Manipur News

IMPHAL, September 7: Irrespective of whether the FCI gives the clearance or not for transporting essential PDS items such as rice and sugar along the NH-37, there is no question of recalling the security forces from Ukhrul, stated Chief Mnister Okram Ibobi while interacting with the media during an inspection tour of JNIMS today.

He said even though there is no permit to lift essentials items like rice and sugar from the FCI gowdown in Jiribam due to the prevailing situation in the State; the government has given instructions to the FCI officials to dothe needful so as to enable ferrying these PDS items from Jiribam to Imphal.

The government will transport these PDS items along the NH-37 in the interest of the people of Manipur.

Replying to queries about the trucks ferrying PDS items not being included among those which were provided with security escorts on Saturday, he said people need not be worried as the stock of essential items like rice and sugar in the Imphal FCI godown will last for at least two more months.

The first priority of the government is on petroleum products like petrol, diesel and air turbine fuel, keeping this in mind, the government has decided to haul them first, CM Ibobi said, adding that the State government has taken up some policies to avoid this problem in the future.

Stressing that the withdrawing of security forces from Ukhrul solely depends on the law and order situation in Ukhrul, he said the condition that would warrant total withdrawal of the forces from Ukhrul does not exist as of now.

If the law and order improves in any given area or district why would the government deploy more forces there. The same goes for Ukhrul, he added.

He however assured that if the law and order improves in the Ukhrul, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC and the security forces will be removed automatically.

Shifting track on the two major national highways of Manipur, CM Ibobi said now we have to concentrate on the two lifelines of Manipur as an economic blockade has been imposed by UNC.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/extra-forces-not-to-be-withdrawn-from-ukhrul-immediately-essentials-to-be-lifted-along-nh-37-cm/

IMPHAL, September 7: The State government has today withdrawn prohibitory order imposed under section 144 of Cr PC from Ukhrul town, a day after it was relaxed for 12 hours on a trial run.

A statement issued by Dr J Suresh Babu, principal secretary Home stated that the government reviewed the law and order situation prevailing in Ukhrul town and was satisfied with the substantial improvement of the situation.

Hence, it has decided to withdraw the Prohibitory order, it said.

It further assured that the security forces deployed in Ukhrul town will also be withdrawn gradually if the law and order situation further improves or return to normalcy.

It may be noted that the prohibitory order was relaxed on a trial run following arrival of a high level committee comprising of Union additional secretary (Home) Rajiv Gauba, joint secretary (North east in-charge) Sambhu Singh and special secretary (Internal Secretary) Prakash Mishra.

The team met with the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister and took stock of the situation in the State after the Ukhrul firing incident.

It may be mentioned that on July 12 Ukhrul autonomous district council Ngalangzar Malue was killed by unidentified miscreants at Finch corner.

In response to the attack, the State government arrested 8 cadres of the NSCN-IM from Ukhrul subsequently imposing CrPC 144 in the district head quarter.

The imposition of prohibitory order invited mass criticism from various Naga organisation and widespread protest however things turned ugly on Augus 31 when two protestors were killed and several injured when police opened fire a protest rally held in Ukhrul.

Reacting strongly, the UNC imposed an indefinite blockade of all highways in Naga inhabited area from September 4. Meanwhile, Over 200 trucks including 30 empty oil tankers are reportedly stranded in various places of Assam.

Most of the stranded trucks are reportedly stationed at Moran under Sibsagar District and Jorabat of Assam.

Reports said that the oil tankers that have been stranded for about four days are now facing shortage of food supply. Concerned over the situation, the transporters union has prepared to dispatch a team to replenish stock for the stranded truckers in Assam.

Around180 loaded oil tankers are standing by at the ISBT Khuman Lampak.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/sec-144-crpc-lifted-from-ukhrul/

IMPHAL, September 7: BJP, national secretary in-charge of Manipur and Nagaland Tapir Gao has appealed to the United Naga Council and Naga leaders to withdraw their agitation of highway blockade.

Addressing a press conference this morning at the Nityaipat Chuthek office, Tapir said the NDA government has already sent three experts to look after the situation in the State, and attempts will be made to bring an amicable solution to the ongoing problem in Manipur.

