Manipur Mail – Page 47

Parliament arians, officials get together

Meeting of Parliamentarians and officials held at residence of
Rishang Keishing in New Delhi on Friday.

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 4 : arliament officers and staff from Manipur along with all the MPs Rishang Keishing ,Dr.Thokchom Meinya and Thangso Baite had a get-together meeting at the residence of Shri Rishang Keishing yesterday. All the three MPs were very happy to learn the fact that the number of employees from Manipur in parliament is steadily growing day by day. Speaking on the occasion Rishang maintained that three MPs can’t do much in parliament but our ever increasing number of employees can capture parliament in the years to come. Baite said that MPs from other north-eastern states are really jealous of our large number of employees in parliament; and Dr. Meinya impressed upon all the employees from Manipur cutting across ethnic lines to work together for unity and peace. While conducting the function Dachhbanta Samom Jt.Director, Lok Sabha,wished on behalf of all that Rishang break the record of the Japanese who recently celebrated his 116th birthday.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/parliament-arians-officials-get-together/

Illegal immigrants rounded up

IMPHAL, May 4 MNS NNN: Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) has said Saturday volunteers of the committee have pulled up 17 illegal Bangladeshi labourers who have no valid identification documents from Imphal, saying it cannot allow any labourer from outside as it is against the Inner Line Permit system.
Displaying the immigrants before the media at the office premises of Federation of Regional Indigenous Society (FRIENDS) here, Mutum Churamani, co-convenor of JCILPS, said 17 illegal labourers from Bangladesh engaged in construction works at NIT complex and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) have been pulled up by volunteers of the committee.
He said the JCILPS demands two contractors namely RK Rameshwor, proprietor, RK Industries, a resident of Changangei Awang Leikai and Ningthem Pukhri Mapal resident Thingujam Jiten who are responsible for engaging the Bangladeshi labourers clarify the matter to the public at the earliest.
Churamani accused MLAs, ministers and other Government machineries of embroiling themselves in drug trafficking, illegal activities and employing unlawful labourers from outside against the ILP system.
“It is really unfortunate that 17 illegal labourers from Bangladesh were found engaging in the construction works,” he said.
He said the 17 labourers are temporary residents of Assam and appealed the concerned authority to take legal action against them.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/illegal-immigrants-rounded-up/

Understanding social ailment

The degree and the nature of crime have changed. Even the sister in law has been mercilessly slashed with dao by brother in law. Reports are galore of young girls being murdered after raping. A disease has inflicted in the minds of many a young men. They are out to commit the crimes of all hues. They are merciless. They treat their victims like the wild animals playing with harmless animals in the jungles. Whom do we blame for all these happenings? The time now calls for conducting a serious analysis of the nature of crime that has seen a sea change from what happened one or two decades back. Ours is a very closely knit society. Occurrence of heinous crime is really unfortunate. We see in films villains or heroes slashing rivals with long sword. But that is a fiction penned by a writer that is for public consumption. One might be landing in trouble but why should he unleash his anger on helpless souls. The number of frustrated persons in the society is on the rise. Will occurrence of the crime of such degree be controlled by paying a thrust to reforming our society? Revival of clubs and organisations may bring some changes. But these organisations cannot survive for want of fund. The present day youngsters are different. They can get anything at the click of a button. Their thinking style has to be naturally different. They are extremely clever. Many of these youngsters use their cleverness in exploiting the pitiless souls. If the elders are not cleverer something that we see and hear will continue to happen. What we are seeing now is scientific development. Human civilisation had happened in the past. Therefore we continue to pay obeisance to those, who were born in the past. Lord Jesus, Lord Gautama Buddha were born 2000 years back. Lord Krishna was born 5000 years back. Why we offer prayers to them. Their teachings to the masses make themselves supreme God. Youngsters with evil minds, who consider themselves super human beings for being able to play with some electronic gadgets must think to themselves why they are being born. They must learn to obey the dictates of their seniors. Elderly people want young people to study and be obedient to the seniors. Young minds cannot grasp the difference between evil deeds and good deeds. Hence the need for involving all these youngsters, who are moving like vagabond from place to place in social organisations. But the answer to the question is the heinous crime against pitiless souls committed by well bred men or neglected lots will continue to be elusive? We had heard the history of king being slain by his own son. The motive is important. Therefore serious attempt should be made to understand, who show the propensity for committing crime against hapless lots. When the disease is diagnosed knife can be applied.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/understanding-social-ailment/

