Day: July 18, 2017

IMPHAL| July 18

National Sports University Construction Demand Committee will be organising a “Welcoming Function of NSU” on July 23, 3 pm for the newly proposed site of National Sports University at Koutruk.  

Since the last three years, NSUDC have been appealing to the authorities to build the university at a place where land and properties will not be affected, said a release. NSUDC is immensely thankful to the central government of BJP for listening to their pleas and sending a technical expert team and relocating the site to a proper area, it added. Sports enthusiasts and people of Manipur are invited to come at the function, it further said.

IMPHAL| July 18

National Sports University Construction Demand Committee will be organising a “Welcoming Function of NSU” on July 23, 3 pm for the newly proposed site of National Sports University at Koutruk.  

Since the last three years, NSUDC have been appealing to the authorities to build the university at a place where land and properties will not be affected, said a release. NSUDC is immensely thankful to the central government of BJP for listening to their pleas and sending a technical expert team and relocating the site to a proper area, it added. Sports enthusiasts and people of Manipur are invited to come at the function, it further said.

From Our Correspondent

MOREH | July 18

A combined team of 12 Assam Rifles-F Coy (Khudengthabi) and a team of police commando, Moreh led by JC No 621 N. Pritamkumar Singh under the supervision of SP of Tengnoupal, S. Ibomcha seized contraband items worth Rs 3.39 crore in the international market.

The team launched an operation in Kwatha junction and one juvenile carrying a backpack was detained along the route of forest. Further, on the juvenile’s disclosure, a woman named Liam Haokip (30), wife of Thingkojim Gangte of Chikkim village, Moreh was detained.

Later, based on the information by both the suspects, a man and a woman were detained in an auto rickshaw and they were identified as Letkhothang Lhungdim (38), son of Jilhun Lhungdim of Lhangkichoi Veng Moulhoi, Moreh and Domjahat Haokip (35), wife of Thankulun Haokip of Chikkim village, Moreh.

The contraband items seized in the bag were 127 grams of brown sugar, 509 grams of heroin and 6970 numbers of WY tablets, along with bank details and other unauthorised items.

Further, the individual who was involved in sending the contraband items from Moreh was also apprehended and he was identified as Thenkhojam Gangte (36), son of Lumcha Gangte of Chikkim village, Moreh.

The apprehended 14 years old juvenile will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board for necessary action.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

The 25-day long musical workshop under the project “Support of musical instrument and teaching of music to school children” concludes today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.

It was organised by department of art and culture and the project is undertaken by North East Council, ministry of DoNER.

Commissioner for art and culture, Moirangthem Lakshmi Kumar attended the function as chief guest. Giving his speech, he said that education is not only about books and studies but is a process of human resource development. In the process, creativity and energy are needed for students to become an ideal citizen of the country.

The gap of talent and exposure of students is slowly being bridged by opportunities provided by art and culture and education and that is a good step taken up by the two departments, he added. He also urged that such kind of workshop and human development should be conducted in the future again.

The workshop, not only teach musical knowledge but also physical and emotional integration to the participants and that is golden opportunity contributing to the harmony of the state and it will go a long way, he pointed out.

Additional director of education (s), Kh. Lalmani Singh and director of art and culture, K. Sushila attended the function as guest of honour and president respectively.

The workshop was participated by students of all 16 districts of the state and around 80 students got enrolled for the workshop.

During the workshop, students were taught how to play traditional musical instruments including pena, keyboard and others and dance.

The workshop was inaugurated by chief minister Nongthombam Biren on June 25 as a part of 100 days programme of the state.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Chingai MLA and parliamentary secretary (transport) Khashim Vashum and his entourage, party workers, a medical team from Jessami PHC and PMGSY monitoring agency visited Chingai Head Quarter on the July 13.

The team conducted a detailed survey on ongoing work programmes /developmental works, functioning of government establishments and took stock of the damages caused by natural calamities.

The team made their first stopover at Chingai Block head quarter, where he was warmly received by the headman and village authority. He reiterated his stand on development and said that under no circumstances he would compromise.

He urged the villagers to take care of public properties as their own and also promised to deliver whatever benefits that accrues to us more so to the farmers/cultivators.

