Manipur Mail – Page 46

DU panel approves new course structure

New Delhi, May 8 (ANI): With admissions for new four-year undergraduate programmes set to begin from next month, the Delhi University’s Academic Council has approved new course structure for 28 departments.
“The Academic Council approved courses in Discipline 1, Discipline 2 as well as Application courses of 28 departments in a marathon meeting of 92 Council members,” the university’s Registrar, Alka Sharma, said. The syllabus for the courses was passed with 86 votes in favour and six against, she added.
The Academic Council met to assess the course syllabus recommended by the standing committee for subjects to be offered as major, minor and applied courses, besides the 11 foundational courses, which will be compulsory for all students.
The meeting was adjourned for Wednesday to pass the remaining courses and to discuss several issues regarding the four-year undergraduate programme.
Giving details about the approved courses, Academic Council member and Director of South Campus Umesh Rai said most of the courses of the Faculty of Sciences and Arts were passed.
“All the courses which come under Faculty of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences like electronics, instrumentation, microbiology, biochemistry were passed. “Besides most of the courses related to Faculty of Arts including English, Hindi, Hindi Journalism, Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Philosophy, Psychology also were passed,” he said.
Although Sharma did not give a clear picture on the number of papers and courses passed by the Academic Council, Council member Amitav Chakrobarty claimed 1,013 papers and 89 courses have been passed. “1,013 papers of 28 departments were passed.
Minor changes were made in the meeting that were recommended by the Standing Committee,” he said.
Some of the Academic Council members raised objections regarding the development of the four-year programme’s structure and gave a note of dissent on it.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/du-panel-approves-new-course-structure/

DoNER will not be abolished: PM

New Delhi, May 8: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has assured today the delegation of North East Students Organisation (NESO) that the Ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) will not be abolished.
NESO delegation team comprising NESO Chairman, Samuel B Jyrwa from Meghalaya, Secretary General, Sinam Prakash Singh from Manipur, other office bearers of NESO and members units of NESO met with Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in his Office Chamber at Parliament, New Delhi and submitted a memorandum on the various important issues affecting the North East region as a whole and also a Representation on the issue relating to the Minister of DoNER. During the meeting, the Charter of Demands made by NESO were discussed minutely. The Prime Minister said that he will go through the Memorandum carefully and will see what could be done from his side.
Apart from the charter of demands in the Memorandum, NESO also submitted a representation regarding the Minister of DoNER. NESO urged the Prime Minister that instead of dissolution of Minister of DoNER, restructuring of DoNER could be done so as to bring more development in the NE. In this regard, the Prime Minister gave assurance that Minister of DoNER will not be dissolved.
Moreover, NESO team will be meeting with opposition leaders and other Central leaders during its visit to New Delhi.
It was stated that NE that in more than five decades, the Union Republic of free India has not addressed itself to the genuine problem of the NE except some reactive and luring approaches, conditioned only to when the national security of the so-called, the mainstream India, is threatened by insurgency or external aggression.
The successive Indian government has carried out a ceaseless psychological warfare against the people in an attempt to divide and rule us. Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958 (AFSPA) is one of the most draconian legislations that the Indian Parliament has passed in its 54 years of parliamentary history, that for nearly 50 years the deployment of armed forces and militarisation of the NE has been the single largest threat to the indigenous people in terms of atrocities on innocent populace, occupation of educational institutions, lands in cities and villages, using forests as training grounds and thereby, usurping the resources of indigenous people. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 and other anti-peoples’ laws has given the security forces in NE with the power over life and death of the citizens with a status of impunity. Innocent civilians, aged, children, women and people from all walks of life have been put into nightmarish reign of terror. Even the babies of the next generation will turned out to be traumatized and mentally retarded children because the NE had been kept under the spell of nightmares and ghostly scenes for more than 40 years.
It demanded that the Union government accede and honour the United Nations Covenants for guarantee of Human Rights, repeal, all impunitive legislations and draconian laws .
The present problem facing the northeast is multi-dimensional but a great part of the crisis relates with the unabated influx of illegal migrants from her immediate neighbours which has brought a serious demographic change m the N.E. region in particular and other parts of the country in general.
The continued influx of refugees and undocumented migrants from different countries has created a sense of insecurity and apprehension among the indigenous people that their culture, tradition, political identity, their creeping control over land and existence itself, will be swallowed up by the outsiders. The unguarded porous border has been used by fundamentalist groups to infiltrate into the region thereby further threatening the existence of the indigenous people. There is every reason to believe that there are already a considerable number of militant fundamentalist groups operating in NE with a design to over-run the whole of NE according to their whims and fancies.
In order to protect the indigenous people of the NE from further assimilation by dominant communities and their culture, the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 popularly known as the ‘Inner Line Permit’ system must be extended to the entire north Eastern region.
It is a matter of great pain to mention that, ever since India’s independence from the British yoke, NE region has always remained backward. The mainland rulers of the country have neglected the NE part of the country and untold political injustice and economic exploitation has been perpetrated on the region and its people. The sheer discrimination to the people of NE has reared its ugly head in different forms, both non-violent peaceful movements and violent armed movements. There is an unabated growth of frustrated un-employed youths and their number is growing in an alarming proportion. Although, there are certain armed political movements, which have historical bases, yet, the feeling of total alienation from the mainland India is also manifested in many ways amongst the people of NE.
The magnanimity of the above-mentioned problems has become deep-rooted and there can be no short cut to solving the problem. This problem is, whether, deliberately, or otherwise, the creation of the Central rulers and the NESO is strongly of the view that the only solution to this decades- concentrated problem has to be constitutional addressed. Therefore, the NESO demand for granting of Special Constitutional Status to the people of NE states that must delegate vast federal authority to the states governments including the rights over land and its natural resources.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/doner-will-not-be-abolished-pm/

