Category: Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL | Sept 8

Different individuals and organisations have been donating to the chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to help the flood victims in the state.

Today as well, Officers and Employees Association of Minor Irrigation Department, Manipur and Salai Holdings Private Limited, Imphal donated Rs. 1,00,000 each to the CMRF. In a simple ceremony, the amounts were handed over to chief minister N. Biren Singh held at chief minister’s secretariat.

On the other hand, Redtape, Octagon Shopping Complex, Thangmeiband and Haripada Das, resident of Ramnagar, Agartala, Tripura donated Rs. 2000 and Rs. 1000 respectively to the CMRF.

Chief minister thanked the individuals and organisations for their kind gesture and expressed hope that CMRF would receive more donations from different quarters.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

Assam Rifles camp at Moirang Khunao conducted a lecture at St Xavier’s High School, Moirang on the harmful impact of use of plastic on environment, said a release by PIB, Defence, Imphal.

It said, the lecture was attended by six teachers and 150 students and the event was appreciated and applauded by teachers and students for creating awareness for pollution free environment. The drive was under taken to generate awareness among the locals, especially youth and children and on importance of environment preservation. A talk was also delivered by post commander to motivate students to join Sainik School.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 7

For the fourth consecutive day, the state police continued the search at the house of Yambem Ningthem at his Mantripukhri residence. The police after obtaining a house search warrant had started conducting the raids since September 4 which commenced at 6 am.

Sources state that the MDS chief had kept several important files at his residence including some details of his bank account transactions.

The police as per sources have been able to recover some important documents pertaining to the MDS and it projects. This was a fallout of the State Vigilance commission conducting an inquiry into the MDS and had suggested that the many documents needed to be recovered from the residence of Yambem Ningthem.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

Assam Rifles camp at Moirang Khunao conducted a lecture at St Xavier’s High School, Moirang on the harmful impact of use of plastic on environment, said a release by PIB, Defence, Imphal.

It said, the lecture was attended by six teachers and 150 students and the event was appreciated and applauded by teachers and students for creating awareness for pollution free environment. The drive was under taken to generate awareness among the locals, especially youth and children and on importance of environment preservation. A talk was also delivered by post commander to motivate students to join Sainik School.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 7

For the fourth consecutive day, the state police continued the search at the house of Yambem Ningthem at his Mantripukhri residence. The police after obtaining a house search warrant had started conducting the raids since September 4 which commenced at 6 am.

Sources state that the MDS chief had kept several important files at his residence including some details of his bank account transactions.

The police as per sources have been able to recover some important documents pertaining to the MDS and it projects. This was a fallout of the State Vigilance commission conducting an inquiry into the MDS and had suggested that the many documents needed to be recovered from the residence of Yambem Ningthem.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Sept 7

One-day training cum awareness programme for promotion of banana fibre was held at Kangpokpi district today.

The programme was attended as chief guest by spokesperson of BJP Manipur Pradesh and overall in-charge of Hill District, BJP Manipur unit, Kim Gangte. She said that Manipur as a whole could witness overall development when the people of hill districts collectively put efforts for the welfare of the state.

‘The new BJP government in the state has pulled up new things, new ideas, new initiative and new efforts which had never happen before for caused of the people’, said Kim Gangte.

While lauding the Handloom and Textiles Department, government of Manipur for introducing the benefit of banana fibre to the people during the training cum awareness for promotion of banana fibre, Kim Gangte said that young learners or students have important roles to play in promoting the new initiative.

She continued that student community needs to come up with new thoughts, better ideas and striking efforts with the introduction of the various benefits of banana fibre to achieve its meaningful purpose.

The training cum awareness programme was organised by District Handlooms and Textiles Office, Imphal West district in association with Weaver Cell BJP Manipur, and it was sponsored by Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles, Department of Textiles, Commerce and Industries, government of Manipur.

The programme was also attended by project manager of District Handloom and Textiles office, Senapati district, N. Nilabantajit Singh as president, while the guests of honour were convenor of Weaver Cell BJP Manipur, Th. Sunila Devi and project manager of District Handloom and Textiles, Imphal West district, L. Sorojini Devi.

Hundreds of locals including students of JNV Kangpokpi took part in the training cum awareness programme where the usefulness and benefits of banana fibre was demonstrated to the students and other participants by the experts.

