Category: Imphal Free Press

People to people connectivity of ASEAN region stressed

IMPHAL | Aug 7

Chief minister N. Biren Singh said that Manipur shares close affinity in terms of culture, customs and food habits with the ASEAN region. He said he looks forward to unlocking the potential of the region by enhancing people-to-people connectivity and nourishing the civilizational linkages.

He was addressing the 25th anniversary celebration conference of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Partnership at Vientiane, capital city of Lao People’s Democratic Republic today.

The celebration was jointly organised by ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC), Lao PDR chapter, Indian embassy, Lao PDR and Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said that renaming of the ‘Look East Policy’ as ‘Act East Policy’ by the current government in India is reflective of its commitment to deepen its ties with ASEAN countries.

There has been a strong emphasis on enhancing India’s road and maritime connectivity with its eastern neighbours. Some of the key projects include the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, which connects Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in western Thailand through Mandalay in Myanmar, and the Kaladan multi-nodal transport project, which aims to connect Kolkata, India with Sittwe Port in Myanmar, Biren said.

Stating that it is exciting to know that there are plans for extending the IMT highway further to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, the chief minister said that the focus and commitment shown towards developing the Northeastern region as a pivot of the Act East Policy reflects in the increased trade between India and Myanmar.

Biren also informed that the India’s Northeast had witnessed a trade upswing from Rs. 775 million ($12 million) in 2013-2014 to Rs. 1.445 billion ($22 million) in 2015-16.

In terms of land connectivity, Biren said, Manipur is the gateway for India to the ASEAN region. On the other hand, Manipur is well connected by air, serviced by the Imphal International Airport, he added.

The chief minister pointed out that there are huge untapped potentials to develop and expand the air connectivity eastward from Imphal in particular and the Northeast region of India in general to the ASEAN region.

The government of Manipur is making all efforts in its earnest to improve the physical connectivity by widening the National Highway up to the border town of Moreh in Manipur, he said while adding that to facilitate trade and commerce, physical infrastructures at Moreh are being enhanced.

Stating that the government of Manipur had opened a multi-storeyed shopping complex at Moreh to facilitate marketing of various products and produces of Manipur and India through Myanmar, the chief minister informed that other projects at Moreh include construction of guest house and opening of border Haat, which is under process. There are also plans to extend the railway line to the border town, he added.

Biren further said that the Northeast region is rich in horticultural products, plantation crops, vegetables, spices, rare herbs, and medicinal plants. It offers unlimited tourism opportunities, rare flora and fauna, natural scenic beauty, performing arts, cuisine and handicrafts, he added.

 Sangai, which is an endangered sub-species of brow-antlered deer, is found only in Manipur. It is also the State animal of Manipur, he added. The Manipur Sangai festival is celebrated in the State of Manipur in the last week of November, Biren said.

Similarly, the State had also stated celebrating Shirui festival from this year onwards to celebrate the beauty of the State flower – Shirui Lily, the chief minister said.

The national flower of Lao, ‘Dok Champa’ is known as ‘Khagi-Leihao’ in Manipuri, and it is integral to the customary and religious functions of the people of Manipur, he said. 

Given such similarities, Manipur and Lao can explore opportunities to partner and share the rich culture and traditions as part of the tourism festivals in Manipur to bring closer the people of Lao and the State of Manipur and the region, he added.

The demographics of the two countries are largely young. For enduring peace and sustainable development, it is necessary that the youth are part of the developmental discourse to address the concerns about sustainability etc, the chief minister said.

As part of the initiative to cater to the aspiration of the youth of the region, the two countries need to encourage greater participation of the youth by exploring mechanism to facilitate exchanges in areas of culture, sports, traditional arts and education, he added.

The chief minister is accompanied by parliamentary secretary (Tourism) Dr. S. Ranjan, parliamentary secretary (Home) L. Susindro, advisor to CM Rajat Sethi and personal secretary to CM S. Rajen during his visit to the ASEAN country.

Tripartite talks to resume Aug 9

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL |Aug 7

Two days before the third round of the tripartite talks of Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) in New Delhi, Kuki civil bodies have urged the two umbrella bodies of “Kuki armed nationalists” to “unequivocally present the Kuki people’s demand for statehood”. 

On August 9, the KNO and UPF will be holding tripartite talks with the government of India and the State government of Manipur in New Delhi.

