Manipur News – Page 14136 – www.manipur.org/news

‘Manipur government pays more attention to drugs’ – MorungExpress

'Manipur government pays more attention to drugs'MorungExpressIMPHAL, May 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh lashed out at the ruling Congress accusing it of giving more impetus to recruitment of police constables and drug traffick…

'Manipur government pays more attention to drugs'
MorungExpress
IMPHAL, May 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh lashed out at the ruling Congress accusing it of giving more impetus to recruitment of police constables and drug trafficking and leaving behind the idea of development on Wednesday. State BJP …
BJP claims Congress govt `anti-poor`KanglaOnline
BJP lambasts Govt over 'biased' sectoral allocationE-Pao.net

all 3 news articles »

Manipur class 10th results likely in May – Jagran Post

Manipur class 10th results likely in MayJagran PostNew Delhi: The Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) is likely to declare class10th results in the month of May. The students can check class 10th results 2013 on the BSEM's official website…

Manipur class 10th results likely in May
Jagran Post
New Delhi: The Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) is likely to declare class10th results in the month of May. The students can check class 10th results 2013 on the BSEM's official website www.manresults.nic.in. They can also check their …

Manipur class 10th results likely in May – Jagran Post

Jagran PostManipur class 10th results likely in MayJagran PostNew Delhi: The Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) is likely to declare class10th results in the month of May. The students can check class 10th results 2013 on the BSEM's offic…

Jagran Post

Interview with team “My Japanese Niece” – KanglaOnline

KanglaOnlineInterview with team “My Japanese Niece”KanglaOnlineProbably for the first time in Manipur, we are undergoing mock shooting, director of the upcoming war documentary movie, Mohen Naorem informed in a candid interview with entertainment r…

KanglaOnline

Interview with team “My Japanese Niece”
KanglaOnline
Probably for the first time in Manipur, we are undergoing mock shooting, director of the upcoming war documentary movie, Mohen Naorem informed in a candid interview with entertainment reporter of www.kanglaonline.com. Here is an excerpt of the …

Interview with team ‘My Japanese Niece’

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Interview with team “My Japanese Niece” By W Rorrkychand Singh for KanglaOnline “Feeling really happy……….as per scheduled we have started mock shooting”- Mohen. Almost after 2 years of arduous research and paper work, team ‘My Japanese Niece’ (MJN) is all … Continue reading →

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Interview with team “My Japanese Niece”
By W Rorrkychand Singh for KanglaOnline

“Feeling really happy……….as per scheduled we have started mock shooting”- Mohen.

L-R: Junichi Kajioka, Mohen Naorem and Yu Asada

Almost after 2 years of arduous research and paper work, team ‘My Japanese Niece’ (MJN) is all set for light, camera and action. Probably for the first time in Manipur, we are undergoing mock shooting, director of the upcoming war documentary movie, Mohen Naorem informed in a candid interview with entertainment reporter of www.kanglaonline.com.

Here is an excerpt of the interview with the director along with Junichi Kajioka, the main protagonist of MJN……..

KO: How are you preparing for your role?

Junichi: Most of the Japanese soldiers died because of hunger not because of malaria, cholera or any other epidemic diseases. I’m playing 25 to late 40s in the film and when I look like a hunger starved Japanese soldier I will be in my late 40s. Dieting is on and at the same time hectic practices ahead to portray the same youth to be seen as an old man.

KO: Something about the Budget

Mohen: Earlier, while we were scripting the first script, without any war scene it was estimated around 1-2 crore but it has multiplied only to bringing an actual war background. The realistic aspects of the film could do only with locations, costumes and properties like tank, explosions, sophisticated weapons, helicopter, antic, gigantic stage etc….. and here comes the need to hike the budget.

Director Mohen Naorem in Bangkok for MJN shooting

KO: How would you incur the budget from the present Manipuri film market?

Mohen: No, no its an international venture, already talked with Japanese ambassador for tie up and it aims at international markets; there are plenty of it. Interestingly, the Ambassador was touched with the story line that he assured to make use of the movie for promotion of peace around the globe.

