Day: September 19, 2017

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Sept 19

While construction works along Imphal-Tamenglong road are yet to be fully completed under North Eastern Council programme, the road is already beginning to crumble.

Construction work along the road, commonly known as I.T. Road, started in 2014 with an estimated budget of Rs. 78 crore, passing through the greenery of Twilang area covering more than 70 villages within a stretch of 70 Km from Kangpokpi to Tamei. Altogether, the road passes through three assembly constituencies, Kangpokpi, Tadubi and Tamei where two of the elected MLAs from the constituencies hold ministerial portfolio in the present state government.

The sub-standard quality construction of the road and absence of proper drainage had been badly affected by Cyclone Mora and incessant heavy rainfall which disappointed many people. The I.T. Road Joint Monitoring Development Committee, a conglomeration of all communities including Kuki, Naga and Nepalese have condemned the poor construction of the road on behalf of the Twilang people.

Chairman of I.T. Road Joint Monitoring Development Committee, Thangminlen Kipgen led a team of local civil bodies including media personnel to inspect the deplorable condition of I.T. Road today.

He said that in spite of covering two districts and three assembly constituencies, I.T. Road is one of the most neglected state highways in the state even if it has been looked after by the two ministers and one MLA under the state ruling party.

He also said that nothing much has been done so far though the construction of the road is funded by the North Eastern Council after being neglected by the state government for many years.

He further urged the state government to rebuild the trust deficit by repairing the road immediately before all the electorates who have voted the party to power have completely loss faith upon them.

Expressing his discontentment, an aged local, Thonglang Atongba said “during election campaign they promised to make the road vibrant for the people but when they are elected we never see them again compelling us to live under such harsh condition owing to the deplorable road”.

General secretary of KSO Sadar Hills, Ngamkhohao Haokip said that lackadaisical attitude of the state government towards the people of Twilang areas is condemnable and urged the chief minister to personally intervene into the matter and monitor the hardships of the people.

Many rivers flowing above danger level

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 19

With incessant rains in the last few days, Thoubal river, Nambol river and Ithai barrage have crossed danger level and Nambul river has crossed warning level. Many paddy fields in valley areas are inundated with farmers fearing heavy loss of crop. 

According to the control room of Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD), today’s rainfall was recorded at 6 am as Raj Bhavan – 10mm, Lamphel – 12mm, Kangpokpi – 13 mm, Saikul – 7mm, Litan – 10mm and Jiribam – 2mm. At around 1:30 pm, all the gates of the barrage were opened up due to rise in water level.

Rainfall recorded yesterday at Raj Bhavan – 12mm, Lamphel – 14mm, Kangpokpi – 21 mm, Saikul – 18mm, Litan – 20mm and Jiribam – 4mm, and only Gate No.  3 of Ithai barrage was opened.

Today’s rainfall was less as compared with yesterday but some parts of the state were overflowed with water. The National Highway 37 has blocked due to landslide in between Kotlein and Senam village. Some parts of Thoubal Mela ground and the road of Sagolband Thangapat, Impahl West have also inundated with water.

IFCD control room further reported that the water levels of most of the rivers have been increasing. For assistance people can get help from control room of the department at 0385-2451550.

Our Thoubal correspondent adds:

Areas under Kakching and Thoubal district are facing flood like situations due to the heavy rainfall since yesterday, the Chakpikarong Bridge broke apart, Thoubal and Wangjing Rivers are running at warning levels. Farmers fear loss of harvest as many paddy fields are waterlogged. 

The rain has heavily affected the Sugnu assembly constituency under Kakching district. The flood caused by water being overflowed from Chakpi River has severely affected the ward number I including Awang Leikai under Sugnu municipal council and also at other areas under ward number II, III, IV, and V including Wapoki under ward number IX.

At Wapokpi, the water has submerged the Imphal – Sugnu roadway at waist level, vehicles and passenger services have stopped passing it. The water has started flowing into the houses. The villagers have started building relief camps at Sugnu Higher Secondary School and already moved in also.

The Serou River also being inundated, several areas at Serou are under the threat of facing flood. Many paddy fields at Chirel Khunou under Sugnu district are waterlogged. The Tarang river overflowed at Kakching khunou and waterlogged many paddy fields including the ones where the rice is at their ripening stage.

