Month: July 2014

IMPHAL, July 28: The Manipur Governor Vinod Kumar Duggal stated that Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for developing organic farming for commercial purposes in the North East while inaugurating the Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) at Central Agricultural University today.

At the outset the Governor inspected the campus, various machines and agricultural products.

“We must utilise these funds wisely to not only increase the production of organic foods in the region including the State but also in educating and sensitising growers,” he said.

Continuing that potential in pomology and floriculture is yet to be exploited, he said that the State which has different climatic zones can grow a large variety of fruits and flowers by adopting proper technology for growing.

Adding that post harvest technology, transportation and marketing are essential for making organic farming profitable on a grand scale, he said: “Post harvest technology is a pressing need as a good percentage of the yield in the country gets wasted due to poor harvesting, so CAU should try and come forward with appropriate technology for small farmers in the North East in this regard.”

He further said that agriculture and its allied activities in the State continue to be the mainstay of the population so its importance can’t be over emphasised.

Lauding CAU which was established to provide quality education in the field of agriculture and allied subjects to the seven North East States barring Assam for rendering yeoman service not only to the students but also to the farming community by bringing in new technologies and providing quality inputs for improving the yields, he said CAU has been of immense help to the State by regularly commissioning specific studies and preparing papers about the potential in the State in agriculture and horticulture.

If the earnings of the farmers can be increased through more productivity, it will not only provide better returns for them but also improve the economy of the State, he observed.

Describing orchid cultivation as another area where Manipur can do well, he said the State is rich in orchids with about 300 species but due to various reasons; many of the orchid varieties are becoming rare.

Efforts have been made to conserve them but at the same time there is an urgent need to identify species and develop hybrids which can be marketed, increase their numbers through tissue culture and market the flowers in national and international markets, he said.

Pointing out that farmers need to be trained properly as growing orchids for international markets is not easy, he said it has to be conservation coupled with creating economic relevance because only then the communities will stand to gain.

He asserted that some of the finest varieties of pineapple are grown in Manipur but because of the State’s location, the transportation cost of the fruit to the outside markets becomes forbiddingly high.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/rs-100-crore-earmarked-for-developing-organic-farming-in-ne-says-governor/

MOREH, July 28: Security concerns, illegal entry and boundary line between India and Myanmar were the main agendas of the 8th Border liaison meeting between Moreh (India) and Tamu (Myanmar) convened today.

The meeting was held this morning at 10 inside the conference hall of the Trade Centre Moreh.

The Myanmar team was led by DC Tamu, U Zaw Zaw while the Indian side was led by DC, Chandel Th Chittaranjan during today meeting.

During the meeting, DC Chandel had reminded his Tamu counterpart during the meeting that in the 7th BLO meeting, the two countries had discussed detailed modalities for sharing of intelligence and follow up of intelligence shared between the two countries.

The BLO Moreh had also brought up the issue of the two Indians who were found dead on February 20, 2014 along the Indo-Myanmar border at Jamnomphai village after entering Myanmar from Moreh on February 11.

He requested the DC, Tamu to take immediate and necessary steps to arrest the culprits.

The immigration officer, Moreh had also raised the issue regarding the arrest of six Indians by the Myanmar security on July 16, 2013.

He appealed for their release while explaining that the six were Meiteis and worshippers of Sanamahi and had entered Myanmar with the purpose of worshipping.

The six were booked under the Immigration Act under FIR no 61/ 2013, he said.

Replying to his protest, the DC Tamu said trial is going on and even though the six were charged for illegal entry, they are also suspected to antique theft.

The immigration officer, Moreh further requested the Myanmar authorities to release an Indian JCB seized by the Myanmar authorities on September 4, 2013, considering the friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

However, the DC, Tamu had explained that no permission for entering Myanmar was granted and the vehicle was booked under the relevant export/import Act.

The BLO, Moreh also raised concerned over the cutting of 1000 numbers of trees at Hangcham village, India near Holenphai village by Myanmar nationals anc cultivating paddy, Myanmar army personnel coming and threatening two household owners, arrest of Moreh locals identified as Satjanhao Kipgen 14 son of Lunmang Kipgen and Thangminlen Haokip, 16, son of Hoikhai Haokip by Myanmar authorities.

Other issues raised for discussion by the Indian side during the meeting include the issue of Myanmar nationals carrying Id cards without English words which is hampering cross border transactions, the issuance of paases for Myanmar vehicles entering India.

Whereas from the Myanmar side, the DC Tamu had raised the issue of the killing of an Indian woman identified as Pi Ngaingaing of Kemonsang village, Moreh inside Myanmar territory by her husband Pu Pa Pao, ground clearance of area between Border Pillar 77 and 78, border fencing seeking some portions of border fencing to be removed and relocated, arrest of Myanmar citizens by Manipur police in Imphal east and Thoubal districts and mine blast at a bridge over Nanthalet River on Tamu Myothit road in 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/indo-myanmar-liaison-meet-discusses-security-concerns/

IMPHAL, July 28: Family members of the agitating labourers of the Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution (CAF &PD) joined in the movement seeking a raised in the labourer’s wages today.

Several family members of the labourers, who were mostly woman gathered around 9.30am at Sanjenthong area and tried to approach the CAF & PD minister M Oken’s official quarter.

However, a strong team of the Imphal East cdo led by inspector Achouba and another team of Porompat police led by OC Chandrakumar blocked the family members.

However, furious over the police action, the protestors who were already carrying household utensils threw the utensils towards the police.

The police managed to control the protestors only after the arrival of woman police.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/families-join-caf-pd-labourers-agitation/

IMPHAL, July 28: The Governor of Manipur has conveyed his greetings to the people of Manipur and especially to the Muslim brethren on the auspicious and joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr.

The Governor has stated that the holy festival not only spreads the message of peace, brotherhood and universal love but also entreats mankind to perform deeds of positive value to enhance the souls. He had also wished for the people to resolve to work together to preserve and propagate the message of peace, friendship and love.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/gov-greets-on-id-ul-fitr/