Day: September 5, 2017

IMPHAL | Sept 5

All India Tanzeem-e-Insaaf (AITI), Lilong local council expressed strong condemnations against Yumnam Devjit, son of deputy CM, Yumnam Joykumar for posting inflammatory comments on Facebook against the followers of Islam religion. 

AITI strongly condemns the act of looking down upon the religion by portraying the important festival of Islam and its followers as inhuman and something to be dreaded upon, said a release. The organisation appealed the government to take actions against Devjit for hurting the religious sentiments of all Muslims, it said.  If the government plays the silent game on the issue, then AITI, Lilong local council along with civil society organisation of the state will take up extreme measures, it added.    

Meanwhile, All Manipur Muslim Development Committee also expressed condemnations against Devjit saying that his ignorance about secularism and federalism of a democratic country was very unfortunate, in a release. Devjit should not invite public outrage, but rather study how many followers of Islam are there in India, it said. The organisation appealed the government to draw its attention to the matter, it said adding AMMDC headquarters and all its units are prepared to take extreme measures if the state government remains a mute spectator.

A release by Muslim Council Manipur also condemned Devjit for the provocative comments in the social networking site. The deputy CM, Y. Joykumar must urgently give clarifications regarding the incident, it said adding that Devjit must be booked as per the law otherwise communal peace and harmony may become disrupted.

1. Joykumar and his son Y. Devjit must hold responsible if anything as such happens, it added.

Teaching system in state needs introspection, says Y. Joykumar

IMPHAL | Sept 5

Deputy chief minister, Y. Joykumar Singh along with education minister, Th. Radheshyam Singh led the people to pay floral tribute to the portrait of departed educationist and Bharat Ratna Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

 The State level observation was held at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) at Konung Mamang in Imphal. Speaking on the occasion, Y. Joykumar said there is a need to introspect the teaching system in the State. A lot of changes have been witnessed over a period of decades, he added.

In olden days, relationship between teachers and students were good enough to infuse knowledge. Competitive examinations were held regularly so that competitions among students increased a lot but in these days, it has been witnessing a change. He said good relationship between teachers and students are the key for an effective teaching and learning system.

Joykumar further said teachers should pay utmost care and love to the students as their children and at the same time students should also respect teachers as their parents so that a pleasant environment can be created for learning.

Teachers should not engage themselves only on formal teaching but to teach informal education like discipline and cleanliness to students. He appreciated the Green School Campaign undertaken by the education department in the State and appealed to take pledge by the teachers and students to teach and learn for a meaningful future.

Education minister Th. Radheshyam while speaking at the function said, teachers are the main contributing force that human resource development can be made possible in society. Keeping in view of the role played by the teachers, government is fully committed for their welfare. Their problems including transfer and posting, quarters in remote schools, service extension to the national and State awardees will soon be sorted out, he added.

On teaching and learning system in government Schools, Th. Radheshyam said there has been lack of extracurricular and co-curricular activities in schools which the government has taken care of and will try to revamp it soon.

Dhanamanjuri University bill and other two bills regarding regulation control and checking of private schools and private tuition centres will soon be implemented. Lauding the contributions made by private schools in education sector in the State, Th. Radheshyam appealed to all the stakeholders to co-operate with the government in bringing a major change in the sector in days to come.

Yumnam Radheshyam, chairman (MANIDCO & MANITRON) and T.T. Haokip, chairman, Hill Areas Committee of Manipur Legislative Assembly also spoke on the occasion.

Altogether, 10 teachers were awarded with State teachers’ award and teachers selected for their contributions in Green School Campaign were also felicitated in the function.

A book named “Education in Manipur” written by Dr. S. Jamini Devi was also released in the function. Principal secretary education(S) Vineet Joshi, commissioner (Higher & Technical Education) H. Deleep Singh, teachers and students participated in the function.

THOUBAL | Sept 5

Lamding Educated Welfare Association (LEWA), Lamding Khumanthem Leikai, Thoubal district distributed financial aid today to the differently abled persons living in the locality of Lamding Khumanthem Leikai.

11 differently abled persons were provided with the aid along with motivation and encouragement.

