Day: July 29, 2017

IMPHAL | July 29

Consumer affairs and public works minister Karam Shyam launches five kg free trade LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) which will directly benefit the students who came to Imphal for study or the temporary visitors to the state.

The launching programme was held at PCTC Oil pump Khoyathong.

Delivering the chief guest speech Karam Shyam said a state can only be developed when the existing government inspect and measure how far their schemes and their rights have reach to the people. Development can never be attained by building spaceships or war weapons but by ensuring rights and schemes to their people.

Further he said, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2016. It is an ambitious social welfare scheme which aims to provide free LPG connections to BPL households in the country. The scheme is aimed at replacing the unhygienic cooking fuels mostly used in the rural India with the clean and more efficient LPG. This scheme has been implemented in the state.

Now this free trade LPG will also benefit the students and temporary visitors to the state, Karam added.

This five kg LPG will now available at PCTC Oil pump, Lamsang Oil service and Konsam Oil pump. An individual can get the LPG at the mentioned places after giving an identification card.

The price of a five kg LPG including the regulator and pipe will cost Rs 1448 and the refill cost is Rs 300.

The function was also attended by K. Radhakumar commissioner CAF and PD as guest of honour.

IMPHAL| July 29

Irom Bobo (43) was given capital punishment by the proscribed United National Liberation Front yesterday at Pukhrambam Leirak, Sogalband Tera around 7: 40 pm for the alleged crime of raping his 12 year old niece.

In the night of July 1, 2013, Bobo son of I. Kameshore raped the daughter of his wife’s sister at his home, said a release signed Sak-hen, director department of publicity of the outfit.

He committed the crime in the absence of his wife who had gone to visit her in-laws; it said adding he took advantage when rest of the children had gone to sleep and raped the girl who was also sleeping in the house.

UNLF had declared before that the outfit will give extreme punishments to those who commit such criminal activities to women and children, and had been proactive in doing so, it added.

Some of the criminals who had committed similar crimes have run away to other states outside Manipur after being released from Jail, and few are hiding in rented houses by changing their identities, it further said, adding it has caused delays in giving out timely punishments.

Bobo was being tracked for some time after he was released from jail in 2015.  The front has appealed to the people to help in hunting down these criminals who are mostly hiding at rented houses, and urged the landlords and locals to provide information about them.

The women folk, who are suffering the most, must provide a larger role in hunting these criminals down, it added.

A good library is needed now more than ever in this generation where social media is taking over

By Priyashree Sharma Ph

The Education minister, Th Radheshyam Singh practically obliterated the importance of libraries in the schools and colleges of Manipur when he opined that libraries could be replaced by Google as it provides all the required information. He said this in the light of his visits to various schools and colleges where he found battered, cobwebbed ridden rooms with little to no books on the shelves as libraries.

It is doubtful whether he meant it ironically and took the route of a sarcastic jibe or he actually meant it in its entirety and thinks Google can actually replace libraries. Honestly, if it’s the former then kudos to his witty remark. But if it’s the latter one need to be careful because the very person responsible for education thinks Google is the all-encompassing knowledge bubble where all the information in the world resides. 

What is disturbing is that the solution sought for unkempt, disarrayed libraries is not an official direction from the Ministry for better upkeep and proper maintenance. If Google provides all the information then why are there still major libraries thriving throughout the world? Granted the libraries in Manipur do need modernisation and better functioning albeit some major changes. For a library to run with efficiency a constant flow of funding is required without which it would be hard to function in this ever changing socio-economic equilibrium and the government should play an important role in keeping the libraries updated.

Truth be told, I don’t think I would ever have been able to read a Harvard Law Review without the facilities of my college library as they are massively expensive, also one simply cannot access these on Google considering they are copyright protected.

One cannot deny how useful Google is but when a student needs to write a paper on a certain topic or needs analytical or thorough research for a project, one cannot find all the information in it. Yes, Google does give a certain direction as to ‘where to look for the information’.

