Manipur Mail – Page 237

Congress supporters attacked

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 12: Workers of congress (I) candidates continued to come render bomb attack in different constituencies till today.
Some unknown persons hurled a hand grenade at the residence of one Abdul Kalam Azad (55), Sangai Yumpham cherapur Mathak Leikai last night around 11.35 p.m. no casualties were reported.
Some persons also planted a hand grenade at the house of one Thokchom Boy (45) Kyamgei Maning Leikai today around 7.30 a.m. The bomb was later blasted at Kyamgei Meitei Loukol around 10.55 a.m. Boy is a worker of INC.
Meanwhile some persons coming in a Bolero hurled a Chinese hand grenade at the office of Khongman Development committee situated at Khongman Zone IV last night around 10.30 p.m.
To protest the incident, a sit in protest was held and later a silent rally was also taken out at Khongman area.
A protester said, the office has nothing to do with election and the office has been opened one and half year back.
In yet another incident some persons also presented a bomb at the house of one Sagolsem Sanjit (40), Patsoi IV, last night.
He is a worker of INC candidate AK Mirabai.
Bomb attacks continued on the Congress in poll-bound Manipur, with suspected militants of Coordination Committee (CorCorm), which has been attempting to demoralize the national political party, carrying out attacks at the residences of two active workers of the party, including a party office.
A Chinese hand grenade was lobbed which landed and blasted at the residential garden of one Md Abdul Kalam, 45 of Sangai Yumpham Terapur in Thoubal district yesterday shortly before midnight, but no report of casualty was received. Abdul is a Congress worker.
Another residence of a Congress worker was also attacked by suspected militants this morning at Kyamgei Maning Leikai under Singjamei police station in Imphal West. The Congress worker was identified as Thokchom Boy, 45. An unexploded Chinese hand grenade that was hurled at the residence was recovered by police.
Some unidentified armed militants who came in a Bolero jeep also hurled a hand grenade at the the Khongman Zone- IV Congress Development Committee under Porompat police station in Imphal East around 11: 20 last night. The bomb was later retrieved by a bomb squad after it failed to explode.
The CorCorm, an umbrella organization of seven militant groups in the State, has imposed a ban on the Indian National Congress (INC) in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/congress-supporters-attacked/

Seven candidates rejected during scrutiny for Assembly poll

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 12: Scrutiny for 290 aspiring candidates in the 10th Manipur Assembly polls which has 60 seats was on Thursday conscientiously conducted where at least seven nominations were rejected with one nomination paper was left out for further scrutiny.
In all, 290 intending candidates filed their nomination papers from 15 political parties, including the national parties Congress and BJP in the State to fight the forthcoming January-28 scheduled polls.
Political parties like Inqalab Vikas Dal (IVD), Jana Maha Shakti (JMBP), Shivsena, Lok Jana Shakti (LJS) have also fielded their candidates in the scheduled fray.
Imphal West district has fielded the largest number of nominations with 65 candidates from different political parties filed their nominations from 13 assembly segments spread over nine districts of the State.
The seven rejected aspiring candidates are Kh. Bhadra, Independent, for Bishnupur Assembly Constituency, three intending candidates from Churachandpur Assembly Constituency namely, Lallursang from JMBP, H. Sanglawn from Independent and Chawngthalei from LJP. In Tipaimukh assembly constituency H Salawn was rejected while in Henglep constituency Lunkholan Haokip was rejected. In Jiribam constituency Abdul Zaffar was rejected.
H Salawn filed nominations in both Churachandpur and Tipaimukh constituencies. Of the 60 Assembly constituencies four constituencies will witness straight fight between two candidates.
Filing of nominations concluded yesterday and scrutiny is going on today. The last date of withdrawal is Jan 14. At Moirang, Kakching, Karong and Thanlon there will be straight fight between Congress candidates and other candidates of different political parties.
In all the Assembly constituencies only Congress party has put up all the candidates. Trinamool Congress has put up 48 candidates , Manipur State Congress party, 33 , BJP 29 candidates, NCP 23 candidates, JDU is putting up 14,Manipur People’s Party, Naga People’s Front have 13 candidates each.
In Kshetrigao A/C nine candidates are in the fray which is the highest. The average candidate is around five candidates for each constituency. The exact numbers of candidates can be ascertained after Jan 14 the last date of withdrawal according to Election officials.

