Day: July 16, 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 15

High rate of carbon dioxide and ammonia are found at river mouth of Nambul, Nambol and Yangoi during a test conducted at at Yangoi Karong by directorate of environment under the project Namami rivers and Loktak lake.

According to development officer of the directorate of environment, Porompat, L. Bijen Meitei, during spot testing at Nambul, Nambol  and Yangoi cannel many fish were found death. The reason is due to low amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.

While testing dissolved oxygen was found under 5 parts per million (PPM), for survival of fish it should be more than 5 PPM. Lack of dissolved oxygen in water will affect the flora and fauna of the Loktak lake, he added.

Bijen said not only lack of dissolved oxygen was found in the test but also carbon dioxide and ammonia contain were found. The rate of carbonic acid formed in the water was high and its potential of hydrogen (PH) value was below 6.5. Somewhere it was found alkaline which is more than 7.1 PH value.

Further testing will be done in the laboratory for investigating other toxic contain. The possibility of containing pathogenic bacteria is highly suspected which might cause microbiological pollution that will cause fatal for the people surviving in nearby lake, he added.

In order to prevent from depletion of dissolved oxygen proper sewage treatment should be done along the river course and especially in the city area, Bijen stated.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 16

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh said that Rs 10 crores has been sanctioned as corpus fund for the state journalist welfare scheme.

He was delivering the chief guest speech on the 35th journalist award ceremony of Kangleipakki Meira today at Konjeng Leikai, Imphal.

The best male journalist (print) was awarded to Thongam Premchand of Poknafam, the best female journalist (print) was awarded to Baby Shrine of Ichel Express, the best journalist (electronic) was awarded to Sanajaoba Ningthoujam of ISTV, best appreciated IPR personal was awarded to Romesh Pukhrambam and the best hawker of Keingleipakki Meira was awarded to Biren.

The chief minister said that the government needs the support of general public in bringing a positive change and development in the state.

Biren stated that one of the main reasons of the frequent floods in the state is lack of proper planning of the drainage and sewage system.

So the government is working on to take up projects and schemes to clean the Imphal river, Nambul river and Kongba river as it will solve the problem of frequent floods, he added.

He asked the people to remove community halls, clubs and crematorium which were built in the river banks as these block the free flow of water.

The minister assured that the flood victims will be given relief fund on the basis of priority wise.

The government gives priority on infrastructure, road and water as these are one of the necessities in bringing development in the state, added Biren.

Meeyamgi Numit makes the government aware about peoples desires, problems and suffering faced by the public. So according to the needs of the public different schemes will be taken up for the welfare of the public.

The function was attended by AMWJU, president, W. Shamjai as president, IPR minister, Th. Biswajit, CAF and PD, minister, Karam Shyam, parliamentary secretary, S. Subhachandra as guests of honour.

During the function prizes were distributed to meritorious students of the locality.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 16

Family members of Maisnam Winson, who was suspected for killing of his friend Ateef Sheikh in the midnight of last Friday at Bangladesh’s Chittagong asked the government to thoroughly investigate the case to find the real culprit behind the murder.

It may be mentioned that Winson allegedly stabbed Ateef to death and tried to commit suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan with his belt at their flat at Akbar Shah area, Chittagong, Bangladesh on Friday at around 11.30pm, according to Chittagong police report.

Luckily Winson was saved by the doctor but he remained unconscious so currently he is being given treatment at the ICU at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Regarding the case five students from Manipur including a female student were arrested by the Chittagong police for investigation.   

Speaking to media persons, Winson’s mother, Maisnam Saitabati said that it is impossible to hang himself with his own belt as Winson’s belt is too short to tie his neck as well as to the ceiling fan.

She claimed that the statement of the Chittagong police cannot be accepted, so she appealed to the state government and authority concerned to let the Chittagong authority investigate the case thoroughly without any bias to bring real justice.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 16

Janata Dal (United) had today urged the N. Biren led government to take proper measures in the present flood crisis in the state.

President of the party’s Manipur unit, Hangkhanpao Taithul gave a clear reason for not contesting the 11th Assembly election 2017 that it is not the weakness of JD (U) but stated that he will contest in election only if he is sure to win the vote.

Addressing reporters at his residence in Zomi Villa, he said that the former party president, M. Tombi had defected to Shiv Sena, however, Taithul gave his best regards for his endeavours.

He said that this is the party’s first get-together after the election with all its active members and executives to discuss party policies and future prospects.

