Manipur News

IMPHAL, October 27: A five-day long ‘Contact Programme for Talented Boys School Students of Manipur’ organised by the Manipur Science and Technology Council, Imphal was inaugurated today at the training hall of the Directorate of Art and Culture building, Palace Compound, Imphal.

The programme is being supported by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST, Govt. of India.

Altogether 36 students (from classes XI and XII) from 12 schools are participating in the programme nominated by their respective principals/head masters/head mistresses.

Speaking as the chief guest, G Tomba Sharma, former principal, DM College of Science, Imphal stated that there is no definite definition of the word ‘genius.’

He also asserted that students should be confident, hardworking and possess the spirit of enquiry to be successful.

Further stressing on the importance of being healthy, he said both the mind and body should be equally sound to become successful in life.

He appealed to the students to participate in the programme with keen interest and enthusiasm and be inspired.

MASTEC, Imphal director Th Surendranath Singh said the five-day long programme aims to expose the students to the exciting world of science and help them get motivated to take up Science as a career.

Using some fun facts of mathematics, he drew the interest of the students towards the subject.

During the five-day long programme, the participating students will be taken to various laboratories and other academic institutions including universities giving the students an opportunity to meet with real-life scientists working in laboratories.

The students will also have face-to-face interaction with distinguished invited scientists and attend lectures on mathematical and medical sciences, demonstration of yoga for health, etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/mastec-organises-programme-to-motivate-students-towards-science/

IMPHAL, October 27: The Asian Highway-1, along the stretch of Kakwa area under Singjamei Police Station was temporarily blocked today by members of Kakwa Apunba Marup along with the locals, demanding booking of the culprit responsible for firing at a crowd on October 25 Ningol Chakkouba night.

An agitator during the demonstration said that it is unfortunate that the State government is issuing licensed gun to anyone, alleging that gun license can be easily bought with bribes.

Mention may be made that two persons sustained bullet injuries in a fight that broke out over a dice game at Kakwa Bazar at around 8 pm.

Two persons, identified as Huidrom Trilokchand and Huidrom Kanta, received bullet injuries, and are still undergoing treatment at RIMS Imphal.

According to sources, the suspected culprit Laisharm Haridas is also under medical attention at the Shija Hospital, as he too sustained injuries after a crowd stormed the area where the scuffle took place.

Another suspect, identified as Laishram Gopen is said to be absconding.

On the other hand, Haridas’ family has clarified that he was not involved in the shooting.

Laishram Somokanta identified as nephew of Haridas said today at a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club that Haridas was not involved in the gun firing. If he had the gun with him, why would he be in the ICU of Shija Hospital, he asked.

Recalling the incident, Somokanta said that the argument at the dice game originated when one Shanti and his group lost money to Somokanta, the organisers of the gambling game.

He continued that Shanti and his group threatened Somokanta to return what they had lost in the game. After sometime, Shanti and his group asked Laishram Somokanta and his cousin Laishram Apuroa to stop the game but Somokanta and his cousin shifted to another side and continue playing.

He further narrated that later, Somokanta was badly beaten up by Shanti and some locals of Kakwa.

Laishram Farid, also a second nephew of the accused, Haridas, who was also present during the press conference, said that he was passing by after getting medicine for his father and saw that his cousin (L Somokanta) was being thrashed by the locals of Kakwa.

Farid said he pleaded with the locals who were present during the incident to help his cousin but all refused, so he had to rush home to find a means to help his cousin. He further said that he brought his uncle Haridas along with him to rescue his cousin.

Somokanta appealed to the concerned authority to look into the matter and pleaded for justice according to the law.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/kakwa-locals-block-road-over-dice-game-gunfire-incident/

IMPHAL, October 27: Newly elected MLA from Hiyanglam Assembly constituency, Elangbam Dwijamani was sworn-in today as member of the State Legislative Assembly.

Dwijamani won the Hiyanglam bye-poll held on October 17, on a Congress ticket.

In today’s swearing-in ceremony, Speaker of the Assembly, Th Lokeshwar, administered the oath of office and secrecy at the conference hall of the State Legislative Assembly secretariat, Chingmeirong Imphal.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, speaking to the media, on the sidelines of the ceremony, said that the State is closely monitoring the 1000 hours blockade imposed at Karbi Anglong since October 26, along the highways, which may affect the lifeline of Manipur.

He continued that in this regard, the State government had already communicated with the Central government. He added that hopefully the central government will intervene positively. The State also suffers whenever there are problems along the highway, whether it is at Nagaland or Assam, he said.

The swearing-in ceremony was also attended by the deputy Speaker, Preshow Shimray, cabinet ministers: Govinda Konthoujam, Francis Ngajokpa, Md Nasir and M Okendro; MLAs RK Anand, Y Irabot and Md Fajur Rahim etc.

It may be mentioned that the bye-poll of the Hiyanglam Assembly constituency was necessitated following the demise of the then sitting MLA Maibam Kunjo of AITC, on August 11 this year.

In the bye-poll, E Dwijamani defeated his nearest rival candidate Dr Yumnan Radheshyam of the AITC by a margin of 1820 votes.

It may also be recalled that in 2007 Assembly election, Dwijamani defeated M Kunjo by a margin of 385 votes. While in 2012 elections, Dwijamani had lost to the late MLA.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/elangbam-dwijamani-of-congress-swornin-as-hiyanglam-mla/

IMPHAL, October 27: The all political party committee on the implementation of Inner Line Permit system called upon the State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, this morning, to further expedite consultations on the issue.

According to a source, the committee after briefing the CM on the experts’ views and observation collected so far has decided to seek opinion of a constitutional expert of the Supreme Court of India.

Later, the CM on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of E Dwijamani, told the media that the State is treating the issue of ILP very seriously. He said the government understands the sentiment of the people regarding the influx of illegal migrants into the State.

Further, the CM also pointed out that the State cannot bypass the Constitution for enacting a law, and for that the committee specifically formed has consulted so many experts in order to take a concrete decision on implementation of ILP or a similar law in the State.

He continued that before enacting a law in the State, assent from the Governor is mandatory. Highlighting the procedural possibilities that could arise while enacting a law, the CM maintained that the Governor may also refer the proposed Act to the Central government or the President of India, who could order for a review of the Act by the Union Home ministry or the Law Ministry.

The State has to be very careful and cannot afford to take a hasty decision in this regard, which might jeopardise the hard work of the all political party committee; even though, we like to implement a law soon in the interest of the people, he added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/opinions-of-constitutional-experts-will-be-sought-on-enacting-ilps/