Destinies of India and Bangladesh are Interlinked: Vice-President

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Jan 12: The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari has said that destinies of India and Bangladesh are interlinked. Addressing the 9th Convocation of Tripura University at Agartala today, he said the people of both the countries share in great measure a common history, culture, language and tradition and they have co-operated and faced challenges together. Shri Ansari said our relationship is rooted in shared values and commitment to secularism, multi-party democracy, social justice and fundamental human freedoms.
The Vice President said Tripura shares a special relationship with Bangladesh. He said that having borders with it on three sides, the state and its people had played important roles in the path leading to the birth of Bangladesh. Shri Ansari expressed the confidence that implementing the Joint Communiqués issued after the landmark visits of the two Prime Ministers would cement this special relationship through enhancing connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh and promoting close people to people and business linkages.
The landmark visits of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010 and of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka last September elevated the bilateral relationship to new heights.
Bangladesh abuts our North Eastern region and provides critical linkages to its economy, ecology and environment. Indeed, the North Eastern Region Vision 2020 document approved by the North Eastern Council and released by the Prime Minister in July 2008 reflects the commitment of the Union and various State Governments to the comprehensive, inclusive and accelerated development of the region so as to restore its national economic eminence.
We stand committed to fashioning economic and trade arrangements, not only for ensuring closer integration of the region with the national economy but also with the economies of neighbouring countries in the region.
The Vision document has noted that the region should play “the arrow-head role….in the vanguard of the country’s Look-East Policy”. It specifically calls for “making the Look East Policy meaningful for the region” by improving connectivity with markets of neighbouring countries. It notes that “opening up the land route through Bangladesh could enormously benefit both countries” and calls for diplomatic efforts focused on “improving relations with the neighbours”.
The commitment was demonstrated when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was accompanied by Chief Ministers of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram during his visit to Bangladesh in September 2011. This underscores the great interest and enthusiasm of the States of Northeast India in furthering their engagement with Bangladesh.
Tripura shares a special relationship with Bangladesh. Having borders with it on three sides, the state and its people had played important roles in the path leading to the birth of Bangladesh. We remain confident that implementing the Joint Communiqués issued after the landmark visits of the two Prime Ministers would cement this special relationship through enhancing connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh and promoting close people to people and business linkages.

Allotment of Broadcast/Telecast time to Political Parties

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Jan 12: At the time of General Elections to the Lok Sabha in 1998 a new initiative for State funding of recognized political parties through free use of the State owned Television and Radio was introduced under directions of the Commission vide its Order, dated 16th January, 1998. The said scheme was subsequently extended in all the General Elections to the State Assemblies held after 1998 and General Elections to the Lok Sabha in 1999, 2004 and 2009.
With the amendments to the Representation of People Act, 1951 vide “Election and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act, 2003” and the rules notified thereunder, equitable time sharing for campaigning by recognized political parties on electronic media now has statutory basis. In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of the Explanation below section 39A of the Representation of People Act, 1951, the Central Government has notified all such broadcasting media which are owned or controlled or financed wholly or substantially by funds provided to them by the Central Government as the electronic media for the purposes of that section. Therefore, the Commission has decided to extend the said scheme of equitable time sharing on electronic media through Prasar Bharati Corporation to the ensuing General Election to the State Legislative Assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa 2012 .
The facilities of use of broadcast time and telecast time will be available only to National Parties and Recognised State Parties in the State of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa
THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SCHEME ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. The facilities will be available from the Regional Kendra of the All India Radio and Doordarshan and in the headquarters of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa and relayed by other stations within the respective States.
2. A base time of 45 minutes will be given to each National Party and Recognized State Party (recognized in the respective State) uniformly on the Regional Kendra of Doordarshan network and All India Radio network in the State of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa.
3. The National and the State Parties will be treated at par for the Assembly elections.
4. The additional time to be allotted to the parties has been decided on the basis of the poll performance of the parties in the last Assembly election, as required under rule 85C (3) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 from the State of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa.
5. In a single session of broadcast, no party will be allocated more than 15 minutes.
6. The period of broadcast and telecast will be between the last date of filing the nominations and will end two days before the date of poll in the State of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. However, there will be no telecast or broadcast during the 48 hours preceding the close of polls as per specific provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
7. The Prasar Bharati Corporation in consultation with the Commission will decide the actual date and time for broadcast and telecast. This will be subject to the broad technical constraints governing the actual time of transmission available with the Doordarshan and All India Radio.
8. The guidelines prescribed by the Commission for telecast and broadcast will be strictly followed. The parties will be required to submit transcripts and recording in advance. The parties can get this recorded at their own cost in studios, which meet the technical standards prescribed by the Prasar Bharati Corporation or at the Doordarshan/All India Radio Kendras. They can, in the alternative, have these recorded in the studios of Doordarshan and All India Radio by advance requests. In such cases, the recordings may be done at the State Capital and at timings indicated by Doordarshan/All India Radio in advance.
9. In addition to the broadcast by parties, the Prasar Bharati Corporation will organise a maximum of two panel discussions and/or debates on the Kendra/Station of Doordarshan/All India Radio. Each eligible party can nominate one representative to such a programme.
10. The Election Commission of India will approve the names of coordinators for such panel discussions and debates in consultation with the Prasar Bharati Corporation.

