Manipur News

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 24

The 3rd state level open debating competition was held today at L.M.S. Law College, Chingmeirong on the motion “The forthcoming final agreement between NSCN-IM and Government of India will bring prosperity to the Naga people.”

The debate was won by against motion through voice vote. Leishangthem Lamyanba, student of LMS College got the first position arguing against motion.

Khelen Thokchom, special correspondent of The Telegraph attended the function as chief guest and jury member of the competition. Giving his chief guest speech he said that this topic is one of the most critical and debatable. The political trend and social standing among other factors, have been changing the scenario of the state, he said.

He also encouraged students to take active part in such competitions, as these are platforms essential for students to grow and learn outside the four walls of the classrooms.

Lecturer of L.M.S. Law College, Ch. Narendra and principal of the college, Md. Salatur Rahaman attended the function as guests of honour and president respectively.

The competition was participated by students from Thoubal College, Manipur University, DM College of Arts and T.G. Higher Secondary School among others.

The 2nd state level debating competition was also won by Leishangthem Lamyanba, on the motion ‘Indian government use AFSPA to distance Manipur and J&K from mainland India.’

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 24

The Joint Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations appealed to the chief minister, N. Biren, to sign the contractual agreement with regards to the appointment of a joint director of tribal research institute (TRI) before November 28.

While speaking to media persons here at Manipur Press Club, the Committee’s convenor, R. Asing, said that eight tribal organisations of Manipur have submitted a representation to the government for securing proper functioning of the TRI with a 5-day deadline.

He said despite 14 days having passed since the submission of the representation, they haven’t received any official positive response form the government.

Asing mentioned that due to this the department has remained paralyse and defunct, and the tribal public have been facing immense difficulties.

Dr. Gaikhamsin Riamei was appointed as the joint director in the office of Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong, Imphal on December 2016 he asserted. He was given the appointment in accordance with recommendation of DPC/Selection Committee he added.

The convenor said his appointment on competitive merit is statutory and cannot be deviated.

He mentioned that Dr.Gaikhamsin Diamei has submitted two petitions for signing of contract agreement with the department and joined the office but the department has failed to give him any positive response and this is unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Asing said the joint coordinating committee has demanded the government for decentralisation of power and funds to develop the tribal areas. He lamented that as of now various schemes have been allotted by the Centre only to the districts in the valley.

The coordinating committee said the government is also disinclined to make e-payment that the government of India has made mandatory in all welfare and subsidy schemes, so that the leakages can be plugged.

The joint coordinating committee also appealed to the government to intervene in the end of justice. If the government fails to meet their demand, the joint committee will resort to a 48-hour bandh in all the hill districts from the midnight of November 28.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 24

The fourth day of cultural evening of the on-going Sangai festival was held in a grand manner at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre today.

Artistes from other countries came to take part and witness the programme. Troupes from Laos and Zimbabwe also performed cultural dances at the event. Other interesting cultural performances were showcased by artistes from Assam and Odisha.

Artistes from Tangkhul community of Ukhrul, Hmar community from Churachandpur, Thangta by artistes of The Divine Universe Human Unit Cultural Academy and others enthralled the evening cultural programme. MAHUD minister Th. Shyamkumar, chairman of Hill Areas Committee, Thangzalam Haokip, Sagolband MLA, R.K. Imo Singh, Tipaimukh MLA, Chaltonlien Amo among others, attended the function as special guests.

It can be mentioned that cultural evenings are held at BOAT everyday with important officials of the state attending as special guests. Yesterday, on the 3rd day, works minister Thongam Biswajit, MP of Lok Sabha, T. Meinya and others attended.

It will be held till the last day of the festival and various cultural events will be performed by artistes from the state and from outside the state too.

From Our Correspondent

UKHRUL | Nov 24

Ukhrul District has been without power supply since the death of one villager from New Canaan yesterday, who was electrocuted while picking parkia (yongchak) at Shokvao village.

The deceased Likeson, a labourer at Shokvao village, was electrocuted while climbing a parkia tree at early morning of November 23. District administration of Ukhrul reportedly held a meeting with family members of the deceased and the authorities of Shokvao.

The power supply in Ukhrul was cut off since yesterday morning after the incident. Complaint reports are pouring in, especially from parents whose wards are giving their final school examinations, an official informed on condition of anonymity.

Kasom Tang, Hunphun chairman Chonmi Raleng, expressing sadness at the sudden demise of Likeson by electrocution appealed to the concerned department to make necessary clearance of line for immediate supply of power in the district. He added that the negligence of duty by the department in clearing the line led to this incident. He also blamed the department for shutting down the power supply continuously for two days.

Unconfirmed reports say that a transmission team from Imphal reached Ukhrul late in the evening today and will take the necessary actions.

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Nov 24

Around 500-600 tin of ready to harvest paddy was completely set ablaze by unknown miscreants on November 22 evening at Saikul Hill town. The entire ripen paddy was found burnt to ashes on the next day by farmer of the town, Jacob Hmangte in the morning.

The jobless farmer, Jacob cultivated the paddy field of around one Pari (2.5 Acre), harvesting 500-600 tin of paddy annually on lend system. He has no source of income and solely depend on the paddy cultivation while the annual harvest of their yearlong cultivation is their only hope and survival.

While speaking to media, Jacob said that he had spent lots of money and man power apart from other miscellaneous labour throughout the year in cultivating the paddy. However, despite all such suffering, harvesting was carried on but all his is hope has gone now along with the paddy which was burnt down, he added.