By Jimmy Leivon

GANGTOK | Sept 7

“No Health reporting is not news worthy”, said said a leading media personality from Northeast today. Karma Paljor, consulting editor of CNN New 18 was speaking at the media sensitisation workshop organised by Public Health Foundation of India (PFHI) here today at Hotel Heritage.

The workshop titled “Building Effective Communication Pathway for Public Health in the North-East” was held at the backdrop of the 2nd North East Health Care Summit 2017, is being organised by PHFI in partnership with the ministry of (MDoNER), government of Sikkim and the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital (STNM) from September 8 and 9.

This also marks the centenary celebrations of the S.T.N.M. hospital.

The Summit aims to bring key stakeholders including media and public health experts, to understand the media reporting challenges in highlighting public health in the Northeast and share key research areas.

In TV it is least debated subject and often stories are sidelined, Paljor said contextualising both the commercial as well as challenges health reportage. Health reporter is relegated especially in electronic media to fixed appointment for the higher up, he said.

TV has killed reporting, he said rueing the deficit of good reporting.

For both print and electronic media, most health issues are neglected unless it is politically sensitive; he noted citing the example of recent Gorakhpur incident. However, he said the problem arises because the media mostly do event report only.

Are we asking the right questions? Paljor said adding that one way to catch the interest is to ask how, when and why, instead of mere event reporting. The media should also have a ‘built-in bullshit meters’ in order to fight the fake news syndrome and other challenges, he said.

This is important in the context of health, as too many news about it are spread in social media, he said.

We have to contest and present more holistic views to readers as the issue will impact each one of us, if not today in the near future, he stressed further citing social-religio factors that do round in the social media.

Paljor however said social media must become a vital part of any media organisations and emphasising on packaging the report to suit diverse audience. 

Don’t get stuck with the data, humanise the story, was the advice of Subhojit Sengupta Associate Editor, Network18. Bring in the human element to connect with the audience, added. 

In the context of health reportage, he said that the reporting must go behind hospital report. For example, reports on Anganwadi works, the last chain in health service delivery in India could offer many perspectives, Sengupta said.

Break down the jargons, he further said to both media personnel and researchers gathered stressing that in the end, any news or report should be disseminated easily to the public.

Member of Parliament, Sikkim, PD Rai further augmented Paljor view and said that even in the parliament, health issue seldom get attention form the legislators, unless it is politically sensitive.

Amit Patro, editor Sikkim Express, exhorted the media person to report beyond hospital and highlight public health issue in a more holistic and sensitive way. Digital presence through various medium is vital for survival as well as wider audiences, especially the print media, all the panellists in the workshop concurred.

The world has moved from print to TV to digital platform, the news media must also grow both vertically and horizontally by integrating all the news, they agreed.

It will not only create awareness but led to further interest in different health issues.

In finding way linkage between information seeker, listener and communicator, the newspapers and media can act as a catalyst, concluded Dr. Bamin Tada, Director Regional Reaoeach Centre MoHFW for Northeast States.

Journalists from almost all the Northeastern States also took part in the workshop.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

The Fire Service department has introduced a mobile task unit which will be stationed at different places of importance like Khwairamband Bazar, Singjamei Bazar and other places. A release by director of Manipur Fire Service, Imphal said that the mobile task unit will be on rotational basis to combat any fire emergency and also to create awareness regarding fire safety measures.

By Jimmy Leivon

GANGTOK | Sept 7

“No Health reporting is not news worthy”, said said a leading media personality from Northeast today. Karma Paljor, consulting editor of CNN New 18 was speaking at the media sensitisation workshop organised by Public Health Foundation of India (PFHI) here today at Hotel Heritage.

The workshop titled “Building Effective Communication Pathway for Public Health in the North-East” was held at the backdrop of the 2nd North East Health Care Summit 2017, is being organised by PHFI in partnership with the ministry of (MDoNER), government of Sikkim and the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital (STNM) from September 8 and 9.

This also marks the centenary celebrations of the S.T.N.M. hospital.

The Summit aims to bring key stakeholders including media and public health experts, to understand the media reporting challenges in highlighting public health in the Northeast and share key research areas.

In TV it is least debated subject and often stories are sidelined, Paljor said contextualising both the commercial as well as challenges health reportage. Health reporter is relegated especially in electronic media to fixed appointment for the higher up, he said.

TV has killed reporting, he said rueing the deficit of good reporting.

