Category: Imphal Free Press

Cabinet resolves to install Irawat’s statue near Assembly complex

IMPHAL | Sept 13

The State Cabinet has approved the proposal for putting on hold any process for conversion or reclamation of paddy land pending finalisation of the data bank with details of paddy land and wetland prepared with the help of digitised cadastral maps by the government.

The decision was taken in a State Cabinet meeting held at the chief minister’s secretariat with chief minister N. Biren Singh in the chair.

Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 was implemented in the State with effect from 10th September 2014. However, unauthorised conversion of lands for buildings and commercial uses continues to take place in violation of the act.

With a view to check such illegal conversions, the Cabinet has decided that a data bank with details of paddy land along with the survey numbers will be created with the help of cadastral maps combined with satellite images of paddy land.

The status of paddy land will be identified through preparation of digitised cadastral maps on the basis of satellite images of paddy lands existing as at the commencement of the act i.e. September 10, 2014.

The data bank shall be put in public domain on the websites of the departments of revenue and agriculture. All applications for conversion of paddy land and wetland shall be examined with reference to such data/maps.

Moreover, violations if any detected on the basis of such digital maps will be detected and penalised as per provisions of the act.

The Cabinet also decided to instruct the deputy commissioners of all districts to comply with the above decision strictly and ensure that no conversion or reclamation of paddy land and wetland is allowed until further instructions.

The meeting also decided to install a statue of Jananeta Hijam Irawat at a plot located opposite to Manipur Legislative Assembly complex as a mark of respect to the great leader of Manipur.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to allotment of State land under Dag No. 383 measuring an area of 8.10 acre at 76-Salam Keikhu, Lamshang in Imphal West district to the State Health Department for establishment of 60-bedded State Mental Hospital.

The State Cabinet also decided to revise the Manipur Water Policy, 2015 in order to update it in the light of the current developments and redress the emerging threats and needs.

It also approved the proposal of designating Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) as Nodal Department for the implementation of Manipur Water Policy, 2015.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to the proposal of re-designating of IFCD as department of Water Resources. The department shall have the responsibility of planning and developing all water resources including rivers, water bodies, as well as drainage system in the State.

The State Cabinet also resolved to enhance the age of superannuation of teachers with MSc (Nursing) of College of Nursing under medical directorate from 62 to 65 years.

 It also approved acquisition of land for construction of 33/11 KV sub-station at Hiyangthang under World Bank funded North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP).

 The State Cabinet also approved creation of Senapati sub-division consisting of 27 villages of Tadubi sub-division and four villages of Willong Sub-Division for administrative convenience. The new sub-division will have 6983 households and 37250 population.

After the creation of Senapati sub-division, the number of villages for Tadubi sub-division will be 12 with 5292 households and 38842 population.

 The State Cabinet also approved payment of compensation in connection with acquisition of land for the construction of bridges along NH-37.

By A Staff Reporter 

IMPHAL | Sept 13

Villagers of Bongbal Kholen today threatened to surrender their ration cards if the authority concerned fails to distribute their due share of rice under National Food Security Act (NFSA) villagers by the end of September.

Speaking to media persons, the village authority secretary, Lalpu, claimed that the villagers have not been getting their share of rice since the appointment of new PDS agents of 46/47 Bongbal Kholen in April last.

According to him, the village which is under Saikul division has nearly 500 villagers and 40 ration card holders.

The villagers have been getting 5 kgs of rice per card at the rate of Rs. 5 under NFSA till April last but it allegedly stopped after the appointment of new agent, identified as one Khaikhokam Kipgen.

He said that the matter has been apprised to the deputy commissioner of Kangpokpi on August 21 in the form of writing. However, the district authority has not been taking up any positive steps.

The village secretary demanded an explanation whether the NFSA rice is not sanctioned by the department or misappropriated by the so-called agents of the centres.

Citing the failure of the authority to distribute the rice, he termed the ration cards as worthless and threatened to surrender the cards if the demand is not fulfilled by the end of September.

While demanding the authority to make available the rice to the public under any circumstances, he also urged the authority to lodge FIR against anyone found responsible for misappropriation.

