First flight to land here on June 27

With Golden Myanmar Airlines and KB Enterprises inking a deal to start a chartered flight between Imphal and Mandalay on June 3, the first flight is set to take off and land here on June 27 Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=3&src=050614

Mukul Sangma offers onetime settlement

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday said his Government is offering a one time peace settlement with all militant groups active in the state, an attempt to restrategize the government’s approach to dealing with the mushrooming of militan…

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=12&src=050614

Thousands bid adieu to Munde

Tens of thousands of mourning supporters and distraught family members on Wednesday bid a tearful farewell to Gopinath Munde, Maharashtra BJP’s tallest mass leader and architect of its impressive victory in the Lok Sabha elections, who was killed in a …

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=2&src=050614

Meet on ILP held

An awareness meeting on the Inner Line Permit System was held at the venue of Youth Voluntary Organisation, Pallel with members of the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System and Youth Development Organisation, China Lup and Social Development Orga…

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=16&src=050614

Crisis in the State Trinamool

The battle for the post of president in the state Trinamool Congress is over. Or is it just the beginning? One can never be sure about it. It was in

The battle for the post of president in the state Trinamool Congress is over. Or is it just the beginning? One can never be sure about it. It was in 2011 that the party opened its account in the state Assembly election. The party’s candidate Konthoujam Sarat defeated his rival candidate of the Congress in a by-election following the demise of the then sitting MLA, Dr Sapam Budhichandra of Konthoujam Assembly Constituentcy, who was also the Speaker of the Manipur Assembly. The present confusion in the party could scale up, and it could become almost like a circus arena where the clown, the juggler and the gymnast perform different acts – all together at a time. It is worth mentioning that Trinamool emerged as the second largest party in the 10th Assembly Election of Manipur. The party bagged seven seats out of the sixty Assembly Constituencies. With the Indian National Congress scripting history by winning a whooping forty two seats in a house of 60 seats; though small, the seven seats that Trinamool captured naturally made them the leading opposition in the House. Its MLA from Oinam Assembly Constituentcy, Dr Irengbam Ibohalbi has been a prominent member of the opposition. During the past Assembly Sessions, Dr Ibohalbi has been an active participant in the debates of the House. Whenever Dr Ibohalbi speaks, he speaks with conviction and flair. The rest of the MLAs of Trinamool were silent members of the House, of course with the exception of Thounaojam Shyamkumar of Andro and Khumukcham Joykishan of Thangmeiband. But one cannot afford to miss the name of MLA L Ibomcha of NCP who is also one of the best opposition members of the House. The two members are undeniably the saving grace of the opposition. Without the two names the House could have witnessed the weakest ever opposition in the history of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. This is at the time when political heavyweights like O Joy and K Radhabinod missed to claim their seats in the 10th Assembly Election. The Communist Party of India, a party known to be a fiery opposition in the House also failed to return a single seat in this Assembly. In a working democracy the role of the opposition is no less important than the ruling party. After all, it is the debates in the House which are going to shape the policies and programmes of the government. Through debates the opposition fine tunes the policies and intervenes when there are any aberrations while executing the policies. The state Trinamool Congress by its virtue of being the leading party in the opposition should be a responsible party. The party should be at the forefront in setting agendas of the people, particularly when the ruling government fails to deliver. What is happening now within the party should come to a logical end. The party should immediately stop washing its dirty linen in the public. If all the three leaders: Kim Gangte, Th Shyamkumar and Kh Joykishan are claiming to be the president of the party, perhaps the best option left with their high command is to drop all the three names. Even if their high command appoints one among the three as the legitimate president of the party, the inner party imbroglio is bound to linger. Mamata Banerjee should not perhaps miss the name of Dr I Ibohalbi from her tentative list for the post of the president of her party in the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/crisis-in-the-state-trinamool/

Sharmila’s counsel ready to appeal to higher court to have charge of attempted suicide nullified

IMPHAL, June 4: The counsel on behalf of Irom Sharmila, senior advocate Khaidem Mani, expressed dissatisfaction at the conclusion drawn by the District and Session Judge Manipur East, which once

IMPHAL, June 4: The counsel on behalf of Irom Sharmila, senior advocate Khaidem Mani, expressed dissatisfaction at the conclusion drawn by the District and Session Judge Manipur East, which once again declined to lift the charge that Sharmila is detained for attempted suicide.