Railgate: Bansal to stay for now, no decision taken at Congress meet

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): The Congress Core Group, which met here this evening in the backdrop of the arrest of Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal’s nephew by the CBI in a bribery case, did not take a decision on his offer to quit.
The meeting, which was chaired by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Union Home Minister Sushi Kumar Shinde and Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
Bansal was also present in the meeting along with Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel.
According to sources, Bansal presented his defence at the Congress Core Group meeting that was held at the Prime Minister’s official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence here.
Bansal met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the latter’s official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence here earlier in the day and reportedly offered to resign over the bribery scandal involving his nephew.
64-year-old Bansal met the Prime Minister in wake of the CBI arresting his nephew Vijay Singla in connection with alleged bribery of Rs 90 lakh for fixing a top-level position in the government.
Bansal, however, did not speak to mediapersons after the meeting that lasted for around 20 minutes.
Congress Party today came out in out full support of the Railway Minister, and brushed aside the opposition’s demands for his resignation.
Congress General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said it has become a disease of the opposition to make such demands.
“The Railway Minister himself has given a clarification and said that there should be a thorough probe into the matter. I don’t think we can expect any thing more from him,” Dwivedi added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought Bansal’s prosecution in connection with the bribery case, and demanded Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s resignation.
“We demand that not only Pawan Bansal be sacked, but he should be prosecuted by the CBI because under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, if any public servant abuses his position to obtain pecuniary benefits for himself of any other person is liable to be prosecuted and convicted,” said BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
” And the way the Railway Board promotion is the object of corruption in this case, pecuniary advantage by someone close to the Railway Minister, seeking that pecuniary advantage, abusing the authority of the Railway Minister is a copybook case of prosecution of Bansal. Therefore, in addition to demanding he be sacked, the BJP would like that the CBI must prosecute him,” he added.
Prasad alleged that morality is no more a factor relevant in the UPA II Government of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi.
“I cannot invoke their morality quotient. But yet as the principal opposition articulating the concern of the common people, the BJP is duty bound reiterate that Dr. Manmohan Singh each passing day reinforces our demand that you please resign as the Prime Minister of India because you do not have any moral right left to govern because India is getting established as the most corrupt regime in the world under your dispensation,” he said.
Bansal, however, earlier in the day distanced himself from his nephew arrested by CBI in a case of bribery for allegedly fixing a top level position in Railway Board, saying that he had no business links with him and denied any wrongdoing.
Bansal, who was made Railway Minister in October last year, also sought an expeditious CBI inquiry into the issue.
“I have always observed highest standard of probity in public life and look forward to an expeditious investigation by CBI in the matter,” he said in a statement.
The CBI has arrested four persons, including the Railway Minister’s nephew, V. Singla, for allegedly taking bribe to fix a top-level position in the government.
Singla was arrested in Chandigarh yesterday for accepting Rs. 90 lakh in cash from Manjunath, the conduit of Railway Board member Mahesh Kumar. Kumar was arrested in Mumbai soon after he arrived in the metropolis from Delhi. The other two persons arrested by the CBI are Sandip Goyal, who allegedly assisted in brokering the deal and Manjunath.
The CBI has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC against them. The CBI also carried out searches in Delhi, Chandigarh and other cities in this connection.
The CBI has got a four-day custody of Bansal’s nephew Singla and three others in connection with a bribery scandal. The investigative agency on Saturday told the court that they need to find out the source of Rs. 90 lakh and who was the ultimate beneficiary.

Railways clarifies regarding appointment norms of Members

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 4 : Appointments to the posts of Members of Railway Board, Financial Commissioner (Railways) and Chairman, Railway Board are governed by Tenure Linked Norms approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and notified by the Government on 16.2.1987, with amendments on 5.4.2006, 4.6.2007 and 7.8.2007.
As per the tenure linked norms, an officer is eligible for appointment as a Member of the Railway Board if he fulfills the twin conditions of having worked as General Manager of an Open Line Railway, i.e. General Manager (Open Line), for a period of one year and has a balance tenure of two years of service on the date of occurrence of the vacancy. The officer should also be clear from vigilance angle. In case an officer who fulfills these twin norms is not available, the senior-most General Manager (Open Line) having a minimum of one year balance tenure of service from the date of occurrence of the vacancy with a clear vigilance record, is considered for appointment for the post of Member of the Railway Board.
In respect of discipline specific posts of Members of the Railway Board, i.e. Member Engineering, Member Mechanical, Member Electrical and Member Traffic, the selection of candidates is from officers belonging to the corresponding disciplines, viz. Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical/Signalling & Telecommunication and Traffic respectively, who fulfill the aforesaid norms.
In respect of the post of Member Staff, officers of all disciplines (excluding Medical and RPF) are eligible and the senior-most eligible officer who fulfill the above mentioned tenure linked norms is considered for appointment.
The post of Member Staff had fallen vacant upon superannuation of Shri A K Vohra, Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers (IRSEE), on 30.4.2013. Shri Mahesh Kumar, Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRSSE), was the senior-most eligible officer fulfilling the tenure linked norms as also his career performance record fully meeting the necessary performance criteria with the availability of mandatory CVC clearance, for appointment against this post. He was accordingly considered and appointed as Member Staff, Railway Board, on 1.5.2013. No officer senior to Shri Mahesh Kumar fulfilling the norms governing appointment to the post of Member Staff has been superseded.
Adverting to the reports by a section of the Media regarding further aspirational postings said to be desired by Shri Mahesh Kumar, it is stated that no relevant Board level post is vacant at present.