Sanyi Dahrii Memorial Cup begins

SENAPATI, May 7 NNN: Considered a rare treat and surprise to men’s dominated football fans in Senapati District, the one hour play exhibition match demonstrated by Imphal East and Imphal West Women’s Football team certainly has something to cheer in the inaugural function of the Late Sanyi Dahrii Memorial Cup, 2013 final edition. Led by AMFA officials, the two women’s team sweated out with professional football skills at the cheering of Senapati crowd estimated around 5,000. It was specially arranged from Imphal to encourage and inspire the participation of Senapati District girls in the world of sports, stated SDOAM President Robert Maram.
Organized by Senapati District Olympic Association (SDOAM), the one week football festival will be a tough competition among 12 selected teams drawn from all over the District including Saikul and Kangpokpi areas. The special appearance of the women’s team from Imphal who also steal today’s show was sponsored by RD & PR Minster Francis Ngajokpa.
The inaugural programme was graced by MLA L.Dikho as chief guest while S.P Pushpanjali, IPS and SDSA President L.R John graced the occasion as guest of honor and president of the function respectively. Among the notable dignitaries present for the kick off ceremony was Late Sanyi Dahrii’s wife Mrs. Th. Veitsii of Tungjoy village, former Minister R.K Thekho, UNC President, NPO President, SDWA President, Social organizations, public leaders, village leaders and family members of the Late Sanyi Dahrii. The inaugural matches were played between JSYC and Karong areas in which the JSYC trounced the later by 2-0 margin. The second play was between Mayankhang area and Lepaona area which ended in a goalless draw. All the remaining 8 teams will play double game today at Senapati Public ground and T. Khullen Village Playground.
Speaking at the occasion, MLA Dikho a sportsman himself stated that, the resources of sports in the District is abundance and that, such avenues provided in football should be encouraged to the young talents and not just for leisure game. The MLA also paid a rich tribute to the lives of the Late Sanyi Dahrii. SP Pushpanjali, IPS also added that, sports is part of socializing as it promotes team work of different people from different background, it teaches us to co-operate, plan, struggle, sacrifice, unite and fight for a cause collectively. On the occasion, the SDOAM also read out a tribute note honoring the late Sanyi Dahrii.
The said football tourney will witness the final showdown of 12 teams selected from different circles of the District including Senapati District Police Team. The champion will win Rs. 50,000/- along with the memorial cup and certificates. It also includes different category of prizes for individual talents.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sanyi-dahrii-memorial-cup-begins/

