Manipur News

IMPHAL | Sept 4

The Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) has extended supports the nation-wide movement of ‘Court Arrest Programme’ on the day of teachers’ day celebration to protest against the apathetic attitude of Central government. 

A release by the general secretary of the association, L. Bishwanath Sharma said it strongly support the movement launched by demands by Federation of Central University Teachers Associations and All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organisations and their demands.

MUTA had already expressed solidarity to the movement by observing ‘Black Day’ on August 22, it said.

In continuation of our journey towards the standing goal, the secretary on behalf of the MUTA humbly appealed to all the members for their co-operation and solidarity by abstaining from the nation-wide observation of teachers’ day celebration on September 5. 2017.

From Our Correspondent

MOREH | Sept 4

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to Myanmar, two diesel tankers carrying 40 thousand litres altogether were delivered to Myanmar for the first time.

In a programme held today at the Land customs office, Moreh gate no. 1, the oil tankers provided by Numaligrah Refinery Limited (NRL) were handed over to Parami energy services co. Ltd Myanmar. 

The programme was attended by CGM (HR) NRL, AK. Bhattadharya, director (T) NRL, BJ. Phukan, director (F) NRL, SK Barna from India and finance manager, U kyaw htay, senior manager, U win myint, manager of projects, U khin Mg Myint and management head of services, U Soe Win.     

SK Barna told the media on the simple ceremony of handling over of oil, that the diesel provided today was the first consignment. In the future, India and Myanmar will work together regarding matters related to oil.

From Our Correspondent

LAMKA | Sept 4

An alleged cadre of UG involving in a crime of killing his commander in-chief was detained today under National security Act (NSA), 1980 by order of Churachandpur District Magistrate which came after a dossier prepared by SP of Churachandpur.

The alleged cadre of KNLF identified as Ngamminlien Haokip alias Diamond (23), who is involved in four FIR cases, including killing of its commander in-chief, (L) Lalmoi Haokip last months at Tuibong, Churachandpur, was ordered to be detained today under NSA, 1980 by District Magistrate Churachandpur after his police remand period was over.

It may be worth mentioning that any detainee under NSA has to spend one year in jail at a stretch without any bail and the order of NSA can only be challenged in front of advisory board of high court after expiry of six weeks.

In another related news from the police department of Churachandpur district under its SP, Rakesh Balwal of Drug Cell, a team of Drug Cell, Ccpur and Ccpur police station led by SI Thanglianmang Paite seized liquors during a raid conducted at New Bazar area and picked up one shopkeeper in the process from whom they seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) this morning.

One hotelier identified as Ibemcha Monalisa of OK Hotel was arrested for selling liquor and was produced before SDM of Ccpur. She was released for good behaviour bond after her signing a bond under 107 of CrPC that she will not repeat the acts in future.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 4

Spiritual leader of Tibetan people, Dalai Lama, is likely to visit Manipur to attend international peace conference in October, said Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker, Y. Khemchand Singh.

Speaking to media persons at his office chamber, the Speaker said he met with the spiritual leader during his recent visit to Dharmasala, Himachal Pradesh to attend a workshop on “Tribal of India and social issues” following an invitation by Kuldeep Agnihotri, vice-chancellor, Himachal University.

Khemchand revealed that during the meeting he personally requested the spiritual leader to visit the state and give message of peace, which according to him is need of the hour.

The Dalai Lama positively responded to my proposal, said Khemchand adding that an international peace conference would be organised in the state.

Khemchand further said that he had talked to Dalai Lama’s secretary and soon an official invitation would be sent to organise the conference in the last week of October.

The Speaker informed that he presided over the workshop which was organised by Himachal University and participated by dignitaries from across the North east.

Citing the land law of Himachal Pradesh which gives protection from non-locals, he expressed the need to carefully digest such laws taking into the issue of protecting indigenous population confronting the state.

IMPHAL | Sept 4

Commerce, industry and textiles minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has strongly instructed handlooms and textiles department officials to follow guidelines of the central sponsored schemes during implementation.

Chairing a monthly review meeting of the department this evening at the conference hall of his new secretariat office, Biswajit explained that decrease in fund flow from the Centre is due to failure of the departments concerned to submit their utilisation certificates in time. He continued if the officials follow the scheme guidelines properly there will be no problem during preparation of utilisation certificate.               

Instructing the officials to ensure proper implementation of the handloom and handicrafts delivery scheme, Biswajit said the government has a stock of 50,000 yarn for distribution to the weavers and Rs 1 crore to buy back of the finished products from the weavers.

According to the officials, as on August 7, a total of 2236 weavers have registered and enrolled under the scheme, whereas the target of the department is to enroll and register 5000 weavers.

The minister also instructed the officials to distribute the remaining solar lamps to the beneficiaries under the solar home lighting system.