The villages apprised him of the damages caused by Cyclone Mora and the inundated condition of the paddy fields which have become uncultivable.

Two suspension bridges were swept away in the recent downpour creating hardships.

At the PHC the team discovered that there were no sufficient staffs. A Doctor and two nurses were found occupying the centre. The MLA was shocked to see that the centre which was inaugurated in 2003 is still bereft of electricity connection.

While interacting with the staff he was informed of many difficulties in discharging their duties. He promised to apprise the concern ministries and department of the pathetic condition of the PHC.

In Tusom village, the MLA stressed the importance of community based development programmes and warn against misuse of funds. The villagers/card holders of NFSA urged the MLA to look into the matter of non-distribution of rice for the past 2-3 months.

There Khasim inaugurated Tusom CV Upper Primary School which was then a Primary School and hence upgraded to upper primary school through his personal efforts.

Vashum further checked the quality of work with regard to the ongoing construction of roads under PMGSY 1. Chingai to Tusom CV and Kharasom to New Tusom.

Meanwhile, a free medical camp was organized in the area for the benefit of the poor and needy who cannot travel to the main towns and cities for various reasons.

The camp was organized under the aegis of health minister and medical director. Free medicines were distributed and 498 villagers came to get themselves examined by the medical team.

Khasim also conducted surveyed Cyclone Mora affected areas/ flash mudslides areas of Huishu, Poi, Chingai, Challou, Kuingai and Tusom villages.

The damage is unprecedented in scale and will have long bearing on the lives of poor cultivators whose only livelihood depends on the paddy fields. Canals being destroyed, paddy fields washed away by the rivers, village roads damaged and houses destroyed by mudslides and much other destruction.

The MLA assured to look into the welfare of the farmers/cultivators who are the backbone after consulting with the CM and the cabinet for extending any possible help from the Government.

During the tour it has been found out that there are many teachers who are being utilized by the departments and thus not present at their specified postings.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Condemning the bomb blast at Minuthong yesterday morning which hurt four civilians, a sit-in-protest was staged today at the blast site.

The protest was organised jointly by civil society organisations in the area including Citizens’s Club, Apunba Meira Paibi Lup of Soibam Leikai Wangkhei Khunou, United Golapati Hatta Development Council (UGHDC), and United Minuthong Golapati Development Committee.

Anoubam Shanti Devi, general secretary of Wangkhei Khunou Development Committee expressed discontentment for the bomb explosion that happened yesterday.

“We totally condemn such kind of act in public places scaring common people,” she said and sought an explanation why the bomb was exploded at civilian area. She urged the concerned authorities to find out the culprits.

She added that the CSOs will continue to fight until the culprits are caught.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | July 18

Another earth crack has been reported along Twilang road, commonly known as IT Road connecting T. Waichong sub-division with the rest of the state.

Initially, earth fissures occurred at Maphou Kuki in Island sub-division, Haijang village in Kangpokpi sub-division and Irang Part-II in T. Waichong sub-division.

The earth fissure occurred along Twilang road near Songpehjang village in Saitu Assembly constituency located 4 km from Kangpokpi district HQ was approximately 40 metres long.

There was a massive landslide at the same spot in 2004 that completely carried away the road rendering untold misery to the commuters, more particularly in T. Waichong and Tamei.

Some portion of the road has already sunk while crack started to develop in the middle portion of the road. Few houses below and above the road will also be affected if the earth crack continue to widen.

As directed by the deputy commissioner, SDC Kaigoulal Kipgen inspected the spot today morning and took stock of the situation for further necessary action.

BISHNUPUR | July 18

Though the rainfall has ceased, the surface level of Loktak is still rising and this has caused more flooding to the villages near the banks of the lake.  Ishok, Naorem, Kongkham Naorem, Oinam, Kha- Sanjenbam, Toubul, Khoijuman, Upokpi Khunou under Thanga, Moirang and  Kumbi districts have been flooded.

This has damaged properties, fish farms, and many hectares of paddy fields. The rise of the water level is caused by inflow of water from Nambol, Imphal and Nambul rivers.

The reading of project canal mouth at Ningthoukhong is also rising continuously.

