Month: December 2017

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Deputy chief minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh has conveyed best wishes and warm greetings to the people of Manipur for a happy and prosperous New Year, 2018.

“May the coming year bring peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst different communities of Manipur by maintaining unity in diversity,” said a release. “Let us co-operate with each other and work together in the coming days for a developed and prosperous society,” it added.  

Further, he sent his best wishes to the people of Manipur especially to Kabui brethren on the auspicious and joyous occasion of Gaan-Ngai which falls December 31 with prayers that may the festival bring peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst the people of Manipur for a prosperous state.

“Gaan –Ngai the post-harvest and thanksgiving festival, remind us the kindness and blessings of God which gives us joy and contentment. This festival is also meant for honouring the ancestors and dedicated to numerous celebrations. Gaan- Ngai festival enchants the identity and cultural beauty of Kabui community,” it said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Condemning the death of Ningthoujam Lanchenba Meitei, a student of Xtra Edge higher secondary school, local meira paibies and JAC formed against the death of the student today staged sit-in-protest at Elangbam Leikai Leirak Achouba. 

Speaking to reporters, convenor of the JAC, Venus Elangbam said the dead of Lanchenba is a mystery and the cause of death is still unknown. He said when Lanchenba fall from the bus (route number 2) the driver drove without stopping the bus to school. Two teachers from another school bus route number 12 which was following the bus stopped and examined the condition of Lanchenba. But without taking any initiatives the two teachers also left the body on the road.

Without informing the incident to Lanchenba’s family, school authority conducted condolence at the school, he lamented.

Lanchenba is a class XI student. He died yesterday after he fell from the front door of the school bus he was travelling and its rear tyre ran over his head, at Sega road Takhellambam Leikai. He is the only son of N. Deban from Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, Imphal West. Police says Lanchenba died on the spot.

The family members approached the school authority to talk on the matter but till late evening no response was given by the school authority, he added. JAC strongly condemned the school authority for not taking any necessary action against the dead of Lanchenba. JAC has decided to shut down Xtra Edge school indefinitely until a valid reason for the dead of Lanchenba is provided, Venus added.

It is said that the school authority and JAC is continuing talk on the matter at Imphal Police station.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 30

A combined team of Imphal East commandos and G-Saparmeina police along with a column of 12 Assam Rifle yesterday arrested three active cadres of United Naga People Council/Ching Tam Liberation Army (UNPC/CTLA) who were involved in the kidnapping a truck driver on Thursday.

Briefing media persons today at Imphal East SP office at Porompat, SP, K. Kabib said that a counter insurgency operation was launched yesterday afternoon in and around Lamlai area after getting a reliable information regarding the presence of some UGs cadres in the area.

The CI operation was led by Imphal East commando OC, L. Vaiphei, G-Saparmeina police station OC, J.K. Haokip under the command of Kangkokpi additional SP, Lalboi Haokip, Imphal East commando DSP, Robinson Khamnam, Imphal East police DSP (ops), R.K. Saklemba and under the overall supervision of Imphal East additional SP (law and order), Wungpam Kasar, he added.

During the operation they were able to arrest two cadres of UNPC/CTLA identified as Lamgoulun Misao alias Paulneo, 30, son of late Kamsei Misao of Toulbung Matayenf village who claimed himself as self style in-charge PRO-hills and M. Bungcha alias Ishorjit, 30, son of late M. Inao of Thamnapokpi Mayai Leikai who claimed himself as self style in-charge PRO valley, continued the SP.

He said during interrogation the two arrested cadres disclosed that on Thursday their group kidnapped one truck driver Adkho Mao from Morbung following the instruction of their group’s self style major, Angam for a ransom of Rs 13 lakhs.

Further from their disclosure they were able to arrest one more cadre of the party identified as Redeemson Muivah alias Bruce Lee, 21, son of late Khaningkhai of Yaingagpokpi Muirei from Mantripukhri area and accordingly during the operation police tactically made them to release the abducted driver safely, added Kabib.

Kabib continued from the possession of the three arrested militant police were able to seize one 9mm pistol loaded with five live rounds in the magazine, four mobile phones and one scooter (Honda Dio) and according to their statement they all joined the party through one self style general secretary, Jonah.