KO: Comparatively, it’s a small budget with other international ventures; what do you really expect from MJN?

Junichi: I don’t think about budget; I don’t decide the film to involve depend on its budget. MJN is special and a meaningful project- without doubt it would strengthen the bonding between Japan and Manipur. It has a good subject matter and it’s very rare to find such film; we cannot see such project anywhere, it does not matter how much he (Mohen) pays for me.
Most of the war film is based on “who killed and who rose,” but this film is something that would message across to the world about peace and “help even in the war front to save lives”.

Mohen: Luckily, there would not any draught for funds as long as blessings of supporters exist; peace-lover individuals and even from overseas have join and ready to lend their hands in this project.

My Japanese Niece – cover photo

KO: About the rumour- MJN is a joint project with some foreign Embassies, how far it’s true?

Mohen: No, it’s not. But we met Japanese Embassy in New Delhi and they also welcomed such an effort to promote international peace, love and solidarity. They are actually looking forward about MJN and even hope to make use of the films to promote their diplomatic relation with Korea and China.

Apart from it they were so anxious and at the same time serious about MJN, that if it turn out to be another blow to the history of Japanese. So they even asked me to make some good side of them. When, some Japanese political affair officers came to Manipur they literary went on asking about this movie to some high level officials including our Chief Secretary and officials of state Tourism department, “One such movie is coming from your state, what would be the consequences of it?” I came to know about the gravity of their curiosity about MJN through Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Imphal. In fact is- they want to cross some political limits with MJN, where political affair does not succeed so far.

KO: Movie of such genre might require lots of research and field works?

Mohen: Yes! Work started since 2011 and now research and field study is almost at the stage of culmination. Feeling really happy………. As per scheduled we have started mock shooting.
KO: Mock shooting, is it so necessary?

Mohen: We believe on perfection, though the film is from Manipur, audience around the globe is waiting to witness it.

KO: Where will the film be shot….?

Mohen: The film will be shot at Manipur, Bangkok and Japan. The war scenes will be shot at Bangkok. Initially it would be shooting in Japan and some part of Indo-Myanmar border.

My Japanese Niece – official poster – Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/MyJapaneseNiece

KO: MJN a brainchild of whom?

Mohen: It’s team effort. See, not only acting in the film, Junichi is helping me as production manager, making the cost effective so that it can be have a good move in a low budget as well as selection of location, drafting of script etc…throughout each and every development of the film. But the main location is- Manipur. The Manipur scenes will be shot at Kamray Ching, and Mongjam.

KO: Lastly, any other Manipuris in the film?

Mohen: There are some, apart from well-know faces like Bala and Abenao, we are in search of new talents. Abenao would be seen in a challenging role.

KO: Tentative date of release?

Mohen: On the 70th anniversary of the battle of Imphal in the year 2014, its gonna be a big incident.

Highlights:
Production: Legend Studio Production
Director: Naorem Mohen
Assistant Directors:
1) Fanny Fandora (French)
2) Sheria Vallah (Iran)
3) Deepsikha Poddav (Bengali)
4) Robert Megha (Manipuri)
Music: Luna Luna (Japanese)
Camera: Elfassy (French) (CNBC, Discussion)
Costume: Japanese USA based
Genre: Drama/War/History

Photos courtesy: Rorrky, MJN Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MyJapaneseNiece)

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Thangjam Dwijamani honored at Newseum Washington D.C. on May 13

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Washington D.C./Imphal, May 14, 2013 The late journalist from Imphal – Thangjam Dwijamani Singh was honored during the rededication of the Newseum Journalists Memorial. The ceremony was held on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 10 AM at the Journalists Memorial … Continue reading →

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Washington D.C./Imphal, May 14, 2013

The late journalist from Imphal – Thangjam Dwijamani Singh was honored during the rededication of the Newseum Journalists Memorial. The ceremony was held on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 10 AM at the Journalists Memorial Gallery of the Newseum in Washington DC, USA.