International film festival begins

Imphal, Jan 11 NNN : A five-day international film festival on sports and performance presented in Manipur in Northeast India entitled “Re:Play Internesenal Film Kumhei” which is organized by Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) began on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy here.
The film festival, which is being organized by MFDC in association with Huntre‘! International Manipuri Projects and other film organizations of Manipur, will continue till January 15 where a digital festival of narrative, documentary and experimental films that takes a best of-fest approach to bring you selections from distinguished international film festival.
Governor of Manipur Gurbachan Jagat Singh is the founding sponsor of the international film festival with major sponsors from Department of Arts and Culture, and supporters from Dance Films Association, New York, Film festival Dokumenter, Yugjakarta, The School of Hard Knocks, New York and Komunitas Dokumenter, Yogjakarta.
In the festival, Dance on Camera Festival, New York Focus on Indonesia, Film Festival Dokumenter, Yogjakarta film workshops, Filmmaker: Andibachtiar Yusuf, dance workshop: Yoshiko Chuma and screening workshop: Alexandra Viets are also featuring.Speaking on the inaugural ceremony of the film festival, Governor Gurbachan Jagat said, “such festivals provide an opportunity to our film aficionados to witness good films produced in different parts of the globe and they can keep abreast of the international trends.”
He also said that he was glad to learn that during the festival two workshops; one on documenting Dance with Yoshiko Chuma and another on Screenplay with Alexandra Viets are being conducted. Manipur which is rich in cultural heritage, especially in dances needs to film the beautiful dances for posterity and for viewers in other parts of the country and world, the Governor added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/international-film-festival-begins/

Militants nabbed

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 11: Troops of Senapati brigade of the Red Shield Division achieved major success in their anti-insurgency operations. On 10 Jan 12, the brigade arrested two KLA cadres and one cadre of KNF (P), seizing a large quantity of illicit Sekmai on 10 Jan 12.
In another operation launched by 43 Assam Rifles in Kanglatongbi, a registered cadre under SoO group KNF (P), identified as SS Sgt Maj Seikholen Kipgen @ Bronly, 25yrs, s/o Satsai Kipgen r/o Motbung, was apprehended and later handed over to PS Sakmai. Four extortion receipts were recovered. 43 Assam Rifles also apprehended two cadres of SoO group KLA carrying out extortion in Saikul bazaar identified as SS L/Cpl Thanglalmani Vaiphai @ Romeo, 30 years, s/o Mangpileun r/o Saikul and Boilen Khongsai, 24 years, s/o Thanglal, r/o Saikul. The cadres were later handed over to PS Saikul.
In a joint operation by 5 and 43 Assam Rifles, 510 litres of Sekmai were recovered from a Maruti Gypsy (Regn NL 06 2506) in gen A vill Mayangkhang while being transported on NH-2 from Sekmai to Senapati. The recovery was later handed over to PS Senapati.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/militants-nabbed-10/