30 houses burnt in land dispute

Over 30 houses were burnt on Friday in a land dispute

Imphal, May 3 MNS/NNN: Some unknown persons burnt down about 30 houses over a land dispute between the villagers of Sailen and Seijang Village this morning around 10.30 a.m The villagers belonging to a particular village burnt down the houses.
Some persons involved in the incident were reportedly rounded up by AR.
Following the incident, Lamlai PS, SP, Imphal, IGP (L&O) rushed to the spot and precautionary measures have been taken up to prevent untoward incident.
According to chief of the Sailen village, Hong Park, the villagers have been in hosting the law for 51 years however some persons claimed the area as theirs.
A relief camp has been opened in the village.
Reports said the arson took place around 10:30 am in the village of Sailen in Saikul constituency. It is located about 7 km northeast of Lamlai Police Station. However, Seijang village falls under Lamlai constituency in Imphal East district.
Sailen village chief Hongprang said that at about 10:30 am, around 600 people from Seijang holding spears, bows and arrows, petrol and kerosene swooped down on Sailen and set around 26 houses on fire.
He said Sailen village is populated by about 500 people with 70 houses.
The incident is really unfortunate. I urge the Government of Manipur to provide aid to the displaced villagers, Hongprang said.
One Maruti van, one Kubota tractor and another rice mill were also destroyed in the fire.
Imphal East Superintendent of Police, Kamei Angam, DIG Range-I, Clay Khongsai, Saikul constituency MLA Yamthong Haokip and other top police officials of Imphal East rushed to the site to take stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, a team of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police have reportedly pulled up five suspects in connection with the incident.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/30-houses-burnt-in-land-dispute/

Mathematics teaching should be popularised

Media workshop organised by Vigyan Prasar,

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 3 : Mathematics teaching has been reduced to “does” and “don’t” without letting the students grasp a fuller understanding of the concepts, said Huidrom Jayantkumar Singh, former head of department of Mathematics, D.M. College of Science and President, Manipur Mathematical Society. Delivering his keynote address at a workshop/seminar on Mathematics and Science Communication for media persons organised here today, he bemoaned that the faulty approach to teaching mathematics by focussing on problem-solving was responsible for maths phobia suffered by students. This is one subject in which maximum number of students fail in the examinations. It is the most unpopular, rather most fear subject among students.
This media workshop was a part of the series being organized across the country by Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Science & Technology and the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. It is part of the activities of the National Mathematics Year (2012-13) being observed to mark the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan’s 125th birth anniversary.
Jayantkumar Singh said mathematics teaching should pass through three stages. ‘Whats,’ that is, definitions, interrelation between principles, etc. ‘How” is the method of solving a problem or proving a proposition. “Why” is the interpretation and generalisations. Although the last stage does not provide solution to the problem, it is of basic importance because it tells us why a particular method of solving the problem had been adopted. But teachers generally concentrate on the ‘how’ part and give little importance to the ‘what’ and ‘why’.
This, he said, forces student cramp up and learn by rote -just like mugging up English spellings and pronunciation. Hence, young learners develop a distaste for mathematics. He said like taking scientific knowledge from textbooks and laboratories to the common people in the field, familiarisation with the principles of mathematics can be made lively by relating them to our day-to-day activities.
Giving his introductory remarks, Dr. Subodh Mahanti, senior scientists, Vigyan Prasar, said that the idea behind these workshop/seminars was to highlight the importance of mathematics in understanding the secrets of nature and solving practical problems, and to make people aware of India’s mathematical heritage. Mathematics is used as a universal language and tool for any quantitative research in all the sciences.
Fundamental mathematical questions also arise out of these research topics. And so we see the emergence of disciplines like mathematical biology, mathematical ecology, mathematical geography, mathematical physics, etc, Dr Mahanti pointed out.
The origins of mathematics, he said, can be traced to antiquity. Prehistoric human beings probably learned to count at least up to ten on their fingers. Ancient Indians, Chinese, Babylonians, and Egyptians devised methods of counting and measuring that were of practical importance in their everyday lives. With the passage of time surveyors, clock and calendar makers, masons and machine makers, and most importantly merchants, developed the methods of counting and measuring.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mathematics-teaching-should-be-popularised/

