Month: January 2018

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Jan 7

Chief minister, Nongthombam Biren Singh has announced that the government is all set to distribute loans to around 300 beneficiaries on January 11. He also said works are in the process to turn national highway-2 running into 4-lane highway.

The chief minister made these announcements during his reception ceremony at Luwangpokpi Cricket Stadium, Luwangsangbam, the constituency organised by Bharatiya Janata Party, Heingang Mandal.

The chief minister claimed that a number of visitors during Meeyamgi Numit has declined as the government has introduced many new schemes which are able to meet the needs and demands of the public.

Stating that the Imphal-Jiribam road which was not even adequately black-topped in 15 years has now completely blacktopped all within eight months, adding that the current government works practically and not theoretically.

The state cannot be call ed developed unless and until there is even development in the valley and the hills. This is why his government has been focusing on the hills as many hill areas have been left far behind in development, said Biren.

He lambasted the previous government for not having given extra focus on interior area of the state where people really need the help of the government.

The law and order situation in the state is becoming stable; number of tourists visiting the state has increase a lot, said Biren Singh. He asked the public to be friendly to tourist.

Mentioning that the government has introduced many beneficiary schemes and policies for the welfare of the poor, the chief minister asked the needy people to take the opportunities provided by these policies.

“Helping the needy is the greatest service as a human” so the government has committed to working only for the welfare of the public in public interest and not for self-interest, he added.

The chief minister said he will not foresake the trust of the public and the Central leaders towards the government and assured to bring a great positive change in the state before the present government completes its five year term.

Naga group claims hand, says part of ILP campaign

Tennoson Pheiray

UKHRUL | Jan 7

A teenaged boy was hurt when miscreant exploded a hand grenade inside a shop last evening at Ukhrul town.

The bomb explosion took place around 5:40 pm at a grocery store situated at the heart of Ukhrul Town at Phungreitang. The store is owned by Raj Kumar from Bihar.

The Volunteer of the Innocent People of Naga (VIPN) has claimed responsibility for the grenade attack.

According to Gopal Rizal, who is overseeing the store, informed that the blast happened when they were closing down the shop.

The injured boy has been identified as one Anish Kumar (16 years) s/o Amarnath from Rajepur, Motihari District, Bihar.

He revealed that the grenade hit him in the left arm while he was busy arranging the commodities in the store.

Anish further revealed that he mistook the grenade for a stone thrown by a passersby. But, after a few seconds there was a loud explosion and the store was filled with smoke, he added.

He was hit by bomb splinters on his right foot and rushed to Ukhrul district hospital.

Doctors informed that he suffered minor injuries and was later discharged after first aid.

The owner of the building AP Adis w/o (Lt) Augustine Awugshi Phungthar of Nungshong Khullen who stays in the first floor with their children recalled that there was a loud explosion followed by massive vibration.

She informed that they (store owner) have been staying in Ukhrul since 1994 and rented their ground floor building to Raj Kumar since 2015. There was no report of threat or demand to the house owner and shop owner.

According to a police officer, who was at the crime scene, informed that the impact could have been fatal had the grenade landed in open space.

He informed that the grenade fell between the sacks of atta, potato and tin of ghee which absorbed the blast impact.

It is worth mentioning that on December 22 last at around 5:45 pm a grenade was hurled inside a shop at Viewland, Ukhrul. Fortunately, the grenade did not explode.

The district has been facing acute shortage of police personnel. Adding to the woe, frequent transfer of police personnel after being posted at Ukhrul, the police department is facing problems in maintaining law and order.

The total sanction of Police personnel for Ukhrul District is around 1000. However, the actual force for the district is around 300 only informed a police officer under the condition of anonymity. Ukhrul PS and Reserved Line have one gypsy each to manned the district headquarter. There are around 40 police personnel in Ukhrul PS.

A statement issued by S. Shirat publicity secretary VIPN, said that the blast was part of Inner Line Permit (ILP) campaign in the district.

It asked all the non-local businessmen or shop owners to refrain from carrying out their business activities without registering to the VIPN.

It further warned the businessmen of dire consequences if they fail to get themselves registered to the VIPN at the earliest.

IMPHAL | Jan 7

Education minister Thokchom Radheshyam today laid the foundation stone for construction of the main building of two higher secondary schools. The schools are Kakching Higher Secondary School, Kakching and the Heirok Higher Secondary School, Heirok.

The infrastructural construction of the school buildings should be carried out with a view and belief that ‘the school belongs to one and all, to us’, the Minister said, the structure of the new school buildings will be carried out with proper planning by developing a ‘master plan’ for the structural development keeping in view the future strategies.

Briefing the media persons, Th. Radheshyam elaborated that in student’s life, the phase of Higher Secondary’s i.e., the eleventh and twelfth class are the most crucial stage. Therefore, providing students with better infrastructure and environment is a must. Thus, certain Higher Secondary Schools with high students’ population located at the main centers of the town or districts is being identified to start infrastructural developmental work under the Model School Scheme.

The schools namely the Langmeidong Higher Secondary School, Kakching Higher Secondary School, the Heirok Higher Secondary School, Ukhrul Higher Secondary School, Moreh Higher Secondary School, Tengnoupal and Tamenglong Higher Secondary School is to be improved as model schools in addition to the already existing eleven model school.

Further Education Minister added that some High Schools are also being chalk out for ‘facelift’ in the coming years. These listed schools will be renovated with flooring and tin sheets on regular basis, targeting for higher enrolment of students in the government schools.

Schools, he explained, is the place where all answers of the problems and issues prevailing in the society or a nation lies. Students are the pillars of the future and the place of their education should be made with great care and sense of responsibility. The students need to be encouraged and make them feel attracted towards the school and education, which hold the key of their expectations, he added.

It may be mentioned that he has been visiting various government schools in different parts of the state since he assumes as Minister of Education Department.

MLA Kakching A/C Y. Surchandra Singh also assured that whatever helped needed will be extended in order to check the progress of the construction work being carried out in the school premise of Kakching Higher Secondary School. He also appealed the Minister to build a hostel at Kakching as it is one of the main centers in the southern part of the state.

Director Education (S) Th. Kirankumar urged the principal and teachers to take initiative to provide better education and attract more students.

The function was attended by officials of the Education Department Engineering Wing, Principal, teachers and students of the school.