Manipur News

IMPHAL | Aug 3

Several individuals and organisations have been donating funds to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the flood victims in the State.    

 Today as well, education (S) department, SSA and RMSA and The Manipur Women’s Co-Operative Bank Limited donated Rs. 9, 07,105 and Rs. 50,000 respectively to the relief fund.

The amounts were handed over to the chief minister, N. Biren Singh in a simple ceremony held at the CM’s secretariat. The chief minister expressed gratitude to all the organisations and individuals who had contributed generous donations to CMRF for flood victims so far.

From A Correspondent

THOUBAL | Aug 3

Police remand was extended for 15 days to Waikhom Sobhachandra, his father W. Ibungcha and mother W. Laskhmi, over the alleged suicide of Waikhom Ongbi Bina Devi (30), wife of Sobhachandra, who was found dead in a suspicious manner on July 27.

The suspects were brought to CJM Thoubal court for the second time today, where police remand was extended for 15 days in order to continue further investigations. Bina was found dead after allegedly consuming poison at the residence of her husband, Sobhachandra at Thoubal Achouba Pakhangkhong Leirak, Thoubal.

Upon getting information that the suspects will be brought to court, meira paibis and club members from the parental residence of the victim, Yairpok Bishnunaha Mayai Leikai stormed the gate of the court shouting slogans that justice must be delivered and the guilty must be punished.

A huge ruckus followed with the police and the mob.

An angry protester expressed that the suspects cannot be released without trial, and the request made by the meira paibis of Thoubal Achouba Pakhangkhong Leirak to release the 3 suspects must be denied. The alleged suicide by the victim is baseless and her murderers must be immediately punished, added the protester.

It may be mentioned that the three suspects were arrested on July 29, to carry out investigations after the father of the victim filled a report, suspecting of murder.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 3

The Manipur State Disaster Management Authority will start inspecting of weak and old buildings as a preventive measure to minimise damages during earthquakes.

A mock drill of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was conducted today at the 1st MR ground today to make the SDRF team more effective in their duties.

Speaking to media persons State Disaster Management, vice-chairman, Adim Pamei said that as the state is an earthquake prone zone, it is highly required to check the weak buildings so that they can warn the owners that their buildings need reconstruction as a preventive measure.

He blamed the previous government for not making SRDF fully functional though they are one of the important departments and take a big roles in fighting man-made and natural disasters.

As SRDF has lacked of manpower, vehicles, accommodation, equipment and vehicles he hopes that the chief minister N. Biren who is the chairman of State Disaster Management will take appropriate actions to meet the needs of SRDF.

Adim said, “We should not concentrate only on relief, but should also concentrate on management to prevent from the disaster.”

As a part of preventive measures the state disaster management team will inspect weak spots in the river banks in order to prevent from breaching of the banks, added Adim.

The vice-chairman asked the SRDF team to work with dedication and team spirit in helping the people during man-made and natural disaster.

The untrained personal of SRDF will be sent to NCDC, Nagpur or to NEPA, Shillong for training, he added.

Doctor clarifies that 3 percent error in testing occurs

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 3

At least three percent of blood tests conducted at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) via the ‘slide’ method are bound to go wrong, it is not a credible report and authentication must be done through the tubing method, a doctor of the institute maintained.

A woman had tested her blood at RIMS on July 27 and the result declared ‘O’ positive. But, she conducted another tests at a private facility as she doubted the RIMS result. The patient named Puspa from Langol Games Village conducted tests at Raj Medicity and Langol View Clinic. The reports of the private hospitals said ‘A’ positive.

Imphal Free Press approached the RIMS head of blood transfusion, Dr A. Birendra Sharma about the result and he stated that the slide method of testing blood is subject to error. Despite the RIMS certification of the blood test signed by the concerned laboratory technician and the medical officer, the certificate is not reliable. This point was stated by Dr Birendra.

He mentioned that this ‘slide’ test is conducted by at least 50 persons on a daily basis for various reasons including application of driving license, school admission etc at the Out Patients Department.

He mentioned that the error is due to the chemical used in testing the blood being exposed to room temperature for hours or due to manual fault. The potency of the reagent may decrease and affect the outcome of the result, he said.

Further, he owned up the fact that during blood donation drives, similar errors occurred because the test is done for quick disposal and the report has to be given fast. He, however, maintained that the slide test cannot be official for any operations involving blood transfusion and a valid test will be done before the patient is operated upon. And if there is no means to verify the blood group,  ‘O’ positive can be given to any individual as an emergency procedure, Birendra said.

He clarified that the certificate may cause confusion to patients and a disclaimer will be added to the certificate in future stating that the test result, conducted at the OPD is subject to error.

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG |Aug 3

 With an aim to free tuberculosis (TB) in the district, under TB India Free campaign, TB Active Case Finding (ACF)  has detected new 5 (five) cases of tuberculosis in Tousem sub-division.

 Just barely after 10 days of forming Tuberculosis Active Case Finding at the office chamber of deputy commissioner of Tamenglong, active case finding team has gone to highly suspected villages in Tousem sub-division.

