Manipur News

IMPHAL, March 25: A silent rally of Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel who were heading towards Chief Minister`™s Bungalow at Babupara to submit a memorandum to the CM had a scuffle with police personnel who were trying to stop them, injuring at least 10 VDF personnel.

The incident happened this afternoon at around 3:30 at near ABC godown near Khoyathong Traffic Point under Imphal Police Station.

Around 1000 personnel of VDF had a meeting here at THAU ground, Thangmeiband before they started the rally.

When the rally reached near ABC godown, a large number of police force tried to stop them at near ABC godown.

The Police told them that only some few representatives will be allowed to come along with a Police team to submit the memorandum to the CM and also as CRPC is being imposed in the District, organizing mass rally is restricted.

However, as the rallying VDF personnel disagrees the instruction given by Police and started pelting stones towards the Police.

Police in order to control the situation fired blank rounds in the air and also used tear gas shells and rubber bullets.

All Manipur VDF Welfare Association general secretary Laltigen Vaiphei, 28, of Churachandpur was hit by a rubber bullet on his head and including him around 10 VDF personnel were injured in the Police action.

Out of the injured, four personnel including Vaiphei are said to be in a serious condition at RIMS.

A spokesperson of the VDF association speaking to IFP said their demands include payment of Rs 10,000 as monthly honorarium for their service, 13 month pay system for their service as provided to Police, IRB and MR personnel, saying that they also have round the clock duty.

He further said they have been placing these demands before the government since February 2014. They have submitted memorandums with these demands to Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh and other concerned authorities of the government.

However, as the government has been neglecting their demands, the VDFs have been protesting by not doing their duties and not touching their weapons since March 20, he said.

But still the government did not respond to their calls so they decided to try again by submitting a memorandum today.

He said police have not only spoiled their today`™s attempt but have also injured around 10 VDF personnel and arrested other 10 personnel.

He said the VDF personnel who are now stationed at various posts will return home from tomorrow onwards and starting from March 30, intense forms of agitation will be launched including general strikes.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/police-spoil-vdf-rally-around-10-vdf-injured-in-scuffle/

IMPHAL, March 25: The malpractice and corruption in multi crores Loktak Lake scam has come under scrutiny of national level authorities and reputed independent bodies such as the National Institute for Transforming India, said Moiranthem Asnikumar General Secretary Administration, BJP Manipur Pradesh.

Asnikumar further said the NDA government will soon come out with the findings on the multi crores scam before the people of Manipur.

The scam is a proof yet again that the Manipur Government is policy paralysed, he charged.

He said the BJP Manipur has also drawn the attention of Central Government to thoroughly consider monitoring the funds allocated by the Central government in the last five years to Manipur for infrastructure development.

The pilferage of huge amount of development funding from the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resource, North East Council, and funds for other Centrally Sponsor Schemes for development of other infrastructures in last five years of the Congress party rule both in the State and Centre will be soon known, he said.

He further slammed the government for not completing 95% infrastructure developmental work in time and for not submitting Utilization Certifications for all the projects and infrastructures.

Another big issue is the implementation of flagship programmes like NREGS, he said adding 25 percent of funds meant for these programmes have been diverted into the private coffers of MLAs and Ministers of the State.

Asnikumar further said other sectors like Manipur Police Modernisation scheme, National Aids Control Society Project, NHRM, Agriculture, Horticulture sectors and VDF recruitment etc, are being conducted without proper approvals from Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

As per reported from the Central Government, the approval of VDF recruitment was only for 1000 personnel, but the State Congress Government has recruited 12,000 personnel.

Even in the recent police constable recruitment, the approval was only for 2000 constables approximately, but the State Government has recruited much more without sanction for funds from the Union Government, he charged.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/bjp-manipur-labels-manipur-as-policy-paralysed/

IMPHAL, March 25: The issue of plagiarism in the theses submitted by research scholars in the Hindi Department of Manipur University has reached the High Court of Manipur.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case was filed at the High Court of Manipur by petitioner Khaidem Jacko Meitei, an advocate by profession.

