Day: August 26, 2017

From Our Correspondent

MOREH | Aug 26

Miscreant exploded a bomb this evening near LIC office situated at Moreh ward no.3.

The bomb explosion took place at around 7.30 pm. Although there is no report of any casualty the blast impact damaged the wall of a photo studio and also shattered window panes of the LIC office.

A team of police commando led by Moreh SDPO rushed to the spot and inspected the blast site. The motive behind the blast is yet to be ascertained till the time of filing this report.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 26

Additional Director General of Police (HG), Chr. Doungel clarified that the Supreme Court did not give direction to increase Home Guard salary. The court has given only guidelines, he added.

Briefing media persons today at Manipur Police head quarter, Babupara, Imphal, Doungel said that the matter of increasing the home guard allowance has been taken up in the state Home department but the Centre has not sanction any extra budget for the home guard.

He said that the contention of the home guards personnel that 90 percent of their salary will be given by central government is wrong. The Centre has sanctioned only Rs. 4500 as monthly allowance for each personnel, he said, adding the state alone has to bear the financial responsibility if in case the allowance is to be increased.

Speaking on the matter of home guard personnel who never attended their duties, he said that an enquiry will be conducted very soon and action will be taken up. The monthly allowance of the home guard personnel is delivered through their bank account from the year 2012, so there will be no cases of corruption in giving their monthly allowance, said the additional DGP.

He further said that such guidelines given by the Supreme Court is still not implemented in any states of the country.

Regarding the matter of keeping separate battalion for women home guard Doungel said he will discuss the matter with other officials in order to implement it.

IMPHAL | Aug 26

After the weather forecast report of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) of occurrence of heavy to very heavy rainfall measuring 115.6 to 204.4 mm in most places of the state during the next 72 hours, under-secretary (Relief and DM), government of Manipur, Bidyarani Ayekpam has directed all the deputy commissioners to make the 24×7 district control room operational to attend distress call from public.

A release issued by under-secretary (Relief and DM) said that all the deputy commissioners are advised to take necessary steps to mitigate the impending flood situation in the state and added that state level control room functioning at Disaster Management Institute (DMI) may be reached at helpline number 0385-2443441.

It further said that joint secretary (Relief and DM), government of Manipur and other directorate level officers are deputed to receive calls from the public at the state level and to coordinate with DCs and directorate level officers.

The helpline numbers of the nodal officers at State Disaster Control room are 9436035836 and 9856292805, it added.

From Our Correspondent

CHURACHANDPUR | Aug 26

A 78 year old, sick man hailing from Singat village was reportedly deprived of medical test at a facility in Churachandpur district hospital, forcing him to leave and do the test by himself at a private clinic paying the price triple times higher to that of the government hospital.

Suangin (78) from Singat, which is about 32 km from Lamka, had come for a check-up and was told by doctors to take the Rante Blood Sugar (RBS) and Kidney Function Test (KFT) at the district hospital last Saturday.

When he went for the test, the staff of bio chemistry department asked him to come on Monday, so he stayed at his daughter’s place. But to his surprise, he was again told on Monday to come the next day.

Since he was very sick and fragile, he approached the district superintendent. 

The district superintendent told the department technicians to take the test as the patient was weak and making him wait for more days will not be in the best interest of his health.

But on the contrary, the technician at the bio chemistry department became more aggressive towards him and allegedly told that that since they approach the MS, they will never do the test for him.

 The son in law of the patient, his friends along with local press men further took up the case to the MS, who became visibly upset that his request was negated by his own staff and promised that he will look into the matter. 

 On the next day, local press men went to inquire at the department as a man from New Lamka had also made complaints to the hospital authority that his blood test was wasted by the biochemistry department.

 While one of the lady staff was talking to them, another questionably took photos of the pressmen inside the biochemist room using her mobile phones which did not go well with the scribes who asked her to delete the photo. The pressmen also came to know that many ASHA workers also had problems with the department. 

It was also found that the department in charge, Dr. Prem rarely attends his duty and would be on leave for most of the days.

Many patients also narrated similar incidents of waiting for blood tests only to hear the technicians of biochemistry department telling them that they have not done the test and cannot avail the testing facility for them.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Aug 26

A team of the social welfare department headed by deputy director K. Jiteshwor personally visited visually impaired Chaobi who was languishing without any pension benefits today at the latter’s Thoubal Wangmataba residence.

She was handed over with the Manipur old age pension scheme card (MOAPS) and the beneficial amount of money.

It may be recalled that Chaobi’s story was highlighted by the IFP in its August 23 issue.