Help, condemnations pour in over Seijang incident

IMPHAL, May 7 MNS NNN : Seijang Progressive Youth Club Tuesday accused the Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Imphal (TKLI) and other NGOs of misjudging the people of Seijang village through the media, terming it as ‘unfortunate.’
Heikrujam Tombi, president, Seijang Progressive Youth Front while addressing the media at the Manipur Press Club here, said that Hongprang, headman of Silent village must be held responsible for the unwanted incident that took place in his village on May 3.
He insisted that the Seijang villagers have neither communal feeling nor ill feeling toward the Silent villagers while firmly maintaining that Seijang will never object the villagers of Silent while settling down in their village so long as they do not impinge upon the land given by the Manipur state durbar.
Urging the NGOs to avoid making unneeded statements on the Silent village incident, Tombi requested them to work on ending the land dispute on the basis of records or documents at the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kangpokpi and Gauhati High Court.
Acknowledging the long time peaceful co-existence of the two villages, he mentioned the existing inter-marriage practice there and added that Seijang men got married seven Kuki women and another three Tangkhul women.
However, he alleged that the Silent village chief has allowed building of new houses by encroaching disputed land area after taking Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per house and used the money to fight the case in the court that led to the unwanted incident.
Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTA) has said that the recent Silent village arson incident was due to the communication gap between the Silent village and that of Saijang village. COPTAM however, blames the state government of Manipur for the incident saying had the government done what COPTAM had suggested on district boundary issue the May 3 incident would have been averted.
COPTAM general secretary Thangkam Lupheng along with his team visited Silent village and donated 20 bags of rice to the villagers. He said the leaders of Silent and Saijang villages ought to sit down and resolve the misunderstanding. “No room should be given for any vested interest element to communalise the May 3 incident but better sense should be allowed to prevail,” said Thangkam Lupheng while talking to the Silent villagers.
Terming it as very unfortunate, Thangkam Lupheng said COPTAM strongly condemns the incident but suggested, “The best move is to hold dialogue between the two villages.”
Meanwhile, Saikul Area Naga Peoples’ Organisation (SANPO) has also donated 5 bags of rice to the Silent villages where 36 houses were razed to ashes by the Seijang villagers on May 3.
UNC said in a press statement that Silent village with about 60 households was attacked by a large number of well armed people from the neighbouring Saijang village at about 10.30 am of 3rd May, 2013 and 36 (thirty-six) houses were burnt down. Properties worth crores of rupees was reduced to cinders and hundreds of villagers were rendered homeless.
The nearest Police station, Lamlai P.S. , located just a few kms away was informed at 11 AM but the Police arrived at the spot at only 1.00 PM. Some of the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons which were fired in the air and many of them were masked. Some of the Silent villagers were locked up from outside by the attackers before setting the house on fire. They escaped being burnt to death fortunately by breaking open the doors of the houses as the fire engulfed the houses.
It also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/help-condemnations-pour-in-over-seijang-incident/

IED blast accused apprehended

MNS: In a major breakthrough on the IED incident of 26 Feb 13 at Torbung, troops of 1/11 GR under Red Shield Division nabbed one of the prime accomplice of the incident. A swift
and precise operation was launched by troops of 1/11 Gorkha Rifles and apprehended 27 years old Amit Kumar Singh resident of Kakching District, presently staying at Loklaiphai
village, District Churachandpur on 01 May 13. The individual is an ex PREPAK cadre, who later joined PLA . On 24 Feb, Amit Kumar, along with other six cadres, hatched the plan of planting IED on the IT road. His role in the planning was evident as he indicated, on ground, the site where the IED was placed and had organized dinner of UGs at his residence on 25 Feb 13. One 7.62mm pistol with two live rounds of 9mm & ten live rounds of 5.56 mm were recovered from the individual said a PIB(DW) press hand out issued today.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ied-blast-accused-apprehended/

Three years RI for officials

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 7 : The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Hyderabad has convicted Dandu Ravi, then Welfare Inspector, South Central Railway, Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) in a bribery case and sentenced him to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with a fine of Rs.25,000/-each for the offence punishable U/s 7 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988. The Court also gave a finding that out of the total fine amount of Rs.50,000/-, an amount of Rs.20,000/- is to be paid to the Complainant.
The investigation revealed that the accused had demanded & accepted a bribe of Rs.5000/- from the complainant for processing of application for appointment in South Central Railway on compassionate grounds.
The Trial Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Cardiologist of Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital & Research Centre, Bhilai(Chhattisgarh) for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/- from the complainant.
A case was registered in CBI U/s 7 of P.C. Act, 1988 against a Cardiologist of Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital & Research Centre, Sector-9, Bhilai (managed by Bhilai Steel Plant, Bhilai under SAIL) on the allegation that the accused demanded a bribe from the complainant for referring the father of the complainant, who is a retired employee of Bhilai Steel Plant to Chennai / Delhi based hospitals for cardiac treatment.
A trap was laid and the accused was caught red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.10,000/- from the complainant.
During searches, Gold biscuits; jewellery and heavy amount in the form of FDs & Saving amount were recovered besides immovable properties at Bhilai, Jodhpur and Bhopal.
The arrested accused was produced before the Court of Special Judge, CBI, Raipur. He was remanded to Judicial Custody till 10.05.2013.
Further investigation is in progress.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/three-years-ri-for-officials/

Renaming of Tulihal airport

IMPHAL, May 7 NNN: Saying that many airports in India were named in honour of the national leaders, the Indo-Myanmar Association, Manipur Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging him to rename the Imphal Tulihal Airport, which is being upgraded to an international airport status, in honour of one of the freedom fighters or patriots of Manipur.
Disclosing this to the media here, LC Ruhinikumar, secretary, Indo-Myanmar Association, Manipur, said that the it is the long time dream of the association that the Imphal Tulihal Airport become an international airport because it would bridge between Yangon in Myanmar and Manipur making them more closer.
However, the association wants the airport rename in honour of one of the freedom fighters of Manipur in line with other states of India, he said.
In the memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi, the association said that Imphal Airport is located 8 km south of the capital of Manipur and it offers regional commercial airline service as well general aviation and charter service. The terminal houses a post office and variety shop and there is also a reception counter of Tourism Department, apart from wheelchair accessibility, child care room, and assistance to physically challenged, aged and infirm are available, the memorandum highlighted.
It said that now, it is humbly requested that many airports in India were named in honour of the national leaders except Imphal Airport adding that this airport being located in Manipur, which has a number of freedom fighters .“This will facilitate to pay homage and gratitude to the one who had sacrificed with valour for our future and we, being the sons of the soil should have the privilege of the pride of the one having been born in our motherland,” the memorandum further added.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/renaming-of-tulihal-airport/