Amid this development, KNO ‘Negotiator’ Dr Seilen Haokip told this agency tonight that they will stick to their agenda. “We are not demanding anybody’s land. We believe in peaceful co-existence with our neighbours,” said Dr Seilen Haokip.

A 9-member delegation of the KNO headed by ‘Negotiator’ Dr Seilen Haokip will be participating in the tripartite talks. Dr Seilen Haokip also said that KNO ‘Chief Negotiator’ who is also the President of the organization PS Haokip will only participate in the final stage of the dialogues.

Meanwhile, sources from the UPF informed that a 14-member delegation led by its spokesperson Aron Kipgen will be participating in the August 9 tripartite talks.

On Monday, in the run up to the third round of political dialogue between “Kuki armed nationalists” and the government of India, a meeting was held initiated by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex social body of the Kuki people, at Kuki Inn,

“Every Kuki organisation participated in the meeting and jointly resolved that, the political demand of the Kuki people beginning with the memorandum regarding statehood for the Kuki people which the Kuki National Assembly submitted to Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India in 1964, has consistently remained one of Statehood,” the KIM said.

Today’s meeting also resolved that “the same demand was reiterated at the Kuki Nampi Conclave at Haipi from August 28 to August 29, 2015”. The Haipi Declaration for Statehood was further ratified.

 Preceding the Haipi Declaration was the Delhi Declaration adopted on September 2, 2010 in which every existing Kuki revolutionary organization at the time participated, KIM added.

“Therefore, the Kuki Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups are, hereby, re-assured that Kuki people within India always stood for self-determination in the form of a State under the ambit and Union of India, and the same stand reaffirmed today.

 Accordingly we urge the delegation representing the Kuki armed nationalists under SoO with the government of India to unequivocally present the Kuki people’s demand for statehood at the upcoming tripartite meeting scheduled for August 9, at New Delhi. Any departure from this long standing political position of the Kuki people will be deemed a betrayal of Kuki people and their aspiration,” was one of the five resolutions taken today.

“Finally, this year of the Lord 2017 having marked the centennial year of our forefathers’ defence of Kuki territories and freedom against the British colonial incursions in the Kuki Rising of 1917-1919. We urge the Government of India to finally recognize our long standing political demand/our birthright to self-determination by the creation of a State for the Kuki people under the Indian Union,” the fifth resolution said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 7

Th Shyamkumar has instructed meat sellers particularly in Imphal town that they must procure vending license from authority concerned to continue with their business. He also instructed that meat seller must be careful not to hurt religious sentiment and to maintain proper hygiene. 

The minister of MAHUD was speaking to the media at his official residence at Kangla Park. He said Manipur is a multi-ethnic state following different religions; in this regard meat sellers should not hurt the religious sentiments while selling the meat products.

 He said people following different religious faith have been living together harmoniously and we must not hurt sentiments knowingly or unknowingly. “Meats are sold in open in places like Kongba keithel and Hatta, which could inadvertently hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community”, he said. 

Shyamkumar said there is no prohibition in selling meat products, however if they fail to procure license MAHUD will enforce prohibition against the meat sellers. Selling of pork at Muslim area and beef at Hindu area in an awkward manner might create misunderstanding between the communities unnecessarily, he added. 

Further he said there is no ban of selling meats but vendors must sell meat in a proper place by taking licence and the meat should be healthy to be consumed by public, he said. The minister also pointed out that concrete measures will be taken regarding the sale of meat after proper consultation with the chief minister when the latter comes back from Lao.

The minister will soon leave for Moreh for a two-day tour to the border town.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 6

Joint action committee against unnatural dead of Sapam Ningol Thaonaojam Ongbi Sumati alias Ichal Devi, Wangkhei Ayangpalli, Leima Keithel alleged Th. Jiban and his family for the death of Sumati.

Convenor of JAC, Yumlembam Memma Devi charged the family of Jiban who is the husband of the deceased as the death is unnatural, during a press meet held today at Manipur Press Club.

According to Memma, Sumati when she was alive was constantly tortured by the husband and his family as she was not able to give birth for three years after she got married with Jiban.

After she got In Vitro Fertilization (IVR) treatment of for two times she got pregnant, she added.