Expressing reservations about Justice A Noutuneshwari’s ruling, he said it is his and his client’s wish that the case be appealed further to a higher court, desirably the Manipur High Court, as a revision case.

Sharmila, internationally known anti-AFSPA crusader and human rights defender, who has been on a fast for the last 14 years, was produce before the bench of the CJM Imphal East Justice A Noutuneshwari today at around 11:15 am for the hearing of her case under section 309 IPC on the charge of attempt to commit suicide.

After the hearing, Shamila spoke to the media in the sidelines and said hers is not an attempt to commit suicide. On the contrary, hers is a resistance struggle to rescue the society from the oppression of the draconian act AFSPA which has been in promulgation in Manipur for the last many decades. She reiterated that her fast is a protest to have the AFSPA removed so that the people can cease to live in perpetual fear psychosis.

She said today she came to court with immense hope that the charge framed against her would be dropped forever and the people of this beleaguered region would become free citizens of India, but the judgment belied her hopes totally. She said she is dissatisfied and upset by the judgment.

She however said she will not give up the fight or the hope that ultimately the struggle will bear fruit, provided the voice of the masses stays focused and united on the question of the repeal of the AFSPA.

Her counsel Khaidem Mani explained that the court has charged her under section 309 IPC for attempt to commit suicide, citing prima facie evidence. He said cross examination of prosecution witnesses will be conducted on July 7, 2014.

He further said that it is unreasonable to frame a charge sheet against her for the supposed cognizable offence of attempt to commit suicide. “She is fasting in the formed of agitation to have the AFSPA repealed, and demanding the rights to life and liberty under Article 26 of Indian Constitution guaranteed to all bona fide citizens of India,” Mani said.

This fast cannot be equated with suicide attempt, Mani argued in court. The court however remained unmoved by the defence counsel’s argument and directed that there will be further cross examination.

It may be mentioned that Sharmila is appearing before the JMIC after a long gap.

Manipur still a focused area for AIDS control, says MSCW chairperson – KanglaOnline

Manipur still a focused area for AIDS control, says MSCW chairpersonKanglaOnlineIMPHAL, June 4: A one-day-state level seminar on women and children with 'HIV: Economic-Psycho Social Implication', organised by Manipur State Commission for Women …

Manipur still a focused area for AIDS control, says MSCW chairperson
KanglaOnline
IMPHAL, June 4: A one-day-state level seminar on women and children with 'HIV: Economic-Psycho Social Implication', organised by Manipur State Commission for Women was held on Wednesday at the conference hall of Imphal Hotel. Social Welfare …

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State BJP submits memo to include NH-37 development in NDA’s Action Plan

IMPHAL, June 4: Manipur Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party has submitted a memorandum to the NDA government for including the development of NH-37 to an all-weather road in its 100 days

IMPHAL, June 4: Manipur Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party has submitted a memorandum to the NDA government for including the development of NH-37 to an all-weather road in its 100 days Action Plan Programme.

This was stated by Manipur Pradesh BJP president Thounaojam Chaoba in the mass enrolment function of 21 new political leaders and former candidates of other parties in the state to the BJP.

He said the manifesto of the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha polls mentions the development of Imphal to Jiribam road as first priority, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has been reported of the present condition of Imphal-Jiribam road will be urged to convert it into a four-lane highway.

Moreover, the task of maintaining the highway should be handed over to the Ministry of Surface Transport from BRTF which cannot complete the task of black topping the highway since a long time, he continued.

