Day: January 2, 2018

IMPHAL | Jan 2

The chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West today remanded an NSCN-IM cadre who was allegedly involved in collection of illegal taxes from truck drivers along Imphal-Jiribam road to judicial custody for 13 days.

The arrested cadre is identified as Rangthuajang, 38, son of Dhirang of Bhalok-II village under Tousem police station.

Rangthuajang was apprehended by the troop of 23 Assam Rifles on December 20 afternoon near Sibilong village on alleged charge of involving in extortion and collection of illegal taxes from the truckers plying along the NH-37 Imphal-Jiribam road in the name of NSCN-IM.

Rangthuanjang was later handed over to Tousem police station by the Assam Rifles and later the case was transferred to Patsoi police station on security point of view as well as for the convenience of legal proceedings.

The arrested cadre was badly hurt due to alleged torture by the Assam Rifles while he was in their custody.

IMPHAL | Jan 2

Rural development and panchayati raj minister Thongam Biswajit today highlighted the achievements of the department during while releasing official wall and table calendars 2018 of the rural engineering department, Manipur State Rural Road Development Agency (MSRRDA), at his new secretariat office.

Briefing media persons Biswajit highlighted achievements of the department and said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs. 1781 crore for financial year ending March 2018 for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase XI Batch I and II which only testifies that the department has made some achievements. He said under the PMGSY Phase XI Batch I, Rs. 588 crore has been sanctioned for 127 projects which include 121 roads and six bridges.

Batch II has 53 bridges and 141 roads which is altogether 194 projects.

Biswajit also observed that during road construction, be it under the PMGSY or PWD, sometimes a few bad patches including stripping of bitumen are witnessed, however, this doesn’t mean that quality is not maintained in all road constructions. Occurrence of a few bad patches while constructing long lengths of roads only show that the department is undertaking works, he continued. “People can complain to the department authorities against negligence of any engineer or contractor so that the department may take action against the erring persons”, he added.

Stating that quality of a project is graded by the State Quality Control Coordinator (SQC) and the National Quality Monitors (NQMs), the minister said no funds are released if the project has ‘poor’ grading and until all such issues are rectified.

He also said that the PMGSY has a component for first five year maintenance of the road.

He said after completion of the PMGSY Phase XI Batch I, II and III, the PMGSY II will be implemented. Under the PMGSY II, width of the roads will be upgraded to 5.5 meter from the 3 meter roads.

The function was also attended by chief engineer, RED Th. Nandakishore, additional chief engineer L. Brojendra Singh and officials of the department.

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL | Jan 2

Four councillors have opposed the claims made by the executive officer, Heirok Nagar Panchayat, Thoubal district on December 28 that all the IX wards under the panchayat are open defecation free. The four councillors of four wards, who are in opposition, expressed that most of the wards are still practicing open defecation.  

Upon meeting the councillors in a press meet at Hierok, councillor of war number IV, Kh. Noyon alleged that the information about the 15 days given for receiving complains was released on December 28 through media and the given period had already ended on January 2. No information was shared to the four councillors of the panchayat regarding the meeting that was held on December 13, he alleged. 

On the other hand, the awareness for Swach Survekshan 2018, have not reached all the public and therefore, they are still indulged in open defecation.

He appealed the concerned authorities to look into the matter and make the panchayat a truly open defecation free area.

Advisor, Heirok Library and sporting Union, Kh. Dhanakumar who attended the press meet said the residents of Heirok Nagar panchayat ward number II are still defecatimg near the river banks and to declare that Heirok Nagar panchayat as ODF is misguiding the public. The union condemns such statements and requests concerned authorities to look into the matter, he added.  

The media persons were later brought to the areas under the nagar panchayat where the residents defecate openly to assess the situation. 

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 2

The Indian Medical Association state branch staged a sit-in-protest today at IMA house, Lamphelpat in tandem with Indian Medical Association (IMA) declaring January 2 as a “black day” for medical practitioners all over the country.

Speaking at the protest, Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, National President of IMA said that the National Medical Council (NMC) in the present form is not acceptable.

Honorary secretary general, IMA, Dr. RN Tandon said that that the bill is anti-poor, anti-people, non-representative, undemocratic and anti-federal in character.

In a press release by the state IMA secretary Sachindra Laishram, it mentions that the main objection of IMA to National Medical Commission bill is that it is a pro-private management bill paving the way for widespread corruption. It removes all the regulations required to start a medical college. Under this bill, no one needs any permission to start a medical college and can increase it’s under graduate and post graduate seats by itself.

