Manipur News

BISHNUPUR | Aug 18

Two shops at Ningthoukhong Bazar, Bishnupur district were gutted by fire last night at around 11:30 pm.

The owners of the shop were identified as RK. Ranjit and L. Surjit. The adjoining shops were saved by the timely arrival of the firemen of Bishnupur Fire Service and Moirang Fire Service.

According to sources, Bishnupur police nabbed a woman who was suspected to have set the shops on fire.

BISHNUPUR | Aug 18

Two shops at Ningthoukhong Bazar, Bishnupur district were gutted by fire last night at around 11:30 pm.

The owners of the shop were identified as RK. Ranjit and L. Surjit. The adjoining shops were saved by the timely arrival of the firemen of Bishnupur Fire Service and Moirang Fire Service.

According to sources, Bishnupur police nabbed a woman who was suspected to have set the shops on fire.

From Our Correspondent

MOREH | Aug 18

A combined team of 12 Assam Rifles and Moreh Custom Preventive force reportedly arrested a gold smuggler carrying 140 gold bars weighing approximately 23.230 kgs worth Rs 6.969 crores at vehicle check post, Tengnoupal yesterday.

During a press briefing, superintendent of Moreh Customs Preventive force, Whk. Luwang said that following an intelligence input, a combined team of 12 AR and officials of Moreh Customs intercepted a bus bearing Registration Number MN 04 7351 carrying wooden planks and stopped at motor vehicle check post (MVCP), Tengnoupal for checking.

He further said that during checking, some suspicious modification was noticed near radiator of the bus above the driver side head light and on further checking some suspicious packets were recovered from the modified compartment which came out to be the gold bars.

The driver of the bus has been identified as Md. Kamal Hassan son of Late Hazi Salim of Kwakta Sevla Ward Number 3, Bishnupur district, he added.

By Jeijei Newme

IMPHAL | Aug 17

Promoting Manipur’s disparate indigenous cultures at the national and international level is her main aim, said 18-year old Lansana Thokchom Chanu, a singer, dancer and an artist par excellence.

Growing up in a family deeply rooted in art and culture, Lansana has learnt a good deal of art and culture from her elders including, grandfather, uncle and her father. Her father was a state level and national awardee for film and performing arts and Bal Sahitya Puraskar.

She said that she does this not just to upkeep her family’s traditional occupation or because she is a daughter of a well-known artist. Instead it is her own passion and interests which is driving her.

The first daughter of Thokchom Thouyanba Meetei and Thokchom Manileima, she start performing since the age of four on AIR Imphal and by the age of six, she had already sung 40 songs at the radio station.

She has participated in various school, state and even national level competitions and won many first positions and in these.

She got the best dancer award in the year 2010 organised by Allahabad Natya Sangha, Allahabad. She is a recipient of Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) scholarship since the age of six.

Lansana juggled studies and her interest in art and culture since her school days and she confessed it has been hard keeping up her excellence in both. She even managed to get first division in both Class 10 and 12 exams and is now pursuing her further studies in Maharaja Bodhchandra College, Palace Compound.

She has also completed her Bisarat level which is equivalent to diploma level for dance from JN Dance Academy.

The 18-year-old artist said that one of her proudest moments is representing India in the ABU Radio music festival held at Beijing, China in 2016. She said that she had stiff competition and got selected in all national level to represent India. “I felt proud at that moment showcasing my culture, my identity as Manipuri to the whole world, and let my culture’s presence felt in the stage”.

She got interviewed in various international media but felt despondent coming back home in Manipur as her fame and her work was not encouraged by the government as well as the media.

Her most recent big gig was participating in Bangladesh during Yaoshang festival, 2017.

In an exclusive chat with Imphal Free Press, she revealed that it has been a wonderful journey. She knows how to sing, and dance different dance forms, not only of Manipuri, but of Odissi and Kathak.

When asked if she has any interest in contemporary music and dance, she says she respects the different art forms but she rather prefer her own culture and said that it can’t be found in other place else and it should be well preserved.

“My pupu is my role model and he has has taught me a lot of things, I admire him not just because he is my grandfather but because of his achievements and his interest and his passion that taught me a lot”, she said.

She would like to give a message to her generations and younger ones that “we should follow our hearts, I did and I am on my way to conquer the world with my talents. It is not that I am successful already but doing what you want to do gives the fullest dedication and you could achieve the highest”.