Further Memma said Sumati was taken to Nambol dispensary last Friday following food poisoning. Due to her serious condition Sumati was referred to RIMS for further treatment. Subsequently RIMS hospital referred Sumati to Shija hospital for treatment. But when she reached Shija hospital she was declared brought dead by the hospital authorities.

Sumati’s body have scar mark in her back from shoulder to hip, which indicates that she was beaten blue and black, Memma said. In this regard the JAC demands the authority concerned to investigate the case at the earliest and to punish the culprit involved in the case, Memma added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 6

The present Indian judicial service is lethargic and consumes a lot of time to process a case and even lacks quality justice, said N. Pramod, lecturer of LMS Law College.

He was speaking at a one-day consultation programme to improve ‘Criminal justice delivery system’ which was held today at regency hall, Classic Hotel. The conference was organised by Women Action for Development (WAD).

He was speaking on the topic “Academic inputs of the evolving trend of criminal justice delivery system from gender perspective”. He further said that the legal fraternity considers ‘evidence’ as commodity and has even commercialised available evidence.

Pramod further noted that high courts should also give provision to trial courts in handling a case instead of giving a free hand and criticising later.

Giving the keynote address, secretary of WAD, Sobita Mangsatabam said that this conference is held because of the raising number of cases of crime cases especially of violence against women. Fast track courts had been set up in the state but even after a month “we do not see any progress in delivering justice for the victims and family”, she pointed out.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Imphal East, K. Kabib said that there are many hurdles faced by investigating agency during the course of investigation. He explained that the main hurdles are delay in lodging an FIR by the victims and family, customary system of a community, lack of forensic science laboratories and shortage of manpower in the police force.

Dr. Th. Bijoy Singh, HOD of Forensic medicine RIMS, explained in detail on the topic “Role of Forensic expert in aid of delivery of justice”. He said that there are lots of methods to identify the causes of death.

Editor of Imphal Free Press, Pradip Phanjoubam spoke on the topic “Challenges and lacuna faced by the media in following a case with special reference to investigative journalism”. The role of presiding judge and counsel of the victim were presented by Th. Surbala, retired district and session judge and L. Sevananda Sharma, practicing advocate in High Court, Manipur respectively.

IMPHAL | Aug 6

One-day discussion on the Manipur Private School (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2017 was held yesterday at GM Hall, Imphal organised by All Manipur Recognised Private Schools’ Welfare Association.

A release said the discussion unanimously resolved to form a high power committee with members selected from among all the concerned stake holders of the state for the execution of all the follow-up steps and to submit a memorandum to the governor of Manipur, chief minister and Education minister for the compulsory exclusion of all the recognised private schools of the bill by highlighting the ground realities of the recognised private schools of the state.

It also resolved to submit a representation to the Director of Education (S) with the plea for the compulsory exclusion of all the existing recognised private schools of the state from the purview of the bill, it added.

The discussion also resolved to declare holiday on August 8 jointly by all the recognised private schools of the state as a mark of protest against the passing of such half-baked, irrational bill by the government of Manipur, it said adding that legal option will be taken up against the bill if all the measures fail.

THOUBAL | Aug 6

A public meeting was organised today by the women folk and elders of Nongpok Lourembam at Arong Ningthou ground Nongpok Sekmai, Thoubal district, in protest against the act of planting and exploding a bomb yesterday at the residence of the pradhan of Lourembam GP, Yambem Shyamo.

The bomb that exploded around 7.45 pm yesterday was planted in the tractor that was parked in the garage of Yambem Shyamo’s brother at Nongpok Lourembam.

It was resolved in the meeting that the people who are behind the explosion must claim responsibility within 5 days and clarify the reasons behind the act otherwise, the development committees of north and south Nongpok Lourambam will take up extreme measures.

A woman who attended the meeting said that exploding a bomb at the residence of the pradhan who is working for welfare of the people, is an act of terrorism. The public cannot accept it; the people want peace and request not to repeat again such act of exploding bombs at places where people are residing.

It may be mentioned that the bomb was placed under the seat of the tractor and the explosion caused damaged to the tractor and a car that was parked in a nearby shed. It also broke the glass windows and doors.

A case has been registered by the police of Nongpok Sekmai and investigations have started. 

THOUBAL | Aug 6

The five-day training on life skills, leadership and personality development organised by National Service Scheme (NSS) Cell, Manipur University was concluded today in the court hall of Manipur University.

