Day: July 17, 2017

IMPHAL | July 17

Repairing of the damaged Barak bridge, which has disrupted vehicular movement along the important Imphal-Jiribam Highway, is underway, Works minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said this afternoon.

The minister was speaking to a team of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union led by their president Wangkhemcha Shyamjai who called on the Minister at his New Secretariat office to discuss welfare measures of the journalists’ community of the state.

The minister also appealed to the people to bear for a few days before the bridge is fully repaired and movement is restored, since the other major lifeline of the State, the Imphal-Dimapur Road, is also cut off due to major landslides in neighbouring Nagaland.

Minister Biswajit also said that the present government under Chief minister N Biren takes the issue with all seriousness. He said that he is in constant touch with the Chief minister on the issue.

The highway is under the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, however, since the road is a major lifeline of the State, the State PWD has initiated and offered all possible help in repairing the bridge, Biswajit continued.

Stating that reports have suggested that overloaded trucks passing over the bridge and a few lapses on the part of some officials manning the bridge in checking weights of vehicles had resulted in the damage, the Minister continued that authorities concerned have been instructed to look into the lapses of the officials, seize the vehicles as well as interrogate the drivers.

Meanwhile, addressing the AMWJU team, the Minister who also holds the IPR portfolio called on the journalist community to come together and work unitedly for a better Manipur. He also expressed the need to refurbish the Manipur Press Club and provide rooms for all the journalists’ community including those coming from the interior parts of the State to the State capital.

The AMWJU team highlighted several issues including increase in journalists’ pension scheme amount, Press Akademi, Press Colony, allotment of plot with building for the union’s branch office at Moreh (Chandel), Jiribam sub-division (Imphal-East), Ukhrul HQ, Tamenglong HQ and at Mao, Senapati district, increased of ex-gratia to deceased journalists, Journalists’ Family Benefit Scheme, Increase budgetary support for maintaining the Manipur Press Club to Rs. 3 lakh, Accredited Journalists’ Assistance (Operational Subsidy Scheme).

The Minister assured to look into all the charter of demands with due consultation with Chief minister N Biren.

By B Rakesh Sharma

IMPHAL | July 17

With the motive of self employment Wanglembam Sonia (26) daughter of W. Ibomcha of AIR quarter, Lamphel started craft works of creating artificial flowers and pots out of waste papers without any formal training.

She has a passion of craft s since her childhood. She made dolls and even designed dresses from her young age.

To pursue her passion she left her education after completing 12 standards but due to lack of proper guidance she was not able to live up to her her dream for a long time.

As she continued her struggle she got inspired by a Youtube channel which tutors how to make artificial flowers and she was able to make artificial flowers by watching these tutorials from around February this year.

Relatives and friends, who got inspired by her works started buying the flowers made by her.

Speaking to IFP, Sonia said that from the moment she was able to make artificial flowers using only waste papers, glues and paints she started thinking about making a livelihood by selling handmade artificial flowers.

“Though making of artificial flowers was not a heavy work it needs a lot of efforts and time to make it. Sometimes it took a whole week to materialise a complete flower with the flower pot,” she said.

Sonia expressed her desire to participate in the upcoming Sangai festival as it will give her a platform to showcase her work of arts.

Since she does not have a good guidance in this field, she got stuck in the middle of her dream of giving self employment by selling artificial flowers, said Sonia.

She is planning to open a shop for herself as a first step of pursuing her ambition.

“In the world where getting of government job becomes a very big task, I will be able to give self employment to women of the state if my dream is fulfilled,” continued Sonia.

She added that, “As I do not have proper guidance and enough capital, it will be very thankful if any company or people support me in uplifting my craft works.”

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 17

Condemning the alleged brutal murder of Md. Ateef Sheikh of Keikhu Maning Leikai in Chittagong, Bangladesh on July 14 a citizen organisations staged a sit-in-protest at Keikhu Awang Leikai in Imphal East.

The protest was organised by Youth Star Sports Union (YSSU), All Manipur Muslim Organisations Coordinating Committee (AMMOCOC), Youth Voluntary Association (YOVA), and All Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation (AMMWDO).

