Manipur News

IMPHAL, June 16: The rift in the BJP Manipur Pradesh has come to the fore after six senior members filed a case in the Manipur High Court seeking the ouster of Thounaojam Chaoba from the post of the party president. Leaders of the two groups have rushed to Delhi for lobbying against each other.

A highly placed source told IFP that the new president of the NDA government will be elected on or before June 17.

President Chaoba left Imphal on June 15 to lobby for the extension of his presidency period. On the other hand, the dissident group of senior leaders opposing Chaoba has also left Imphal for Delhi on Monday.

The six senior members filed a writ petition at the Manipur High Court against the dictatorial leadership of BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba. Their writ petition mentioned that the person presently heading the BJP Manipur unit is bogus and has a tainted character, creating difficulties for the party.

“He has subverted the constitution of the BJP and has tainted the party’s leadership and the organization, and if he is not removed immediately, the members of the BJP Manipur unit are likely to show divisive and disruptive tendencies.”

“The corrupt cronies of Thounaojam Chaoba are not fit to manage the affairs of the BJP Manipur Unit. The cronies nominated and led by Chaoba have violated the constitution of the BJP registered under section 29A of the representation of the People Act, 1951.The present leadership has usurped the legitimate rights of the active members of the BJP, enshrined in its constitution, needing immediate interference of the High Court,” says the petition.

The petitioners have a good prima facie case and may get an interim order passed to suspend the illegal and unconstitutional state election committee of the BJP, Manipur, said the highly placed source.

The petitioners have requested the High Court to admit their writ petition and issue a rule nisi to the respondents and pass an order after studying the facts of the case to constitute the state election committee with executive members of the party under Article XXVII.

They have also seek a response from respondents to the show cause notice as to why a writ in the nature of certiorari should not be issued to remove the party hoppers and unscrupulous persons in the BJP Manipur unit to ensure that the BJP’s constitution is followed in letter and spirit.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/senior-leaders-file-case-against-bjp-president/

IMPHAL, June 16: In compliance to a decision of the Supreme Court limiting the use of red light beacon with flashers on vehicles, the State cabinet has also decided to restrict its use to only five posts in the State.

The cabinet has decided that vehicles fitted with the red beacon with flashers will be allowed for only the Governor of Manipur, Chief Minister, deputy Chief Minister, Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly and Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court.

Briefing the media today, government spokesperson and CAF&PD minister, M Okendra, said that the decision was adopted during a cabinet meeting convene today at 3 pm chaired by the Chief Minister.

He clarified that there are no specific instruction to the State to restrict the facility to only five persons but considering the law and order situation, the use of the facility has been restricted.

He said the facility is still entitled to around 30 dignitaries in neighbouring Assam.

The Supreme Court of India had banned the use of red beacon with flasher lights on all vehicles except for high dignitaries holding constitutional posts and limited high functionaries.

The decision will soon come into effect on short notice, said the minister while appealing to all officials who are currently using the beacon to remove them within seven days from the issuance of the notice.

He further divulged that the MLAs and ministers will be allotted with name plates identifying their designation while on official duty.

Emergency services like the ambulances and the fire tenders can use the blue beacons, he said.

Briefing on other agendas discussed during the meeting, Okendro said that a stronger version of the “Dos and dont’s” would be enforced under the Imphal Municipal Council for cleanliness and sanitation with an objective to keep Imphal city clean.

Meanwhile, the Minister divulged that the Government will acquire 3000 acres of land in Moreh to build a new township but the nature of acquisition will be decided by a sub-committee of the cabinet after a spot enquiry. The new town will incorporate export manufacturing units, IT, education, shopping mall, art and culture centres etc., he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/cabinet-limits-red-beacon-use-in-official-vehicles/

Imphal, June 16: The RIMS Nurses Association has blamed the failure of RIMS director Dr. Shekharjit to produce the correct central rules and regulations of promotion as the reason of its ongoing strike.

RIMS Nurses Association general secretary Kh Meena said in a press meet at the Manipur press club said that they don’t have anything against the promotion of SC nurses but want the implementation of the correct central rules and regulations of promotion under the reservation roster.

Meanwhile, the Teacher and Medical Association, RIMS has give a green signal to support the nurses association strike from today at 4 pm if RIMS authority doesn’t give a positive response.

The association has stated that the nurses’ agitation is genuine and the authority must meet their demand.

