Day: July 26, 2017

IMPHAL | July 26

A Monitoring Cell Help Line for swine flu, dengue, Japanese Encephalitis and scrub typhus has been opened in the medical directorate and it will function from 6 am to 10 pm on all working days, said a release by health services, Manipur.

The monitoring cell will be fully under the control of state epidemiologist Dr Thangpa Serto, medical directorate, and the help line will be connected to Elangbam Ajay, pharmacist, CMO Imphal East in mobile number 8794386732, R. K. Basumani, pharmacist, CMO Imphal West in 8794391551 and Th. Ashu, pharmacist, CMO Imphal East in 8794386503.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 26

The Audit Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) of Government of Manipur for the year ended March 31 2016 have been released today by accountant general D. Jaisankar.

Three reports on social and general sections, economic and revenue sectors and on state finances 016 were released today. The reports have also been placed on the table of the state Assembly on July 21.

Addressing media persons in a press conference held at conference hall of the office the Accountant General (Audit), D. Jaisankar said the audit report is characterised by much negativity because many of the state’s departments failed to keep up with the target.

Along with him in the conference were Nirmala Maisnam, senior deputy accountant general, Aditya Rajendra Bhojgadhiya, deputy accountant general.

Jaisankar had highlighted almost every department’s development status since 2011-2012 to 2015-2016 reports. “Except for pulse polio immunisation, the state could not achieve the set target”, he continued.

One of the significant points amongst them is about the IFCD which can be related to the present flood situation of the state. He noted that planning for management of flood was not effective and comprehensive master plan for the state is not prepared.

He added that the Flood Plain Zoning Act, 1978 was not operationalised and the action plan of the National Disaster Guidelines was not complied with till the date of audit.

The accountant general reiterated that in spite of execution if 22 flood management projects and procurement of flood fighting materials during the period 2007-2016, the quantum of flood damage in terms of area, population and value of flood damage is in the ascending trend.

Giving the report on state finances, Jaisankar pointed out that the state government managed to earn only Rs. 15,000 during 2011-16 after investing Rs. 175.24 crore in companies, corporations and co-operative societies.

JIRIBAM | July 26

A man was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a room of Star Hotel of Babupara, Jiribam today.

The deceased is identified as Konsam Chandrakriti Singh (24), son of (Late) K. Chandrakanta Singh of Ramnagar Tuko Silchar, Assam.

The hotel staff  became concern when Chandrakriti failed to open the door when they went to inform about the travel agent who came to receive him. He was supposed to leave for Imphal today morning.

Later, the hotel staff called Jiribam police and the police broke the door which was locked from inside and found the man hung in a doubtful position. The reason of his dead is yet known. The body was sent to Jiribam hospital for post-mortem and a case has been filed at Jiribam police station for further investigation.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR |July 26

Huskha Yepthomi, working president of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in his presidential address, to the CEC members during the ‘emergency’ meeting lamented that Nagas have elected “unprincipled” people as their representatives who could not remain faithful to the party.

 He expressed his anguish on the “habitual” visit of Kaziranga by the Naga MLAs whenever any disagreement emerges among themselves which is an unbecoming for matured leaders, according to NPF in a press release today.

 “This is the third time that Naga MLAs tried to solve their internal problems at Kaziranga and, therefore, after 2018 general election, the government of Nagaland should construct a guest house at Kaziranga”, Huskha Yepthomi mused.

He also expressed his anguish that the Naga MLAs were “huddled” into three buses and dispatched to the one of the “infamous” Kaziranga resorts after pick-and-choose dinner organised by T.R.Zeliang in his residence at Dimapur.

“On their return to Nagaland, en route to Kohima, the public welcomed them with slogans and insults along the road, which was a disgrace for a leader,” the NPF leaders said, adding, “With what kind of face they shall go to church and other political platforms?” he asked. 

T.R. Zeliang was running the government smoothly when public uprising compelled him to step down from the chief minister’s post, a consequence of conducting ULB election in February where two innocent lives were lost, the NPF Working President stated.

“The Joint Inquiry Commission (JIC) set up in the aftermath of the incidents is yet to submit its report, and therefore, T.R.Zeliang should not be the chief minister till the report is submitted and action taken therein,” he asserted.

According to him, Shürhozelie Liezietsu has announced that Nagaland Municipal Act shall be rewritten, however, even before the matter has been initiated; T.R. Zeliang has taken over the chief ministership through “backdoor”.

“It is an insult to the people of Nagaland. Now, the MLAs do not regard such important issues. All these ugly things took place under the patronage of the governor of Nagaland, P.B.Acharya”, Huskha Yepthomi said.

He reminded the members that suspension and expulsion of some MLAs from NPF party were the decision taken by the party on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) in the interest of the party, and called upon all the party men to remain calm.

