Day: August 9, 2017

IMPHAL | Aug 9

On the second day of the student’s agitation demanding withdrawal of the order for admission of 120 extra students in Dhanamanjuri College of Arts, students boycotted their classes and staged sit-in-protest at its college campus today.

Speaking to the media persons, Oinam Gandhi pursuing 5th semester in B.A. political science honours said, as a part of agitation administration block of DM Arts has been shut and in continuation of the agitation students staged the protest.

He said admission of first semester has already been started with one thousand students since July 4. But the government has released an order on last Sunday for re-admission of 120 more students.

The government must withdraw the order at the earliest. If the government fails to take action till tomorrow noon then intense agitation will be launched, Gandhi warned.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Chief minister N. Biren Singh stressed on promoting people to people connectivity between Manipur and Laos during his meetings with different ministers of the country yesterday.

At their capital Vientiane, the chief minister had separate meetings with Prime Minister’s Office Minister Alunkeo, Commerce and Industry Minister Khemmani Pholsena and Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Bosengkham Vongdara during his recent visit to the South East Asian country which began on August 6 and ended yesterday.

Biren had fruitful discussions on myriad issues including culture, tourism and trade potentials with the ministers.

He told the ministers that Manipur and Laos would automatically witness upswing in bilateral trade and co-operations once people to people connectivity is boosted apart from enhancing surface and air connectivity.

The chief minister pointed out that Manipur shares close affinity in terms of culture, customs and food habits not only with Laos but also with most of the ASEAN countries.

The ministers expressed astonishment when Biren mentioned about the similarities of Laos and Manipur in food habits and many other things.

All the ministers expressed their willingness to visit Manipur when the chief minister invited them to this year’s Manipur Sangai Festival.

Biren said that the government of India had transformed its ‘Look East Policy’ into ‘Act East Policy’ with a renewed vigour to enhance ties with ASEAN countries in terms of bilateral relations and trade.

The India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, which would connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in western Thailand through Mandalay in Myanmar would certainly boost trade between Manipur and ASEAN countries, Biren observed.

During the meeting, the ministers sought investment in IT sector from the government of India.

Biren presented shawls having Sangai prints and Pakhangba mementoes to the ministers and top officials, whom he met during the tour.

The chief minister was accompanied by parliamentary secretary (Tourism) Dr. S. Ranjan, parliamentary secretary (Home) L. Susindro, advisor to CM Rajat Sethi and Personal Secretary to CM S. Rajen during his visit. The team returned Imphal today.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

An awareness programme on cyber crime was held today at Brilliance School, Uripok Imphal West. The programme was organised by Manipur Cyber Crime unit led by officer-in-charge state cyber crime unit Mohit Kumar Garg along with sub-inspector N. Bhubonchandra and his team under Swachata Abhiyan programme.

The programme was launched on August 7 and will continue till August 14.

During the awareness programme Mohit explained how to handle a social networking site in a safe mode like Facebook, WhatsApp, and bank fraud.

A slide show including fraud demo video was shown to the students of the school.

Speaking on the awareness programme, Mohit said people need to be aware of fraud calls and to avoid surfing in unknown web link. In this technological age many frauds are out to loot easily from the public who have less knowledge on cyber crimes especially from the older people.

Mohit advised that people must aware as many skilled robbers have come to the society so people should not give any bank details to any unknown person. With the opening of cyber crime unit in the state, the unit has able to solve 80 percent of the cyber crimes cases. People can get help from its official website cybercrime.mn@gov.in and can also ask any queries related to cyber crimes, he added.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Aug 9

The Kukis across Manipur from various congregate this morning at Kangpokpi DHQs and held rally in support of the Indo-Kuki political talks prior to the scheduled third round of tripartite talks today at the national capital involving the UPF-KNO, representing the Kukis and government of India and government of Manipur.

The support rally was jointly organized by various Kuki civil society organizations spearheaded by Kuki Women Union to show their endorsement and support towards the UPF and KNO who represented the 23 cognate tribes of the Kukis in the talks.

The rallyist mostly men and women in good numbers gathered at Brig. Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi DHQs at around 7:30 am in the morning and after a minutes speeches and deliberation marched towards Kangpokpi Bazar via the Trans Asian Highway No.1.