Clarifying to the public about the confusion created by the director that RIMS is under the control of the central government and follows its reservation norms, Meena said the main reason of the strike is that a SC staff nurse from 2004 batch was promoted to a nursing sister in 2008 when she was not even among the candidates considered for the promotion.

In this regard, a senior nurse W Mombi filed a case against the SC nurse’s promotion at the High Court under WPC no. 257 of 2008. But the case was closed after the nurse association’s counsel Paonam Haricharan and the lawyer representing the RIMS authorities came to an agreement. The case was closed on September 16, 2011 after RIMS authority failed to submit to the High Court that the promoted nurse had retired.

However, the retired nurse was found to be promoted recently on February 2 from a Nursing Sister to Assistance Nursing Superintendent bringing into question how a retired nurse can be promoted to a higher post. After finding the order of promotion, the previous case was closed as the nurse’s retirement was reported to the High Court.

The Nurses Association has demanded the stay of the promotion order by RIMS authorities until the case is not finished. Recently, the same case resumed at the High Court on March 14 with a new counsel representing the petitioner.

The association has demanded to know the correct central RR norms prescribed for RIMS.

“We are not demanding reservation on communal lines. The director gave a booklet after downloading it from the internet and a Xerox copy from a book as central norms of RR presently applicable in RIMS. But when Fimate was the director, a counter-signed hard copy of RR was issued to nurses.If the RIMS authority does not issue the correct RR under central norms, the agitation will be strengthened more until a concrete solution is brought,” said Kh Meena.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/nurses-association-blames-rims-director-for-impasse/

IMPHAL, June 16: The organising committee of 13th Great June Uprising, Unity Day has appealed to the people of the state to not call bandhs or blockades on June 18.

Speaking to media persons in a press conference at the All Manipur United Club Organization office on Monday, the chairman of the organising committee, Y Nabachandra said that this year also the martyrs will be commemorated on June 18 at Kekrupat and people can offer floral tributes to martyrs from 5am- 6pm at the sacred place.

He also appreciated individuals, organisations, the IMC and others which help in cleaning Kekrupat in time for the observation.

Police personnel have a hard time in controlling people during the June 18 observation every year and this year also it will be no different, he said.

He continued that the imposition of the 48-hours-bandh from the midnight of June 16 every year by United Naga Council in Naga inhabited areas is startling to the organisers.

The organising committee is not against UNC, they will latter understand the sacrifice made by the martyrs to protect the state’s territorial integrity, he said.

He stated that even though the UNC imposed bandh every year against the June 18 observance, hundreds of Naga brothers and sisters from various places of the state arrived at Kekrupat to offer tributes to the martyrs who lay down their lives to safeguard the state’s territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Dr Ibotombi Khuman appealed to the people of the state to come and pay tribute to the martyrs who lay down their lives for the state.

He stated that organising June 18 every year is not an easy task as it needs lots of man power and financial support but if the importance of its observance is realised by everyone then people from all sections of society will come forward to participate and help.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/june-uprising-committee-appeals-against-bandh/

IMPHAL, June 16: The 16th Foundation Day celebration of the Anji Cultural Academy cum certificates distribution function of a two-month training on Pung Eshei and Potlei Setpa under financial assistance of the Sangeet natak Academy, New Delhi was held today at the Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound.

The function was attended by deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as chief guest, Thanga MLA T Mangibabu Singh as president and ex minister Dr M Nara, ex minister Bijoy Koijam as guests of honour.

Speaking at the function Gaikhangam said that one should know the importance of culture because it signifies identity and wealth of one’s own community.

He said one may choose one’s own religion, but that doesn’t mean that one has to forget his or her culture. Infact one should always try to preserve their unique cultures and identity.

Congratulating the academy on the successes it has achieved and wishing for success in the future, the deputy Chief Minister donated Rs 20000 to the Anji Culture Academy.

In his speech, Dr M Nara said politics divide friendship, while culture maintains friendship.

He said culture not only means the forms of dance and music of a civilisation, but it also includes the ways and manners of the human being.

Bijoy Koijam said through culture, people can express and show their unique identity to the rest of the world.

Culture should be preserved, he said before stressing on the need to preserve culture in its originality.

