Day: December 2, 2011

IMPHAL, December 2: In the wake of various militant outfits under the Coordination Committee and the URF/KCP boycotting the December 3 visit of the Prime Minister and UPA chairman to the state, the state government has already taken up stringent security measures in the Greater Imphal area since yesterday.

According to a reliable source, security forces have been placed at some 173 different locations around the Greater Imphal area, while another 61 mobile teams have been formed as part of security preparation. The state has further formed 54 temporary security posts in the Greater Imphal area.

Meanwhile, the state home department has further instructed the state DGP, IGP (ops), DIG zone I to inspect the security deployment starting from Friday night, the source informed.

Further according to the source, the state chief secretary further chaired a meeting and considered the various schemes to be represented before the Prime Minister tomorrow to be announced as PM package. The schemes were further finalized by a cabinet meet late this evening to be submitted to the Prime Minister tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the chief secretary has officially instructed all government employees in the secretariat and head of departments to attend the public meeting at Kangla and to be seated at the venue atleast 45 minutes before the arrival of the Prime Minister. The chief secretary has further instructed the heads of departments to instruct all officers and employees of the deprtment under their control to attend the meeting.

A separate official order issued by the commissioner GAD, government of Manipur has stated that any officers/employees who are willing to halt the night on December 2 in their respective offices will be provided food/meal by the GAD for employees of the Manipur secretariat.

It has further warned that failure to attend office will be viewed seriously and dies non principle will be applied and no pay shall be granted to the defaulting staff.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/heavy-security-deployment-in-and-around-greater-imphal/

IMPHAL, Dec 2: Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Manipur has condemned the state government for delay in the construction of Barrack Valley suspension bridege and also decried misappropriation of fund for the construction of road between Katang and Maguilong villages in between Manipur and Nagaland.

Speaking to media persons after inspecting the construction work of Barrack Valley suspension bridge, chairman of Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Stephen stated that the contractor has not taken up the road construction work properly and as a result the road in between Katang and Maguilong is in a deplorable condition.

The construction of Barrack Valley bridge was started in 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.59 crore under the agency of one special contractor, but it is still under the initial stage.

Stephen further appealed to the authorities concerned to expedite the development works and ensure better living condition to the people of Zeliangrong region.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/zsu-decries-misappropriation-of-development-fund/

IMPHAL, Dec 2 (NNN): The JAC against the killing of Md. Kora, who was killed in a bomb blast on November 30, has today threatened the state government that it would call a 24-hour bandh if its demands are not met on or before December 6.

The JAC has already submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister in connection with the incident wherein it expressed its demands.

The state government should book the culprits on or before December 15 and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh should be given to the bereaved family of Kora and also a suitable government job should be provided to the family, said JAC convenor, Jakir Hussain at a press conference at Manipur Press club here today.

He also said the JAC will not take the corpse of Kora until and unless the state government comes up with a positive response.

Kora had no link with any underground organizations and he was an innocent rickshaw puller who struggled hard for his life and family, the deceased’s elder daughter had claimed.

The rickshaw puller, Kora died in a bomb blast November 30 outside the main venue of Sangai festival 2011 at Hatta Kangjeibung here. Five persons, including two women were also wounded in the explosion.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/jac-demands-rs-10-lakh-and-job-as-compensation-for-kora/

NEW DELHI , December 2 (MIC): In the meeting jointly chaired by the Union Minister of State of Women & Child Development and the Union Minister of State of DONER & Parliamentary Affairs held here on the occupancy of Working Women’s Hostel for NE Region at Jasola in New Delhi, following decisions were arrived at to facilitate cent percent utilization of capacity of 501 beds created at Jasola Hostel, New Delhi.

The Principal Resident Commissioner of Sikkim, other Principal Resident Commissioners and Resident Commissioners or their representatives of North Eastern States were unanimous in their view that the proposed rent of Rs.2,800/- per month per bed was not affordable and should be reduced to Rs.1500/- per month per bed as a special case.  The difference of Rs.1300/- may be met by the Government in the Ministry of Women & Child Development and Ministry of DONER either directly or through NEC.  It was agreed that this request could be considered provided the State Governments of North Eastern States were in a position to guarantee cent percent utilization collectively and at the same time each of the eight States would give its confirmed requirement of the beds.  Collectively, they would cover all the 501 beds available in the Hostel.

In that event of the number of beds utilized by any of these states falls short of the committed numbers, the state government should bear and provide for the rent for the unoccupied beds from its budget every month.

The decision to reduce the rent to Rs.1500/- per month from Rs.2800/- per month, could remain in force for two years to begin with.  After that, this would be reviewed looking to the actual occupancy during this period and demand at that time.

It was decided that the women students from North Eastern States include those studying in coaching institutions, trainees, interns, researchers as well as self employed persons would be accommodated upto 30% of the total beds available in the Jasola  Hostel as a special case.

