Manipur News

IMPHAL, November 19: There are many patients not only in the state who are not able to afford proper medical facility and those who can need to extend some support by all means, said State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during the inaugural function of PALLICON 2015, an international conference on Palliative Care held today at City Convention Hall, Imphal.

In his speech, the Chief Minister said the State is giving first priority in developing medical health sector.

He said that the State government is investing 3 percent of the total GDP against the country investing only 1.02 percent of GDP in the medical health sector.

As proposed by the president of Palliative Care Society, Imphal Dr Kh Palin to institute one Palliative Care Institution and to expand such institutions to the district level, the Chief Minister suggested giving priority to the remote places of the State.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as guest of honour of the inaugural function said that it is one big opportunity for the State to be able to conduct such conference on Palliative care at the National level.

Palliative care is an approach to improve the quality of life of patients facing the problem associated with life threatening illness, he said.

Gaikhangam said that since this is first of its kind, the conference representing resource persons from around the globe will bring great impact to the people of the state.

The inaugural function of the PALLICON 2015 was attended by delegates from across the nation and abroad and also attended by Technical Adviser, WHO Collaborative Centre, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala Dr Suresh Kumar and president Palliative Care Society, Imphal Dr Kh Palin as Guest of Honour and President respectively.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/state-cm-suggest-initiating-palliative-care-units-in-remote-areas-of-the-state/

IMPHAL, November 19: At least two cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) were killed in a fierce gunfight that broke out between two rival factions of the outfit at Laikot Village under Nungba Police Station, Tamenglong district on November 18 around 9:30 pm.

According to reports received by this daily, the site where the firing took place lies around 35 km south-east of Nungba Police Station.

The gunfight took place between heavily armed cadres of factions of UTLA (Robert Group). UTLA had only two factions earlier led by Robert and SK Thadou, before another faction broke off from the Robert group.

The reports said cadres belonging to two factions of the Robert group were holding a meeting for unification when some cadres of one the groups suddenly opened fire killing two of the rival cadres.

Cadres of the rival factions left the place after engaging in a fierce gunfight for a while, it said.

On hearing the news of the firing, a police team rushed to the spot today around 11.30 am and recovered two dead bodies.

The dead bodies will be brought to JNIMS morgue tomorrow for post mortem examination. Identity of the two deceased could not be established so far.

However, it is believed that one of them might be from Kaimai and the other one from Churachandpur, the reports added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/factional-clash-claims-two-utla-cadres/

IMPHAL, November 19: A team of district police commando, Imphal West conducted frisjing and checking in the frong of Car Decora Shop, MG Avenue on November 18 and arrested an overground worker of Kuki Peoples Liberation Front/ Kuki Peoples’ Liberation Army, said a PRO police statement.

It identified the OGW as Md Ishlaoddin, 34, son of (L) Md Najimuddin of Lilong Tairen Makhong.

Investigation revealed that, he had recruited many cadres for the organisation, transported weapons, IEDs from Moreh to Imphal and he along with some cadres of the organisation had planned to kidnap some businessmen for extortion, it said. Incriminating articles were seized from his possession.

A case has been registered at City Police Station and investigation is going on, it said.

The same day, based on reliable information, a team of District Police Commando, Imphal West conducted frisking and checking in front of Henjunaha Youth Club, Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai.

During frisking and checking, three active members ofKCP (MC- Lalurnba group) organisation, namely, s/s general secretary, Wahengbam Ramananda alias Rousow alias Luwangngamba, 39 son of (L) W Biren Singh of Kontha Ahallup Makha Leikai, Nongthombam Noren Singh alias Ashok, 42, son of N Chaoba Singh of Heingang Mayai Leikai and Thingujam Gopen Singh alias Gopal, 40, son of (L) Th Shamu Singh of Bashikhong Mamang Leikai were arrested.

Investigation revealed that they had come to kidnap and extort money from the greater Imphal area. Incriminating articles were seized from their possession, it said.

