Day: December 16, 2013

IMPHAL December 16: A Chinese-made hand grenade was found near the residence of a betel leaf agent in Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai under Imphal Police Station at around 10 .30 am today. Later, the bomb was safely defused by a team of Imphal Police.

According to police sources, the bomb was discovered by the locals close to the boundary wall of the residence of Norendro alias Tomba, 47, son of late Ibomcha, and they informed the police about the bomb.

After receiving the information, a team of Imphal Police rushed to Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai and safely retrieved the bomb, police said.

It may be mentioned that around midnight of November 7 last, a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was set off at the veranda of a betel leaf godown at Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai owned by Norendro. The blast shattered the window panes, tin roofs and entrance gate of buildings in the vicinity.

On the other hand, talking to IFP over the phone, Norendro said that information was provided to him by officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) post at Koirengei on his mobile phone that a militant group has planted a hand grenade somewhere near   his residence. As he was at present staying at another house at Khoyathong, he passed the information to his sister Anandi asking her to confirm the situation. While looking out at the specified place, she found a suspicious object lying unattended near their residence and in front of an under construction shop, he stated.

When he reached his Thangmeiband residence personnel of Imphal police and BSF had already arrived there. He admitted receiving threats and monetary demands from various underground groups from the past many months and also clarified that he is no more related to the betel leaf business.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/betel-leaves-agent-recieves-second-bomb-threat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=betel-leaves-agent-recieves-second-bomb-threat

IMPHAL, December 16: None of the products including handloom and handicraft which are made in the state are registered with the Geographical Indication, and as such unable to make claims whenever the products are copied or imitated by someone else, said Commerce and Industries, minister, Govindas Konthoujam today.

Speaking at the distribution function of loom and accessories of Imphal Handloom Cluster at Common Facilities Centre (CFC) at Nongthombam Leikai today, the minister elaborated that there is a need for all products to be registered.

Today’s function was organized by the Institute of Entrepreneurs today.

During the function 40 looms and 600 accessories of looms were distributed to the beneficiaries.   

He continued that in order to promote the handcraft and handloom products of the state, the government has already urged the Ministry of Textile to open 36 clusters in the state; and added that as per the report of Handloom census 2010- 2011 the state holds the third position in the production of handloom and handicraft products in the country and is the first amongst the Northeastern states.

Apart from sports, handcraft and handloom products bring laurels to the state, he said.

He however lamented that the participation of male in the industry is minimal.

In order to promote the products of the state, it is necessary for the men of the state to actively participate in the field, he continued.

He further said that without differentiating works for men and women, everyone should work hard.

There is no lack of market for the finished products, he said before adding that if the production can be increased and be maintained, he would surely bring more entrepreneurs from outside the state or country.

He said that there is a scheme which provides solar home lighting to all weavers, and as such the weavers need to be aware of the scheme and avail of it.

The minister also assured that a power loom training will be held at Takyel Industries soon.  

Parliamentary Secretary, MOBC and SC, Md Amin Shah also mentioned that the work culture of the state needs much improvement.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/commerce-and-industries-minister-stresses-on-need-of-geographical-indication-registration/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=commerce-and-industries-minister-stresses-on-need-of-geographical-indication-registration

IMPHAL, December 16: With the objective to meet its target to implement the National Food Security Act by March 2015, the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has given nod to constitute district level committee for implementation of National Food Security Act, 2013.

In the meantime, it also resolved to complete the issuing of household cards by end of January 2014.

The cabinet meeting was held today around 3pm in the cabinet hall of Chief Minister’s secretariat.

Briefing media persons in his office chamber after the cabinet meeting, CAF and PD minister who is also the government’s spokesperson, M Okendro, divulged that the cabinet meeting also minutely reviewed the current Plan Expenditure (2013-14) wherein it resolved to instruct all the departments to submit Utilisation Certificate and Action Plan report to be submitted by December 20.

Moreover, it also set target to utilise the funds by December 6, taking serious note of the slow pace of work.

He revealed that only 12 percent of the annual plan has been utilised at an average rate for all the departments. All heads of departments and entire deputy commissions of the districts also attended the cabinet meet.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the upgradation of Sahamphung SDC Circle in Ukhrul district to sub-division and also discussed minutely on the law and order situation of the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/district-level-committee-for-nafsa-recieves-cabinets-nod/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=district-level-committee-for-nafsa-recieves-cabinets-nod

IMPHAL, December 16: A team of the Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) police under the supervision of S Gautam Singh, SPNAB seized 2,04,600 (two lakhs four thousand six hundred) defaced Respifed tablet and 1,91,350 (one lakh ninety one thousand three hundred) Robocoff tablets containing pseudoephedrine in front of Mt Zion Senior Secondary School, Karong in Senapati district on December 14, at around 4.10 pm, a, said a press release of the NAB SP.

It said that the seized tablets were recovered from a tata truck along with three individuals.