Dwijamani’s photo on Newseum Journalists Memorial wall

The names of 82 journalists who died covering the news in 2012, and 6 additional journalists who died in previous years were added to the Newseum’s Journalists Memorial in the solemn ceremony.

Dwijamani’s name appears in two places in the Journalists Memorial – one etched in glass on the actual memorial and the other as a color photo on an adjacent wall. This is a permanent exhibit and visitors to the Newseum in Washington DC will be able to view Dwijamani’s name. KanglaOnline attended the ceremony and took photos of the event. A laminated collage of selected photos was presented to Dwijamani’s family by KanglaOnline on Tuesday, May 15 as a memento of the event.

It may be noted that John Powell, Exhibits Writer at the Newseum, journalists from the Imphal Free Press, and members of the KanglaOnline team were instrumental in communications between the Newseum and Dwijamani’s family.

Keynote speaker Richard Engel fondly remembered colleagues Marie Colvin and Anthony Shadid, who both died covering the conflict in Syria. In December 2012, Engel, chief foreign correspondent for NBC News, was kidnapped and held captive for five days in Syria, along with several members of his production crew.

With this year’s addition of 88 names from 2012 and previous years, the memorial will honor a total of 2,244 reporters, photographers, broadcasters and news executives from around the world, dating back to 1837.

Photos courtesy: KanglaOnline, Newseum YouTube videos
Some content courtesy: Newseum

Related links:

YouTube video – Fallen Journalists Honored at Newseum (see 22:22 – 22:29 for Dwijamani’s portion)
YouTube video – Newseum Journalists Memorial Projection on Newseum Outside Wall (see 0:35 for Dwijamani’s portion)
Special Program: Fallen Journalists Honored at Newseum
Newseum in Washington D.C. to honor Thangjam Dwijamani on May 13 (KanglaOnline, April 30, 2013)

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Location of Manipur : Challenges and opportunities – E-Pao.net

Location of Manipur : Challenges and opportunitiesE-Pao.netThere are challenges galore for economic development of Manipur given the State's poor score in terms of governance and the all pervading conflict situation. Poverty, backwardness, violence…

Location of Manipur : Challenges and opportunities
E-Pao.net
There are challenges galore for economic development of Manipur given the State's poor score in terms of governance and the all pervading conflict situation. Poverty, backwardness, violence, ethnic polarisation, et al continue to be the hallmarks of …

Dy CM Gaikhangam states need for equal development and ADC role

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IMPHAL, May 14: State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today inaugurated a two day seminar on “District Council & its function in the protection of Tribal Rights” at the Tribal Research Institute Auditorium, Chingmeirong. The seminar is being organized by the … Continue reading →

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The seminar is being organized by the Tribal Research Institute, Manipur.

Addressing the function, State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said in order to bring development in the state, there is a need for equal development in both the hills and valley districts.

Elected representatives of the District Councils should also work honestly in accordance with the wants and desire of the general public. Everybody should understand their own duties to bring development in the state, he said before adding that the government, considering the development and welfare of the people has been paying much attention to the district councils.

Continuing further, he said one can witness developmental differences in the hills and valley districts due to certain geographical barriers.

He continued there are several developmental programs under the UPA and the state government is trying to deliver them to the Autonomous District Councils at the earliest.

The government is also trying to improve the conditions of the schools and hospitals in the District Council for their development under the 13th Finance Commission, the Dy Chief Minister said before adding that such actions will be implemented once the 14th Finance Commission is approved.

Due to lack of funds, the state government is unable to expedite developmental works, he said and further appealed to the people to support the government in its quest to develop the hill areas of the state.

The Dy Chief Minister further invited innovative ideas from ADC committee members, officials and leaders for development in their areas.

He continued, people should not only blame the MLAs and Minister of the hill areas for the lack of development.

He further appealed to the people to support the government in order to strengthen the ADCs and enable decentralization of power to the councils to work freely with transparency towards development of their areas.

Gaikhangnam further urged the people to apprise the government through their MLAs about their needs and requirement.

The ADCs in the state is different from the ADCs present in the other states of the country and as such what has been implemented in the other ADCs cannot be applied here in Manipur, he said.

