Tag: Photo

IMPHAL, Dec 11: A major fire completely gutted 13 shops and another two rooms of a house, destroying properties worth about Rs 40 lakh at Lilong bazaar in Thoubal district of Manipur early Tuesday.
The incident occurred around 7:45 am when the inferno reportedly started from a tea stall engulfed the two-story wooden superstore and another three rooms of an adjacent house, leaving them to cinders.
The owner of the tea stall, Shivachandra Prashad, 72, hailing from Bihar’s Samstipur district, said the blaze started after the pipe of the domestic gas cylinder used at the stall leaked and soon went up in flames and exploded. His face was seen partially burned in the fire.
Locals of the area tried to control the raging fire but without success, prompting them to call in fire tenders from Imphal Fire Service and Thoubal Fire Service. Four fire tenders from Imphal Fire Service and another one from Thoubal Fire Service were put into service. They put out the blaze around 9:40 am preventing it from further spreading to other buildings nearby. Eye witnesses said personnel of 44 Assam Rifles initially assisted the locals to douse the fire before the fire tenders came.
The superstore is located not too far on the northern side of Lilong Police Station. It is owned by three individuals, namely Md Kiyamuddin from Kiyamgei, Hesamuddin of Lilong Khunou and Md Abjan Khan. The house whose two rooms engulfed in the fire belonged to him.
The 13 shops include one CD cassette parlour, one mobile repairing shop, two tailoring shops and another computer shop in the upstairs, while two tea stalls, one shop dealing in Moreh items, two wholesale shops dealing in grocery items, one cycle workshop, one stationery shop and another book store on the down floor.
Agriculture minister Md Nasir accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal and Sub-Divisional Officer, Lilong along with his staff visited the site and looked over the fire incident and later collected a detailed report on it.
Meanwhile, M Gouro, SDO, Lilong said that properties worth around 40 lakh had been destroyed by the fire at Lilong bazaar. However, some residents of the area said that the properties lost in the fire might worth around 50 lakh.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shops-gutted-in-fire/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 10: Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary of the AICC today called upon all the politicians to work honestly with a principle . Addressing a public meeting at Hapta Kangjeibung here today the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family said political leaders should try to “hear the voice of as many people as possible”. He said he dreams of India with every voice being heard.
When Mary Kom of Manipur won the bronze medal in London Olympics it became a voice of the country he said. Each and every state should be treated as the centre of the country and all should be equally treated he added. Voice of the people will come through education, proper roads, job and a villager getting benefit of PMGSY road means his voice was heard he added.
Millions are getting benefit of job security under MGNREGS and RTI, Food Security have benefitted all he further said. The mission of the government is to ensure that the local bodies are given full power he further assured. In states like JK, UP, Jharkhand powers are not properly devolved to local bodies. What is the point of holding local body elections if power are not given to them he asked.
Representatives of local bodies are in touch with people at local levels than MP, MLAs and they should be given powers he said. After RTI, food security , MGREGS the new tool given for the people is, “direct cash transfer” he added. He said Rs 2 lakh crore would now be directly transferred to the people. He reminded that his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said only 15 paise out of Re 1 meant for the people reaches the people.
As India moves forward we have to understand that India is strong of its different languages, cultures. After addressing the public meeting he addressed Congress youths and discussed various issues. He said there is a tendency for leaders to distance themselves from the people as they go higher. They should try to reach out to people more after they move up he said.
Congress Gen Secy, Faliero said 60 percent of India’s population are youths and people of the country are looking on Rahul Gandhi to lead them. Chief Minister, O Ibobi singh said the region has fond memories of the Gandhi, Nehru family however the problems the region is facing has to be dealt with properly he said.
He said Manipur has a unique history of over 2000 years and it became part of India in 1949 . He further said there are serious efforts to solve the problems of the region but we should be cautious that we do not create another problem while solving a problem he added.
Hundreds of people had started trickling in to attend the meeting though the meeting was slated to begin at 11 am. Due to inclement weather the plane carrying Rahul Gandhi arrived late and the meeting started about one and half hour late. The 20,000 chairs were all filled up with large numbers of people standing near the barricades. Security was tightened around the premises and new traffic regulations were made for the day in and around the city. Rahul Gandhi left Imphal after attending the function.