He said that he went to his paddy field only to witness his ripen paddy but found burnt down to ashe, which made him completely lost consciousness. Later, women of Saijang poured him and he regained his unconsciousness.

He also said that he is a poor farmer who lives with his wife and four daughters apart from his mother and he has no clue as to why such inhumane act has been done to him.

Jacob also said that the miscreants who have committed the heinous crime should be punished according to the law of the land and further appealed the authority concerned and state government to take care of the current situation.

Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai and CVOs Saikul incuding KSO Saikul Block visited the paddy field of Jacob and consoled him while motivating him to strong enough to bear the unfortunate incident.

The Kuki Inpi and CVOs Saikul also sought for immediate attention of the state government to help the poor farmer in providing immediate relief over the unfortunate tragedy while condemning the incident in the strongest term.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 24

Every visitor at the Sangai Festival Hapta Kangjeibung venue is being overwhelmed by a flower show staged there. The site of this show has become a centre of attraction at the venue.

Eco-Tourism Me which is an NGO located at Purul in Senapati district took the responsibility of this flower show.

Most of the flowers are indigenous but there are some exotic varieties too such as hollow log mosses, American grass, banana tree etc. Despite limitation of space earmarked for the show, the décor and landscaping is exceptional, showcasing hillocks, huts, waterfalls, caves, stones, statues etc.

Talking to IFP, one of the members of Eco-Tourism Me Y. Dyaho said, “We have done this flower show before in our district. Tourism Department approached us to participate in Sangai Festival for the first time and here we are.”

He said all the motifs, to the extent possible, are drawn from hill tribal villages.

Explaining further he said “only two statues were made up of plastic, the rest are only natural things.”

Pointing out the statues, he said one depicts western culture and the other traditional. “The traditional one represents Poumei tribe,” he added.

We keep snakes and tigers inside, and a head-hunter at the exit point of caves. This shows that all of them live together without harming or attacking one another, he said. He further said that people wanted to buy everything on display. But for now we are not ready to sell them. On the last day of Sangai Festival we are planning to put them on sale.

“I really like this flower show. In spite of using a smart phone, I have never taken a photograph in my life. But somehow today I felt the urge to take photograph of everything on display in this room,” a woman in her 60s, greatly impressed by the show, said.

Another viewer said that it is for the first time he saw many of the flowers on display. “This is very unique and it really impressed me,” he said.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Nov 24

After being nominated yesterday in the category of Cultural Diversity Award under the patronage of UNESCO of the prestigious 11th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), Brisbane, Manipuri film ‘Loktak Lairembi’ was announced to be in the Special Mention in the category.

Awards in APSA are considered to be the Academy Awards of the Asia Pacific region. There were 41 films from 21 countries and areas of the Asia Pacific region that have received nominations in 2017, including the first nomination for a film from Bhutan. ‘Loktak Lairembi’ directed by Haobam Paban Kumar was one among the prestigious films to have been recognised and given special mention.

Indian films which have nominations in APSA, included two nominations for Manipuri film ‘Loktak Lairembi’, which also included for Shehnad J Jalal in best cinematography. Filmmaker, Sanal kumar Sasidharan was also nominated for best director for the film ‘Sexy Durga’. However, Amit V Masurkar and Mayank Tewari won the best screenplay award for the film ‘Newton’, along with best actor award by Rajkummar Rao in the same film.

Chairman of Asia Pacific Screen Awards and its Academy, Michael Hawkins said that amongst the nominees there are not only a great number of newer filmmakers, but also a large number of filmmakers who are already a part of the growing Asia Pacific Screen Academy, which was created precisely to encompass and connect the large body of talented filmmakers in the Asia Pacific region.

The nominations were drawn from the 298 films that were in competition for APSA. The nominees were decided by the International Nominations Council from 47 Asia Pacific countries and areas. Across all awards and achievements throughout, the films were judged by two international juries, with films from Australia, Japan and People’s Republic of China in the nomination tally with six each.

IMPHAL | Nov 24

Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) and Town Planning Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar today conducted a surprise inspection at various market areas. The inspection comes after his repeated appeal to the shopkeepers to cooperate with the State Government to keep the Imphal city clean.

Speaking to the media persons after the inspection, MAHUD minister Th. Shyamkumar said the inspection will continue in market areas in Imphal city. Similar drive will be also carried out in other Municipal Council areas, he said.

Th. Shyamkumar asked the shopkeepers to clear the footpath so that there can be free movement for pedestrians in the market. Legal action will be taken against the shopkeepers violating the instructions, he added.

He said as the rainy season has ended, his department will take up work regarding proper maintenance of footpath, action against illegal constructions, proper diversion of drainage water among others.

MAHUD Minister announced that vendors without valid licence will not be allowed to continue their business.

He asked the shopkeepers and vendors, including mobile vendors not to pollute and choke the rivers by throwing garbage. He said the pollution of Nambul River is further leading to the pollution and choking of Loktak Lake.

During the inspection today, shopkeepers were asked to remove their belongings/goods kept at the footpath and clean the surroundings of their shops. MAHUD Minister once again appealed to the shopkeepers to keep dustbin and clean their respective areas to avoid legal action. He further appealed to the public and vendors to cooperate with the Imphal Municipality Corporation (IMC).

MAHUD and Town Planning Minister Th. Shyamkumar today inspected the shops and the surrounding areas in Majorkhul, Thangal Bazar, Kasturi Bridge, Nagamapal area, Ima Market and Masjid Road.