“The memorandum reflects that the 222 km long National Highway which connects the state to the rest of the India must be rid of any problem to relieve the public soon. The only appropriate option would be to develop the Imphal-Jiribam road and keep it in good condition throughout the year. The Union transport ministry will assume full responsibility for the improvement of the road directly under its supervision with requisite security cover,” Thounaojam Chaoba said.

He said that the Manipur Pradesh BJP will organise a one-day-observation “New Hope, New Manipur” at Delhi soon, adding that many youths, intellectuals and media personnel from the state will discuss the problems of the state in view of PM Narendra Modi’s promise on his election campaign in Imphal to develop and improve the road through a slide show during the observation.

“We will closely monitor the NREG scheme which provides a 100-days-job a year in rural areas in the state. The trend here is different from other states in that there is some 25 percentage reserved as line department totally for MLAs, Ministers and ADCs. This trend leads to failure of giving 100 days job to the public,” he said, “such culture needs to be closely watched and the distribution of old age pensions by the MLAs will also be apprised to central leaders.”

Meanwhile, those who joined BJP on Wednesday said that they joined the party as PDS items, old age pensions and NREGS wages are not made available to the masses regularly under Congress led SPF government.

They also expressed optimism that the BJP-led-NDA government at the centre will do something significant for the state of Manipur.

Some of the prominent newly enrolled BJP members officially approved by the party president were former minister Haokholet Kipgen from Saitu assembly constituency (AC) , former minister M Manihar from Wabagai AC, Md Allaudin, son of former chief minister, the late Md Allimudin from Lilong AC , former minister Ngusanglur from Tipaimukh AC, former Vice-president of MPP Y Mangi of Heingang AC, former candidate Laishram Kadamjit of Wangkhem AC, former vice-president of MPYC, L Sunindro alias Yaima of Khurai AC.

Ex-minister’s generosity helps June 18 victim’s treatment

IMPHAL, June 5: Naoroibam Sobita who lost a leg following a bullet injury and had remained physically handicapped still has been given financial help today. Sobita was shot by CRPF

IMPHAL, June 5: Naoroibam Sobita who lost a leg following a bullet injury and had remained physically handicapped still has been given financial help today.

Sobita was shot by CRPF personnel in June 2001 when demonstrating against the Union decision to extend the NSCN-IM ceasefire agreement without territorial limits. The public had protested against the decision and in the ensuing demonstrations, 18 lives were lost and several were left injured.

Speaking to IFP reporter this afternoon at her residence located at JNIMS family quarters, she said that after her plight was highlighted in the IFP of June 4 edition, ex-finance minister Laisom Lalit who hails from Keisamthong constituency visited her today. Lalit had asked about her welfare and gave her financial assistance. She exhorted the kind gesture of Lalit and said that such charity from the former minister is heart touching at her time of trouble.

Sobita is a diabetic patient and her gall bladder has turned septic, due to financial constraints, she cannot afford an operation till date despite being admitted to JNIMS in April, 21 last. She was discharged after eleven days. She administers four insulin injections daily for her condition and is still in need of more financial help.

Agri Dept misappropriates crores charge Maoists

IMPHAL, June 5: The Maoist Communist Party of Manipur has accused the state Agriculture Department of misappropriating thousands of crores meant for aiding farmers of the State. A release by

IMPHAL, June 5: The Maoist Communist Party of Manipur has accused the state Agriculture Department of misappropriating thousands of crores meant for aiding farmers of the State.

A release by the publicity secretary of the proscribed outfit Nonglen Meitei states that the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) was taken up by the National Development Council in its 53rd meeting held in 2007. The mission seeks to ensure better production of rice, wheat and pulses etc wherein the nine districts of Manipur are included.

The financial help given by the mission to Manipur is mainly objected at providing rice seeds and irrigation facilities. A total of Rs 1,21,628 lacs was sanctioned under the scheme for the financial year of 2012-13 and the utilisation certificate for the amount was given on May 9,2013. Unfortunately, the said amount was never disbursed to the farmers.