“The local bodies (Panchayati Raj institutions and other local bodies) are closer to the common man. They know better about the problems at the grass root level than those of MLAs and the MPs and so devolving powers is important because you are the one who can deliver goods better.” Rahul Gandhi pointed out that in many states of India including Jammu and Kashmir and Jarkhand powers have not been given to the local bodies. “Devolving of power to these local bodies is very important,” the AICC leader re-iterated.
Rahul Gandhi expressed his regret that majority of the politicians often fail to apply ethics and principles in their work.
He then stressed for the building of a strong future of India. “We need to build the country’s future with the participation of every citizen of India—the strong, the weak, the small and the big—all are equally important in building a very strong future of India,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Harping on the unity front Rahul Gandhi said, “I love coming to the North East region. You are here today and for many it is the north eastern part of India, certainly. But for me, this part of India is the centre of our crountry. When I visit Tamil Nadu, it is the central part of India for me. I may be in Mumbai or in Rajasthan, they are the central parts of India for me. This is my politics.” The AICC leader said that every citizen of India should feel at home in every part of India. “We are proud that large number of young boys and girls are working in Delhi,” Rahul added. He also expressed that he feels proud for boxer MC Mary Kom.
He then said Congress party stands for India but other political parties work for one community or for one religion. “But the Congress party stands for India, the united India,” Rahul Gandh exhorted.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/direct-cash-transfer-policy-will-benefit-common-people-rahul-gandhi/

IMPHAL, Dec 7 MNS NNN : “It is obligatory for the state Government to protect the life and property of the people because of this, unwanted confrontations are sometimes taking place in the state as the Government just cannot remain calm when violence incidents are taking place,” Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi said on Friday in an apparent remark made on the frequent encounters between security forces and militants in the state.
The Chief Minister was addressing a mammoth gathering at a function marking the 18th death anniversary of former Congress minister Moirangthem Ibotombi organized by Moirangthem Ibotombi Memorial Trust at the Moirangthem Ibotombi Memorial Complex, Heirok in Thoubal district. The anniversary was observed under the theme: “Understanding, Co-existence and Prosperity.”
In Manipur, the people are now against killing of people and they are focusing on peace and development, the Chief Minister stated while adding killing cannot bring about any change or profit.
He also said the Government has been discussing from time to time to instruct the law enforcing agency to stop violent confrontation with anti-social elements but to arrest them at the maximum level.
“We should rather fight together to bring stability and prosperity in the state.  To bring peace in the state, let’s try to solve differences through dialogue,” he added.
The Chief Minister said, any murder is appalling and we will all die one day, but killing innocent person is a crime which cannot be forgiven. He appealed for peaceful co-existence and urged all concerned to shun all forms of violence to bring about development in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam was also present at the function. He said former Moirangthem Ibotombi was a multifaceted leader of both the hill and the valley.”Violence brings nothing but destruction; therefore, only harmonious co-existence will help bring peace fast,” he said.
Gaikhangam further underscored the need of awareness about Right to Information Act (RTI) in order to know the activities of the state Government with proper transparency but the Deputy Chief Minister said some individuals are found misusing the Act and said it is really unfortunate.
Chief Minister Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, other dignitaries and public paid floral tribute at the memorial statue of late Ibotombi amidst resonance of devotional songs and religious activities at the event.
Seven  successful candidates of All India Pre-Medical Test 2012 were also given Rs 50,000 each as incentive awards by Heirok  Okendro. It may be noted that Late M. Ibotombi was murdered by some armed persons at his residence at Heirok on 7th December, 1994 .

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/state-should-protect-life-and-property-of-people-chief-minister/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 3 : Laishram Jatra has been elected as the President of the Manipur People’s Party (MPP). Sanasam Umananda former President resigned today citing old age and as per rule of the party the senior most Vice-President, Laishram Jatra was chosen as the party’ president in-charge with immediate effect.
Earlier today Umananda submitted his resignation letter to MPP Vice- President Jatra .
Except the age factor there are no other issues Umananda said. Umananda had been serving as President since June 4 this year .
