Manipur News

IMPHAL, Nov 6: The president GPRN, SS Khaplang in a notification has directed every regional authority to co-operate with the central authority functioning in one’s respective regional areas, an emailed statement of the outfit said.

In connection to execution of central Chaplee Ministry’s directive, the road construction machineries belonging to certain contracting company in Zeliangrong region were destroyed for failure to comply with the central directive, it claimed.

However, Hopson, regional chairman, Zeliangrong region NSCN/GPRN, without consultation with the Central authority issued denial of NSCN/GPRN’s involvement, it said. Such irresponsible statement by a regional authority tantamount to contempt of central authority for which Hopson is strongly warned and issued “explanation call” notice to the CHQ/Presidential office with immediate effect, it warned.

The regional authorities are further cautioned that, henceforth, stern disciplinary action shall be shall be initiated in the event of creating any obstacles or unnecessary interferences in the functioning of central authority, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/nscn-gprn-claims-burning-down-jcb/

IMPHAL, November 6: The sixth edition of annual Chinjak Festival was kicked off today at the Yaipha Lamjing Lup Ground, Pishum Ningombam Leikai, Imphal, organised by the Innovative Youth Society.

Ak Mirabai, minister of Social Welfare and Cooperation, government of Manipur speaking at the inaugural function as the chief guest expressed concern over the rising practice among the food producers of using harmful chemicals for more productivity.

She said it is a common practice, especially among the vegetable growers to use chemicals on their products just to earn profits, which is a harmful practice.

Expressing concern over major health problems which are fast gaining momentum in the State, Mirabai maintained that consumption of adulterated food could be one of the reasons. “It is true that there is no food policy as such in the State, but at the same time public must take equal responsibility in maintaining food hygiene”, she said.

She observed, “The kind of food we consume could have effect not only on our physical well-being but also our mental and spiritual well-being.”

Mirabai lamented that in today’s fast pace life, the youngsters in particular have the tendency to consume fast foods without knowing their ill-effects. This may be because the food from outside are attractive and fashionable to eat, or may be our own foods have certain deficiencies. We need to pay more attention to this, she added.

L Ibomcha, MLA of Keishamthong Assembly constituency speaking as the guest of honour lauded the endeavour of the IYS for promoting and revitalising the indigenous foods of the State, which is very timely when our cultural identity is fading away day by day.

He also appreciated the organiser for including the ‘Save Nambul River’ campaign along with the festival, saying that it is unfortunate that even educated people have the habit of dumping garbage into Nambul.

Kh Athouba, managing director of IYS highlighting the essence of the function said that it has been a humble effort of the IYS to promote indigenous food of the State.

“We have been organising the festival at different districts, but this is the first time it is being organise at the Imphal West District, as we have been compelled by the incompletion of Sanjenthong Bridge”, he said.

He said the condition of the Nambul River flowing along the festival venue is appalling. “Looking at the river, we felt the need of starting a campaign along with the Manipur Cycle Club as well”. During the festival, public discussions will also take place on ways and means to save the Nambul, he added.

It may be mentioned that there are 35 stalls altogether taking part in the 10 day festival, including Thai and Myanmar stalls. Acclaimed actor Tonthoi’s ‘Phormon Phola’ is also part of the festival like the previous festivals.

Th Ranabir, joint secretary, COHSEM also graced the function as the guest of honour.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/chinjak-festival-kicks-off/

IMPHAL, November 6: A BJP Manipur Pradesh delegation led by party president Th Chaoba has met various Union Ministers seeking further development in the State, sources said.

The highly placed source said that the team which included RK Ranjan, BJP Manipur Pradesh general secretary L Basanta Sharma has been staying at Delhi since a week back.

During their stay in Delhi, the team has met Union Ministers and other key national party members of the BJP. The team also met Union Transport Minister Nitil Gadkari and discussed various issues the day before, the sources said.

Today, the team has met key party officials namely BJP general secretary (administration) Ram Madhav and general secretary (headquarters) Jagat Prakash Nadda.

The meetings with the Union Minister and key party officials were to ensure more development and welfare for the State. The team also met the Union Sports Minister DV Sadananda Gowda to discuss the Sports University which will be soon constructed in Manipur, added the source.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/state-bjp-delegation-meets-union-ministers-seeking-further-development-aids/

IMPHAL, November 6: A police personnel today deposed before the court of District and Session Judge/ Manipur East (Special Judge POCSO Manipur East) A Guneshwar as a prosecution witness of the Poumai Colony rape case.

It may be mentioned that on April 17, the accused S Ngoupuni alias Ngaopuni, 65 of Liyai Khullen staying at Paomai Colony had reportedly taken the 13-year-old girl to the Koirengei hillock and raped her there.

Following the incident, the Heingang Police had registered a case FIR no 30 (4) 2014 HNG PS U/S 376/420 IPC and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012, following which a charge-sheet was submitted followed by special trial at the court since July 31.