Gunmen attack Congress candidate’s residence

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 11: Some unknown persons fired about eight rounds at the residence of one Waikhom (o) Sama Devi (60) a congress (I) Candidate from
Langthabal A/C of Naral Konjin Mamang Leikai this early morning around 1.30 a.m. No casualties were reported so far.
In another incident, some persons planted a Chinese hand grenade today at the house of two brothers identified as Lairenjam Kumar (56) worker of RK Anand, a congress (I) candidate and Sur (47) his younger brother. Sur is the nominee of RK Anand. They are residents of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai.
Meanwhile a Chinese hand grenade was also found at the house of RK Biren of Nambol Awang Leikai this morning around 7.30 a.m.
He is at present serving as an E.E at DRDA, Churachandpur.
NNN adds it is another ‘Diwali time’ in Manipur valley with sound of blasts booming the scene in the run-up to the 10th assembly election slated for January 28.
Ever since the announcement of poll date by the Election Commission of India (ECI) there have been several blasts mostly in the state capital Imphal.
Earlier, CorCom (Co-ordination Committee) of seven underground groups had announced to ban the Congress party from Manipur for indefinite period while accusing the party of ‘anti-people’. Soon after this announcement series of bomb attacks on the Congress offices and the residences of the party candidates started which are continuing. Amidst these developments, supporters of rival candidates have also joined the attacking spree as non-Congress candidates are also being attacked by miscreants which have created a chaotic scene in the state capital and its vicinity.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) said today it would “check and control the unfair means and extravagant spending in feasting “ by political parties in the ensuing Manipur assembly election slated for January 28.
According to the UNC publicity wing, the meeting held on January 2 had resolved to check and control unfair means by political parties and candidates. It also said the Naga body in that meeting resolved to control extravagant spending in feasting and luring of voters with money or in any other manner. “This is to be enforced by the concerned tribe units/district organisations,” said the UNC.
On the question of lending its support to the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the UNC said, “As a logical extension of the discussions and decisions taken in the series of presidential council meetings, the federal assembly of the UNC held on January 2, 2012 resolved that the Naga People’s Front would be supported in the ensuing 10th general assembly election to be held on January 28.”
It added that the resolution was adopted taking into account the situation of the Nagas in Manipur and the commonality in principle and ideology with the NPF on the political agenda of the Nagas.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gunmen-attack-congress-candidates-residence/

BSF man killed, three injured in accident

Imphal, Jan 11 MNS : One BSF jawan was killed and seven others wounded Wednesday morning when a Tamenglong district-bound pickup truck carrying 19 BSF personnel met with an accident at a place called Kahulong Tangkhui Khongshang in Imphal-Tamenglong road.
Four personnel who were critically injured in the incident were airlifted by an Army chopper which landed at Kangla in Imphal and later took them to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) here. Among them, one was admitted at the ICU of the hospital.
The jawans belonging to one of the companies of BSF arrived here on January 9 from Tripura before they were sent to Tamenglong for deployment for the upcoming Manipur polls on Wednesday, BSF Deputy Commandant, S.H. Luwang told the media at the hospital where four jawans were admitted for treatment.
The jawan who was killed in the road mishap has been identified as PK Talukdar, 45, a native of West Bengal, and the wounded were Constable K. Murli, 31, a native of Tamil Nadu, now in ICU, and head constable Harnath Biswas, 43, a native of West Bengal and Constable Anilkumar,24 from Haryana.
A team of 19 personnel from 70th BSF left Imphal this early morning in a light pickup truck when around 9:45, the vehicle in which they were traveling in crashed against a rocky hill side and then the driver lost control, leading it to plunge into a deep gorge as it crossed Kahulong Tangkhui Khongshang, killing one jawan on the spot and wounding another seven. Three jawans who received minor injuries in the incident were also taken to Tamenlong district hospital, sources said.
Kahulong Tangkhui Khongshang is located about 25 km towards Tamenglong district headquarters.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bsf-man-killed-three-injured-in-accident/

IGAR(S ), mea gear up for conducting 9th dgar cup

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 11: The 9th Director General Assam Rifles State Equestrian Championship and 3rd IGAR(S) Junior Equestrian Championship will be organised conjointly by Manipur Equestrian Association (MEA) and Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) from 15 to 18 Jan 2012 at Polo Ground, Imphal.
The Director General Assam Rifles Cup State Equestrian Championship is a radiant and eloquent testimony of the Assam Rifles’ enthusiastic zeal and endeavour to encourage and promote polo and equestrian in the state of Manipur.
The championship aims at encouraging this popular sport as also garner budding talent in a sport which is said to have originated in ancient Manipur around 3100 BC, when it was played as “Sagol Kangjei”.
The DGAR Cup was instituted in 2003 and over the years it has turned into an annual mega event keenly contested by Equestrian enthusiasts from all across Manipur. 12 Clubs from all over Manipur with number of riders in junior, senior and girls category will be participating in the championship this year, being conducted at Manipur Polo Ground, one of the oldest polo grounds in India. The championship will be conducted over a span of four days and will include events like Tent Pegging and Show Jumping.
The championship not only aims at promoting the game but it also endeavors to preserve the rare breed of Manipuri ponies which have been associated with various forms of equestrian sports in the state since time immemorial.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/igars-mea-gear-up-for-conducting-9th-dgar-cup/