A release issued by PRO, MU, Ganesh Sethi said that as the chief guest of the valedictory function, vice- chancellor of Manipur University, Professor Adya Prasad Pandey expressed that the NSS organisation is quite different from other organisation and no organisation is as vast as NSS.

He further said that there should not be any boundary for offering voluntary welfare activities for the society and he is very happy that the NSS volunteers are taking advantages of it, the release said.

It further said that Professor Pandey asked the NSS Cell of Manipur University to adopt and maintain a park of the University Campus and added that he will render all administrative support and co-operation in this regard.

Attending as guest of honour, regional director of NSS, Guwahati, H.K Sharma appreciated Professor Pandey for his initiative, cooperation and support towards NSS Cell of Manipur University while urging the volunteers to work with full spirit and enthusiast throughout the year to make the environment clean and green, it added.

IMPHAL | Aug 6

Directorate of Social Welfare Department, government of Manipur has notified that the state rules for persons with disabilities are to be framed with regard to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Comments, objection, suggestions and ideas are invited from organisations, individuals, persons with disabilities or any other interested persons on or before August 11 for effective implementation of the act, it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 6

The Manipur Students Federation (MSF) and Pangal Students Organisation (PSO) strongly condemned the alleged thrashing of a VI standard student by a teacher, Kh. Menon of DSAC Academic Centre, Irelbung yesterday which caused the student unconscious.    

Speaking to the media today at MSF head office, Keishampat MSF president, N. Muktangamba said that the student got unconscious by the teacher’s action and was taken to JNIMS for treatment. The said student has been taken away to Guwahati for further treatment as the health condition of the student did not improved, he said.

Muktangamba said that such unwanted action by the teacher shows that he is against the moral awareness programme which was conducted by MSF as a part of their academic campaign.

He continued that MSF and PSO are ready to give full support to the JAC which was formed against the unwanted conduct of the teacher. Muktangamba appealed to the government and to the police station concerned to take up legal action against the said teacher.

Talks on with Centre for helicopter service

Our Bureau

IMPHAL |Aug 6

Manipur is likely to start employing helicopter services so as to address the “miseries of the people” living in far flung areas regarding health related matters, said governor Najma Heptulla.

She was speaking at the prize distribution ceremony for the dedicated staffs of Japanese Hospital Manipur at the conference hall of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Porompat here today.

The event was sponsored by Japanese Second World War Victims Memorial Hospital Trust, Manipur.

The governor continued that talks are on with the Civil Aviation minister at the Centre to allocate Rs 25 crores to get helicopter services in the state very soon in order to provide necessary equipment to meet the needs of those not only in the city but also those in far-flung remote parts of the State.

Drawing serious concern over the present health scenario in Manipur, Najma Heptulla said that not much attention has been given to remove the miseries of the people regarding health related matters in spite of the State being endowed with a beautiful climate and great biodiversity.

Giving a brief insight of the old relation between Manipur and Japan the governor said, “There is already a Peace Memorial Hospital known as Peace Park at Maibam Lokpa Ching (Red Hill) in Bishnupur district constructed by the Japanese War veterans in memory of Japanese soldiers killed here in the Second World War. The hospital is another step to foster further friendship and cooperation between Manipur and Japan.”

The governor appealed to the authorities of the hospital to go to the far-flung rural areas where medical facilities are almost nill to provide the much needed health services apart from establishing good rapport with their patients who are poor and needy.

Focussing on health as a quintessential part of life, she also said, “Investment for eradication of diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, cholera etc. and also for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and H1N1 especially in the context of Manipur is of great economic value. Right now, the State is also facing the challenge posed by a bout of dengue and Japanese Encephalitis. But we have great hope that we shall overcome such viruses/diseases.”

Here, the selfless services endered by the staffs of the Japanese Hospital is of immense value, she added.

Member of the Japanese Hospital, Yumnam(o) Jamuna Devi presented the governor a bouquet and a hand product comprising of phanek and lily (tharo).

The prize distribution ceremony began with an opening song titled “Ho ima nungshibi, poknapham lamdam paamubi, ima nangi natambaakshe, yengbagi penba naideda” from the artists of Khonjel Artist Union. The song was scripted by.W .Gojen Meitei.