The Principal Resident Commissioners, Resident Commissioners and their representatives tentatively indicated the number of beds for their state during the discussion as 125 for Assam, 50 for Arunachal Pradesh, 75 for Sikkim , 25 for Meghalaya, 50 for Nagaland, 90 for Mizoram, 50 for Manipur which could go upto 200 and 25 for Tripura.

It was decided that the state government concerned would confirm the numbers and in case or change, give the revised numbers by December 5, 2011. In the event of no response from them, the numbers should be taken as final.

During the discussion, it was clarified that the mess facility at the Hostel was optional.  But cooking in the room by the resident was not allowed.  The mess facility charges would, however, be additional to rent and would be shared by the residents in a proportion to be determined by the Manager of the Hostel looking to the actual bill received every month.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/monthly-rent-of-ne-working-womens-hostel-at-new-delhi-to-be-reduced-to-rs-1500/

IMPHAL, Dec 2 (NNN): Describing the proposed visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi as a poll gimmick, the state BJP today strongly demanded that the status of “Supra-State Body” should be clarified to the public by the Prime Minister during his visit to Manipur on December 3 if he is sincere enough on the issue.

Making a veil attack on UPA government at the centre, Manipur state unit BJP president S. Shantikumar, while making announcement of Dr. Nando joining the party during a simple function at its office here, said not a single leader from UPA government have neither visited Manipur nor a single word was spoken about the hardships faced by the people during the over three-month long economic blockade and counter economic blockade imposed by Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and United Naga Council (UNC).

“Now Prime Minister Dr. Manmohasn Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are visiting the state for inauguration of a few buildings at a time when elections are round the corner which is a ploy to throw dust in the public eyes”, Shantikumar alleged.

Reiterating that the “closed door meeting” between the Union home minister and leaders of UNC during the Manipur visit of the former last month is “still in the dark”, the Manipur Pradesh BJP president demanded it should also be detailed by the two leaders during their trip to the state, the Manipur Pradesh BJP president demanded.

He also said the Guwahati based Seven Sister Post had rejected the statement made by home minister P Chidambaram on the issue of Supra-state body. The Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government has also maintained a complete silence on it till now as if it does not aware anything on the matter. The state government should also come clear on the issue, Shantikumar insisted.

Dr. Nando, who joined BJP on Friday, will contest the upcoming polls to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly from Uripok Constituency. Apart from Shantikumar, other state BJP leaders were also present at the function.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/state-bjp-dismissess-pm-and-upa-chairpersons-visit-as-political-gimmick/

IMPHAL, Dec 2: A five-day long photo exhibition on the theme ‘Development Initiatives in North East’ was set into motion today at the Manipur Press Club. The exhibition which would continue till December 6 is being organized by the Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity (DAVP), ministry of Information & Broadcasting, government of India, Imphal with the help of All Manipur Working Journalist’ Union.

According to an official press release, rolling the motion for the five-day long exercise, Genneikhup Vaiphei, executive member, ADC/Churachandpur, who graced the occasion as chief guest outlined the 16 flagship programs of the central government. Arguing that New Delhi is doing much for the people of the region, Genneikhup Vaiphei, quoting the proverbial ‘out of sight, out mind’ said that the photos being displayed stands testimony of the initiatives of the Central Government.

Further according to the release, while narrating the success story of various centrally-sponsored projects in the North East, especially in Manipur, Vaiphei said that central schemes such as MGNREGS has been able to subside the difficulties of the people due to ‘mautam’ (bamboo flowering) in the later part of 2000s in the hill areas of the state.

Inspired by the collection of photos, Genneikhup Vaiphei said that photo exhibition is a forceful medium to disseminate information to the public. ‘The effort of DAVP in organizing exhibition of this type will pave way for better dissemination of information that will bridge the gap of information between the government and the public,’ said the young politician, who resigned from the prestigious banking service to work for people’s welfare, the release added. 

‘This exhibition brings me to other states without actually going around. Some of the photographs shows real picture of what the government intends for the people of the Northeast. I am excited by such development programs’ noted A Mobi, president, All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), who attended the function as guest of honour, the release added.

Whilst suggesting for inclusion of photographs that tells the other side of the story such as bad road conditions etc, Mobi also called upon the public to invoke RTI Act to know about the various development projects that are undertaken in the state.

Further according to the release, welcoming the exhibition, Rosy, a college-going student, said that ‘the photos that are being displayed systematically have given me more knowledge and wisdom.’ ‘I am more closer to the people of the Northeast like never than before’ said another visitor.

The Field Exhibition Office, DAVP, Imphal organizises photo exhibition round the year in order to disseminate information about the pace of various developmental projects undertaken by the government of India in the North east. In May, a three-day photo exhibition was organized at Tamenglong headquarters. In June, Kakching in Thoubal district have seen five-day exhibition. Kwakta & Moirang in Bishnupur district witnessed five-day exhibition each in the month of August. In October, a five-day exhibition was organized at Bunglon High School and another five-day exhibition at Loktak Project. Development photos also enthralled Leimakhong residents in November for five days, the release added.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2011/12/manipur-press-club-comes-alive-with-development-photo-exhibition/