It may show snippets of the topic written by a certain author but definitely not the entire content, so if a person cannot afford to purchase the said book then what would be the next step? It obviously would be logical to go to a library and look for the book. Also, during a research a student sometimes only need a single chapter for reference from a particular book, without an access to a proper library, where would the student go? Google? Probably to try their luck but will they find the required information?

A Library is a space, a safe space for everyone who loves to read or learn or research. A good library is needed now more than ever in this generation where social media, memes, online gaming et al is taking over. A proper library creates a healthy relationship between the students and information. A shabby and dodgy library would naturally repulse anyone. No one wants to go read or think or acclimatize in a dingy, dirty and dilapidated space. Therefore, a proper library with properly trained librarians with proper degrees should be hired. The better a librarian is at the job, the number of people accessing the library would escalate.

(The writer is a law student)

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | July 29

Two individuals died and 30 others, all them from Oinam Sawombung Makha Leikai, Wangoi under Imphal West district, were hospitalised today after drinking spurious country liquor bought from two vendors. 

According to locals of Oinam Sawombung  Makha Leikai, Wangjam Herojit (35) son of W. Thoiba died today morning at around 7 after drinking the spurious liquor brought from the local vendors yesterday during a feast.

Few hours before he died, he claimed that his eyesight was getting blurred and started vomiting blood.

In the afternoon at around 3 Oinam Shyam (50) son of O. Tombi Singh who drink the same liquor yesterday during the feast also died after getting the same symptoms.

The 30 individuals who were hospitalised today evening also drank the same liquor bought from the two vendors today while attending the funeral of Herojit at around 1pm.

According to them they started to get headache, vomiting and muscle cramp etc followed.   

Out of the 30 individuals, four are in critical condition and one is currently in the ICU of Shija hospital and three in the ICU of Raj Medicity, including one of the vendor identified as Ashem Shyamkumar (50) son of late A. Ibocha.

The other vendor is identified as one Elangbam Imo (50) son of late E. Ibocha.

The remaining 26 were admitted at RIMS. Samples of the liquor have been sent to forensic department for investigation according to local club members. The liquor is brewed at Thiyang Leishangkhom Kabui Khul.

In the meanwhile the Thoubal Food Safety, designated officer collected the sample of the liqour and has been sent to lab for testing.  Some more patients are reported to have admitted to the hospitals at the time of filing this report.

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL |July 29

Dhanamanjuri College of Teacher Education (DMCTE) demanded its inclusion under the Dhanamanjuri University as DM College of Teacher Education, maintaining that it is run by the government and oldest college of teacher education in the state.

Speaking to media persons at the teacher education college, general secretary of Trainee Union, Manjit Sarangthem said the union appreciates steps taken by the government for establishment of DM University.

DM college was established in 1946 and certificate on teaching (CT) in 1959. CT course was replaced by a basic training college in 1961-62. After that post graduate training (PGT) college got established on September 15, 1972.

It changed the nomenclature from PGT to DMCTE on January 17, 1997 and master in education course was opened in 2005.

Manjit said the DMCTE has appropriate infrastructure with well qualified faculties recognised as research guide under Manipur University. In order to improve the education sector in the state research activities should be strengthened in the teacher education area.

The Teaching Union condemned the decision of the government for not including DMCTE in the list of cluster of colleges while passing the university bill. DMCTE is accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and lone government college of teacher education which is also a Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) beneficiary.

Debate and extension secretary, DMCTE, Md. Imran Khan said to bring quality education qualified teachers are needed. The government should take into consideration based on history and its role, DMCTE has been an inseparable part and parcel of the composite DM College.

“If DM University is to be established by a conglomerate of cluster colleges, why is DMCTE not included in the list of cluster colleges?  If DMCTE is removed from the university set-up what will be its future?”, he asked.

Professional college LMS Law College is not a part of DM College and it is inserted in the list of cluster colleges projected to be a part of DM University. “What is the intention of the government to remove DMCTE and bring LMS law college in the proposed DM University?” he asked.