CBI registers case against three customs officers

Mail News Service
New Delhi, Jan 11: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case U/s 120 B r/w 409, 477A IPC and & Sec.13(2) r/w 13(1)(c) & (d) of PC Act,
1988 against Assistant Commissioner(Customs), Supdt. of Customs, Preventive Officer(Customs), all of Air Cargo Complex, Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, Ernakulam and unknown others.
The allegation in brief is that Kuwait based private firm had sent 3 items of electronic goods i.e. one Plasma T.V., a Sound System and Mounting brackets worth Rs.90,727/- in favour of a Lady, resident of Melattoor P.O., Trichur, whose husband was an employee of the above firm. The items were sent to her as gift items on the occasion of her house warming and the said consignment was arrived at Nedumbassery Airport. On receipt of the consignments, the lady preferred a Bill of Entry through Cochin based CHA. On receipt of the Bill of Entry before the Customs authorities at CIAL Nedumbassery, the Assistant Commissioner noted that the imported goods were electronic goods and the value of the same exceeded the exempted limit. He also noted that the import appears to be in violation of Foreign Trade Policy and that the goods were valued at Rs.90,727/- Hence, the same were liable to be confiscated under Customs Act. As the Customs officials after examination of the consignment, imposed heavy customs duty, the lady was not interested for taking delivery of the consignment with such huge penalty and therefore abandoned the consignment.
In pursuance of the conspiracy among themselves with dishonest intention to misappropriate the consignment, a challan was preferred on behalf of the lady towards cancellation of Bill Entry, purportedly showing the abandonment of the consignment. As per procedure, the above officials did not either tranship the goods back or sent to the Customs House, Cochin after confiscation for public auction. After falsifying the records, the accused allowed clearance of the consignment in a fictitious name by preferring Baggage Declaration. The value of consignment was assessed at Rs.30,000/- and accordingly the duty was calculated as Rs.4,635/-. On payment of the duty with SBT, Nedumbassery, the consignment was cleared out of the Customs area by the other accused persons i.e. Supdt. of Customs & Preventive Officer and the consignment was misappropriated in a fictitious name.
Searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused person. The misappropriated items were seized from the residence of the Assistant Commissioner of Customs at Bangalore.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-registers-case-against-three-customs-officers/

Gender and women

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 10: The Social Environmental Economic Development Society (SEEDS), Lamding Cherapur, Wangjing, Manipur oranised a 3-Day National Publicity Workshop on the theme of “GENDER & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT” . It concluded today at State Guest House, Imphal . A. Nabachandra Singh, Retd. Director, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur was the Chief Guest, Smt A. Bimola Devi, Ex Chairperson, Manipur State Social Welfare Board President and P. Deven Singh, Rtd. Deputy Director, Dept of Social Welfare Government of Manipur was the Guest of Honour. The workshop started on Jan 8 .
About 97 delegates both male and female participated in the workshop.
In the Morning session, Miss. Chitralekha Devi, District Resource Person, Link Worker Scheme, Senapati, spoke on the topic
“HIV/AIDS a gift by her beloved husband, exclusive talk with reference to NE India.” .
S. Shyamachoron, Advocate, and Gen. Secretary, All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) spoke on the topic “ Gender Laws Under the Provisions of the Constitution”.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gender-and-women/

Myanmar nationals arrested

Discovering the movement of foreigners at Pallel, troops of 27 Assam Rifles and 42 Assam Rifles under HQ IGAR(South) launched operation in the area and apprehended six Myanmar Nationals on 09 Jan 12. The apprehendees were identified as Noor Rulamin,32 yrs, s/o Noor Hakim,Md Yunusd,22 yrs, s/o Md Yusuf, Md Ousman,16 yrs, s/o Mason, Md Issak,23 yrs, s/o Noor Hakim, Md Zaw Kaw Raya,25 yrs,s/o Noor Alam and Abdul Hamid,30 yrs, s/o Havez Ahmed. All apprehendees were handed over to Kakching Police Station.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/myanmar-nationals-arrested/

AR apprehends three militants

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 10: Discovering the movement of UG cadres at Pallel Maning Wang Leikai, troops of 42 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) launched operation in the area and apprehended one PLA cadre on 10 Jan 12. The apprehendee was identified as Khuraijam Khelendro alias Shanti,34 yrs, s/o Nand Kumar,r/o Pallel Maning Awang. One Chinese Hand grenade and three 9mm live rounds was recovered from the apprehendee who alongwith recoveries was handed over to Kakching Police Station.
In yet another incident, troops of 18 SIKH of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR(South) launched operation at Ningombam and apprehended two KCP(City Meitei) cadres on 10 Jan 12. The apprehendees were identified as Herojit alias Vicky(Area Cdr of Imphal West district),27 yrs, s/o S Ibomcha,r/o Sangoibam Maning Leikai and Bablu alias Charies,26 yrs, s/o Joy Kumar, r/o Sangoibam Moirang Leikai. One.32 Pistol with magazine and two Mobile phones with SIM Card has been recovered from the apprehendees who alongwith recoveries were handed over to Singjamei Police station.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-apprehends-three-militants/

