Manipur News

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Deputy chief minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh has conveyed best wishes and warm greetings to the people of Manipur for a happy and prosperous New Year, 2018.

“May the coming year bring peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst different communities of Manipur by maintaining unity in diversity,” said a release. “Let us co-operate with each other and work together in the coming days for a developed and prosperous society,” it added.  

Further, he sent his best wishes to the people of Manipur especially to Kabui brethren on the auspicious and joyous occasion of Gaan-Ngai which falls December 31 with prayers that may the festival bring peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst the people of Manipur for a prosperous state.

“Gaan –Ngai the post-harvest and thanksgiving festival, remind us the kindness and blessings of God which gives us joy and contentment. This festival is also meant for honouring the ancestors and dedicated to numerous celebrations. Gaan- Ngai festival enchants the identity and cultural beauty of Kabui community,” it said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Condemning the death of Ningthoujam Lanchenba Meitei, a student of Xtra Edge higher secondary school, local meira paibies and JAC formed against the death of the student today staged sit-in-protest at Elangbam Leikai Leirak Achouba. 

Speaking to reporters, convenor of the JAC, Venus Elangbam said the dead of Lanchenba is a mystery and the cause of death is still unknown. He said when Lanchenba fall from the bus (route number 2) the driver drove without stopping the bus to school. Two teachers from another school bus route number 12 which was following the bus stopped and examined the condition of Lanchenba. But without taking any initiatives the two teachers also left the body on the road.

Without informing the incident to Lanchenba’s family, school authority conducted condolence at the school, he lamented.

Lanchenba is a class XI student. He died yesterday after he fell from the front door of the school bus he was travelling and its rear tyre ran over his head, at Sega road Takhellambam Leikai. He is the only son of N. Deban from Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, Imphal West. Police says Lanchenba died on the spot.

The family members approached the school authority to talk on the matter but till late evening no response was given by the school authority, he added. JAC strongly condemned the school authority for not taking any necessary action against the dead of Lanchenba. JAC has decided to shut down Xtra Edge school indefinitely until a valid reason for the dead of Lanchenba is provided, Venus added.

It is said that the school authority and JAC is continuing talk on the matter at Imphal Police station.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 30

A combined team of Imphal East commandos and G-Saparmeina police along with a column of 12 Assam Rifle yesterday arrested three active cadres of United Naga People Council/Ching Tam Liberation Army (UNPC/CTLA) who were involved in the kidnapping a truck driver on Thursday.

Briefing media persons today at Imphal East SP office at Porompat, SP, K. Kabib said that a counter insurgency operation was launched yesterday afternoon in and around Lamlai area after getting a reliable information regarding the presence of some UGs cadres in the area.

The CI operation was led by Imphal East commando OC, L. Vaiphei, G-Saparmeina police station OC, J.K. Haokip under the command of Kangkokpi additional SP, Lalboi Haokip, Imphal East commando DSP, Robinson Khamnam, Imphal East police DSP (ops), R.K. Saklemba and under the overall supervision of Imphal East additional SP (law and order), Wungpam Kasar, he added.

During the operation they were able to arrest two cadres of UNPC/CTLA identified as Lamgoulun Misao alias Paulneo, 30, son of late Kamsei Misao of Toulbung Matayenf village who claimed himself as self style in-charge PRO-hills and M. Bungcha alias Ishorjit, 30, son of late M. Inao of Thamnapokpi Mayai Leikai who claimed himself as self style in-charge PRO valley, continued the SP.

He said during interrogation the two arrested cadres disclosed that on Thursday their group kidnapped one truck driver Adkho Mao from Morbung following the instruction of their group’s self style major, Angam for a ransom of Rs 13 lakhs.

Further from their disclosure they were able to arrest one more cadre of the party identified as Redeemson Muivah alias Bruce Lee, 21, son of late Khaningkhai of Yaingagpokpi Muirei from Mantripukhri area and accordingly during the operation police tactically made them to release the abducted driver safely, added Kabib.

Kabib continued from the possession of the three arrested militant police were able to seize one 9mm pistol loaded with five live rounds in the magazine, four mobile phones and one scooter (Honda Dio) and according to their statement they all joined the party through one self style general secretary, Jonah.

Later the arrested cadres and the seized items were handed over to Lamlai police station for further action and police is hunting to arrest Angam and Jonah, he further added.

In another case a team of Narcotic Cell, Imphal East today arrested one woman drug peddler and seized nine grams of heroin powder, 32 SP capsules and 342 WY tablets worth around Rs. 1,89,000 from her possession.

The individual identified as Ranjana, 30, wife of Md. Sahid Khan of Khergao Yumkhaibam was arrested during patrol duty in and around Khergao area by Narcotic Cell, Imphal East and Imphal East commando under the supervision of DSP (CAR), Roni Mayengbam and Narcotic Cell OC, Devkumar Singh.

She has been handed over to Porompat police station for further legal action.

Imphal East police were able to seize illicit drugs, liquor worth around Rs. 5,85,86,050, arrest 81 drug peddlers and 98 UGs cadres during CI operation from January 1 till date.