Under the same mission, the state received a total of Rs 2,600.004 lacs for 2013-14 which also did not reach the targeted farming population. At present, another 1559.09 lacs has been approved for sanction by the ministry for the current financial year on May 21, 2014. The funds sanctioned for 2012 till 2014 has been prioritized at better rice production. But, the funds for the present year also targets at producing vegetables inclusive with rice, this was stated by the director of Crops ministry of Agriculture Department namely Reena Shah to the state Agriculture department in an approval letter.

The outfit states that a total of Rs 3816,28 lacs has been misappropriated by the concerned officials of the department. The funds meant for the current year will be checked by the Maoist party so that the farmers of the land will have their due benefit.

A state like ours will benefit from the funds meant for helping the farmers which will ultimately lead to more food production and further attend self-sustainable status of Manipur. The NFSM has been providing finances for procuring of rice seeds and irrigation facilities, but the officials of the Agriculture department have misled the public and kept the money for their vested personal purposes, it alleged. The Maoist will not take a silent stance when the public of the state has been robbed of their rights. The concerned department should take up necessary actions against the errant officials of the department by June 10, 2014 failing which the outfit will take up stringent measures, it said.

More than 1500 students attended Edu Xpo, 2014

IMPHAL, June 4: More than 1500 students attended the closing day of the Edu Xpo , 2014 at Lamyanba Shanglen to meet representatives of top universities and colleges in India.

IMPHAL, June 4: More than 1500 students attended the closing day of the Edu Xpo , 2014 at Lamyanba Shanglen to meet representatives of top universities and colleges in India. The student Xpo was organised by LRSINDIA, Paona Bazar for the interest of students who has recently passed their HSLC and HSSLC examinations.

The Xpo began on June 3 and as a part of the Xpo, LRSINDIA also organised a state level scholarship test for the selection of 33 students while the entire 33 selected student are going to get free admission to Vidya Jyoti College, Chandigarh and North West Group of Institute, Punjab. The top three students will get cash awards of ten thousand, seven thousand and five thousand respectively and remaining 30 students will get a cash prize of Rs 500 each.

According to the scholarship manager Ph Bhabini, the test was conducted for 150 students in three phases in the opening day and another test was conducted in four phases on Wednesday.

The test was for 12 Standard passed and appearing students and this is the sixth time that such a scholarship test has been conducted in the state, she said.

She also asserted that the test started from 10 am and the duration was one hour for every phase.

During the Xpo, many students from various places rushed and met representatives of the various educational institutions across the country..

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/more-than-1500-students-attended-edu-xpo-2014/

Health minister inaugurates Heinoukhongnembi PHSC

IMPHAL May 4: State Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing has appealed to both doctors and nurses to work sincerely with the cooperation of the general public while inaugurating the newly constructed

IMPHAL May 4: State Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing has appealed to both doctors and nurses to work sincerely with the cooperation of the general public while inaugurating the newly constructed Heinoukhongnembi Primary Health Sub Centre on Wednesday. The inauguration function was organised by the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur.

The inauguration was attended by the Health and Family Welfare minister as the Chief Guest and was presided by RK Anand MLA Naoriya Pakhanglakpa with Imphal West Zilla Parishad Upadhyaksha Th Saratchandra, NRHM director O Ibomcha and additional director of the medical department K Lokendro as guests of honour.

Phungzathang Tonsing said he is glad that a new Primary health sub centre was constructed in a short period as the old Primary Sub centre had been dismantled by the state government for widening the road along the Tiddim road, adding that all the required infrastructure are in place for the proper functioning of the primary health Sub centre except the uninterrupted water and electric supply which most of the PHSCs, CHCs and hospitals in the state also face.

Assuring to provide water and power supply soon for proper functioning of the PHSC, he expressed his desire for all the doctors, nurses and staff to wear uniforms when on duty in PHSCs, CHCs or in hospitals.