He said that the state is in a disaster like situation with flood and losses making rounds of news on a daily basis. But the government seems not to care that much and is easy going in its tackling the situation.

He also expressed discontentment over the negligence by the central government. Hangkhanpao said his party does not see that the central BJP government is not helping the state government in its time of need. 

He recounted that when Modi visited Manipur in 2014 February, he promised many things in Langjing Achouba where he gave his speech. Modi may have forgotten but the people still remember and so, he urged the NDA led government to remind their national leaders to develop the state and fulfil what he had promised.

The party appreciated the initiatives and conducts taken by Biren government in bridging the hill-valley divide by going the distance especially sitting the first ever Cabinet session in Churachandpur district. But he also urged the state government not to only make assurances but to work on their promises made their work visible to all.

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL | July 16

Leaders of several organizations from Mizoram and leaders of the Joint Action Committee Against Anti-Tribal Bills (JAC-AATB) are now fervently camping in New Delhi for “a separate administrative setup for the tribal people of Outer Manipur including the Zo (Chin-Kuki-Zomi/Mizo) descendants of southern Manipur”. Mangchinkhup, one of the leaders in the delegation told Newmai News Network this evening over phone that after six days of camping in New Delhi the tribal leaders are returning back on July 17 (Monday),

This report came few days after both civil society organizations and political parties based in Mizoram had submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi demanding a “separate administration for the Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi) in the present Manipur at the same status as that of the Nagas be made outside the ambit of the Manipur Government.”

According to JAC-AATB leader Mangchinkhup, representatives from Mizoram civil society organizations and political parties along with the JAC-AATB are camping in New Delhi since July 11 to appraise the Union Government of the situation pertaining to some of the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the JAC-AATB and Manipur Government by “emphasizing the need for a separate administrative setup for the tribal people of Outer Manipur including the Zo (Chin-Kuki-Zomi/Mizo) descendants of southern Manipur”.

Meanwhile, a JAC-AATB press note stated that a joint delegation met various Union Government officials and leaders from the North East Region including R.N. Ravi, the Interlocutor for the ongoing Indo-Naga Peace Talks. “With the Indo-Naga Framework Agreement expected to conclude soon, the joint delegation from Manipur and Mizoram appraised the Interlocutor of the mounting apprehensions and concerns of the Zo people in present Manipur; the undying aspiration of the Zo people for integration of their ancestral lands was also discussed at length,” it also stated.

According to the press note, the representatives from Mizoram also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs, and presented a copy of the same to R.N. Ravi which describes the historically distinct identity of the Zo people of Manipur and stressed on the need for them to be able to determine their own future. It also dwelled on the marginalization of the Zo people in Manipur and called for the fulfilment of their enduring desire for integration of Zo ancestral lands under the same administrative unit.

It then said that the the memorandum was signed by various civil society organizations and political parties of Mizoram including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), Zo Re-unification Organization (ZoRO), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mizoram State, Indian National Congress – Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Mizo National Front (MNF), Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) and Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC).

“It may be noted here that two months have passed since the signing of the MoU between the JAC and Manipur Government in the presence of a witness from the Ministry of Home Affairs, but some of the points of understanding are yet to see the light of the day,” the JAC-AATB said.

The press release also said that, with the Government stating its readiness in the MoU to provide all financial assistance for the construction of Tribal Martyrs Park and Tribal Martyrs Hall, ground work for the park at Mata Dam, Lamka was initiated by the JAC with borrowed funds and contributions from well-wishers with the hope that the same may be ready for inauguration on Tribal Unity Day (August 31, 2017). “However, the State Government is yet to release any amount towards the construction of both Tribal Martyrs Park at Lamka as well as Tribal Martyrs Hall at Singngat,” it lamented.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | July 16

Two vehicles were reportedly burnt down by unknown persons near Hotel Vivor in Kohima where supporters of TR Zeliang who are opposing the leadership of Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu are being housed.

Sources said that unknown persons in large number came near the hotel this evening around 7 pm and burnt two vehicles. It is still not clear to whom the vehicles belonged.

Some 43 MLAs, both NPF and Independent MLAs, opposing the leadership of Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu are lodging at Hotel Vivor in Kohima after they had returned from the Kaziranga resort (Assam) for the last two days.

Meanwhile, the Nagaland Government spokesperson who is also a minister Yitachu said that the NPF party is open to a total reconciliation process and “therefore, would not like to place in the public domain the internal matters of the party”.

He said this evening that, certain facts need to be placed on record for the people to know since the issue has surfaced in the public domain through certain press releases.