“District Council in not a department, it is an institution”, he said and added the people’s perception that the District Councils are departments is wrong.

He said there are six ADCs in the hill areas of the state. The ADCs should be allowed to work based on actions and discussions for the welfare of the people.

Advocate Manipur High Court, Siamzading Valte said that organizing such seminars is good for the welfare of the society.

He further said there is a need for a separate Land law for the tribals of the state and added that the ADC has an important role in the development of the people.

The day was also attended by all six ADC chairmen.

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CSOs to close electricity office

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JIRIBAM, May 14: With the breaking down of the recently setup 5 MVA transformer estimated at a cost of around Rs 30 lakhs at Jiribam Sub-Division yesterday, there has been a total blackout in the sub division. Annoyed at the … Continue reading →

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Annoyed at the incident, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) cslled a joint meeting at the office of All Jiribam Meira Paibee and resolved that if electricity is not provided by May 20, 2013 then intense agitations like closing down of electricity office and calling of highway blockade etc will be launched.

During the meeting, L Shantikumar Singh, President All Jiribam United Club’s Association urged the public to do away with the habit of not paying bill after consuming electricity. The officials should disconnect the electricity connection line for those who do not pay bills, he validated.

Dorendra Sharma, Executive Engineer (EE) Electricity Department, Jiribam who also attended the said meeting assured that electricity will be provided as soon as possible. The 3.5 MVA Transformer will be charged from tomorrow and efforts made to supply electricity, he said.

A representative of a civil society group who attended the meeting pressed that supplying of electricity in a much hotter region by continuously repairing old transformers should be stopped. She mentioned that the 5 MVA transformer which is now unable to provide electricity was set up in December 2012.

Currently two broken down 5 MVA transformers are being used in Jiribam. The concerned authorities are urged to install new transformers and solve the inconveniences of the people there. If they do not take the matter seriously then it will be assumed that they are only inviting for agitations, she continued.

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Food and Hunger

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The call by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the U.N. food agency to fight off the demands of food production on one hand and growing hunger by including edible insects like grasshoppers, ants and other members of the insect world is most interesting. The FAO has in a report stated that says 2 billion people worldwide already supplement their diets with insects, which are high in protein and minerals, and have environmental benefits but that the majority people who are yet to include insects in their menu must fight off their disgust and take to insects on their plate since they are an underutilized food source not only for people but also for livestock and pets. In South East Asian countries, insects are considered a delicacy though the West and Europe are yet to wake up to the ‘gastronomic delight’ of insects. In India, the main food preference is on cereals and pulses with meat down in the list of priority food. The irony of a nation starving on one hand while having a sizeable cattle population on the other, is often cited by westerners who cannot seem to work out why a nation that is starving is not taking to cow meat, which is a good source of nutrition. Of course, religious sentiments will not allow a majority of the citizens of this country to eat cattle but starve to malnutrition and sometimes, even death. Apart from religious beliefs and practices being factors underlying eating practices, there is also the factor of climate and terrain contributing to what kind of food is being eaten in what particular region. For instance, people in Ladakh whose core belief is non violence and who also practice buddhism still eat meat for the simple reason meat helps to increase the body temperature. Interestingly enough, the conflict between the basic need for food and the necessity of keeping the body warm with eating meat is resolved by having animals slaughtered by other communities. Coming to the north-east region, many people frown on people who eat animals and rodents. What is not realized is that the people who do eat animals out of the usual fare of chicken, pork, beef and mutton are often from hilly terrain where agricultural crops are scarce and food resources low.