NE has rich potential : Virbhadara

Shillong, Jan 10 NNN : Union Minister for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Virbhadra Singh today said, “The North Eastern Region of the country has bestowed with rich natural and human resources including challenges.
Inaugurating the 7th North East Business Summit organized by DoNER and Indian Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi today, Singh expressed the
need to channelize these vast resources for the overall growth & development of the area.Worldwide, the MSMEs have been accepted as the engine of economic growth and for promoting equitable development. The Minister said, “In India too, the MSMEs play a pivotal role in the overall industrial economy of the country. It is estimated that in terms of value, the sector accounts for about 45 per cent of the manufacturing output and over 40 per cent of the total exports of the country, Press Information Bureau sources in Shillong said.
He further said, “The Ministry has initiated ten innovative schemes under the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme to assist MSMEs in improving their processes, design, technology and market access.
The ten components of this programme includes schemes like “Lean Manufacturing”, “Design Clinics”, “Quality Control”, “ICT Application”, “Energy Efficiency” and “Building Awareness on Intellectual Property Rights”. The Ministry is also implementing the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme for assisting MSEs in upgrading their technology. The scheme provides for 15% capital subsidy on institutional loans up to Rs.1 crore availed by the MSEs, the sources said.
Virbhadra Singh said, that in order to ensure better flow of credit to MSEs by minimizing the risk perception of banks and financial institutions in lending without collateral security, the Government is implementing the Credit Guarantee Scheme. The scheme provides guarantee cover of up to 85% on collateral-free credit facility extended by lending institutions to new and existing MSEs for loans up to Rs.100 lakh.
More than 6.47 lakhs proposals have been approved under the Scheme so far. The Government is also implementing another credit linked scheme, namely, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for assisting the young entrepreneurs to set up new micro enterprises in the manufacturing as well as the services sector.
The Scheme provides for attractive subsidy for promoting self-employment and has the potential of providing employment to a very large number of people, especially in the rural areas.The Minister also added that funds are no constraint for development of North East and all activities taken up by the Ministry will be actively pursued. He assured that problems, particularly in setting up of MSEs will be removed and solved, the sources added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ne-has-rich-potential-virbhadara/

One shot dead, infiltration move foiled

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 10: 22 GRENADIERS of 26 Sector Assam Rifles under IGAR (S) foiled a major infiltration bid on 10 Jan 12, when a group of heavily armed cadres were intercepted while crossing the International Border in general area Khumkot of Khengjoi area, resulting in elimination of one hardcore militant and recovery of huge warlike stores such as one Lathode, one 7.62 mm Pistol with Mag, one Auto Rif (broken), one 7.62 mm live rds, one Bushnell Binocular and 10 Kgs of White Explosive.
Three Army personnel of 22nd grenadier were reportedly injurd in an encounter near Khongput Village under Molchan PS, Chandel this early morning, according to a source.
Two other major infiltration bids by militants were earlier foiled, first on 07 Jan 12 where in 35 Assam Rifles had apprehended three UNLF cadres with huge arms and ammunition, trying to infiltrate into valley via Sajik Tampak from Kholmunlen area. In second incident, 37 Assam Rifles foiled attempt by terrorists to infiltrate from Aibol Kuki area near International Border on 24 Dec 11. On being challenged and engaged with effective fire, the terrorists ran back towards their camps across International Border in Myanmar.
The Assam Rifles has adopted an enhanced anti infiltration measures and continue to maintain a strict vigil on the activities of cor com of Under Ground groups and are determined to foil any attempt or activities which might disrupt democratic process.
In view of ensuing 10th assembly election in Manipur State the cor com Front of Under Ground groups has planed to disturb peace ful conduct of election by intensifying their subversive activities. As a consequence of these, there has been a noticeable spurt in wild activities such as bomb blast, targeting of political leaders, planting of IEDs and lobbing of grenades near important institutions.
To support there malicious intentions, large numbers of attempts are being made by various underground outfits forming part of cor com of Under Ground groups to infiltrate from International Border in order to create disturbance in the State during forth coming elections. Troops of Assam Rifles, being on high alert and maintaining strict vigilance by dominating international border have failed three such major infiltration attempts made by various groups in recent days. This has contributed immensely in ensuring environmental security to the people of Manipur who believe in a fair, transparent and just democratic process which can be achieved by facilitating peaceful elections.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/one-shot-dead-infiltration-move-foiled/

