Manipur News

UKHRUL, July 12: The Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (ADC) vice chairman Ngalangzar Malue, 60, of Nongman was today shot dead at around12:00 pm at Finch Corner while another two were critically wounded in an ambush carried out by a suspected hill-based militant outfit.

Finch Corner is located around 21 kms from Ukhrul district hqs along the Ukhrul-Imphal route. The spot of the attack is about 3 kms from Lambui AR post and 5 kms from Shangshak AR post.

According to reliable sources, the incident occurred near the forest beat at Finch Corner when ADC member Ngalangzar along with his younger brother Weapon Malue and nephew Ratanmi Malue was heading towards their native place Nongmahn village, to visit his ailing mother in a hired Maruti van bearing regn No MN 01K 3962 on Saturday.

A Maruti gypsy was parked in the middle of the road blocking their way near the forest office, sources informed and added that as soon as the van approached the spot, heavily armed suspected hill based militants opened fire straight away and pumped several bullets into Ngalangzar’s head and chest killing him on the spot.

In the attack, his nephew Ratanmi and van driver Bijani were critically wounded.

They were immediately rushed to Shangshak Assam Rifles dispensary where the wounds were stitched before taking them to Imphal for further treatment, while the lifeless body of the deceased has been taken to JNIMS for post mortem, sources added.

Meanwhile, soon after the ambush, additional deputy general of police (ADGP) LM Khaute, IGP, Range-4 Chandramani, Ukhrul deputy commissioner Rhisheekesh Modak, superintendent of police, Ukl, S Selvan and 41 AR CO Gourav Bose rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation, this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Ukhrul District Congress Committee has vehemently condemned the incident.

President AS Shimreiyo, UDCC has said that such act is unbecoming of any civilised member of the modern society.

Recalling that Ngalagzar was a man of high moral integrity, Shimreiyo further said that committing such cruelty upon him who has served for the welfare of the masses should be condemned by one and all.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/ukhrul-adc-vice-chairman-killed-two-others-injured-in-fiery-ambush/

IMPHAL, July 12: State deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio visited the family of vice chairman, ADC Ukhrul Ngalangzar Malue killed this noon by suspected NSCN (IM) cadres at Ukhrul.

Speaking to the media at the ADC quarter during his visit, Gaikhangam assured befitting punishment for all those involved in the attack.

When asked by the media as to who could have been behind the ambush, the deputy Chief Minister said it is too early to point fingers at anyone now but considering the various unwanted incidents witnessed during the Autonomous District Council election and against its elected members, it seems the ambush was carried out by the NSCN (IM).

He quickly added that if Ngalanzar had carried his security escort, it could have been better.

He condemned the incident and said the ambush was a beastly and anti-social act.

People need to condemn such acts in the highest term, he asserted.

The act is anti-people, anti-social and anti-democracy, he continued.

Questioning the motive behind the ambush, Gaikhangam asked the perpetrators if they can achieve their goal by taking the life of their own people.

If the perpetrators continue to take the lives of their own people, the time is not far, when the public will revolt against them, he said before continuing that the culprits who were involved in the ambush will not be spared and they will be punished accordingly, he announced.

Soon after the incident the State police have been put on red alert and a search for the assailants has been launched.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/gaikhangam-assures-befitting-punishment/

Five injured, police rule out possibility of CM being target

IMPHAL, July 12: A powerful IED explosion barely 10 minutes after the State Chief Minister passed by left five civilians including a minor injured along the Imphal Moreh highway this morning.

All five injured were travelling in a diesel auto rickshaw bearing registration no MN-01Z-2550 when the IED exploded around 9.25 am near the Konsam Oil pump, Langthabal Kunja Mayai Leikai.

The Improvised Explosive Device was planted on top of a tree along the highway and triggered using a remote device, informed the police.

The Chief Minister enroute to Chandel district to inaugurate a mini secretariat complex had passed by the site a few minutes before the blast.