Food being a basic need for survival, every human being has to make do with what is available. Food habits also change with time and when boundaries open up. This is true everywhere. In Manipur too, the traditional food preparation processes of cooking without oil and spices have changed into a more pan Indian style of cooking and very much influenced and fused with the Bengali style of cooking which is not strange given the import of Hindusim from Bengal. Earlier generations of Hindus in the state brought up with strict codes of ‘pure’ and impure’ stayed away from eating meat even as fish remained the main focus of food in the valley. The fish could not be done away with since it supplements for protein intake and milk is not really favored by the people of the region. The call by the FAO to turn to insects as a source of food is being validated by the fact that they provide high-quality protein and nutrients when compared with meat and fish and are particularly important as a food supplement for undernourished children. While many people may find it disgusting to think of eating insects, there are emerging studies quoted by the FAO saying that they can be rich sources of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, and fibre. The humble beetle, ant or grasshopper are all being said to come close to lean red meat or broiled fish in terms of protein intake per gram.

Given the growing rate of population on one hand; the shrinking space of agricultural land to produce food, the hazards of eating processed and packed food, the lack of proper storage facilities for food grains in the country, turning to insects may be a practical if not so easy change of food habits. To those of us who do not hesitate while wasting food, the other side of the story is that many starve to death and have to resort to eating dry kernels of fruit to keep themselves alive. The other extreme end is that while the majority of the people may turn their noses at the thought of people eating insects or rodents even, there is the practice of ‘anything goes’ if the same fare gets served at a fancy restaurant at exorbitant rates. Hunger is basic and so is food and if the lowly insect can reduce the gap between the two what needs to be tackled is the value judgment given to people who eat what they eat.

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CRPF escorts oil tankers till Mao

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IMPHAL, May 14: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Personnel has taken up adequate security measures to escort oil tankers following the kidnapping of oil tanker driver of Manipur by activists of Naga National Council (Federal) near the capital town Kohima … Continue reading →

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A spokesperson of All Manipur Petroleum Tankers and Drivers’ Union disclosed to IFP that CRPF personnel escorted the movement of oil tankers of the union along the stretch of National Highway – 2 from Imphal to Mao properly. CRPF personnel not only escorted loaded and empty oil tankers but discharged road opening patrol (ROP) duty etc at various places. There is confidence that further untoward incidents will not occur between Imphal and Mao. The security measures were taken up under the supervision of 69 BN CRPF of commanding officer Premjit.

The source further said that as usual, 56 petrol and diesel oil tankers including LPG bullets safely reached Imphal today. But a large number of loaded tankers could not come back as they faced difficulties while plying along the road due to heavy rainfall.

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Discussion on Iron Irom at Delhi

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IMPHAL, May 14: A discussion on “Iron Irom”, a book on Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on fast since November 5, 200 demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 (AFSPA, 1958) will be held on May 21 at New Delhi.The discussion program of the book on Irom Sharmila written by Minnie Vaid will also be attended by Pradip Phanjoubam, Group Editor of Imphal Free Press and Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of Human Rights Alert (HRA).

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Decomposed body discovered

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IMPHAL, May 14: A decomposed body of a man was found found floating in Imphal River near Loukon Thingkhanphai village under Sugnu police station at around 8.30 am. The dead body has been deposited at the morgue of the Jawaharlal … Continue reading →

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The body was discovered by the locals of the area who informed the police.

According to the police, the unidentified bearded male who seems to be about 50 yrs was wearing black pants and a checked T-shirt. His height would be about 5 ft 5 inch tall and on his right wrist a nylon tread was found tied.

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HERICOUN`s blood donation camp

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IMPHAL, May 14: The Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) today organized a blood donation camp at the blood bank of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) today. Speaking at the occasion, Islam Makakcha, Secretary General of HERICOUN said it has … Continue reading →

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IMPHAL, May 14: The Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) today organized a blood donation camp at the blood bank of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) today.

Speaking at the occasion, Islam Makakcha, Secretary General of HERICOUN said it has been conducting blood donation camps every year at JNIMS with the camp being in its fifth edition. Fifty people (14 female and 36 male) volunteers donated blood today.

The camp was organized to drive home the message: if each one of us can donate a unit of blood once in every 3 months then there will be surplus blood available.

Islam Makakcha continued that such blood donation camps will help those who are have blood cancer and other diseases.