L. Jatra had joined MPP on Dec 1, 1994 and he had served Khangabok constituency . He also served as Industries minister . In the last Assembly election he was defeated by O Landhoni.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/l-jatra-new-president-of-mpp/

Huge cache of arms and ammunitions including six landmines were recovered by security forces from a village in Imphal East district.
Police on Sunday said, a combined team of Imphal East district police commandos and 28 Assam Rifles during their counter insurgency operation recovered the arms and ammunitions.
The arms and ammunitions were found concealed in polythene bags. They include six land mines, wo China make carbines with magazines, two hand grenades with detonators, four radio sets, 85 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, 24 rounds of AK rifle ammunition, nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition, five rounds of M-16 ammunition, a magazine of M-16 rifle, one electronic detonator and two China make detonators.
The arms and ammunition were recovered on Saturday at around 3 pm. The combined force launched the operation following a tip-off that some armed militants were taking shelter in the village with an intention to carry out anti-social activities, the police officer said.
“To which group the cache belong to was yet to be established even though we suspect it belong to a valley based militant group,” the police said, adding that a case has been registered and investigation is underway.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/arms-and-ammunition-recovered/

IMPHAL, Dec 2 MNS NNN: Prohibitory orders were clamped at Thoubal district since late this morning following the volatile situation in the district. Burning of tyres, piling of logs on the roads and stoning of commuters marked today’s Thoubal district bandh.
The atmosphere in the district highly charged after 10 am today as the news of Huirongbam Manichandra, 59, of Thoubal Wangma Taba who was injured when one police bullet hit in his belly yesterday, succumbed to his injuries this morning at Shija Hospital at around 7. Manichandra was hit by the police bullet during the protest on Saturday against the killing of Yanglem Naoba alias Bisheswor by unknown persons on Friday morning.
Indefinite Thoubal district bandh called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the murder of Yanglem Naoba has been underway since Saturday. There has been another bandh in protest against the disappearance of Nitin Masih, a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. These two bandhs have been crippling normal activities in the Thoubal district including the movements of traffic along the Imphal-Moreh road.
This morning at around 9:30 am, there was a public meeting at Thoubal convened by the JAC of Naoba murder. Wife of the chief minister who is also an MLA, O Landhoni Devi turned up in that meeting to calm the irate public. While she was appealing the gathering to suspend their bandh saying that the injured Manichandra would be taken care off by the government, someone in the meeting broke the news of Manichandra’s succumbing. At this turn, the public attending the meeting erupted in anger and the meeting could not proceed further. Intense agitations were witnessed henceforth in various places of Thoubal district after 10 am.
The district administration has no other option but to clamped CrPC 144 as a pre-emptive move.Thoubal bazar, Thoubal Mela Ground, Thoubal Moijing, Thoubal Ningombam, Thoubal Kyam Siphai are some of the places where intense agitations were witnessed.
Even at this degree of protest, not a single tear gas shell or rubber bullet was used by the police today.In Many places, the protestors were seen tussling with the police.Meanwhile, the JAC of Nitin Masih has extended its bandh for another 12 hours.
This JAC had announced for a 12-hour Manipur bandh from 6 am today. The bandh did not have much impact in larger parts of the state, save for Thoubal district.
Nitin is a native of Indore in Madhya Pradesh. He was reported missing November 24 evening from his wife’s village Kakching Pallel Lamkhai in Thoubal district.
Meanwhile the Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE) Manipur condemns the reported Manipur Police continuing to conduct their duties in a brutal and extrajudicial manner that is unacceptable according to strictly enforceable national and international norms, guidelines and principles of law enforcement. This amounts to summary or extrajudicial killing of a peaceful protestor exercising his legitimate democratic rights in a self-acclaimed democracy.
This summary killing exposes an assumed erroneous and illegal direction that the Manipur Police seems to be acting under. And such direction, if it exists, should be made known to the public. Section 129 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) provides that if protestors of an unlawful assembly do not disperse, they, if necessary, are to be arrested and confined. If it is still not possible to disperse, the CrPC further provides that the law enforcement personnel should use “as little force, and as little injury to person and property, as may be consistent with dispersing the assembly and arresting and detaining such persons”, with the authorisation by the Magistrate. The CORE demands to see direct and incontrovertible evidence that a magisterial order was given before the police personnel resorted to firing of live rounds directly at the protestors in Thoubal Wangmataba on 1st December 2012.