However, police have ruled out that the Chief Minister and his team were targets.

Police also said that a convoy of the Assam Rifles had passed by the blast site parameter just seconds before the blast.

Local sources have also informed that the nearby tree shades were often used as resting spot by police commandos.

The injured have been identified as Md Alauddin Khan, 45, son of Md Salauddin Khan of Lilong Chingkham, Thongam Leibakmacha son of (L) Th Ningthou of Thoubal Khekman Mayai Leikai, Asem Bijoy Singh, 20 son of A Shyamkishore Singh of Thoubal Khekman Mayai Leikai, Thongam Premchand, 6 son of Th Jiten of Thoubal Khekman Mayai Leikai, Md Ziar Rehman, 20 son of Md Habibulla of Lilong Chingkham and Makakmayum Rabina, 30 wife of Md Kabir of Lilong Usoipokpi.

All five were rushed to RIMS, however the minor and his grandfather who was also injured in the blast were taken to Shija hospital.

A team of top police brass led by DGP, Sahid Ahmed visited the spot and inspected the blast site.

Forensic experts have also recovered splinters and shrapnel from the blast parameter.

A case has been registered with the concerned police station in connection with the blast.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/cm-misses-ied-blast-by-a-whisker/

CHANDEL, July 12: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today said that the repairing work of the Chandel district headquarter road has been handed over to Border Road Task Force and the State government can’t repair it even though it understand the sufferings of the people due to the deplorable road condition.

Speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed mini secretariat complex at Chandel, the Chief Minister said however, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 13 crore recently for repairing the said road after the State government exerted pressure.

Today’s inaugural function was held at Multi-Purpose Hall of Mini Secretariat.

Works and Transport minister Dr Ratankumar Singh, Chandel MLA ST Nunghlung Victor and Tengnoupal MLA D Korungthang also attended the function as the functional president and guests of honour respectively

While thanking the engineers, contractors and the public for extending co-operation during the construction of the mini secretariat complex, the Chief Minister said that public co-operation is indeed very important for successfully implementing developmental works.

So, every organisation should extend cooperation instead of disturbing the public welfare programs, he said.

Instructions have been given to all the concerned contractors and engineers to complete the construction works of the 50-bedded District hospital and mini stadium latest by December, so that it could be handed over to the people of Chandel district as Christmas gift, the State Chief Minister said.

The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) led by Emboi Serto and various other civil organisations also submitted their respective memoranda to the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister also visited the construction sites of sports complex and district hospital at Chandel Christian village before inaugurating the mini secretariat complex which consists of district level officer’s office building, a 550 capacity multi-purpose hall, single and double room transit hostel, security barrack among others.

The complex was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 35.40 crore under Special Plan Assistance (SPA) 2006.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/rs-13-crore-sanctioned-for-repairing-chandel-district-hq-road-says-cm/

By Amar Yumnam

The five-day- old Railways Budget had given us enough indications of the orientation of economic thinking of the new government at the Centre. These have further aroused the expectations from the budget to be presented to the nation. In this context the one presented by Arun Jaitley to the Indian Parliament today need to be subject to critical scrutiny.

The Union Budget 2014-15 is not an exciting budget for unlike the previous ones which promised outcomes within the shortest time. We must recall that these budgets fail to deliver. The new budget of Modi government adopts a different strategy. It articulates the proposals with an objective to be achieved in a medium term frame. In fact, the beauty of the budget lies in the articulation of institutional and scheme interventions with a long term perspective. It implicitly talks of institution building today for better socio-economic outcomes in the coming few years.