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RIMS to observe Nurses Day

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IMPHAL, May 14: The International Nurses Week will be celebrated on May 15 at Jubilee hall of RIMS from 11 am, informed a RIMS press release. The observation is being organized by the nursing staff of RIMS and College of … Continue reading →

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MSF Branch Committee

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IMPHAL, May 14: A press release issued by the Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF) has said in a press release that a Sagolband Branch Committee has been opened under the guidance of I. Aheibam Boinao, Vice President of Manipur Students’ Head Office and Mayengbam Gulson, Organisation Secretary at a function held at its Head Office on May 14, 2013 at 1p.m. Office bearers of the Sagolband Branch Committee including Thockchom Shashikanta as President (Zenith Academy), Samuel Warepam as Vice President – I (Johnstone Hr. Sec. School), A Ronel Singh as Vice President – II (Johnstone Hr. Sec. School), and M. Priyo Singh, General Secretary (Standard College) among others.

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3rd son for Mary Kom

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IMPHAL, May 14: Mary Kom who bagged the bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics in London and a five-time World Boxing champion has delivered her third son at Public Hospital & Research Institute at Minuthong here today.. Dr Nepram Purnima, … Continue reading →

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Dr Nepram Purnima, MD (Obs and Gynae) who conducted the delivery said the baby weighing 3.8 kg was born around 3:10 pm today by conducting a Caesarean Section on the mother, after a full term pregnancy. Both the mother and the baby are in a healthy condition.

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CBI autonomy

The Central Bureau of Investigation has been in the limelight in the wake of the Supreme Court’s criticism of the government for influencing the CBI
report in the coal blocks allocation scam. Many allege that it is being used by those in power for the wrong purpose. It has however done many laudable jobs. The problem exists in the slow process of the cases handled by the CBI. Inspite of the allegations one should understand that when any group wants a fair probe there is a demand for CBI probe. The issues are multifacated. We want the CBI to be fully autonomous and strengthened so that it can perform well and dispense justice. The police work in the whole country has suffered a lot and we need a strong body to investigate to high profile and sensitive cases which will work independently. Any organisation can not exist on its own and it has to be linked with the government in some way or the other. It also can not act as a loose weapon . it has also to be controlled and properly managed. It has to be answerable and accountable. It is heartening that the government has acted fast Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to decide the plan of action to insulate the investigating agency from external influence.Besides Chidambaram, the GoM has External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, newly-appointed Law Minister Kapil Sibal, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari and Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy as members.According to reports, the GoM will deliberate on ways to further strengthen CBI’s autonomy and safeguard it from any kind of outside interferences.The government’s move came after the Supreme Court had called the CBI “a caged parrot” that “speaks in its master’s voice” after the investigating agency admitted in an affidavit that Ashwani Kumar, who quit as the Law Minister on Friday, and senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and the coal ministry had made certain changes in the report on the allocation of coal blocks.The apex court, which reserved its harshest words for the CBI, calling it a “caged parrot with many masters”, stressed the need for the CBI to operate independently of the political establishment.”You are not a constable or head constable. You are a premier investigating agency and must learn to work under pressure. It (probe) is not a collaborative exercise between the CBI and ministry officials … It is a sordid saga of many masters and one parrot,” it said. The government should not have waited for the reprimand from the Apex Court.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-autonomy/