From Our Correspondent

JIRIBAM | Sept 13 

Locals of Vangai area of the newly created Pherzawl district held a protest demonstration today against the non-availability of benefits of any of the schemes under the government and non-distribution of PDS items ever since its implementation in the State. 

The protest rally started from Henchungpunjee and went on till it reached Man Bahadhur road.      

The rally began at 8 am in the morning. Several placards which read “Grant government scheme we are human”, “CM has visited all others districts but not Pherzawl” etc. along with a banner which read “Mass rally – Manipur government, we have been unreached. Grant us the government schemes we are also human, or free us to join Mizoram /Assam” were displayed. 

On the sidelines of the rally, Malubi of Henchungpunjee Muslims, Md Sobur Miya said that the people of Vangai including the students are facing difficulties while passing through the deplorable roadways in the area.

Not only that, the goods and items meant for the people have never reached the area, therefore the government of Manipur must look into the plight of the people and distribute those items urgently, he said.

Youth chairman of Henchungpunjee Village, Thangsukhum Hmar said the roadways in the area that was constructed by PMGSY are no longer in a working condition. Nobody has received any of the PDS cards as well as NRGS, he added.

Further he continued that the village does not even have an AAY House. Therefore, the really was held so that the government of Manipur will consider the plight of the villagers and take actions as soon as possible, he maintained.

Later in a public meeting the locals resolved that they should be allowed to go to either Mizoram or Assam, as they have been deprived of any benefits of schemes by the state government.

IMPHAL | Sept 13

A preparatory meeting for the district level Swachhta Pakhwara Plan, 2017 was held at the DRDO conference hall today

Presiding over the meeting, Athem Muivah, deputy commissioner, Senapati, outlined the tentative programmes for the fortnight long festival. To organise the festival effectively an organising committee was formed. The DC is the chairperson of the committee and it includes all the other stakeholders of the district. 

Outlining the programmes of the cleanliness festival which includes marathon race, debate competitions, street play, song competition etc., Athem Muivah appealed for the involvement of all the citizens of the district in creating awareness and maintaining a clean and healthy environment in the district.

He also proposed to implement “One Shop One Tree” around the main market area of the district.  A goodwill motor bike rally up to Ukhrul district was also proposed. 

The meeting was also attended by representatives of ADC, NPO, CMO, SDSA, SDWA and all the other stake holders of the district.

IMPHAL | Sept 13

Under the Central government’s Swachh Bharat Mission (GRAMIN), 3, 41,652 numbers of individual household latrines were constructed particularly in the rural areas of the State. 329 sanitary complexes, 3919 numbers of school toilets and 1201 numbers of Angawadi toilets have also been constructed. 

Moreover, 3919 numbers of government schools, 1201 Angawadis of Manipur are to be provided sanitary latrine by October 2, 2019. 

In addition, there are another 40,482 numbers of dysfunctional toilets in the state. Until these dysfunctional toilets are also made functional, achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) state will not be possible. For this, ministry of drinking water and sanitation, government of India will sanction Rs.48.57 crore.

The public health engineering department, government of Manipur (hereafter PHED), deals with planning, investigation, project formulation, implementation and also operation and maintenance (O&M) of created assets, for water supply, Imphal sewerage and also implement the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) in the State.

The present estimated population of Imphal city including greater Imphal, en-route habitations, urban fringe area is estimated as 6.65lakhs (2017) and is expected to reach 8.705 lakhs by 2031. The present water demand is calculated to be 120.48 MLD (2017) and requirement by the year 2031 will be 152.142 MLD. Even though the present installed capacity is 104.25 MLD, the actual production is hardly about 80.00 MLD.

To meet the demand at the rate of 135 lpcd for a design period upto 2031 AD, the government of Manipur has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for “Integrated Water Supply Project for Imphal Planning Area” with estimated cost of Rs. 89.75 crore since Phase-I was sanctioned under the transition phase of JNNURM during January 2014.

Under this project, reconstruction of nine water treatment plant at Koirengei, Khuman Lampak, Minuthong (Kangla), Porompat, Chinga, Canchipur, Singda, Kangchup and Kangchup extension and one Zonal Reservoir at Sangakpham etc. are in progress and earlier targeted to be completed by March 2017 but because of the indefinite economic blockade the work has been delayed.

