Manipur News

IMPHAL, October 24: The Congress is likely to field Bijoy Koijam and Waikhom Jyotin for the Thongju and Thangmeiband Assembly Constituencies bye-election respectively as no one other than the two applied for party tickets on the last day for submission of applications seeking party ticket for the bye election today.

On the other hand, the BJP is yet to ascertain the candidate for Thongju Constituency, although the party had announced to field Khumukcham Joykishan for the Thangmeiband seat.

A source confirmed that the ticket committee meeting of the Congress was held today at the Congress Bhawan around 4pm.

Although, none other applied for party tickets, the Congress State leaders are waiting for the green signal from the Central party leaders to make the announcement to field Bijoy Koijam and Waikhom Jyotin, informed the source.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that the BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba is in Delhi to apprise the party`™s central leaders of the State leaders`™ recommendation for candidate of the Thongju bye election, informed a source.

While, only Joykishan applied for party ticket in Thangmeiband constituency, the party received two applications from Sapam Dhananjoy and Th Bishwajit for party seat to fight for the Thongju seat.

It is also learnt that Chaoba was unable to meet the BJP national president Amit Shah due to his busy schedule regarding the Bihar Assembly election.

It is said that since the BJP national president is not in the national capital, the parliamentary board meeting of the party during which the party ticket for the bye elections in Manipur will be decided has been postponed to October 27, and as such the announcement is likely to be announced after October 27.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/congress-awaiting-green-signal-from-party-leaders-to-announce-candidates/

IMPHAL, October 24: The High Court of Manipur has suspended the resolutions passed by some sitting councillors of the Kumbi Municipal Council during a meeting on October 10 removing the sitting chairperson of the council Moirangthem Bineshwar Singh from his post.

The judgement was passed yesterday by a single bench of Justice Kh Nobin Singh.

It is learnt that the councillors had convened a requisition meeting on July 17 against the chairperson and issued a notice on October 7 considering a no-confidence motion against the sitting chairperson of the council Moirangthem Bineshwar Singh.

In pursuance of the October 7 notice, the councillors convened a special meeting on October 19 inside the Conference room of the Bishnupur Mini Secretariate during which it was resolved to remove the chairperson from his post.

On the same day, the executive officer forwarded the resolutions taken during the meeting to the director MAHUD stating that the post of KMC chairperson was vacant, informed a source.

It is said that aggrieved by the resolutions, the chairperson and two other councillors identified as Ward no 2 councillor Khangembam (o) Pratima Leima and Ward no 9 councillor Wahengbam (o) Indubala Leima filed a Writ Petition before the High Court challenging the meeting proceedings and the subsequent letter submitted to the executive officer on October 19.

The respondents of the case are State of Manipur represented by secretary (MAHUD) government of Manipur, deputy commissioner Bishnupur, executive officer Kumbi Municipal Council and six councillors identified as Nongmaithem Babudhon Singh, Nongthombam Inaobi Meitei, Nongmaithem (o) Shanti Devi, Moirangthem (o) Nungshitombi Devi, Wahengbam (o) Thoibi Devi and Lhangembam (o) Inakhunbi Devi.

In his judgement, the Judge directed to issue notice to the respondents returnable in four weeks and for the government advocate Sh Yangya for State of Manipur represented by secretary (MAHUD) government of Manipur, deputy commissioner Bishnupur to `Accept notice on behalf of the respondent Nos 1 and 2 and hence no formal notice is called for in respect of respondent Nos. 1 and 2.`

The judgement further directed senior advocate N Kumarjit appearing for the petitioners to take steps for serving notice upon the respondent Nos. 3 to 9 by registered post with AID card and dasti in addition.

`List it on 30-10-2015 for consideration of the interim prayer. Till then the proceeding of the meeting held on 19-10-2015 and the letter`™ dated 19-10-2015 addressed to the Director (MAHUD), Govt. of Manipur by the Executive Officer shall remain suspended.`

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/high-court-suspends-resolution-of-kumbi-municipal-councillors-group-to-remove-chairperson/

IMPHAL, October 24: Minority Sagei Apunba Lup Lilong has today come out strongly against the local MLA Md Abdul Nasir, alleging negligence on the part of the MLA to develop his constituency.

A team of the organisation today accompanied by media persons inspected several Inter Village Roads of the constituency.

Speaking in the sideline of the tour, general secretary of the organisation Md Nasir Ali said the IVRs in the entire Lilong Assembly Constituency could be compared to those in Afghanistan.

This is a symbol of massive negligence on the part of the local MLA, he lamented.

During the inspection, the roads were found to be covered in dust even as the locals continue to face the deplorable road conditions in silence.

The general secretary said the roads had not been repaired for the past four years since Abdul Nasir the present minister of Agriculture and Fishery in the State government was elected as the local representative.