Sarabjit’s body brought home

Bhikhiwind (Punjab), May 2: The body of Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who died early on Thursday following a brutal assault by other inmates of a jail here, was handed over to officials of the Indian high commission by Pakistani authorities.
A special Air India aircraft reached Lahore to bring back the body of the death row prisoner who died early today in a hospital, six days after being brutally attacked by prison inmates in Kot Lakhpat jail.
A Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said that the aircraft returned this evening with Sarabjit’s body and two members of the Indian team.
The body was received by Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur at Amritsar.
Samples from the body were sent for forensic tests and the final report on the autopsy is expected to be submitted in two weeks, sources said.
Foolproof security was put in place at Jinnah Hospital for the handing over of the body. Dozens of police commandos were deployed in and around the hospital. Sarabjit, 49, succumbed early on Thursday to injuries sustained during a brutal assault by other inmates of Kot Lakhpat Jail on Friday. He was hit on the head with bricks and cut with knives fashioned from spoons.
Family members of Sarabjit Singh have reached their hometown Bhikhiwind where his body will be brought to from Pakistan.
According to reports, Sarabjit’s body will first be flown in a special Air India plane to Amritsar, where it will be kept in a hospital mortuary for further post-mortem tests. The body will be released by the unidentified hospital on Friday morning and flown by helicopter to Bhikhiwind.
The funeral rites of the dead Indian prisoner are expected to take place around 2 p.m. on Friday, reportedly with full state honours. The Punjab Government has declared him a martyr and decided to give him a state funeral at his ancestral village.
Sarabjit Singh’s sister Dalbir Kaur, today lashed out at Pakistan for her brother’s death and called for a war against the country. Chanting “Pakistan Murdabad”, Kaur said she was appealing to all parties to come together to give Pakistan an ‘appropriate answer’.
“I appeal to all political parties to come together and support Prime Minister Manmohan Singh It’s time to wage a war against Pakistan”, she said.
She also alleged that human rights activist Ansar Burney had asked for a huge amount to get Sarabjit back to India.
“Had I paid Rs. 25 crore to Ansar Burney, Sarabjit would have returned to India,” Kaur said. She also said that her brother had been dead even while he was in hospital in Lahore, and doctors and nurses had laughed at them.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/sarabjits-body-brought-home/

Cor Com Chief of Army Staff meeting held

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 2 : Six organizations, viz KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF & UNLF members Co ordination Committee (CorCom) organized a Joint Military Commission (JMC) of the Chief of the Army Staff and formed “Joint Fighting Force” (JFF) on May 2. Chairman, MM. Ngouba, CAS, PLA, RPF, H. Ibomcha, Chief of the Army Staff, MFL, KCP, K. Nimai, Acting Chief of the Army Staff, MYL, KYKL, Aheiba Angom, CAS, Red Army, PREPAK, N. Rakhesh Asst. Chief of the Army Staff, Red Army, PREPAK (Pro), N. Koireng, VCS, MPA, UNLF and other JMC members took part in the meeting. Task of forming the a United Front has reached its final phases. With the formation of the JFF the movement will make a new turn said a press hand out issued by Coordination Committee, (CorCom).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cor-com-chief-of-army-staff-meeting-held/

Shyamjai elected AMWJU President

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 2 : Wangkhemcha Shyamjai was elected as the President of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU).
The election for the post of the President was held on May 1 at Manipur Press Club. K Shyamjai Chief Editor of Kangleipakki Meira, an evening newspaper was declared elected as the President of AMWJU. He defeated former President A. Mobi with a margin of about 35 votes. The third candidate Salam Jugol got 14 votes.
Seven standing committee members were already declared elected unanimously. The members are B Sanjoy of Eikhoigi Panthung, Th Milan Luwang of Manipur Mail, Th Yaiphaba of Naharolgi Thoudang, Ch Meghabarna of Mannaba, GA Naocha of News X and Th Lakhikanta of Paojel.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/shyamjai-elected-amwju-president/