Hence, phase – II of the project amounting to Rs. 175.81 crore has also been taken up under AMRUT and approved by the ministry on March 2016. As per the guideline of AMRUT, water supply is the first priority and as suggested by the Centre, replacement of distribution network only within the Imphal Municipal Council area with an estimated cost of Rs.175.81 crore is to be taken up in three phases with project duration of three years through MAHUD and IMC. MAHUD and IMC have decided to implement the project by PHED as deposit work as they do not have the necessary technical manpower.

IMPHAL | Sept 13

Chief minister N. Biren Singh presided a meeting to discuss the targets of the developmental projects or schemes undertaken by different government departments to be completed in the current year. The meeting was held at the cabinet hall of chief minister’s secretariat today.

During the meeting, N. Biren critically assessed the projects executed by various departments in the State. He directed all the administrative secretaries and head of departments to ensure timely completion of various developmental projects taken up by their respective departments. The projects must be completed within the current year, he urged.

 He categorically stated that the present working system needs to be changed so as to bring positive change in the State. He instructed the administrative secretaries and HODs of different departments to work sincerely and should co-ordinate among themselves to deliver good governance in the State.

He further directed them to work seriously and conduct field visits so that the poorest of the poor could be benefited from various developmental schemes.

The chief minister also instructed to form district level monitoring committees to review developmental activities at the district level. These committees shall submit weekly progress report for chief minister’s perusal.

At the meeting, officials of various departments presented an elaborate power point presentation of the development projects which are to be completed within the current year.

Some of the departments which have presented their detailed status of the projects are agriculture, horticulture, forest, RD & PR, IFCD, MSPCL, MSPDCL, commerce and industries and science and technology etc.

Cabinet ministers, chief secretary, DGP, administrative secretaries, commissioners and directors of various departments attended the meeting.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 13

People of different communities settled around Sekmai area staged a sit-in protest today against setting up of an army camp at the paddy land of Sekmai area. The sit-in was organised by the Sekmai Protection Committee (SPC) and Awang Sekmai Scheduled Caste Development Committee (ASSCDC).

Later, a rally was taken out till Sekmai SDO office shouting slogan “Sekmai ge Loukol armyda piba yaroy (paddy land cannot be given away to the army)”

Speaking to media persons, SPC president, Angom Rajesh said that the army camp located at Leimakhong Military Station, Koreingei Air Field and Pallel Air Field at Kakching are trying to reset their camp at the paddy field located at Sekmai, Khurkhul, Kaingam and Kanto area covering 1800 acres.

Following an application to the Imphal West district commissioner by the Indian army on July 7, 2017 a survey was conducted by Sekmai sub-deputy collector (SDC) at the paddy land of those areas, he added.

The survey report submitted to the deputy commissioner said 900 acres of land is available to set up the army camp, continued the president.

ASSCDC president, Laimayum Kula Singh supplemented that they will not sell even a small land even though the government offers good price for the land as the paddy land are the livelihood of the people settling around Sekmai area.

The people of Sekmai area appealed to the government not to let the army set up their camp at the paddy land of Sekmai area.

They further said that if the government tries to invent the paddy land of Sekmai area by force, the people of Sekami will fight against it by all means.

The SPC and ASSCDC have announced that the people of Sekmai area should not use their paddy field for any other purpose other than farming.

IMPHAL | Sept 13

Chief minister N. Biren Singh presided a meeting to discuss the targets of the developmental projects or schemes undertaken by different government departments to be completed in the current year. The meeting was held at the cabinet hall of chief minister’s secretariat today.

During the meeting, N. Biren critically assessed the projects executed by various departments in the State. He directed all the administrative secretaries and head of departments to ensure timely completion of various developmental projects taken up by their respective departments. The projects must be completed within the current year, he urged.

 He categorically stated that the present working system needs to be changed so as to bring positive change in the State. He instructed the administrative secretaries and HODs of different departments to work sincerely and should co-ordinate among themselves to deliver good governance in the State.

He further directed them to work seriously and conduct field visits so that the poorest of the poor could be benefited from various developmental schemes.