Similar situations are also being faced at Wangoo as Imphal River (Manipur River) got breached.

The MLA of Sugnu assembly constituency, K. Ranjit and deputy commissioner Telen Neiminthang Kom took an inspection drive today to assess the situation at affected areas under Sugnu district.

In the meantime, Sekmai river breached near Keirak dam under Keirak ward number IV/VIII, Wabagai assembly constituency, Kakching district. It has caused waterlogging at many paddy fields including houses.  The area at Wabagai Thingel Leikai which was breached before during the previous flood breached again today around 10 am at a length of 30 feet, making the villagers face flood like situation again.   

Since the Sekmai River is still increasing its water level, several areas are under the possibility of facing flood.  It has already overflowed at Pallel area causing waterlogging at many places. A police team led by the SDPO of Kakching district police, Th. Deshorjeet provided help in a large scale while trying to build barrages at Keirak and transporting the household properties of many villagers affected by flood.

At Sora, the water which flowed in from the hills waterlogged the Sora Market, halting all activities in the area. Several paddy fields at Yaithibi Loukon under Lousi Pat are also submerged. Similar situations are also being faced Langathel as Lagathel river breached.

 Meantime, flood like situations are also being faced at Thoubal district. The Wangjing river overflowed at Sangaiyumfam area under Khangabok assembly constituency, causing flood at houses and properties. The MLA of the assembly constituency, O. Surjakumar came to assess the situation and took part in trying to construct barrages.

The house of one Moirangthem Ibohal at Tentha Marongbandh was badly damaged by a landslide that occurred due to the rain. At Wangjing, the villagers of Wangjing Awang Leikai are currently facing fear of flood as the water level of Wangjing River is rising at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, the water level of Thoubal River is also flowing at warning level; people residing near the banks of the river are taking precautions for any incoming flood.

The RCC bridge built above Chakpi river under Chandel district was broken apart along with the south bank of the river. It may be mentioned that the half of the bridge was carried away by the river in 2015. The broken part was being fixed with mud and stones. However, the incessant rain washed away the half-repaired portion of the bridge again.         

Our Ukhrul correspondent adds

The incessant rain for the past few days has caused massive landslides at various places. Localities and villages have been cut off, supply of ration and other commodities in far flung area are facing immense problems.

Today at around 3 pm landslides occurred at various intersections at viewland zone IV, Ukhrul. Vehicles are unable to pass through their locality.

Kaphungkan K. Shimray, headman of Chingai informed that landslide between Ngahui and Chingai block headquarter has cut off the movement of vehicle and people from the area are facing problems in transporting basic commodities and ration stock.  He also added that landslides at various intersections between Chingai-Poi-Huishu area have occurred due to the heavy rainfall in the past three four days.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Sept 19

Three days Entrepreneurship Development Training on Orchids for Women and Youths was kicked off on September 18 at FEEDS, KVK Hengbung to inculcate awareness and knowledge of orchids and its importance of preservation for livelihood among the hills people.

The training programme was jointly organised by Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Government of India, Guwahati and Foundation for Environment and Economic Development Services (FEEDS), Hengbung. It was formally inaugurated by DC of Kangpokpi, T. Ranjit Singh at FEEDS, KVK Campus, Hengbung in the presence of former minister and president of FEEDS/KVK Hengbung, Haokholet Kipgen and other officials. Altogether, around 100 women and youths from across the district of Kangpokpi and Senapati participated in the training programme.

1. Ranjit Singh appreciated the encouraging activities of FEEDS and its establishment of Orchid Research and development Centre (ORDC) at FEEDS Hengbung while stressing the immense potential of natural resources that bestowed the state and the opportunity to explore with economic benefits.

Project organiser of FEEDS Hengbung, Lallenmang Singsit said that importance on preservation of orchids for livelihood of the people will be stressed out through awareness programme, training and workshops.

The orchids are unique recourses of Manipur which has become an economically important plant for the hill people in the state which could also serve as a source of income, he added.

Singsit also stated that the plant has been much harassed and pushed to extinction owing to the ignorance of the people. He further said that ORDC has been established by president of FEEDS, Hengbung, H. Kipgen with an aim to identify such plant and preserves to promote its essence.

