Tag: Top Stories

IMPHAL, March 30: A canteen located over the building of UBI at Thangal Bazaar here today caught fire but the Manipur Fire Service and Emergency firemen managed to control the fire on time.
Sources from the Fire Brigade said the incident occurred around 11 am when a fire originated from a domestic gas cylinder, which was burning inside the kitchen of a canteen located on the first floor of UBI, started engulfing the room before it was timely doused by firemen from Manipur Fire service and Emergency.
The source of the fire was from the regulator of the gas cylinder, they said and added that no casualty was reported in the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/fire-2/

IMPHAL, March 30: A 48-year-old critically injured when he was stabbed by a man near Takyel Primary School under Lamphel police station, a police source said here today.
Konsam Ibochouba, son of Yaima from Takyel Kolom Leikai was stabbed by Yumnam Sanamacha, 38 of Heinoubok around 11 yesterday morning at a place close to Takyel Primary School. Ibouchouba was seriously wounded in the incident. The cause behind the act is not clear.
The culprit used a sharp Rambo knife in the attack, the police source said, adding that an investigation has started into the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/man-stabbed/

IMPHAL, March 30: A 48-year-old critically injured when he was stabbed by a man near Takyel Primary School under Lamphel police station, a police source said here today.
Konsam Ibochouba, son of Yaima from Takyel Kolom Leikai was stabbed by Yumnam Sanamacha, 38 of Heinoubok around 11 yesterday morning at a place close to Takyel Primary School. Ibouchouba was seriously wounded in the incident. The cause behind the act is not clear.
The culprit used a sharp Rambo knife in the attack, the police source said, adding that an investigation has started into the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/man-stabbed/

IMPHAL, March 30: Thoubal police commandos apprehended two activists of the banned PREPAK and rescued a woman from their custody at YK College gate in Wangjing in the district.
Khundrakpam Toro alias Meetlou, 30, son of Lukhoi of Thokchom Leikai, Heirok Part-II and Ngangom Ranjit, 30, son of Naba of Yairikpok Yambem Mathak Leikai were nabbed by the commando team and rescued one Laishram Thoibi alias Ibemcha Devi, 21, daughter of Rukay Singh of Heirok part-II around 1:30 pm yesterday afternoon during a search operation conducted by the security team near YK College, police sources said.
According to the statement given by the duo to the police, they were supposed to hand over the woman, whom the police claimed to have rescued from them, to one Laishram Jayantabi alias Nongpoknganba at Moreh as a new woman recruit of PREPAK organization, police sources added.
In another incident, at around 3:45 pm today, a combined team of Thoubal commandos and 22 Grenadiers another cadre of PREPAK during a search operation at Elangkhangpokpi Awang Leikai Lai Mamang.
The arrested has been identified as Kangabam Kumarjit alias Nanao alias Nganba alias ibomcha, 26, son of Mani of Elangkhangpokpi awing Leikai Lai Maning and recovered two Chinese hand grenades and one mobile handset with four sim cards from his possession, Thoubal district SP informed in a statement.
Meanwhile, in yet another incident, a combined team of 10 Assam Rifles and 46 Assam rifles under the aegis of Red Shield division nabbed an arms dealer from Vellam veng of Curachandpur district on Friday.
The individual was identified as Lunjang Guite, 45, son of (L) Dilam Guite, a PIB Defence Wing said in a release.
Two .32 pistol, one Colt Auto 9mm pistol, three .32 pistol magazines, one 9mm pistol magazine and four rounds were recovered from his possession, the release said, adding that the apprenhedee was handed over to Imphal West police station.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/militants-arrested-girl-rescued/

