Day: August 20, 2017

IMPHAL | Aug 20

Socialist Democratic Party of India, Manipur state has organised its get together function today at hotel classic, Imphal.

The get together was held as a part of the ongoing campaign organised by the Socialist Democratic Party of India from August 1 to 25 against the increasing rate of lynching and mob violence towards Muslims and Dalit community in India, said a release.

The organisation alleged that the BJP government and Sangh Parivar have murdered many Muslims and Dalit in the name of protecting cows, it said adding  the prime minster have willingly turned a blind eye to their plights.

Resolutions were made in the meeting that the lynching without trail must be stopped, those who are doing business on cows should be dealt only under the constitutional laws, and must not be discriminated on the basis of race or caste. Those who are breaking the constitutional laws must be investigated, it added. 

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 20

Information and public relation minister, Th. Biswajit said that Manipuri language does not belong to only one community but belongs to the whole community of the state.

He was delivering the chief guest speech on the state level celebration function of 26th Manipuri Language Day today at Iboyaima Sumang Leela Shanglen, Imphal organised by the 26th Manipuri Language Day State Level Celebration Committee.

The minister said that the inclusion of the Manipuri language in the 8th scheduled is a big achievement of the state and the credit should be given to all the people who are working very hard to uplift the Manipuri language.

Promoting and preserving Manipur language is necessary in making a bright future of the state with all round development, he added.

Biswajit said that the information and public relation department will help at its best level to uplift the Manipuri language by organising awareness programme and assured to set up a separate directorate of language.

Education minister, Th. Radheshyam speaking on the occasion assured that the government will try at its best level for the inclusion of Manipuri script in Indian currency.

The minister said that organising of debate and essay competition on the topic “Manipuri language” will be very helpful in uplifting and promoting the language.

Moreover shumang leela, Manipuri film, drama and song also play a big role in promoting the language and to make it popular, added Radheshyam.

Consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister, Karam Shyam said that the people can express his thought fully through their mother tongue so it is important to preserve and promote mother tongue. People should not feel hesitant in speaking their mother tongue, he added.

The function was attended by the organising committee’s, chairman, Th. Tombi as president.

The Patriotic Writers Forum, (PAWF) Manipur also celebrated the 26th Manipur Language Day at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.

PAWF literary awards were distributed during the function and a journal and three books were also released.

The  function was attended by SDC, Kakching, L. Ashakumar as chief guest, PAWF president, Raghu Leishangthem as president and retired project officer, A. Meme as guest of honour.

Delivering the key note address, PAWF, secretary, Rakesh Moirangthem said that people started to mixed Sanskrit and other major language like Hindi and English while speaking Manipuri and such action will one day leads to extinction of many Manipuri words.

So it is high time to preserve and promote the Manipur language to make the language alive for the future generation, he added.

He said that PAWF appealed to the government to take up necessaries steps to make the Manipuri script include in the Indian currency.

All Manipur Students Union also celebrated the 26th Manipuri Language Day at its office at DM College campus.

IMPHAL | Aug 20

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today left Imphal for the national capital to attend chief minister meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Biren left Imphal this afternoon after attending a meeting of the officer bearers at Imphal hotel followed by a “One day lecture on New Indi Manthan”, organised by the party. The lecture was also attended by Union minister for commerce and industries, Nirmala Sitharaman.

As a preparation for the chief minister’s meet due to be held tomorrow, a meeting was convened at the CM’s secretariat conference hall wherein all the departments heads including top police officers attended.

In the meet, the chief minister was reportedly briefed of the progress of various projects and developmental works taken up by the present government including the law and order situation.

It has been speculated that the chief minister is likely to put up the matter of AFSPA act during the meeting.

It is learnt that tomorrow’s meeting is a routine meeting organised after every two to three months to update the welfare works being taken up by the respective governments. All the chief minister of the BJP ruled state would be present during the meeting.

BJP President Amit Shah will also be attending the meeting.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 20

A combined team of Thoubal police commandos and a column of 6 Assam Rifles (AR) reportedly apprehended an active member of KCP (Noyon) faction today.

Reports said KCP cadre was apprehended by the combined force during a joint counter insurgency operation conducted at around 2.30 pm from Lilong bazaar near Arapti Lamkhai.

He has been identified as one Moirangthem Loyangamba Meetei alias Kangleipuba (25) son ofM. Sanayamba of Sekta Awang Leikai.

It is learnt that he (arrested militant) joined KCP (Noyon) on May 15, 2017 through one Guliver of Moirang and got 45 days basic military training (army number is 531of 21st batch).

He was posted to 131 Bn. of KCP (Noyon) and working under the command of Sergeant Guliver self-styled BSM of Kabo Valley Training Center.

It has been reported that he disclosed that he recruited some youths for KCP organisation.

Three mobile phones with 3 SIM cards were found in his possession and seized the same from him.

The arrested person along with the seized articles has been handed over to Lilong police station for further necessary action.

 On the other hand, the combined team in another joint operation arrested a vehicle lifter around 9.00 am at Kaleikhong Turel Ahanbi area.