IIE is the only official body which can impart entrepreneurial skills for the young farmers of the hill communities. The participants will be trained by faculties from IIE, Guwahati and IIE Manipur state coordinator as resource persons and all the trainees shall be given a certificate from Indian Institute of Entrepreneur, Guwahati, Government of India, said Singsit.

IMPHAL | Sept 19

MLA and director of Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited (TCML), Sapam Ranjan Singh has been appointed as the chairman of the Tourism Corporation of Manipur Limited with immediate effect, in pursuance of the general body meeting of the board of directors of TCML held on June 3, 2017 at the office chamber of the chief secretary, government of Manipur. This is in accordance to a government order issued today.

From Our Correspondent

JIRIBAM | Sept 19

Womenfolk of Tousem sub-division blocked the NH- 37 at Tatbung today from 5 am, condemning the recent attack by heavily armed unknown miscreants at the camp of UTLA/UTLF.

The outfit which has been under suspension of operation with MoU signed between the state government and Indian government has its base camp located at the Peace Panel Camp, Liesahangphai under Moktokkhal, Tousem sub-division, Tamenglong district.

In the attack two cadres of UTLA/UTLF along with a pregnant woman were killed on September 17.

Speaking to this reporter at the protest site, protesters Kimlhinng and Kimkho said that the incident was heart breaking and they strongly condemn the incident where three persons including a pregnant woman were killed.

They further said that the state government must look into the matter and arrest the culprits involved in the killing, otherwise the National Highway 37 will be block indefinitely.

Meanwhile, the president, M. Tombabu Singh and general secretary, Sanasam Pratap of All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers’ Union, Jiribam visited the protest and appealed to the women folks not to treat harshly to the drivers of Tata trucks as they may not know of the protest and not to pelt stones to trucks and damage them.

Private Mangminlen (22), son of Kaimang from Buolzol village, Churachandpur, Ngamboi (21), son of Demlun, from Inbung village, Nagaland and Hatshi (25), wife of private Chochon from Buolzol village, Churachandpur were killed in the attack.

IMPHAL | Sept 19

North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) activists along with a several Northeast students from Satyawati college (Evening) submitted a memorandum to the principal of the college demanding exemption from the Compulsory Hindi Test.

A release terming the move of Satyawati college as administrative overreach, it said such a measure is in contravention with resolution number 10 passed by the University’s Academic Council on July 19, 2016. NEFIS submitted the evidence of the Academic Council resolution following which the principal assured that the decision to impose the test on Northeast students will be withdrawn. 

It maintained that students from the Northeast should not be forced to give Hindi proficiency test, who are not from the Hindi-speaking belt. The said notice was served on September 14 by the college authorities.

IMPHAL | Sept 19

Department of personnel and administrative reforms (Personnel Division), government of Manipur has promoted MCS (JAG) officers as ‘joint secretaries’ to the government of Manipur.

A release said the selection has been made on recommendation of the selection committee in a meeting held on September 11.

The officers and their respective departments are, L. Darsino Aimol in CADA/labour and employment, Rangitabali Waikhom in transport/power, Yumnam Robita in finance, Arambam Valentina in health and PD, MACS, Nivedita Lairenlakpam in finance, Lourembam Bikram in finance/DP and director of MIS, L. Nandakumar Singh in ASPD/RMSA and Education (S), Rachel N. Guite in finance/DP, A. Subhash Singh in science and technology, ND, MSCB, Laltanpuii Vachhong in commerce and industry/Vety and AH, Anna Arambam in DP/ACR/CADA and in-charge director of printing stationery, Ranjan Yumnam in CAF and PD and In-charge director, Rangnamei Rang Peter in vety/health and FW, Kimjalhai Kipgen in YAS/Higher Technical Education and OSD (RUSA), Mercina R. Panmei in Tourism, CM’s monitoring cell and director of MIDA and Hannah Kahmei in PHE.

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | Sept 19

State woman filmmaker, Sonia Nepram’s non-fiction film ‘Bloody Phanek’, is all set for world premiere.

The film will hit the big screen this month during the 9th DMZ international documentary film festival 2017, which will be held at Gyeonggi-do in South Korea from September 20 – 28.

Speaking to the Imphal Free Press over the phone, Sonia expressed her excitement on getting the news of her film being selected for the prestigious international festival. “It has been an arduous journey with full of trials and tribulations.

 Besides the excitement of the festival, I feel so happy to complete the film”, she said, adding it took her three years to complete it.