The objective of the budget is “to usher in a policy regime that will result in the desired macro-economic outcome of higher growth, lower inflation, sustained level of external sector balance and a prudent policy stance.” It talks of “beginning of a journey towards a sustained growth of 7-8 per cent or above within the next 3-4 years along with macro-economic stabilization that includes lower levels of inflation, lesser fiscal deficit and a manageable current account deficit. Therefore, it would not be wise to expect everything that can be done or must be done to be in the first Budget presented within forty five days of the formation of this Government.” Given this orientation, the budget focuses on institution building for enhancing the capability of the economy and society to perform and deliver. The only significant immediate focus relates to the defence sector and the internal security; the government must have been alerted by the naval accidents in the recent past and the rising Maoist attacks. The imp
ortant institutional proposals contained in the budget are: (a) Expenditure Management Commission; (b) High Level Committee for regular interaction with trade and industry; (c) Infrastructure Investment Trusts; (d) National Institutes of Ageing; (e) Model Rural Health Research Institutes; (f) new IITs and new IIMs; (g) upgradation of film study centres in Pune and Kolkata; and (h) National Industrial Corridor Authority. These institutions are for strategizing the long term intervention needs for development. As regards schemes which could have immediate impacts, we may mention (i) irrigation scheme named Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana; (ii) total sanitation by 2019 programme under Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan; (iii) programme for providing regular power supply to all households under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana; (iv) Start Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme; and (v) National Rural Internet and Technology Mission. Other important features of the budget are the innate emphasis on accountability
for performance and delivery and the focus on providing urban facilities in rural areas.

From the angle of the North East, there are three ways we can look at the Budget. First, it displays understanding of the cultural differentials of the region from the rest of India as reflected in the sports interventions promised. Second, there are areas where it recognises the potential of the region in organic food products without specifying the interventions to be initiated in right earnest. Third, there were expectations that the new government would appreciate the differential development requirements of the region and reflect them in the budgetary policies in a way different from all the budgets so far. This has not happened. Here the regional governments need to be prudent to take advantage of the enhanced allocation for SC and Tribal Sub Plan, financial inclusion measures, etc. included in the budget. The budget allocates an enhancement in the allocation for SC and Tribal Sub Plan respectively of Rs. 8987 crore and Rs 7789 crore over the previous fiscal. If the States are prudent, the budget has al
so schemes for linking with the banking system without collateral which can be accessed for the benefit of these groups of people in the North East.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/union-budget-2014-15-manoeuvres-for-the-future/

KANGPOKPI, July 12: The 4-day Organization Development Training cum General Assembly/General Election of the All Disabled Union Sadar Hills sponsored by Manipur North Economic Development Society (MANEDA) concluded at KCC Campus here today.

Maj Sanjoy Kumar, post commander, 25 AR Kangpokpi Post attended the inaugural function as chief guest.

Apart from various local civil body leaders other dignitaries present during the occasion are Kangpokpi Town Committee chairman Chonkam Kipgen, general secretary, Kangpokpi Youth Union, Lalkholen Kipgen, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organisation, president K Hoinu, Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship chairman rev Tongjam Haokip and KCC pastor rev J Lunkim.

Additional project leader, GFK Bimolata who attended the event as resource person emphasised the necessity of organisations and its importance while chief functionary of MANEDA T Peter Ragnamei, gave a brief account of the activities of MANEDA in relation with strengthening of Disabled People Organizations in Senapati district.

He also imparted a brief instruction on how to strengthen the All Disabled Union Sadar Hills.

The general assembly and election of office bearers of ADUSH was conducted for the term 2014-16.

Lalkhohen Chongloi, David Lengmei, S Kamlienlal Guite and Papao Guite has been elected as president, vice president, general secretary and asst. general secretary respectively while Kikim has been elected as finance secretary.

In the meantime, Hesat Kipgen, Santos Kumar and Hehen Kipgen were elected as secretaries Games and Sports.

Thangmonlal Hangshing and Seiminthang have been elected as area co-ordinator/information secretary of Twilang Block while Seithang Lenthang, Ngamlet and Avar Thanga has been elected as area co-ordinator/inf secy of Kangpokpi, Saitu and Kangchup block respectively.