On the occasion, Sajida begum attended as the chief guest while the former pradhan of gram panchayat, Sangaiyumfam, part II, Md. Wahidur Rahman and social worker, Sorokhaibam Haridas attended as president and guest of honour respectively.

President, LEWA club, Sorokhaibam Ojit expressing the purpose of the programme, stated that the club is taking efforts to achieve its four different goals. They are measures against drugs, providing aid to differently abled persons, plantation of tree saplings, and measure to increase human resource.

The club is currently involved in its drive against drugs along with the people. Efforts to give proper directions to drug addicts are currently taken up. Above all, the club organised the programme today, not because it has a sufficient amount of funds but to provide motivation to the differently abled persons. The club will try to organise the programme every year, he said.

He further said that everybody should take off a little time out of their busy schedule to do some social work for the people. The differently abled people should not be looked down with discriminatory eyes, they should be given encouragement, he said. 

It may be mentioned that two members of club Khumanthem Manichandra and Heikham Thomas, who were actively involved in its drive against drugs were felicitated, especially for their heroic act of protecting the life of president of the club, S. Ojit who was recently attacked by a drug addict.    

IMPHAL | Sept 5

Thounaoujam Shyamkumar today raised concern over the rising crime against women in the State, especially on the social media. He encouraged girl students to concentrate in studies for a bright future.

The minister of forests and environment, MAHUD, town planning and horticulture and soil conservation, was speaking as the chief guest at the annual fresher’s meet (2017-2018) of GP Women’s college hostel at the DM college campus, Thangmeiband, Imphal West.

Th. Shyamkumar advised the girl students to study hard and maintain conducive atmosphere so that they can add value to their college. He also asked them to plant flowers and fruit bearing trees around the hostel campus.

As promised during his speech, Th. Shyamkumar kept his word by sending around 70 saplings of orange and lemon from the horticulture department for the hostel students which was appreciated by the teachers and students.

Addressing the gathering as the president of the function, Ksh. Rajeshwar Singh, superintendent, GP Women’s college hostel, said we have to maintain discipline in every sphere of our life to become a successful person.

He also drew the attention of the minister over the bad drainage system surrounding the hostel, established in 1965. B. Lalhari Sharma, principal, GP Women’s college, teaching and non-teaching staffs, and students attended the function. Cultural programmes were also showcased during the function.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Sept 5

The JAC of Ukhrul Town Affected Households of NH-102A has expressed its discontentment over the notification given by the deputy commissioner of Ukhrul stating that survey and identifications of owners to be affected in expansion of the road of Hungpung Junction to Hoomi has been completed.

The Ukhrul DC gave its notification on June 20 and the same notifications also invited for submission of claims and objections of correction or omissions within July 20. To address the grievances, the affected household formed the JAC on July 2, consisting of 242 households.

As per the convenor of JAC, A. S. Ningmi, the DC issued the notification without the knowledge and consent of the land owners which amounted to arbitrary use of power with no public hearing.

The JAC submitted a memorandum to Ukhrul DC voicing objection to the notification on July 12. The affected households members also submitted a representation to the regional officer, National Highway Authority of India,  Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Government of India, including the Ukhrul DC for initiating a new alignment of NH 102A at the eastern side of Ukhrul town. Further, the representation pointed out that the expansion of NH 102A in the heart of Ukhrul town as it is already congested and will be inconvenient to the public in general.

1. S. Ningmi has opined that a new alignment of the NH-102A at the eastern side of Ukhrul from Jail Road to Khaireng Kaphung-Muiyi-Shaokhak-Khararphung and to Talui will be more convenient concerning the future.

Secretary of the JAC, John Phungshok stated that the authority concerned has not responded so far in spite of the representation submitted. The size of the land is not expandable, however the population is increasing day by day and the numbers of vehicles is increasing rapidly which is a risk for pedestrian especially school going children, he added.

The JAC has called for immediate diversion of the NH-102A and immediate intervention of the authority concerned, and will organise campaigns and other democratic agitation if the grievances are not addressed.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 5

Joint action committee against the killing of one Oinam ongbi Tanu Devi (32) alleged her husband Oinam Chandrababu Singh and his family responsible for her death. Tanu passed away on September 2 under doubtful circumstances. 

