Manipur News

Imphal, June 24 NNN : Things related with Prophet Mohammad’s pictures or cartoons are continuing to stir up hornet’s nest and it has now Manipur’s turn to bear the brunt.
If a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad in a Danish newspaper had the potential to bring up the furor to international level few years ago, the Manipur text book impasse over the Prophet Mohammad’s picture is equally going to be catastrophic if not guarded well.
On Sunday in Imphal, Muslim students burnt large number of text books collected by them that contain the picture of Prophet Mohammad.
A General Knowledge (GK) book called Prime General Knowledge Book meant for Kindergarten students carries a man with a beard and a turban. The man in the picture holds an object resembles a book. The book was published by Prime Publications and printed at Sangai Offset Printers in Imphal. The book in question was written by S Babylal Jassal. The book was prescribe by the Manipur
Of the many gods’ pictures in the GK book the students are to enter the correct names of the gods that are given below the page that should match the pictures.
According to the Muslim students, the picture of Prophet Mohammad printed in books is against the Islam.
The Pangal (Muslim) Students Organisation (PSO) on Sunday asked the government to ban the book.
Speaking to the media at the spot where the books were burnt today, Jagir Hussain, advisor of the students’ body said that anywhere in the world no pictures of Prophet Mohammad has been printed in books.
Warning to take up series of intense agitations in the days to come, the Pangal Students Organisation said many Muslim organisations not only in Manipur but from outside the state will endorse in banning the book and the follow up agitation against the book.
Earlier, Popular Front of India, Manipur unit had collected and burnt large number of the GK books in Imphal. It had also banned the book.
Few years ago, Denmark’s leading newspaper Jyllands-Posten carried a cartoon which depicts the Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban and the controversy had catapult into the worldwide level in few days time of the publication.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/muslim-students-burn-book-for-publishing-mohammad-prophets-picture/

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 24 : Assam Rifles, Narcotics Control Bureau, Manipur University and eminent personalities of many government, non-government and private organizations have joined hands together to raise the awareness on the key issue of drug abuse in the state of Manipur.
To commemorate the ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’, one day seminar is being organised by Headquarters 26 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR(S) on 26 June 2012 at Sangai Auditorium, Pallel. The seminar themed “Think Health – Not Drugs” is an earnest endeavour by the Assam Rifles in their commitment to the well being of the people of Manipur and their drive against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Chandel district. The function will be presided over by Major General UK Gurung, YSM, IGAR(S).
The seminar not only seeks to generate awareness amongst the society but also arrive at concrete measures through the participation of NGOs like CoNE, SASO, CSD, ASHA working in the fields of de-addiction and rehabilitation of drug use; students from educational institutions of Chandel, Youth Clubs, Women Organisations, media personalities and the enforcement agencies. The seminar proceedings include talk on a wide range of informative and relevant topics by eminent speakers, as also sharing of real life experiences by those brave ones who have shunned drugs for their love for dear ones.
The objective of this healthy interaction is aimed at the establishment of sustainable, community-driven initiatives to address youth substance abuse; provide thrust to initiatives in the field of prevention, intervention, treatment programs and best practices that can be replicated in the region.
The state of Manipur being in proximity with the Golden Triangle is a major transit route for illicit illegal substances into India. The problem of drug abuse is widespread in Manipur and the society is still to reckon with the debilitating face of it. According to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) report of 2005, 28 percent of the population of Manipur are drug addicts, of who nearly half are injecting drug users (IDU). Cases of drug abuse is fast rising with 12 per cent of drug addicts in the age group till 15 years, 32 per cent in the age group of 16-25 years and 56 percent in the age group of 25-35 years. Manipur is considered as one of the most affected state in terms of drug related violence and crime. Hence, there is an urgent need to change the course of the present trends in drug use in the state and motivate the youth to join the main stream.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ar-drive-against-drug-abuse-and-illicit-trafficking/

Mail News Service
Imphal, June 24 : The speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th. Lokeshwar said, nowadays distribution of meritorious awards to students have been organized in all 60 A/C of Manipur. It is a good sign for the future generation. In order to improve education and human resource, we have to find out these necessary ways.
He was speaking as chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of Late Okram Lukhoi and Saratlata meritorious awards 2012 organised by 15- Wangkhei Kendra Development Forum at Citizens’ Club ground today.
During student life, time is most important. In order to improve human resource, law and order, supply of power and conditions of road are necessary and for this there should be co-ordination between govt. and public. Thinking for the future generation, there should be peace among various communities. Althogh there are different casts and creed, we should have the feeling of oneness.
The speaker also donated Rs. 10 thousands to the organizing committee.
Francis Ngajokpa, RD and PR minister who graced the prize distribution function as guest of honour mentioned the qualities of Manipuries in the field of sports, academic. Although there are many differences, we should try to solve it by ourselves. As we need future leader, we should improve the students as our future lies in all young students.
Moirangthem Okendro Edn. Minister presided over the function and Smt. Nemcha Kipgen, MLA, Kangpokpi A/C, Janghemlung Panmei, MLA, Tamenglong A/C and W. Rajen, director, Education(s) attended the function as special invitees.
The dignitaries gave away prizes 454 first divisioners and two position holders of class X and XII examinations of BOSEM, COHSEM and CBSE.
Moirangthem Sinorita Devi, Nongmeibung of Herbert School got a cash prize of Rs. 5000, citation, memento. She stood nine position in XII (Science) exam while RK Ishorchand of Soibam Leikai Meri Leirak stood 20th position in HSLC examination. He is a student of Ghani English School, Hatta. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 3000, citation and memento.
Last year, 420 studetns of Wangkhei Assembly constituency were distributed awards.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/speaker-felicitates-students/

Imphal, June 23 MNS NNN: Selected teachers of Sarva Sikhsha Abhiyan numbering around 50 on Saturday staged a protest rally here to push their demand for issuance of appointment orders.
The protesters, who were heading towards the state Chief Minister’s bungalow, were stopped by police midway at Yaiskul near Kalimai temple. Later, the police selected five representatives of SSA teachers’ Association to meet with the Chief Minister around 1: 30 PM.
They submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi and the same copy of the memorandum was also submitted to the Project Director, SSA, Education Minister, Principal Secretary and Chief Secretary.
Rishi, secretary, SSA selected Teachers’ Association told the media that most of them were working with private schools but they had left their jobs since they have been selected as SSA teachers, However, the state government is yet to issue appointment orders to them till today, he added.
The interview for the selection of SSA teachers was held last year.
The state government should take up necessary action so that the appointment orders are issued at the earliest, Rishi further appealed.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/ssa-selected-teachers-stage-protest/