For both print and electronic media, most health issues are neglected unless it is politically sensitive; he noted citing the example of recent Gorakhpur incident. However, he said the problem arises because the media mostly do event report only.

Are we asking the right questions? Paljor said adding that one way to catch the interest is to ask how, when and why, instead of mere event reporting. The media should also have a ‘built-in bullshit meters’ in order to fight the fake news syndrome and other challenges, he said.

This is important in the context of health, as too many news about it are spread in social media, he said.

We have to contest and present more holistic views to readers as the issue will impact each one of us, if not today in the near future, he stressed further citing social-religio factors that do round in the social media.

Paljor however said social media must become a vital part of any media organisations and emphasising on packaging the report to suit diverse audience. 

Don’t get stuck with the data, humanise the story, was the advice of Subhojit Sengupta Associate Editor, Network18. Bring in the human element to connect with the audience, added. 

In the context of health reportage, he said that the reporting must go behind hospital report. For example, reports on Anganwadi works, the last chain in health service delivery in India could offer many perspectives, Sengupta said.

Break down the jargons, he further said to both media personnel and researchers gathered stressing that in the end, any news or report should be disseminated easily to the public.

Member of Parliament, Sikkim, PD Rai further augmented Paljor view and said that even in the parliament, health issue seldom get attention form the legislators, unless it is politically sensitive.

Amit Patro, editor Sikkim Express, exhorted the media person to report beyond hospital and highlight public health issue in a more holistic and sensitive way. Digital presence through various medium is vital for survival as well as wider audiences, especially the print media, all the panellists in the workshop concurred.

The world has moved from print to TV to digital platform, the news media must also grow both vertically and horizontally by integrating all the news, they agreed.

It will not only create awareness but led to further interest in different health issues.

In finding way linkage between information seeker, listener and communicator, the newspapers and media can act as a catalyst, concluded Dr. Bamin Tada, Director Regional Reaoeach Centre MoHFW for Northeast States.

Journalists from almost all the Northeastern States also took part in the workshop.

 IMPHAL | Sept 7

The ministry of food processing industries, government of India is inviting proposals under Scheme for Creation/ Expansionof Food Processing/ Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC) Of Kisan Sampada Yojana for setting up 250 units for creation of processing and preservation and modernization/expansion of existing food processing units which will help in increasing the level of processing, value addition and there by lead to reduction of agri wastage.

Proposals may be submitted online at http://sampada- mofpi.gov.in/cefppc/login.aspx by the potential investors/promoters willing to set up food processing industry. Preference will be given to units in Mega Food Parks  sanctioned by the MoFPI. The project proposal should be submitted as per guidelines of the scheme for CEFPPC available on www.mofpi.nic.in latest by 15.09.2017 upto 18:00 hrs.

Interested investors/promoters can contact Joint Director/ Officer on Duty ( Food Processing Industries) . Contact no. 9436025478.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

Liangmai Naga Kati Mai Ruangdi (LNKR) and Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi (LPNR) urged the government to arrest Kh. Kasinba, son of Kh. Adiatba from Karungmuan, Nungtek, Tamenglong district for allegedly raping and brutalising a 14-year-old girl.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal LPNR president, Priscilla Thiumai said that on August 1 at around 5pm while the victim was washing clothes in a river bank she was brutalised by Kasinba until she went unconscious and later raped her.

She was admitted to ICU of Raj Medicity and a complaint was lodged with Senapati police station, she added.

On the next day police arrested the accused but set him free after the accused was kept in custody for one day, said Priscilla.

Till today the police did not take action against the accused, continued the president.

She said that the victim was discharged from the hospital on August 21 but she is in trauma and currently is taking full bed rest.

LNKR publicity secretary, Diphiu urged the government and the authority concerned to take action against Kasinba.

He warned that 24 hours shutdown of NH-2 will take place if the government fails to arrest the accused and strong agitation will take place.

THOUBAL | Sept 7

A sit-in protest was staged today by the Meira Paibis condemning the incident of death threat to one Asem Chaothoi of Khekman Wangma Makha Leikai by the present pradhan of Khekman Gram Panchayat, Asem Subhon using his license gun yesterday at around 9.45 pm at Khekman, Thoubal.

The protest was held at Khekman Wangma Community hall and placard saying, “Stop crime against innocent”, “Stop gun election campaign”, Stop gathering votes by violence” and “Take action against Asem Subol” were demonstrated during the protest.

