November 2015 – Page 79

Sit in decries alleged kidnapping and subsequent release of class I student

IMPHAL, October 31: A girl studying in class-I at Paree Imom Sindam Sang at Makoi Nung-on Cheeng Jeen, Langjing was allegedly kidnapped by some unknown miscreants on October 29 after

IMPHAL, October 31: A girl studying in class-I at Paree Imom Sindam Sang at Makoi Nung-on Cheeng Jeen, Langjing was allegedly kidnapped by some unknown miscreants on October 29 after her school but was released the next day morning unharmed.

Condemning the incident, a sit-in-protest was staged today at Takyel Khongbal Maning Leikai by the students of the school along with the local club and meira paibis of the area.

Speaking to media persons in the sideline of the protest, the girl`™s aunt who identified herself as Sanatombi said that on the fateful day she went to pick up her son and her niece from school at around 1:50 pm.

When the three of them were heading home a man stop them at gunpoint and directed to walk while the man followed them from behind on foot, she claimed.

She said another man riding a Dark Blue colour Maruti car was also following them. When they reached near the Manipur Zoological Garden at Iroisemba another man with a white colour Honda Active was waiting for them there, she said.

The man with the Honda Activa took out a photo and checked whether it was the same girl, she said.

Then they drove away taking the girl along with them inside the dark blue colour Maruti car while she was left helpless, she claimed.

The next morning at around 7:30 am the kidnappers drop the girl near her home in an autorickshaw, according to the girl.

The girl was too young to tell the whole episode in detail however she identified the place where she was kept is near to one of her relative`™s house at Langol.

She also confirmed that she was not harm by the kidnappers in any manner.

Regarding the incident the family members have registered a complaint at the Lamphel Police Station. However till the filing of this report no arrest has been made.

Panel discussion on Food Security Act held

IMPHAL Oct 31: The All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) held a panel discussion on Food Security Act 2013 at Manipur Press Club today. Dr Ch Jamini, former chairperson, Manipur State

IMPHAL Oct 31: The All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) held a panel discussion on Food Security Act 2013 at Manipur Press Club today.

Dr Ch Jamini, former chairperson, Manipur State Commission for Women and M Shakhi Leima, president, AMNM graced the discussion as moderator and president respectively with Prof Chinglen Maisnam, dept of economic, MU and M Dhanabir, executive editor, Imphal Free Press as panelists.

Dhanabir detailed the historicity of the Act and said, `It is unfortunate that the Government of Manipur is yet to actively implement such a pro poor Act in reality.

He said `Reliable sources have also revealed that the State government is sending a utilization certificate of compliance for the last 10 months despite the apathy in reality.`

He continued, `The provisions of the Act clearly ensure food security for the Indian citizens. All States are directed to secure sufficient foodgrains at affordable price for accomplishing the right to food of the poor families.`

`However the targeted family itself is yet to be mapped officially for Manipur.`

Chinglen Maisnam said PDS has become a secretive and lucrative business in Manipur.

`The food security Act is designed to provide a package for targeted poor families. Such an objective Actwould have been a very welcoming note especially to women who traditionally manage the kitchen`™

The discussion ended in a hopeful note that more campaigns should be initiated to pressure the State Government to implement the Food Security Act 2013 in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/panel-discussion-on-food-security-act-held/

Final hearing on MSCP MLAs disqualification case begins

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The final hearing of the disqualification case of five MLAs of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), who had joined the Congress party, has begun from today

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The final hearing of the disqualification case of five MLAs of the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), who had joined the Congress party, has begun from today at the Speaker`™s tribunal court of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Today`™s hearing commenced from 10.10 am wherein final statement of the petitioner Adim Panmei, was recorded by the tribunal. However, the final statement of the respondent MLAs, will be recorded on November 7.

The respondents MLAs are Sagolband MLA, RK Imo Singh; Wangjing Tentha MLA, Paonam Brojen; Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen; Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei, and Keirao MLA, Karam Thamarjit.

The petition was filed in the Speaker`™s tribunal court seeking disqualification of the five MLAs under the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution in the year 2014. The five MLAs had contested from their respective constituencies with MSCP`™s tickets and elected to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly but later joined the Congress.

