Day: September 14, 2017

IMPHAL | Sept 14

Secretary of Indian Medical Association (IMA) state branch, Dr. Sachindra Laishram clarified that one Khundrakpam Babina is not related with IMA.

Speaking to media persons Sachindra said on Tuesday a complaint was received at the office of IMA stating that a woman, who identified herself as Khundrakpam Babina of Sagolband Tera Lukram Leirak and an assistant officer medicine, is collecting money from the common people for issuing health insurance cards.

Sachindra said Babina used to collect a sum of Rs. 100 per person in the name of health insurance or health card. She made the people to sign at a form after filling their details along with a photocopy of AADHAR card. She used ASHA workers of the respective areas to collect the sum.

He said according to Babina, the health card will be posted at home from the post office, and if one does not get the card, they can collect the cards from the office of Indian Medical Association, state branch, located at Lamphel.

ASHA workers have almost collected the entire amount but before they handed over the money, some workers came to IMA office and inquired about Babina as if she is genuine. According to the ASHA workers, Babina instructed the workers of Mayang Imphal and Wangjing areas to collect the money for health insurance, Sachindra added.

He said Indian Medical Association Manipur, state branch, is not involved in issuing any health insurance or card. “If any individual is using the name of IMA for issuing such cards is not related to us” he said. There is no office of any association called “Medical Association of Central Government” at IMA office complex, Lamplelpat, Sachindra added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 14

Anti-Ithai barrage and Loktak project activists today organised a rally cum public meeting demanding decommissioning of the barrage and Loktak multipurpose project was held today at Sekmaijin community hall.

The public meeting recommended urging the state and central government to decommission Ithai barrage and Loktak multipurpose project for causing huge hardships to the innocent people due submergence of more than 83,500 hectares of land and extinction of flora and fauna including disturbing bio-diversity.

The recommendation also urged National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to compensate more than 3 lakhs affected people.

The meeting further recommended that the state and central government should investigate and punish NHPC for commissioning Ithai barrage and Loktak multipurpose project without any MOU, improper formalities and for not taking the consent of to the people as well as from the state.

Students of Merciful English School (MES) marched a peace rally from the school campus to the community hall of Sekmaijin. Students took part in the rally by holding placards “save our agricultural land, save our livelihood”, “respect indigenous people’s right”, “go back NHPC”.

Speaking to media, president of Integrated Rural Development (IRDA), Islammudin said Loktak is one of the biggest fresh water lakes in the entire northeast. From the lake many people are earning their livelihood. But since the commission of Ithai barrage and Loktak multipurpose project people living in the surrounding are facing many hardship problems, he added.

Islammudin said with the commissioning of the project not only affected Loktak lake but also affected the surrounding smaller lakes like Ekok, Phumlen, Khomlung lake and other water bodies indirectly. Even the flora and fauna are becoming extinct.

The problems can be solved if Ithai barrage and Loktal multipurpose project is decommissioned, he said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 14

Former chief minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh today reiterated that he is ready to accept any form of punishment if proven guilty of misappropriation of public money as charged.

Ibobi was addressing a gathering during a one day district level political workers’ conference of the Congress party at the community hall at Peace Ground, Churachandpur.

The conference organised by the district Congress committee was attended former deputy chief minister, Gaikhangam, MPCC president T. N. Haokip, Lok Sabha MP Thangso Baite, Congress legislators including Sagolband MLA RK. Imo Singh, Tipaikmukh MLA Dr. Chaltonlien Amo, Karong MLA D. D. Thaisii, DCC members and party workers from across the district.

Questioning the feasibilities of packages announced by the BJP-led government, Ibobi suggested the ruling party that it would not be wise to “fool the people.”

Reacting to the recent announcement of chief minister N. Biren to set up medical college in Churachandpur district, he questioned whether the present government indeed has sent a proposal to the Medical Council of India (MCI).

There are certain norms for setting up of a medical college ranging from infrastructure to man-power and land, he illuminated and added that without fulfilling these first, getting approval from the MCI is virtually impossible.

