Day: September 14, 2017

IMPHAL | SEP 14 (NNN)

In an effort to strengthen the ongoing movement against the new districts created by the then Congress led government, Nagas including village chiefs today conglomerated at Kanglatongbi and held consultation on the matter.

After a day-long consultation an ‘Adhoc Committee’ was formed to carry out wide contact campaigns in order to further hold bigger consultative meetings where all the ‘adversely’ affected people by the new districts will be participated and to take future course of action.

Today‘s consultative meeting strongly condemned the creation of new districts by the previous state government. The programme was organised by Tangkhul Naga Aze Longphang or Southern Tangkhul Naga Union, Manipur. The organisers said that they were doing this in understanding with the United Naga Council (UNC).

Senior advocate Daniel Ramsan and Southern Tangkhul Naga Union advisor Vareso Ningshen attended as resource persons.

After deliberate discussions, the participants reaffirmed to stand united to counter the state governments’ intentions and policies to “grab the land of the Nagas”.

Vareso said, “On understanding the rights of the land and knowing the fact that new districts creation is illegal it is our responsibility to understand the constitutional rights and law before it is too late”.

Vareso also said that Nagas should “foresee our future while understanding the current situation and issues”.

Further he told the gathering that it is “our duty and responsibility to disseminate our issues, rights and grievances to the governor so that our issues can be addressed”.

According to him, in hill areas, the 6th Schedule of Autonomous District Council is applicable under section 3(1) (d) of the District Council Act 1972. In order to create new districts in the hills whether for district administrative convenience, 6th schedules should be applied, he added.

He continued land holding system is bound by the customary law in the hills under the provision of Autonomous Hills Districts Council Act, 1972. He also recalled that several MoUs have been signed with the Naga representatives and Government of Manipur on creation of new districts in the naga inhabitated areas. On violation all such MoUs the government created the district, he claimed.

Vareso observed that when MLR and LR Act is enforced in the hill areas, the land holding laws (customary law) and chieftainships will be definitely overside.

Also speaking on the occasion as a resource person, advocate Daniel Ramsan said that Manipur has been functioning in two assemblies – the Manipur Legislative Assembly and Hill Areas Committee (HAC).  He said that hill related problems should be addressed in the HAC, he said.

Under section 3 of the District Council Act, 1972 “there should be only six districts”, he pointed out. Land is the end of everything, Daniel Ramsan added.

After considering from the resource persons and speakers, they resolved to form committee or JAC against the creation of five new districts without legal sanction.

While STNU chairman, Shomi Angkang has been appointed as convenor of the Adhoc committee while Thangal Tribe Union president, Dr Chand Thangmi, Chiru Tribe Union president Ph Zatak and Stoneson Ringkangmai have been appointed as co-convenors of the committee.

IMPHAL | Sept 14

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh assessed various development projects being taken up in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts in a marathon review meeting held at the CM’s Secretariat today.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief minister cautioned the officials not to take the decisions taken in the meeting for granted. He asked them to invest maximum effort to translate the decisions into action within the stipulated time.

He also instructed the DCs to monitor all the developmental works being taken up in their respective districts and forward the progress of the works with the names of work agencies and latest photographs to him on weekly basis.

He directed the district level officers to inform the inadequacies and grievances by directly writing to the Administrative Secretary concerned through the DC concerned immediately.

Further N. Biren continued that the State revenue department must be the sole authority to initiate necessary procedures for the creation of new revenue villages. 

However, approval of the State Cabinet must be made mandatory to create any new revenue village, the chief minister said while instructing the chief secretary to issue an official order regarding the matter.

Regarding the present status of roads and other projects being taken up in the district under PWD, another review meeting will be held at the CM’s Secretariat on September 23.

 In view of the grim situation of power supply in Kamjong district, the Chief Minister instructed the chief secretary to convene a special meeting with the officials concerned to enhance the power situation in the district.

He also directed to accelerate distribution of LED bulbs under Ujala Yojana in the two districts.

 The chief minister also asked Ukhrul DC to initiate necessary measures regarding forest conservation at water sources like Shirui and other places in consultation with local MLAs, CVO leaders and villagers to enable sustainable tapping of water.

He also asked the DC and PHED officials to take up necessary steps to commission water supply scheme at Kamjong in consultation with the local MLA at the earliest.

 He also instructed the PHED officials to construct a bore well each at the compounds of Pettigrew college and district hospital.