The statement further identified the three accused as Md Zia UI Haque, 25, son of Abdul Haque of Haoreibi Makha leikai, Lilong Police Station; Md Nurul Haque, 27, son of (L) Samsur Jaman of Mayang Imphal Bengoon Maning under Mayang Imphal Police Station; Md Roushan, 23, son of Md Imam Ali of Mayang Imphal Bengool under Mayang Imphal Police Station (second driver).

The statement further said the Tata truck bearing registration no MN01/8238 is also seized along with the three who have been arrested.

Further according to the NAB SP statement, the value of the seized drugs in the grey market is about Rs 36 lakh.

A case has been registered in Narcotics and Affairs of Border Police Station in connection with the  seizure of the huge quantity of drugs and further investigation is going on, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/nab-seizes-huge-consignment-of-contraband-drugs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nab-seizes-huge-consignment-of-contraband-drugs

Imphal, December 16: As a part of its undertaking for promotion of the state culture, the Gandhi Memorial Hall which is the oldest auditorium of the state is going to be expanded to a 2000-seated auditorium hall under the initiative of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh government, said Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

This was stated today during the week-long programme of “Culture for Friendship and Cooperation” being organized by the Manipur Film Development Corporation at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy Auditorium. He further said that the government is trying to promote the rich Manipuri art and culture. The government has constructed some big auditoriums like MFDC multipurpose hall and City Convention Hall in Imphal East district under Central government sponsorship for development of arts and culture of Manipur.

There was a time Manipur had only one auditorium hall which was the Gandhi Memorial (GM) Hall. Now, the place is going to be upgraded and expanded into a 2000-seated standard auditorium hall, said Gaikhangam.

Alexander V Mazirka, the Director of Russian Centre for Science and Culture, Kolkata said that this year the nation is celebrating the 58th year of the first women in space in 1963. He added that the former Soviet Union is progressing very fast in technology and other fields. Now, we are focusing on the field of culture and extending friendship with people from other nations. “Today, you are here to witness the week long programme of culture in Imphal and in the many place of Manipur and it will be colourful,” he stated while inviting the attendance of the local people.

President of the function Dr M Nara said that this week long festival is a good chance for exchanging culture dances between Russia and Manipur through Indo-Russian-Manipur trilateral dialogue.

He said that yesterday the oldest Olympian of Manipur Nillakamol led a torch rally from Khongjom and the torch was handed over to Irina K. Bashkirova, Consulate General of the Russian Federation, Kolkata for the upcoming 28th Winter Olympic at Suchi, Russia next year. He said that this is a good opportunity to have a cultural exchange between Russia and Manipur, and that the troupes from Russia may come to the state and vice versa to showcase their rich traditions and arts.

 Later, the Manipuri Jagoi has performed a Manipuri mallet on Kabuliwalla and a music fusion of penna and penao.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/gm-hall-to-be-upgraded-to-2000seat-auditorium-gaikhangam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gm-hall-to-be-upgraded-to-2000seat-auditorium-gaikhangam

KANGPOKPI, December 16: The Kuki National Front has today clarified on the accusation of its cadres’ involvement in the December 11 encounter between KNF(N) and security forces where three KNF(N) cadres were killed.

It is very unfortunate that without any factual base, the KNF (N) has erroneously accused KNF cadres to have been involved in the December 11 incident and alleged lieutenant Bronley and sgt major Casper to have brought the news of the dead of Jangminlal Haokip to the Special Task Force Commander of KNF (N) KS Elson said LH Stephen, secretary information and publicity, KNF.

He continued that KNF transparently clarified that it has nothing to do with the December 11 incident and lieutenant Bronley as well as sgt major Casper were totally in the dark regarding the KNF(N) allegation towards them.

The statement and allegation of KNF (N) are purely fake and baseless said Lh Stephen adding that the statement is made only to tarnish the high stature of the organization and to misled the general public.

It will be very shameful on the part of KNF to call and addressed any of the KNF (N) cadre as `sir` averred Lh Stephen noting that the self-styled supremo/top leader of KNF(N) was only a Lance Corporal while staying with the KNF.

Therefore alleging any of the KNF cadres to address or call KNF (N) cadres as ‘sir’ is hard to belief and it will never happen even if the sun rises from the west, added Lh Stephen.

While clarifying the alleged involvement of KNF cadres in the December 11 incident, Lh Stephen asserted that it is the duty of any security force to launched any kind of operation against non SoO groups who involved in disturbing the peaceful environment of the land and creating fear psychosis to the general public by kidnapping, extorting, threatening, etc.

The KNF inf and pub secy also cautioned KNF (N) that many of its (KNF-N) cadres work with KNF though they mingled with their (KNF-N) cadres and shared all their (KNF-N) confidential information with them (KNF) which make KNF (N) feel KNF involved and joined the security force in the operation.

In the meantime, KNF urged all parents of KNF(N) cadres to call back their respective ward and joined back KNF who is under tripartite talked with both the Centre and State government and legitimately safeguard them from unnecessary deaths from an unfortunate encounter like the December 11 incident adding that security force are bound and will always launch any type of operation toward non SoO group particularly who are involved in disrupting the peaceful environment.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2013/12/knf-cautions-rival/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=knf-cautions-rival