After the protest, representatives of Khekman Women Anti-Drug and Alcohol organisation met the deputy commissioner of Thoubal and submitted an application demanding for arrest of the culprits involved and take action against them. 

Meanwhile, the Thoubal police station registered a case in this regard and the license gun of Asem Subol was seized.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

Liangmai Naga Kati Mai Ruangdi (LNKR) and Liangmai Pui Naga Ruangdi (LPNR) urged the government to arrest Kh. Kasinba, son of Kh. Adiatba from Karungmuan, Nungtek, Tamenglong district for allegedly raping and brutalising a 14-year-old girl.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal LPNR president, Priscilla Thiumai said that on August 1 at around 5pm while the victim was washing clothes in a river bank she was brutalised by Kasinba until she went unconscious and later raped her.

She was admitted to ICU of Raj Medicity and a complaint was lodged with Senapati police station, she added.

On the next day police arrested the accused but set him free after the accused was kept in custody for one day, said Priscilla.

Till today the police did not take action against the accused, continued the president.

She said that the victim was discharged from the hospital on August 21 but she is in trauma and currently is taking full bed rest.

LNKR publicity secretary, Diphiu urged the government and the authority concerned to take action against Kasinba.

He warned that 24 hours shutdown of NH-2 will take place if the government fails to arrest the accused and strong agitation will take place.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

The deplorable condition of three government schools peeved the education minister who was on a surprise visit. Minister Th. Radheshyam following the visit convened an emergency meeting with the department officials and instructed them take up necessary action with immediate effect.

The minister made a visit at Haoreibi Makha Leikai L. P. Madrasa.  He was informed by the locals that the school has not been functioning for the past five years with five teachers being posted at the school including the headmaster. He was furious to find the schools in a dilapidated state. The school has at least four rooms with none of them being usable. 

The walls and windows were all broken with the room being totally damaged. The locals however said that if the school starts functioning properly students from nearby villages will come to study.

Later, the minister also went to Haoreibi Makha Leikai Lairakhong L. P. (M) which was locked from outside and was found occupied by geese at the corridors of the school. The school though established in 1960, which is under Lilong Assembly constituency, has only two rooms. 

Later in the evening the minister called the director of education (S) Th. Kirankumar along with other officials, zonal education officer, Thoubal and headmaster of the said schools in the meeting.

Th. Radheshyam directed the director to visit the school personally. He gave strict instruction to take explanation call and take stern action against the heads of the institutions.

Earlier the minister also visited Canchi High School, Canchipur, and met the teacher and students. At the school the minister enquired about the attendance of teachers and student, and midday meal records. 

IMPHAL | Sept 7

To protect the residents of specially abled children and senior citizens from mosquito borne diseases, 109 Bn CRPF Mongsangei conducted fogging today in All Manipur Handicapped Peoples Organisation and Old Age Home located in Mongsangei.

A release said, the exercise was carried out under the direction of commandant Vinod Kumar with a view to give protection from vector borne diseases.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 7

Excise department today disposed more than Rs. 20 lakh worth of liquor including indigenous country liquors at the campus of the said department at Lamphel at around 1 pm. 

Speaking to media persons, DDO Imphal circle, I. Jatishwor said this year for the month of April to August Rs. 3.66 crore was collect by the revenue department from the three circles of excise department namely Bishnupur, Thoubal and Imphal.

The seized liquors were disposed off at the respective circles, he added. 1074 cases have been taken up in connection with alcohol for both Indian made foreign liquor and indigenously distilled country liquor.

He said more than 4000 litres including more than 1000 litres of distilled indigenous country liquor have been disposed off. Later it was dumped by using JCB machine.

He further said for the safety and security measure for the coming Panchayat election, 20 special enforcement staff have been formed yesterday. Each team is led by two police inspectors and drives have been conducted at various places which are under panchayat elections, he added.

Jatishwor appealed to the police department to co-operate and people to support during the drives.

Villagers fearful of losing of livelihood

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Sept 7 

Heavy rain along with mud, stones and woods decimated paddy fields in Sorbung and Ngatan villages which are under Tadubi block of Senapati district, under Karong Assembly constituency. 

Sorbung is 30 km away from the Senapati district headquarters. There are 194 households with the population of 967 as per the 2011 census.

Around 100 hectors of paddy field were damaged. Standing crops were submerged in mud and pebbles while tress were uprooted causing much hardship to the villagers.