Biren said that necessary fund would be released as soon as possible to complete the district sports complex, Ukhrul before Christmas.

The chief minister further said that necessary funds would be provided through State home department to accelerate the pace of Aadhar enrolment.

He also gave strict instruction to the officials and agency concerned to achieve 100 per cent enrolment by November end this year.

The chief minister also instructed the director of CAF and PD to prepare proposals for the construction of godowns in the hill districts where there are no food godowns of the State government.

1. Biren also instructed Kamjong SP to prepare a report on the requirements of the district police in consultation with the DC and submit it to the additional chief secretary (Home).

Ukhrul DC, Harmit Singh Pahuja and Kamjong DC, Kengoo Zuringla made a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the status and action plan of various developmental activities of the two districts.

The meeting which began at 10 am and continued till 1:45 pm was attended by Chingai A/C MLA and parliamentary secretary (Transport and Planning) Khashim Vashum, Ukhrul A/C MLA, Alfred K. Arthur, chief secretary, R.R. Rashmi, administrative secretaries, DCs of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, Kamjong SP, head of departments and other officials concerned.

IMPHAL | Sept 14

The Coordinating Body of Trade Unions, Manipur (CBTUM) today discussed strategies to deal with the new economic reforms of the central government at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul. Chairman of CBTUM, L. Sotinkumar said the neo liberal economic policy of Narendra Modi government has changed the system of economy and the lower sections of the population are in the receiving end.

The GST tax reforms, new labour policies, plan to privatise all banks among others have direct or indirect effect especially to the workers.

He added that the meeting condemned the economic reforms brought by the Modi led government in the country. Workers will launch different kinds of agitation countrywide, he announced.

In the joint meeting of all workers from different departments like banks, home guards, traders, Sotin announced that starting with conventions and leaflet and poster campaigns, agitations will be launched in front of Parliament in New Delhi from November 9-11.

He further noted that Manipur’s workers will also take part in that agitation on November 9.

The function was attended by president of All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur, Moirangthem Nara Singh, L. Purojit Singh general secretary of MGEF, Rajen Singh, president of MGEF, Kshetrimayum Santa, president of Trade Union Coordination Centre, Manipur, bank employees representative, Chanungbam Lilabanta and president of home guard association, Y. Mangi as presidium members.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 14

Deputy chief minister, Y. Joykumar said that the most important aspect of the medical profession is to follow the ethics of the profession.

He was delivering the chief guest speech today at the observation of the 46th foundation day of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) at RIMS jubilee hall, Lamphel.

The deputy chief minister said that RIMS as one of the best healthcare institutes in the country and most of the professionals who has passed out from this institute got high position jobs in various departments and are serving the nation with great dedication.

He claimed that the institute is way ahead from other medical colleges across the county as an undergoing MBBS student in RIMS can attend a patient with full confidence but on the other hand an MBBS student passed out from other institution does not have the confidence to attend a patient.

Stating that majority of the people of the state depends on government hospitals for treatment as treating in private hospitals is costly Joykumar asked the staffs of RIMS to treat the patients with dedication and care.

The deputy chief minister said that the government will extend its support to improve the infrastructure and man power of the institute to make it one of the best health care institutes.

The president of the function Rajya Sabha MP, Ksh. Bhabananda said that as RIMS is the premier healthcare sector in the North East, the institute plays an important role in uplifting the health sector not only for the state but also for the whole North East region.

Stating that health and education are one of the most important sectors as it plays a big role in bringing development of the society he assured that he will take up the issue of lack of infrastructures of RIMS to the central government to make it as one of the best healthcare institutes.

Gold medals and certificates were distributed to meritorious students and a journal of RIMS Medical Society was released.

The function was attended by RIMS former associate professor, Dr. E. Nandini Devi, RIMS director, A. Santa, RIMS medical superintendent, Ch. Arunkumar, RIMS professor, Kh. Krishna Pramodini as guests of honour.

IMPHAL | Sept 14

Patanjali Ayurved Limited may soon provide a global market for the black rice (Chak-hao) grown in Manipur and other horticulture products of the State. A delegation led by Acharya Balkrishna, managing director of Patanjali Food was accorded warm welcome on his maiden visit to Imphal today. 

Th. Shyamkumar, horticulture and soil conservation minister, J. Suresh Babu, additional chief secretary (Horticulture and Soil Conservation), K. Kipgen, director horticulture and soil conservation along with department officials and State Patanjali members received Balkrishan at the airport.