IMPHAL, March 30: Thoubal police commandos apprehended two activists of the banned PREPAK and rescued a woman from their custody at YK College gate in Wangjing in the district.
Khundrakpam Toro alias Meetlou, 30, son of Lukhoi of Thokchom Leikai, Heirok Part-II and Ngangom Ranjit, 30, son of Naba of Yairikpok Yambem Mathak Leikai were nabbed by the commando team and rescued one Laishram Thoibi alias Ibemcha Devi, 21, daughter of Rukay Singh of Heirok part-II around 1:30 pm yesterday afternoon during a search operation conducted by the security team near YK College, police sources said.
According to the statement given by the duo to the police, they were supposed to hand over the woman, whom the police claimed to have rescued from them, to one Laishram Jayantabi alias Nongpoknganba at Moreh as a new woman recruit of PREPAK organization, police sources added.
In another incident, at around 3:45 pm today, a combined team of Thoubal commandos and 22 Grenadiers another cadre of PREPAK during a search operation at Elangkhangpokpi Awang Leikai Lai Mamang.
The arrested has been identified as Kangabam Kumarjit alias Nanao alias Nganba alias ibomcha, 26, son of Mani of Elangkhangpokpi awing Leikai Lai Maning and recovered two Chinese hand grenades and one mobile handset with four sim cards from his possession, Thoubal district SP informed in a statement.
Meanwhile, in yet another incident, a combined team of 10 Assam Rifles and 46 Assam rifles under the aegis of Red Shield division nabbed an arms dealer from Vellam veng of Curachandpur district on Friday.
The individual was identified as Lunjang Guite, 45, son of (L) Dilam Guite, a PIB Defence Wing said in a release.
Two .32 pistol, one Colt Auto 9mm pistol, three .32 pistol magazines, one 9mm pistol magazine and four rounds were recovered from his possession, the release said, adding that the apprenhedee was handed over to Imphal West police station.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/militants-arrested-girl-rescued/

IMPHAL, March 30: A Chinese hand grenade was found planted outside the residential gate of one Maibam Tomba, 44, of Waiton under Heingang police station in Imphal east on Friday, according to a police source.
The powerful grenade was found hanging over the residential gate of Tomba at around 1:30pm. Tomba is reported to be the owner of LNS brick farm at Waiton.
A bomb squad team of Heingang police rushed to the site and retrieved the bomb and later safely defused it at the Pangei Firing Range at about 3:30 pm, they added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/grenade-found-2/

IMPHAL, March 30: A Chinese hand grenade was found planted outside the residential gate of one Maibam Tomba, 44, of Waiton under Heingang police station in Imphal east on Friday, according to a police source.
The powerful grenade was found hanging over the residential gate of Tomba at around 1:30pm. Tomba is reported to be the owner of LNS brick farm at Waiton.
A bomb squad team of Heingang police rushed to the site and retrieved the bomb and later safely defused it at the Pangei Firing Range at about 3:30 pm, they added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/grenade-found-2/

IMPHAL, March: A Four Day Environmental Camp organized by Pari Puri Athouba Ningsing Lup under the sponsorship of Directorate of Environment, Govt. of Manipur at Ningshingkhun Diversity Park concluded at around 9 am today.
The closing ceremony was attended by Y Iboyaima, ADC Jiribam and S Kula, president, Pari Puri Athouba Ningsing Lup as chief guest and president respectively.
During the function, Th. Bhogan a junior scientific officer said that even though Jiribam is rich in trees, betel, pineapple, Rubber etc. but it’s deceasing day by day. Therefore the main reason for organizing this camp is to bring awareness among the locality to save the decreasing number of trees and plants.
He further asked the campers to share their lessons learned during the camp to their family, friends and relatives and also to start thinking about the environment at least for 2 minutes in a day.
Certificate along with gifts were also presented to the 28 campers during the closing day function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/four-day-environmental-camp-concluded/

IMPHAL, March: A Four Day Environmental Camp organized by Pari Puri Athouba Ningsing Lup under the sponsorship of Directorate of Environment, Govt. of Manipur at Ningshingkhun Diversity Park concluded at around 9 am today.
The closing ceremony was attended by Y Iboyaima, ADC Jiribam and S Kula, president, Pari Puri Athouba Ningsing Lup as chief guest and president respectively.
During the function, Th. Bhogan a junior scientific officer said that even though Jiribam is rich in trees, betel, pineapple, Rubber etc. but it’s deceasing day by day. Therefore the main reason for organizing this camp is to bring awareness among the locality to save the decreasing number of trees and plants.
He further asked the campers to share their lessons learned during the camp to their family, friends and relatives and also to start thinking about the environment at least for 2 minutes in a day.
Certificate along with gifts were also presented to the 28 campers during the closing day function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/four-day-environmental-camp-concluded/

IMPHAL, March 27: Several organizations of the state have continued to send in their condemnation of the March 22 gang rape of a woman by four persons including two IRB personnel.