By Jeijei Newme

IMPHAL | Aug 17

Promoting Manipur’s disparate indigenous cultures at the national and international level is her main aim, said 18-year old Lansana Thokchom Chanu, a singer, dancer and an artist par excellence.

Growing up in a family deeply rooted in art and culture, Lansana has learnt a good deal of art and culture from her elders including, grandfather, uncle and her father. Her father was a state level and national awardee for film and performing arts and Bal Sahitya Puraskar.

She said that she does this not just to upkeep her family’s traditional occupation or because she is a daughter of a well-known artist. Instead it is her own passion and interests which is driving her.

The first daughter of Thokchom Thouyanba Meetei and Thokchom Manileima, she start performing since the age of four on AIR Imphal and by the age of six, she had already sung 40 songs at the radio station.

She has participated in various school, state and even national level competitions and won many first positions and in these.

She got the best dancer award in the year 2010 organised by Allahabad Natya Sangha, Allahabad. She is a recipient of Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) scholarship since the age of six.

Lansana juggled studies and her interest in art and culture since her school days and she confessed it has been hard keeping up her excellence in both. She even managed to get first division in both Class 10 and 12 exams and is now pursuing her further studies in Maharaja Bodhchandra College, Palace Compound.

She has also completed her Bisarat level which is equivalent to diploma level for dance from JN Dance Academy.

The 18-year-old artist said that one of her proudest moments is representing India in the ABU Radio music festival held at Beijing, China in 2016. She said that she had stiff competition and got selected in all national level to represent India. “I felt proud at that moment showcasing my culture, my identity as Manipuri to the whole world, and let my culture’s presence felt in the stage”.

She got interviewed in various international media but felt despondent coming back home in Manipur as her fame and her work was not encouraged by the government as well as the media.

Her most recent big gig was participating in Bangladesh during Yaoshang festival, 2017.

In an exclusive chat with Imphal Free Press, she revealed that it has been a wonderful journey. She knows how to sing, and dance different dance forms, not only of Manipuri, but of Odissi and Kathak.

When asked if she has any interest in contemporary music and dance, she says she respects the different art forms but she rather prefer her own culture and said that it can’t be found in other place else and it should be well preserved.

“My pupu is my role model and he has has taught me a lot of things, I admire him not just because he is my grandfather but because of his achievements and his interest and his passion that taught me a lot”, she said.

She would like to give a message to her generations and younger ones that “we should follow our hearts, I did and I am on my way to conquer the world with my talents. It is not that I am successful already but doing what you want to do gives the fullest dedication and you could achieve the highest”.

Newmai News Network

IMPHAL | Aug 18

The Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur (ZB-M) in a statement alleged that a combined team of 23 Assam Rifles and 14 Sikh Regiment Tamenglong raided the ‘region camp’ of the NSCN (IM) Zeilad Zeliangrong Region in the wee hours of August 14, 2017 at Inrianglong village of Tamenglong district headquarters. While condemning the incident, the ZB-M termed the alleged act of the security forces as “unwarranted actions”.

“In the said raid by the said combined team 9 cadres of the NSCN (IM) were arrested and an AK-47 rifle was also seized from the region camp,” the Zeliangrong Baudi-Manipur further alleged. “When Naga people led by the Collective Leadership of the NSCN (IM) has been engaging in a peaceful dialogue with the Government of India which is nearing to its logical conclusion this kind of act of raid by the security forces is uncalled for and highly condemnable by all right thinking citizens of the land”, it added.

Narrating the turn of event the ZB-M said that, in quick reaction to that “unwarranted raiding” and subsequent arrest of 9 cadres of the NSCN (IM) of Zeilad Zeliangrong region camp a lightning bandh was called in Zeliangrong areas and the vehicular movements on the NH-37 (Imphal – Jiribam Road) came to a grinding halt in the afternoon of the same day. “On the pressure of the Zeliangrong public including several civil society organisations led by Zeliangrong Baudi, women folks, students, youths front etc. those 9 arrested cadres of the NSCN (IM) were allowed safe release to the public,” it claimed.

Accordingly, 8 cadres were handed over to the public in the morning of August 15, 2017, it also said.