Director JNIMS, Dr. Th Bhimo Singh, medical superintendent JNIMS, Prof. L Ranbir Singh; nursing superintendent JNIMS, P. Landhoni Devi, president of Japanese Hospital Manipur, T.M. Rajen Ayangba,  national secretary, All India Dalit Development Association, Yumnam Mahendrakumar Singh and treasurer of Japanese Hospital Manipur, H. Suraj Sharma shared the dais with the governor in the function.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR |Aug 6

The Naga People’s Front headed by Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu said that “legality is with Dr Shurhozelie and TR Zeliang continues to be the chief minister by blatant aberration of the laws“. 

In a hard hitting press release issued today, the NPF headed by Dr Shurhozelie blamed TR Zeliang for the expulsion of Neiphiu Rio from the party in 2015. The statement also said that Neiphiu Rio’s ministry was reduced to a minority as there was a revolt within the party in 2004 but it was Dr Shurhozelie Lizietsu who came to the rescue of the former.

Neiphiu Rio and TR Zeliang are now joining hands against Dr Shurhozelie. Rio is the “Interim President” of one of the two NPF factions which supports TR Zeliang.

According to the statement, Neiphiu Rio, during Jamir’s Congress ministry, found it “suffocating to remain under his leadership when his ego and ambition ballooned into the size of several football fields and his colleagues found it obnoxious and began to avoid him as best as they could”.

It also stated, “By the fag end of the Congress ministry, Rio found he had landed himself in a not-so-enviable position of possibly being denied even the party ticket for the ensuing elections in 2003. And so, he orchestrated a grand political manoeuvre, hollow though it was to those who were in the know, by resigning from the ministry in September 2002. It was a huge political development at that point of time because he was the then Home minister; and to his erstwhile colleagues, a huge relief as they considered his departure as a very good riddance”.

Further the release said, Rio was reduced to a minority when in the later part of 2004, Z Obed mustered the support of 17 NPF legislators and demanded that Rio be replaced. “But party president Dr Shurhozelie, who was elected to the post at the General Convention of the party in Dimapur in the later part of 2003 replacing Vizol even though he, Dr Shurhozelie was an elected member, extended full support to the then minority chief minister and Rio could overcome the revolt within the NPF party.

It continued Rio is the “disrespected and dejected” President. “Dejected because he is the “interim President” and according to the NPF Constitution, there is no such post as interim, Ad Hoc or work charged president; dis-reputed because Rio will go down the annals of Naga history in infamy as the successor of Noke whose flash-in-the-pan tenure as president of the dissident NPF camp lasted only till the crisis lasted and had to attend the Special General Convention of the NPF on April 30, 2015 donning a skin thicker than that of a rhino, the Mascot of Kaziranga,” it also stated.

The statement then said that, it is “astounding how the expelled NPF legislators” could console themselves with a make-believe “amnesty period” of fifteen days when the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India clearly mentions that the political party can condone defiance of the Whip within fifteen days. “This period is in no way an Amnesty as the erring legislators seem to think. Anyhow, defiance of the Whip issued by NPF chief whip Kiyanilie Peseyie occurred on July 21 and the fifteen day period to condone the travesty had already expired and there is no turning back,” it added.

According to the statement, the “ill-advice” that the chief minister TR Zeliang seems to be receiving has been made conspicuous when he filed disqualification petition against the ten NPF legislators.

“He is not the ticket-issuing authority for the NPF party and he never was. To begin with, he is not the Chief Whip of the NPF party and he would do well to keep in mind that if it was not for the queer action of the Speaker to support him. The whip issued by him ought to have been rejected outright,” maintained the release.

Govt. to probe misuse of fund in IMC

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 6

MAHUD minister, Th. Shyamkumar today informed that the state government has constituted a committee to conduct an inquiry into the alleged misuse of public funds in works taken up in all the 27 wards of Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) particularly ward No. 3.

Speaking to media persons in a press conference convened today in his office chamber, Shyamkumar revealed the decision to conduct the probe was taken following the allegations raised by the Opposition bench during just concluded budget session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

He further said that the committee will be headed by the special secretary MAHUD as chairman while joint secretary MAHUD and assistant municipal commissione, will be the members.

The committee shall submit its reports within 15 days’ time from the date of issue of the order.