“What is the specific weakness of DMCTE ?” Imran asked. What is the hidden agenda of government for excluding DMCTE in the cluster list, government should clarify the reason and re-consider the decision at the earliest, he said.

He appealed to the government that DM College of Teacher Education should be included in the cluster list of DM University.

Besides, magazine secretary of DMCTE, Kh. Shyamkumar said if DMCTE is not inserted in the cluster list then Teacher Union will take several actions.

From Our Correspondent 

CHURACHANDPUR | July 29

There has been unabated rise in the number of patients hit by mysterious epidemic in Henglep sub-division of Churachandpur district. More number of sick people are being transported today for treatment by the sub-division’s administration using Shaktiman trucks.

The disease is suspected to be Swine Flu though it is not confirmed as of now. Villages like Henglep, Najang, Ainujang, Vongmol, Thinghizang, S. Khonom, Mollien and Khanpi have been hard hit. The patients have to be carried by foot owing to the rain and unfriendly terrain.

Henglep village has been affected most by the epidemic. Around 140 households have been reportedly affected by the disease, while 45 households have been affected in Nazang village. 89 patients are from the said village.

Till the time of filing this report, 139 patients are being transported. More number of patients is yet to be transported who need immediate medical attention. Two kids among them are reported to be in critical condition. They have acute symptoms of loose motion and vomiting. 

 The CMO and the district hospital superintendent are trying hard to meet the demands of the heavy number of patients who have been lodged at the hospital. Most of the hospital rooms are being occupied by the rush of the patients. Today 39 patients were discharged and their test results of the blood sample are awaited.

One volunteer talking to the IFP said the most effective way to deal with the epidemic now is to send medical team by the authority concerned without any delay.

IMPHAL | July 29

A woman was injured by lightening this afternoon at Kharasom area, Imphal East district under Lamlai assembly constituency. The incident took place at around 3:30 pm when the woman along with 8 others went to work in the paddy field.

 The injured woman has been identified as Yengkhom (O) Pakpi Devi, wife of Y. John Singh. She has been evacuated at JNIMS hospital, Porompat. According to eye witness, Pakpi was hit by the lightening as they were walking together. She was walking at the front. The cloth she was wearing was shredded into pieces when she was hit by the lightening.

State gears up to fight dengue outbreak

IMPHAL | July 29

The chief minister reviewed the situation of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and dengue outbreak in the state in an emergency meeting held at the CM Secretariat tonight. During the meeting, it was informed that positive cases are showing an increasing trend.

Till now, 59 cases have been tested positive for dengue, and 73 cases have been detected positive for Japanese Encephalitis (JE). Two doctors, who did not report for duty at PHC, Senvon and PHC, Henglep have also been suspended with immediate effect.

N Biren expressed that the situation is alarming and it needs to be attended to immediately. During the meeting, it was decided that 20-30 doctors with paramedics and director (Health) will go to Churachandpur tomorrow morning with medicines. Youth Hostel is to be used for the accommodation for the teams.

Necessary funds to the tune of Rs. 10 crore will be released by the Finance department by Monday. Similarly, required money will be given soon for artificial ventilators. To prevent further spread of the disease, fever detection centres will be established at Moreh, Behiang and Jiribam by Monday.

Police would also help provide accommodation for the doctors, if needed.  The CM directed DC, Churachandpur to arrange transport facilities to shift the patients in co-ordination with Director (Health) K. Lokendro.

He further instructed director (Ayush) and director, RIMS to provide necessary medicines, doctors and diagnosis facilities and other logistics support. DC, Churachandpur will extend all necessary assistance in this regard.

The meeting was attended by minister for Health and Family Welfare L. Jayantakumar Singh, minister for Agriculture V. Hangkhanlian, chairman of Hill Areas Committee T. T. Haokip, chief secretary R.R. Rashmi, DGP L.M Khaute, secretary (Health) Sumant Singh, director (Health) K. Lokendro, director (RIMS), director (Ayush), Director (JNIMS) and other specialist doctors.