“Many brave hearts, Zeliangrong women, youth fronts, students, individuals, civil society leaders had spent sleepless night on that very night that resulted in the safe release of the 8 cadres except one detained with an assurance from the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary to release him after 3 days in police custody as per law,” the ZB-M further said. It was further assured that the detained cadre will not be harassed or tortured in police custody, according to the ZB-M. “Therefore, both the civil society leaders and the public were allowed to receive the 8 cadres of the NSCN (IM) Zeiled Zeliangrong Region as a reciprocal gesture to the appeal from the authorities of Government of Manipur. We would like to remind the Government to translate its assurance in letter and spirit,” it demanded.

Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur then extended its gratitude to the Zeliangrong public particularly women folks of Tamenglong headquarters, Longmei area, Nungba area and leaders of various civil societies who had participated and contributed “their might” and mite in securing the safe release of those cadres of the NSCN (IM). It also extended its gratitude to the district administration particularly Armstrong Pamei, deputy commissioner Tamenglong and the SP of Tamenglong etc. for their intervention in bringing the “chaotic situation” to an amicable solution. This organisation also extended its gratitude to the Government of Manipur, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the Chief Secretary and many others for allowing the said problem into peaceful settlement in the larger interest of peace and tranquility in the district in particular and state in general.

“Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur and Zeliangrong public in general will not leave the stone unturned in maintaining peace and social harmony with government, every section of society in the days to come,” it affirmed.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 18

Shirui Kashong Area Forest Land Owners Conservancy (SKAFLOC) organised a social work in the vicinity of Shirui Kashong Peak, for which signboards were put up in various points and intersection.

Around 50 households participated in the social work and took pledge to protect and preserve the rich flora and fauna found in the Shirui village.

The headman of Shirui Aze, AW Khavangpam mentioned that the state bird of Manipur, Nongin is gradually diminishing with each passing year at Shangphungrei and Ngarahanrei of Shirui village.

Chairman of SKAFLOC Mayopam Shangh remarked that the habitat of Tragopan birds at Maiharam and Rongngai at Shirui are facing threat due to constant landslide caused by the ongoing road construction of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) from Shirui to Ngapum and Zingsui areas. Deforestation in the Shirui peak and its adjacent range is also one major factor for the disappearance of Tragopan, he added.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 18

Shirui Kashong Area Forest Land Owners Conservancy (SKAFLOC) organised a social work in the vicinity of Shirui Kashong Peak, for which signboards were put up in various points and intersection.

Around 50 households participated in the social work and took pledge to protect and preserve the rich flora and fauna found in the Shirui village.

The headman of Shirui Aze, AW Khavangpam mentioned that the state bird of Manipur, Nongin is gradually diminishing with each passing year at Shangphungrei and Ngarahanrei of Shirui village.

Chairman of SKAFLOC Mayopam Shangh remarked that the habitat of Tragopan birds at Maiharam and Rongngai at Shirui are facing threat due to constant landslide caused by the ongoing road construction of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) from Shirui to Ngapum and Zingsui areas. Deforestation in the Shirui peak and its adjacent range is also one major factor for the disappearance of Tragopan, he added.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Aug 18

The governor of Manipur officially accepted the resignation of chairman of ADC Ukhrul in a special meeting at the office chamber of vice-chairman of ADC Ukhrul on August 14.

The meeting was convened by vice-chairman of ADC Ukhrul, K. S. Thanmi and it was attended by 15 council members. The resignation of the chairman of ADC Ukhrul, Yaransho Ngalung was accepted with immediate effect as per Rule 6 (b) of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Rules, 1972. Accordingly, the same intimation was served by DC Ukhrul to vice-chairman, ADC Ukhrul and CEO-ADC Ukhrul.

The members present in the meeting expressed gratitude to Yaronsho Ngalung for tendering his resignation and for the many initiatives he had undertaken during his chairmanship.

S. Thanmi also extended his appreciation to the council members and appealed for smooth functioning of the ADC until a new chairman and other executive members are elected. Upon resignation of the chairman, the nominated executive members shall cease to be members of the executive committee. The vice-chairman shall act as chairman of ADC Ukhrul till a new chairman is elected.

Meanwhile, Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF), that has a majority in the house of 24 members and two nominees has chosen K. Dickson to be the new leader. However, the house is yet to officially elect and declare its chairman.