Manipur News

BISHNUPUR, August 13: As in other parts of the State, the Patriots Day was observed by District Administration Bishnupur at the district DC complex today with DC Bishnupur Bobby Waikhom attending as chief guest.

SP Bishnupur Thomthing Ngashangba; former Revenue Minister Kh Pulinkanta and several District Level Officers were also present at the observance function.

The observation started with display of salami salute by a team of Bishnupur District Police followed by offering of floral tributes at the portraits of those warriors who sacrificed their lives in the 1891 Anglo-Manipur War.

Irabot Celebration Committee, Irengbam also observed the Patriots Day at Irengbam Community Hall, Bishnupur district.

The observation function was graced by principal of Royal Academy of Law, Oinam I Jugeshwar as chief guest; retired headmaster of Modhumati High School I Samungou as president and retired headmaster of Irengbam High School as guest of honour.

Offering of floral tributes at the photos of Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General and recital of patriotic songs by students were the main highlights of the function.

As part of the observation, Ningthoujam Loyanganba Meitei and N Malemnganba son of N Inao Meitei and Ahanbi of Irengbam village, who bagged medals in the national level Kungfu and Kick Boxing championships, were felicitated.

Mentors of the brothers and several officials including founder of Kung-Fu & Kick Boxing India Sifu Th Norendro; Black Belt 3rd Degree and National Referee Dr H Romen and Black Belt 2nd Degree and National Referee A Pintu Devi were also honoured.

The Patriots Day was also observed by Royal Academy of Law (RAL), Oinam at its campus wherein retired Captain O Sanajaoba; vice-chairman of Governing Body of RAL O Ibochouba Khuman and social worker G Gyaneshwar Sharma attended as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Patriots Day Observation Committee, Kha Potsangbam also observed the day with Zilla Parishad Member Th Dilip Meitei; retired Assistant Teacher S Kumar; Member of Nachou Gram Panchayat Th Damudhorn and social worker M Ibomcha attending as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/bishnupur-joins-in-observing-patriots-day/

IMPHAL, August 13: Stating that the government wants more suggestions from Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) on the proposed draft bill to safeguard the indigenous people from the unchecked influx of outsiders into the State, deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has made a fervent appeal to the representatives of JCILPS to join the next round of talk on August 16 evening.

In a statement issued to the media today, Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home maintained that the government is trying to pass a bill acceptable to the people in the Assembly within this month.

He asserted that the second round of talks between the government and JCILPS on August 12 was fruitful from the government perspective as a copy of the draft bill already prepared by the government was made available to the representatives of the committee during the talk.

Exclusion and inclusion of points in the draft bill were discussed during the talk but unfortunately any consensus on the draft bill could not be reached due to short duration of the talk, he said.

Acknowledging the cooperation of the committee in preparing a new bill acceptable to all sections of the people, the deputy CM admitted that the government was putting earnest efforts to pass a bill within August 15.

The government constituted Drafting Committee had submitted its draft bill to the government on August 3. The government was waiting for submission of a detailed draft from the side of JCILPS though the committee submitted a memorandum clearly mentioning all the points to be included in the proposed draft bill on August 10, Gaikhangam elaborated.

He assured that efforts are being put in to ensure that all the points adopted during a public convention held recently are included in the proposed draft bill.

The Dy CM in the statement reiterated that the Assembly had passed resolution on two occasions to implement the Inner Line Permit System in the State like in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland but the Centre rejected it.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/govt-sends-out-feelers-for-next-talk-on-august-16-to-jcilps/

IMPHAL, August 13: A one day sensitization programme in relation with World Hepatitis Day 2015 was held today organized by Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) at its conference hall at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai today.

MNP+ president L Deepak Singh speaking at the function said that he is HIV positive and was also suffering from Hepatitis C.

He did his treatment for hepatitis C about five years ago. During those days the treatment charges cost around Rs 6 to 8 lakhs and took around a year`™s time, he said.

In January 2015, some new medicines were introduced in the market which cut down the treatment cost and treatment period considerably and now it is something around Rs 60,000 to 80,000 with a treatment period of only three to six months depending on the condition of the illness, he said.

He said the side effects of the new medicines are also minimal.

More than 10 generic pharmaceutical companies are offering different kinds of medicines for treatment of Hepatitis C. But it is upto the individual to choose which company they prefer, he added.

W Ajitshwor, who has completed his treatment for Hep C also shared his personal experience and even showed a demo of how to inject the medicine during the programme.