Seven injured in blast at candidate’s residence at Thangmeiband

Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 10: A bomb exploded at the residence of a Trinamul candidate , Kh Joykishan at Thangmeiband in which seven persons were injured. Four bombs were found at different places by police. Security was beefed up around all Congress offices and candidates . A powerful bomb was found at Congress head office earlier while three bombs had blasted yesterday.
In a spate of attack on Congress (I) Candidates and workers, some persons planted four bombs at four different places.
A Chinese hand grenade was planted at the residence of Congress(I) Candidate from Andro A/C at the residence of Al-Haj Ahamed Ali alias Angou this morning around 11.50 a.m.
Police retrieved the bomb around 12.45 p.m.
Another bomb was also found at the gate of Dr. Sapam Noren of Kangjabi Leirak today around 8.30 a.m. Bomb experts later blasted the same at Lamphel.
In a similar incident, police found a hand grenade from the gate of Tongbram Ibochouba an EE of electricity department of Sagolband Thingom Leikai this morning around 10.30 a.m. The bomb was later exploded by bomb experts at Lamphel.
Meanwhile a Chinese hand grenade was found at the house of Thokchom Dhanshyam of Lamlai Mayai Leikai this morning around 7.30 a.m.
Meanwhile candidates and workers of Trinamool Congress ransacked the office of Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress at Hotel Excellency and burnt dawn flags and signboard in front of office this morning around 11.30 a.m.
Workers of the party said, the list of 18 candidates were declared on January two however it is learnt that the lists of candidates will be replaced by new candidates.
The candidates and workers met the observer at Hotel Nirmala last night but the observer and Kim Gangte, state president could not be traced till today. The angry crowd late ransacked the party office and burnt dawn flags and signboard on the road.
About 33 candidates including L Nandakumar, INC, Kh Joyksihan, TMC, Th. Chaoba MPP and others submitted nomination papers today.

Indian sailors freed from Somali pirates reach Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 10 (ANI): Seventeen Indian sailors freed from Somalian pirates after they were paid a multimillion dollar ransom, recalled tales of horror and torture after their arrival in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Somali pirates freed an Italian oil tanker Savina Caylyn, which they had hijacked in Yemen last February, with five Italians and 17 Indians on board.
The released sailors, overcame with emotions after meeting their family members and recounted their nightmare of the past ten months.
“I feel really great coming back to India, coming back to my family and its been really a horrible experience for all of us, for all the crew also and as well as the parents and the relatives, everybody,” said Rahul Puranik, one of the released sailors.
Gulaam Rabbani, another seaman said the medium-sized tanker was seized by an armed gang, firing bullets and rocket propelled grenades, some 500 miles off the coast of India and 800 miles off Somalia, as the vessel transited from Sudan to Malaysia. It was loaded at the time.
“Before we could take any action, a speedboat came towards our ship in just 15 minutes and started firing. Their aim of firing was to avoid anybody from seeing that they are boarding the ship. They fired with AK-47 and rocket launchers,” said Rabbani.
The freed hostages told the mediapersons that getting food and water was a struggle during captivity.
“We ate whatever they gave us. They used to give us rice and we were given one and a half litres of water once in a day and we had to do everything in that,” said Jayanti Lal, a released sailor.
Somali pirates released the Italian-owned oil tanker and its 22 crew after they received a multi-million dollar ransom. The tanker, owned by Naples shipping company, was on its way from Sudan to Malaysia and was carrying a load of crude oil.
“I would say Indian government has done their job as what they were supposed to do but as far as operational detail of the whole situation is concerned, it is better we don’t speak about it at the moment because not to forget we still have more than 70 Indians in captivity in Somalia and about 300 sailors overall,” said Captain Vinod Alvi, another released sailor.
Piracy is rife off the Horn of Africa, disrupting shipping lanes between Europe and Asia, putting seamen, vessels and cargoes at risk, and costing shippers huge sums to protect themselves.
Seaborne gangs are making tens of millions of dollars in ransoms, and despite successful efforts to quell attacks in the Gulf of Aden, international navies have struggled to contain piracy in the Indian Ocean owing to the vast distances involved.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/indian-sailors-freed-from-somali-pirates-reach-mumbai/