In the operation one suspicious unknown person was detained for proper verification. The unknown person identified himself as Md. Ayajuddin (25) son of Late Md. Jamalludin of Leihaokhong Mamei, a member of gang of vehicle lifters and robbers. On body search, a toy gun was recovered from his possession.

On further examination he stated that he used to snatch mobile, extort money and hijack vehicles using his toy gun.

Further he stated that he used to steal gas cylinder and Water pump (Tulu) etc. On his disclosure one electric water pump was recovered from a place near Kaleikhong bridge.

Ayajuddin was arrested from the spot at 10 a.m. and the toy gun and the electric water pump were seized from his possession. The arrested person along with seized articles was handed over to Lilong police station for further necessary action.

IMPHAL | Aug 20

Children must be taught in the simplest way so that they can grasp the lessons easily. This will in the long run equip them with the ability to make better decisions in their life. The practice must begin from early phase of their education.  

This was stated by education minister, Th. Radheshyam while delivering the chief guest speech at the felicitation function of meritorious Students and distinguished personalities organised by the United Development Association (UDA) at the Khangabok Government High School.

Continuing his speech the pointed out that a child should not be burdened with excessive demands by their guardians. It is also the responsibility of the parents to discover the innate qualities of their children instead of pressurising them, he added.

Further Radheshyam said children need to be made to know about things happening in and around their life with clear understanding so that they can be ready to face any challenges in days to come. Education, he elaborated, is not just to get employed, but it is to train the mind to become a good human and contribute for the betterment of the society.

He said among various attributes of good leaders, one important aspect is the quality to utilise the available resources to fulfil the basic necessity. A child learns good as well as bad habits from the elders, to pave a righteous path for the children parents and elder family member first need to show and teach them the right thing, maintained the minister.

A headmaster, thus, should have the knowledge of all the necessary and administrative requirements of the school, he said, adding any developmental work in the school should be need-base.

Radheshyam also emphasised that one should have the courage to say ‘no’ to what is wrong. Coming down heavily against the practice of ‘ghost students’ taking mid-day meal facilities, he warned that it must be stopped.

In the function the minister distributed prizes to the meritorious students. The function was also attended by chairman, Council of Higher Secondary, L. Mahendra Singh, secretary, Board of Secondary Education and other dignitaries, teacher, students and locals.

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL | Aug 20

The Congress party leaders in the state appeared to be unperturbed by the recent assembly poll defeat as they boasted of being one of the largest parties in the world. The party leaders also expressed their hope of a ‘comeback’.

Former chief minister and Congress leader O. Ibobi Singh said that the party cannot be wiped out easily as it is like an ocean while saying that his party is one of the largest political parties in the world.

This comment of O. Ibobi came while talking to journalists on the sideline of the observation of the 73rd birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi at Congress Bhawan in Imphal. Ibobi Singh also spoke of the vicissitude of politics saying that one should accept the ups and downs of situation.

 After the defeat in the last assembly election, former chief minister O. Ibobi was not seen much in public platform.

 Addressing the gathering, O. Ibobi said that the contributions made by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi towards nation building were immense. “We cannot afford to forget how much our late Prime Minister had done for our country,” he added.

1. Ibobi Singh also highlighted the ‘achievements’ of India in the field of science and technology under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi.

 He also pointed out that Rajiv Gandhi was responsible for the passing of anti-defection law.

Various Congress leaders including Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president TN Haokip attended the event.

IMPHAL | Aug 20

All the banks across the country will be closed on August 22 due to one day all India bank strike launched by nine different trade union organisations of bank.

A release by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) said that the demands of the strike are speedy recovery of bad loans, stringent measures against loan defaulters, abolition of Banks Board Bureau, adequate recruitment in banks and resolution of issues relating to bank employees. The strike was also launched opposing the anti-people banking reforms, write-off of corporate NPAs, increase in bank charges and other issues.

UFBU, Manipur State Committee has expressed its deep regret for the inconvenience to be faced by the customers as all the banking activities will be stopped on the particular day of strike.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 20

The Communist Party of India (CPI) Manipur state council, secretary M. Nara Singh, welcoming the Centre’s decision to give up power to impose “disturbed area” status in Manipur, demanded the BJP led Manipur government to repeal the AFPSA and suggested that it was right time to do so.

Speaking to the media in this regards in a press conference held today at Irawat Bhawan, M. Nara urged the government to think consciously and with the support of the people to repeal the act from the state.

The stand of the CPI is clear when it comes to AFPSA, he said adding that CPI has been against the law since the beginning and continue to demand the repeal of the draconian law.

He maintained that CPI played a big role in repealing the act in seven assembly constituency of Imphal in the past.

He recalled that in 2004, when CPI was an ally with the Congress government in the state five of its Cabinet ministers submitted resignation letter to then chief minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh demanding repeal of AFSPA failing it threatened to withdraw its support from the alliance.