He said many people who are suffering from Hepatitis C have a misconception about the treatment and its side effects because many have lost their lives during the treatment in the past.

He said it is not an easy thing to undergo this treatment as one needs to be mentally prepared for the side effects.

There is a misconception among the Hepatitis infected people and they discourage each other to undergo the treatment fearing the side effects, he continued.

He said the patient will need atleast one person to support him or her during the treatment and for him his better half has always been a great support.

He said sometimes even doctors and nurses commit mistakes while administering medicines however he tries his best to co-operate with them by doing his own research and consulting with the doctors about his findings.

Due to the frequent bandh and strikes in the State he was push to learn how to inject the medicines by himself, he added.

However he advised the people who were present at the programme not to do self medication but instead always consult the doctors first.

Some side effects he mentioned include anaemia, physical pain, headache and diarrhoea.

However he said the side effects might not be the same with other patients.

He said he had worked for almost 20 years in the field of HIV/AIDS and now he is retired however he would like to extend his help if anyone wants to know more about the treatment.

He said he has a Facebook page where he posted all the details including pictures about his treatment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/mnp-programme-stresses-on-hep-c-treatment-issues/

IMPHAL, August 13: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today maintained that bringing out the ILPS bill before August 15 which is the deadline set by the JCILPS doesn`™t seem feasible at the moment but the government is trying its level best to bring it out at the earliest.

The CM was replying to media queries on the sideline of the 124th Patriots Day observation organised by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee at the Congress Bhawan today.

He said the government commissioned Drafting Committee has already submitted its draft bill and the government is trying to finalise it at the moment. It may take some more time, he asserted.

However, the government has already handed a copy of the preliminary draft of the bill to the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System during yesterday`™s meeting so that the committee may study it, he continued.

The government at the same time is also scrutinizing the five-point demand of the JCILPS and trying to fit it into the bill, the Chief Minister informed media persons.

The demand of the JCILPS is not in the format to be fitted into the bill, and needs restructuring by an expert committee for it to fit into a bill, he added.

He said technically bringing out the bill before August 15 seems quite impossible at the moment, but the government is putting all-out efforts to bring it out at the earliest.

He said it is under the disposal of the Governor as to whether he would like to examine the bill after it is passed in the House or examine it before it is tabled in the House.

The CM also said on its part, the government is not leaving any room for mistakes in the bill.

After August 17, the government would like to have regular meetings with the JCILPS so that the bill comes out at the earliest, the Chief Minister said.

Frequent sharing of dialogues would certain aid in bringing an amicable solution, he observed.

The public demand for withdrawal of the previous bill, setting up of an inquiry into the alleged police highhandedness during the recent movement, unconditional release of the arrested students have all been met by the government and hopefully with frequent meetings with the JCILPS, the government may be able to find ways to implement an Act at the earliest, he said.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh also maintained once again that his government is still waiting for details of the Peace Accord signed recently between the GOI and the NSCN (IM) from the Centre.

Soon after the signing of the accord, he had demanded from the Central government the full text of the accord at which the Home Minister had assured to provide one, once it is tabled in the Parliament, the CM said.

He continued that he had met the government interlocutor, RN Ravi for more than 45 minutes during which, the interlocutor had said that the accord was just a framework and as and when it is to be finalised the governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur will be invited for discussion.

The same response was also repeated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting which lasted for more than half an hour, Ibobi asserted.

Yet, till date the Government of Manipur has not received any response from either side, he lamented.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/efforts-on-but-unlikely-to-meet-august-15-deadline-cm/

IMPHAL, August 13: In protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards introduction of Inner Line Permit System or similar law in the State State so as to regulate the alarming influx of outsiders, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) which is spearheading the ongoing mass agitation has imposed a 12-hour State-wide public curfew with effect from 4 am of August 14.

Announcing the curfew in a press release, the JCILPS said media personnel, medical service, religious procession, water supply and electricity are not covered by the public curfew.

The committee appealed to the people to stage mass sit-in-protests in every locality on August 15 from 10 am to 3 pm, form human chains from 3 pm to 4 pm and take out troch rallies from 7 pm as mark of protest against the utter failure of the government to pass an acceptable bill to safeguard the indigenous people.

The government has also taken lightly the five-point demands adopted during a public convention which were demanded to be included in the proposed draft bill, it said.