During the meeting, the officials apprised the minister that the state level project committee constituted will recommend 80 numbers of cluster development projects under NERTPS, 20 block level cluster under NHDP, one consolidation of 27 clusters under NHDP, two each of mega handloom clusters and handloom parks and 20 numbers of handloom cluster under MSME to the Centre for the year 2017-18 in the Handloom Sector.

Officials also informed that the directorate of handlooms and textiles will propose 20 projects each of handicrafts cluster projects under AVHY, setting up of Common Facility Centres (ITDS), handicraft clusters under MSME and two for mega handicraft clusters under NERTPS and 16 for Technical Training on Handicrafts for SC Artisans.

Biswajit also strongly instructed the officials concerned to submit the list of beneficiaries who have already received the amount sanctioned for procurement of looms but yet to procure the looms.

During the meeting, the minister also discussed the issues of developing hill Haats and Crafts Centre in each districts of the State, setting up of textile workers hostels, establishment of district handlooms and textiles offices, etc.

Today’s meeting was attended by principal secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industries) L. Lakher, director Lamlee Kamei, project manager of all districts and other officials of the department.

Arrest Yumnam Devjit within 48 hours: MMWO

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 4

The Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO) has submitted a complaint against Yumnam Devjit Singh, son of deputy chief minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh at the cyber crime police station today.

The report stated that Devjit on his Facebook wall had posted a “communal statement” and hurt the sentiments of the minority Muslims. The report prayed that necessary action be taken and arrest Devjit under section 153-A, 295 and 295-A of the IPC for insulting religious beliefs.

Devjit had uploaded a post stating “Kurbani Kaina, sha hatpa, mi hatpa heinaba practice touhanbani ni. Atei keim nte” (killing of animals at Qurbani is a practice to be able to kill animal, men and nothing else). This post met with severe criticism in the social media.

President of MMWO Abdullah Pathan said ‘Qurbani is our religious practice. We have submitted a report to the police and seek necessary action within 48 hours for his communal statement,” Pathan said adding that he requests the Muslim people not to retort to his hate post and avoid any communal statements.

“His mental frame is questionable. The deputy chief minister needs to reprimand his son. How can he serve the public when he cannot even bring his own son under control? He should resign on moral grounds,” Pathan added.

He mentioned that the state BJP has not imposed any form of religious dictate in the state like the beef ban and the Muslim community is proud of N. Biren and his political will. But such statement from the son of a political figure is an attempt to spread communal tension which is a crime.

The MMWO has complained to the cyber-crime police today and necessary co-operation is promised from the police, he said adding that the Muslim civil organisations are prepared to commence agitations if action is not taken up.

IMPHAL | Sept 4

The governor Najma Heptulla has extended warm greetings to the people of Manipur, especially the members of the teaching community on the occasion of teachers’ day.

In her message Heptulla said September 5 is celebrated across the country in memory of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan a renowned educationist, scholar and a former President of India on his birth anniversary. Dr. Radhakrishnan recognised the importance of teachers who are the guides and mentors of the youth who are the future pillars of the society.

Every human being has to go through a learning phase and his mentor’s ability will determine the performance of his pupils, the message read, adding the traditional Guru-Shishya parampara has yielded to the present system of schools, colleges and universities with the basic principle of imparting knowledge remaining the same.

The teachers are therefore, the shapers of our future and hence their services need to be acknowledged and I have no doubt that they will continue to strive to provide their services with utmost dedication and devotion, said Heptulla.

Biren promises to enact acceptable law

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 4

Coming out of its hiatus, the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permitt System JCILPS launched its fresh agitation today by taking out a peace rally in Imphal city area demanding a bill to regulate entry by outsiders.

On the other hand chief minister N. Biren Singh today said his government would soon start working on a bill that can safeguard the indigenous people of the state.

“As we are busy with 100 days programme of the government, Budget session and frequent floods in the state the government found little time to look into the bill issue. We will consult all stakeholders and experts so that a bill acceptable to all can be drafted and introduced in the Assembly,” Biren told reporters.

The rally started from the office of JCILPS located at Sega road Konjeng Hajari Leikai with around 120 volunteers. The rally headed to Wahengbam Leikai junction, Khoyathong point, Minuthong bridge, Hatta road, Wangkhei road, Advanced Hospital road and after passing through old Thumbuthong bridge, it passes Keishamthong bridge and culminated at JCILPS office.

Speaking to media persons, convenor of JCILPS, Arjun Telheiba said number of non-locals is becoming equivalent with the population of indigenous people of the state. Markets are becoming captive market by non-locals especially in the city area. Due to the increasing number of non-local population they are becoming majority in some places of the state. As impact of this, it affects the state economically and socially, he added.

He said due to increases population of non-locals, they got the courage to become candidates in elections. Due to their position of majority level they have elected one in the Assembly elections.