CM inspects Singda dam

The CM inspected Singda dam and its surrounding areas where various developmental programmes being taken up yesterday. He inspected the place where a stop gate is to be constructed temporary nursery shed where saplings are kept and area where construction is going on for police outpost. Saplings were planted led by CM near main gate. The CM during his visit earlier said to plant saplings in catchment area and urged the encroachers to shift from the area.
The CM also gave away money for those villagers who dug the holes for planting saplings. The CM was occompanied by dy CM, Shri Gaikhangam , Th. Debendra, forest minister, Ngamthang Haokip, I. Hemochandra, PHED minister and other officials of concerned dept. The CM also inspected the complex of Apex co-operative marketing society, Chingmeirong where hostels for boys and girls having a capacity of 150 persons of hills is to be built. The CM was accompanied by Dy. CM Gaikhangam, CS, DS Poonia and other top officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cm-inspects-singda-dam/

Man stabs sister in law

A man stabbed his sister-in-law to death in Bishnupur district of Manipur last night. The victim was identified as Phuritlatpam Neina aged 48, wife of Ph Brajagopal of Yumjao Lairembi in Bishnupur Ward Number-2. Phuritlatpam Brajakeshwor aged 46, son of late Ph Gouramahon stabbed his sister-in-law from the back while she was washing kitchen wares in the house after the night dinner around 9:30 pm Wednesday. The police said prima facie it is believed the cause of the killing was a family feud. Reports said the accused is a drug addict and the Bishnupur District Police has taken him into custody.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/man-stabs-sister-in-law/

Houses attacked at Chadong, goods looted

Imphal, May 2 NNN: A group of people numbering about 24 holding guns and other sharp objects like spade and axe allegedly attacked and ransacked the village of Chadong in Ukhrul district of Manipur, destroying several houses and properties, apart from allegedly looting about Rs 10 crore.
According to the Yaomi Kasar, acting headman of Chadong village under Chadong Police Station Litan, 24 persons led by Thanmi Kashung, Huimi Kashung Honnreikhui Kashung, Standhope Kashung, Kahaoshang Mahong attacked and plundered the remote village of Chadong on April 30 around 10:30 pm. Some of the assailants were from villages of Thawan and Reha in the district, Kasar alleged.
He said the state Director General of Police (DGP) has been urged to take necessary legal action against the attackers.
They used licensed gun, spear, spade, axe and iron rod as weapons while attacking and ransacking the village, he added.
Kasar also said the attackers destroyed their houses, properties and allegedly looted Rs 10 crore as they were defenceless.
He said the huge amount of money looted by the plunderers was recently received by the villagers from Manipur Government under RR Scheme for the construction of Mapithel Dam Project.
State Director General of Police (DGP) has also been earnestly requested to arrest the perpetrators and book them as per the law in the larger interest of the villagers of Chadong and also to recover the money looted from them at the earliest, the acting headman of Chadong village added.
Mapithel Dam Multi-purpose Project Displaced Villages Committee (MDMPDVC) Thursday alleged some armed youths of Chadong village in Ukhrul district of Manipur, who are against the dam, loitered around the village on the nights of April 28 and 29 and threatened around 50 families to leave the village by April 30 which led to some villagers, disappeared from the village.
Then another group of people from the villages of Riha Thawai and Ramrei, who are members of MDMPDVC, came to the village of Chadong on the night of April 30 and there, they destroyed houses, properties including granaries, MDMPDVC alleged while condemning the incident.
A statement of the committee said that the villages of Riha, Thawai, Ramrei and Lamlai Mongbung had dishonoured the resolution adopted by the committee at Thawai village and parted from it.
MDMPDVC said these villages had already received their land compensation in 2003 and thereafter, Ramrei and Lamlai Mongbung villages took their compensation and Rehabilitation Package in 2007 and 2009 and then they moved to a new village in the same year.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/houses-attacked-at-chadong-goods-looted/

Counter insurgency school in Mizoram completes 43 years

AIZAWL, May 2 NNN : Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), Vairengte in Mizoram on May 1 celebrated its 43rd Anniversary with grandeur and enthusiasm.
Founding father of the school and the first commandant Lt. General Mathew Thomas, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, graced the grand occasion as chief guest, and said, “CIJW School is a great army training school in India which has produced the best army in the world”.
General Mathew Thomas lauded the government of Mizoram and its people for its dedication to maintain lasting peace.
“In the last 43 years, there has been a good relation between the people of Mizoram, especially the people of Vairengte and the army which is really valuable”, the General said.
“CIJW school is trustworthy as it is a good place of army training and facilitating strong security for India, and as it produces excellent army forces; and it also upholds the school motto which is ‘Fight the Guerrilla like a Guerrilla’, General Mathew added.
Brigadier AK Ram, Ex-CIJW School Commandant, who also graced the CIJW School Raising Day, said that CIJW School, owing to its trustworthiness, is placed among the largest Institutions in India. “Not only in India but in the world too it is a popular training centre and even the popular magazine India Today dubbed it as ‘India’s Finest’ and appreciated it as the leader of India”, Brigadier AK Ram added.
General Rajeshwar, the present Commandant said that during the past 43 years of its existence CIJW School immensely contributed to India, adding,

