Manipur News

Imphal,July 10: The address of a President after the formation of a new government is important in a parliamentary democracy like India. But it is unfortunate that President Pranab Mukherjee’s address while introducing the Narendra Modi led Government didn’t mention important issues of Manipur, former Manipur People’s Party president Okram Joy said.

At a press meet in the Manipur Press Club this afternoon, the veteran politician said the address of the President, or Governor of a State, are of great importance while preparing policy documents of the government, adding that the Parliament is the mirror of public opinion and expectations from the Government.

Recently, the NDA government announced its 100 days action policy programme but, unfortunately, the President’s address didn’t mention the sensitive issues of Manipur, he said, adding that however, it’s good that the budget talked about developing more railways and roads in the North-East region.

Asking whether the issues of more than 14 years fast by Irom Sharmila demanding the repeal of AFSPA and the border dispute with Myanmar shouldn’t be top priorities of the State, he bemoans why the two MPs from Manipur remain mute in such situation.

Stressing that the boundary dispute with Myanmar can be solved by proving the State’s legitimate claims by showing official documents, O Joy said the Governor VK Duggal in his address also didn’t touch upon important issues such as the border dispute with Myanmar, land used policy and implementation of ILP etc.

The Governor’s address didn’t mentioned rapid urbanisation and road widening projects affecting the environment and fertile paddy fields, he added.

As per the Indian Constitution, any person can stay anywhere in the country; so, the influx of outsiders are increasing day by day in the state, he said, adding that if this trend continues the indigenous people will become refugees after a few decades.

Pointing out that Inner Line Permit System is the need of the hour, he stated: “Even when the Sangai is protected in its natural habitat at Keibul Lamjao, why shouldn’t we have any protection?”

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/o-joy-flays-state-mps-for-being-silent-on-state-issues/

IMPHAL, July 10: Oinam MLA Dr Irengbam Ibohalbi, also the secretary of Manipur Legislative Forum on HIV & AIDS (MLFA), stressed the need to provide awareness about Hepatitis C virus as the co-infection of HIV and HCV is a serious threat to the society.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a function to launch a yearlong HCV advocacy campaign as part of the World Hepatitis Day at the Manipur Press Club today.

The rate of f HIV and AIDS infections have decreased during the last few years among the IDUs but the rate of HIV and HCV co-infections have increased considerably, he said, adding Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne virus in Manipur and the primary reason for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in Manipur. He further said that people living with HCV have extreme difficulties in accessing HCV testing, diagnosis and treatment in spite of widespread prevalence.

The advocacy campaign is jointly organised by Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) and State Directorate of Health Service under the theme ‘Hepatitis: Think Again.’

Speaking as a guest of honour in the event, MACS project director Shailesh Kumar Chourasia stated that Hepatits C was one of the biggest health issues in the world and as far as Manipur was concerned, the situation was worst as it normally occurred along with HIV and AIDS.

There is a need for concerted effort and cooperation from all stakeholders with regard to health issues, he said, adding there is no specific rules and programmes for HCV in India.

Moreover, the support from the public in this regard is also lacking as such there is the need of every possible support from all sides, he added.

CoNE president Nilikanta said that World Hepatitis day is a stepping stone that focussed first on raising awareness and then on securing national and state support for improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and support for people living with Hepatitis B and C and those at the risk of being infected.

Manipur will join groups around the world to raise awareness about Hepatitis B and C, he said, adding that one out of 12 people worldwide is infected with either of the two and 20,000 people in Manipur are infected with either of the two diseases in Manipur.

The disease has no specific symptoms until serious liver damage has occurred and chronic, lifelong viral infection can affect anyone from any walks of life, he added.

Later after launching the advocacy campaign in the function, also attended by Directorate of Health Services joint director Dr Kh Sasheekumar Mangang as the president, he said a variety of events and initiatives will be conducted across the state in partnership with different key stakeholders during the campaign in line with the global campaign theme and the key activities include sensitising the public about Hepatitis through the media, distribution of posters and leaflets, radio talk shows in All India Radio, awareness programmes in colleges and higher secondary schools, road shows by film stars, live panel discussions on Impact TV, mass screening of Hepatitis B and C and observation of world Hepatitis Day on 28 July.