By doing so, it has been proved that the government is not able to understand the pulse of the people, the release stated.

Reiterating that JCILPS had two rounds of talk with the government on the proposed bill at the Chief Minister`™s Secretariat Hall but failed to bring any mutual consent, it said that representatives of the committee were left in disappointment when the government produced an incomplete bill.

Moreover, the government during the talks failed to assure that the five points adopted during the public convention held on July 23 will be included in the proposed draft bill which was supposed to be passed within August 15. Due to this, representatives of the committee walked out of the talks before its completion, the release contended.

As the government is in no mood to work according to the wishes of the people, there is no point in taking part in Independence Day celebration on August 15, it said.

The JCILPS in the release appealed to the people to collectively boycott the Independence Day celebration.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/jcilps-imposes-12hour-public-curfew-from-4-am-today/

Chandel, Aug 13: Tengnoupal Sub-Division Landslide Relief Committee has warned of intense agitations if the State government fails to take a concrete decision to ensure reopening of Tengnoupal – Sangshak road.

The decision was taken in a joint meeting of Tengnoupal Sub-Division Landslide Relief Committee and 31 Village Chiefs of Sita Area at Phalbung Village today.

During the meeting presided by Mk. Mothil Maring, chairman Tengnoupal Sub-Division Landslide Relief Committee, it was resolved to approach the State government including the local MLA, ADC members and the Deputy Commissioner for reconnecting the washed away portion of Tengnoupal-Sangshak road which is the only lifeline of the area at the earliest.

Further, the present members of joint meeting also unanimously resolved to launch an intense form of agitations, if the State government fails to take a concrete decision on or before August 30 for reopening the road washed away by the landslide.

Later on, a team of the Relief Committee along with media persons inspected the washed away portion of the road in between Phalbung and Chehlep junction.

Speaking to the media persons, Lhunkhomang Haokip, spokesperson of the Relief Committee said that the villagers of 31 villages of Sita area are enduring severe hardship due to massive landslide which washed away a portion of Tengnoupal – Sangshak road in between Phalbung and Chehlep junction.

Since then, the livelihoods of many villagers were affected as the road connectivity was totally cut off by the recent landslide, he added.

He also appealed the State government and the concern authority to consider the plight of the villagers and make necessary arrangement for cutting an alternative road along the washed away portion.

L. Thangboi Mate, secretary of the Relief Committee also said appealed to the local MLA, ADC Members and DC Chandel to take personal interest in constructing an alternative road for the washed away portion.

He also warned to launch an intense form of agitations if the state government fails to response positively on or before 30 August for reconstruction of the said road.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/tengnoupal-landslide-relief-committee-warns-of-intense-agitation/

IMPHAL, August 13: The State should blacklist the contractor involved in the construction of the Sekmai RLI Dam which had collapsed during the recent monsoon within one week or a detailed report on the issue will be submitted to the Centre, former MLA of Thangmeiband Kh Joykishan said today.

Joykishan who joined the BJP soon after his disqualification by the Manipur Speaker`™s Tribunal on May 27 under the 10th schedule of the Indian Constitution inspected the Sekmai RLI Dam today.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the inspection tour, he demanded if the government is not responsible for the dam collapse, why is it taking so long to take action against the contractors involved?

The collapse of the dam which was constructed at the cost of Rs 4.22 crore is a big scandal, however, the government has decided to remain silent, he claimed. The failure to act on the part of the government indicates to its involvement, he alleged.

An artificial calamity was witnessed in the State because of the negligence of the government, he continued.

If the government has no responsibility for the dam collapse, then it should blacklist the contractors concern and recover the estimated cost of the dam from the contractors for re-tendering of process for the construction of the dam, he further demanded.

Malhar Patel MP of BJP and in-charge of Manipur State and Dr Venugopal MP chairman of Standing Committee Rural Development had sought detailed reports on failed projects of the State, he claimed.

The two have also instructed the State BJP to check all projects sponsored by NEC, NLCPR and DoNER ministry which are undertaken in the State, he claimed.

Now if action is not taken against the concerned contractors within a week`™s time, a detailed report will be submitted to the two MPs and NEC member Prof Gangmumei Kamei, he threatened.

He further claimed that guidelines for construction works of such structures have been totally violated in the State by the government.

He claimed that he was a victim of a Congress conspiracy, and not allowed to sit in the Assembly.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/08/joykishan-demands-black-listing-contractors-responsible-for-sekmai-dam-collapse/