Manipur News

IMPHAL | Nov 15

President Ram Nath Kovind will visit Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur from November 19 to November 22.

A release said Kovind will inaugurate the northeast development summit in Imphal on November 21 at 2 pm. He will also inaugurate Manipur Sangai festival at 4:30 pm in the city on the same day, it said adding the President will visit INA war memorial in Moirang on November 22.

Before his visit to Manipur, Kovind will address the valedictory function upon completion of 40 years of Vivekananda Kendra in Itanagar on November 19, it said. Later in the day, he will later attend the dedication of the new state legislative assembly to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, it continued.

Kovind will spend November 20 in Assam, attending the closing ceremony of Namamim Barak Festival in Silchar at 2 pm and a civic reception at Guwahati University at 5:30 pm, it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 15

All Loktak Lake Areas Fishermen’s Union Manipur (ALLAFUM), secretary, O. Rajen claimed that Loktak Lake Protection (LLP) Act 2006 is more draconian than Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958.

He was delivering the keynote address of the observation of the 6th Commemoration Loktak Lake Arson Day and public meeting today at Thanga Chinglak Thongkhong Community Hall, organised by ALLAFUM.

The secretary said that the act which lead to the burning down of phumhut homes of innocent fishermen, destruction of fishing equipment and personal belongings including students’ books, uniforms etc, clearly shows that the Act is legally an “anti-social act”.

On the other hand the Loktak Development Authority in the name of safeguarding the fresh water lake has been illegal pocketing money in terms of crores, he charged.

Rajen continued that the LDA banning the public from using any single resource like water, fishing etc by implementing LLP Act is an evil act to wipe out the people who are earning their livelihood from the lake.

“ALLAFUM strongly condemns irresponsible acts of treating the people residing around the lake like animals by the government which has sworn to work for the welfare of the people and in public interest,” said the secretary.

The ALLAFUM and the people residing around Loktak Lake resolved to work together at its best level for the repeal of the LLP Act 2006 and Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 from Loktak Lake.

A 2-minutes silence was observed as part of the observance and “Loktak Protection Act, Muthatkadabane” slogans were shouted.

The public meeting was also attended by AMKIL coordinator, Khagembam Anandi, NIPCO president, O. Premjit, ANULB president, Lourembam Pramo, CORE president, Roy Leipungbam, COHR chairman, Phullendro Konsam, Apunba Lup president, Joy Chingakham, Wade Na Toro Abhiyan convenor, Annie Namala, member, Mashi Singh and Human Rights Alert director, Babloo Loitongbam as presidium members.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 15

Alleging negligence the reason behind the collapsed of a bailey bridge at Nung Dolan along National Highway 37 on Monday, Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) has demanded the state government to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident.

The TDC also demanded compensation for the ill fated truck that felt under the bridge following the collapsed of the bridge.

Speaking to media persons in this regards, H. Ranjit president TDC, said the bailey falls under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), who gave away the contract for constructing the bridge to private company.

Pointing out that the bridge was constructed in year 2012, he contended that the tragedy could have been averted had the authority concerned does the maintenance work regularly.

Alleging negligence the main reason behind the bridge collapsed, the TDC president appealed to the government to constitute a probe into the incident and take action against the concerned authority.

He maintained that the NHIDCL and Government of India should be held responsible for the lost inflicted to the truck.

The president clarified that the collapsed of the bridge was not the fault of the transporter as alleged by some section.

According to him, as per directive of the High Court of Manipur, the Highway Administration, Guwahati, load restriction was put over three bridges namely Irang, Barak an Makru, but not on the ill fated bridge.

He further contended that the 24 MT limit (including weigh of the vehicles) put on bridges along the Barak was in contradiction to the CMV guidelines which says 40 MT.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 15

Despite having abundance natural resources and known for rich biodiversity, North Easterner are not utilizing it properly said Dr. K. R. Dhiman, vice chancellor of Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh in One Day National Workshop cum Brainstorming session on Jhum Improvement for Sustaining Farm Livelihood and Natural Resource Conservation: Vistas and Frontier held at Hotel Classic Grande.