With this campaign, he appealed the political leaders, government, and other key stake holders to take immediate steps to tackle the issue of Hepatitis B and C in the state.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/spurt-in-hiv-hcv-co-infections-in-the-state-says-i-ibohalbi/

THOUBAL, July 10: Public of Khangabok constituency took out a massive rally today protesting the unprecedented rise in the number of crimes against women and children and demanding protection of women and the girl child in the State.

The trend of increasing crimes against women and the girl child needs to be raised during the State Assembly session for serious discussion, said Human Rights Alert executive director Babloo Loitongbam.

He said the civil societies of the State should also strongly demand the discussion of the issue during the upcoming session.

Babloo was speaking at a public meeting held at the end of the rally at Khulakpam Leikai Aeigya lala Mandop, Khangabok.

The rally organised by the Women Action for Development alongwith the meira paibis of Khangabok Part I and II was flagged off from Khangabok Lamlong Keithel.

Participants that include meira paibis, nisha bands and women erupted into loud sloganeering during the rally and voiced concern over the spate of crimes in the State.

Some two years ago, there were only reports of armed cadres being shot dead, however, the trends have dramatically changed to killing, raping and molestation of women, children, Babloo observed during the meeting.

The trend of such shoot-outs which in the past were frequently reported in the State has today been subdued after the Supreme Court of India turned its attention on such reports, he said before adding that it was a consequence of group effort.

Instead of condemning and demanding justice for a single case, if the people could unite to take up all the cases together, the voice could reach the government, he said.

The police are more concern with their counter insurgency operations, neglecting on the social security of the women and children, he observed.

The failure of the concerned authorities to provide justice to the killing of Thangjam Manorama even after 11 years is a clear example that the State is reeling under AFSPA, he continued.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/khangabok-public-rallies-against-caw/

IMPHAL, July 10: A woman working as a staff nurse at a hospital in Kolkata was found hanging late last night by her husband.

Family members have identified the woman as Konjengbam (n) Haobijam (o) Nirupama alias Niru wife of Haobijam Niten, 30, son of Mani of Singjamei Chingamathak.

Parents and other family members of the woman have flown in today to Kolkata.

Speaking over the phone, a family member of the woman who hails from Moirang said the husband was a male nurse and both husband and wife were working at the KTC Hospital, Kolkata.

He said the couple used to quarrel frequently regarding the husband’s alleged affair with another nurse of the hospital.

Family members also alleged the husband of physically assaulting Niru and said that she had returned home in Moirang in May this year and had only recently returned to Kolkata.

They were staying at a rented apartment about two kilometres away from the hospital which is in Bharatpur, the family said.

Further according to the family, she was found hanging around 11pm, inside her rented room under Gakuriya Police Station.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/nurse-found-hanging-at-rented-room-in-kolkata/

IMPHAL, July 10: A bomb from the period of World War-II was recovered today from Sanjenbam Haorang Kom Mamang Leikai under Lamsang Police Station Imphal West district.

Reports said that the bomb was detected by farmers while attending to their paddy field.

The bomb had an inscription ‘USO unexploded ordinance’ and was later disposed off safely by a team of bomb expert.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/ww-ii-bomb-recovered/

IMPHAL, July 10: The JAC of Bus Owners’ Association of Tiddim Road has temporarily called off its proposed agitation to stop plying along the road following assurance from the Government to fulfil their demands at the earliest.

The association had earlier announced it would stop their services from July 11 in protest against the failure of the government to implement the State Transport Policy despite repeated appeals since the past few years.

The assurance was made by Works ministers, Kh Ratankumar in a meeting held today with the JAC members at the office chamber of the minister, informed the association. The meeting was also attended by top officials of the transport department.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/bus-owners-call-off-agitation/

Imphal, July 10: The Joint Forum of the Kasom Khullen Sub-Division Frontal Organisations has condemned the bomb blast at the community hall of the Kashung Bungdung Village on July 8, which injured two innocent civilians and damaged public property worth lakhs of rupees.

A statement of the forum has also expressed its disappointment with the doctors of JNIMS and RIMS for refusing to treat the victims on the ground of unavailability of medical equipment and advising treatments in private hospitals.

It said the forum has further threatened to launch intense agitations if the Government of Manipur fail to meet all the medical expenses of the two victims without further delay.

 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/kashung-bungdung-blast-condemned/