A case has been registered at Lamphel Police Station and investigation is going on, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/ug-cadres-held-pro-police/

IMPHAL, November 19: Supporters of the BJP candidate for Thangmeiband constituency took out a rally this morning showing their strength ahead of the November 21 bye election.

The rally was participated by various communities residing in the constituency including Meiteis, Kabuis, Koirengs and others showing support to BJP candidate Khumukcham Joykishan.

The supporters wearing BJP caps and flags reached out to every nook and corner of the constituency shouting slogans endorsing the BJP and party candidate Joykishan.

The rally ended at the residence of the candidate.

Speaking to media persons in connection to the rally, Joykishan said the bye election is the opportunity to teach a lesson to the Congress party.

Charging the Congress government of distributing huge amount of money to buy the voters, he said the Congress government is using the funds meant for development to buy votes.

The use of money and muscle power to win elections cannot be applicable in Thangmeiband, he said adding that the people of Thangmeiband have awakened.

He further expressed full confidence to the people of Thangmeiband that they will help him succeed as the people are fed up of the prolonged corruption in the State.

On November 24 when the election results will be out, the rule of the Congress will be hit hard, he said indicating to a easy BJP win.

The results of the bye-election will show the people’s resistance against the Congress, he claimed.

He further claimed that the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam have left their offices and are involved in campaigning for the Congress candidates.

This is a clear image of the Congress being afraid of the BJP candidates, he claimed.

The Congress is afraid that if the BJP candidates win the two seats of Thongju and Thangmeiband constituencies, the two BJP MLAs will rock the State Assembly and flash all the corruption, malpractices, misuse of funds meant for the State during the last 13 years, he claimed.

He further said that it is impossible for the Congress to win the seats especially from Thangmeiband.

The rally was also participated by Meinam Bhorot, BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba, MP Lok Sabha and in charge Manipur BJP Prahlad Singh Patel among other leaders.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/bjp-shows-strength-with-thangmeiband-rally/

CHANDEL, Nov 19: The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Chandel will intensify the ongoing agitation against the shifting of Diploma in Elementary Education (DElEd) II years examination centre of Tengnoupal BRC IGNOU Study Centre outside the district.

The decision was taken after representatives of the KSO Chandel district failed to arrive at any agreement during a meeting with the State’s Education Minister in the presence of local MLA held today.

Informing media persons, Doumang Haokip president KSO Chandel said that the organization will intensify its agitation against shifting of the examination centre at Tengnoupal BRC IGNOU Study Centre outside the district.

He further maintained that representatives of KSO Chandel held a meeting with the State’s Education Minister in presence of the local MLA today but we could not arrived to any agreement during the meeting.

As such, we will intensify our agitations from today including totally prohibition of Government official’s vehicles along the Imphal-Moreh road, said the KSO president.

The student’s leader also warned that it will be compelled to impose a hill districts bandh if the State government and concern authority fail to response positively at the earliest.

It may be mentioned that the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) enforced indefinite bandh along the Imphal-Moreh section of National Highway 102 since November 14 against shifting of Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) II years Examination Centre of Tengnoupal BRC IGNOU Study Centre outside the District.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/kso-to-intensify-agitation-against-shifting-of-exam-centre/

IMPHAL, November 19: Former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi had sacrificed her life for national integration, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said attending the inaugural function of the Quami Ekta Week observation today at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet Hall Imphal.

The observation is being organised by the State government in commemoration of the former Prime Minister’s birth anniversary which is observed week-long as the “Quami Ekta Week” or national integrity week throughout the country.

India being a secular country, on many occasions during her time as the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi had many challenges on the national integrity of the nation, Ibobi observed.

Further elaborating, he said Indira Gandhi resolved the demand for Khalistan in the north and the demand for segregation of Mizoram in the North East led by the Mizo National Front without compromising on the national integrity of the nation showing her integrity and leadership capabilities.

Observing that the present generation needs to follow the sentiments and ideologies of Indira Gandhi, the Chief Minister said the former Prime Minister stood against all odds to protect the national integration even at the cost of her life.