Sonia continued, “The subject of the film is very close to me being a woman. Also I have to mention that it is a collective story telling of a team, and I wish the film is screen in more and more places.”

On being asked about the funding of the film, Sonia said Docedge Kolkata has been very helpful for building the much needed network through the pitching session in Imphal. “It is a very good opportunity for documentary filmmakers who are resource starved”, she added.  

Organised under the theme of ‘Peace, Life, Communication’, the festival features 114 films from 42 countries. The 52-minute ‘Bloody Phanek’ has been selected in the Global Vision Section (World Premiere category) of the festival.

Sonia will also be attending the premieres at Gyeonggi-do. It will be screened on September 26 and 28 at the festival.

Produced and directed by Sonia under the banner of Yelhoumee Pictures, ‘Bloody Phanek’ started with a pitching programme in 2014 at the Manipur State Film Development Society held under the aegis of the Docedge Kolkata and the Television and Cine Foundation, Manipur.

It was further pitched at the Docedge Kolkata, Asian Forum for Documentary, where the Mumbai-based Filament Pictures offered the Chandy Mathew Grant for outreach support for the film.  Then, in 2015, it was invited to pitch at the DMZ Docs Fund South Korea where ‘Bloody Phanek’ received the support grants.

The film explores the inherent concept of impurity in a phanek while examining how it is used as a medium of protest and challenges masculinity. It is Sonia second film.

Her debut film ‘Gun and a God’ that was released online in 2013 had won the Jury’s Choice Award at the Mumbai Women’s International Film Festival (MWIFF).

IMPHAL | Sept 19

Education minister Th. Radheshyam, has shared his views on education at the Asian Summit on Education and Skills (ASES) Conference 2017, Mumbai. He spoke as the sole speaker from India at the annual event participated by leaders, experts, educators and policy makers dedicated to education and skills sector in Asia.

In today’s session of ‘The International Education and Skill Summit 2017’, Radheshyam spoke on the agenda ‘Education Policy Priorities on the next 24 months’. In the agenda, views and ideas of policy priorities were discussed focusing the rapid changes affecting technology’s impact, societal changes, balancing knowledge and skill developments and changing economies.

Among the speakers that had come from across Asia including speakers Md. Hadi Hedayati from Afghanistan, Kumari Weerasekara from Sri Lanka, Carl Johan Westring from Education First, and Luis Pinto from Learn Capital.

ASES is a partner event of the Education World Forum in London. The organiser and region partner is India Didactics Association (IDA), the only exclusive membership association in India for the education and training fraternity.

The Asian Summit on Education & Skills (ASES) brings together influential leaders, eminent educationists and other key stakeholders to create an unparalleled platform for exchange of dialogues on policy, implementation of future practices and new growth drivers that are revolutionising the education and training sector in Asia.

ASES recognises the needs and desires of governments (national and state) in the region to develop education at all levels. It also focuses on the ability of major industry players to play key roles in making change happen taking into account the value of a regional summit to build consensus and promote confidence among decision-makers in their routes to successful policies and in the industry partners who can help them.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 19

The JAC against the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) fresh recruitment will tomorrow shut down all the MSPDCL offices across the state demanding to give first priority to the contract employee working in MSPDCL in its fresh recruitment.

Speaking to the media today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal the JAC’s general secretary, Surfaraj said that around 600 employees are working under contract basis from the past 2 to 5 years and have been doing the jobs of the regular employees.

They are working with full dedication and effort and moreover three employees who were working under the contract basis died by electric shock while performing their duties and many have remained paralysed, he added.  

It is learned that MSPDCL will recruit some regular employee without giving any opportunities to the employee working under contract basis, continued the general secretary.

Regarding the matter they have requested to the government and the officials concerned to give priority to them but there is no positive reply from the government, said Surfaraj.

He added that they have taken up agitation by ceasing their work from September 13 and have decided to shut  down the MSPDCL offices by tomorrow as a part of intensifying their agitation.

He announced that the employees working in contract basis will not be fixing any defects in transformer, HT wire, short circuit etc until the government gives positive reply.

The JAC urged to the MSPDCL and officials concerned to intervene and reverse the notification to appoint new employees and to convert their contract into a regular work.