Elaborating on the need to encourage uniformity by the people in practising their culture, he said designs and patterns of traditional attires should be uniform and there is no necessity to fuse traditional and cultural dresses with western culture.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/culture-signifies-ones-identity-wealth-gaikhangam/

IMPHAL, June 16: Decrying the prolonged Government’s apathy in the development of the Barak circle, residents of the circle today took out a rally organised by the Barak Circle Development Demand Committee (BCDDC).

The rally which started from Jiribam Government Higher Secondary School at 11 am, was however, stopped by the Jiribam Police near the Police station.

Later five representatives were selected and permitted to submit a memorandum addressed to the chief secretary of Manipur to the ADC of Jiribam sub-division Harmit Singh.

The 21-point memorandum highlighted the woes of the Barak circle due to lack of medical facility, proper education system, banking system, transport and communication, PHED, failure of implementation of ICDS, PDS,etc.

BCDC president Kh Rajesh Singh, told the media that the Barak circle is lagging behind in all aspect of development as compared to other sub-division.

Residents have been drawing the attention of the government yet they are being neglected every time, said Kh Rajesh while warning that this time the BCDDC will not remain silent.

General secretary, Vanlalhriet Hmar, revealed that the committee was formed by different communities residing in the circle during a meeting convened on June 6, 2014.

He claimed that the objective of the committee is to confront all obstacles that is keeping the circle behind.

During the rally the demonstrators displayed placards and banners reading, We demand information centre, we demand skill development”, Improve education status, expand double span road, life line on PHED, we demand women and children welfare etc.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/barak-body-rallies-against-govt-apathy/

IMPHAL, June 16: The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur has jointly held a consultation on Alternative Energy at June 16 at Manipur Press Club along with Citizen’s Concern for Dam and Development (CCDD), Committee on Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur (CPNRM), Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO), All Loktak Lake Fishermen Union Manipur (ALLAFUM) and United Voluntary Youth Centre (UVYC).

According to a press release of Centre for Research and Advocacy, the consultation was held to dwell on the scope and limitations of the alternative energy in Manipur.

The speakers in the consultation were Dr RK Ranjan-chairperson of CCDD, Manglem-director of MANIREDA, Rupachandra Yumnam-Editor of Impact TV and O. Rajen-Secretary of ALLAFUM and the key note address was presented by Joseph Hmar-Secretary of CCDD.

Dr RK Ranjan said that it is necessary to understand the requirement of energy, existing energy quantum and its management in the state, its uses by the privatized agency and encourage the use alternative energy which is reliable and convenient and further compares the efficiency of micro-hydel and solar energy and expressed limitation over solar energy in terms of its inefficiency and harmful effects in the environment.

Director of MANIREDA-Manglem dwelled on the uses and limitation of solar, wind and micro-hydel energy and expressed the reliability and convenience of hydro potential. Rupachandra Yumnam-Editor of Impact TV explained the energy resource and environmental crisis has resulted due to the increasing population and the human desire and the crisis can be met with the intervention of both by the public as well as the government and the decision makers.

O Rajen-secretary, ALLAFUM further stated that limitation over the 105 MW Loktak project which has caused the loss of 83,450 hectares of agricultural land and livelihood of fishermen and expressed the necessity of an alternative-renewable energy such as solar, wind and micro-hydel which are environmental friendly, it said.

During the consultation resolution to encourage to consider convenient and reliable alternative energy, discourage the mega dams which are affecting the ecosystem, judicial existing power resource, encourage eco-friendly and people friendly power supply and responsible consumption of energy by the public were taken up, it said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/consultation-on-alternative-energy-held/

IMPHAL, June 16: Manipur needs a ‘New Democratic Culture’ for attaining a sovereign and an egalitarian society said Nonglen Meitei, Secretary Publicity and Propaganda of the proscribed Maoist Communist Party of Manipur in a statement.

The statement said there is need for a collective cultural platform with an inclusive perspective and the platform should be of a global perspective one. Therefore, in this regard, the party has urged the indigenous people of Manipur to observe ‘Indigenous Festival’. It said the festival should commence on August 9, which is also the world’s Indigenous Peoples Day, and the observation should last till August 14: on the day when British gave independence to Manipur.

The statement further said, the festival should include indigenous games such as Mukna, Mukna Kangjei, Thang-Ta, Sagol Kangjei. This would help in reviving the diminishing indigenous games from the soil of Manipur. Along with the games, indigenous dance and music should be also encouraged, it said. Performance of Ougri Hangel Chongba (Thabal Chongba) should also be taken out till the midnight of August 14. The performance of Thabal Chongba has taken a different meaning in the present day. For example, the date of Thabal Chongba coincide with the examination time of class x and xii which disturbs the study environment of the students, it said. At the same time, the time of Yaoshang Thabal Chongba encourage youngsters into intoxicants and drug abuse, which is detrimental to the society.