New load schedule programme heralds death of working habit

Human needs increases day by day and the dependence on power is overwhelmingly high. Power failure for half an hour in a developed country is international news. Decades ago electricity staff started repairing power lines without cutting out power supply. It is dangerous as slight mistake can lead to death of those repairing the power lines. The new load shedding programme as implemented at Uripok areas is awful. Similar load shedding programme is not done in some places . There is power supply for one and half hour from 8 to 9.30 am. Then there will be power supply from 6 to 10 pm every alternate day. It will not be an uninterrupted supply. There will be shut down for minimum of half an hour. On the intervening day the power supply will be from 10 to 12 midnight. So every family will be getting 3 and half hour power supply and five hour power supply every alternate day. The worst part is there will be no supply during working hours that is from 9.30 am to 6 pm. All offices, private entrepreneurs, workshops, shops will be operating without power supply. So many youths who have taken up small time business like computer centre, internet café, PCO, Photostat centre, repairing centre have been compelled to shut down. The measures taken up by the power department is not acceptable. Tariff is hiked without notice time and again. Amazingly recently tariff was hiked with retrospective effect with a threat to cut off power supply if the tax was not immediately cleared. Who is really in charge of this department ? If the transformer breaks down consumers have to repair it at their own cost. Proper administration, governance, guidance are lacking in this department. When some concerned citizens filed a PIL some actions were seen from the part of the department, which died down with each passing day. The crux of the problem lies in providing uninterrupted power supply to the higher up. They are not aware of the problem. The former Governor Dr SS Sidhu questioned the reason of providing power to higher up officials when people do not get it. All should get it, collect tax and punish the defaulters. Surprisingly major defaulters are the government offices. Some families enjoy VIP power line, we do not know how they get it and what is the criteria of providing such lines to some areas and families. Make people busy, work only then the production will increase. For that power is required, get it from somewhere and sell it to the people properly. It is your job, do it or make way for the honest and diligent officials to rise.

Tiger population increases in Assam

Guwahati, Jan 9 NNN : Assam forest and environment minister Rockybul Hussain on Monday announced that the Royal Bengal tiger population in Assam has increased to 143 in 2011. The last tiger census in wildlife protected areas was completed in December last.
“We used camera trapping method in tiger census in the state. The method is internationally recognized. In Kaziranga National Park KNP), we have 118 Royal Bengal tigers. It has the highest density of royal Bengal tiger in the country”, said Hussain.
In the KNP, there were two incidents of Royal Bengal tigers coming out to the fringe and killed villagers separate incidents in November last year.
“According to the experts, tigers come out from its habitat for two reasons.
When its population increases, the new generation pushed out the older ones and the other reason has been due to the shortage of food. There is no shortage of food for tiger in Kaziranga. This indicates increase of Royal Bengal tigers in Kaziranga”, said Hussain.
The state forest minister said that population of Royal Bengal tiger in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park has also been increased in the last six years. Apart from Kaziranga and Orang National Park, the Nameri National Park and Manas National Park in the state also has witnessed the increase in the population Royal Bengal tigers.
The Project Tiger was launched in three wildlife protected areas of Kaziranga, Manas and Nameri in the state. The state forest minister added that elephant population in the state was also increased from ‘5246’ in 2002 to ‘5620’ in 2011. According to last river dolphin census in the state, there are 258 river dolphins in the state.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tiger-population-increases-in-assam/

Two held

Bishnupur police commandos apprehended a cadre of KYKL who tried to disturb a meeting of Congress (I) candidate from Moirang A/C Shri Mairenbam Prithibiraj this early morning around two a.m.
The apprehandee was identified as Moirangthem Manaoba alias Prem (20) Ngangkhalawai. One nine mm mouser pistol, nine live rounds and one Chinese hand grenade were seized from him. During interrogation, the arrested disclosed that two cadre of KYKL handed over the weapons to him yesterday to disturb a public meeting the candidate being held at Moirang Konjengbam Leikai.
Troops of 6/8 Gorkha Rifles of Loktak Brigade under Red Shield Division apprehended one over ground worker (OGW) of RPF from Nachau village of Bishnupur District today. Individual revealed his identity as Sanothoi (29) son of Ibomcha resident of Nachau and confessed his involvement in carrying out extortion related activities on behalf of the banned outfit. Individual has been handed over to Bishenpur police.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/two-held-8/