Centralisation of school uniform system

IMPHAL, May 2 NNN : All Manipur School Management & Development Committee Association today said alleged that the state authority and state mission authority (SSA) have created confusion among the people by centralizing school uniform procurement process in Manipur.
The committee said it has come to the notice that fund earmarked for school uniforms has been released to every District Board of Education (DBE) on February 26, 2013 for further release to the respective SMDC accounts.
However, a representation by a Bangalore based private firm Benaka Clothing Pvt Ltd was forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner concerned for consideration and necessary action for awarding the supply of school uniforms.
Subsequently, the Chief Minister recommended the proposal as a special case, it alleged.
It appears that both the state authority and state mission authority (SSA) are being self-contradictory which has eventually confused the public and SMDCs in particular, adding norms for Interventions 9 (e) SSA Framework of Implementation permits no centralization of school uniform procurement in the state, the committee said.
It said the SMDC association should take stock of the situation to avoid causing of further embarrassment to it, seeking justification from the authorities concerned on the matter.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/centralisation-of-school-uniform-system/

AR foils bomb attack

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 2 : Two remote controlled IEDs weighing 6.5 kg each were destroyed by bomb disposal squad at 9 am on May 1 last. The IEDs were recovered by 16 Assam Rifles part of 10 Sector Assam Rifles near Seijang on NH-202 at 0630 PM on 30 Apr 13.
Acting on a hard intelligence received from own sources, a party from Yaingangpokpi was launched on 30 Apr 13. The party saw two individuals moving in suspicious manner near Seijang at about 0630 PM. The party challenged the individuals who tried to flee the site. However, the individuals were caught. The search of the area led to recovery of a blue bag which contained the IEDs. The area was cordoned off during the night. The IEDs were diffused by a bomb disposal squad in morning on May 1. The individuals were identified as R K Mangisan aged 47 years and H Hemanta aged 33 years both resident of Sabungkhok Mayal Leikai of Imphal East district.
Meanwhile, villagers and Meira Paibis gathered outside the Assam Rifles post at Yaingangpokpi to get the individuals released. Assam Rifles’ officers interacted with the villagers and apprised them of the real situation. The locals left satisfied when they were informed that the individuals had confessed to their crime according to a press hand out issued by HQIGARS .
It has been revealed that the IED was placed to specifically target the security forces. The precise operation clubbed with hard intelligence is a setback to the outfits that have now resorted to target security forces hiding instead of confronting face to face said the press hand out.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-foils-bomb-attack/

Highway bandh called off

IMPHAL, May 2 NNN: After imposing ‘total bandh’ along the national highways leading to Manipur since April 21, the Zeliangrong organisations have decided this afternoon to suspend the agitation from midnight of today (May 2).
The All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU), Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) and Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) have been demanding the ‘safe release’ of school girl Alice Kamei who is allegedly in the custody of the militant outfit Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF) since March 10.
It is worth noting here that the RPF says Alice Kamei is 16 years old and had joined the outfit on her own volition while the Zeliangrong organisations rejected the former’s version and accused the militant outfit of kidnapping the school girl to force her to join the militant outfit. The Zeliangrong organisations also said that Alice Kamei is only 14 years old.
Today, convened by AZSU, ZYF and ZSUM, a public meeting was held in this connection at Tarung Zeliangrong village community hall, Imphal East district and decided to relax the ‘total bandh’ for the time being. The meeting then strongly condemned the Zeliangrong Union (ZU) and Kabui Mothers’ Association (KAMA) for working against the Zeliangrong people which is totally against the law of the land at the behest of underground group RPF/PLA.
“The meeting resolved that the same section which invoked on two women child recruiters Thoinu Devi and Ms. Rojita Devi @ Tekpi @ Nene should be invoked to the functionaries of the ZU and KAMA and take action as per law of the land and declared as unlawful organizations,” one of the three meeting resolutions said.
“The public meeting resolved to relax the ongoing bandh on national highways with effect from the midnight of May 2 for few days considering the suffering of the people and appeals made from United Naga Council (UNC), RNBA, Martyr’s Day observation of Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshuo to be held on May 6 at Mao Gate and also appeals from MEELAL and different civil organizations. But the total bandh will be resumed in collaboration with other lawful organizations at any time including the ban on all ongoing mega national projects to secure the safe release of Alice Kamei from the custody of RPF/PLA,” the second resolution added.
The public meeting then expressed total dissatisfaction and discontentment at the “irresponsible state government of Manipur dealing” on the issue which is sensitive in nature,” the third and the final resolution stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/highway-bandh-called-off/