Later the arrested cadres and the seized items were handed over to Lamlai police station for further action and police is hunting to arrest Angam and Jonah, he further added.

In another case a team of Narcotic Cell, Imphal East today arrested one woman drug peddler and seized nine grams of heroin powder, 32 SP capsules and 342 WY tablets worth around Rs. 1,89,000 from her possession.

The individual identified as Ranjana, 30, wife of Md. Sahid Khan of Khergao Yumkhaibam was arrested during patrol duty in and around Khergao area by Narcotic Cell, Imphal East and Imphal East commando under the supervision of DSP (CAR), Roni Mayengbam and Narcotic Cell OC, Devkumar Singh.

She has been handed over to Porompat police station for further legal action.

Imphal East police were able to seize illicit drugs, liquor worth around Rs. 5,85,86,050, arrest 81 drug peddlers and 98 UGs cadres during CI operation from January 1 till date.

During drive against drugs and alcohol they were able to seized 14,928 litres of DIC liquor worth around Rs. 14,92,800, 388 bottles of IMF liquor worth around Rs. 3,38,000, 2,145 grams of  heroin worth around Rs. 2,57,40,000, 62,446 numbers of SP capsules worth around Rs. 28,10,070, 13,626 numbers of WY tablet worth around Rs. 27,25,200, 6,000 numbers of Zolfresh tablet worth around Rs. 2,70,000, 5975 numbers of N-10 tablet worth around Rs. 2,98,750, 1,865.45 kilograms of ganja worth around Rs. 1,86,54,530, 11,500 grams of opium worth around Rs. 14,37,500, 64 bottles of dell syrup worth around Rs. 19,200 and brown sugar worth around Rs. 48,00,000.

During CI operations the Imphal East police were able to seize 11 numbers of 9mm pistols with 53 live rounds, four .32 pistols with nine live rounds, two AK-47 rifles with 15 live rounds and eight magazines, one lethod gun with 10 shells, one double barrel gun with magazine, one SMG carbine, four grenades, 15 demand letters, two wireless set and two country made pistols, this year. 

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Education, labour and employment minister Thokchom Radheshyam said many schemes and programme are implemented by the government to support and extend all possible help for the welfare of the differently able people, widow and people suffering from diseases.

He said everyone wants to be good, beautiful and the best but unfortunately it is not so. Possible help will be extended for the betterment of the people with special need and society. Without true sacrificial spirit, no matter how rich or powerful a person may be it is not in everyone’s capacity to help and work for the welfare of the differently able people and those who are in need, he added.

He was speaking at the 2nd Function of the Disable Welfare Development Association (DWDA) held at Takyel Mayai Leikai. The function was attended by the Major R. S. Chantel, Ex MLA Sapam Keba (Kunjeshwar), members of Takyel Jilla Parishad, Gram Panchayat and locals. Aid materials were also distributed.

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Horticulture and Soil Conservation minister Thounamjam Shyamkumar said with the coming of the New Year 2018, all the departments under him will give priority to provide funds under various schemes to the beneficiaries on time.

He also wished the people of the state and from behalf of his departments’ staffs that peace, tranquility, prosperity and progress in every field prevail in the state.

Informing that departments have started receiving funds, Th. Shyamkumar said the departments under him are seeking funds for other various schemes. He also assured that he would personally make field visit along with the department officials so that beneficiaries get their funds on time.

Shyamkumar was addressing the media persons at his office chamber at New Secretariat when he released the 2018 calendar of the department. He said the calendar contains all the activities taken up by the department under various schemes and projects. 

Hoping that the calendar will make people aware of the activities undertaken by the department, he said the department is committed to work day and night for the welfare of the farmers and beneficiaries of the state.

IMPHAL | Dec 30

The Kuki Students’ Organisation, KSO, Bungpi bock has alleged the finance minister and tribal affairs minister of misusing their powers for their personal gains.

A statement issued KSO Bungpi block, opined that while the entire population of hills of Manipur were engaged for Christmas festivity, the finance minister and tribal affairs minister, ignoring the festive season, were engaged in blackmailing, harassing 6 the six Autonomous District Council (ADC) demand to settle with 6 percent the funds means for Education department in the ADC.

Despite the lack of infrastructure and many other facilities to facilitate teaching and learning process of the school in the hills, the government heedless to the developmental issues and more attentive in deducting 10 percent of the otal funds of the teachers’ salaries for their selfish gains, it said.