Newmai News Network

SHILLONG |Sep 19

North Eastern Council (NEC), secretary Ram Muivah today said that the Northeast like always was left out of the ‘Green revolution’ and so the NE and the eastern region needs yet another green revolution to transform the lives of the farmers and the populace.

Ram Muivah said this while addressing a national seminar on Smart Farming for Enhancing Input Use Efficiency Income and Environmental Security at ICAR, Umiam in Meghalaya today.

Pointing out that the green revolution has brought about a remarkable change in states like Punjab, Haryana, the western regions of the country and Andhra Pradesh, Ram Muivah said, “The Northeast region vitally needs another green revolution”.

Stating that before the green revolution the country had shortage of food grain and depended on imports, Ram Muivah said that with the green revolution the country became food grain surplus, however the region has been left out and it needs such revolution.

The three-day national seminar will highlight on the theme “Smart Farming for Enhancing Input Use Efficiency Income and Environmental Security”. The National Seminar will witness brain storming sessions from more than 300 participants from all over India.

Agricultural diversification, processing and value addition along with entrepreneurship development and smart marketing linkages will play a key role for doubling farmers’ income and to achieve the Prime Ministers vision of food surplus India.

Earlier director of ICAR SV. Ngachan said that technology needs to be upgraded for the hilly region because the topography of the region requires special attention.

“The technical and brain storming sessions will give a new direction towards the agricultural development and enhance farmers’ income,” Ngachan added.

Former vice vhancellor, YSPUH&F, Solan K. R. Dhiman, stressed on the implementation of rain-water harvesting, micro irrigation system, and drip irrigation methods to be adopted in the region.

“Location specific nutrients have to be developed and production using low productivity input should be implemented,” he said.

He further added that the hilly regions are the custodian of “natural resources” and “organic production system.”

IMPHAL | Sept 19

Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) has strongly condemned the recent attack on the United Tribal Liberation Front (UTLA) Peniel camp by heavily armed miscreants on September 17 where three persons, including an innocent pregnant woman were killed.

A release signed by secretary joint of TSA, Thangtinlen Haokip said that the association has submitted a memorandum in this regard to the chief minister, N. Biren Singh yesterday but no positive response has been made till date.

Stating that the association hold the government as solely responsible for the incident, it demanded the government to provide ex-gratia and a government job each to the next of kin of the three deceased and to punish the culprits involved and to initiate an inquiry into the incident.

It further demanded suspension or transfer of superintendent of police, Jirbam and to provide full rehabilitation, safety and protection to all UTLA/UTLF cadres and their families.If the governments fails to fulfil the said demands within 24 hours, TSA will launched an intense agitation and the dead bodies will not be taken, it added.

It said, “Acting on good faith and in full confidence with the government, UTLA/UTLF came forward to join the mainstream, although there was an element of risk to their lives. UTLA/UTLF had surrendered to the government of India and government of Manipur on July 17, 2013 and signed a MoU”.

However, the government has neglected UTLA/UTLF and not taken up any significant steps to rehabilitate and protect them as agreed in the MoU, it said adding that, instead, a team of state police led by superintendent of police, Jiribam raided UTLA/UTLF peace camp and seized all the arms and ammunition issued by the government for self-defence on 27 July this year, dumping them like a rubbish to fall prey to some armed groups or miscreants as it has happened.

The release said that as per point 2 of the MoU, security forces comprising of Army, Para military forces and state police are not supposed to launch any operations against UTLA/UTLF while point 10 envisages that security of the settlement village, that is, Peniel camp, is the state government’s responsibility.

While point 11 states that the security forces shall visit the settlement village from time to time, it added.

The government evidently have not honoured these and other points of the MoU, it alleged.

Stating that UTLA/UTLF is no longer an underground group, it said that if any of the cadres were found involved in unlawful activities like extortion, kidnapping, possessing unauthorised arms etc. then he or she should be dealt as per law of the land (as stated in the MoU).

It further said that if the security forces are claiming that UTLA/UTLF cadres were involved in unlawful activities, the association would like to question if they have been dealt with as per the law or got them attacked and killed by some other armed people.

As stated in the objective of the surrender and rehabilitation scheme, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the militants who have surrendered do not find it attractive to join militancy again, it said. It further questioned, what has the government done with UTLA/UTLF who has been caught in a difficult situation between moving forward or being forced to go back underground due to the non-committal and indifferent attitude of the government authority.