Day: August 8, 2017

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Aug 8

Kangpokpi district wore a deserted look today with the imposition of 24 hours total shutdown over the alleged encroachment of Haraothel land for construction of national sports university. The shutdown was called by civil organisations of the district. 

The otherwise hectic district headquarters and the road along Asian Highway No.1, also known as NH-2 along Imphal-Dimapur road was empty without any vehicles plying and day-today activities coming to a grinding halt.

The total shutdown from 6 am of this morning till 6 am of August 9 was collectively imposed by CVOs Kangpokpi spearheaded by Kuki Students’ Organisation Sadar Hills seeking the state government’s attention for amicable solution over the controversial university site.

Unlike the past total shutdown in the district, the impact of the shutdown is being experienced by all walks of life from business sectors to educational institutions, government institutions, completely disrupting the normal life in the district.

Volunteers were seen deployed in two strategic locations at Taphou Kuki and Gamgiphai who strictly manned the highway checking the exempted vehicles. The volunteers send back those vehicles which are outside the purview of the shutdown bearing no authorised permit.

There was minimal attendance recorded in all government institution owing to the shutdown. Similar impact was also witnessed in most of the area from Taphou Kuki to Gamgiphai including Keithelmanbi, Bongmol, Leikop, Sapormeina and Motbung.

No vehicular movement has been witnessed along the National Highway. However, security force including IRB, Assam Rifles personnel were seen deployed along the road monitoring the situation.

While speaking to media persons, KSO president, Thangminlen Kipgen said, “Chief minister, N. Biren Singh once assured us when we met him on hill leaders day to seriously consider the issue and initiate for amicable solution.”

He continued that despite his assurance, the CM when he visited the university site blatantly claimed that there is no dispute and even restated his statement during the recently concluded assembly.

He further said that though disappointed with the insincerity of the chief minister the KSO repeated appealed to solve the issue and had even organised a peaceful sit-in-protest followed by today’s total shutdown to draw his attention but no response has been received.

Therefore, we collectively decided to imposed sustain shutdown from 6 am of August 11 till the state government invites us for negotiation and initiate the process for solving the dispute amicably, he added.

No untoward incident has been reported till filing of this report.

Interestingly, the shutdown has been otherwise enjoyed by children and many other peoples. Some children were seen playing in the potholes water logging along the highway, some playing cricket and others loitering along highway has been witnessed.

IMPHAL | Aug 8

Expressing deep concern over the increasing rate of crime against women in the state, social welfare and cooperation minister, Nemcha Kipgen has asserted that there will be ‘Zero Tolerance’ against such crimes.

She gave assurance to take up all possible steps to deliver justice at the right time without any delay. To bring an end to any forms of violence against women, the minister urged the public for full cooperation in an emergency meeting convened at her residence along with various officials. 

The meeting took serious note of the custodial death of Mutum (o) Indira Devi wife of M. Ibohal Singh of Andro Khuman Leikai who was found dead hanging inside the toilet of the Andro police station earlier this month.

The meeting was attended by Manipur State Commission for Women, chairperson K. Sobita Devi, member of the commission, Ranjita Golmei and Manipur State Social Welfare Board, chairperson, M. Priyomala Devi.

Under the advice of the minister, the team of MSCW and MSSWB had conducted spot enquiries into the death of a homemaker, Sapam (O) Thounaojam Sumila of Utlou Mayai Leikai who was found dead on the 4th of this month after allegedly consuming caustic soda.

The team also took stock over the suspicious death of Bedamani Devi, wife of Th. Hemanta Singh of Koutruk Maning leikai, who was also found dead after she strongly raised disapproval when her husband sent their minor child to get liquor.

Taking into account of all these cases, the minister stated that those involved in all such forms of violence against women will not be spared under any circumstances. She strongly advised the team to take up necessary steps to curtail the increasing rates of crime against women in the state and to look into these matters with grave concern.

It may be mentioned that as per the reports by MSCW since June 2016, domestic violence tops the chart of the case registered in the commission, having registered 18 in numbers (two in the year 2016 and 16 in the year 2017).

The commission has solved 63 cases from the 78 cases registered. 15 cases are in process and 63 cases are disposed. So far, MSCW chairperson K Sobita Devi and her team had conducted a total number of 57 spot enquiries which includes suo moto cases, murder cases, rape cases, etc.

IMPHAL | Aug 8

The IGNTUSU-RCM has temporarily suspended its stir after coming to a partial agreement with regard to the demands laid down by the student’s body. The agreement was reached following a meeting with the VC of the tribal university with the student leaders.