Further pointing out the Left front government led by the CPI (M) repealed the act (AFSPA) after having lifted the disturbed area status from Tripura; he questioned why the BJP led Manipur government is holding back when both centre and state is held by BJP. Moreover, lifting of disturbed area status has been left at the discretion of the state, he said.

“People have become wiser, nobody longer wants any form of violence but to live in peace, Let us hope state government realise the desire of the people”, asserted Nara.

The CPI secretary, alleged that people have started indulging in illicit activities in wake of the panchayat election schedule to be held on October 7.

He contended that the initiative of the Biren led BJP government to uproot corruption cannot be fulfilled unless corruption in electoral system is put to a stop.

Maintaining that government needs strong determination to fight corruption, Nara urged the BJP corruption to declare the upcoming panchayat election to make it free and fair.

Nara, also further alleged that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) has terribly failed in the state.

Beneficiaries of NFSA have been deprived of their rights for several months in almost all the assembly constituencies, he said.

Observing that the Loktak Hydro Project is doing more harm than gain, Nara suggested the government to review the project and decommission it for good.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 20

Union minister of state (Independent Charge) for commerce and industries Nirmala Sitharaman announced here today that the construction work of Asian trilateral highway will start shortly to catalyze the Act East Policy.

Speaking at a one-day lecture on New India Manthan- Sankalp Se Siddhi at Imphal, she said, Manipur will be the gateway for the entire South-East Asia.

She also said, Manipur will have a lot more to benefit from the country’s Act East Policy.

This highway connects Manipur’s border town of Moreh with Mae Sot of Thailand via Myanmar.

The Minister further said, her ministry has launched Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme(TIES) for exporting industrial goods outside the country and a sum of Rs. 9 crore will given for infrastructure development at Imphal airport under this scheme.

Nirmala said that the first step taken by the NDA government is the establishment of Special Investigation Team (SIT) to monitor the practice of corruption in the country.

As the NDA government is an anti-corruption government and cannot be tainted by money, there is not a single whisper of corruption in the last three years, she added.

The minister said that earlier at the time of the UPA government only 28 central government schemes were made available to the general public but after the formation of the NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a total of 316 beneficiaries’ schemes were made available to the public.

Such additional schemes were introduced by the NDA government mostly for the needy people in the ideology of “Sabke Sath, Sabka Vikas” to bring every people to equal level, added Sitharaman.

As the NDA government works for the development of the country and welfare of the people the opposition has no power to point a finger to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She said that one of the priority areas of the government is to connect every village by train to their respective district headquarters. 

The minister said that under the ministry of commerce and industry, Trade Infrastructure for Export scheme was introduced to enhance export competitiveness by bridging gaps in export infrastructure, creating focused export infrastructure, first mile and last mile connectivity for export-oriented projects and addressing quality and certification measures.

The programme was attended by MP, Prahlad Singh Patel, chief minister, N. Biren Singh and commerce and industry minister, Th. Biswajit Singh as presidium members.

After Kerala India’s second computer literate village in state

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 20

A month long free computer training course for the villagers of Nungthang Tampak, a Kom village was concluded today with a small but impressive function at the village church. The training programme was organised by Mangaal Rural, an NGO working for rurtal development.

In the function director of Mangaal Rural, N. Surjit declared that Nungthang Tampak has become India’s second 100 per cent computer literate village in India. Kerala’s Chamravattom village is the country’s first 100 per cent computer literate village.

The training programme was opened on July 24, with four computer systems with one Wi Fi server and two master trainers provided free of cost by Mangaal Rural, based in Imphal. The concluding programme held at Nungthang Tampak Baptist Church was attended by the village chief Leivon Romio Kom, former vice-president of United Committee Manipur, Chandramani Khumancha, president ACOAM Lup, Ksh. Somorendro, rural elected members and villagers.

The village, about 65 kms south of Imphal is located in Saikot Assembly constituency of Churachandur district. This is a Kom village and has 45 households having a population of 200.

After the training programme was concluded Surjit donated a computer set with Wi Fi connectivity and a solar power system to the village.

To ensure that all the villagers attend the course classes were opened from 5 in the morning and continued till midnight. A room at the church premises was used as the class room. The two trainers were provided camped at the village during the course.

Surjit explained that as the villagers had to go to paddy fields and other works the classes remained open throughout the day and night so that all of them could join the class when they were free.

A 23-year-old housewife, mangte Shashniya said “I always dreamt of learning computer knowledge and I always prayed. When I married young I did not see any opportunity of learning it. But today I know the basics I thank Mangaal Rural.” She had to stop her speech frequently as emotitons choked her up.

The villagers were taught how to surf, compose text, save them, photoshop, send e-mail, store data and get print outs, etc.

“We do not have enough to pay back for what Mangaal Rural gave us. But this will be an important event in the history of our village. We all are grateful. May Mangaal Rural light up Manipur,” the village chief said.

Chandramani appealed for unity and love among all the communities living in Manipur for all round development.

While thanking Mangaal Rural Somorendro also said people should unite and work together for the betterment of the state.

All the speakers expressed their gratitude to Mangaal Rural for holding the programme and urged it to continue such programmes in other villages as well.