A police personnel who is the prosecution witness No. 5 of the case today deposed before the court stating that he witnessed the Investigation Officer issue seizure memo and collect the seized items from the forensic expert.

He stated before the court that he had witness the IO of the case seize the garments of the victim with the help of a mobile team of the Forensic Science Laboratory.

During today’s hearing, the accused was represented by his advocate S Shyamcharan.

It may be mentioned that the accused was arrested on April 19, just two days after the incident and has been remanded to judicial custody ever since.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/prosecution-witness-deposes-in-paomei-colony-rape-case/

BISHNUPUR, November 6: Rajarshi Bhagyachandra’s divine visions, which resulted in Raas dance and Nata Sankirtana, are widely acclaimed throughout the world as the highest level of art, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today observed while inaugurating the 10th Bhagyachandra National Festival of Classical Dance at the Ningthoukhong Gopinath Mandir.

He said what is important today is to analyse and keep intact the valuable asset that Rajarshi Bhagyachandra had left for the people of Manipur in the field of culture and performing art, he observed.

Nata Sankirtana’s inscription in the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a great achievement, for which we must pay our respect to Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, he continued.

He said the idea of holding the festival in the memory of King Bhagyachandra of the 18th century was conceived years back in 1989 keeping it at a par with other national festivals such as Konark and Khajuraho.

It has since then been successfully organised featuring many eminent dancers of the country including dancers of our State, he said.

The main dance festival will commence tomorrow at the Kangla and continue for three days, the Chief Minister said before adding that the festival also gives an opportunity to the people of the State to witness various major dance forms of the country.

The Chief Minister paid tributes and homage to the Rajarshi, and said as part of the festival Nata Sankirtana performances had been offered at Govindabari, Jiyaganj and Shri Shri Anumahaprabhu temple, Nabadwip in West Bengal on November 3 and 4, respectively along with a puja of ‘Khunti or Jai Patra’, a symbol of recognition of Maharaja Bhagyachandra as ‘Rajarshi’ which is still preserved and worshipped at Radha Krishna temple, Govindabari, Jiyaganj.

“A replica of this Khunti has been brought to Manipur for future reference and will be displayed at Kangla during the main dance festival.”

The Maharaja is revered not only in Manipur but he is still very much respected and worshipped in West Bengal by Gouriya Vaishnava Sampradaya for his devotion, spiritual realisation and most importantly for his role, influence and contribution in bringing back the tradition of worshipping idols of deities in the temples publicly in West Bengal, he said.

Worshipping of deities in the temples was earlier banned and strongly prohibited by the then Muslim rulers and as such, people use to hide idols of deities in the dugout caves, he added.

The festival is jointly organised by the Arts and Culture department and Gopinathjeev Sevayat Committee Ningthoukhong.

The inaugural function was also attended by Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam, Khangabok MLA Landhoni.

Nata Sankirtana and Maha-Raas dance performance during today’s full-moon evening as an offering to the Rajarshii Bhagyachandra was the main highlight of the evening.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/bhagyachandra-dance-fest-opening-day-saw-nata-sankirtana-maharaas-performances/

IMPHAL, November 6: Local residents of Tharoijam Maning Leikai ferreted out the man who allegedly killed a minor girl at Tharoijam Maning Leikai the day before. He was thrashed by the enraged locals at the Community Hall of Tharoijam Maning Leikai today.

The culprit is identified as Chinganbam Shamjai, 25, son of late Ch Ingocha from Tharoijam Maning Leikai and was a neighbour to the eight year old girl Longjam Jina daughter of Mangijao Singh.

Jina was allegedly murdered after being raped last evening and her dead body was found in a field near her residence at around 8.30 pm.

Earlier this morning at around 9 am, locals began to search the culprit who allegedly killed the girl after raping her.

The local club and Meira Paibis summon all the men in the community between 14 to 40 years of age in the community hall and start investigating whether any of the local man were involved in the crime.

Later after discovering that the culprit, Chinganbam Shamjai, had scratch marks on his hand and there was something amiss with his body language, the locals interrogated him as their suspicions grew.

Shamjai confessed to his crime of killing the eight year old girl after raping her. He also informed the locals that he acted alone and no one else was involved while committing the crime.

The enraged locals after his confession thrashed him black and blue and threw his body at the field assuming him to be dead. A Patsoi Police team who later arrived at the scene after finding out that he was alive rushed him to the RIMS hospital.

Shamjai sustained multiple injuries in his head, back, chest and many other places.

A case has been registered at the Patsoi Police Station regarding the incident.

A meeting was also held by the locals of Tharoijam Maning Leikai about the incident.

The parents of Jina have urged the government to punish the culprit in front of all the people so that it doesn’t happen again to any of the girl child.

The locals appealed the government to take action at the earliest and punish the culprit while also urging for ex gratia to the bereaved family.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/enraged-tharoijam-locals-thrash-rapist-murderer/