The heavy torrent rains and flood that occurred during the past few days completely cut off the middle-east Senapati from the rest of the world. Furthermore the villagers who depend on agriculture as their main source of livelihood have been reeling under severe condition since their paddy field has been damaged by flood and landslide.

Maikho, village chairman Sorbung said that it is the first time and they have not come across such type of rainfall and flood since very long time.

The owners of the field were so worried that they neither want to see nor go to the paddy field to check the damages. Those affected by the deadly flash flood could lose their livelihood as they depend heavily on rice cultivation for sustenance. 

 Most of the people depend on agriculture for their livelihood and also for their children’s education by selling rice. Further they said that no one is there to take care of the villagers and appealed to the state authorities to look into the matter urgently.

Ngatan village has 157 households with a population of 800 people as per 2011 census and 70 km away from Senapati district headquarter. Kaping, chairman of Ngatan village said that around 80 percent of the field and 70 hectors of paddy field of 50 families were damaged.

Here also standing crops were submerged in mud and pebbles while tress and posts were uprooted causing much hardship to the villagers.

It will take years to get the affected paddy fields back to where they were before the flood hit the village, said one local. The devastation has left many villagers heart-broken and some feared that poverty awaits them in the coming years, he added.

A team comprising of media-persons visited the affected sites. The destruction caused by the flash flood has been unprecedented.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

A division bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising of chief justice N. Kotiswar Singh and justice Kh. Nobin Singh have awarded an amount of Rs. 5 lakhs each to petitioners against fake encounter.

A released of HRLN said the first incident of fake encounter occurred on January 19, 2009, in which some personnel of Manipur Police Commando arrested Khumukcham Thoiba alias Tomba Singh from his house located at Mahou Tera Wangoo Lamkhai, Chandel district.

Thoiba was killed on the same day in a fake encounter at Keirak Leirak Achouba, Thoubal district. In this regard, the wife of the deceased, Leivon Rosmi Kom filed a Writ Petition before the high court on May 30, 2009. Consequently, the district judge, Manipur West conducted an extensive enquiry and submitted his report by ascertaining that the petitioner’s husband was arrested from his house and thereafter he was killed in a fake encounter by a combined team of Manipur Police Commando and personnel of 21 Assam Rifles.

The matter was finally heard today and thereafter, the high court of Manipur has directed the State of Manipur and the Union of India to pay Rs. 5, 00, 000 as compensation to the petitioner within four months, said the release.

The second incident occurred in the intervening night of March 14 and March 15, 2004, in which some personnel of 19 Rajput Rifles (Bikaner) had apprehended Khumanthem Ajitkumar alias Naoba Singh from his house located at Karong Mamang Leikai, Imphal West district.

Subsequently, Ajitkumar was killed in a fake encounter along Khurkhul-Sekmai Road. The father of the deceased, Khumanthem Nagor Singh lodged a report to the Patsoi police station, however, could not bring justice.

Ultimately, he filed a Writ Petition before the high court on April 5, 2008, seeking appropriate remedy. Accordingly, the former district judge, Manipur East, M. Manojkumar Singh had submitted his inquiry report on June 28, 2012, ascertaining that Ajitkumar was picked up from his house by the personnel of 19 Rajput Rifles and killed. The high court of Manipur has finally heard the case today and directed the Union of India to pay Rs. 5,00,000 as compensation under public law domain within four months to the petitioner, said the release.

It said, advocate Meihoubam Rakesh appeared on behalf of the above mentioned two petitioners while senior advocate and assistant solicitor general, Salam Rupachandra Singh appeared on behalf of the Union of India and senior government advocate, R.S. Reisang appeared on behalf of the State of Manipur.

MOREH | Sept 7

One escort gypsy of Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Y. Khemchand met an accident in which one escort was injured.

The accident happened while the Speaker was heading for Kwatha village today. Later, Y. Khemchand visited Kwatha village and interacted with the public. He distributed fermented bamboo shoots packaging machines and solar panels to the locals.

IMPHAL | Sept 7

District magistrate of Thoubal district, L. Nabakishwar Singh has imposed section 144 of CrPC in the whole of Thoubal district in connection with the upcoming 5th Panchayat election. A release said, the district magistrate has imposed the prohibition under the CrPC to avoid any breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity and danger to human lives and properties and to prevent riot and affray in connection with the ensuing panchayat election.