Strongly condemning the indifferent attitude towards ADCs, it termed the act as a step motherly treatment and the main hurdles in different spheres of developmental activities.

This is the mechanism of highly corrupted, discriminating and greedy nature of the state government towards ADCs, Hills of Manipur, it said.

It contended that if the characteristic persist, the ADCs in the Hills of Manipur will be completely exploited in the future, which directly or indirectly shows the evil desires of the state government towards the hill people of Manipur.

The KSO further lamented that the two ministers despite the order of the Governor of Manipur to release the salaries before December 18, went ahead with their selfish motive which resulted in the non payment of teachers salaries of 6 ADCs till date.

It appealed to the government to work sincerely for the progress of Hill people respecting the true nature of autonomous body and release the funds timely with immediate effect.

It also urged the state not to interrupt the administrative, legislative, executive, judiciary and financial powers of the ADCs to hamper the peace of progress in the hills.

Maintaining that a very sorry state of affairs in the Hill district councils is always at the mercy of politicians and the bureaucrats, it held that devolution and decentralization of powers should be the main slogan in place of “Go to the Hills”.

IMPHAL | Dec 30

The governor of Manipur, Dr. Najma Heptulla has sent greetings and best wishes to all saying it is a great pleasure to wish the people of Manipur a very Happy New Year – 2018. 

A release said the dawn of New Year is always significant as new resolutions are made, looking to the future with hope. “We look forward to a better tomorrow learning form our experience and achievement of the past. As we step on the threshold of 2018, let us all resolve to work hand-in-hand for creating harmony and peace in parts of Manipur during the coming year,” it said. “I join the people of Manipur in celebrating New Year’s Day, 2018 and hope that everybody will be blessed with good tidings for a more prosperous and peaceful new year,” it added.

Further, regarding the occasion of Gaan Ngai, the governor has sent greetings to the people of Manipur, especially the Zelianrong brethren.

A release said Gaan Ngai is the biggest festival of the Zelianrong tribes and it is celebrated every year with great fervour. Gaan Ngai is celebrated by the young and old alike of the Zelianrong community with great devotion and gaity, it said.  It is a religious occasion but it also showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Zelianrong community, the release said adding “Let us ring in a new year full of hope and aspiration with ‘Gaan Ngai’ bringing peace and harmony to one and all in the state.”

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Dec 30

40 people including women and children, and the elderly were admitted to three different hospitals after consuming fermented soya beans

The unfortunate incident took place at Kiyamgei Muslim Awang Leikai under Imphal East district.

The patients were admitted at public hospital, Hatta, Jawaharlal Nehru Institutes of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and Noor Hospital which is located in front of Lilong Police Station.

Regarding the incident, medical superintendent, JNIMS, Dr. Ranbir said to the media persons the patients had consumed the fermented soya yesterday evening and they started arriving sick at the hospital one after another from around 1.45 to 5 pm continuously.  They were reported falling sick from vomiting and diarrhea before being admitted to the hospitals.     

It is believed that the unfortunate event may have caused by using the beans which have been applied pesticides and meant to be planted only. They may have brought the chemically processed seeds from the market and use it. 

Organophosphate poisoning may have occurred into the seeds but no traces of it as such have been found so far.

The patients are out of danger as for now and they will be discharged soon.

He further said such incidents occur mostly at summer time but sometimes they do occur in winter. He appealed that one should be very careful while buying soya beans from market.

What can be termed as unfortunate, the media reporters who came to cover the news were stopped by some staff at the JNIMS casualty over the reason they will not allow media coverage without the consent of the director. 

Reporters were denied coverage of the news even after showing identity cards issued by AMWJU. The news was later covered after connecting the medical superintendent, JNIMS, Dr. Ranbir through a phone call.

Such denial of information, when a large number of people are going through difficulties, over the reason that the consent of director is required to collect news, was something that should not have happened.

Manipur Police supplied with banned Chinese radio sets

By Paojel Chaoba

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Manipur police department has been supplied with Chinese made communication devices which are currently banned in India. As part of the police modernization effort, the Ministry of Home Affairs had sanctioned an amount of Rs 3 crore for procuring wireless sets for the Manipur police department. The grant was given for the years 2013-14 and 2014-15. The sanction was in order to procure 150 numbers of hand-held wireless sets, 175 mobile sets for police vehicles and 12 numbers of repeaters (signal amplifiers for radio sets).