The CORE urged the Home Minister of the Government of Manipur to sincerely keep his word when he committed to wide-ranging police reforms at the time of taking his oath earlier this year and take an immediate incontrovertible stance with regard to police conduct in cases of assumed unlawful assembly in Manipur. The illegal action of the police must be investigated in accordance to established departmental and governmental procedures, and the erring persons booked according to the law. Appropriate compensation and solatium must be awarded to the family survivors of the victim of police and state violence.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/thoubal-tense-as-protestor-succumbs-to-injuries/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Dec 1 : World Aids Day was observed here today on the theme, “Getting to Zero”,at Manipur Film Development Corporation,MFDC, .
The observation organized by Manipur State AIDS Control Society was graced by Gurbachan Jagat ,Governor , O. Ibobi, Chief Minister Manipur,Th. Lokeshwar Singh, Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly and Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister Health & Family Welfare, Manipur as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour of the function respectively.
A public rally was taken out which commenced from Wangkhei Meihoubam Lampak, Imphal East and proceeded upto the MFDC complex.
The Governor speaking on the occasion said , “Last year also the theme was similar and till 2015 the observation will be with the same theme as decided by World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Committee. This shows the need and importance to achieve zero infection rate of HIV. Even though the absolute number of HIV positive cases in Manipur is increasing, prevalence rate reportedly shows a slight declining trend every year. However, as per the Sentinel Survey the High Risk Groups is still the most vulnerable despite various intervention programmes.
The comparison of the route of transmission during 2004-2008 and 2008-2012 show that the percentage of parent to child transmission and blood and blood products declined from 12.2 to 6.8 and from 1.6 to 1 respectively. This indicates that the awareness and other measures in these areas have started yielding results. However, the_ percentage through heterosexual route and infection through syringe sharing not only form the major percentage, it also shows an increase in the percentage.
Another disturbing finding is that maximum distribution of HIV positive is among the age group 25-49 years, the most productive period of human beings. About 82 percent of all cases are within this age group. This further indicates that without intervention as this group is sexually active, they may and can increase the HIV infection through sexual mode of transmission. The reduction of infection in the age group of below 24 years shows that the intervention in this age group is yielding results. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen those targeted interventions which are yielding results and revisit those which are not producing the desired result and revamp such targeted interventions to produce the desired result. The objective is to ensure zero new infection rates as the mortality and morbidity, besides the financial and societal cost of management of this syndrome is enormous. It can really debilitate a nation or a society as many in the most productive age group cannot contribute to their full potential.
It is alarming to learn that substance abuse is high among teenagers in Manipur. It is not only in Manipur but in other places as well. This is due to various reasons but the desire to experiment during the formative years is a driving psychological motive. The problem is that once they start with mild substances they will graduate to stronger substances to get the same “kick” , ultimately’resorting to mainlining or injecting the substances. There is an urgent need to wean away those who are using mild substances like sniffing of petrol, dendrite, etc. from graduating to stronger substances. Here, the State Government alone cannot do this and requires the help and support of the parents, teachers, community leaders, youth clubs, etc. in other word the society at large. Manipur, which has a strong traditional community bond should be able to provide this and need to act on this if we want a HIV free society.”
Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said, “Everyone knows that the HIV and AIDS situation in Manipur is alarming. The whole development initiatives and progress of the state will be impaired unless we are able to protect our youths and children from HIV and AIDS in time. The first case of HIV infection in Manipur was detected in the year 1990 and till October 2012, a total of 42,116 HIV positive cases have been reported. I am informed that out of these 11,778 women and 2773 children have been both infected and affected by this disease.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/world-aids-day-observed/

The United Naga Council (UNC) has kick-started its grass-root level awareness campaign on Naga issue.
In its first leg, the UNC leaders landed at a village called Ramrei, which is situated in the adjoining place of Senapati and Ukhrul districts today and carried out a fiery campaign where the Naga leaders have told the gathering that the Indo-Naga political issue should be settled at the earliest. “If the Naga solution is not brought about at the earliest time the government of India should give the Alternative Arrangement to the Manipur Nagas pending Naga solution as the Nagas in Manipur have severed ties with the Manipur government and that Nagas can no longer live under the Manipur government,” UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei told the gathering.