The chief minister also instructed to form district level monitoring committees to review developmental activities at the district level. These committees shall submit weekly progress report for chief minister’s perusal.

At the meeting, officials of various departments presented an elaborate power point presentation of the development projects which are to be completed within the current year.

Some of the departments which have presented their detailed status of the projects are agriculture, horticulture, forest, RD & PR, IFCD, MSPCL, MSPDCL, commerce and industries and science and technology etc.

Cabinet ministers, chief secretary, DGP, administrative secretaries, commissioners and directors of various departments attended the meeting.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Sept 13

The bodies of the five slain militants have been retrieved, says Thotreithing Chalamva, SDPO Kasom Khullen. The team was led by OC and 2nd OC of Kasom Khullen PS.

After filing FIR, preparation of inquest report and other necessary procedures at the Kasom Khullen police station, the bodies will be sent to JNIMS for post mortem and identification, added SDPO Kasom Khullen. While filing this report, inquest report for two dead bodies has been completed.

It may be recalled that a gunfight allegedly between NSCN (IM) and combined forces of CorCom and MNPF broke out in the wee hours of September 12 at Makan village under Kasom Khullen poice station, under Kamjong district.

As per the sources, the bullet ridden bodies were found in a hut situated in a jhum field about 2-3km away from the southern flank of Makan village. According to sources, 200 empty cartridges were recovered from the spot. The bullet ridden bodies of the five militants are yet to be identified since no one has come forward to identify them, informed SDPO Kasom Khullen.

Due to the dilapidated conditions of the road, the police vehicle -407 truck could not proceed to Makan village yesterday and the team was forced to return to Kasom Khullen. The team hired a Shaktiman truck and moved out again in the early morning around 4:00am. Because of this reason it took more time than expected informed SDPO Kasom Khullen.

Meanwhile according to a release of the outlawed RPF, the slain cadres have been identified as: Sgt/Maj. Richard alias Warepam Dinesh son of W. Nongyaijao from Kangla Tombi, Sgt. Lalloi alias Khundrakpam Sunil son of Kh. Sanatomba, from Leitanpokpi, Pte. Nanao alias Moirangthem Tomba, son of late M. Biren from Keibi Awang Leikai, Pte. Sinthouba alias Konjengbam Shyamsunder son of K. Nirmol, from Cachar Lakhimpur Khunou. They are all PLA cadres. The names include one MNPF cadre, identified as Raikham Jazo son of Nimai Jazo, from Nongdam village, Kamjong district.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Sept 13

The outsource, Junior Technical Assistants and Computer Operators which is engaged as employees under MSPDLC Thoubal Division and working on daily wages at Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) locked down the gate of its office today at Thoubal Athokpam and started off their cease work strike.

The cease work was started in protest against the company for seeking new employees instead of promoting the status of its present employees to regular. 

The secretary of JAC-MSPDCL outsource, A. Milan said. “it was unfortunate how the company is inviting new candidates by releasing notifications instead of promoting its former employees, who had been working for a long time in the company, to regular status”. 

The former employees included many who were working for more than five years. Many of them had died during work by electrocution. The government has not provided any help of compensation for them. Above all, the outsource employees have been struggling against odds as their salaries are not being paid for the last 5-6 months, he added.

He further expressed that it would be an inhuman act to make the former employees who have been working for a long period of time in not getting the advantage for searching new jobs. The authorities concerned must draw their attention to the prevailing issue and cancel the notification to make the former employees as regular ones.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Sept 13

The outsource, Junior Technical Assistants and Computer Operators which is engaged as employees under MSPDLC Thoubal Division and working on daily wages at Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) locked down the gate of its office today at Thoubal Athokpam and started off their cease work strike.

The cease work was started in protest against the company for seeking new employees instead of promoting the status of its present employees to regular. 

The secretary of JAC-MSPDCL outsource, A. Milan said. “it was unfortunate how the company is inviting new candidates by releasing notifications instead of promoting its former employees, who had been working for a long time in the company, to regular status”. 

The former employees included many who were working for more than five years. Many of them had died during work by electrocution. The government has not provided any help of compensation for them. Above all, the outsource employees have been struggling against odds as their salaries are not being paid for the last 5-6 months, he added.