The release mentioned that only up to forty percent of seats in private medical college can be regulated by the government. For sixty percent or more seats the private colleges will fix the rates, which means that the poor students from schedule caste and schedule tribe classes will be deprived of medical education. Huge loopholes in financial penalties ranging from five crores to hundred crores are opening the floodgates of corruption. Medical education in the country will become expensive placing the disadvantage, it claimed.

The bill is anti-patient as it promotes unscientific mixing of system of medicine. Only five states of the country will represent NMC while the remaining twenty four states will be represented thereby denying them their privileges. The state medical council which are sovereign bodies through enactment of the state legislatures will come directly under NMC. For each state a representative will be represented in the advisory body called Medical Advisory Council though medical universities do not have a representation in NMC. If the bill is passed, the cost of medical education and healthcare will rise astronomically,.

The doctors staged the protest by holding placards “NMC is costly education, costly treatment to people we reject NMC”, “NMC is against poor people NMC is undemocratic”, “one IMA one voice no NMC” and others.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 2

Imphal East police seized heroin No. 4 in the form of cake for the first time yesterday from Lamlong bazar at around 6.30 evening.

Speaking to media persons during a press conference held today at the conference hall of SP Imphal East, SP K. Kabib said narcotic cell, Imphal east team led by sub-inspector M. Shabbir Ahamed under the supervision of additional SP  Wungpam Kasar and  DSP (CAR) Imphal East, Ronni Mayengbam and officer-in-charge, narcotic cell, inspector Kh. Devkumar while conducting patrolling duty in and around the Lamlong Bazar nearby Lamlong Girls Higher secondary school, Imphal East apprehended a person with the drug.

The person is identified as Wilson Keishing, 47, son of late Yarteo Keishing of Silent Village, Laikoiching, Senapati District. 350 grams of heroin number 4 in the form of cake which is white in colour and 999 printed in the cover of the drug was seized. He said the seized drugs might be worth forty two lakhs in the international market. He said this form of drug has seized for the first time in the state. A case has handed over to Porompat police station for necessary legal action.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Jan 2

Former Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP today clarified that he has nothing to do with the newly floated regional party, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

 Of late, there has been abounding speculation about Neiphiu Rio’s alleged dealing with the newly floated regional party, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

 Neiphiu Rio said, “My suspension from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) party was revoked on December 14, 2017 to clear all misunderstandings and therefore, it is my natural choice to remain with the NPF to strengthen the party and serve the people”. 

Rio was suspended from the NPF in 2015. “Some like-minded people approached me to form a new political party for which I gave my moral support”, Rio said. However, in view of the present reconciliation process on the suggestion of the Election Commission of India and the requests of various public leaders, “I decided to resign from the post of President, NPF even though I was elected by a whopping majority on September 20th, 2017 at the General Convention at Dimapur under the Chief Ministership of Shri TR Zeliang and his group of MLAs”, he added.  

Neiphiu Rio then recalled that, after tendering his resignation on December 8, 2017, he had also extended his full support to the Presidentship of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu and also withdrew the dispute case from the Election Commission of India on December 10, 2017.

 According to the former chief minister of Nagaland, he started his political career from Cock party, the United Democratic Front (now NPF) in 1974 as Youth President. “I also made sacrifices by stepping down from the ministry in 1990 headed by Late Vamuzo to accommodate fellow legislators. In 2002, I resigned from the Congress ministry headed by the then chief minister Dr. SC Jamir and revived the present NPF Party by way of making numerous sacrifices and maximum contributions. With Almighty God’s blessings and the people’s support, I went on to become the chief minister of the NPF led DAN government for three consecutive terms,” Rio further said.

 “Therefore, keeping these above-mentioned points in mind, I totally disassociate myself from the NDPP in every manner whatsoever. As a fledgling political party, I can only wish them well,” Rio added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 2

National Commission for Minorities member, Sulekha Kumbhare said that she will propose to the chief minister, N. Biren to set up different community centres for all the minority communities in the state.

She was speaking as chief guest today during a one day public interaction programme with her at Minorities, OBC and SCs conference hall at secured building, Imphal.

The chief guest appreciated the Manipur State Minority Commission (MSMC) for setting up the commission in the state which is not present in many states of the country.

On the other hand she expressed her unhappiness at the absence of separate community centres like educational centre and health centre for most of the minority communities of the state including Meitei Buddhist and Meitei Christian.

