Manipur News

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 20

Langban Heisoi (Tarpan) were offered today to the 18 martyrs who had made supreme sacrifice during the June 2001 people’s movement to protect the territorial integrity of the state by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) at Kekrupat memorial complex.

Speaking to media persons, UCM president, Johnson Elangbam said that the indigenous people of the state is at a crucial juncture as the number of non-local is increasing day by day.

Electing a non-local as MLA in the Jiribam district clearly shows that the state is being slowly taken over by the non-local, he added.

Johnson continued that in order to safeguard the indigenous people of the state many civil bodies and student bodies have taken up many forms of agitation and steps.

But a civil body “All Jiribam Linguistic Minority Organisation” standing against the action taken up by civil bodies to safeguard the indigenous people of the state is very unfortunate, said Johnson.

He asked the political leaders of the state to give pressure to the central government to amend the article 371 (C) and  to give special provision to safeguard the indigenous people of the state before it is too late.

The president claimed that steps taken up to safe the indigenous people of the state by civil organisation cannot be termed as “anti-nation” by non-locals.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 20

The conflict between Leinganching village authorities and JAC for burial of (L) Ritah Haorei at Leinganching village has finally come to an end with both parties agreeing to burial of the body somewhere in the village outskirts. 

Convener of the JAC formed for burial of (L) Ritah Haorei at Leingangching and president of All Manipur Catholic Union (AMCU), Aloysius Zangkhosei Mate while briefing the media at a church at Leingangching said the agreement between the two parties was arrived only yesterday. 

It may be recalled, Ritah Haorei wife of Yangmi Haorei of Leingangching, Kamjong district, aged 42, died on August 7 and was denied burial at her own village as her family was excommunicated from the village seven years ago for converting into Catholic Christian. Leingangching or Litan allowed only Baptist Christian to inhabit at the village.

The village headman’s refusal for burial in the village provoked condemnation not only from the catholic Christian community but other from across the country have also joined to express their disapproval over the village rule. 

 “We are glad at least that we have reached this agreement to bury Ritah in her village area, but not totally satisfied as we are not allowed to bury in her village itself,” said the convener. “We have compromised with the judgment of the village authorities so as not to create any more chaos from this conflict,” he continued.

Five families of village who converted to Catholic were outcaste from the Leingangching and they live in the nearby villages as mere refugees, and among them was Ritah’s family too.   

President of AMCU said that this is the third instance that the villagers did not allow burial and the other two were forced to be buried in Hundung, Ukhrul district.

He continued saying that only parts of their JAC’s demands have been met, he urged the resettlement of five families and compensation for the losses of the said families that were excommunicated from the village in 2010 for converting their denomination of Baptist Christian to Catholic Christian.

He also said that “one village, one denomination” rule of the Leingangching village should be abolished terming it as against the Constitution of India.

Ritah’s body was kept at Hundung till the recent agreement between the two parties was made (which took 43 days). The late wife of Yangmi Haorei was buried with proper burial ceremony today at Sikhibung, outskirts of Leingangching and Catholics from over the state came to witness the grand funeral service despite bad weather.

IMPHAL | Sept 20

The Governor of the state, Najma Heptulla has greeted the people on the joyous occasion of Mera Chaoren Houba. In her message, Heptulla said the festival is to preserve and promote unity and to strengthen the bond of brotherhood amongst all the communities for a more harmonious, peaceful and prosperous Manipur.

The month Mera brings back the age-old tradition of love and brotherhood strengthening the inseparable bond existing from time immemorial between the people in the hills and the plain in the state, the message read.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Sept 20

Health minister, Jayanta Kumar visited Ukhrul District Hospital today, and inspected the ongoing works of Ukhrul district Court and the construction sites of bank and post office at Tangrei, Ukhrul.

The minister was accompanied by director of Health, Dr. K.  Raju and director of AYUSH, Dr. Guneshor Sharma. A warm reception was organised at National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) hall, Ukhrul.

Speaking at the occasion, Jayanta Kumar said, “We have come here to inspect the hospital and develop the infrastructure including manpower and equipment. The old equipment needs to be changed”.

He further said that his arrival was delayed due to major landslide at the Imphal-Ukhrul road.

The health minister in his speech declared for construction of AYUSH hospital at the old district hospital and emphasised that the construction of the hospital at Ukhrul is viable as the region is abounded with medicinal plants.

He further stated that public support and co-operation is needed for construction of AYUSH hospital. He also stated about regularisation of the staffs of health sector especially in NHRM.

Jayanta Kumar said that the proposal for ‘Flying Doctor’ for far flung area has been discussed with the governor of Manipur and an incentive of Rs. 2.5 lakhs per month for specialist doctor for two units will be given soon for public service. Process to procure ambulance with hi-tech system is on the card, where the patients can be treated including surgery and ultra sound, he added.

The CMO of Ukhrul, Dr. Mingyaola Vashum apprised the health minister about all the shortages in the health sector of the district. He informed that the operation theatre of the district hospital is non-functional due to lack of specialist and modern equipment. He further requested for filling up of vacant specialists, medical officers, nurses and paramedical staffs.

He also pointed out that the Ukhrul district hospital requires one anaesthetist, surgeon (general), ortho surgeon, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, pathologist, microbiologist and radiologist. He further mentioned that PHC Khangkhui, PHC Phungyar, PHC Somdal and PHC Chingai require two medical officers each, and CHC Kamjong requires one anaesthetist, surgeon (General), physician, gynaecologist and two medical officers.

He also informed that in the paramedical staffs, the Ukhrul district hospital needs five nursing sisters, three lab technician, two LDC and one matron, medical record officer, sterilisation technician, radiographer and many other staffs. While CHC Kamjong requires paramedical staffs of one matron, sterilisation technician, radiographer and others, he informed.