Protests galore over attack on Child Welfare Chairperson

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 7 : A sit in protest against the attack on Mala Lisham Chairperson child welfare committee, Thoubal was held at Palace compound today.
A protester said, it is very unfortunate as an uniform attempted to murder a woman who is fighting for orphans. The govt should convey those who involved in the incident.
She also demanded life imprisonment. Condemning the recent life attempt on Mala Lisham, chairperson, Child Welfare Committee for Thoubal district by a gunman, who happens to be a police constable attached to Narcotic Cells, Imphal West, the AZSU, ZUF and ZSUM accused that the act was another glaring example of some police personnel working at the behest of anti social elements.
NNN adds the Zeliangrong Youth Front, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union and Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Manipur, said the police should reveal to the general public in details about all information extracted from the accused Md. Basir Ahmad without concealing even an iota of facts on the reasons behind and circumstances leading to carrying out the gun attack on a lawful citizen who works for the welfare of children.
They also said the duty of a police man is to protect and secure the life of citizens but attacking innocent person with gun is strongly condemned by ZYF, AZSU and ZSUM.
Alleging that accused Md. Basir Ahmad is a mere constable drawing meager amount as monthly salary but owns assets which are not commensurate to his known source of income, the Zeliangrong bodies demanded for a probe into his properties and make it public.
They further demanded that Government of Manipur prove the basis and background on granting of licensed gun to a constable like Ahmad.
In Manipur, most of the crimes such as killing of innocent persons, raping women, drugs smuggling are involved and committed by security personnel like the police commandos, personnel of India Reserve Battalion, Manipur Rifles and sometimes by other Central forces, AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM further accused.
They also alleged that such crimes have clearly indicated that some of the security personnel are working as paid hire men for killing innocents in connivance with anti social elements and asked if it is because of ineffectiveness of the State Government in dealing with such cases that involved security personnel in the criminal activities.
Paying compensation after killing innocents is not what the citizens want from the government but putting an end to such criminal activities, the Zeliangrong bodies said and demanded the government act strongly in accordance with the law of the land to avoid such criminal activities in future.

Fatycm condemns attack on MLA

IMPHAL, May 7 NNN : Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) has on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent life attempt on Chingai constituency MLA Preshow Shimray and the two separate incidents that took place in Chadong and Silent villages where several houses were destroyed and displaced hundreds of people by their neighbouring villages over land disputes.
FATYCM said that the whole thing can be settled by means of talks and concession, citing that everybody can access to anything for bringing about solution.
Criticising the Government of Manipur for not taking any concrete step to address the issues, the federation noted that mere providing relief materials to the victims and visiting the there cannot solve such issues since they need a tangible settlement.
A lawmaker like Shimray should not be a target for any motive as he represents the people of Chingai, the federation said and stressed that negotiation is the only civilized mode of ending any particular standoff.
Heavily armed unknown persons launched an attack by indiscriminate firing against the convoy of MLA Shimray on April 30 in Ukhrul district. His convoy came under heavy fire on its way while returning toward Imphal after attending a fair at Tolloi in the district however Shimray escaped the attack unhurt.
At the same time, FATYCM said that it cannot tolerate any longer what had happened in the villages of Chadong in Ukhrul district and Silent in Senapati district.
On May 1, a large number of villagers from Thawai and Reha villages attacked the village of Chadong destroying more than 50 houses.
The federation also condemned the incident and called for a long lasting peaceful settlement among the neighbouring villages. It also condemned the recent arson attack against the village of Silent by villagers of Seijang over a long standing land dispute on May 3.
Urging the state Government and the concerned district administrations, particularly the Deputy Commissioners of Imphal East and Ukhrul districts for the settlement of the issues at the earliest, it warned that the Government and the DCs should be held responsible for any future untoward incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/fatycm-condemns-attack-on-mla/