The PIL which was admitted by the court on March 23 had its hearing today as case No 3 in the cause list.

The respondents of the case are Union of India represented by Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), 127-C, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110001; University Grant Commission (UGC) represented by the Chairman, UGC, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi; Manipur University represented by the Registrar, Manipur University, PO-Canchipur, Imphal West District, Manipur and Dr H Subadani Devi, Head of Hindi Department, Manipur University, Canchipur, Manipur.

The hearing of the PIL case was conducted by a division bench of Chief Justice Laxmikanta Mohapatra and Justice Khwairakpam Nobin Singh.

The petitioner prayed the Court to direct the concerned authorities to constitute an independent inquiry committee to look into the irregularities of all PhD theses which were done by the research scholars under the supervision of the respondent No 4 namely Dr H Subadani Devi, Department of Hindi, Manipur University.

Further, he prayed the Court to direct the authorities concerned to constitute independent inquiry committee to investigate or look into all PhD awarded under the guidance of Dr H Subadani Devi once again and if the research works are found to be in plagiarised forms, the doctorate degrees awarded to the scholars may be cancelled.

He prayed the court to call for the record of the criteria for giving promotion to respondent No 4 Dr H Subadani Devi and if she happened to get promotion or wrongfully gain by producing such pseudo-scholars as one or any of the criteria, authorities concerned may be directed to take strict disciplinary as well as criminal legal action against the respondent No 4.

Furthermore, to pass any appropriate orders/direction which the court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the cases as the ends of justice may call for.

The respondent No 1 was represented by the Central Government`™s counsel and Manipur University was represented by its counsel BP Sahu, Advocate.

The petitioner has been directed to communicate by registered post to the UGC and Prof Dr H Subadani Devi, Head of Department of Hindi, Manipur University.

The brief facts of the case is that in the doctoral thesis of the research scholars working under Prof Dr H Subadani Devi, Head of Department of Hindi, Manipur University, has revealed mass copying of huge chunks of the subject matter. The professor certified all these plagiarised theses to be the original works of her research scholars.

Her research scholars again copied not only from each other but also from another scholar`™s thesis under the supervision of a different guide.

Today, the Court has directed to all the respondents of the case to file their counter affidavits returnable within four weeks.

The petitioner is represented by Huidrom Kenajit, advocate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/plagiarism-issue-of-manipur-university-hindi-dept-reaches-high-court/

IMPHAL, 24 March: Learning floriculture is not only a useful skill but it can also be a way to booming business said Retd Director of Agriculture B Haridas Sarma yesterday at Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel. He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of a 14-Day Entrepreneurship Skill Development Training Programme for the young aspirants of Churachandpur District in floriculture under BRGF Scheme. The programme was organised by The Garden Care in collaboration with SIRD.

Haridas Sarma further mentioned that there are some flowers species of Manipur which are in demand in Delhi and other metro cities. He suggested the participants to acquire in depth knowledge from the resource persons during the training session.

DRDA, Churachandpur Project Officer Yumnam Shasikumar Singh lauding the organiser for conducting such skill development programme said that florists are in demand these days as decoration with flowers are in fashion in almost every occasions.

Supplementing the statement, agriculture officer, Horticulture & Soil Conservation K Devdutta Sharma said that floriculture is not new in the State but it is not in practice at large within the state.

He said that from floriculture one can have a decent livelihood. He further mentioned that the state of Mizoram is doing well in floriculture and they are exporting flowers to Singapore and Amsterdam and likewise most people of Sikkim earn their livings from floriculture. He said that all flowers are not suited to every soil conditions hence it knowledge of what suits where is essential.

He said that the district of Churachandpur is best suited for Anthurium, Dendrobium, Gerbera and Tuberose flowers and participants from the said district will do well with the said flowers.

All Manipur Working Journalist Union President W Shyamjai said during his presidential speech that work culture should be given priority.

He added that floriculture is one important thing to for people learn in depth to get better productivity. He said that it could be a way of earning livelihood, but stressed on developing a work culture and proper knowledge in the specific fields of choice.

