Manipur News

IMPHAL, April 25: Indian Journalists`™ Union (IJU) national secretary Geetartha Pathak has earnestly appealed to the State government to support the implementation of the recommendations of the `Majithia Wage Board`™ in the State which has already been accepted by the government of India on October 25, 2011.

Speaking at a press conference held today at the Manipur Press Club, the IJU national secretary stated that the journalist community deserves a decent pay for a `decent living` and enjoy proper pay which is a ppropriate to their efforts made day and night in gathering and processing news reports.

He said the working journalists of the State should stand united and raise their collective voice to fight for their legitimate right.

Considering the present skyrocketing prices of commodities in the market it would be difficult for the State journalists with the minimal standard of pay to even maintain their lives, he said.

The IJU national secretary is on a visit to the State along with Press Council of India member Keshav Dutt Chandola to assess the conditions of the working journalists in the State.

Keshav Dutt said that it would become difficult for the small and medium newspaper establishments in the northeastern region if their respective State governments continue to maintain the low advert rates as compared to the rates of the Directorate of Audio-Visual Publicity rate card.

He highlighted that while the current rate of DAVP advert is Rs 10.69 per square cm, the Manipur government`™s advert rate is a mere Rs 10 per column centimeter which is quite less when compared to the former.

He further appealed to the State government to allocate the advert rate in accordance with the current DAVP rate card in the interest of the journalists and news publishers as a whole and help them to survive without much economic pressure.

The PCI member further appealed to the State governments of the NE region to implement the recommendations of the wage board in the larger interest of the working journalist and also assured that the PCI will always be there to extend any assistance for the welfare of the journalists`™ community.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/help-media-houses-implement-the-majithia-recommendations-iju-urges-state-govt/

IMPHAL, April 25: Combing of infected zone and surveillance operations of the surveillance zone have been started simultaneously from today as mopping operation which started yesterday ended successfully.

Official sources from the directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, said that during the mopping operations altogether 278 fowl were culled and 60 eggs along with 400 Kgs of poultry feed were disposed of by the Rapid Response Teams .

While the mopping operation was conducted by four groups of RRT, combing operation of the infected zone along with police personnel started today.

At the same time, adhering to the action plan to control and contain the avian influenza, another four groups of RRT have started surveillance operation in surveillance zone which falls under 10 km radius from the epicentre, ICAR Lamphelpat.

The same source informed that on the first day, the surveillance operation covered 20 areas lying in both Imphal West and East districts. The areas are Ucheckon, Irilbung, Keikhu, Pangong, Naharup, Kshetrigao, Thambalkhong, Potsangbam Khullen and Awang Potsangbam, Maibakhul, Mongjam, Khonghampat to Pheidinga, Yurembam, Phayeng, Haorangsabal, Sanjenbam, Loitang Khullen, Spinning Mill, Mantri Leikai and Khamaram.

Altogether, 20,859 fowl were culled and 2335 eggs, 5759 Kgs poultry feed have been destroyed since April 19 after the declaration of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Bird Flu, outbreak with ICAR poultry unit of ICAR Lamphelpat, as the epi-centre.

Meanwhile, in continuation of the house to house survey being conducted by health officials following the confirmation of the Bird Flu outbreak which was first reported from the Poultry Unit of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Lamphelpat on April 18, a total of 37, 485 people of 6606 families in Imphal West and East areas within 3 km from the epicentre were surveyed on flu related diseases today.

According to State level Monitoring Cell under Health Services Manipur, altogether 1, 18, 793 people have been surveyed so far. However, no one was found having symptoms related to Bird Flu disease during the survey.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/bird-flu-operation-combing-of-infected-zone-underway/

KOHIMA, Apr 25 (NEPS): Today, another Assam Rifles jawan was shot dead at broad daylight near Red Cross, Kohima by unidentified gunmen. The incident took place at about 1 PM when the jawans were patrolling. The jawan who was shot dead is identified as Rawat.

Eyewitnesses told NEPS that three unidentified gunmen were seen fleeing through the thoroughfare towards Mizo Church after committing the crime. So far no arrest has been made.