Eighty seven year-old, Chaobi got her first pension amount of rupees 2400 for the year 2016-17 starting from March 2016 to February 2017 today.

She has become a beneficiary now. Social welfare department gave the pension scheme to Chaobi under a special case.

Chaobi will receive the pension benefits from time to time in the years to come.

 Deputy director, Jiteshwor thanked the media for bringing out such a story.

In today’s handing over of the pension money, he was accompanied by research officer W. Birhari, N. Jotish devi, district social welfare officer, Thoubal and other staffs.

It may be mentioned that Mainam ningol Chaobi devi (87), who was blind ever since birth, was living without getting any pension benefits from the government.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 26

The public must get rid of the misconception that law is only about court, lawyers or judges. Law is an integral part of democracy which governs the public and the society to impart justice said acting chief justice, N. Kotiswar Singh. 

He was speaking as the chief justice at a one-day legal awareness programme on “Issues relating to Muslim Personal Law” held today at Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa, Lilong.

The programme was organised by Manipur State Legal Service Authority in association with Students in association with Students Union Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa and Muslim Advocates’ Legal Services Organisation (MALSO).

He urged the public to make themselves aware about the rights and duties enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The acting chief justice further asked the people of the state to take the opportunity of legal service authority in fighting for their rights.

As to enjoy the full rights under a democratic country and to be an enlightened and a responsible citizen people need to at least have the knowledge of the Preamble and the Fundamental Rights, said the acting chief justice. 

Kotiswar asked the people not to be hesitant in asking question to the legal authority to know the rights as it will help in clearing the doubts and know the rights better.

Supreme Court, advocate, Aatyab Siddique spoke on the topic “Issue related to Muslim Personal Law”

The function was also attended by MALSO president, Md. Jalaluddin and Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa as presidium members. 

Later the same awareness programme was conducted at Jamia M.U. High School, Azam Nagar, Khabeishoi in association with Jamia Halima Aziz Educational Trust and MALSO.

IMPHAL | Aug 26

The NSCN (IM) has clarified that the outfit has not imposed any kind of restrictions regarding the burial of late Rishang Keishing at Bungpa village. A release said it has neither issued direction on the movement of Victor Keishing, son of the late political leader. The news circulated in various newspapers and social media are false, it added.

Newmai News Network

 SENAPATI |AUG 26

Even as internal crisis of the Naga People’s Front persists in Nagaland State, the Manipur State unit of the NPF has resolved that it will “extend support to NPF Central which is in alliance with the BJP in the state as well as at the Centre.”

This resolution was taken today in its ‘office bearers’ meeting’, according to the Manipur State unit of the NPF. It also said that during the meeting it also “unanimously re-affirmed the previous resolution taken in its office bearers’ meeting held on August 12, to continue its alliance with the BJP in Manipur”.

 Today’s meeting condoled the demise of former chief minister Rishang Keishing. The party termed Rishang Keishing as one “veteran politician who was not only recognised as a political figure in the state but a well-known national political leader”.

The Manipur State unit of the NPF also said that Rishang’s demise is a “great loss not only to the Naga society but for the state as a whole.” The party further said, “the vacuum left by his demise cannot be filled again, and that, it is not easy for any leader to grow into such a stature.” The party shared the grief of the family of the departed leader.

The NPF, Manipur State unit also condoled the demise of Nepuni Lossii, father of minister L Dikho. The party said that Nepuni Lossii was a God fearing church leader. It also said that Nepuni was a well-known social leader. “He was a proud father who had given a son to be a leader among the Nagas who is an entrepreneur as well as a politician”, said the NPF, Manipur State unit. While condoling the grief stricken family members of Nepuni Lossii, the party said it shared their pains.

Orphanage properties worth Rs. 25 lakh swept away by rising Barak torrents

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI |Aug 26 

An unexpected and sudden burst of wrath of the Barak river rendered 120 orphans homeless early this morning. The river, suddenly swollen by a cloudburst, flooded the campus of Compassionate Children Ministries, one of the biggest orphan care home, at Kathikho Karong in Senapati district.

The heavy downpour last night caused the Barak river  to rise unprecedentedly flooding the entire campus of Compassionate Children Ministries Caring Home and Compassion Residential Academy carrying away properties worth around Rs. 25 lakhs.

The river torrent which rampaged through the heart of the orphanage campus washed away all the properties including utensils, furniture, keyboard, PA system at the chapel hall, livestock raised to fund the orphanage, books, notebooks, clothing of the children, other personal belongings and even a Swift car parked inside the campus belonging to the Home proprietor. Four classrooms were also completely destroyed.