He further expressed that it would be an inhuman act to make the former employees who have been working for a long period of time in not getting the advantage for searching new jobs. The authorities concerned must draw their attention to the prevailing issue and cancel the notification to make the former employees as regular ones.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Sept 12

A gunfight allegedly between NSCN (IM) and combined force of CorCom and Manipur Naga Peoples Front (MNPF) broke out in the wee hours today at Makan village, under Kasom Khullen police station of Kamjong district.

As per information received from sub-divisional police officer of Kasom Khullen, Thotreithing Chalamva, the incident took place at around 2:30 am today.

Sources said that at least five people were killed in the factional clash, in which three persons are alleged to be Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) cadres and the two others belong to MNPF.

Those two killed from MNPF cadres are said to be Tangkhuls. It is reported that the cadres of NSCN (IM) took away four assault rifles and nine numbers of improvised explosive devices of different sizes.

A team of Kasom Khullen police led by officer-in-charge, Sani Mao rushed to the spot for investigation, informed the SDPO Kasom Khullen. However due to bad condition of the road, the police team are yet to reach the spot at the time of filling this report.

According to SDPO of Ukhrul, Ringthing Hongchui, a 407-truck from Ukhrul Reserved Line has also been despatched to retrieve the dead bodies. A team of 17 Assam Rifles at Kashung village has also been rushed to the area.

One of the officers who do not want his identity to be disclosed stated that the action of police forces has always been delayed as the police stations at Ukhrul and Kamjong districts do not have a vehicle.

He added that hiring of vehicle and reimbursement of the same takes a year or more from the department. Reserved Line at Ukhrul is provided with one Gypsy and four 407-trucks.

Makan village is situated about 40 kilometres from Kasom Khullen PS and it is near the international border pillar No. 11 and 12 and shares a boundary with Chandel district and Kamjong district the village has around 40 households.

IMPHAL | Sept 12

The proscribed Maoist Communist Party Manipur said the ideas introduced by the colonial masters in Manipur are being further amplified by some paid scholars on matters regarding the ban of liquor and drugs are being falsely propagated to the people. 

A release signed by coordinator, standing committee, Maoist Communist Party, Kyonghan Mangang said a group of individuals who are considered well learned by the public have also jumped into the bandwagon without doing any deeper research and have started advocating the same.

The big question is who is putting a ban on liquor in Manipur, it questioned. Is it banned by the Manipur excise department or by the police personnel who are going rounds every evening at Pologround Maning and collecting money during Holi festival, it asked? 

These intoxicants are available at the streets everywhere because they are not banned by anyone in Manipur, it said. The prevailing issues on liquor in Manipur are not caused by the inability to ban them but they are actually caused by not banning them at all, the release added.         

Further highlighting the history of Nisha Bandh, it said the movement resulted out of the several cases where male members of the community instead of earning money, spent all family resources on drinks and committed domestic violence on women and children.

The mothers being were worst affected by abuses of alcohol, started banning intoxicants to save the community, it said adding the movement lacked proper organisation, and at the beginning of 1980, the Nisha Bandh movement changed its direction towards the Meira Paibi movement due to oppressions of Indian colonial forces.    

Manipur was simply declared as a dry state in 1991 by the state government but it had never initiated any proper actions to implement it, it alleged. The Manipur liquor Prohibition act 1991 still lies today as an act that was never really implemented, it continued.

If liquor should be banned successfully, then the Manipur Liquor Prohibition Act 1991 should be amended and made stronger to meet with the changing times and start giving stringent punishments to the guilty, it said.

Except for the few prohibitions voluntary made by the CVOs, the State government has not put up tangible form of prohibition till today, it further alleged. As for the claims made by the police of arresting vendors, there are no clear information on what form of punishment was given except photos being splashed across the pages of newspapers, it continued. 

There are places in world where a pharmacist can be thrown to prison for eight years for selling illicit drugs, it said. However, in Manipur, the Indian army and sons of former CMs had been caught with drugs but they are roaming free without receiving any form of punishments, it said.

How can anyone, considering the given circumstances, express that the measures to prohibit illicit alcohol and drugs have failed, it said. It should be banned first, and the argument can be made about the results later, it added.