Addressing media persons at the site of the protest, AMMOCOC president SM Jalal said the death of MBBS final year student at Chittagong, Bangladesh is mysterious and condemnable. “It looks like Ateef’s death is a pre-planned execution and the way Winson tried to commit suicide after killing Ateef was just a way he was trying to get away from the crime,” he charged.

Jalal also urged authorities of the state and Bangladesh to produce a clean report of the investigation and not to be partial in any manner.

Ateef Sheikh was allegedly stabbed to death on Friday, July 14, by one of his friends Winson after a dinner party. They were studying together at University of Science and Technology, Chittagong, Bangladesh in final year. Winson after allegedly killing his friend tried to commit suicide but doctors stopped him and currently Winson isundergoing treatment in the hospital.

Jannu Begum, one of the Meira Paibi participating in the protest appealed to the concerned police officials and authorities to deliver justice as soon as possible.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 17

Polling for the presidential election 2017 was held in the state Assembly complex, Imphal.

The polling hours was started from 10 am and ended at 5 pm like the other state as fixed by the Election Commission. All the 60 MLAs of the state cast their votes by 1.30 pm.

Assembly, secretary, M. Ramani was the presiding officer.

Konthoujam, MLA, S. Ranjan was the state agent of NDA candidate and Ukhrul AC, MLA, Alfred Kanngam Arthur was the state agent of the UPA candidate.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 17

Another prosecution witness (PW) in the July 23, 2009 BT road fake encounter case deposed before the district and sessions judge Imphal West, N. Manojkumar, today.

The PW number 98 is identified as Wangkheirakpam Ram, 43, son of (L) W. Modhusudon of Chingmeirong Maning Leikai. His statement was recorded by the court.

The PW is an activist running an organization known as Indigenous Perspective. He was working as a co-ordinator of citizens concern for dams and development, Paona Bazaar when the fake encounter took place.

He deposed before the court that he came to know of Teresa Rehman a journalist of Tehelka magazine New Delhi after meeting her for the first time at Imphal when the former participated in All India Women’s Journalist meeting held in Mach 2009.

He further said that he used to talk to her about the airport expansion over phone and also about her article of the fake encounter published in Tehelka magazine.

In today hearing, some of the accused of the case including prime accused Th. Herojit, did not turned up before the court. 

The next hearing is scheduled to be held on August 5.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 17

Police have made a significant breakthrough by identifying three more suspects involved in the murder of Haokip Student’s Orgniastion (HSO) president.

In the meantime, the prime suspect of the murder case, Solomon Baite, who is in police custody reportedly confessed to have committed the crime after conspiring with three others.

With Solomon’s police remand having expired today he was produced before the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) L. Tonsing, by the Lamphel police for extension of his custodial remand.

During the appearance the police pleaded the court to remand the accused to 15 days in judicial custody before submitting the accused confession to the crime and revelations of the involvement of others in the murder.

Subsequently, the CJM sent the accused to 15 days judicial custody.

Further it is learnt that the accused shot dead Letkholal alias Palal, near his residence gate at Langol Game village on June 23  from inside a car (Maruti 800) driven by one H. Baite.

He killed Letkholal on the instruction of one S. Haokip, who promised to pay Rs. one lakh each to him (Solomon Baite) and his associate H. Baite.

The accused further disclosed that he along with his associates received Rs. 20,000 in advance from a close aid of S. Haokip, during a meeting in New Checkon area just hours before the killing.

IMPHAL | July 17

Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) has notified that there will power shutdown of Nambul Feeder from Mongsangei 33/11 KV substation on July 18 from 11 am to 4:30 pm due to shifting of HT Line, said a release signed  by DGM, IED-1 of MSPDCL, T. Ibochaoba Singh.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | July 17

Following the incessant rainfall in the past many days, earth fissures have been reported at various places within Kangpokpi district.

The sub-divisional officer, Saikul, L. Geetchandra Singh has reported to the district administration yesterday about earth crack at Maphou Kuki under Island sub-division.

The church area and the stretch leading from Mahadev Lok to the BSF camp has been affected while fissure was witnessed even inside the house located in the village and the road leading to Maphou Dam.

The SDO requested the district administration to consult experts as there is strong possibility of the occurrence of mud-slide owing to the earth crack.

The deputy commissioner, T. Ranjit Singh wrote to the Relief and Disaster Management, seeking immediate action for deputing a team of experts from Geological Survey of India (GSI), NER, Dimapur to the site for assessing the situation.