During drive against drugs and alcohol they were able to seized 14,928 litres of DIC liquor worth around Rs. 14,92,800, 388 bottles of IMF liquor worth around Rs. 3,38,000, 2,145 grams of  heroin worth around Rs. 2,57,40,000, 62,446 numbers of SP capsules worth around Rs. 28,10,070, 13,626 numbers of WY tablet worth around Rs. 27,25,200, 6,000 numbers of Zolfresh tablet worth around Rs. 2,70,000, 5975 numbers of N-10 tablet worth around Rs. 2,98,750, 1,865.45 kilograms of ganja worth around Rs. 1,86,54,530, 11,500 grams of opium worth around Rs. 14,37,500, 64 bottles of dell syrup worth around Rs. 19,200 and brown sugar worth around Rs. 48,00,000.

During CI operations the Imphal East police were able to seize 11 numbers of 9mm pistols with 53 live rounds, four .32 pistols with nine live rounds, two AK-47 rifles with 15 live rounds and eight magazines, one lethod gun with 10 shells, one double barrel gun with magazine, one SMG carbine, four grenades, 15 demand letters, two wireless set and two country made pistols, this year. 

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Education, labour and employment minister Thokchom Radheshyam said many schemes and programme are implemented by the government to support and extend all possible help for the welfare of the differently able people, widow and people suffering from diseases.

He said everyone wants to be good, beautiful and the best but unfortunately it is not so. Possible help will be extended for the betterment of the people with special need and society. Without true sacrificial spirit, no matter how rich or powerful a person may be it is not in everyone’s capacity to help and work for the welfare of the differently able people and those who are in need, he added.

He was speaking at the 2nd Function of the Disable Welfare Development Association (DWDA) held at Takyel Mayai Leikai. The function was attended by the Major R. S. Chantel, Ex MLA Sapam Keba (Kunjeshwar), members of Takyel Jilla Parishad, Gram Panchayat and locals. Aid materials were also distributed.

IMPHAL | Dec 30

Horticulture and Soil Conservation minister Thounamjam Shyamkumar said with the coming of the New Year 2018, all the departments under him will give priority to provide funds under various schemes to the beneficiaries on time.

He also wished the people of the state and from behalf of his departments’ staffs that peace, tranquility, prosperity and progress in every field prevail in the state.

Informing that departments have started receiving funds, Th. Shyamkumar said the departments under him are seeking funds for other various schemes. He also assured that he would personally make field visit along with the department officials so that beneficiaries get their funds on time.

Shyamkumar was addressing the media persons at his office chamber at New Secretariat when he released the 2018 calendar of the department. He said the calendar contains all the activities taken up by the department under various schemes and projects. 

Hoping that the calendar will make people aware of the activities undertaken by the department, he said the department is committed to work day and night for the welfare of the farmers and beneficiaries of the state.

IMPHAL | Dec 30

The Kuki Students’ Organisation, KSO, Bungpi bock has alleged the finance minister and tribal affairs minister of misusing their powers for their personal gains.

A statement issued KSO Bungpi block, opined that while the entire population of hills of Manipur were engaged for Christmas festivity, the finance minister and tribal affairs minister, ignoring the festive season, were engaged in blackmailing, harassing 6 the six Autonomous District Council (ADC) demand to settle with 6 percent the funds means for Education department in the ADC.

Despite the lack of infrastructure and many other facilities to facilitate teaching and learning process of the school in the hills, the government heedless to the developmental issues and more attentive in deducting 10 percent of the otal funds of the teachers’ salaries for their selfish gains, it said.

Strongly condemning the indifferent attitude towards ADCs, it termed the act as a step motherly treatment and the main hurdles in different spheres of developmental activities.

This is the mechanism of highly corrupted, discriminating and greedy nature of the state government towards ADCs, Hills of Manipur, it said.

It contended that if the characteristic persist, the ADCs in the Hills of Manipur will be completely exploited in the future, which directly or indirectly shows the evil desires of the state government towards the hill people of Manipur.

The KSO further lamented that the two ministers despite the order of the Governor of Manipur to release the salaries before December 18, went ahead with their selfish motive which resulted in the non payment of teachers salaries of 6 ADCs till date.

It appealed to the government to work sincerely for the progress of Hill people respecting the true nature of autonomous body and release the funds timely with immediate effect.

It also urged the state not to interrupt the administrative, legislative, executive, judiciary and financial powers of the ADCs to hamper the peace of progress in the hills.

Maintaining that a very sorry state of affairs in the Hill district councils is always at the mercy of politicians and the bureaucrats, it held that devolution and decentralization of powers should be the main slogan in place of “Go to the Hills”.

IMPHAL | Dec 30

The governor of Manipur, Dr. Najma Heptulla has sent greetings and best wishes to all saying it is a great pleasure to wish the people of Manipur a very Happy New Year – 2018. 

A release said the dawn of New Year is always significant as new resolutions are made, looking to the future with hope. “We look forward to a better tomorrow learning form our experience and achievement of the past. As we step on the threshold of 2018, let us all resolve to work hand-in-hand for creating harmony and peace in parts of Manipur during the coming year,” it said. “I join the people of Manipur in celebrating New Year’s Day, 2018 and hope that everybody will be blessed with good tidings for a more prosperous and peaceful new year,” it added.

Further, regarding the occasion of Gaan Ngai, the governor has sent greetings to the people of Manipur, especially the Zelianrong brethren.

A release said Gaan Ngai is the biggest festival of the Zelianrong tribes and it is celebrated every year with great fervour. Gaan Ngai is celebrated by the young and old alike of the Zelianrong community with great devotion and gaity, it said.  It is a religious occasion but it also showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Zelianrong community, the release said adding “Let us ring in a new year full of hope and aspiration with ‘Gaan Ngai’ bringing peace and harmony to one and all in the state.”