International air service by June : Chief Minister

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IMPHAL, April 30 MNS/NNN: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh Tuesday said international flights will start landing in Imphal Airport by June or July first week this year. Ibobi Singh also said by the month of June the expansion and development works in the airport, now being taken up to upgrade it into an international airport, will be completed.
Ibobi was talking to media persons on the sidelines of an inspection visit to the airport which is now being revamped and expanded to make it an international airport.
He instructed all the concerned to finish the development works of the airport by May and to keep quality control, assuring that international flights will start landing in the airport by June or first week of July this year.
Saying that the state Government has acquired about 700 acres of land in addition making the total area of the airport around 1, 100 acre at present, he added that the work for upgradation of the airport, also known as Tulihal Airport, is taken by Airport Authority of India.
The Chief Minister later inspected the boundary of the newly acquired area of the airport during the trip.
During the visit, Ibobi was accompanied by his Deputy Gaikhangam, Works minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, MLA RK Anand, Regional Executive Director of Airport Authority of India, Kemalata and other officials of the airport authority, Chief Secretary DS Punia, DGP Y Joykumar, Imphal West Deputy Commissioner and other state officials.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/international-air-service-by-june-chief-minister/

Current Situation In Ladakh Not India’s Creation: Antony

Mail News Service
New Delhi, April 30 : Describing the current situation in Eastern Ladakh as ‘not one of our creation’, the Defence Minister Shri A.K. Antony today said India remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the situation, through dialogue within the framework of agreements for maintaining peace and tranquility. Addressing the Unified Commanders’ Conference, here, Shri Antony, however, emphasized that the country remains united in its commitment to take every possible step to safeguard our interests.
“The current situation is not one of our creation. However, we remain committed to a peaceful resolution of the situation, through military and diplomatic dialogue within the framework of the agreements for maintaining peace and tranquility. At the same time, I wish to emphasise that there should not be any doubt that the country remains unanimous in its commitment to take every possible step, at all levels, to safeguard our interests.”
Shri Antony said our bilateral relations with China are, at times, bedeviled by border issues, particularly along the Line of Actual Control(LAC). The recent developments are no exception. Among the various initiatives to safeguard our border, the thrust has been on development of our border roads and Advance Landing Grounds.
Referring to the security situation in Pakistan, Shri Antony said, the capability of Pakistani Taliban to strike at will at innocent public and strategic targets is worrisome. He said the growing nuclear stock of Pakistan needs to be factored in our overall strategy towards our western neighbour.
Shri Antorny reiterated the Government’s strong commitment to the modernization of the armed forces and to ensure the all round welfare of the troops. He said, despite financial constrains, funds will never be an issue when it comes to national security. “However the onus lies collectively on all of us to make the optimum use of the financial resources with all the honesty, transparency and fairness”, he said.
Dwelling at length on the recent changes in DPP to encourage the indigenous defence industry, Shri Antony said the objective is to bring about greater efficiency in the procurement process and to strengthen the defence manufacturing base in the country. He expressed confidence that the changes brought about in the DPP will lead to greater integrity and transparency in the procurement process. “We should not give any chance to any agency to point fingers at our defence procurement process and acquisitions”, he said.
The Defence Minister said the contemporary concept of security encompasses not merely military threats, but also cyber attacks, insurgencies, organized trans-border crimes, pandemics and contingencies of natural disasters. Such an environment of security necessitates need for constant monitoring and building up capacities to enable multi-level, multi-agency responses, he said.
The conference was attended among others by the Minister of State for Defence, Shri Jitendra Singh, the Chairman COSC & Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, Chief of Army Staff, Gen Bikram Singh, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral DK Joshi and Defence Secretary, Shri Shashikant Sharma.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/current-situation-in-ladakh-not-indias-creation-antony/