The JAC along with the family member today carried out a protest rally from Tanu’s birth place Tera Sadokpam leikai towards the chief minister’s bungalow to submit a memorandum. The rally was blocked by a team of police personnel at near Tera Sayang Pukhri.

After moments of negotiation the rally continued and the agitators staged sit-in-protest at the west side of Kwakeithel bazar community hall.

Speaking to media person co-convenor of the JAC, Khumukcham ningol Langlen Leima recounted that Chandrababu’s elder brother called up Tanu’s mother at around 3.30 am on September 2, informing that Tanu has committed suicide by hanging herself on a Tamarind tree inside the residential premise of her husband.

On hearing the news, Tanu’s elder brother, Taorem Jayenta called back to the residence of Tanu and requested them not to take down the body from the tree until their reach the spot, she said.

When Jayenta reached the residence of Chandrababu, Thanga Karang Mangae Makhong police personnel was already there and the dead body was taken away to Bishnupur police station without the consent of Tanu’s family, Langlen added.

According to police personnel the body was already on the courtyard before they reach the crime scene, she added.

Langlen further said family members and Jayenta demanded for post-mortem as Tanu had died under doubtful circumstances. Consequently, Tanu’s body was taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) morgue for post-mortem.

“Jayenta and family members could sense pungent smell oozing out of Tanu’s body. They became more suspicious of foul play by Chandrababu and his family. During the process of post-mortem three scars were found on her dorsal side; one near the neck, two at the middle and lower back areas”, said Langlen.

Further the JAC co-convenor maintained that Tanu had frequent quarrel between her husband on the matter of dowry.  “The JAC strongly refute the police report of suicide as there are enough evidences that point to foul play by the husband’s family”, she added.

The stories narrated by the in-laws and husband of the deceased are all concocted to cover up their crime, Langlen asserted.

Meanwhile, the JAC submitted a memorandum to the chief minister demanding justice for the death. It demanded that a special investigating team (SIT) be formed to investigate into the matter hand over the findings to a fast-track court.

Investigation should be time bound within September 10 and the government should produce a white paper on this crime against women and should advise the SIT to act in conformity with the justice Verma Committee, Langlen demanded.

The dead body must not be handed without any proper investigation to both the parties, she said.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Sept 5

Strongly condemning the transfer of doctors from district hospital, Tamenglong while solving the demands of Nungba Area Joint Action Committee, civil societies of Tamenglong has convened a meeting at Zeliangrong Evangelistic Fellowship (ZEF), Tamenglong.

The meeting viewed the transfer and posting of doctors recently from Tamenglong district hospital despite of acute shortage of doctors in the district hospital, Tamenglong. The meeting also decided to serve ultimatum to chief minister of Manipur to depute adequate doctors within 72 hours.

In the name of solving the Nungba Area Joint Action Committee demands, the state government threw seeds of hatred among the people, the meeting observed.

In the meantime, a press statement issued by chairman of Zeliangrong Baudi Tamenglong Zone, Agipou Pamei, decried the transfer of two specialist doctors of Pediatics and Gynae from district hospital Tamenglong to CHC Nungba.

He said that the district hospital, Tamenglong is already understaffed and the transfer order is an act of no sympathy to the poor people of the hill district like Tamenglong but also undermines the fundamental right of the people of Tamenglong . There are hospitals and health centres in the valley where doctors and nurses are over staffed. The Zelianrgong people will not tolerate such disparity between the hills and the valley, he added.

The Zeliangrong Baudi demanded the authority concerned to depute adequate full time specialist doctors, staff nurses, technicians and others in the district hospital as per the guidelines of government of Manipur and in the interest of the general public.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 5

Victims of fake ‘Consumer Shop Keeper’ recruitment clarified that they have not cheated the public. On the other hand they have been duped by one B. Kulachandra Sharma who disguised himself as PDS director of Manipur Statehood General Amnesty Reliever’s Trust (MSGART).

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal one of the victims, Kangabam Bijiya said that Kulachandra visited different localities of the state as a part of survey to select PDS agent. In his fake recruitment drive, he selected 216 individuals from different districts including hill districts, she added.

He has taken Rs. 20,000 each from the 216 individuals and asked them to collect Aadhaar card copies, passport photos and amount of Rs 100 from peoples of their respective localities to make their PDS card, Bijiya pointed out.