Building construction

It seems the soil at Lamphel areas floats like the ship in the sea. The houses and office buildings constructed at Lamphel and its surrounding areas get sunk slowly and slowly. Large number of old buildings near DC office Lamphelpat lay under water. The buildings look too short as half of its height had gone inside the earth. There is no crack in the wall. The roof is in good condition. But the only problem is the ground floor that remains stuck inside the earth. In future the architects when they design office buildings or quarters for employees must study the nature of the soil. They must raise the level of the veranda to enable the buildings last half a century. The level of the roads can be raised every year by doing WBM work. Buildings and bridges are different; once they have been constructed it is finished. It cannot be pulled up or expanded. There is a bridge at Uripok connecting with Sagolband at Khoisnam Leikai, which has foot path on both sides of the bridge. The foot path is so wide that there is no space for two vehicles coming from opposite direction to negotiate. There is space for only one vehicle. Our engineers are advised to take maximum care to ensure that buildings and bridges are not constructed in a haphazard manner. Architectural design must be interrelated with the condition of the soil. The kind of buildings or bridges, which will last only four or five years, must not come up. Construction of such buildings and bridges is wastage of money. Instead of constructing small quarters here and there the Government must also think cloistering all these employees in multi-storeyed building. That will save space, which can be used in taking up other development programmes. Lamphel areas, Takyelpat, Akampat have seen mushrooming of tiny houses. All these buildings can be clubbed together and the space available after eviction of the small buildings can be used for preservation of water. That will go a long way in the protection of ecology of the areas. Clean airs swept earlier at Lamphel areas now smelly and stinky wind blow. So none think of going to lamphel for inhaling better air. In Thailand there is Oxygen Park. Such park can be preserved at Lamphel areas by evicting useless buildings. Manipur Government can find enough fund for construction of multi-crore capitol project at Chingmeirong. It will be able to trace fund for development of park also. The park thus developed can be used as tourist spots. The people living in the state capital have started feeling suffocation as almost 70 percent of the entire population live in Imphal areas. Something needs to be done to give them a new lease of life.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/building-construction/

Sports development makes all happy

State Government set on the right track when it involved Manipur Development Society in the development of sports. Two month football training programme launched under the supervision of a British footballer and sponsored by MDS will go a long way in the promotion of the game. Similar programme need to be organised for other sports discipline also by involving Government departments. IFCD can be asked to sponsor a training programme on hockey. Likewise PWD for promotion of boxing. There are hundreds of sports disciplines, which cannot flourish for want of fund. If there is proper flow of fund training programmes will be galore, which will yield better result. Manipur is sports power house. In the NE sports meet Manipur continues to occupy coveted position. In the national games also Manipur is the reigning champion among states. If the services consisting of talented sports persons of the country do not participate in the National Games none will be able to beat Manipur in medal tally. The other states in NE region are consciously pondering how Manipur promotes sports in Manipur. Involvement of Government departments in the promotion of the games will be eye opener to other states. It will not be surprising when other states imitate what Manipur is doing in its own land. The domineering role played by sports stars of the state in the field of sports has earned a place of importance for Manipur enviable to other states. Now Manipur is up. It will never be down again. Because realisation has dawned in the minds of those at the helms of affairs. Minus sports Manipur stands nowhere. There is a saying common men’s views shape the opinion of the men in power. As the Government takes up more sports development programmes it fulfils the expectations of the masses, who are thirsty for more achievement. Sports lovers in particular and people of the state as a whole love to see yellowish glittering medal worn by sports stars at end of a competition. We have seen the yellowish colour medal worn by Manipuri in Asian Games and bronze in Olympic. More need to be achieved. The thirst for medal is increasing as the Asian games approaches slated for next year. Chief Minister O. Ibobi having ruled the state for more than 11 years has found time to focus on sports. He will continue to do so. His speech made at the inaugural function reveals what is in store. Sports persons are happy. If they are happy the entire masses are also happy. If not for making the masses happy why should we elect a Government to rule over us? Go ahead do more. Manipur has reaped the benefit of having a stable and powerful Government.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sports-development-makes-all-happy/

UNLF refutes story

The UNLF today stated that the PlB(Defence Wing) claimed that Sgt. Maj. Salam Kunjabihari of Khordok surrendered to Red Shield Division with arms. It is a fictitious story the UNLF said. The UNLF said it was claimed that the service no. of Kunjabhihari was 886 of 13th batch. There is no one at the address given as per records of the UNLF. Service no 886 is not of 13th batch and the said number belongs to Ahanthem Ngamthang who died on 16-07-02 . It was added all knows the surrender drama of the troops.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unlf-refutes-story/

