Day: August 7, 2012

Imphal, Aug 07 UNA: Universal use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections by completely phasing out paper ballot system, as have been used in the elections during the tenth Manipur Legislative Assembly held on last January 28, is illegal as universal use of EVMs in all the polling stations of all the sixty Assembly Constituency is violative of Section 61A of the Representative of the people Act, 1951 said Dr. M Nara.
We don’t want EVMs any more in Manipur, public has been forced to trust software and hardware without proper means of verification. They (Public) have been misguided by using EVMs in the election.
Dr. M Nara, secretary CPI was speaking to the media person after the meeting of seven non-congress political parties of the state regarding the using of EVMs in the elections, where they filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Guwahati High Court last month.
The seven political parties includes CPI, AITC, JD-U, BJP, MPP, CPM and NCP held a meeting at Imphal Hotel regarding banning of using EVMs in the state election.
Malpractice on EVMs use is suspected by all non-congress parties as well by the public of the state, even the public of Naoria Pakhanglakpa assembly constituency filed a complain against using of EVMs said Nara.
For the first time in India manipulation of EVMs came to know by the public in the year 2007. But in the last tenth assembly election EVMs were used where congress win in such a huge margin that they (Congress) don’t believe it.
The tenth election was unconstitutional, election should be trusted by the public, every voter should be in a position to know all essential steps in the elections including his/her vote which they exercised as a part of freedom of expression has really and accurately gone in favour of the intended candidate whom the voter has chosen, added CPI secretary.
In any future election held in the state or the nation EVMs should be banned so that malpractices can be stopped said Dr. M Nara.
The double bench of Gawahati High Court has summoned the ECI and CEO for the next hearing on 14 September, as well to one individual Heriken Metha as a Profoma respondent.
This kind of PIL is of its first kind in the country said Advocate of the petitioners M Mohindro.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/seven-political-parties-file-pil-against-evms/

MNS: 26 Sector AR of HQ IGAR(South) organised an interaction with Forest officials of Govt of Manipur at Pallel on 07 Aug 12. During the officer’s conclave at Pallel, the forest officials gave a presentation on different types of endangered species in the Chandel District and their illegal trafficking. The forest official while addressing the gathering enlightened all officers about the endangered species of Tokay Geckos which was saved by the troops of Assam Rifles and thanked the Sector in their efforts for protecting such species. Brig Upendra Dwivedi, Commander 26 Sector while addressing the gathering highlighted the importance of protecting endangered plants, animal species and their habitat. He emphasized that Assam Rifles will continue to assist Forest and Wildlife authorities in their efforts to SAVE WILDLIFE & ENVIRONMENT.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/endangered-species/

Imphal, Aug 7 UNA : A Two Day Tree Plantation cum Awareness Campaign of National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) – 2012 was organized by the Pumbum Education & Development Organization (PEDO), Lilong Chajing and Living Art Manipur (LAM), under the sponsorship of Environment & Ecology Wing, Govt. of Manipur.
The campaigned concluded today, at Lilong Chajing Pureilomba Hill Complex with a plantation of around 500 numbers of Indigenous trees like Theibong, Chingthrao, Tolhao, Tera, Amla, Yongchak (Tree bean), Harikhagok, Neem (Tulsi), Olive, Wang, Teak, Jagor, Agar, etc were planted. Around 80 numbers of Volunteers were engaged during the Campaign said Pukhrambam Somojit Singh, National Youth Awardee.
During the interaction with Pukhrambam Somojit Singh, National Youth Awardee and Secretary of the Pumbum Education & Development Organisation (PEDO) said to UNA that most of the Indigenous plants were provided by Th. Mahendra pratap, Conservator, Department of Forest, Govt. of Manipur. And other plants were donated by the Pureilomba Nursery of PEDO and other 2 Nursery Units of Lilong Chajing and Langthabal areas.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/manipur-children-may-be-compelled-to-buy-oxygen/