The UNC leaders also told the gathering to be alert to face any eventuality saying if the government denies the rights of the Nagas for longer period stern movement will be initiated.
The UNC leaders and members of Alternative Arrangement demand committee including Ashinpao Gangmei and Milan Shimray also spoke on the ocassion.
They clarified in today’s meeting that the UNC is never part and parcel of the NSCN-IM but stated, “Any Naga movement will be supported by the UNC.”
Today’s programme was attended by leaders from 24 Naga villages including church leaders.
The UNC had  earlier issued written ‘guidelines’ to all the Naga tribe presidents and Naga frontal organisations to abide with when any eventuality crops up in their campaign for the ‘Alternative Arrangement’.
In the days to come, the UNC will touch most of the villages in the hill districts starting from today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-begins-campaign/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Nov 30 :  Tourism festival concluded today at  Hapta Kangjeibung   attended by Governor  Gurbachand Jagat, Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, Parliamentary Secretary Tourism M. Prithiviraj and Ministers .
Governor said ,”. Unfortunately, due to reasons best known to them certain sections refrain from participating besides advocating that others should not participate also. This is not a very happy state of affairs as those who do not participate will be left out and eveiy citizen of Manipur should ensure that this Festival is made a success every year iri the interest of the State and its people.
Manipur no doubt is a beautiful State, with potential to develop it into a tourist destination. There are places like Ukhrul, Tamenglong, etc. which can be developed into beautiful hill stations. I may not be wrong to say that Nature has been bountiful and bestowed on Manipur all its splendour. But unfortunately, the potential is still to be realized. Manipur is known more for its law and order problem rather than its beauty and the tremendous human resources. It is a fact of life that negative reports travels much faster than positive attributes. Due to this tourists generally do not like to take the risk of visiting Manipur. It is for the State Government and the people of Manipur to work towards dispelling this negative aura.
Tourism industry is the fastest growing sector and its economic multiplication factor is the highest. Many countries without much natural resources have harnessed tourism as the main component of their economy with great success. Marketing is the key and I feel that Manipur has faltered in this regard. A greater effort needs to be made to ensure that Manipur is on the tourism map. The issue of accommodation will automatically be addressed if there is a rise in tourists and for this investment will be forthcoming. What a tourist needs is not a five star hotel but a basic clean, hygienic and affordable accommodation. The concerned agencies of the State Government should inspect the hotels and other places of stay regularly to ensure that they are maintained at a minimum standard of hygiene and cleanliness. Paying guest system can also be introducedas Manipur now has many private buildings which easily meet the standard. For this training of the owners of these buildings needs to be carried out and inspection also carried out regularly. Further the civic authorities and the people should make Manipur a much cleaner State, with clean roads, etc.
This year the number of visitors and the sale during the festival is lower as compared to the previous year, This is despite better publicity and creating a more festive mood at the venue. The concerned agencies should look into this and ascertain the reasons and come up with appropriate responses so that next year such issues are redressed. Even the concept may be changed and out of the box solutions considered. This year due to security reasons the parking was slightly away from the main venue and this may be a factor.
The number of stalls have increased but the participation from foreign countries is less. There is a need to draw more participation from other countries. The State Government may consider partnering one of the ASEAN countries every year, bringing in entrepreneurs and cultural teams from the partner country. This will make the festival more attractive and add novelty every year. For this the process must start early, 10-11 month’ahead. Further, the publicity also must be started well ahead in travel magazines, beside the social media, which have now become an important media for communication. I am glad that the Department of Tourism has launched a website for the festival and activities are being web cast. This is a step in the right direction and will definitely help in providing some publicity and information to those who would like to visit Manipur during the Festival.
This Festival is providing a platform for our artistes to show-case their skills.   Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh   said to make a Manipur as a tourist spot a proposal was submitted to the centre.  tination etc. all together nine projects have been submitted to ministry of Tourism.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/invite-more-foreign-tourists-develop-tourist-spots-governor/