In a similar case, the Speaker`™s tribunal had recently disqualified three MLAs of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) however in case of Wangoi MLA the disqualification was revoked following the direction of the High Court of Manipur.

Consequently, for the remaining two constituencies Thangmeiband and Thongju a bye election had been scheduled by the authority concerned on November 21.

Grenade attack on doctor`s house

IMPHAL, October 31: Militant suspects exploded a hand grenade at the Mayang Imphal residence of Dr Seram Ibomcha Singh, a retired chief medical officer in the wee hour today under

IMPHAL, October 31: Militant suspects exploded a hand grenade at the Mayang Imphal residence of Dr Seram Ibomcha Singh, a retired chief medical officer in the wee hour today under Mayang Imphal police station.

Sources said the incident occurred around 3.20 am.

The doctor`™s residence is just about 150 metres away from the concerned police station near Mayang Imphal bazaar.

The bomb had inflicted some damage to a car parked inside the doctor`™s residence and splinters marks were all over the wall of the residence.

Fortunately, no human casualty was reported due to the blast.

The motive behind today`™s attack is yet to be ascertained but the same sources disclosed that earlier a UG group had left a grenade at the doctor`™s residence. Moreover, recently the doctor was summoned to come to Moreh by a UG group.

In a separate incident, a hand grenade was also recovered from in front of an electronic shop near MU main gate at Thongju part-II under Singjamei police station this morning around 7:15.

The shop belonged to one Naorem Pakisan Singh, 40, son of N Thanil Singh.

The grenade was later safely disposed by a team of police bomb expert.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/grenade-attack-on-doctors-house/

Officials inspect lemon grass plantation under Make in Manipur campaign

IMPHAL, October 31: With the State government intending to launch its `Make in Manipur` campaign on the opening day of the Sangai Festival 2015, an official team today inspected the

IMPHAL, October 31: With the State government intending to launch its `Make in Manipur` campaign on the opening day of the Sangai Festival 2015, an official team today inspected the lemon grass plantation side at Top Chingtha today.

The team included lead bank SBI chief manager N Haozel, deputy manager Farm sector technical officer, Horticulture N Devchandra, in-charge Library Documentation and Information Science CAU Prof O Nirmal Kumar and Technical Consultant Department of Commerce and Industries Prof AK Mudgal.

The team visited and inspected the plantation site at Topokpi Ching in Top Chingtha under Andro constituency.

Speaking to media persons in the sideline of the tour, Top Chingtha Entrepreneur Union Top Chingtha Yairipok chairman Keisam Ningthemjao said the government has decided to launch the Make in Manipur campaign on November 21.

He said the project had targeted to grow lemon grass in 1000 acres of land, but as of now only 210 acres have been covered.

Labourers are paid Rs 250 a day and the land of 210 farmers has been taken under lease for 25 years for the project, he said.

The main objective, he said is to produce a ton of lemon grass per acre and to harvest the plantations three times in a year.

He said the lemon grass can be used as a medicinal plant as well as to extract oil to prepare cosmetics and other itmes.

Prof Nirmal Kumar said the lemon grass has already received approval and certified by the Central Institution of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Lucknow for its nedicinal value.

Plantation of this grass can help the farmers to improve their economic well-being he added.

At the same time, the plant will prevent soil erosion, he said.

CM greets people on Kut

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The Chief Minister of Manipur has extended his greeting to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of Manipur on the occasion of the Chavang Kut festival 2015. In a statement

IMPHAL, Oct 31: The Chief Minister of Manipur has extended his greeting to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group of Manipur on the occasion of the Chavang Kut festival 2015.

In a statement said the Chief Minister said `It is with great pleasure that I convey my sincerest greetings to the people of Manipur especially the Kuki-Chin-Mizo brethren on the occasion of the Kut Festival, 2015`.

`Kut, a post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups, symbolises compassion, gaiety and gratefulness when we offer our thanksgiving to God for a bountiful harvest. It is an occasion for celebrating and enjoying the fruits of hard labour of the preceding months in a spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie that transcends tribes and communities.`, it continued.