The devastating flood ravaged everything that stood on its path and left the children without a home, food, spare cloths and other basic amenities leaving them to battle the bad weather and water contamination exposing them to danger of illnesses.

At Veiwland colony, more than one kilometer village road was destroyed by torrents rushing down from numerous streams. The mud washed down by the water entered more than twenty houses and destroyed furnitures and food items worth Rs. 30 Lakhs. It was also reported that at Yapao Colony, Senapati road and vehicles were left half buried in mud. 

Speaking to media persons, Robin Raomai Heni, care giver of Compassionate Children Ministry lamented that the sound of water tanks and other utensils falling woke him up at around 2 am. “When I got up from the bed the water level reached almost my knee and I immediately rushed towards the children and rescued them”, he said.

However, within a short span of 15 minute the water level reached almost neck level and we could not save anything from the wrath of the catastrophic flood, he added while conveying the tremendous hardships faced by the children and the Ministries.

Visibly disheartened Robin said that Compassionate Children Ministries Caring Home and Residential Academy is the same Ministry under the banner of Compassionate Children Ministries while adding that they have been working voluntarily for the past one decade and as of now they have 120 children giving them free education till seven standards and from VIII to till XII.  The home sends the children to other school but sheltered here in the campus, he said.

He continued that the school is mainly for drop out children, orphaned, abandoned, surrendered and living under below poverty line children.  “We accept all kind of children those even disowned by the society. Our mission is to nurture them and make them a responsible member of the society”, he said.

Further Robin said, “They come to us without knowing a word of English but they create history of our orphanage by scaling the tough competitive HSLC and HSSLC examination with flying colour”.

Responding quickly with the crisis situation, the Youth Act and Herald Today, a daily newspaper published in Senapati DHQs has collectively set up a dedicated relief material collection center at the Herald Today’s Head office in Senapati DHQs while immediate relief has been provided by the District Administration and others individuals.

The relief material collection center is accepting donations towards providing relief to the victims of the CCM flood.  Relief materials that are of immediate requirements are dry ration (rice, vegetables, biscuits etc), basic medicine, water, cloths, plastic sheets, sanitary napkins, blankets, books, notebooks and stationeries for the students along with cash for meeting the daily needs of the orphans and also help rebuild the orphanage.

While conveying his heartfelt gratitude to all those who addressed their grievances immediately, Robin urge the state government and authority concerned to help the poor and helpless children.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 25

A team of eleven tourists from Spain including women stayed at a house at Thanga Ngaram Leikai. They helped in the cooking, ate what the host eat, and enjoyed the state’s traditional dance and sport, to be left fascinated.  

They are from Barcelona, Spain who arrived on August 22.

The tour is organised by Quimet Martinez as a monsoon trail starting from Guwahati Haflong with Dimasa, Hmar and Kukis, Jaintias and Khasis at Meghalaya, Angamis at Nagaland and Meiteis in Manipur.

This kind of trip has been organised before but this is the first time that Manipur has been included.

Host Oinam Maipakchao said that this is a means of sustainable tourism. The locals are empowered and earn revenue from the tourist with whatever they can offer. At the same time providing a homely atmosphere which further educates the tourist about our social bonds and culture is a rewarding experience, he added.

Mapiakchao entertained the tourist educating them of what this land is all about. At the same time, revenue was generated by the residents thus empowering the locals and promoting tourism.

During their stay the tourists were taken to Keibul Lamjao national park. They were lucky enough to watch the Sangai particularly at a time when they are seen coming out very rarely during this season.

The Spaniards expressed their happiness to be able to visit the floating national park, Keibul Lamjao. Besides they were taken to a firoi ceremony in the locality, which introduced them to yet another journey into the ritual ceremonies and the food preparation of community feast. 

They were later taken on the canoes and showed them how the fisher folks lived, how they survive on the lake atop the floating bio-mass. The aquatic plants like heikrak, yelli, thangjing, thambou etc. were gathered and they were shown how the dishes were prepared from them.

They had a sumptuous meal with the local fishermen of Langol Saabi area. After coming back from there the tourist were taken to Thanga island by boat and given a tour.

In the evening, the tourist were shown some cultural shows which commenced with a pena recital, they were also briefed on the importance of the cultural aspects and the importance of the musical instruments.

 A Leima jagoi was also showcased and the tourists were given a brief synopsis about the dance and how it displays the beginning of creation. The evening culminated with a thabal chongba and the Spaniards also joined in with delight. The women were also dressed up in traditional potlois later. The tourist also donated generously to the cultural troops. After the program, they helped in preparing dinner.