MLA inspects community pond construction

In the light of the water scarcity hitting the State, MLA O Lukhoi has inspected the progress of community pond construction under Wangoi AC today Source The Sangai Express

In the light of the water scarcity hitting the State, MLA O Lukhoi has inspected the progress of community pond construction under Wangoi AC today Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=17&src=290414

Wrong keys slur on MPSC exam

Claiming that there were many errors in the Answer Key in question papers of the Combined Competitive Examination Prelims conducted by Manipur Public Service Commission, Joint Students Co ordination Committee JSCC has demanded action against the au…

Claiming that there were many errors in the Answer Key in question papers of the Combined Competitive Examination Prelims conducted by Manipur Public Service Commission, Joint Students Co ordination Committee JSCC has demanded action against the authority concerned Source The Sangai Express

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Plight of rickshaw drivers deliberated upon

The President of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union AMWJU , Wangkhemcha Shamjai has bemoaned that no welfare scheme has been extended to the rickshaw drivers and pullers, who are working hard to meet a square meal a day Source The Sangai Express

The President of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union AMWJU , Wangkhemcha Shamjai has bemoaned that no welfare scheme has been extended to the rickshaw drivers and pullers, who are working hard to meet a square meal a day Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=15&src=290414

Quality monitoring system launched

A new system of monitoring quality of the PMGSY works being implemented in the State with the help of mobile phones was launched recently Source The Sangai Express

A new system of monitoring quality of the PMGSY works being implemented in the State with the help of mobile phones was launched recently Source The Sangai Express

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Man kills soninlaw

A man thrashed his son in law to death at Kumbi IB Road, Bishnupur district under Kumbi police station at around 3 pm yesterday Source The Sangai Express

A man thrashed his son in law to death at Kumbi IB Road, Bishnupur district under Kumbi police station at around 3 pm yesterday Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=13&src=290414

HC directs RIMS to instal viral load machine

The High Court of Manipur has directed RIMS to install and make viral load testing machine functional within a period of three months Source The Sangai Express

The High Court of Manipur has directed RIMS to install and make viral load testing machine functional within a period of three months Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=7&src=290414

Fuel distribution still erratic

Even though IOC has been issuing fuel to retail outlets in greater quantities than normally required, people are still denied regular or adequate fuel supply Source The Sangai Express

Even though IOC has been issuing fuel to retail outlets in greater quantities than normally required, people are still denied regular or adequate fuel supply Source The Sangai Express

Read more / Original news source: http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=6&src=290414

Training on Kharif Crops held at Chandel

A one day Farmers’ Training Programme on Scientific Cultivation of Kharif Crops organised under the Tribal Sub Plan TSP through All India Crop Response AICRP on soil Test Crop Response Correlation by ICAR Resaerch Complex for North East Hill Regi…

A one day Farmers’ Training Programme on Scientific Cultivation of Kharif Crops organised under the Tribal Sub Plan TSP through All India Crop Response AICRP on soil Test Crop Response Correlation by ICAR Resaerch Complex for North East Hill Region, Manipur Centre in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra KVK Chandel was held today at KVK Monsang Pantha, Chandel Source The Sangai Express

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Security tightened

On the eve of the President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Manipur, strong security measure has been taken up by the State Government as several militant organisations have announced to boycott the President’s visit to the State Source The …

On the eve of the President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Manipur, strong security measure has been taken up by the State Government as several militant organisations have announced to boycott the President’s visit to the State Source The Sangai Express Newmai News Network

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Poachers surrender

The dressed meat a portion of which was also cooked seized by police yesterday has turned out to be of Kharsa Hog Deer found in Keibul Lamjao National Park Source The Sangai Express

The dressed meat a portion of which was also cooked seized by police yesterday has turned out to be of Kharsa Hog Deer found in Keibul Lamjao National Park Source The Sangai Express

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ATSUM demands action against Nasir

Accusing Md Abdul Nasir, Agriculture Minister of making racially offensive remarks against a tribal ZEO, the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur ATSUM has urged AICC President Sonia Gandhi to effect immediate removal of Md Abdul Nasir, from his post …

Accusing Md Abdul Nasir, Agriculture Minister of making racially offensive remarks against a tribal ZEO, the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur ATSUM has urged AICC President Sonia Gandhi to effect immediate removal of Md Abdul Nasir, from his post Source The Sangai Express

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Cabinet deliberates on water crisis

A Cabinet meeting held today deliberated threadbare on the unfolding water crisis resulting from a prolonged dry spell and explored all possible means to tide over the crisis Source The Sangai Express

A Cabinet meeting held today deliberated threadbare on the unfolding water crisis resulting from a prolonged dry spell and explored all possible means to tide over the crisis Source The Sangai Express

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Assam Rifles distributes water to Ukhrul denizens

The 41 Assam Rifles, under the aegis of 10 Sector Assam Rifles, Somsai Ukhrul has distributed water at Ukhrul town much to the relief of the people here who are already reeling under water scarcity Source The Sangai Express Mungchan Zimik