He said the areas have been affected due to the recent rains. He further said the three neighbouring villages, Thangjingpokpi, Siloijang and Bethelphai are also likely to be affected in case there is landslide in the areas. SDO Island block has been directed to furnish a detailed report.

Another earth crack was reported at Haijang village affecting three houses and UJB School.

SDC Kaigoulal Kipgen with his staffs inspected the earth fissure at Haijang village located about 2 km away from the Kangpokpi this noon and found impending danger of similar landslide in the areas.

Speaking to media, chief of Haijang village Thangkhopao Chongloi said that the earth fissure has developed in some location of the village creating panic.

The village chief urged the government to help the victims and restor the school building at the earliest.

In another similar incident, an earth fissure reportedly developed in T. Waichong sub-division and the landslide swept away the road connecting Naibet, Thaldara, Panikhetti and T Waichong sub-divisional HQ in the interior part of Irang Part-II.

General secretary of All Manipur Gorkha Students’ Union Irang Unit (AMGSU), Narayan Adhikari said that hundreds of school children and villagers of the areas have been using the road for their daily activities but sweeping away of the road has brought hardship to them.

He said that the attempt to clear the debris by the villagers and AMGSU Irang unit members has been futile as it requires proper mechanism.

He urged the authorities to take necessary action.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 17

At least four civilians sustained injuries when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) of medium intensity exploded near the Imphal War Cemetery near Minuthong area.

According to information received from the spot, the explosion occurred around 10.50 am along the road side connecting Minuthong to Porompat.

The IED ripped off from amongst the scrap parts of cars kept alongside the road stretch by vehicles workshop located at the area. The bomb reportedly went off just seconds after an army truck passed along the road.

Although there was no report of any injury from the army side, four civilians reportedly sustained splinter injuries.

Of the four injured two are said to be occupants of an Alto car that also happened to pass the area when the bomb explosion occurred. 

The injured have been identified as Wangkheimayum Ibomcha Singh (50), son of (L) Wangkheimayum Douchi Singh, RK Amusana Meitei (43), son of (L) RK Patibabu both residents of Citizens Club Wangkhei Khunou, Md Ahamad Khan (43), son of (L) Md Basiruddin of Khurai Awangei crossing and Md Shahid Khan, 35, of Yairipok. None of the injured are seriously injured.

Speaking to media persons Wangkheimayum Ibomcha, one of the victims, voiced his concern that civilians are often become targets of such attack in populated areas.

Whatever the cause may be, he appealed to concerned groups not to perpetrate similar incident in public places in the interest of the people.

Ibomcha, owner of the Alto car (No. MN1G-5752) was travelling along with a friend when the IED exploded.

Soon after the blast, a team of police, army personnel including the superintendent of police, Imphal East, Kabib K. arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation.

A team of police bomb experts inspected the blast sites. It has been speculated that the IED was triggered using a timer devise. The bomb experts recovered pieces of mortar shell from the blast site.

IMPHAL | July 17

Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, Imphal awarded Dr. Chongtham Jamini Devi ‘Writer of the year, 2017 (Lifetime achievement award) while observing Writers’ Day at Dave Literature Centre, D.M college campus, today.

The programme was attended by Moirangthem Luxmikumar, commissioner, as the chief guest, L. Jugendro Sharma, president, Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti and many other notable veteran writers of Manipur. Wareppam Jugindro Singh, Bal Sahitya Puraskar awardee, was also felicitated during the programme.

“Writers play an important role in preserving the culture of our society”, said Dr. Jamini. She also added that having links between different cultures help in the interchanging its elements which ultimately helps in growing one’s cultural values. Dr. Jamini said she is deeply honoured to receive such respectable award.

While speaking in the programme, Luxmikumar said that culture has an important role in bridging the gap between historical values and modernity. He added that the government also, has to play a role in making the cultural movements better.

Born in 1936, December 5 at Keishamthong Top Leirak, Imphal, Dr. Jamini passed matriculation examinations in 1956 from Tamphasana Girls’ High School and graduated from Guwahati University in 1961. She was awarded doctorate of philosophy in education in 1980 from Allahabad University. She has published 45 books.