The CMO also mentioned that the actual post sanctioned in PHC in pharmacist is eight whereas only two are available. Moreover, the actual sanctioned post of lab technician is six whereas only two are available, followed by two UDC posts in sanction of eight, no LDCs in sanction of seven, 20 Grade IV staffs in sanction of 35 and 17 Grade IV staff in PHSC in sanction of 28.

Dr. Raju sought the detail requirements of the district and invited suggestion so as to materialise it. He also appealed to the specialists and doctors to station at the hospital regularly.

Deputy commissioner of Ukhrul, Harmit Singh Pahuja assured to extend all his co-operation and possible help in the smooth functioning of hospital at Ukhrul district. 

Meanwhile, the Health minister also formally declared Mahira Raihing as NPP president of Ukhrul district and also opened its office at Phungreitang, Ukhrul. The minister also met representatives of Hunphun Katamnao Long (HKL-Ukhrul Student’s Union) and the union submitted a memorandum calling for construction of CHC at the old district hospital.

IMPHAL | Sept 20

The 4-day long observation commemorating the 219th death anniversary of Shree Shree Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Maharaja began today at Shree Shree Anumahaprabhu mandir, Manipur Rajbari in Nadia district of West Bengal.

On the opening day today, deputy chief minister, Yumnam Joykumar attended the function as the chief guest while minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution and revenue, Karam Shyam attended the function as the president. Yumnam Joykumar and Karam Shyam offered ‘tarpon’ on the river Ganga.

Speaking during the function, Karam Shyam recollecting the majestic life of Shree Shree Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Maharaja said each citizen/individual must try to imbibe the essence of spirituality in leading an ethical life.

A special lecture was also given by Shijagurumayum Rupachandradeva, Beiragya Acharya, Pandit, Human Research Centre on ‘Shree Krishna Cheityanya Charana Avilashi’. Cultural programme was also presented including ‘Sankirtan’ and ‘Ras Leela’, which captivated the devotees, many of whom were from Manipur.

The 4-day long observation commemorating the 219th death anniversary of Shree Shree Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Maharaja is organised by Shree Shree Anumahaprabhu Sebayet Samity, Nabadwip.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 20

The High Court of Manipur today has extended the interim bail of the former chief minister, O. Ibobi till October 13 as the state government counsel sought more days for submission of bail objection during the bail hearing.

Earlier on September 5 the division bench of High Court, acting chief justice, N. Kotiswar had granted interim bail till today after the counsel of the former chief minister filed his anticipatory bail petition.

The former chief minister filed his anticipatory bail petition before the court after an FIR was filed against him and five others bureaucrat officers of the state by planning joint secretary, Th. Muhindro on September 1, alleging huge financial irregularities of Rs. 185.79 crores of Manipur Development Society.

Earlier the court had directed O. Ibobi that he cannot leave the country without the court’s permission and had also disallowed to communicate with the five others persons; former MDS project director, Y. Ningthem, MDS administration officer, S Ranjit former chief secretaries of the state, D.S. Poonia, P.C. Lawnkunga and O. Nabakishore Singh.

It may be mentioned on September 18 the court had also extended the interim bail period of the three former chief secretaries till October 11 as the state government counsel sought time for submission of the bail objection.

On September 4, the district and session judge, Imphal West rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by S. Ranjit as the charged level against him is a serious offence.

In connection with the case police had raided the house of Y. Ningthem from September 4 for four consecutive days.

IMPHAL | Sept 20

Chief minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh has extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Mera Chaoren Houba.

In his greeting, N. Biren said the festival is a traditional festival of Manipur heralding the advent of Mera month, the seventh month in the Meitei lunar calendar. The festival aims at preserving and promoting unity amongst all sections of the people in Manipur, it read.

Deputy chief minister, Y. Joykumar has also greeted the people on the occasion. May this festival strengthen further the inseparable bond existing from immemorial between hill and valley people in our state, it read.

Our Bureau 

IMPHAL| Sept 20

In a demi official (DO) letter addressed to chief minister, government of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, state chief minister, N. Biren Singh informed that ADGP (Intelligence), Pramod Asthana has been deputed to get factual information from the UP state government regarding the suspicious death of Pravish Chanam. 

The letter maintained that the death of Pravish Chanam in Noida on September 10 and subsequent cremation of his dead body by the police without identification of the body “has given rooms for many doubt about and therefore this requires detailed investigation.”

The letter further requested CM Yogi Adityanath, to instruct the senior police officers of UP to extend cooperation to the visiting officer and assist him to ascertain the factual position. “I also request you to direct the concerned police authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Pravish Chanam,” it added.

Further, a release by director general of police, L.M Khaute said that Pramod Asthana will proceed to Delhi by September 21 to coordinate with UP police authorities in connection with the recent death of Pravish Chanam son of Chanam Jugindro Singh of Uripok Achom Leikai at Noida and to ensure that proper investigation is done by the concerned police authorities.

He will look into the circumstances leading to the death of the student after obtaining relevant details from the concerned police authorities of Noida and update the DGP on the case from time to time, it said.

During his absence, IPS inspector general of police (Zone III), T. Guite will look after the routine works of additional D.G of police (Int and L/O), it added.

It may be recalled that Pravish reached Delhi on September 7 and stayed at his friend Ashok Thounaojam’s Safdarjung residence. The following day in the evening, Pravish went to attend a musical concert at Noida. Pravish and his friends including Ashok along with two others had gone to attend the concert.

The victim family had demanded a CBI inquiry into the case as the death is suspected to be a murder.