Shumang Leela festival begins

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 6 : Governor Gurbachan Jagat today inaugurated the 41st Shumang Leela Festival organized by Manipur State Kala Akademi at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound here.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the festival, Governor Gurbachan distributed awards to 11 female group artistes . He congratulated the award winners of the last edition of the Festival . This year 20 groups are participating, including 8 of males and 12 of females.
This performing art form of Manipur loosely translated as courtyard theatre has provided entertainment to the general public for decades. Even though it started with comic genre to humour the kings and noblemen, it became a powerful tool for conveying social messages. The older generation still remember the leelas based on Khamba-Thoibi, episodes from Moirang parva, Mahabharata, Ramayana, etc. Later on the genre of Eshei Leela came which was popular among the youngsters as it was styled on modern Hindi films but its popularity did not last long.
Such a vibrant performing art is now finding it difficult to maintain its popularity because of the onslaught of modern entertainment forms like cinema, television, etc. Shumang Leela had stood strongly against proscenium theatre when the latter was in it’s hey day, but both art forms are facing serious crises against the modern technology.
It must be the responsibility of every citizen of the State to ensure that the rich tradition of Shumang Leela is preserved and propagated for posterity. Research needs to be done on it so that this rich and vibrant art form is understood in its totality. The tendency to absorb styles from cinema does not do much good to this art form and many experts believe that this has led to its stagnation and many believe that, without patronage, this art form may wither away like many other art forms of this State. During the time of the Maharajas, the number of art forms and its proponents were less and the State could provide very strong patronage for its growth. Similarly, in the field of games and sports also the State could provide patronage. But with increased population, and with the opening up of frontiers, many exotic art forms have become popular with numerous adherents and it is with these that the traditional art form has to compete. In many parts of the country, many indigenous art forms have vanished but in Manipur, because of its rich traditions, many of the art forms still survive in the 21st century and for this he congratulated the people of Manipur for their contribution, especially the promoters and artists of these rare art forms.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shumang-leela-festival-begins-2/

NESO against abolition of DoNER

DIMAPUR, May 6 NNN: The North East Students Organisation (NESO) is very much concerned on the report of the Parliamentary Panel for the abolition of the DoNER ministry.
The NESO team is likely to go to New Delhi in the next few days’ time to apprise the Central leaders not to abolish the DoNER ministry.
Sources from Guwahati informed Newmai News Network that the apex students’ body of the North East region will oppose the move of the Parliamentary Panel in this regard. NESO leaders are now in Guwahati and are preparing to go to the national capital.
It can be noted here that the Parliamentary Panel had made scathing attacks on performance of the DoNER Ministry saying that the ministry had failed to live up to the expectation.
The Parliamentary Panel further said the dismal performance of the DoNER ministry has been the reason that it had pointed out in its report to abolish the ministry.
The Parliamentary Panel had recently recommended that government should consider the handicaps and devise ways out either by placing the DoNER Ministry directly under the Prime Minister’s Office or evolve mechanism so that the Ministry could implement its decisions.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/neso-against-abolition-of-doner/

KSO wants canal works at IGT taken up

IMPHAL, May 6 NNN : The Kuki Students Organisation (KSO-General Headquarters) takes strong exception over the suspension of construction works at Indira Gandhi Tribal (IGT) University at Makhan village under Sadar Hills in Senapati district in the wake of monetary demands by several militant groups.
“The KSO has come to learn that the construction work which started a year and a half ago is presently in a state of turmoil because of vested interest groups. The KSO had taken a prominent role in the creation of this tribal varsity right from its inception and therefore, does not want to see any problems that could impede its development. This tribal university has a unique history wherein tribal students struggled for their rights in the face of great adversities. The varsity is an outcome of tribal solidarity and exertion of tribal rights in the state. Therefore, the crisis faced by the university at the moment is a matter of concern for the organization,” the apex Kuki students’ body stated.
Stating these facts, the KSO requests all the militant groups to abstain from making monetary demands and life threatening deeds. “The KSO does not want to see this hard earned centre of learning in a state of decadence. The KSO would like to make it clear that any vested interest group that troubles the varsity shall be considered anti-tribal and anti-development. The UG groups involved must stop immediately before losing credibility in the eyes of the public,” it added.
The KSO also learnt that the Amarkantak University where the IGTU is being affiliated has meted out step-motherly treatment to the varsity in all aspects of development. The tribal students in the state will not take this injustice lying down and shall take all necessary measures to rectify the wrongs. As such the Amarkantak University is advised to tread carefully otherwise it will face punitive and legal action in civil courts.
“The construction company which is undertaking the development of the university is also advised to execute works in earnest without any fear. At the same time, the company must also understand that the KSO will not condone any sub-standard quality in the construction works,” the Kuki students’ body said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kso-wants-canal-works-at-igt-taken-up/