Further in the state the Chief Minister hoped that the festival will forge a new bond of togetherness amongst the people of Manipur while wishing the people a happy Kut.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Gaikhangam, who is also the deputy Chief Minister, has greeted the people of Manipur especially Kuki-Chin-Mizo group.

In a statement the president prayed that the festival foster sense of oneness, brotherhood, love and unity between various ethnic communities residing in the state besides ushering a prosperous Manipur.

Meanwhile, the Co-ordinator of the Aam Adami Party (AAP), Th Manihar Singh has greeted the State on the occasion of Kut festival.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/cm-greets-people-on-kut/

MPP announces support to BJP

IMPHAL, October 31: The MPP today announced its support for the BJP in the November 21 bye elections in both Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly Constituencies. Making the formal announcement at

IMPHAL, October 31: The MPP today announced its support for the BJP in the November 21 bye elections in both Thangmeiband and Thongju Assembly Constituencies.

Making the formal announcement at the BJP State office late this evening, MPP president N Sovakiran said his party endorses the ideology of BJP and fortunately the two parties seem to have similar objective which is to eradicate the Congress from Manipur.

He said the MPP was set up against the Congress in Manipur.

MPP wants to eradicate Congress not only from Manipur but also from India forever so MPP has decided to make BJP stronger in the coming bye election said Sovakiran.

BJP State president Chaoba said the MPP has decided to support BJP under the objective of uprooting Congress from Manipur.

He further attacked the Congress and said the prolong reign of the Congress in the State has not brought any development.

Chaoba further highlighted that the State is facing much lack of development under the present government.

The press meet was also attended by BJP candidate for the upcoming Thangmeiband bye election Kh Joykisan and general secretary of BJP Manipur Pradesh M Asnikumar.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/mpp-announces-support-to-bjp/

Chubby Cheeks

By Urmila Chanam When I was carrying my daughter, my parents use to run a school those days. Around the month of February and March when the school was preparing

By Urmila Chanam

When I was carrying my daughter, my parents use to run a school those days. Around the month of February and March when the school was preparing for new admissions, it was decided that the nursery be painted afresh with cartoon characters in bright colors to make it child-friendly. I was living in my parental house as per our tradition of spending the last trimester and first few months after child birth in mother`™s house. Lethargy was setting in with progressing pregnancy so the tubes of paint and crayons lured me to volunteer to make a set of charts carrying nursery rhymes for the class. I had something fun to do!

My project paint began with great enthusiasm. My mom helped me get the materials on the large desk that was shifted to my bedroom. I also got hold of a rhyme book from the school library and in that winter morning, I flipped through its worn out pages to enter another world- a sweet and innocent world of rhymes and childhood.

I chose Chubby Cheeks poem for the adorable girl in the picture. I started sketching it on the big white blank sheet and in no time, began painting the small and cute face. It was a challenge to then write the poem in the space that remained after the sketch. Once I completed, I felt that the face of the little girl occupied more space in the chart than the written words.

Was that the reason that I spent a lot of time looking at the chart which hung on the wall opposite my bed? I slept to a peaceful slumber. In my dream, a small girl, about 3-years in age woke me up saying `Mama, mama!`™ I woke up with a start in the morning and rushed to the kitchen to find my mother. I excitedly told her, `I am going to have a daughter. I saw her in my dream`™.

My mother smiled and fed me some cookies with morning tea. She did not give it a second thought.

The girl in the chart I made for my mother`™s nursery class had a rounded forehead, very large almond shaped eyes, thick and curling eyelashes, pink chubby cheeks, a small button nose and a small mouth. Her chin looked like a mango tip and she had an appearance close to how Casper looks in the Hollywood movie.

In the next few months, the chart was forgotten and life took another turn. Pregnancy is such a difficult time. No preparation for it prepares you for what lies ahead. No advice and no regime can make you escape any of the challenges of labor and child birth.

In the Operation Theatre (I had a caesarean section), the lady doctor lifted my newborn out of my womb into this world on 13th June 2004, Sunday. In the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) there might have been many deliveries that day, but I am sure none was as unique as mine. `It`™s a girl!`™, the doctor had announced with a broad and happy smile. I would like to thank the doctor for her joy that day if she happens to read this story.