He appealed to the younger generation of the State to preserve and protect the national integrity as a way to give meaning to the week-long observation.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who presided over the inaugural function remembered her last public speech that very single drop of her blood will be use for the cause of India’s unity.

He mentioned that Indira Gandhi was born leader and contributed for the development of the nation during her tenure as Prime Minister of India.

Gaikhangam said we should follow her path in making the nation strong and dynamic.

He said it is a day to pledge for strengthening the freedom and integrity of the nation.

The inaugural function of ‘Quami Ekta Week’ was also attended by deputy Speaker MK Preshaw Shimray, Social Welfare minister Ak Mirabai, Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj minister Francis Ngajokpa and other top brass State police officers and civil officials.

As a part of the programme, the Chief Minister administered the pledge of national integration during the observation.

Patriotic songs were presented by Shri Shri Bal Maukunada Dev Government Music College’s teachers and students as opening and closing song.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also observed the 98th birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister at the Congress Bhawan attended by the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, MPCC president Gaikhangam, other ministers, party MLAs and others.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/chief-minister-urges-younger-generation-to-imbibe-indira-gandhis-ideologies-on-unity/

CHURACHANDPUR, November 19: The Lions Club of Churachandpur Greater led by its president Langkjanpau Guite, general secretary James Doungel, treasurer Gouzamang, members like Ricky Lalawm Guite, principal of Ccpur Govt College Lalhosan, vice chairman ADCC and others condoled the nine ‘tribal martyrs’ at the JPO information center today.

Speaking on the occasion, the treasurer said people has chastened us “Toothless lion” but we all have occupations to attend to and due to the present prevailing in Churachandpur, we are unable to act as we wish.

He said we really share the grief of the ‘heroes.’

The president of the club also spoke on the occasion and expressed the club’s and his individual support and appreciation to the JPO who had stood firm this far and remain a main pillar for sustaining the tribal unity movement.

The vice chairman of ADCC handed over the club’s contribution Rs 10000 to the JPO.

Meanwhile, preparation for the burial of the nine tribal martyrs at ADC Complex is underway with a JCB being employed to flatten the proposed burial site tentatively set for November 30, though some are not sure if the ADC complex is the best site for burial.

Burying the nine martyrs has been a hot topic of debate in recent times as some on conditions of anonymity have shown reservation citing that burying of the nine without receiving any concrete promise from the government will not be a solution but may undermine and derail the cause of recent protest.

Sources also said that the JAC formed against ‘anti tribal bills’ are also constantly coordinating with the MTFD, who are protesting in the national capital and are reportedly positively progressing to get more attention of the government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/lions-club-churachandpur-greater-condoles-tribal-martyrs/

IMPHAL, November 19: Campaigning for the November 21 bye-election in Thongju and Thangmeiband constituency concluded this evening as per a guide of the Election Commission of India.

Altogether 52777 voters will exercise their franchise in the two constituencies on November 21.

Thongju constituency has total elector strength of 28442 including 13739 males and 14703 females whereas Thangmeiband has total elector strength of 26335 including 12588 males and 13747 females.

Three candidates will fight it out for the Thongju seat while two candidate will fight for the Thangmeiband seat. The three candidates in Thongju are BJP candidate Th Bishwajit, Congress candidate Bijoy Koijam and MPDF candidate Dr Tonsana while it is a straight fight between Congress candidate Jyotin Waikhom and BJP candidate Kh Joykishan in Thangmeiband after MPDF candidate Dr G Tonsana surrendered his candidature.

Thongju has 45 polling stations and Thangmeiband has 41 polling stations and all polling stations are considered hypersensitive according to the CEO Manipur purview.

Thongju has 66 service voters including families of those who serve in the Defence and Armed Police services, whereas Thangmeiband has 58 service voters.

Poll officials will start departing for their designated stations tomorrow.

An official source said that national observer for the bye-election has reached Imphal today. And various security deployed has taken up in two constituencies for free and fair election to be performed.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/campaigning-concludes-for-thongju-and-thangmeiband-byepoll/