Security has been intensified and heavy frisking going on in the state capital.

Luckily much before the incident, this morning at about 8 there was a procession in connection with World Malaria Day Awareness from Fira Hotel to Old MLA Hostel Junction by hundreds of school students and passing through the very route where today’s unfortunate incident took place. Some panicky students asked, “What would be the consequences if this unfortunate incident took place when such procession was going on?”

It may be mentioned that one month ago on March 26, unidentified miscreants also ambushed on the Assam Rifles jawans near IG Stadium causing injuries to four jawans, two of them seriously.

Just 10 days ago on April 15, a crude bomb exploded at National High Way 2 near Larie Junction, Kohima but no one injured. Again the next day on April 16, another bomb went off at the same National Highway 2, again near Larie Colony, Kohima, injuring at least three innocent people.

The citizens of the state capital, Kohima, start feeling insecure now.

Meanwhile Home Minister Y Patton strongly condemned today’s incident and urged the state police to nab the culprits. He also urged both the Government of India and the NSCN (K) to extend the ceasefire which expires on April 27 this month for the larger interest of the settlement of the long drawn out Naga political issue once and for all.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/kohima-steadily-slipping-into-insecurity/

IMPHAL, April 24: New funding under the North East Textile Promotion Scheme, NERTPS has given new hopes to sericulture farmers in the State, said a farmer from Imphal East district at the venue of the ongoing four-day long Cocoon Buyers`™ and Sellers`™ Meet.

The meet is being held at the Sericulture Project Management Complex Sangaipat Imphal East.

Speaking to media persons, cocoon farmer Tidimus from Soraland Yairipok said cocoon farming has been practiced in his village since a long time back. In the past, the farmers were not satisfied with the funding and many had even left the practice, he said.

However, during the last couple of years the centrally sponsored scheme has been revived, he said.

With proper guidance from the officials, he said he is able to start and produce atleast 40 kg more than his previous yield.

Financial assistance under the scheme has encouraged farmers to work harder and if such a trend continues production will certainly increase in the coming years, the farmer said.

Another farmer from Uyumpok Village, Y Devananda said that before there were many cocoon rearers however, production was very less and this was because the farmers think only of money.

He said a family can easily survive by rearing cocoons.

The farmer continued that he was unable to construct a proper molting house for rearing cocoon.

Now that the farmers have received 70 percent of the financial assistance meant under the scheme, he has constructed one which is still not big enough, he said.

Production can increase if he is able to expand his molting house, he continued.

Sericulture department, assistant director Technical head quarter said the department officials have the records of all the cocoons brought in by the farmers of every district.

As per the record available, approximately 5000 kgs of cocoon have been brought at the meet till date, he said.

He continued that the sericulture officials monitor the cocoon products brought to the meet before they are sold off. The finest cocoon has a 25 percent silk percentage and the rates of the cocoon are fixed by the department according to the silk percentage, he added.

Cocoon with more than 18 percent silk are sold at Rs 400/ kg while those with less than 18 percent silk are sold at Rs 300/ kg, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/increase-in-production-possible-after-renewed-funding-cacoon-farmers/

IMPHAL, April 24: Higher authorities of the Manipur Police department have been found neglecting to comply with the new transfer and posting policy of non-gazetted civil police/ Manipur Rifles/ India Reserve battalion personnel which has already been implemented.

During an investigation, IFP has found several incidents of the transfer policy being overlooked.

Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (Special Branch) who is also the SP (Narcotic and Affairs of Border) and the Public Relations Officer, Manipur Police Department had issued an official press release regarding the implementation of the new transfer police in January this year.

The official statement issued on January 22, 2015 said `Based on an order issued by the Home department, government of Manipur spelling out the new transfer and posting policy, the Manipur Police Department has recently implemented the new policy on `Transfer and Posting`™ of police personnel of all non-gazetted personnel of Civil Police, Manipur Rifles Battalion and India Reserve Battalion of Manipur Police Department.`

The highlights of the new policy include: There will be periodical rotational transfer of all non-gazetted police personnel from Valley to Hill and vice-versa in accordance with fixed posting tenure, ie, each tenure of posting in the valley area is of four years while in respect of the Hill area it is of two years; the same rotational transfer/posting policy is also applicable to all ministerial, medical and non-combatant staff as far as practicable.