The release appealed to the people to not to fall into the half-baked argument made by self-acclaimed intellectuals and paid scholars that measures to prohibit liquor have all failed. One should rather ask them how it would be possible to ban alcohol when it is not really banned at all, it continued.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 12

In a shocking incident which can be termed as gross negligence on the part of the government authority, a pregnant woman was denied child delivery in the Tamenglong district hospital.

The woman has been identified as Noami Kamei wife of Pouguanglung Kamei, from Dailong village of Tamenglong district, which is around 5-6 km away from the district headquarters. According to a reliable source, the delivery was denied as the gynaecologist; Dr. M. Davidson was not stationed at the hospital when Naomi and her husband arrived.

The source continued  that Dr. M. Davison who is appointed as the gynaecologist of district hospital Tamenglong is also utilised by the government in Thoubal district hospital and also in Nungba CHC to appease the agitating public of Nungba demanding immediate medical facilities.

When the local medicine doctor examined Naomi, the foetus seemed to have died inside the womb. Naomi has already crossed nine months of pregnancy but labour had yet started yet, on which the doctor refused treatment without the help of a specialist.

Further the said doctor then advised her husband to go to Imphal. On the way to Imphal, because of the bumpy road, Naomi’s water broke and made an emergency delivery at Namkaolong village (20 kms from district headquarters). The hired nurse for the delivery tried her best but child was still born.

It may be recalled that the public of Tamenglong has been demanding the revocation of government order (Order No. 2/8/2014-M dated NIL, September 2017 issued by Soiminlian Lengen, under-secretary of health and family welfare) to utilise doctors and specialists of Tamenglong district headquarters for duty at Nungba CHC. However the government went ahead with the order.

A memorandum was submitted by the CVOs of Tamenglong to the chief minister N. Biren Singh through the DC Armstrong Pame on September 6 and placed a dateline to revoke the order within 72 hours.

The incident happened just the day after the specified timeline given by the CVOs. In this regard, the people of Tamenglong proposed for registering an FIR against the concerned officials, and condemned the step-motherly treatment and marginalising the people of the district.

In this regard a public meeting was held today at Tamenglong bazar demanding adequate doctors, specialists, technical and infrastructural facilities and effigies of health minister L. Jayentakumar and health director, Karam Loken for negligence of health situation in the district and for failure of government in revoking the said order.

IMPHAL | Sept 12

Education minister, Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said that duty is religion for all the professionals and it should be carried out with dedication and pride. He said that happiness is when duty is successfully performed by overcoming every challenge.

The minister was speaking as chief guest at the Graduation Day Celebration of 2012 – 16 Batch – the 1st Batch of Dental College, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). Forty three students with twelve male and twenty one females made through the graduation out of 50 students enrolled.

He asked the graduates to dream big, to have a deep focus to achieve it. The more mistake is made the more perfection is obtained as there is no failure in life but only lessons to be learnt, he explained.

Congratulating the fresh graduates, Radheshyam said the passing out students as dentist will help in overcoming the lack of doctors in field of dentistry. The graduates were urged by the minister to become the source of joy, the caregiver performing their duty at the fullest so that they could become more successful in their professional lives.

Human as a social being living in groups need to learn work in teams for success of any organisations depend in team work. The difficulties that one comes across while being posted at different part of the country including the lack of infrastructure or accommodation is the professional hazards, he said.

Maintaining good relation with the people by serving them and making them aware about their health will only lessen the professional hazards, he added.

Director, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry (Jipmer), Professor Subhash Chandra Parija, who also spoke on the occasion, said if the dental doctors fail to contribute with the education they had received for the productivity of the society, the degree they had earned will not be more than just a paper sheet.

Director RIMS, Professor A. Santa Singh said that for any medical institution to become successful there is need for harmony between the doctors, patients and equipment. Congratulating the students he said he is proud to witness their duty at Out Patient Department (OPD) where nearly 300 patients come for dental check – up on daily basis.

During the ceremony certificates were distributed with the prizes to the three topper of the Dental College Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). Dr. T. Nabachandra sponsored the prizes for the toppers.