Aids, sympathy pouring in for Silent villagers

Imphal, May 6NNN : The Government of Manipur is trying to simplify and justify the burning down of 36 houses and granaries and destroying of other properties worth crores of rupees including valuable items and clothes belonging to Silent village by people from Seijang village numbering more than 1000 in a pre planned and well meditated manner is strongly condemned by Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF), All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU) and Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM alleged on Monday. Questioning the nature of the land dispute the statement also asked if this case can be taken as the one that permits to burn down another village.
At the same time, the government of Manipur appeals for maintaining peace without taking steps to pull up the perpetrators to book them as per the law of the land and hence this attitude of the Government could encourage those senseless people to repeat such beastly act in future, it said.
Asking who disturbs peace, the statement also asked why combing operation is not conducted to arrest all the suspects from Seijang village and why the Government is not ordering suspension order for all the police personnel who failed to turn up and intervene in time.
It also said that the Silent villagers did not retaliate against the senseless attackers because they wanted to excercise maximum restraint thereby avoiding human casualties and ugly scene.
“During physical visit and interaction with the villagers of the Silent village it is reported that the attackers were well equipped with fire arms and other deadly weapons”, the statement further said. All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) strongly condemned the burning down of Silent village causing complete dismantling of 36 houses by the villagers of Seijang village on May 3.
AMTU president D.P Panmei said such uncivilized act is not a solution to the land dispute between two villages . A team of the Naga People’s Organizations (NPO) visited the Silent village in Senapati district in which some 36 houses were burnt down by villagers of Seijang which is under Lamlai Police station in Imphal East district on May 3.
The team comprising of tribe hohos including the president and the general secretary of Maram Union, the vice-president and the information & publicity of Poumai Naga Union, the president and the finance secretary of Thangal Union and the president of Karong Senapati Town committee along with NPO executive council led by its president and the general secretary.
NPO has strongly condemned the ‘barbaric and cowardice act’ of the Seijang villagers to carry out such inhuman and unacceptable activities to another village. Stating that the attack and damages were carried out around 10:30 am when the Silent villagers were out in the paddy fields for normal household chores.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/aids-sympathy-pouring-in-for-silent-villagers/

SBI, LIC involved in money laundering: Cobrapost

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): An online magazine ‘Cobrapost’ has accused the State Bank of India (SBI), the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and various other banks and private insurers of indulging in money laundering. Earlier in March, Cobrapost had accused India’s leading private banks ICICI, Axis and HDFC of being involved in money laundering.
Through a sting operation, Cobrapost exposed that these leading private banks were helping customers convert black money into white, which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had initiated investigations into.
According to reports, Cobrapost has named and accused various banks in the country such as SBI, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, IDBI Bank, Indian Bank, Yes Bank, Federal Bank and Dhanlaxmi Bank in its second sting operation.
The online magazine also named insurers such as LIC, Reliance Capital, Birla Sunlife and TATA AIG.
Termed as “Operation Red Spider 2″, Cobrapost states that the operation, “establishes beyond doubt that money laundering is not confined to private banks, and is not an aberration, as is being made out in certain quarters in the wake of the first expose on March 14 in which HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank were shown involved in money laundering; it is rather endemic overarching the entire banking system and insurance sector, without exception, however shocking it might be”.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sbi-lic-involved-in-money-laundering-cobrapost/

Reddy to remain in jail

New Delhi, May 6 (ANI): YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is unlikley to come out of jail any time soon in the wake of the Supreme Court reserving its verdict on whether to grant him bail or not in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
The YSR Congress chief will completing one year in jail on May 27 .
The apex court had directed the (CBI) to file an affidavit on the matter by May 6 to explain why Reddy should not be granted bail. The CBI is investigating the allegation that Jaganmohan received these benefits when his father, the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), was the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.
It took up the case on the orders of the Andhra Pradesh high court. The CBI says that when Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy was chief minister, he had pressured companies to invest in his son’s vast business empire. He allegedly gave them licenses and clearances necessary for their own companies. YSR died in a helicopter crash in September 2009. On April 29, the Supreme Court of India had asked the CBI why Jaganmohan Reddy should not be given bail in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
Reddy says the CBI investigation against him is punishment for him quitting the Congress in 2011 to launch the YSR Congress. In 2011, he declared assets worth Rs.365 crores.
On April 30, A special CBI court has extended the judicial remand of Jaganmohan Reddy and others accused in connection with alleged quid-pro-quo deals in a disproportionate assets case till May 13. Reddy and the others accused, including ex-minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, industrialist Nimmagadda Prasada and senior bureaucrat K V Brahmananda Reddy are currently lodged in Hyderabad”s Chanchalguda Prison.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/reddy-to-remain-in-jail/