They hold several giant banner and pamphlets written words of support and demand like, “We Support Indo-Kuki Political talks”, “We endorse UPF & KNO”, “Expedite Indo-Kuki Political Talks”, Statehood, the long cherished dream of the Kukis”, “Kuki National Assembly’s memorandum to the PM, 1964-Statehood for the Kukis, Haipi Declaration of the Kukis, 2015-Statehood for the Kukis, UPF&KNO today-Statehood for the Kukis”, “Why not Statehood for the Kukis”, etc.

Traffic flow along the Tans Asian Highway No.1 was disrupted for few minutes during the support rally and a simple ceremony held at the traffic point of the District HQs main bazar.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Aug 9

The third round of Indo-Kuki political talks involving United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO) with the government of India and government of India was successfully held today at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi.

The almost three hours long meeting attended by 6 delegates on the part of the government of India and government of Manipur was chaired by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary, NE where the newly appointed Interlocutor was officially announced.

The other delegated on the part of the government were Dr. J. Suresh Babu, principal secretary (Home); Dineshwar Sharma, interlocutor; Pramod Asthana, ADGP, Intelligence (Law & Order), Manipur; Col. Amit Tiwari, DGMI and Dr. Baljit, Ministry of Home Affairs (IB).

While the United People’s Front (UPF) was represented by 10 member delegates led by its spokesperson, Aaron Kipgen and Kuki National Organization (KNO) was represented by 9 member delegates led by its negotiator Seilen Haokip.

Handing over the political dialogue to the newly appointed interlocutor, Dineshwar Sharma and extension of the Suspension of Operation agreement for the next one year was the main important thing discussed in the meeting.

The Suspension of Operation agreement effective upto June 8, 2017 on the part of UPF and upto July 21, 2017 for the KNO is further extended by all the parties in the meeting today for another year till August 31, 2018.

The extension of SoO agreement for another year was signed by Aaron Kipgen, Calvin H, L. Sanga Hmar, Romeo Haokip and David Chongloi on the part of and T.S. Haokip, T. Samuel, David Hangshing, Lalpu Hangshing and L.M. Dimo Zou on the part of KNO while Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (NE), MHA and Dr. J. Suresh Babu, ACS/Home Department, government of Manipur signed on the part of the Governments.

Speaking over the phone, UPF Spokesperson Aaron Kipgen said that during the meeting the Joint Secretary (NE), Satyendra Garg officially announced the appointment of Interlocutor for the UPF and KNO while introducing him to the august house.

He also said that the political issue of the Kukis shall be henceforth dealt minutely by the newly appointed interlocutor while he will visit the Kuki inhabited areas in Manipur shortly in connection with the Kuki political issue.

“The chief minister of Manipur is keen to resolve the aged old political issue of the Kukis and the SoO groups to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur and it is one of the factor as to why interlocutor have been appointed to expedite the political settlement”, the UPF spokesperson quoted Dr. J. Suresh Babu, chairman of the Joint Monitoring Group as saying.

On query, the UPF spokesperson said that the political demand of the UPF and KNO still remains the same, i.e. statehood and the interlocutor shall call another meeting shortly to discuss the political agenda.

He further said that the delegates of UPF and KNO want the government of India to respond to the demand for statehood that was submitted during the second round of talks held on October 19, 2016 but the government said that the new interlocutor shall have a threadbare discussion on the political agenda in the following rounds of political dialogue.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 9

Joint Action Committee on Inner Line Permit Sytem (JCILPS) today set August end as the deadline for the government to constitute a drafting committee for a new bill on the line of ILP.

Addressing International Day of World’s Indigenous People held at Keishampat Keisham Leikai Yumjao Lairembi community hall, JCILPS convener Arjun Tenheiba accused the governemnt of not giving serious attention on framming legislation for safeguarding interet of the indigenous people.

Like other parts of the world the day is celebrated in the state also organised by Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS).

“The government should set up the drafting committee,” he demanded.

He said the proposed bill must have the consent of all MLAs including those from the hills, ministers, tribal leaders and civil society organisations (CSO).

“Such a bill should not affect the interest of all the ethnic groups of the state,” he added.

The government must take action before the end of this month. If the state government fails to take action the JCILPS with various CSOs will launch an agitation, Arjun warned.

He said, according to United Nations, indigenous people are those who have unique identity culturally, geographically of the native place. Manipur was once a princely state and it has its own culture, territorial boundary, distinct political system, economic character among others. With these characteristics Manipur can claim as self-determination.