At a time when the BJP led government under the leadership of chief minister, N. Biren Singh, is taking strong initiative to uproot corruption, no individual or official if found guilty during the course of investigation will not be spared. And, stringent action will be taken against the guilty as per the law, he said.

Subsequently, an order released by the under secretary of MAHUD in this regards issued directive to the municipal commissioner to take action against the officers responsible and recover the funds misappropriated in the said works.

The MAHUD minister further informed that the government will also investigate the alleged manipulation conducted during an auctioned recently conducted for eight condemned vehicles of the IMC.

He pointed out that the matter was clarified on the floor of the House following complaints queries raised by Thangmeiband MLA, Kh. Joykishan during the last session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

However, the matter resurfaced today in the local media with the Opposition councillors of the IMC accusing that the auctioned was conducted by overlooking all the norms of the auction, he asserted.

The minister warned that any officials who fed him the wrong reports, which led to the prevailing misunderstanding in connection with the auctioned, will also be dealt with accordingly.

IMPHAL | Aug 6

Education should not only focus on providing literacy, but also help the children to reach their full potential and become productive citizens of the society. To make the young students a better citizen the teachers and the guardians have a big role to play.

 This was stated by consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister, Karam Shyam during the annual school day function of Trinity Public School at Mongshangei, Imphal West, while addressing the function as the chief guest.

He said children must be motivated in learning new knowledge, discipline and to develop their moral character. He urged the teachers of the School to be the perfect role model for the young students so that they are inspired to become fine human being.

Speaking as the guest of honour, Dr. RK. Lenin Singh, department of Psychiatry, RIMS said that, teachers should not only help students in scoring good marks but also identify and nurture their hidden talents. Highlighting the benefits of physical fitness among students, Dr RK. Lenin said it is deplorable that some of the schools do not have enough open space for physical activities.

President of the function, Wangkhemcha Shamjai, president All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) lauded the principal, teachers and the staffs of the School for making the school premises into a plastic free zone and said it is a good way to educate the young children on the harmful effects of plastic in the environment.

He also encouraged the teachers to continue with their effort in moulding the young students to become better citizen.

Speaking as the guest of honour, Khoisnam Sarma Devi, SP traffic control Wing, Imphal City gave the students valuable lessons on traffic safety and said the police and traffic police are friend of the people to enforce laws for safety of the public.

 As part of the function, prizes were given to the meritorious and successful students of the school on HSLC examination 2017. Students, teachers and parents, guardians also attended the function.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 6

The family members of Laishram Bedamani of Koutruk Maning Leikai who died under mysterious circumstances on August 4 have urged the authorities concerned to speed up the investigation process to determine how she died. 

In a press meet at Manipur Press Club, Premjit Leishangthem, one of the family members of Bedamani said that her corpse has been kept at RIMS mortuary after the post mortem and that the family will not take the body until her husband Hemanta Thounaojam is produced and given the punishment he deserves.

Laishram Bedamani left three children. Her second child Rinky Thounaojam today recounted that her father came drunk that day with a friend and ordered her to go and buy alcohol from their locality. Her mother refused to let her daughter go out and that was at around 6 pm, then her father hit on her mother’s head and she fell down saying “kok ngaowe” (head spinning).

Rinky continued that when she came back after procuring the alcohol, she could not find her mother. She maintained that her father had locked her mother in one room. She along with her siblings in another room was also locked up, she said. When she woke up, she found her mother not breathing anymore.

One of the members of Khabam Bamdiar Meira Paibis, who does not want to be named, said that they condemned such alleged killing of their sister and should not be repeated in the future.

An FIR has been lodged at Lamsang police and a memorandum was also submitted to the deputy chief minister, Y. Joykishan yesterday. As of now, we have not received any positive response from the minister, said Premjit.

IMPHAL | Aug 6

Committee on Human Rights, Manipur (COHR) today hold a protest rally at Kwakeithel, Imphal as a part of solidarity and fight back conference of International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) and International Women Alliance, Toronto, Canada.

Civil bodies of the state including AMUCO, AMAWOVA, AMESCO, POIREI, Leimarol Apunba Maira Paibee Manipur and MAPWAK also took part in the protest rally.

Speaking to media persons COHR, chairman, Phulindro Konsam said that the main objective of ILPS is to promote, support and develop anti-imperialist and democratic struggles of the people around the world.