The Kabui Mothers’ Association, KAMA while condemning the act has submitted a memorandum to the chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, govt of India informing that the state government has failed to initiate any action against the four accused even though they are kept in the custody of the police.

It has further added that the involvement of security personnel, coupled with the failure of the government to take action against the four, has cast a great doubt of whether the government is trying to come out with a different version so as to cover such inhumane actions.

It has further alleged that the Santro car used in the act belongs to one of the accused while the pistol was given to the perpetrators by one Tiken Singh, Sub Inspector of the Bishnupur Police station, who is a resident of Kongba Laishram Leikai.

Further citing that the government’s ineffective dealing and slow investigation process, it has demanded from the National commission to conduct an investigation into the matter and award befitting and exemplary punishment to the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the Naga Peoples’ Union Imphal, has also condemned the act in a separate press release.

The Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur has also strongly condemned the incident where an innocent woman was allegedly raped by a gang of four persons on March 22 near Keinou Awang Leikai along the Tiddim Road.

It has further added that when some women of the Kabui Mothers’ Association interrogated the alleged rapists who are at police custody, about a pistol which they had during the incident, they told the women’s association that the pistol was provided to them by one Jiten, a Sub-Inspector at Bishnupur district police, the statement added.

The Zeliangrong body has also urged the concerned authorities not to cover up or defend the four culprits and that they should be punished in a befitting manner.

It further urged upon the government of Manipur to pay compensation to the victim and her family under the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribes Atrocities Act.

The tribal body has also pledged to put pressure on the state government in collaboration with other like-minded civil bodies in the state and the general public until justice is delivered to the victim, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/kama-wants-natl-commission-for-st-to-investigate-mar-22-rape/

IMPHAL, March 27: Amidst the beginning of the new administration of the Congress government in the state, police personnel protecting the law and order committed a ‘heinous crime’ by raping a housewife from Nungleiband village in Leimatak, who sells U-morok (chilli), on March 22 and that just shouting and keeping mum on the incident will not be the right step of the people, the militant outfit United Revolutionary front (URF) said in a release on Tuesday.

The hill people have the responsibility to make the Manipur police, who have proselytized and devoted to the Indian Army, a police force of the public, URF asserted that IRB Havildar, Chungkham Ibocha, IRB rifleman Kshetrimayum Kennedy, Laikhuram Rojit and Salam Bijen, who were involved in the heinous crime must be taken as the ‘enemy of the society.’

They (the four culprits) should be punished by ‘hanging until dead’ by parading in front of the general public and that their parents should also face the harsh treatments of the people, the outfit added.

Cautioning the people against their mandate in the last general elections in which the Congress obtained an overwhelming majority, URF sarcastically questioned the people of Manipur whether it was the fruit of their verdict and what will be the next hope.

The government should abstain from practicing such acts like staging fake encounters, torturing of innocent family members of militants in the state and assisting commitment of terror acts by UG imposters, and that it will be the right step of the government to maintain proper development, transparency, accountability and good governance, it added.

Stating that the URF is all prepared to engage in a political fight with the ruling state government, it challenged the government while suggesting the latter to jointly work out a political strategy.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/urf-condemns-alleged-rape/

IMPHAL, March 27: Out of a total population of 20 lakh (approx.) in the valley districts of the state, there are only 1.5 lakh (approx.) of electricity consumers, while Mizoram with a total population of 9 lakh (approx.) has 1.7 lakh (approx.) consumers, stated addl chief engineer, electricity dept, L Priyokumar during a meeting of the State Advisory Committee for Manipur of the Joint electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur and Mizoram.

The meeting was held this morning at the State guest house, Sanjengthong.

The addl chief engineer also added that the fact shows that there are many unauthorized consumers in the state.

By August 2012 Pallantana power, Tripura will be commission, from which Manipur’s allotted share will be increased by 20 Megawatts, the addl CE added.

He also added that the state government has added an additional Rs 20 crore to the Rs 15 crore which is normally spent to buy electricity for the state consumption in a month.