Nevertheless, he assured to extend full co-operation to the ruling party if the promises made by the BJP were genuine so that the people reap the full benefit of the schemes.

He claimed that most of the projects and schemes which the BJP is claiming to be their architect were legacies of Congress government.

He questioned the commitment of the Union ministers of the BJP citing the failure of them (ministers) to announce a single package for the state or any of the districts despite their frequent visits.

Many Congress legislators who spoke during the event lambasted the highhandedness and intolerance of the BJP.

Former deputy chief minister, Gaikhangam said the BJP gives more respect to cows than humans and that it has now invaded the people’s kitchen.

He said that the claim made by the BJP that it has achieved more within few months of the then Congress government in 15 years is nothing but a “reckless statement.”

“We welcome change but in a positive way not destructive”, said Gaikhangam.

According to MPCC president Haokip, Modi will trip over in his own false promises made to the people and asked the people to be patient.

Citing the prevailing situation of the nation, Haokip contended that every initiative that Modi claimed would deliver a great deal has backfired.

“Agriculture sector has failed, economy is plunging towards downwards. The demonetisation has achieved nothing”, he said.

1. Thaisii and Thangso Baite, also rued the religious intolerance and imposition on culture and food habits of others by the BJP appealing to the people to vote for a party which serves the best interest of the nation.

The conference was marked by cultural extravaganza and speeches from other prominent Congress leader of the district.

IMPHAL | Sept 14

The proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front has claimed that the five cadres who were killed during the intervening night of September 12 and 13 at Makan village under Kamjong district, was a joint attack of NSCN (IM) and Assam Rifles.  

A joint release signed by assistant publicity secretary, Manipur Naga People’s Front, Thomas Numai and assistance secretary, publicity, Revolutionary People’s Front, Bangkim said the five cadres had the characteristics of being gentle, honest, well-disciplined freedom fighters as well as patriotic and had devotion to the party, adding they all were brave friends who wanted to live a life of freedom. 

A condolence meeting was held by the unit, department and all the stations. Additionally, the grief of the bereaved family, relatives and friends is shared by MNPF, RPF and its army, PLA, it added.

Further it said the cadres passed away after they were attacked by a combined force of NSCN (IM) and Assam Rifles, who (the former) once fought for freedom but currently fallen into to seductive trap of the enemy i.e India.

NSCN (IM) once walked aside as brothers in arms and fought together for the war of freedom, but after having fallen into India’s trap of sweet talk, they side tracked from the war of freedom and got compromise by begging to India, it said.

The NSCN (IM) has become a weapon of India by attacking the organisations of WESEA region, it added.  

Therefore, the time has arrived for the WESEA region people, specially the Naga brothers to realise that the acts of NSCN (IM), whose spirit of freedom is withering, is at the wrong side, it said.

The release further identified the slain cadres as: Rikhan Jajo son of Namai Jajo from Nongdam (T), Kamjon district, Kasom Block. He was a friend who had been working for MNPF, it said adding this friend was fighting for the war for an independent Manipur in which there are no communal feelings.

Sergeant major Richard, real name Wareppam Dinesh, son of W. Nongyaijao and W. (Ongbi) Kundalei from Kanglatombi Manitri Band worked under 252 Mobile Battalion, it said. He became successful in the basic training of PLA in May 31, 2008, it further said adding he was a friend who fought valiantly in many battles against the enemy.   

Lalloi, real name Khundrakpam Sunil, son of Kh. Sanatomba and Kh. (Ongbi) Memcha from Leitanpokpi worked under the general headquarters, it said. He got basic training of PLA and passed out on December 25, 2006. Sergeant Lalloi bore many struggles courageously and worked hard for the soldiers and the party, it added.

Nanao alias Moirangthem Tomba, son of M. Biren and M. (Ongbi) Anoubi from Keibi Awang Leikai worked under general headquarters, it said. He got basic training of PLA and passed out on December 25, 2016.

Sinthouba alias Konjengbam Shyamsunder son of K.Nirmol and K. (Ongbi) Rupati from Cachar Lakhipur Khunou also worked under general headquarters, it said. He went through basic training of PLA and passed out on December 25, 2016, it added.