Manipur News

IMPHAL | July 26

A Monitoring Cell Help Line for swine flu, dengue, Japanese Encephalitis and scrub typhus has been opened in the medical directorate and it will function from 6 am to 10 pm on all working days, said a release by health services, Manipur.

The monitoring cell will be fully under the control of state epidemiologist Dr Thangpa Serto, medical directorate, and the help line will be connected to Elangbam Ajay, pharmacist, CMO Imphal East in mobile number 8794386732, R. K. Basumani, pharmacist, CMO Imphal West in 8794391551 and Th. Ashu, pharmacist, CMO Imphal East in 8794386503.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 26

The Audit Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) of Government of Manipur for the year ended March 31 2016 have been released today by accountant general D. Jaisankar.

Three reports on social and general sections, economic and revenue sectors and on state finances 016 were released today. The reports have also been placed on the table of the state Assembly on July 21.

Addressing media persons in a press conference held at conference hall of the office the Accountant General (Audit), D. Jaisankar said the audit report is characterised by much negativity because many of the state’s departments failed to keep up with the target.

Along with him in the conference were Nirmala Maisnam, senior deputy accountant general, Aditya Rajendra Bhojgadhiya, deputy accountant general.

Jaisankar had highlighted almost every department’s development status since 2011-2012 to 2015-2016 reports. “Except for pulse polio immunisation, the state could not achieve the set target”, he continued.

One of the significant points amongst them is about the IFCD which can be related to the present flood situation of the state. He noted that planning for management of flood was not effective and comprehensive master plan for the state is not prepared.

He added that the Flood Plain Zoning Act, 1978 was not operationalised and the action plan of the National Disaster Guidelines was not complied with till the date of audit.

The accountant general reiterated that in spite of execution if 22 flood management projects and procurement of flood fighting materials during the period 2007-2016, the quantum of flood damage in terms of area, population and value of flood damage is in the ascending trend.

Giving the report on state finances, Jaisankar pointed out that the state government managed to earn only Rs. 15,000 during 2011-16 after investing Rs. 175.24 crore in companies, corporations and co-operative societies.

JIRIBAM | July 26

A man was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a room of Star Hotel of Babupara, Jiribam today.

The deceased is identified as Konsam Chandrakriti Singh (24), son of (Late) K. Chandrakanta Singh of Ramnagar Tuko Silchar, Assam.

The hotel staff  became concern when Chandrakriti failed to open the door when they went to inform about the travel agent who came to receive him. He was supposed to leave for Imphal today morning.

Later, the hotel staff called Jiribam police and the police broke the door which was locked from inside and found the man hung in a doubtful position. The reason of his dead is yet known. The body was sent to Jiribam hospital for post-mortem and a case has been filed at Jiribam police station for further investigation.

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR |July 26

Huskha Yepthomi, working president of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in his presidential address, to the CEC members during the ‘emergency’ meeting lamented that Nagas have elected “unprincipled” people as their representatives who could not remain faithful to the party.

 He expressed his anguish on the “habitual” visit of Kaziranga by the Naga MLAs whenever any disagreement emerges among themselves which is an unbecoming for matured leaders, according to NPF in a press release today.

 “This is the third time that Naga MLAs tried to solve their internal problems at Kaziranga and, therefore, after 2018 general election, the government of Nagaland should construct a guest house at Kaziranga”, Huskha Yepthomi mused.

He also expressed his anguish that the Naga MLAs were “huddled” into three buses and dispatched to the one of the “infamous” Kaziranga resorts after pick-and-choose dinner organised by T.R.Zeliang in his residence at Dimapur.

“On their return to Nagaland, en route to Kohima, the public welcomed them with slogans and insults along the road, which was a disgrace for a leader,” the NPF leaders said, adding, “With what kind of face they shall go to church and other political platforms?” he asked. 

T.R. Zeliang was running the government smoothly when public uprising compelled him to step down from the chief minister’s post, a consequence of conducting ULB election in February where two innocent lives were lost, the NPF Working President stated.

“The Joint Inquiry Commission (JIC) set up in the aftermath of the incidents is yet to submit its report, and therefore, T.R.Zeliang should not be the chief minister till the report is submitted and action taken therein,” he asserted.

According to him, Shürhozelie Liezietsu has announced that Nagaland Municipal Act shall be rewritten, however, even before the matter has been initiated; T.R. Zeliang has taken over the chief ministership through “backdoor”.

“It is an insult to the people of Nagaland. Now, the MLAs do not regard such important issues. All these ugly things took place under the patronage of the governor of Nagaland, P.B.Acharya”, Huskha Yepthomi said.