A joint release signed by president of ATSUM, Vareiyo and IGNTUSU-RCM president, Khazi said a meeting was held today at Classic Grande with the VC, Prof T. V. Kattimani and representatives of ATSUM, KSO and ANSAM.

An assurance letter was given by the VC to solve all pertinent issues and development of the regional campus, and accordingly the student body agreed to temporarily suspends its stir. The VC shall visit the campus by September and the executive council meeting shall be held at the same time as per the letter received by the student body, said the release. 

Further it said temporary hostel accommodations shall be arranged and a committee constituting the student body has been formed in this regards. Advertisement for recruitment of permanent faculties for department of tribal studies and department of sociology and social anthropology shall also be initiated within a month of the issue of this press statement which shall also include recruitment of adequate non-teaching staffs, it added.  

However, the student bodies shall resume without further ado if the authorities concerned fail to deliver on the agreements within one month of this agreement, it added.

 It may be recalled that the student bodies have been demanding: initiation of construction works for hostels and staff quarters, appointment of permanent staffs for the department of sociology and department of social anthropology and department of tribal studies, and direct extension of their status to full contractual until such time as permanent posts are created.

IMPHAL | Aug 8

Th. Shyamkumar, minister MAHUD and forests & environment took serious note of the garbage dumped along the Indian side near the Indo-Myanmar friendship bridge.

Terming it as dangerous for the environment, the minister express fear that if the dumping continues, than in the coming years, the garbage could pollute the river which flows between the two countries and the neighbouring country may complain over the matter.

Speaking to the media Shyamkumar said earlier Moreh was under MAHUD department when it was under one town committee. He said there is a need for a meeting between the MAHUD officials and councillors for the introduction of solid waste management programme. He opined that necessary steps are needed to be taken up to stop pollution of the environment.

He also appreciated volunteers of Worker and Trainer’s Association, Moreh for voluntary cleaning the area.

He said the government will try providing the volunteers a vehicle to collect waste.

Earlier in a visit to Yaingangpokpi Lockhao wildlife sanctuary, Shyamkumar raised serious concern over the increase in number of illegal villages in the area. 

The sanctuary is located along the Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district which covers a total area of 184.8 sq kms. Terming it as unfortunate, Shyamkumar said the Haolenphai village has always been a disputed village as it lies in the border.

Speaking to the media the minister said he has spoken with the department officials in Moreh. He opined that enclosing of the sanctuary will further avoid illegal entry of people and installation of cameras would help in keeping records of the wildlife animals.

He also visited integrated check post, which is under construction. He was accompanied by department officials during the visit. The minister is on a two-day visit to the border town.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 8

Information and public relation minister, Thongam Biswajit Singh has urged that the existing media houses of the state do their duty well in providing credibility, trust and reliability in news reporting and to correct the government system.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of 1-year diploma course in journalism and mass communication, at DIPR complex, Moirangkhom.

The minister said that the media has a great responsibility in disseminating information as most people refers to newspapers and media houses for credibility and authentification of of news uploaded and found in social media.

The minister acknowledged the importance of media in the state and asserted that it is indeed the fourth pillar of democracy and power should be wisely maintained.

Giving the keynote address, director of IPR, Meghachandra Kongbam said that this is the first full-fledged program introduced by the IPR of the state.

The diploma course which is due to be started on August 10, has 30 students intake and has students enrolled from almost all the districts of the state, he said. The art of writing will be mainly focused so that the students will be fluent in their language construction even if they choose different media line be it radio, television, print, advertising and so on, he further cited.

There will be six different papers including reporting, advertising, different mediums of communication among others. After completing the course, the students will be sent to New Delhi for internship in leading media firms, he added.

Commissioner of IPR, K. Radhakumar Singh and deputy director, Chongtham Noyon Singh attended the function as president and guest of honour respectively.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 8

The Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal West today remanded the four accused persons who were arrested in connection with the Oinam Sawombung hooch tragedy, to judicial custody for 15 days.

Two of the accused mother and son identified as Bina Kamei (45) and Apu Kamei were the manufacturer of the alleged spurious liquor and the other two accused identified as Elangbam Imo (50) and Ashem Shyamkumar (50) were the vendor owners, which sold the liquor.

The defence counsel of the mother and son submitted bail application before the court.

The additional public prosecutor of the case said before the court that more time will be taken for further investigation of the case and to find the origin of the spurious liquor.

So he said that the accused persons should not be released until the investigation process is finished as the spurious liquor has led to death of five persons. The IO of the case prayed for remanding the four to judicial custody as investigation is in process.