The 41 Assam Rifles, under the aegis of 10 Sector Assam Rifles, Somsai Ukhrul has distributed water at Ukhrul town much to the relief of the people here who are already reeling under water scarcity Source The Sangai Express Mungchan Zimik

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Widlfire guts 2 houses

A raging wildfire spread its tentacles and gutted two houses along with two granaries at Sorbung village under Phungyar sub division, Ukhrul district Source The Sangai Express

A raging wildfire spread its tentacles and gutted two houses along with two granaries at Sorbung village under Phungyar sub division, Ukhrul district Source The Sangai Express

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Water scarcity Political parties lambast Govt inaction

A meeting of all political parties held today lambasted the State Government for its failure to take up any measures in order to address the water crisis which is aggravating day by day Source The Sangai Express

A meeting of all political parties held today lambasted the State Government for its failure to take up any measures in order to address the water crisis which is aggravating day by day Source The Sangai Express

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Khordak villagers urge

Saying that people have been residing at Khordak village since past 200 years, Farmers and Fishermen Association, Khordak has urged the Government not to take away their right to livelihood Source The Sangai Express

Saying that people have been residing at Khordak village since past 200 years, Farmers and Fishermen Association, Khordak has urged the Government not to take away their right to livelihood Source The Sangai Express

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Assam – Nagaland Interim Border Agreement should be scrapped

Assam-Nagaland Interim Border Agreement should be scrapped By Oken Jeet Sandham One of the most humiliating chapters in the history of Nagaland since Statehood would be, perhaps, its inability to

Assam-Nagaland Interim Border Agreement should be scrapped
By Oken Jeet Sandham
One of the most humiliating chapters in the history of Nagaland since Statehood would be, perhaps, its inability to conduct elections on its own soil at Ladaigrah under Longlen District, bordering Assam, due to Assam Police’s deliberate threat and refusal to vacate a Nagaland school building wherein the polling was supposed to take place.
Everyone including the media in Nagaland were stunned when they saw the news along with a picture showing the Assam Police blocking the road preventing Nagaland polling officials from proceeding toward Ladaigarh to conduct polls for the Ladaigarh Polling Station No. 1 under 49 Tamlu A/C. Later in the day, it was declared that the polling at Ladaigarh could not be conducted due to Assam Police’s blocking of road leading to Ladaigarh and thus it (polling) had been adjourned.
In the past also, the Assam police did the same thing. But the previous elections, somehow a makeshift polling station was arranged nearby and allowed the voters to exercise their franchise. But this time, the situation was altogether different that not only murdering the rights of the voters to exercise their franchise but also not allowing the Nagaland polling officials from proceeding towards their polling station at Ladaigarh. But the saddest part was the state government’s inability to make any arrangement for the voters to exercise their franchise. If the Assam police refused Nagaland polling officials from proceeding to Ladaigarh, the Nagaland government could have airlifted those polling officials to conduct the polls there. But they did not.
It is unfortunate that when the state of Nagaland was created in the early 60s, the drawing of the new state boundary was not properly carried out. And once the new state was carved out from the existing state, the boundary had to be drawn and the necessary border machineries should be put into place. These unresolved border issues have really taken quite a toll on the lives of people on both sides.
It is only understandable that such border skirmishes would take place from time to time but they should not be misinterpreted as threatening to the aged old relationship between the two neighboring people. The people of the two states should not, at any cost, allow this issue lingering.
Most of the incidents including the Ladaigrah episode that have been taking place in the Assam-Nagaland border areas were something to do with longstanding unresolved inter-state border issues. Many issues were to do with paddy fields, farmlands, forests, etc. as per the past records. There were allegations from Nagaland border side that some people from across the border descended on their ancestral paddy fields, farmlands and even forcibly grabbed their lands with the help of Assam armed police as well as neutral forces. On the other side, there were also allegations that the Nagas from across the border encroached Assam’s lands or killed wild animals. And sometimes, clashes took place on either side while stepping into either side. Sometimes, such issues became hot debates even during assembly sessions of both the states. Yet, they were also resolved through series of dialogues at various levels.
Regrettably, large numbers of non-locals have been systematically occupying the long stretch of Assam border over the years and their numbers keep increasing leaps and bounds. And the people of Assam have little knowledge of what these non-locals have been doing on the state’s border areas.
To ease the border problem between the two states, the Assam-Nagaland Interim Border Agreement as early as 1972 was made. This Agreement was meant to lessen border tension, while trying to find long lasting solution to the border issue.
The problem is this Interim Border Agreement was not implemented in toto. Rather it became a tool for the Assam government to strengthen their state forces along the border, while Nagaland relegated to a helpless position as they had to oblige to the terms of the agreement. According to information, Assam has 44 Assam armed police posts set up all along the Assam-Nagaland border in violation of the Interim Agreement; whereas there is reportedly 1 Nagaland armed police post all along the border. In other words, Nagaland was sincere if not over-sincere.
As per the Agreement, the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) should be placed under the neutral forces. Interestingly, such forces are placed again under the command of an IG of Assam police. And also Nagaland government temporarily allowed the Assam forest department for the management of the border reserved forests in the DAB. But due to the mismanagement by the Assam forest department, people from both sides started settling in the disputed reserved forest areas. Subsequently both the Assam and Nagaland governments had given recognition to those settlers.
Today, the problem is more complicated because the people living in the border areas of Assam are mostly non-locals but the Nagaland side becomes helpless as they do not know to whom they will talk. We have seen that some non-locals started talking the language of locals to restore aged old relationship between the Nagas and the Assamese. This interesting development might have confused some leaders in Nagaland. We started seeing some statements made by some responsible Naga Ministers saying they would not talk to “Adivasis” for resolving Assam-Nagaland border raw. But they failed to realize that by uttering this way, you would be paying attention to them instead of focusing on the right persons. It looks like you have been asked to talk to these people to resolve border raw with Assam. Let us be wiser and focus on the real issue plaguing both the states.
This so-called Assam-Nagaland Interim Border Agreement 1972 is a blunder and it has become a bond of contention between the people of the two neighboring states. The first step to find solution to the chronic border issue is this “Assam-Nagaland Interim Border Agreement” should be scrapped.
At the same time, both the states should immediately engage in serious business to frame new Border Agreement. Only then should they constitute an Assam-Nagaland Border Committee wherein persons with high social standing from both the states should be appointed as Members for a period of 5 years and their term can be extended on periodic basis. Their main job is to check the border irregularities and also examine the process of implementation of the Agreement.
It is still afresh in our memories about the infamous interstate clashes at Merapani in 1985 over border issue. No one thought the relationship would return as good as before. But the aged old relationship had fast returned. Because both sides can’t afford remaining un-neighborly as they will remain as neighbors till this beautiful God given earth exists.
The construction of “Foothill Road” on Nagaland border is very important for the development of the state. But this should not be misinterpreted as solution to the Assam-Nagaland border issue. The failure to find solution to the Assam-Nagaland border issue is not due to not constructing “Foothill Road.” Nevertheless, you can construct hundreds of new roads. It is your prerogative. But the Assam-Nagaland border raw can only be resolved provided both parties are sincere.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/04/assam-nagaland-interim-border-agreement-should-be-scrapped/