The graduation ceremony was attended by superintendent RIMS, Principal Prof. B. Praveen Reddy, professors, faculties, doctors, and students of the RIMS.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Sept 12

In protest against the transferred of two doctors from district hospital Tamenglong despite of acute shortage of doctors in district, civil voluntary organisations (CVOs) of Tamenglong today burnt the effigies of minister of Health, Family welfare, Law and legislative, Art and culture, L. Jayanta Kumar and Health director of Manipur.

The civil voluntary organisations also formed a Joint Action Forum (JAF) of Tamenglong today after series of meeting. The forum today organised health awareness programme at main market shed of the district. During the awareness programme all shops and vehicles movement were shut down. It was also announced to close down all government offices in the district headquarters from today midnight.

The CVOs of Tamenglong earlier served ultimatum setting 72 hours to chief minister of Manipur for immediate fulfilment of the charter of demands. However, no response has been made. The joint meeting was held yesterday and decided to organise awareness programme today and launch series of agitation.

The charter of demands included, passing a ‘stay order’ of the transfer of doctors and specialists of Tamenglong District Hospital until a replacement for the same is made, to fulfil the guidelines laid down in the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) for a District Hospital in which at least 20 doctors, 45 paramedical staff, 12 administrative staff, five staff in Operation Theatre, four staff in Blood Storage Unit and three staff in Post Mortem Unit.

Another demand was for replacement and upgrade of all equipment and infrastructural facilities that are outdated and redundant.

In the meantime, the forum issued a press statement signed by convener of JAF, Atana, in which the forum strongly condemned the transferred of two doctors and stated that the transferred order is insensitive, discriminatory and inhuman.

The present BJP led government have been following the policy of subjugating and suppressing to annihilate the people of Tamenglong by neglecting to address issues of the people especially in health sector, said the statement.

It further stated that the Tamenglong district hospital has been understaffed with only 37 beds and 11 doctors against 20 doctors needed including 13 specialists and seven MOs as per Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS).

Moreover, blood storage unit, post-partum unit and operation unit have practically rendered no service. Practically there is no equipment or facilities to give service on imaging equipment and accessories. Also, there is no practical cardiopulmonary, labour and neo natal, ENT, dental equipment to provide minimal standard of service, it added.

The statement also mentioned that a baby was born still on September 10 as the pregnant mother who was referred to Imphal for delivery had already crossed nine months. The incident happened within 10 days of the issued order of utilisation of Gynae MO to Nungba CHC. There are numerous such incidents that went unreported.

JAF has demanded to provide health care facilities at a standard as per the IPHS ranging from man power to doctors, along with modern equipment and accessories and all the facilities prescribed under the IPHS.

It further stated that the government of Manipur should take sole responsibility and pay adequate compensation for the deceased baby and take swift measures to fulfil the demand. The forum is compelled to launch strong agitation and any untoward incident that might occur will be solely held responsible by the government, it added.

IMPHAL | Sept 12

“The activist in me is still alive. I am joining a national political party doesn’t mean that I will abandon all my activism”, said Ratika Yumnam, newly appointed youth president of National People’s Party (NPP). She was appointed president last week in Shillong.

Speaking to the Imphal Free Press over the phone, Ratika said she take it as an opportunity to be given the responsibility of a president of the youth front of NPP. “I know there will be lots of speculations on my new move particularly among the activists community with whom I have associated with”, she said.

Further Ratika said she is aware of the possible challenges ahead to be working in a political party. “I know things will not be all smooth. There will be differences of viewpoints on issues that matter the Northeast and Manipur in particular. But I am ready to walk the path”, she added.   

Ratika maintained what is important is that by joining a mainstream political party, she would be able to work at the decision making level. “The party has given me the responsibility having recognised my engagements in activism. Whatever I have learnt from the field as an activist, I will try to implement it”, she said.

Earlier speaking to the media in Shillong, after being felicitated on her appointment by the party members of the state, Ratika said, “We will try to design skill development courses according to the needs of the region”. She further said that the main priority is education, which is needed and set for the situation.

“Not education per say but it should be quality education as per our own needs, talents and potentials,” she added.

The National Youth President of the NPP also stated that she joined the party because she felt that it was “a secular, progressive, forward thinking party which is rooted in the northeast.”