Today’s meeting was attended by H. Bihari Singh, chairman, JERC (M&M) and other members including C Hmingthanzuala, IAS (rtd), Ng Chittranjan Singh, scientific officer, Director MANIREDA, Dr. Ch. Ibohal Meitei, associate professor, Manipur Institude of Mangement Studies, MU, Dr. L. Sadananda Singh, general secretary, Senior Citizens Society, Manipur, Elanagbam Dolendra Singh, Advisor, All Manipur Power Consumer’s Association, Irengbam Arun, resident editor, IFP, S Chaothi Singh, president, Manipur Industries Union, A. Chhawnmawia, IDES (retd.), Secretary, JERC (M&M), Richard Zothankima, Assistant Secretary, JERC (M&M) and Shyamsunder Singh, Chief Engineering, JERC (M&M).

The state official department was represented by L Priyokumar, addl CE (power II).

During the meeting, different aspects were discussed to improve the power supply in the state.

The meeting started with the confirmation of the minutes of the 7th SAC Meeting held on November, 2011. While discussing the second agenda “Present Power Supply position and Initiatives of the Department to tide over the situation” during its 2nd SAC meeting on October 30, 2009, the SAC emphasized the need for increasing the number of hours of power supply in the state to at least 8 hours in the day time in the interest of industrial and commercial consumers and six hours in the night in the interest of students, media, and security personnel.

Accordingly, both the government and department were informed to take requisite initiatives without further delay.

As it is seen today, the effort has apparently been yielding a negative impact on the situation rather than improving it. Therefore it has become clear that the matter has not been taken very seriously by the Licensee.

Other agendas including Transmission system Improvement and Improvement of Commercial Efficiency were also discussed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/only-15-lakh-electricity-consumers-out-of-20-lakh-population/

IMPHAL, March 27: Delhi police today prevented the CPI (Marxist Leninist) from organizing a protest rally on Parliament Street in the national capital. The protest rally was supposed to urge the government to repeal AFSPA from Manipur and Kashmir.

However, a public meeting was held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi which was attended by CPI (Marxist Leninist) members from across the country besides other organizations including Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi, Manbi Leima Democratic Women’s Front and many others.

At the meeting, many leaders like Sharistha Choudhury, general secretary, All India Revolutionary Women Organization, comrade Benij Bihari, UP state secretary, CPI-ML, KK Das, general secretary, Assam state CPI-ML, Gopal Macha, president, Manipur Intellectual forum, Sairem Modhubala from Democratic Women Front, Manipur and KN Ramcharan, National secretary CPI-ML spoke on AFSPA and various atrocities being committed by Indian Army under the controversial Act.

Addressing the gathering, KN Ramcharan accused the government of torturing people in the name of hunting the Maoists who are against it and said, “It is unfortunate.”

Maoist is spearheading a political movement, the CPI-ML National secretary added.

Maintaining that it is totally unreasonable and unacceptable to enforce Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the states of Manipur and Kashmir, Ramcharan said, “The military Act was promulgated by the British to subjugate the Indians and now it is hitting back on us.”

The CPI-ML was a harbinger of the naxalite movement in India.

Ramcharan himself joined and made contribution in the movement and languished in jail for a long time.

The people of Manipur are in a state of trouble as enforcement of AFSPA in the state signifies that Manipur is a colonial land of India, Sapam Shyamsundar, Manipur state CPI-ML secretary asserted, saying that the AFSPA was reformed into an Act from an ordinance made by the British.

India has lost the meaning of being a democratic country because it has taken its stance to remain as a mute spectator over the voice of the people of Manipur, including Irom Chanu Sharmila who is on a fast for 11 years demanding repeal of AFSPA, Sairem Modhubala, a member of Democratic Women Front, Manipur lamented.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/delhi-police-bar-cpi-mls-afspa-rally-plan/

IMPHAL, March 27: The Senapati District Women Association, SDWA in collaboration with the Rural Development Association, Senapati organized a mass rally cum sit in protest against the Tipaimukh dam construction at Senapati bazar.

The people later on handed a memorandum to the Senapati Deputy Commissioner to be submitted to the Prime Minister of India.

The rally was attended by around 400 people carrying placards that read “No Mega project without people’s concern”, Nothing can compensate the loss of 78 lakhs of trees”, “Scrap Tipaimukh Dam”, “Save Environment, Save People”, We don’t want big dams”, “No privatisation of rivers in the name of development”, “No big dams in North east” etc.

Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the public protest, president SDWA Lolia lamented that the construction of Tipaimukh dam will harm to the environment due to the loss of trees and we can only apprehend the kind of destruction it will bring to the people, in case on any damage to the dam after its construction as the dam lies inside a high seismic zone, which is prone to earthquakes.

She further appealed to the people of the state to jointly raise voice against the construction of the dam.

Meanwhile, the memorandum has urged upon the government to save and protect the environment, natural heritage and culture of the people of Manipur, to take free, fair, prior and informed consent specifically on Tipaimukh dam as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.

It has further appealed the government to revoke the MoU signed between the state government, National Hydroelectric project and the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited for the construction of Tipaimukh dam.

Instead of the Tipaimukh dam, the memorandum has further appealed to the government to build micro-hydel projects at different locations that can generate sufficient electricity for the state and bring equal area development.

The memorandum has also urged the government to stop the proposed Khongnem Chakha HE-project at Maram, Senapati.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/senapati-women-take-out-rally-against-tipaimukh-dam/

IMPHAL, Mar 27: Internationally acclaimed American hard rock band `FireHouse` will rock Manipur’s capital for the first time and Nagaland’s commercial capital Dimapur next month.

Khuman Lampak main stadium would be the performing ground in Imphal on April 10 after the performance at Dimapur on April 7.

The Firehouse Imphal concert has been sponsored by Airtel and part of the proceeds will go in association with Manipur State AIDS Control Society and enhanced AIDS awareness programme for the youths of the region.

“Our objective is to give quality band performance to our music loving audience and I think bands like Firehouse will certainly fulfil the desire of the people,” said Sunny Shimrah of Delhi based 7

Sisters Entertainment Group, an event management group while speaking to media persons here today. The tickets are priced at Rs 1500 and Rs 500.

Such events will also go a long way in promoting local talents as two local bands  will be the days opening act, added the young event manager who had also bought Higher on Maiden, the sister band of the legendary Iron Maiden all the way from UK in December last year.

The band’s forthcoming Imphal show is being billed as the mother of all concerts in the traditionally cultured Manipur after their record setting first Indian concert date in Shillong about four years ago.

Their last performance with White Lion in Shillong was on December 13, 2008.

Firehouse is well-known among the North-eastern population mainly for their hits like Sleeping with You, I Live My Life for You, When I looked into your eyes and Love of a lifetime and the band also gets regular airtime on the Radio in the region.

Originally composed of band members vocalist C. J. Snare, guitarist Bill Leverty, drummer Michael Foster, and bassist Perry Richardson, the band has maintained its original members with the exception of Richardson, who departed in 2000.

Richardson was replaced three times before current bassist Allen McKenzie was given the position in 2004.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/rock-band-firehouse-to-sway-imphal-rockers/

IMPHAL, March 26: One person who turned out to be a suspected opium smuggler was shot and injured by AR personnel at Mongkot Chepu villahe under Ukhrul police station during the early hours Monday.

The AR personnel mistook him for a militant and shot him, however a person who was accompanying him during the incident managed to escaped.

The incident happened around 6 am when two CBZ motorcycle borne persons swiftly turned back their vehicle and slipped on seeing an Assam Rifles patrol party as they reached Mongkot Chepu village.

One of them, who was carrying a bag started fleeing towards a nearby bush near Litan River and attempted to throw away the bag. The AR personnel, suspecting the bag to be bombs, opened fire, injuring him before he was overpowered by them. He received multiple bullet injuries in the firing.

However, the other one who came with him managed to escape. Later, the AR team found four kg of opium inside the bag.

The injured has been identified as AS Youreiwom, 32 son of AS Youreiwom of Tungou village of Chingai sub-division in Ukhrul district. Youreiwom was rushed to JNIMS and later referred to RIMS where he had a surgery.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/alleged-smuggler-hurt-in-mistaken-firing/

IMPHAL, March 26: Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) today expressed confidence that the state Home department would sincerely take up appropriate action in consideration of the sentiment of the people with regard to the recent alleged rape of a hill woman by four persons, including two IRB personnel and termed the incident ‘horrible.’

It is a shame that a hill woman was gangraped by four men including security personnel, HERICOUN said in a release on Monday and added that such crime will recur if stringent actions are not taken up from the side of the state Home department in connection with the latest incident of rape.