The reading recorded today at 3:30 pm was 769.57 meters above sea level. This has been the highest ever recorded so far, till now. The level decreased only after the shutters were released.

The deputy commissioner of the district reported, as per the records from the survey made till July 13, 40 villages under the district was flooded and a total of 4560 families and households had been severely affected.

The animals residing at the Keibul Lamjao national park are in danger as the water level continues to rise. Roadways are submerged and schools have been closed. Many fishermen whose lives are dependent on the income made from fish farming, are in complete loss as all the fish are gone due to the flood.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | July 18

After few hours of the Kohima Bench Gauhati High Court’s dismissal of the writ petition of Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Lietzietsu filed in the same court on July 14 against the Governor’s directive for floor test, Governor PB Acharya has directed the Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly to summon an emergent Special Session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (July 19) at 09:30 am to test the majority support of the present cabinet led by Chief Minister, Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu. This directive of the Governor came following the dismissal of the writ petition filed by Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu at Kohima Bench Guwahati High Court “vide Judgment and Order dated 18th July 2017 as well as vacation of the earlier interim order passed by the same Court on 14th July, 2017”.

According to the Raj Bhavan, the Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench observed that the Governor had taken the right decision to ask the Chief Minister to have a Vote of Confidence in the floor of the House to see which out of the two contesting claimants of Chief Ministership had a majority in the House.

The Court further stated that there was no merit in the writ petition filed by Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu and the same was accordingly dismissed.    

Earlier the Governor had requested the Chief Minister to prove his majority support on the floor of the Assembly on or before July 15, 2017 was made on July 11, 2017 and July 13, 2017.

Meanwhile, sources said that Chief Minister Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu may go to “higher court” to challenge today’s judgment of the Kohima Bench Gauhati High Court.

There are 43 legislators, both NPF and 7 Independent MLAs, camping at Hotel Vivor in Kohima since Friday.

Interestingly, the 4 BJP legislators along with the Nagaland unit party president have met the Governor this evening and submitted an affirmation letter that, they will support the “TR Zeliang group”. In the letter the 4 BJP MLAs and the BJP Nagaland unit president said, “In the present political crisis in the state government the BJP has decided to remain a constituent of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) led by the DAN Chairman, Shri TR Zeliang.” The letter also said that the BJP has been a constituent of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) in Nagaland, and that, the “BJP has joined the DAN Government and continues to remain as a part of the arrangement till date.”

It can be noted here that former Chief Minister and sitting Lok Sabha MP, Neiphiu Rio is fully and openly supporting the TR Zeliang camp.

On July 14, in that writ petition filed by the petitioner Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu before the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court, it was argued that the decision of the Governor asking the petitioner who is also the Chief Minister of Nagaland to conduct a floor test on or before July 15 was “ex facie unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and violative of the basic features of the Constitution.”

Later, the Kohima Bench of the Guwahati High Court had stayed the directive of the Governor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland to go for a floor test on or before July 15, 2017, till Monday (July 17).

Ibobi walks out of meeting

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Opposition leader and former chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh today reportedly staged a walk out of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting convened at the Assembly secretariat, discontented with sudden change in schedule of the budget session due to be held from July 20.

The Congress party has termed the sudden change in the last minute as unethical and a mockery to the democratic tradition of the country.

Speaking to media persons in this regards at the Congress Bhavan, Congress spokesperson, Kh. Joykishan Singh, pointed out that a BAC meeting held on July 13 earlier had resolved to convene the budget session from July 20 to August 16.

But, in a drastic change a BAC meeting held today has shortened the session to August 4, he said.

Joykishan further informed that Opposition leader who took part in today’s BAC meeting staged a walk out showing his disapproval over the decision of the BJP led government.

He contended that the development comes against the backdrop of the Congress’ commitment to raise certain issues confronting the people of Manipur including the Framework Agreement, Inner Line Permit system, flood etc.

The decision has surprised all sections of the society but has become a cause of concern in the minds of the people, maintained Joykishan.

According to Nambol MLA, N. Loken, he has never come across a conflicting decisions such as the one taken by the BAC meeting today.

The MLA revealed that an earlier meeting of the BAC held on July 13 not only resolved to convene the full budget session from July 20 to August 16 but also published the matter in the bulletin of the Assembly.