 The team headed by Dr Guidiathiu Kamei, district tuberculosis officer of Tamenglong along with K. Deben Singh, ACSM officer, RNTCP Manipur had detected 4 new cases of tuberculosis from two villages including Rani Gaidinliu village Longkao (Nungkao) Part-I and Part-III and one case was found out under AWARE.

Out of the five new cases two are male and three others are female between the ages of 30 to 50.

 Disclosing this to the media at press meet held at the conference hall of the DC, Dr. Guidiathiu Kamei, said that the team has screened 2522 persons and tested 63 persons on suspicion, and finally five new cases were detected with positive case.

 One ASHA has been appointed as DoTs provider and required medicines has been given, he informed.

 The reasons for highly detected tuberculosis in Rani Gaidinliu village could be old way of dwelling house construction, mal nutrition and etc., he said.

 He said that the active case finding team has found the living standards of the villagers are extremely poor and practicing the old traditional ways of living. Poor water supply, minimal lighting and poor ventilation in their home are main concerned, he added.

Dr Guidiathiu Kamei also informed that the team had conducted awareness at Longkao government school, and poster campaign was also held during their visit in the remote villages of Tousem sub division.

 He went on to say that the road connectivity was so poor that even the team’s vehicle had trouble passing through it.

The officials had to get down and push the vehicles to pass and clear landslide debris, he lamented.

 Armstrong Pame, DC of the district congratulated and appreciated the team and asked the CMO Tamenglong and his team to submit in writing what could be taken to minimise the disease in the district.

 Regarding, bad houses or old way of living, the DC said that during his posting as sub- divisional officer at Tousem he had given IAY scheme to particular village to construct dwelling house but the beneficiary sold away the GI sheets. People had to change their altitude, he added.

S Khupboi Aimol, SDO Tousem, Kachamthai, SDO Tamenglong, Dr Chambo Gonmei, CMO Tamenglong, Namlalung Gangmei, SDC Tamenglong HQs and staffs of district tuberculosis department also attended the press meet.

IMPHAL | Aug 3

The House passed the Dhanamanjuri University Bill, 2017 today. The Bill was moved by education minister Th. Radheshyam. He said that after having a thorough discussion, the State Cabinet on July 28 decided to introduce the Bill during the ongoing Assembly session.

The minister said that the proposal of the Bill is to set up a Cluster University comprising 5 institutions viz, Dhanamanjuri College of Science, Dhanamanjuri College of Arts, Dhanamanjuri College of Commerce, LMS Law College and GP Women’s College, which occupy common, adjoining or neighbouring physical spaces.

He added that the proposal was put up before the Project Approval Board (PAB) of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) on May 13, 2013 and it was approved in 2014.

The existing assets and liabilities, all properties both movable and immovable including land, buildings thereupon, infrastructure etc. along with the rights of all these institutes shall be transferred to Dhanamanjuri University.

The minister continued that the earlier Dhanamanjuri University Bill, 2016 was approved by the Cabinet in its sitting held on August 26, 2016. The draft Bill was introduced on September 2, 2016 and passed on September 5, 2016 by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

However, the governor withheld her assent on April 4, 2017 as the Bill needed some additions and corrections, he added.

As such, the Bill was introduced afresh after making these necessary additions and corrections, he said.

Further he said that as per RUSA guidelines a Cluster University must consist of three to five colleges in other parts of the country and two to three colleges in the Northeast region.

However, he pressed the Union HRD Ministry under the guidance of chief minister N. Biren to increase the number of cluster colleges for Manipur from three to five as a special case.

The minister cautioned that the time given to the State for establishing the varsity under RUSA scheme would lapse if the Bill is not passed during the ongoing Assembly session as three precious years had already been wasted by the State government in the past.

He said that necessary additions and rectifications can always be made later after the University becomes an asset of the State.

Congress MLAs Kh. Joykisan and Surjakumar Okram also took part in the discussion of the Bill.

IMPHAL| Aug 3

Oinam Sawombung Youth Development Club (OSYDC) has said that the five people who died recently after consuming adulterated alcohol were victims of poisoning.

The club urged to stop the online shaming of the victims on social media by spreading false rumours about their drinking habits, said a release. None of the deceased were alcoholics and had no records of being treated at hospitals for liver or stomach problems, it said.

The release continued that they have no history of quarrel with anyone. They were victims of poisoning or food poisoning which can be caused by taking any sorts of adulterated food or drinks, it further said.

The adulterated alcohol was brewed by a Kabui family from Kabui Khul, Leisangkhong and sold by two locals from Sawombung, it added. The authorities concerned must sort out the matter to prevent communal misunderstanding that may rise out of the matter.

The club appealed to the government to help the family of the victims who had passed away due to poisoning and those who are undergoing treatments.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 3

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today assured the House to immediately introduce new bye-laws for building construction in the state over the existing bye-laws under the MAHUD department.

The chief minister, who is also holding the portfolio of relief and disaster management, was responding to queries raised by Opposition during budget discussion.