The council also lauded Bishnupur SP Th Radheshyam, who booked the culprits involved in the rape case, by considering it as his own duty.

However casting a doubt over whether justice will be done in the case, the release has said that HERICOUN hopes the state Home department and government would let the law take its course in consideration of the sentiment of the public.

Meanwhile the Women Action for Development (WAD) in a separate press statement has strongly condemned the gang rape of a 40 year old house-wife of Longlei Village in Tamenglong District on March 22 at a place near Keinou Awang leikai.

It has further stated that the organization opposes crime against women and girls which is swelling day by day in various forms and trends.

It has further added that during the current year (January to March 26, 2012), a total number of 55 cases of violence against women were reported in the local newspaper which include eight rape cases, one rape and murder, three murder, six suicide, seven missing, one molesting, one complaint, 24 assault, two rape attempt and two threat. Mention may be made that recently a 14 year old girl from Mount Average Village in Senapati was brutally raped and even attempted to murder her by the perpetrator on February 9, it added.

In other cases, an 8 year old girl from Ngaikhong Siphai was raped on February 12 and another girl of the same age of Konthoujam Mamang Leikai was also attempted to rape on March 12 which shows that even minor girls are not secure in this society. Claiming that this is totally genocide WAD further stated that it is time for all of us to respond such crime against humanity, irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion to protect and prevent our women and girls from being victimized and traumatized as well as free from any fear psychosis. 

On the other hand, it is very unfortunate that the State Police (IRB, CDOs, VDF) etc. who are supposed to protect the civilian, even committed such heinous crimes in our state. It may also be recalled that on March 9 a women was hacked by her husband T. Okendro Singh of Pangei Bazar serving as instructor of Police Training Academy, Pangei. A case was lodged but unfortunately the accused was released on bail.

WAD really appreciate and acknowledge the Bishnupur Police for the Prompt and immediate actions by arresting the four accused persons on March 24. Further, WAD appeals to the concern Home Department to take up tangible actions against the culprits (Police Personal) to deliver justice to the victimized women and girls of our state. We have the firm believe that it is the need of the hour to review the recruitment process of the security forces.

In this regard, WAD appeal to the State Government to book all the culprits according to the law of the country in the interest of the general public added the press release. 

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/hericoun-wad-decries-rape-demands-stringent-action/

IMPHAL, March 26: The Ministry of Tourism, government of India organised a three days long road show for North East tourism at Guwahati and Kolkata from March 23 to 25. The program was supported by Regional Director Office of Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India- Guwahati and Kolkata.

According to a press statement made available to this office, day one of the road show was held at Raj Mahal hotel, Guwahati attended DK Baruah, regional director, ministry of Tourism, Guwahati office and Sanjay Singh, ADAG, MoT, GoI  representing the central office of ministry of Tourism, government of India.

Delegates from all the eight states of the North east region presented the tourism potential of their respective states which was followed by one to one interaction with various tour operators, it added.

There was also a session on exploring ways and means to promote NE Tourism.

Representatives from Manipur requested for inclusion of the other core area which may contribute in helping the influx of tourist in the state in various promotional videos and literature of Ministry of Tourism.

Day two and day three were organized at Big Boss Hotel, Rowden Street, Kolkata. Various tour operators from Kolkata had an opportunity to interact with the representatives of all the North Eastern states, the statement added.

The participants of the 3 days program expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism for extending such opportunity to the states and its stake holders.

The Manipur team was represented by Dr L Surjit, president, MMTA, H RK Sharma, MD, Seven Sisters Holidays, Santosh Shekhar, manager- Business Development, Shija Hospitals and Research Institute and P Sommykanta, manager, Classic Hotel, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/north-east-tourism-road-show-in-guwahati-and-kolkata/

IMPHAL, March 25: Two boxers from the state Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi snatched Gold medals in their respective weight categories to help India get the Runners Up trophy at the 6th Asian Women’s Boxing Championship at Ulaanbaatar.

India finished with 2 Gold, four silver and two Bronze medal to stay at the Runners up podium.

“Mary Kom in the Olympic weight category of 51 kgs defeated twice World Champion & Asian Games 2010 Gold Medalist Ren Cancan of China on points 14:8”.