Paoboi, Khuplen and Mangboi have been elected as Saikul Block Co-ordinator/information secretary.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/adush-election-cum-training-program-concludes/

IMPHAL, July 12: Dr A Bimol Akoijam, Associate professor, JNU speaking on a book release function has stated that writers, particularly of Manipur, must take the trouble to write more, so that it can help in shaping the public opinion which is an essential for a robust society. He was speaking on the release of Seram Neken’s ‘Writing Truth to Power’, which was released today by K Radhakumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West at the Literary Hall of Hueiyen Lanpao daily, Sega Road Imphal.

The book is a collection of articles that Neken have written for the Hueiyen Lanpao English edition. Published by Ashangba Communications, the book is the writer’s third publication.

Bimol Akoijam, said the role of newspaper in today’s modern world is immense, and moreover the columnist and writers have a challenging role to play in shaping public opinion. Columnist like Seram Neken writes with conviction touching on issues that need intervention at various levels. Writers, columnist and artists are public intellectuals who need to be appreciated. They have a larger role in reshaping the fragmented society of contemporary Manipur, he maintained.

N Ibungochoubi, Executive Editor of Manipur Mail, while introducing the book pointed out that writing column on newspaper is a critical engagement which requires effort and ability to sense the issues that have plagued the society.

In his address as the chief guest of the function, K Radhakumar appreciated Neken for being bold enough in speaking out the truth, related with issues that have ailed our society. He said, this is evidently reflected in Neken’s writings.

Thodam Imomacha Singh, a former radio broadcaster who presided the function congratulated the writer on his endeavor and suggested him to keep up the good effort.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/writers-must-take-the-trouble-to-write-more-bimol-akoijam/

IMPHAL, July 12: A lecturer of the Lilong Higher Secondary Madrasa has been reportedly abducted by unidentified miscreants this noon at Lilong under Thoubal district.

The lecturer is identified as Md Muhibur Rehman of Thoubal Moijing and is said to be staying at Minuthong Hatta at present.

The alleged kidnappers used a Maruti Van to kidnap the lecturer from the road between his school and the Lilong Police Station.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that on getting information about the alleged kidnapping, the student body of the school rushed to the school shortly followed by a team of the police to enquire about the incident.

The whereabouts of the lecturer is not known till the filing of this report.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/lecturer-allegedly-abducted/

IMPHAL, July 12: The Imphal Municipal Council is being assisted by a group of Non Governmental Organisation in its cleanliness drive on the Nambul River which began today.

The drive is being conducted on the Nambol River stretch from from Old Bridge (Thong Namponbi) under the guidance of Imphal Municipal Council and MAHUD.

IMC employees are assisted by many NGOs including CRED, TECDEP, Workers Union Manipur (WUM) and Seven Sister. The NGOs are picking up garbage from various places under the IMC daily.

Officials of IMC are observing the conduct of the drive.

Assistant AE of IMC, Ch Manika said that the drive is to keep the Nambul River clean as well as to check waterborne diseases and the requirement of water can be fulfilled if the river is cleaned and maintained.

She also requested the people to not dump garbage again inside the river or river bank area and to help maintain the river as their own property.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/imc-begins-cleanliness-drive/

IMPHAL, July 12: A minor boy knocked down by a motorcycle late this evening around 7.30 pm at Ishok Mamang Leikai succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Tongbram Mangal, 6, son of (L) Surchandra of Ishok Mamang Leikai.

Reports said that the boy was knocked down by a Splendour motorbike infront of his residential gate.

Although he was rushed to RIMS he was declared brought dead.

The area falls under the jurisdiction of Wangoi police station. The body has been deposited at RIMS mortuary for post mortem.

In another incident, a man succumbed to injuries sustained in a road mishap which happened last night around 10 at Nambol.

The man has been identified as Sagolsem Bitan alias Biken, 33, son of S Mangi Singh of Keinou Thongthak Awang Leikai.

He was heading home on his luna moped when he accidentally hit a road divider.

He was evacuated to CHC Nambol however he succumbed to his injury there after a brief struggle.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/minor-killed-in-road-mishap/