Tapir has further appealed to all communities of Manipur to cooperate with BJP in bringing a solution, so that normalcy returns in the State, adding that he would like to visit Senapati to meet the leaders of UNC and other Naga leaders. He mentioned that Manipur is facing lots of difficulties due to the indefinite blockade called by the UNC following the Ukhrul August 30 incident.

Clearing doubts over the leadership crisis within the State BJP unit, Tapir maintained that it is a family matter. He ruled out the possibility of a change in the State leadership of the party. The post of the president will not be changed without the incumbent completing his tenure, he added.

Tapir alleged that the Congress led government has bungled with the ILP issue in the State. He said the issue has been left pending for the last ten years. He added that the controversy regarding the K-Pro Ltd over the cleaning of Loktak Lake will be thoroughly investigated under the initiative of the NDA government.

Tapir exuded confidence that his party will win the by-election of Hiyanglam Assembly constituency, which is likely to be held either by September end or early October this year. The party is also equipped to fight in the upcoming Autonomous District Council election, Tapir added.

Later, five politicians got officially enrolled to the BJP from today. The leaders are; Salam Joy Ex-MLA Wangoi Assembly constituency, AR Khan Retd IAS ex-candidate of Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency, M Daniel, Member ADC 19 Dollang Constituency Tamenglong, Haokholal Singson ADC 24-Langpi Tamenglong and H Santosh Singh Member IMC Ward no 4 Uripok

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/efforts-on-to-bring-normalcy-in-the-state-says-tapir-gao/

IMPHAL, September 7: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said that the ongoing infrastructure construction at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences should be complete by this year-end. “The hospital should be ready before a team of the Indian Medical Council comes on an official visit to the State,” he said.

The Chief Minister accompanied by the Works minister Kh Ratankumar Singh and Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing inspected the ongoing construction work at JNIMS auditorium, college blocks, OPD block, Gynaecology ward, ladies hostel, etc. today.

He instructed the contractors working on the college block to complete the construction works within September and October.

The contractors were instructed to increase more labourers if needed to meet the deadline.

He rebuked that he got information of the contractors bringing in more labourers immediately before his arrival on getting information beforehand of today’s official inspection.

There is no financial crunch if the work is properly completed and fund will be released for work well done, but the works must be completed within the set deadline, the Chief Minister told the contractors.

The deadline has already been fixed by the Indian Medical Council and they will be coming for inspection, he said before strictly instructing the contractors to complete the work well in time.

He further directed the concerned contractors to repair the old OPD portion without dismantling the rooms and further suggested shifting the casualty ward to the ICTTU building of the Medical block while the repairing works is underway.

The Chief Minister and his team also interacted with the nurses and doctors on duty at the Gynaecology ward and asked about their problems.

He was told by the staff that since the appointment of a professor in the ward, the number of child deliveries has increased creating lack of beds and nurses.

In the Gynaecology ward there are at least 150 delivery patients, which have exposed the insufficient numbers of duty nurses working 24×7, they told the Chief Minister.

They further appealed to the Chief Minister to strengthen the number of staff at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Ibobi also expressed concern over the condition of the toilets in the Gynaecology ward and said the sweepers are recruited to keep the toilets clean and hygienic and they cannot remain sitting like officers.

He further expressed that the attendance registers will be checked to see their attendance.

Considering the condition of the toilets it is better to keep the sweepers on contract basis, he declared.

Ibobi also discussed with his team and the staff as to whether keeping someone to monitor the attendance of the doctors and nurses or to install bio-metric attendance recorders in the hospital would be more to the purpose.

He instructed the concerned officials to shift the Ayush department from the JNIMS old building and to dismantle the building.

As for the Ayush department, it could be shifted to the Urban Health Centre at Singjamei, the Chief Minister directed.

After shifting the department, the building leaving aside the TB portion should be dismantled, he continued.

Doctors should not be involved in the contract work of the said dismantling work instead they should be more sincere in carrying out their duties, he said.

The contract for the dismantling work should go to a proper agency, he continued.

The Chief Minister also inspected the lifts with defects and told all concerned to fix the defects.

Such problems should be fixed at the earliest and not left unattended to cause more hardships for the patients, the Chief Minister asserted.

He further questioned the PHED officials regarding the insufficient water supply in JNIMS and said water and power supply in the hospital should be properly maintained.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/cm-censures-jnims-contractors-says-work-should-be-completed-by-year-end/