The league aims to stimulate and coordinate common lines of action and undertake action like advocacy, research, publications, conferences, seminars and social and political mobilization, he added.

Phulindro continued that on the other hand the central force as well as the state force have killed many innocent person in fake encounter taking the chances of implementation of black laws “AFSPA, 1958” in the state.

So in order to earn back the rights of the people of the state, the people need to work together as one to remove such Act, added the chairman.

Public meetings and rally decry oil exploration

IMPHAL | Aug 6

Locals of Torbung area resolved to ban oil exploration work and any other related work to exploit any natural resources in the area. They also resolved that no natural resources can be taken out without the free-prior and informed consent of the people of Torbung Area.

The meeting held at Kangvai community hall today also resolved to support and take part in any movement related to oil exploration and exploration of natural resources in Manipur. The public meeting was organised by the villagers of Torbung area, Churachandpur district.

Speaking in the meeting Sapam Ranjan, pradhan of Torbung GP said that the natural resources petroleum, limestone, cobalt chromium, coal, etc which are found in the state must be protected by the people of the land and should not be given to the central government.

It is mentioned in the Indian Oilfield Act 1948 that the ultimate owner of the natural resources found in any area of the country is the property of the central government, he said, and asked if the people are going to sacrifice their land which are kept for them by our ancestor just for the central government in the name of development by depriving the rights over the own land.

It should be made clear that the Indian Oilfield Act 1948 is an out-dated Act as it was passed before Manipur was merged with India; therefore, this Act is needed to be amendment, he urged.

In the public meeting Mr. Sapam Ranjan (Pradhan, Torbung G.P), Mr. K Paul Kapyung (Secretary, Young Vaiphei Association), Ms. K Aruna (Secretary, Nupi Khunai Semgat Lup, Phougakchao Ikhai), Mr. Majabung Gangmei (Speaker, Zalinaglong Baudi) and Mr. N Rajesh (General Secretary, Citizen Initiative Manipur)

Speaking in the meeting Majabung Gangmei, of ZB highlighted some reality of how the oil companies tried to obtain N.O.C from the villagers for the oil exploration work in Tamenglong area.

He recalled the Jubiliant Company had approached most of the villages located in the Tamenglong area without informing the DRP and also without disclosing any documents related to oil exploration work in Manipur.

The government of India has granted the Asian Oilfiled Service Limited to conduct the oil exploration work in Manipur but without being informed to the general masses, which is of very unfortunate, he lamented.

Meanwhile a public meeting on similar issue was jointly organised by villages such as Charoi, Ponrinjuang, Taokomjeag, Ranginag, Thingou, Okoklong and Namduwnjang at Taokomjeag village community hall, Noney.

A rally was alsoorganised to spread the mass awareness to the villagers of Noney area and also to the villagers of the neighbouring villages with regard to the negative impact of oil exploration work and other mining of resources in the state of Manipur.

The meeting also resolved to stop all kind of extraction of natural resources including the ongoing 2D seismic survey by the Asian Oilfiled Service Limited, and to protect the natural resources for the future generation.

The program was attended by Thonchaling Kamei, chairman Charoi Pandongba, Senapati district, Ka Phunsingpao Kamei, Baorei Kamsuan (elder of Namdonjang village) and Benjamin Rongmei, convenor YFPHR, Noney district.

IMPHAL | Aug 6

Education minister Th. Radheshyam said to improve the dilapidated condition of the government schools, the locals, those who are the guardians and citizens should take up the responsibility to ensure and improve the requirements from every possible aspect in order to bring qualitative development.

He was speaking at the 8th meritorious award 2017, at Heingang.

He continued schools have been provided for educating young children who will be the future of tomorrow. With Right to Education Act (RTE), free and compulsory is provided by the government for children of age group six to fourteen.

There are officials who have been tasked to implement this but the success of implementing this RTE will be achieved only when everyone from all walks of life come together to work for the upliftment of the education, he said.

The minister maintained that awards to the students would encourage them to chase their goals. Cheering up the children for their achievements, it will also inspire the other young minds who could not receive the award today due to some drawback.

 He also said that encouraging the children in the face of failure is more important and necessary than success.