NPF, KSO lambast state police

Imphal, April 30 NNN : After the Manipur Peoples’ Party (MPP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF), Manipur State takes its turn to lash out at the state government of Manipur particularly the state Home minister and the police for the rampant trafficking of the banned drugs in Manipur in recent time.
The NPF, Manipur State has demanded the resignation of state Home minister Gaikhangam.
After the serial seizures of drugs trafficked by people in power and security forces personnel, opposition political parties and the civil society organisations in Manipur to flex their muscles while lashing out at the state government and the security force set up.
Army colonel in Ajay Choudhry, an MLA’s son, police sub-inspectors and others have been put behind bar for smuggling the banned drugs in the past few months in Manipur.
On Tuesday, the NPF, Manipur state unit said, “Since the induction of Gaikhangam as the Home minister of Manipur, the crime rate in the state of Manipur has increased beyond measure. Security forces personnel both the Central and the state are engaging in the trigger-happy activities, raping of women, kidnapping for ransom, smuggling of the banned drugs and extortions and the Manipur Home department is the agent of these evils which will result in the complete ruin of the Manipur society. Now the people need to be aware of the devils in human clone,” Manipur State unit NPF secretary Athuan Abonmai cautions.
“Had the Manipur government particularly the Home department established the real owner of the drugs seized from the Imphal Airport, things could have been improved but inspite of the public’s hue and cry, the Manipur Home department concealed the identity of drug-lord. And now the result is one Indian Army officer Col. Ajay Chowdhry was apprehended in Pallel with a huge quantity of illegal drugs followed by rounding up of a Congress MLA’s son and now the Manipur police commando team was caught by another commando team at Pallel. All those drugs in huge quantity may be worth few crores of rupees but it can destroy lakhs of human lives and ruin the entire society,” said the NPF, Manipur State.
According to Athuan Abonmai, due to inefficient dealing of the Congress government both in the state and in the Centre, Manipur is facing drug mafia war where the Manipur Home department is the main architect.
“Instead of taking action against errant security personel, state Home minister Gaikhangam used to complain against his Home department or security foreces through the media.
The Home minister’s office instead of taking the charge of administration, is now complaining against the department which he should be taking care of,” said the NPF, Manipur State.
“Does the government exist in Manipur State?,” the NPF asks while adding, “If so, by whom and for whom?”
“Now the public have to judge. The Manipur state has been converted to Drug Leibak from Sana Leibak by the Congress party. Instead of addressing the public grievances like kidnapping for ransom, rampant killing, raping of women and murder, extortions, smuggling of drugs, public security etc., the deputy chief minister who is incharge of the Home portfolio is only concentrating sending out his coterie to collect money from the poor people facing the interview in connection with the Manipur police recruitment. This is very unfortunate,” the NPF added.
NPF Manipur state demands the immediate resignation of the state Home minister on moral ground. “If not, the ‘High Command’ of the Congress party should suspend him from his post to save the society before it is too late,” the NPF, Manipur State demanded.
The Kuki Students Organisation, Chandel district (KSO-Chandel) has expressed its dismay over the rampant drug trafficking in Manipur.
“We will like to express our deep resentment over the recent trend of illicit drug trafficking incidents in the state of Manipur in which, politicians and bureaucrats seem to be the major stakeholders whereas the law enforcing agencies become the facilitators who earn a good sum of money in transporting the illicit items,” the KSO-Chandel district said.
It then expressed that the recent arrest of 11 police commando personnel at Pallel by Thoubal police commandos for trafficking drugs, estimated to worth around Rs 3,64,02,000 in international market was laudable. However, the students’ bodies strongly condemned the involvement of law enforcers especially the Moreh unit police commandos in illicit drug trafficking when they should be the ones to arrest, it added.
“Drug trafficking by the law enforcing agencies are on rampant in the state; a couple of months back, the same commandos at the same place have arrested drugs racketeers led by Colonel Ajay Choudhury, PRO, Defence Wing yet, it seems there’s nothing visible done by the authority concern to stop drug trafficking,” the Kuki students’ body said.
The KSO also said it is very unfortunate that, the law enforcers and the state government projected Chandel district especially the Moreh border town to be kind of Sadom & Gomrah (sin cities) Last year, when the state government deployed police commandos in the border town, Moreh denizens openly resisted deploying of police commandos in the town saying “enough forces, including Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and Manipur Rifles are already posted at Moreh, there is no need for police commandos.” However, the state justified on the pretext of enhancing law & order situation of the town, which is ironical to what we have witnessed today, it stated.
The KSO then said it would like to appeal the Union government to immediately intervene in tackling the menace of drugs in the state, if not controlled on time many lives would be at stake where many youths would have also fallen to the prey of drugs.
“As 90% of the illicit drugs imported into the state have been delivered, transacted and utilized in the district, KSO Chandel district pledged to exert its best effort in controlling drug trafficking in the district,” the KSO asserted.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/npf-kso-lambast-state-police/