Having said this, the Maoist maintained that Yaoshang Thabal should not be banned but the time has come for a deeper contemplation over the new changes. Maoist Communist Party Manipur seeks the co-operation of the people for the said festival, the statement added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/manipur-maoist-for-a-new-democratic-culture/

IMPHAL, June 16: Volunteers of the Wal United Youth’s Club, Angom Leikai and the local meira paibies destroyed 230 litres of local hooch in front of media at the club premises around 4 pm today.

Club president RK Gokulchandra Singh said volunteers and local meira paibis had conducted drives against the sale of intoxicants in the locality on June 11 and 12.

The drives were conducted along the Wangkhei road stretch from Thangal Bazar Statue upto Andro Bs Parking and seized 230 litres of local wine from vendors and rice hotels, he said.

On June 8, the club members and meira paibis conveyed a meeting and resolved to submit a memorandum today to the Imphal East DC and SP to check the sale of alcohol along the road stretch.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/locals-destroy-seized-liquor/

IMPHAL, June 16: The Thoubal District Weavers Cooperative Society and Luxmi Weavers Cooperative Society has stated on Monday that the allegations made by seven weavers society against newly promoted DIC, Thoubal Ch Tombi Devi were baseless .

Speaking to media persons at a press conference convened by the Thoubal District Weavers Cooperative Society at Manipur Press club, Luxmi Weavers Cooperative Society president M Biherjit said that out of 2000 weaver societies in Thoubal seven weaver societies blamed that the newly promoted DIC didn’t work properly and was not sincere in her job and had closed her office.

He appealed the concern authorities to take action against the seven weavers’ societies and reopen the closed office at the earliest as the last date of submission of forms of various schemes will be over by June 20.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/weavers-societies-defend-newly-promoted-dic/

NEW DELHI, June 16: The North East Students Society Delhi University (NESSDU) organised a one-day cleanliness drive programme yesterday with the theme “I Love Delhi University” yesterday where many students from North East took part in cleaning the dirty roads in an d around Delhi University main campus.

Lauding the cleanliness drive of the North East students in Delhi University, Delhi Police Nodal Officer for North East IGP Robin Hibu (IPS) commented, “It brought a good name for NE and many Delhites were speechless by seeing NE boys and girls cleaning the roads.”

“I hope NE youth will clean more areas like Munirka, Gandhi Vihar, Mukherjee Nagar, JNU, Jamia, Janakpuri in the days to come,” he further added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/ne-students-conduct-cleanliness-drive-in-du/

JIRIBAM, June 16 (JNN): A man who received electric shock succumbed on the way to the Jiribam Community Health Centre around 4pm today.

The man has been identified as Md Nurul Haque, 31, son of (L) Md Samsur Jaman of Jiribam Babupara (Pangal Tabi). He is survived by three children.

Nurul was called away from home by an employee of the Jiribam Fire Service identified as Khaliq to repair a faulty power line, said family members.

According to sources from the CHC, he was brought dead and had marks on his body.

He was brought to the CHC by two persons who identified themselves as Khalique and Mera.

Further according to staff of the CHC, the two left to inform family members soon after being told that Narul was brought dead.

Sources believed that Narul could have received the electric shock while repairing a faulty power line at the house of Mera.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/man-dead-from-electric-shock/

IMPHAL, June 16: The Government of Manipur, Medical Directorate has appealed to all concerned not to resort to any form of bandh/general strike from June 21-23 in view of the ensuing Manipur Paramedical, B.Sc on June 22 so as to enable the Health Department to conduct the Entrance Examination smoothly and peacefully said the Director of Health Services, Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/appeal-against-bandhs-on-june-21-22/

MPHAL, June 16: Staff and the employee of the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur today staged a sit in protest in front of the COHSEM office this noon decrying the placing of hand grenade at the residence gate of Hamom Naba chairmen COHSEM yesterday morning.

Speaking to the media said they strongly condemn the placing of the bomb at the residential gate of Dr Hamom Naba chairmen COHSEM.

He also appealed to all involved to clarify at the earliest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/06/grenade-threat-condemned/