Manipur News

IMPHAL | Dec 31

Manipur municipal administration, housing and urban development (MAHUD) and Forest minister, Th Shyamkumar has conveyed best wishes and sincere thanks to the people regarding the arrival of New Year, 2018.

A release said the past 12 months have been marked by noteworthy achievements and changes. “As we reflect n the past year, I believe that we have many reasons to have enormous pride in our accomplishments and look forward with enthusiasm to the next year. This is a time to realise that throughout history, out strength as a State has come from the mutual understanding and co-existence that have made us rise together,” it said.    

The unity that prevails without communal division in the celebration of this New Year, participating in traditions and visiting of relatives helps in strengthening peace and unity among all, the release further said.  What is special in this New Year celebration is the spread of festivity amidst to commitment to good governance that transcends differences  of ethnicity, caste and community, with important strides being taken to realise the need for unity amongst all out people, it continued. “I extend warm greetings and best wishes for a happy and prosperous New year, let 2018 be a year of progress and harmony,” it added.

Meanwhile, works minister, Thongam Biswajit extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur on the occasion of New Year, 2018.

A release said New Year is a time for celebration and looking forward for a better and bright future. “Let all of us commit and resolve in building a peaceful and harmonious society for a better Manipur,” it said.  “May this New Year bring peace, harmony and strengthen the bonding between the different communities residing in the state,” it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 31

The state government has compensated sub-inspector Arambam Amitabh Singh and his better half Vandana Mutum for being victims of an assault from former Speaker Th Lokeswar’s escort party.

The sub inspector and his wife have been compensated with an amount of Rs 1 lakh under Police grant schemes in respect of rehabilitation. It may be mentioned that the sub-inspector and his family were travelling in a vehicle around Kangla western gate in the evening when the escort party of the former Speaker overtook them. Later, the escort party of Lokeswar had stopped the vehicle and attacked Amitabh Singh. He had sustained injuries in his head and torso. The escorts also had threatened his wife with a stick. The incident occurred on May 10, 2015.

Later, there was significant protest against the high handedness of the escort party and many had condemned the VIP culture. A case was also petitioned in the regard to the High Court of Manipur and subsequently, one havildar was suspended and 16 number of escort personnel were hauled to court. A double bench comprising of justice N Kotiswar and justice Kh Nobin passed a judgement in May last to chargesheet the  accused party within two months time.  

IMPHAL | Dec 31

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh handed over loans worth Rs. 54,36,000 to selected 45 beneficiaries which included farmers, entrepreneurs and others of different districts at CM’s Secretariat today.

The loan amounts were given to the 34 beneficiaries for pig farming, 10 beneficiaries for dairy farming and one beneficiary for embroidery that included two persons who came on previous Meeyamgi Numit for providing financial assistance under Area Development Scheme. The loan assistance ranging from Rs. 92,000 to Rs. 10 lakhs were provided under the Manipur State Co-operative Bank Ltd.

MLA of Yaiskhul assembly constituency, Th. Satyabrata, principal secretary, Vineet Joshi and officials of Manipur State Co-operative Bank Ltd were present during the distribution of loans to the beneficiaries.

Speaking to media persons, N. Biren said that the government is for the people and the sole purpose of having a government is to serve the people and work towards development of the state. He mentioned that after meeting different sections of the society on Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders’ Day every month, the government thoroughly discussed with some banks for providing loans to needy people and it was decided that the government would extend financial assistance.

The chief minister mentioned that if the beneficiaries repay the bank loans on time then they would get 50 percent grant or subsidy of the loan amount and they would get more loans in future too. He appealed the beneficiaries to abide the rules and regulations of the banks so that they could repay the loan amount on time. He continued that people of Manipur have the misconception that the bank loans are provided for free and do not have to pay off. People should always remember that the beneficiaries have to repay the loan on time, he added.

Biren also appealed the banks operating in the state to extend help and provide financial assistance to the potential people and entrepreneurs. He said that banks are not only meant for businessmen and government employees. The present government would not tolerate any banks that do not extend their help for the welfare of the people of the state, he added.

He continued that the government has already taken a decision to give government support to the banks that assist economically backward people of the state.

During the programme, the CM also conveyed his best wishes and warm greetings to the people of Manipur for a happy and prosperous New Year.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 31

All Women People Action Committee Against the Brutal Killing of Pravish Chanam will be leaving Imphal tomorrow to push the Centre instruct the Uttar Pradesh government hand over Pravish’s mysterious dead case to CBI.

Briefing media persons today at the residence of late Pravish at Uripok Achom Leikai, the committee’s spokesperson, R.K. Tharaksana said that five representatives of the committee will apprise the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and national leaders to seek their intervention in bring justice for late Pravish.