He reminded the members that suspension and expulsion of some MLAs from NPF party were the decision taken by the party on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) in the interest of the party, and called upon all the party men to remain calm.

IMPHAL | July 26

The people of Manipur can live better without the Loktak Project. But we cannot develop without the Loktak. The Loktak Hydro Electric Project and Ithai dam have been disastrous projects and they must be decommissioned.

This was stated by M. Asnikumar, who is the vice chairman of Manipur Infrastructure Development Agency (MIDA) and also the state vice president of BJP Manipur unit in a statement handed out to the media.

The statement continued that Ithai dam has been the main reason for flash flood in an around the Loktak lake. Since the commissioning of Ithai Barrage in 1983, there have been disastrous flash floods in and around the lake. These floods have severely affected the socio-economic life of the people of Manipur, it said.

Since the construction and commissioning of this dam, there have been drastic overnight changes in the hydrological path of Loktak that have in turn adversely affected the environment and socio-economic condition of the people of Manipur, Loktak dwellers being the most affected, it added.

The statement further said the dam has blocked the course of Manipur river that drains Loktak Lake. This blockage has brought irreversible losses to the health of this rich fresh water lake in the Northeast, it said, adding many flora and fauna have become scarce and on the verge of extinction. These are evident by the dwindling varieties of native endemic species, including fishes, edible plants like heikak yelli, heikak, Taothabee paddy, etc, it said.

Another major threat to the health of the lake is the uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the catchment areas of the lake. Within minutes of use, these toxic chemicals poison the water body and affect all who depend on it, the release maintained.

Moreover there has been excessive deforestation in the catchment areas of the lake, dumping of plastic and other non-degradable objects in the lake directly or through its tributaries. The distortion has caused excessive eutrophication causing unprecedented pollution of the lake, it added.

The fact that the lake is systematically being destroyed is proven beyond all reasonable doubts by now. In just 34 years, the destruction of the lake has brought untold sufferings to the people, it said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 26

Students and volunteers of KSA today tried to storm the Manipur State Assembly from three different directions demanding legislation to prevent non-indigenous people from contesting elections and casting votes. They also demanded reservation of eight Assembly seats for the indigenous people.

The student’s marched towards Assembly from the western gate of DM College, who were stopped by the City police from reaching the Assembly near THAU Ground.

The students came out with the slogan “Yelhou Meegi Hak Kangadabani” and “Meetop na vote leppa yaroi.”

Later they were pushed back towards the campus and a little scuffle broke out between the police and students at the western gate and afterwards the situation was brought under control.

Students of Manipur College and Lilong Higher Secondary School staged a sit-in protest at Manipur College and later took out a rally, which was stopped them at Singjamei Yumnam Leikai from reaching the Assembly.

The same scenet was created when students of Mayai Lambi Zonal Council were stopped from reaching Assembly at Singjamei Yumnam Leikai. A confrontation between the police and student took place and later Zonal Council Akbar Boggi was detained by the police and released afterwards.

Bishnupur District Council students also marched towards Assembly from Thangmeiband Muzi Khul and were later stopped by the police from reaching the place.

Also the students of Alpha BCI Academy Thangmeiband, St. Savio English Higher Secondary School, and St Patric Higher Secondary School Thangmeiband also staged a sit-in protest and formed human chain.

Later, a press meet was held at Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA) at Takel Leikai wherein Moirangthem Lakshman president KSA said their demands should be considered by the government within the on-going Assembly session.

The demands are drafting of a law against non-indigenous people from contesting election in eight different constituencies for first phase i.e  Wangkhei, Kangpokpi, Jiribam, Thangmeiband, Sagolband, Sugnu, Bishnupur and Uripok and to reserve it for the indigenous people.

“If the government fails to respond to our demand within the ongoing Assembly, then the organisation is all set to take up against strong agitations,” he concludes.

In a related development students of Churachand Higher Secondary School also demanded withdrawal of the FIR against students at the earliest.

General secretary of the school’s students union, Samson Longjam condemned chief minister N. Biren for registering FIR against students. Students of the school today boycotted classes in protest. He threatened to launch severe form of agitation.

Due to demonstration by the students the road adjacent to CC school was blocked for some hours. A team of Imphal East police led by SP K. Kabib rushed at the spot and pacified the agitators.

THOUBAL | July 26

 A clash between two groups of prospective candidates for Panchayat elections took place today around 2.30 pm at Yaripok Tulihal village.

One group was led by Md Abdulkalam (42) son of Rafiq Ali while the other group was led by Md Kamal Hasan, (22) son of Md Sirajuddin. Both are residents of Yaripok Tulihal. Tension erupted between the two groups while discussing the nomination for the ensuing panchayat elections.