The minister`™s arrogant nature, misuse of his Local Area Development Funds has been reflected by the lack of developmental work in Lilong during the past four years, he claimed.

He further alleged the local MLA of collecting huge sums from several families of the constituency with the promise of appointment in the recent recruitment of Manipur Police constables which has been halted now.

Now, MSAL has decided to raise voice against the local MLA in the near future, he told media persons.

MSAL will also launched various forms of agitations against the MLA if he fails to come clean on the use of MLA funds and others meant for the minority people, take up repairing of the roads and avail the MOBC benefits sponsored by both the State and Central governments at the earliest, he continued.

He further alleged the minister of siphoning the funds meant for the construction of the Industrial Training Institute in Lilong which was inaugurated recently by the Chief Minister.

The ITI was brought to Lilong by the Late minister Md Allaudin Khan for the upliftment of minority Muslims of the State, he said.

It is also a platform for the people of Manipur and especially those of Lilong to gain job oriented trainings, he said.

Although PDS items for Lilong have not been distributed for more than four months now, the local MLA in trying to hoodwink the local populace once distributed a few quantities of PDS items to the people free of cost, he claimed.

Such exercise has led Lilong to become one of the most under-developed constituencies in the State today, he said.

Lilong Haorei College was a gift from former State Chief Minister Alimuddin to the people of the State, however, it has been reduced to a mere namesake of a college today, he rued.

Development of the college has been hampered after several supporters of the MLA interfered, he said.

He further claimed Nasir of using money and muscle power to buy the local voters.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/lilong-organisation-blames-minister-nasir-for-neglecting-local-development/

IMPHAL, October 22: The United Committee Manipur will not budge from its stand on the NSCN (IM) peace accord which was submitted in a memorandum along with other CSOs of the State to government interlocutor of the talks between the GoI and the NSCN (IM), RN Ravi during his recent visit in Imphal, reiterated UCM president Elangbam Johnson today.

He was speaking at the campaign `Peoples`™ Movement for the common Future of Manipur` held today at Bamon Leikai Youth Club, Yairipok under the aegis of United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Clubs`™ Manipur (AMUCO) and Committees of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK).

The memorandum had demanded a white paper on the peace process with the NSCN (IM) from 1997 onwards and also the details of accord from the government and for the Centre to respect the distinctive historical identity and political status of Manipur and its multi-cultural pluralistic society based on the principles of co-existence and communal harmony while ensuring integrity of its body-polity.

It had also said that political aspirations and socio-economic advancement of all the ethnic communities of Manipur be ensured and protected with the administrative jurisdiction of Manipur and any culture and administrative arrangement on the basis of ethnicity is unacceptable as it directly tantamount to communal and sectarian demarcation of aspirations and voices of smaller communities in Manipur.

The Peoples`™ Movement for the common future of Manipur campaign was launched on October 10 at Imphal Hotel and will continue till the first week of November during which a series of programme like today`™s are being conducted.

Johnson said the peace accord should not be extended to Manipur since it seems to be a conspiracy among a few for their own benefit.

Manipur, he observed is a multi-ethnic State with people from various communities residing together in peace and harmony, however, many are attempting to create a divide by driving a wedge between the communities.

This campaign was launched with the aim to build up a united Manipur and tackle all internal and external influences to break the emotional and territorial integrity of Manipur, he said.

The conduct of similar meetings in various places will strengthened the public movement to challenge all attempts to disintegrate the State, he continued.

Meanwhile, eminent historiam Dr Lokendra Arambam highlighted the history of Manipur and its significance in the present scenario.

He said in order to meet both the internal and external challenges and maintain the brotherhood among the different communities; the people should be well aware of the policies and planning of the Central government.

Laisham Lokpa Village chief H Moses said the lack of unity among the people is due to the lack of proper knowledge about the history of Manipur and the past unity among the communities.

Manipur is formed not only by the Meiteis, but together by the various communities including Meiteis, Nagas, Kuki, Muslims etc. he said.

Everyone should stand for the unity among the communities and act against all strategies to break the State, he continued.

If the people unite together, the plan to break the State will be ineffective, he added.

Social scientist, Dhanabir Laishram appealed to the people to stand together to face the threat against the unity and integrity of Manipur for a better future.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/call-for-unity-reverberates-during-peoples-movement-for-manipurs-common-future/

IMPHAL October 24: The Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) held the State level annual conference on Umanglai Haraoba at Manipur Film Development Corporation hall today amidst a huge participation from the local populace.

The Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh graced the function as the chief guest.

While appreciating the initiative of the UKAL he emphasized on the importance of preserving the traditional heritage including belief of the people.

UKAL`™s efforts to preserve the Umanglai and Maibi Jagoi have been able to revive the withering rich tradition of the land, he said.