Drivers beaten up for protesting police demand

IMPHAL, May 14 NNN : Three truck drivers injured after they were reportedly beaten up by police commandos as they negotiated on an unreasonable money demand made by the commandos who were on duty in front of Patsoi Police Station last night.
Meanwhile, Manipur Drivers’ Welfare Association (MDWA), Highway Truck Owners’ Welfare Organisation and All Manipur Inter-Bus Service Association strongly condemned the erring Manipur Police commandos on Tuesday for severely beating up three truck drivers who refused to pay money to them in front of Patsoi Police Station last night.
Police commandos who were on duty stopped the three goods laden trucks in front of Patsoi Police Station in Imphal East yesterday night and asked the drivers to pay Rs 500 each and then they started thrashing them when the drivers told them to take Rs 100 each as they did not have enough money, MDWA general secretary M Tomba told mediapersons at the Press Club here.
Flanked by representatives of Highway Truck Owners’ Welfare Organisation and All Manipur Inter-Bus Service Association, Tomba said that two drivers have gone deaf after the beating.
The victim drivers were identified as Md Sultan, Joy Namoijam and Md Doulat Khan.
They were returning from Jiribam which borders Assam in the Imphal East after loading rice and cement from there.
The erring police commandos snubbed the idea of freeing them even after the beating but instead they forcibly took Rs 300 each from the victimised drivers, Tomba alleged and further said that the drivers accompanied with the handymen admitted themselves to Regional Institute of Sciences (RIMS) for treatment.
He added that the three organizations condemn this incident and demand punitive action against the erring commandos.
Tomba also informed that a memorandum has been submitted to the Home Minister urging him to take appropriate action against the commandos responsible for the beating up of the three drivers.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/drivers-beaten-up-for-protesting-police-demand/

Devolution of power will not disturb power structure : Gaikhangam

IMPHAL, May 14 MNS Agencies: Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam rubbished today the allegation that tribal ministers and MLAs will be left powerless if power is decentralised to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
Gaikhangam was addressing the inaugural function of a two-day seminar on “Rights of District Councils and their Function” at Tribal Research Centre, Chingmeirong here.
He pointed out that absorbing in illegal activities while demanding rights harm the Government’s developmental activities and noted that the state will be able to join the development pace if different hierarchies like the members and other machineries beginning from Panchayat level to Parliament level work with earnestness.
He said, “The allegation that all the tribal ministers and MLAs will be dwindled if power is given to the District Councils is groundless.”
The Deputy Chief Minister, also holding the Home portfolio, then added that after a long 20 years gap the state Government had conducted the District Councils election recently, but it is really unfortunate that it has been unable to make changes in the old system in the councils that existed before the election.
The Government is considering making changes in the system, he also informed. All the chairmen and members of the District Councils expressed unhappiness over the Government’s repeated negative response towards decentralisation of power to the councils even after more than one year has elapsed since the election.The issue of protecting tribal rights in Manipur was deliberated today by tribal intellectuals on the first day of the two-day seminar today christened as “District Council & It’s Function In The Protection of Tribal Rights” organized by the Tribal Research Institute, government of Manipur at the Auditorium of the Institute at Chingmeirong, Imphal.
Deputy chief minister of Manipur Gaikhangam said the government is putting its maximum effort to uphold the tribal peoples’ rights and recalled how the elections to the Autonomous District Council (ADC) was held three years ago after a gap of 20 years. “Conducting of elections to the ADCs was part of the state government’s effort to uphold the tribal peoples’ rights,” said the deputy chief minister.
Gaikhangam then said that the elections to the Village Authorities in the hill districts are about to complete. “Once these elections to the Village Authorities are done, the government will find it easier to function while ensuring better governance with a shift to a participatory and decentralized system of government,” the deputy chief minister added.
Sadar Hills ADC chairman Haokholal Hangshing, Senapati district ADC chairman R.S. Henry, Churachandpur district ADC chairman V. Langkhanpau Guite, Ukhrul district ADC chairman John Raleng, Tamenglong district ADC chairman G. Soihem Haomei and Chandel district ADC chairman Lhukhosei Zou also participated in the two-day seminar as guests of honours. SK Dev Verman IAS, Commissioner of Tribal Affairs and Hills, government of Manipur also attended the programme as the function president.
Resource persons of the seminar are Advocate Siamzading Valte and Advocate R. Daniel, Manipur High Court.
Dr. Vareso Ningshen Associate Professor of LMS Law College, Imphal and Dr. R. Horam Associate Professor moderated the event.
Meanwhile, on the sideline of the programme, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home affairs urged the media not to magnify the ‘quit notice’ of Churachandpur district. He dismissed that it was done by a handful of miscreants. He was referring to the leaflets asking the Meiteis to quit Churachandpur few days ago.
Gaikhangam then reiterated that those police personnel indulged in drug trafficking be dealth with drastic actions.