Every nurse and doctor of a hospital must take a major role in taking care of patients with sincerity and dedication and all sections of society must not create a bad atmosphere in health care areas by disturbing the proper functioning of hospitals, he said, appealing people to co operate in the smooth functioning of health care centres.

“The concerned department will try to provide the necessary equipments of the newly inaugurated PHSC. The state government is serious about the health care systems as it desires to bring about a healthy state,” the Health minister said.

Later, he also inspected the Mekola Primary health centre along with the officials of the Health department and assured to provide necessary equipments to the Primary health centre.

190 sq.km. of forest land lost in recent years claims PREPAK

IMPHAL, June 5: At least 190 square kilometers of virgin forests has been lost in the last 2/3 years, the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) voices its concern of

IMPHAL, June 5: At least 190 square kilometers of virgin forests has been lost in the last 2/3 years, the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) voices its concern of the rapid deforestation in the hill and valley areas which has led to the state facing acute environmental problems.

The proscribed outfit in a press release by its publicity secretary, Leibak Ngakpa Luwang states that the activists of the state plays a pivotal role in controlling the wanton deforestation and preservation of the flora and fauna. In culmination with the World Environment Day, it states that the theme of “Small islands and climate change” is more appropriate then the main theme of “Raise your voice, not the sea level”. The day has been observed to save the environment and mandated by the United Nations Environmental Agency since 1972.

Manipur is located along the Tropic of Cancer and is bordered by the Great Triangle on the western side, there is abundant greenery and has a rich reserve of virgin forests. But, there has been a rapid decline of our forests wealth in the ongoing years. At present, there are 54 reserve forests and 22 protected forests whereas, the protected and reserved areas status is left for a namesake only. From the Koubru range to the barren hills of Senapati, Thangjing to Tamenglong and the Churachandpur and Chandel have felt the effects of deforestation. It is said in documents that these areas are rich with primary forests but the barren hills state otherwise, it said.

Since the forced annexation of Kangleipak to India, appropriate measures to protect and preserve the forests has not been taken up. The forests are lost at a rate of 18 hectares per day amounting to a square kilometer in a week’s time. Before losing our sovereignty, there were 34 reserve forests, 20 proposed reserve forests and 22 protected forests. Out of the total of 17,418 sq. km. of forest land, there was 1,467 sq.km. of reserve forest and 4,171 sq.km. of proposed reserve forest, there is a total of 11,780 sq.km. of un-classed forests before.

Now, there is rapid settlement and encroachment in the reserve forests areas and the forests in the hill districts are in rapid deforestation. It is an agenda of those persons holding the reins of public administration and this should be clarified to the public at the earliest, it said. The shrinking of the wetlands and the loss of agricultural land gives an irreplaceable blow to the environment of the state and to mitigate this, the public as well as the social activists has a pivotal role to play. The message of the World Environment Day should be heralded in a practical manner by all, the release said.

URF clarifies on killing cadres

IMPHAL, June 5: Chairman of the United Revolutionary Front (URF) Lanheiba Meitei clarifies on the incident of two cadres being killed at their camp. A release states that there are

IMPHAL, June 5: Chairman of the United Revolutionary Front (URF) Lanheiba Meitei clarifies on the incident of two cadres being killed at their camp. A release states that there are certain rules and regulations under which the outfit functions.

The outfit under its Article 3 of Charter 3 laid down certain conditions under which a cadre can be awarded capital punishment. It said that such punishment can be meted out if a cadre reveals the secrets of the outfit and hobnobs with enemies, in case of financial misappropriation and losing weapons. If a cadres indulges in intoxication and lures other young recruits; if found trying to split the organisation; if wrong charges are leveled against the leader with an aim to kill him, if immoral designs are perpetuated against women and other women cadres; if a cadre tries to desert the outfit or burns the flag of the organisation or documents.

It further mentioned that the two who were awarded capital punishments namely Irengbam Meelkumar alias Bode alias Washington and Pukhrambam Somorjit alias Bangcha were sent into the URF fold with ulterior motives, their intentions are well known to the URF, it said.