The nurse wiped and cleaned my baby and she was wrapped in a polka dot baby blanket and brought to me. Under sedation, I was very weak and my senses were fading but I could see the small face peeping out of the blanket. What did I find? My daughter looked identical to the girl I painted just three months ago! She had a round forehead, very large eyes and my god, no one in our family has that thick, long and curling eyelashes.

Who would believe that I saw my daughter before she was born? Who would believe I had several signs in my pregnancy that told me I would have a daughter?

Ismiled atmy daughter and I cried at her simultaneously and before fading out in sleep I told myself ` I will call you Tamanna(in Hindi it means my desire, my dream)`™.

Today Tamanna is an 11 year old girl who is interested in academics, singing, music, writing and crafts. Besides being my best friend, she is also a reminder that it`™s not just marriages that are made in heaven, the relationship between a mother and her child/ren are made in heaven too!

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/chubby-cheeks/

CRPF GC recalls sacrifices of personnel during `Warriors Remembrance Day` observation

IMPHAL, October 31: Since the time of its inception, the Central Reserved Police Force has sacrificed 2014 brave soldiers out of this figure 333 had sacrificed their lives while fighting

IMPHAL, October 31: Since the time of its inception, the Central Reserved Police Force has sacrificed 2014 brave soldiers out of this figure 333 had sacrificed their lives while fighting insurgency in Manipur.

This was stated by DIGP of CRPF Group Centre Imphal, Vikram Shagal speaking at a function held at Group Centre, CRPF, Langjing celebrating the `National Unity Day` and `Warriors Remembrance Day` today.

This includes 33 brave soldiers from Manipur among whom seven had sacrificed their lives fighting insurgency in Manipur. While 27 of them sacrificed their lives in other states in various theatres of Kashmir, Punjab, left wing extremism etc. he said.

The birth anniversary of the first Home Minister of India Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel is observed as Rastriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day on October 31 every year all over the Nation.

Warriors Remembrance Day is also observed on this day which also happens to be the original rising day of the CRPF.

Shagal said `This is the day to remember the supreme sacrifices, these young boys had made in the discharge of their duties.`

`They laid down their lives protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.`

`There cannot be a bigger lost for their mothers and fathers.`

The government of India have decided to celebrate this day as a `Warrior Remembrance Day.`

He further said Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the first home minister of the country, saw a lot of potential in this organization which was earlier known as the `crown representative police force.`™

There was a time when it was a force raised by the Britishers to contain basically the dacoit menace, but SVB Patel had a foresight that a day would come post-independence when the central government would need a very strong arm to help the State police organizations and the State administrations to maintain law and order, he said.

`CRPF after independence has played very important role in containing insurgency, practically in all the North-Eastern States,` he said.

`It went on to counter terrorism in Punjab for ten years, and from 90`™s onwards it went on to fight militancy in Kashmir.`

`It is the sacrifice of the husbands, the children, the fathers, the family members who are present here today that we have been able to restore peace in Punjab, Tripura and Mizoram.`

`Today we are grappling with the left wing extremism in which we are making supreme sacrifices. But the good point is, with our sacrifice and our duty and especially the sacrifice made by some of their family members we have been able to contain the situation in all these States.`

`When the bullet comes its doesn`™t see the place you belong to, it doesn`™t see the religion you belong to, it does not see the theatre in which you are working with whether you belong to that or not, because after all we have lost seven brave soldiers of Manipur in Manipur,` he added.

The function was attended by IGP of Manipur and Nagaland Sector, Nirmal Raj; DIPG Group Centre Imphal, Vikram Shagal, DIGP Range Imphal Sumit Rai and Commandant of 109 Bn CRPF, PK Mishra as presidium members.

The programme started with a march past parade followed by a pledge taking ceremony.

A wreath laying ceremony at the Martyrs`™ Memorial was held were IGP, DIGP and other ranks of CRPF along with family members of the martyrs pay homage to the departed souls.

Later, the next of kin of martyrs of Manipur were felicitated by presenting mementos and `Books on Martyrs`™ released in Delhi by the Prime Minister of India.