The order copy of the resolution taken by the BAC was also issued to all the elected representatives, he continued.

Against the backdrop, Loken alleged that he had submitted four questions yesterday to the Assembly secretariat to be asked during the ensuing session.

However, only two of its questions were received by the secretariat on the pretext that the Assembly session will conclude by July 31.

Loken further pointed out that as per his experience, BAC review meeting is known to extend number of sittings of a session if the agenda to be deliberated are more instead of cutting it short.

The MLA opined that the action of the government speaks for itself that it is unethical outlook towards the Constitution and the democratic set up of the country.

He further appealed to the government to govern responsibly taking into consideration the welfare of the people so as to avoid unwanted consequences.

It has been further informed that unlike the past, the present Assembly sessions will have sittings on Saturdays.

Ibobi walks out of meeting

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Opposition leader and former chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh today reportedly staged a walk out of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting convened at the Assembly secretariat, discontented with sudden change in schedule of the budget session due to be held from July 20.

The Congress party has termed the sudden change in the last minute as unethical and a mockery to the democratic tradition of the country.

Speaking to media persons in this regards at the Congress Bhavan, Congress spokesperson, Kh. Joykishan Singh, pointed out that a BAC meeting held on July 13 earlier had resolved to convene the budget session from July 20 to August 16.

But, in a drastic change a BAC meeting held today has shortened the session to August 4, he said.

Joykishan further informed that Opposition leader who took part in today’s BAC meeting staged a walk out showing his disapproval over the decision of the BJP led government.

He contended that the development comes against the backdrop of the Congress’ commitment to raise certain issues confronting the people of Manipur including the Framework Agreement, Inner Line Permit system, flood etc.

The decision has surprised all sections of the society but has become a cause of concern in the minds of the people, maintained Joykishan.

According to Nambol MLA, N. Loken, he has never come across a conflicting decisions such as the one taken by the BAC meeting today.

The MLA revealed that an earlier meeting of the BAC held on July 13 not only resolved to convene the full budget session from July 20 to August 16 but also published the matter in the bulletin of the Assembly.

The order copy of the resolution taken by the BAC was also issued to all the elected representatives, he continued.

Against the backdrop, Loken alleged that he had submitted four questions yesterday to the Assembly secretariat to be asked during the ensuing session.

However, only two of its questions were received by the secretariat on the pretext that the Assembly session will conclude by July 31.

Loken further pointed out that as per his experience, BAC review meeting is known to extend number of sittings of a session if the agenda to be deliberated are more instead of cutting it short.

The MLA opined that the action of the government speaks for itself that it is unethical outlook towards the Constitution and the democratic set up of the country.

He further appealed to the government to govern responsibly taking into consideration the welfare of the people so as to avoid unwanted consequences.

It has been further informed that unlike the past, the present Assembly sessions will have sittings on Saturdays.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Officials of RIMS, OPD counter tried to attack journalists today when a team of journalists visited the counter to inquire about alleged collection of money from patient parties for medical tests.

They allegedly tried to attack the journalists when the former tried to capture the photo of the counter.

The journalists came to RIMS after getting an information that the counter is taking money for medical tests which is to be done free of cost.

The new government as a part of their 100 days programme announced that 57 different medical tests will be done free of cost in JNIMS and RIMS.

“Taking advantage of not having separate counters for the free test facilities, the counter continued to take money from patients for medical tests which are to be done free,” claimed a patient party.

The journalists tried to meet the medical superintendent on the issue but they could not do so.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 18

Officials of RIMS, OPD counter tried to attack journalists today when a team of journalists visited the counter to inquire about alleged collection of money from patient parties for medical tests.

They allegedly tried to attack the journalists when the former tried to capture the photo of the counter.

The journalists came to RIMS after getting an information that the counter is taking money for medical tests which is to be done free of cost.

The new government as a part of their 100 days programme announced that 57 different medical tests will be done free of cost in JNIMS and RIMS.

“Taking advantage of not having separate counters for the free test facilities, the counter continued to take money from patients for medical tests which are to be done free,” claimed a patient party.

The journalists tried to meet the medical superintendent on the issue but they could not do so.