Further, the two came from different KCP organizations and they both always neglected the directives of the URF. They both were reprimanded on several occasions but failed to mend their ways. These could not be made public as the URF had to maintain a certain party protocol. However, killing a cadre and burying is not a new practice for the different outfits operating in the state, Lanheiba alleged. It is a practice to uproot the parasitic infection in its ebb, unless it consumes the whole system, he states further that it was a decision taken to save the lives of several other URF cadres. Lanheiba declared that if such an action taken to preserve the URF cadres demands the gallows, then he himself will not be hesitant for a moment to sacrifice as well in the interest of the outfit, added the statement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/urf-clarifies-on-killing-cadres/

Manipur still a focused area for AIDS control, says MSCW chairperson

IMPHAL, June 4: A one-day-state level seminar on women and children with ‘HIV: Economic-Psycho Social Implication’, organised by Manipur State Commission for Women was held on Wednesday at the conference

Social Welfare minister A K Mirabhai Devi was the chief guest of the seminar while MLA (O) Landhoni and deputy director of Social Welfare department, Th Joychandra were the guest of honours. Manipur State Commission for Women chairperson Dr L Ibetombi Devi presided over the event.

Dr L Ibetombi in her key note address said that the seminar was organised mainly to give awareness and disseminate information about HIV and as Manipur continues to be a focussed area for AIDS control because of its vulnerability and a high prevalence.

She added that as Manipur was the highest HIV affected state in the country it posed a major challenge for all the people of Manipur.

Speaking on the occasion, A K Mirabhai said: “In our society today, HIV affect women suffer humiliation the most and though many organisations and the government have made their efforts in eradicating HIV, it is still a major problem in the state.”

She asserted that the Union Government, state government, various departments and social organisations should join hands in fighting against it because only unity, mutual understanding, empathy can bring success in eradicating it one day, continuing that the main priority of the society at present is to ponder and research on how to eradicate this issue.

During the function, (O) Landhoni Devi said that if a person knew that he/she has been infected with HIV one shouldn’t be sacred of what society would think but instead should go to the concerned doctor and consult on what should be done.

Even society should change its perspective towards the infected person and come forward to fight against it only then our state can come down to zero level, she added.

The resource persons present in the seminar were Professor Dr Ranbir, Head of paediatrics department, RIMS who talked on paediatrics and the HIV/AIDS scenario in Manipur, Dr Ng Brajachand Singh, Professor of microbiology department, RIMS who talked about Drugs and HIV and Khaidem Tulakanta Singh who talked about Economic psycho-social implication and early counselling.

Court finds prima facie evidence against Irom Sharmila

A local court has ruled that there is prima facie evidence of attempt to commit suicide against Manipur social activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on fast for the past 13 years to demand withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from…

Factional war in Trinamool’s Manipur unit – The Hindu

The HinduFactional war in Trinamool's Manipur unitThe HinduThere is likely to be a free for all fight between the two factions of Trinamool Congress in Manipur. One faction led by Shyamkumar Thounaojam is threatening to disqualify the MLAs in the o…

The Hindu

Factional war in Trinamool's Manipur unit
The Hindu
There is likely to be a free for all fight between the two factions of Trinamool Congress in Manipur. One faction led by Shyamkumar Thounaojam is threatening to disqualify the MLAs in the other faction. On the other hand, the other faction is saying …

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Amid students protest, IGNTU Manipur campus shut down – The Hindu

Amid students protest, IGNTU Manipur campus shut downThe HinduThe Regional Campus Manipur of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University has been shut down in protest against non-fulfilment of the demands of the students for a long time. A statement issue…

Amid students protest, IGNTU Manipur campus shut down
The Hindu
The Regional Campus Manipur of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University has been shut down in protest against non-fulfilment of the demands of the students for a long time. A statement issued by Manglien Gangte, president of the IGNTU students' union …