It is very unfortunate that the UP government still does not hand over Pravish case to CBI though Manipur government has already asked them to hand over the case to CBI, he added.

Though it has been more than 100 days the UP government has been investigating Pravish case, there is no any new status of the case, it stills remained as a mystery, continued Tharaksana.

The five representatives of the committee has assured that they will not stop pressing the central leaders and return back to the state unless the case is been handed over to CBI.

Late Chanam Pravish , 22, son of Chanam Jugindro of Uripok Achom Leikai was travelling from Hydrabad to Delhi on September 7 and stayed at his friend, Ashok Thounaojam’s Safdarjung residence to witness a music concert on September 8 at Noida but went missing from the day of the concert.

On the same day, his brother had lodged a missing case report to the police, but on September 13 police informed that Pravish’s body was cremated as no one came forward to claim the body.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 31

The state level celebration of the Zeliangrong’s post harvest festival Gaan-Ngai was kick-started today at Reangzeang (Ngarian) village, Churachandpur district with much enthusiasm.

Gaan-Ngai is celebrated widely for five days in winter season at Zelaingrong people residing in the three states of Manipur, Assam and Nagaland. It is celebrated with cultural gusto and religious favour.

The festival is celebrated when the granaries are full and the whole villagers are free from agricultural works. They thank the supreme lord Tingkao Raguang and worship Him for his kindness and celebrated with dance and music. Honoring the departed souls of community is the uniqueness of Gaan-Ngai.

The festival began by lighting up the festival torch with the sacred fire produced in traditional method, ho-hoining and offering of holy wine to God and deities. Besides cultural extravaganza sports are the inseparable part of Gaan-Ngai. The winners are offered with local brew with meat and celebrate the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman of state hill areas committee, T. Thangzalam Haokip as chief guest said Gaan-Ngai has been celebrating since time immemorial by Zelaingrong people.

He thanked for the opportunity to participate in the ritual festival. With the inauguration of festival he gave warm wishes to Zelaingrong people to bring peace and harmony.

Vice-chairperson of state disaster management authority, Adim Pamei said the festival is celebrated by Tingkao Raguang Chapriyak (TRC) followers since time immemorial. The inner idea of the festival is to create scared fire to defend from the devil spirits. The festival was organised by union who follow Christianity but with the approach of TRC to chief minister, the festival is celebrated by TRC for the first time. Zelaingrong people are thankful to chief minister for giving the opportunity of celebration to the right owner, Adim added.

Gaan-Ngai festival is also celebrated all over the Zelaingrong people habited areas of the state with joy and fun.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 31

A photographer Lambamayum Kishorjit Meitei who went to take part in National Level Photography contest Dantewada Chattisgarh resorted to escaping by climbing out of the hotel window fearing racial violence against him.

Speaking to media person at Manipur Press Club, Kishorjit, 28, resident of Sagolband Tera Sapam Leirak said that on December 8 the organiser Click Baster or Unexplored Baster had sent him mail informing him of his selection among 30 competitors from 540 entries.

He left Imphal on December 16 for Chattisgarh and reached the next day. The organiser arranged his lodging at Pool Club Hotel or Transit Hostel Dantewada. “On December 20 they announced the final result and I stood in 3rd position”, he shared.

The competition was held for three days and during those days there were cordial relationships between competitors and organisers. However after the declaration of the result their attitude towards me was totally changed. They started addressing me with derogatory terms like ‘chinky, China Man’.

They also started using threatening language while addressing me, he explained.

He said he was frightened as he remembered all past incidents of racial violence, killings, and human trafficking of North Easterner in other part of India. That’s when he started thinking of escaping, he added.

He imagined that if he didn’t run away from them by climbed down from 2nd floor of hotel my parents might see me as a dead body, he continued.

Mother of the victim L. Memton Leima said that the case of murders or any unwanted incidents that is being faced by North Easterner is not a new thing. And so far most of the cases were dumped and culprits didn’t get befitting punishment. So now it is the high time to think about bringing solution so that such merciless incident may not recur, she added.

IMPHAL | Dec 31

On the occasion of New Year, 2018, the chief minister, N. Biren Singh conveyed his heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur.

A release said New Year is an occasion to celebrate and look ahead towards a bright future.  “With the advent of New Year, let us resolve, reaffirm and commit ourselves towards building a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous Manipur,” it said. “May this New Year bring happiness, peace and prosperity in everyone’s lives,” it added.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 31

The Joint CSOs team of the state led by UCM, AMUCO and CCSK had made clear to the central government that feasible solution to the framework agreement cannot be achieved if it affects the territorial and emotional integrity of the state, during the recent campaign in Delhi.

Briefing media persons today at UCM office at Lamphelpat, UCM president, Johnson Elangbam said they have been camping at the national capital over the framework agreement signed between the government of India and the NSCN-IM.