A brief scuffle took place between the groups but no injuries were sustained by any person. Supporters of Md Abdulkalam called the police immediately and the matter was settled. In this regard a FIR was filed by Md Abdulkalam in Andro PS against Md. Abdul Hasan.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL July 26

Revenue minister Karam Shyam today announced on the floor of the House that a district boundary commission would be constituted to demarcate boundaries of the districts after ongoing budget session is over.

Replying to a question from Opposition Congress member R. K. Imo Singh the minister said the matter has been consulted with the law department and the process for setting up of the boundary commission is almost complete and it will be headed by a retired judge.

The state government will demarcate the district boundaries according to the report of the commission.

Manipur government created seven more districts last year increasing the number of districts in the state to 16.

Pony

The veterinary minister V. Hangkhalian told the House that the government has no plan as of now to shift the ponies loitering along Imphal streets. He was replying to a question put up by Opposition Congress member K. Ranjit Singh.

The minister said as per 2012 livestock census Manipur’s pony population is 1101. He said in 2015 the government provided financial assistance of Rs. 9,417 at an average to each of 15 selected pony clubs.

Organic farming

The minister of state for agriculture V. Hangkhalian informed the members of the Assembly that the Centre had released Rs. 3.8 crores to department of horticulture and soil conservation, which is the nodal department for implementation of organic farming for the year 2016-17.

Responding to a question raised by Congress member Abdul Nasir the minister said black aromatic rice (chak-hao) is cultivated under organic farming in four valley districts of Manipur for the year 2016-17.

VIP expenditure

The chief minister N. Biren Singh, who is also the leader of the House, informed that the state government spent about Rs. 41.82 lakhs in between March 15 and July 15 in connection with visits by VVIP and VIPs to the state.

The amount includes Rs. 25,04,620 for hotel accommodation, Rs. 13,49,284 for state dinner and cultural programmes and Rs. 3,28,875 for fuel, he said.

Recruitment

The social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen said her department is recruiting 11 posts of child development project officer through Manipur Public Service Commission.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 26

Youth affairs and sports minister, Letpao Haokip, today informed the House that the department will take befitting action against any individual if found using fake sports certificate to get government jobs.

The minister stated this while responding to queries raised by the Opposition bench during the voting and discussion hours for grants on the sixth day of the ongoing budget session.

Letpao said there has been complaint of certification done by an order of department of personnel in the year 1998. However the case has not been officially proved.

Clarifying on the lack of proper policy for sports, he said that the sports policy which was framed in 1984 in consonant with the Sports Authority of Manipur is very much alive.

The policy has been upgraded in 2003, he said and added that under which an Olympian medalist will be awarded with cash incentive of Rs. 2 crore and 25 lakhs for the participants.

He further revealed that altogether 70 meritorious persons have been provided with government jobs and a requisition has been sent to MPSC to recruit 21 coaches.

To further encourage sports in the state, he said, the department is planning to take up new schemes and projects under Khelo India project a vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi including development of local playgrounds across the state.

With regards to the status of the proposed Sports University, he said that a total of 325.90 acres of land have been acquired by the revenue department at Haraothel and the fencing for the same has been started.

In his response to measure taken to preserve indigenous games, the minister informed that the department has been providing financial assistance to altogether 53 sports association.

He further informed the House that the department is actively considering the establishment of Sports Governing Body.

The chairman of the body will be the chief minister, the YAS minister as vice chairperson with sports personalities as the members, he said adding inclusion of sports curriculum as schools syllabus be the responsibility of the body.

Responding to queries raised by the Opposition bench with regards to community and rural department (C&RD), the concerned minister Th. Bishwajit Singh, divulged that road connectivity in rural areas will be improved with the launch of PMGSY-II due to be launched by 2019.

Clarifying on the inability of the government to properly implement PMGSY, he pointed out that the Phase 11th of the PMGSY is categorized in two batches.

He said that the detail project report (DPR) for the first batch sent by the previous government was not approved due to some technical error. As a result, the government had to send another DPR and convinced the concerned minister, he said.

Bishwajit informed the House that the DPR was approved by the Centre and a sum of Rs. 587.70 crore has been sanctioned for construction of 121 roads with total length of 1,199.225 km including 6 long span bridges.

The DPR for the second batch for construction of 163 roads with total length of 1962 km including 45 long bridges with an estimate of Rs 1044 crores has been completed, said Bishwajit.

According to him, once the amount for the second batch is sanctioned the development works for rural areas can be improved without any delay.

With regarads to Pradhan Mantri Awaj Yojna Grameen (PMAYG) a DPR of Rs. 495 crores have been submitted to the ministry, he said.