IMPHAL | July 26

The people of Manipur can live better without the Loktak Project. But we cannot develop without the Loktak. The Loktak Hydro Electric Project and Ithai dam have been disastrous projects and they must be decommissioned.

This was stated by M. Asnikumar, who is the vice chairman of Manipur Infrastructure Development Agency (MIDA) and also the state vice president of BJP Manipur unit in a statement handed out to the media.

The statement continued that Ithai dam has been the main reason for flash flood in an around the Loktak lake. Since the commissioning of Ithai Barrage in 1983, there have been disastrous flash floods in and around the lake. These floods have severely affected the socio-economic life of the people of Manipur, it said.

Since the construction and commissioning of this dam, there have been drastic overnight changes in the hydrological path of Loktak that have in turn adversely affected the environment and socio-economic condition of the people of Manipur, Loktak dwellers being the most affected, it added.

The statement further said the dam has blocked the course of Manipur river that drains Loktak Lake. This blockage has brought irreversible losses to the health of this rich fresh water lake in the Northeast, it said, adding many flora and fauna have become scarce and on the verge of extinction. These are evident by the dwindling varieties of native endemic species, including fishes, edible plants like heikak yelli, heikak, Taothabee paddy, etc, it said.

Another major threat to the health of the lake is the uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the catchment areas of the lake. Within minutes of use, these toxic chemicals poison the water body and affect all who depend on it, the release maintained.

Moreover there has been excessive deforestation in the catchment areas of the lake, dumping of plastic and other non-degradable objects in the lake directly or through its tributaries. The distortion has caused excessive eutrophication causing unprecedented pollution of the lake, it added.

The fact that the lake is systematically being destroyed is proven beyond all reasonable doubts by now. In just 34 years, the destruction of the lake has brought untold sufferings to the people, it said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 26

Students and volunteers of KSA today tried to storm the Manipur State Assembly from three different directions demanding legislation to prevent non-indigenous people from contesting elections and casting votes. They also demanded reservation of eight Assembly seats for the indigenous people.

The student’s marched towards Assembly from the western gate of DM College, who were stopped by the City police from reaching the Assembly near THAU Ground.

The students came out with the slogan “Yelhou Meegi Hak Kangadabani” and “Meetop na vote leppa yaroi.”

Later they were pushed back towards the campus and a little scuffle broke out between the police and students at the western gate and afterwards the situation was brought under control.

Students of Manipur College and Lilong Higher Secondary School staged a sit-in protest at Manipur College and later took out a rally, which was stopped them at Singjamei Yumnam Leikai from reaching the Assembly.

The same scenet was created when students of Mayai Lambi Zonal Council were stopped from reaching Assembly at Singjamei Yumnam Leikai. A confrontation between the police and student took place and later Zonal Council Akbar Boggi was detained by the police and released afterwards.

Bishnupur District Council students also marched towards Assembly from Thangmeiband Muzi Khul and were later stopped by the police from reaching the place.

Also the students of Alpha BCI Academy Thangmeiband, St. Savio English Higher Secondary School, and St Patric Higher Secondary School Thangmeiband also staged a sit-in protest and formed human chain.

Later, a press meet was held at Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) at Takel Leikai wherein Moirangthem Lakshman president KSA said their demands should be considered by the government within the on-going Assembly session.

The demands are drafting of a law against non-indigenous people from contesting election in eight different constituencies for first phase i.e  Wangkhei, Kangpokpi, Jiribam, Thangmeiband, Sagolband, Sugnu, Bishnupur and Uripok and to reserve it for the indigenous people.

“If the government fails to respond to our demand within the ongoing Assembly, then the organisation is all set to take up against strong agitations,” he concludes.

In a related development students of Churachand Higher Secondary School also demanded withdrawal of the FIR against students at the earliest.

General secretary of the school’s students union, Samson Longjam condemned chief minister N. Biren for registering FIR against students. Students of the school today boycotted classes in protest. He threatened to launch severe form of agitation.

Due to demonstration by the students the road adjacent to CC school was blocked for some hours. A team of Imphal East police led by SP K. Kabib rushed at the spot and pacified the agitators.

THOUBAL | July 26

 A clash between two groups of prospective candidates for Panchayat elections took place today around 2.30 pm at Yaripok Tulihal village.

One group was led by Md Abdulkalam (42) son of Rafiq Ali while the other group was led by Md Kamal Hasan, (22) son of Md Sirajuddin. Both are residents of Yaripok Tulihal. Tension erupted between the two groups while discussing the nomination for the ensuing panchayat elections.

A brief scuffle took place between the groups but no injuries were sustained by any person. Supporters of Md Abdulkalam called the police immediately and the matter was settled. In this regard a FIR was filed by Md Abdulkalam in Andro PS against Md. Abdul Hasan.