The supply order was specified for each device to have Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) technology and having a 2 slot Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) with a 12.5 Khz bandwidth. The technology is one of the latest in wireless communication and provides a clear digital sound over the radio set. The DMR manufacturing has a protocol and every manufacturer using this technology should first be approved by the European Telecom Standard Institute (ETSI).

The supply order was floated and a company named Applied Telecommunication (APCOM), an Indian company got the order. The SP( Telecom and Administration) Sh Dwijamani was the consignee then and also the chairman of the line committee whose mandate was to check if the specifications of the ordered wireless sets match the ones supplied. The IG ( Administration ) was C Doungel and the amount of Rs. 3 crore was paid to the company and the wireless sets were procured in 2015. The Home minister was G Gaikhangam then.

An initial test was conducted for the supplied equipment and it was found that the company making the hand held wireless set was not APCOM but a company called HYTERA. The 150 numbers of hand held sets was to have a specification of P-318 but had a specification of PD-788 also which is totally different. The other 175 numbers of mobile sets for vehicles was also made by HYTERA company.

Further, the 12 number of Repeaters (signal amplifiers) were also found to be made by a company called GWANGJAO, a Chinese company and not by APCOM. The requisite of 2 slot TDMA having 12.5 Khz and a 16 colour code which was to have a good digital sound was the specified order for the repeaters. Instead the supplied material was completely different and found to be sub-standard. The GWANGJAO repeaters operated on 4 slots and on 6.25 Khz Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)- this technology is different from TDMA and has one colour code only. This 4 slot technology makes communication nearly inaudible over the radio sets as transmission data gets lost over time. Moreover, the Ministry of Communication does not give license for using the four slot frequency spectrum technology in India. The police and the army, the para-military uses only the licensed 2 slot frequency wireless sets. At present, Manipur police department is using this un-licensed product, a source confirmed.

This shows that a manipulation was perpetrated in the procurement process of the wireless equipment leading to a loss of 3 crore to the state exchequer. The matter was probed by a special investigation team comprising of additional DGP Anandprakash, IAS C Arthur and IGP (Adm) Dr S Ibocha Singh in August last. The inquiry report was handed over to the Chief Minister in the same month.

Now, N Biren Singh holding the Home portfolio has kept the inquiry report in cold storage since then. The question asked from relevant quarters is why the persons who are behind this multi-crore scam remains protected and no relevant action is taken up against the corrupted individuals involved in this scam. .  An amount of Rs 3 crore has been mis-utilized leading to a complete chaos in wireless communication and a hindrance in maintaining law and order. Further in the process, creating a trust deficit among the police personnel of the State. It may be mentioned that N Biren Singh in a press conference held on June 7 regarding the belt scam had stated “ Quality can never be compromised since the police and paramilitary forces are fighting militants and hardened criminals.”

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Health and family welfare minister L. Jayantakumar Singh has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the state’s first homeopathy medical college at Lamphelpat today.

Jayantakumar said that the government is always ready to take up necessary actions to provide required infrastructures and manpower to improve the health sector of the state on priority basis. Mentioning about the shortage of fund minister said that the health department officials are trying their best by submitting DPRs to the concerned ministry of the government of India for incurring adequate funds.

The homeopathy medical college will serve its purpose only when the fraternities of the Department tie up together and work with sincerity and dedication, minister added. Highlighting the increasing importance of AYUSH system of treatment and medication he asserted that AYUSH has become common to both the rich and the poor.

Jayantakumar also stressed on the importance of giving awareness to the public regarding the vital scope to the use of AYUSH method of treatment.

 Attending the function as president director, AYUSH Dr. A. Guneshwor Sharma said AYUSH is not only a simple science but also a way of living. It plays a big role in the present way of treatment, he added.

Former minister Dr. Moirangthem Nara, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University CAU,Iroisemba, Proff. M. Premjit Singh, Additional Director, State AYUSH Society Manipur Dr. Y . Lukhoi Singh attended the function as Guests of Honours. Officials and staff from AYUSH Department, Health Department staff and others also attended the function.