In order to let all the minority people of the state get benefits from all the schemes introduced for the minority people Sulekha asked the MOBC and SCs department to survey the population of the minorities in the state as the last census was done six years back and to conduct mass awareness programmes.

She suggested that giving skill training and job orientation programme for the minorities will be very helpful in uplifting the status of the minority people.

The chief guest assured that she will give her best support to uplift the minority people of the state.

The interaction programme was attended by MOBCand SCs director, Kh. Dineshchandra, MSMC chairperson, Syed Burhanuddin and MSMC member, M. Ranjit as presidium members.

IMPHAL | Jan 2

Chief  minister  N. Biren Singh today launched the official website of the 105th Indian Science Congress, 2018 to be hosted by Manipur University under the theme, ‘Reaching the Unreached’ from March 16 to 20, 2018.

The official website, https://isc105.org/ was launched at a simple but solemn ceremony held at the cabinet hall of chief  minister’s secretariat today.

Education  minister  Th. Radheshyam, Khurai AC MLA  L. Susindro chief secretary  R.R. Rashmi, executives of Indian Science Congress Association led by its general president prof. Achyuta Samanta and Manipur University vice-chancellor prof. Adya Prasad Pandey were present at the occasion.

Prime minister  Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Science Congress which is expected to be attended by around 5000 to 6000 delegates from different parts of India and abroad including some Nobel laureates.

Prior to the launching of the website, the Indian Science Congress Association team put forward matters like accommodation, transportation, reception, sightseeing and declaration of some delegates as state guests before the chief  minister and State Government.

After patiently hearing the points raised by the Association executives, the Chief  minister assured them to extend all possible support and co-operation to the organising committee for the smooth and successful conduct of the Science Congress.

The chief  minister said that Manipur has been waiting for the Science Congress since long time back, and it would become a reality soon.  N. Biren also expressed pleasure that the mega event would coincide with the first anniversary of the BJP-led State Government which would complete one year on March 15, 2018.

Stating that huge number of delegates and Scientists would visit the State during the Science Congress, the chief  minister said that this is a rare opportunity for the State to show to the world that Manipur is a ‘Golden Land.’

Urging the people to extend full co-operation to the organising committee and Government in hosting the Science Congress successfully, the chief  minister expressed hope that people of the State would show their best hospitality to the visitors.

It may be mentioned that Imphal would become the second city in the entire North East to host the prestigious congregation after Shillong in 2009. The 1st Indian Science Congress was held in 1914.

 By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 2

Deputy chief minister, Y. Joykumar warned of slapping defamation charge against Kuki Student Organisation, Bungpi Block for giving false allegation against Finance department and Tribal Affairs department.

Briefing media persons today at his office chamber at Babupara, Imphal the deputy CM said that the government has all the good intension of helping all the people of the hills and valley equally.

He countered that there is not a single case of asking for 10 percent from government side for releasing teachers’ salaries in the six Autonomous District Councils of the state.

Stating that the government will not buckle under any emotional blackmail as it is not a free run government and cannot succumb to such tactics, he asked the KSO, Bungpi Block not to repeat such baseless allegation again to serve the vested interest of few parties.

Joykumar said the pending salaries are not released as the government needs a clarification on the excess authorisation proposals of Rs. 102 crores.

Moreover, there are many due process like salaries payment of 133 teachers and 897 chowkidars which were regularised in 2016-17, amounting to a total of Rs. 19 crores, he added.

On the other hand there are also some pending payment of fund for 2009-10 so the government needs to audit before releasing the fund, continued Joykumar.

He added regarding the matter the government has taken up necessary process to set up a committee for auditing and confirmation process.

The deputy CM assured that the withheld salary will be released once the process of auditing and confirmation is complete.

IMPHAL | Jan 2

Forests and environment minister Thounaoujam Shyamkumar today appealed for support and encouragement from the public for the Forest Department. He said the Forest Department needs help and active cooperation from the public in successfully implementing various works.

Minister Shyamkumar also welcomed suggestions from the public from all the districts in the State. He also said the department is committed to work in collaboration with the locals for the welfare of the State.

He was addressing media persons at his office chamber in New Secretariat while releasing 2018 yearly calendar of the Forest Department. Shyamkumar said the calendar depicts sanctuaries located in different districts, flowers, Keibul Lamjao National Park, birds and animals found in the State, rivers, Shirui National Park and work taken up the department.

Shri K. Angami (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) and Forest Department officials from different districts were also present during the release function of the yearly calendar.