Ratika graduated with triple majors in media studies, psychology and literature from Christ University, Bangalore and completed her Masters in South Asian Studies from the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies, University of Oxford, UK in the year 2014.

She has also been working as an indigenous rights activist with the Indigenous Perspectives, which is based in Imphal for the past 4 years.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 12

A man has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days for allegedly forcibly eloping and raping a 22-year-old woman today by the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West.

The accused is identified as Thingom Malemnganba alias Macha Meitei (21) son of Th. Tangka Meitei of Liwa Road, Awang Maibam Leikai. He was was arrested on Thursday by Singjamei police.

The investigating officer (IO) of the case submitted before the court that the victim lodged a complaint on September 1, that on July 10 while she was packing up for going to Silchar from Imphal, she was called several times by the accused asking her to come out of her rent house in Imphal. The accused threatened her that he will come to her room if she refuses. 

Due to his threat she came out and she was made to pillion-ride on a scooter forcibly by showing a knife like object and was taken to one house of a friend of the accused located in Imphal and she was raped, added the IO.

The next day she was taken to the accused’s house and the family members of the accused forced her to say that she eloped with her consent, he continued.

The IO said as the victim refused to marry the accused, he beat her every night and also raped her forcibly, and on September 12 she was informed that information of elopement had been given to her family according to traditions and her mother was likely to come sooner for confirming her consent.

She was threatened by the family members that they will not spare anyone who came for asking her. Fearing she did not disclose any words to her mother rather than weeping, added the IO.

Moreover, the accused took away her mobile phone, however after allowing one small conversation with her aunty from Silchar, said the IO.

Later on July 17 the accused took her to D.M. College campus and freed her. He threatened her against disclosing the facts to the police or anyone if she values her and her family member’s life, the IO further submitted.

He added on the next day the she went to her aunty’s house at Silchar to and a civil organisation called “Sanulal”. But the said organisation threatened not to file any case against the accused.

Later again the accused person filed a suit to the civil judge, senior division, Imphal West by making a false allegation that she left the house secretly on the day their family arranged his marriage with her, submitted the IO.

During interrogation the accused person confessed that he had committed the crime and moreover on examining one of the prosecution witnesses, A. Chinglemba Luwang the owner of the scooter used in the alleged elope stated that the victim was against the elopement and tried to run away from the house where she was taken to, continued the IO.

The IO prayed before the court to remand the accused to judicial custody for 15 days as if the accused is released on bail there is possibility of hampering and tempering evidence.

IMPHAL | Sept 12

The proscribed United National Liberation Front said that Sapam Manaoton (Inaotomcha) alias Santikumar (44), who was arrested by a team of Imphal East district Commando on September 10 from Kumuda area had retired from the party and is a retired person.

Manaoton, son of (L) S. Mani from Keibi Kumuda Maning Leikai took training under the armed wing of UNLF, Manipur People’s Army, (MPA) in 1997/98 and worked up till the rank of  2nd Lieutenant (2nd Lt.), said a release signed by director, department of publicity, M. Sak-hen.

His service number was 571/13, it said. However, after the sudden demise of his wife, he had retired from UNLF and MPA in August last to look after his family and remaining children, it continued.  Therefore, Manaoton (Inaotomcha) is no longer related with UNLF and MPA in any manner or form, it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 12

The All Manipur Surrenders Association (AMSA) appealed to the government to release their stipend and onetime payment as per the surrender policy before September 20.

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal the association’s general secretary, M. Thambalngou Meitei said that the government had assured to give a monthly stipend of Rs. 4000 and onetime payment of Rs. 3 lakhs after three years from the date they surrendered as per the surrender policy for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 surrendered batches.

Several memoranda were submitted to the authority concerned as well as to the chief minister and in reply they said that the work is in under process, he added.

Stating that verification process has ended long back the general secretary said that five months is more than enough to finish the work process to sanction their fund.

Mentioning that it is very doubtful that many of the surrendered persons were killed by the central forces as more than half of the surrendered persons were missing and were unable to be contacted he appealed to the government to take measures to protect their lives.

The association warned off a general strike from September 21, if the government fails to release the pending fund by September 20.