On September 21, 1949 the the Governor General of India and the Maharajah of Manipur signed an agreement. After that restriction of entery by non-local had been removed. After the removal of restriction many non-locals has been entering the state in the name of business, he lamented.

“An appropriate law should be made to stop free entry by non-locals at the earliest, or else in the near future non-locals will dominate the indigenous people of the state,” Arjun asserted.

Chairman of COHR, Pholindro Konsam, president of Aimol Tribe Union, R. T. Akhel Aimol, co-ordinator of ANJUMAN, Alhaj M.V. Muheiyuddin and others attend the function as presidium members.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

A team of Bishnupur district police commandos have arrested an alleged cadre of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) organisation during frisking and checking at Bishnupur Chiningkon near Iron bridge yesterday at around 9 am, said a release signed by PRO, police department, Manipur.

It further said that the individual has been identified as William Kamei (20) son of K. Guida of Noney Khumji Part-I and added that incriminating articles were seized from his possession.

Investigation revealed that he was involved in serving demand notes and extortion of huge amount of money from the officials of National Project at Noney area as their party fund, it added.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Aug 9

Online applications for army recruitment rally in Leimakhong scheduled from October 3 to October 8 for recruitment of other ranks (OR) will open from August 3 until September 18.

A statement issued by an adjutant of 23 Assam Rifles at Tamenglong has informed that only online registered candidates will be allowed to attend the recruitment rally. Interested candidates may approach the online registration centre opened by 23 Assam Rifles of Senapati Brigade under Red Shield Division at Tamenglong, he added.

He further informed that the battalion is going to give pre-training for all enrolled candidates from August 21 to September 23.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 9

The president of All Manipur Muslim Development Committee headquarter today alleged that four individuals had beaten him in the evening of August 6 while he was at a hotel near Turel Ahanbi Mayai Primary Madrassa, Lilong.

Md. Syed Ahmed Sheikh, the president told reporters at Manipur Press Club that the incident took place when he was on his way to meet the committee’s advisors. He was surrounded by around 20 people and four known individuals had beaten him black and blue and left him unconscious.

His family and relatives took him to Noor Hospital and he was later referred to RIMS. He is still on medication and has not been discharged yet from the hospital during the time of press briefing.

Sheikh demanded that the four individuals be arrested and punished according to the law. He named Md. Nasir Khan alias Manao, a home guard personnel and Md. Imran Khan, both sons of Md. Alauddin Khan from Lilong Turel Ahanbi Kalei Khong Mathak Leikai and Md. Arif Khan and his mother Waheeda of Lilong Turel Ahanbi Kalei Khong Makha Leikai.

He reiterated that if they are not arrested within 48 hours, he along with like-minded organisations will take necessary actions so that the alleged defaulters will be punished.

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Aug 9

A combined team of Churachandpur Police and 25 Assam Rifles arrested one of the accused persons in the murder of KNLF/KNO commander in chief, Tonglianlal Haokip, during a raid conducted yesterday at Kinkin area of Churachandpur district.

Police sources said that the arrested person was identified as Ngamminlien Haokip alias Diamond Haokip (23), son of (Late) Jangpu Haokip of Ward No. 1, Moreh, Tengnoupal district and one 9mm pistol, magazine with three live rounds, grenade, detonator and one motorcycle were seized from his possession. A case has been registered at Churachandpur police station.

Another person named Boithang Haokip, who was also involved in the killing of KNLF/KNO leader on August 2 at Tuibong, is still absconding.

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Aug 9

The National Deworming Day was inaugurated at Vimala Raina High School Churachandpur today. The programme was launched by DC of Churachandpur, Shyam Lal Poonia and it was attended by more than 700 students apart from health officials, parents and teachers.

DPM, NHM demonstrated hand washing techniques to the students and requested them to be aware of healthy habits. Knowledge of treatment by Albendazole tablet was given during the programme.

The DC stressed on the importance of deworming towards achieving internal hygiene among children. He also appealed everyone to ensure hygienic environment for the students and to maintain a Swachh Bharat. The CEO of ADC, Churachandpur, Kamuanlal Simte also appealed to the gathering to work towards cleaning the locality and town for healthy living.

The National Deworming campaign will be undertaken in all the schools and Aanganwadi centres across the district on August 10.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Aug 9

National Rural Health Mission Society, Tamenglong launched National Deworming Day at OPD, Tamenglong District Hospital Complex today.