Biren maintained that the relief and disaster management left no stone unturned and is actively involved in relief and rescue operations in the recent flood despite the fact that it has no adequate man-power.

The department has only 37 specially trained personnel, who are expert in flood fighting and rescue operations.

The personnel mainly comprise of different state forces, impart training to police, CVO and NGO volunteers and scouts etc., and mock drills are conducted regularly, said the chief minister.

Despite the challenges, he said the department had opened a 24X7 helpline to attend to complaints of the general public and co-ordinate with various departments regarding relief and rescue works.

While four MCS officers were entrusted to supervise the co-ordination works, 97 relief camps were immediately opened at different localities of flood affected areas, he asserted.

With regards to distribution of relief and assistance, he said it was normally done through the DCs, SDOs who are responsible for preparation of district level assessment for the lost incurred during the time of flood and natural calamities.

The chief minister also cautioned bureaucrats and officials to give utmost respect to the elected representatives by co-operating with the leaders in times of any calamities.

Pointing out that compensation to be distributed to earthquake victims for the year 2015 is pending with the finance department. He assured the House that a sum of Rs. 14 cores would soon be released for the purpose within couple of days. 

Biren further assured the House to explore avenues to compensate flood affected victim without any more delays.

The House passed four demands amounting to Rs. 975,16,40,00 including stationery and printing Rs. 5,77,26,000, relief and disaster management Rs. 50,75,48,000, economics and statistics Rs. 17,32,45,000 and information technology Rs. 23,66,45,000.

Of the four demands cut motion was raised by the Opposition bench only on relief and disaster management.

The cut motion was raised by Opposition MLAs K. Ranjit Singh, Md. Abdul Nasir, Md. Fajur Rahim and Kh Joykisan Singh.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 3

Chief minister N. Biren Singh, today informed the House that the police department has suspended three police personnel of Andro police station besides transferring the officer-in-charge of the station following the death of a woman inside the police station.

Biren Singh was replying to a call attention motion moved by Opposition MLA, Kh. Joykisan Singh during the ongoing budget session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Further in his clarification with regards to the arrest of the deceased woman, identified as Mutum (O) Indira, Biren revealed that she was arrested for her alleged involvement in the missing of one Sunibala Devi.

Sunibala’s husband lodged a complaint with the police on July 27 and after thorough investigation into the case by the investigation officer (IO) Indira was arrested on August 31.

Unfortunately, Indira was found hung to death inside the toilet of the police station, he said.

The chief minister maintained that taking serious note of the incident which amounts to “custodial death,” swift action was taken by the home department by suspending the police personnel for their incompetency.  

He further informed the House that a magisterial inquiry has been constituted into the incident.

The suspended police personnel include an SI identified as L. Heramani, ASI H. Prakash and women police constable Kh. Soniya Devi.

They were reportedly suspended for misconduct and dereliction of duty on August 1 by an order of the superintendent of police Imphal East, Kabib K.

The officer-in-charge of the Andro police station, inspector Soram Khomba, has been transferred to MPTC while A. Khelendro, inspector MPTC has been posted as new officer-in-charge of Andro police station.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 3

The charge handover programme of the apex body of film fraternity, Film Forum Manipur’s executives was held today at Shankar Talkies, Lamphel and Samjetsabam Mangoljao took charge as the new chairman of the forum.

In a brief chat with the Imphal Free Press, the newly elected chairman, Mangaljao said that as the new chairman he would first of all correct the affiliation in art and culture department to Department of Information and Public Relation (DIPR). He said that film department is supposed to be affiliated to DIPR and instead is affiliated to art and culture department.

He maintained that he would try his best to implement the cine policy in the state, which has not yet been materialised till date.

The forum had many times requested the state government to implement this policy but the government had never given a positive response, he said.

If this policy is implemented in the state, the actors, directors, cameramen and those who are working in the film fraternity will be better placed, he said.

The forum is made up of 12 guilds including the guilds of actors, singers, directors and others. As a new chairman, he said he will try to expand the market of Manipuri films in the country and also to the neighbouring countries of the state including Myanmar, Thailand and Bangladesh with English subtitles.

He also mulled over the idea of installing cinema theatre in major shopping centres of the state. When asked about the Manipuri films not winning any national award this year in feature film category, he said most of the films are produced for commercial turn over.

He said under his chairmanship  he would try to make good films as much as possible.

Mangoljao, who started his film career in 1978, in a light mood shared that one of his best films would be ‘Lalasi Pal’. His next movie due to be released is “Korounganba Part-2” in which he is casted as the father-in-law of his real daughter.

The general election to the executive body of the forum was held on July 31. Along with Mangoljao, Khwairakpam Bishwamitra was elected as vice chairman-I, R.K. Homen as vice chairman-II, Ngangbam Ghanashaym as secretary general, Waikhom Gojen Meitei as finance secretary, Rakesh Naorem as secretary information and publicity, Laishram Premananda as joint secretary-I, Oinam Gautam as joint secretary-II and Thounaojam Mahes as joint secretary-II, respectively.