Lessons from Ishok

Ishok village of Bishnupur district have good reasons to be proud of.  When most parts of the states are facing water scarcity, the village has enough water for everyone in

Ishok village of Bishnupur district have good reasons to be proud of.  When most parts of the states are facing water scarcity, the village has enough water for everyone in the locality. There are no miracles involved despite appearing so. What the villagers have done is maintaining the community pond that was dug thirty years ago on two acres of land.  Each households of the village contribute a paltry sum of money as maintenance fee annually. During the monsoon every year, the pond is fed with water from the nearby rivers. The water is then treated with bleaching powder and lime. And it is enough to last for a year, even when there is no rainfall. The people of Ishok do not have to worry about water today, when most of us are facing acute shortage. What is exemplary about the village is, one: the collective understanding of harvesting water for community use, in spite of its advantageous location of having being situated near another water body, which is the river. Two: a disciplined unanimity in action of conserving a community asset.  People residing in Imphal area should learn lessons from Ishok village. Most of the ponds in Imphal areas are now without water. Some ponds that have little water at its bed are untreatable. Construction of retaining wall around the ponds has contaminated the water. This is a simple fact needing no scientific verification. Community ponds have become a favourite advertisement ground for MLAs to show that they are doing something for the constituency. The retaining wall is their misplaced benevolence to cover up their sullen inactiveness. Not only the MLAs, but also the ‘social workers’ who wish to represent the people in the Assembly indulge in cements and bricks politics. Construction of retaining wall along the ponds is an important part of their electoral crusade. On the other hand, there is a deepening lack of collectivism among the inhabitants of Imphal. They are happy to build houses with underground water storage and buy water from the private tankers to fill with it. They buy water pump sets to draw water from the pipelines, as much as they can. Neighbours compete to buy pump sets with maximum horsepower.  When a particular pipeline gets dry, a whole family would come out to drill another pipeline that runs in their vicinity. Not to mention of the roads that got dug out, and are left best to the nightmare of the public. This is also true that most of the pipelines that got drilled are carried out with expert hands, who are mostly employees of the government department. You grease their palms to get water flowing into the house. Meanwhile the ponds in the community are left to the hands of MLAs and ‘social workers’. Now that the problem of water scarcity is hitting hard, leaving those with pump sets and multi pipeline connections for the rain God to smile. People are now turning their attention to the abandoned community ponds which are lying in a precarious condition. It can’t get any worse when the minister of IFCD blames global warming for the scarcity. Should we consider ourselves fortunate to have a minister equipped with a popular vocabulary? For better or worse, how does he explain the failure of his department to provide the rainfall data and the water level of two important rivers for the last three months? You blame it on global warming. IFP shall carry more stories of villages with reserved community ponds to draw lessons from them.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/04/lessons-from-ishok/