Imphal, August 7 NNN : The Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Sadar Hills Tuesday said it will extend support to the proposed 48-hour total bandh under its jurisdiction.
Paolen Kipgen, secretary, JAC on Implementation of MGNREGS, Sadar Hills said if the state Government’s official order to withhold and transfer of 25 per cent of MGNREGS fund to the District Council and another 25 per cent to Line Department is not reviewed and cancelled it will join and back the proposed strike of Senapati District Villages Chairmen/Secretaries Association to be imposed on August 16-17 on the same demand.
This comes after the JAC and Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SHAHILLA) held a joint meeting at the latter’s office at New Lambulane here.
Kipgen also said the JAC will further support another economic blockade along the National Highways that will follow the 48-hour Senapati district bandh in the event of the state Government’s failure to meet the demand even after the proposed bandh call.
“The JAC strongly condemns the Government’s indifferent attitude towards its nearly one year old demand,” Kipgen further added and appealed the Government to revoke the order at the earliest possible.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-day-strike-on-mgnregs/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 7 : 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) organised a weapon at Andro on 06-07 Aug 2012.The display comprised of modern age weapons and equipments which were shown to the students. The aim of the display was to increase their knowledge and encourage them to join the defence forces, inculcate truthfulness and refrain from anti national activities. A total of 150 student and teachers of Bright Public School, Andro attended the event. The enthusiasm and active participation shown by the students is a befitting reply to various insurgents groups and anti national elements that there is a strong wave to usher in the atmosphere of peace, normalcy, harmony and peaceful coexistence within the communities in the State.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-conducts-weapon-display/

Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 7 : The sadbhavna divas organized by state govt. was held at Secretariat South Block today at 10.30 a.m. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister O. Ibobi said, the day is being observed to strengthen the unity and oneness of different people having different cultures and identities Though the actual date of observation is August 20 the function was rescheduled owing to series of government holidays.
Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh, Cabinet colleagues, MLA senior officials took part in the observation at the State Secretariat. Those present took “Sadbhavana Day Pledge” and they pledged to “work for the emotional oneness and harmony of all the people of India regardless of caste, region, religion or language. They further pledged that they shall resolve all differences among us through dialogue and constitutional means without resorting to violence.”
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister, O Ibobi said we should fulfill the dreams of Rajiv Gandhi. He further said it was during his tenure as Prime Minister that the adult franchise was decreased to 18 from 21. Students of the Government music college presented devotional songs on the occasion.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said “unity in diversity” exists among different communities in India timelessly has been threatened by enmity and violence by various communities .
Ibobi lauded the late prime minister for his initiative which led to the ban on political defection in Parliament in 1985 following which the legislation could solve the problem of political instability in the country.
The existence of unity in diversity among different communities in the country timelessly has been threatened by enmity and violence by various communities, the Chief Minister held, saying the observance enhance its importance at such time of turmoil among communities.
Admitting that many lives have perished and a lot of properties destroyed and many wounded and incurred huge loss to the economy due to violence caused by enmity among different communities, the Chief Minister said such incidents have become a great threat to the integrity of the nation as well as a great stumbling block to the dream of Rajiv Gandhi.
He also said, “Let us pledge to take up our responsibility to maintain peace and harmony in the country and strengthen the unity and bond of the people so as to make his dream come true.”
The Late PM of India Shri Rajiv Gandhi is remembered by us as a pioneer who had brought a new chapter. He felt anxious as there is lack of political stability in the politics of India. Therefore he formulated to ban political defection in the parliament session of 1985.
The unity in diversity which has been prevailing in India for a long time has been disturbed due to enmity among different communities and violence. He also appealed to take pledge to strengthen his dreams aims for the unity and oneness of the country.
Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Ngamthang Haokip, AK Mirabai, Chief secy. DGP and top officials of govt. dept. attended the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sadbhavana-divas-observed/