She continued that all the victims did not have any contact with Kulachandra earlier as they were introduced by their friends to him.

Bijiya said that the money which has been collected by the victims from the public for making so called PDS card will be refunded shortly. She appealed to the public to restrain from resorting to any untoward action against them (victims) as they were duped by the same self-proclaimed director of MSGART.

It may be mentioned that the Kulachandra was arrested yesterday be Sekmai police following a complaint lodged by state BJP scheduled caste morcha, general secretary, Khwairakpam Robin.

The complaint stated that MSGART director has collected huge amount of money from the public in name of fake schemes and projects.

Earlier when the general secretary visited the trust’s office he found a signboard that wrote “Under CBI Supervision” and the staff of the trust driving a vehicle inscribed “Government of India.”

The director said to the general secretary that the trust work under the instruction of one FCI Northeast India dealer, Naorem (O) Chaningkhombi alias Nungshitombi of Nongmeibung Nambam Chuthek.

During investigation by authority concerned, it was found that the name of the trust is not registered and it was established in December 2016 and has collected amount to Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1, 00,000 from around 200 individuals.

And moreover the authority concerned found that the trust obliged those people who are interested in becoming agents to write an affidavit leasing away their land for 20 years.

Is PWD ridiculing government rules?  

 By Paojel Chaoba

IMPHAL | Sept 5

The state government had decided to remove all re-engaged retired employees except for a few who have been screened by a committee and approved for re-engagement. Only five individuals having vast experience and technical knowledge were approved for re-engagement at the public works department.

 At present, however, a retired person who is not approved nor screened by the committee is holding office as deputy secretary of the public works department till date. Deriding the government’s re-engagement process, the works department has retained one Th. Amalkumar Singh as deputy secretary. Sources mentioned that the said official retired on December 31, 2013.

It may be recalled the state cabinet in a meeting held on April 3 last decided to do away with re-engagement of government servants by giving one month’s notice as per the contract agreement. A committee was also set up chaired by the chief secretary, principal secretary (Finance) and the commissioner (Department of Personnel) to identify the need based engagement in respect of technical posts.

The committee met the government heads of departments concerned on April 6, 2017 and scrutinised the need of re-employment on a case to case basis. After threadbare discussion, the committee decided to recommend for discontinuation of all re-engagements after retirement except for those cases whose services have been deemed indispensable in dealing with matters which require vast experience and knowledge of the subject.

As per recommendations of the committee, only five individuals were approved for re-engagement in the works department.

They were identified as senior division accounts officers O. Manihar Singh, Ch. Nabakumar, N. Kumarjit Singh, L. Shyamjai Singh and L. Thoiba Singh. These are the five approved engagements and re-engaged as there is acute shortage of experienced staff in the PWD accounts section. Their extension is till December 2017.

Commissioner of finance department Vivek Kumar Dewangan had intimated the works commissioner on May 11, 2017 that any case of re-engagement which was not brought to the notice of the screening committee shall be deemed terminated with effect from May 31, 2017 onwards.

A compliance report was sought by Dewangan from the works department for necessary pay implementation by May 20, 2017.

A permission from the chief engineer was sought by Th. Amalkumar for an e-tender process on August 24, 2017. The question is as per notification of VK. Dewangan, all retired and re-employed personnel would be terminated by May 31, 2017 except for the named five individuals.

But, Th. Amalkumar continues in office till date. On what capacity is the retired person attending office and under whose authority? Who is providing salary for him? These are some of the questions raised from a certain concerned source.

TAMENGLONG | Sept 5

Due to the recent excessive rainfall, a massive landslide occurred at New Lambulane, Tamenglong Ward No. III, in the night of September 4. However there was no human casualty in the incident.

The incident occurred at around 10:30 pm and destroyed a kitchen of one person named Ramjonang, whose few kitchen items, a pig sty and pigs were also destroyed, however few piglets were rescued. Some land portion of Mathiubu Panmei was also affected.

Moreover, the short cut road from New Lambulane to Bazaar road has also been completely blocked.

In the meantime, New Lambulane village authority urged the authority concerned to look into the loss of properties caused by the natural calamity and to clear the landslide at the earliest.