“Guardians of every child should take the task to motivate and support them going the right path in the making of a good human being. It is more important that children are taught to be caring and loving, a person when grows up, who will be able to sacrifice for the welfare of the society”, he said.

The contribution towards the society by all with the capability to love and sacrifice for other is more important than being a successful person, the minister stressed.

Joint director MAHUD, Ng. Uttam, said that though everyone wants to be successful having satisfaction of what is being achieved, contribution for the betterment of the society is more important.

He advised the children present in the function that it is better to compete with oneself than to compete with others so that with every step there can be holistic development.

Commandant 1st MR N. Herojit Singh, said that the young children should learn to absorb only the good things and ventilate the negative ones.

Gifts were presented to the elders, with awards being given to the meritorious students. The function was organised by the Heingang United Clubs Organisation (HUCO).

Dr. Th. Bijoy Singh, HOD of Forensic medicine RIMS, explained in detail on the topic “Role of Forensic expert in aid of delivery of justice”. He said that there are lots of methods to identify the causes of death.

Editor of Imphal Free Press, Pradip Phanjoubam spoke on the topic “Challenges and lacuna faced by the media in following a case with special reference to investigative journalism”. The role of presiding judge and counsel of the victim were presented by Th. Surbala, retired district and session judge and L. Sevananda Sharma, practicing advocate in High Court, Manipur respectively.

IMPHAL | Aug 5

Civil bodies urged the state government to review the 105 megawatt Loktak project and to take appropriate steps to decommissioning Ithai barrage at the earliest. The civil bodies are The Loktak Project Affected Area Action Committee, Committee on Human Rights Manipur (COHR), Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM) and Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM).

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, CRAM secretary, Jiten Yumnam said that the absence of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and state government on the operation of the Loktak project which was commissioned way back in 1984 is a matter of serious concern.

The non-existence of the MoU on the project has been confirmed by the NHPC on May 9, 2017 after filing a RTI application by one Joy Haobijam, whose land was submerged and affected by the project, he added.

The secretary said that, “it is very unfortunate that the NHPC has been given a complete free hand without any monitoring or regulation by the state government.”

He claimed that the project is responsible for the recurrent floods in the state and has destroyed more than 50 thousand hectors of agriculture land. But NHPC refuses to take responsibility for such loss of properties during flood and land submerged, he added.

Moreover the project is responsible for the continued suffering of fishermen by implementing the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection, Act 2006, continued Jiten.

The civil bodies asked the state government to urge upon the NHPC to take responsibility and accountability for the sufferings unleashed and for the environment devastation caused in Loktak lake.

The bodies further asked the state government to repeal Manipur Loktak Lake Protection, Act 2006 to recognise the rights and role of fishing community and to uphold the true spirit of Ramsar conventions.

CM clarifies on hoax Raksha Bandhan letter

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 5

A hoax letter which “notifies” all government employees to attend Raksha Bandhan on August 7, has been doing the rounds in the social media. The matter was further aggravated when a local newspaper carried the news without authenticating the source. The letter had such an impact to the general public that chief minister N. Biren had to clarify in his Facebook post.

The letter supposedly from the department of personnel and administrative reforms (Personnel Division) bearing number 23/120/2017-Misc/DP mentioned that “It has been decided to celebrate the festival of Raksha Bandhan on Monday, the 7th August, 2017. In this connection, all office/departments shall remain open and celebrate the festival collectively at a suitable time wherein all the lady staff shall tie Rakhis to their male colleagues and all are requested to wear traditional attire on that day,” the circular was purportedly signed by undersecretary of DP, Ph. Bhavadanda Sharma.

Imphal Free Press called up under-secretary Bhavananda, whose name was wrongly spelt and asked him if he had any knowledge. He clarified that the letter is a hoax and the matter has already been clarified by the CM as he is the concerned minister in-charge of the DP. Regarding the hoax, sources mentioned that a case is to be registered with the cyber-crime department.

Chief minister N. Biren in his Facebook post said a newspaper had carried the hoax report without any authentication and it is a malicious attempt to malign his government, “legal action has been initiated against the newspaper for trying to spread false news without any attempt to verify from the concerned department,… I request users to be careful with such malicious attempts to malign my government,”  Biren posted on his Facebook page this morning. After his clarification, the issue fizzled out in the social media.

It was learnt that a legal notice has been served to a vernacular paper, which carried the report.