Now what is surprising is that on April 7, the Director General of Police Shahid Ahmad had issued the transfer of 53 police inspectors who are included in the non-gazetted personnel of the department.

The official order no E/37/20/2007- PHQ (Adm) 2975 dated April 7, 2015 was signed by the DGP himself.

The DGP had issued the transfer of the 53 police inspectors under Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Chandel, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, CID (SB), SP/ Vigilance etc.

However, even though the new transfer policy has been already implemented, some of the police inspectors who are non-gazetted personnel are found to have been posted at the same post for more than 10-20 years and the units of the Manipur Police department where such personnel are found in the highest numbers are SP/ CID (SB), SP/ CID (CB), SP/ CID (security) and SP/ CID (Technical).

All these units are stationed in Imphal West district which is one of the valley districts.

Some of them were even bewildered with the transfer and posting system of their own department.

At the same time, while the DGP`™s April 7 order issuing the transfer and posting of the 53 inspectors had stated that the SsP concerned will implement the posting order within three days of issue of the order and proper handing/taking over of charge of PS. Case records, etc, the DGP issued another order on April 10 staying the posting of two inspector from the 53 inspectors.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/police-dept-found-flouting-new-transfer-policy/

IMPHAL, Apr 24: In protest against the powerful IED blast triggered by unidentified persons near the main gate of Manipur University at Canchipur in Imphal West on April 22 in which five civilians suffered injuries, a sit-in-protest was staged by locals at the premises of United Youths Club, Khangabok Part II Maisnam Leikai, Thoubal district today.

The protest held with ex-Padhan N Modhu Singh presiding over it unanimously resolved to form a Joint Action Committee christened as JAC Against the Bomb Blast at Canchipur near MU Gate.

Subsequently upon its formation, the JAC adopted certain resolutions in connection with the bomb blast.

It resolved to urge the government to borne the medical expenditure for N Romio, 19 son of N Tombisana of Khangabok Part II Maisnam Leikai. Romio, a labourer was badly wounded in the IED blast and is undergoing treatment at RIMS Hospital.

The JAC also resolved to demand the government to provide compensation to Romio at the earliest failing which it along with civil society organizations will resort to launch different forms of agitation.

Placards which read such as `We condemn attack on labourers`™, `What is the fault of Romio`™, `Attack on labourers is an act of coward`™, `Punish the perpetrators behind the IED blast`™ etc were displayed at the protest demonstration.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/jac-demands-compensation-for-ied-blast-victim/

IMPHAL, April 24: Altogether 20530 fowl were culled during the entire culling operation taken up by the State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry directorate, said jt director Dr H Chaoba.

At the same time, mopping of the infected area which is within a 1 km aerial radius from the epicenter ICAR and surveillance operation in the surveillance area which is within 10 km aerial radius have also been simultaneously started with the completion of the culling operation, he continued.

On the last day of culling operation, 1917 fowl were culled and a total of 1000 kg poultry feed and 45 eggs were destroyed.

Four RRTs have started mopping exercise in the infected areas while another four RRTs have started surveillance work.

The first RRT team conducted surveillance work at Kakwa Lilando Lampak, Singjamei Waikhom Leikai, Thongju, Kiyamgei Manign Leikai, Bashikhong Kongba Irong, Bamol Kampu, Kongba Kshetrileikai, Akampat, Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai; the second team conducted at Khumbong, Khumbong bazaar, Konthoujam Mayai Leikai, Bomdier, Ahallup Awang Leikai, Sagoltongba Patsoi part I, II and III.

Another team conducted surveillance work at Taothong, Lamshang, Awang Leikai, Heibongpokpi, Lairenkabi Maning Leikai while another conducted at Tingri, Awang Wabagai, Keikol, Nillakuthi Awang Leikai and Lamkhai, Koirengei etc.

