Manipur News

TAMENGLONG | Aug 16

The Barak bridge between Tousem sub-division and Tamenglong at Namtiram was collapsed at 8 am today. The bridge was the only lifeline for the people of Tousem area.

The locals of Tousem have appraised the authority concerned to take up immediate action for its restoration.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 16

The 13th To Excel Right to Life was observed today by Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF) to pay tribute to the departed soul of Pebam Chittaranjan Mangang (21st Centuary gi Athouba).

Floral tributes were paidto the statue of Chittaranjan at Bishnupur in the morning and a mass silent rally was taken out from Takhellambam Leikai till THAU ground, Thangmeiband.

Speaking to the gathering at THAU ground, Senior Citizen for Society, general secretary, L. Sadananda said that men like Chittaranjan who made supreme sacrifice for the right to life is born once in a century and he is the only one in the state who had made such sacrifice for the people’s rights. 

He said that implementing of AFSPA, 1958 which is an anti-democratic act in the state of a country which has the largest democracy, is very unfortunate.

Though the former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh assured to replace the act with another act with human face and the Administrative Reform Committee of India submitted recommendation to remove AFSPA from the state, no single initiative has been taken till now, added Sadananda.

The general secretary said that announcing “disturbed area” is the main reason for implementing AFSPA in the state. It is in the hand of the state government to remove AFSPA by removing the disturbed area status and taking up the matter with the central government.

“As the new chief minister has assured to examine removing AFSPA from the state, let us hope for the best to bring back the right to life in the state,” added Sadananda.

The guest of honour, Working Committee of Apunba Lup, Manipur, coordinator Phulindro Konsam said that any kind of development is meaningless if there is no right to life.

And unless the draconian AFSPA, 1958 is removed from the state, the people cannot enjoy the right to life, which is the most important fundamental right, he added.

Phulindro said that youths and students across the world have been taking a big role in fighting for human rights and Chittaranjan is one of the student leaders, who made a supreme sacrifice fighting for the rights of the people at his young age.

His sacrifice gave a message to the people across the state that “it is better to die than to live without getting our rights,” he continued.

The delay in delivering justice in the B.T. Road fake encounter case clearly shows that the people of the state is subdued by the central government of the largest democratic country, added the coordinator.

MSF, president, N. Muktangamba said that MSF will take the AFSPA issue to the state government, central government and even to the United Nations. For this MSF needs cooperation of the public, he added.

The function was attended by advocate, Khaidem Mani as guest of honour.

A blood donation camp was held at THAU ground in connection with the day.

State observes 71st I-Day admits boycott 

IMPHAL | Aug 16

As in other parts of the country, the 71st Independence Day was celebrated in the State as well. The State level celebration was held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles ground with chief minister N. Biren Singh as the chief guest.

The observation was held under tight security as different underground outfits have boycotted the Independence Day. Educational institutes, government offices and commercial places wore a deserted look while a few commuters were seen on the road.

Meantime the chief minister hoisted the national tricolour amid playing of national anthem by various band contingents.

Speaking at the occasion, N. Biren observed that people need to march forward together with an objective to achieve progress and development of the State by forgetting all the differences and past mistakes.

He urged all concerned to resolve the issues through talks if they have any dissatisfaction with the initiatives being taken up by the present government.

Celebration of the country’s Independence Day and paying homage to the martyrs and freedom fighters, who gifted freedom to the current generation, would be meaningful and bear fruit only when people concentrate on accomplishing their tasks and objectives with a strong sense of patriotism by forgetting all the differences.

He also appealed to the public to put in collective effort to make Manipur a peaceful and strong State having egalitarian development.

Though Manipur had also achieved many milestones of development being a part of the vast and strong India in the past 70 years, the State still needs to work hard to enhance the State’s economy and improve connectivity infrastructures, communication and conditions of children and women etc., he said.

Mentioning the achievements of the newly formed BJP-led coalition government, the chief minister said that the government had successfully resolved UNC’s economic blockade and the stir of JAC Against Anti-Tribal Bills within a short period of time.

He also said the government has a firm commitment to bring equal development in all parts of the State to regain emotional integrity between hill and valley.

Admitting that the current financial health of the State is not that good, the chief minister informed the gathering that the State government had started taking up necessary measures to maintain financial prudence and improve resource mobilisation.

Effective implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an important step towards this end, he added.

Earlier, he took salute from 43 march-past contingents of BSF, CRPF, Assam Police, civil police, India Reserve Battalion, Manipur Fire Service, Home Guards and VDF personnel, NCC Cadets, Government Department employees and college and school students.

Commandant of 3rd IRB, Thokchom Vikramjit Singh, was the parade commander.

Eleven band platoons of different security forces, Home Guards and Sainik School also took part in the march past.

The chief minister later decorated two police officers with President’s Police Medal for distinguished service and presented Police Medal for meritorious service to 20 personnel.

Recipients of the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service were: A Ghanashyam Sharma, (Dy. SP of Imphal West) and jemadar Bisham Dev Thakur of MPTC, Pangei while the recipients of Police Medal for Meritorious Service were H. Gyaneshwar, (Dy. CO of 7th MR), inspector T Sanatomba Singh (CID SB), inspector Kh. Shashi Kumar Singh (CID SB), inspector O. Jibonchandra Singh (CID Security), inspector Palmei Shantikumar Kabui (CID Security), inspector A.S Masongam Shimray (Senapti), subedar T.S Chamna Anal (8th Bn. Manipur Rifles), inspector Th. Nilamani Singh (Noney district), sub-inspector S. Guni Singh (CID SB), sub-inspector Kh. Debananda (CID SB), jemadar Th. Bharatchandra Singh (1st IRB), assistant sub-inspector N. Dilip Singh (CID SB), assistant sub-inspector O. Achoubi Devi (CID SB), Havildar Y. Manglemjao Singh (MPTC), Havildar Lunkhosei Haokip (2nd MR), Havildar R.K Sarat (2nd MR), Havildar Md. Rahimuddin (2nd MR), head constable L. Khamba Singh (Imphal West), rifleman Mangjathang Haokip (MPTC) and rifleman Kh. Babudhon (MPTC).

The chief minister also presented Police Trophy for community service and Police Trophy for anti-drug campaign for the first time from this year at the function.

The award included a trophy, a cash reward of Rs. 20,000 and a chief minister’s commendation certificate.

Ministers, MLAs, top civil, police and military officers, government employees and general public also took part in the celebration.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 16

A public meeting organised by the National Sports University Haraothel Protection Committee (NSUHPC) today demanded that the government should carry out social impact assessment from the respective villagers if the government wants to take up a project or scheme.

The public meeting held at Haraothel ground.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 26 civil society organisations (CSOs) of the state.

After a long deliberations among the various CSOs, working chairman of NSUHPC, Irengbam Ranjan Singh said the meeting resolved not to compromise those who try to obstruct building National Sports University at Haraothel.

The land for construction of the university has been donated by the people of Senjam Khunou, Senjam Chirang and Koutruk.