The launching programme was attended by SDO of Tamenglong, Kachamthai Pheiga Gangmei as chief guest along with chief medical officer, Dr Chambo Gonmei, Dr Namjupou, Dr Guidiathiu Kamei and other doctors.

The chief guest urged for compulsory medication for children from 1 year to 19 years of age. The deworming medicine is free of cost and it should cover all the children of Tamenglong district so as to build a healthy society, he added.

Dr Chambo Gonmei said that covering all the children requires deworming medication in all the schools of Tamenglong district. He also advised the parents to wash their children’s hands properly before meal and after toilet.

Dr Chambo Gonmei also said that the government of Manipur and district administration are trying to complete a new OPD in Tamenglong at the earliest as the present one is small and congested. He further informed that the district hospital of Tamenglong has launched Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi where one can buy medicines at lowest rate under doctor’s prescription.

IMPHAL | Aug 9

The Manipur Committee for Parliament has appealed the department of Fisheries, government of Manipur to look into the grievances of Hill district fish farmers of Paddy cum Pisciculture (NEC) 2013-14 which has been demanding for release of final payment.

A release signed by vice-president of the committee, S. Ningshen said that the committee also condemned the action of the department of Fisheries, government of Manipur for carrying out inspection on implementation of Paddy cum Pisciculture in the month of July-August, 2017 which should have been conducted in 2013-14.

The Manipur Committee for Parliament appealed to all the fish farmers and the government for earliest solution, it added.

IMPHAL| Aug 9

The outlawed United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA/UTLF) has informed today that the organisation is not involved in the killing of an innocent person (L) Ranjen Das, and in the kidnapping of a NFR Engineer who were abducted in the Vangai range for a ransom.

(UTLA/UTLF) has appealed to all underground outfits that kidnapping, killing of innocent people, ransom and other such as keeping in hostage are strictly unwanted, said a release signed by T.   Robert Singson, general secretary, UTLA/UTLF. The organisation has appealed not to indulge in such a crime against humanity in the Vangai range, it said.

The organisation has requested the cadres of UTLA/UTLF who have gone to their villages to report on August 20 at the peace camp, it further said. Otherwise, the monthly stipend and the other income organised by the government would not be pro

IMPHAL | Aug 9

The Tribal Fish Farmers Committee, Manipur has expressed dissatisfaction over the implementation of Paddy cum Pisciculture (NEC) 2013-14 for manipulating the tribal fish farmers by not releasing the final payment.

A release signed by general secretary of Tribal Fish Farmers Committee, Machungailung Gangmei said that the committee also condemned the action of the department of Fisheries, government of Manipur for carrying out inspection on implementation of Paddy cum Pisciculture in the month of July-August, 2017 without releasing the final fund which was already implemented in 2013-14.

It further said that as the government fails to redress the grievances of the farmers, the committee in an emergency meeting of executives observed that different schemes implemented in hill districts have totally failed and further resolved to call 12 hour bandh in all tribal inhabited areas from the midnight of August 10.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 9

The Imphal East police today arrested one drug peddler at around 1.25 pm and seized 20,890 spasmo proxivon (SP) capsule worth around Rs. 5,22,000 from his residence.

The arrested drug peddler is identified as Sangomshungbam Mujibur Rahaman alias Ango (27) son of S. Amu Shah of Khurai Khumidok Kongba Turel Mapan.

Police said that the team lead by Imphal East commando officer in charge, L. Vaiphei were able to arrest the drug peddler after the Imphal East police got a specific information about the presence of drug smuggler at Khurai Khumidok Kongba Turel Mapan area.

Earlier the team arrested two drug peddlers from Bishnupur district by giving prior information to the Bishnupur police control room.

Police said that they arrested Talkhellambam Shashikanta Singh alias Sashi alias Atomba (36) son of T. Thambalngou from Nambol Kabowakching at around 11.35 am and seized one mobile phone from his residence.

Following his disclosure the team arrested Ningthoujam Angangtomba Singh alias Tomba (52) son of late N. Nilachandra Singh from Leimaram Waroiching at around 12.20 pm and seized 25 grams of heroine (no. 4) powder and one mobile phone.

Police said that they were able to make the arrest after getting a reliable information of presence of drug peddler at Nambol Kabowakching area and the two arrested peddlers are partners in their peddling business.