`This is our pride and we showcase it to all the visiting dignitaries as our cultural identity and our rich legacy.`

`Laiharaoba displays the ingrained peace and harmony among communities,` he stated.

He also stressed the need to maintain a secular worldview as `we dovetail with other faiths in the State.`

`The Indian Constitution upholds the secular principle in order to allow all the different religious faiths to coexist in peace and respect` the Chief Minister said.

However he also implored the audience of the land`™s past, before the arrival and convergence of many to Hinduism and Christianity.

`I wonder what the authentic faith of our forefather some three centuries ago was. Perhaps there was a more inclusive worship and celebration among the people of the valley and the hills` he said.

The Cultural University bill has received the accent of the Governor, he said.

We intent to preserve and promote and build the synergy of all the cultures of the State, irrespective of the hills and the valley through this institution, he added.

Let us explore the feasibility of incorporating UKAL as a part of these, he said.

Four awards were also handed by the Chief Minister on the occasion namely Best Amaiba to Uritkhinbam Tompok Meitei, Best Pena Player to Potsangbam Rajen Meitei, Best Amaibi to Wahengbam Priya Leima and Best Lai Haraoba Lai Thougal Lup to Iputhou Sorarel Lai Commmittee, Kakmayai.

During the function, UKAL added two more people to the 15 veterans it already sponsors under its Pension Package.

The two are Maisnam Apabi Luwang and Ch Amar Machang.

A publication titled `Lai Haraobagee Kanglon Ahumsuba Saruk`™ was also released on the occasion by the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. Wangkhei Panthou was also declared as an Umanglai site.

Five persons were also felicitated on the occasion. They are Loitongbam Iboyaima, O Binarani Devi, Y Shyamlal Singh, Chongsabam Premananda and H Jiten Singh.

Social Welfare minister, Ak Mirabai Devi also expressed concern over the modified traditional dance moves, `Traditional dance moves are losing their originality and modern fusion is compromising the quality,` she said.

K Radhakumar, secretary, Department of Art& Culture GoM, emphasizing on the importance of documentation of our traditional practices said translation from the existing archaic language and further translation to other languages will encourage scholars to delve further on the subject.

`This will also prevent unnecessary verbal feud over different interpretations of our practices` he said.

He said owing to a Supreme Court`™s directive, the State do have constrains in its supports especially in declaring certain sacred places as Protected Sites.

Ng Kangjiya Mangang, Retd. Principal; T Mangibabu Singh, chairman PDA Manipur and K Meghachandra Singh, Parliamentary Secretary MI&DIPR were also present as dignitaries.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/cm-lauds-efforts-to-preserve-traditional-heritage/

IMPHAL, October 24: The candidates who were rejected from the screening process for recruitment of Assistant Professor of Education conducted by the MPSC although they have completed their Masters in other subjects or M Ed and are NET or SLET qualified in Education have called on the authorities concerned to review their rejection.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club, one of the candidates, Nomika Nongmeikapam said the advertisement issued by MPSC said `Good academic record with at least 55 percent marks or equivalent grade in the point scale wherever grading system is followed at the Master Degree level and qualified in the NET or SLET.`

In the advertisement it is nowhere mentioned only Master Degree in Education (two years) holders can apply, she said.

So, candidates who have completed their Master Degree in other subjects and who have done MEd and NET or SLET qualified in Education as per UGC norms had also applied, she further said.

However around 35 candidates of them have been rejected during the screening process, she said.

`We have given the NET and SLET in Education as per UGC norms. We don`™t have a separate NET or SLET for MEd,` she added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/rejected-candidates-for-assistant-professor-appeal-for-reviewing-their-rejection/

IMPHAL, October 24: The Border Trade & Chamber of Commerce, Moreh has submitted an application to the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today through the Chief Secretary calling his attention to expedite the repairing work of the Asian Highway 1 stretch from Pallel to Moreh.

The application was jointly signed by its public relation secretary KB Subramaniam and general secretary Surender Singh Patheja.

The application stated that the recent incessant rainfall and earthquake had badly affected the highway stretch from Pallel to Moreh causing landslides, sunken roads and erosion in many places of the stretch seriously affecting movement of traffic.

Even after three months there seems to be very little improvement in the road connectivity and the authority has banned heavy vehicle since September 24, but there are other heavy vehicles like Saktiman and loaded trucks which continue to ply along the road, it said.

The poor road connectivity has hampered the border trade and the bilateral economic tie between Indian and Myanmar hence BTCC suggest to increase labour and machineries to expedite the work, it said.

It further mentioned that the Assam Rifles and other authority between Pallel and Moreh are handling the situation but it has only led to disappointment and hampering of trade.

It said that at least 30% of business has shifted to Mizoram and the looser being the Moreh business community and the state exchequer of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/moreh-chamber-of-commerce-seeks-cms-attention-to-expedite-ah-1-repairing/