Month: December 2017

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 4

The All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) is going to stage a sit-in demonstration at Keishampat tomorrow to protest the intimidation against the union’s president W. Shamjai, by some BJP leaders.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur press club, AMWJU’s adviser, N. Tombiraj said the union has taken a firm stand to confront any attempts to attack Shamjai in wake of the warning issued by BJP leaders to lodge a defamation case against the AMWJU president.

All the members of the AMWJU showing their solidarity to the president has also unanimously agreed to steadfastly stand by him (Shamjai) in any eventuality, he said adding that a sit-in protest will be staged at Keishampat from 2 pm to 4pm.

He appealed to all who has concern for the media fraternity who is considered as the fourth estate to participate in the protest.

The AMWJU advisor further informed that a memorandum would be submitted to the Governor of Manipur after the protest. The copy of the memorandum would also be sent to the press council of India (PCI), Indian Journalist Union (IJU) and president of India.

He also opined that a case would also be registered with the cybercrime police against derogatory comment made by a BJP leader against the AMWJU uploaded in social networking.

Efforts are being made to abolish VIP culture in the country by Prime Minister, chief minister of Manipur. But on the contrary, some of the leaders are apparently trying hard to revive the trend, he alleged.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 4

Locals of Uripok today staged a sit-in protest demanding to shift Ram Krishna Mission private school to another location and restore the Tondonsana High School at Uripok Khumanthem Kandebo Leirak Machin to its former glory.

The protest was jointly organised by Kangleipak Thoupang Lup, Uripok, UBMLDA Meira Paibi Association and Think-tank Imphal.

Speaking to media persons Kangleipek Thoupang Lup convener, Ahongshangbam Pholen said that Tondonsana High School is one of the oldest schools in the state and have produced many brilliant students since its inception.

The school is also the only hope for many students belonging to poor families who cannot afford to go to private schools. Moreover, the school’s playground used to be the only place for many youths residing in and around the areas to carry out their sporting activities, he asserted.

But after the existence of Tondonsana was discontinued by the government, Ram Krishna Mission Pvt.

School occupied the school many students had to stop their schooling and youths are not allowed to use the playground, he contended.

The locals appealed to the government to revive and restore Tondonsana High School taking into consideration the interest of the students from the poor section and the youths.

In this connection a memorandum was submitted today to the deputy chief minister, Y. Joykumar who is also the MLA of the Uripok constituency.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 4

The High Court of Manipur today directed the state government to give a sum of Rs. 30 thousand to the People for Animals (PFA) Manipur as financial assistance for maintaining seven dogs which were rescued on August 30.

The order was passed by the division bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising of acting chief justice, N. Kotiswar and justice, Kh. Nobin during the hearing of the suo motto PIL taken up by the High Court on its own motion for the effective implementation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and its rules.

The seven dogs have been looked after by the PFA as entrusted by the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West on August 31 in view of inability of the State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department to look after the dogs.

Moreover, the PFA has been incurring the expenses for maintaining the dogs till date and sought for assistance from the state government.

On August 30, one L. Bishwajeet lodged a complaint to the police stating that one van carrying seven dogs in a very cruel manner was found.

The complaint added that the dog’s limbs were found tied up by metal binding wires and it is clear that they were being transported for consumption. Subsequently, the police arrested the persons involved in the case.

Thereafter chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West convicted the accused persons and imposed a fine of Rs. 50 each and directed the accused to deposit a sum of Rs. 5,000 as expenses towards maintenance of the seized dogs and the rescued dogs were given interim custody to People for Animal Manipur.

The PIL also mentioned that the Manipur pony is one of the five recognised equine breeds of India and it has been indispensable for Manipuri society for its socio-cultural association for centuries.

It added that most of the ponies were abandoned by their owners and they failed to provide proper shelter, feeds and medical attention to the ponies but the owners collect the ponies whenever they need for polo matches or race etc.

Such abandoned ponies are wandering on streets and roads in search of food and shelter, it said.

The PIL prayed to the court to direct the state government to construct proper animal shelters in all districts at the earliest as specified in Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960 and its rules and to provide necessary infrastructure and funds for proper running of animal shelters.

The court has fixed the next hearing of the PIL on December 20.

IMPHAL | Dec 4

The 4th International Sankirtan Day was celebrated today, organized by the 4th International Sankirtan Day Celebration Committee in collaboration with Shree Shree Govindaji Nat Sankirtana Academy, Wangkhei Palace Compound, Imphal.

The event celebrated at the auditorium of Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal with Dr. Najma Heptulla, governor of Manipur gracing the function as the chief guest.

Addressing the function, Dr. Najma Heptulla said that she felt proud of the rich cultural heritage of Manipur and to the recognition given by UNESCO to Sankirtan of Manipur as a World Heritage, which is richly deserved.

The Governor further said that she had written to the office of UNESCO, New Delhi enquiring as to why the Certificate of Recognition is still not issued to Sankirtan even though it was included in the World Heritage in 2013.

She also stressed that she had proposed to create a Research Centre in Manipur University of Culture to formulate a project with a detailed approach paper on documentation of Sankirtan including its historical, sociological, ethno-musical and folkloristic origins.

Speaking as special guest, Titular King, Meidingu Leisemba Sanajaoba said that the two organisations have been organising the International Sankirtan Day since 2014 while facing financial hardships and appealed the government to redress the problem being faced.

The function also showcased cultural programmes which included Guru Vandana, Jhal Cholom, Pung Cholom, Khubak Ishei and others. Mementos were also presented to the Gurus as a token of respect for the service rendered in their respective fields.

Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Y. Khemchand, MLA, Yaiskul assembly constituency, Th. Seityabrata Singh, MLA, Kshetrigao Assembly constituency, N. Indrajit Singh, MLA, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa assembly constituency, Soibam Subhaschandra Singh, also attended the function as the president and guests of honour respectively.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 4

All Manipur Madrasa Teacher Welfare Association (AMMTWA) locked down office of WAQF board located at Minuthong Hafiz Hatta, Imphal East today as a first step of its agitations.

Speaking to media person, vice president of AMMTWA, Md. Abdul Jafar said WAQF board selected thirty traditional madrasa to implement madrasa modernisation. Five teachers were appointed for each madrasa with a total of 150 teachers for five general subjects on July, 2010 as part-time teachers.

On November 24, 2016 the former government during a cabinet meeting, a bill was passed to make regularisation for the selected teachers. Principal secretary of MOBC, M.A.A. Khan had also instructed WAQF board to release the order for regularisation of part-time teachers, he added.

But the CO and chairman of WAQF board did not release the order officially till now, he added. Teachers of traditional madrasa have been suffering without their monthly salary for the last forty months. The issue was also brought to chief minister on “Meeyam gi numit” but the government failed to give any positive response till now, Abdul added.

As the first step of the agitations taken up after the given deadline on November 30, WAQF board office had been locked down. From the midnight of December 9 till midnight of December 10, AMMTWA has called for a total bandh in the entire state. He further appealed the people to support the agitations and warned that those who ignore the bandh will be held responsible for any unwanted outcomes.