“At the end of Round 1 Mary was leading by 2:1 which increased to 7:3 by the end of Round 2 and to 11:6 by the end of Round 3 and 14:8 by the end of Round 4” stated a press statement of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation”.

“Magnificent Mary was simply unstoppable today and she has proved her mettle by taking sweet revenge on her Asian Games 2010 loss to Ren Cancan” it added.

Former World Champion in 2006, L Sarita Devi took the other yellow metal for India in her 60 Kgs weight category which is another Olympic Games weight category.

“In the 60 kgs which is another Olympic Games weight category, former World Champion in 2006 Sarita Devi defeated last Asian Championship Gold Medalist Chorieva Mavzuna of Tajkistan on points 16:9. At the end of Round 1 Sarita was leading by 5:1, which increased to 9:3 by the end of Round 2 and becane 13:5 by the end of Round 3 and ended Round 4 with a final score of 16:9”.

“Sarita had beaten current Asian Games Gold Medalist and former World Champion Cheng Dong of China in the semifinals yesterday by a large margin of 26:15. In the last World Championships at Barbados, Cheng Dong had lost a very close bout to Katie Taylor of Ireland and had to settle for the Silver then” the statement added.

In the 48 kgs Pinki jangra lost a very hard fought clsoe bout to Bolortuul Tumurhuyag of Mongolia on points 22:24.

It was the local crowd support and cheering which helped the Mongolian girl to edge ahead in the final tally although Pinki had put up a gallant fight.

In the 54 kgs Sonia Lather fought bravely but lost on points 8:12 to Ke Jia Luu of China and had to settle for the Silver medal.

In the 69 kgs Monica Saun lost to Dong Mei wang of China on points 10:13. Monica fought courageously and was close on the heels of the Chinese boxer but experience helped the Chinese boxer to win the Gold and Monica the Silver.

In the third Olympic Weight category of 75 kgs Pooja Rani lost to the World Champion and Asian Games Gold Medalist Jinzi Li of China on points 8:15.

Further according to the statement, “Abhay Singh Chautala, president, Indian Amateur Boxing Federation congratulated the whole Indian Contingent for the stupendous performance by the boxers and the coaches as well as the support staff of Doctor, Physiotherapist and Masseurs and hoped that this performance will be bettered at the World Championships and Olympic Qualifying Tournament at China in May 2012”.

“Special mention needs to be made about the Coaches Dronacharya Awardee Anoop Kumar and Dronacharya Awardee D Chandralal and their team of assistant coaches Hemlata Bagadwal and Geeta Chanu who have made this dream performance come true. They were ably supported by the Team Doctor Dr Sanjogita Soodan and the Physio Hema Valecha” the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/state-boxers-sizzle-at-asian-championship/

IMPHAL, March 25: There will be no expansion of the Ibobi led Congress ministry before the March 31, according to sources close to the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had himself told newsmen that expansion will not be possible before March 31, on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony of three senior ministers including Gaikhangam on March 16. Yet, rumors about possible expansion and the composition of the new ministry persist in certain sections of the public.

The possibility of Yumkham Erabot Singh in the Ibobi Cabinet and whether Ibobi wil part with the crucial portfolio of Finance is still a hot topic in the corridors of power and the roadside hotels.

Reliable sources in the Congress said, the compromise formula as worked out by the AICC High Command is seven representatives from Ibobi camp including himself and five from the Gaikhangam camp.

After the first expansion of his ministry, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has already two of his loyalists in the cabinet. They are Th Debendra Singh and Phungzathang Tonsing.

According to informed sources, Gaikhangam had proposed the names of Govindas Konthoujam of Bishnupur District, Victor Keishing of Ukhrul District, Ngamthang Haokip of Senapati District, Yumkham Erabot  of Imphal East district and L Nandakumar of Imphal West district.

While on the other hand the Chief Minister had proposed the names of Moirangthem Okendro Singh of Thoubal District, DK Korungthang of Chandel District, I Hemochandra of Imphal West District, Md Amin Shah of Imphal East District and AK Mirabai on women’s quota.

Sources further said, M Okendro’s name been proposed by both camps in the Congress. The party is still in the process of identifying as to who would be inducted as chairman and vice-chairman in the various government undertakings.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/no-expansion-till-marchend/