Speaking as chief guest in inaugural function, vice chancellor of Central Agricultural University Prof. M. Premjit Singh said, “Discussion on Jhum cultivation started from the past 40 years. Many recommendations have been put forward by many experts; several schemes were launched by state and Central government for the prevention of Jhum cultivation in NE states. However the farmers have always failed to accept it.”

He pointed out the main reason for not being able to comply with the preventive measures is, “this system of cultivation binds with socio-economic status and traditional practice of the farmers. Rice, which is the staple food for the entire North East, is the main crop cultivated in jhum farming. Because of these reasons the farmers are not ready to give up this practice.”

He suggested that if the policy makers give them rice in subsidised rate they may follow the preventive measures.

The programme was organised by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya. The other dignitaries attended in the function are former assistant director general, ICAR, New Delhi and Member of International Commission on Water Quality Dr. U. C. Sharma, principal scientist, NRM Division, ICAR, New Delhi and former director, ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi Dr. S. K. Dhyani, director ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya Dr. Narendra Prakash, director Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) (Zone IV), Guwahati Dr. A. K. Tripathi and director ATARI(Zone VII), Meghalaya Dr. B. C. Deka.

Joint directors from all the NEH regions ICAR gave presentation on the status report of Jhum Cultivation of their respective states and followed by discussion and brainstorming session.

IMPHAL | Nov 15

Manipur celebrated its day at the 37th India International Trade Fair, 2017 at the Hamsadhwani Theatre, Pragati Maidan in the national capital today.

The Manipur Day observation was attended by minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industries, government of Manipur, Thongam Biswajit Singh as chief guest and principal secretary, P. Vaiphei as president.

Inaugurating the event, minister, Biswajit said Manipur had been making tremendous efforts to come up to the need for ensuring inclusive growth of its people and to become an attractive destination for others. He said some progress has been made but most importantly, a good beginning has been set by now.

Through concerted and coordinated efforts of the state government with the constant support of the people, the state has become a peaceful state after the formation of the new government led by BJP, said Biswajit.

Manipur is a rich organic belt for agro and horticulture products, Biswajit observed adding further that it offers huge opportunities for investment which is mostly untapped so far.

Further promoting the agro and horticulture products of the state, he said pineapples, lemons, oranges, passion fruits, etc of the state are renowned for their high juice contents and sweet tastes as much as the u-morok and other spices like ginger, turmeric and other spices are preferred for their strength and colours.

He continued Manipur today is at the threshold of opening up to a huge horizon, the railways are coming to Imphal by 2019 and with the Trans-Asian Highway expected to connect the state to the South East Asian countries, Manipur will be India’s gateway to South East Asia.

The huge opportunities these openings will throw up will be tremendous and the government is hoping to make the best of it with the active involvement of the people under the inclusive leadership of the state and central governments, he continued.

He also mentioned that Manipur is at the top which is validated in every national games. In 1999, when Manipur hosted the national games, the state was overall champion, he added.

Especially, the girls of Manipur are good in sports and few names can be mentioned like MC Mary Kom, Sarita Chanu, Chanchan, he continued.

Minister Biswajit also said with adequate opportunities, incentives and infrastructures in the state, and the sportspersons of the state will do even better in many more events.

Observing that another area of the state’s strength is its rich culture, he explained that different aspects of Manipur performing arts, Manipuri cinema and theatre are well received not only within the country, but also in international platforms.

He also spoke on the handloom and handicrafts of the state and said that the state’s handlooms and handicrafts are popular among the discerning consumers.

IMPHAL | Nov 15

The construction works for the state’s first ever floating stage is in full swing to attract the visitors at Sendra area of Loktak Lake during the upcoming Manipur Sangai festival 2017.

The 10 day festival which is scheduled to begin from November 21 at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal but many cultural shows are expected to be performed over the floating stage during the curtain raiser opening of the festival prior to the main opening show.

The floating stage measuring an areas of about 9600 square foot (120 x 80ft) is being developed by 15 workers including 10 carpenters using 1220 plastic barrels and 3200 kbs of well furnished (wood) ‘upbaks’ since the past 30 days with a target to complete on November 16 to 17,according workers.

So far around 800 kilograms of iron-nails besides other construction materials were used in building up the floating stage under the guidance of chief carpenters Kumam Natum and Laishram Suresh and its main designer Priyojit with financial support from the Manipur Infrastructure Development Authority.