Bishwajit, who is also holding the portfolio of power department, said a state policy for power has been framed in line with the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to make the country power sufficient by March 2019.

Stating that the state has now enough power Bishwajit expressed his confidence that the vision of the present government to electrify the rural areas by December 2018 will surely be achieved.

As per 2001 census altogether 2582 un-electrified villages were identified by the department out of which 2362 has been electrified, he said adding that process to electrify the remaining 220 villages is under active consideration.

Of the total 220, 63 villages from December Chandel, Senapait, Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Tamenglong have been included in the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana while the 113 villages will be included in the off grid plan and 39 in grid plan under the funding of Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), said Bishwajit.

Moreover, he informed that for the procurement of 330 numbers of transformers of different capacities tender has been floated besides procurement of other relevant equipments to further enhance the electrification work.

In his response to queries relating to minority and other backward classes (MOBC) and scheduled Castes department, chief minister, N. Biren Singh, contended that the beneficiary list of the year 2016 was incomplete a reason for the inability to distribute the loan.

He further pointed out that none of the applicants who applied for housing loans during the same government did not give any formal applications but only appeared on the list which made the identification process almost impossible.

Nevertheless, fresh preparation has been started to provide loans to beneficiaries under PMAY.

Of the total 3000 students who applied for scholarship only ten percent genuine beneficiaries was found despite the fact that repeated publicity through advertisement have been made for the same.

The chief minister further informed the government is mulling to implement widow scheme.

The Manipur Legislative Assembly passed four more demands for grants for the year 2017-18 amounting to Rs. 1727,37,73,000 on the sixth day of the ongoing budget session today.

The Opposition MLAs who participated in the discussion are N. Loken, K Ranjit, D. Korungthang, Kh. Joykishan, Md. Abdul Nasir, AK Mirabai, RK Imo, Md Fajur Rahim, K. Meghachandra, DD Thaisii.

MLAs from treasury bench, P. Sarat and TT Haokip, also participated in the discussion.

After deliberate discussion and submission of observations from both the benches, the cut motions were withdrawn before passing it unanimously.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | July 26

Village chief of L. Tangnaum, previously known as Haraothel expressed his apprehension over the controversial issue of the construction of National Sports University, which could affect hill-valley relationship.

Vaiphei, Chief of L. Tangnaum village also blamed the state government and the authority concerned for the unwanted development and the alleged intimidating policy of acquiring land for the proposed university.

He continued that recently some persons from the neighbouring villages have been destroying the hills and forest plantation of L.Tangnaum (Haraothel) without any official authorisation. On July 23 a large track of hills and forest plantation was damaged by using heavy machineries taking away all the timbers without any authority and ran way with their machineries when L.Tangnaum villager chased them, he said.

He said that establishment of National sports varsity at Koutruk, Senjam Chirang and Sejam Khunou which will be an asset to the sports lover of the state is under threat of an early extinction even before the bill for the establishment of the varsity has been introduced in the Parliament owing to the highhandedness of some vested individuals.

He recalled that initially everybody welcome the idea of establishing the sports varsity at Koutruk, Senjam Chirang and Sejam Khunou and even they offered to donate land for the same but when large area of the location falls within the village of L. Tangnaum (Haraothel) the villagers raised strong objection against donating their land.

The villagers of L. Tangnaum are not against the establishment of the varsity but if any portions of their lands are to be affected, they demand the government to follow due process of law and go for land acquisition, H. Vaiphei said while adding that the villagers of L. Tangnaum had been unfortunately portrayed as anti-sports varsity. 

While accusing the state government for the entire misunderstanding by playing with the emotion of the innocent people, H. Vaiphei elucidated that the government had stealthily issued an allotment orders on December 28, 2016 allotting 325.60 acres of land to the director, Youth Affairs & Sports, Manipur which include 137.62 acres of village land of Haraothel, now L.Tangnaum under Dag.No.1 of village No.47-Koutruk.

He also alleged that the allotment orders were never published in the official gazette and its existence has been kept in the dark while adding that L.Tangnaum is a recognised hill village within Sadar Hills, now Kangpokpi district and any allotment is subject to the provision of Section 4(1) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee Orders, 1972 and the provisions of Section 29(1) (xiv) of the Manipur Hill Areas District Councils Act, 1971.

In fact, the revenue department has no authority regarding allotment of lands of Hill villages but it can acquire the same, H. Vaiphei asserted while cautioning that the government’s policy could ultimately lead to animosity between the people of hills and plain which could also derail the establishment of the sports varsity at the present location.

He asked the government as to why the allotment orders is not publishes in official gazette and on what ground the land of hill villages has been included in the allotment Orders issued by the revenue department in violation of the provisions of the related laws instead of going for land acquisition process.