The dais members distributed gardening tools to all the participating candidates during the inaugural function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/floriculture-can-be-a-way-to-economic-emancipation-of-many-experts/

IMPHAL, March 25: If peace returns to our state, the dreaded Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA 1958, will automatically be repealed from the state said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi speaking at the first Northeast India Women Peace Congregation held at Sangai Hall, Imphal Hotel today.

Addressing the opening function as chief guest, Ibobi further said return of peace is the key to the end of AFSPA 1958 in our state. He cited the example of the withdrawal of the Disturbs Area Status from the seven Assembly Segments of Imphal in 2004 considering the sentiment of public by the state government, he said this is not impossible.

On the other hand, if the law and order situation is not normal, the AFSPA will remain even if the State government agrees to repeal it, he said. As an illustration Ibobi cited the case of Nagaland where the State Government have been trying hard to have the AFSPA repealed from their State, but to which the Central Government has never given its assent.

We already have seven segments free of the AFSPA and even if our people can maintain peace, the whole state can shake itself free of this Act, Ibobi further said.

He commended the first Northeast India Women Peace congregation today, saying it is a good initiative by the Control of Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) in collaboration with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network (NWGSN) and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace (NEIWIP).

Okram Ibobi said that though Manipur is a tiny state located in Northeast part of the country, it has the priceless asset of being endowed with rich natural beauty and cultural mosaic of a diverse range of ethnicities.

He said in Manipur, both in hills and in the valley, women serve as the backbone of the family as well as the society. He also agreed that in the event of any violence or conflict in a society, the first to feel the pain are women and children.

Our state has experienced prolonged insurgency and counter-insurgency, and this has had a great impact on the welfare and psychology of womenfolk. Many have lost husbands, fathers, brothers, sons`¦ and the burden of keeping the household hearth burning has increasingly been left on the shoulders of women.

They have also suffered direct physical assaults and injuries, humiliations, rapes and murders. Over and above conflict related sufferings, they have also often been the victims of domestic violence, he said.

He said the effort of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace to help such women victims are extremely praiseworthy. `I really appreciate the effort put up by renowned personalities to sensitise the government as well as all stakeholders on this issue` said Ibobi.

He said while the government is taking all possible measures to protect the right and privileges of the women folks, it is a welcome step that these organisation are also taking measures in supporting the victim in psychological and financial terms to uphold the dignity in the society.

He also urged the womenfolk of the State to also give a concerted effort to mould public opinion to shun violence. If such an effort is successful, he added that Manipur is sure to regain its long lost ambience of trust, love, peace and harmony one again and have the leisure and inclination once again to enjoy the bountiful gifts of nature their State is bestowed with.

He assured his government would take all necessary steps for protection of women as well as to extend assistance to the victims ensure them means of livelihood.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/if-peace-returns-afspa-will-automatically-be-repealed-says-okram-ibobi/

IMPHAL, March 25: President of Manipur Loumi Lup, N. Mangi Singh during a press meet held at Irawat Bhavan today has declared 2015 as Year of Struggle for Water.

He further said that the government has to put water policy and should take up immediate steps to provide water to the people by sending water tankers to all. He also said that various schemes of government to provide water has failed as well as scheme implemented at places without any water source. He also said that the functional water schemes should be put into use immediately.

The lup has demanded the government to discuss the issue of water scarcity faced by the people in a cabinet meeting. A memorandum will be submitted to the Chief Minister appealing to solve the problems as well as to take necessary step and to revive fail schemes, he said.

Mangi also said that necessary steps should be taken up to conserve water of Loktak Lake. He also said that the lup would take up agitation from April if the government does not take up any necessary step regarding the water scarcity. The Lup Vice President, N Shingajit also appealed to all the civil societies and NGOs to cooperate regarding the agitation.

It may be mentioned that Vice President of Loumi Lup, U Rajmohon and General Secretary, H Ibobi as well as the council members of Lup also attended the conference.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/03/loumi-lup-declares-water-crisis/