To protect the rights of indigenous people government must pass the ILP law at the earliest.

Answering questions, Telheiba said bandh, blockade, strike will not be resorted to as a part of agitation for the implementation of ILP. Agitation from now will not harm any student and public. Agitations like poster campaign, public meeting will be organised at different parts of the state to strengthen the movement of ILP issue, Telheiba asserted.

But, ILP being a public issue which touches the sentiments of public the agitation might become volatile. The bill should be passed during the winter session, he added. 

He further said to strengthen the movement mass public meeting will be organised within this month for all the ethnic groups of the state. The bill on land law does not affect the hill people who are settling in the state since 1951 as base year. The bill is to stop buying and selling of land by non-locals, Telheiba added.

As a movement of inner line permit a public meeting will be organised on September 20 as first step, it will include all the ethnic groups with other civil society organisation, Telheiba claimed.

Court rejects Ningthem’s bail application; several files seized

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 4

A police team led by sub-divisional police officer A. Ghanashyam Sharma today raided the plush home of former project director and presently officer on special duty of Manipur Development Society (MDS) Yambem Ningthem at Lamlongei Maning Leikai, Mantripukhri today.

The raid began at 6 am in the morning and was still continued at the time of filing this report.

The police team was seen talking to Ningthem in the presence of his wife. The police seized several files of MDS projects which were kept at his residence. The police also checked his laptops and searched the contents.

The state vigilance commission had in its inquiry report stated that Ningthem had kept several files pertaining to MDS projects at his residence.

Earlier today the district and sessions judge, Imphal West today issued house search warrant against Ningthem in connection with multi-crore MDS scam.

A case was lodged against Ningthem and five others including former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on September 1, alleging huge financial irregularities totalling Rs.185.79 crores were committed.

The others in the FIR included former chief secretaries, D.S. Poonia, P.C Lawmkunga, O. Nabikishore Singh and also S. Ranjit Singh (administrative officers, MDS).

The FIR was lodged against them by Dr. Th. Muhindro Singh, joint secretary planning, government based on findings of the investigation conducted by the state vigilance commission.

Ghanashyam filed a plea seeking search warrant under section 93 Cr.P.C.

In his plea the SDPO submitted before the court that as per the inquiry report it has been indicated that the official and staff of MDS had not observed prescribed procedures, established norms and extant rules scrupulously, thereby facilitating the misappropriation of government funds of total liabilities of Rs.185.79 crores and prayed for issuing house search warrant.

Having examined the report submitted by the I.O report, the court found “sufficient grounds” for issuing house reach warrant and issued the same.

The same court also today rejected anticipatory bail plea of Ranjit Singh, administrative officers, MDS.

In his bail plea, the accused’s counsel submitted that the petitioner is working as an administrative officer in MDS and that the allegations made against Ranjit were “vague and baseless.”

However, the court observed that charges levelled against the accused are of criminal breach of trust, cheating, conspiracy and criminal misconduct by public servant, which are of serious offences and as such this court is not inclined to entertain the prayers of the accused and thereby rejected the bail plea.

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | Sept 4

Women should fight for their rights and get justice. When a man and woman produce a child, it is their responsibility to take care of the child and not leave them. Greed makes a person the way he behaves.

This was stated by governor Najma Heptulla following the screening of Manipuri feature film, ‘Nangna Kappa Pakchadey – Tears of a Woman’ at the Durbar hall, Raj Bhavan, here today.

Appreciating the works of the producers and the actors, she said that she would try to make some shows outside Manipur. The movie gave a message that women should be independent and not beg for anything, she added.  

She continued the movie focuses on the sufferings of a young village woman and her child left by her husband and denied of her rights. In spite of her young age she took the challenge to take the responsibility of the child and lives for the child. This kind of life, seen in all parts of the country, is the problem of the society, she added.

Further the governor said the film is so beautifully produced and so simple. There is no melodrama but a true story, she added. She also said that she had been working, nationally and internationally, for the empowerment of the women and had come across the same condition in other parts of the world.

Remembering a discussion with an African woman, she said that the woman collects firewood, cooks food, feed the children and husband go into the forest for a long walk and do not work. It is the woman who works. The story was the same everywhere. However, today the things are changing and that is the message of the film, she said.

She also expressed her desire to dub the film into Hindi or other languages instead of English as people in other country will have problem with the language and people will see more.

The film is the 5th production of PK films directed by Makhonmani Mongsaba, produced by Thouyangba and Thoungamba and story by Late Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi. The film, produced in the year 2013, has been screened in many international film festivals and has recently received the special judge award with the title ‘Epic Mirror of the Century’ from Kinshasa International Film Festival (KIFF).

Tonthoi, Denny, Leibakshemba are the lead actors with Sorojini, and Pishak supporting the movie. Many well-known women working in the field of women empowerment and other art lovers attended the screening.