Later at Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong, a presentation was given by director K. Kipgen on the points – key herbs, seasons, area of cultivation and prices of the herbs cultivated in the State and why Manipur is favourable for pineapple juice plant.

Th Shyamkumar, speaking at the gathering, expressed happiness over the maiden visit of Balkrishna in the State. Stating that the Manipur is abundant in Horticulture products like ginger, black rice, turmeric, pineapple, he appealed to the Patanjali team to buy products from the State and ensured that the faithful farmers of the State are ready to supply the required amount.

He appealed to the Patanjali team to help in promoting products of the State as there is no market.

In his presentation, K. Kipgen said that by default organic cultivation of pineapple is done in the State and it is famous for its high quality of juice content. He said the State is able to produce 1, 28,361 metric tonnes (MT) of pineapple.

In the coming years, the Horticulture Department is setting a target to take new plantation area of pineapple to over 1200 hectare under CSS-MIDH Scheme and another 600 hectare will be added under Central Scheme of MOVCD-NER. Key producing cluster in the State are Andro, Thayong, Waithou, Chiru, Thiyam, Konjin in Imphal East district, Salungpham, Tairenbikhok, Saram, Poirou Tangkhul in Thoubal and Khousabung in Churachandpur.

Suresh Babu who also spoke on the occasion said the first priority will be given to local products which can be processed in the State. Secondly the products which cannot be processed here can be taken to Patanjali and other nearest processing units.

Suresh Babu said it is time that the local products are given value addition, processed here and also exported in South East Asia through Imphal-Moreh National Highway which is also the Trans Asian Highway No. 1.

Stating that the State’s biggest challenge is the lack of storage and transportation, Suresh Babu said that about 20-25 percent of perishable agricultural products are wasted due to lack of storage facility which he termed as “unwanted situation”. He said in case a unit comes up in the State, we need to ensure that farmers are able to supply the required products.

Acharya Balkrishna said that despite the abundance of natural products, the State and the farmers are not receiving full benefits due to long distance from the mainland India. He said that, Patanjali will help in taking the products of the State to the corners of the world and will fully cooperate in making the dreams of the Horticulture Department come true.

Later, minister Th. Shyamkumar along with Acharya Balkrishna and Patanjali team went to look for sites for medicinal plant and pineapple juice extraction plant at Andro, Thoubal and Muirei village in Ukhrul district.

By A Correspondent 

IMPHAL | Sept 14

A youth from Manipur, identified as Pravish Chanam (22) son of Ch. Jugindro of Uripok Achom Leikai who had been missing for the last five days at Noida was found cremated by authority of Dr. BR Ambedkar hospital in Noida.

It is learned that the hospital authority had cremated the body of Pravish without informing any family members despite a missing report being filed to the police.

In this regard, the victim family had called on the chief minister, N. Biren this evening and apprised him of the case. N. Biren assured that he will inform the Home ministry and other authority concerned to find out the truth behind the mysterious death.

It may be recalled that Pravish had gone to Delhi on September 7 and stayed at his friend Ashok Thounaojam’s Safdarjung residence. The following day in the evening, Pravish went to attend a musical concert at Noida.

Pravish and his friends including Ashok Thounaojam along with two others had gone to attend the concert.

Later, around 9.30 pm, Ashok and his friends found that Pravish was missing and accordingly his elder brother Ravikanta Chanam was notified following which a missing report was filed at Knowledge Park police station at Gautam Budh district of Uttar Pradesh on September 9.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem report conducted on September 11, read Pravish died of “haemorrhage and head injuries.”The report also said that the time of death is “2 to 3 days” ago.

CCTV footages of the hospital showed a dizzy and a slightly abnormal Pravish being brought into the hospital at around 10.30 pm of September 8, said his elder brother Ravikanta.

He was later seen going outside the hospital the next day in the morning, September 9.

On the other hand, North East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) Convenor Khumukcham Chinglen, who voluntarily had been searching for Pravish for the last five days with family members of the victim said it was found that Pravish was admitted to the hospital by one Dr. Amit, who is yet to be identified.

However, the hospital refused to show any medical documents about the admission of Pravish, said NEFIS convenor Chinglen, adding police personnel located opposite the hospital refused to cooperate when friends of the deceased searched the site by distributing photos of the deceased.

He further said according to police, a call was received by the police in the early morning about the presence of an injured person on September 9 itself and then took the body to the hospital.