“In the present scenario, the Leader of the House is Dr.Shürhozelie by virtue of being the Chief Minister and there is no vacancy for the Chief Minister’s post,” Ytachu said.  According to him, there is no Leader of Opposition because it is an opposition-less Government.  “Even if there is an Opposition party in the Assembly, if the number of MLAs is less than 1/6 of the total number of MLAs, one cannot be termed as a Leader of Opposition.  That is why in the 12th House with 8 Congress opposition MLAs, their Legislature Party  Leader could not be termed as Leader of Opposition and was not accorded any official status, but only referred to as Congress Legislature Party leader,” he added.

The Nagaland Government spokesperson then said that “it is unfortunate” that the issue which could  be resolved in the party which is purely an NPF internal party problem has  now been dragged to the  Governor’s office and Speaker’s office. “Both Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and Shri T.R. Zeliang are members of NPF and their differences should be decided in the party forum first,” he added.

“Human memory cannot be that short: Dr. Shürhozelie was forced to take over the CM’s office.  On 26-05-2017 the DAN Legislators Meeting unanimously endorsed the view that Dr. Shürhozelie, Hon’ble Chief Minister should become a Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and work together as a solid team to facilitate the same.  Further, the DAN Legislators appealed to the Election Commission of India to conduct the bye-election for the 10 Northern Angami-I A/C at the earliest,” he added. 

According to him, T.R. Zeliang cannot move a no-confidence motion is simply because he belongs to the party which, the Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie heads, that is, the NPF party.  “Therefore, Constitutionally and legally Dr. Shürhozelie still enjoys absolute majority in the House, because, NPF alone commands 47 members in the House of 60,” he added.

“The confidence motion would put the NPF MLAs where they could be disqualified if they voted against the Party Whip. The MLAs are being misguided to say that the Speaker’s office will not disqualify them.  However, the Court is at our door-step and their disqualification will become imminent if the matter is taken to Court because the Constitution and the law of the land is supreme,” Yitachu also said.

The reconciliation process should not be treated as one’s weakness, he stated.  The people desire for peace, development and progress, Yitachu added. “The stability of the DAN Government is in the total interest of the people of the State. Let us not go against the wishes of the people and try to resort to unconstitutional means, but settle differences in party forum through reconciliation. We should carry forward the constitutional obligations mandated by the people to the DAN coalition,” the Nagaland Government spokesperson said.

IMPHAL | July 16

The proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) has alleged that Maniupr governments are puppets of the government of India and this is true  ever since Manipur joined India in 1949. The situation is now at its worst, it claimed.

The three months old BJP government led by Narendra Modi is now taking a long march to take over the control of the local institutes lying under the peripheral states, like education and culture, said a release yesterday.

Steps are taken to build cultural nationalism i.e. Indian centric nationalism by controlling education and culture, it said adding many agenda of an oppressive hegemony are nurtured to strengthen the existing imperialist democracy of India. Key appointments are made in the state as per the policy programmes to further continue the neo-imperialist democracy of India, it added.

Loyal puppets are being installed here so that they can pull the strings remotely and continue the oppressive rule, alleged the release. It is not surprising that they have appointed their remote agents at the post of CM’s advisor, chief secretary, chief justice of high court, deputy commissioner, vice-chancellor of university and other heads of institutions with non-Manipuris, it said. This was all started by the Instrument of Merger, September 21, in 1949, it added.

On the other hand, MLAs, bureaucrats, contractors and high ranking police officers have made a coalition and embezzled funds provided for the public and turned it into a profit making business, it charged. No wonder, these practices are actually helping the foundations of the imperialist democracy, it charged adding this has caused many obstacles on the struggle for “freedom and revolutionary goals.”

The former governments at Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarkhand have been toppled to install puppet governments, the same fate is being faced by Manipur and Goa, it charged.  Some of the signs of “colonised puppet” government are: making the state government a helpless onlooker while the Centre is getting its hands at the land resources like undertaking oil explorations etc; installations of many black laws to practice genocides and causing inter ethnic conflicts; breaking down of state boundaries under the divide and rule policy, it claimed.

Complete obliteration of right to self determination; causing demographic terror by the influx of non locals and illegal immigrants; termination of local industries like state domestic products and small scale industries to create a captive economy, the release alleged.

RPF urged the people to realise that Manipur will be wiped away from the face of earth by becoming a completely colonised state of India, and stressed that it is the responsibility of the people to save their motherland.

Therefore, the front has appealed to the people to support the “war of freedom” against India, it said.