During their campaign they met central government and opposition parties including interlocutor, R.N. Ravi, union home minister, Rajnath Singh and BJP national president, Amit Shah to make them aware that the people of the state will not compromise if the framework agreement affects the integrity of the state, he added.

Johnson said the CSOs team has no objection in the final solution of the framework agreement if it is only within the boundary of Nagaland.

He said Rajnath had assured the CSOs team that there will be no question of redrawing the boundaries of the neighbouring states of Nagaland including Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The opposition leaders of different political parties have assured the team to extend their support regarding the matter. “We met the opposition leaders not for forming alliance with us but to make sure that they respect the state integrity as a leader”, he added.

During the campaign they mentioned that they do not forget about the sacrifice of 18 lives on June 18, 2001 for extending the cease fire without territorial limit between the NSCN-IM and government of India against the wishes of the people of the state, he continued.

Stating that according to the central government the framework agreement will not affect to the integrity of the state he said that the Joint CSOs is all set to fight against central government if the agreement affect the single interest of the state.

IMPHAL | Dec 31

Chief minister, N. Biren Singh today said that as he assured earlier to the people of the Chandel district, the Imphal-Chandel Bus Service under the Manipur State Transport (MST) will be started from New Year day onwards and the Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Tengbang (Health Insurance Scheme for BPL families) will be launched on coming ‘Meeyamgi Numit’, which is on January 15, 2018.

The chief minister was disclosing his new initiatives while extending best wishes to the people of the state for New Year 2018 through electronic media at CM’s Complex today. While extending his gratitude to public and CSOs for their cooperation to the new government, N. Biren appealed the people to come to the negotiating table before launching an agitation. He reiterated that the government would always open the door to have dialogues whenever there is any problem or grievance of the people.

Stressing on the government’s initiatives so far and more to be taken up towards bringing egalitarian development and corruption free society, N. Biren said that a separate Police Station which would only deal corruption cases of the State Vigilance Commission would be opened in January 2018. Another speaking order regarding the conservation and protection of Agricultural lands will also be issued soon, he added.

He also informed that the centre has agreed the proposal regarding Imphal-Behiang Road as the 2nd corridor for connecting with South East Asia and the conversion of Singhat to Behiang section as National Highway which would improve the living condition of the people of Churachandpur in general and those living along this route.

The state is heading towards a totally electrified state with electrification of 57 villages and more to be electrified by March 2018, added N. Biren.

He told that toilets will be constructed during 2018 so that every household and community centres will be having toilet facility in the state. Mentioning that the state government is committed to implement all the Central schemes, the CM also informed that construction of nearly 10,000 houses under PMAY is being targeted to complete by March 2018. He continued that construction of Women’s Markets in Hills districts would be completed within January 2018 and the work of Tamenglong Water Supply Scheme under NLCPR would start soon.

Under education sector, the CM said the government would implement soon the Manipur Private Schools (Registration and Regulation) Act and Manipur Private Coaching Centres Act. He also instructed the SCERT, Manipur to include the history of Manipur in the school syllabus that narrates the age old relation between hill and valley people.

1. Biren also informed that under the social security schemes, the government has been able to provide help to the poor and needy under Chief Ministergi Sotharabashinggi Tengbang, which was launched recently. He also expressed his happiness that with the opening of Fast Track Court for crime against women and Toll free women Help Line number, cases of violence against women would be able to deal effectively.

Expressing his gratitude to the people of the state for giving their faith to the new government which is hardly nine months old, the CM once again appealed to continue their support and cooperation in the coming year too and make Manipur a peaceful and harmonious state.

IMPHAL | Dec 31

The Kuki Students’ Organisation, Bungpi Block has alleged that ministers are withholding teachers’ salaries of six ADCs and educations department, hills of Manipur for the unsettled 10 percent amount.

A release alleged that the finance minister and tribal affairs minister were engaged in blackmailing and harassing the six autonomous district councils, demanding to settle the amount with five percent respectively, for releasing of funds meant for the education department of six ADCs. In this regard, different CSOs in the hills of Manipur alleged that the state government is misusing their authority in their hands exercising different techniques to seize some of the amount of the developmental funds allocated for the ADCs, the release said.

Despite the governor of Manipur’s order for releasing the salaries of government employs before December 18, the finance minister and minister of tribal affairs and hills have completely ignored the governor’s order and went ahead with their selfish motives which resulted in the non-payment of teachers’ salaries of six ADCs of hills till date, the release further alleged.

The organisation has condemned the government’s indifferent attitude towards the ADCs which is considered as a step motherly treatment and is the main hurdle in different sphere of developmental activities, the release continued. KSO has further appealed that the state government to work sincerely for the progress of the hill people respecting the true nature of the autonomous bodies, and release the funds timely, it added.