Police personnel arrested along with drugs produced before Special court ND/PS

Imphal May 6 UNA : The 11 police personnel including a Sub Inspector and Jamadar of the Moreh commando arrested along with a huge consignment of RESPIFIED Tablets containing pseudoephedrine by a team of Thoubal commando were produced before the Special Court of ND/ PS Rolal Keishing, and remanded for 15 day under Judicial Custody.
Source from the court said that six families out of the 11 police personnel, have submitted an application demanding the release under bail, however due un sufficient document, the 6 police personnel’s were not grand their demand by the court.
In the meantime it may be mentioned here that the police personnel have arrested along with the illegal drugs worth about Rs 3,64,02,000 in the international market from Pallel.
The 11 police personnel send under judicial custody are Sub-Inspector Beishamayum Debson son of Deben of Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai CDO unit Imphal East now posted at Moreh; Junior Commision (JC) number 727 H Premananda son of H Rupmohan of Iram Siphai Mamang Leikai, 1st IRB attached to Thoubal commando now posted at Moreh; Constable number (C/No) 0908864 Sorensangbam Opendra Singh, son of Tomba of Kiyam Siphai Amureijam Leikai; C/No 0908519 Th Bijendro, son of Th. Jugeshor of Salungpham Mayai Leikai both of Thoubal district police attached to CDO Thoubal now posted at Moreh; CD/No 10D1289 Thanglenmang Thouthang, son of (L) Yamkhongam Touthang of Pallel H Kotlenphai Village; C/No 0915517 Maibam Henik, son of Nongthon of Naharup Mayai Leikai; C/No 0915126 Ngangom Premjit, son of Ng Khomei of Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai; C/No 0915555, Ningthoujam Surkumar son of N Gopal of Khongman Mayai Leikai all of Imphal East district police attached to CDO Imphal East now posted at Moreh; Rifleman number 012006123 Soram Ranbir of 7th Manipur Riffles attached to Imphal east CDO now posted at Moreh and Riflemen number 132001243, Ningthoujam Nilamani, son of Basanta of Phayeng Mayai Leikai.

Congress regime full of scams: BJP

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 6 : Tapir Gao, National General Secretary, BJP addressing a press conference today said rampant corruptions are prevailing in all aspects of administration. Cost of employment is sky high; Rs. 30 to 40 lakhs for Sub-Overseer, Rs. 25 to 30 lakhs for Sub-Inspector, Rs. 17 to 20 lakhs for Staff-nurse and lakhs for contractual posts. Files do not move without money. The Chief Minister, having transferred all the funds in the account – 8449, liberally spending out at an exorbitant rate. Percentage of umpteen works for engineers, bureaucrats officers etc. is a must for a cheque-leaf he charged.
Even an under-5 child is not excepted. Rape, molestation, stalking, voyeurism, acid-attacks and what nots on women and these news-items occupy an ample space in the dailies every day. He asked the CM, Where is your Fast Track Court .
Wild police-stories of – steeling iron rods, involving in rape, being instruments of insurgent outfits in serving demand letters, hurling grenades to the public, looting of money, disguising as underground-cadres, trafficking narcotic substances and contrabands etc. Root cause is the bizarre recruitment – a lump sum amount for physical test, written test and viva-voice he said.
It is a vivid example that the police personnel are brazen enough to use the weapon at will that Lisam Mala Devi, Chairperson of Thoubal Child Welfare Committee ran after Mala and fired upon her.
The story began with Methaquanalones, morphine injection and then heroin (alias No.4/Brown Sugar) which were imported. Phensedyl and other codeine-containing cough syrups preceded Spasmoproxyvon (SP). Smuggling of Acetyl anhydride from outside the state to Myanmar via Manipur was a silent happening. And now it is Pseudoephedrine which is providing a lucrative business. There has been a series of Pseudoephedrine haul and it has become historic that one son of Congress MLA T.N. Haokip, a Colonel Ajay kumar Chaudhary, PRO of Defence Wing and a team of Commando etc. were apprehended with Pseudoephedrine worth crores of Rupees. Officer-in-charge Inspector Ranjit of Special Investigation Team (SIT) was immediately transferred after disbanding the SIT for capturing Pseudoephedrine worth Rs. 3 crores at Imphal Airport, eliciting the alleged involvement of a relative and dear ones of the Chief Minister. Honesty and sincerity on the part of the Home Department and strict vigil at “transit-areas” are called for to alleviate the situation.
Much has been talked about the Loktak Development Authority and the govt. being hand-in-glove with LDA to swindle a huge amount from the scam worth Rs. 240 crores. The tender was awarded to one K-Pro Infra Works Pvt. Ltd which happened to be the only firm who joined in the fray. K-Pro is a firm established only 4 days before the tender and it claimed that it was Delhi-based and stationed in an address which was physically not existent.
The firm cleared phumdis to a negligible extent by destroying the phumdis huts. It appears that K-Pro Infra Works Pvt. Ltd is the one who was so established for the purpose of pilfering money from the public-exchequer. CM Ibobi, the Chairman of LDA must be held responsible for the whole mess and BJP will not tolerate his silence in the scam. The sufferings of the dependent fishermen of the lake is being shared by BJP always. Ibobi destroyed the huts in the floating hut-dwellers over and above the ruling of the High Court to maintain status-quo. If Ibobi, the Chief Minister of Manipur is above the High Court, is questionable he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/congress-regime-full-of-scams-bjp/