IMPHAl | July 16

Chief minister N. Biren Singh said that judiciary must strive for people’s trust to keep democracy vibrant. He was speaking at the inauguration function of family court, Thoubal district at new building at Thoubal district level officers’ complex today. The function was organised by law and legislative affairs department.

Biren said family courts are very unique and peculiar in the sense that various sensitive family disputes are being brought to the family court. Acknowledging that the judiciary is confronting with various challenges, he said that the government would extend its maximum support and co-operation to judiciary and would provide to enhance the infrastructure of the courts.

Highlighting that mob-justice is widely prevalent in the state he said that with the help of judiciary, all must strive to stop the culture of mob-justice in the state. He further stressed that one shouldn’t take the law into their hands to punish or torture any persons who commits a crime. One shouldn’t forget that we all are bound under the rule of law, he added.

Stating that timely intervention and streamlining the rehabilitation process is needed for drug addicts, he stressed that the rate of drug addiction is alarming in the state and we all should strive to bring victims of drug abuse into the mainstream of our society.

He assured that the government would bear all the expenses for the rehabilitation of those drug addicts. He said that around 24,000 women of the state are living with AIDS. We should strive for a change and collective effort is needed for this change for a bright future generation, he added.

Biren further said that holding Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders’ Day provides an opportunity to the government to know the ground reality and how the people are living in our society.

He said that among several grievances raised by the people, he is deeply concerned with the problems especially faced by differently-abled persons, widows, and old-aged people.

Minister for education and labour and lmployment, Th. Radheshyam said that nobody wants to become a criminal so people must ask themselves why one commits a crime and becomes a criminal. All should work collectively towards reformation of the criminals, he added.

Benny Ngangom, MJS has been appointed as Judge of the family court, Thoubal.

Minister for law and legislative affairs, L. Jayantakumar Singh, Chief Justice (Acting) Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur, chairman of Bar Council of Manipur, O. Maduchandra Singh, president of All Manipur Bar Association, H. Chandrajit Singh, president of High Court Bar Association, Kh. Bijoykumar Singh, president of Thoubal District Bar Association, officials of high court, Judges and Senior Advocates attended the function.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | July 16

After the shameful incidents in Odisha and Bihar states where two men had to carry the dead body of a wife or a daughter after mortuary vans were denied recently, a picture of a sick man, carried by a JCB to hospital, who died on the way has been viral in social media since yesterday evening in Manipur.

The incident has been confirmed and it came to be a shocking truth that for the first time, if not the entire state, more particularly in the hill district of the state that a JCB was used as an ambulance to transport a sick man to the nearest hospital but unfortunately the man breathed his last on the way.

The appalling incident took place in the interior part of Chandel district when a 40-year old Thangtinlen Baite, s/o Lamtinthang Baite of N. Gamnom in Khengjoi sub-division died on the way towards the nearest hospital available in the neighbouring country, Myanmar yesterday.

It was reported that due to the non-availability of ambulance service and proper medical support in the locality, Thangtinlen Baite had to be carried by a JCB from his village for medical treatment at Khampat Hospital located in the neighbouring country, Myanmar’s border village.

It was also owing to the improper road conditions in Khengjoi division coupled with the unusable bridge connecting the road, the locals had been forced to arrange a JCB as the last available option to transport the sick man for medical treatment at the nearest available hospital.

However, despite all possible efforts the man succumbed to his acute ailment on the way, said the locals attributing the death to the bone shaking ride due to the bad road condition and non-availability of proper medical support in the sub-division.

Khengjoi sub-Division in Chandel district is located in the interior part of the district bordering Myanmar.

Electricity, communication and road condition, medical facilities and economic conditions of the areas have in worst form, which need serious attention of the BJP led coalition government under its ‘Go to Hills-Ching Challo’ slogan.

THOUBAL| July 16

A baby named Thingam Malemnganba Singh (1 year, 6 months) son of Thingam Sanatomba from Nungu Mamang Liekai today fell into a river at Nungu, Pombikhok Litan bridge, which connects the road passing through Sugnu Assembly constituency and  Kumbi Assembly constituency. 

The baby is yet to be found. His elder brother Roshan (12) was bringing him at around 10 am today on a cycle to her mother who was working at the paddy field at Pumbikhok. While crossing the Litan Bridge, the chain of the cycle fell off. While trying to put the chain back by leaning down the cycle, the baby accidentally fell off from the Litan bridge into the river below.

The family, who lives a very poor life, has 6 children and Malemngangba was the youngest. As for now, people from the village are still trying to find baby.