It is also learnt that the RRT conducting culling operation at Lamphel VIP colony were stopped from entering the colony by the guards, however, after the team returned along with a Lamphel Police team led by a SDPO, the operation was conducted later in the evening.

Dr H Chaoba also said that an expert team from the national capital will soon be reaching the State to start sanitization process and issue sanitization certificates.

Meanwhile, sources informed that a total of 39, 405 people of 7349 families in Imphal West and East areas within 3 km of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Lamphelpat were surveyed today as part of the ongoing house to house survey being conducted by health officials following the confirmation of Bird Flu outbreak which was first reported from the chicks reared at the Poultry Unit of ICAR on April 18.

The extensive survey is being conducted by 15 Sectors comprising of health experts under Health Services Manipur.

During the survey conducted today, no one was found with symptoms related to Bird Flu disease.

According to reports gathered from State Level Monitoring Cell of Health Services Manipur, altogether 18, 292 people of 3663 families were surveyed on the first day of the survey while 24, 611 people of 4289 families were surveyed on the second day. During the course of the house to house survey, no one was found infected with the Bird Flu disease.

The survey will further continue in areas within 3 km of the epicentre, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/culling-operation-ends-mopping-of-infected-areas-begins/

IMPHAL, April 24: Once the State Commission for the differently abled persons is made full-fledged, it will be of great value and benefit for the disabled persons both in the hills and the valley, said deputy speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly MK Preshow Shimray.

He was addressing the 4th foundation day of the State Platform of Disabled People`™s Organisation at the Manipur Press Club today.

He said the commission was established with due approval of the Chief Minister and his cabinet ministers, however, it is still in a tender stage and cannot function fully as of yet.

In another year or two, the commission will hopefully be fully running, he said.

Once it is fully functional, both the Central and State government will provide various advantages through the commission to the differently abled persons of both the hills and the valley, he added.

At the same time, the commission under the present State commissioner L Nabakishwor Singh has already started working for the welfare of the differently abled.

He further appealed to the differently abled persons to get their handicap certificate in order to enjoy the facilities provided by the government.

Preshow further lauded the volunteers of the SPDPO for working for the welfare of the differently abled.

President, SPDPO, Dr Sapam Jasowanta Singh highlighted that the organisation was established on April 24, 2011 for the differently abled persons of all districts of Manipur. The platform aims to strengthen the disability movement in Manipur, he said.

Meanwhile, the organisation also submitted a memorandum to the deputy Speaker highlighting their demands which included a State Policy for Disability, assurance of full security to women and children with disabilities, creating a barrier free environment, allotment of office rooms with assets for the organisation and State health Insurance for persons with disabilities.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/state-commission-for-differentabled-persons-will-be-made-fullfledged/

IMPHAL, April 24: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) held its first Telecom Consumer Outreach Programme for Manipur at The Classic Hotel, North AOC, Imphal today.

The interactive programme was meant to inform the telecom consumers about their rights and privileges. Large number of telecom consumers, representatives of all Telecom Service Providers of Manipur, students, government officials and consumer advocacy groups, Consumers Forums and NGOs participated in the programme.

A Robert J Ravi, advisor (QoS/TD), TRAI New Delhi, in his keynote address highlighted about the various measures taken up by TRAI in recent times to protect the consumers`™ interest.

He detailed various consumer centric regulations, directions and orders issued by TRAI.

Rupa Pal Choudhury, advisor, Regional Office, Kolkata explained about the roles and function of TRAI and the various initiatives taken by TRAI for the protection of telecom consumers. She also highlighted about TRAI regulations concerning Mobile Number Portability (MNP), Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC), Complaint Redressal Mechanism and Value Added Services.

A Robert J Ravi, advisor (QoS/TD), TRAI New Delhi also made a presentation covering the various issues related to consumers of telecom and broadcasting sectors.

The digitization of cable TV network has already been completed in the four metro cities and 38 cities. Manipur has started the process to complete within this current year, and this will be a complete transition to digital cable TV by 2016, he continued.

Such digitization can provide various value added services including broadband for the consumers. The cable operators should have a designated complaint handling and redressal system, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/04/trai-reaches-out-to-telecom-consumers-of-the-state/